[saltorio]

My group has been playing other RPGs for years, and we've recently decided to start up an SR campaign. As I had never played (or even looked) the system before, It's taken me a while to figure it out. I played with a building a rigger, but gave up for now as it was too hard for me to wrap my head around it all.

So after looking at what other in my group are creating (and thus what we may need), I decided to try to create a assassin-type character who can also act as a face. Basically, the idea is someone who can go into an area, gather some info, meet the locals, get invited to have tea with their bosses, and then shoot them in the face. Kind of channelling the idea of Agent 47 from the Hitman series of games (which I've actually never played), or 007 with a vengeance. Weapons are mostly kept concealed, and I try to look as un-threatening as possible. However, I can manage well when the fight breaks out (and I've got a big gun and heavier armor for when I need to be less subtle).

All 400 BP are spent, and I have less than 300¥ remaining available to me in the build. So please, let me know how I did, and where I can improve.

Anton Dimitriev (Elf)
B 5/6, A 6/9, R 2/6, S 1/3, C 7, I 5, L 2, W 3, E 3, Ess 1.75, Init 7/11, IP 1/3
Condition Monitor boxes (Physical/Stun): 11/10
Commlink (Private) Condition Monitor: 9
Commlink (Public, Fake SIN) Condition Monitor: 9
Armor (Ballistic/Impact): 18/10 (w/ only Executive Suite and FFBS), 21/16 (w/ all armor)
Skills: Automatics 6 (Machine Pistols +2), Disguise 4, Gymnastics 3, Infiltration 4, Influence Group 4, Perception 4
Knowledge Skills: Concealable Firearms 2, English N, English Literature 1, Human Psychology 2, International Politics 3, Russian 6, Security Protocols 4, World History 2, World Religions 1
Metatype Abilities: Enhanced Senses: Low-Light Vision
Qualities: Erased (Daily), First Impression, In Debt (Borrowed 25000¥, Owes 37500¥) (5), Poor Self Control: Vindictive, Restricted Gear: Suprathyroid Gland

Social
. . Identity with Fake License: Guns (3), Fake SIN (3), 1 month Low Lifestyle
. . Fixer: Connection (3), Loyalty (2)
. . ID Manufacturer: Connection (1), Loyalty (2)

Cyberware:
. . Attention Coprocessor (3) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Cyber Safety (Left) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Cyber Safety (Right) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Reaction Enhancers (1) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Wired Reflexes (2) with Implant Medics (6)

Bioware:
. . Muscle Augmentation (1)
. . Muscle Toner (2)
. . Suprathyroid Gland

Gear:
. . Betel (CorpCandy, Jaw) x20
. . Commlink (Private) with Skinlink, Vector Xim Operating System
. . Commlink (Public, Fake SIN) with Vector Xim Operating System
. . Contact Lenses (3) with Flare Compensation, Skinlink, Smartlink
. . Earbuds (3) with Audio Enhancement (2), Skinlink, Spatial Recognizer
. . Glasses (4) with Image Link, Skinlink, Thermographic Vision, Vision Enhancement (3), Vision Magnification, Electronic
. . Hidden Gun Arm Slide with Skinlink
. . Medkit (6)
. . Microphone, Micro with Audio Enhancement (1), Skinlink
. . Sensor, Micro (Motion) with Motion Sensor, Skinlink
. . Sensor, Micro (Radio Signal Scanner) with Radio Signal Scanner (6), Skinlink
. . Sensor, Handheld/Minidrone with Skinlink, Ultrawideband Radar (2)

Armor
. . Executive Suite Outfit with Long Jacket, Plain Blouse/Shirt, Skirt/Trousers
. . Form-Fitting Full-Body Suit with Nonconductivity (6)
. . SecureTech Helmet
. . SecureTech Leg and Arm Casings
. . SecureTech Leg and Arm Casings
. . SecureTech Shin  Guards
. . SecureTech Vitals Protector

