From:	Travis Phillips <tmphill@******.COM>
Subject:	Re: Weapons of Choice
Date:	Tue, 22 Dec 1998 20:30:56 -0700

Matb wrote:
<snip>

> H'm.
>
> Katanas are (usually) far more cost effective than Ranged Weapons: for
> 2Y, you get a definite +2/+0, and often an addition +1 or +2 on top of
> that. It's not too hard to build a deck around Runners that have
> Melee-1 or Melee-2; you can even do a decent sleaze deck on the concept.
>
> Compare that, say, the Ares, which costs 4Y and gives a bonus of 3Y --
> not always worth it. (But much more worth it if you use any ammo; even
> with just Explosive Ammo, that becomes +5 for 4Y, and then you get into
> fun things like Smartgun Links or Blazing Pistols...)
>
> Berettas are also pretty common - the only real boost to Body without
> any Essence cost - but, to be honest, most decks I've seen tone down the
> Gear a lot; more than a few don't run with any.
>
> - Matt

Speaking of fun things with guns, the guy I play against most often
consistantly gets out this combo at least once per game:

Flatline with Ares and Armor Peircing, Ares and Flechette

And on a good day, he'll give him a Cyberarm and an armoured vest and
then Suddenly Goblinize him making him a troll.

That makes this one runner 26/8 (A3) armor peircing damage. Needless to
say, he'll walk through anything if he has a few friends to suck damage.

Using Kracker Jacks for free guns and the Ares free ammo ability, it
takes no time to build this guy up.

I remember thinking of this kind of combo when the game came out but
discounted it because you need at least five cards to get the combo
going. My friend seems to always get them out...I hate him. ;)

The only consolation is a Wanted!, a Tinman, a Doc Wagon Platinum, and a
lot of Nuyen <evil grin>. And I'm just waiting for the day when he is
the lucky winner chosen by Lonestar Undercover.

Anecdotally yours,

Travis