Whee. Lots to respond to, so this will be lengthy.
I was wondering, exactly how do flaws work? I was looking through the list...
Basically, the sum of your edges and flaws should equal 0.
I was thinking about taking Complusive (light) for something like mild OCD or ADD or something. I'unno. Do I have to balance out the -1 with a +1 from Edges?
That's the usual way. There's a more complex method (where you can pay for the edges with karma) but that's probably not a great idea anyway.
Technically, with this system, it's all paid for with Karma (and Flaws give you a bit more Karma.) You don't have to balance it out exactly.
As far as skills go, do you recommend taking Divining? Is metamagic really nice? I'll grab Etiquette (for those... spirits?) and Negotiation (also for buying things), and maybe put a couple points in computers (because if everything is computers, then basic knowledge seems good...)
Since the DM has said you can't initiate at Chargen, you can't use divining anyway. Note that in Shadowrun, you don't need ranks to be good at something... if you have an Int of 6, you're decent at Computers anyway. Having the skill means you're actually trained in it (so, you're a hacker or computer technician or something).
Another note: If you do not have the skill, there is still a penalty for defaulting (the Target Number does go up. I need to doublecheck the precise raise, but it's always easier when you have the skill itself.) Having a high Attribute to default to still helps, however.
Also, contacts. Based on the two sample characters the book creates (the Elf CovertOps and the Troll Combat Mage) there are a couple different types. Could someone elaborate on a few of them? Also, Kari, are there any campaign specific types? (From the book I've read so far, a fixer, who gets assignments, seems useful, as does one of the trolls contacts, the magic-making guy.)
Go nuts, make some up? The ones I have in my current face to face game are my character's mother (a powerful native american shaman who thinks he's squandering his life and thus won't help him most of the time), a talismonger he gets his toys from, and a fellow partygoer who knows where all the secret parties are. I've also got the head of Novatech as a contact after a particularly monty haul session with a newbie DM. That's probably not available to new characters.
JaronK
Yeah, no head of Novatech for you.
The only campaign specific contact (which I mentioned) is Katie Talin, the Information Specialist. Fixers tend more towards getting -gear-, not jobs - your jobs will mostly come through Katie, or more specifically, she will be arranging your meetings with the various Mr Johnsons you'll work for. (Anyone hiring you for a run is always Mr Johnson.) For the rest of it, as Jaron suggested, go nuts. Feel free to make something up, or just select a kind of contact that's desired, and I'll come up with something.
Are there any restrictions for legality for starting equipment?
Edit: Another question. Do I need to familiarize myself with Bioware and Cyberware Stress level rules? If so, could I get a brief rundown?
Standard legality for creation - aka, no Availability higher than 8. And no, you don't need to familiarize yourself with them, they tend to be overly bulky and annoying, so I tend to just require you to make periodic visits to an appropriate doctor of some kind to keep yourself maintained. More often if you do something that really strains your 'ware.
Ok, a minor flaw isn't worth scrolling through the edge list for something rated at a +1.
I can't find assensing as a skill... I'm sure it would be in magic, but... (Or is it Aura Control?)
I think I'm doing good. I can't figure out how to actually get the spells tab open, but I'm assuming I just need to buy some spell materials and stuff.
How much should I be looking at for lifestyles? Do I need like 6 of them, or only 1 or 2?
Also, any recommendations for spells I should get? I don't quite understand the spell system, but that's probably just tired brain.
Another question: Can I leave spell points unused at the end of character creation? Also, is there another way to get spell points after character creation is over?
Spells tab will open after you buy some Spell Points back on the first screen (where you chose Race and Magic options.)
You only NEED one Lifestyle. Basic Lifestyles are located in the core book on page 62. More paranoid types often have more than one Lifestyle for a variety of uses, and custom Lifestyles can be crafted using the rules located in the Sprawl Survival Guide.
In regards to buying spells, it's personal choice. Some like illusion, some like combat spells, whatever. Please bear in mind that you must buy the Force of a spell when you purchase the spell, and that is the maximum Force you can cast at. Seriously, you should read through the entire chapter on magic in the core book if you want to play a Mage - every page - then come back with your questions. It will help.
Spell points must be spent. After creation, spells are learned by spending Karma.
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Okay. Anything further from me waits until after I've slept. I just got home from work.
