[gargaM0NK]

The goal here was to make a Tank sub-type who gets two passes to dish out damage as well as take it, CAN lock-pick his way out of a paper bag, and has a hard-hitting contact for the information-gathering stage.  Has enough leftover Karma to go Minotaur and move a free point in Body over to Intuition 5.

== Description ==
Troll Street Tank

== Concept ==
Disgraced Former Bodyguard

== Background ==
He never thought too highly of himself, and no one else did either, until her. Even reading a grocery list, there was a musical lilt to her voice, and when she told him he was special, and asked him to tour with her, he couldn't find it in himself to say no.
He should have known better, though. He was just a body to her. Sure, she paid for his trainer, and stuffed his skin with the latest and greatest medical wonders, but it was all so he could stand between her and the crowd and make her feel safe. To be fair, he was good at it. Great, really. Maybe if he'd be on duty that night, she'd still be alive.
Can't think about that now. Spent too many nights in the dark place, spilling blood on the plascrete to win a cred or two in an unauthorized fight and forget the pain for even a few hours. Recently, he's wondered if maybe she wouldn't want that. She was always kind to him, at least. Maybe it's time to make something of himself. Need to do it soon, though. So far, the flexibility and hand-eye coordination he developed fighting have kept him under one roof or another, but sooner or later LoneStar always catches up.
Mr. J said he might be able to help him out though. Maybe it's not too late to turn this around.

== Personal Data ==
Street Name: Troll Street Tank v2.1
Name: Unnamed Character
Movement: 18/36 (1m/hit)     Swim: 11 (1m/hit)     
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Metatype (B): Troll
Composure: 6
Judge Intentions: 5
Lift/Carry: 14 (75 kg/50 kg)
Memory: 7
Nuyen: 0¥

== Attributes (C) ==
BOD: 9
AGI: 6 (9)
REA: 1 (3)
STR: 5
CHA: 1
INT: 4 (2-5)
LOG: 2 (1-3)
WIL: 5 (6)
EDG: 1

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   0.86
Initiative:                7 +3d6
Rigger Initiative:         7 +3d6
Astral Initiative:         
Matrix AR:                 7 +3d6
Matrix Cold:               4 + DP +3d6
Matrix Hot:                4 + DP +4d6
Physical Damage Track:     13
Stun Damage Track:         11

== Limits ==
Physical:                  8
   Autopicker [+6] (Only for picking a mechanical lock)
Mental:                    5
   Audio Enhancement [+3] (Only for audio Perception)
   Vision Enhancement [+3] (Only for visual Perception)
Social:                    3
   Ballistic Mask [+1] (Only for intimidation, Must be visible)
Astral:                    5

== Active Skills (D) ==
Automatics (Machine Pistols) Base:  1          Pool: 10 (12)
Con (Fast Talk)          Base:  1          Pool:  2 (4)
Gymnastics (Dodging)     Base:  1          Pool: 10 (12)
Locksmith (Maglock)      Base:  2          Pool: 11 (13)
Perception (Visual)      Base:  1          Pool:  6 (8 ) (+3)
Running (Sprinting)      Base:  1          Pool:  6 (8 )
Sneaking (Urban)         Base:  1          Pool: 11 (13)
Unarmed Combat (Cyber Implants) Base:  6          Pool: 16 (18)

== Knowledge Skills ==
City Speak               Native
Area Knowledge: Chicago (Containment Zone) Base:  1          Pool:  5 (7)
Combat Tactics (Ambush)  Base:  1          Pool:  3 (5)
Entertainment (Music)    Base:  1          Pool:  5 (7)
Fight Clubs (Chicago)    Base:  1          Pool:  5 (7)
Police Procedures (Street) (Physical) Base:  1          Pool:  5 (7)
Security Procedures (Private) Base:  1          Pool:  3 (5)

== Contacts ==
Martin Tate (Missions); Chicago; Dr. Johnson (Horizon/Truman) (5, 1)

== Qualities ==
Exceptional Attribute
Hobo with a Shotgun
Illiterate
Restricted Gear
So Jacked Up
Thermographic Vision

