Running the Sunday Shadows

[Marcao]

Hey guys, today is my father in law's birthday. As such, I will be having dinner with my wife's side of the family. I will be late for tonight's festivities but I should be able to be online at some point. Hopefully, you will all behave and stay out of too much trouble in my absence.

[Karrick]

Well frigid is GM so getting your hands on availability 14F gun is something you're going to have to run by him.

Naturally. I figure there might be some work involved if it's even feasible.

[Josh]

I have every intention of being here, but if I don't materialize at game time it's due to the biblical flood that is currently hammering down where I live. I could lose electricity, the internet, or if things continue apace may just float away as the Permian Basin becomes an ocean once more.

[Hotfoot]

I done goofed on the split math, since the split should be:

Whisker
Silence
Sobek
Ranger
DocGnosis
Blender
Prospero

That's 7, not 6. Which makes the 8 way split from before work just as well. So instead of everyone getting 48k with 2k for their expense account funds, it works out like this:

37,500 for everyone

5,350 for everyone's expense accounts, with 50 left over for, I dunno, a nice dinner for everyone. Prospero will cook and we'll discuss the storefront.

So subtract 10,500 from your main cash supplies, add 3,350 to your expense account funds. Remember to use those for ammo, drones, and other purchases for runs. We may pool them for the storefront if everyone agrees.

[Karrick]

Alrighty, thanks to Frigid putting in some extra time for gear rolls tonight Blender has acquired a Yamaha Raiden and a some of the ammo she was looking for. It took him some extra time but Blender's fixer Smitty T. Ripper found the rifle for a bit of premium (20%). Sheet has been updated to reflect expenses.

Also for eventual GM approval I'd like to drop a point each in Etiquette and Unarmed Combat. Blender's been exposed to a bit more socialization thanks to a steady shadowrunning team and she's looking into potentially less lethal options in case we need to, I dunno, chase down and knock out a target. (and really how did I miss unarmed combat on a ninja)

[rhoenix]

Alrighty, thanks to Frigid putting in some extra time for gear rolls tonight Blender has acquired a Yamaha Raiden and a some of the ammo she was looking for. It took him some extra time but Blender's fixer Smitty T. Ripper found the rifle for a bit of premium (20%). Sheet has been updated to reflect expenses.

Also for eventual GM approval I'd like to drop a point each in Etiquette and Unarmed Combat. Blender's been exposed to a bit more socialization thanks to a steady shadowrunning team and she's looking into potentially less lethal options in case we need to, I dunno, chase down and knock out a target. (and really how did I miss unarmed combat on a ninja)

Nice.

Ranger is pretty much okay as he is now, so I'm just stockpiling unless someone points out something awesome for him. Other than that, it's working on his long guns skill until he can properly use a sniper rifle.

[Josh]

I'll get my work with the GMs on Sunday night. Want to discuss options with our rules wonks anyway and we have a garage to get about getting up.

[Hotfoot]

Reminder to all, you may want to consider getting new Commlinks with your money, they're cheap and they can prevent assholes from wrecking your guns. Your Commlink can slave it's Device Rating x 3 devices to it, and that's a big deal. Why?

Anything you have that has a wireless bonus is vulnerable. Anything with a microchip could be vulnerable. WiFi is everywhere, and hackers can do some nasty, nasty stuff. Got cyber fingers with a wireless boost? I can lock them down. Got a medical kit of emergency slap patch with a wireless benefit? I can short them out and make sure that they kill the patient. Reaction enhancers/Wired Reflexes combo? Speedhack cheat disabled on this server, chombatta. Cyber Holster? You're disarmed, punk.

UNLESS, you make sure to slave these devices and more to your CommLinks. For example, let's take a look at everyone's favorite stylish hacker, Prospero!

