[Ethan]

Here's what I have so far with this mundane character.

The concept was this:

Corp origin, left at a young age. Above average in stats, relies mostly on 'ware as he is not Awakened or Emerged.

Clever, somewhat charming. He is capable of impersonating people, even their mannerisms (I want to make Psychology and Body Language a Knowledge skill) as a secondary skillset: in a face-to-face meeting he'll have 12 dice for Social tests. Been reading Attitude and Spy Games a lot and I think it's a big hindrance to not be capable in the Social skillset for a mundane fellow. Hackers are a dime a dozen as it is, and you gotta be your own promoter to keep getting the gigs. Sometimes, he can be the group's Face, but he's an infiltrator and a disguiser.

The 'ware was chosen to be discreet as possible. The datajack is almost expected from everyone, the Attention Coprocessor was an upgrade he felt was necessary in his line of work. The implanted earware lets him overhear things he probably shouldn't and can focus on it.

He's by no means a combat monster, but he still has to be better than the average guy on the street. But Wired Reflexes would be highly visible and noticeable, hence the costly Synaptic Boosters.

He has hacking capabilities, it's how he got into the shadows in the first place. He's honed it to support his primary job of getting in places he isn't supposed to be. Note the Electronics skill group--he is fully capable (though not as great as some) in doing his Matrix legwork and even making mods.

If I had a few more karma to throw around, I'd add some Biotech skills.

As you can see though it's gotten quite bloated. I have the skills I want, but a lot of the skills I added in as flavour. If you have any suggestions to trim the fat, I'd much appreciate it. Also, ideas for knowledge skills and contacts would be much appreciated. Critique it all, thanks!

Name: Dan Moon (Moon, Dan... get it?  Haven't decided on the real name yet)
Race: Filipino-Japanese (Japanese Father, Filipina Mother, daddy was transferred to a Seattle division)
Sex: Male
Nationality: Former Mitsuhama Corp Citizen, UCAS SINner

Attributes

Body	Agility	Reaction	Strength
3	4	4 (5)	3
Charisma	Intuition	Logic	Willpower
4	4	4	3
Edge	Magic/Resonance	Essence	Initiative
2	None	4.09	8 (9) / 1 (2)

Positive Qualities
Ambidextrous
First Impression
Linguist
Photographic Memory
Martial Arts (Krav Maga-Take Aim as Free Action: Iaijutsu, Two Weapon Style)
Negative Qualities
Lost Loved One
Media Junkie (Mild)
Records on File (Mitsuhama)
Scorched (Hacker)
SINner (UCAS-Seattle)

Active Skills

Electronics Skill Group	3
Influence Skill Group	4
Stealth Skill Group	4
Armorer	2
Automatics (SMGs)	5 (+2)
Blades (Swords)	4 (+2)
Clubs (Parrying)	1 (+2)
Demolitions	1
Electronic Warfare	1
Gymnastics	4
Hacking (Exploit)	5 (+2)
Heavy Weapons (Grenade Launchers)	2 (+2)
Intimidation	1
Perception	4
Pilot Ground Craft	1
Pistols (SA)	2 (+2)
Running	1
Swimming	1
Unarmed Combat (Blocking)	1 (+2)

Knowledge Skills ( [Logic + Intuition] x 3 free points)

XXXXX

XXXXX

Language Skills

English	N
Japanese	2
Tagalog	2

Cyberware

Cyberware	Essence	Cost	Notes
Datajack	0.08	1000¥	Souvenir from corp life
Attention Coprocessor	0.36	4500¥	Standard, Second-Hand
Increased Sensitivity	0.10	1000¥	Implanted
Select Sound Filer 3	0.10	3000¥	Implanted

Bioware

Bioware	Essence	Cost	Notes
Sleep Regulator	0.15	10,000¥	First installed 'ware after datajack
Synaptic Booster 1	0.50	80,000¥	Most recent
Tailored Pheremones 3	0.72	22,500¥	Second-Hand...
Vocal-Range Enhancer	0.12	6,000¥	From the same guy above
Genetech: PuSHeD	0.10	15,000¥	Just finished treatment

[Maelstrom]

Not sure how much BP you have since no gear is listed, but here are some recommendations:

Drop Photographic Memory (10BP) and Scorched (+10BP) unless they really play into your background.
Drop your specializations and buy them with karma in your first runs.
Drop pistols.
Take cybercombat (because sometimes matrix combat is unavoidable).
Increase electronic warfare.

Personally I would not spend too much on combat skills at the start since you seem to be focusing on face/hacker which can be costly.  I didn't see any stealth skills though you mentioned him as an infiltrator (perhaps just socially?).

You can use gymnastics for melee/ranged dodge, but not parry/block.  The parry and block specializations won't work with gymnastics.  Take dodge and reduce gymnastics if you want to keep the two-weapon style.  You're focusing on melee defense, not offense, so drop unarmed and clubs (or change to clubs 4 and drop blades).  If you switch to dodge, maybe change gymnastics 4 to athletics group 2.

Perhaps consider a nanohive for +3 LOG skills, with a focus reality amplifier.
Exploit optimization for your commlink (which I would implant).

[Ethan]

Sorry, it's a 750 Karma build. He has the Stealth Skill Group at 4.

Both Photographic Memory and Scorched do factor into the background. I'll have to take a look at dropping the specs.

Pistols I'll be keeping and specced for Semi-Autos though.

His Face-ness is a secondary aspect, though I devote a lot of karma and nuyen to it. At heart, he still shoots people in the face for money. Or if that doesn't suffice, cuts them with swords.

[Zephraim]

I'd put the earware in a pair of rating 1 Cyber-ears, 500 nuyen more for soundlink and recording. Always good for someone who likes to eavesdrop on people.

[gourry187]

You can use gymnastics for melee/ranged dodge, but not parry/block.  The parry and block specializations won't work with gymnastics.  Take dodge and reduce gymnastics if you want to keep the two-weapon style.  You're focusing on melee defense, not offense, so drop unarmed and clubs (or change to clubs 4 and drop blades).  If you switch to dodge, maybe change gymnastics 4 to athletics group 2.

in the FAQ it lists . . . .

What exactly is the dice pool used in the Full Defense option Gymnastic Dodge (p. 160, SR4A)?

Against ranged attacks, it would be Reaction + Gymnastics. Against melee attacks, it would be Reaction + Dodge + Gymnastics (if dodging) or Reaction + melee skill + Gymnastics (if parrying).

http://www.shadowrun4.com/game-resources/frequently-asked-questions/

[Maelstrom]

in the FAQ it lists . . . .

What exactly is the dice pool used in the Full Defense option Gymnastic Dodge (p. 160, SR4A)?

Against ranged attacks, it would be Reaction + Gymnastics. Against melee attacks, it would be Reaction + Dodge + Gymnastics (if dodging) or Reaction + melee skill + Gymnastics (if parrying).

Fair enough.  I was going by the SR4A p 160 , which terms it as "Gymnastics Dodge".