[Xzylvador]

So, uhm, yeah. I think I may be suffering from some kind of mental illness that makes me completely unable to make decisions. I've actually been working on this character for over a month and am just getting nowhere because I want too much and can't fit it all in. So I need your help to help me cut off pieces, squeeze and mold it until it fits into a playable character.
I'll keep updating this first post until it becomes the sheet I'll use for the game.

It's being built for the Urban Brawl game on the PbP thread, which (if you haven't watched it) is a pretty high-threat, high fatality game, so I don't really mind min-maxing as long as it's fun to play and a decent RP reason for it can be made for the character.
That said, there are some things I would prefer to have on the character even though it might be sub-optimal; mainly a vast array of logic-based (knowledge)skills to be paired to his high logic attribute. I want this to be the kind of person who takes a look at any technical issue -whether it is on a jet engine or a high-tech server-, shrug his shoulders, shake his head and condescendingly say something like "You know it's all just based on physics/logic, right? How hard can it be! Just do this and this and this and voila, there you go, fixed."

Character concept:
Augustus Romano was born in a family which (believes they) are direct descendants from the ancient Roman emperors and know that one they their greatness will return. And their time is now! His parents spent the last of their family waning fortune to ensure that Augustus would be born with great intellect and it was a success. In his childhood he was implanted with cerebral boosters to further augment his brain's capacity. He was brilliant throughout his academic career but because of that brilliance never found something which really fascinated him. He dabbled in a little bit of this and a little bit of that but nothing was challenging enough to keep his attention for long. Until he discovered his magical capabilities.
It was only a confirmation to what he knew already, his mind was truly great. He studied magic intensely and found that he could not only bend people, but matter itself to his own will! He learned the universal truth: anything can be controlled if only your mind is strong enough and everything is a tool to achieve that level of control.
Chaos Magic only made sense to him: Everything can be understood through study and once it's understood it can be controlled. And he is destined to take control.
Personality traits: Magicians are greater than mundanes whose minds simply are incapable of understanding how the world works. The only ones worse are shamans and similar traditions: so weak-minded that instead of being able to block it out (mundane) or taking control of it like real mages, they believe magic is more than just a form of energy and let it take control of their lives! Spirits are nothing more than bundles of magical energy, it is only their own weak minds that give them a shape in which it becomes unreliable.

== Info ==
Street Name: Caesar
Name: Unnamed Character
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Human
Composure: 8
Judge Intentions: 8
Lift/Carry: 4 (30 kg/20 kg)
Memory: 13
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 2
AGI: 2
REA: 3
STR: 2
CHA: 3
INT: 5
LOG: 6 ( 8 )
WIL: 5
EDG: 2
MAG: 4

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   5,3
Initiative:                8
IP:                        1
Astral Initiative:         10
Astral IP:                 3
Matrix Initiative:         7
Matrix IP:                 1
Physical Damage Track:     9
Stun Damage Track:         11

