So, I had an idea to focus on a Magician who focuses on touch spells. I'm not 100% accurate on how those spells work, and it's probably not an original idea (in fact, I know it's not). Just to give it a little twist, I decided to add in the possession tradition of Qabbalism from Street Grimoire. This allows me to expand it into a Hebrew themed character, which I'm really liking. I'm not sure if I'm missing anything, and maybe I've misinterpreted the rules. I'll post the character below and my ideas for his roleplaying and strategies.
Name: Shachar Serlin
Alias: Malachi
-- Priorities --
Metatype C (Human)
Attributes B
Magic A (Magician - 6 Magic, 10 Spells)
Skills D
Resources E
-- Karma Expenditure --
50 Total
-24 in Qualities
-10 for 20,000 nuyen
-12 for Contacts
4 Left
-- Attributes --
Body 3
Agility 3
Reaction 3
Strength 1
Willpower 5
Logic 5
Intuition 5
Charisma 3
Edge 7
Essence 6
Initiative - 8 + 1d6
Astral Initiative - 10 + 2d6
Physical Condition Monitor - 10
Stun Condition Monitor - 11
Physical Limit - 3
Mental Limit - 7
Social Limit - 6
Astral Limit - 7
-- Qualities --
Focused Concentration 6 (-24 Karma)
Gremlins 4 (+16 Karma)
Addiction - Deepweed, Moderate (+9 Karma)
-- Skills --
Assensing 6 (+2 Aura Reading) - dice pool 11 (13)
Counterspelling 5 - dice pool of 11
Perception 6 (+2 Visual) - dice pool of 11 (13)
Spellcasting 6 - dice pool of 12
Summoning 6 (+2 Spirits of Air) - dice pool of 12 (14)
-- Knowledge/Language Skills --
Hebrew N
English 6 (+2 Speak) - dice pool of 11 (13)
Arabic 6 (+2 Speak) - dice pool of 11 (13)
Torah/Hebrew Literature and Culture 6 - Academic - dice pool of 11 (Don't know if this is too broad or the wrong stuff, anybody know?)
-- Gear --
Armor Jacket w/ Nonconductivity 6 - 2,500 nuyen
10 Deepweed - 4,000 nuyen
1 Rating 6 Medkit - 1,500 nuyen
3 Meta Link Commlinks - 300 nuyen
40 Drams of Reagents - 800 nuyen
Capacity 4 Glasses w/ Flare Compensation, Low-Light Vision, Vision Magnification, Vision Enhancement 1 - 1,900 nuyen
Rating 4 Fake SIN (Noah Adams) - 10,000 nuyen
1 month of Middle Lifestyle - 5,000 nuyen
Remaining Money - 0 + (4d6 x 100) nuyen
-- Magic --
Combat Spells
Corrode (Guns)
Death Touch
Punch
Detection Spells
Clairvoyance
Health Spells
Decrease Reflexes
Heal
Increase Reflexes
Illusion Spells
Improved Invisibility
Sound Barrier
Manipulation Spells
Deflection
-- Contacts --
Chaim Matzarah - Talismonger
Connection 4, Loyalty 3
A friend that Malachi grew up with, they never really knew each other that well. However, being within a small community of Hebrew, they were forced to at least recognize each other. Chaim always had a fascination for magical artifacts, and he quickly learned the trade of being a Talismonger. Malachi was in need of reagents, so he went to someone he could trust. He and Chaim have been good business partners over the years, and they know they can trust each other because of their past. They also know that if push really came to shove, they would sell each other out.
Abrahim Aram - Fixer
Connection 5, Loyalty 2
Abrahim is a talented lawyer who has many connections within the state. He only does business with Malachi since Malachi has proven he is Hebrew with his knowledge of the Torah. Over the years, Abrahim has gotten somewhat more agreeable, but Malachi still knows it's only business. Malachi doesn't complain, since Abrahim has shown he can get him jobs with his connections. Not to mention the deepweed that Malachi wants to converse with the spirits.
Solomon Brie - Bartender
Connection 3, Loyalty 4
Solomon and Malachi have been friends most of their life. Although they've gone their separate ways, Malachi still has drinks with Solomon quite often. They joke around quite often, and Solomon even shares the lastest news and gossip that he's heard. It's kind of incredible how much bartenders overhear. Malachi considers him one of his only true friends.
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All right, so that's all the stat stuff out of the way. Now, for how I was thinking of using this character. I would usually have a Force 6 Increased Reflexes spell sustained with Focused Concentration, or switch it out for a Force 6 Deflection spell. The goal of this guy is to get close enough to lay the smackdown with some touch spells. I would assume it's just Spellcasting + Magic, because if it requires Unarmed Combat that would be really bad. I figure between Death Touch and Punch, I have damage covered, and I added in Decrease Reflexes just to make things interesting. Sure, it's probably not the most effective combat mage ever, but the thematic stuff is interesting and I figure he could still be useful.
To really do some damage, he would summon a spirit to possess his body. Now, I'm not sure exactly how that works, since I read that it requires a test, but what if the subject is willing? I would allow the spirit to give me some extra stats and to start doing some damage. I'm not sure if I'm in control of the spirit, but I do believe I can give it suggestions to start blasting my enemies away.
So, there we go, that's my strange idea of a mage. I was thinking of making him a mystic adept, but magician just fits better. Any criticism or ideas are welcome.