[fearfactory]

Well, I'm new to Shadowrun and I've been messing with the Quickstart rules.  Pretty neat system.  Right now, I'm playing with character creation with a BP cap of 200 (I was off by 3 but I don't care).  My goal was to create a character that was a Weapon Specialist who knew how to lockpick.  After almost getting caught, he started to dip his toes into the Matrix (hacker) and got his spine modified (to help his reflexes) to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.  Not a combat hacker, just one that can do things like hack security systems and maybe things like ATM's to get some extra cash.

I used Chummer after messing with pencil and paper:

Code: [Select]

== Info ==
Street Name:
Name: Squiffy
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 6
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 4
Public Awareness: 1
Elf
Composure: 5
Judge Intentions: 5
Lift/Carry: 4 (30 kg/20 kg)
Memory: 5
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 2
AGI: 4
REA: 3 (4)
STR: 2
CHA: 3
INT: 2
LOG: 3
WIL: 2
EDG: 3

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   5.7
Initiative:                5 (6)
IP:                        1
Matrix Initiative:         6
Matrix IP:                 3
Physical Damage Track:     9
Stun Damage Track:         9

== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling            : 0                      Pool: 1
Animal Training            : 0                      Pool: 1
Archery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Armorer                    : 0                      Pool: 2
Artisan                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Automatics                 : 3                      Pool: 7
Blades                     : 0                      Pool: 3
Climbing                   : 1                      Pool: 3
Clubs                      : 0                      Pool: 3
Computer                   : 1                      Pool: 4
Con                        : 0                      Pool: 2
Cybercombat                : 0                      Pool: 2
Data Search                : 1                      Pool: 4
Demolitions                : 0                      Pool: 2
Disguise                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Diving                     : 0                      Pool: 1
Dodge                      : 0                      Pool: 3
Escape Artist              : 0                      Pool: 3
Etiquette                  : 0                      Pool: 2
First Aid                  : 0                      Pool: 2
Flight                     : 1                      Pool: 3
Forgery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Gunnery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Gymnastics                 : 1                      Pool: 5
Hacking                    : 1                      Pool: 4
Hardware                   : 1                      Pool: 4
Heavy Weapons              : 0                      Pool: 3
Infiltration               : 0                      Pool: 3
Instruction                : 0                      Pool: 2
Intimidation               : 0                      Pool: 2
Leadership                 : 0                      Pool: 2
Locksmith                  : 1                      Pool: 5
Longarms                   : 3                      Pool: 7
Navigation                 : 0                      Pool: 1
Negotiation                : 1                      Pool: 4
Palming                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Parachuting                : 0                      Pool: 1
Perception                 : 1                      Pool: 3
Pilot Ground Craft         : 0                      Pool: 3
Pilot Watercraft           : 0                      Pool: 3
Pistols                    : 3                      Pool: 7
Riding                     : 0                      Pool: 3
Running                    : 1                      Pool: 3
Shadowing                  : 0                      Pool: 1
Software                   : 1                      Pool: 4
Survival                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Swimming                   : 1                      Pool: 3
Throwing Weapons           : 1                      Pool: 5
Tracking                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Unarmed Combat             : 0                      Pool: 3

== Knowledge Skills ==
Arabic                     : 1                      Pool: 3
Area Knowledge: Chicago    : 3                      Pool: 5
English                    : 3                      Pool: 5
Firearms                   : 3 [Design]             Pool: 6 (8)
German                     : N                      Pool: 0
Security Design            : 3 [Bank]               Pool: 5 (7)

== Contacts ==
Enemy: Corporate CEO (Bank) (1, 2)
Enemy: Gang Leader (1, 1)
Weapons Dealer (1, 1)

== Qualities ==
Ambidextrous
Low-Light Vision
SINner (Criminal) (1)
Uncouth

== Lifestyles ==
Squatter  1 months

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Reaction Enhancers Rating 1

== Armor ==
Clothing                  0/0
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 1
   +Concealable Holster
   +Quick-Draw Holster
   +Quick-Draw Holster
   +Quick-Draw Holster
Leather Jacket            2/2
   +Concealable Holster
   +Quick-Draw Holster

