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* Shadowrun FAQ *
* SNES version *
* *
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by Mike Jenista
[email protected]
Version 1.00
August, 2005
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Table of Contents
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I. What is Shadowrun?
II. Controls
III. Attributes, Skills, and Karma
IV. Weapons, Armor, and Cyberware
V. Items
VI. Spells
VII. Enemies and Bosses
VIII. Shadowrunners
IX. The Matrix
X. Conversations
XI. Shops and Clubs
XII. A Crude Map
XIII. Walkthrough
XIV. Story Summary
XV. Acknowledgements
XVI. Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
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I. What is Shadowrun?
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Shadowrun is an RPG developed by the FASA Corporation in 1989, a time when TSR
ruled on high with its Dungeons and Dragons game. Shadowrun had the same basic
game mechanics (dice, paper, pencils) but it was set in an entirely different
world. And what made it great was that the world it was set in was very well
laid out, whereas D&D was so open-ended that only a good dungeon master could
make the game worth playing.
Data East developed video game versions of Shadowrun for both the SNES and
Sega Genesis. The Genesis version has some advantages over the SNES game,
mainly the inclusion of 'random' shadowruns for extra cash, but also it has a
better representation of the Matrix.
The SNES title has better graphics, better sound, and just a teensy bit better
level design (including the use of isometric view rather than the Genesis
overhead view).
However, both games have kick-ass stories and recreate Shadowrun very well.
Both are worth playing.
So what the heck does "shadowrun" mean? "Any movement, action, or series of
such made in carrying out plans which are illegal or quasilegal" (from the
Shadowrun game manual, by FASA Corporation). Companies hire professionals of
various talents to do their dirty work whether that means assassination, theft,
or something more complicated. This is how the powerful run the world, through
the shadows.
Also, the reason that companies were able to take over world order is that the
underlying forces of magic (and their few remaining human allies, like Native
Americans and voo-doo witch doctors) became upset with the global game of
nuclear chicken, and they unleashed magic again. So after the governments
collapsed, the boldest companies hired private armies and mercenaries to protect
themselves, and as elves and trolls and such came back into the world, new
factions arose, all interacting through corporate means... or shadowruns...
So that is the world in which this game is played. Magic, technology, elves,
guns, intrigue... it's all here!
The particular setting for Shadowrun games is Seattle, since it has a good
overlap of the main elements of the world, like Native American populations,
Asian communities, rock music, technology companies, and gangs. Also, the guys
who originally developed the RPG were probably from Seattle.
There is a reference in the ending to a Shadowrun II, but I believe this is
a joke, like the bloopers reel at the end of Rush Hour 2 when Chris Tucker
makes a joke about Rush Hour 3. In any event, there was no Shadowrun II.
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II. Controls
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Directional Pad - Move Jake around
Select - Check party status
Start - Enter Jake's menu
A - Draw and fire your weapon
B - Activate hand icon (move the icon around; you know you can interact with
something when a little box appears telling you what it is. Press B
again to bring up an interaction menu)
X - Use selected spell (press once to activate spell icon (a zombie hand) and
press X again when you are over your target. You know you have the
right target when a little box appears with the target's name)
Y - Enter Jake's menu, and also select things in the menu
L - Examine (press R or B to activate hand icon first)
R - Activate hand icon AND acts as a shortcut to interact with items (so you can
press R twice to pick up items or open doors, for example)
Note: L and R also act as page-scrollers for your menus. So if you
want to go through really fast, use L and R.
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III. Attributes, Skills, and Karma
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In Shadowrun, "Karma" is the term for what most gamers know as "experience."
When you kill all the enemies you can see, you will get karma (unless there was
only one or two guys; in this case, you will get partial karma, and when you
kill some more guys and get enough karma for a point, THEN the karma will be
awarded).
With karma points, you can increase your Attributes, Skills, and spell levels.
To increase something from level X to level Y, you must have X karma points to
spend on it, and you can only use karma points at a bed, which is also where
you can save and heal for free.
To max out all skills, attributes, and spells, you need 735 Karma. I would max
out everything that goes to 6, and get the other three areas above 10, if not
to 15.
Here are all of the attributes and skills:
Attributes:
** Body ** This is how much life Jake has. If Jake has a body rating of X,
then he has X*10 life, so a rating of 4 means he has 40 life, and so on.
The maximum body rating is 20.
** Strength ** Increased strength allows for better armor and weapons. It has
a maximum of 6.
** Charisma ** The higher your charisma, the more runners you can hire at one
time (three at most). Also, I think that if your charisma is not high
enough, some runners might refuse a run because of some other runner
already in your group. I have not confirmed this, but it is a factor
in the Genesis version, and may be at work here as well. It has a
maximum of 6.
** Magic ** The magic rating is exactly like the body rating; X magic means
X*10 magic points for spells. It also has a maximum of 20.
Skills:
** Firearms ** Your damage and accuracy are increased with the firearm skill.
It has a maximum of 20.
** Computer ** When you fight IC's in the Matrix, this skill gives you better
chances of winning. It has a max of 6, but it is not a priority, so
don't increase it first.
** Leadership ** You do not have this skill at first; you must get it from a
street doc. When you get it, you can increase the length of time that
runners will stay with you. It is a GREAT skill if you plan on using
lots of runners, as well as a great way to save money since you can
get more done with the same group of runners. Max rating of 6.
** Negotiation ** This is also not a skill you start with; get it from the
Arena Owner. Higher ratings lower the prices that runners ask for when
you hire them. Some runners will still be quite expensive though.
The runners you hire may also have the skills "Armed Combat" and "Unarmed
Combat," but I am pretty sure you can not acquire these.
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IV. Weapons, Armor, and Cyberware
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You can buy weapons and armor from Vivyan's Gun Store and the Dark Blade Shop
but your first gun and jacket are taken off of some dead guys.
Cyberware all comes from Doctor Maplethorpe's office.
Some things will not be available until later in the game, so check
the empty gun cases to see what will be in stock later. Also, the black
market dealer in the 10th Street area has grenades.
To sell weapons and armor, give them to a store owner.
Weapons: (V$ = Vivyan's store price, D$ = Dark Blade store price)
** Burlitzer's Finest Grenade (V100, D80)
This is a worthless weapon. Rarely does big damage, if it does any
at all.
** Beretta Pistol (pick up from street punk) **
This is your first weapon, and it is not terrible at first. Upgrade
soon though.
** Zip Gun (see walkthrough) **
This is kind of a secret weapon... and it kind of sucks... so don't
bother unless you feel like getting EVERYTHING. Also, you can not sell
it since the gun store owners seem to think it's suspicious. They don't
want the cops to bust them or something.
** Fichetti Security 500 Light Pistol (V2000) **
This gun is comparable to the Beretta, so it's not worth paying for,
as you get the Beretta for free.
** Colt America L36 Pistol (V300) **
This is a weak gun. Don't buy it.
** Ares Viper Long Range Pistol (V4000, D3000) **
Against lightly armored enemies, this gun is not terrible, but it won't
get the job done. However, it is not so bad against unarmored enemies.
I still wouldn't buy it though.
** Ruger Warhawk Heavy Pistol (B9000) **
This is the best pistol you can buy. It will damage armored enemies
and is much better than any other pistol against unarmored enemies.
If you can't afford the T-250 but you NEED a better gun, this is it.
** Defiance T-250 Shotgun (V150000, D12000) **
You can and should buy this very early on (after your first few Arena
wins). It is good enough to last you the entire game if you want,
and when you first get it, the shotgun makes a huge difference. It is
probably the best value in the whole game.
** Uzi III Sub-Machine Gun (D30000) **
This weapon doesn't always do damage like the shotgun, but it fires
continuously. In the end, it comes out better than the shotgun, but
maybe not enough for the price. The best runners have this or better,
so you can rely on them until you can afford better.
** Heckler Koch 277 Assault Rifle (D24000) **
This gun does a lot of damage, but not always. It has the same rate of
fire as the shotgun. I would say it's an okay buy, but I usually hold
out for the most powerful gun.
** Enfield AS-7 Assault Cannon (D40000) **
This is as powerful as it gets. Buy it when you can.
Armor: The number in parantheses is the armor rating, and I suspect it is also
the strength rating required to wear it.
** Leather Jacket (1) **
Pick this up off of the dead Orc in the beginning. Don't sell it if
you plan to pick up Kitsune, since it is the only armor she can wear.
** Mesh Jacket (2) (V5000) **
This will be suffecient for a long time, especially if you use runners
to keep the heat off of you.
** Bullet Proof Vest (3) **
You can't actually get this, despite the empty case for it in (store).
However, some runners have it, and I believe the armor rating is 3.
** Fully Concealable Jacket (4) (D13000) **
I imagine that this refers to armor that is hidden under an innocent
looking jacket, which would be useful in the actual RPG. However, in
this game, it means nothing. I would only buy this to give it to a
runner, since most of them have mesh jackets and this would double their
armor for a mere 13,000 nuyen.
** Partial Body Suit (5) (D20000) **
This is something like what Marines wear today; lots of pieces attached
to various body parts. Jake's appearance does not change when you get
this armor, though, which is kind of lame since I think he would look
great with some elbow pads.
** Full Body Suit (6) (D30000) **
If Lancelot had access to Kevlar, this is the armor he would make.
Tough stuff, and it makes you nearly invincible to most enemies... too
bad it's not available until late in the game.
Cyberware: All cyberware comes from Doctor Maplethorpe's office. All of it is
worth every nuyen.
** Skill Software (3000) **
This gives you the leadership skill.
** Boosted Reflexes (15,000) **
Your rate of fire will dramatically increase. A necessity.
** Dermal Armor (6000) **
This is body armor that the doctor surgically implants under your skin,
and it permamently boosts your armor by two points. This means that
with Dermal Armor and the Full Body Suit, Jake can have a maximum armor
rating of 8.
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V. Items
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I will describe here where each item is, and briefly describe what it is for.
** nuyen **
In Shadowrun, this Asian 'nuyen' unit of currency is the new world
standard. Pick up rolls of nuyen off fallen enemies and steal it from
computer bank accounts - use it to buy stuff and hire runners.
** broken bottle **
In a safe on the Bremerton ship - examine it to figure out how to kill
the poison oozes later in the ship.
** bronze key **
On a bookshelf in the Dark Blade Club - opens the gate to Vladimir's
underground lair.
** naga scales **
Kill the Gold Naga in the volcano - component for Armor spell.
** mermaid scales **
Found on docks after ice delivery - component for Armor and Freeze
spells.
** paperweight **
Pick it up from office next to Glutman's - component for Powerball
spell.
** tickets **
In Grinder's file at morgue - give to Troll Bouncer to get in The Cage.
** iced tea **
Talk to bartender at Grim Reaper Club - give it to the sad guy at the
table.
** door key **
Pick up from familiar dead guy in old building - use it to open your
apartment.
** iron key **
Kill the Rust Stiletto Orcs at Daley Station - opens the Rust Stiletto
Hideout.
** torn paper **
Examine the morgue slab you were on - it has a clue on it.
