KAGE CAR

GROUND VEHICLES CONSTRUCTION KIT FOR SHADOWRUN II

by the kage-car list

Introduction

KAGE Car is a source for building ground vehicles for the Shadowrun II role-playing system.

The rules described below are to be used in substitution of those present in the Rigger Black Book (RBB); where, for a particular topic, no rules are given, the player defaults on RBB and SRII.

Design of a Shadowrun Car

The design of a car is accomplished in several steps, where the player chooses the chassis type, the engine, etc.

Steps:

Choose a chassis
Divide the chassis space in Engine, Passengers and Cargo
Choose an engine type
Choose the engine size (and calculate power and efficiency)
Choose the dimension of fuel tanks or batteries
Choose the suspensions type and level
Choose the armor type and level
Choose thermal and aural masking
Go to the car shop and buy tons of accessories
Go to your fixer and buy some deadly weapons

Our example

Let’s say that we want to build a car for extractions. That means that we have a quite large chassis, a powerful motor (quiet, if possible), rooms for several runners and a good armor.

Let’s start with the chassis:

Chassis

Name	BVU	Mass	Body	Cost
Mini	800	400	1	8,000¥
Small	1400	700	1	12,000¥
Medium	2000	1000	2	18,000¥
Large	2800	1400	3	22,000¥
X-Large	3800	1900	4	35,000¥

All chassis have Base Handling = 3 on road and Base Handling = 6 off-road.

BVU: Basic Vehiclar Unit - the basic number of space units the chassis contains.

Mass: Mass in kg of chassis and other related vehicle parts.

Body: Starting body score.

ESU: Engine Space Units - the number of units of engine space an item takes up. Each ESU takes two BVU from the vehicle’s total.

PSU: Passenger Space Units - the number of units of passenger space an item takes up. Each PSU takes two BVU from the vehicle’s total.

CSU: Cargo Space Units - the number of units of cargo space an items takes up. Each CSU takes one BVU from the vehicle’s total.

Ok, we select the Large chassis. Take note of the stats:

Stat	Value
BVU	2800
Chassis Mass	1400
Starting Body	3
Base Handling	3

Now we should divide the space (2800 BVUs) in Engine, Passengers and Cargo space. Let’s assign 600 ESU (that means 1200 BVU) and 800 PSU (1600 BVU), no CSU required. 1200+1600= 2800. Note that 800 PSU is roughly equivalent to four normal-sized humans (200 PSU) with plenty of space. Ok, ok, here is another table:

Required Passenger Space

Race	PSU
Human/Elf	200
Dwarf	140
Ork	220
Troll	300

Engines

An engine is designated by two characteristics: its size in ESU and its type. Size is measured in ESU. The types are Internal Combustion (IC), Multifuel (MF), Electric (Elec), and Improved Electric (ImpE). Characteristics derived from these two are power and engine mass. The mass of the vehicle and type of engine determine the efficiency. Power and mass of vehicle determine speed.

Mass (kg) = Size (ESU)

Power and Efficiency Equations

Engine Type	Power	Efficiency (km/lt)
Internal Combustion (IC)	size^2	28000/Mass
Multifuel (MF)	size^2/1.2	42000/Mass
Electric (Elec)	size^2/1.7	2000/Mass
Improved Electric (ImpE)	size^2/1.4	1000/Mass

Cruising Speed = (Power/Mass) m/combat turn
Maximum Speed = 3 × Cruising Speed

Turbocharged, Customized and High Performance Engines

Modification	Turbo Charging	Customizing	High Performance
Power Increase	+10%	+20%	+100%
Mass Increase	+20%	+40%	+100%
Sig Mod (per level)	-1/2 full	-1	-1
Maximum Levels	5	5	1
Notes	None	Max -2 Sig. RBB Risk	No Customizing

We want a powerful and quiet engine. Seems like an ImpE of 400 ESU will work for us (the ImpE engines have a starting Signature of 5). To obtain power, efficiency and speeds for our vehicle, we must wait until we will have the overall mass. This includes chassis, engine, suspensions, armor, etc…

At this point, we don’t want to overpower our car, so move on to batteries.

Fuel Tanks and Batteries

Type	Size	Mass
Fuel Tank	1 ESU per liter	0.8 per ESU
Batteries	1 ESU per 20 PFs	1.0 per ESU

Cost: 1¥ per ESU

1000 PFs are enough? So let’s add 50 ESU. (400+50 = 450)

Total mass is now 1400+400+50 = 1850 kg (chassis+engine+batteries).

