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Message no. 1
From: Dust <rogan@******.ORG>
Subject: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 09:40:58 -0400
Hey everyone,

Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
Companion came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
number has gone up. Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
giant in the campaign I GM. The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year and
is still going.

Well lates,

Dust

*****************************************
* Roger J. An *
* rogan@******.org *
* http://users.bergen.org/~rogan/ *
*****************************************
* "I always think I've got it all *
* figured out. Then I live another day *
* and it gets more complicated." *
* - Scud the Disposable Assassin *
*****************************************
* "I slack therefore I am." *
* - Roger J. An *
*****************************************
Message no. 2
From: "Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 09:55:20 -0400
Dust wrote:
>Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
>the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
>Companion came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
>number has gone up. Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
>giant in the campaign I GM. The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year and
>is still going.

In our campaign (several months now), I'm playing a Norse Giant, and
a recent newcomer (about a month) is playing a Gnome. Oddly enough,
we have no humans in this group and 4 out of the 6 PCs are magically
active... Usually we only get 2 magically actives and at least a
couple of humans.

Some last longer than others... A year ago we had one player whose
characters kept dying off sooner and sooner. At the time, we were
playing a ganger campaign. The last two were a tiger shifter (whom
we hunted down as it ate the people we were supposed to be protecting)
and a combat-monster Minotaur (who got into a fight with a dozen
anti-Metas and ended up covering several city blocks...). The tiger
lasted about three sessions - the minotaur didn't even last one. :-)

James Ojaste
Message no. 3
From: Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 10:07:47 -0500
>
> Dust wrote:
> >Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> >the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
> >Companion came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
> >number has gone up. Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
> >giant in the campaign I GM. The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year and
> >is still going.
>
I usually let my players use them, as long as they clear it with me
first, so we don't end up with an "ALL Giants" group or something else
equally odd. So far I've had one night elf (can't remember the name, but
with the black fur over body, last page), and a giant played. The
elf is pretty much dead, and the giant is a fun one to roleplay.
(He has the worst time with doors, chairs, etc :))
He is also murder in unarmed combat, due to a few house rules I have
concerning reach. :)
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
decker@****.fsu.edu http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~decker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Uh-Oh Toto, it doesn't look like we're gods anymore."
Message no. 4
From: Brett Borger <bxb121@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 10:06:11 +0000
> Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the

my group experimented with them. After only a few days we decided to
use stats from the "base" race, and have the variant be only a
cosmetic change.

Oni are popular, we've had a gnome and quite a few Night Ones
(friggin elves...).

We had a Giant, but he turned out to be too hard to play. Too tall,
too big. If a run went indoors, he was screwed.

-=SwiftOne=-
Brett Borger
SwiftOne@***.edu
AAP Techie
Message no. 5
From: Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 10:25:40 -0500
>
> > Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> > the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
>
> my group experimented with them. After only a few days we decided to
> use stats from the "base" race, and have the variant be only a
> cosmetic change.
>
> Oni are popular, we've had a gnome and quite a few Night Ones
> (friggin elves...).
>
> We had a Giant, but he turned out to be too hard to play. Too tall,
> too big. If a run went indoors, he was screwed.
>
Heh..we ran into that problem as well with the giant. So we just
gave him various modifiers for being hunched over, etc etc......
It worked out ok, and the PC liked the roleplaying potential.



--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
decker@****.fsu.edu http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~decker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Uh-Oh Toto, it doesn't look like we're gods anymore."
Message no. 6
From: "Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 10:48:46 -0400
Lehlan Decker wrote:
>> > Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
>> > the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
[snip]
>> We had a Giant, but he turned out to be too hard to play. Too tall,
>> too big. If a run went indoors, he was screwed.
>>
>Heh..we ran into that problem as well with the giant. So we just
>gave him various modifiers for being hunched over, etc etc......
>It worked out ok, and the PC liked the roleplaying potential.

