ALL THE BRICKS - OOC

Shayuri · Mar 24, 2016

Well, it helps if the advice is actually based on the rules, rather than a misunderstanding of the rules, but thank you.

Till, Resonance Veil sounds right up D0's alley. Puppeteer too, but that can wait for some karma I think.

I'd like to change out Transcendent Grid for Resonance Veil. And thank you for the very illuminating discussion of Grids! I believe I finally get them. The Grid Hop action, being Sleaze (at least in my case) would invoke an Overwatch Score which would then slowly increase over time. It's super easy to DO, but it starts that pendulum in action. However, if Otter reboots just before starting hacks, that resets it...which means she can use Local access for long term semi-legit stuff like data searches, and Grid Hop for when she needs access during a run. Most runs don't last long enough for time to be a huge factor in OS creep, I expect. And as long as she doesn't have marks, rebooting is pretty consequence-free.

I'll definitely need to spend a Submersion rank on that Echo that imitates the 'free Overwatch check' program though, asap, considering that even checking your OS increases it. Hehe.

That all also helps me see the value in Static Veil and Cleaner...other future investments.

Thanks again!

TillForPie · Mar 25, 2016

And yesterday was a roommate's birthday! We should be clear of all the celebrations. Rubberneck's character should be finished soon and then I'll be checking GlassEye's character. Hopefully we'll be starting the game proper soon.

TillForPie · Mar 26, 2016

[MENTION=40413]GlassEye[/MENTION],

All right, some notes. Right now your character can certainly be viable at controlling drones remotely through an RCC but he might be in danger if he jumps into a drone. If you plan on playing him more as a puppeteer or someone who will fight alongside his drones then there's nothing to worry about. If you primarily intend to jump into a drone to fight from inside it you might want to consider a rebuild. Based on what you've said I don't think that's what you're going to be doing so it shouldn't be a problem.

There exists a kind of rule of thumb for Shadowrun: A dice pool of 12 is considered the minimum for being viable at whatever it is your character's main thing is. If your character's main thing is shooting stuff up with his drones (and that might not be his thing - let me know if not) he should get a bit of a bump in how good he is at it. Right now when you're piloting a drone through your RCC you're working with a pool of 9. There's no limit to how many skills you can max out at character creation (that limit is only for Attributes) so you could bring Gunnery up to 6 without dropping Electronic Warfare (which is a good defensive skill to have). I'd also recommend putting a Ballistics specialty into Gunnery for another 2 dice. A Reflex Recorder could give you a +1 to Gunnery (but only when you're using Agility with it, not with Logic) on top of that. If you were to make these adjustments you'd be bringing your attack pool up to 13 dice.

You could pump your Agility higher if you dropped Charisma to 1 and then used 10 of your 11 karma to bring Charisma back up to 2 (using karma to increase your agility would cost 20). Combined with the above advice it'd pump your pool to 14.

Your Reaction Enhancers cost you 26,000 and are giving you a +2 Reaction (and thus +2 Initiative). If you were to get some entry level Wired Reflexes it would cost you 39,000 instead, increase your Reaction by 1 and your Initiative by 1d6 (so you'd be getting a 1d6+1 bonus to Initiative). Getting multiple dice for initiative is a really big bonus and it would help you maximize how much you're able to do with your drones. Wired Reflexes doesn't stack with Reaction Enhancers.

The rule book doesn't explicitly state that an implanted Control Rig gives you the same Wireless Bonus (the free noise reduction) as a Datajack but its entry does read "It's like getting a free data jack" and its purpose does make one redundant (except for the Wireless Bonus) so I'm going to say that you don't need to buy a separate Datajack - you'll get the noise reduction bonus with your Control Rig.

With some of the other money you have leftover I'd recommend: Get each of your vehicles a Spoof Chip at the very least (they're 500 nuyen each and I described them to Mosier in this post) and maybe morphing license plates (these are more optional and cost 1,000ny each). You bought a weapon mount for the Roto-Drone but didn't actually buy a weapon for it, so you should definitely do that. You have a lot of small scout drones, that's perfectly fine and obviously the more there are the more ground they'll be able to but often you might find that many of them to be redundant (especially if Death Otter is simultaneously spying through hacked cameras). You might consider swapping one out for an additional Roto-Drone or two.

