[RelentlessImp]

So, I got this idea to make a 4E character a mesh of Pratchett/Classic Mythos/D&D-style goblins, while working in a few thematics that interested me (implanted combat focus, implanted eyeware without cybereyes). I couldn't make it work on 400BP, and I just barely got it all in on 750 karma... but I'm wondering if someone could make it work, mechanically, better than I have, either with Karmagen or BP (or even in 5E Priority). So, here's what I've got.

==Attributes==
Dwarf, Gnome (Using optional rule that Metas cost equal to BP because that's the one I see used most often)
Bod: 5/7
Agi: 3/6 (5)
Rea: 3/5
Str: 3/7
Cha: 1/6
Log: 6/7 (9)
Wil: 6/7

Edge: 2/6
Magic: 5/5
Essence: 5

==Positive Qualities==
Changeling (Class III)
Metagentic Improvement (Log)
Monkey Paws
Magician
Restricted Gear 1

==Negative Qualities==
Allergy (Common, Severe - Seawater)
Critter Spook
Impaired Attribute (STR)
Poor Self Control (Vindictive)
Striking Skin Pigmentation (Amazon Green)
Lost Loved One

==Skills=
Arcana (Focus Design) 1 (+2)
Assensing (Astral Signatures) 1 (+2)
Binding 1
Blades (Cyber-Implant Blades) 5 (+2)
Computer 1
Counterspelling (Combat) 3 (+2)
Data Search 1
Dodge (Ranged Combat) 3 (+2)
Etiquette (Corporate) 1 (+2)
Infiltration (Urban) 1 (+2)
Pistols (Semi-Automatics) 1 (+2)
Spellcasting (Combat) 5 (+2)
Summoning (Air) 2 (+2)

=Spells=
Lightning Bolt, Stunball, Stunboilt, Detect Enemies, Extended, Heal, Increase Reflexes, Orgasm

==Ware==
Hand Razors (Implanted stacked Power 2/Weapon 2 Focus) (Alphaware)
Smartlink (Implanted into the eyeballs) (Alphaware)
Cerebral Booster 3 (Alphaware)
Muscle Toner 2 (Standard)

==Gear==
Chrysler-Nissan Jackrabbit (with Anti-Theft, 16 Armor, Amphibious Operation Level 2, ECM 10)
Non-mobile Emotitoy Rating 6
Lifestyle (Comforts Street, Low Entertainment, Luxury Necessities, Low Neighborhood, Luxury Security, plus Homegrown Farming, Security Conscious, Network Bottleneck - 18 LP, 8k/month, 1 month)
Ares Predator IV (with Skinlink, Additional Clip, Extended Clip, Personalized Grip, Barrel Extension)
Sustaining Focus (Health) R3, bonded
Stacked Focus: Power 2, Weapon 2, bonded, implanted (Hand Razors)
Tag Eraser
100 Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Heavy Pistol)
100 Ammo: Regular (Heavy Pistol)
30 Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistol)
5 Spare Clips for Ares Pred IV
Goggles R6 w/ Flare Comp, Image Link, Vision Enhancement
Fake SIN R4
Fake License R4 x6 (for Smartlink, Pred IV, Stick-n-Shock, Regular Ammo, Anti-Theft car system, 16 Car Armor)
Medkit R6
AR Gloves
Sim Module (Hot)
Subvocal Mic
10 Plastic Restraints
10 Datachips
1 Plasteel Restraints
Wireleess Negation Wallpaper R10
Wireless Negation Paint R10 (Because you never know when you're gonna have to negate someone's wireless connection)
Transys Avalon Commlink with Firewall 6/System 3 OS, with all R6 hacked Common Use programs and a R1 Nonstandard Wireless Link


So, things I'd like to see the character be good at:
Combat with his implanted weapon focus (which slides out from beneath synthetic fingernails into six-inch-long very dramatic-looking 'claws' that are lined with monowire), spellcasting and summoning, while still being able to function in society (with some Etiquette, some Computer skills, and basically not being an uncouth bastard unless he wants to be).  And if possible, not to be a burden when the team's gotta go stealthy. Again, this was done on 750 Karmagen, with metas costing Karma=BP (as it's the most common), but I'd like to see if anyone can turn this into a more effective character (melee combat/spellcasting with a side of ranged combat) on 750 karma or 400 BP.

