From:	David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject:	Re: Ultra Boy in Shadowrun
Date:	Wed, 20 May 1998 11:08:48 -0600

Demosthenes Three wrote:
/
/ If any of you read DC Comics' Legion of Superheroes, then you already
/ know what this is about.
/ Basically, Ultra Boy has all the powers of Superman, but he is limited
/ to only using one of them at a time.
/
/ For a Shadowrun twist to the idea, what about a street samurai that
/ has a TON of cyberware implanted in him, with the limitation that he
/ can only access one system?
/
/ Let's say that Corp X has developed a cross-redundant system of
/ cyberware. Let's call it CyberSuite7.
/ Basically they have managed to take Wired Reflexes 3, Muscle
/ Replacement 4, a Vehicle Control Rig 3, and maybe some headware, and
/ senseware gear, and wire the systems together into one compact,
/ semi-essence friendly package.
/ However the method that allowed this gear to all fit together,
/ (without cybermancy) only allows the user to power one system at a time.
/ If you use Wired 3, then you won't be able to access your Headware
/ Memory, or Skillwires, etc.

While it would work well for a superhero game (in fact, I'll try it out
on my next Champion's character) I don't think it would go over well in
actual application in Shadowrun, at least not in my group.

In SR a Street Samurai is a Street Samurai, and a Rigger is a Rigger,
and so on. When it comes to combat the guy with Wired 3, combat
skills, and the guns is the one everyone relies on. When it comes to
driving the get-away car the guy with the VCR is in charge. If you
start allowing characters to stuff themselves full of cyberware and
abilities, you take away the need for teamwork. In combat the
character activates his wired reflexes and goes to town. Then if he
needs to fly the helicopter he turns on his VCR. Later on he needs to
surf the matrix so he switches to his implanted cyberdeck. He doesn't
*need* anyone else. And it won't take long before everyone starts
envying him (I've seen this happen before in a DC game gone bad).

If you've only got one player than it could work out fine. But if
you're GMing a group I wouldn't recommend allowing this option.

Just my two cents :)

-David
--
"If I told you, then I'd have to pull a Shadowrun against you. Sorry."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
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