If you let me know what your vision for Lum is and what kind of things you'd like to be doing with him I can give more advice. Everything above is based on the assumption that you want to play him as a combat-oriented character who is physically present on runs but does most of his fighting through the drones.

I haven't verified anything about the character for system legality yet (I do that with Chummer) so just let me know what changes (if any) you'd like to make.

Shayuri · Mar 26, 2016

A dice pool of 12 is considered the minimum for being viable at whatever it is your character's main thing is.

Hmm. I have a lot of 11 pools. Tasking. Resisting Fade.

Well, if I focus on boosting Resonance early, perhaps it won't be too bad.

GlassEye · Mar 26, 2016

TillForPie said:
[MENTION=40413]GlassEye[/MENTION],
If you let me know what your vision for Lum is and what kind of things you'd like to be doing with him I can give more advice. Everything above is based on the assumption that you want to play him as a combat-oriented character who is physically present on runs but does most of his fighting through the drones.

This is spot-on. I originally wanted an infiltration/local area knowledge specialist who used drones to scout and in combat when things got hairy. Skill points were in high demand so the non-rigger aspects got toned down to the point of near non-existence. There might be some holdovers in skills that I've missed. I still have to implement your advice and repost so I wouldn't do a detailed check just yet.

What is your opinion of the sniper rifle vs automatic on the drone?

TillForPie · Mar 27, 2016

GlassEye said:
This is spot-on. I originally wanted an infiltration/local area knowledge specialist who used drones to scout and in combat when things got hairy. Skill points were in high demand so the non-rigger aspects got toned down to the point of near non-existence. There might be some holdovers in skills that I've missed. I still have to implement your advice and repost so I wouldn't do a detailed check just yet.

What is your opinion of the sniper rifle vs automatic on the drone?

The assault rifle is going to be the more versatile option.

But you could always do both, swapping guns out depending on the job. This would require purchasing an additional autosoft for one of the guns (I describe autosofts and their errata'd cost in this post). On that note, you could also purchase a higher level autosoft for the primary weapon. It isn't terribly expensive and it'll mean the drone is more competent at defending in autonomous mode when you're busy doing something else.

Shayuri · Mar 27, 2016

The advantage of the sniper rifle is that it lets the drone loiter waaaaay up above the fray, potentially outside the effective return fire range of opposition.

Till's right though...it wouldn't do us a lot of good for missions that take us into buildings.

I just like the flavor of your guy pointing a finger at someone, like a gun, when he seems to be unarmed...then saying, 'Bang' and suddenly the guy dies from a bullet that seems to come out of nowhere.

GlassEye · Mar 27, 2016

That's an awesome image, there, Shayuri. It's one that I feel fits my image of Rakesh/Lum very well.

So, Rakesh is done, I think, except for finishing off gear (and the enemy vs more cash debate that's currently running in my head). I'm sure there is a lot of tweaking that can still be done to make him better at what he does but I'm torn over the trade-offs to do that. Same goes for gear. I'd like another Roto-drone but I'd either have to pare down the enhancements or exchange the car for a bike. Which fits considering his (minor) connection to the combat biking circuit, but still, I like the car. EDIT: squeezed in that Roto-drone, but I think I'm short on necessary autosofts.

