[icefyer]

So, I noticed after browsing a bit that Dwagonzahn and co were attempting a rework on drakes to make them useful beyond being a "140 karma Idiot Trap" as I've heard them referred to both here and on the discord, and I was wondering if anyone's heard of any progress on it or the like, or if they have their own ideas of how to make it usable?

[Seras]

Sorry mate , never done anything with drakes 

[SpellBinder]

One general house rule is not to double the cost of qualities post creation.  Beyond that I've not really messed much with dragonborn drakes.

[icefyer]

That still leaves them with a 75 or so karma quality when a lot of their stuff can easily be replicated otherwise. Why go for fire breath when you can spend 5 karma on a flamethrower spell? Why fly when Levitate for 5 karma + a spirit with the Movement power is a thing for much cheaper than the 75 karma + the 20 or so more to fly? It just seems generally extremely weak.

[Marcus]

Drake really need to be done in a game based around playing drakes. Where players and GM come to a reasonable understanding what is expected concerning creation. Trying to pair a drake with normal runners is unlikely to result in a great experience.

[icefyer]

How so, other than the whole "wanted by dragons, mary sue, etc" thing? I'm not really sure why the devs thought a 75 / 140 karma trait is a good pricing considering everything can be replicated easily with much cheaper options.

[Marcus]

Like all major super naturals they don't want them just showing up as players character along side normal runners.

Those book are generally regards a good novels, and there no reason that story line be stolen and work for a whole team instead of just one character.

More scope!

[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

How so, other than the whole "wanted by dragons, mary sue, etc" thing? I'm not really sure why the devs thought a 75 / 140 karma trait is a good pricing considering everything can be replicated easily with much cheaper options.

Well there are analogues, but not always true replication.  For example, the Flamethrower spell is subject to counterspelling/spell defense.  Critter Powers such as Flame Breath aren't.

But beyond those slight advantages, getting to be a special snowflake is an intangible advantage all in itself.  If you're playing a Drake and noone else is, you're Special.  Being less powerful (i.e. you 'overpaid' in karma to play a Drake) is IMO a fair trade for buying your way to the center of the story.  (and of course if everyone is playing a Drake, then balance is balanced )

[icefyer]

But question is, are those small bonuses worth paying upwards of 140+ karma just for that and "being special"? Doesn't really seem so.

[Mirikon]

But question is, are those small bonuses worth paying upwards of 140+ karma just for that and "being special"? Doesn't really seem so.

It is priced deliberately to discourage them from showing up in game.

[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

But question is, are those small bonuses worth paying upwards of 140+ karma just for that and "being special"? Doesn't really seem so.

It is priced deliberately to discourage them from showing up in game.

Exactly.

[icefyer]

Why even offer them at all then if they're not supposed to be played?

[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

Why even offer them at all then if they're not supposed to be played?

There's a difference between not being allowed and being deliberately disincentivized.

[Marcus]

Why even offer them at all then if they're not supposed to be played?

I answered this already. SR isn't one sized fits all. There lots and lots of ways to play SR that go beyond what's in the CORE. A Drake game is great idea. Some will love it, some will q-q, but that's life.

There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play. 

[Stainless Steel Devil Rat]

Why even offer them at all then if they're not supposed to be played?

I answered this already. SR isn't one sized fits all. There lots and lots of ways to play SR that go beyond what's in the CORE. A Drake game is great idea. Some will love it, some will q-q, but that's life.

There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play.

I'd opine that playing a Drake in a 'straight' Shadowrun campaign is borderline 'wrong' however.  If everyone goes as bizarre as the Drake, it's really no longer fitting into the usual/default assumptions about what the Shadowrun genre fundamentally is.  Makes perfect sense to me that if you're gonna push the envelope, you must "pay" for it by playing a sub-optimized character.

But as mentioned upthread: if you're not playing a typical campaign, then go nuts.  An all Lone Star PCs campaign would be hella fun, I think.  So could a Freak Show assortment of Sasquatches, Drakes, and spirits-knows-what-else.