Shadowrun

Shadowrun Play => Character creation and critique => Topic started by: Aethelwulf1972 on <11-06-15/1344:54>

Title: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Aethelwulf1972 on <11-06-15/1344:54>
I am interested in trying to build a character who's intended purpose is to hunt and either capture or kill "threats".  right now I just want to know what Skills such a character should have. (not necessarily ratings for the skills, just what kind of skills)
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Halinn on <11-06-15/1358:57>
Define threats. Are we talking paracritters? Gang-bangers? Toxic shamans? Terrorist deckers?
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Rift_0f_Bladz on <11-06-15/1423:41>
Bug spirits, toxic spirits, shadiem, blood mages, elves, grandmothers with walkers?
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Marcus on <11-06-15/1506:43>
grandmothers with walkers?

Very Dangerous. Blocking Roads, Luring innocent boy scouts to their doom. Holding up Checkout lines at the Stuffer Shack. Possibly the Masterminds of the so called Grrl Scout Cookie Assassination network.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Whiskeyjack on <11-06-15/1518:34>
grandmothers with walkers?

Very Dangerous. Blocking Roads, Luring innocent boy scouts to their doom. Holding up Checkout lines at the Stuffer Shack. Possibly the Masterminds of the so called Grrl Scout Cookie Assassination network.
>Cookie Clicker Grandmas, but in Shadowrun

Granny Shedim or something.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Jack_Spade on <11-06-15/1712:18>
Build a mage specialized for stun ball and ball lightning. That should be enough to disable everything you come across.
Witness my hate, Improved Attribute Magic, Mentor Spirit with a bonus to combat spells, spellcasting specialization combat spells, power focus and you should be done
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Whiskeyjack on <11-06-15/1726:33>
Improved Attribute Magic? That isn't a thing.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Danny Montanny on <11-06-15/1751:31>
Improved Attribute Magic? That isn't a thing.

Probably meant Exceptional Attribute.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Aethelwulf1972 on <11-06-15/2101:24>
okay my apologies, on reading your requests for clarification I realize I was a bit too vague...

Ideally this character will be an adept, or possibly a mystic adept.

As for what I mean by threats, Paracritters, Infected, any kind of malevolent spirits, any kind of malevolent mages...

if any of you are familliar with Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock novels, that is where I got the idea, but with out this character being any kind of shape shifter.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Hobbes on <11-06-15/2133:22>
Ain't nuthin gonna run away from Snowflake!

[spoiler]== Info ==
Street Name: Snowflake
Name: Unnamed Character
Movement: 27/54
Karma: 5
Elf (Wakyambi)
Composure: 10
Judge Intentions: 11
Lift/Carry: 5 (30 kg/20 kg)
Memory: 6
Nuyen: 1945

== Priorities ==
Metatype: C - Elf (3)
Attributes: A - 24 Attributes
Special: B - Adept - magic 6, one skill at 4
Skills: E - 18 Skills/0 Skill Groups
Resources: D - 50,000¥

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 7 (9)
REA: 5 (7)
STR: 2
CHA: 5
INT: 6
LOG: 1
WIL: 5
EDG: 5
MAG: 5

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   5.02
Initiative:                11 (13) + 1d6  Note 15 +2d6 with Cram and Psyche, another +4 on tap with Adrenaline boost.
Rigger Initiative:         13 + 1d6
Astral Initiative:         12 + 2d6
Matrix AR Initiative:      13 + 1d6
Matrix Cold Initiative:    6 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative:     6 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         11

== Limits ==
Physical:                  5
Mental:                    5
Social:                    7
   Body Armor Bag [-1] (Must be visible)
   Custom Ballistic Mask [+2] (Only for intimidation, Must be visible)
Astral:                    7

== Active Skills ==

Etiquette                  : 1   (with Karma)                   Pool: 6
Exotic Melee Weapon        : 6 [Monofilament Whip] Pool: 15
Gymnastics                 : 2 [Parkour]            Pool: 11 (13)
Locksmith                  : 1   (with karma)     Pool: 10
Palming                    : 1    (with karma)      Pool: 10
Perception                 : 6                      Pool: 14
Sneaking                   : 6 [Urban]              Pool: 17 (19)


== Knowledge Skills ==
14 points
== Qualities ==
Adept
Albinism II
Allergy (Common, Mild) (Pollutants)
Catlike
Celerity
Distinctive Style
Elongated Limbs
Jack of All Trades
Low-Light Vision
Mentor Spirit (Eagle)
Quick Healer
Reduced Sense (Taste)
Weak Immune System