Reposting the updated version: Lum 1.3

[sblock=Lum]

Code:

== Info == 
Street Name: Lum the Mad
Name: Rakesh Malakar
Movement: 10/20
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Human Male Age 22
Height 5 ft 7 in Weight 140 lbs
Composure: 4
Judge Intentions: 5
Lift/Carry: 6 (45 kg/30 kg) 
Memory: 6
Nuyen: 8343

== Priorities == 
Metatype: D - Human or Elf
Attributes: C - 16 Attributes
Special: E - Mundane
Skills: B - 36 Skills/5 Skill Groups
Resources: A - 450,000¥

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

== Derived Attributes == 
Essence:                   1.00
Initiative:                8 + 2d6
Rigger Initiative:         8 + 2d6
Astral Initiative:         
Matrix AR Initiative:      8 + 2d6
Matrix Cold Initiative:    3 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative:     3 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         9

== Limits == 
Physical:                  5
Mental:                    5
Social:                    3
Astral:                    5

== Active Skills == 
Aeronautics Mechanic       : 2                      Pool: 6
Animal Handling            : 0                      Pool: 1
Archery                    : 0                      Pool: 4
Armorer                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Automatics                 : 0                      Pool: 4
Automotive Mechanic        : 2                      Pool: 6
Blades                     : 0                      Pool: 4
Clubs                      : 0                      Pool: 4
Computer                   : 3                      Pool: 7
Con                        : 1 [Fast Talk]          Pool: 3 (5)
Cybercombat                : 0                      Pool: 3
Demolitions                : 0                      Pool: 3
Disguise                   : 0                      Pool: 2
Diving                     : 0                      Pool: 2
Electronic Warfare         : 6 [Sensor Operations] Pool: 10 (12)
Escape Artist              : 0                      Pool: 4
Etiquette                  : 1 [Street]             Pool: 3 (5)
First Aid                  : 0                      Pool: 3
Forgery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Free-Fall                  : 0                      Pool: 2
Gunnery                    : 6 [Ballistic]          Pool: 11 (13)
Gymnastics                 : 1                      Pool: 6
Hacking                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Hardware                   : 3                      Pool: 7
Heavy Weapons              : 0                      Pool: 4
Impersonation              : 0                      Pool: 1
Industrial Mechanic        : 2                      Pool: 6
Instruction                : 0                      Pool: 1
Intimidation               : 0                      Pool: 1
Leadership                 : 0                      Pool: 1
Longarms                   : 0                      Pool: 4
Nautical Mechanic          : 2                      Pool: 6
Navigation                 : 1                      Pool: 4
Negotiation                : 0                      Pool: 1
Perception                 : 2                      Pool: 5
Performance                : 0                      Pool: 1
Pilot Aircraft             : 4 [Remote Operation]   Pool: 9 (11)
Pilot Ground Craft         : 4 [Wheeled]            Pool: 9 (11)
Pilot Walker               : 1                      Pool: 6
Pilot Watercraft           : 0                      Pool: 4
Pistols                    : 2 [Semi-Automatics]    Pool: 7 (9)
Running                    : 0                      Pool: 2
Sneaking                   : 2 [Urban]              Pool: 7 (9)
Software                   : 3                      Pool: 7
Survival                   : 0                      Pool: 1
Swimming                   : 0                      Pool: 2
Throwing Weapons           : 0                      Pool: 4
Tracking                   : 0                      Pool: 2
Unarmed Combat             : 0                      Pool: 4

== Knowledge Skills == 
Area Knowledge: Neighborhood : 3                      Pool: 6
English                    : N                      Pool: 0
Gangs                      : 3                      Pool: 6
News                       : 1 [UCAS]               Pool: 4 (6)
Shadow Community           : 1 [Rumours]            Pool: 4 (6)
Sports                     : 1 [Combat Biking]      Pool: 4 (6)
Sprawl Life                : 1 [Scavenging]         Pool: 4 (6)

== Contacts == 
Grindhouse (3, 3) 
Mac (6, 1) 

== Qualities == 
Dependent (Nuisance)
Gearhead

== Lifestyles == 
Infernal Machine Shop  3 months 
U-STOR-IT locker  3 months 

== Cyberware/Bioware == 
Control Rig Rating 2
Datajack
Muscle Toner Rating 1
Smartlink
Wired Reflexes Rating 1

