The Ultimate Guide to Creating Shadowrun 5E Characters: Best Builds and Design Goals

When it comes to creating a Shadowrun 5E character, there are many factors to consider. From mechanical notes to advancement suggestions, designing a character can be overwhelming. In this article, we'll explore the best builds for Shadowrun 5E characters, focusing on diversity and non-optimal Metatype/Archetype combos.

One of the most important aspects of creating a Shadowrun 5E character is setting design goals. What kind of character do you want to play? Are you looking for a stealthy infiltrator or a brutal tank? By defining your goals, you can create a character that fits your playstyle and helps you achieve your objectives.

In this article, we'll be exploring four unique builds: Troll Face, Ork Decker, Gnome Samurai, and the Decker Tank. Each of these characters has its own strengths and weaknesses, making them perfect for new players or veterans looking to shake up their gameplay experience.

Meet the Builds

1. Troll Face: As a face with troll physiology, this character has a unique set of skills that make it well-suited for social manipulation and combat.

2. Ork Decker: This Ork decker combines technical expertise with raw power, making them a formidable opponent in both physical and virtual combat.

3. Gnome Samurai: With their small stature and quick reflexes, this gnome samurai is perfect for infiltrating tight spaces and taking down enemies quickly.

4. Decker Tank: This character combines the defensive capabilities of a tank with the technical expertise of a decker, making them nearly unstoppable in combat.

Design Goals

When creating these builds, we focused on several key design goals:

1. Pass the 'Are you a Shadowrunner?' test: Each character is designed to blend in seamlessly with the shadows, making it easy to pass as a normal citizen.

2. Combat as a secondary: While each character has combat capabilities, they're designed to focus on other aspects of gameplay, such as social manipulation or hacking.

3. Matrix Defense strategy: Every character has a unique Matrix Defense strategy that helps them stay safe in the virtual world.

Non-Optimal Metatype/Archetype Combos

We also made sure to include some non-optimal Metatype/Archetype combos to keep things interesting. For example:

* 2 Deckers: This allows for more complex hacking strategies and a greater emphasis on teamwork.

* 1 Technomancer: This adds an element of unpredictability to the team, as technomancers can be difficult to control.

* 2 Mages: With two mages on the team, you'll have access to a wider range of magical abilities and spells.

Creating a Shadowrun 5E character can be intimidating, but with these builds and design goals in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a unique and engaging character. Remember to focus on diversity and non-optimal combos to keep things fresh and exciting.

For those looking for more information or resources, we recommend checking out the official Shadowrun website, as well as the /r/Shadowrun community on Reddit. Happy gaming!

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