Yeah, playing a Giant indoors is great! Everything from squeezing
through doorways to asking if he *really* needs to inside... :-)

The real problem is that people end up pointing lots of ordnance
my way - in our party, the combat effectiveness is generally in
order from smallest to biggest. It's a good thing we've got
two mages with Treat... :-)

James Ojaste
Message no. 7
From: Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 11:03:54 -0500
>
> Lehlan Decker wrote:
> >> > Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants
from
> >> > the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
> [snip]
> >> We had a Giant, but he turned out to be too hard to play. Too tall,
> >> too big. If a run went indoors, he was screwed.
> >>
> >Heh..we ran into that problem as well with the giant. So we just
> >gave him various modifiers for being hunched over, etc etc......
> >It worked out ok, and the PC liked the roleplaying potential.
>
> Yeah, playing a Giant indoors is great! Everything from squeezing
> through doorways to asking if he *really* needs to inside... :-)
>
> The real problem is that people end up pointing lots of ordnance
> my way - in our party, the combat effectiveness is generally in
> order from smallest to biggest. It's a good thing we've got
> two mages with Treat... :-)
>
Heh...our Giant found out that one as well. (Not to mention, buying
Giant sized everything was expensive!). However, considering the
fact that he could take more damage then just about everyone else, and
would carry a very large gun unless told not to, it evened out in the end.
However, the best one ever, was a Dwarf PA, who got into Unarmed combat
with him, and tried to ham string him. :) It didn't work out as well
as I hoped.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
decker@****.fsu.edu http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~decker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Uh-Oh Toto, it doesn't look like we're gods anymore."
Message no. 8
From: "Ojaste,James [NCR]" <James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 11:19:41 -0400
Lehlan Decker wrote:
>> >> We had a Giant, but he turned out to be too hard to play. Too tall,
>> >> too big. If a run went indoors, he was screwed.
[snip]
>> The real problem is that people end up pointing lots of ordnance
>> my way - in our party, the combat effectiveness is generally in
>> order from smallest to biggest. It's a good thing we've got
>> two mages with Treat... :-)
>>
>Heh...our Giant found out that one as well. (Not to mention, buying
>Giant sized everything was expensive!). However, considering the

Not a problem - mine is a Physad, so apart from the money he donates
to a local hospital in the barrens he has very little use for it.

>fact that he could take more damage then just about everyone else, and

Sven can't take very much damage - he's only got a body of 6. He's
a small Giant. :-)

>would carry a very large gun unless told not to, it evened out in the end.

He doesn't like guns. Or magic, when it's used against him. He
has some strange ideas about honourable combat. Of course he has
many strange ideas in general (his main goals in life are to free
Loki and help kill Odin :-).

>However, the best one ever, was a Dwarf PA, who got into Unarmed combat
>with him, and tried to ham string him. :) It didn't work out as well
>as I hoped.

Hah! Reach can be a bitch (which is why Sven carries around a
polearm - it's not like he goes indoors much anyway :-). Even
worse than reach is friends in melee, however... A half dozen
ants in heavy security armour can really ruin your day. :-)

James Ojaste
Message no. 9
From: Lehlan Decker <decker@****.FSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 11:31:06 -0500
>
> Lehlan Decker wrote:
> >> >> We had a Giant, but he turned out to be too hard to play. Too
tall,
> >> >> too big. If a run went indoors, he was screwed.
> [snip]
> >> The real problem is that people end up pointing lots of ordnance
> >> my way - in our party, the combat effectiveness is generally in
> >> order from smallest to biggest. It's a good thing we've got
> >> two mages with Treat... :-)
> >>
> >Heh...our Giant found out that one as well. (Not to mention, buying
> >Giant sized everything was expensive!). However, considering the
>
> Not a problem - mine is a Physad, so apart from the money he donates
> to a local hospital in the barrens he has very little use for it.
>
Heh..this particular one was a samurai. To get him to ride in the car, we
have to "modify" the sunroof. :) He has an apartment etc. We figure
if trollsize is expensive and unusual, large giant size is even more
so.

> >fact that he could take more damage then just about everyone else, and
>
> Sven can't take very much damage - he's only got a body of 6. He's
> a small Giant. :-)
>
Heh...I ours had a body around 10 or so. He was a biiggg boy. :)


> >would carry a very large gun unless told not to, it evened out in the end.
>
> He doesn't like guns. Or magic, when it's used against him. He
> has some strange ideas about honourable combat. Of course he has
> many strange ideas in general (his main goals in life are to free
> Loki and help kill Odin :-).
>
That seems to be a theme with giants, wondering if its because
all players have read the same material :)

