[JustADude]

Well, as the subject says, I'm wanting to make a Pornomancer that's also a good Wheel-man, and not utterly useless in a fight. I decided to shy away from the Adept route and make him Mundane so I could have the points to make him non-useless in a fight as well, using Shock Frills, or able to GTFO and hide somewhere if the serious fur starts flying.

Plan is to buy a Rating 6 Agent once I have the money, as well as Muscle Toner 4 and a Suprathyroid Gland, which is why my Agility is so low, my Reaction isn't hard-capped, and I've got Rating 6 programs loaded up on my 'link.

Also, if this guy actually gets used it'll be a replacement for a dead Missions character. With my current totals, that means I'll have 100+ karma to immediately dump into him by the time the transfer happens, if it happens.

Stats in the box:


== Info ==
Street Name: Frost
Name: Dimitri
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 6
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Elf (Dryad) Male Age 37
Height 1.70m Weight 60kg
Composure: 12
Judge Intentions: 11
Lift/Carry: 4 (15 kg/10 kg)
Memory: 5
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 5
REA: 3 (
STR: 1
CHA: 9
INT: 2
LOG: 2
WIL: 3
EDG: 4

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   1.8
Initiative:                5 (10)
IP:                        1 (3)
Matrix Initiative:         7
Matrix IP:                 2
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Active Skills ==
Con                        : 4                      Pool: 25
Dodge                      : 1                      Pool: 9
Etiquette                  : 4                      Pool: 25
Infiltration               : 4                      Pool: 9
Leadership                 : 4                      Pool: 25
Negotiation                : 4                      Pool: 25
Pilot Ground Craft         : 6                      Pool: 14
Unarmed Combat             : 4                      Pool: 9

== Knowledge Skills ==

== Contacts ==
V.Brotherhood (Smuggers) (6 (1), 6)

== Qualities ==
Allergy (Common, Mild) (Krill / Shellfish)
Aptitude (Pilot Ground Craft)
Changeling (Class III SURGE)
Distinctive Style
Extravagant Eyes
First Impression
Glamour
Impaired Attribute (BOD)
Low-Light Vision
Metagenetic Improvement (CHA)
Ogre Stomach
Reduced Sense (Complete, Neurological) (Smell)
Scorched
Sensitive Neural Structure
Symbiosis
Thermographic Vision
Unusual Hair

== Lifestyles ==
Conman's Crash  1 months
   Comforts:      Low
   Entertainment: High
   Necessities:   Middle
   Neighborhood:  Street
   Security:      High

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Reaction Enhancers Rating 3
Tailored Pheromones Rating 3
Wired Reflexes Rating 2

== Armor ==
Form-Fitting Half-Body Suit4/1
   +Biomonitor
   +Chemical Protection 3
   +Skinlink
Teg-mentum                4/1
   +Nonconductivity 2
   +Ruthenium Polymer Coating
   +Shock Frills
   +Skinlink

== Weapons ==
Shock Frills
   DV: 6S(e)   AP: -Half   RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
   DV: 1S   AP: -   RC: 0

== Commlink ==
Custom Commlink (5, 6, 6, 5)
   +Custom Placeholder (Matrix Programs) [Analyze 6, Browse 6, Command 6, Edit 6, Encrypt 6, Purge 6, Scan 6]
   +Skinlink

== Gear ==
Certified Credstick, Standard Rating 800
Contact Lenses Rating 3
   +Vision Magnification
   +Image Link
   +Skinlink
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 3
Fake License (Nonlethal Weaponry) Rating 4
Fake License (Stealth Gear) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Alexi Dubiovitch) Rating 4
Glasses Rating 2
   +Flare Compensation
   +Ultrasound
   +Skinlink
Plastic Restraints x100
Simrig
   +Skinlink

== Vehicles ==
Emotitoy Rating 6 (Nonmobile)
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Empathy Software Rating 6
   +Minidrone Sensor
Hyundai Shin-Hyung (Sedan)
   +Amenities, High
   +Armor, Normal Rating 20
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Clean Car Coating
   +Engine Customization, Acceleration
   +Engine Customization, Speed
   +Manual Control Override, Drive-by-Wire
   +Morphing License Plate
   +Personal Armor Rating 10
   +Ram Plate
   +Run Flat Tires Rating 4
   +Smuggling Compartment, Shielded
   +Spoof Chip
   +Vehicle Tag Eraser
   +Vehicle Sensor


EDIT: Whoops; just noticed Genetic Heritage is on the no-no list for Missions. Going to fix the build, redistribute the points, and edit the thing again.

