Shadowrun Fourth Edition, by Catalyst Games, is a cyberpunk role-playing game where magic, cybernetics and virtual reality coexist. Player characters are known as shadowrunners. They act in the shadows and outside the law, doing the dirty work of the megacorporations and other powerful forces that ...
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910 views
How can I make my game more “noir” as a GM?
I ran a couple of Shadowrun games at Dexcon, my first time GMing at a con. It's not my first time running Shadowrun; I based the games off of a couple jobs my players did in a then-ongoing campaign. ...
26
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11answers
908 views
Justifications for the existence of cyberpsychosis
Several games (Cyberpunk, for one) have an effect like cyberpsychosis (defined here as "a psychotic aberration suffered by excessive users of cyberware"). Others, such as Eclipse Phase, consider ...
22
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7answers
3k views
How do you make hacking useful without excluding other players?
My Shadowrun group has a reasonably typical composition: "face", technomancer, rigger, mage, adept, and street samurai. The problem I have is making sure that the technomancer can use her skills ...
21
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4answers
801 views
How do you make the PC scream: “I wish we had a mage!”?
My girlfriend would like to join our Shadowrun game. She witnessed the first two game sessions and realized how cool the game and the setting is. She would like to make a mage and will start playing ...
21
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4answers
1k views
How does Shadowrun 4 differ from the previous editions - from an Actual Play viewpoint?
I have the old versions, and played the heck out of them.
I don't have version 4. If I buy it, what can I expect?
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2answers
2k views
Can you bring a sword to a gun fight (and win)?
My wife also wants to try out the Shadowrun game I am joining, but she really prefers using swords over guns. So she was wondering if there is any way (with either skills, items, implants?) that she ...
18
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2answers
612 views
How do I handle astral security?
When a shadowrunning team tries to break into a facility protected by magic, it seems to me as a GM like the team's biggest liability is getting past magical security. If a mundane B&E character ...
17
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5answers
502 views
Since there are actually Trolls in Shadowrun, is there another word used for “Trolling” a forum?
I didn't even think about the racist meaning of "Troll" when replying to someone who was Trolling my forum. I remember some Shadowrun Glossaries, but I'm trying to come up with some "in period" ...
17
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4answers
2k views
How do I deal with a Technomancer who uses a *lot* of sprites?
We have a Technomancer in our party who has a bunch of registered sprites. When something interesting happens - let's say the characters fight some attackers off and send them running away - he simply ...
17
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5answers
719 views
Are there any official guidelines for Shadowrun payouts?
I'm trying to figure out how much to pay Shadowrunners for a job, and how to balance the NPCs. I couldn't find anything in SR4A (though I could've missed something).
I've only played in a couple of ...
12
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2answers
383 views
What programming languages are used in Shadowrun?
I'm looking for Shadowrun 4E fluff information on programming languages. What are the names of canon programming languages in 4E? C+++? SuperPython? etc? Please let me know where in what book you find ...
11
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2answers
263 views
Do Technomancers need a commlink?
So I had never heard of Shadowrun before one of my players brought it up and asked if we could play it. I got the book, and have been perusing it for a few days.
One of my players says he wants to be ...
11
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5answers
350 views
How to deal with intimidating amount of rules in Shadowrun
I started to read about Shadowrun as a setting and I'm currently reading the rules and they are really intimidating. There's a lot to know as a player since every aspect of the game as it's own set of ...
11
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4answers
544 views
Shadowrun: Do Lightning Bolt/Ball Lightning spells do physical or stun damage?
The Setup
The Lightning Bolt and Ball Lightning spells both have their damage type listed as P for Physical (as opposed to S for Stun, such as Knockout). However, the rules also state (emphasis ...
11
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1answer
677 views
Can my Hacker have an army of robots?
I am just about to start a Shadowrun 4th ed game and I want to play a Hacker (Decker?) and I was just wondering about their use of robots (small or large).
Can I have a bunch of small robots to ...
11
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2answers
1k views
How do I increase resistance to drain?
My Aztec shaman character, Chimalli, is primarily a spirit summoner, using Willpower (5)+Charisma (7) to resist drain. He has one level of the Focused Concentration quality (+1).
Is there any easy ...
10
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4answers
358 views
Players who want a dayjob for a megacorp. Should I allow it?
