Shadowrun

Shadowrun Play => Character creation and critique => Topic started by: JohnBromin on <02-10-13/2042:56>

Title: AI Car Character
Post by: JohnBromin on <02-10-13/2042:56>
I've been trying to make a new character for a shadowrun game that a friends running over RollD20, but I'm just spinning my tires in the mud right now. I'm having a bit of a hard time actually navigating the sheer volume of shadowrun books that I bought for it, and I'm starting to think I'm a bit in over my head.

I really want to make an Artificial Intelligence Jacker, who 'lives' inside of an old limousine, but I'm not exactly sure which one would actually both house a computer big enough to hold the AI, and be able to be affordable for the character.  If there's just a simple matter of sending me to simplified wikis or something that's got a bit less digging and confusion around it, then I'm all on board for it.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: RHat on <02-10-13/2257:06>
Making your home node something like a vehicle, which is very much liable to wind up in the line of fire, is unwise.  You may wish to reconsider what your home node is.

That said, an AI Rigger is certainly a workable concept.  Read Runner's Companion 68, 69, 88-91, Unwired in its entirety save for the technomancer and sprite chapters, Arsenal's weapon and vehicle stuff, and pretty much all of SR4A (you can get away with skipping the magic chapter)...  That's basically where all the stuff relevant to you should be.

You'll want the Pilot Origin quality for certain.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: Comrade Wolf on <02-10-13/2347:52>
I think an AI with a traveling home node is not necessarily an unworkable character concept; yes, it does put you more at risk, but you're still not in as much danger as your meatbag teammates, who are also directly in the line of fire and don't have the advantage of being made of metal. (Also, I posit that no one's going to assume you're sentient unless they're given fairly convincing evidence otherwise.) If you're really attached to the limo thing, go for it -- off the top of my head, I can't think of those exact stats from any of the sourcebooks, so you might have to work with your GM to adapt one of the existing vehicles. I might also consider something smaller, though; you'll probably be living in a nexus, which is about the size of a computer tower and thus fairly portable. If you picked the car because you wanted to be where the action is (and/or have a GM who won't allow a completely hands-off character, always a possibility) you could throw your home node in something that fits through doors a little better than a limousine.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: RHat on <02-10-13/2352:41>
"Unwise" and "Unworkable are, legitimately, two different things.  Hence why its a suggestion for consideration, and not "this is what you must do for your character to work".

That said, AI's don't have to purely operate from their home node - though they do best from there.  He could be "in" one of his drones, though that means that if the drone is jammed and blown up he's dead.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: JohnBromin on <02-11-13/0014:26>
My main problem is the cost, I don't really want something too expensive, but at the same time I know I need to be right in the action, just because of who the gm is. Maybe it would be better if I went with some sort of RV, for group transport? I mean it seems that people wouldn't be as keen on destroying the transport, or maybe I could be in a tiny drone?
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: All4BigGuns on <02-11-13/0017:21>
I'd say look through Used Car Lot for the vehicles there's a few good limos in there for ya to use. Though personally, I'd choose the Prarie Cat RV, but I just love that vehicle. If you're more looking to go off of Kit from Knight Rider though, I'd go for a Eurocar Westwind.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: UmaroVI on <02-11-13/1024:27>
I say go full classy and use a Conestoga Vista. Beep beep!
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: JohnBromin on <02-11-13/1343:12>
I say go full classy and use a Conestoga Vista. Beep beep!

Which book is that vehicle found in, I'm not really seeing it just from a quick glance through most of these.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: Gorean on <02-11-13/1450:36>
One of the state of the art books (73 i think) has a taxi, which would make a cool home node for an AI.
I think the fluff even mentions a taxi driving ai in one of the books.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: UmaroVI on <02-11-13/1509:39>
I say go full classy and use a Conestoga Vista. Beep beep!

Which book is that vehicle found in, I'm not really seeing it just from a quick glance through most of these.

Arsenal
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: JohnBromin on <02-11-13/1545:30>
What would the device rating be on a Westwind? I know the standard for cars is 3, but since it's a high end car, would it make more sense for it to be a 4?
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: Aryeonos on <02-11-13/1709:32>
firewall, signal, response, system are 3. Pilot 3, handling 3. that's a pretty good package.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: JohnBromin on <02-11-13/1734:35>
I also noticed that all of the suggestions here don't have availability scores, do you still have to roll availability for something, if you're buying it in character creation, or am I just being confused here?
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: Inconnu on <02-11-13/1751:44>
Make it a transport truck. 16 body/armor just to make absolutely sure that nothing can crack you open. And cheaper, too! ;)
Edit:Also give them auxillary drones with good arms and then give them Juryrigger. ;D "Get me a plate, a jug of olive oil and a piece of chewed gum."
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: Novocrane on <02-11-13/1814:39>
Personal preference would be the Mercedes CLK 170T. It's german material, though.

Comes with anti-theft and chameleon coating as standard, among other things.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: Aryeonos on <02-11-13/1822:20>
Does this mean I have to go out and buy the german and french editions because they're better now....?(even though they've been out for a while now)

Look, if we're going for maximum firepower here, go for a Zuggmaschine, put armour on it, and 3 flexible weapon mounts extra exit/entry points and have your self a land gunship. Also a moving house for your runners the size on apartment block.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: All4BigGuns on <02-11-13/2015:41>
I also noticed that all of the suggestions here don't have availability scores, do you still have to roll availability for something, if you're buying it in character creation, or am I just being confused here?

As long as it's 12 or less (20 or less with Restricted Gear quality), you're good to go in character creation.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: RHat on <02-11-13/2047:42>
There's always the mod-a-bus option.
Title: Re: AI Car Character
Post by: JohnBromin on <02-13-13/1816:08>
I want to thank everyone for there tips, and suggestions, and as soon as I have the character finished, I'll post it here, to see if there's anything I'm missing with it.