** scalpel **
On the sink in morgue - open the tombs in the cemetary.
** memo **
This is on the familiar dead guy's desk - read it to find out some hot
info.
** lone star badge **
Buy it from the black market dealer in old office building - use it to
get access to morgue files.
** stake **
Buy it from Talisman Shop - kill Vladimir with it.
** strobes **
Get this from Jagged Nails waitress - use it to blind Vladimir.
** magic fetish **
Use a slap patch on the wounded shaman in the cemetary - Vladimir wants
this really bad.
** slap patch **
Open refrigerator in morgue or buy from the kid in Caryards - use them
to heal yourself (and use one on the shaman).
** dog collar **
Open the gate in the square to free the dog - use this to prove
yourself to the Dog Spirit. Also a component for the Summon Spirit
spell.
** enchanted leaves **
Talk to Kitsune - use them to prove yourself to the Dog Spirit; they
are also the component for the Heal spell.
** dog tag **
Kill the dog on the Bremerton ship - component for Summon Spirit spell.
** potion bottles **
Buy from the Talisman Shop - use them to bottle the invisibility
components.
** green bottle **
Blow open the safe in the belly of the Bremerton ship - use it to kill
the poison oozes.
** black bottle **
Buy from the Talisman Shop - bottle the octopus ink for the Freeze
spell.
** explosives **
Kill the Orc after the ice delivery - combine with detonator to make
the timebomb.
** detonator **
This is in the first safe on the Bremerton ship - combine it with the
explosives to make the timebomb.
** timebomb **
Combine detonator and explosives - blow open the safe in the belly of
the Bremerton ship.
** jester spirit **
Defeat the Jester Spirit - use this against Drake.
** data files **
Steal these from computers (some will come in parts; you can not see the
file until all the parts are collected) - read them for information and
plot updates.
** cyberdeck **
Take this from Glutman's office - hack into computers with it (only
those which activate a "computer" box when you move the hand icon over
them can be hacked).
** shades **
These are in your apartment - wear them for a new look and to disguise
yourself in the morgue.
** credstick **
Take this from Grinder's morgue file - use it on Video Phones to call
people (you will collect various phone numbers during the game).
** ghoul bone **
Take this off the first ghoul you kill - use it to prove yourself to
the Dog Spirit.
** crowbar **
One of the Rust Stiletto Orcs drops it in the Hideout - use it to pry
open the door to the Bremerton ship.
** matchbox **
You have this already - examine it for info about Wastelands.
** ripped note **
This is in your apartment - it has Sassie's number on it.
** password **
The Rust Stilettos boss drops this - this allows you to access the
computer in the lobby of Drake Towers.
** safe key **
Kill the Orcs in front of the first safe in the Bremerton ship - open
the safe with it.
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VI. Spells
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H'oochin'ikwa will give you the Heal spell automatically, but you will need to
collect spell components to get the others. Each spell can be improved just
like Skills and Attributes to a maximum level of 6, but each level increase
also increases the magic points required to cast the spell.
** Powerball **
Components - paperweight
Cost - 5 + 1/increase
Effect - A little fireball. Really, this spell sucks.
** Freeze **
Components - mermaid scales and octopus ink
Cost - 5 + 1/increase
Effect - Freezes enemies in a block of ice; you can still attack them
with your gun and the block of ice will flash before it disappears, so
you can get ready for another spell or whatever. This spell is really
great against Drake, but it is not as effective in general combat as
other spells.
** Invisibility **
Components - fountain water and toxic water (from toxic ooze)
Cost - 5 + 1/increase
Effect - Renders one target invisible, but NOT invulnerable. Some
bosses have attacks that they will use even without seeing you that may
still hit. However, regular enemies will no longer see you and you can
shoot at them with impunity.
** Heal **
Components - enchanted leaves
Cost - 5 + 1/increase
Effect - Heals any target. This spell is your best friend.
** Summon Spirit **
Components - dog tag, dog collar
Cost - 10 + 2/increase
Effect - A vicious dog spirit appears and attacks all enemies once.
This spell is very good at its highest levels.
** Armor **
Components - naga scales and mermaid scales
Cost - 5 + 1/increase
Effect - Makes any target invincible. However, since enemies will still
shoot at you, you will still get stunned as you run around.
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VII. Enemies
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Easy Enemies: Just start shooting these, no matter how many you see. The
scientists are only worth karma if they are throwing grenades or firing
sentry guns.
Heavy Dude
Sniper
Scary Ghoul
Street Mage
Large Orc
Massive Orc
Poison Ooze
Hitman
Peephole
Scientists
Citizens (these are worth zero karma and never drop nuyen, but you can kill them
just for fun)
Medium Enemies: You will need a better weapon (shotgun at least) and armor to
take on these enemies, especially in groups.
Ferocious Orc
Ghoul
Cruel Man
Octopus
Gang Member
Giant Rat
Naga
Sentry Guns
Hard Enemies: Either back-up runners or high-caliber weapons and spells are
needed to defeat these enemies without needing to heal every time.
Gang Leader
Troll Decker
Samurai Warrior
Gold Naga
Bosses:
** The King **
The King is the boss of the Caryards. He won't let you out unless you
pay him, but you can fight him in the arena instead. Build up a lot of
karma to increase your stats, then buy as many slap patches as you can
off of the kid. You should be able to kill the King, which means you
can leave for free AND keep the winnings for killing him!
** Rat Shaman **
The Rat Shaman will use Freeze spells and the Powerball spell. He is
not too powerful in terms of damage, so just keep plugging away at him.
His death will reveal that he is under the influence of the Jester
Spirit.
** Vladimir **
After Vladimir takes the Magic Fetish, he will escape to his underground
lair. Make sure you have both the stake and the strobe. When you reach
his lair, kill the ghouls. When Vladimir approaches, use the strobes
to blind him and he will stay in one place. Use the stake on him to
get him talking, and eventually kill him.
** Jester Spirit **
Do not try and fight the Jester Spirit. Instead, run all the way up to
his little platform and shoot at him a few times until he says something
to you. Then use the hand icon to talk to him. Ask him about his name
(Laughlyn, which you learn from Vladimir), and you will defeat him.
Pick up the mask he leaves behind.
** Drake **
Drake is a huge dragon that wants you dead for a variety of reasons.
His lair is in the bottom of a volcano, and it is filled with falling
blocks that do lots of damage AND his fiery breath. The best thing to
do is to Freeze Drake, then use the Jester Spirit on him to take down a
lot of his health (the Jester Spirit won't attack until he unfreezes,
so keep plugging away at Drake until the Jester Spirit is done and
quickly refreeze the dragon). Keep freezing Drake and shooting; you
can refreeze him even if a previous freeze spell hasn't worn off yet,
so this way you should be able to make sure he never gets to breathe
fire on you.
You will probably need at least the HK Assault Rifle, but if you have
some runners with you, the T250 shotgun will be okay. Also, it is
imperative that you have at least 100 magic points, probably more, so
that you can get all the way through the fortress and have magic left
to fight Drake.
The Arena: In the caryards, you can fight for money. Here is a list of all the
enemies you can fight and the order they come in (once they are all dead, you
can not fight any more).
Gang Member - 300N, 3 Karma
Heavy Dude - 700N, 1 Karma
Heavy Dude (his brother) - 1000N, 3 Karma
Mage (good firearm rating!) - 2000N, 1 Karma
Mage (good gun and firearm rating) - 3000N, 2 Karma
Samurai - 4000N, 1 Karma
Ferocious Orc - 5000N, 4 Karma
Gang Leader - (high damage, low life) 6000N, 3 Karma
Troll Decker - (most dangerous enemy) 7000N, 3 Karma
Ultra Mage - 8000N, 5 Karma
The King - 3000N, 4 Karma
The first five enemies and the King are killable with the Beretta and
leather jacket. But before you take on the samurai and others, you
will definitely need to get out of the Caryards, get the shotgun and
mesh jacket, and beef up your stats.
To fight the King, talk to the Arena owner and ask him about the King.
He will tell you your death will be very exciting and then set you up
with a fight against the King.
Make sure to have the full six slap patches from the little kid. Keep
shooting, but if the King runs off screen, take that opportunity to use
slap patches, THEN follow him. You can kill him, so keep trying. It's
way better than paying to get out.
The Troll Decker is tough. I usually get my body and firearm ratings
to seven or eight each, then get six slap patches, save and fight.
Keep resetting until you kill him. It'll be worth the time to not have
to backtrack here later.
The Ultra Mage clones himself all the time, but he is the only one
moving around, so you can always tell where he is. If the game slows
down a lot, shoot a couple clones (they die in one successful hit) and
then go after the Ultra Mage again. He's not too powerful, so just
keep track of him to make this fight short. You have to kill all of
the clones after he's dead to win the fight, so search all over the
Arena for them.
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VIII. Shadowrunners
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Here is the deal with shadowrunners: mercs only. The mages are too wimpy and
the deckers offer no real advantage other than extra life points to go into
the matrix. But the mercs add firepower to your own AND create multiple targets
for your enemies. The fact that Jake is a shaman, decker, AND bad-ass fighter
makes it pretty easy to beat the game without ever hiring a runner at all, which
is the biggest drawback to the game in terms of likeness to the original RPG.
But, it can be fun to use the runners anyway, just to get a different
experience when you play. Also, you can challenge yourself by intentionally
leaving your own skills undeveloped so that you HAVE to rely on runners.
In order to use a runner's magic, activate the hand icon and select the mage.
Then choose "cast spell" from the menu and proceed just like you would for your
own spells.
To use a decker, examine him and choose to "use" his cyberdeck on a computer.
You will be taken to the Matrix just as if you hacked in yourself, except you
have the decker's offensive power and health, not your own.
If you give a runner better armor or weapons (they have to have the STRENGTH to
use it, remember!), you must equip them first, and they will have that stuff
if you hire them again. If you want it back, just examine them and choose the
"give" command for that item.
Don't forget that if an enemy runs between you and your runners, you might
accidentally shoot your own men! Make sure the little box in the lower right
has the name of your enemy and NOT the name of your runner.
Here are the runners, along with their stats and my own review of their
usefulness. The cost in parantheses is the lowest you can negotiate their
price.
** Hamfist, Lonely Orc (Grim Reaper Club) **
Cost - 500 (300)
Body 3 Strength 4
Magic 0 Charisma 4
Weapon - Defiance T-250 Shotgun
Armor - Mesh Jacket (1)
Firearm 1
Armed Combat 1
Computer 3
Hamfist is the first runner you can hire. First, he is good to have
to take into the cemetary for karma, and second, he can hack into the
computer in Glutman's office right away (Jake won't be able to until he
gets his datajack looked at). Overall, not too shabby a choice for the
very beginning, but once you get your own shotgun, never hire him
again.
** Jangadance, Jamaican Jerk (Grim Reaper Club) **
Cost - 1500 (800)
Body 3 Strength 3
Magic 4 Charisma 3
Weapon - Fichetti Light Pistol
Armor - Mesh Jacket (2)
Firearm 1
Leadership 1
Armed Combat 1
Negotiation 2
Powerball L2 (6 pts)
Heal L2 (6 pts)
Armor L1 (5 pts)
Jangadance is on the phone in the bar, and he won't talk to you until
sometime after the episode with Vladimir. I say, leave him there. By
the time he is ready to look for a run, you will be out of his league.