Weapons:
. . Ares Executive Protector [Submachine Guns, DV 6P vs. B-1, SA/BF/BF-L/FA, RC 2, 38 (c)] with Case Housing, Ceramic/Plasteel Components (Level 1), Cyber Safety, Electronic Firing, EX-Explosive Rounds x160, Folding Stock, Personalized Grip, Smartgun System, Internal, Sound Suppressor, Sound Suppressor, Stick-n-Shock x40, Trigger Removal
. . Izom Armaments RP-63A [Machine Pistols, DV 6P vs. B-2, SA/BF/BF-L/BF-Lx2, RC 3, 31 (c)] with Ceramic/Plasteel Components (Level 1), Cyber Safety, Electronic Firing, EX-Explosive Rounds x150, Flashlight (Standard), Gas-Vent 2 System, Laser Sight, Personalized Grip, Powered Slide Mount, Smartgun System, Internal, Sound Suppressor, Stick-n-Shock x64, Thermal Suppressor, Trigger Removal
. . SIG Sauer 574 [Battle Rifles, DV 8P vs. B-2, SA/BF/BF-L/BF-Lx2, RC 5, 20 (c)] with Bipod, Cyber Safety, Electronic Firing, EX-Explosive Rounds x100, Gas-Vent 3 System, Imaging Scope, Personalized Grip, Sling, Smartgun System, Internal, Stick-n-Shock x20
. . Attack of Will (vs. Spirits) [DV 7P vs. I]
. . Shock Glove [Unarmed, DV 5S(e) vs. ½I] with Internal Battery x10
. . Unarmed Strike [Unarmed, DV 2S vs. I]

[emsquared]

I love playing this type of character, this is basically the same concept as my current character, except mine's an Adept.

Overall looks good, (pretty much what I'd do if I'd went the sammy route ;P) except you can drop your BOD by 1 (losing no health track) and bump your REA by 1 since it's base is abysmally low (while you'll lose some armor capability, you shouldn't be letting anyone live long enough to get a shot off )... also, I wouldn't recommend going over 2 EDG unless your GM refreshes it liberally (i.e. every session, vs. every run). For the Face aspect, might see if you can move some BP(EDG)/Y around and get tailored pheromones to drastically increase your ability to manipulate people on the cheap.

If you're going with Gymnastics (over Dodge), you really need a melee skill (I'd recommend Unarmed and use Shock Gloves due to your poor STR) so you don't get flat-out owned by some razorboy. Some other skills I might recommend seeing if you can incorporate would be Palming, Intimidate, and I don't know how you can claim to model after 47 with no Pistols. They're good for Concealment and you'll probably often be up close and personal for the fun part.

Good build though, you'll have fun.

[All4BigGuns]

I'd suggest dropping the In Debt quality and finding some other Negative to get the same points. In Debt is a bit too controversial for my tastes. Some say it's gone when you pay off the debt, and some will insist on making you keep paying after that until you waste karma on it.

[Crunch]

I'd suggest dropping the In Debt quality and finding some other Negative to get the same points. In Debt is a bit too controversial for my tastes. Some say it's gone when you pay off the debt, and some will insist on making you keep paying after that until you waste karma on it.

I thought spending Karma to buy off negative qualities was pretty much core rules.

[saltorio]

Overall looks good, (pretty much what I'd do if I'd went the sammy route ;P) except you can drop your BOD by 1 (losing no health track) and bump your REA by 1 since it's base is abysmally low (while you'll lose some armor capability, you shouldn't be letting anyone live long enough to get a shot off )... also, I wouldn't recommend going over 2 EDG unless your GM refreshes it liberally (i.e. every session, vs. every run). For the Face aspect, might see if you can move some BP(EDG)/Y around and get tailored pheromones to drastically increase your ability to manipulate people on the cheap.

If you're going with Gymnastics (over Dodge), you really need a melee skill (I'd recommend Unarmed and use Shock Gloves due to your poor STR) so you don't get flat-out owned by some razorboy. Some other skills I might recommend seeing if you can incorporate would be Palming, Intimidate, and I don't know how you can claim to model after 47 with no Pistols. They're good for Concealment and you'll probably often be up close and personal for the fun part.

Good build though, you'll have fun.

My GM has stated he'll be refreshing Edge every gaming session, so that's why I figured a decent Edge stat made sense.