EDIT REDUX: Okay, fixed. Any suggestions?

[UmaroVI]

You should really be wearing another 4 points of Impact armor, especially given that you're wearing Holowear. Throw on some PPP.

I would really reconsider Unarmed if your goal is to not be useless in a fight. You are, at present, pretty bad at fighting; remember that people getting Reaction+Melee skill to dodge your melee attacks (so you have good odds of whiffing), and hitting once for 6S is not very good. You also have to run right up to people rather than take cover. Pistols 4 and a YSF with a smartlink will serve you a lot better.

I don't think custom commlinks are missions-legal; I think you have to buy a regular commlink and a regular OS, then upgrade them.

Suprathyroid Gland's Reaction boost does not stack with either Reaction Enhancers or Wired Reflexes. You can, however, buy Genetic Optimization (Reaction) then upgrade WR to MBW for +2.

Many missions GMs will kick you in the balls for an emotitoy.

While you can't get it at chargen, Smart Armor 10 is worth your money and I would try to free up the mod slots to be ready for it.

[Glyph]

I would question whether the Reaction bonus from a suprathyroid gland would really count as an "initiative enhancement".  It's a bit of a grey area, but I would lean towards "no".

Some big gaps in his skills, but it's hard to really judge when you will have 100+ karma to shore up the weak areas.  But while I think an interim dice pool of 9 for shock frills will get you by until you get the suprathyroid and muscle toner, I think having a good ranged skill is more important than having a good melee skill.  Also, perception is vitally important for any character, and a face needs intimidation - right now, you will be defaulting with a Willpower of 3 to resist intimidation, a big gap in your social armor.

You would be better off running empathy software from your commlink (especially since you actually have the Response rating you need for it), but if you use the emotitoy, you don't need to buy it - it comes with it.

This dude is supposed to be a wheelman pornomancer, and you don't have Pimped Ride?  Shame.  SHAAAME!!

[CanRay]

Fixed, huh?  Well, one way to make sure there aren't any bastard children along the way...   

[UmaroVI]

The stupid way initiative enhancements work is a commonly houseruled thing, but I prefer to stay well clear of gray areas for missions characters.

Agreed on buying Perception and Intimidation, I assumed some karma was earmarked for that.

Double agreed on Pimped Ride.

[UmaroVI]

Also, get a Custom Look weapon.

[CanRay]

Lowrider!

[JustADude]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I threw this guy together on a whim and didn't actually plan it all out.

I'll kill a point of Edge and hard-caped my Reaction, swap around to Pistols, and make some equipment adjustments... oh, and if a weapon is in a Concealable Holster modded into armor with RPC the weapon counts as stealthed as well, right?

Also, if you had to choose between Pimped Ride and Smart Armor which would you pick? I can't find enough things I'm willing to get rid of (obviously the Amenities one can go, of course) to free up the slots for both... unless taking Normal Armor over your vehicle's Body doesn't actually reduce Speed and Acceleration, and Chummer's just being doofy.

What mods would you recommend for the YSF besides Custom Look 2? Obviously Chameleon Coating, but I'm torn between Sound Suppressor and keeping it legal, which would free up a lot of slots. I'm assuming that a "Nonlethal Weaponry" license would cover a YSF, as long as he never gets caught with anything but Stick'n'Shock ammo. If not, it's simple to reword it.

EDIT: Went ant looked at my copy of the Missions FAQ and it doesn't say anything about restricting Custom Commlinks. I haven't poured over the Commlink rules in fine detail, though. If someone can point me to a place where it says they're a "GMs Discretion" thing, which I do know is banned, unless specifically allowed in, I'll change it. Otherwise, I'm leaving it as is.

[UmaroVI]

Only if the weapon itself has Chameleon Coating.

Yes, that's in the Arsenal Errata. I'd take smart armor - exploded cars are not very pimp.

Barrel Reduction; the range on the YSF is really short anyways, and that makes it more concealable.

Crafting in general is banned in missions per Bull. Actually, I'm not sure there ARE rules for custom commlinks, I think it's just a common houserule.

[JustADude]

Crafting in general is banned in missions per Bull. Actually, I'm not sure there ARE rules for custom commlinks, I think it's just a common houserule.