Signature

IC/Multifuel = 2 (base)
Electric/Improved Electric = 5 (base)

No modifications here.

environments, so a Level 2 Improved Suspensions will be enough.</I> guard with a Fichetti Pistol, isn’t it? So, move on to the armor.</I> to 2002 kg ((1400+10%)+30%). Handling is not modified, and the Body goes to 6. Now, that’s a good protection! </I>

Handling and Armor

Car: 3/6 (no autopilot or rigger controls)

Adding Autopilot increases handling by +1/+2.

Suspensions

Our example is for an extraction car, normally used in urban environments, so a Level 2 Improved Suspensions will be enough.

Improved Suspension

Level	Chassis Mass	Handling
Level 1	5% chassis mass	-1/0 handling
Level 2	10% chassis mass	-2/0 handling

Cost: +10% of vehicle cost per level.

Off-Road Suspension

Type	Chassis Mass	Effect
Basic	20% chassis mass	off-road reduced to on road
Improved 1	30% chassis mass	as basic +1/-1
Improved 2	40% chassis mass	as basic +2/-2

Cost: +30% of vehicle cost per level.

Active Suspension

Type	Chassis Mass	Effect
Basic	25% chassis mass	off-road reduced to on road
Improved	40% chassis mass	as basic -1/-1

Cost: +45% of vehicle cost per level.

No two suspension types may be used together.

Ok, let’s buy these suspensions: we add a 10% to the Chassis Mass and reduce by 2 Handling. Now we don’t want to pick up the runners, throw the car long the highway to be destroyed by a security guard with a Fichetti Pistol, isn’t it? So, move on to the armor.

Armor and Body Increase

Armor (per point)	Chassis Mass	Handling
Armor (per point)	10% chassis mass	Each 5 points increases handling by 1

Body Increase	Chassis Mass
+1	+5% chassis mass
+2	+15% chassis mass
+3	+30% chassis mass

Cost: 2500¥ per point to original Body, 5000¥ per point thereafter.

Let’s install a Level 3 Armor. That takes the Chassis Mass to 2002 kg ((1400+10%)+30%). Handling is not modified, and the Body goes to 6. Now, that’s a good protection!

Passive Thermal Masking

Possible for IC and Multifuel only. Adds +Level to Signature.
Maximum level is +50% of Signature. Adds +1/+1 to handling.
Cost: 5000¥ × Body for every level.

Active Thermal Masking

Possible for IC and Multifuel only. Adds +Level to Signature.
Maximum level is (Original Signature + 5). Adds +1/+1 to handling.
Cost: +100% of total engine customization cost for the first point, +25% for each extra point.

Passive Aural Masking

Adds +Level to Signature. Maximum is 4 levels.
Cost: 2500¥ × Body for every level.

Passive masking will be enough, for now. Let’s say a level 2 aural and a level 2 thermal. That’s Signature+4 and Handling+1. And 90,000¥ (5,000×2×6 + 2,500×2×6). Ouch!

Passenger Accessories

Advanced Passenger Protection System (APPS™)

Sometimes installed as standard in expensive cars, this retrofit consists of specially placed secured seat belts, additional impact-activated air bags in all passenger positions, and special reinforcement of the body panels. In a crash, the system gives the vehicle an extra three points of Armor, and gives each of the passengers two extra dice for the Damage Resistance Test. To exit the vehicle following such a crash, however, requires a Strength(5) Test.

Bench Seats

A single bench seat holds two people uncomfortably. Single benches are what you find in the back of most sports cars. A double bench holds three people, assuming the individuals are of normal size. Orks and Trolls with body scores greater than 6 take up the space of 1.5 people.

Bench seating is popular in compact vehicles or where space is at a premium. Many cars like hatchbacks and station wagons have folding bench seats that give more cargo space (150 for Single/300 for Double bench) when put in the down position. This cargo space cannot be used for options. A bench seat may be armored, but that armor protection only aids against attacks from behind. A seat may have up to 4 points of armor, which gives the character behind it an additional die on Damage Resistance Test for attacks made through it.

Bucket Seats

A bucket seat holds a single normal-sized person in greater comfort than a bench seat. Orks and Trolls with body scores greater than 6 are uncomfortable in standard bucket seats, but have the same comfort as other people receive from a bucket seat if they are in a Large Bucket Seat.

Bucket seats may be armored to provide protection from weapons fire. Each point of armor, up to a maximum of 4, gives the character an additional die on Damage Resistance Test against any attacks from the side or rear.

