[Balodek]

Hello all.  I am playing in my first SR game in a few years, so I'm looking for some feedback on my character.  The group is going to be 4 people, one street sam, one hermetic mage and one shaman.  I'm the most experienced player so I've agreed to take on the roles of rigger and face to take some of the burden off the other players and the GM. 

Since I've never really explored the Matrix rules before I built 3 characters based on the archetypes found here.  This one is my favorite of the three and the one I'd most like to play, so I'm submitting him to the altar of the forums for feedback on optimization or anything I might have missed.


NAME/ALIAS: Malefluer
PLAYER: Balodek
MOVEMENT: 10/25, Swim: 6
METATYPE: Elf   AGE:   24   SEX:   Male   NUYEN:   0
HEIGHT:   5'10"   WEIGHT:   185   HAIR:   Black   EYES:   Green   SKIN:   Caucasian
KARMA:   0   TOTAL KARMA:   0   STREET CRED:   0   NOTORIETY:   3   PUBLIC AWARE:   1
COMPOSURE:  10
JUDGE INTENTIONS:  14
LIFT/CARRY:  4
LIFT/CARRY WEIGHT:  15 kg/10 kg
MEMORY:  7

BODY: 3
AGILITY: 2
REACTION: 2 (4)
STRENGTH: 1
CHARISMA: 7
INTUITION: 4
LOGIC: 4
WILLPOWER: 3
EDGE: 3
ESSENCE: 6
MAGIC: 4
ASTRAL INIT: 8
INITIATIVE: 6 ( 8 )
MATRIX INIT: 12
INIT PASSES: 1 (3)    MATRIX: 2    ASTRAL: 3

ACTIVE SKILLS
Electronics 3
   Computer
   Data Search
   Hardware
   Software
Influence 3
   Con
   Etiquette
   Leadership
   Negotiation
Electronic Warfare 4
Gunnery    4
Hacking 6
Pilot Aircraft 4
Pistols 4

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
Language: English   4
Language: Sperethiel   N
Alcohol         4
Bars and Clubs      4
Data Havens      4
Gangs         4
Security Design      4

CONTACTS
Bo Jangles   5/6
Doc Murphy   5/6

QUALITY NAME   
Addiction (Mild) (Media)
Adept
Incompetent (Clubs)
Incompetent (Longarms)
Low-Light Vision
Poor Self Control (Compulsive - Low Danger) (Hit on Attractive Elves)
Sensitive System
The Artisan's Way


WEAPON
Ruger Thunderbolt w/ Smartgun
Concealable Holster; Spare Clips; Spare Clips; Spare Clips; Spare Clips; Spare Clips; Chameleon Coating; Folding Stock, Powered; Personalized Grip; Smartgun System; Underbarrel Weight

DRONES & VEHICLES
Ford LEBD-1 (Medium)
Ammo Bins; Ammo Bins; Armor, Normal Rating 9; Improved Takeoff and Landing Level 2; Mechanical Arm; Weapon Mount (Normal, External, Fixed, Remote)
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Assault Rifles) x300; Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Assault Rifles) x300; Medium Drone Sensor (Camera Rating 6 [Low Light; Smartlink; Vision Enhancement 3] ; Camera Rating 6 [Thermographic; Vision Magnification] ; Laser Range Finder; Microphone Rating 6 [Audio Enhancement 3; Spatial Recognizer] ; Motion Sensor)
AK-97 Smartgun System, External

GMC Bulldog Step-Van (Van)
Amenities, Middle; Drone Rack, Small
Vehicle Sensor

MCT Fly-Spy (Minidrone)
Chameleon Coating; Improved Takeoff and Landing Level 2
Maneuver (Self) Rating 2 (Copy Protection Rating 2; Registration) ; Minidrone Sensor (Camera Rating 6 [Vision Enhancement 3] )

Repeater Drone (Minidrone)
Chameleon Coating
Minidrone Sensor (Camera Rating 1 [Vision Enhancement 3] ; Non-Linear Junction Detector Rating 6)

COMMLINK   RESPONSE   SYSTEM   FIREWALL   SIGNAL   
Custom Commlink   0      6   6      0   
ACCESSORIES
Analyze 6 (Hacked) [Ergonomic (Hacked); Optimization 1 (Hacked)] ; Biofeedback Filter 5 (Hacked) [Ergonomic (Hacked)] ; Browse 6 (Hacked) [Optimization 1 (Hacked)] ; Command 6 (Hacked) [Optimization 1 (Hacked)] ; Custom Commlink OS [Customized Interface; Firewall 6; Response 5; Response Enhancer 3; Signal 5; System 6] ; Defuse 3 (Hacked); Disarm 5 (Hacked); ECCM 5 (Hacked) [Ergonomic (Hacked)] ; Edit 5 (Hacked); Eurosoft Clavicula [Decrypt 5; Encrypt 5] ; Exploit 5 (Hacked) [Mute (Hacked)] ; Hardening 6; Optimization (Command); Scan 5 (Hacked); Simrig; Sniffer 5 (Hacked); Spoof 5 (Hacked); Stealth 5 (Hacked) [Ergonomic (Hacked)] ; Track 3 (Hacked)
Meta Link   1      1   1      2
ACCESSORIES
Vector Xim