I look at it less as "Crafting," which I would be define as using the rules in SR4A, p228 to create your own hardware from scratch, and more as "Buying the modules and plugging them into a blank shell." Once they're in, of course, they can never go more than +2 from the original rating.

SR4A, p222, pretty much says that installing a pre-purchased module is "a simple matter" that doesn't even merit a test.

If you can't build custom OSs or hardware from modules, then there's no way anyone in Missions could EVER get their OS above System 6, Firewall 5, because that's equal the rating of the best commlink OS in the books, plus 2... and if they can buy a custom OS, then the same should apply to custom hardware.

Anyway, I'm gonna whip up the changes and post the new sheet... though I'll keep the Custom Commlink up until I hear from my Missions GM one way or the other.

EDIT: Also, do you think it would be better to do Pistols + Unarmed, so I can 'tag' people with Shock Frills while blocking, if I get attacked in melee? I ask, because my first purchase is going to be Muscle Toner 4, but my Dodge + Reaction is a higher base pool to start.

EDIT REDUX: Decided to kill the Aptitude and use the points to get another point of Restricted Gear and take Muscle Toner 4 right out of the gate... so I guess the question is moot, since the dice-pools are the same, and Unarmed lets me trigger Shock Frills on the defense.

EDIT THE THIRD: Here's the revised sheet:


== Info ==
Street Name: Frost
Name: Dimitri
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 6
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Elf (Dryad) Male Age 37
Height 1.70m Weight 60kg
Composure: 12
Judge Intentions: 11
Lift/Carry: 4 (15 kg/10 kg)
Memory: 5
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 5 (9)
REA: 4 (9)
STR: 1
CHA: 9
INT: 2
LOG: 2
WIL: 3
EDG: 3

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   1.4
Initiative:                6 (11)
IP:                        1 (3)
Matrix Initiative:         7
Matrix IP:                 2
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Active Skills ==
Con                        : 4                      Pool: 26
Etiquette                  : 4                      Pool: 26
Infiltration               : 4                      Pool: 13
Intimidation               : 1                      Pool: 20
Leadership                 : 4                      Pool: 26
Negotiation                : 4                      Pool: 26
Pilot Ground Craft         : 6                      Pool: 15
Pistols                    : 1                      Pool: 12
Unarmed Combat             : 1                      Pool: 10

== Knowledge Skills ==

== Contacts ==
V.Brotherhood (Smuggers) (6 (1), 6)

== Qualities ==
Allergy (Common, Mild) (Krill / Shellfish)
Changeling (Class III SURGE)
Distinctive Style
Extravagant Eyes
First Impression
Glamour
Impaired Attribute (BOD)
Low-Light Vision
Metagenetic Improvement (CHA)
Ogre Stomach
Reduced Sense (Complete, Neurological) (Smell)
Restricted Gear (Rating 2)
Scorched
Sensitive Neural Structure
Symbiosis
Thermographic Vision
Unusual Hair

== Lifestyles ==
Conman's Crash  1 months
   Comforts:      Middle
   Entertainment: High
   Necessities:   Middle
   Neighborhood:  Squatter
   Security:      Middle

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Muscle Toner Rating 4
Reaction Enhancers Rating 3
Tailored Pheromones Rating 3
Wired Reflexes Rating 2

== Armor ==
Form-Fitting Half-Body Suit5/3
   +Biomonitor
   +Carbon-Boron
   +Skinlink
SecureTech Forearm Guards 0/1
SecureTech Shin Guards    0/1
Teg-mentum                4/1
   +Nonconductivity 2
   +Ruthenium Polymer Coating
   +Shock Frills
   +Skinlink

== Weapons ==
Unarmed Attack
   DV: 1S   AP: -   RC: 0
Yamaha Sakura Fubuki
   +Concealable Holster
   +Smartgun System, External
   +Barrel Reduction
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Custom Look Rating 2
   +Improved Range Finder
   +Personalized Grip
   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 1

== Commlink ==
Custom Commlink (5, 6, 6, 5)
   +Custom Placeholder (Matrix Programs) [Analyze 6, Browse 6, Command 6, Edit 6, Empathy Software 6, Encrypt 6, Purge 6, Scan 6]
   +Skinlink