== Martial Arts ==
Aikido
   + Counterstrike RG

== Gear (A) ==
Ammo: Gel Rounds (Machine Pistols) x30
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Machine Pistols) x30
Backpack (Cheap)
   + Autopicker Rating 6
   + Crowbar
   + Flashlight, Infrared
   + Lockpick Set
   + Maglock Passkey Rating 4
   + Restraint, Plasteel
   + Restraint, Plastic x20
   + Survival Kit
Certified Credstick, Standard
Contacts Rating 3
   + Vision Enhancement Rating 3
Earbuds Rating 3
   + Audio Enhancement Rating 3
Fake License (Concealed Carry) Rating 4
Fake License (Restricted Bodyware) Rating 4
Fake License (Restricted Cyber-Implant Weapons) Rating 4
Fake License (Restricted Machine Pistols) Rating 4
Fake License (Shock Gloves) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Brodus Clay) Rating 4
Slap Patch, Stim Patch Rating 6
Slap Patch, Trauma Patch
Spare Clip (Steyr TMP)

== Lifestyle ==
Squatter ("Squatter")  1 Months

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Bone Lacing (Titanium)
Chemical Repulsion
Muscle TonerRating 3
OrthoskinRating 2
Pain Editor
Reflex Recorder (Skill) (Unarmed Combat)
Reflex Recorder (Skill) (Sneaking)
Shock Hand
Synaptic BoosterRating 2
Synch

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket                       12
   + Nonconductivity 6
Ballistic Mask                      2
   + Image Link
   + Smartlink

== Weapons ==
Shock Hand
   Pool: 16 (18)   Accuracy: 8   DV: 9S(e)   AP: -5   RC: 3
Shock Gloves
   Pool: 16   Accuracy: 8   DV: 8S(e)   AP: -5   RC: 3
Steyr TMP
   + Concealed Quick-Draw Holster
   + Folding Stock
   + Laser Sight
   + Personalized Grip
   + Smartgun System, External
   + Sound Suppressor
   Pool: 10 (12)   Accuracy: 7   DV: 7P   AP: -   RC: 3 (4)
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 16   Accuracy: 8   DV: 8P   AP: -   RC: 3

== Commlink ==
Hermes Ikon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 5, FWL: 5)
   + AR Gloves
   + Biomonitor
   + Micro-Transceiver
   + Trodes

[Kuirem]

I am not sure what you are trying to achieve here. You say "The goal here was to make a Tank sub-type that wasn't useless outside of soaking bullets." and yet your character seems incapable of doing anything else that soaking bullets.

Tanks make good melee because they tend to have highish STR to wear more Armor and they can also ditch some hurt with Full Burst thanks to their higher Recoil Compensation.

Having an other secondary role for a tank is tricky because they invest a lot of nuyen and attribute in their soaking pool. If you really want to a good choice is to go for an ork or dwarf instead of troll, it will give more attribute/skill points. Even a human could probably pull 25+ soak dice with Bone Lacing + Orthoskin (or maybe Cyberlimbs) so it's really not impossible to make a more versatile tank, though you will have to sacrifice some tanking for that of course (everything has a price).

You can only take the Restricted Gear quality once at chargen.

[Tecumseh]

Besides being a ready puppet for any magician with a mental manipulation spell, this big brute rolls two (2) dice for Composure tests. I imagine him as the cartoon elephant that screams at the sight of a mouse, or faints when seeing his own blood.

Are you missing some skill points? I count 20 instead of 22.

Why are Synaptic Accelerators so important? What's he doing with his remaining Essence? His Charisma and social skills are so low that he doesn't really need the Essence for his Social Limit, even if it's only a 2. Why don't you just give him a drug habit instead? It will fit with the squatter lifestyle and the questionable life choices he's made.

Right now the Synaptic Boosters are costing ¥285,000, with an additional 10 karma for the Restricted Gear quality. For half that nuyen you could have Alphaware Move-by-Wire 2 instead and pick up skillsofts for all the skills you don't have. You can save money by skipping the Social skills since your new Social limit will be 0, which should be good for some lols. But, hey, you're a minotaur in a five-figure suit that sleeps under a bridge.

[FST_Gemstar]

Note that High Body + Armor (and soak modifiers) and low Willpower means that anything you soak is probably coming in stun. That Willpower 1 is going to reduce your stun track to 9.  9 Damage and this hulk is down.  And any spellcaster/spirit/mean face is going to be able to take down this guy without sending a bullet. 

Dwarves make my favorite "tanks," due to their natural high Willpower, Body, and Strength. 

My favorite Soakers - a High Willpower dwarf with a Pain Editor with a drug problem. They stay in the fight for a long time and don't suffer wound penalties (something soakers deal with a lot). Drugs let you not invest in as as much essence heavy ware to be a tank, as that high willpower (potentially mixed with a high body or logic) can deal with a lot of addiction issues. They don't even need a lot of initiative because they can slog through the long haul. 

