Shadowrun
Shadowrun General => Gear => Topic started by: Devil on <12-21-12/1323:27>
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Best inexpensive vehicles for a character than needs to blend in?
The Mercury Comet looks very common, but I'm curious what my other options are. What have you used?/What would you use?
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Bulldog with chameleon coating. Whether it is your standard black/white van, a delivery van, or a corpsec van, you blend in just fine, unless you have a machine gun turret mounted on top, of course.
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C-N Jackrabbit. The most common car since SR1!
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What do you want to do with the vee? A lot of which vee you want is going to depend on locale and role.
If you are looking for a nondescript vehicle to tail people, then something like the Comet would be fine.
For Stakeouts the Bulldog is a good idea, or the Nissan Coda from SOA 3073.
If you're trailing someone in Puyallup then off road (and probably chem protection) is a must.
etc etc
As a starting character I always prefer to not take a vee unless wheelman/rigger is part of my primary portfolio. They're just too easy to pick up in play.
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As a starting character I always prefer to not take a vee unless wheelman/rigger is part of my primary portfolio. They're just too easy to pick up in play.
Why do I get the feeling you're not talking about going to Big Bob's Auto Emporium... ?
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As a starting character I always prefer to not take a vee unless wheelman/rigger is part of my primary portfolio. They're just too easy to pick up in play.
Why do I get the feeling you're not talking about going to Big Bob's Auto Emporium... ?
Big bobs is certainly an option, and I actually prefer to acquire vees "legally" (as legal as it can be using a fake SIN and ill gotten games), or through a fixer. The Fixer gives you a cut out between you and the vee in question if it becomes a piece of evidence.
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Why the van? Several reasons, really.
1) Easier for getting in/out with weapons than a sedan.
2) Blend in more places than a sedan would. A sedan in the middle of an industrial park may draw attention, whereas a delivery van in corporate colors might not.
3) Cargo. You can carry more drones on a van.
4) Body and Armor. If things go suddenly to hell, a Bulldog is a lot more likely to survive a fight than a sedan, especially if you up the armor.
5) Can fit the whole team, even if one of the team is a troll.
And as for why I don't just steal/buy a van for every occasion where I'd need one? Because that's more expensive, and it leaves a trail that is more closely connected to whatever crime you're committing. Plus, if you buy something just for the run, you have no time to go over it and check for things like listening/tracking devices, back doors in the pilot program, a killswitch on the engine, or even a car bomb. Don't trust a piece of equipment you haven't had a chance to check out.
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What do you want to do with the vee? A lot of which vee you want is going to depend on locale and role.
If you are looking for a nondescript vehicle to tail people, then something like the Comet would be fine.
For Stakeouts the Bulldog is a good idea, or the Nissan Coda from SOA 3073.
If you're trailing someone in Puyallup then off road (and probably chem protection) is a must.
etc etc
As a starting character I always prefer to not take a vee unless wheelman/rigger is part of my primary portfolio. They're just too easy to pick up in play.
I'd like something that I can park outside a run, drive through slums, or take it to a fancy party and not be conspicuous at any of those locations. Off-roading isn't really important to him and stakeouts can be done somewhat remotely with this character. Delivery Vans are really out of my price range and can probably be rented (or you could buy something from a junkyard and fix it up) if necissary for a run. When you get into mods, like chameleon coating you also eliminate the possibility of including a car lease in your lifestyle cost too, which is otherwise allowed (with limits). You are talking about a 40,000 nuyen investment. Too rich for my blood and the character doesn't need all that space. That's cutting into my 'ware money. :P
Jackrabbit is certainly a very viable option, CanRay.
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Seems like a van would be ideal. For instance, if you can get within mutual signal range of a node you need to hack - especially for an extended test (Decrypting) - while still inside of the vehicle, you could do the dirty work from inside, less exposure and less obvious than setting there in the meat waving your hands about poking AR icons. If you can't afford it out of the gate, maybe hold off on the purchase 'til post chargen and buy more 'wares instead!! Haha!
