Shadowrun
Shadowrun General => Gear => Topic started by: Kylen on <08-13-11/1619:10>
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My smuggler character is kind of on a budget, and seeing as most of his courior type runs (at least for his dayjob/what he does for the local gangs) aren't cross country, a T-Bird is out of the question. He currently has a Contrail that's decked out to 8 of it's 10 slots, and I'll detail them here below, but I'm wondering if it would be better to have a Shin-Hyung then the Contrail.
The current mods on my bike:
Additional Fuel Tank
Concealed armor R3
Engine Customization Speed
Gyro Stabilizer
Run Flats
Suncell
Improved Economy
Nanite Repair system R2
I'd love fellow smugglers thoughts on this, because I have room to tweak with.
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Why no smuggling compartment? (AR 144)
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Because at the time of making the character, I thought I had used up all my slots.
Also, could the armor possibly be fluffed to be up over the rider? like large panels that cover the torso, arms and legs while a rider is in the forward position?
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If you do runs for local gangs, I assume they are not that far in distance (or at least not in those parts of the country where you can't get refueled), I would suggest removing the sun cells and putting on cameleon coating. That way you can change the appearance of the bike if you drive into a new gang territory or if you have to park it outside a bar or something. Also as a smuggler take the spoof chip and morphing licence plate. They don't take up slots and are some of the most useful items for a smuggler, especially in conjunction with the cameleon coating. You can drive around the city and get number plates and colours of other bikes so you can become those and have the speeding tickets go to someone else (or the questions after running a police checkpoint).
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Well, I was thinking of having him do runs to like, Tir, or other nearish places, but he's not running stuff from Seattle to freaking New York.
Also, was more asking on vehicles of choice then mods. Would it generally be better to be in a car then a bike? Also: Would armor on a bike protect the rider?
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Also, was more asking on vehicles of choice then mods. Would it generally be better to be in a car then a bike? Also: Would armor on a bike protect the rider?
The type of vehicle depends on what you want to smuggle. Larger things require a car, whereas if you specialise in small packages, a bike would be much better. So that depends on your background story.
As for your second question, I don't think it does as the armour is build on the bike and you're sitting on top of it, but I don't have my books here right now, so I can't be sure.
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Pardon my ignorance, but what is a T-bird?
I took a look through the books and I can't tell what you're talking about...
((Sorry if I'm derailing the topic))
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Pardon my ignorance, but what is a T-bird?
I took a look through the books and I can't tell what you're talking about...
((Sorry if I'm derailing the topic))
T-bird is the nickname used for LAVs (Low-Altitude Vehicles). essentially planes using ground wing effects. Used by smugglers, especially around Denver, as they are fast, agile and they stay below radar coverage (and can go through canyons and stuff).
Also: too expensive for a starting character.
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Also sigtnature masking, including RAM, is something you can take into consideration, especialy if you are trying to smuggle into Tir...this and ECM perhaps...
Advanced sensor array with Camera Neutralizer maybe...
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Oddly enough, I think the T-bird (aka the GMC Banshee) is a terrible smuggler's vehicle despite the fluff text on 19 SR4A. It's blatantly obvious.
If the goods are time sensitive, or if there's no real chance you can get through without being, then sure, light it up. But it's best to just be one more drone. For that, I'd have gone with a Honda Spirit or a Mercury Comet . This is especially true when the smuggling is all inside the sprawl. However fast your vehicle might be, the comm is faster. Chameleon coating, morphing plates, and a spoof chip are the first line of defense. Concealed compartments for the occasional checkpoints. Always run during rush hour, and wear the same clothes as every other commuter drone.
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Ford-Canada Bison driven by an Elderly Couple with Dual UCAS-NAN Citizenship.
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Shot on sight. Such couples only ride to Florida...
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Ares Air-Supply drone with maxed Signature Masking and Chameleon Coating. Preferably accompanied by a flying spirit using Concealment and Movement powers on them both.
-k
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Ares Air-Supply drone with maxed Signature Masking and Chameleon Coating. Preferably accompanied by a flying spirit using Concealment and Movement powers on them both.
-k
That was going to be my suggestion.
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Windowless GMC Stepvan with "Free Candy" Spraypainted on the side?
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Windowless GMC Stepvan with "Free Candy" Spraypainted on the side?
Shot on sight by gangs, parents and authorities alike ;)
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I'm having no luck.
A rusted to hell 2050 Ford America that backfires? (Let's see who gets this reference.)
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+1 to CanRay
I didn't make the character a rigger of any sort, so drones are fairly out of the question for him. I'll probably replace the armor with something else, but I like the idea of keeping this car as self sufficient as possible. I'll probably toss Spoof chips and a morpher on there to help with stuff, but there's no way a guy with the dayjob of a courier (self employed, makes enough on legit runs and runs for the local triad to keep it to a 10-20 hour work week.) Is going to travel during Rush Hour unless he absolutely has to. I might bump up to the Shin though, given I'd be able to hold more, and put a few more mods on it (maybe a MDS with a flexible mounted machine gun or something, I dunno), But I may just keep this as it is, though I'll be adding in a concealed compartment, probably against magic assessing or something. I wonder h ow much it would cost for it to be airtight too.
