Runner's Companion.pdf - Free

Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9encouraged to keep their players’ characters’ capabilities and rolesin mind when choosing or designing adventure scenarios. Shoulda role on a team that is vital to the completion of a run not be filled,the team itself, the fixer, or Mr. Johnson involved might want torecruit an NPC to fulfill the role.SpecialistsWithin each role, a character’s performance can often beoptimized by focusing on specific skills, abilities, augmentations,magic, and powers that enhance effectiveness in his chosen function.Such concentration in a given role, however, often comes atthe cost of versatility and investment in other areas.While specialists may steal the limelight from other characterswhen their crucial skill set comes into play, they can also findthemselves lacking in other situations. While characters who havebeen designed as specialists will typically out-perform generalists,depending on group make up and flexibility, they can still be ahindrance. It is up to the gamemaster to plan appropriate challengesand difficulties for both the specialist characters and thosewith more versatile skill sets.Different ApproachesThere are a great many methods that shadowrunners use in theirjobs. Some prefer to use overwhelming firepower. Some use subtlemagic. Some use high-tech devices and Matrix intrusions. Some liketo just have a lot of friends that can do the work for them.Most methods fit into the broad categories of physical,mystical, or technological approaches. Each approach has certainstrengths, weaknesses, and unique properties, and each has its owntools, style, and means of improvement. Some characters specializein a single approach to their role(s). Others may take a differentroute, since a single shadowrunner can easily incorporate aspectsof two or all three approaches into his repertoire. For instance, anadept cat burglar often mixes the physical, mystical, and technologicalapproaches.It is not uncommon to think that role dictates a particularapproach (and this may indeed be the case for highly specializedcharacters), but, in reality, almost every role can be enacted frommultiple character types.The Physical ApproachIn this approach, the shadowrunner relies on her own physicalabilities above all else. She is in the thick of things, taking onopponents and obstacles herself. While her performance maybe enhanced by weapons, technological equipment, or implants,this approach differs from the technological approach in that thecharacter relies on gear integral to her own body and mind ratherthan standalone devices or electronic intermediaries.This approach generally benefits from expending both cashand Karma alike on character improvement.The Mystical ApproachThe shadowrunner who uses this approach favors the supernaturalor technomantic forces to accomplish his objectives.The overwhelming majority of those who use this approach aremagicians or adepts of some sort. Technomancers also fit intothis category, for while a technomancer’s abilities are not magical,Runner’s Companiontheir intuitive relationship with the Matrix and Resonance can bedescribed as mystical.While it can be boosted somewhat with an expenditure ofcash, this approach relies primarily on the practitioner’s Karmafor its power.The Technological ApproachThis approach relies heavily on external gear, sophisticatedelectronics, and other technological devices. Commlinks, drones,software, vehicles, and other implements of technology featureheavily in this approach, often augmented with wireless technologyand software.Money fuels this approach the most, but Karma spending canalso have an impact.KEY ROLESThis section includes an analysis of the major roles importantto successful shadowrun teams. The selection that follows addresseseight areas of expertise that every team might want to benefit from:Close Quarters Combat, Fire Support, Infiltration, Investigation,Magical Support, Matrix Support, Negotiation, and Transportation.The examples and suggestions given should by no means beconstrued as an exhaustive list, but a starting point for your ownteam’s composition.CLOSE QUARTERS CombatShadowrunners spend a lot of time in confined areas. It’s thenature of the job and urban environments. Characters find themselvesin a claustrophobic sewer or a back alley, inside a research labor a cube farm, infiltrating an automated factory floor or packedwarehouse, in a dense forest or cramped cave. When fights start inthese confined spaces, opponents are in close proximity, cover isplentiful, lines of sight are blocked, and the fighting gets up closeand personal.The Close Quarters Combat specialist focuses on combatand specifically physically engaging the opponent, via armed orunarmed combat. For the most part, this role concentrates onmelee combat, as well as short-range weapons like thrown weapons,pistols, tasers, and impact projectiles at short ranges. The goalis to engage at close range and either put the opponent down orkeep her occupied.It is not unusual for characters in this role to act as scouts orpointmen, particularly if they are stealthy. This make it relativelyeasy to close to melee range; engaging unprepared opponents fromsurprise can be as effective and often more controlled and stealthythan using guns.DutiesClose quarters combat specialists are expected to be able to actswiftly against close targets and either contain or eliminate them.Other duties include preventing opponents from attacking otherteam members with different roles, and getting into engagementrange quickly and efficiently. Close Quarters Combat specialistsare also often expected to stealthily neutralize opponents up closeand personal. Close Quarters Combat specialists are also favoredwhen non-lethal force is required, since melee prowess allowsgreater control of the damage done than firearms.9starting out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .