[Charybdis]

To start with, I really enjoy SR4. However as a GM, the way NPC's are statted really bugs me.

In older versions, an NPC had a Threat Rating, which was just an amount of dice utilised in any test, and as an abstract way represented the general augments/abilities of the NPC in question.

I liked this because it meant you didn't need to do anymore work before using them in a game with a fistful of dice as appropriate...
- Threat rating 3 Security guard? Roll 3 extra dice for that Firearms test to account for any smartlinks or recoil compensation, and 3 extra dice for that soak test for any cheap bodyware he might be sporting
- Threat rating 2 Johnson? Roll 2 extra dice for that negotiations test to account for any headware or pheromones.
etc etc

Now in SR4, NPC's have
- their basic and augmented stats,
- their skill ratings, and
- then a list of gear.
But before I can use them in a game, I have to restat each NPC to find the number of dice appropriate for any tests...
- Check the weapons and gear for Smartlinks and recoil modifiers
- Check the ware for any athletic skill-type modifiers
- Check the Firewall ratings etc of any commlinks plus OS
- etc etc

As a time-poor GM, my priorities are on making Shadowrun NPC's easy to build, use, and dispose of.

I'd really like to see a return of the Threat Rating format, but am opening the floor.

Opinions/Comments?

[John Shull]

Threat ratings are quick useful shorthand for listing characters.  Its an easy reference to use.  I doodle little sketches of most NPCs in the margins.  Having a actor in my head for who the character is being played by also helps me run them efficiently.  Its good to lead with color so the PCs get the skin deep side first.

[Charybdis]

I have a similar mentality to key NPC's, but not for every ganger/sec guard that the party encounters.

For bulk goons especially, I still use just some basic stats, skills common gear and threat ratings.... it saves soooo much time in prepping for a session.

[Sliver]

Honestly, I tend to just make to the npc's ad I go. I made a guy who focuses on melee, ill give him like 13 dice to hit, with an 8dv.

[Canticle]

I will stat out important NPCs and contacts, but for the most part I have a dossier of NPC shorthand stats. That looks something like this:

NPC: Mr. Johnson
Threat: 3 Social, 2 Intelligence, 1 Physical
Attributes: B 3;A 4;R 4;S 3;C 4;I 4;L 4;W 3;EDG 2;ESS 3;Init 8;IP 2
Skills: Combat 2, Social 4, Knowledge 3, Pilot 1

So for a Negotiate test, he is rolling 11 dice (Social Threat 3 + Charisma 4 + Social Skills 4). I figure it is a fast way to stat out quick NPCs that are consistent.

[Charybdis]

I will stat out important NPCs and contacts, but for the most part I have a dossier of NPC shorthand stats. That looks something like this:

NPC: Mr. Johnson
Threat: 3 Social, 2 Intelligence, 1 Physical

I like the breakdown of threats into Categories. Nifty.
+1 to you

[Canticle]

I will stat out important NPCs and contacts, but for the most part I have a dossier of NPC shorthand stats. That looks something like this:

NPC: Mr. Johnson
Threat: 3 Social, 2 Intelligence, 1 Physical

I like the breakdown of threats into Categories. Nifty.
+1 to you

Thankee. I figured that it would be silly to have a Loner with a threat 2 who has the same amount of dice in shooting as he does in talking did not make much sense.

[Charybdis]

Thankee. I figured that it would be silly to have a Loner with a threat 2 who has the same amount of dice in shooting as he does in talking did not make much sense.

Yes and no. It makes sense, but seeing as even a minor Johnson could have spent a few K on a good gun and Smartlink, it was never a big issue.

Especially as they wouldn't have the same amount of Dice as their Agi and Skill would have been much lower...Threat rating was always just an abstract bonus.

Your way is better though

[Prime Mover]

The Professional rating system works pretty well for groups of grunts and I use individual edge for major npc's.  This works pretty well in most cases.