With all 3 Shadowrun games rolled into one RPG cyberpunk sci-fi fantasy trilogy, new and returning players can finally sink their teeth into a rich, futuristic world teeming with adventure, danger, and mystery.
As players begin creating their characters and select their chosen race, players will then run into Archetypes which essentially are classes. All 3 games feature 6 playable classes: Street Samurai, Mage, Decker, Rigger, Physical Adept, and Shaman. Though each class will depend on the playstyle of the gamer, those who have played the Shadowrun games will note that some classes are better off than others. The game also features Cyberware, which essentially are items that stack on top of a character’s attributes and can be paired with the mentioned classes to enhance abilities.
Street Samurai
The warrior archetype, Street Samurai are operatives who are bound by an honor code. The Street Samurai are proud warriors who are typically the first to charge into a fight and the last to leave and are proficient in the ways of the traditional Samurai warrior, adapting them with modern combat styles. Whilst some engage in shady practices and sell their skills for profit, others prowl the alleyways to deal with thugs and those who prey on the weak.
The Street Samurai is well suited for melee or ranged combat and demonstrates considerable strength and damage resistance. This makes them very useful in any team. Their key attributes revolve around the Body, Strength, and Quickness attributes and their skills involve the ability to dodge, use throwing weapons, and utilize various melee or ranged weaponry. The consensus from other players is that the Street Samurai is great when equipped with an Assault Rifle. The Street Samurai’s Full Auto Rifle Attacks are considered a one-trick pony but it works exceptionally well, especially in Shadowrun: Hong Kong. When combined with the right Cyberware, the Ranged Street Samurai can have additional action points (AP) to spend, making it a terror in any firefight.
Mage
As the role suggests, Mages cast spells that range in utility. A Mage’s spells can be offensive, or defensive, and can be used to buff or debuff allies and enemies. Mages also demonstrate healing abilities. Their key attributes revolve around Willpower and they primarily rely on their Spellcasting abilities.
Unfortunately, Mages aren’t as flexible as some of the other classes and can become easy targets if not positioned carefully. Players might want to consider putting some points in Body and improve their dodging capabilities. In Shadowrun: Hong Kong, the Mage’s spells can bounce onto multiple targets if they are positioned on a Dragon Line. Players are recommended to acquire some Cyberware affinity points to further max out a Mage’s stats.
Decker
Essentially hackers that can navigate through the worldwide information grid, Deckers are an extremely useful class particularly in the first game, Shadowrun Returns, and in Dragonfall. They can project their minds into the matrix to gather secrets and information that others are attempting to protect or hide. Deckers use programs and systems to go up against the defense grids of megacorporations to pry and extract intel. Their talents revolve around the Intelligence attribute and their key skill is known as Decking.
Though useful, they aren’t great in the physical world (especially in a fight). Therefore their abilities should be paired up with another class, such as the Rigger. Though essential (especially in Shadowrun Returns), new players are advised to go with another class in Shadowrun: Hong Kong. This is because veterans of the franchise will agree that the Decker class isn’t as fun to play in the final installment of the franchise.
Rigger
Riggers are engineers with the ability to control and manipulate drones to do their bidding. Able to synergize with a Decker, the Rigger can employ various drones for different scenarios as some drones can be purely offensive whilst others can offer support (such as providing smoke cover). Their skills revolve around the Intelligence attribute and their key skills involve Drone Control. They are great at dealing damage, providing support, and providing intel with their abilities of surveillance.
An overall solid class, the Rigger particularly shine when they acquire the Drone Control ability as they can use 2 drones. When combined with Cyberware upgrades, a Rigger can potentially get a staggering 9 actions per turn.
Physical Adept
Spiritual and Magical warriors that are akin to monks, the Physical Adept can be seen as a hybrid of the Street Samurai and Mage. Honing their abilities, the Physical Adept can become unstoppable killing machines as they become stronger over time using their magic to buff their physical attacks. Their skills revolve around the Body, Strength, and Willpower attributes and their key skills focus on Qi Casting.
Although some players may be turned off because of the Physical Adept’s slow start, patient players will be rewarded with close combat demons after having acquired the right skills and equipment. This is apparent in Shadowrun: Hong Kong when players unlock Qi Onslaught and get the Racing Fulmination Sword. Overall, a solid class and a great alternative to the Street Samurai.
Shaman
A controversial class as many players report how ineffective the Shaman class is throughout the entire Shadowrun trilogy. The Shaman can summon spiritual allies and use them to combat enemies. They are also able to conjure and create spells that are beyond the abilities of Mages. Their skills revolve around the Charisma attribute and their key skill is, of course, Spirit Summoning.
Though criticized, some players have reported success when this class mixed in with other classes such as the Mage and Physical Adept. The advice here is to never play a pure Shaman unless the player wishes to experience a very brutal narrative adventure.
Shadowrun Trilogy is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.