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Cybered Elf Archer Build

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8-bit

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« on: <09-17-14/1331:01> »
I've always liked the concept of an archer, but it's pretty hard to actually fit a bow into a normal character's repertoire for a few reasons; mostly that you don't have enough skills to go around. I tried someone who just focuses on archery, and I currently like the build that I have. I would appreciate any advice, since I feel like I might be missing something important due to focusing on archery.

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-- Priorities --
Metatype C (Elf)
Attributes A
Magic E
Skills D
Resources B

-- Karma Expenditure --
50 Total
-18 in Qualities
-10 for 20,000 nuyen
-2 for Pilot Groundcraft 1
-5 for Athletics 1
-15 for Contacts

0 Left

-- Attributes --
Body 3
Agility 6 (8)
Reaction 5 (9)
Strength 6 (8)
Willpower 3
Logic 3
Intuition 5
Charisma 4
Edge 4
Essence .33

Initiative - 14 + 2d6
Initiative w/ Jazz - 15 + 4d6
Physical Condition Monitor - 10
Stun Condition Monitor - 10
Physical Limit - 10
Mental Limit - 6
Social Limit - 4 (+1 when Vashon Island is visible)

-- Qualities --
Catlike (-7 Karma)
Natural Athlete (-7 Karma)
Out for Myself (-4 Karma)
Allergy - Silver, Moderate (+10 Karma)
Distinctive Style (+5 Karma)
Weak Immune System (+10 Karma)

-- Skills --
Athletics 1
Archery 6 (+2 Bows) [+1 Reflex Recorder] - Dice pool of 15 (17)
Perception 6 (+2 Visual) [+2 Wireless Cybereyes] - Dice pool of 11 (13) [15]
Pilot Ground Craft 1 - Dice pool of 10
Sneaking 6 (+2 Urban) [+2 Catlike] - Dice pool of 16 (18)
Etiquette 1 - Dice pool of 5

-- Knowledge/Language Skills --
English N
Area Knowledge: Seattle 6 - Street - Dice pool of 12
Street Drugs 6 - Street - Dice pool of 12
Security Tactics - Street - Dice pool of 10

-- Augmentations --

Rating 3 Cybereyes w/ Image Link, Flare Compensation, Low-Light Vision, Smartlink, Thermographic Vision, Vision Magnification, Vision Enhancement 2 - Used - 21,000 nuyen | .5 Essence
Muscle Replacement 2 - Alphaware - 60,000 nuyen | 1.6 Essence
Reaction Enhancers 3 - Used - 29,250 nuyen | 1.13 Essence
Wired Reflexes 1 - Alphaware - 46,800 nuyen | 1.6 Essence
Damage Compensators 4 - Standard - 8,000 nuyen | .4 Essence
Mnemonic Enhancer 1 - Alphaware - 10,800 nuyen | .08 Essence
Platelet Factories - Standard - 17,000 nuyen | .2 Essence
Reflex Recorder (Archery) - Alphaware - 16,800 nuyen | .08 Essence
Sleep Regulator - Alphaware - 14,400 nuyen | .08 Essence

-- Gear --
Vashon Island: Sleeping Tiger w/ Custom Fit, Newest Model, Ruthenium Polymer Coating 3, Thermal Damping 6, Nonconductivity 4 - 17,500 nuyen
Rating 6 Bow w/ Internal Smartgun System, Gecko Grip, Sling - 1,315 nuyen
15 Incendiary Arrows (Rating 6) - 1,680 nuyen
20 Stick-n-shock Arrows w/ Static Shaft (Rating 6) - 3,500 nuyen
15 Injection Arrows w/ Narcoject (Rating 6) - 2,550 nuyen
30 Screamer Arrows (Rating 6) - 510 nuyen
60 Standard Arrows (Rating 6) - 720 nuyen
60 Explosive Arrows (Rating 6) - 1,620 nuyen
15 doses of Jazz - 1,125 nuyen
Rating 6 Medkit - 1,500 nuyen
Transys Avalon Commlink - 5,000 nuyen
3 Metalink Commlinks - 300 nuyen
Micro-transceiver - 100 nuyen
3 Rating 6 White Noise Generators - 900 nuyen
Survival Kit - 200 nuyen
Rating 6 Respirator - 300 nuyen
Gecko Tape Gloves - 250 nuyen
2 Gold Credsticks, 4 Silver Credsticks - 280 nuyen
Rating 4 Fake SIN - 10,000 nuyen
w/ Rating 4 Fake License (Muscle Replacement), Rating 4 Fake License (Reaction Enhancers), Rating 4 Fake License (Wired Reflexes), Rating 4 Fake License (Thermal Damping), Rating 4 Fake License (Stick-n-shock Arrows), Rating 4 Fake License (Injection Arrows), Rating 4 Fake License (Narcoject), Rating 4 Fake License (Jazz) - 6,400 nuyen
Suzuki Mirage - 8,500 nuyen