I have a pistol, just the Machine variety. I figured with the tight BP level I'm working at, I mind as well have all my gunning fall under one skill (Automatics). Same reason (tight on BPs) for not having Palming. As for Intimidate, I thought I had it under the Influence group, but apparently not. Hmm... I'm going to have to see if I can scrounge up some BPs somewhere. Any suggestions?

Questions:
1. Beyond boosting my Initiative score, what other benefit does bumping up my Reaction grant? Just wondering because I'll be losing either 1 dice on my weapons (do to Encumbrance) or 2B and 2I when in full armor.

2. What's the difference between using Gymnastics to avoid attacks, and Dodge to avoid attacks? I have to admit I haven't looked over the melee rules very much.

I'd suggest dropping the In Debt quality and finding some other Negative to get the same points. In Debt is a bit too controversial for my tastes. Some say it's gone when you pay off the debt, and some will insist on making you keep paying after that until you waste karma on it.

In Debt is required, as it's the only way I can afford all everything (again, not enough BPs). I'll check with my GM though and find out his take on paying it off.

[emsquared]

If he refreshes it every session, you might play around with things and consider soft-capping EDG (losing Erased...?). That takes it from a crappy stat, to possibly the best (never played with a GM like that so I don't really know) - could depend on your group too maybe (i.e. do you have a Shaman with Earth Guardians - which can cancel Glitches? if yes, could probably keep it at 3, if no, could be worth soft-max...). I dunno, I'd get others' input on this.

I figured with the tight BP level I'm working at, I mind as well have all my gunning fall under one skill (Automatics)

Completely valid approach, was just food for thought. I'm not really aware of the concealability of Machine Pistols. Not a build-breaker at all.

Hmm... I'm going to have to see if I can scrounge up some BPs somewhere. Any suggestions?

First place I'd look is Posi-Qualities. Erased is good, but you just have to ask yourself, is it worth it. Same with First Impression, it's a good, cheap bump for your social skills. I'd probably keep Impression, lose Erased and just count on my bad-assery to leave as little of a trail as possible

Then the only other place (since you'll want to hold onto your EDG, and what skills you do have are integral to your build) is money. Do you NEED that super thyroid gland at Chargen (it's taking 10BP for restricted gear, plus the 9 of it's cost...). What about other widgets (sensors, Executive Protector). It'll be tough, like you said, you're already pretty tight.

I guess you could think about letting ID Manf go... as a Fixer could probably do about the same thing (i.e. hook you up with Fake IDs)?

I dunno, tough choices all around.

[Edit:] Maybe drop INT by 1?

[Edit:] Heh, just thought of this... it'd be extreme, but if you go heavy on EDG, might see what you can do with the same build, but Human, that's a new 10 BP right there. You'd have 1 less die to your AGI pools and 2 less to CHA pools - still highly proficient with both though, and you'd have more BP for skills or Y.

Questions:
1. Beyond boosting my Initiative score, what other benefit does bumping up my Reaction grant? Just wondering because I'll be losing either 1 dice on my weapons (do to Encumbrance) or 2B and 2I when in full armor.

Bumping REA will bump your passive dodge, which is huge (it's better to avoid damage completely, than to soak it). You can always just reorganize your armor so as not to be encumbered.

2. What's the difference between using Gymnastics to avoid attacks, and Dodge to avoid attacks? I have to admit I haven't looked over the melee rules very much.

Basically, if you have a melee skill, you can add that skill to passive defense in melee (you cannot add Gymnastics - or Dodge - to passive defense). So, without a melee skill, you're just going on REA and therefore vulnerable to melee attacks. Gymnastics can be used for active defense, just like Dodge, however it also let's you do the jumps, etc. So, basically, you want to have a melee skill anyway as it's a pretty big weakness not to, and you want Gymnastics because it's a more diverse skill. I think anyway, this was explained to me not all that long ago...

[All4BigGuns]

Basically, if you have a melee skill, you can add that skill to passive defense in melee (you cannot add Gymnastics - or Dodge - to passive defense). So, without a melee skill, you're just going on REA and therefore vulnerable to melee attacks. Gymnastics can be used for active defense, just like Dodge, however it also let's you do the jumps, etc. So, basically, you want to have a melee skill anyway as it's a pretty big weakness not to, and you want Gymnastics because it's a more diverse skill. I think anyway, this was explained to me not all that long ago...