> >However, the best one ever, was a Dwarf PA, who got into Unarmed combat
> >with him, and tried to ham string him. :) It didn't work out as well
> >as I hoped.
>
> Hah! Reach can be a bitch (which is why Sven carries around a
> polearm - it's not like he goes indoors much anyway :-). Even
> worse than reach is friends in melee, however... A half dozen
> ants in heavy security armour can really ruin your day. :-)
>
Isn't that the truth. (Another odd thing, our giant likes pole
arms as well,anyway). 20+ gang members will do the job as well.
Heh..the best part is the giant tended to fight like a wrestler from
TV, without his polearm. (Pick up one ganger, toss him into others, pick
one up, drop him on your knee, etc. Turns out that the only type of TV
the giant had access to back home. :)).
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lehlan Decker 644-4534 Systems Development
decker@****.fsu.edu http://www.scri.fsu.edu/~decker
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Uh-Oh Toto, it doesn't look like we're gods anymore."
Message no. 10
From: Alexia Silverstein <alexia_silverstein@*****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 11:18:53 -0700
<snip>
> >fact that he could take more damage then just about everyone else,
and
>
> Sven can't take very much damage - he's only got a body of 6. He's
> a small Giant. :-)
<snip>

Small Giant all right...my Elf has a body of 7, but she is heavily
Cyber-ed...

_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @*****.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Message no. 11
From: Jessica Grota <grota@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 15:29:37 -0400
Brett Borger wrote:
>
> > Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> > the SR Companion.

hehe...I have a Night One character. Fomori (the good-looking trolls,
natch) are also fairly common in the campaigns I've seen. My own
"oddest" character and crowning achievement is a Centaur PC metatype,
which is a real kick to play when I can find a willing GM, which
actually does happen. The metatype is somewhat different from the
centaur critter from PAE. Actually, the basic stats are close to a
troll's, to keep it in the fair PC range. :) So far, no arguements with
Reit, although he's run into trouble twice by climbing stairs and then
not being able to get back down in a hurry!

--Jett
Message no. 12
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 20:47:11 +0100
Dust said on 9:40/27 Apr 98...

> Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> the SR Companion.

There are none in my group, although one player likes them (then again, I
still haven't managed to fully stamp out all his min/maxer habits yet).
One thing I've done is make them cost priority A, while normal metahumans
are priority C. That's to say, I allow them but try to discourage players
from using them because I don't like the metahuman variants very much.

Perhaps I need to alter all of them to +3 attributes and another bonus,
like the four standard metahuman races...

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html - UIN5044116
Neighbors, let us join today in the holy love of God and money
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

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Message no. 13
From: Nexx <nexx@********.NET>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 16:21:37 -0500
----------
> From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
> Perhaps I need to alter all of them to +3 attributes and another bonus,
> like the four standard metahuman races...

This brings up something I've been contemplating, but never quite worked
out. I'm thinking about dropping the metatype priority, but just giving
humans an extra 3 points of attributes to distribute how they wish
(without actually raising their maximums). What does the peanut gallery
think?
Message no. 14
From: scrose <scrose@****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 23:32:52 -0500
Dust wrote:
>
> Hey everyone,
>
> Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
> Companion came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
> number has gone up. Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
> giant in the campaign I GM. The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year and
> is still going.

I allow them It also cost "Extra" to have them I allow more meta's for
the races in BBB but you have to pay
B for the odd balls from the back of SRComp and A for a shifter. No one
has wanted to play a shifter that bad yet. Espeically when I tell them
because of the more meta's they can't be a full blow mage or shaman.
Everyone who plays has the same magic cost magic A for mage, B for
adept.
Message no. 15
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 12:22:24 +0100
Nexx said on 16:21/27 Apr 98...

> This brings up something I've been contemplating, but never quite worked
> out. I'm thinking about dropping the metatype priority, but just giving
> humans an extra 3 points of attributes to distribute how they wish
> (without actually raising their maximums). What does the peanut gallery
> think?

I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's really no
other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html - UIN5044116
Neighbors, let us join today in the holy love of God and money
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version 3.1:
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Message no. 16
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 07:53:24 EDT
In a message dated 4/27/98 1:38:02 PM !!!First Boot!!!, rogan@******.ORG
writes:

> Hey everyone,
>
> Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
> Companion came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
> number has gone up. Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
> giant in the campaign I GM. The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year and
> is still going.
>
> Well lates,

As for pcs. we have a ghoul (been with for more than 6 months now). There was
a gnome, but the player got busy with school (Masters in Comp Sci or something
with Computers). So far the count stands at, 1 Sasquatch, 2 Ghouls, and 1
Gnome.

As for npcs, we like throwing the whole book at them, we especially like
Nordic Trolls with Staves and the like.

