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Astral Combat Specialist / Face SR5

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Paper

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« on: <07-30-17/0332:46> »
--Priorities--
Metatype: E (Human)
Attributes: A
Magic: C (Explorer)
Skills: B
Resources: D

--Attributes--
Body: 3
Agility: 5
Reaction: 4
Strength: 3
Willpower: 5
Logic: 2
Intuition: 5
Charisma: 6
Edge: 2
Magic: 6

--Derived Attributes--
Essence: 6
Initiative: 9 + 1D6
Astral Initiative: 10 + 3D6
Physical Limit: 5
Mental Limit: 5
Social Limit: 8
Astral Limit: 8
Physical Condition Monitor: 10
Stun Condition Monitor: 11
Overflow: 3

--Qualities--
Positive
First Impression - 11 Karma
Perceptive - 10 Karma

Negative
Dry Addict - Alcohol, Mild - 2 Karma
Gremlins 3 - 12 Karma
Poor Self Control: Thrill Seeker - 4 Karma
Spirit Bane: Beast Spirits - 7 Karma

Optional Choices
The Seer - Focused Awakened

--Skills--
Athletics 1
Stealth 5

Assensing 6 (+2 Aura Reading) = 13 (15) dice
Astral Combat 6 (+2 Spirits) = 11 (13) dice
Con 6 (+2 Fast Talk) = 12 (14) dice
Etiquette 6 (+2 Street) = 12 (14) dice
Negotiation 6 (+2 Contracts) = 12 (14) dice
Perception 6 (+2 Visual) = 13 (15) dice
Unarmed Combat 6 = 11 dice

--Knowledge/Language Skills--
Interest Knowledge: Alcohol 4
Language: English N
Language: Japanese 4
Street Knowledge: Spirits 2
Street Knowledge: The Bible 4

--Magic--
Tradition - Traditional Christian Theurgist
Gains the Exorcism Metamagic for free
Cannot practice magic on the Sabbath

Metamagics
Exorcism
Psychometry
Sensing

--Gear--
Weapons
Shock Gloves - 550 nuyen

Armor
Sleeping Tiger w/ Custom Fit, Holster, Newest Model, Ruthenium Polymer Coating 3, Nonconductivity 6, Fire Resistance 4 - 16,000 nuyen
Synergist Business Line Longcoat w/ Custom Fit (Stack), Holster, Nonconductivity 4, Shock Frills - 3,550 nuyen
Armante Suit w/ +2 Social Limit, Shock Frills, Nonconductivity 2 - 3,250 nuyen
Custom Ballistic Mask w/ +2 Social Limit (Intimidation), Biomonitor, Gas Mask, Trodes, Flare Compensation, Low-Light Vision, Thermographic Vision, Vision Magnification - 2,370 nuyen

Commlinks
Transys Avalon - 5,000 nuyen
Renraku Sensei x3 - 3,000 nuyen
Meta Link x5 - 500 nuyen

Electronic Accessories
Trodes - 70 nuyen

Credsticks
Gold Credstick - 100 nuyen
Silver Credstick x5 - 100 nuyen

Identification
Fake SIN 4 w/ Fake License 4 (Awakened), Fake License 4 (Self-Defense Weaponry [Shock Gloves & Shock Frills]) - 11,600 nuyen

Visual Devices
Contacts 3 w/ Vision Enhancement 3 - 2,100 nuyen

Audio Devices
Ear Buds 3 w/ Audio Enhancement 3 - 1,650 nuyen

Survival Gear
Gas Mask - 200 nuyen
Survival Kit - 200 nuyen

Biotech
Medkit 6 - 1,500 nuyen

Vehicles
Suzuki Mirage - 8,500 nuyen

Lifestyles
Low Lifestyle x1 - 2,000 nuyen

Remaining Nuyen: 7,760 + (3D6 x 60)

--Contacts--
Bartender - Connection 1, Loyalty 3
Church Pastor - Connection 2, Loyalty 4
Fixer - Connection 5, Loyalty 2
Street Doc - Connection 4, Loyalty 2
Talismonger - Connection 3, Loyalty 2

--Karma Expenditures--
Starting Karma: 25
Negative Qualities: 25
Positive Qualities: -21
Logic from 1 to 2: -10
Athletics from 0 to 1: -5
20,000 nuyen: -10
Contacts: -4

