Looks like I'm GMing Shadowrun... (Shadowrun 4e)

[TheCountAlucard]

This is sort of a continuation of my "Considering Shadowrun" thread. For those of you who don't feel like looking for the old thread, here's a brief summary...

Basically, my Friday D&D group has expressed interest in playing Shadowrun. Unfortunately, I'm the only one in my group with any experience in it. In fact, with the exception of a player who's done some SWSE, my group is unfamiliar with any game other than D&D. I'm also the only one in my group with any experience in GMing (although I haven't ran Shadowrun - just played in it).

With that in mind, it looks like I'm going to be GMing for Shadowrun if we play. They already went ahead and made characters; one is playing an Orc Street Samurai (playing up a "catgirl" theme), one is a Dwarven Technomancer, and the third is a Rigger of some sort.

Let me make another thing clear: I haven't read the entire core book yet - I've still yet to read anything on either magic or the Matrix. The only time I played, I was a new addition to the group, and sort of jumped in with a face-type character. The game lasted for about four sessions after that, culminating in our characters stealing a prototype jet.

In D&D, the players usually hover around the "Chaotic Good/Chaotic Neutral" mindset, and I do a fair bit of improvising and character-based plots. I don't really know how well that'd work out in Shadowrun.

I'm not really sure of what to do for this first session... does anyone have any advice?

[Timeras]

I would start a first run with something simple so the players learn what SR is about. Perhaps they are hired to steal something from a corporate facility.
This wouldn't require much preparation from the GM and everyone (including you) gets a feeling for the rules. All you need is the plans for the facility and a decision how much info they can get from Johnson or connections about security (and how accurate the info is).

I would let them face complications (like Johnson betraying the runners) in the second run.

[toturi]

Run an introductory game to get used to the game mechanics first. Unless you are familiar with the rules, expect your grunts to die fast, far faster than you would in D & D. It should not be unexpected.

[TheCountAlucard]

I was thinking about something with a Mr. Johnson hiring the party to do some B&E, steal some files from a company. They'd need to take physical files as well as computer data... something like that.

That was my thoughts, anyway - not entirely concrete yet, clearly.

[Cristo Meyers]

I was thinking about something with a Mr. Johnson hiring the party to do some B&E, steal some files from a company. They'd need to take physical files as well as computer data... something like that.

That was my thoughts, anyway - not entirely concrete yet, clearly.

In other words, the Shadowrun equivalent of a Dungeon Crawl.

Always a good idea to start with the simple stuff. Expect them to mow through just about anything you throw at them pretty easily unless they screw up big time and get Lone Star waiting for them.

[Swordguy]

One of the tricks I've picked up is to play the group's 1st game of Shadowrun as a "free" learning experience. Tell your group that they should play it just like D&D. Play your NPC very smart (suppressive fire, flanking, liberal use of grenades to flush out runners, call for magically-supported backup, etc) and let the logical consequences happen (which, if it's not a TPK, then very close to one), and then "reset" the PCs and let them do the mission again. It will teach them that they can't usually rely on things like overwhelming firepower or hack n slash gameplay - they have to be smart and sneaky. Be up front about it, let them know that deaths in this adventure don't count, and then brutally seize on their misteps and smash them.

While certain player types may be slightly irritated at "wasting" a session, I've found that most will appreciate it. They'll see what was effective on the bad guys side and make a note of it for the future. They'll see that playing SR like you're a hero with plot armor (or lots of HPs) gets you very dead, very quickly. Importantly, they'll hopefully see that they need to be sneaky, and most of all, smart, to be successful. SR is very up-front about being a game that will test the player's ability to make plans and contingencies, and if the player is dumb the character will die. A lot. Running a game like this means there's no illusions on the part of the players, which will help gameplay down the road.

[Jack_Banzai]

I would let them face complications (like Johnson betraying the runners) in the second run.

I would wait for the inevitable Johnson betrayal for the third or fourth. Sure it happens, but that is pretty cliched unfortunately.

A complication in the second run is a good idea but make it a relatively minor one. Something like, the van they were supposed to hijack took a different route than was projected, and they have to play catch up. Or the corp's security schedule was changed due to a tip off or mere coincidence, and the shift change they were relying on just ain't happening. Like that.

[Another_Poet]

I would do what a friend of mine did in your situation.