==Contacts==
15 points

== Powers ==
Adrenaline Boost Rating: 2
Attribute Boost (AGI) Rating: 2 
Combat Sense Rating: 5
Improved Physical Attribute (AGI) Rating: 2

== Lifestyles ==
Low  1 months

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Damage Compensators Rating 4
Datajack
Reaction Enhancers Rating 2 - Alpha

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket                        12
Body Armor Bag                      8
   +Concealability
   +Restrictive
Custom Ballistic Mask               2
   +Gas Mask
   +Single Sensor Rating 3
      +Ultrasound Rating 3

== Weapons ==
Monofilament Whip
   Pool: 15   Accuracy: 5   DV: 12P   AP: -8   RC: 2

== Gear ==
Cheap Pre-paid Commlink x5
Contacts Rating 3
   +Flare Compensation
   +Image Link
   +Vision Magnification
Cram x3-Pharmaceutical grade
Crowbar
Fake SIN (Pat) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Adept License) Rating 3
   +Fake License (Restricted Cyberware License) Rating 3
Gecko Tape Gloves
Jazz x1 - Pharmaceutical grade
Medkit Rating 3
Miniwelder
Psyche x3-Pharmaceutical grade
Survival Kit
Tool Kit (Locksmith)

Notes: Run Pharma grade Cram and Psyche during the run.  First upgrades should be remove Data jack and replace with BetaData Jack and Delta Fingertip compartment (for the monowhip).  First 20ish Karma to round out skills, then Initiate and / or Qi Focus.  If your table allows Revels in Murder drop Catlike for RiM.

Edit: for a more "Magic huntery" feel drop a couple levels of Combat Sense for Astral Perception or Magic Sense.

[/spoiler]
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Rooks on <11-06-15/2214:57>
Not to mention Magebolt Slaughter Slay One Less spells
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Marcus on <11-07-15/0137:52>
Improved Attribute Magic? That isn't a thing.
I think it's actually discussed in CORE Whiskey, I will check on it tomorrow.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Aethelwulf1972 on <11-07-15/0301:54>
Hobbes,  thank you for posting your fully created take on the character, I do appreciate the time and effort you put into it, but I do recall I did ask not for stats of any kind, just simply what manner of skills a hunter of threats would have in general.

(seriously, thank you for the effort you put forth, and I apologize that it isn't really what I was looking for.)
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Jack_Spade on <11-07-15/0341:47>
Improved Attribute Magic? That isn't a thing.

Sorry, I meant of course Exceptional Attribute

Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Halinn on <11-07-15/0723:08>
Improved Attribute Magic? That isn't a thing.
I think it's actually discussed in CORE Whiskey, I will check on it tomorrow.
Yeah, it's specifically called out as not being allowed.

"A version of this spell exists for each Physical and Mental attribute, but not for Special Attributes (Initiative, Edge, Essence, Magic, or Resonance)"
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Novocrane on <11-07-15/0759:36>
Are you looking at fourth edition?

Quote
Exceptional Attribute also applies toward Special Attributes such as Magic and Resonance.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: DigitalZombie on <11-07-15/0810:28>
SKills: some cool combat skill when taking em down,  Perception (high), assensing (if capable of astral perceiving),sneaking, running (when taking em down didnt work), animal handling(fluff), tracking, survival, intimidation (youve seen some sh#t) and some technical skill like armorer or chemistry to custom create silvered weapons/stakes or allergy/weakness grenades etc.

I think knowledge skills are some of the best tools to create fully fleshed and cool characters, and I think its a shame they are so neglected on these boards.
Knowledge skills: critters, parazoology, infected, dark magic (blood/toxic/insect/dark rituals etc), malevolent spirits (toxic/insect/shadow/demons/shedim etc), monster mythology( all the classical stories from pre-awakened shadowrun time), conspiracy theories, occult cults (wendigo cannibal cults, nosferatu conspiracy circles, shedim abduction operations, toxic fanatics etc.) Hunter network (places where other hunters meet and exchange stories/silver bullets/ whacky theories)

These can either be taken as interest/street(intuition) or academic/professional (logic) as needed. is your character a self taught hunter, then he most likely has parazoology as a street or interest knowledge, with a more practical approach. Is he on the other hand the professor type with a customized shotgun he most likely has more academic/professional source of knowledge.

If you wanna specialize even further just go specifically for knowledge: toxic magic, insect path, nosferatus etc. such a narrow specialization would likely reduce the threshold tremendously, but wouldnt come up very often.

hope that helps- I havent read those novels so I dont know what angle said character might have
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Halinn on <11-07-15/0912:57>
Are you looking at fourth edition?

Quote
Exceptional Attribute also applies toward Special Attributes such as Magic and Resonance.

