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Wakshaani's SR5 Archetype Challenge.

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Wakshaani

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« on: <09-06-15/1423:32> »
Hi gang! There's been lots of talk of late about the archetypes, where they have mistakes, and a general "I can do better" vibe. Valid points in many cases! But, sometimes, the tables, they must be turned. As such... contest! Anyone who wants to enter can put together an archetype in the thread below, with a deadline of October 1st. (Technically the last second of September, Eastern Standard Time, as it rolls into October, for those who want to be technical.) ... On the 2nd, I'll announce the winner and give out a prize or two. What kind of prize? Dunno yet! I have a spare SR5 suppliment or two, and some older material, and could mail 'em off to the lucky winner(s). At the very least, I'll give out a couple of Gold Stars, and hash things out with the top guns from there.

BUT!

First, a look at the rules.

First, you'll be using the SR5 Core Book (with errata to make life easier), and only it. No Run Faster, Run-n-Gun, and so on. It's the basic archetypes, after all!

Next, you'll be picking from teh sixteen presented archetypes, rather than inventing a new one. So, Face, Street Samurai, and Decker are all valid, but not reporters, Rockers, and so on.

Third,  they gotta match the art! If one's an Ork with a cyberarm, then you gotta make an Ork with a cyberarm. If one's an Elf mage, you gotta make an Elf mage. "But that's not efficient!" Maybe not, but the art gets done first, so you gotta match it. Difficulty level +1!

Fourth, they have a skill cap ... a skingle skill at 6, or two at 5. EVerything else, including skill groups, has to be at a 4 or less. (egads!)

Lastly, show your work! Tack on a list of what's A, what's B, and so on, capped off with where all your Karma gets spent.

(If you want a bonus round, a write-up of 100-200 words to explain the archetype can seal the deal, but that part's not required.)

(( The archies are: Ork Street Sam with two cyberarms and cyber eyes, Dwarf covert ops specialist with datajack and cybereyes, Occult Investigator (human, no cyber), Street Shaman (Buff Elf without cyber), Combat Mage (Troll, no cyber), Brawling Adept (Human physad, no cyber), Weapons Specialist (Human with cyberarm), Face (Elf with no cyber), Tank (Troll with a 'jack), Decker (Dwarf with datajack), Technomancer (human), Gunslinger Adept (Elf, no cyber), Drone Rigger (Ork), Smuggler (Troll), Sprawl Ganger (Ork with cyberarm), Bounty Hunter (Troll) ... you can add some non-obvious cyber if needed, but if obvious cyber isn't shown, you can't take it! Yikes!))

Feel fre eto drop questions here. You've got over three weeks to enter, and can submit as many as you'd like. Have fun, good luck, and I look forward to seeing what y'all can do!

All4BigGuns

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« Reply #1 on: <09-06-15/1431:21> »
Fourth, they have a skill cap ... a skingle skill at 6, or two at 5. EVerything else, including skill groups, has to be at a 4 or less. (egads!)

You shouldn't place a requirement that isn't in the rules for character generation for this edition.
(SR5) Homebrew Archetypes

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firebug

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« Reply #2 on: <09-06-15/1439:18> »
That is a bit of an unfortunate restriction, I'm curious as to why though.  I mean, a single at 6 and the rest at four?  That's worse than a player would pick for their own character...  Shouldn't the example archetypes be intended to be used?  Why give them an arbitrary limit like that?  Especially for deckers and magicians, where they tend to need whole skill groups.

Otherwise (and even if the odd limitation isn't removed) I'm all for making some example characters.  Sounds fun!

Also I find it hilarious that we're the ones who gotta match the art.  I'm looking at you, "Totally a human, you guys" Combat Mage.
« Last Edit: <09-06-15/1444:11> by firebug »
I'm Madpath Moth on reddit (and other sites).  Feel free to PM me errata questions!
Jeeze.  It would almost sound stupid until you realize we're talking about an immortal elf clown sword fighting a dragon ghost in a mall.

Wakshaani

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« Reply #3 on: <09-06-15/1440:35> »
Fourth, they have a skill cap ... a skingle skill at 6, or two at 5. EVerything else, including skill groups, has to be at a 4 or less. (egads!)

You shouldn't place a requirement that isn't in the rules for character generation for this edition.