As for exotics, a T1000 npc / pc eventually, Draconians (Human / Dragon
Splicing), Spirits, Wraiths, Ghosts, and a couple of Dragons.

Other than that, not much else really.

Mike
Message no. 17
From: Cobra <wgallas@*****.FR>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 17:36:24 +0200
>> This brings up something I've been contemplating, but never
quite worked
>> out. I'm thinking about dropping the metatype priority, but just giving
>> humans an extra 3 points of attributes to distribute how they wish
>> (without actually raising their maximums). What does the peanut gallery
>> think?
>
>I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
>characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's really no
>other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.

Yep. Perhaps you could search for something like ED. In ED, they can learn
talents from other disciplines.
In SR, they could have a target number modifier divided by 2 from
inappropriate mind... Mmm, I explain myself a bit more :
The TN modifiers I'm referring to are those :
* Magicians decking (Magic as a TN modifier in VR1, perhaps using +2 in SR2)
* Rigger decking (from R2)
An other way is to reduce cost for learning skills. Something like reducing
the multiplier by .5. Thus, a general skill would cost the wanted level
multiplied by 1.5.

- Cobra.
Message no. 18
From: Nexx <nexx@********.NET>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 10:36:21 -0500
----------
> From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>

> I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
> characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's really
no
> other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.

Yeah, but the same thing happens with elves, so it ain't that bad...
Message no. 19
From: MC23 <mc23@**********.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 12:19:59 -0400
Once upon a time, Airwasp wrote;

>As for exotics, a T1000 npc / pc eventually, Draconians (Human / Dragon
>Splicing), Spirits, Wraiths, Ghosts, and a couple of Dragons.
>
>Other than that, not much else really.

Is that a joke?

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Ancient cultures believed that names held great power, personal names
more so and they were guarded very closely. To protect themselves, they
answered to another name, because if another discovered their real name,
it could be used against them.
History repeats itself.
Welcome to the Digital Age.
I am MC23
Message no. 20
From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 12:23:00 EDT
In a message dated 4/28/98 5:23:29 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
gurth@******.NL writes:

> I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
> characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's really no
> other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.
>
Remember just one thing, in using a "Metatype", you have the option of having
a particular attribute (say Body for a Troll for example) exceed the "6" limit
at beginning.

-K
Message no. 21
From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 13:12:36 EDT
In a message dated 4/28/98 11:59:33 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
mc23@**********.COM writes:

> >As for exotics, a T1000 npc / pc eventually, Draconians (Human / Dragon
> >Splicing), Spirits, Wraiths, Ghosts, and a couple of Dragons.
> >
> >Other than that, not much else really.
>
> Is that a joke?
>
There are moments in our history that I wish it had been....but the nearly 1
meg of raw text files indicates it's not...

-K
Message no. 22
From: Oliver McDonald <oliver@*********.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 10:58:30 +0800
On Tue, 28 Apr 1998 12:22:24 +0100, Gurth wrote:

>Nexx said on 16:21/27 Apr 98...
>
>> This brings up something I've been contemplating, but never quite worked
>> out. I'm thinking about dropping the metatype priority, but just giving
>> humans an extra 3 points of attributes to distribute how they wish
>> (without actually raising their maximums). What does the peanut gallery
>> think?
>
>I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
>characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's really no
>other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.

This is very true. If a GM were to do as Nexx suggests, I would tend to guess that the
GM would not allow a player to take A for attributes.

Personally, taking A for attributes is rather foolish in any case.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Oliver McDonald - oliver@*********.com
http://web2.spydernet.com

Space. The Final Frontier. Let's not close it down.

Brought to you via CyberSpace, the recursive frontier.
Message no. 23
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 22:11:40 +0100
Ereskanti said on 12:23/28 Apr 98...

> > I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
> > characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's really no
> > other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.
> >
> Remember just one thing, in using a "Metatype", you have the option of
having
> a particular attribute (say Body for a Troll for example) exceed the "6"
limit
> at beginning.

True, however what I was trying to say is that giving humans 3 extra
attribute points causes very little variation. Not having many points
(like 20 or 24) forces you to prioritize your attributes. This goes for
metahumans as well, although they can compensate by putting less points in
attributes that will go up. However they then likely put those saved
points into attributes that will go down, evening things out again.