His only good point is that he has the Armor spell and costs less than
a thousand, but it's the weakest version of Armor. Not worth it.
** Orifice, Hideous-Faced Orc (Sputnik Club) **
Cost - 500 (300)
Body 4 Strength 4
Magic 0 Charisma 1
Weapon - Defiance T-250 Shotgun
Armor - Mesh Jacket (1)
Firearm 4
Armed Combat 3
For the price, Orifice might be worth taking to the Rust Stilettos
Hideout, but I would not bother with him after that since you'll be able
to afford the guys in the Wastelands.
** Dances with Clams, Native American Shaman (Sputnik Club) **
Cost - 2000 (1000)
Body 3 Strength 4
Magic 5 Charisma 1
Weapon - none
Armor - none
Leadership 3
Negotiation 1
Powerball L3 (7 pts)
Heal L1 (5 pts)
Armor L1 (5 pts)
Invisibility L5 (9 pts)
Armor L1 (5 pts)
Summon Spirit L3 (14 pts)
Ah, Dances with Clams. He has excellent spells, notably his high level
invisibility and summon spirit, but since he only has 50 spell points
you will have to recharge often. But if you have Heal, you can use
that to keep him alive and use his invisibility twice to clear out
the Rust Stilettos Hideout (four times, two for each of you) and then
use Summon Spirit once on the final group. He may also be useful in
the Rat Shaman's lair or even the Dark Blade Club, but by that point
your own magic will most likely be potent. It's your own call here,
since he is kind of pricey.
** Jetboy, Street Punk (Wastelands) **
Cost - 1000 (800)
Body 3 Strength 3
Magic 0 Charisma 1
Weapon - Beretta Pistol
Armor - Mesh Jacket (1)
Firearm 2
Armed Combat 1
Computer 3
Jetboy is a waste of money, period.
** Anders, Mercenary (Wastelands) **
Cost - 1000 (800)
Body 5 Strength 5
Magic 0 Charisma 1
Weapon - Uzi III Sub-Machine Gun
Armor - Mesh Jacket (1)
Firearm 10
Unarmed Combat 6
Armed Combat 6
Anders is a good runner, and cheap. The obvious drawback is that his
Mesh Jacket has a 1 rating and he has only 50 life. He can die pretty
fast if you don't heal him up. Therefore, he is an excellent second
or third runner to hire because his 10 firearm rating makes him great
for rapid kills. His major disadvantage is he doesn't stick around
for long.
I think I would like to see how Anders actually does in a melee fight
considering his combat skills, but apparently the runners never resort
to hand-to-hand fighting.
Anders also says he only works with the best runners, like Akimi and
Steelflight. Yeah, right, buddy. Keep dreaming.
** Frogtongue, Big Dumb Orc (Wastelands) **
Cost - 1500 (1000)
Body 7 Strength 5
Magic 0 Charisma 1
Weapon - HK 277 Assault Rifle
Armor - Bullet Proof Vest (3)
Firearm 8
Armed Combat 5
Frogtongue is the second-most hilarious runner to hire, because he is a
moron. Talk to him for some fun! Anyway, he is a great runner because
he has lots of health, a powerful weapon, and good armor. Rivaled only
by Norbert for extreme firepower and butt-kicking. He is also strong
enough to receive better armor, but his Bullet Proof Vest is pretty
good already. Frogtongue sticks around for a good long time.
** Norbert, Crazy Dwarf (Wastelands) **
Cost - 2000 (1500)
Body 6 Strength 5
Magic 0 Charisma 2
Weapon - Uzi III Sub-Machine Gun
Armor - Mesh Jacket (1)
Firearm 8
Norbert is the most hilarious runner to hire, because he talks crazy and
his running animation always cracks me up. However, like Frogtongue,
he also kicks butt. On paper, Frogtongue looks superior, but
for some reason, Norbert is slightly more effective, and he stays
around longer (because of his Charisma score?). His Uzi is also very
effective. Between Norbert and Frogtongue, you will have most of the
firepower you need all the way into the valcano, and even for the Aneki
Corporation.
** Spatter, Double-Crossing Mage (Jagged Nails) **
Cost - 2000 (1500)
Body 6 Strength 4
Magic 8 Charisma 1
Weapon - Warhawk Pistol
Armor - Mesh Jacket (1)
Firearm 4
Negotiation 2
Powerball L5 (9 pts)
Heal L3 (7 pts)
Armor L4 (8 pts)
Spatter would be cool to use if he wasn't a double-crossing jerk. On
the third floor of Drake Towers, he will decide he doesn't really like
you and start throwing fireballs at you. For his price, you can't use
him much earlier than this, so don't bother. It really is a shame
because he has a high rating for the Armor spell and good health.
I think you can take him into the Aneki building, but by that time, I
am so powerful myself that I don't even bother with runners.
** Steelflight, Super-Elf (Jagged Nails) **
Cost - 5000 (4000)
Body 10 Strength 4
Magic 0 Charisma 2
Weapon - Warhawk Pistol
Armor - Bullet Proof Vest (4)
Firearm 4
Computer 6
Steelflight is the only elf in the game, and he is awesome. His huge
stock of hit points and high armor rating make him a survivor, but you
will have to give him a better gun to make him offensively useful, and
even then his low firearm rating is nothing to rave about. However,
you don't have to babysit him with Heal spells and he is actually a
great decker. Sending him into the Matrix in both Drake Towers and
the Volcano is probably just as good as sending yourself. As a weapon,
he is not the best, but as a fun element of the game, he's great.
The only problem is that he costs so much money!
** Kitsune, Shape-Shifting Hot Mage Babe (Jagged Nails) **
Cost - 3000 (2400)
Body 5 Strength 1
Magic 17 Charisma 7
Weapon - none
Armor - none
Powerball L4 (8 pts)
Heal L6 (10 pts)
Invisibility L2 (6 pts)
Summon Spirit L5 (18 pts)
Kitsune... so much goodness and so much badness. Because of her low
strength, she can not receive any armor other than the Leather Jacket
that you get early on, and her little fireballs are weak. However,
she has a zillion magic points and powerful spells at her disposal,
which makes her quite good, actually.
The deciding factor is the fact that she will stay with you forever if
you take her to fight the Rat Shaman (and she doesn't die, of course).
This means you pay for her once, and get all those extra spell points
to use! Just make sure to keep her alive, which can slow you down some
toward the end of the game. That is the big downside; if she dies, you
feel like you should start over and keep her alive... lots of time down
the drain.
Unfortunately, there is no special ending for finishing the game with
Kitsune as your permanent ally.
** Akimi, Super Secretive Mega-Mage (Call her, then meet at Daley Station) **
Cost - 10,000 (8000)
Body 7 Strength 1
Magic 20 Charisma 6
Weapon - none
Armor - none
Leadership 4
Negotiation 3
Powerball L5 (9 pts)
Heal L4 (8 pts)
Invisibility L5 (9 pts)
Armor L2 (6 pts)
Summon Spirit L4 (16 pts)
Freeze L3 (7 pts)
I will be upfront with you... because mages do not cast spells on their
own, and because the powerful ones have no armor, I do not like using
mages. This is especially true for Akimi because she has every spell
at a good level, but you still have to stop and go through the whole
process of making her cast a spell. You can cast spells faster with
the X button!
Also, she costs way too much nuyen, AND by the time you can hire her
(after downloading her number from Drake's computers in the Volcano)
you're already too powerful to care.
Oh yeah, and she thinks she's the greatest thing since dermal armor,
which I find annoying. Don't hire her.
--------------
--------------
IX. The Matrix
--------------
--------------
The Matrix is pretty similar to the idea of the movie with the same name, except
that it is not a prison, it is just another world where shadowrunners and
corporate bosses collide. However, this game fails to really capture the feel
of the Matrix... bummer...
To get into the Matrix, use your cyberdeck on a computer. Inside, you will have
to deactivate security blocks, download info and account balances, and alter
the programs for computerized equipment (elevators, basically). But beware!
There are Intrusion Countermeasures (IC's) everywhere! When you step into a new
block of the computer, your datajack will alert you as to how many IC's are in
the eight squares around you. They don't move, so it is possible to deduce
where the IC's are (Minesweeper experts should find this easy).
Here is the best advice for the Matrix: always head straight for the data stores
and program nodes. If you get an alert that there are IC's near you, tap B to
fight. If no IC is there, you will lose a tiny bit of health, but you can go
ahead. If there is one, you will win or lose the fight. Just keep fighting.
If you get close to death, press X to jack out, heal yourself, then jump back
in (and use your knowledge of the system to avoid IC this time).
Or you can simply use my handy guide here to sidestep all the IC and avoid
downloading useless information (which is a problem in the larger computers,
since you won't have enough room for the real stuff!).
"Alter the program" means pressing A next to a program node.
X = IC
D = Datastore
P = Program Node
* = Security Block
@ = Computer Entrance
Glutman's Office Computer Matrix Systems Office
------------------------- ---------------------
________
| |
| X XX|
| X |
| X D| Identical to Glutman's
@---| X X X|
| X |
| X X D|
| |
|____X___|
Glutman's computer has There is 2000 nuyen in this office
1000 nuyen in it, and computer.
the Bad News datafile.
Dark Blade Club
---------------
(Left Computer) (Right Computer)
______ _________
| X | | X D |
| XD | | X X XX|
@-----| X | |X X |
| | X| | X XX |
| |_X__X_| |X XX X |
| | X |
__|__ |_________|
|D | |
|X | *
| XXX | @------
|X | *
|__D__| |
____|____
Data File - Jester | |
|XX X|
| XX |
| X X X|
|X X X |
|X XX |
|_X__D_X__|
Vladimir's right computer has 10,000 nuyen. Yay!
Just press B at the security node to destroy the
security blocks.
Drake Towers Lobby
------------------
__________
| X |
| X X X |
| X |
@-*-| X X XX|
| X XP|
| X XX |
|__X_______|
The Password (see items) allows
you to get past the security
block. Alter the program to
activate the elevator.
Drake Towers 2nd Floor
----------------------
(northeast computer) (southeast computer)
_________ _________
| X X X | | DX DX |
| X XX D| |XX XX |
| X X XX| | X DX |
@-----*| XX | | X XX |
| | X XX | | X |
| | X X X | | XX |
| |__X_X____| |________X|
____|____ | _______
|X | | | |
| X | | | XXXXX|
|X X XXX | | | |
| X | |*-| X X |
|XX XXX XX| | | XX X |
| X X X | @ | XP|
|D_D_D_D_D| |_X__X__|
There is 8000 nuyen in this Go up first to deactivate the security
computer, and part 1 of 4 block, then backtrack to the lower area
data files. to alter the program and activate the
elevator.
