[Sacredsouless]

Finally got some free time to post up this dude up. Not really a finished product, but the character idea is that he is a gambler. He lost a ton of money gambling at mafia/yak/non-legal place/etc and took out a loan so he could win it all back. Of course he goes bust and now has to find a way to make back all of the money. So he turns to shadowrunning. Given his skill set is limited to socializing and card tricks, he isn't much for the whole "shoot him in the face" thing. Unknowingly blessed by his adept powers, he generally tries to charm his way through missions rather than charging. Though when the brown stinky hits the fan, he keeps a nice concealable side arm and has learned to apply some of the card tricks to his equally concealable knives. These actions have earning him the name Grifter.

My focus is more on fun rather than "OMG MASSIVE DICE POOL!!!1!", plus this is the first time I've posted a character up here. I'm not asking you to go easy, just to take that into consideration.

NAME/ALIAS: Mat "Grifter" Doods MOVEMENT: 10/25, Swim: 5
METATYPE: Human               AGE: 27              SEX: Male 
HEIGHT: 5' 10"      WEIGHT: 160
HAIR: Blond           EYES: Green              SKIN: Caucasian
STREET CRED: 0                     NOTORIETY: 2                        PUBLIC AWARE: 0
COMPOSURE: 8                       JUDGE INTENTIONS: 11
LIFT/CARRY:  8                          LIFT/CARRY WEIGHT: 30 kg/20 kg                  MEMORY: 5
STARTING NUYEN:                  LIFESTYLE: Middle (1 Month)

QUALITY NAME 
Adept                                     SR4A 90
Bad Rep                               RC 102
First Impression                SR4A 91
In Debt (30,000¥)               RC 105

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
BODY: 3
AGILITY: 4 (5)
REACTION: 4 (5)
STRENGTH: 3 (5)
MENTAL ATTRIBUTES
CHARISMA: 5
INTUITION: 4
LOGIC: 2
WILLPOWER: 3
SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
EDGE: 2
ESSENCE: 5.04
INITIATIVE: 8 (9)
MAGIC: 4   
INIT PASSES: 1 (2)

ACTIVE SKILLS
Con 14
Dodge 9
Etiquette 14
Infiltration 10
Intimidation 14
Leadership 14
Negotiation 14
Palming  9
Perception 8 
Throwing Weapons (Throwing Knives) 10 (12)

Contacts (Connection/Loyalty)
Club owner 2/2
Drinking buddy 1/2
Loaner/Fixer 2/1

Adept Powers
Improved Reflexes   1  SR4A 196
Kinesics                     2  SR4A 196
Missile Mastery             SM 178
Power Throw            2  SM 179

2 Fake SIN's
Matthew Busick (Rating 3)
Matthew Doods (Rating 4)

Gear
Contact Lenses Rating 3 (takes 3 mods)
~Skinlink (doesn't count towards mod limit)
~Flare Compensation
~Low Light Vision
Glasses Rating 4 (takes 4 mods)
~Skinlink (doesn't count towards mod limit)
~Thermographic
~Image Link
~Vision Magnification
~Vision Enhancement (Rating 3)
Earbuds Rating 3 (takes 3 mods)
~Skinlink (doesn't count towards mod limit)
~Audio Enhancement (rating 3)
~Spatial Recognizer

Armor(s)
FFFBS 6/2 (3/1 for encumbrance)
Leather Jacket w/ Carbon Boron 3/4
Total 9/6 (6/5 for encumbrance)

Weapon(s)
Throwing Knife    5P (STR/2+1)

Ammo
10 Throwing Knives

Bioware (Rating, ESS used, Grade)
Muscle Augmentation       Rating 2          0.32            Alphaware              SR4A  345
Muscle Toner                     Rating 1          0.16            Alphaware               SR4A  346
Tailored Pheromones       Rating 3         0.48            Alphaware               SR4A  346

Commlink
Hermes Ikon w/ Novatech Navi OS
~Response 4, System 3, Firewall 4, Signal 3
~Pro-User suite
~~Analyze 4
~~Browse 4
~~Command 2
~~Edit 4

EDIT: Made a couple changes. Currently have 215 Nuyen remaining, along with 4 BP.