A player wants to work for EVO knowing the corp has a great reputation as an employer (according to Corporate Guide) and they have a great tolerance of technomancers. As part of the day job ...
10
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3answers
329 views
How to use a Minigun effectively
So Shadowrun has a number of machine guns and assault cannons, but we still have the iconic minigun variant that allows us to shoot red hot death-lead at things. However, our resident heavy weapons ...
10
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4answers
307 views
Any canon Shadowrun material related to NY/PA/NJ areas?
I'm looking for specific, canon (i.e. official, published) references to material for the Shadowrun game-world setting. My game setting is based around the Philadelphia area; I've turned New Jersey ...
10
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2answers
716 views
What is the SURGE event in Shadowrun?
The Shadowrun 4E background material mentions an event called SURGE, which seems to be similar to UGE or Goblinization. SURGE is mentioned twice in SR4A, and at least once in the Sixth World Atlas. ...
10
votes
2answers
476 views
Do Technomancers experience any strange effects from being in UV nodes?
In Unwired(p.171) they talk about the legendary UV Nodes. These nodes are overwhelmingly potent, and have addictive qualities to all users.
There is a technomancer playing in my game who may have ...
10
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4answers
282 views
What are the differences between Shadowrun 3rd and 4th edition that I should know about?
I've played a decent amount of Shadowrun 3rd edition, and recently joined a group of players who play 4th ed. I know I'm going to get confused and turned about- In summary, what's changed that I ...
10
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2answers
295 views
How effective are spirits (bound or unbound) as security patrols in Shadowrun4E
How much attention do spirits (bound and unbound) patrolling a facility typically pay to non-astral threats? It probably depends on the orders given to the spirits, but what is typical in Shadowrun ...
9
votes
1answer
995 views
Is there any way to reduce the Essence cost of cyberware?
Is there any option at character creation I can make to reduce the Essence cost of cyberware besides just buying higher quality (Alpha/Beta..) implants? I am thinking of specifically a race or ...
9
votes
1answer
77 views
Any rules or fluff around a technomancer infected with HMHVV?
I've been toying with the idea of making a campaign's antagonist an HMHVV infected technomancer (AKA techno-ghoul). Is there anything in the various sourcebooks or official fluff that describes this ...
9
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1answer
866 views
What are the exact rolls and totals for a direct combat spell?
As a Shadowrun 4E GM, I have had a couple of arguments with players about exactly how the magic system works. Suppose a player goes to cast a spell like a Force 6 Powerbolt at an enemy. Exactly which ...
8
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7answers
277 views
How can I run games in Shadowrun, without going overboard?
I've recently picked up my SR4 20th anniversary edition rulebook and I'm interested in running a game for some of my friends. The issue I'm facing is that....well, I don't want to spoil my players too ...
8
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2answers
249 views
Why and how to force people to turn their PAN in active mode?
I just read about the Personal Area Network (PAN) for Shadowrun and they mention that some areas like airports, corp buildings or major metropolitain centers, require you to have your PAN turned ...
8
votes
4answers
674 views
Is magic, hacking, or rigging vital for balance in SR4?
I play Shadowrun now and then but ignore magic, hacking, and rigging in my games. Every time I mention this to others they tell me that I should just play Cyberpunk or d20 Spycraft. I ask why, and the ...
8
votes
1answer
393 views
Creating and researching new spells in Shadowrun
This is a two part related question:
The combat spells in Shadowrun cover fire, electric and acid elemental attacks, but not cold elemental attacks. Considering that the direct-attack spells all ...
8
votes
2answers
391 views
What makes Shadowrun 4e different? What are its defining tropes and features?
As a player who has a background in Mouse Guard, D&D 3.5 and 4e, oWoD, Call of Cthulhu and Fallout, what should I know about Shadowrun 4th edition? What is different about it in comparison to the ...
7
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5answers
380 views
How to convey the tone of Shadowrun
Reading the core book I realized how different Shadowrun is from my usual game of Dungeons and Dragons. We usually play the good guys saving a village from a tribe of goblins. Most of the time we play ...
7
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2answers
389 views
Can you throw back grenades in SR4?
If a character throws a grenade in Shadowrun 4th Ed., what rules are there for another character trying to pick it up and throw it back? Is this covered somewhere in the book? I know it's in SR3, but ...