== Active Skills == (* = Skill Group)
*Aeronautics Mechanic       : 1                      Pool: 9
Animal Handling            : 0                      Pool: 4
Animal Training            : 0                      Pool: 4
Archery                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Armorer                    : 0                      Pool: 7
Artisan                    : 0                      Pool: 4
Assensing                  : 1                      Pool: 6
Automatics                 : 0                      Pool: 1
*Automotive Mechanic        : 1                      Pool: 9
Blades                     : 0                      Pool: 1
Climbing                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Clubs                      : 0                      Pool: 1
*Computer                   : 1                      Pool: 9
Con                        : 0                      Pool: 2
Counterspelling            : 5                      Pool: 11 (Incl. +2 from Mentor Spirit)
Cybercombat                : 0                      Pool: 7
*Cybertechnology            : 1                      Pool: 9
*Data Search                : 1                      Pool: 9
Demolitions                : 0                      Pool: 7
Disguise                   : 0                      Pool: 4
Diving                     : 0                      Pool: 1
Dodge                      : 3                      Pool: 6
Enchanting                 : 1                      Pool: 9
Escape Artist              : 0                      Pool: 1
Etiquette                  : 0                      Pool: 2
*First Aid                  : 1                      Pool: 9
Flight                     : 0                      Pool: 1
Forgery                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Gunnery                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Gymnastics                 : 0                      Pool: 1
Hacking                    : 0                      Pool: 7
*Hardware                   : 1                      Pool: 9
Heavy Weapons              : 0                      Pool: 1
*Industrial Mechanic        : 1                      Pool: 9
Infiltration               : 0                      Pool: 1
Instruction                : 0                      Pool: 2
Intimidation               : 0                      Pool: 2
Leadership                 : 0                      Pool: 2
Locksmith                  : 0                      Pool: 1
Longarms                   : 0                      Pool: 1
*Medicine                   : 1                      Pool: 9
*Nautical Mechanic          : 1                      Pool: 9
Navigation                 : 0                      Pool: 4
Negotiation                : 0                      Pool: 2
Palming                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Parachuting                : 0                      Pool: 1
Perception                 : 1                      Pool: 6
Pilot Ground Craft         : 0                      Pool: 2
Pilot Watercraft           : 0                      Pool: 2
Pistols                    : 1                      Pool: 3 (+2 Smartgun)
Riding                     : 0                      Pool: 2
Ritual Spellcasting        : 1                      Pool: 9
Running                    : 0                      Pool: 1
Shadowing                  : 0                      Pool: 4
*Software                   : 1                      Pool: 9
Spellcasting               : 5                      Pool: 13 (15 Manipulation)
Summoning                  : 1                      Pool: 9
Survival                   : 0                      Pool: 4
Swimming                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Throwing Weapons           : 0                      Pool: 1
Tracking                   : 0                      Pool: 4
Unarmed Combat             : 0                      Pool: 1

== Knowledge Skills ==
For some reason Chummer doesn't print or save these, but it's fairly simple: Nearly every logic-linked knowledge skill at a low level (he dabbled in it, considered it pretty basic and moved on to another topic. Firearms, Combat Tactics and Security Designs he looked into because of his starting a career shadowrunning.
English N, Latin 5-10, Architecture 2-10, Chemistry 2-10, Combat Tactics 1-9, Economics 1-9, Engineering 3-11, Firearms 1-9, History (European) 3(5)-11(13), Literature 2-10, Magic Traditions 3-11, Magical Theory 4-12, Magical Threats 2-10, Parazoology 1-9, Politics 1-9, Security Design 1-9

== Contacts ==
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

== Qualities ==
Genetic Heritage (Genetic Optimization)
Incompetent (Binding) (Requires some kind of "understanding" of something which isn't worth understanding but just needs to be squashed.)
Magician
Mentor Spirit (Adversary) (As far as Ceasar is concerned, this is not a "spirit" but the imprint his own superior mind.)
Poor Self Control (Braggart)
Prejudiced (Common, Biased) (Non-Magical People)
Prejudiced (Specific, Outspoken) (Cha-Based Mages)
Restricted Gear (Rating 1) (Power Focus: An ancient heirloom from the Roman Dynasty.)
SINner (Standard) (Augustus Romano)

== Spells ==
(Tradition: Chaos Magic, Resist Drain with WIL + LOG (13))
Alter Memory (Manipulation) DV: (F÷2)+2
Control Thoughts (Manipulation) DV: (F÷2)+2
Increase Reflexes (Limited) (Health) DV: (F÷2)+2
Influence (Manipulation)   DV: (F÷2)+1
Levitate (Manipulation)    DV: (F÷2)+1
Slay [Metatype/Species] (Limited) (Combat) DV: (F÷2)-1 (<-- Modified, -1 DV because of Stun instead of P damage)
Stunball (Limited) (Combat) DV: (F÷2)+1

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Adrenal Regulator
Cerebral Booster Rating 2
Genetic Optimization (LOG)
Trauma Damper

== Armor ==
Mortimer of London: Ulysses Line6/4
   +Chemical Protection 4
   +Fire Resistance 2
   +Insulation 4
   +Insulation 2
   +Shock Frills
   +YNT SoftWeave

== Weapons ==
Ares Viper Slivergun
   +Personalized Grip
   +Smartgun System
   +Sound Suppressor
   +Underbarrel Weight, Auto-Adjusting
   DV: 8P(f)   AP: +5   RC: 2
Defiance EX Shocker
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   DV: 8S(e)   AP: -half   RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
   DV: 1S   AP: -   RC: 0

== Commlink ==
Renraku Sensei (2, 0, 0, 4)

