I have been playing some more first edition Shadowrun recently with my two eldest. The game uses 'Archetypes' quite extensively, both for player characters and non-player characters with the idea that because generating characters in Shadowrun can take a while (mainly from how long it can take to buy equipment rather than the rest of the Chargen system), the game should have plenty of pre-packed characters for both players and GM to use out of the proverbial box.
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I don't think it is any secret that the characters were not even lightly min-maxxed but that is not my point in this post. As far as I can tell, one character is short-changed incredibly badly on the low-side for reasons that I can't understand or even guess at, at a more profound level than 'did someone mess this one up?'. That character is the "Former Company Man".
Shadowrun 1st edition uses a priority system for character generation, with 'Skills', 'Attributes', 'Equipment/Resources/Spells', 'being Magical' and 'being Metahuman' ordered from most important to least important, with the idea being that characters who rely on equipment will get 1,000,000 'NuYen' to spend, but characters who rely more on their personal skills or magic will get far less. But what seems to have happened with the 'Former Company Man' archetype is that it was intended that his skills should have been the top priority - and got 40 skill points - but instead was only given 28. His second priority looks like it should have been resources; he was entitled to 400000 NY and his gear adds up to c.222,375, which is fine, and was given 200000 NT additionally, which was obviously rounded to his advantage, but is broadly correct. His basic attribute total 20, which is correct for having Attributes as third priority. So, in the book, his stats are:
Former Company Man
(Skills 4/28(40), Attributes 2/20, Equipment 3 400,000/50)
Attributes:
|
B |
Q |
S |
C |
I |
W |
E |
M |
R |
|
4 |
4 (5) |
4 (5) |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1.3 |
- |
4 (8) |
Skills: Car 5, Computer 2, Demolitions 2, Etiquette (Corporate) 4, Firearms 6, Stealth 4, Unarmed Combat 5
Cyber-ware: Data-jack, Wired Reflexes 2, Muscle Replacement 1, Smartgun Link
Gear: Armour Clothing (6/4/14), Bug Scanner (4), Earplug Phone with Booster, Jammer (4), Low-light Goggles, Medkit, Partial Heavy Armour, Survival Kit, Tranq Patch (5), Trauma Patch (5), White Noise Generator (6), 200,000Y, HK227 SMG, Fichetti Pistol
|
Name |
Type |
Concealability |
Ammo |
Damage |
Weight |
|
HK227 SMG |
SMG |
4 |
20(Clip) |
5M3 |
4 |
|
Fichetti Pistol with Smartgun Adaptor |
Light |
6/7 |
10/22(Clip) |
3M2 |
2 |
Contacts (choose 2): Any Corporate type, Merc, Mr. Johnson, Any Security or Bodyguard type
Like many of these archetypes, doing an entirely new build would be best, but as a quick patch for it, I have made some changes below. I haven't allowed myself to reduce any of his skills, but will increase/purchase new skills as necessary.
Skills: Car 5, Computer 2, Demolitions 6, Etiquette (Corporate) 4, Firearms 6, Interrogation 6, Stealth 6, Unarmed Combat 5
Gear: The HK227 SMG and Fichetti pistol should both be the smartgun versions. He should also have a car and some ammunition (!). That takes his 'spend' up to NY 242,975, leaving him 157,025 in reserve.
1.1.1 Former Company Man (Revised)
(Skills 4/40(40), Attributes 2/20, Equipment 3 400,000/50)
Attributes:
|
B |
Q |
S |
C |
I |
W |
E |
M |
R |
|
4 |
4 (5) |
4 (5) |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1.3 |
- |
4 (8) |
Skills: Car 5, Computer 2, Demolitions 6, Etiquette (Corporate) 4, Firearms 6, Interrogation 6, Stealth 6, Unarmed Combat 5,
Cyber-ware: Data-jack, Wired Reflexes 2, Muscle Replacement 1, Smartgun Link
Gear: Armour Clothing (6/4/14), Bug Scanner (4), Earplug Phone with Booster, Jammer (4), Low-light Goggles, Medkit, Partial Heavy Armour, Survival Kit, Tranq Patch (5), Trauma Patch (5), White Noise Generator (6), 200,000Y, HK227 SMG Smartgun w/7 full mags, Fichetti Security 500 Smartgun w/6 full mags
|
Name |
Type |
Concealability |
Ammo |
Damage |
Weight |
|
HK227 SMG |
SMG |
4 |
20(Clip) |
5M3 |
4.5 |
|
Fichetti Security 500 |
Light |
6/7 |
10/22(Clip) |
3M2 |
1.5 |
Contacts (choose 2): Any Corporate type, Merc, Mr. Johnson, Any Security or Bodyguard type
|
Cars |
Handling |
Speed |
Body |
Armour |
Signature |
Pilot |
Cost |
|
Ford Americar |
4 |
40/120 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
20000 |
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