Have the first game be a "Shadow Punks" game. By that I mean you start off as street thugs in a bad neighbourhood. You decide to start your own game and try to make money so you can become Shadowrunners like in he movies (or whatever, leave the motivation up to the PCs).

If anyone has any cyberware, it's amazing. Maybe one person has an infrared eye or ampified hearing or something. But no one has bone lacing, smartlinks, wired reflexes, etc etc etc.

The characters don't even have guns. They use classig street weapons like a baseball bat and a cheap stainless steel katana.

Their jobs are things like robbing a convenience store, shaking down some other tough guys in the neighbourhood, etc. As they earn money they can get some guns or some actual cyberware. If if they have a mage with them it is a Big Deal even though (s)he only knows how to do a few simple things.

It's a good way to start off and learn the rules slowly as you go.

ap

[kjones]

If you don't want to come up with your own mission, I've been using some of these - despite being set in Denver (which has factionalized weirdness) they're pretty good. Even if you do want to write your own mission, it's worth taking a look to get a sense of mission structure. (And a lot of them have handouts, like maps and photos and such, which is a plus.)

[comicshorse]

With that in mind, it looks like I'm going to be GMing for Shadowrun if we play. They already went ahead and made characters; one is playing an Orc Street Samurai (playing up a "catgirl" theme), one is a Dwarven Technomancer, and the third is a Rigger of some sort.

Read the section on magic, realize how screwed your P.C.s are without it, create a NPC Mage

[TheCountAlucard]

Well, we ran a brief game tonight (only three hours ), just to get them acquainted with the rules. The players all used the "sample characters" from the core book; they played the Technomancer, the Sprawl Ganger, the Covert Ops Specialist, and the Weapon Specialist. I ran them through the "Food Fight" mission; essentially, the PCs are at the Stuffer Shack, combatting a wicked case of the munchies, when suddenly the front of the store blows up and goons with guns walk in.

A firefight ensues; the Technomancer hacks the store, using the cleaning drone to try and trip the baddies up a bit while the Weapon Specialist and the Sprawl Ganger spatter the uglier of the two goons with ravioli and bullets.

The players found themselves a little tripped up themselves, having to roll initiative every combat turn, but all in all, they had some fun. Especially when the Technomancer hacked the cash register, and then wiped his datatrail clean without my having reminded him.

I told the PCs to make and use their own characters for the next time we play (if there IS a next time).

On that note, if we play this again, we're gonna need some more d6's...

Read the section on magic, realize how screwed your P.C.s are without it, create a NPC Mage.

After the session, I talked with a friend of mine about his previous Shadowrun experience, and when I mentioned that the group didn't have a mage, he started laughing and talking about how tough it would be for them.

[comicshorse]

Seriously read the rules on magic and Astral space in particular. If these are going to be part of your game ( after all you don't have to use all the rules) then the P.C.s need someone on their team who can access it. It's impossible to successfully do ANY sort of covert mission when there can be a Mage floating along besides you in Astral observing everything you do and you have NO way of telling. ( and that's before we get to the magical fire-power, fanatastic healing and all the other tricks Mages can do)
Magic is a huge part of Shadowrun and Runners who don't have it our pretty much doomed

[Narmoth]

Premade, free missions on the internet is your friend when starting shadowrun. Just google around

[kjones]

It's not impossible to have a team without a mage - but it makes it very, very difficult to counter enemy magic. There's not much you can do to damage enemy spirits, for example.

[TheCountAlucard]

Seriously read the rules on magic and Astral space in particular.

I fully intend to.

It's not impossible to have a team without a mage - but it makes it very, very difficult to counter enemy magic. There's not much you can do to damage enemy spirits, for example.

That was the jist of what the friend told me. He had mentioned the party having to frequently run away, because they were unable to damage summoned spirits. Humorously enough, though, one of the party members had a bow that would damage said spirits and didn't realize it until they were cornered. He spent an edge, rolled a bunch of sixes, and all in all got enough successes to pin the Force 9 spirit to the far wall with it.

[toturi]

I fully intend to.

That was the jist of what the friend told me. He had mentioned the party having to frequently run away, because they were unable to damage summoned spirits. Humorously enough, though, one of the party members had a bow that would damage said spirits and didn't realize it until they were cornered. He spent an edge, rolled a bunch of sixes, and all in all got enough successes to pin the spirit to the far wall with it.

Load your weapons with Stick and Shocks. Should be able to disrupt lower Force spirits with them.