Drake Towers 3rd Floor
----------------------
(west computer) (center computer)
________ _______
@ | DXXD | | |
| |XX | |X XX X |
-*--*----- | X XX | | X XD|
_____|__ __|____ | X | | X|
| | | X| |X X XX X| |X XX |
|XX | |X X| |X XX| | X X|
| XX | | XD| | X | |X___X__|
|XX XX | | X X | |__X____X| |
| X XX| |XXX | | |
| X X | | | * |
|XDXX_XDX| |_D_X_X_| |*-------
| *
The first security block goes @ ___|__
away immediately; go down and | X|
deactivate the second, then |X |
go to the other area for a data | X |
file (2 of 4). |X XX |
| X X|
|XXX X |
|_PX___|
The first security block goes away, so
go up and deactivate the second. Go
right and up to deactivate the third
and then go change the program to open
the elevator.
There is a third computer on the east side of the room that has nothing in it.
It is identical to the west office computer on the 4th floor.
Drake Towers 4th Floor
----------------------
(east corner) (west office)
This is the same as the 2nd _________
floor southeast comptuer. | X X|
Alter the program to activate |D DXXX X |
the elevator. | X XX X X| ______
| X | | D |
| X X| |XX XX |
|_X_______| | |
| | XX |
@---------------| X |
__|______ | X|
For the west office, just go | X| |X XXXX|
in and grab all the data stores |X X X | |___D__|
to obtain a data file (3 of 4). | |
|X XXX XX |
| X D|
|X_XXX_D__|
Drake Towers 5th Floor
----------------------
(center office) (northeast office)
________
| DXXD | _______ @
|XX | | | |*---|*------|
| X XX | |X XX X | _____|__ __|____
| X | | X XD| | | | X|
|X X XX X| | X| |XX | |X X|
|X XX| |X XX | | XXX | | XD|
| X | | X X| |XX XX | | X X |
|__X____X| |X___X__| | X XX| |XXX |
| | | X X | | |
* *1 |XDXX_XDX| |_D_X_X_|
|*-------
| *2 You need to fight the IC in the left
@ ___|__ area to get to the data stores to
| X| get past the second security block.
|X | Download the two data stores in the
| X | right area for two data files and
|X XX | 10,000 nuyen (the completed, 4-part
| X X| data file now appears).
|XXX X |
|_PX___|
Press B to destroy the first two
security blocks, then use the data
stores in the top left to open the
"1" security block. In the top right,
use that data store to open the "2"
security block, then fight the IC
in the last area to alter the program
and activate the elevator, as well as
"deactivate the level 6 node."
Drake Towers 6th Floor
----------------------
__________
| X | Simply jump into this computer, alter the
| X X X | program, and activate the elevator.
| X | (the security block is gone because of the
@--*---| X X XX| "deactivated level 6 node.")
| X XP|
| X XX |
|__X_______|
Volcano Fortress Sublevel 1
---------------------------
(Lab 1b) (Lab 1c)
______
This is the same as the center | X |
office computer on the 5th |X XX | ______
Floor of Drake Towers. You get | X | |XX X |
a data file and open some doors. @---| X X |--| | X |
| X | | | XXD |
| X X | *--| XX |
|_X____| | | X X|
| | XX|
| |_X____|
Lab 1c ___|___
Navigate your way through the first | |
bit of the computer, then use the |X X|
data store in the right area to | XXX |
open the security block. Now go into | X XX|
the last area and alter the program to | X |
activate the elevator. | XXPX |
|__X____|
Volcano Fortress Sublevel 2
---------------------------
Lab 2a: This is the same as the northeast computer on the 2nd Floor of Drake
Towers. It only has trash data, but I think that one of the data stores will
destroy some security blocks in the next lab.
Lab 2b: This is the same as the computer in Lab 1c. Alter
the program to activate the elevator.
Volcano Fortress Sublevel 3
---------------------------
(Lab 3d)
______ __2___
| XX | | |
| DXXD | |XXDXX |
| X | 2 | X X |
| X |-*--| X |
| X | | | X |
|XD D | | | X X |
|X__X__| | |______|
_____ _____ __|__
| X |-| X| |XX |
| | | X | 1 | X |
| XXX| | X |--*| X | This is the most confusing
|X | |X X | | | X | computer so far. Go up and
|____X| |___X_| | |X____| into the four connected areas.
__|__ __|__ | Navigate down to the left one
| | |X | | and download the data to open
|X | | X| | the "1" security block. Now
|XX | |X X X| | head up to the top right area
1 | DX | | X | | and download that data store to
|_X___| |___X_| | open the last area. Download
__|__ the four data stores for a data
| X | file and 25,000 nuyen.
| X |
|XXXX |
| |
|_____|
|
@
(Lab 3e)
All of the computers in Lab 3e are copies of others.
Bottom Computer: same as Dark Blade Left computer, contains a data file.
Middle Computer: same as Dark Blade Right computer, contains 5,000 nuyen.
Top Computer: same as Matrix Systems Office computer, contains a data file and
12,000 nuyen.
(Lab 3f)
--@
___|___ _______
|X | |X |
| X | | XXD |
| X X | | X |
| XXX | | X X | Navigate down to the lower right area
| X | | XX | and use the data store to blow up the
| X XX | |X | ______ "1" block. Then go into the upper
|X X| | X| | X | right to blow up the "2" block. Then
|X______| |_______| | X | use the program node in the final
| 1 | | XX | area to activate the elevator.
---|*------*----| XP |
____|____ 2 | XX |
| | | X |
|X X | |_X__X_|
| XX X |
| X |
| X X |
|X X X |
|_X___DX__|
Aneki Corporation Lobby
-----------------------
__________
| X | By saving you Pushkin, you get the password to
| X X X | destroy the security block. Use the program node
| X | to activate the elevator.
@-*-| X X XX|
| X XP|
| X XX |
|__X_______|
Aneki Corporation 2nd Floor
---------------------------
The computer in the right room is identical to northeast computer on the 2nd
Floor of Drake Towers. It has the PAYMENT datafile and also deactivates
the Level 3 Security Node.
(left room)
_______
3 | X|
_____ |XX XX D| 5
|XD | | X X|
| X | |-| X X |
|XX X | ___ 4 | |_______| ____
|_____| |X D| | |XXPX|
| | X| B | | X |
2 * | X | ----*- | |
------------| | | | | |XXX |
____|_ |*-|___| | | | X |
| XX | |3 | | 5 | |
|X X X | | | |-------|*-------| X |
| XX X| | | ___| |____|
2 |D X| | | |X |
|__X_X_| | | | X |
| | |XX X|
| * | |
| B |*-----|___X|
| | ____
| | | XD | 1
1 * 4 * | X|
@-------------------------------------| XXX|
| |
|___X|
Aneki Corporation 3rd Floor
---------------------------
(right room) (left room)
This computer is the same as |------------|-*----------|
the one in Volcano Lab 3d. __|__ | 1 __|__
It has a ton of money and | | | | |
the ANTI-AI file. | | | | X |
|X XX | | |X X|
| X | | | XX |
| X | | | X |
|_____| | |_____|
___|___ | ___|___
| | | | X |
| D D | * | X X |
| XX XX | | | PXXXP |
| D D | | | X |
| XXX | | |X P X |
|XD DX| 1 @ | X |
| X | | X |
| D D | | PPPPP |
|_XXX___| |_X_X___|
The security block will only go away when
you use the 2nd floor computer on the right
side. Go to the left, but only download
the datastore marked with a 1. It will
open the second secutiry block, and you can
go into the right side of the computer.
I am fairly certain that the middle program
node is the one which activates the
elevator, but you should just use as many
as you have space for then jack out.
Aneki Corporation 4th Floor
---------------------------
(left room) (right room)
_______
The left room is the same as | |
the Volcano Lab 1c. It activates | DXX | 2
the elevator. |X X |
| X|
| XX |
| X X X|
|X |
|X_____X|
| 2
|-----*------*----------|
1 | ____|____
______ | | |
| X | | | |
| XX | | |X DX XPX |
@--| X |---| | |
| X | | | D XXPX |
|____X_| | | X |
__|__ | D P X|
| X| | XXX |
| | |X D P |
| XX | | |
1 | DXX| |___X___X_|
|_____|
Go through the first area, then down to
the datastore marked 1. It open the
security block to the upper area. There
you can use the datastore marked 2 to
open the security block marked 2. Now
raid the datastores for 25,000 nuyen
(the program nodes probably do nothing
since this is the next to last floor).
Aneki Corporation 5th Floor
---------------------------
(right room) (left room, the AI Computer)
______ _______________
| X D| | |
| X | | |
@---*----*----| X | | X X |
* * | X D| | X X X |
__|__ | |_X___D| |XX X XXPXX X XX|
| | | ________ | X X X |
| | *1 |XXX X | | X X XXX X X |
| XX | | | XX | | X |
|X X | |--| XX | | X X |
|D X | | X XX | |__X____X____X__|
|D__XD| |X XD | ____|___________|____
| X XX| | X X |
1 | XXX | | XX X X XX |
|________| | XX X XX |
__|_____ | X XPX X |
| XX | | X |
| | | X X X X X |
|XX X | | X X |
| XXX | | X X |
| XXX | |_____X___X_X___X_____|
|___D_XX_| |
@
I'll tell you right away, this
computer is just filled with Use the first program node, then
nuyen. You should be able to the second. Once you have used the
navigate the computer pretty second node, just jack out and watch
easily, and you will come out the ending!
with 85,000 nuyen if you get
all of the right datastores.
----------------
----------------
X. Conversations
----------------
----------------
Talking to people is one of the major ways to advance the plot in this game.
In order to make sure that you do not miss anything, just talk to EVERYONE and
ask them about EVERYTHING you can. If you're stuck, talk to people you haven't
talked to for a while to see if they know anything about your new topics.
If you don't mind getting a little leg up, here is a full list of keywords. In
parantheses is a person who will tell you the keyword (there may be more than
one) and what keyword you need to ask about to learn the new one.