[emsquared]

I'm not familiar with Pratchett's goblins, and I'm not sure what exactly you mean by classic mythos, but when I think of Goblins I think of revolting and chaotic creatures that generally like to wreak havoc on the world of men. That said, here's my take on your idea using 750 karma:

==Attributes==
Dwarf
Bod: 3
Agi: 5(7)
Rea: 4(up to 6 with spell/Foci)
Str: 3
Cha: 2
Log: 5(7)
Wil: 5

Edge: 2
Magic: 4 (3 Magician, 1 Adept)
Essence: 5.1

==Positive Qualities==
Changeling (Class III SURGE)
Mystic Adept
Restricted Gear 1
Retractable Claws
Thermo-vision

==Negative Qualities==
Critter Spook
Distinctive Style (20 pts, +6 penalty to be identified - that's 4 "Distinctive" elements, flesh out your general goblinoid appearance here; Big Pointy Ears, Large Hooked Nose, Butt-Ass Ugly, Green Skin)
Extravagant Eyes (Blood Red w/ slit pupils?)
Impaired Attribute (STR)
Scent Glands
Vestigial Tail

==Skills= rank(pool)
Arcana 1(8)
Assensing 1(6)
Binding 1(8)
Counterspelling 4 (7)
Etiquette 4(6)
Gymnastics 4(11)
Infiltration 2(9)
Perception 4(9,12 w/ contacts/buds)
Pilot Groundcraft 1(5)
Spellcasting 5(12)
Summoning 4(11)
Unarmed Combat (Natural Attacks) 5,(13(15))

=Spells=
Stunbolt, Manaball, Heal, Increase Reflexes, Agony, Deflection

==Ware==
Cerebral Booster 2
Muscle Toner 2
Reflex Recorder (Unarmed Attack)

==Gear==
Lifestyle, Advanced: Bridge Maintenance Room
(Comforts Squatter, Entertainment Street, Necessities Squatter, Neighborhood Squatter, Security Street, 300Y/month, 1 month)

Claws, 6P, Pool 15
Fangs, 5P, Pool 15
Ingram Smartgun X, Pool 10
- Foregrip
- Personalized Grip
- Additional Clip (one for Ex-X, one for SnS)
- Skinlink
100 Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (SMG)
100 Ammo: Regular (SMG)
50 Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (SMG)

Form-Fitting Armor, Full-Body Suit 6/2
Securetech PPP Ensemble 2/4
Vashon Island Shirt (Armored) 1/1

Power Focus R4, bonded
Sustaining Focus (Health) R3, bonded

Contacts, Viz Enh, R2
- Smartlink
- Flare Comp
Goggles, Viz Enh, R2
- Vision Enh, R3
- Vision Mag
Earbuds, Aud Enh, R1
- Audio Enh, R3

AND!! 7 Karma and 2,190Y to spare for you to further customize :)

Anyway, yeah, for the actual Goblin effect I think you really should at least have natural claws and look like a goblin (as is, you're just a green gnome with 'ware *yawn*), and to do that AND be effective with them AND cast spells, well you have to be a Myst Ad. And while pretty bare-bones, this PC is definitely playable, and even effective at Casting, Clawing and Shooting (and Sneaking AND passable in a Social Situation IF you wear perfume). I didn't do any of the Computer stuff because frankly it's a bad idea with your limited resources and the other many things you want to do.

Your tactics are to Sustain IR with your Health Focus, Sustain Deflection with a Spirit, and only then attack with your Claws. Your SMG is for Drones OR when you can't risk anymore drain. Stunbolt and Manaball are your concealable ranged weapons for now, but you could pick up a machine pistol when you get more money.  You should be able to handle your Drain pretty reliably, and oh yeah, this build requires your GM to be cool with the Optional Rule of Myst Ads getting their total MAG rating for determination of casting Force and Power Ratings (pretty common, pretty fair IMO).