[TheCountAlucard]

Quick question as I'm reading it... it says you can build a lodge for Force x 500 nuyen... can you start play with one? Is there a cap on how high a Force lodge you can start out with?

[Swordguy]

Quick question as I'm reading it... it says you can build a lodge for Force x 500 nuyen... can you start play with one? Is there a cap on how high a Force lodge you can start out with?

Offhand, I recall you can start with a lodge - but the rub is the Availability Rating. Remember, you have maximum Availability limits on starting PCs.

[TheCountAlucard]

Offhand, I recall you can start with a lodge - but the rub is the Availability Rating. Remember, you have maximum Availability limits on starting PCs.

Ah, yes, I figured there'd be something stopping a PC from starting with a Force 15 lodge. Thanks.

Still reading, am currently at the whole summoning/banishing/binding bit. Man, it looks like a higher-Force spirit is going to be just about invulnerable without a mage in the party.

Also, I think there was something about if you send a bound spirit off to do something halfway across the world, it doesn't count as bound to you while it's doing so. Did I read that wrong, or is it a way to get around the "you can't have more spirits bound to you than your Charisma" limitation?

[comicshorse]

Also, I think there was something about if you send a bound spirit off to do something halfway across the world, it doesn't count as bound to you while it's doing so. Did I read that wrong, or is it a way to get around the "you can't have more spirits bound to you than your Charisma" limitation?

That's Remote Service and yes " Spirits on remote service no longer count against the limit of summoned spirits " ( p178 Showdowrun 4e) the catch is if you ask the Spirit to perform a remote service that uses all your services at once.

[TheCountAlucard]

Thanks. Obviously, I took Incompetent (Perception) IRL.

I was still worried that running two games would decrease the quality of both, so I told my players that we'll put the D&D game on haiatus for a little while, and play some Shadowrun.

Also, looks like I'll be getting a couple more players.

[Werewindlefr]

My advice: avoid too much combat. Unlike D&D, where characters can soak several blows and live to tell about it, in Shadowrun a single shot can result in severe injury, coma, or death. A sniper rifle will kill almost anything but the toughest trolls. A mage willing to hurt himself a bit can take down a whole squad of elite guards, and a guy with an assault cannon can think about killing a Dragon. The players can't play it hack and slash, they won't survive it.
Otherwise, good luck. Shadowrun 4e is a good game worth spending time and going past its complexity.

[TheCountAlucard]

Hoi, chummers. Thought I'd fill you in on how it went.

The PCs

Kyra, orcish street samurai/sneak with the Human-Looking quality. She owns a nightclub in town and drives a motorcycle. Has a bit of a "catgirl" thing going, in that she has cyber-ears, the balancing tail, and her cyber-hands have metal claws housed in the fingers. She's allergic to wool.

Smite, elven rigger/smuggler. Has no SIN (not even a fake one), and literally lives out of his van. Has a corporate contact in Ares, as well as a fixer chummer with regional ties. He's also chromed-up with illegal aluminum bone lacing, a control rig, and smuggling compartments. He is allergic to styrofoam.

Ryu, dwarven technomancer. When his parents were murdered by a gang, he had to grow up on his own. Now he works a part-time job at Shocky Steve's Electronics Emporium for minimum wage. He has a little scooter he drives to get around town.

Dape, dwarven rigger. Works as one of the grease monkeys at a garage. Has reaction-enhancing cyberware, and is allergic to gold. He has a variety of drones that he keeps around, and drives a GMC Bulldog.

Incognito, "human" shaman. He paints, writes depressing poetry, and plays the guitar.

Opening

Smite's fixer calls him up and asks him to meet him at Kyra's nightclub in four hours to discuss "business." Smite sends a message to Ryu, Dape, and the shaman to let them know they might have a job.

With some time before the meeting, Smite decides to buy some nails, super-glue, and a box of teddy bears (having no SIN, he actually sits outside the hardware store and offers passers-by money to go in and buy the stuff for him). I really wasn't sure where he was going with this. He also wanted to buy some syringes.

Dape and Ryu still have to finish their work for the day, of course. The shaman paints an abstract of a dog, and then decides to spend his remaining hours investigating gang activity.

Uh-Oh...

The shaman's player rolls a critical glitch. I decide he gets to experience the gang activity first-hand when about fifteen gangers start having a firefight in the streets. I make some rolls, and apparently all this is going down a few blocks away from Dape's auto shop.