---------------------------------------------

It's been a long time since I've played a game of Shadowrun, so I'm looking for some feedback on this character. The main concept was to make use of some of the new stuff in Forbidden Arcana and I've always been sort of intrigued by the whole Astral Combat archetype. Of course, spells did a better job normally, but now I can create something a little different. I figured I could fit in some face skills, considering I decided to max out Charisma. The only worry is that I'm spreading myself fairly thin, not to mention that my dice pools are not that high. Most groups I've played with are very min/max or power gamer oriented, whereas I just tried to make something that's a bit interesting with this character. Anyway, let me know what you think.
« Last Edit: <07-30-17/1434:42> by Paper »

ShadowcatX

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« Reply #1 on: <07-30-17/1033:54> »
Currently you should have 3 edge rather than 2. Also, lacking a quality that says otherwise, you only get one N language.

Besides that you seem to be pretty poor at everything, no weapon focus to help you in combat, no cyberware, just a bunch of commlinks and a car you actually don't know how to drive. Even your face skills are lower than what I would consider good for a proper face.

Sum to 10 would really help this character I think.

Paper

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« Reply #2 on: <07-30-17/1433:58> »
The 2 Edge is because I have 6 Magic (Explorer only gives Magic 5). That extra N was a typo, it's supposed to be 4.

Well, what would you suggest? I agree that it needs some work. The main part that I want to stay is the Astral Combat + Melee Skill, everything else could be reworked as needed. I get that the dice pools are low, but since I am truly not getting any buffs, neither magical nor technological, I'm not sure how to remedy that. Weapon Focus is something that would be good to work in, I agree.

Commlinks are a mix of burners and such that I'm used to putting on characters. I realize for this one, it is not a great idea. I'm also used to picking up Pilot Ground Craft 1 and a vehicle, which I somehow missed when creating this one. I'll think about some way to rework this, but in the meantime, what Sum to 10 priorities do you suggest? I feel like I need maxed out Attributes, and I need C in Magic for the concept. Maxed out Skills seems hard to justify, since it doesn't really up my niche pools, it just broadens them. Higher Resources leads to ... what? I guess I could fit in Foci or something? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, although I'm not changing the character yet, will remove the Language typo.

ShadowcatX

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« Reply #3 on: <07-30-17/1452:06> »
What are you gaining from going magic 5 - 6? Magic is a burnable resource for you so long as you have > 1.

I would probably go something like attributes B (agility and strength aren't doing much for you),  skills c, magic c, resources c, Metatype d. Better resources can give weapon focus and cyberware (pheromones for your face side), being an elf helps both sides of your character, (Basically increasing face dice pools and astral DV close to 5.)

Paper

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« Reply #4 on: <07-30-17/1459:53> »
I suppose the only thing I get is Astral Form time from Magic. Not really a big plus.

I'm not entirely opposed to the suggestions, in fact, I like them quite a lot. It appears I should just abandon any attempt at meat world combat, as I cannot fit in the necessary Strength and Agility for it. I'll do a revision and post it in a bit.

Paper

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« Reply #5 on: <07-30-17/1536:19> »
--Priorities--
Metatype: D (Elf)
Attributes: B
Magic: C (Explorer)
Skills: C
Resources: C

--Attributes--
Body: 3
Agility: 3
Reaction: 4
Strength: 1
Willpower: 5
Logic: 3
Intuition: 5
Charisma: 8
Edge: 2
Magic: 4

--Derived Attributes--
Essence: 5.125
Initiative: 9 + 1D6
Astral Initiative: 10 + 3D6
Physical Limit: 3
Mental Limit: 6
Social Limit: 9
Astral Limit: 9
Physical Condition Monitor: 10
Stun Condition Monitor: 11
Overflow: 3

--Qualities--
Positive
Astral Bouncer - 10 Karma
First Impression - 11 Karma

Negative
Dry Addict - Alcohol, Mild - 2 Karma
Poor Self Control: Thrill Seeker - 4 Karma
Spirit Bane: Beast Spirits - 7 Karma
Unsteady Hands - 7 Karma
SINner: National - 5 Karma

