| From: | james@****.uow.edu.au (James Niall Zealey) |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Vehicle initiative rules (was Re: Drone and last instructions) |
| Date: | Mon, 15 Mar 2004 09:09:00 +1100 |
> Wild_Cat's updated vehicle initiative rules -- for use with Shadowrun,
> 3rd edition.
> v1.0 -- 13/03/2003
>
>
> Vehicles under direct control, metahuman pilots
>
> Standard SR3 rules seem to be OK here. However, here are a couple of
> clarifications:
> - Initiative boosters: VCRs and datajacks (virtual dashboard) are the
> only "pure" reaction/initiative boosters whose bonuses apply when
> driving a vehicle. Other than that, you're stuck with your physical,
> unaugmented initiative. Wired/boosted reflexes, reaction enhancers,
> synaptic accelerators, spells, the Increased Initiative adept power and
> all the rest... None of these apply as long as you're behind the wheel.
> However, your reaction is calculated using your modified Intelligence
> (always) and Quickness (except when rigging or using the V-dashboard)
> ratings. For example, a non-rigger character with a Quickness of 4(7),
> an Intelligence of 6(7) and a datajack would have an initiative of 7+1D6
> when driving a vehicle with manual controls, and 6+1D6 with the virtual
> dashboard.
>
> - The Other Guys In The Vehicle (TM): As stated in SR3, TOGITV(TM)
> cannot act before the vehicle's driver during a turn's first pass (no
> matter who or what the vehicle's pilot is: characters in an
> out-of-control vehicle can't act at all during the first pass of a turn,
> aside from moving -- better put someone behind the wheel fast,
> chummers!). Of course, this only applies to characters in the physical
> plane. Astrally projecting mages, jacked-in deckers and other riggers
> are not affected; they're not in their meat bodies after all...
>
>
We went a step further than this - we figured that not allowing the
wired samurai to beat up the corporate wage slave in the back of a van
until the rigger had had his go was... plain stupid.
Or for that matter that mr fast-as-a-demon-on-foot was suddenly a
slowpoke behind a wheel.
In short - all physical reaction and initiative enhancers work when you
are physically driving or occupying a vehicle. You may take any action
you want whenever you want when you are within a vehicle.
All actions taken in a moving vehicle are modified by the same modifiers
the driver had to cope with on his last action (to a minimum of +0). So,
if the driver was on rough terrain, and wasn't a rigger, everyone might
be getting a +2 to TNs. If he was a rigger, thanks to his TN reduction,
that might drop to +0.
You only really need to wait for the rigger to have his go if you are
a) too far away from the target before his go
b) need him to line you up with something
c) need him to drive straight and level so you don't need to suck down a
TN modifier.
But, I hear you say, don't riggers lose out? Frankly, no. They get
target number modifiers, and are the only people who can make a vehicle
dodge an attack. They're way ahead of anyone else on the road.
Damion - want to point these people towards our house rules document?