Akimi (Anders, SHADOWRUNNERS)
Anders (Steelflight, SHADOWRUNNERS)
Aneki (Pushkin, DRAKE)
Bremerton (Vladimir, JESTER SPIRIT)
Calls (Sassie, TALK)
Caryards (Gang Member, TALK)
Cortex Bomb (Ed the Doc, TALK)
Cyberware (Dr. Maplethorpe, TALK)
Dark Blade (Kitsune, JESTER SPIRIT)
Datajack (Grim Reaper Bartender, DECKER)
Decker (Grim Reaper Bartender, SHADOWRUNNERS)
Docks (Longhorn Jack the Boat Driver, TALK)
Dog (Dog in Shadows, TALK)
Drake (Heavy Dude in Caryards, TALK)
Examination (Ed the Doc, DATAJACK)
Firearms (Street Punk, TALK)
Ghouls (Heavy Dude in The Cage, TALK)
Glutman (Sassie, CALLS)
Grinder (Grim Reaper Club Patron, TICKETS)
Head Computer (Dr. Maplethorpe, TALK)
Heal (Grim Reaper Busy Man, TALK)
Hiring (Grim Reaper Bartender, SHADOWRUNNERS)
Hitman (Street Punk, TALK)
Ice (Wastelands Club Owner, TALK)
Jester Spirit (Jester Spirit, TALK)
King (Gang Member, TALK)
Kitsune (Jagged Nails Club Manager, TALK)
Laughlyn (Vladimir, JESTER SPIRIT after using stake twice)
Lone Star (Grim Reaper Club Patron, GRINDER)
Magic Fetish (Chrome Cayote the Shaman, TALK after healing him)
Maria (Grim Reaper Club Patron, TICKETS)
Matrix Systems (Dr. Maplethorpe, TALK)
Mermaids (Longhorn Jack the Boat Driver, BREMERTON)
Negotiation (Businessman in Abandoned Office, HIRING)
Nirwanda (Vladimir, JESTER SPIRIT)
Nuyen (Street Scum in Caryards, KING)
Raitsov (Jetboy, MATRIX SYSTEMS)
Rat (H'oochin'ikwa, TALK)
Rust Stilettos (Dying Orc at Daley Station, TALK)
Shadowrunners (Grim Reaper Bartender, HITMAN)
Shaman (Chrome Cayote the Shaman, TALK after healing him)
Steelflight (Anders, SHADOWRUNNERS)
Street Doc (Grim Reaper Busy Man, HEAL)
Strobes (Jagged Nails Club Manager, VAMPIRES)
Talismans (Talisman Store Owner, TALK)
The Cage (Glutman's Secretary (over phone only?), GLUTMAN)
The Matrix (Street Kid in Caryards, TALK)
Tickets (Grim Reaper Club Patron, TALK after giving Iced Tea)
Vampires (Kitsune, DARK BLADE)
Volcano (Jester Spirit, DRAKE)
-------------------
-------------------
XI. Clubs and Shops
-------------------
-------------------
The following list describes which shops have what, their prices, and when new
items become available, as well as a description of the clubs. The clubs are
probably the biggest advantage the SNES game has over the Genesis game, since
they are much more detailed and club-like. The music is also way better in the
clubs.
** Talisman Shop **
Talk to the shaman who owns the store for some keywords, and make sure
to get his number. The stuff he sells is good, especially the stake.
** Stake 2500 **
** Black Bottle 6000 **
** Potion Bottles 3000 **
** Vivyan's Gun Store **
The dwarf wants you to join him in lighting your hair on fire... what
a crazy dude. He has higher prices than the Dark Blade Shop, but you
won't be able to get in there yet.
** Colt America L36 Pistol 300 **
** Burlitzers Finest Grenade 100 **
** Ares Viper Long Range Pistol 4000 **
** Fichetti Security 500 Light Pistol 2000 **
** Ruger Warhawk Heavy Pistol 9000 **
** Defiance T-250 Shotgun 15000 **
** Mesh Jacket 5000 **
** Dark Blade Shop **
The owner tells you he will have stuff later, so check the empty cases.
Check back after defeating the Jester Spirit, after getting to the
Valcano, and after defeating Drake.
** Defiance T-250 Shotgun 12000 **
** Heckler Koch 277 Assault Rifle 24000 **
** Uzi III Sub-Machine Gun 30000 **
** Ares Viper Long Range Pistol 3000 **
** Enfield AS-7 Assault Cannon 40000 **
** Fully Concealable Jacket 13000 **
** Partial Body Suit 20000 **
** Full Body Suit 30000 **
** Burlitzers Finest Grenade 80 **
** Bullet Proof Vest (not actually available...) **
** Doctor Maplethorpe's Office **
Doctor Maplethorpe's Office is not for riff-raff, so his secretary will
not let you in unless you have the keyword CORTEX BOMB which indicates
that you have business. After removing it, the new keyword for getting
past the secretary is CYBERWARE, which you learn from the Doc. The
Dermal Armor is not available until after you defeat the Jester.
** Remove Cortex Bomb 2000 **
** Skill Software 3000 **
** Boosted Reflexes 15,000 **
** Dermal Armor 6000 **
** Grim Reaper Club **
This is one of the first places you should go. There are a lot of guys
you need to talk to, and you can also hire Hamfist here. It is located
up the street from the Dark Alley and Glutman's Office.
** The Cage **
This is where you meet Glutman, AND it is where you get to see Maria
Mercurial playing her concert. She is backed up by Gavan the Guitarist
and Johnny the Drummer, with an anonymous keyboardist keeping some
rhythm. Watch Maria do her thing for a while.
There is also a 'heavy dude' in the corner who will tell you about
ghouls.
You won't need to come back here after meeting Glutman, but you can
anyway since this is the only place Maria Mercurial will play.
** Sputnik Club **
Like the Grim Reaper Club, this is just a tiny little bar. The guys
in here have less to say, but Orifice and Dances with Clams are here if
you want them. Try talking to the other jerks for some fun.
** Wastelands **
This place is gaurded by an Orc who wants you to stay out, so kill him.
Talk to everyone here and come back frequently (you'll come back anyway
since most of the good runners are here). Look for Norbert, Frogtongue,
and Anders, but skip Jetboy, he sucks.
You'll see that Gavan the Guitarist has a much more regular gig here at
the Wastelands. He and Johnny the Drummer are with their buddy, Larry
on Guitar. They rock.
** Jagged Nails **
The Jagged Nails club keeps referencing some guy who came in and made
a big ruckus. It was Vladimir, and he went "batty" (ha ha) on the
dance floor when the strobe lights got too much for him. Ever since
then, it is been a shadowrunners-only club. Hence, you must prove you
are a good runner.
You can not get in until you impress the bouncer by defeating the Rust
Stilettos, and even then it will cost you 50 nuyen to get inside this
upscale club every time. You will need to come in frequently for info,
items, and possibly runners if you like Steelflight. Spatter is here,
but you should ignore him.
Kitsune is on stage singing and dancing.... and shape-shifting. When
she stops moving, use the hand icon to talk to her and she will teleport
over to talk to you. I wouldn't try and make a pass at her, though,
since it looks like Larry on Guitar already has dibs.
----------------
----------------
XII. A Crude Map
----------------
----------------
This is, as I say, a crude map. It is designed only to show you the relation
of the various areas, NOT to show you how big they are or any details. Some
areas are not mapped out here because they are not difficult to describe or
they are simply too small to bother.
*** Seattle ***
________ __________ _________
| | | | | |
| 10th | | Daley | | Volcano |
| Street |-| |-| Station |--helicopter--|_________|
|________| | | | and |
| | | Downtown |
rail | | |__________|
| | |
| | rail | boat
__|__|___ ___|_______
| | | |
| Oldtown | | Bremerton |
|_________| |___________|
*** 10th Street ***
__________
| |
________ | cemetary |
| | |__________|
| Grim | _______|________ ______
| Reaper | | | | |
| Club | | 10th Street |---| The |
|________| |________________| | Cage |
\ / |______|
_\____/_
| | ________
| 1 S | | |
| 0 t |-| office | ________
| t r | |________| | | ________
________ | h e | ___________ | morgue | | |
| | | e | | | |________| | Jake's |
| dark |-| t |-| Glutman's | __|______ |________|
| alley | |________| |___________| | | ___|___
|________| | | The | | |
---------------------| Square |--| alley |
|_________| |____ |
| __________ | |
| | | | |
| | building | | | O
| |__________| |__| l
| ____|_________|__ ______ d
| | | | | T T
|-| 10th Street |-| rail |-> o o
|_________________| |______| w
n
*** Oldtown ***
__________
| |
| talisman |
|__________|
____|_____ ______
| | | |
| street |-| gun | ______ _______
| | | shop | |To | |To 10th|
|__________| |______| |_Daley| |_Street|
__|___ _________ | |
| | | | _|__|_
| s | | Street | | |
| t | | Doc, Ed | | rail |
| r | |_________| |______|
| e | ______|_ ________ |
| e | | | | Sputnik| | ______
| t |-| alley | |__Club__| | |_save_|
|______| |________| ___|_______|_ ______|___ _______
| | | | | | |
----------------| street |--| Caryards |-| Arena |
|_____________| |__________| |_______|
___|___
| |
| fight |
| area |
|_______|
*** Downtown Daley ***
____________
| |
| Wastelands |
|____________| ___________
____|___ _______ | |
| | | | | Rust |
| street |-| alley |-| Stilettos |
|________| |_______| |_____HQ____|
________ __|___ _________
| | | | | To |
| Jagged | | s | |_Oldtown_|
| Nails | _ | t | ____|____
|________| |h| | r | | |
__|_____ |o| | e |-| Rail |
| | |t| | e | | Plaza |
| street | |e| | t | |_________|
|________|-|l| |______| |
_________ | _____|_ __________|______ ________ _______
|warehouse| ------| | | | | | | |
|_________| | cross | | Market |-| street |-| Aneki |
_|_____ ____ | road |-| Square | |________| | Corp. |
| | | | |_______| |_________________| | |_______|
| docks |-|Dog | _|_ ______ ____|___ | _____ | _______________
|_______| |____| | | |Drake | | | | | Rat | | | |
_|_ | s |-|Towers| |cemetary|---|_Lair| | | Doctor |
| | | t | ________|--------| |______ | | Maplethorpe's |
| d | ______ | r | | | | | | | Office |
| o |-|Matrix|| e |-| street |-|street| | |_______________|
| c | |System|| e | |_________________| |______| |_____|__
| k | _____ | t | | | |
______ | s | |docks|-|___| | | small |
| |-|___|-|alley| ___|___ | market |
| To |___ | | |________|
| Bremerton| | Dark | _________
|__________| | Blade |-| |
|_______| | mansion |
| |_________|
__|____
| |
| Gun |
| Store |
|_______|
*** Volcano Fortress ***
T = Troll Decker
S = Scientist
C = Useable Computer
G = Sentry Gun (manned by scientists - SHOOT THE SCIENTIST!)
Ed = Elevator Down
Eu = Elevator Up
** Sublevel 0 ** ** Sublevel 1 **
__________ ______ ______
| | |lab_1e| |lab_1d|
| _______|--Ed __ __|___ ___|__
|__| | |-|___T__|-|____ |
__|______ | | | |
| | | |-Eu |_| ___
| helipad | | | ______ | |l |
|_________| | |-|lab_1a| | |-|a |
| |__ | | |b C|
|__ | | |-|1 |
| T|------------| | |c__|
|__| |_|
______ _|______________|_
|lab 1b|-|___________T______|-Ed
|__ C__|
** Sublevel 2 ** ** Sublevel 3 **
______ ______ ______
|lab 2a|-|__ |-Eu |lab_3a|
|___C__| __| | _ ___|__
| ____| S| | |-| T |-Eu
|_| __| | | |______|
______ |_ ______ ______ | | ___|__ _____________
|lab 2b| | | |lab 3d|-|lab_3c| | | |lab_3b| | _T_________| _
|___C__| |S_| | | ___|____| | ___|__ | | ____ _|___ _G|
_|_______|__ |__C___|-|__________|-|______|-| |-|lab |-|lab3f|-| |-Ed
| | ______ | | |3e C| |__C__| |_ |
-|_______T____| G | | |_C_C| | G|
|_______ | |__________|
|____ G|-Ed |_____________|
|__|
** Sublevel 4 **
** Maximum Security **
___
| |-Eu
|_ |
__| |_____ ______ ______ _______
| G G |-|_Naga_|-|_Naga_|-|Gold |
| T G | |_Naga__|
|S_________|
____|_____ __________
| T | |Dr_Pushkin|
| | __S__ __S__ ___|__________
| T T | ____________ | |
|__________|-|____________|-| Drake |
|______________|
-----------------
-----------------
XIII. Walkthrough
-----------------
-----------------
Shadowrun is a very non-linear game. You can do things in many different
orders, except for the beginning. Therefore, although you will find tips on how
to complete everything there is to do, you do not necessarily have to do them
in the order I have detailed them. I just like this order, personally.