With 33 points it doesn't really matter what you put where, you're going
to get very high stats across the board.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html - UIN5044116
Neighbors, let us join today in the holy love of God and money
-> NERPS Project Leader * ShadowRN GridSec * Unofficial Shadowrun Guru <-
-> The Plastic Warriors Page: http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/plastic.html <-
-> The New Character Mortuary: http://www.electricferret.com/mortuary/ <-

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version 3.1:
GAT/! d-(dpu) s:- !a>? C+(++)@ U P L E? W(++) N o? K- w+ O V? PS+ PE
Y PGP- t(+) 5++ X++ R+++>$ tv+(++) b++@ DI? D+ G(++) e h! !r(---) y?
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Message no. 24
From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 16:39:05 EDT
In a message dated 4/28/98 3:26:38 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
gurth@******.NL writes:

> True, however what I was trying to say is that giving humans 3 extra
> attribute points causes very little variation. Not having many points
> (like 20 or 24) forces you to prioritize your attributes. This goes for
> metahumans as well, although they can compensate by putting less points in
> attributes that will go up. However they then likely put those saved
> points into attributes that will go down, evening things out again.
>
> With 33 points it doesn't really matter what you put where, you're going
> to get very high stats across the board.
>
I must have gotten lost somewhere then, because I thought the "Bonus 3 Points"
was for picking a Metahuman type (aka, Racial Priority A or C depending on
game played), not for everyone in general.

Hence, only the Metatypes would get to go beyond 6, and would therefore have
to reallocate their points where they wanted them....That Body 8 Troll would
there fore have to have some other attribs at a reduced level...not to mention
racial modifiers (which we kept to some extents).

-K
Message no. 25
From: Jonathan Andrews <jmandrews@*******.EDU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 16:18:29 -0500
On Tue, 28 Apr 1998, Ereskanti wrote:

> > I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
> > characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's really no
> > other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.
> >
> Remember just one thing, in using a "Metatype", you have the option of
having
> a particular attribute (say Body for a Troll for example) exceed the "6"
limit
> at beginning.
>
Not when you're using the human type and thus getting the +3 attribute
bonus somebody mentioned...

Still, as far as class A goes, you're quite right.
\
Semantically,
Jonathan Andrews
Message no. 26
From: Nexx <nexx@********.NET>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 18:39:36 -0500
----------
> From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
> I must have gotten lost somewhere then, because I thought the "Bonus 3
Points"
> was for picking a Metahuman type (aka, Racial Priority A or C depending
on
> game played), not for everyone in general.

To clear this up, my original suggestion was to remove the "metatype"
priority and just give humans 3 additional attribute points to balance
that part out with metahumans.
Message no. 27
From: Quantum <a.hides@*******.QUT.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 09:49:15 +1000
> Hey everyone,
>
> Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
> Companion came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
> number has gone up. Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
> giant in the campaign I GM. The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year and
> is still going.

Well, noone in our campaign has used them, mostly because you would stick
out like a sore thumb in seattle, but also because they are unbalancing.
My GM has simply stated recently that they have identical stats to the
meta human that they most resemble.

Quantum
************************************************
* A man doesn't automaticlly get my respect - *
* he has to get down in the dirt and beg for it*
************************************************
hidesy@***.brisnet.org.au
Message no. 28
From: NEWSHADOW <NEWSHADOW@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 20:10:33 EDT
In a message dated 98-04-28 20:01:43 EDT, you write:

> >Hey everyone,
>>
> >Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
> >the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
> >Companion came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
> >number has gone up. Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
> >giant in the campaign I GM. The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year and
> >is still going.


My players tend to stick with the basic metahumans most the time. Right now
however I do have a player who is playing a giant. Because he is so large it
leads to interesting things happening, like remembering to not hit your head
as you enter though a doorway, and how the hell does he get into the
Jackrabbit, which he doesn't even try to. Good thing to, the car belongs to a
friend of his. :)

>Well, noone in our campaign has used them, mostly because you would stick
>out like a sore thumb in seattle, but also because they are unbalancing.
>My GM has simply stated recently that they have identical stats to the
>meta human that they most resemble.

I allow my players to use the variants because they don't have greater stats
than their "normal" counterpart, in fact they seem to have more problems or
less bonuses than norms do. The only reason to play a variant is like any
other reason, to play something different. The variants can be very fun to
role play.