ADEPT POWERS
Improved Ability (Non-Combat) (Hacking)      2   SR4 196
Improved Reflexes             2   SR4 196
Kinesics               3   SR4 196
Multi-Tasking                  SM 178

GEAR
Low Lifestyle 1 month
Form-Fitting Full-Body Suit w/Chemical Protection 6
Vashon Island: Steampunk Overcoat

Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x36
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Heavy Pistols)     x36
AR Gloves
Contact Lenses   2 w/Flare Compensation; Smartlink
Earbuds   2 w/Audio Enhancement 3; Spatial Recognizer
Glasses   3 w/Image Link; Skinlink; Ultrasound; Vision Enhancement 3
Fake SIN (Malefluer)   3
   Fake License 3 (Firearms); Fake License 3 (Drones); Fake License 3 (Software)
Jammer, Area 3
Jammer, Directional 3
Micro Sensor w/Laser Range Finder; Skinlink
Micro Sensor w/Motion Sensor; Skinlink
Micro Sensor w/Radio Signal Scanner 6; Skinlink
Tag Eraser

[UmaroVI]

I think you are largely fine, but a few suggestions:

You appear to have Magic 4, but no augmentations that I can see. You really should softcap that. Things that are less important than magic: Logic and Intuition.

Electronics 3 and Influence 3 make the Karma Monkey sad, because they cost 10 bp to raise to 4 now, or 20 karma to raise to 4 later. Try to scare up 20 bp for that. You can probably afford a bit less EW, a bit less Pilot Aircraft, maybe shave some gear here and there.

Those are some really high Connection/Loyalty contacts and you may want to doublecheck your GM is OK with that.

I add your adept powers up to 4.625 PP, assuming you discounted Improved Reflexes and Multitasking which are your two most expensive powers. I get 2.5*.75+1*.75+.5+1.5

I don't think the MCT Fly-Spy is the best bang for your buck. The repeater drone can do everything it can do and more. If you want a spy-drone, the Flying Eye from Spy Games is superior to the MCT Fly-Spy and also cheaper.

You should be aware that as an Adept, taking a little 'ware will always make you strictly better. Choosing to not start with it and to instead get it during gameplay is perfectly fine. Choosing to intentionally be weaker for roleplaying reasons is also fine - I just want to make sure you know that (because the books really don't give you any indication that this is true and many people have the wrong impression). The specific stuff you would want is some combination of PuSHeD, Encephalon, Tailored Pheremones, and a cyberlimb with NeoCortical Nanites, plus possibly some comedy ware if you are into that depending on how the rounding works out.

[UmaroVI]

Also, you should really have Commanding Voice. It is really good and will work better than pistols with 2 agility 95% of the time.

[Balodek]

You appear to have Magic 4, but no augmentations that I can see. You really should softcap that. Things that are less important than magic: Logic and Intuition.

Electronics 3 and Influence 3 make the Karma Monkey sad, because they cost 10 bp to raise to 4 now, or 20 karma to raise to 4 later. Try to scare up 20 bp for that. You can probably afford a bit less EW, a bit less Pilot Aircraft, maybe shave some gear here and there.

Dropped Logic and Intuition to 3 and Raised Magic to 4 and found the points to raise the skill groups.

Those are some really high Connection/Loyalty contacts and you may want to doublecheck your GM is OK with that.

I talked to him, he approved them but I may shave them down for more points elsewhere.

I add your adept powers up to 4.625 PP, assuming you discounted Improved Reflexes and Multitasking which are your two most expensive powers. I get 2.5*.75+1*.75+.5+1.5

Good catch, I accidentally discounted Kinesics, which I can't do with my chosen Way.

I don't think the MCT Fly-Spy is the best bang for your buck. The repeater drone can do everything it can do and more. If you want a spy-drone, the Flying Eye from Spy Games is superior to the MCT Fly-Spy and also cheaper.

Made the recommended switch.

You should be aware that as an Adept, taking a little 'ware will always make you strictly better. Choosing to not start with it and to instead get it during gameplay is perfectly fine. Choosing to intentionally be weaker for roleplaying reasons is also fine - I just want to make sure you know that (because the books really don't give you any indication that this is true and many people have the wrong impression). The specific stuff you would want is some combination of PuSHeD, Encephalon, Tailored Pheremones, and a cyberlimb with NeoCortical Nanites, plus possibly some comedy ware if you are into that depending on how the rounding works out.