7
votes
2answers
374 views
Why are certified credsticks 'banded' in shadowrun?
The source material indicates the banks can issue certified credsticks up to their maximum limit, which is indicated by their band. Why?
from what I can tell:
All certified credsticks, regardless ...
7
votes
3answers
208 views
How do you handle (critical) glitches if both parties have one?
The rules state that the character suffers from his mistake and may even injure himself in the case of a critical glitch.
But the rules doesn't cover the case if both involved parties of an opposed ...
7
votes
1answer
209 views
Do sustained spells need constant line-of-sight, or just for the casting?
When I cast Stealth or Invisibility on a teammate, do I need to keep him in sight (following him everywhere) to maintain the spell, or is LOS required only for the initial casting?
7
votes
1answer
502 views
Why do magical traditions specify a spirit type for each spell category?
In the SR4 rulebooks, magical traditions have listings of which spirits a character of that tradition can summon.
For example:
The Aztec Tradition
Concept: ...
Combat: Guardian
Detection: Fire
...
7
votes
1answer
433 views
How can improve a drone's Reaction (defense vs. bullets)?
How can I increase the Reaction score/defense vs. bullets of a drone?
Looking through commlink upgrades in Unwired, I was expecting to find a matrix upgrade which would increase the Response ...
6
votes
5answers
306 views
How to fit Shadowrun into a one-shot
I want to run a shadowrun game, but alas, I don't think my players or I have the time or the commitment to have an on-going campaign.
So, a one-shot it is. Or a series of one-shots interspersed ...
6
votes
1answer
218 views
How challenging is “challenging” in Shadowrun?
I'm reading the core book about the mechanics and I see that a Success threshold of 4 is supposed to be challenging. Here's the exact wording.
The standard threshold is 1 (so only 1 hit is
...
6
votes
2answers
161 views
Resonance Realms - Why bother?
Why as a player should I care about resonance realms? I understand that the actual character would be totally into hanging out in them, but from a gameplay point of view, why should I care?
6
votes
1answer
295 views
Shadowrun dice pool size
I am new to both Shadowrun and GM in general. I want to run a one-shot of Shadowrun with four players. In that aspect I was asked, how many dice should be needed for a basic run. Based on the examples ...
6
votes
2answers
314 views
Which Shadowrun book did this appear in?
I remember a Shadowrun book released in the last 2-3 years that had a description of a "trid show" that focused on shadowrunners. It would follow actual shadowrunning teams on their runs, record ...
6
votes
1answer
192 views
How to balance the numbers and equipment of an encounter in Shadowrun 4E?
I'm having trouble creating NPCs for my game, especially regarding their number and their equipment. Their skill level is ok, but these points are problematic. I know that most of the time, the ...
5
votes
4answers
301 views
How do I use Shamans as opponents in Shadowrun?
I don't understand the point of Shamans in Shadowrun. In a world full of technology and magic, I don't see how the Shaman tradition can be roleplayed and mentioned without making the players scratch ...
5
votes
2answers
188 views
Faster technomancer play — what dice formulas should I have on hand?
Motivation
I am new to Shadowrun 4th and am playing a technomancer.
Both the other players and the GM are getting annoyed with me having to look up my rolls for things, so what I was wondering is if ...
5
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1answer
196 views
What book is “HP” in Shadowrun?
The Chummer character creator has a reference to "HP". What book is this?
5
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1answer
103 views
Bows in ShadowRun: How do I calculate the damage?
In the SR4 rulebook 20th Anniversary edition, Bows damage assisted as (STR min+2)p yet later on, in the rulebook it says to calculate the base damage as the lowest of the bow and arrow rating.
To ...
5
votes
1answer
197 views
What is the “upcoming source book” mentioned in Shadowrun 4 FAQ?
In the SR4 FAQ, the answer to several questions about magic is "This question will be answered fully in an upcoming sourcebook."
The questions unanswered include the following little wonders:
If ...
5
votes
1answer
529 views
Shadowrun character creation, in what order do you reduce magic due to -wares?
In Shadowrun are there official rules as to when you would reduce your magic rating due to various -wares?
Point in case, if you decide to purchase say bioware at the beginning of the process, before ...
