[orewashinigamiza]

Is it Karma Gen (I saw a mention somewhere of some other type of karmagen), BP, or what in particular?

[Rockopolis]

Probably BP, it's the default.  Karmagen is an optional rule.
Why?

[Makki]

Karmagen. BP is 

[Glyph]

I like Karmagen a lot, but build points are the most common way to make a character.  After all, build points are in the main rulebook, while Karmagen is one of two optional methods presented in Runner's Companion. 

A few things conspired to make Karmagen less popular.  The original version created characters who were much more powerful than characters created with build points (the claim by someone who worked on it is that the 750 Karma was originally intended to be used with the x5 Attribute multiplier), and the "free" metatype costs irked a lot of people (even though metatypes such as orks equate to a net gain under build points, too).  Then SR4A came out, putting Karmagen in limbo.  Heck, there still isn't an official errata out for Runner's Companion, although I hear the newest copies have it (Attribute costs are x5, and you pay your metatype cost in Karma - 30 Karma to be an elf, etc.).

[baronspam]

I prefer to use BP and if I were to GM I would ask my players do the same.  The math is a bit simpler to keep track of, and if you go strictly rules-as-written karma gen can produce significantly more powerful characters in you want to min/max.  Many people do quote the famed but rarely seen "German Errata" for some revised costs, but that is really nothing more than a houserule at this point

The one thing I do like about Karma gen is that it does encourage making characters with a broader skill base rather than a few high end specialties.  When I have some spare time I might sit down and really crunch the numbers and come up with houserule version I can live with.  Until then, I typcially use build points, and i think that is the more common system as it is the only one in the "core" rulebook.

[wylie]

BP is required for SR missions

if playing missions at conventions, then the PCs need to be made using BP

if homegame....whatever makes you happy