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I wonder h ow much it would cost for it to be airtight too.
My first thought would be.... a lot.
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try this chargen:
http://www.mediafire.com/?7y6gmfmainryb7n
Works very good with vehicle modifications
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I wonder h ow much it would cost for it to be airtight too.
My first thought would be.... a lot.
As GM, airtight wouldn't cost all that much with me. It's not all that difficult to make something airtight, a couple of o-rings and a good clip to keep the o-rings against each other and not much will go in (basic principle of a case for an underwater camera). Warded against magical assensing on the other hand...
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I wonder h ow much it would cost for it to be airtight too.
My first thought would be.... a lot.
As GM, airtight wouldn't cost all that much with me. It's not all that difficult to make something airtight, a couple of o-rings and a good clip to keep the o-rings against each other and not much will go in (basic principle of a case for an underwater camera). Warded against magical assensing on the other hand...
Doors, vents, air con etc.... not so easy on a car....
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It is called Chemical Seal, isnt it?
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Doors, vents, air con etc.... not so easy on a car....
You only need to make the smuggling compartment airtight,right? The whole car indeed will cost quite a lot, besides as long as you have an internal combustion engine, you need air intake, otherwise you are in trouble (see diesel submarines and the invention of the snorkel).
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+1 to CanRay
I didn't make the character a rigger of any sort, so drones are fairly out of the question for him. (snip)
OK, here's one of the places I think a lot of players miss a trick. You have to be a rigger to get the most out of a drone, but you don't have to be a rigger to use a drone. Issue command is a simple action. Pilots (and agents) and autosoft are relatively cheap. Yeah, they're "only" going to get six, maybe eight dice, but for 90% of the things you need done that's plenty.
Consider just as an example: you purchase a Dragonfly (AR 117-118). You give it two simple standing order: search your local area (say, within 10 meters) for micro- and mini-drones. If found, check list to see if already identified. If not on list, notify you (ARO). When it finds one you give one of two commands: add to ID list, or KILL. At any time you can always use your AR to point out some of the identified drones and give a "kill these" order. (Yes, it's 12R. So only let it fly when you're actually on the run, or get a license.)
You give a short command to the drone or other device with the
Issuing Command action. The drone attempts to execute
those orders autonomously on its own action phase. You need to be
able to communicate with the drone, via the Matrix for example, but
do not need to be subscribed to the drone.
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I ment Airtight for my smuggler's compartment, not the car, in addition to it being assensing proofed.
And I'll think about the drone, ti's a good idea.
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I think it depends on the intended approach to bypassing border security. If you're trying to slip through a custom's checkpoint unnoticed, then as Kirk touched on earlier, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible is key. A common model cross-border commuter vehicle, like a Gaz, with minimal modification. A shielded smuggler's compartment and nothing else would be best. Also, I would try to have a legitimate cargo to carry across, or at least have a record (true or falsified) of having delivered a cargo with your cover being that you're returning from said delivery.
Now, if you're trying to avoid the border patrols and sneak across the border, I suggest a Shin-Hyung with a Level 2 Amphibious Operation Package, Level 1 Ballast Tanks (most GM's accept that Lvl 2 Amphib allows your ground vehicle to count as watercraft. If they argue, point them to James Bond's Lotus in The Spy Who Loved Me) and Level 2 Life Support. I'd also recommend a Manual Control Override, so you can run the vehicle's electronics "off-line", rather than trying to spoof your way past automated node searches with a stealth program. I recommend the Shin-Hyung because it still gives you plenty of room for other modifications for your shadowrunning career. Then it's simply a matter of following the Green River which flows from the Cascades to Downtown Seattle. Remember that most watercraft aren't equipped to detect and trace submersibles, and this goes double for "brown water" security.
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What are you smuggling? If its something innocuous (meaning you probably aren't getting shot at) a motorcycle is fine. If you are getting shot at I would STRONGLY recommend something that is enclosed around the driver, bullets in the ass are a good way to ruin your day.
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**Facepalm**
Accidentally posted this in the OTHER smuggler's ride thread :-\
Erm, how about disposable?
I ran a smuggler/driver character and my first ride was a pimped out bike. The thing got wrecked after a run, I replaced it, it got wrecked AGAIN. After that, I just picked up your basic vehicle and made some quick 'n dirty mods. I had the best luck with your basic McCar, McTruck, and McVan after taking a few hours to strip out a lot of the un-necessary things (AC, heater, airbags, extra seats, spare tires....emergency brake....). Use it for a little while, strip it, and burn it.
The best smuggler vehicles are disposable.
Your nice stuff will get shot/smashed up.