Optional Choices
The Seer - Focused Awakened

--Skills--
Athletics 2

Assensing 6 (+2 Aura Reading) = 11 (13) dice
Astral Combat 6 (+2 Spirits) = 14 (16) dice
Con 6 (+2 Fast Talk) = 17 (19) dice
Etiquette 6 (+2 Street) = 17 (19) dice
Negotiation 6 (+2 Contracts) = 17 (19) dice
Perception 4 (+2 Visual) = 9 (11) dice

--Knowledge/Language Skills--
Interest Knowledge: Alcohol 4
Language: English N
Language: Japanese 4
Street Knowledge: Spirits 2
Street Knowledge: The Bible 4

--Magic--
Tradition - Traditional Christian Theurgist
Gains the Exorcism Metamagic for free
Cannot practice magic on the Sabbath

Metamagics
Exorcism
Psychometry
Sensing

--Augmentations--
Used Datajack - 0.125 Essence / 750 nuyen
Used Tailored Pheromones 3 - 0.75 Essence / 69,750 nuyen

--Gear--
Foci
Force 3 Weapon Focus - 21,000 nuyen

Weapons
Combat Knife - 300 nuyen

Armor
Sleeping Tiger w/ Custom Fit, Holster, Newest Model, Ruthenium Polymer Coating 3, Nonconductivity 6, Fire Resistance 4 - 16,000 nuyen
Synergist Business Line Longcoat w/ Custom Fit (Stack), Holster, Nonconductivity 6 - 3,800 nuyen
Armante Suit w/ +2 Social Limit, Nonconductivity 4 - 3,500 nuyen
Custom Ballistic Mask w/ +2 Social Limit (Intimidation), Biomonitor, Gas Mask, Flare Compensation, Thermographic Vision, Vision Magnification - 1,800 nuyen

Commlinks
Transys Avalon - 5,000 nuyen

Credsticks
Gold Credstick - 100 nuyen
Silver Credstick x5 - 100 nuyen

Identification
Fake SIN 4 w/ Fake License 4 (Awakened), Fake License 4 (Bioware), Fake License 4 (Weapon Focus) - 12,400 nuyen

Visual Devices
Contacts 3 w/ Vision Enhancement 3 - 2,100 nuyen

Audio Devices
Ear Buds 3 w/ Audio Enhancement 3 - 1,650 nuyen

Survival Gear
Survival Kit - 200 nuyen

Biotech
Medkit 6 - 1,500 nuyen

Lifestyles
Low Lifestyle x1 - 2,000 nuyen

Remaining Nuyen: 8,050 + (3D6 x 60)

--Contacts--
Church Pastor - Connection 2, Loyalty 4
Fixer - Connection 5, Loyalty 2
Street Doc - Connection 4, Loyalty 2
Talismonger - Connection 3, Loyalty 2

--Karma Expenditures--
Starting Karma: 25
Negative Qualities: 25
Positive Qualities: -21
Edge from 1 to 2: -10
20,000 nuyen: -10
Bound Force 3 Weapon Focus: -9

Remaining Karma: 0

---------------------------------------------

Take #2. Definitely like the feel a bit more, although the low Edge and lack of meat world capability is slightly concerning.

Kuirem

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« Reply #6 on: <07-30-17/1607:52> »
I would give up on some Specialization for now and spend the points into Sneaking, it's quite an important skill. Also use some Karma to take a couple of points into Automatics or Pistols just so you can do more than just hiding during fight (Suppressive Fire is really good to assist your meat space fighter).

You can even get a Smartlink/Smartgun for an easy +2 dice at shooting, maybe free some money from the weapon focus, it's good to have one for the extra damage but you don't need it at high force. My favorite weapon Focus is the staff, inconspicious enough and the lack of AP doesn't matter in the Astral (Club if you have high weapon focus also work well).

Paper

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« Reply #7 on: <07-30-17/1852:07> »
Question: Is a weapon focus necessary for Astral Combat?

I ask because I don't necessarily need the DV (8 Charisma is strong enough), but I feel like I'm lacking in dice. Attacking dual-natured magicians seems easy enough, but if I want to even try to go toe to toe with a spirit, I need a lot of dice. A Force 6 Spirit rolls 12 dice to defend, I think? Presumably I want to try and get at least a net hit, otherwise I'm missing the point of the character. I picked a knife because it is concealable, no other reason, really. Plus it's 100% legal (if still disallowed in some establishments).