== Gear ==
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Light Pistols) x40
Certified Credstick, Standard Rating 1405
Contact Lenses Rating 3
   +Image Link
   +Skinlink
   +Smartlink
   +Vision Magnification
Fake License (Nonlethal Weaponry) Rating 4
Fake License (Stealth Gear) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Alexi Dubiovitch) Rating 4
Glasses Rating 2
   +Flare Compensation
   +Ultrasound
   +Skinlink
Medkit Rating 6
Plastic Restraints x100
Simrig
   +Skinlink

== Vehicles ==
Hyundai Shin-Hyung (Sedan)
   +Armor, Normal Rating 20
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Clean Car Coating
   +Engine Customization, Acceleration
   +Engine Customization, Speed
   +Manual Control Override, Drive-by-Wire
   +Morphing License Plate
   +Personal Armor Rating 10
   +Ram Plate
   +Run Flat Tires Rating 4
   +Smuggling Compartment, Shielded
   +Spoof Chip
   +Vehicle Tag Eraser
   +Vehicle Sensor

[All4BigGuns]

Crafting in general is banned in missions per Bull. Actually, I'm not sure there ARE rules for custom commlinks, I think it's just a common houserule.

I look at it less as "Crafting," which I would be define as using the rules in SR4A, p228 to create your own hardware from scratch, and more as "Buying the modules and plugging them into a blank shell." Once they're in, of course, they can never go more than +2 from the original rating.

SR4A, p222, pretty much says that installing a pre-purchased module is "a simple matter" that doesn't even merit a test.

If you can't build custom OSs or hardware from modules, then there's no way anyone in Missions could EVER get their OS above System 6, Firewall 5, because that's equal the rating of the best commlink OS in the books, plus 2... and if they can buy a custom OS, then the same should apply to custom hardware.

Anyway, I'm gonna whip up the changes and post the new sheet... though I'll keep the Custom Commlink up until I hear from my Missions GM one way or the other.

EDIT: Also, do you think it would be better to do Pistols + Unarmed, so I can 'tag' people with Shock Frills while blocking, if I get attacked in melee? I ask, because my first purchase is going to be Muscle Toner 4, but my Dodge + Reaction is a higher base pool to start.

EDIT REDUX: Decided to kill the Aptitude and use the points to get another point of Restricted Gear and take Muscle Toner 4 right out of the gate... so I guess the question is moot, since the dice-pools are the same, and Unarmed lets me trigger Shock Frills on the defense.

EDIT THE THIRD: Here's the revised sheet:


== Info ==
Street Name: Frost
Name: Dimitri
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 6
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Elf (Dryad) Male Age 37
Height 1.70m Weight 60kg
Composure: 12
Judge Intentions: 11
Lift/Carry: 4 (15 kg/10 kg)
Memory: 5
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 5 (9)
REA: 4 (9)
STR: 1
CHA: 9
INT: 2
LOG: 2
WIL: 3
EDG: 3

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   1.4
Initiative:                6 (11)
IP:                        1 (3)
Matrix Initiative:         7
Matrix IP:                 2
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Active Skills ==
Con                        : 4                      Pool: 26
Etiquette                  : 4                      Pool: 26
Infiltration               : 4                      Pool: 13
Intimidation               : 1                      Pool: 20
Leadership                 : 4                      Pool: 26
Negotiation                : 4                      Pool: 26
Pilot Ground Craft         : 6                      Pool: 15
Pistols                    : 1                      Pool: 12
Unarmed Combat             : 1                      Pool: 10

== Knowledge Skills ==

== Contacts ==
V.Brotherhood (Smuggers) (6 (1), 6)

== Qualities ==
Allergy (Common, Mild) (Krill / Shellfish)
Changeling (Class III SURGE)
Distinctive Style
Extravagant Eyes
First Impression
Glamour
Impaired Attribute (BOD)
Low-Light Vision
Metagenetic Improvement (CHA)
Ogre Stomach
Reduced Sense (Complete, Neurological) (Smell)
Restricted Gear (Rating 2)
Scorched
Sensitive Neural Structure
Symbiosis
Thermographic Vision
Unusual Hair

== Lifestyles ==
Conman's Crash  1 months
   Comforts:      Middle
   Entertainment: High
   Necessities:   Middle
   Neighborhood:  Squatter
   Security:      Middle

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Muscle Toner Rating 4
Reaction Enhancers Rating 3
Tailored Pheromones Rating 3
Wired Reflexes Rating 2

