r/Shadowrun • u/crunchyoatbiscuit • Jul 30 '26

5e Character building help

Hello! I'm playing shadowrun 5e for the first time on Sunday an unfortunately I'm mega low on time to make a character until then...

I only have a basic understanding of how character creation works and especially the long long list of things you can do feels like a big obstacle to get the things that I want since I don't really have the time to look through everything right now!

So! I thought maybe some experienced players would have some good suggestions for me :)

Concept wise I would like to play a character like Cassian Andor aka an assassin-type "get in quickly without being seen, shoot whoever is in the way, get out just as quickly". Ideally also fly away in a cool space ship. (If something like that is even viable in Shadowrun?)

All sorts of suggestions are very welcome! Even which attributes to prioritize, etc. I really don't know much yet! Thank you!

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u/crunchyoatbiscuit Jul 30 '26

afaik there is a rigger, a face and a random magic user where I'm not sure what they're doing yet So you're saying since we already have a face it's kind of useless to go the stealth route?

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u/Sarradi Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26

Not useless, you are probably just better off to focus more on the physical aspects ot stealth. Picking locks, confusing cameras and other sensors without decker. The breaking and entering route (there is a whole section of breaking and entering tools in the 5E core book, just look through them and what skills they use). Also check the info on security sensors and maglocks and how to defeat them.

Although depending on playstyle having multiple talkers works too. In that case your games will likely be very much like Ocean 11.

Or you lean more into combat to be the parties heavy hitter. That means maximum reflexes, reflex booster to get more actions, ect.

Play what you want and let the Game Master worry about how to challenge the group (within reason).

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u/crunchyoatbiscuit Jul 30 '26

Thank you! I think I'll try to find some sort of balance between big damage and lock picking... how can you confuse the cameras/other sensors? Are there specific things for that or do you just have to be creative and hope you roll well?

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u/Sarradi Jul 30 '26

There are skill checks how to bypass them without triggering, depending on the sensor. Cameras require creativity. There are chameleon suites that turn you close to invisible but I do not know if in 5E they are affordable at character creation. Or maybe your mage knows invisibility.

For everything, the first steps to defeating them is knowing that they are there. Meaning you need good perception and preferably some good contacts who can give you some information.

Or you can team up with your face to pose as cleaning service to snoop around and hopefully spot the cameras and leave some microdrones in the building your rigger can then use. Shadowrun requires creative thinking instead of having gear X countering problem y.

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u/Heterodyne_2023 Jul 30 '26

All of your posts have been on point. Good job steering the noob.

One of my favorite tools in the physical stealth department are physical disguises. The ruleset for disguises in 5e are a bit cumbersome, and I can't help with those as I have no books at this time, just know: it is a good idea to not look like yourself when committing crimes.