This page is best viewed by Netscape v3.0 or greater.
|
CHARACTER ARCHTYPES
This is a list of common arch types that Fasa has published, as well as
a small description of them, as well as my personal experience of them.
The Adept
The adept is magically active individual who follows the somatic way.
Instead of casting spells, he uses his magic internally to develop his
body to its utmost potential, physically, mentally, and spiritually. The
adept gains magical powers that affect him physically such as to increase
the damage he inflicts, the increased reflexes and alertness, or even
unbelievable skill with which he wields a weapon. This is my favorite
kind of character archtype to play.
Body Guard
The body guard is a professional and protection is his specialty. His job
can be as boring as guarding a reclusive, homebound computer programmer,
or as exciting as protecting the latest sweet young simsense star during
her first whirlwind tour of Europe. The bodyguard often has a wide range of
skills, often due to skillsofts, to ensure he his employer survives, at least
until the body guard has finished his tour of duty. I think that this
archtype is a very useful one, although the character persona is usually
a serious one, so no goofing off!
Combat Decker
While most deckers prefer to undertake runs from several miles away,
providing overwatch, legwork and security cover for their team through
the matrix, the combat decker prefers to be where the action is. He's ideal
for runs that require direct penetration and on-site computer access. I
have nothing against deckers, in fact, the Matrix is a cool place. The only
thing is that while the DM and the decker PC are in the matrix, that could
take well over half an hour that the rest of the group is sitting there
twiddling their thumbs. If only there was a faster system for the matrix.
Combat Mage
The combat mage is from the elite group of magicians dedicated to applying
their magic martially. In a firefight, his sudden apperance can tip the balance.
He craves the excitement of combat, whether fighting with his guns, sword,
or his repertoire of single-target and area-effect spells. These mages
are not above using cyberware either to enhance their combat abilities,
such as smartgun links, and cyber eyes.
Covert Ops Specialist
The covert ops specialist is a master of infiltration and unauthorized
access. Her skills and equipment allow her to survey targets and gather
intelligence. Often using cyberware that enhancers her senses and
increases her reflexes to avoid detection. This is your classic
James Bond spy character shadowrun style. Definitely a great character
in any group.
Decker
The decker is a console cowgirl, a descendent of the computer hacker of the
latter part of the 20th century. She jacks into the Matrix to manipulate
the dataflows to her own ends while seeking the big score or the trick that
will snug her firmly into the annals of the technomancers. She skirts the
edge of legality, overstepping them more than occasioanlly. Like I said,
there fun the play, but they take alot of game time away from the group.
Drone Rigger
In the paranoid, ultra-security mindset of the mid-twenty-first century,
the services of the Drone Rigger are in high demand. With his skills
and machines, he provides an anonymous and often undectable method of
surveillance, protection, or attack. If you like the automated toys, then
you'll like playing a drone rigger.
The Face
The face is the gilded-tongued warrior of the shadows. In her mind, it's
not about guns, magic, or even cyberware. It's all about style and charisma.
Whether it's negotiating a contract, interrogating a captive, or talking
her way past a security checkpoint, she is the social chameleon. There
is nothing that phases the face. She is able to hang tough with the
go-gangers and mingle with the high society figures with equal ease.
I've seen this on in action and it works pretty well doing whatever the
situation calls for.
Former Company Man
The former company man has had his eyes opened to the nature of the
corporation he served for so long. Disgusted by the corruption he uncovered,
he quit. He is still haunted by his former employers and deeds, but is trying
to bury the past. Making a new life is hard. He has little to offer
except the skills he used in the company's behalf. He doesn't like it,
but he uses them. Some day, he'll retire completely. Man with a troubled
past, the background basically writes itself.
The Investigator
The investigator (or detective, gumshoe, or private eye) is a throwback to
the days before the Awakening. His skills are practiced and valued by
everyone in the shadows - digging up dirt, chasing down leads and working
his contacts. Just because he seems out of place doesn't mean he is, as
he makes sure to stay on top of the latest advances. This character rarely
uses cyberware. As long as this guy ain't you main combat man in the group
your good to go.
The Mercenary
The mercenary can be described in two words: "Professional Warrior". He
has his own beliefs and his own agenda, but the bottom line is that he has
the training, the skills, and the experience to take on any job at any
time - and he will if the price is right. This guy is the perfect combination
of stealth and speed, with the mobile firepower any team could use.
Sprawl Ganger
The urban sprawl is the ganger's home - every back alley, booze house,
abandoned building, and burned out car. This hombre is pure street
muscle and he's got the chummers, the rap sheet, and the bruises to prove
it. With this archtype you aren't going to find the latest cyberware and
weapons, we are talking second rate citizens here. Not for the "professional"
shadowrun group.
Street Mage
The street mage is the most balanced of the shadowrunning magicians. She
prefers the thrill of life on the streets, but can easily melt into
mainstream society. Her skills and spells reflect reflect this balance
and cover a wide range of magical abilities, form offense to illusion to
health. An all around character for any group.
Street Samurai
The street samurai is more than an urban predator or partial cyborg,
he is a freelance operative who follows a strict code of street honor.
He sells his skills, training and cyberware for profit, but is not an
amoral killer and will refuse jobs that he considers dishonorable.
Every group has one!
Street Shaman
Sure, the sewers are nothing but sludge, poison and waste to you; but the
street shaman knows the balance of the life cycles of the sewers better
than any other. From this, she knows much about the surface dwellers above,
including their strengths and weaknesses. Combined with her stealth and
magic, such knowledge makes her a natural at penetrating security and
accessing installations, and therefore invaluable no matter what kind of
shadowrun you are on.
The Tech-Wiz
The tech-wiz is a new breed of decker, one that can not only access the
matrix, but is also the master of all things electronic. He can find a
way to splice into the matrix and aid the team from afar or he can tag
along on the run and disable the latest electronic security devices the
corp has just installed. He has the skills, the tools and the techsavvy to
handle all the team's tech needs.
Tribal Shaman
The shaman treads the path of the spirits. Festooned with fetishes and the
implements of his trade, he walks the land, in tune with its spirit
seeking to preserve it harmony. More than the ordinary mage, he abhors the
encroachment of technology, especially that which invades the body. I have
seen these guys summon all kinds of spirits for aid, and even whip off
devastating spells, they have earned my respect.
Tribesman
The tribesman is a member of one of the local tribes, possibly metahuman,
scattered though out the wilderness. He believes in the sanctity of the
land and of the body. The rural "street samuria" without all the gizmos
and technology.
Vehicle Rigger
If it can be driven or flown, the vehicle rigger can dive or fly it. If
he doesn't know how to pilot what you've got, he'll give it a shot anyway.
He is part barnstormer, part test pilot, part daredevil, and even part
mechanic. Even if you don't have a vehicle, it's likely that he just
happens to have a little souped-up number that's armed and armored and
ready for a road test. And don't sweat it breaking down - he's got the
tools and skills to repair it. This archtype can fill any hole in any
group, especially if your lacking transportation.
Weapon Specialist
The weapon specialist is proficient at using and repairing just about every
weapon you've ever seen and quite a few you've never heard of. She is the
ideal for runs that require variety, skill and improvision. She instinctively
knows what weapons need to be used in every situation. Talk about overboard,
the archtype has lead a life of one thing, weapons.
BACK TO LIST
Shadowrun is copyrighted by the FASA Corporation and is protected
by law from any and all duplication. All rights reserved. So make
up your own damn system! Shadowrun is just a roleplaying game and
is not to be taken seriously.
|
