Shadowrun

Shadowrun Play => Character creation and critique => Topic started by: Spherik on <07-30-14/0807:17>

Title: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: Spherik on <07-30-14/0807:17>
Need some help guys. Previously, I have always played the pink mohawk characters (usually murderhobos or spellslingers tossing around acid waves).

My group now is trying a more subtle approach. Its a 3 person group and we have a face and a decker. I currently play a mage (that seems to only be good for wanton murder and a quick invis). I know the play-style is not jiving very well with the missions we are running (I think our GM is using the Seattle campaign). So, I wanted to look into building a back-up character that would fit better with the toned down play-style. I was thinking of a B&E specialist that is good at opening doors, disabling cameras, climbing walls, recon, etc... I also want to be able to take people alive and get out of dodge if everything goes belly up. As such, I was thinking of the following:

A: Skills (to get a decent amount of 6s with specializations in a bunch of various areas)
B: Attributes
C: Resources (figure R1 wired, used R3 reaction enhancers, used R2 muscle toners, cybereyes and maybe some orthoskin if I can swing it) - along with a decent middle lifestyle, R4 fake SIN and B&E gear
D: Human - 5 edge!
E: Mundane

What are your thoughts and if you have a recommendation for the skill spread, I would really appreciate it.
Title: Re: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: ZeldaBravo on <07-30-14/0908:40>
I highly recommend swapping priorities to attributes a, skills b.
However, if all is set in stone then
B 3
A 6
R 4
S 2
W 3
I 5
L 4
C 1(+1 for 10 karma)

Skill groups
Stealth 6
Athletics 4

Skills
Locksmithing
Hardware
Perception
Con
Etiquette
Computers
Pistols/automatics
Electronic Warfare (for your jammers/sensor array)

Those are what you'll find useful in your work.
Title: Re: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: Spherik on <07-30-14/1038:11>
So switching up attributes and skills - I get the following:

B 3
A 6
R 5
S 3
W 3
L 4
I 4
C 4

Stealth group - 5
Automatics - 6 (spec MP)
Computer - 3
Con - 6
Electronic War - 4
Etiquette - 4
Free Fall - 2
Locksmith - 6
Perception - 4

Thoughts?
Title: Re: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: ZeldaBravo on <07-30-14/1132:15>
Looks fine to me. A point in driving would be nice and some points in gymnastics and running too, they are helpful but optional.
Title: Re: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: Marcus on <07-30-14/1222:44>
Your still a long way from a character there but, you at-least have a skeleton to start from.
But I'm glad you swapped attributes and skills, Skill Group A is very hard to deal with, and very rarely ends up with a character doing what the player wants.
Your cyberware list isn't really what I would expect to see on a BE Specialist, but that's really not critical, what else are you planning on taking?

Title: Re: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: Spherik on <07-30-14/1241:16>
Not quite sure what 'ware to take. I went Wired, Reaction and Muscle toner just based off the chance that I will end up in combat, but not sure what 'ware really compliments B&E. I figure that is mostly skills and gear, right?
Title: Re: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: Tecumseh on <07-30-14/1430:45>
Personally I would go with Skills A and Attributes B. I love having high attributes but B&E is one of the more skills-intensive lines of work. Plus a lot of your attributes are "nice to haves" rather than something critical to the concept. Charisma, for example, is primarily benefiting Con, but the team already has a Face. Versatility is great but take one of the extra skill points you get, turn it into a specialization, and you won't need the attribute points.

I would max out Perception, which is the lifeblood of B&E folks. You would also benefit from the Athletics skill group, or at least Gymnastics, which you need for climbing. And if you're trying to convert from a murdermachine to someone who can take people alive then you really need some melee skills. Shock gloves or a stun baton can incapacitate a target and make up for a low strength value.

I think ZeldaBravo's framework is on the right track if you add melee.
Title: Re: [5E] B&E Specialist
Post by: Marcus on <07-30-14/1623:55>
Not quite sure what 'ware to take. I went Wired, Reaction and Muscle toner just based off the chance that I will end up in combat, but not sure what 'ware really compliments B&E. I figure that is mostly skills and gear, right?

It really comes down to how you wanna go about it. I like the classic gem thief sort of method personally. General things like, flexibility. sneaking, there is of course gear to help with all of that, stealth suits, geko gloves, grapple guns, stealth rope, various B&E tools (Acid, cutters, lock picks, various electronic tools for beating electronic and biometric locks), various kinds of sensor ware. Keep in mind tag erasers, ultrasound and various sensor types. So it really comes down to how you see that character going about his/her business.