Remaining Money - 700 + (4d6 x 100) nuyen

-- Contacts --
Fixer - Connection 6, Loyalty 1

Street Doc - Connection 2, Loyalty 4

Smuggler - Connection 5, Loyalty 2

Mechanic - Connection 1, Loyalty 6

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Only things I wish I could have would be Wired Reflexes 2 as well as the Reaction Enhancers, but I don't really have the nuyen for it. I did run some calculations and if I dropped half of my augmentations I would be able to fit it in nuyen and essence-wise, but then I lose some of the things that make the character a little more flavorful. My initiative with Jazz is pretty good as it is, so I don't mind it too much. Only question is, do I have to make an addiction test immediately upon taking the Jazz? Because I'm not sure I can succeed a threshold 3 test with only 6 dice.

Any comments and criticisms are welcome!
« Last Edit: <09-20-14/1733:55> by 8-bit »

Shrazkil

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« Reply #1 on: <09-17-14/1545:35> »
Just need a medkit and maybe squeeze or buy 1 point in medkit, with such a low essence magic healing will be of little effect.

8-bit

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« Reply #2 on: <09-17-14/1713:23> »
Exchanged 10 Stick-n-shock arrows for 1 rating 6 medkit. Also changed the ID Manufacturer contact with a Mechanic contact.

Reaver

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« Reply #3 on: <09-17-14/2353:47> »
Looks good...

But this is a question I ask all my players : "what do you bring to the table, to get paid?"

Your answer seems to be: "I am sneaky silent long range damage."

....
So why hire you?
(Just food for thought for all character builders)
Where am I going? And why am I in a hand basket ???

Remember: You can't fix Stupid. But you can beat on it with a 2x4 until it smartens up! Or dies.

8-bit

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« Reply #4 on: <09-18-14/0026:34> »
Looks good...

But this is a question I ask all my players : "what do you bring to the table, to get paid?"

Your answer seems to be: "I am sneaky silent long range damage."

....
So why hire you?
(Just food for thought for all character builders)

That's a very good question. I think I can answer it.

I'm a combat specialist. Whether I'm sniping people (Because up to 240m for -3 dice), or in a fight, I can pretty easily pick someone off. Assuming 0 net hits, a Stick-n-shock arrow is hitting someone for 12S damage that they get to resist. I've seen someone at my table shoot a weaker bow and get 14S damage that got dropped down to 12S damage. More than enough to pick off your average anybody, whether it's a grunt, shadowrunner etc. Most shadowrunners have 10-11 stun boxes; that's instant knockout from a fight. Injection arrow? 0 net hits and my target is resisting 8P damage + they have to resist the 15 power narcoject. If they are even standing at that point, then I would hope they have at least -5 dice.

Yes, it's true, he only brings damage to the table. How is this any different from a troll tank or gunslinger adept? There is plenty of demand for both of those archetypes; hell, those shadowrunners get hired specifically for when shit hits the fan and you need to engage in combat. Then again, why hire the face? His only skill he brings to the table is negotiating with the Johnson and social skills. Can those get you in the door with a good Con check? Can he find stuff through legwork? Yes, but during an actual run, unless he's got magic up his sleeve, he's only one more gun in a fight.

Finally, just because I have 0 social skills does not mean I cannot come up with some tactics or plan stuff out with my teammates. I'm not the Uncouth Troll who literally cannot be out in public because he is so obviously up to no good. I probably won't convince anybody of anything, but I can make myself disappear and stay under the radar while the more socially adept members of the group take care of those things. Or, I can create a distraction! Let's blow up an unoccupied car and distract security while everyone else goes in; that's always a fun one.

I mean, if every single person has to be able to do more than 1 thing, that makes adepts (who super specialize in their area) less useful, and it restricts anyone from playing a priority D or E in skills character. I honestly believe that is the point of a team of runners. You get people who are really good at what they do, hope they all work together, and they can accomplish some seriously amazing things by covering each other's weaknesses.

I would just like to state that this is in no way hostile; I'm just answering the question and voicing my opinion. Your question definitely did make me think about what I wanted this character to be able to accomplish, so I thank you for asking it!
« Last Edit: <09-18-14/0032:07> by 8-bit »

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« Reply #5 on: <09-18-14/2307:38> »
Good reply!

That's all I wanted you to do is think :D

Don't get me wrong, damage dealers have their place. No question about it! And it is fun to sit back and try to make "Mr. Assault Cannon of Awesome" some days (I do it too all the time!)

