I have scanned the rules regarding SSs and TMs, and I cant find a reason in the mechanics that this combination would be inherently broken. But I have not played Shadowrun since 3rd edition(and never as the GM), so I thought to come here for advice. Is there a reason that I should disallow the concept?
I dont think shapeshifters being technomancers is automatically broken. Fluffwise he could be a crazy technocritter with the ability to shift into a human. Just replace his magic stat with resonance and let him create some nasty enemies trying to capture for experiments´n´stuff.
Ruleswise there might be some factors you will need to consider:
1. Some of the critters like eagles and dogs or panthers have decent mental stats (´cept for logic). If he would be choosing dog at priority C, he could go troll as his shift metahuman power. Thereby he would have decent meatworld stats and when he was going to do some matrix stuff he would shift into his animal form and gain a boost to his persona.
2. technomancers are harder to detect than awakened, that would be a boost when running around in animal form I presume. (unless assenssing can see the metahuman form just as easily?) that would make hacking in animal form a lot easier (if its a dog or eagle atleast)
3. Shapeshifters automatically have a lowered special attribute, that would carry over to resonance (unless it has been errataed ?)
I think I would go by a case-by-case ruling. What shapeshifter does he wish to be, with what metahuman type?
If you feel it might be too powerful you could say that all his submerging costs as if "shift metahuman form" was already a submerging, thus making all others 3 karma more expensive.
Otherwise Id just let him play one without any further modifactions- if technoshapeshifters were accepted at my table.
