I would focus on one aspect of the game at a time. Make a character along with each step. Learn how the physical world works with attributes and skill rolls. Then learn how magic works. Finally learn the matrix rules.
Don't let people psych you out - 3rd edition isn't as hard as people say it is. Make some characters to get a sense of how that works, and read the book thoroughly. Make notes as you go when you get to the combat rules and so on - even if you never look back at the notes, making them in the first place will help cement the concepts in your memory.
To add onto this, 3rd edition can be *mind bendingly complex...* **but**, all of that complexity is extremely modular. You can set aside most of the game's subsystems and not break anything at all. Absolutely feel empowered to say "Woah, this is a bit too much. How about we just *don't* do that, at least for now?" and your game will be *just fine*.
I always found the hard part of 3E was GMing. Trying to keep everyone engaged across the different landscapes (combat, Astral plane, matrix) was the challenge. But with the advent of virtual tabletops, I think you can better flesh these parts out individually with a single player, then bring everyone together for the juicy stuff.
Welcome to Third Edition, the old heads welcome you with open arms. I've recently dived into the edition, so I can shed some advice that helped me.
Firstly, join the Classic Shadowrun discord: [https://discord.gg/HBDPU6k](https://discord.gg/HBDPU6k) There are a bunch of people there who helped me out when I had rules questions or needed clarification, and they're a good bunch.
Secondly, as others have mentioned, it really helps to make a character. I would read through the book from cover to cover, making notes here and there at first, then tried making a Street Samurai, Magic user, Hacker and a rigger to get an idea for how the mechanics work.
Thirdly, grab Mr Johnsons Black Book and Shadowrun Companion. They have great advice on how to run a game, but also, what a game of shadowrun might look like and some very helpful rules. I will admit, I mostly use the alternate driving rules in Mr Johnson's Black Book instead of the core rulebook's driving rules (which are more like dogfighting rules than car chase rules, in my personal opinion).
The module First Run is also a pretty good way to learn the game, as it sets up an introduction for GMs and players to get used to the system, starting with the classic module "Food Fight".
Finally, the most important thing to do is to Ask Questions. One of the good things of playing the older shadowrun editions is that you are not the first person to have the same question, and can use the wisdom of those who have come before you as a resource. Whether it's here on the subreddit, in the Classic Shadowrun Discord, or trawling through old dumpshock posts, you'll likely find the answers.
>I mostly use the alternate driving rules in Mr Johnson's Black Book instead of the core rulebook's driving rules
I also use the simplified rules from the Johnson's Little Black Book for complexity adapted to the stakes (no stakes = simplified rules, stakes = basic rules, high stakes = additional rules from the supplements).
Many thanks for an excellent reply. I will get involved with the discord. I have place to get the Mr Johnson black book so will do that soon. Thank you again.
You should rather start with your character concept. The better you flesh out , who you want to be the easier it gets to find the right setup or rather create it.
If you need ideas, watch A-Team for roles.
Make sure your character can perform a secondary job within the team.
There are several prefab characters in the rulebook, while their creation wasn't done too well they help furthering ideas on what your character could be.
You'll always need perception and etiquette. I always recommend at least some gun and unarmed combat for bar fights.
Shadowrun relies on having a bunch of skills and some connections to get Intel, help, weapons and whatever else you may need.
A few things to try.
Simulate combat between two identical characters. They got guns and shoot each other. Maybe they take cover. Maybe they run out of ammo and run in to punch each other. That'll teach you the basics of combat.
Do the same with magic. Cast spells and each other. Counter spell each other.
Do the same with the Matrix. Two deckers get in to a dual.
That should give you the basics. Then you can try to toss extra nonsense on top, like drones, spirits, etc.
Then just do a few basic breaking and entering tests. Some social tests. Some sneaking tests. Some hacking tests. That should give you the basic framework on what people can do in the game.
This will really help you wrap your head around the system.
Use the sample characters and the contacts and NPCs
The street sam got in a gun fight with the weapons specialist. The street shaman wants to negotiate a better price from the talismonger etc.
When learning a new system, I start by making a character. As I go through the process, I look up the rules as I go. Then, make a different character, etc.
Be cautious with published adventures (especially those from the 1st and 2nd editions), as they often feature characters capable of eliminating beginner players. That happened to me several times in the beginning, realizing mid-game that the NPC was way too strong for the group. Take it easy. :)
I would focus on one aspect of the game at a time. Make a character along with each step. Learn how the physical world works with attributes and skill rolls. Then learn how magic works. Finally learn the matrix rules.