[Csjarrat]

you could get a voice modulator for the final 0.2, can help get through voice recognition systems and for a bit of social engineering. bioware such as muscle toner/muscle augmentation would work too, it'll either boost your AGI or STR. as you've not taken any skills in unarmed or gymnastics, i'd take a look at boosting the AGI
a reflex recorder (skill group) could be useful too, maybe take the Stealth, Electronics or Athletics groups? all have serious bonuses that would help your char in different circumstances. i like a face that has some ability to sneak, so i'd maybe look at stealth.

as for matrix programs, if you're not a hacking type, then the pro-user suite is an absolute steal, it gives you the basic programs you need to do stuff with your commlink.
use browse software rating and data search skill to legwork to find info on sites, analyse tells you if someone is hacking your commlink (always handy to know), command software lets you use drones, edit allows you to make+ change documents, logs, messages as well as video/audio files.
you'll want a decent firewall program, and system/response attributes of four at least (the top end comms in the sr4a book are fine for this and will run the pro-suite no problems).
if you need some extra grunt, then you can get a pocket hacker suite (modified agent that can hack on your behalf). its cheap, but a bit weak.

i'd also take a look at your body attribute, you can take up to rating 6 armour (more if you take form fitting stuff underneath) without being encumbered.
shadowrun can be pretty deadly so i'd maybe take a look at getting full form fitting body armour (6/2 but counts as 3/2 for encumberance! put ruthenium coating on it if you take a stealth reflex recorder),  and then maybe a leather jacket with carbon-boron thread (3/4) for a total rating of 9/6. i like normal clothing on, with the AR enhanced and colour changing options too, as it gives you options to blend in to a crowd.
choose not to wear the hood + gloves or just have it down when walking around the city and the gloves in your pocket for if you need them.
its a pretty decent loadout and you look like a normal citizen the majority of the time, no-one should suspect you're maxing your armour rating :-)
i also like non-conductivity on my form fitting suit, it helps prevent attacks from tasers and stick n shock ammunition

i'd maybe take a look at the morrisey elan holdout, load it with hi-C rounds and you'll be able to get it through MAD scanners + chem sniffers.
also get a taser, they're totally legal and some are pretty decent (8Se damage code is nice!!)

it'd be good to get your willpower up to 3 as well if you can, it gives an extra stun damage box.
hope that helps!

EDIT:
we also recently had a bit of a flame war on the topic of sensor software recently, some of it can be very helpful to a face type character. empathy and lie-detection software in particular. it might be worth having a look into it and seeing what you, your group and your gm think of it, empathy software in particular is a bit contentious as some people see it as easy dice bonuses if the GM doesn't account for it properly. if played properly it can give a nice boost to your skills, but also is quite fallible, counterable and discoverable

[Sacredsouless]

I like the sounds of the voice modulator, but I really don't want to lose anymore than that .20 essence. Especially since that would drop my magic from 4 to 3 (max being 5 then 4). I don't really have the points for that right out of char gen. The elan and Hi-C rounds are a good idea. I actually think they fit the character perfectly. Gambler slippin' in a little heat on the side? Yeah, that sounds like the Grifter. But from how its worded, I don't think I will be dodging sniffers. They smell the gunpowder, the elan and Hi-C do not say anything about sealing the scent, just that they cannot be detected using MAD. Unless there is sealed mags/clips I didn't see....

As for the taser, thought about it, but then I decided it would just be easier to shoot a dude with a few rounds of SnS.

And yeah, I read that one. I think I'll avoid that kind of complication by not using it. I'm not a min-maxer, so I frankly don't feel to bad about dropping that from my shopping list.

[Caradoc]

You are probably better getting Voice Control (SR4A p.197) for 0.5 Power Points if you don't want to spend the Essence.

You might consider taking the Quality: Speaker's Way from Way of the Adept so that a lot of the Adept face-related powers can be bought at a 25% discount.

I also keep seeing Face Adepts taking the Adept power Commanding Voice (SM p.176) for 0.25 which seems a very cheap way of influencing 1 or more listeners to do an action if they fail to resist (your Charisma + Leadership vs the listener(s) Willpower + Leadership).

[Csjarrat]

I like the sounds of the voice modulator, but I really don't want to lose anymore than that .20 essence. Especially since that would drop my magic from 4 to 3 (max being 5 then 4). I don't really have the points for that right out of char gen. The elan and Hi-C rounds are a good idea. I actually think they fit the character perfectly. Gambler slippin' in a little heat on the side? Yeah, that sounds like the Grifter. But from how its worded, I don't think I will be dodging sniffers. They smell the gunpowder, the elan and Hi-C do not say anything about sealing the scent, just that they cannot be detected using MAD. Unless there is sealed mags/clips I didn't see....

As for the taser, thought about it, but then I decided it would just be easier to shoot a dude with a few rounds of SnS.