Spend your Karma on your MAG and Initiations and stuff (Combat Sense), spend your Y on higher grades of 'ware so that you can eventually get Muscle Toner 4 in that 1 ESS - don't ever use Karma on your AGI with this build, though upgrading your BOD (and REA) would be a good idea as melee and magician = you getting shot at alot.

[RelentlessImp]

That is a really nice take on it, emsquared. My reworking went along some of the same routes (and I managed to fit in a 400BP build) and started doing some other things; like making it a Neotenous Ork (since there's no real dwarfism negative quality), downgrading to Changeling II, with Elongated Limbs, Gills, and Underwater Vision and some cheap-out Biocompatibility (Bioware) while retaining the green skin, to make it look and feel more "goblin like" (plenty of fairytales of long limbs and underwater living). This is mostly what I imagine when I think "classic mythos goblins" - something fairly deformed looking.

I appreciate the work though, emsquared. I might wind up using that given the skill spread's a bit nicer. For comparison, here's the BP version.

==Attributes==
Ork
Bod 5
Agi 5 (7)
Rea 2
Str 5 (7)
Cha 2
Int 5
Log 2
Wil 5

Edge 1
Magic 5
Essence 5.0

=Positive Qualities=
Changeling (Class II)
-Elongated Limbs
-Gills
-Underwater Vision
Biocompatibility (Bioware)
Magician

=Negative Qualities=
Allergy (Common, Severe) (Soy)
Neoteny
Poor Self-Control (Vindictive)
Striking Skin Pigmentation

=Skills=
Assensing 1
Automatics (Machine Pistols) 1 (+2)
Blades (Axes) 5 (+2)
Counterspelling (Combat) 1 (+2)
Dodge (Ranged Combat) 1 (+2)
Enchanting 1
Etiquette 1
Spellcasting 5
Summoning (Air) 1 (+2)

=Spells=
Lightning Bolt, Stunbolt, Heal, Increase Reflexes, Chaotic World, Trid Phantasm

=Ware=
Audio Enhancement 3
Datajack (Engraved) (Alphaware)
Ear Recording Unit
Smartlink (Alphaware)
(all implanted into fleshy bits rather than cybereyes/ears)
Muscle Augmentation 2
Muscle Toner 2 (Alphaware)
Reflex Recorder (Blades)
Reflex Recorder (Dodge)

=Gear=
Armor Jacket (YNT Softweave, Fire Resistance 6)
Form-Fitting Full Body Armor (Nonconductivity 6)
Ballistic Mask (Chemical Protection 6)
SecureTech PPP Leg, Arm Casings, Forearm Guards, Shin Guards, Vitals Protector
B/I: 18/13

Shiawase Arms Tactical Model 73 (Added Red Dot Sight, Gas Vent 3, Heavy Barrel)
B&P MP9 (Added Red Dot Sight, Smartgun System, Gas Vent 3, Heavy Barrel)
Combat Axe (Stacked Power 2 & Weapon 2 Focus w/ Personalized Grip)
Sustaining Focus (Health) R3
Assorted 'runner crap on 47 BP of nuyen.


And a second karma version I worked up going off the BP version (with basic non-HR'd karmagen):

=Attributes=
Ork
Bod 5
Agi 5 (7)
Rea 3
Str 5 (7)
Cha 2
Int 5
Log 3
Wil 5

Edge 2
Magic 5
Essence 5.0

=Skills=
Assensing (Astral Signatures) 1 (+2)
Automatics (Machine Pistols) 4 (+2)
Blades (Axes) 5 (+2)
Counterspelling (Combat) 1 (+2)
Dodge (Ranged Combat) 4 (+2)
Enchanting (Artificing) 1 (+2)
Infiltration (Urban) 1 (+2)
Perception 4
Pilot Ground Craft (Car) 1 (+2)
Spellcasting (Illusion) 5 (+2)
Summoning (Air) 4 (+2)