I let Dape's player roll Perception to see if he hears the gunfire. He rolls a critical glitch, leading Dape to believe he is hearing the familiar jingle-jangle of ice cream tunes. Dape's player knows what's going on, but plays along and decides to get an ice cream cone (and conveniently leaves his gun behind).

Luckily, they have enough sense to take cover, and then call Smite for help. Smite gives up on buying the syringes, hops into his car, and hightails his way over there, letting the other PCs know that Dape and the shaman are in trouble.

And they are in trouble. The only thing that stops the shaman from death by grenade is the fact that he took cover earlier. Dape deploys an iBall with the built-in smoke grenade to try and give the shaman a chance to get away from the heat. The shaman makes his Running test to make a break for it...

...and gets a critical glitch. Smite gets there in time to see the effects of Dape's smoke bomb and hits the brakes, stopping just as the unlucky shaman leaps out of the smoke cloud, barking his shins on the hood of Smite's car.

They pile into his car and take off, taking a series of confusing routes in order to throw off any police that may be pursuing them before finally making it back to Kyra's nightclub, where Smite's fixer is waiting in a private room...

Meet Mr. Johnson...

Seated with the fixer was a nerdy-looking man who was apparently wanting to hire a discreet team of shadowrunners. Said Mr. Johnson told them that he suspected that the manager of a minor snack company in the northern part of the city was guilty of wrongdoing, and knew of a set of files in the corporate offices that would either confirm or deny his suspicions.

If they could get him said files without being caught, he would pay them 400 nuyen per person. Of course, they were supposed to haggle and get a higher amount out of him (he was prepared to pay as much as 1000 nuyen per person for their services), but lackluster rolls only got him up to 550 per person. The group accepted the mission anyway, and began to plan.

Planning

The planning stage took up the rest of the session. Ryu did a LOT of research, and didn't botch a single roll, while the others discussed how they might pull this off. He also signed himself up to tour their factory the day after their heist, and enjoy a bag of free cookies.

Smite went down to the Stuffer Shack and bought a microwave, a burrito, and some hair spray, and then asked Kyra if she had some glass bottles and corks (okay, now I'm really curious as to what sort of Macgyver move he's gonna try and pull off).

From what they said, it seems that their plan is to either

a) hack the company's employee roster, and add themselves to the list of nighttime janitors, steal the files, and then remove themselves from the roster, along with any traces of their presence

or

b) hack the company's security cameras, using last week's security tapes, and use their Mag-lock passkeys to get inside the restricted areas and get the files.

Either way, I'm eager to see how this plays out.

We all had fun with the session, but it's obvious I'll have to read the Matrix section more thoroughly.

[OverdrivePrime]

Sounds like heaps of fun, Alucard!

You might consider adding in a corporate rigger who's jacked into the building security system. It adds a very fun challenge, and makes sure that the Technomancer and Rigger don't cakewalk through the run.

[TheCountAlucard]

Sounds like heaps of fun, Alucard!

It certainly was.

You might consider adding in a corporate rigger who's jacked into the building security system. It adds a very fun challenge, and makes sure that the Technomancer and Rigger don't cakewalk through the run.

Great idea! Thanks!

[Deliverance]

Good story, Alucard, but it leaves one question open: Did Smite get his teddy bears?
I can't wait to hear what his plan is. :D

[TheCountAlucard]

Did Smite get his teddy bears?

He got twenty of them. No syringes, though, and I really wasn't sure how to answer the whole "Do they still make corks in 2070?" issue.

I really wish he'd tell me his plan.

[Lycan 01]

Wow, dude. You made me want to play Shadowrun, a game I basically swore I'd never GM.

Sounds like you've got a pretty good thing going, dude. Oh, and I'd actually suggest you don't try to figure out and/or foil the jerryrigger's plans. Sometimes its fun to pop something crazy out on the GM, and even the GM likes it sometimes. I'm usually more entertained than flustered when my PC's manage to come up with some crazy idea that can either make or break the game...


So how often are ya'll playing? I'm curious as to where this goes...

[TheCountAlucard]

So how often are ya'll playing?

Our group tries to play every Friday evening. I can't guarantee that it'll stay like this, what with classes having started.

[Timeras]

I suggest that as long as the stuff Smite is trying to buy woulndn't be too hard to get (and syringes would be fairly easy) you just let him have it and enjoy the mess he causes.
Considering the regular equipment PCs can get it will probably be a fun way to do something he could have had easier.