I'm giving everyone the same set that I used to make 'em in the first place. :) (Mind, I only did half, but.) ... And the "One at 6, or two at 5" bit was part of that. On the plus side, you get all the rules in a finished form, which I didn't have. :D So, you won't be facing any restrictions that I didn't face. Hope that's fair!

Jack_Spade

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« Reply #4 on: <09-06-15/1504:58> »
Well, I'll definitely try to build a better brawling adept.  ;D
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All4BigGuns

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« Reply #5 on: <09-06-15/1509:27> »
Fourth, they have a skill cap ... a skingle skill at 6, or two at 5. EVerything else, including skill groups, has to be at a 4 or less. (egads!)

You shouldn't place a requirement that isn't in the rules for character generation for this edition.

I'm giving everyone the same set that I used to make 'em in the first place. :) (Mind, I only did half, but.) ... And the "One at 6, or two at 5" bit was part of that. On the plus side, you get all the rules in a finished form, which I didn't have. :D So, you won't be facing any restrictions that I didn't face. Hope that's fair!

I think that might be part of the problem that many have with the archetypes. While the ones who go for absolute efficiency will always pooh-pooh them, they really should have been tweaked to utilize the exact same rules and restrictions as custom-built characters once the final version (pre-printing) of the rules was established.
(SR5) Homebrew Archetypes

Tangled Currents (Persistent): 33 Karma, 60,000 nuyen

Kinkerbell

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« Reply #6 on: <09-06-15/1519:47> »
Am totally going for the elf gunslinger adept.

The Elf with no SIN? :-P

Whiskeyjack

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« Reply #7 on: <09-06-15/1520:44> »
Might try the Weapon Specialist, aka "pushing the limits of what Skillwires can do."  ;)
Playability > verisimilitude.

Kinkerbell

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« Reply #8 on: <09-06-15/1522:48> »
If there's ever an expanded version of this, I so badly want to do the "This is what happens when you trade in all of your meat" build.

TwoDSix

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« Reply #9 on: <09-06-15/1545:53> »
I think I'll try a Brawling Adept or Weapons Specialist. Likely the Brawling Adept, I've got an idea for a 'flurry of staff attacks' version while I'm stuck for ideas on what to do with the weapon specialist's cyberarm right now.

Unless we can enter more than once, in which case I'll do them both. I like the idea of presenting the Brawling Adept idea as a 'fast and furious melee attacker' build, while the Weapon's specialist is a all-round 'takes you out with one shot' type of character.
I'm British, so I have several points in the sarcasm skill.

Snake Eyes

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« Reply #10 on: <09-06-15/1549:24> »
I 'may' try the Elf Face......this is an interesting challenge, and i like challenges ;D
Knowledge is power, guard it well.

Wakshaani

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« Reply #11 on: <09-06-15/1554:29> »
You can absolutely enter as many times as you want. That's part of the fun!

(Be forewarned.. if anyone doesn't have a build that aligns with the rules, like spending a million on cyberware, taking a Technomancer Echo that doesn't exist,  or having an Edge of 12 or whatever, the freelancers will line up and make nyeah-nyeah noises at you. Fair's fair, right?) :D

(( Seriously, all the hugs guys. Making this kind of thing is one of my favorite things to do! ))

FasterN8

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« Reply #12 on: <09-06-15/1559:38> »
I'm gonna take a crack at some of these, but I'd like to echo the petition to shed the "One 6 or two 5s" requirement.  That was an old 4th edition thing after all.  Also, my first thought was to take a swing at the Decker, but I found she has the following skills as written:

Electronics GROUP 6
Cybercombat 6
Electronic Warfare 6
Hacking 7

And there's no way I can write a better Decker with those skill restrictions.
« Last Edit: <09-06-15/1601:48> by FasterN8 »

Whiskeyjack

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« Reply #13 on: <09-06-15/1613:05> »
Electronics Group is hardly worthwhile, since all you really need is Software 1 and a spec in Data Bombs.

You probably want a spec in Matrix Search for Computer anyway too. And one in Hardware for Cyberdecks (for improved repairing).

But if you have group skill points and Stealth Group doesn't appeal, it could be worse.
Playability > verisimilitude.

Hobbes

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« Reply #14 on: <09-06-15/1614:49> »
You've got an assortment of "no cyber" limitations, example the Face.  Is non-obvious cyber okay?  Or if the requirement is to stay at Essence 6, can we suggest an Adept build of some kind?