There is a lot of 'ware I really really want, but for roleplaying reasons I'm trying to stay "pure".  From a rules perspective, how good is this character at actually rigging?  I don't have a control rig, so I can't jump into a drone, am I stuck using Command to get the drone doing what I want?  If so maybe I can drop Gunnery?

[UmaroVI]

Command rigging is generally as good or better than Jumping In and is much less expensive. You do need Gunnery - you would be rolling (for example) Command+Gunnery to shoot people. What makes Command rigging good is:

You can do it from AR or from VR

Everything relies on Command, nothing relies on the Response of your drone/vehicle which means you can rock out with cheap vehicles. Command is much easier to raise.

It's cheap so you can afford to cover other things (like Face and Hacker) at the same time.

The one thing I can see that you're missing is Codeslinger (Control Device) which is highly pro for command rigging, since it gives +2 to almost everything.

[Balodek]

Thank you for the excellent advice.  Here is the revised character:


== Info ==
Street Name:
Name: Malefluer
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 6
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 3
Public Awareness: 1
Elf Male Age 24
Height 5'10" Weight 185
Composure: 10
Judge Intentions: 13
Lift/Carry: 4 (15 kg/10 kg)
Memory: 6
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 2
REA: 2 (4)
STR: 1
CHA: 7
INT: 3
LOG: 3
WIL: 3
EDG: 3
MAG: 5

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   6
Initiative:                5 (7)
IP:                        1 (3)
Astral Initiative:         6
Astral IP:                 3
Matrix Initiative:         11
Matrix IP:                 2
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Active Skills ==
Computer                   : 4                      Pool: 7
Con                        : 4                      Pool: 14
Data Search                : 4                      Pool: 7
Electronic Warfare         : 2                      Pool: 5
Etiquette                  : 4                      Pool: 14
Gunnery                    : 4                      Pool: 6
Hacking                    : 6                      Pool: 12
Hardware                   : 4                      Pool: 7
Leadership                 : 4                      Pool: 14
Negotiation                : 4                      Pool: 14
Pilot Aircraft             : 2                      Pool: 6
Pistols                    : 1                      Pool: 3
Software                   : 4                      Pool: 7

== Knowledge Skills ==
Alcohol                    : 4                      Pool: 7
Bars and Clubs             : 4                      Pool: 7
Data Havens                : 4                      Pool: 7
English                    : 4                      Pool: 7
Gangs                      : 4                      Pool: 7
Security Design            : 4                      Pool: 7
Sperethiel                 : N                      Pool: 0

== Contacts ==
Bo Jangles (5, 6)
Doc Murphy (5, 6)

== Qualities ==
Addiction (Mild) (Media)
Adept
Codeslinger (Control Device)
Incompetent (Clubs)
Incompetent (Longarms)
Low-Light Vision
Poor Self Control (Compulsive - Low Danger) (Hit on Attractive Elves)
Sensitive System
The Artisan's Way

== Powers ==
Commanding Voice
Improved Ability (Non-Combat) (Hacking) Rating: 4
Improved Reflexes 2
Kinesics Rating: 3
Multi-Tasking

== Lifestyles ==
Middle  1 months

== Armor ==
Form-Fitting Full-Body Suit6/2
   +Chemical Protection 6
Vashon Island: Steampunk Overcoat3/3

== Weapons ==
Ruger Thunderbolt w/ Smartgun
   +Concealable Holster
   +Spare Clips x 5
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Folding Stock, Powered
   +Personalized Grip
   +Smartgun System
   +Underbarrel Weight
   DV: 5P   AP: -1   RC: 5
Unarmed Attack
   DV: 1S   AP: -   RC: 0

== Commlink ==
Custom Commlink (0, 6, 6, 0)
   +Custom Commlink OS [Customized Interface, Firewall 6, Response 5, Response Enhancer 3, Signal 5, System 6]
   +Hardening Rating 6
   +Optimization (Command)
   +Simrig
   +Analyze (Hacked) Rating 6 [Ergonomic (Hacked), Optimization 1 (Hacked)]
   +Biofeedback Filter (Hacked) Rating 5 [Ergonomic (Hacked)]
   +Browse (Hacked) Rating 6 [Optimization 1 (Hacked)]
   +Command (Hacked) Rating 6 [Optimization 1 (Hacked)]
   +Defuse (Hacked) Rating 3
   +Disarm (Hacked) Rating 5
   +ECCM (Hacked) Rating 5 [Ergonomic (Hacked)]
   +Edit (Hacked) Rating 5
   +Exploit (Hacked) Rating 5 [Mute (Hacked)]
   +Scan (Hacked) Rating 5
   +Sniffer (Hacked) Rating 5
   +Spoof (Hacked) Rating 5
   +Stealth (Hacked) Rating 5 [Ergonomic (Hacked)]
   +Track (Hacked) Rating 3
   +Eurosoft Clavicula [Decrypt 5, Encrypt 5]
Meta Link (1, 1, 1, 2)
   +Vector Xim