== Gear ==
AR Gloves
Butt Pack
Combat Fetish
Concealable Holster
Contact Lenses Rating 3
   +Image Link
   +Vision Magnification
   +Smartlink
Earbuds Rating 3
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 3
   +Select Sound Filter Rating 3
Fake License Rating 4 x5
Fake SIN (Julius Nero) Rating 4
Glasses Rating 4
   +Flare Compensation
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 3
   +Thermographic
Headphones Rating 3
Healing Fetish
Illusion Fetish
Manipulation Fetish
Power Focus (bonded) Rating 4
Standard Rope (100 m) x2
Stimulant Patch Rating 6 x5
Subvocal Microphone
Sustaining Focus (Health) (bonded) Rating 3
Trodes

== Vehicles ==
Dodge Scoot (Scooter)
   +Improved Economy
   +Vehicle Sensor

Nuyen Remaining: 210

So, uhm, yeah. That's 20BP too much spent, which needs to be cut.
Also he doesn't have contacts yet and it would be really cool to get him started as a member of the Illuminates of the New Dawn (p72) which will be quite an expensive contact I think. And probably needs a fixer too...
Would also really like to get my hands on Shape (Concrete) and Shape (Plasteel) or whetever else you guys think could be useful. Petrify and Ignite are also on my want list, not because of their effectiveness (they're not) but just because they fit in the whole "My uber mind can do that to the physical world!" ego.

So I know I'll need to cut things and grow into it, but what and how? What's best to cut and easiest to regain later? (Didn't take specialties because those are cheaper in karma than BP, first to buy are Spellcasting:Manipulation, Perception:Visual, Dodge:Ranged, Counterspelling(??))
Keep in mind the high-lethality game and also the fact that you shouldn't count on earning any money to buy things later, just maintaining a normal lifestyle is proven to be incredibly difficult.

[UmaroVI]

a pretty high-threat, high fatality game

BOD: 2

You're not going to like this, but your problem is very simple: you have too many skills at 1. If you had to prune "expensive" stuff, it would be:

-1 Charisma
lose Dodge - active defenses are overrated, you're better off relying on passive defenses so you at least don't die rather than a dodge pool of 6 with full defense.
lose Adrenal Regulator - it's a widget. You are 20 bp over. No widgets!

But what you really need to do is cut some of the skills that you're simply not good enough to meaningfully contribute with anyways, and invest those points in body so you don't die.

[Kaptain O]

Slay [Metatype/Species] (Limited) (Combat) DV: (F÷2)-1 (<-- Modified, -1 DV because of Stun instead of P damage)

Don't you need to pick a specific Metatype for this spell?

[JustADude]

Slay [Metatype/Species] (Limited) (Combat) DV: (F÷2)-1 (<-- Modified, -1 DV because of Stun instead of P damage)

Don't you need to pick a specific Metatype for this spell?

Ayup, you do.

[Xzylvador]

Hm, odd. Don't know what happened there, let me edit: it's
"Slay Spirit": The only good way to deal with those stubborn piles of magic.

Also, thanks for the bump, not getting so much response

(Thanks UmaroVI, I did read and am thinking about yours! The -1 Charisma's probably a good call. Wanted it at 3 for Astral stats, but I guess Caesar won't be doing much there anyway.
Losing dodge, I'm really scared of that!
Losing the Adrenal regulator... I added it because I saw it as Caesar's way to further cement his domination of his mind over everything, even his own bodily functions like fear and stuff. "Science and logic has conquered all those weak, fleshy things!" it would be one of the first things to drop if I had to (and I do), but it's only 1BP of the 30+ I need to find, maybe after taking a couple of big cuts there's still room for it, maybe not.)

Would people consider Str 1 an option? "He's so used to using low-level levitate spells to pick up things, he hasn't had a need to use his arm for much more than a cup of soycaf the past decade!" Too cheesy or a real option?

[Tsuzua]

You might want to look at Umaro's archetypes for ideas.  He's got two good logic based magic characters, the Burnout Combat Mage and the Transhuman Mystic.  They both use cyberlimbs if you're cool with that.  Both are dwarves, but it shouldn't be too hard to change them to human.  The Transhuman Mystic is an mystic adept and not a full mage, however he's got a very strong mind over matter vibe to him.