And yeah, I read that one. I think I'll avoid that kind of complication by not using it. I'm not a min-maxer, so I frankly don't feel to bad about dropping that from my shopping list.

ah no worries, just did a quick check on the essence in chummer, so they've probably entered the essence costs wrong on their end.
re: Hi-C, yeah they're deffo good for getting through MAD's, especially useful for getting it in through the security at swanky casino's :-) i could have sworn i'd read somehere that there is an option for a special sealed clip that is more expesnive but makes it harder for chem sniffers. think i might be going mad! :-S

re:tasers, yeah its probably one of those playstyle things, but having a taser on you wont let the police get all itchy to check out your sin and licenses like a gun would, probably wont make much difference in game if your GM isnt tha kinda guy, but i like em :-)

[Xzylvador]

Iirc, Voice Control (the adept power) is better at fooling Voice Recognition systems than Voice Modulator.
Unless I'm mistaken (afb), the first is vs. <rating> while the later is vs. <rating x 2>.

[emsquared]

You have zero LOG linked skills, therefore having it at 4 is just, well... not a good choice - story or mechanics wise - I'd drop that by 2 points (being good at poker is legitimately more intuition - perception, sense motive stuff - then logic, anyway) and put 1 into WIL and 1 into AGI or STR (mechanics wise you want an odd STR).

Your wasting very valuable ESS/MAG with the Mnemonic Enhancer and Tactile Sensitivity... ESS with which you could get Muscle Toner with and/or Muscle Aug so you can throw stuff better/harder, that will at least not make you a complete push over in combat. I realize pools aren't your priority, but having fun should be, and being ineffectual in combat isn't much fun IMO, YMMV.

You're no good with Pistols, and since you can turn pretty much anything into a weapon, might consider dropping it for now. You could buy the skill level you have now cheaper with karma after chargen if you want something with range.

As a face, you may (i.e. will) get yourself deep into situations that will be tough to get out of, but you will NEED to get out of. To do so you'll probably either have to be able to shoot people in the face, or sneak like a ninja. And since we've already established the face-shooting isn't your thing, you should seriously consider getting Infiltration, drop Shadowing if you don't have the points.

Commanding Voice should definitely be amongst your next Powers, though I wouldn't recommend dropping any of those you have right now. If your GM let's you use Ways, consider the Warriors way or, as mentioned, the Speakers Way depending on where you go with your advancement (better combat or straight face). If you are looking at becoming a better combatant at all, you'll probably want the Warriors Way, do the math and decide. Also, consider getting an Optional Adept's Geas, again if allowed by your GM.

Get yourself some Contacts, Glasses and Earbuds. Trick them out accordingly.

I don't think any of these suggestions take anything away from your theme and only add to the functionality and therefore, in theory, enjoyment of your PC. I hope at least some of it is worthwhile to you.

[Sacredsouless]

Made some changes, so check to see the updated version.

@emsquared: I admit, I'm confused by what you mean for contacts. Do you mean the kind for your face or the ones you talk to? Also what all would you need to make them so awesome, ditto for the earbuds? I can see vision magnification and low light being useful, if I had a gun for it I would take the smart link also. But I don't really see what you would need (presumably) rating 3 contacts and rating 4 glasses.

@Csjarrat: About the programs, would it be a good idea to get options like copy protection and registration?

[Csjarrat]

Made some changes, so check to see the updated version.

@emsquared: I admit, I'm confused by what you mean for contacts. Do you mean the kind for your face or the ones you talk to? Also what all would you need to make them so awesome, ditto for the earbuds? I can see vision magnification and low light being useful, if I had a gun for it I would take the smart link also. But I don't really see what you would need (presumably) rating 3 contacts and rating 4 glasses.

@Csjarrat: About the programs, would it be a good idea to get options like copy protection and registration?

programs are a bit sketchy if you're going to be hacking with them. having them registered means there is a paper trail that could be followed. its nice so they dont degrade though. have a word with your GM and find out his stance on patching software. if you have a programming suite + software skill you can do it yourself.

high rating contacts + glasses are excellent so you can load them with the following (as an example):
R3 contacts: image link, smart link, flare compensation (skinlink)
R4 glasses: low light, vision magnification, vision enhancement R3, thermographic (skinlink)

your R3 earbuds take audio enhance R3, spatial recognizer and micro-microphone (skinlink)

this way you can interact with AR (through image link and earbuds), as well has get the +3 to audio & visual perception tests. you can see for miles with the vision mag + and you've got built in compensation for flash-bangs/explosions/flashlights etc etc as well as a slew of vision modes if the smoke grenades start flying or the lights go off, and the smartlink is nice too for your gun skills.

as a hacker, i personally like:
Glasses R4:
-Image link
-Smart link
-Flare compensation
-R6 radio signal scanner
(skinlinked)

this lets you scan the nearby area for wireless traffic (good if you want to intercept calls/find broadcasting wireless nodes) and dump that info into your image link and skinlink the data across into your commlink to begin the hack/data capture.

the vision mode stuff can go on the contact lenses (vision mag, vision enhance R3, low light)
have fun with it mate!