== Gear ==
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistols) x36
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Heavy Pistols) x36
AR Gloves
Contact Lenses Rating 2
   +Flare Compensation
   +Smartlink
Earbuds Rating 2
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 3
   +Spatial Recognizer
Fake SIN (Malefluer) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Ruger Thunderbolt w/ Smartgun) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Ford LEBD-1 (Medium)) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Eurosoft Clavicula) Rating 3
Glasses Rating 3
   +Image Link
   +Ultrasound
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 3
   +Skinlink
Jammer, Directional Rating 3
Micro Sensor
   +Laser Range Finder
   +Skinlink
Micro Sensor
   +Motion Sensor
   +Skinlink
Micro Sensor
   +Radio Signal Scanner Rating 6
   +Skinlink
Tag Eraser

== Vehicles ==
Flying Eye (Microdrone)
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Improved Sensor Array
   +Improved Takeoff and Landing Level 2
   +Minidrone Sensor
      +Camera Rating 2 [Vision Enhancement 3]
   +Tool Kit (Automotive)
Ford LEBD-1 (Medium)
   +Ammo Bins
   +Ammo Bins
   +Armor, Normal Rating 9
   +Improved Takeoff and Landing Level 2
   +Mechanical Arm
   +Weapon Mount (Normal, External, Fixed, Remote)
   +Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Assault Rifles) x300
   +Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Assault Rifles) x300
   +Clearsight (Hacked) Rating 3
   +Medium Drone Sensor
      +Camera Rating 6 [Low Light, Smartlink, Vision Enhancement 3]
      +Camera Rating 6 [Thermographic, Vision Magnification]
      +Microphone Rating 6 [Audio Enhancement 3, Spatial Recognizer]
      +Laser Range Finder
      +Motion Sensor
   +Targeting (Assault Rifles, Hacked) Rating 3
Repeater Drone (Minidrone)
   +Chameleon Coating
   +Minidrone Sensor
      +Camera Rating 1 [Vision Enhancement 3]
      +Non-Linear Junction Detector Rating 6
Thundercloud Morgan (ATV)
   +Drone Rack, Small
   +Off-Road Suspension
   +Weapon Mount (Normal, External, Fixed, Manual)
   +Vehicle Sensor


With the sacrifices to become a better face I dropped pistols to 1.  I'm horrible with my gun but ideally I won't be using it much, and I'll plan on upping my skill with it later.

[UmaroVI]

You can't boost a skill past 1.5x base with Improved Ability, so no more than 3 IA hacking. I would take IA gunnery in place of one of those (it is a Vehicle skill not a Combat skill so it is still only .25 PP per).

You are slightly under-armored. Slap on 0/2 of PPP stuff.

I wouldn't sweat the low gun skill. Commanding Voice is usually a better move for you even if you had 4 pistols - most people have serious problems resisting it, and if you can stall enough people from taking actions while the more offensive-oriented members of your team take them down, that's fine. You can usually rig in combat as well.

[Balodek]

Cool, thanks again for all your help!

[All4BigGuns]

Control rig I believe only gives a bonus these days rather than being required to jump in.

[Henzington]

unless there is a change its "+2 dice pool bonus on all Vehicle skill tests while the rigger is “jumped into” a vehicle/drone via full virtual reality"  Core 331

Yeah no reason to have it unless you plan on jumping into your drones and in that case the adept Improved Reflexes dont help you.  If plan on jumping in I would suggest using some of those points to get Improved Ability Gunnery instead.

[All4BigGuns]

unless there is a change its "+2 dice pool bonus on all Vehicle skill tests while the rigger is “jumped into” a vehicle/drone via full virtual reality"  Core 331

Yeah no reason to have it unless you plan on jumping into your drones and in that case the adept Improved Reflexes dont help you.  If plan on jumping in I would suggest using some of those points to get Improved Ability Gunnery instead.

No real reason not to either though because it's cheap and costs almost no essence. (Unlike the VCR from SR3 *shudders at that essence cost*)

[Xykal]

Just curious, but how do you hack / rig / access your comllink without a datajack?

[JustADude]

Just curious, but how do you hack / rig / access your comllink without a datajack?

Trode Net + Sim Module, a Simrig (basically the former in one unit w/ recording capabilities), or a Responsive Interface Gear setup from War!.