== Armor == 
Armor Jacket                        12
   +Chemical Protection 3
   +Nonconductivity 3
Clothing                            0
Helmet                              2
   +Image Link
   +Micro-Transceiver
   +Motion Sensor
Urban Explorer Jumpsuit             9
   +Chemical Protection 3
   +Electrochromic Clothing
   +Nonconductivity 3
   +Biomonitor
Urban Explorer Jumpsuit: Helmet     2
   +Image Link
   +Micro-Transceiver

== Weapons == 
Ares Predator V
   +Concealable Holster
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   +Spare Clip
   +Spare Clip
   +Spare Clip
   +Spare Clip
   Pool: 7 (9)   Accuracy: 7   DV: 8P   AP: -1   RC: 1
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 4   Accuracy: 5   DV: 3S   AP: -   RC: 1

== Commlink == 
Hermes Ikon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 5, FWL: 5) 
Transys Avalon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 6, FWL: 6) 
   +Sim Module, Hot
   +Simrig
   +Electronic Paper
   +Satellite Link
   +Subvocal Mic
   +Trid Projector
   +Mapsoft (New York Sprawl)
   +Shopsoft (Motorcycles & parts)
Vulcan Liegelord (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 5, FWL: 6) 
   +Signal Scrub
   +Toolbox
   +Virtual Machine
   +Encryption
   +Armor
   +Biofeedback Filter
   +Shell
   +Sneak
   +Stealth
   +Track
   +Wrapper
   +Agent Rating 3
   +Configurator
   +Autosoft (ClearSight) Rating 6
   +Autosoft (Roto-Drone Maneuvering) Rating 6
   +Autosoft (SA Monsoon Targeting) Rating 6
   +Autosoft (Ares Desert Strike Targeting) Rating 6
   +Autosoft (Optic-X2 Stealth) Rating 6

== Gear == 
Backpack
Certified Credstick, Silver
Certified Credstick, Standard Rating 1 x2
Contacts Rating 3
   +Flare Compensation
   +Image Link
   +Low Light
Fake SIN (Jamie Kahn) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Firearms License) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Driver's License) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Restricted Cyberware License) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Concealed Carry Permit) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Restricted Bioware License) Rating 4
   +Fake License (Drone License) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Rating 3) (Sahil Singh)
   +Fake License (Firearms License) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Concealed Carry Permit) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Driver's License) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Drone License) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Restricted Bioware License) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Restricted Cyberware License) Rating 3
Glasses Rating 4
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 2
   +Vision Magnification
   +Radio Signal Scanner
Headphones Rating 5
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 2
   +Select Sound Filter Rating 1
   +Spatial Recognizer
Jammer, Area Rating 4
Jammer, Directional Rating 6
Medkit Rating 3
Tag Eraser
Tool Kit (Aeronautic Mechanic)
Tool Kit (Automotive Mechanic)
Tool Kit (Hardware)
Tool Shop (Aeronautic Mechanic)

== Vehicles == 
GMC Bulldog Step-Van (Van)
   +Morphing License Plate
   +Rigger Interface
   +Spoof Chips
   +Satellite Link
   +Sensor Array Rating 6
      +Camera
      +Motion Sensor
      +Laser Range Finder
      +Atmosphere Sensor
Lockheed Optic-X2 (Small)
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Camera Rating 6
      +Microphone, Laser Rating 3 [Audio Enhancement 1, Select Sound Filter 2] 
      +Microphone, Directional Rating 3 [Audio Enhancement 1, Select Sound Filter 2] 
MCT Fly-Spy (Minidrone)
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Motion Sensor
      +Camera [Low Light, Vision Enhancement 1, Vision Magnification] 
      +Laser Microphone [Audio Enhancement 1, Select Sound Filter 1] 
MCT Fly-Spy (Minidrone)
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Camera [Low Light, Vision Enhancement 1, Vision Magnification] 
      +Motion Sensor
      +Laser Microphone [Audio Enhancement 1, Select Sound Filter 1] 
MCT-Nissan Roto-drone (Medium)
   +Weapon Mount
   +Ammo: APDS (Sniper Rifles) x50
   +Ammo: Explosive Rounds (Sniper Rifles) x50
   +Ammo: Gel Rounds (Assault Rifles) x130
   +Ammo: Regular Ammo (Assault Rifles) x120
   +Ammo: Regular Ammo (Sniper Rifles) x150
   +Sensor Array Rating 4
      +Camera [Flare Compensation, Low Light, Smartlink, Vision Magnification] 
      +Camera [Thermographic Vision, Vision Enhancement 2, Vision Magnification] 
      +Laser Microphone [Audio Enhancement 1, Spatial Recognizer] 
      +Olfactory Sensor
      +Ultrasound
MCT-Nissan Roto-drone (Medium)
   +Weapon Mount
   +Ammo: Gel Rounds (Assault Rifles) x130
   +Ammo: Regular Ammo (Assault Rifles) x120
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Camera
      +Laser Microphone
      +Olfactory Sensor
      +Ultrasound
Shiawase Kanmushi (Microdrone)
   +Sensor Array Rating 3
      +Camera [Low Light, Vision Enhancement 1, Vision Magnification] 
      +Motion Sensor
      +Laser Microphone [Audio Enhancement 1, Select Sound Filter 2] 
Suzuki Mirage (Racing Bike)
   +Morphing License Plate
   +Rigger Interface
   +Spoof Chips
   +Sensor Array Rating 6
      +Atmosphere Sensor
      +Camera

