Customer Reviews

Rigger 2: A Shadowrun Sourcebook

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The danger of expansion-type supplements to any RPG system is the tendancy to over-burden the system with too many new rules; rules that slow down play and can mire a session in number-crunching and extra dice-rolling. Unfortunately, the RBB2 does exactly that...

Don't get me wrong, the book is packed with some really good ideas and long-needed rules clarifications from RBB1, but in some areas the development team clearly missed the mark (for anyone who has already purchased the book, the new "flux ratings" in Sensors/ECM/ECCM rules are a prime example of this). Also, the modifications to the vehicle armor and body rules have really changed rigger combat, and I don't believe in a good way; we had two experienced riggers get their banshees turned into scrap-metal by one missile shot -- hardly a result conducive to enjoyable gameplay.

The new drones and vehicles are nice, and the vehicle creation rules are a long-overdue addition (though again, seemingly a bit over-complex). My advice: get it for the new gear, ignore the majority of the rules, and run off of rigger combat info from the SR3 hardcover...

Although the rules presented in the book are pretty complex if you don't like them DON'T USE THEM! The book has some of the best mechanics for electronic warfare I have ever seen in an RPG and they are easily adapted to other games (I'm working on a CP2020 adaption).

The lack of pictures is a big downer but that's FASAs new direction <shrug>. The new vehicles and drones are lame but the new cyber and modification rules are excellent. Amusing how the drones in 2060 are less advanced in many areas then even todays UAVs heheh

Even if you don't play Shadowrun get this book and steal..err...borrow the rules you like. It's worth it just for the ECM/ECCM rules and gear.

If you want to make the game overly complex, as if it isn't already, then you need to buy this book. On paper the rules make sense and seem playable, but when implemented in the game they bring the role-playing to a standstill. Supplements like this simply take the role out of role-playing.

Riggers have always been the red-headed step children in the SR universe, that is until Jon Szeto came roaring onto the scene with Rigger2. Now, instead of, drive the get away van and fly the spotter drone, riggers have options that will blow you away. How about rules for how many drones can be controlled at once, or rules on taking over the remote defenses of a site? The rules are there. Customizing vehicles, making your own design, pretty much everything you could want is right in here. Only thing missing are rules and gear for some of the heavier mil-spec stuff. But, hey, as a runner do you want your GM to have the rules for making a main-battle-tank?

When the book first came ut I heard alot of bad rumours about it. I hesitantly put my cash down for it and brought it home. I opened it up and read it. This book is great, it adds detail (sometimes to much detail) to the game and has many new rules which balance the rigger abilities. It does have one big problem in my opinion, THEY FORGOT THE PICTURES!!!!! They have no pictures of the newer vehicles or the older vehicles.

This book I like, Riggers Rul

I found the Rigger 2 to be an excellent reference book for Shadowrun. I found alot of the rules concerning riggers in the Shadowrun wnd edition master book to be very vague. The Rigger 2 allowed me to really expand upon my rigger character.

I bought this book thinking that it would simplify the rules presnted in the Shadowrun 2nd ed. rules. It didn't. To be fair, it realistically represented what the cars and riggers would do. However, the action is slowed down because there is an entirely new set of rules to learn (to add on to the combat, the decking, the magic and the adpet rules). The maneuver point system is very confusing, and the new rules for sensors and all that other gadgetry is horrendous if you are trying to have a quick game. It comes down to your likes. If you like a lot of detail, and want to run a bunch of car scenes (a la Knight Rider), you'll LOVE this book. It just didn't do it for me. I did like the customization rules however, which are in the back of the book. If you ignore all the rules in the front, just use the creation system, then use the new stats in this system, it is very workable. I, however, feel that the customization rules doesn't justify the cost of buying a new supplement. If you want the basics of the new system, but don't want the expensive rulebook, they're in the shadowrun 3rd ed rules. The customization rules are not there, though, so you may want to buy this book just for them (you can also let the riggers player use this book so he won't sit there looking at your main rulebook all night! :-)

I reccommend this book on the basis of its originality and thoroughness. I think that it updated several parts of the game. I'll never forget the "gremlins" flaw--I find it highly realistic and highly amusing.

Thanks FASA! (For another good sourcebook)

If you like Riggers, or are even REMOTELY interested in them, you MUST get this book. From new rules to new toys, this book has it all. GMs, this is a must-have for you. It'll help you make your runs much more entertaining for your Rigger, and for the other runners as well. Rules for CCSS will enhance your runs beyond your wildest dreams... if you liked RBB, you'll LOVE this book. Its a 10, except for the lack of vehicle artwork. If it had artwork for all the vehicles, I'd give it an 11. The way it is... 9.7.