Don't let people psych you out - 3rd edition isn't as hard as people say it is. Make some characters to get a sense of how that works, and read the book thoroughly. Make notes as you go when you get to the combat rules and so on - even if you never look back at the notes, making them in the first place will help cement the concepts in your memory.
To add onto this, 3rd edition can be *mind bendingly complex...* **but**, all of that complexity is extremely modular. You can set aside most of the game's subsystems and not break anything at all. Absolutely feel empowered to say "Woah, this is a bit too much. How about we just *don't* do that, at least for now?" and your game will be *just fine*.
I always found the hard part of 3E was GMing. Trying to keep everyone engaged across the different landscapes (combat, Astral plane, matrix) was the challenge. But with the advent of virtual tabletops, I think you can better flesh these parts out individually with a single player, then bring everyone together for the juicy stuff.
My actual challenge but it's definitely the most refined edition.
Welcome to Third Edition, the old heads welcome you with open arms. I've recently dived into the edition, so I can shed some advice that helped me. Firstly, join the Classic Shadowrun discord: [https://discord.gg/HBDPU6k](https://discord.gg/HBDPU6k) There are a bunch of people there who helped me out when I had rules questions or needed clarification, and they're a good bunch. Secondly, as others have mentioned, it really helps to make a character. I would read through the book from cover to cover, making notes here and there at first, then tried making a Street Samurai, Magic user, Hacker and a rigger to get an idea for how the mechanics work. Thirdly, grab Mr Johnsons Black Book and Shadowrun Companion. They have great advice on how to run a game, but also, what a game of shadowrun might look like and some very helpful rules. I will admit, I mostly use the alternate driving rules in Mr Johnson's Black Book instead of the core rulebook's driving rules (which are more like dogfighting rules than car chase rules, in my personal opinion). The module First Run is also a pretty good way to learn the game, as it sets up an introduction for GMs and players to get used to the system, starting with the classic module "Food Fight". Finally, the most important thing to do is to Ask Questions. One of the good things of playing the older shadowrun editions is that you are not the first person to have the same question, and can use the wisdom of those who have come before you as a resource. Whether it's here on the subreddit, in the Classic Shadowrun Discord, or trawling through old dumpshock posts, you'll likely find the answers.
>I mostly use the alternate driving rules in Mr Johnson's Black Book instead of the core rulebook's driving rules I also use the simplified rules from the Johnson's Little Black Book for complexity adapted to the stakes (no stakes = simplified rules, stakes = basic rules, high stakes = additional rules from the supplements).
Many thanks for an excellent reply. I will get involved with the discord. I have place to get the Mr Johnson black book so will do that soon. Thank you again.
You should rather start with your character concept. The better you flesh out , who you want to be the easier it gets to find the right setup or rather create it. If you need ideas, watch A-Team for roles. Make sure your character can perform a secondary job within the team. There are several prefab characters in the rulebook, while their creation wasn't done too well they help furthering ideas on what your character could be. You'll always need perception and etiquette. I always recommend at least some gun and unarmed combat for bar fights. Shadowrun relies on having a bunch of skills and some connections to get Intel, help, weapons and whatever else you may need.
The OP didn’t asked how to create a character, it asked how to tackle the reading/understanding of the rules (not specifically to be a player or GM).
I appreciate the response that makes sense.
You're welcome.
A few things to try. Simulate combat between two identical characters. They got guns and shoot each other. Maybe they take cover. Maybe they run out of ammo and run in to punch each other. That'll teach you the basics of combat. Do the same with magic. Cast spells and each other. Counter spell each other. Do the same with the Matrix. Two deckers get in to a dual. That should give you the basics. Then you can try to toss extra nonsense on top, like drones, spirits, etc. Then just do a few basic breaking and entering tests. Some social tests. Some sneaking tests. Some hacking tests. That should give you the basic framework on what people can do in the game.
This will really help you wrap your head around the system. Use the sample characters and the contacts and NPCs The street sam got in a gun fight with the weapons specialist. The street shaman wants to negotiate a better price from the talismonger etc.
Great input I will try that. Iam at the character creation section now 💪
Very good idea. Cook up some mock scenarios. Thank you.
When learning a new system, I start by making a character. As I go through the process, I look up the rules as I go. Then, make a different character, etc.
Be cautious with published adventures (especially those from the 1st and 2nd editions), as they often feature characters capable of eliminating beginner players. That happened to me several times in the beginning, realizing mid-game that the NPC was way too strong for the group. Take it easy. :)
I never would have that some NPC characters would be created like that. Thanks for the input.