[Aethelwulf1972]

I will paste the formatted text output from chummer for the character I was building for this past saturday.  1000 karma, availability limited to 10, device rating limited to 4, and we were asked to try to limit contacts to 0-2 contacts, and we were allowed to exceed the +/- 15 karma limits on qualities if we were willing to pay the karma for the positives and deal with the negatives... . oh and 1 grade of initiation was allowed.

one question I would for sure like answered: Should I have made this character a Mystic adept, and if so how would I modify it to free up the 15 extra karma for the mystic adept quality (from 20 to 35) and the 30 karma for 6 initial power points.

== Attributes ==
BOD: 4
AGI: 6
REA: 4 (7)
STR: 4
CHA: 4
INT: 5
LOG: 4
WIL: 4
EDG: 5
MAG: 6

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   6
Initiative:                9 (12) + 4d6
Rigger Initiative:         12 + 4d6
Astral Initiative:         10 + 2d6
Matrix AR Initiative:      12 + 4d6
Matrix Cold Initiative:    5 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative:     5 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Limits ==
Physical:                  7
Mental:                    6
Social:                    6
   Ballistic Mask [+1] (Only for intimidation, Must be visible)
Astral:                    6

== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling            : 2                      Pool: 6
Archery                    : 5                      Pool: 11
Armorer                    : 4                      Pool: 8
Automatics                 : 0                      Pool: 5
Automotive Mechanic        : 1                      Pool: 5
Blades                     : 4                      Pool: 10
Clubs                      : 0                      Pool: 5
Computer                   : 2                      Pool: 6
Con                        : 1                      Pool: 5
Cybercombat                : 0                      Pool: 3
Demolitions                : 0                      Pool: 3
Disguise                   : 0                      Pool: 4
Diving                     : 0                      Pool: 3
Escape Artist              : 0                      Pool: 5
Etiquette                  : 3                      Pool: 7
First Aid                  : 3                      Pool: 7
Forgery                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Free-Fall                  : 0                      Pool: 3
Gunnery                    : 0                      Pool: 5
Gymnastics                 : 2                      Pool: 8
Hacking                    : 0                      Pool: 3
Heavy Weapons              : 0                      Pool: 5
Impersonation              : 0                      Pool: 3
Instruction                : 0                      Pool: 3
Intimidation               : 0                      Pool: 3
Leadership                 : 0                      Pool: 3
Longarms                   : 5                      Pool: 11
Navigation                 : 3                      Pool: 8
Negotiation                : 3                      Pool: 7
Perception                 : 4                      Pool: 9
Performance                : 0                      Pool: 3
Pilot Ground Craft         : 1                      Pool: 8
Pilot Watercraft           : 0                      Pool: 6
Pistols                    : 4                      Pool: 10
Running                    : 2                      Pool: 6
Sneaking                   : 4                      Pool: 10
Survival                   : 3                      Pool: 7
Swimming                   : 2                      Pool: 6
Throwing Weapons           : 1                      Pool: 7
Tracking                   : 3                      Pool: 10
Unarmed Combat             : 4                      Pool: 10

== Knowledge Skills ==
Area Knowledge: Seattle    : 3                      Pool: 8
English                    : N                      Pool: 0
HMHVV                      : 4                      Pool: 8
Japanese                   : 4                      Pool: 9
Para-Zoology               : 4                      Pool: 8
Police Procedures          : 3                      Pool: 7

== Contacts ==
Reach; Research (5, 2)

== Qualities ==
Adept
Allergy (Common, Mild) (Sunlight)
Analytical Mind
Guts
Keen-Eared
Low-Light Vision
Mentor Spirit (Wolf)
Nocturnal
Perfect Time
Quick Healer
Sensei
SINner (National) (UCAS)
The Beast's Way
Unusual Hair
Wanted (Knight Errant)

== Powers ==
Analytics Rating: 1
Astral Perception
Attribute Boost (AGI) Rating: 2
Combat Sense Rating: 1
Improved Reflexes 3
Killing Hands
Natural Immunity Rating: 1
Nimble Fingers
Precision Throwing Rating: 1
Rapid Draw
Rapid Healing Rating: 1

== Lifestyles ==
Cave  4 months

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket                        12
Ballistic Mask                      2
Helmet                              2

