[MadLetter]

Hello there!

I've recently began setting up a new campaign for Shadowrun, after a long hiatus and several somewhat failed attempts at getting a SR4A game running (mostly because of schedule problems).

For the campaign I've decided to go with an idea I used before, that was actually well-received in general by my players. Be warned, though, the following is a bit of a gimmicky thing and purists will probably cry out in pain

So, what I am working on are some kind of... event cards, you could call them. Basically they're divided into several generalized stacks (Matrix, Magic, Social, Other) and every player gets a few of those at the start of every session and can "buy" more with some Edge or via other ways (as of yet open for more input!). The cards give small boosts, for the most part, making things here and there a bit easier, or sometimes even harder (with a reward at the end in that case, though).

They are supposed to be a way by which the players can bring some changes to the table, have things happen and the like. The current cards are not wholly representative of all that is to come. Also, while I know several people will argue with powergaming issues that this might not be the best idea... well, while I like some thoughts towards balance, I have no problem with power gamers in my group. Everyone spends more time thinking about backstory and fitting skills (story-wise) than about how to crunch numbers the best...

Okay, so here they are:
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Okay, so why am I posting this again?
Well, I would be happy if you guys could maybe hand me some cool ideas for more of those. I still got a truckload in my head, but more is always good! Also, constructive criticism is very much welcome in any form.



Note: I used artwork from the books, but this is supposed to be a private thing. I am here looking for more ideas and some hints, maybe even to inspire a few people interested to do their own set. I used the Magic Set Editor (google it for a sourceforge link) to make the cards.

[Gardensnake]

I like them. Hope they work out for your group. I for one thought that the cards used for the Masterworks series of games was great. It's your game, if your cards make the game better for you go for it.

William

[MadLetter]

Yeah, as I said, they were well-received last time we played for a few sessions.

Anyways, you or anyone else have some good ideas? Nearly any idea is welcome.

[AJCarrington]

I really like these...remind me a little of the Fortune Cards that WotC recently introduced for 4xx.  I really like the ideas of little "tweaks" that can add flavor adjust the outcome...seems like a great way to help engage the players.  The trick, I guess, is to make sure that they're not overpowering.  What are you plans are "distribution"...ie how many per player, how often, etc?

While all you example are related to the Matrix, any plans/ideas for other areas such as weapons and magic?

AJC

[MadLetter]

The distribution is gonna be quite easy: Every player takes one card from the "generic" pile at the start of the session and one from his specialized pile. So far I have a Hacker, Mage, B&E Ex-Spook and a Social Adept. One stack for everyone, so to speak. So we have 2 cards per player. They can carry a maximum of 3, and can buy more cards by spending Edge (current conversion in my mind is 1 Edge per special-pile card and 2 Edge per general-pile card, might change to 1:1 though).

This means that the players can take up a few of them over the course of an evening and make use of it, too. By the end of the session they may nominate a single remaining card they can retain for the next session (which will then replace one of the two starting cards).

Other ideas and areas are already covered:

• Cover being improved (i.e. "woah, there was a steel spine in this couch?!")
• Friendly spirits
• Overwatch (another player gets +1 or +2 to perception while he keeps overwatch on you doing a task)
• Unlikely Friends (A NPC might become a contact and is somehwat positively predisposted to you)
• Low Traffic (In chase situations or other similar occurances usable; traffic is kinda low for a bit)
• Background Fluctuation (You can increase or decrease background count a little for a short time / limited area)
• Availability (An item of your choice is easier to get, reduces availability by 2 - 4 or something like that)
• Up The Ante (A specific subset of cards that will increase difficulty, but also bring a reward with them in return)

So far these are just a few ideas, I will likely bring forth a lot more, hoping to get at least 10 to 15 cards per specialized pile and ~30 to ~50 (on the high side) for the generic pile.

So yeah.. if you got ideas, dump them here, folks!

[AJCarrington]

Really nice...

Some other ideas (maybe):

• Jam - card is played prior(?) to an attack being made against the character...by playing, the attack is negated (or re-rolled) as the opponent has to re-chamber/load/etc.
• Slippery Surface - when played, an opponent (or NPC) slips and falls
• Power Surge - when played, temporarily disrupts someone's connection to the matrix

This is kinda fun...

AJC

[Crash_00]

A few I thought of:
General
- Solid Determination
Add 2 extra dice on your next composure test.
If this composure test is being made due to a negative
quality you possess, then you must spend 1 edge
while playing this card.

-Chew the Pain
Ignore up to 2 points of wound penalties on your next
pass. If you spend 1 edge while playing this card, you
may ignore the penalties for the next two actions.

-A Matrix Move
You may ignore all penalties to defend against the next attack
against you (burst fire, spread, wounds, multiple defense). If you spend
1 edge, you may ignore penalties to defend against all attacks
against you during this phase.

Sammie
-Lucky Shot
You may reduce the target of your next attack's defense roll by one hit. If
you spend 1 edge while playing this card, you may also add one to
the AP of your attack.

[MadLetter]

Good ideas so far, keep 'em coming!

[MadLetter]

Okay, I've made a few more to showcase the different card-types I currently have planned. Enjoy.

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The astute observer might see: different colorations. Generally the cards of the same "type" follow the same pattern. Matrix/Magic share the green style, Equipment the greyish, Plot Twists the attention-grabbing blue and all others make use of the red standard style.

[AJCarrington]

Again, really nice.  As much as I'd love to see the complete "decks", to be honest, I think that you've got a very marketable idea here...I would send a note off to Jason.

AJC

[The Cat]

Back in third edition, there was some "convention swag" called "NERPS Cards" that functioned in a very similar way to these.  As I recall there was a deck of 12 cards that could be used at any appropriate time in a session.  Each player randomly drew one card that was theirs for that session until they used it.  Some gave bonuses to skills, some were "events" (like the guards getting distracted just before they catch you) and some were social bonuses.  My group loved the idea so much we used the original 12 and slowly created a deck of 36 more along the same lines.  I've been meanign for years to dig up the old files (and cards) and convert them to 4th Edition)

It might be worth trying to find images of the original 12 to mine for ideas.

[CanRay]

Wait...  There actually was a product named NERPS?

WANT!!!

[The Cat]

Wait...  There actually was a product named NERPS?

WANT!!!

Not so much a product as a Con "Extra" from 3rd Edition during the WizKidz/Catalyst years.  I want to say they gave them out at Gen Con one year, but I honestly cannot remember anymore.  This is not to be confused with the CCG cards or even the ones apparently being released for Shadowrun 4 - Missions (At Origins initially, possibly right now at Dragon*Con and accordign to Bull soon as a PDF, also refered to as NERPS cards, those they seem to be more like NPC baseball cards than "action" playing cards).  As far as I know the "original 12" were never sold in any form nor released as a PDF, they were a Con Exclusive item (though I did see some pop up on E-Bay at the time).  My set came from someone who was at the con in question and found a second complete set in the hallway to his room, which he kept and gave to me as his GM.

[CanRay]

*Sighs*  I need to go to Cons...  *Pouts*  I want to go...

[AJCarrington]

You and me both...

AJC