Also, much of the information in this walkthrough is already explained in the
preceding sections, such as where to get an item or how to navigate the Matrix.
Check those sections first.
If you are interested, here is a short list of Shadowrun slang that you may not
know and which gets used frequently in dialogue:
geek: to kill
drekhead: cross between "deckhead" (anyone with a datajack) and "drek" (a swear
word).
Mr. Johnson: a euphemism for one who hires Shadowrunners; it suggests anonymity
Lone Star: a police force run by the Seattle council - it does not have a lot
of power, but any straight-walking citizens fear them
breeder: what orcs and trolls call humans
chummer: sarcastic word, like "pal" or "buddy" - Ex: Get lost, chummer.
*** Getting Started ***
Morgue: Examine the slab you were on to find TORN PAPER. Grab the SCALPEL and
the SLAP PATCH in the fridge. Leave (don't forget to talk to the door
to scare the morgue guys).
Street: A guy comes up to you and starts a conversation. You learn HITMEN, and
then FIREARM by talking to him. Follow him when you stop talking.
Dark Alley: Grab the Beretta off the dead guy, equip it, then kill the Orc.
Examine the Orc's body to find a Leather Jacket, and equip that. Then
go into the deepest part of the alley to meet the dog. Learn DOG.
Go back to the main square.
Square: Let the dog out of the fountain area and pick up DOG COLLAR when he runs
away. Now head down to the abandoned building in front of the railway
station.
Building: In the first room, there is a familiar guy who is too wounded to talk.
Examine him to find the DOOR KEY, then take the MEMO from his desk. Now
head to the apartment building behind this building.
Jake's: The third door on the right (number 6) is Jake's apartment. Open it
with the DOOR KEY, then go in. Grab the SHADES and use them, grab the
RIPPED NOTE and examine it to find Sassie's number, then open your
filing cabinet for 20 nuyen. Don't forget to view the mysterious
message from someone named Drake...
Head down to Glutman's office building, which is the next door down
from the morgue.
************************
* *
* build-up opportunity *
* *
************************
The two doors on the right in Jake's apartment building lead to a small room
that contains two heavy dudes and two mages at max, sometimes only two
or three of those. You can build up karma and nuyen by fighting them,
and your apartment is close by for healing and saving.
************************
Glutman's Office: In the first door, grab the PAPERWEIGHT. In the second,
ignore the secretary and go into Glutman's office. Grab the CYBERDECK.
You can't use it yet, not until your datajack gets looked at. Go to the
Grim Reaper Club around the corner.
Grim Reaper: Talk to the Busy Man to learn HEAL, then ask him about HEAL to
learn STREET DOC. Talk to the bartender, who gives you an iced tea
when you quit talking to him. Talk to him again after you get the drink
and you can ask him about HITMEN to learn SHADOWRUNNERS. Keep asking
him about everything (including new words he tells you) and you will
end up with DECKERS, DATAJACK, and HIRING.
Give the ICED TEA to the Club Patron. He will talk to you now, and if
you select TALK, he tells you about TICKETS. Ask about them to learn
MARIA and GRINDER, then ask about Grinder to learn LONE STAR.
Now head to the abandoned building between Glutman's and the Grim
Reaper.
Office: Find the Businessman in the last room. If you ask him about FIREARMS,
he will try to sell you grenades. Ask him about LONE STAR and he will
sell you a Lone Star badge for 150 nuyen. Select the badge to use it.
Head back to the morgue.
Morgue: If you use the shades and the Lone Star badge, the morgue guys will not
recognize you as the guy they thought was dead AND they will let you
look at files because they think you are a cop. So talk to the one who
will listen, and ask about GRINDER. He will open the filing cabinets.
Examine them both to find the TICKETS in Grinder's file and a CREDSTICK
as well. Go to the cemetary, which is beyond the Grim Reaper through
the barred gates.
Cemetary: Head to the last mausoleum on the left where you will hear someone
calling out for help. Use the SCALPEL to open the mausoleum (or any
of them, if you want to look for nuyen) and go inside. You will find
a dying man. Use the SLAP PATCH (which you should not have used on
yourself!) to heal him.
He will tell you his name is Chrome Cayote, and he's a shaman. You will
learn SHAMAN and he will give you the MAGIC FETISH (which you also learn
as a keyword). Chrome Cayote called to you because he sensed that you
were also a shaman of the Dog Spirit. He will disappear... I wish he
would stick around for hiring... Chrome Cayote is such a cooler name
than Dances with Clams.
Make sure to kill ghouls until one drops a GHOUL BONE. Pick it up and
head back to your apartment.
Jake's: Use the CREDSTICK to call Sassie on your video phone. She will start
complaining and tell you about CALLS. Ask her about CALLS to learn
GLUTMAN and his number. Call Glutman to talk to his secretary, who will
tell you about THE CAGE when you ask about him, and I believe it
triggers his presence at The Cage. Head to The Cage.
************************
* *
* build-up opportunity *
* *
************************
Build up 500 nuyen near your apartment, then go to the Grim Reaper and hire
Hamfist. Take him to Glutman's office and hack into his computer to
steal 1000 nuyen. Also, use Hamfist to build up karma at the Cemetary
or the room near your apartment.
************************
The Cage: Give the TICKETS to the Troll Bouncer, then go into the club. Admire
the rather excellent efforts of Data East to create a SNES club scene,
especially the charming little tune that Maria Mercurial sings.
Talk to the Heavy Dude to learn GHOULS, then the Shady Character, which
is Glutman. He will tell you that you are in big trouble and arrange
to hide you from Drake.
********************
* *
* Optional Zip Gun *
* *
********************
Before you go to Glutman, sell your Beretta to the Businessman you got the Lone
Star badge from. When you go to Glutman now, he will give you a gun,
which is the Zip Gun. When you get to the Caryards, you can equip it.
You can not sell the Zip Gun, though, so it's not like the Zip Gun nuyen
plus the Beretta nuyen will get a teeny bit closer to buying anything.
I don't really care to do this, since it means backtracking.
The Zip Gun is really only to make sure that Jake has a gun when he gets
to the Caryards.
*** The Caryards, Beefing Up, and the Cortex Bomb ***
Caryards: When you wake up, go ahead and save. Go to the larger area and talk
to the people there for a variety of keywords:
Gang Member (girl): CARYARDS, KING
Heavy Dude (walking): DRAKE
Street Kid: MATRIX
Street Scum: NUYEN
Now go to the arena where the funny-talking guy runs a Thunderdome-esque
venue for death matches. Fight the first five enemies (gang member,
two heavy dudes, and two mages) for nuyen and karma. Make sure to save
between each match. At this point, you should be spending all your
karma on your body and firearm ratings.
If your firearm and body ratings are both 6 or higher, fight the King
by asking the arena guy about KING. If you're not there yet, fight
the heavy dudes and mages in the lower area of the Caryards for more
karma. You should be able to take out the King with six slap patches
and those stats.
If you don't want to fight the King, give him the money he wants to
get out. You can still fight him later if you want.
Either way, once you're out, go to Vivyan's Gun Store.
Vivyan's: Strange name for a dwarf, but he's just as strange as his name. If
you have 15,000 nuyen (which you probably don't) buy the shotgun. If
you have significantly less, buy the Mesh Jacket instead. With one or
the other, you can proceed back to the Caryards for more fights.
Caryards: The Samurai and Ferocious Orc fights should be winnable with your
recent purchases. If you bought the Mesh Jacket before, you should
now have enough or nearly enough cash to buy the shotgun. If you are
just barely there, go to Daley Station early, kill the two Orcs, and
fight the various enemies here (which drop way more money than the guys
in the Caryards). In particular, the "hitmen" on top of buildings are
easy kills that drop lots of money.
Now that you have enough money, but the shotgun or Mesh Jacket,
whichever you don't have. Now you can fight the rest of the enemies
in the arena.
I would get my firearm and body ratings to 8 each and get six more
slap patches to fight the Troll Decker, but the mage is easy.
Now that you have a lot of nuyen, it's time to spend it all. Buy the
Negotiation skill from the arena guy for 1000 (ask him about
NEGOTIATION), buy all the items from the Talisman shop, talk to the
shop owner for TALISMAN and then ask about TALISMAN to get her number.
Now go Ed's Patch'n'Fix, which is in the alley on the way to Vivyan's
and the Talisman Shop.
Ed's Patch'n'Fix: Ed has a lame sense of humor, but it actually makes it funny
for the game. Ask him about DATAJACK and he'll mention EXAMINATION.
Ask him about that, and he will offer to examine your datajack for
500 nuyen. He does the exam, but accidentally triggers a cortex bomb
in your head. He'll tell you about CORTEX BOMB and refund your money.
If you ask him more stuff, he will tell you about another doctor, but
no new keywords. Head to Daley Station and downtown.
Daley Station: Kill the two Orcs if you haven't already. You will learn RUST
STILETTOS and find the IRON KEY. Proceed through the market square to
the right, across the big street and then down the sidewalk to the
office of Dr. Maplethorpe.
Dr. Maplethorpe's Office: Ask the secretary about CORTEX BOMB, then pay her
2000 nuyen and she will set you up for the procedure. The doc fixes
you up, then tells you about CYBERWARE and HEAD COMPUTER. Ask him about
the HEAD COMPUTER and Dr. Maplethorpe mentions MATRIX SYSTEMS. Hmmm...
Buy the Skill Software (leadership) for 3000 nuyen. You probably don't
have enough money left for the Boosted Reflexes. If you want to be able
to buy the Boosted Reflexes, skip buying the stuff in the Talisman Shop
and you will have the nuyen for the cyberware. You will need to go back
and get the stake before long though, and the various bottles you can
wait on as well. It all depends on your preferences.
Save at the hotel and go to the Wastelands.
*** The Rust Stilettos, H'oochin'ikwa and the Rat ***
Wastelands: There is much information to be learned in here, but first you must
kill that Orc who tries to keep you out of the club. He is probably
with the Rust Stilettos, but he offers no battle cry or death speech.
Now ask Jetboy about MATRIX SYSTEMS to learn RAITSOV, talk to the club
manager to learn ICE, talk to Anders to learn AKIMI and STEELFLIGHT
by asking about SHADOWRUNNERS, and talk to all the runners to learn
stuff about the Rust Stilettos and even Drake (but no new keywords).