You are incorrect, "passive" melee defense does in fact add Dodge to the pool (it is ranged defense that doesn't get it). So in Full Defense in melee, you get Reaction + Dodge + Dodge again.

[emsquared]

You are incorrect, "passive" melee defense does in fact add Dodge to the pool (it is ranged defense that doesn't get it). So in Full Defense in melee, you get Reaction + Dodge + Dodge again.

Ah yes, thanks for the assist A4BG.

So, pretty much you either want Dodge OR a melee skill AND Gymnastics (for full defense at ranged). Not having Dodge or a Melee Skill as you do not right now, you are very vulnerable to melee attacks.

[saltorio]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, I've made a bunch of modifications based on them:

• switched metatype to Human, as it freed up 25 BPs, as well as better met the feel of character I had in my mind
• dropped Erased 2 (will rely on my bad-assery instead  ), but picked up Ambidexterous (I know it's not really recommended, but really fit the flavour)
• exchanged Automatics for Pistols, and swapped out all my weapons (discovered Machine Pistols are +2 Concealability)
• picked up Intimidation and Unarmed Combat
• installed Tailored Pheremones 3
• swapped my outfit for a different suave suit that has built-in hidden holsters

With this build, I've got a full 200 BP in my abilities, all 400 BP are spent, and I have 197¥ to spare. I can free up 1 BP (5000¥) by dropping the Clean Metabolism and Dietware bioware (both picked for flavour) if anyone can think of a better use for 1 BP.

The guns are two matched pairs. The Ares Light Fire 70s were picked for their decent clip size, and their special silencers, and are modified for concealment within my hidden gun arm slides. They're my hidden guns, available at the flick of a wrist. The Ruger Thunderbolts are kept in the hidden holsters within my suit jacket, but are less concealable and modified more as my primary guns (with SA and BF modes and enough recoil compensation to handle the bursts).

With the Compulsive womanizing, he's taken on more of a James Bond feel, with some John Preston from Equilibrium (mostly in the bad-assery department with the arm slides).

Anyway, does this look better? Any further suggestions are greatly appreciated.


Anton Dimitriev (Human)
B 5/6, A 5/8, R 3/8, S 1/3, C 5, I 4, L 2, W 3, E 4, Ess 1.1, Init 7/12, IP 1/3

Condition Monitor boxes (Physical/Stun): 11/10
Commlink (Private) Condition Monitor: 9
Commlink (Public, Fake SIN) Condition Monitor: 9
Armor (Ballistic/Impact): 20/17 (in full armor), 17/11 (looking dapper)
Skills: Disguise 4, Gymnastics 2, Infiltration 4, Influence Group 4, Intimidation 4, Perception 4, Pistols 6 (Semi-Automatics +2), Unarmed Combat 4
Knowledge Skills: Covert Ops Tech 2, English N, International Politics 2, Psychology 2, Russian 6, Security Protocols 4, World History 1, World Religions 1
Qualities: Ambidexterous, First Impression, In Debt (Borrowed 25000¥, Owes 37500¥) (5), Poor Self Control - Compulsive (2): Seduce Attractive Women, Restricted Gear: Suprathyroid Gland

Social:
. . Anton Dimitriev with Fake License: Guns (3), Fake SIN (3), Low Lifestyle
. . Contact: Fixer: Connection (4), Loyalty (3)

Cyberware:
. . Attention Coprocessor (3) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Cyber Safety (Left) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Cyber Safety (Right) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Reaction Enhancers (2) with Implant Medics (6)
. . Wired Reflexes (2) with Implant Medics (6)

Bioware:
. . Clean Metabolism
. . Dietware
. . Muscle Augmentation (1)
. . Muscle Toner (2)
. . Suprathyroid Gland
. . Tailored Pheromones (3)