A bucket seat may be an ejection seat, a seat with a small solid-fuel rocket and rudimentary stabilization systems attached. Ejection seats include a para-sail that deploys on ejection and brings the chair and occupant safely to the ground, assuming the occupant is safely strapped in. The extra weight of the seat is for the rocket and the necessary jettison-capable panels that allow the seat to be fired clear.

Crash Cage

The so-called crash cage is a high-tech option available for most vehicles only as a retrofit. It takes standard passenger-protection one step further, providing a completely padded and hydraulically cushioned bucket seat that protects the passenger in a crash. In the event of a crash, the crash cage provides the occupant with an extra six dice for the Damage Resistance Test. The crash cage is available in normal and large sizes and can be armored just like a bucket seat.

Datajack Link

A datajack link allows an individual equipped with a datajack to plug into a vehicle and control it with rudimentary cybernetic commands. No vehicle control rig is needed to use a datajack link; only a datajack is necessary. In addition to the actual datajack port, various pieces of mechanical and electronic hardware are installed in the vehicle to allow the cybernetic control. Use of a datajack link adds +2 to the Reaction rating of the character while controlling the vehicle. Installation of the datajack control hardware also raises the vehicle’s Handling Rating by 1.

Gyro-Stabilized Coffee/Espresso Maker

The gyro-stabilized coffee/espresso maker is a fully functional personal espresso machine in a gyrostabilized platform. The gyro-stabilizer is able to keep all the coffee in the machine under all but the absolutely worst driving conditions. Generally, anything less than tipping the vehicle onto two wheels will not spill coffee.

Integrated Controls

Installation of integrated controls involves integrating the vehicle’s primary control interfaces (steering, speed, and the like) into fast-response controls built into the arm rest of an armored bucket seat. Doing so improves the reflexes of the vehicle’s controller, and also frees up space through the removal of the primary-control interfaces.

Integrated controls may be used as secondary controls ONLY if the primary controls are also integrated.

Rigger Control Gear

Rigger control gear covers the various pieces of mechanical and electronic hardware that must be installed in a vehicle before a rigger can control it cybernetically. A datajack link is included in the vehicle control gear for full rigger interface. Control of a vehicle through vehicle control gear by a character with vehicle control rig gives that character access to the Control Pool, as well as the full reaction and Initiative increases bestowed by the cyberware.

Roll Bars

A roll bar adds to the rigidity of the vehicle in a crash situation, adding three dice to any character’s Damage Resistance Test following a crash.

Passenger Accessories Table

Accessory	Space (BVU)	Weight	Cost
APPS™	50	50	2500¥ per seat
Single Bench	100	10 + 3 kg per point of armor	350¥
Double Bench	200	20 + 6 kg per point of armor	500¥
Normal Bucket Seat	100	5 + 2 kg per point of armor	700¥
Large Bucket Seat	120	8 + 3 kg per point of armor	750¥
Ejection Seat	+60	+30	1100¥
Crash Cage Normal	140	25 + 2 kg per point of armor	3500¥
Crash Cage Large	160	30 + 3 kg per point of armor	4000¥
Datajack Link	40	10	2500¥
Espresso Maker	15	10	200¥
Integrated Primary Control	-20	0	1500¥
Integrated Secondary Control	40	25	1250¥
Rigger Control Gear	120	50	2500¥
Roll Bars	40	5% of Chassis	2000¥

Let’s go shopping! Two Single Bench (holding four humans with level 2 Armor), a Datajack Link, a Rigger Control Gear and an Espresso Maker. That is 375 BVU, 5,950¥ and 96 Kg. And now we can compute the car stats:

Example Car Stats

Component	Specification	Cost
Chassis	Large (mass: 2098 kg)	22,000¥
Engine	Improved Electric	30,000¥
	Mass: 400 kg, power: 114 Kw, economy: 1 km/PF
	Cruising Speed: 41 km/h (57 m/combat turn)
	Maximum Speed: 123 km/h (171 m/combat turn)
Fuel	1000PF batteries
Suspensions	Improved level 2	400¥
Armor	level 3	12,500¥
Masking	thermal level 2 and aural level 2	90,000¥
Two Single Bench with Armor level 2		700¥
Datajack Link		2,500¥
Rigger Control Gear		2,500¥
Gyrostabilized Espresso Maker		200¥

Final Stats:
Body: 6 | Signature: 9 | Handling: 2/7 | Total cost: 160,800¥