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ShadowRun tabletop role playing game
- Thread starter Rhea
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I used to play a while back, but I'm sure the system is pretty similar to the older editions. The main thing to keep in mind about Shadowrun is that it's a d6 system, so the only dice you will need are cubic dice like these. 36 would be more than enough (but the small size can be fiddly), and they also make larger dice in sets of 12. Needing more than 12 will be unlikely until they've been playing for a while, and even then you can count successes and reroll dice as needed. If you have a local games shop you should be able to check them out in person and see what you prefer.
Two colors is nice to have, but single color is definitely sufficient. Go for good contrast, and translucent dice are bad luck.
Apart from the rulebook and dice, must haves are pencils, erasers, and paper (graph and plain are ideal). Having a large laminated dry-erase grid for miniatures can be helpful but isn't necessary (I'm sure the younger folks are using tablet apps for this now anyway)
I'll see if I can check out an updated rule book to figure out if you need anything else.
Thanks, Deepak!
They are currently using my "go" mat which is a vinyl grid that they draw with those water-soluble overhead projector markers.
Glad to hear it on the multi colors. I was wondering if it was nice to have more than one color - if the dice say or do different things.
Plus it would let me gift him with fun/cool dice that don't necessarily match.
I was going to make or get some sort of dice-rolling tray so they can deal with their throws on the glass table.
They are currently using my "go" mat which is a vinyl grid that they draw with those water-soluble overhead projector markers.
Glad to hear it on the multi colors. I was wondering if it was nice to have more than one color - if the dice say or do different things.
Plus it would let me gift him with fun/cool dice that don't necessarily match.
I was going to make or get some sort of dice-rolling tray so they can deal with their throws on the glass table.
I'd say you're pretty well kitted up for them to get started once you get the dice then.
Making one would be a nice gesture, and it should be a relatively simple project. Some scrap wood, spray adhesive, and a bit of felt will make for a nice keepsake. Something like http://i.imgur.com/oK6tPOe.jpg
And if you're feeling ambitious using a finger or dovetail joint will look really nice and be much stronger than a simple miter.
Though in a pinch you can always use a shoebox lid and tape some washers to it for weight.
Making one would be a nice gesture, and it should be a relatively simple project. Some scrap wood, spray adhesive, and a bit of felt will make for a nice keepsake. Something like http://i.imgur.com/oK6tPOe.jpg
And if you're feeling ambitious using a finger or dovetail joint will look really nice and be much stronger than a simple miter.
Though in a pinch you can always use a shoebox lid and tape some washers to it for weight.
Oooh, that's nice looking, though I agree with dovetail joints.
A part of me considered building a dice rolling tower out of lego
http://www.slashgear.com/lego-dice-roller-will-decide-your-fate-for-you-video-20127522/
Could be kinda fun.
A part of me considered building a dice rolling tower out of lego
http://www.slashgear.com/lego-dice-roller-will-decide-your-fate-for-you-video-20127522/
Could be kinda fun.
Underseer
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I have not played pan & paper RPG for decades, but not this one.
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Code Monkey
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I play Shadowrun regularly. Deepak nailed it, they will only need 6-sided dice, but with the current edition, they are likely to need more than 12. As the GM for our group, I get along fine with 24 dice, but some of my players tend to use a few more (their characters are pretty advanced, though).
Have your kids been playing tabletop RPGs for long, and are they new to Shadowrun? The reason I ask is that Shadowrun is fairly complex for tabletop RPGs, and the rules can be pretty dense and intimidating for a beginner. If they are new to tabletop RPGs, or to Shadowrun, the Shadowrun Beginner Box Set would be a good starting point for them. If they already have that then you might consider the Runner’s Toolkit: Alphaware, which includes some dice, but I'm not sure how many. It provides an intermediate step between the beginners box, and the full rules. There is also a digital edition that combines both sets, but does not have the dice or physical maps (obviously). If they are already experienced tabletop gamers, and also not new to Shadowrun, then don't worry about either of those sets. I am sure dice will be welcome regardless of how many they have already. Also, if one is a GM, or aspiring GM, the GM screen is always good to have if they don't already have one. I wouldn't worry about miniatures for Shadowrun, there are not many available for the game, and most gaming groups don't use them for Shadowrun.
Thanks, they are very new to it - just learned this summer. I mean, just learned Tabletop RPG this summer and ShadowRun was their first game. They've probably played about a half dozen times. Still, they don't appear intimidated at all. They are having a blast. It's kind of hilarious to listen to. Last time they were here it was 3 hours of loud-volume gleeful story-telling between rolls and chorus shouts of "nooooo!" or "ha ha ha the thing fell right on him!"
