[Hobbes]

So, I keep screwing around with Prototype Transhuman to see if its worth the shuffling.  Priority C Resources is not really optimal for an Adept (IMO anyway..).  Winds up costing you skills and Edge to get enough Resources to really make use of a point of Bioware.   Compared to A Stats, B Metahuman, C Skills, D Magic, E Resources you're down 6 skill points, 2 Group skill points, 3 Edge, 10 Karma, and up 134,000 Nuyen.  Those Skill points really hurt.  Skills D leaves an Adept even more one-dimentional.  Mind you it's kinda nice to have decent gear on an Adept and not be looking at the first couple runs to "get the basics".

*shrug*

Anyway, Physical Adept that likes to play with knives and guns.


== Info ==
Name: Unnamed Character
Movement: 18/36
Karma: 4
Human
Composure: 8
Judge Intentions: 10
Lift/Carry: 10 (105 kg/70 kg)
Memory: 4
Nuyen: 2610

== Priorities ==
Metatype: E - Human
Attributes: A - 24 Attributes
Special: B - Adept, Magician, or Technomancer
Skills: D - 22 Skills/0 Skill Groups
Resources: C - 140,000¥  +20,000 from Karma

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3 (2 base +1 from Karma)
AGI: 6 (9)
REA: 5 (7)
STR: 5 (7)
CHA: 5
INT: 5
LOG: 1
WIL: 3
EDG: 3
MAG: 5

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   5.01
Initiative:                10 (12) + 3d6
Rigger Initiative:         12 + 3d6
Astral Initiative:         10 + 2d6
Matrix AR Initiative:      12 + 3d6
Matrix Cold Initiative:    5 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative:     5 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Limits ==
Physical:                  8
Mental:                    4
Social:                    7
   Custom Ballistic Mask [+2] (Only for intimidation, Must be visible)
Astral:                    7

== Active Skills ==
Blades                     : 6 [Knives]             Pool: 16 (18)
Etiquette                  : 1  (from Karma)           Pool: 4
Intimidation               : 1  (from Karma)        Pool: 8
Perception                 : 6                      Pool: 11
Pistols                    : 6 [Revolvers]          Pool: 15 (17)
Sneaking                   : 6                      Pool: 15


== Knowledge Skills ==
English                    : N                      Pool: 0
Military                   : 3                      Pool: 8
Small Unit Tactics         : 6                      Pool: 11
Spanish                    : 3                      Pool: 8

== Contacts ==
; Fixer (5, 1)
; Coyote (3, 3)
; Street Doc (2, 1)

== Qualities ==
Adept
Astral Beacon
Distinctive Style
Family Curse
Jack of All Trades Master of None
Mentor Spirit (Thunderbird)
Phobia (Uncommon, Mild) (Confinment)
Prejudiced (Specific, Biased) (Aztechnology)
Prototype Transhuman
SINner (National) (Aztlan)
Superhuman Psychosis

== Powers ==
Combat Sense Rating: 5
Critical Strike (Blades) - From Mentor Spirit
Improved Reflexes 2

== Lifestyles ==
Low  1 months

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Datajack (Alpha)
Essence Antihole Rating 100
Muscle Augmentation Rating 2 (Used Prototype)
Muscle Toner Rating 3 (Used)
Orthoskin Rating 2 (Prototype)
Smartlink (Alpha)

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket                        12
Custom Ballistic Mask               2
   +Gas Mask
   +Single Sensor Rating 2
      +Ultrasound Rating 2

== Weapons ==
Combat Knife
   +Personalized Grip
   Pool: 16 (18)   Accuracy: 7   DV: 10P   AP: -3   RC: 4
Ruger Super Warhawk
   +Personalized Grip
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   +Speed Loader
   +Speed Loader
   +Speed Loader
   Pool: 15 (17)   Accuracy: 8   DV: 9P   AP: -2   RC: 4
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 8   Accuracy: 8   DV: 7S   AP: -   RC: 4

