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Mailing List Logs for ShadowRN

Message no. 1
From: Vladimyr <morbid@*******.COM.AU>
Subject: Old and New to Shadowrun
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 18:24:31 +1000
Hi there,

I used to play and run shadowrun a few years back, but got out of
role-playing for a couple of years due to many, many things..

Anyway, I'm looking at running a Shadowrun campaign (currently re-reading
the main book and companion - Awakenings is next on my list)

I prefer the points based system of character creation to the priority
system (I just love edges and flaws). Has anyone come across problems
using that system.

Also, what books are on the definate must have list (I will need Tir Na Nog
as they will move to Ireland after a few runs in Seattle).

Any advice for a GM reborn to Shadowrun?

Any things to watch out (character classes to not allow - I'm already
tempted to make the decker an NPC).

Thanks
Vlad

Who will get his random sig working soon (ARGH)

***********************************************************************
Lucifer: God? God is love. I don't love you.
- The Prophecy (movie)
***********************************************************************
Message no. 2
From: Justin Pinnow <vanyel@*******.NET>
Subject: Re: Old and New to Shadowrun
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 07:39:39 -0400
> From: Vladimyr <morbid@*******.COM.AU>
> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 1997 4:24 AM

> Hi there,

Hoi! :)

<Snip>

> I prefer the points based system of character creation to the priority
> system (I just love edges and flaws). Has anyone come across problems
> using that system.

For the most part, the point based system is much improved over the
original chargen system. There are a few problems you should be aware of,
however. For example, the math is poor when it comes to the point values
of edges and flaws. I'm not saying that they are worth more or less points
than they should be. What I mean is that the editors of the book didn't
catch a lot of miscalculations. One example would be to look at the range
of point values of the allergy and phobia flaws. That's just something you
need to watch out for. Not too much of a problem.

Also, some edges and flaws should be altered a bit, IMO. Like Police
Record. That should be a range from 1-6 points. This way you can have a
very minor police record, all the way up to being a hunted serial killer or
something. Also, you might want to consider allowing the Blind flaw for
Deckers at a -4 value. This has been discussed on the list before. There
are others, but you can do what you think is best.

Next, just be careful not to let a player create a character with edges
and/or flaws that offset each other.

> Also, what books are on the definate must have list (I will need Tir Na
Nog
> as they will move to Ireland after a few runs in Seattle).

Hmm....grimmy, shadowtech, fields of fire, awakenings, seattle sourcebook
(for seattle based campaigns).

> Any advice for a GM reborn to Shadowrun?

> Any things to watch out (character classes to not allow - I'm already
> tempted to make the decker an NPC).

Until I learn the VR 2.0 rules, I just use NPC deckers. In fact, I just
give them a personality and a rough skill level at their job as a whole.
If I think they can handle a task, they do. It's simple that way. If a
player knows VR 2.0 really well and I have gotten more familiar with the
rules myself, I would consider allowing a PC decker then.

Outside of that, I would allow pretty much any archetype as a PC.

> Thanks
> Vlad

Null Persperation,

Justin :)
Message no. 3
From: Peter David Boddy <pdboddy@****.CARLETON.CA>
Subject: Re: Old and New to Shadowrun
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 07:43:32 EDT
Vladimyr writes:
> Anyway, I'm looking at running a Shadowrun campaign (currently re-reading
> the main book and companion - Awakenings is next on my list)
>
> I prefer the points based system of character creation to the priority
> system (I just love edges and flaws). Has anyone come across problems
> using that system.

Only that those who read the edges and flaws carefully, can abuse them, so
that is one thing you may want to watch.

> Also, what books are on the definate must have list (I will need Tir Na Nog
> as they will move to Ireland after a few runs in Seattle).

Well, besides the main book, and the companion,
For mages: at least the Grimoire, and Awakenings.
For Deckers: VR 2.0 (though as you said, a decker NPC may be better,
unless you are going to have a large Matrix presence).
For Riggers: The RBB, or Rigger 2.
For the Sammies: Shadowtech, and maybe Fields of Fire.
The Seattle Sourcebook
Tir Na Nog

> Any advice for a GM reborn to Shadowrun?

Keep your head down, conserve ammo, and never dea....oops, that's player
advice... =).

> Any things to watch out (character classes to not allow - I'm already
> tempted to make the decker an NPC).

Well, if magic isn't going to be as "important", then limit your mages
(though a whole party of mages is cool, they'd love Tir Na Nog, except
they could only look, and not touch..). Unless decking is going to be a
major part of your campaign, make the decker an NPC. You could try
allowing a player or two to try playing one of the "contacts". I tried a
fixer once, and built myself a little drug empire, as well as being a
major player in the gun "import/export" market. Then I had to take on the
mob, the yaks, etc, etc. Twas fun...though my character had an addiction,
cyberware...

Pete

Pete aka Spitfire
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Geek Quote of the Week: Math and Alcohol don't mix,
don't drink and derive.
Peter David Boddy
Carleton University
Email address: pdboddy@****.carleton.ca
Email address: pdboddy@******.carleton.ca
Email address: bx955@*******.carleton.ca
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message no. 4
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: Old and New to Shadowrun
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 12:13:58 +0100
Peter David Boddy said on 7:43/15 Oct 97...

> > Any advice for a GM reborn to Shadowrun?
>
> Keep your head down, conserve ammo, and never dea....oops, that's player
> advice... =).

For the GM, it should probably be: "Keep their heads down, make them waste
all their ammo, and force them to deal with every dragon you can get into
your adventure" :)

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html
Turn into nothing less than nothing new.
-> NERPS Project Leader & Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-

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Message no. 5
From: "J. Keith Henry" <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Old and New to Shadowrun
Date: Thu, 16 Oct 1997 14:34:45 -0400
In a message dated 97-10-16 06:14:00 EDT, gurth@******.NL writes:

> Peter David Boddy said on 7:43/15 Oct 97...
>
> > > Any advice for a GM reborn to Shadowrun?
> >
> > Keep your head down, conserve ammo, and never dea....oops, that's player
> > advice... =).
>
> For the GM, it should probably be: "Keep their heads down, make them waste
> all their ammo, and force them to deal with every dragon you can get into
> your adventure" :)
>
I would say you forgot one...how about making certain that every dragon they
deal with is as old as time and is busy getting ready for the Elf/Dragon war
(hey, the rumor still floating around)...

-K

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