SHADOW
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arena/6852/index.html
Message no. 29
From: Quantum <a.hides@*******.QUT.EDU.AU>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 12:29:25 +1000
> This brings up something I've been contemplating, but never quite worked
> out. I'm thinking about dropping the metatype priority, but just giving
> humans an extra 3 points of attributes to distribute how they wish
> (without actually raising their maximums). What does the peanut gallery
> think?

The point is, while the metatypes are becoming more common, there are
still more humans around than the other metatypes. I thought that the
increased priority (or if you are using the points system, the extra 10
points) showed this rather well.
However maybe the huge number of metatypes in a group will actually be
decreased by this rule - quite a lot of people only chose to be metahumans
for the extra attrib. points, and if these are available to the humans
too, it may just work.
On the whole though, I think the present system is better, as what you
have suggested would increase character power level by about 4 points <not
necessarily a bad thing but...> which would be a problem when you were
playing in someones elses campaign who doesn't use that rule.

Quantum
-------------------------------------------------
Staticians show that 80% of damn lies are true...
-------------------------------------------------
hidesy@***.brisnet.org.au
Message no. 30
From: Nexx <nexx@********.NET>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 22:11:37 -0500
----------
> From: Quantum <a.hides@*******.QUT.EDU.AU>
> However maybe the huge number of metatypes in a group will actually be
> decreased by this rule - quite a lot of people only chose to be
metahumans
> for the extra attrib. points, and if these are available to the humans
> too, it may just work.
Actually, I would think that "shadow" assets, like runners, would have a
higher percentage of metahumans, simply because they can't get in through
the front door.

***************
Rev. Mark Hall, Bardagh
"Death by a sword lasts but a moment, but a bard's scorn lasts
forever"
aka Pope Nexx Many-Scars, PML FAQ Cop
"Discretion is the better part of honor.... and innuendo the
better part of humor."
aka Ellegon, Working at making Cannon canon
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, mortal, for you are crunchy
and good with ketchup."
Message no. 31
From: Gurth <gurth@******.NL>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 12:01:26 +0100
Ereskanti said on 16:39/28 Apr 98...

> I must have gotten lost somewhere then, because I thought the "Bonus 3
> Points" was for picking a Metahuman type (aka, Racial Priority A or C
> depending on game played), not for everyone in general.

The way I remember it, Nexx talked about doing away with the need to
choose a priority for metahumans, and giving humans 3 extra attribute
points, probably because metahumans' attribute modifiers always add up to
+3 (not including the ones from the Companion, that is).

> Hence, only the Metatypes would get to go beyond 6, and would therefore have
> to reallocate their points where they wanted them....That Body 8 Troll would
> there fore have to have some other attribs at a reduced level...not to mention
> racial modifiers (which we kept to some extents).

Nobody (well, at least not me) is talking about allowing humans to go over
6 with attributes. Apart from that, I think here you basically said the
same thing I did in my previous message.

--
Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html - UIN5044116
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Message no. 32
From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 09:48:58 EDT
In a message dated 4/28/98 7:33:28 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
NEWSHADOW@***.COM writes:

> My players tend to stick with the basic metahumans most the time. Right now
> however I do have a player who is playing a giant. Because he is so large
> it
> leads to interesting things happening, like remembering to not hit your
head
> as you enter though a doorway, and how the hell does he get into the
> Jackrabbit, which he doesn't even try to. Good thing to, the car belongs
to
> a
> friend of his. :)
>
I have a suggestion...he could learn to Surf on the Jackrabbit :)

-K
Message no. 33
From: Nexx <nexx@********.NET>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 08:55:37 -0500
----------
> From: Ereskanti <Ereskanti@***.COM>
[in reference to a giant PC]
> I have a suggestion...he could learn to Surf on the Jackrabbit :)

Well, there goes the suspension... and likely the undercarriage.
Message no. 34
From: Airwasp <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 16:21:06 EDT
In a message dated 4/28/98 4:59:27 PM !!!First Boot!!!, mc23@**********.COM
writes:

> >As for exotics, a T1000 npc / pc eventually, Draconians (Human / Dragon
> >Splicing), Spirits, Wraiths, Ghosts, and a couple of Dragons.
> >
> >Other than that, not much else really.
>
> Is that a joke?
>

Nope ...

The T1000 was something called Memory Metal and we would now call it a free
standing Nano-Mech level 10 with all sorts of additions and treated as if it
were a vehicle.