This character needs to bereworked a little bit (or built in prime) to follow my advice re: Pain Editor (at least to make room for one in play), but he is a Tank is also an astral combat pro.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6kA-rvHAq-rZmRPZmhGZG9RY0U/view

[gargaM0NK]

Alright, some good suggestions

• Restricted gear can only be taken once at char-gen - Eek! Didn't see this. Will need to re-work
• Would be better as a non-Troll - True, but this character is a Troll
• Would be better on drugs. True again, but I'm electing to pass on any buffs you have to remember to use actively.
• Needs higher Willpower - I thought having a single weakness was a plus, but there's a consensus here. Will need to re-work.
• Synaptic Accelerator - The goal was 3 initiative passes in a round, without the need to upgrade later, but Reaction is probably going to take a hit for Willpower, so I'll look at this for my next draft.

Thanks guys!

[Hobbes]

My suggestion is that you first answer the question "What does this character do outside of initiative passes?"  That'll drive the rest.  Honestly Troll Tank is dead simple, with normal Troll Str and Body, max out your + Armor values, toss in Bone lacing, you're over 30 dice of soak.  That isn't really a major investment.  Figure out what it is you do, the "Tank" part comes almost for free with "Troll".


Details:
Aluminum Bone Lace +4
Sleeping Tiger Armor  -  13
***Heavy load out kept in Armored Bag or whatever***
Synergist Long Coat w/Gel Packs +5
Swat or other Heavy Helmet  +3
PPP bits up to +3

28 dice of Soak plus Troll Body.  Bit less if you dial back on Str.

[gargaM0NK]

v2

• Still a Troll (part of the concept), but Minotaur is now Optional (2 Karma for 1 Body which would move to 1 more Intuition)
• Still hasn't bought drugs (he'd definitely be better with them, but remembering to use them on time makes him harder to play)
• Did take So Jacked Up for the drug theme, which also allows him to alternate between logic out-of-combat and intuition in-combat if so desired.
• Drops Synaptic Boosters 3 and Reaction
• This sacrifices 3 IPs for 2
• but frees up points for Willpower
• and frees up NuYen for more 'Ware and B&E Gear (emphasizing this role more on the new build)
• This costs ~20k more than alpha Wired 2
• but Doesn't require a second Restricted Gear
• Removed Sleeping Tiger as the Custom Fit would have to be re-tailored when you increase the reaction.
• Upgraded to a harder-hitting contact for the information-gathering phase
• Reduced Orthoskin and took Titanium Bone Lacing instead (giving 12 Body + 19 Armor for Soak)
• Stuck with the Lifestyle. Technically squatter implies an actual building without rent (/utilities), but I'm a sucker for a double pun.

[Kuirem]

From one extreme to the other, you probably don't need 5 Willpower since you are not using them to resist drain, fade, or drugs. It's not a bad attribute but since you aren't using it in any regular roll (unless I've missed one) you don't need that many dices.

[忍]

Its for the Stun Track. When the modified armor is more than the modified DV, the damage is Stun.

[ZeldaBravo]

Its for the Stun Track. When the modified armor is more than the modified DV, the damage is Stun.

Also Composure rolls and mental protection.
Anyway, there's my take, 36 soak dice.

== Personal Data ==
Street Name: Unnamed Character
Name: Unnamed Character
Movement: 14/28 (1m/hit)     Swim: 11 (1m/hit)     
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Troll
Composure: 8
Judge Intentions: 7
Lift/Carry: 18 (135 kg/90 kg)
Memory: 7
Nuyen: 1,351¥

== Priorities ==
Metatype: B,3
Attributes: A,4
Special: E,0
Skills: D,1
Resources: C,2

== Attributes ==
BOD: 9
AGI: 5 (7)
REA: 5
STR: 7 (9)
CHA: 3
INT: 4
LOG: 2
WIL: 5
EDG: 2

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   2,13
Initiative:                9 +1d6
Rigger Initiative:         9 +1d6
Astral Initiative:         
Matrix AR:                 9 +1d6
Matrix Cold:               4 + DP +3d6
Matrix Hot:                4 + DP +4d6
Physical Damage Track:     13
Stun Damage Track:         11

== Limits ==
Physical:                  11
Mental:                    5
Social:                    5
 
== Active Skills ==
Automatics (Assault Rifles) Base:  6          Pool: 13 (15)
Heavy Weapons (Grenade Launchers) Base:  1          Pool:  8 (10)
Intimidation (Physical)  Base:  4          Pool:  7 (9)
Perception (Visual)      Base:  1          Pool:  5 (7)
Unarmed Combat           Base:  6          Pool: 13
Athletics SG 1
  +Gymnastics               Base:  0          Pool:  8
  +Running                  Base:  0          Pool: 10
  +Swimming                 Base:  0          Pool: 10
Stealth SG 1
  +Disguise                 Base:  0          Pool:  5
  +Palming                  Base:  0          Pool:  8
  +Sneaking                 Base:  0          Pool:  8