== Gear ==
Ammo: APDS (Heavy Pistols) x10
Ammo: Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x20
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Heavy Pistols) x10
Cheap Pre-paid Commlink x5
Contacts Rating 3
   +Flare Compensation
   +Image Link
   +Vision Magnification
Earbuds Rating 3
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 3
Fake SIN (Maria) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Adept License) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Concealed Carry Permit) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Restricted Bioware License) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Restricted Cyberware License) Rating 3
Monocle Rating 4
   +Thermographic Vision
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 3
Survival Kit

== Notes ==
Total Karma Spend
-10 on Nuyen
-15 Body
-4 on Skills
-17 on Qualities
+25 on Negative Qualities
46 of 50-  4 Left

[FST_Gemstar]

I find that that it really takes Resources B to really get the most Prototype Transhuman. Especially if you are still willing to take a hit to Magic/Resonance (taking 2 essence worth of combined cyber/biowware).  At Resources C, you end up having to take used 'ware which takes up too much of that precious essence for what you are giving up in the reprioritization. Resources B lets you get Alpha 'ware and cram more in or spread out over two essence points worth with a mix of standard, alpha, and used.   

Maybe reprioritize:
Meta: D, Human
Attributes: A
Special: C, Adept
Skills: E
Resources: B

The character is going to lose skills at character generation, but hopefully you can get the stats/'ware perks up to make it worthwhile.

[Csjarrat]

Range mods usually hurt pistol specialists, might be worth Grabbing an improved rangefinder for the warhawk

[Duellist_D]

Used ware in a prototype Transhuman is sort of cheesy.
I know it's allowed by RAW, but it leaves a bad aftertaste.

If you have the Karma, I'd go for restricted gear and rating 4 alpha muscle augmentation, fill up the remaining 0,36 essence with maybe a reflexrecorder  and a sleepregulator + something else and be done with it.

Not really a fan of wasting essence at chargen for awakened.

[bdyer]

You could start as a low magic adept (which to me makes more sense for a prototype)

[Whiskeyjack]

Due to the fact that net hits translate into more damage, Muscle Toner is almost always going to be better than Muscle Aug.

[Hobbes]

Thanks!  In no particular order:

Whiskeyjack - Muscle Toner 3, check. 

bdyer - Power Points and Magic are really expensive post chargen, and with the way special attribute points are on the Priority table its tricky to fine tune.  Minimum I'd be willing to go is Magic 4, lose one point to 'ware, still get Improved Reflexes.  I'll play around with it and see if I can find a way to remove exactly 2 Magic and come out ahead.

Csjarrat - Vision Mag in the contacts.

Duellist_D - Cheesy and RAW like an undercooked hot pocket, yes.  I've pretty well given up on considering Used quality as actually used, and just handwave it to lower quality and move on.  Given the amount of used 'ware that shows up on starting 'runners I'd have to think there are chop shops on every corner and a steady supply that indicates a rather silly body count.  And the fact that Used 'ware is more available, meaning, "inventory on the shelf".  Actually spending time contemplating the supply chain for used 'ware winds up being as silly as used 'ware on a vat grown clone.

FST_Gemstar - what are you suggesting to buy?  More monies = more and better augmentations, yes, but specifically what would you recommend that is going to balance out the loss of 6ish skill points?  Actually asking because other than jam another level of Muscle Augmentation in, I'm not sure what we're gaining. 

[Whiskeyjack]

With regard to Muscle Toner and stufff, I would never use PT on any ware you might want to ultimately upgrade. Muscle Toner 3 in you with PT is never gonna be 4.

But Platelet Factories and stuff....great option. Maxed Bone Aug, fine, you'll never be trying to improve it so it's all good. Stuff like that.

I have no qualm about used ware with PT, there are easy fluff explanations, it doesn't need to be strictly "used," as in pulled out of someone else's body.

[FST_Gemstar]

It's tougher for this character, but the one time intangibles like a sleep regulator and platelet factory can be helpful. Tailored Pheromones would help with charisma based skills if you had any. Reflex Recorders on your maxed/specialized skills could help with skills. I know a Cerebellum booster are expensive, but if you have the cash and the space for it, it helps with a lot of pools. If your character is going to go sneaky, a skin pocket can be useful. Just thinking out loud.