Previously, Prospero had the stylish and chic Hermes Ikon (rating 5) Form Factor commlink, a deal at only 3,600 nuyen! With this, he could have up to 15 devices slaved into it with no problem, and with a device rating of 5, he'd be rolling 10 dice for most defensive hacking checks, or 15 with the proper defenses enabled. Not bad, and sure to be enough for most Shadowrunners!

Now he's rocking the ultra-chrome Form-Factor Fairlight Caliban (Rating 7), a best buy at 10,000 nuyen, available only at select dealers. With top of the line electronics and the ultimate in design, the Caliban will have about 14 dice on the defense for the average Shadowrunner, and potentially up to 21 with the right tinkering. Being able to slave 21 devices means that even the most heavily chromed Street Sam will have space for all their gear, plus a few things.

How might one show what they have slaved, and to what device? Well, here's one example!

Protected by Caliban(tm)!

1. Savalette Guardian Acc 5(7) Dam 8P AP -1 Mode SA/BF RC 1(4) Ammo 12 Cost" 870
   Smartlink 0
   Imaging Scope 200
   Gas Vent 3 600
   Regular Ammo (60) 120
   APDS (30) 360
   Spare Clips (3) 15
   Stick and Shock (60) 480
2. Fichetti Tiffani Needler Acc 5 Dam 8P(f) AP +5 Ammo 4 Cost 1000
   20 Shots Flechette 130
   Spare Clip 5
3. Fichetti-Defiance Defender Cost 5 (6) 7S(e) AP –5 ROF SA — Ammo 3(m) 300
   30 shots Taser 150
4. Armante Suit Armor 8 2500
   ^- Concealable Holster 150
5. Synergist Business Line Armor 9 1500 Capacity 5
6. Synergist Business Line Longcoat Armor 10/+3 2300 Capacity 6
7. Glasses (R4) 400
   Flare Compensation 250
   Smartlink 2000
   Thermographic 500
   Vision Magnification 250
8. White Noise Generator R6 300
9. Trid Projector 200

Prospero's a bit light on the gear that need protecting, but now everything that he has with him on a semi-regular basis is protected, and even better, it's guarded with style.

Don't let your let your Panther XXL get downsized by Deckers, protect your kit today!

Brought to you by your authorized CommLink Fixer, please visit your specialist before deciding which CommLink is right for you. Do not slave CommLinks unless authorized by your local Decker. Remember to wipe your CommLink before being arrested. MicroThermite charges for total cleansing sold separately. Children be sure to talk to your parents before becoming Shadowrunners. Not a member of the Better Business Bureau.

[Josh]

Speaking of Panthers, I'm sad that I didn't think to at least snag that dead asshole's Panther. It was probably intact and would've gone great on a drone.

[Hotfoot]

Okay, a discovery I made last night vis a vis lifestyles, not that it's going to matter much to everyone, but a few things from Run Faster.

Every lifestyle has free points and ratings in Comforts, Security, and Neighborhood. The free points can be used to increase Comforts, Security, or Neighborhood up to the rating in brackets, OR to pay for Entertainment bonuses, which have no limit. So for example:

Joe Blow has a Low Lifestyle, which has the following statline:

Comfort 3 [4]
Security 3 [4]
Neighborhood 2 [3]
Points 3
Cost: 2000 Nuyen a Month

The points in this case can be used to up Comfort, Security, and Neighborhood all by one, which leaves no points left over for Entertainment, like say a yard. However, for the price of 10% additional cost to his rent per point spent, he can get a yard. So 200 Nuyen a month, and the yard is his. Since the yard upgrade has a minimum lifestyle of low, there's no additional cost. If he wants a pool, well that's another 200 nuyen a month, PLUS an extra 100 nuyen a month since that has a minimum lifestyle of medium.

So what does this mean for existing lifestyles?

Well, nothing. If you have a lifestyle and haven't spent the points, you can use those to increase Comfort, Security, or Neighborhood at GM discretion. If you have spent the points on entertainment options, there's no change, it's a legit option.