[Sacredsouless]

Alright, I forgot to actually update the character sheet on here. I got distracted and when I came back to my post I assumed I had made the change. Oops!

Anyway, I got it updated. Right now I'm sitting with 1,495 Nuyen and 5 BP. I got the Contacts, but the availability hit 12 with only two mods. I think I'll keep it at rating 3 though, so I can then add another mod (probably the Vision Enhancement) later on. Same with the Earbuds. I only got 2/3, but I'm planning on getting something else later on. I got the skinlinks, but I do question whether I really need them. I thought the stuff would work without it/had it included. Just seems logical to me.

[Zephraim]

I like him, seems solid. You don't have any fake SIN or licenses, but you can easily afford those by dropping the Muscle Toner to standard grade (or adding another bp worth of nuyen). Also the smartlink is pretty useless since you have neither a gun or the skill to use one.

While the skinlink isn't required it's nice because it means your glasses can't be hacked and fed false data.

[Sacredsouless]

Point taken, making the adjustments now.


Alright, that leaves me with 2 fake SINs, nothing attached (I'm assuming the muscle augmentation and toner aren't exactly that noticeable), 215 Nuyen, 4 BP (that will probably go to another contact), and a need to fill out my knowledge skills (which, if you hadn't noticed, I haven't filled out). I also have an open mod spot on my contacts that will probably be taken by a smart link when I finally pick up a decent firearm. That or I'll go with ultrasound, or maybe get redundant with some of the features (a back up thermographic in case my glasses get smashed could be good).

@Csjarrat: Why do you recommend the micro-microphone for the earbuds? Is it to help pass info along to your team, or so you can talk to yourself and leave notes in that manner?

If there is any last suggestions, I'm glad to take them! And I also want to thank you all for helping this character progress to this stage. I like how the whole theme stayed intact and I also got some added versatility. Plus y'all explained a couple things that never made sense to me, like why you want to even bother with matrix programs for a non-hacking character.

[Novocrane]

Glasses R4:
-Image link
-Smart link
-Flare compensation
-R6 radio signal scanner

You'd be better off with the right program and an agent actively scanning incoming signals than a radio signal scanner. (which is a sensor function, not a visual enhancement)

I'm not sure what he's planning with the micro mic, but a subvocal mic works quite well as a standalone commlink accessory. Having a set of non-skinlinked, non-wireless contact lenses - ie; modded with things that don't require external connections is not a bad idea. (flare compensation being the first choice of mods for this - never get blinded by having your FC hacked) Some people will want to go with image link / smartlink in the contacts instead of the glasses - this is a personal choice. It all comes down to how you want your personal network (PAN) to route traffic / be hacked. Personally, I try to keep skinlink, neural, wired and wireless as separate as possible - that subvocal mic mentioned earlier is a good way to keep your public phone calls on a throwaway commlink & out of your PAN.

About the programs, would it be a good idea to get options like copy protection and registration?

Getting them isn't an issue - if you're using Unwired, all legal programs come with those two free of charge. They also make your life difficult when copying your own software or leaving log traces on a node. If you intend to use any software on a commlink that will be used for hacking, your best bet is to ask for pirated software from your GM. The relevant section in Unwired makes it clear that this takes days, at the most - so getting it after char gen shouldn't be too much of an issue if you can run a browse program.

[Zephraim]

The micro mic would let you record things you listen too as well as give you an audio channel for tacsoft if you get it later.

[emsquared]

You've got good pools and good flavor, enjoy! The last item I'd mention is weighing your options on Pistols vs Automatics when you dive in to firearms; conceal ability vs versatility. For a face, conceal ability can be important, but your throwing arm is the ultimate concealable weapon. Depending on your group/GM (how often things get hot n heavy), you may be gaining more with automatics... just get a feel for how you use combat (last resort or regular approach) and choose accordingly.