Draconians, originally were made from an AD&D cross-over game whereby the
foremost geneticist on the planet used DNA from multiple dragon types to make
(Meta)Human splicing possible, though time consuming. We had three people go
with this route, two of them were Rainbow Dragon variants, and the other was a
Red Dragon type, which later in the games became the most powerful pc of the
games, Ragus (Sugar backwards, we never got the joke because we did not figure
it out.

A Ghost, who was the Sea Shamaness, and saved the teams hoop on more than one
occassion, though it did nothing for her against a F15, E6 Wasp Queen.

And the one true Dragon (other than Ragus), Flenor, came from Keith's time
which had a castle in the sky (bought a bloat and had his castle built on top
of it).

And there are still other variants in the possibilities, and, yes, this group
would be considered a Power Game, though we try our best to stay within the
rules as much as we can. Trust me, we try. I am also going to be shacking
the foundation of the current gaming group, making it harder for things to
happen now too, though soon, but not within a month or so.

Mike
Message no. 35
From: NEWSHADOW <NEWSHADOW@***.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 18:09:35 EDT
In a message dated 98-04-29 10:02:08 EDT, you write:

> I have a suggestion...he could learn to Surf on the Jackrabbit :)

He could do that too, but I hope he doesn't try, his friend is magically
active and would have no qualms with hurting him and then maybe healing him.
:)

SHADOW
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arena/6852/index.html
Message no. 36
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Sat, 2 May 1998 19:15:44 -0500
On Mon, 27 Apr 1998 09:40:58 -0400 Dust <rogan@******.ORG> writes:
>Hey everyone,
>
>Just wondering how many people have PCs that are metahuman variants from
>the SR Companion. I asked this question a month or two after the
Companion >came out and there weren't that many. I'm curious if the
number has gone up. >Since then, I've had a koborokuru, hobgoblin, and
giant in the campaign I GM. >The koborokuru PC has lasted 'bout a year
and is still going.
>
>Well lates,
>
>Dust
<<SNIP>>

I play a Minotaur rigger with a CRCD to control a special walker drone, 2
mini-arachnoid drones, and a Rolls-Royce Prairie Cat equipped RPAP 2. He
doesn't speak english very well, so I have plenty of opportunities to
mess with the other players ;) He tends to play guardian angel over my
otaku elf's meat body.

I also have a Tiger Shapeshifter Physical Adept with Amnesia, a phobia of
Aztechnology logos, and Hunted flaws ... gonna be interesting ... Name?
Goes by Tabby (Short for Tabula Rasa, given to her by someone wearing a
white lab coat in a fuzzy memory. Real name? Project 64.)

Lastly, I have Fox Shapeshifter Moon Physical Druid (currently unnamed)
who uses an acoustic guitar for centering. She has an abandoned
warehouse with a partially (mostly) callapsed roof where she built her
stone circle (thanks Panther). She has an electric car (with suncell)
that she parks indoors (if ya can call it indoors) and sleeps in while in
fox form.

D.Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum)
"God is a committee" --Jubal Harshaw

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Message no. 37
From: Alfredo B Alves <dghost@****.COM>
Subject: Re: SR Companion Metatypes
Date: Thu, 7 May 1998 17:47:54 -0500
On Tue, 28 Apr 1998 12:22:24 +0100 Gurth <gurth@******.NL> writes:
>Nexx said on 16:21/27 Apr 98...
>> This brings up something I've been contemplating, but never
quite >>worked out. I'm thinking about dropping the metatype priority,
but just >>giving humans an extra 3 points of attributes to distribute
how they wish >>(without actually raising their maximums). What does the
peanut gallery
>> think?

On Tue, 28 Apr 1998 12:22:24 +0100 Gurth <gurth@******.NL> writes:
>I think that will work, although you would end up with _very_ strong
>characters if someone takes A priority for Attributes -- there's
>really no
>other choice than putting 3 at 6 and 3 at 5.
>
>--
>Gurth@******.nl - http://www.xs4all.nl/~gurth/index.html -
<SNiP>

I also had an idea fer this (uh-oh. run! hide! ;)... I use the optional
split karma pool and what I do is this:
1) All metahumans get 1 karma point in each pool
2) humans get 2 karma points in each pool
3) humans get 1 "level" (for lack of a better word) of Exceptional
Ability Edge for free

You know what? out of 10 PCs only one is human ... I personally think
this optional rule gives humans an edge (no pun intended).

D.Ghost
(aka Pixel, Tantrum)
" `scuse me? sledgehammer 'fist to go'?" -- Kirby Hero

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