Shadowrun is a game focusing on the exploits—both positive and negative—of individuals uniquely qualified to “solve problems” for well-paying clients who prefer to keep clandestine operations off the official books.
Characters tend to be specialists, to maximize their dice-pool potential for a given role in the group. As they develop and become more experienced, the number of things they can specialize in (or at least become proficient at) expands. In Shadowrun it is generally better to be highly skilled at a few abilities than mediocre in many.
Most established teams solidify around three to five core members, with the occasional add-on support as needed for a one-off mission. This isn’t to say that every Shadowrunning group is an island; having a wide and varied set of contacts is necessary to acquire equipment, gather information, get jobs, and sell valuable loot. Never underestimate the value of connections!
While there are no “classes” in Shadowrun, characters tend to fill one or more specific niches within a team. In general, every complete group should be able to cover each of the following needs in order to maximize their success:
- Close Quarters Combat
- Firearms Support
- Infiltration
- Investigation
- Magical Support
- Matrix Support
- Negotiation
- Transportation
In fact, some runners readily describe themselves using the common parlance popularized by 2075’s media depictions of Shadowrunners as a shorthand to introduce what one can do and where their specialties lie:
- Street Samurai: with copious amounts of augmentations, these melee assassins are ubiquitous in the streets
- Rigger: with the abilitity to control drones, vehicles, or whole buildings, these tech-heads bring machines to life
- Decker: weaving the power of the wireless Matrix, these hackers slice through electronic security like paper
- Mage/Shaman: magical practicioners who cast spells and summon spirits, the mystique of whom is almost fetishized in modern consumer media
- Adept: someone who is not quite a magician but nevertheless uses magic to fuel superhuman physical abilities
- Face: the (most) charismatic teammate, they’ll negotiate the best reward and talk their way past any guard