Do you have any other team-mates who can give you rides, or throw in on a whip post-chargen? If not, I'm sure public transportation has made wonderful strides in the last few decades.
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Trill gangers, timing, and available routes are issues with public transportation, though I do see many dirt poor characters that use it. They also live in coffin motels and eat nothing but bad soy. Sounds like a horrible existence.
Can't show up to a fancy party in a van really. Waving arms around isn't an issue if you are inside an enclosed vehicle. Vehicles come with heavily tinted windows standard.
I will probably want a Delivery Van eventually, but there are a lot of things that I want that I can't afford right out of the gate.
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You can show up to a fancy party in a van if the side says you're part of the catering service and you dress the part.
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Can't show up to a fancy party in a van really.
But you can show up in a Jackrabbit? M'kay...
The point is, it's all about return on investment, what's the point in buying a crappy anything at chargen if you're gonna just replace it after a few runs in?
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Can't show up to a fancy party in a van really.
But you can show up in a Jackrabbit? M'kay...
What about a Riced-Up Shin?
...
OK, I just threw up a bit suggesting that, but that's because I grew up to enjoy Old Skool Detroit Muscle.
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For a fancy party your best bet is probably rented Limo or Car service.
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Can't show up to a fancy party in a van really.
But you can show up in a Jackrabbit? M'kay...
The point is, it's all about return on investment, what's the point in buying a crappy anything at chargen if you're gonna just replace it after a few runs in?
You have a point. Jackrabbits and Comets are kinda wageslave cars.
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The only time you should be 'replacing' your anything is if you have to - if it's burned (vehicles, abodes, IDs) or if it's battered (armor, weapons, gear). If you never had a problem with the Hyungk of Jyunk CanRay's talking about, then why replace it? Sure, get another one, but don't throw the thing out just because it's old.
In most shadowrun games, you also aren't going to be wasting most stuff (ID, weapons, vehicles) on a run. If you have to get something just for that run, you should look into how quickly and profitably you can resell it - talk to your mechanic or chop-shop contact, how much he'll give for the thing. Or, if you're paying attention and know you need a disposable vehicle or two, you ask chop-shop guy if there's anything he's looking for, swipe that, and basically get paid a bit extra to have your ops vehicle diced into anonymous parts.
Otherwise, Joker, depends on the area - and the target. Generally, you really WOULD want to show up in something bland; for one or three people, overall a Jackrabbit/Comet is the way to go. And if you're trying to remain inconspicuous, usually you'll want to go in two or three seperate vehicles....
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The Rover Model 2068, while not cheap, is very cost-effective in my opinion.
Armored enough to drive to the barrens without ever having to worry about stray gunshots. The free Anti-theft lets you park it anywhere without having to worry about it being messed up or stolen, the included Amenities make it more comfortable than the average house of a 'runner. Off-Road Suspension being included means it's good to drive anywhere. Free Passenger Protection can never hurt either.
The Rover has all that and at the same time It's one of the few vehicles that can be driven around the most exclusive high-class neighborhoods without raising suspicion.
Okay, 25.000 isn't cheap. But it's by far the cheapest car around with that much versatility.
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Taxi Driver contact, Loyalty Level 6.
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Taxi Driver contact, Loyalty Level 6.
Ghoul Cab driver?
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Taxi Driver contact, Loyalty Level 6.
Ghoul Cab driver?
Well, if you really want to go there, yeah ...
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Taxi Driver contact, Loyalty Level 6.
Ghoul Cab driver?
Well, if you really want to go there, yeah ...
"Ghoul Cab, you are what we eat."
Funny enough, Ghoul Cab is one of the more popular items I've created for my games.
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You couldn't pay me enough to deal with ghouls.
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I've been wondering about ghoul cab. Does the ghoul actually drive or is it just chilling in the cab with you like a very macabre petting zoo?
On topic, you can't beat the Rover for the reasons that have already been discussed. Plus you can talk in a British or Aussie accent when you are in one for extra fun.
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I've been wondering about ghoul cab. Does the ghoul actually drive or is it just chilling in the cab with you like a very macabre petting zoo?