If I don't really need the dice, I can ditch the focus for now, freeing up a good chunk of money and karma. I'm just not sure I can afford to drop it.

Regarding the Sneaking and Automatics skills, I like your suggestions. How do I get enough dice to make it worth it? I can see dropping enough Specializations to get Sneaking 4, and if I drop the focus and Astral Bouncer quality, I can pick up Automatics 3 + a Specialization. Is that enough dice? That puts me at 7 dice for Sneaking, and 8 (10 with smartlink) for Automatics. I guess Spray n' Pray is the name of the game for fire support?

ShadowcatX

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« Reply #8 on: <07-30-17/1909:23> »
A level 1 weapon focus will get you a significant bonus to your DV. But rank 1 is probably high enough to start.

For meatworld issues I would suggest a cyberlimb and a single combat skill. A high agility arm isn't that expensive and can increase your meatworld combat ability an insane amount.

Paper

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« Reply #9 on: <07-30-17/1952:59> »
All right, rather than reposting the whole thing, since I'm still thinking about it, I'll post the ideas here.

I'll drop the Astral Bouncer quality and 6,000 nuyen, while downgrading the weapon focus to Force 1. That will give me back 19 Karma that I will use to get Automatics 3 (+2 SMGs). I'll drop the specializations from Con, Etiquette, Negotiation, and Perception to get Sneaking 4. I'll purchase a Used Cyberarm with Custom Agility 6, and Agility Enhancement 3, which will cost me 37,125 nuyen. I think I can massage the rest of the gear, especially the armor, to make it all fit in the budget.

Is that a good idea?

ShadowcatX

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« Reply #10 on: <07-31-17/0620:04> »
That gets you what, 14 dice for meatspace combat? Should be plenty. You aren't a primary combatant.

Paper

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« Reply #11 on: <07-31-17/1314:19> »
--Priorities--
Metatype: D (Elf)
Attributes: B
Magic: C (Explorer)
Skills: C
Resources: C

--Attributes--
Body: 3
Agility: 3
Reaction: 4
Strength: 1
Willpower: 5
Logic: 3
Intuition: 5
Charisma: 8
Edge: 3
Magic: 2

--Derived Attributes--
Essence: 3.875
Initiative: 9 + 1D6
Astral Initiative: 10 + 3D6
Physical Limit: 3
Mental Limit: 6
Social Limit: 9
Astral Limit: 9
Physical Condition Monitor: 10
Stun Condition Monitor: 11
Overflow: 3

--Qualities--
Positive
First Impression - 11 Karma

Negative
Dry Addict - Alcohol, Mild - 2 Karma
Poor Self Control: Thrill Seeker - 4 Karma
Spirit Bane: Beast Spirits - 7 Karma
Unsteady Hands - 7 Karma
SINner: National - 5 Karma

Optional Choices
The Seer - Focused Awakened

--Skills--
Athletics 2

Assensing 6 (+2 Aura Reading) = 11 (13) dice
Astral Combat 6 (+2 Spirits) = 14 (16) dice
Automatics 3 (+2 Machine Pistols) = 12 (14) dice
Con 6 = 17 dice
Etiquette 6 = 17 dice
Negotiation 6 = 17 dice
Perception 4 = 9 dice
Sneaking 4 = 7 dice

--Knowledge/Language Skills--
Interest Knowledge: Alcohol 4
Language: English N
Language: Japanese 4
Street Knowledge: Spirits 2
Street Knowledge: The Bible 4

--Magic--
Tradition - Traditional Christian Theurgist
Gains the Exorcism Metamagic for free
Cannot practice magic on the Sabbath

Metamagics
Exorcism
Psychometry
Sensing

--Augmentations--
Used Datajack - 0.125 Essence / 750 nuyen
Used Tailored Pheromones 3 - 0.75 Essence / 69,750 nuyen
Used Obvious Cyberarm w/ Custom Agility 6, Enhanced Agility 3 - 1.25 Essence / 37,125 nuyen

--Gear--
Foci
Force 1 Weapon Focus - 7,000 nuyen

Weapons
Combat Knife - 300 nuyen
Ares Crusader II w/ Integrated Gas-Vent 2, Integrated Smartgun System, Concealed Quick-Draw Holster, Silencer, Spare Clip x3 - 1,620 nuyen