If you get a NEW lifestyle though, you can use the points to adjust the ratings and/or get cool additions like an arsenal, garage, etc. Note that if you want to park a car, you need a garage for above Body 5 vehicles. If you want to park multiple cars, you'll need multiple garages, but fortunately that's still quite affordable.

So, say for a moment we wanted to get a base of operations for the crew, and we want all of the amenities. Here's one way we might do it.

Start with a Medium Lifestyle Pad (5,000 Nuyen a month)

Comfort 3 [4]
Security 3 [4]
Neighborhood 4 [5]
Points 4

We'll start by spending 2 of the free points on upping comfort and security to their maximum values of 4 each, and another 2 points on having a workshop for Whisker's drones. Each point from here on in is an extra 500 Nuyen, plus more if the minimum lifestyle is higher than medium.

So if we wanted an Armory as well, that's an extra 2 points (1,000 Nuyen) plus another 1,000 Nuyen because the minimum lifestyle for an armory is High. So we're now at 7,000 Nuyen a month. If we want a garage for our van, plus space for another car (Sobek's car, future ride, stolen vehicles, etc.), that will be two garage spots (Body 5 or greater), which is another 4 points (2 per vehicle), so another 2,000 Nuyen. Prospero is going to want to cook, so a Soy Processing Unit is going to have to go in, but that's just one point for 500 Nuyen. Overall, rent is now 9,500 Nuyen a month. Slightly less than a High Lifestyle would be. If we want additional perks, like Extra Secure (+1,000) or Obscure/Difficult to Find (+500), or Special Work Area (1,000 per garage or workshop), those of course are extra, but they will always be extra.

While going to a higher lifestyle means more points and higher ratings in the various core stats, it also means that bonus points cost more. High lifestyle points cost 1,000 per point, while low lifestyle options are 200 per point. Commercial is interesting at 800 per point, and the highest cap on security short of Luxury, which is potentially good for us, but it's going to cost. Commercial also means tying down one or more group members to a legal storefront of some kind, potential checks by the cops, etc. However, it has the potential to be the cheapest cost due to actual business being done.

So, as an exercise, let's assume that instead of a medium lifestyle, we used a low one for our base of operations (Prospero's the one currently setting this up, so fat chance, but let's assume).

Comfort 2 [3]
Security 2 [3]
Neighborhood 2 [3]
Points 3
Cost: 2000 Nuyen a Month

Up the Comfort and Security to 3, one point left over for freebies, which Prospero snags for the Soy Processing Unit. However, it's not free anymore, because the lifestyle is no longer medium, so that's a 20 Nuyen a month extra cost. Now the Workshop, two Garages, and the Armory (8 points) are going to run another 1,600 on the points alone, plus 100 for each garage, 1,000 for the armory, and 2,500 for the workshop. So we're looking at 7,220 Nuyen a month. Not bad, it's a savings of over 2,000 nuyen a month, but let's be honest, is that really worth it given how much Prospero is going to bitch about it on a daily basis?

If we go up to High (10,000 base per month), which is perhaps a bit silly, but let's roll with it, we have the following to consider:

Comfort 4 [6]
Security 4 [6]
Neighborhood 5 [6]
Points 6
Cost: 10,000 Nuyen a Month

First, we spend 2 of the 6 free points on Security (Why not comfort this time? Fuck it, we have to be a little more conservative here). 4 free points go to the Armory and the Workshop, with 4 paid points (4,000) going to the Garages. Prospero relents on the Soy Unit this time, because reasons, and we have a pad for 14,000 a month. If he pushed the issue, it would be 15,000 a month, and you could easily support two low lifestyle group pads for the same price. Could the group afford it? Sure, no problem. Is the security better? Oh absolutely. This, however, will eat into our profits much faster. Later one, perhaps this will be an option. Maybe we'll spend more on the bells and whistles. For now though, this is the upper end. Sort of. For the sake of completeness though, let's look at the Commercial Storefront.