== Weapons ==
Ares Giantslayer Slingshot
   Pool: 11   Accuracy: 7   DV: 2P   AP: -   RC: 3
Ares Predator V
   +Personalized Grip
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   Pool: 10   Accuracy: 8   DV: 8P   AP: -1   RC: 3
Combat Knife
   Pool: 10   Accuracy: 6   DV: 6P   AP: -3   RC: 3
Grenade: Gas
   Pool: 7   Accuracy: 7   DV: Chemical (10m Radius)   AP: -   RC: 3
Ranger Silver Pistol Crossbow
   +Personalized Grip
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   Pool: 11   Accuracy: 10   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 3
Springfield M1A
   +Personalized Grip
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   Pool: 11   Accuracy: 9   DV: 12P   AP: -1   RC: 3
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 10   Accuracy: 7   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 3
Winchester Model 2054
   +Folding Stock
   +Personalized Grip
   +Smartgun System, Internal
   Pool: 11   Accuracy: 7   DV: 11P   AP: -1   RC: 4

== Commlink ==
Erika Elite (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 4, FWL: 4)
   +Trodes

== Gear ==
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Sporting Rifles) x40
Ammo: Wood Pulp (Heavy Pistols) x30
Ammo: Wood Pulp (Sporting Rifles) x20
Bolt: Injection (Crossbows) x10
Bolt: Stick-n-Shock w/Static Shaft (Crossbows) x20
Contacts Rating 3
   +Smartlink
   +Image Link
Earbuds Rating 3
Grenade: Gas x5
Medkit Rating 3
Restraint, Plasteel x10
Spare Clip (Ares Predator V) x3
Spare Clip (Springfield M1A) x3
Survival Kit

== Vehicles ==
Harley-Davidson Scorpion (Chopper)
   +Sensor Array Rating 2

[Marcus]

Two much diversity weapons, focus down, don't go into Archery, Long arms, Pistols, and Unarmed, doing this has your pools way too low.
Your attributes look very high to me for a point buy.  Your power selection is also all over the place, focus down and select what ya need, ya have a throwing power but almost no throw skill? A 5 in archery but no archery powers? Unarmed damage is too low to useful, without considerably more to hit.

Needs Focus and refinement. The advantage of point buy only getting exactly what you need your getting a lot stuff that does nothing for you.

[Aethelwulf1972]

the combat diversity is something I wanted based on the inspiration for this character.... what is your idea of a "sufficient" dice pool if mine are too low?  the throwing power is to get a little extra range on thrown gas grenades...

[ZeldaBravo]

Get some spare clips for you weapons.
Drop unarmed skill and powers, go for clubs (batons) instead!
How did you get all those powers by the way?

[Strange]

Being as it is Karma buy, I see why you have so many lower level skills.  I understand why you would want them, it makes character, just realize you will probably stick to your best weapon either way.

How did you get all those powers by the way?

By my count, he still has power points available.  Here is how it breaks down:
Attribute Boost (AGI)2 =free from mentor spirit
Analytics = .5
Astral perception .5 (reduced by beast way)
Combat sense 1 .25 (reduced by beast way)
Improved reflexes 3 3.5
Killing hands .25 (reduced by beast way)
Precision throwing .25
Rapid draw .5
that adds up to 5.75.

Honestly, I like the character.  His power points are spread a bit thin, but I see that you are trying to get the full bonus out of the way and the mentor, and you do have improved reflexes 3, which is great.  I would probably throw out rapid draw and analytics and get 2 more points of combat sense, and perhaps use the last .25 for another point of attribute boost (AGI), for 3 total.

[Marcus]

the combat diversity is something I wanted based on the inspiration for this character.... what is your idea of a "sufficient" dice pool if mine are too low?  the throwing power is to get a little extra range on thrown gas grenades...

Then use Skill Groups, gives you  the diversity for a lower cost and higher lvl of effect. Basic competency in an opposed skill (See all combat skills) should be at-least in the 14+ die range. If your depending on the skill for damage it should higher. 

ZB he says the character initiated so should be around 7 PP.

Also I need check the qualities math, but that's like 40+ points of qualities.
 

[Strange]

I don't see the initiation anywhere on there, you have 6 magic.

As for trying to become a mystic adept, it isn't just the 15 karma for quality and 30 for power points, you are going to need 5 for each spell you want, and your stats are only mediocre for spellcasting.  You are looking at trying to find around 100 karma, and that isn't happening. 

My advice is drop the mental stats down a bit, a point here and there, and use that karma to by the firearms group skill, or raise your longarms to 6 at least and put some more in unarmed.    And if you haven't done so, initiate and get that extra power point, then get more Powers.  Again, I would toss rapid draw and analytics.  Maybe get improved skill (choose weapon here) or more combat sense.

Like I said though, overall a decent build.  I like the mentor wolf and beast way combo, fits real well.