You find out that the Rust Stilettos are nearby and stirring up trouble.
If you're tough, head into the alley outside of the club. If you want
some insurance, hire Frogtongue or Norbert to accompany you. I would
actually recommend Frogtongue since he has more health and you don't
have the heal spell yet.
Rust Stiletto Hideout: Kill the guys in the alley who try to turn you away, then
use the iron key on the door to open it. Inside, you can cut down on
the damage you take by running to the edge of the screen so that fewer
enemies are actually on the screen. Kill everyone in sight, then the
two Orcs that appear from the back room. Make sure to collect all of
the nuyen that gets dropped, and the CROWBAR. If you and your runner
are low on health, go ahead and save back at the hotel and heal up.
In the back room, just start plugging away, concentrating on the medium
gunners first (they have lower armor, so you can reduce the number of
enemies much faster than if you tried to kill the strongest first).
Then take out the Gang Leader and work your way down to the last guy.
The gang leader will tell you about DRAKE if you didn't learn it in the
Caryards, which means that now you know this Drake guy really has it
out for you. Grab all the nuyen and the PASSWORD near where the leader
died. Save at the hotel, use your karma, and go to the Jagged Nails.
Jagged Nails: Talk to the Club Manager to learn KITSUNE, and for 100 nuyen he
will give you the number for Dr. Maplethorpe if you ask about STREET
DOC. This is really worthless since calling the doctor only gets you
his secretary, and she never knows when cyberware has arrived.
Anyway, talk to Steelflight about SHADOWRUNNERS to learn about ANDERS,
then go over near the stage. Use your hand icon to talk to Kitsune
when she reaches the lowest point of her walk, then she will teleport
over to talk to you.
She knows you already! She tells you that she is also allied with the
Dog Spirit, who sent her to heal you when you were almost killed by the
Rust Stilettos (before you woke up in the morgue). If you ask her about
DOG, she gives you Enchanted Leaves, which is the last item you need in
order to talk to the Dog Spirit. Go to the docks now.
Docks: First head down to talk to the boatman, Longhorn Jack so you can learn
the word DOCKS. Then go into the first warehouse, which turns out to
be the humble offices of Matrix Systems, the makers of your head
computer and cortex bomb. Hack into their computer for 2000 nuyen and
a datafile that reveals more about your role in this whole story.
Now go to next area and go in the second door. This is the lair of
H'oochin'ikwa, the Dog Spirit. If you don't have the GHOUL BONE, the
DOG COLLAR, and the LEAVES, he will tell you to gather more items to
prove yourself. Otherwise, he will tell you that you have one more test
to show him that you are a dedicated Dog Shaman: kill the Rat Shaman.
Go to the Rat Shaman's lair, which is reached from the little alley at
the bottom of the big market square.
Also, you will get the Heal spell because you have the LEAVES, which
are the only component, but you won't get anything else until after
killing the Rat Shaman. A good idea would be to build up seven or eight
karma on the Docks, then upgrade both your Heal spell and your magic
rating.
Rat Lair: The giant rats are very annoying. They run on and off the screen and
shoot crap at you. I would have your target near the edge of the screen
ready to zero in on the rats as they come near. If you get too low on
life before reaching the end of the second tunnel (always bear right),
use Heal or use the hotel.
Enter the Rat Shaman's lair, kill the first two rats, then go for the
Shaman. He will cast Freeze sometimes, especially if you bring a runner
so be wary. Otherwise, he is wimpy. When he dies, the Jester Spirit
will rise from his body and talk to you. You learn JESTER and he laughs
at you, daring you to find his real lair. Kill the last two rats and
save before heading back to H'oochin'ikwa.
Also, if you take Kitsune to fight the Rat Shaman and she lives, she
will stay with you for the rest of the game.
Docks: H'oochin'ikwa tells you all about your destiny and alludes to other
things, but will not tell you new keywords. He will give you any spells
for which you have collected all the components, and he will also tell
you what components you need. You should already have what you need
for POWERBALL. Now you need to go back to the Jagged Nails Club.
*** Dark Blade and the Jester Spirit ***
Jagged Nailes: Ask Kitsune about JESTER to learn about DARK BLADE. Dark Blade
is a club for vampires, and if you ask Kitsune about it, she will tell
you about VAMPIRES.
Now ask the Club Manager about VAMPIRES and he will tell you about
STROBES and how they make vampires go blind.
If you ask the other Club Manager (the one who doesn't talk much) about
STROBES, she lets you have the STROBES item.
Now call the Talisman Shop owner and ask her about DARK BLADE. She
gives you the number for the Dark Blade Club. Call them, and ask the
guy who answers about MAGIC FETISH. He thinks his boss will be
interested in buying it, and he opens the gates to the club.
If you do not have the STAKE, go to the Talisman Shop to buy it, then
go to the Dark Blade Club which is down from the market square through
the fancy gates.
Dark Blade Club: You can proceed one of two ways. If you want a little bit of
extra karma, run past the guy who is standing watch. He'll attack you
and you can kill him. Then go into the room on the left, where there
will be computers and samurai warriors, and I think a mage. Kill them
and hack the computers for a file on the Jester Spirit and 10,000
nuyen.
If you want to meet Vladimir right away, talk to the watchman instead.
Ask him about MAGIC FETISH and he will let you go without attacking.
When you go into the room on the left, a man is waiting. Talk to him;
it's Vladimir. He is really creepy and obviously a vampire. He wants
the MAGIC FETISH in return for info about the Jester Spirit. Give him
what he wants, then ask him about JESTER SPIRIT. He tells you about
BREMERTON where Jester is hiding and NIRWANDA, the Jester's true name.
With this, you can control the Jester Spirit... or can you?
Vladimir runs away (through the wall!), so you can hack his computers
now. Now clear out the room on the right and grab the BRONZE KEY off
the bookshelf. Use it in the kitchen to open the bronze gate. The
next part you may want to have a runner or two to back you up for.
Go down into the crypt area. There are ghouls here, but just run past
them onto the next screen. Here, turn down and head to the edge of the
screen. You will see a staircase going down. This leads to Vladimir's
lair, while the crypt passage itself leads to a dead-end on the next
screen.
In Vladimir's Lair, you have to fight four ghouls who are very close to
you. The best thing is to have two or more runners to blast them quick.
When they are dead, use the STROBE item when Vladimir approaches you.
He will go blind and stand in place, freaking out. Use the STAKE on
him, and he will start talking.
If you didn't meet him upstairs, you can still find out about BREMERTON
and NIRWANDA, but something is fishy. Exit the conversation, use the
STAKE again, and when you ask about JESTER now, Vladimir confesses that
the Jester's TRUE true name is LAUGHLYN (there are context clues
throughout the game warning you that Vladimir is a liar). He begs you
to let him go, but if you use the STAKE one more time you can kill him
and take his 5000 nuyen and some karma.
From here, you can go to Longhorn Jack again at the docks and ask him
about BREMERTON to learn MERMAIDS, but this is not necessary. He won't
drive to Bremerton until the mermaids leave the docks, and the mermaids
won't leave until the water gets cold. You don't actually need to get
the keywords to accomplish this next part, but whatever.
Go to the Wastelands.
Wastelands: There is a businessman in the corner now. Talk to him about ICE
and he will make a delivery for 100 nuyen. Tell him you want it taken
to the DOCKS (which drives away the mermaids). Go to the docks.
************************
* *
* build-up opportunity *
* *
************************
The best way to build up in this game is in the crypt full of ghouls in the
Dark Blade Club. What you can do is stand behind one of the coffins in
a certain spot (you can find it pretty easy) where the ghouls will not
be able to get at you. They just run into the coffin. Shoot away.
The ghouls don't shoot at you, and they give karma pretty regularly.
There is a big danger though. The ghouls can start spawning at a fast
rate, and if they do, they might stack up. If they stack up really
far, the last one will be able to walk over the crypt all of a sudden
or around it and get at you. The ghouls are quite deadly, so this is
a major caution.
If you want to make this process both FAST and SAFE, the best thing to
do is to hire Frogtongue, Norbert, and Anders. Take them into the crypt
and they will tear ghouls to smithereens. Because you are a large party
the ghouls may get at you easier, but you will have plenty of time to
heal anyone who gets hit. If you have maxed out leadership, the runners
will stay for a long time (something like forty-ish minutes of real
time assuming you stay in the crypt the whole time). Anders will leave
first, but the other two will stay for a good while after that, and
they are strong enough to keep the strategy going. In this way, you
can rack up anywhere between 70 and 100 karma easily, probably more if
you actually wait for the runners to leave before stopping.
*************************************************************
Docks: Go to the little tiny dock that is below the door to H'oochin'ikwa's
lair. There will be some MERMAID SCALES there. Go into the last
warehouse door and kill the Octopus (it is disguised as a woman). Use
the BLACK BOTTLE (if you bought it at the Talisman Shop) to pick up the
ink. With these two things, you can go to teh Dog Spirit to receive
the Freeze spell.
Now go to see Longhorn Jack. Kill the Orc there, and then grab his
EXPLOSIVES. Pay Jack 1000 nuyen for the boat, then take it to
Bremerton.
Bremerton: Go along the deck, killing the gang members along the way. Go up
the stairs at the end and double back along the upper deck. Kill the
dog, collect the DOG TAG, and use the CROWBAR on the door to open the
ship.
Ship: Use the switch on the wall (the little white box) to open the door on the
lower level. Shoot the oozes, then go down and through the door. On
the next screen, take the path that goes to the left of the screen.
You will go over the first room and then down many flights of stairs.
Kill the Orc in the room at the bottom of the stairs, take his SAFE KEY
and open the safe. In it is a DETONATOR (which automatically combines
with the EXPLOSIVES to make a TIMEBOMB) and a BROKEN BOTTLE. The bottle
used to contain a dissolving agent for toxic substances... hmm...
Go back up the stairs, and now take the path to the right. Kill any
enemies in your way, and head down or straight through the little
crossway. You will end up in a room with a grey ooze. Kill it, then
use the POTION BOTTLES on the toxic water it leaves behind. (Whenever
you want to, go back to the square in front of the morgue to bottle some
water from the fountain. These are the two components for the
INVISIBILITY spell). There is a path that leads down; take it.
Go down the first two sets of stairs. On the third, there is a switch.
Press it to get a message about the Airlock closing. Now go back up
and use the switch there to flood the compartment. You will hear some
screams. Press the switch again to flush the water, then go down, use
the original switch to open the Airlock, then go all the way down to
find several bodies (invincible Orcs who will make you very mad if you
ever try to actually fight them). Use the TIMEBOMB on the safe, then
go out of the room. I don't know if you die by staying in, but I
wouldn't want to find out. Take the GREEN BOTTLE.
Go back to the crosspath where you killed an Orc. Go to the upper
path with two doors. Take the FIRST door, the one that goes up and
left. You will have to fight a gang member, but the other way is an
invincible ooze that stuns you.
