From:	Augustus shadowrun@********.net
Subject:	While we're on the topic of munchkins...
Date:	Sat, 21 Oct 2000 10:21:41 -0700

----- Original Message -----
From: Keith Duthie <psycho@*********.co.nz>
>
> If you need cyberzombies to keep your players in line then you're playing
> the NPCs too stupid. The PCs are going to piss off someone eventually, and
> when they do they're going to find out exactly what a sniper can do. Or
> even a ganger's pistol to the back of the head with surprise. Not to
> mention Lonestar...

One could make the same comment about your response though.

The first poster was using more powerful NPCs to take on his players... your
suggestion is to instead use cheap shots (ie: the bullet to the back of the
head) or to suprise them and take advantage of the situation (ie: the sniper
rifle... a weapon with a very high damage code... suprise shot fired from a
distance... So PCs get no combat pool... probably as popular as the bullet
to the back of the head)

Maybe what you should have suggested was: Tactics and brains... something
the NPCs should have in the first place.

-Have NPCs use cover
-Have NPCs use cover fire
-Have NPCs call in for backup
-Have NPCs retreat if they hurt too bad
-Have NPC mages heal other NPCs
-Have NPCs use stun attacks on PCs. Even if the PCs kill all the NPCs, they
can't quickly heal a serious stun... and using a stimpack only makes it
worse in the long run.
-Have NPCs give penalties to the runners, have NPCs move, use smoke
grenades, turn out the lights (if the guards are properly equipped), etc
-Have NPCs use their command centre... every security team should have one.
Will allow them to coordinate and maybe flank the PCs (so they might be
using +6 cover versus one group of NPCs... but suddenly a second group
attacking from the side might have no cover penalties)
-Have NPCs suprise the players... waiting in ambush... sneaking up on
them... invisibility spell... silence spell... stealth... etc... roll for
suprise checks... PCs will probably be more keen on losing their combat pool
if they are snuck up on... not if some Lone Star sniper 1œ Kilometers away
takes a shot at them.

Anyhoo... just some thoughts on the subject...

Clint
Augustus