[Aethelwulf1972]

I suppose the character could do with out rapid draw (for now), Analytics (and analytical mind) were added because part of the character concept is investigation to track down the paranormal problems he needs to deal with.  Also part of the flavor (for me) of the character is that he (like the inspiration) doesn't use automatics (though  the novels in which I found the inspiration for this character do not say that the inspriation does not know how, but she just never uses automatic weapons)  so how is Firearms more cost effective for getting 2 skills I want and a 3rd skill that I don't want?

hmmmm now here is a thought, the character mostly as is, except for Mystic adept instead of adept, but the character doens't realize he is a mystic adept yet and/or so he can grow into counterspelling and banishing etc...

[Whiskeyjack]

Just trying to do too much really.

Con pool of 5 dice on an opposed test means you're going to fail a lot.

First Aid 3 means you have 7 dice to beat a threshold of 2 and can then heal up to 3 boxes. Markedly worse Han just taking a wireless R6 medkit.

6 dice on Computer tests...its threshold but you'll be taking hours and hours to get anything relevant rather than letting the decker do it.

Etc.

[Aethelwulf1972]

well, there are 4 players, no decker/technomancer, and these characters are supposed to be complete newbie shadowrunners....  what would you recommend for a character who wants to be able to track down problem paracritters, ect. and then finding a solution to the problem they pose?

[Whiskeyjack]

I wouldn't take 5 combat abilities if I wanted to do that.

I'd probably make it more of a general investigator since I'm not sure why "paracritter expert" would be paid to raid corps and stuff. I'd lose some of the weapon skills for more detective-y skills like more Perxeption, Con, etc. I'd streamline my Attribres instead of trying to make them all sort of crappily average because hats how you build the foundation for a good dice pool.

I'd be prepared to lose a point of MAG for some good augments too.

[Aethelwulf1972]

Whiskeyjack - are you by any chance familiar with the Jane Yellowrock series of novels written by Faith Hunter?  I ask because the inspiration (not template though) for this character is in fact the titular character from those novels; 

[Strange]

hmmmm now here is a thought, the character mostly as is, except for Mystic adept instead of adept, but the character doens't realize he is a mystic adept yet and/or so he can grow into counterspelling and banishing etc...

I like that idea, too.  Is there another mage in your group?  Anway, your stats aren't prime for a caster, but you could eventually get some decent support spells I suppose.  Ultimately you might be disappointed with your power level compared to someone else who is more specialized.  While you are learning spells that you wont be able to use very well for a long time, the street samurai will be upgrading his cyber and the 3 skills he uses, making him a pseudo combat god, the face will raise his social skills and charisma, maybe buy a better gun and plunk a couple of karma in that skill.  But you will either get better at your chosen combat skills OR get more versatility by choosing spells or working on those skills needed to cast said skills.   I think your character concept is great, but not sure how much fun it would actually be.

Also, having an inspiration is great, but don't be afraid to change the details to fit the game.  Not using automatics makes for a good character plot, but not so much for surviving in the game.

[Marcus]

I suppose the character could do with out rapid draw (for now), Analytics (and analytical mind) were added because part of the character concept is investigation to track down the paranormal problems he needs to deal with.  Also part of the flavor (for me) of the character is that he (like the inspiration) doesn't use automatics (though  the novels in which I found the inspiration for this character do not say that the inspriation does not know how, but she just never uses automatic weapons)  so how is Firearms more cost effective for getting 2 skills I want and a 3rd skill that I don't want?

hmmmm now here is a thought, the character mostly as is, except for Mystic adept instead of adept, but the character doens't realize he is a mystic adept yet and/or so he can grow into counterspelling and banishing etc...

You said you wanted diversity, skill groups offer it. I never said which groups you should take, I simply said and I will stick to you have too many pools at far too low ratings, as is this character is no threat any of the major magical enemies. It's not even really going to that effective verses something as simple as a force 6 spirit, that's a pretty low bar imo.

[Whiskeyjack]

Whiskeyjack - are you by any chance familiar with the Jane Yellowrock series of novels written by Faith Hunter?  I ask because the inspiration (not template though) for this character is in fact the titular character from those novels;

I'm not familiar but...

Look, it's all well and good to take inspiration from characters in media. But those characters are not written with a statblock generated with limited resources in mind. Which is why it's much easier to take inspiration rather than try to do a full port of the character. For instance, IRL military training is going to encompass training with pistols, rifles, automatics, fists, and knives, as well as a number of other skills. But it's practically impossible to make a good character who has skill points in all of that without it being one note or of middling effectiveness. When I go for an ex-military character I roll in a lot of weapons competency into high AGI and pick two skills to cover the ranged and melee game, because buying 6 weapon skills at level 6 is just terrible in this system.

Now this isn't perfect verisimilitude but the system is not the setting, and characters have to mechanically work with very limited resources. That's just the way it is.