I was quoting the improved [attribute] spell
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Novocrane on <11-07-15/0916:57>
Oh derp. /going back to sleep.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Hobbes on <11-07-15/1000:23>
Hobbes,  thank you for posting your fully created take on the character, I do appreciate the time and effort you put into it, but I do recall I did ask not for stats of any kind, just simply what manner of skills a hunter of threats would have in general.

(seriously, thank you for the effort you put forth, and I apologize that it isn't really what I was looking for.)

I have a large library of builds, I toss them out when it seems appropriate.

To your topic.  Just about any of the Archetypes can work for your concept, it's more roleplaying than mechanics that will define this particular character.  Stats, Skills, Powers, Augmentations, Gear should be built to do what that particular Archetype does.

You were leaning to Magic Archetypes, you'll want to decide if you want to be a Mystic Adept, Mage, or Physical Adept will be your main decision.

Mechanically your Mentor Spirit choice drives a few choices, so are you a hunter for the challenge?  (Dragonslayer)  Sense of obligation?  (Wise Warrior, Bear)  Vengeance?   (Thunderbird)  or just Hunter?  (Shark, Wolf) 

Next up is Knowledge skills, this will likely be a weak spot, but don't worry about it.  Most of the know stuff about things are Logic based skills, unless you're a hermetic Mage your Logic is going to be somewhere between poor and average.  Magic Theory and Para-zoology are the classic Knowledge skills for Magic and are what you're going to want.  Depending on RP background Latin, Sperethiel, ect are good choices to flesh out a mystical background.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Marcus on <11-07-15/1130:59>
Improved Attribute Magic? That isn't a thing.
I think it's actually discussed in CORE Whiskey, I will check on it tomorrow.
Yeah, it's specifically called out as not being allowed.

"A version of this spell exists for each Physical and Mental attribute, but not for Special Attributes (Initiative, Edge, Essence, Magic, or Resonance)"

"Exceptional Attribute also applies toward Special Attributes such as Magic and Resonance." CORE Page 74 under the Heading Exceptional Attribute.
So in fact it is a thing, it does exist, and it is legal.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Whiskeyjack on <11-07-15/1136:21>
When Jack said Improved Attribute MAG, I thought they were erroneously referring to a power or spell, not the PQ, since "Improved Attribute" isn't the name of the PQ.

I've come around to thinking it's nice, it's just exceptionally hard to fit in without totally tanking your Edge. And of course, the karma cost isn't negligible.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Halinn on <11-07-15/1158:38>
Heh, unless I'm misreading it, you can take Exceptional Attribute (Essence). I'm not sure that's useful for anything, since the special attribute points from metatypes specifically mention that they can only raise resonance, magic and edge, but it's interesting none-the-less.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Marcus on <11-08-15/0043:32>

I've come around to thinking it's nice, it's just exceptionally hard to fit in without totally tanking your Edge. And of course, the karma cost isn't negligible.
Yeah that is the issue with it. Nothing is perfect, and does leave you with some strange questions.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Rift_0f_Bladz on <11-08-15/0201:18>
Mechanically your Mentor Spirit choice drives a few choices, so are you a hunter for the challenge?  (Dragonslayer)  Sense of obligation?  (Wise Warrior, Bear)  Vengeance?   (Thunderbird)  or just Hunter?  (Shark, Wolf) 

Dog could also fit into Sense of Obligation, especially with its Negative half being protection (teammates generally) and with bonus to tracking and the 2 ranks in improved sense, can easily be fluffed into hunter/protector mentality (via hunting dogs/guard dogs.
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: Aethelwulf1972 on <11-22-15/0207:50>
GM said no Aptitude, Exceptional Attributes, or Lucky, or any qualities that would result or require a lifestyle higher than low.

For this Manner of Character, what are the arguments for Adept vs Mystic adept?  (note one of the players is considering a shaman, another is considering a vampire with "leanings towards druidism and blood magic"

also ways and mentor spirit suggestions are now welcome :)

oh forgot to add I want to make this character a Nocturna
Title: Re: "Threat" Hunter
Post by: SmilinIrish on <12-08-15/1810:23>
The main sacrifices you make for Mys Ad instead of straight adept is that its a priority higher, and you have to ask if your build can spare the 30 Karma for PP.  Adepts get Magic 6 at Priority B, Mys Ads get it at A.  Adepts get PP for free matching their Magic, Mys Ads buy them at 5 karma per point.  Also, if your priority selection already puts skills low, Mys ad would be tough.

My only comment otherwise on the build is that if you are paranormal hunting, not sure how you build that without taking Astral Perception.  Big advantage there being able to look at someone disguised as mundane, but when you turn on the third eye, you can tell they aren't.