They bought something - a full rule-book, I think? They might have gotten this online, I think that's the version they have, but I'm not positive. They talked about buying a paper copy but I'm not sure if they did. I think the GM uses a laptop. The rest seems to be pencil and paper - or vinyl and marker.
I'll ask one of the friends if they have this "screen". I am not sure if they are playing 4 or 5 - I understand there were a lot of additions to 5?
Thanks on the miniatures, I won't bother with those given what I see going on. For this group, I would not be surprised if they decided to make something. My son made his own Gore Magala and his own GLaDOS out of Legos, they're pretty good (the GLaDOS now hangs from the living room ceiling; lurking, sulking, plotting...) so he might find it entertaining to make little miniatures. But he's also an artist, so he might prefer to just draw them when they play as he has been. He has an online comic where he develops his art skills, so he would find drawing things more fun than buying them, I think. (link to comic if you like that sort of thing)
I appreciate all this feedback! I'll ask about that screen and keep buying fun dice for him. Maybe more markers and paper table cloths.
They bought something - a full rule-book, I think? They might have gotten this online, I think that's the version they have, but I'm not positive. They talked about buying a paper copy but I'm not sure if they did. I think the GM uses a laptop. The rest seems to be pencil and paper - or vinyl and marker.
I'll ask one of the friends if they have this "screen". I am not sure if they are playing 4 or 5 - I understand there were a lot of additions to 5?
Thanks on the miniatures, I won't bother with those given what I see going on. For this group, I would not be surprised if they decided to make something. My son made his own Gore Magala and his own GLaDOS out of Legos, they're pretty good (the GLaDOS now hangs from the living room ceiling; lurking, sulking, plotting...) so he might find it entertaining to make little miniatures. But he's also an artist, so he might prefer to just draw them when they play as he has been. He has an online comic where he develops his art skills, so he would find drawing things more fun than buying them, I think. (link to comic if you like that sort of thing)
I appreciate all this feedback! I'll ask about that screen and keep buying fun dice for him. Maybe more markers and paper table cloths.
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That's good, sounds like they are focusing on the role play, rather than the rules. The way it should be IMHO. If they are having fun, that's all that matters.
There is one new core mechanic in 5th edition, and a few other significant changes to the rules, but those are mostly just a bother to long time players. With my group we have been playing for so long (my wife and I since the '80s) that it was hard to forget the old way of doing things, and remember the new rules. Shadowrun in general, regardless of the edition, is more complex than just about any other tabletop RPG I have played. It is because of the setting, which combines modern and near future weaponry, vehicles and drones with magic, and throws in the matrix (a futuristic internet much like the Matrix movies). Learning the rules for all of the different aspects of the game can take some time.
The tabletop version of the game is getting a lot of new interest these days, as there have been a few excellent video games made from the franchise recently. The core mechanics for those games are based on the 2nd edition of the tabletop RPG, however, so there are considerable differences in how they work. I can see new players who are only familiar with the video games having a hard time enjoying the tabletop version.
If they are using vinyl grid mats, like those put out by Chessex, they may not need the paper grids, unless they are running out of room when it comes to long range encounters, or vehicular combat. My group tends to abstract that kind of thing for Shadowrun, we don't normally use grid maps at all, and just use a normal sheet of graph paper when we need better visualization. We only break out the Chessex mats and miniatures for D&D type games. Every group is different, though, and it probably wouldn't hurt to ask what they think will help them enjoy the game more.
They use a vinyl mat from a game I had called "Pente" which is a 19x19 grid for a game that resembles Chinese "Go" or basically 19x19 tic-tac-toe with captures. That's why I'm not sure if 19x19 is big enough. They aren't complaining, I'm just enjoying thinking gift ideas that would be fun for them.
I'll ask. I think they abstract quite a bit and only draw when someone needs it.
These are great comments and insights - thank you very much!
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Code Monkey
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In that case the rolls you linked should work well for them. You might also consider looking for Chessex vinyl mats, their 26” x 23½” Batllemat is priced comparably to the paper rolls. They have larger sizes as well. Most gaming shops carry them, and you can also find them online.
You're welcome. As a long time tabletop gamer, I love seeing kids getting into the hobby, and anything I can do to help them enjoy the experience is well worth it.
Doubly so with Shadowrun - it's still my favorite game setting so I have quite a bit of nostalgia for it, and also because most kids who are introduced to tabletop gaming go toward D&D.