But Shadowrun has some pretty hefty twists and turns in the average, and was we all know, no plan can cover all the angles of a GM "surprise".

Generally I have found after 20+ years of Shadowrun is "build in a backup".

Now I am not saying "cross specialize".. but make sure you have your bases covered.

Etequette
Medtech (or at least by a medkit!!)
Tech/computer
Preception

These are skills every character should have. You don't need 5 or 6s in them, but you want to make sure you have a hand full of dice for when that random road-block with the bigoted cop comes up...

Or for when your magical bandaid is missed the top portion of his head...


Well you get the idea :)
Where am I going? And why am I in a hand basket ???

Remember: You can't fix Stupid. But you can beat on it with a 2x4 until it smartens up! Or dies.

8-bit

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« Reply #6 on: <09-18-14/2333:19> »
I definitely agree with the medkit and perception, even somewhat with Ettiquette, but may I ask why computer? From what I understand, basic Matrix use is covered even by being untrained, and it's not like I'm going to be hacking anything or searching files for paydata if I'm not specialized in it.

I'm thinking about replacing Tracking with Etiquette; might get me at least a couple of successes, especially if I have to Edge the roll.

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« Reply #7 on: <09-18-14/2342:55> »
I definitely agree with the medkit and perception, even somewhat with Ettiquette, but may I ask why computer? From what I understand, basic Matrix use is covered even by being untrained, and it's not like I'm going to be hacking anything or searching files for paydata if I'm not specialized in it.

I'm thinking about replacing Tracking with Etiquette; might get me at least a couple of successes, especially if I have to Edge the roll.


Tech/computer skills (depending on the character) can be invaluable!

For instance, its all well and good to be a master sniper.... now if only you could open that locked door to the roof....

Or, it great to be a smooth talking face.... but if the contact will only meet online in a hidden room?... would be nice to have some skill to get you ass out of a fire, then rely on defaulting to "common, unedutcated knowledge. "

You don't need to be awesome at everything,  so sometimes having a skill at a 6, is actually a handy cap. Especially when you could take it at 4, and get an other skill or two that could come in handy
Where am I going? And why am I in a hand basket ???

Remember: You can't fix Stupid. But you can beat on it with a 2x4 until it smartens up! Or dies.

JackVII

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« Reply #8 on: <09-18-14/2353:34> »
From what I understand, basic Matrix use is covered even by being untrained, and it's not like I'm going to be hacking anything or searching files for paydata if I'm not specialized in it.
It really depends on the GM. Basic Matrix use seems to include stuff that doesn't require a test: sending messages, messing with your icon, and editing files (maybe). It seems crazy to us that someone would be incapable of looking up the address of a business on the Matrix, but the rules state that requires 1 success. Now, most GMs that I have seen generally hand-wave something like that, but there are situations where it may come up. A lot of players tend to take Low or lower lifestyles. That's an automatic -2 to the check since you're on the Public Grid. If you have an average Intuition (3) and no skill in Computer, you suddenly can't make that test at all without Edge. Add in any noise and it's even worse.

Again, a lot of GMs seem to not worry about that first line of the chart, so if you're playing with one like that, it isn't that big of a deal. But it does help to be able to use basic skills when there might be some negative modifiers floating about.
« Last Edit: <09-18-14/2355:33> by JackVII »
|DTG|Place|Address in Brackets
"Dialogue"
PC/NPC Names
>>Matrix/Comm
"Astral"
<<Text/Email>>
Thoughts/Subvocal

8-bit

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« Reply #9 on: <09-19-14/0012:23> »
Interesting things to think about. Now I think I will take at least one rank in Computer; gotta see where I can get 2 karma from. Thanks for the input guys!

The Wyrm Ouroboros

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« Reply #10 on: <09-19-14/0054:00> »
Don't bother.  There are plenty of basic actions that aren't going to take a Computer skill, just a Logic above a 1.  You have a 3, so you'd be rolling 2 dice standard (for defaulting), and most GMs aren't even going to bother making you roll to find the phone number of Joe's Crab Shack down on 34th and Vine.  It may take 10 seconds instead of 2, but c'mon, who really cares - unless you desperately need crab to munch on in the middle of your firefight.
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8-bit

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« Reply #11 on: <09-20-14/1734:19> »
Dropped Tracking for 1 rank in Etiquette. I think this character is finally done; thanks for all the help guys!

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« Reply #12 on: <09-20-14/2249:55> »
And thank you 8bit for having an open mind and no jumping to the conclusion that I was trying to be a dick, or start a fight.

I enjoy sharing my views on character creation, but sometimes... its more if a yelling match then its worth.
Where am I going? And why am I in a hand basket ???

Remember: You can't fix Stupid. But you can beat on it with a 2x4 until it smartens up! Or dies.