Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Gamemasters' Lounge => Topic started by: BRodda on <01-13-15/1243:40>
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I write a lot of stats for things like gear, critters, drones and other (sometimes useless things). I've been spamming the GM's Toolbox for about a week now with a lot of my older stuff that I have updated for 5th ed. Things from Z-Zone makeshift weapons to full ranges of SPUs.
I have noticed that they used to be a lot of user generated stuff on the web years ago, but not so much now. Is it just because people only want RAW, they like to create their own stuff or is it just that that the new rule-set is still being fleshed out?
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I'm not sure. I certainly dropped my GM a link to your stuff.
My gut feeling is that the world has changed somewhat since I GM'd a lot, as I was constantly making thing up then (2nd Ed AD&D), whereas now people argue about rules a lot on forums, and wait for "official answers". Whilst that makes sense for Missions, or for taking characters between games, the GM's call should be most important really. Maybe it's partially that back then there were no forums, and pretty much zero squared chance of getting an official answer.
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I dunno, I have always been really hesitant on using stuff from the internet that is not an official source. Mostly this is because the shit I run across is well. shit. (BRodda, I have seen what you have been posting, and this descriptor does NOT fit your work)
Most of the items I have seen have been, well, broken. Like psitols with 100rounds 11p -6 AP and use rifle ranges. (for example)
Also, the MMO mindset has definitely turned things around. Before a GM could create something and the table would fly with it. Now a Gm creates something, and the argument turns to "balance" and "fair" and "RAW" and all that other wonderful arguments.....
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Thanks for the compliment.
I sometimes wonder if there is any point spending the time to format and post most of my stuff to put up online. Even if only a couple people use it or are inspired by it then it's worth it to me.
Most the time I worry that I'm falling into the crap category and I'm just spamming stuff people don't like, but are to polite to say anything.
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Most the time I worry that I'm falling into the crap category and I'm just spamming stuff people don't like, but are to polite to say anything.
Haha, most of the time Keyboard warriors will say exactly what they want.
On the other hand I am a New GM to Shadowrun and have run into several walls while building missions and my campaign. I have used extensively from what you have posted and it has helped me out greatly.
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I tend to find stuff on the web, and if it is any good, then I'll use it as is or incorporate it into my own house rules.
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I tend to find stuff on the web, and if it is any good, then I'll use it as is or incorporate it into my own house rules.
+1 on this from me.
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If you find something on the net that has balance problems, it's easy enough to tweak it. You can still use the fluff descriptions, pictures, etc. The internet is good for finding stuff to use in a campaign - not just the explicitly Shadowrun-oriented stuff, either. Looking at paranoid left-wing rantings can give you some nice, distopian bits to use for the megas, while looking at paranoid right-wing rantings can give you some good ideas on how to play groups such as Humanis. If you're going to play a Rastafarian shaman, look up the Rastafari movement on Wikipedia. Google maps and building plans can give you quick resources for a running vehicle battle or infiltrating a corporate building. The internet is chock full of stuff that can be used for a Shadowrun campaign.
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If you find something on the net that has balance problems, it's easy enough to tweak it. You can still use the fluff descriptions, pictures, etc. The internet is good for finding stuff to use in a campaign - not just the explicitly Shadowrun-oriented stuff, either. Looking at paranoid left-wing rantings can give you some nice, distopian bits to use for the megas, while looking at paranoid right-wing rantings can give you some good ideas on how to play groups such as Humanis. If you're going to play a Rastafarian shaman, look up the Rastafari movement on Wikipedia. Google maps and building plans can give you quick resources for a running vehicle battle or infiltrating a corporate building. The internet is chock full of stuff that can be used for a Shadowrun campaign.
For inspiration, I agree.
For "Bob's awesome shadowrun weapons" ? I'll pass.
Brodda's done some great work, but for every little gem I find (like his work), I find dump trucks of crap... literally. But that's me, and I am certainly not going to tell you not to use anything you find. It just means our opinions and tastes differ is all.
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Just a quick thank you to everyone who enjoys my stuff. I wasn't trolling for compliments when I started this thread, but I'll always take them ::)
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I hate generating NPC stats for my campaign, but I also dislike re-using basic NPC stats too often. So I look those up on the web. I also deliberately search for props to use, like icons, files and forms, so I can modify them and create clues or paydata. That I do far more often than researching new gear etc. Mainly, because I prefer RAW gear. I rarely even use SR4 items in SR5. If I start doing that, my players will want to do so, too.
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Currently a runner (but have DM other systems), but have helped my current DM at times with some of the issues we have had with failed 5th games (two actually) that we were both runners in. Mostly with drone/vehicle up dating and initiation question/issues (our game has 3 awakened and a rigger). But I have enjoyed some of the updates and costom stuff I have seen, especially BRodda's. Might never be used (I might make a mad max inspired adept using your Z-zone weapons), but give some great ideas to show my DM at some point.
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I generally do use stuff found on the web, but you have to filter through a lot of stuff before hand. Since I love creating my own stuff and running the math, I usually end up using my own stuff. However, when I run across good stuff, like some of the stuff in the GM Toolbox, I use it, sometimes with a small amount of tinkering.
And sometimes I use stuff because my group knows books from front to back, for the most part. I have to come up with something interesting every now and again.
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I like the NPC/Hook answer on your questionnaire. See i love fan made content, but i always fear it will unbalance the game in some unforeseen way. Plus nothing is worse than the DM taking away your new favorite toy because it was op hax. Where as if all the experimental stuff is on my side it gets the boot guilt free. A few things have made it into the hands of the PCs however after a little in game testing
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Part of the reason people don't go for user-generated stuff as much any more is because of Missions - one of the downsides is that a lot of people who play 'pickup' stuff want to keep their character(s) Missions-legal, which means not using externally-generated items. This is one of the few downsides to Missions - that people focus more on what's official, official rulings, letter-of-the-book rules, and that sort of thing - than being more flexible, adaptable, willing to go 'it works this time, but don't count on it because I'll be looking it up later'.
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never considered the Missions angle... Probably nailed that one on the head Wyrm.
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Unfortunately, yeah. I noticed a significant rise in pedantry once it got turned into an official thing, with Seasons and all.
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Now that you mention it.....
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Same issue with Pathfinder and Pathfinder Society. Large rise in RAW vrs RAI arguments and whole sections of the forums dedicated to Society/Society Legal.
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Interesting, I'd wondered if it was a generational thing having not GM'd since the early 90's when everyone I knew just made up stuff constantly, and now it seemed to be argued a lot. Makes sense that it'd be a bigger deals for people trying to be missions legal.
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Interesting, I'd wondered if it was a generational thing having not GM'd since the early 90's when everyone I knew just made up stuff constantly, and now it seemed to be argued a lot. Makes sense that it'd be a bigger deals for people trying to be missions legal.
Reminds me of the really old days with the RPGA and D&D.
And honestly I think that you have hit the nail on the head. instead of everyone making up their own stuff they just run missions. Less effort to make stuff when you can just run a pre-made module.
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And honestly I think that you have hit the nail on the head.
Thank you - unfortunately. :/