I'll be honest. This book helps you with the basics. But you NEED the SR3 book, its just so much better. This book provides a pretty good START, but if you wish to continue, you would do better to check out the subjects described in the book, in the SR3. It's not even an equipment list! Whats up with that? An if you want to start off by creating your own characters, you should get the SR3 too. My final rating? Useless without SR3, great for explaining basics. (Also it's great for players generally... cuz it explains the basics VERY well) But FASA should do better next time. Besides... what about the sample mission? GREAT. That's one of the highlights in my opinion...