== Weapons ==
Ceska Black Scorpion
   +Spare Clips
   +Stock
   Pool: 7   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 1
Ceska Black Scorpion
   +Spare Clips
   +Stock
   Pool: 7   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 1
Hammerli 620S
   +Laser Sight
   +Silencer
   +Spare Clips
   +Smartgun System
   Pool: 7   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 1
Minigrenade: Flash-Bang
   Pool: 7   DV: 6S (10m Radius)   AP: -3   RC: 0
Minigrenade: High Explosive
   Pool: 7   DV: 10P (-2/m)   AP: -2   RC: 0
Minigrenade: Smoke
   Pool: 7   DV: (10m Radius)   AP: -   RC: 0
Ranger Arms SM-4
   +Imaging Scope
   +Shock Pad
   +Spare Clips
   +Stock
   +Silencer
   Pool: 7   DV: 8P   AP: -3   RC: 0
Streetline Special
   +Spare Clips
   Pool: 7   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 0
Survival Knife
   Pool: 3   DV: 2P   AP: -1   RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 3   DV: 1S   AP: -   RC: 0

== Commlink ==
Meta Link (3, 5, 5, 4)
   +Sim Module (Hot)
   +Subvocal Microphone
   +Sim Module (Cold)

== Gear ==
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Holdouts) x5
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Machine Pistols) x20
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Light Pistols) x10
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Sniper Rifles) x10
Analyze Rating 5
Browse Rating 5
Command Rating 5
Datachip x3
Edit Rating 5
Encrypt Rating 5
Keycard Copier Rating 1
Lockpick Set
Minigrenade: Flash-Bang x2
Minigrenade: High Explosive x2
Minigrenade: Smoke x2
Reality Filter Rating 5
Scan Rating 5
Tool Kit (Multi Tool)

[emsquared]

Why are you building a 200 BP character? Not sure there's any point in critiquing something like that.

[fearfactory]

Why are you building a 200 BP character? Not sure there's any point in critiquing something like that.

Why not?

In all honestly I just wanted to mess around with the creation system.  I know 400 was recommended but I wanted to see what I could accomplish with a less than optimal amount of BP.

[Reiper]

Couple things:

1) 400BP is standard, not 200 (this explains a lot of my other issues)
2) Your stats and skills are way low (see #1).
3) Uncouth probably isn't the best for a thief. Social engineering is amazing, especially if you are caught red handed. So might want to change that for something else and spend a few points in Con. (I don't know why the alarm just went off sir, I was just cleaning the Monet I swear). Maybe swap it for record on file for whatever corp almost caught you in the past.
4) I'd nix the sniper rifle unless you plan on specializing as a sniper. They are useful in certain situations but I don't think they are worth it unless you have the dice pool to do some major damage on the first IP
5) I'd imaging a bank CEO would have a much larger connection than a 1, and a gang leader would probably at least be a 2

But yeah, put in 400 points and repost 'em. At 200 you won't be able to get much of anything done, and in combat you're as good as dead with 7 dice, especially once you take a few hits and with only 1 IP.

If you want a challenge, start at 350ish.

[emsquared]

Why not?

Well, let's see. You're sickly, you're weak, you're oblivious, you're a coward, you couldn't hit the broad side of a troll with any of your 3 Firearms skills, or a baseball, you couldn't find Google if it was your homepage or crack a pirated trid-game, you could break into a gumball machine, and all of your contacts - if they remember your name when you call - would sooner turn you over to the authorities than help you.

In short, no one would hire you - unless they needed a fall guy who was sure to botch the job and die in the process.

Does that clear it up for you?

Seriously, this character is a worse option than pulling the "Average Joe" off the street and asking them to do a job for you. Not trying to be offensive or put you down, that's just what the numbers on your char-sheet represent.

300 BP? Okay, if you want to play a crawl up from the bottom of the gutters thing. But 200? It's pretty much nonsense.

[fearfactory]

That's more clear.  I'll give it another go...  like I said I was just exploring character creation.

[All4BigGuns]

300 BP? Okay, if you want to play a crawl up from the bottom of the gutters thing.

It should be: "300 BP? Okay, if you want absolutely most boring PoS game you'll ever play."