== Knowledge Skills ==
English                  Native
Sioux                    Base:  2          Pool:  6
Area Knowledge: Seattle  Base:  2          Pool:  6
Law Enforcement Procedures (Professional) (Corporate) Base:  2          Pool:  4 (6)
News                     Base:  2          Pool:  6
Underworld (Drug Dealers) Base:  2          Pool:  6 (8)

== Contacts ==
Troll Street Dealer (2, 2)
Fixer (3, 2)

== Qualities ==
Biocompatability (Cyberware)
Code of Honor (Warrior's Code)
Guts
Jack of All Trades Master of None
Quick Healer
Thermographic Vision
Weak Immune System

== Lifestyle ==
Low ("Low")  1 Months

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Bone Lacing (Aluminum)
Datajack
Muscle ReplacementRating 2
Narco
Nephritic screenRating 6
Platelet Factories
Smartlink
Striking CallusRating 4

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket                       12
   + Attachable Gear Access
   + Auto-Injector
   + Nonconductivity 6
Ballistic Shield                    6
Custom Ballistic Mask               2
   + Chemical Protection 6
   + Gas Mask
Forearm Guards                      1
   + Concealed Pocket
   + Faraday Pocket
   + Biomonitor
Securetech PPP: Legs Kit            1

== Weapons ==
Ares Alpha
   + Shock Pad
   + Silencer
   + Sling
   + Smartgun System, Internal
   + Spare Clip
   + Spare Clip
   Pool: 13 (15)   Accuracy: 7   DV: 11P   AP: -2   RC: 6 (7)
Ballistic Shield
   Pool: 0   Accuracy: 4   DV: 11S   AP: -   RC: 4
Minigrenade: Flash-Bang
   Pool: 8   Accuracy: 0   DV: 10S (10m Radius)   AP: -4   RC: 4
Minigrenade: Smoke
   Pool: 8   Accuracy: 0   DV: 0 (10m Radius)   AP: -   RC: 4
Remington Suppressor
   + Concealed Quick-Draw Holster
   + Smartgun System, Internal
   + Sound Suppressor
   + Spare Clip
   Pool: 13   Accuracy: 8   DV: 7P   AP: -1   RC: 4
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 13   Accuracy: 11   DV: 13P   AP: -   RC: 4

== Commlink ==
Renraku Sensei (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 3, FWL: 3)

== Gear ==
Ammo: APDS (Assault Rifles) x42
Ammo: Gel Rounds (Assault Rifles) x42
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Machine Pistols) x60
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Assault Rifles) x100
Backpack (Cheap)
Certified Credstick, Silver
Duffel Bag (Cheap)
Fake SIN Rating 2
   + Fake License (Firearms License) Rating 2
   + Fake License (Restricted Cyberware License) Rating 2
   + Fake License (Bounty Hunter's License) Rating 2
   + Fake License (Concealed Carry Permit) Rating 2
Flashlight
Jazz x10
Minigrenade: Flash-Bang x4
Minigrenade: Smoke x4
Restraint, Plasteel
Restraint, Plastic x20

[Tarislar]

I don't find a lot of joy in Trolls at B when A just rocks for SO much Edge.   
But it does cost you a bit in other ways.

I would rework something like this....

A-Troll
B-Cash
C-Skills
D-Attributes
E-Magic


Attributes-8+8+14:
Body-7
Agility-5
Reaction-2 (4)
Strength-7
Willpower-3
Logic-2
Intuition-4
Charisma-2
Edge-6
Initiative-14+2D


Skills: 28+2G
Automatics-6 + Assault Rifles+2
Blades-6+ Knives+2
Perception-6 + Visual+2
Sneaking-6 + Urban+2
Group-Athletics-2


Cyber/Bio-Ware:
Plastic Bone Lacing  (Alphaware)
Move By Wire-2
Skilljack-4
Orthoskin-3


Armor:  26  (4+14+8)   (Soak 34)
Ares Big Game Hunter
Riot Shield
Ballistic Mask

Contact:
Fixer - 5C/1L

Qualities/Karma Spending
-10 Logic-2
-10 Charisma-2
-10 Restricted Gear
-5 Biocompatibility (Cyber)
+10 Weakened Immune System
(Up to 10 more Positive, 15 More Negative, & 5 for Contacts/Cash)


I figure the 6 Edge should be enough to make up for the issues he will have from some of those low Attributes.