I based it a lot like the taxi from "Heavy Metal", with a few mods. There's a divider between the driver and the passengers, no one sits shotgun. There's a Credstick Reader/Wireless Credit Transfer Point in the back to pay for the cab ride. Doors aren't opened until the cabbie's been paid (15% tip minimum.).
The Divider is rated for Heavy Pistol/SMG Rounds, and the doors are as armored as can be. An Adept/Augmented Troll could probably kick his way out, but then becomes a target for every Ghoul Cab driver around as "Dinner".
The major bonus they have from my group's point of view is that they'll drive anywhere. Deepest, darkest barrens? "Yeah, you might have to wait an hour."
Oh, and, yes, there is a one-shot PAC "Zip Gun" pointed at the passengers if they get too unruly. That's never happened with my group, but...
Anyhow, they're part of the "Infected Are People Too" group that we're trying to get away from, but are still very much in the nature of the beast so it's not a big deal. They will, literally, take body parts for payment at times, not caring whose they were before. It's for personal consumption by the cabbies, so it's not like THEY'RE killing people to feed themselves their nutritional requirement. Needless to say, they're popular with Shadowrunners and Company Men that need a ride that's "Blind" to where they've come from and are going, and to dispose of a body at the same time. Some of the "nicer" gangs will use a ride with Ghoul Cab as an initiation rite.
The Ghouls themselves all have cyberoptics systems, usually used but not always, which gets rid of their typical Ghoul Blindness.
Yes, the amount of background I put into characters and other such things is stupidly insane.
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Yes, the amount of background I put into characters and other such things is stupidly insane.
Actually I quite like other players and GMs that do that. I do it. Wish I had someone like that to play with though!
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Man, you're nice to them.
My version of Ghoul Cab has heavy reinforcement on the passenger compartment - enough to chunky-salsa a grenade blast, which is what is in the nice clear 'in case of assault on driver' armored-glass box with the pin already pulled, just waiting for the lever to be released and then the box to be opened.
So granted, Ghoul Cab is a litte bit more, uh, 'boxy' than the usual Yellows ....
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? Why would you WANT a cheap vehicle? Just steal a car expensive enough that whoever you're stealing it from can afford another one.
Also, i just realized that at chargen by marking something that is F as Stolen you can take down the price(and if you talk to your gm the avail)
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Can't show up to a fancy party in a van really.
But you can show up in a Jackrabbit? M'kay...
What about a Riced-Up Shin?
...
OK, I just threw up a bit suggesting that, but that's because I grew up to enjoy Old Skool Detroit Muscle.
God damn, the detroit muscle we know would pull like a slug and handle like a brick (even more than now) in comparison to what a shin can do. Still, if he wants to show up to any gathering and not look like a lil' bitch he'll get the muscle. ;)
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Bikes are cheap. James Bond always drives them wearing a suit, so you're fine to ride them to the fancy party, too.
They're also very good for get-away. With gyrostabilization and Pilot, they can drive by themselves just like cars. All you lack is space and armor.
Suzuki Mirage (Racing Bike)
+Anti-Theft
+GridLink
+GridLink Override
+Morphing License Plate
+Motorcycle Gyro Stabilization
+Pilot Program Rating 3
+Vehicle Sensor
=16250
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All good advice. I went with a really common bike in order to save Nuyen, having come to the same conclusion as Makki. I saved enough to throw on a couple of choice mods. it came to 12,050, i think, and most of that is the shielded smuggling compartment.
Suzuki Mirage (Racing Bike)
+ Clean Car Coating; Manual Control Override, Drive-by-Wire; Morphing License Plate; Removed Manual Controls; Smuggling Compartment, Shielded; Spoof Chip; Skinlink
I removed the manual controls, then skinlinked with a manual control override, drive by wire. This makes it basically unhackable, and if you want to steal it, you'd need a couple guys and a truck. The rest is for keeping a low profile and getaways. When the character earns some cash I may grab gyrostabilization, chameleon coating, or smart tires, but getting a second vehicle is another good option. A car or delivery van for starters.