=Spells=
Stunbolt, Lightning Bolt, Heal, Improved Reflexes, Chaotic World, Trid Phantasm, Metal Wall

=Ware=
Audio Enhance 3 (Alpha)
Datajack (Engraved) (Alpha)
Ear Recording Unit
Smartlink
Muscle Aug 2 (Alpha)
Muscle Toner 2
Reflex Recorder (Blades)
Reflex Recorder (Dodge)

=Gear=
Same guns, axe, assorted runner crap on 94 karma worth of nuyen, plus 1 karma left over. (Probably needs some reworking to get some Knowledge skills in on him.)

Overall, I think Ork just works better for the concept now that I've had a think, plus the benefits of their naturally discounted attributes work even better. I'll probably get rid of Neoteny altogether and just call him a... well, can't call him a dwarf ork, but 'midget ork' isn't PC at all. Guess I'll just call him a 'little guy'. As to the shift of attributes, I made him an Int-based Tradition that goes along with his backstory.

Again, I appreciate the work put in, emsquared; I welcome critique on the reworked builds, too.

[emsquared]

Sorry to say, but much like the green gnome, your water-breathing augmented orks don't strike me as being much like goblins either. I think Neoteny on an Ork could work for the concept, but where do the Gills and Water Vision come from? And without the Neoteny, how is your Ork not just an Ork? I mean you can say he's small for an Ork sure, but it seems like then you're just paying lip service to the concept.

If you're gonna go the Augmented route, you have some grievous misallocations of your ESS use. Everything but the Muscle Aug/Toner and Reflex Recorders can be achieved without eating away at your precious ESS (and more cheaply Y-wise to boot). And why are you insisting on using Dodge? Blades (or Unarmed in my build) allows you a full defense option in melee (so no Dodge needed here), and Gymnastics allows you a full defense option for ranged (so no Dodge needed here), and also gives you jumping, etc. abilities AND is easier to Augment. Furthermore, a 2 REA for a melee PC = dead. You have to have an effective passive defense (REA+Deflection in my build) or sky-high armor/BOD, it's more efficient to completely Dodge attacks than to Soak them and if you're just soaking, you're not gonna last long with this build because you don't have the necessary armor (i.e. you're not a tank build).

For the BP build, you're wasting a nice bit of Karma on Specializations - they're cheaper in play/via karma. And for the Karma build, Metal Wall is a crap spell.

Also, I realized my build doesn't meet the SURGE III requirements for Posi-Qualities, I initially had fangs and a skin, but changed them later on and didn't change the SURGE. Doesn't really matter though as the net karma is the same and you'd just lose some Neg Qualities going to SURGE I.

[RelentlessImp]

where do the Gills and Water Vision come from?

Fairytale stories involving goblins living in wells, leaping from rivers to drag things under, etc.

you're not gonna last long with this build because you don't have the necessary armor (i.e. you're not a tank build).

18/13 is pretty beefy armor-wise, I thought (save for getting full-autoed). So, Gymnastics, less 'ware, and more Reaction, and more goblin-like features. What else would you suggest for 'ware?

[emsquared]

18/13 is pretty beefy armor-wise, I thought (save for getting full-autoed).

It depends on your table, what kind of opposition you'll be facing, but your 18 armor plus 5 BOD on average soaks 7.6 boxes of damage, that's a SA Light Pistol shot from a guy with 9-11 dice. That's not good enough, because you face that same guard BFing you with a SMG, you're taking 3 boxes of damage w/ 1 shot (and they get 2 a round) from a mid/common level of opposition.

My build on average completely evades a shooter pool of <15 - a very high level of opposition.

[cr4kp0t]

I like the builds guys but can I ask why your not using the infected: goblin as the base?

[RelentlessImp]

I like the builds guys but can I ask why your not using the infected: goblin as the base?

Probably because most of the HMHVV qualities are in no way worth their price and I forgot about them completely. Also HMHVV's Essence Loss/Essence Drain requirements are sort of brutal.