== Background ==
When he was seven years old, Rakesh Malakar’s novacoke-addicted mother sold him to Orson James, aka Flakk, former drone pilot in the UCAS military, so she could purchase her next hit. Flakk, retired from the military and from shadowrunning, ran a body shop in the [Low, dangerous section] of the New York Sprawl that catered to the combat bike circuit, subscribed to an astounding number of conspiracy theories, and occasionally held closeted meetings with a number of presumeably ex-military personnel.

Rakesh grew up listening to Flakk rant, either about his work or bizarre theories, fetching tools, cleaning the floor, and serving as general shop boy. Eventually he learned a portion of Flakk’s trade, enough for Flakk to affectionately call him Grease Monkey.

When Flakk died of some new illness sweeping the streets of the sprawl, Rakesh took over the shop. He renamed it ‘Infernal Machine’ with a faded piece of lined paper taped to the inside window, but was forced to sell off the lion’s share of the equipment to pay bribes. With only a few drones and a small reserve of equipment and cash left, Rakesh took the ‘runner name ‘Lum the Mad’ and turned to the shadows.

== Notes ==
Dependent: Rakesh's mother Indira sometimes shows up on Rakesh's doorstep alternately needing cash for her next hit or trying to convert Rakesh to the latest street cult that managed to get her (temporarily) clean.
[/sblock]

I noticed the drone guns didn't show up. I had an Ares Desert Strike and a Shiawase Arms Monsoon (x2) listed. Some of the other notes didn't show up either so I've attached a pdf from Chummer.

Shayuri · Mar 27, 2016

Nice!

Two things and I promise I'll shut up.

It doesn't make much difference since you have nearly 5k in the bank when we start, but you really don't need Gas Vent 3 on a semi-automatic pistol. It's overkill. Gas Vent 3 is what you put on SMGs or assault rifles to keep the kick down.

Having smartlink in your contacts isn't as good as just buying an implant. You don't have to have full on cybereyes...the smartlink interface can be implanted in a wetware eyeball. Without it being implanted, it's basically just a glorified laser sight as far as the bonus it gives. Granted, it has other advantages like ammo count tracking and guncam and fast ejecting magazines...but you're all cybered up anyway...might as well pop for the extra karma/essence and get the implant. You've got the cash for it.

Rubberneck · Mar 27, 2016

My character is pretty much finished up. Its been crazy up here as they are sending me back out of town once again for more training. I want to at least get my character finished before leaving again and I can work on an introduction while out of town pen and paper style and get it typed up when I'm gone or try and do it from my phone. Thanks for being patient.

ALL THE BRICKS - OOC

Shayuri

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TillForPie

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Shayuri

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GlassEye

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TillForPie

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Shayuri

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GlassEye

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Shayuri

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