[Rift_0f_Bladz]

Muscle toner and aug are both great in there own way (toner is better over all), but yeah neither fit well with PT, because both will want to be maxed at some point if you have enough essence. For melee adept I personally like having STR 5 and using Qi Foci improved attribute (str) for the effective STR 6. You your teams mage/shaman has found wards, shut off your foci and walk through. But generally, agility up grades are better overall than STR, but a boost to damage via STR is nice as well, since it stacks with the net hits.

[Hobbes]

With regard to Muscle Toner and stufff, I would never use PT on any ware you might want to ultimately upgrade. Muscle Toner 3 in you with PT is never gonna be 4.

But Platelet Factories and stuff....great option. Maxed Bone Aug, fine, you'll never be trying to improve it so it's all good. Stuff like that.

I have no qualm about used ware with PT, there are easy fluff explanations, it doesn't need to be strictly "used," as in pulled out of someone else's body.

Yeah I've given up on there being a Craig's list for Cyberware/Bioware, all too silly if you really think about it.  "Used" = Lower Quality, done. 

This build the Orthoskin and Muscle Augmentation are PT.  There isn't really a way to "Pull out?" the Muscle Aug and buy it normally without losing another point of Magic.  The Muscle Toner 3 could theoretically be removed and replaced with alpha (or better) Muscle Toner 4 in an Essence Neutral swap.  Spendy as heck though, I'd think Foci and working for the people would be a better deal long run?

The Orthoskin and Muscle Augmentation could sure be swapped out for "other stuff" and in a non-melee build the Muscle Aug would be gone.  Orthoskin is low cost and could go if higher priority was spent on Resources or Nuyen was freed up somewhere.  As always, melee is a terrible deal, dropping it would free up skill points, stat points, and a large amount of Nuyen.  I'll build a non-melee version sometime this week and toss it up for comparison.

[Hobbes]

Muscle toner and aug are both great in there own way (toner is better over all), but yeah neither fit well with PT, because both will want to be maxed at some point if you have enough essence. For melee adept I personally like having STR 5 and using Qi Foci improved attribute (str) for the effective STR 6. You your teams mage/shaman has found wards, shut off your foci and walk through. But generally, agility up grades are better overall than STR, but a boost to damage via STR is nice as well, since it stacks with the net hits.

Does either the Improved Attribute power (or Attribute Boost) or the Bioware Augments have stacking restrictions?  AFB, can't check and it's not something that has come up before.

If there isn't stacking restrictions then hitting the +4 overall augmentation limit becomes a matter of Power Points/Qi Foci, not 'ware upgrades. 

[Whiskeyjack]

Improved Attribute is way too expensive to ever seriously consider for anything, IMO. I'd much rather trade 1 Essence for +4 AGI (using improved grade) than effectively 1:1 using PP.

Attribute Boost simply improves the dice pool, it doesn't modify the actual Attribute (which is why the Boost for STR is worthless, since it doesn't affect melee damage - this is also different from how the Increase Attribute spell works, as it DOES modify the rating of the actual attribute and is subject to the augmentation cap). So Muscle Toner 4 + Attribute Boost AGI is pretty great.

[Halinn]

Improved Attribute is way too expensive to ever seriously consider for anything, IMO. I'd much rather trade 1 Essence for +4 AGI (using improved grade) than effectively 1:1 using PP.

Attribute Boost simply improves the dice pool, it doesn't modify the actual Attribute (which is why the Boost for STR is worthless, since it doesn't affect melee damage - this is also different from how the Increase Attribute spell works, as it DOES modify the rating of the actual attribute and is subject to the augmentation cap). So Muscle Toner 4 + Attribute Boost AGI is pretty great.

Attribute Boost is also limited to augmented maximum.

[Whiskeyjack]

Just reread the power. You're right. This is why more than Att Boost 2 probably isn't worth it!