[Shadowjack]

One other important note I forgot to mention: This is going to be a very long campaign so I don't feel much need to focus too much early on. As the campaign progress I will define my combat abilities more and cover up my weaknesses better. This is assuming I don't die. Also, I really enjoy relying on my Shaman to give me extra IP's, I feel like I'm at such a massive advantage when he has me buffed and as long as I keep him  breathing my character is pretty scary. Over time I think my character will be quite beastly! He is playing a Bear Shaman and buffs my body, too. Having first aid is really nice to assist him once he's healed himself via magic, too. Also, first aid is just fun to have

[UmaroVI]

Also, Qualities:
Trustworthy 1, the 5 points for +1 version, is A-OK. Trustworth 2 is really really expensive and probably not worth it. I'm not sure which you have.
The Fear and Paralyzing Howl critter powers are ridiculously nasty so Guts is not a bad buy, but you really should have more Willpower.
Double Jointed is crap. It is just way too hyperspecific about what it does.

[Shadowjack]

Wow, that is an awesome post Umaro! I really enjoy your posts in general but this was really fun to read LOL@ the number of guns you're recommending. Regarding Double Jointed, I threw that in last minute and didn't really want it. I was planning on asking my gm if I could trade it in for something else.

I have Trustworthy 1, 2 seemed too expensive. I am kind of regretting not taking Type O Negative but I didn't know it existed until it was too late. I can see why dodge might have been a bad idea. I had a feeling it was but I felt like I needed it. I might actually get rid of it, it doesn't make much sense anyway. I felt like Palming was a must but now I see there may be some nice alternatives to consider. In general, I can see that my knowledge of the core books is quite poor as it seems like I've over looked quite a few useful options. A big part of this is because I was trying to read through the books quickly so I could be ready in time to start the campaign and it was a ton of reading over a short period of time.

I wanted to take Guts too but I couldn't afford it with the 35 point positive quality limitation.

I'll probably have to read your post quite a few times to take full advantage of it. Very thoughtful of you  to give such a thorough review. I will need to study Arsenal much more and unfortunately, I don't have Gun Heaven yet.

Thanks a lot for all the good tips!

[UmaroVI]

Type O System is actually not as good as it looks - only Bioware is delta-graded, but most of your stuff (and most really essence-unfriendly stuff in general) is Cyberware, and 30 bp is REALLY expensive. You can make some nifty Adepts with Type O System - but even then it's a little niche-y.

[UmaroVI]

Also, in general, don't worry too much about it. Shadowrun is a really complex system with a lot of interlocking minigames and all sorts of fiddly subsystems.

[Tsuzua]

Don't worry about knowing all this stuff, everyone is discovering new and nifty things throughout the books (I blame the editing and layout myself).  Umaro has a lot of good advice.

As for qualities, I suggest Biocompability (Cyberware) for 10 points.  It gives you a 10% discount on cyberware essence loss.  So for you, you'll save .55 essence already! 

[squee_nabob]

Umaro was refering to Guts the drug from arsenal that makes you fearless, not the quality. Get that on an autoinjector hooked to a biomonitor.

Also Pain Editor and Trama Damper do not stack, so only get one.

[Shadowjack]

Gotcha, Squee. I just remembered why I decided against Type O so forget what I said

Biocompatability sounds really good, I'll definitely get that.

[UmaroVI]

Oh right, I always forget that. Pain Editor is pro, Trauma Dampener is pro, both together are nub.

[The Big Peat]

A few other gear suggestions

The Reakt transgenic would make you harder to hit (not a priority)
If you're worried about smuggling guns, take a look at the H&K Urban Fighter SMG in Arsenal; there's a few other weapons like it in the pistol category, and in the mods you can mod a weapon to have ceramic parts.
Maybe get some ceramic throwing knives, they'd make a useful and easy to smuggle back up
Flare compensators on the glasses.

Echoing some other gear suggestions

Respirator 6 is your friend.
Full-Auto modded Battle Rifles are fun.
Buy yourself some real ammo. Regular ammo is for big girls' blouses.
Non-conductivity is your friend, unless you like being Stick-Shocked to death.

[Shadowjack]

Good suggestions, Peat. Reakt takes up essence, right? I forgot to mention I also have a Ares Predator.

[Jackleg Rooster]

so with a full body replacement i can dump most of the physical attributes (except body) and still be good to go? (assuming a GM will go for it of course)

[UmaroVI]

You don't want to dump Reaction either. Agility and Strength are the ones you can safely dump if you full-body replace, body has drawbacks to dumping.

[Xarin]

I'll second the auto-injector.  It's a zero-capacity accessory for a cyberlimb!  Load it with Cram or Jazz as backup IPs, and a few other handy drugs like the injector equivalent of stim patches.  Hook it to a biomonitor.  As a side bonus, if you get a Pain Editor, you'll already have the implanted biomonitor to keep tabs on how badly you're really bleeding from those 3 gunshot wounds.

Internal Air Tank is another inexspensive option that lets you hold your breath for a ridiculous amount of time, which can help if you see the gas attack incoming (or your chummer is a troll that just ate 3 gallons of chili).

Toxin Extractor and / or Nephritic Screen are down-the-road ideas as well.  right now, your cyber-elf is a very cheap date.

[UmaroVI]

Actually, screw Nephritic Screen/Toxin Extractor. Get a Nanohive in one of your many cyberlimbs, and get Rating 9 Universal Nantidotes. Instead of 1.2 essence and 120000 for +6 to your toxin resistance, you can pay [2], 32500Y, and get -9 to the power of all toxins and diseases - worth about as much as +27! to your toxin resistance.