Ammunition
Regular Rounds x100 - 200 nuyen
Stick-n-Shock Rounds x100 - 800 nuyen

Armor
Armor Jacket - 1,000 nuyen
Armante Suit w/ +2 Social Limit - 2,500 nuyen
Custom Ballistic Mask w/ +2 Social Limit (Intimidation), Biomonitor, Gas Mask, Flare Compensation, Thermographic Vision, Vision Magnification - 1,800 nuyen

Commlinks
Renraku Sensei - 1,000 nuyen

Credsticks
Gold Credstick - 100 nuyen
Silver Credstick x5 - 100 nuyen

Identification
Fake SIN 4 w/ Fake License 4 (Awakened), Fake License 4 (Bioware), Fake License 4 (Weapon Focus), Fake License 4 (Machine Pistol) - 13,200 nuyen

Survival Gear
Survival Kit - 200 nuyen

Biotech
Medkit 6 - 1,500 nuyen

Lifestyles
Low Lifestyle x1 - 2,000 nuyen

Remaining Nuyen: 1,055 + (3D6 x 60)

--Contacts--
Church Pastor - Connection 2, Loyalty 4
Fixer - Connection 5, Loyalty 2
Street Doc - Connection 4, Loyalty 2
Talismonger - Connection 3, Loyalty 2

--Karma Expenditures--
Starting Karma: 25
Negative Qualities: 25
Positive Qualities: -11
Edge from 1 to 2: -10
Automatics from 0 to 3: -12
Automatics Specialization: -7
14,000 nuyen: -7
Bound Force 1 Weapon Focus: -3

Remaining Karma: 0

---------------------------------------------

All right, I think this character is done. Thanks a bunch guys! It definitely needed a lot of work, but I like how it turned out.

Marcus

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« Reply #12 on: <07-31-17/1320:15> »
That is very odd sum 2 10 variant.
Honestly, this just kind of an odd way to go about it. Maybe go social adept and get astral combat that way?
i don't think you can take spirit bane, if you can't summon.
Your a little to much face a not a lot astral combat.
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Paper

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« Reply #13 on: <07-31-17/1330:28> »
I don't see anything saying that you have to summon to take Spirit Bane. The main point of it for this character is that Beast Spirits are naturally hostile towards him and will attack him first if given orders to attack the group.

The main point is to use the Explorer aspect, rather than Adept. I get that it's a bit odd, but unless I'm missing something or someone has a suggestion, I'm not sure how to increase my Astral Combat dice pool much more than I already have. The face skills, as far as I can tell, haven't affected my Astral Combat abilities. This isn't necessarily meant to be the most efficient character, merely something interesting. That being said, if it can be made better without losing the core of the character, I'm open to suggestions.

Marcus

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« Reply #14 on: <07-31-17/1350:32> »
I don't see anything saying that you have to summon to take Spirit Bane. The main point of it for this character is that Beast Spirits are naturally hostile towards him and will attack him first if given orders to attack the group.
Yeah you're correct, the wording that confused me was magic user, but at magic C i guess this has to counts.

The main point is to use the Explorer aspect, rather than Adept. I get that it's a bit odd, but unless I'm missing something or someone has a suggestion, I'm not sure how to increase my Astral Combat dice pool much more than I already have. The face skills, as far as I can tell, haven't affected my Astral Combat abilities. This isn't necessarily meant to be the most efficient character, merely something interesting. That being said, if it can be made better without losing the core of the character, I'm open to suggestions.

Honestly I recommend trying to rebuild this on karma gen, this variant is overly restricting imo.

Weapon foci, will add their dice to astral combat, given your stat line, you need something like a stun baton to be effective in the real world, But it raises some issues your GM will have figure out how he wants to address. (Things like when you astral project is your stun baton still a stun baton? Does it do electrical damage? etc Honestly i'd try to build this as like straight 4 across line or something similar to that. It's very weird I admit.

After that aptitude (Astral combat) would let you go to 7. Maybe a mentor spirit?  There is a martial art in FA, but i don't that's really going to helpful for you.

As far as beating down spirits go, Adepts are really the best at it. Spirit claws combined with just generally very strong unarmed builds, is really the only thing i can think of.


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