Comfort 3 [4]
Security 3 [7]
Neighborhood 4 [6]
Points 4
Cost: 8000 Nuyen a Month

Put all 4 free points into Security, because reasons. Each point past this is 800 Nuyen, so we'll be brief like with the High lifestyle. Armory, Two Garages, Workshop. 8 Points, 6,400 Nuyen, +1,000 for the Armory. 15,400 Nuyen a month for the most secure place we can get without spending a literal fortune. Now, with the right skill checks, we can knock 1,000 off per net hit of a Charisma + Etiquette roll, which in theory can make it cheaper than the medium lifestyle place, even potentially the low lifestyle place if we get a really nice roll. That said, this is down the line at best and has multiple complications on how it would work.

[Hotfoot]

One small update to the above, if we want the group pad to be able to reasonable handle multiple people living there for any extended period of time, it's an extra 10% per person past the first, so 200, 500, or 1000 for low, medium or high lifestyle respectively. This matters if the group needs to lay low and wants to do it at the pad, or what have you. Otherwise, only one person can reasonably stay at the place overnights. With the medium pad, that would bring the cost to 10,000 even, which lets two people stay there comfortably for extended periods. Low would cost 7,420 plus the Prospero tax, and High would cost an even 15,000. Commercial would be 16,200, or more depending on if we want to have Ghostbusters style setup.

[Hotfoot]

I am collecting a list of all the gear in Shadowrun with wireless bonuses, i.e. the stuff you have to lose benefits from to turn off, the stuff you really want to protect on your Commlink, etc.

This list not only includes melee weapons, but this hilarious inclusion from Run & Gun's Ghillie Suit:

Special Rules: When hiding in a location for which the suit is customized, a ghillie suit provides a –6 dice
pool modifier to Perception Tests to spot the camouflaged character as long as he remains immobile; if the
character is moving, reduce the modifier to –2.
Wireless Bonus: Um … you draw in curious Hackers?

Acknowledging that while nearly all gear in the game is wireless on some level, sometimes you really don't want it to be.

The list includes what the wireless benefit is for each item in a short form to aid in figuring out what could be done to screw it over by way of hacking it. The collapsible baton, for instance, cannot be utterly disabled by way of hacking, it's a club, that would be silly.

I AM LOOKING AT YOU, INVISIBLE WAR.

RIGHT.

AT.

YOU.

IT WASN'T EVEN COLLAPSIBLE! IT WAS A FUCKING TONFA! A STICK WITH ANOTHER STICK STUCK IN IT!

AND WHY WAS IT THE BEST NONLETHAL WEAPON IN THE FUCKING GAME? WHY? WE HAVE TASERS AND LASERS AND NANOTECHNOLOGY SON! WHY IS SOME TREATED FREAKING LACQUERED WOOD THE BEST DAMN THING IN THE GAME?

AND HOW THE EVERLIVING SHIT DO YOU DISABLE IT?

Ahem. Anyway.

However, hacking the wireless on the collapsible baton can make it extend or retract at inopportune times, making it a hassle for the owner, or less useful in combat. Other things, like most guns, can have their magazines ejected wirelessly, which is most irritating for people.

Where possible, I am also attempting to note which specific pieces of gear explicitly do not have any wireless connectivity whatsoever.

It should be noted that for many pieces of gear, one can purchase explicitly non-wireless versions, or modify existing gear to be a "throwback" with a Hardware test. Most gear, however, still comes with a dataport, but that's another story entirely.

The list, so far, is available here

[Josh]

On behalf of the team, thanks for wading through the crunch for us Cam.

[rhoenix]

I imagine that Prospero will be giving the Basic Network Security talk in-game soon. After which, our earpiece devices will in-game receive much closer attention - I can't speak for other players here, but Ranger just kept things basic, and wouldn't have given much thought to it otherwise before now.

[Hotfoot]

And the Rigger book has just come out, it seems.