Continue around until you get to a room with a long path and two oozes
at the end. You can't shoot them, so use the GREEN BOTTLE to dissolve
them. Go to the left and use the first switch to open the door to the
next room. Use one of the switches at the end of the path; they will
deactivate some mines in the next room.
In the next room, you probably deactivated the mines, which means they
blow up right away instead of as you walk over them. Walk into the
portal at the end of the room.
Jester's Lair: Kill the ghoul who spawns, then kill the Naga. Go up and around
to the next area where you must run past a bunch of bubbly piles that
shoot crap at you like the rats in the Rat Shaman's lair. In the last
room (which is big) you need to be careful. The Jester Spirit is very
powerful and can damage you very badly. You should dodge him while he
is juggling and throwing, but when he is out of magic balls, shoot at
him. Eventually, he will say something to you, and at that point you
need to use the hand icon to start a conversation.
Ask him about LAUGHLYN to win the challenge he made back at the Rat
Shaman's lair (I have never bothered to find out what happens when you
ask him about NIRWANDA instead). Now ask him about DRAKE to learn
about the VOLCANO where Drake keeps his lair. From H'oochin'ikwa, you
know that Drake is a "serpent that walks like a man." Serpent? Volcano?
Sounds like a dragon... bummer...
Anyway, the Jester will tell you that you can only call on his powers
once, so use wisely (use him on Drake). After quitting the conversation
make sure to grab the little mask, then go through the portal that
appears to warp to the docks.
At this point, the partial body suit is available in the Dark Blade
Gun Shop and the dermal armor is available at Maplethorpe's. You may
want to upgrade your weapon to the Heckler Koch 277 Assault Rifle, if
you have enough money (you will after Drake Towers), but you won't
actually need a better gun until you fight Drake.
You also have all the spell components now except the Naga Scales, so
you can get every spell except Armor from the Dog Spirit.
Go get what you want, build up at the crypt if you want to, save, and
go to Drake Towers.
*** Drake Towers ***
Drake Towers: In the lobby, hack into the computer on the desk. You have the
PASSWORD from the Rust Stiletto boss, so the security block goes away.
Use the program node to activate the elevator.
From here, each floor is the same. There are a bunch of guys, mostly
samurai warriors but a mage too. When you kill them, you need to hunt
around the office for hackable computers. One of them will activate
the elevator, the others will have nuyen, datafiles, and some even have
codes for other computers that you need to download.
You can either go in to each floor, cast Invisibility and then kill
everyone at will, or you can hire runners and try to take them on like
a man. If you try to fight them all straight up by yourself, you may
not take a lot of damage (especially with dermal armor and partial body
suit) but you will get stunned by bullets and take forever to kill
all the guys. I say, use magic or extra muscle.
If you have Kitsune with you, cast Invisibility on her instead, then
use her Summon Spirit spell to wreak havoc on the enemies. Two times
should kill everyone. The Invisibility spell on Kitsune is to protect
her in case a samurai just won't die.
On the roof, destroy the sentry guns, then talk to the helicopter pilot
about VOLCANO to make him take you there.
*** The Volcano Fortress ***
Fortress: Like Drake Towers, this consists of using computers to activate
elevators to get to harder levels. The floors are a lot bigger, so use
the map section and the Matrix section to navigate the area and hack
the computers.
The Troll Deckers are not really that difficult to deal with unless you
have Kitsune with you. I would bring another two runners to back her
up, and use her as the primary healer.
When you are ready to storm the last floor and kill Drake, make sure
you have a LOT of magic. At least 15, but 20 goes farther. If you are
bringing runners in with you, you should always run past all enemies
and only heal when someone is really low. You need to conserve magic
for the lowest level.
When you get to the last floor (sublevel 4), you should take a moment
to prepare for a big fight. The little area outside the elevator is
safe, so cast Invisibility on your whole party and then go into the
middle of all the enemies there to kill them all. Now you can go right
to kill a bunch of Nagas and finally a Gold Naga (which drops the Naga
Scales, the last component for Armor), but I think the Trolls and guns
respawn if you do.
So I recommend going down (since Armor is kind of redundant). There are
three trolls in this room; kill them. The first one might catch you
by surprise, but you can probably kill him before he kills a runner
(if you are alone, he's easy). Creep over to kill the next one before
moving far enough to see the third. When they are all dead, go into
the corridor near the far right corner.
There are two scientists throwing grenades at you. Kill them, then
completely heal up before going into Drake's room.
As I discussed in the Enemies section, using Freeze is the best idea.
If Drake ever breathes fire on you, pray that it doesn't do 20 damage
per flame.
Freeze and shoot, freeze and shoot. You can refreeze before the last
one thaws, so that way Drake will never get another shot in. Also, if
you use the Jester Spirit, it will wait until Drake thaws, then Drake
will stop attacking while the Jester abuses him. When the Jester
finishes, you better Freeze Drake again (you can shoot at Drake the
entire time that the Jester is attacking).
Armor is also useable for this purpose (so that you don't take damage)
and I have heard that Powerball can do a lot of damage. However, I
prefer to conserve my magic for more reliable spells than Powerball and
I hate going to get the Naga Scales. Ergo, I use Freeze.
After Drake dies, he will turn to stone and the screen will go dark,
then come back (don't panic, it's not your SNES crashing!). Go in the
door on the left to meet Dr. Pushkin. Ask him about DRAKE to learn
that Drake was hired by the ANEKI corporation. By this point, you
should know that Aneki has developed a powerful AI program that will
help him rule the Matrix and the entire world, but Matrix Systems has
an Anti-AI program that can kill it (that's what is in your head).
After you stop talking to Pushkin, he gives you the password to get in
to the Aneki Corporation (I think he is a mole within their company;
that's how Raitsov found out about the AI program and that's why Pushkin
has all the info and passwords). Go there, but buy the Assault Cannon
at the Dark Blade Gun Shop first, and the full body suit if you want it.
*** The Aneki Corporation ***
Aneki Corporation: This is just like Drake Towers, except now you have two parts
to each floor. The nuyen you steal is mostly useless since this is the
last level and the only thing left to buy is the full body suit.
The rooms to the right always have data files and nuyen in their
computers, while the rooms on the left have the elevator programs in
them.
There are Orcs, Mages, and Samurai in all these rooms. I would
use magic as a first attack, like Invisibility and Summon Spirit.
You can bring runners, too, but this means using lots more magic and
backtracking to recharge at the hotel. Really they are not very hard.
On the 5th floor, the left room is the resting place of the AI Computer.
Use the Matrix section to get through it, download the program, and
initiate the end sequence.
The end is really good, enjoy it. And ignore the reference to
Shadowrun II, that is just a joke like "Oh, I'm the bad guy and I'll be
back more times than Jacquio from Ninja Gaiden!"
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XIV. Story Summary
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It can be quite confusing while you are playing to actually piece together what
happens in the storyline. So here is a spoiler; DO NOT READ IT IF YOU DON'T
WANT TO KNOW THE SURPRISES.
*** The Matrix War ***
The Matrix holds all the bank accounts, security codes, and important
information that matters to the powerful world players in the Shadowrun setting.
Hence, if a company could control the entire Matrix, they would pretty much run
the entire world. To do so would probably mean hiring an army of the best
deckers available, but how would one control them? How could you trust them?
But the Aneki corporation found a way around this problem. They designed the
ultimate decker, one that lives inside the Matrix itself and has the mental
capacity of thousands of mortals as well as more speed than any normal decker
could ever hope for: the Artificial Intelligence Program. With this program,
Aneki and his corporate pals would be the masters of Earth.
But another cyber-company has picked up on their game. Matrix Systems, run by
a man named Raitsov, has developed a special program that can kill the AI
program. However, Raitsov is just a computer programmer, and his company does
not have the kind of money Aneki has. So in order to actually get his program
inside the Aneki Corp mainframe, he sets up a shadowrun. A courier will bring
the program to Dr. Pushkin, who I believe is like a double agent in the Aneki
Corporation.
*** The Courier ***
Who is this courier? Well, up until a few days before this shadowrun, Jake
Armitage was just hanging out with his girlfriend Sassie and drinking delicious
iced teas. But when Raitsov approached him with this deal, Jake decided it was
time to go into the Shadowrun business.
So Jake got fitted with a head computer that would hold the Anti-AI program,
and presumably Raitsov installed it. Unbeknownst to Jake, Raitsov also put a
cortex bomb in his head in order to destroy any evidence of the program should
Jake fail to deliver it to Pushkin or fall into Aneki's hands.
*** What Went Wrong ***
But Raitsov is a fool. He hired a single courier and also in some way hired
the humble services of Glutman (Glutman is possibly the middle man. Raitsov
goes to Glutman looking for a runner, Glutman knows a guy who might work out -
Jake). In any event, if that is all Raitsov can afford, Aneki will be able to
buy a whole army of goons. And he does. When Aneki finds out about Matrix
Systems' move to destroy his company's plan, he hires Drake the Dragon for
10,000,000 nuyen. He wants Drake to get the program, kill the courier, and
wipe Matrix Systems off the face of Seattle. He also offers to bring Drake
within his company, since having a powerful dragon gangster on your side is
always a good thing. Drake just has to prove himself in this run.
But Drake lives inside a volcano and doesn't much like leaving his fortress.
So he figures he can easily hire out another group to do the work for him, at
a fraction of the price he will get from Aneki. As long as he doesn't tell the
gang how important this shadowrun is, he can keep the price pretty low and
pocket the difference.
So Drake hires the dumbest gang he can find, The Rust Stilettos, and promises
to provide them with enough weapons to dominate the downtown area where they
hang out. All they have to do is kill this one guy and ruin another guy's
office down at the docks. So the Rust Stilettos take the run, they go down to
the docks, and clean out Matrix Systems. But Jake and Raitsov are already on
their way. So they track them down in the 10th Street slums and kill both Jake
and Raitsov. The only mistake they make is that they do not know they are
supposed to get the courier's head back to Drake for program analysis! The
program was gone from the Matrix Systems office, but the Rust Stilettos gang
didn't know that was what they were looking for.
Well, it doesn't really matter because Jake is dead anyway, right?
*** The Unsuspecting Shaman ***
As it turns out, Jake is a Shaman. He is fundamentally connected to the Earth
and its spirit. His kindred spirit is H'oochin'ikwa, the Dog Spirit. Dog is a
loyal and good spirit, which is probably why Jake agreed to take a shadowrun
that had altruistic tones.
So when Jake gets hit by the Rust Stilettos and is lying in the street about to
die, Dog sends another of his servants to help Jake: Kitsune. She makes it
there just in time to heal his wounds before the morgue guys find Jake and take
him away. The morgue guys leave him for dead, but then Jake wakes up, feeling
terrible...
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XV. Acknowledgements
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Thanks to FASA Corporation for their wonderful game, and Data East for their
development to the SNES.
Also, thanks to Jimbo who got me into role-playing in the first place.
Finally, thanks to my wife for tolerating my SNES habit; I can't kick this one!
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XVI. Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
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Copyright 2005, Mike Jenista
This may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other
web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright.
All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.