Gear:
. . Betel (CorpCandy, Jaw) x20
. . Commlink (Private) with Skinlink, Vector Xim Operating System
. . Commlink (Public, Fake SIN) with Vector Xim Operating System
. . Contact Lenses (3) with Flare Compensation, Skinlink, Smartlink
. . Earbuds (3) with Audio Enhancement (2), Skinlink, Spatial Recognizer
. . Glasses (4) with Image Link, Skinlink, Thermographic Vision, Vision Enhancement (3), Vision Magnification, Electronic
. . Hidden Gun Arm Slide (Left) with Skinlink
. . Hidden Gun Arm Slide (Right) with Skinlink
. . Medkit (6)
. . Microphone, Micro with Audio Enhancement (1), Skinlink
. . Sensor (Motion) with Motion Sensor, Skinlink
. . Sensor (Radio Signal Scanner) with Radio Signal Scanner (6), Skinlink
. . Sensor Package, Handheld/Minidrone with Skinlink, Ultrawideband Radar (2)
. . Tag Eraser

Armor:
. . Helmet
. . Form-Fitting Full-Body Suit with Nonconductivity (6)
. . SecureTech Forearm Guards
. . SecureTech Leg and Arm Casings
. . SecureTech Shin  Guards
. . SecureTech Vitals Protector
. . Synergist Business Outfit with Chemical Protection (6), High-collar Shirt, Skirt/Slacks, Suit Jacket

Weapons:
. . Ares Light Fire 70 (Left Arm Slide) [Pistols, DV 4P vs. B, SA, RC 1, 16 (c)] with Barrel Reduction, Ceramic/Plasteel Components (Level 1), Cyber Safety, Electronic Firing, Hi-C Plastic Rounds x16, Improved Range Finder, Silencer (Light Fire 70), Smartgun System, Internal, Spare Clips, Trigger Removal
. . Ares Light Fire 70 (Right Arm Slide) [Pistols, DV 4P vs. B, SA, RC 1, 16 (c)] with Barrel Reduction, Ceramic/Plasteel Components (Level 1), Cyber Safety, Electronic Firing, Hi-C Plastic Rounds x16, Improved Range Finder, Silencer (Light Fire 70), Smartgun System, Internal, Spare Clips, Trigger Removal
. . Ruger Thunderbolt (Left Jacket) [Pistols, DV 6P vs. B-1, SA/BF, RC 5, 15 (c)] with Cyber Safety, Electronic Firing, Explosive Rounds x15, Firing Selection Change (SA), Folding Stock, Smartgun System, Internal, Spare Clips, Trigger Removal, Underbarrel Weight
. . Ruger Thunderbolt (Right Jacket) [Pistols, DV 6P vs. B-2, SA/BF, RC 5, 15 (c)] with Cyber Safety, Electronic Firing, EX-Explosive Rounds x15, Firing Selection Change (SA), Folding Stock, Smartgun System, Internal, Spare Clips, Trigger Removal, Underbarrel Weight
. . Attack of Will (vs. Spirits) [DV 5P vs. I]
. . Shock Glove [Unarmed, DV 5S(e) vs. ½I] with Internal Battery x10
. . Unarmed Strike [Unarmed, DV 2S vs. I]

Ammunition:
. . EX-Explosive Rounds (Heavy Pistol) x150 [DV +1 vs. B-1]
. . Hi-C Plastic Rounds (Light Pistol) x64 [DV – vs. B] with Ceramic/Plasteel Components (Level 3)
. . Shock Lock Rounds (Light Pistol) x64 [DV +1 vs. B]
. . Stick-n-Shock (Heavy Pistol) x60 [DV 6S(e) vs. ½I]

[Novocrane]

Why not Enhancement 3 on the earbuds? Also on the topic of earbuds / contacts - skinlink isn't a visual / audio enhancement, and doesn't count against the number of enhancements they may hold. Your contact lenses' smartlink also doesn't work without an imagelink - one reason why I usually put the vision enhancement / flare compensation in the lenses, and leave the gun bunny stuff for the glasses.