== Armor ==
Form-Fitting Half-Body Suit5/3
   +Biomonitor
   +Carbon-Boron
   +Skinlink
SecureTech Forearm Guards 0/1
SecureTech Shin Guards    0/1
Teg-mentum                4/1
   +Nonconductivity 2
   +Ruthenium Polymer Coating
   +Shock Frills
   +Skinlink

== Weapons ==
Unarmed Attack
   DV: 1S   AP: -   RC: 0
Yamaha Sakura Fubuki
   +Concealable Holster
   +Smartgun System, External
   +Barrel Reduction
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Custom Look Rating 2
   +Improved Range Finder
   +Personalized Grip
   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 1

== Commlink ==
Custom Commlink (5, 6, 6, 5)
   +Custom Placeholder (Matrix Programs) [Analyze 6, Browse 6, Command 6, Edit 6, Empathy Software 6, Encrypt 6, Purge 6, Scan 6]
   +Skinlink

== Gear ==
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Light Pistols) x40
Certified Credstick, Standard Rating 1405
Contact Lenses Rating 3
   +Image Link
   +Skinlink
   +Smartlink
   +Vision Magnification
Fake License (Nonlethal Weaponry) Rating 4
Fake License (Stealth Gear) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Alexi Dubiovitch) Rating 4
Glasses Rating 2
   +Flare Compensation
   +Ultrasound
   +Skinlink
Medkit Rating 6
Plastic Restraints x100
Simrig
   +Skinlink

== Vehicles ==
Hyundai Shin-Hyung (Sedan)
   +Armor, Normal Rating 20
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Clean Car Coating
   +Engine Customization, Acceleration
   +Engine Customization, Speed
   +Manual Control Override, Drive-by-Wire
   +Morphing License Plate
   +Personal Armor Rating 10
   +Ram Plate
   +Run Flat Tires Rating 4
   +Smuggling Compartment, Shielded
   +Spoof Chip
   +Vehicle Tag Eraser
   +Vehicle Sensor

Actually, there is a way to get higher than System 6 and Firewall 5 in Missions even under that ruling. Save up  the nuyen to buy one of the comm links and OS from War!.

[JustADude]

Actually, there is a way to get higher than System 6 and Firewall 5 in Missions even under that ruling. Save up  the nuyen to buy one of the comm links and OS from War!.

Except that it says are no stock options MilSpec Operating Systems, and you have to buy the Firewall and System as separate modules, making separate Availability tests for each.

I'm just extrapolating that the same thing that you're required to do for the software modules can be done for the hardware modules, since nothing explicitly says you can't... I honestly think they just got bored and didn't want to try to keep thinking up names for the new Operating Systems.

[UmaroVI]

I'm just extrapolating that the same thing that you're required to do for the software modules can be done for the hardware modules, since nothing explicitly says you can't... I honestly think they just got bored and didn't want to try to keep thinking up names for the new Operating Systems.

It says the upgrades are easy to install.

"nothing explicitly says you can't, therefore I can" is the path to the dark side in SR4A.

I should also point out - why would anyone ever do anything other than build custom OS/Hardware? It's cheaper, which is the exact opposite of how every other package deal works.

Also, you can get Firewall 5 on security or military drones and vehicles, because they start with Device Rating 4/5 and hence Firewall 4/5. You just can't get a rating 6 Firewall on a non-milspec commlink.

[JustADude]

I'm just extrapolating that the same thing that you're required to do for the software modules can be done for the hardware modules, since nothing explicitly says you can't... I honestly think they just got bored and didn't want to try to keep thinking up names for the new Operating Systems.

It says the upgrades are easy to install.

"nothing explicitly says you can't, therefore I can" is the path to the dark side in SR4A.

I should also point out - why would anyone ever do anything other than build custom OS/Hardware? It's cheaper, which is the exact opposite of how every other package deal works.

Also, you can get Firewall 5 on security or military drones and vehicles, because they start with Device Rating 4/5 and hence Firewall 4/5. You just can't get a rating 6 Firewall on a non-milspec commlink.

I just have to say that I find it a bit silly you can't scratch-build your own equipment.

As for "Why would anyone do otherwise?"... well, I have to ask that about real life as well. The only reason not to build from scratch is because you're scared of it, or you work for a company and they insist on having a warranty. It's easy peasy.

Also, what do you think of the revised build aside from the custom commlink?

[UmaroVI]

Looks largely good. If you have karma to spend, replace the three rank 1 skills with 1 rank 3 skill, then buy the others with karma; it will save you 2 karma.