. . Commlink (Public, Fake SIN) with Vector Xim Operating System, Subvocal Microphone (so you can still use this)

. . Commlink (Private) with Skinlink, Vector Xim Operating System (can you get a datajack for this one, or get it implanted?)
. . Earbuds (2) with Skinlink, Audio Enhancement (3), Spatial Recognizer
. . Contact Lenses (2) with Flare Compensation, Vision Enhancement (3)
. . Glasses (4) with Skinlink, Image Link, Smartlink, Thermographic Vision, Vision Magnification
. . Hidden Gun Arm Slide (Left) with Skinlink
. . Hidden Gun Arm Slide (Right) with Skinlink

. . Sensor (Motion) with Motion Sensor, Skinlink
. . Sensor (Radio Signal Scanner) with Radio Signal Scanner (6), Skinlink
. . Sensor Package, Handheld/Minidrone with Skinlink, Ultrawideband Radar (2)

The radio signal scanning could be done with a half decent Agent (IC, preferably) on your commlink - and not on your character's IPs at that. Camera Upgrade on any of your guns would allow for installing the other sensor options in one neat package, while a Pilot Upgrade would allow the gun to use them without you. Any word on whether a Pilot Upgrade on your gun allows for teamwork tests on firing?

[saltorio]

Why not Enhancement 3 on the earbuds? Also on the topic of earbuds / contacts - skinlink isn't a visual / audio enhancement, and doesn't count against the number of enhancements they may hold. Your contact lenses' smartlink also doesn't work without an imagelink - one reason why I usually put the vision enhancement / flare compensation in the lenses, and leave the gun bunny stuff for the glasses.

When I set Audio Enhancement [3] on my Earbuds, Hero Lab states that I'm short on capacity (1 for Spacial Recognizer, 3 for Audio Enhancement [3]). So I dropped the enhancement to 2.

As for the Image Link, I forgot that it needs to be paired with the SmarkLink, so I've now made that change.

The radio signal scanning could be done with a half decent Agent (IC, preferably) on your commlink - and not on your character's IPs at that. Camera Upgrade on any of your guns would allow for installing the other sensor options in one neat package, while a Pilot Upgrade would allow the gun to use them without you. Any word on whether a Pilot Upgrade on your gun allows for teamwork tests on firing?

Guess I should look into Agents. As our GM stated that we'll be downplaying the Matrix in this campaign, I never bothered to look into it that in-depth.

Not really interested in using the gun remotely. By putting the camera upgrade in a gun, it's only useful when I have the gun out. With the Micro Sensors, I can stick them wherever on myself, and they're always useful.

[Novocrane]

I'd send Herolabs a note on that one. There should be a different value for cyber visual / audio enhancements and the gear that uses the same name.

On sensors; ultrawideband radar would work no matter where you place it, which only leaves the motion sensor.

Not really interested in using the gun remotely.

It's worth noting that isn't actually in the reply you quoted.

[Prodigy]

Get Sub-Sonic rounds for the pistols. Real assassins use them. Plus in game nobody will hear them. Assassins IRL use cut down rifles for hits probably more than anything. The most common weapon used by Richard Kuklinski (the most prolific mob hit man of all time) was the Ruger 10/22 rifle. Not really a sniper rifle, as his range was at most 50 yards/meters. He just shot from his car. The reason he got away with it is A) a rifle does more damage than a pistol (IRL the velocity from a .22 rifle is greater than a .22 pistol) and B) he used a silencer and Sub-Sonic ammo. Most people he shot looked as if they had a heart attack initially due to lack of exit wounds/ arterial spray. In Shadowrun, smart links allow pistols the range of 50 meters without too much penalty (add in vision magnification and change that to no penalty). But the point is as an assassin the most important part of the job is not to be seen killing the mark. Silence is golden. Get Sub-Sonic ammo.

[saltorio]

I'll look into that. Right now I'm leaning heavily on Hi-C Plastic Rounds to avoid detection of the guns on my person. I'm thinking of the style of kill where you meet with someone in a secure location where they may be asking for your weapons and scanning you.

I'm debating going back to an Automatics build, with machine pistols in the arm slides, an Ares Executive Protector SMG, and a battle rifle. I like the flavour of pistols, but I have a feeling the short range is going to come to be an issue in more combat-intensive missions. The range of pistols is fine for close intimate kills, but not great for large firefights. The poorer concealment of the machine pistols might be an issue though (+2 concealment, vs -2 for a light pistols).

Decisions, decisions.

[Novocrane]

Is 30-40 metres acceptable with -1? If so, pistols with an Improved Range Finder could help. There's also the Take Aim action, with Vision Magnification to reach the full 50-60 metres without penalty.

Out of curiosity; where do you expect to be fighting, that you might need more?