I'm playing Shdaowrun: Dragonfall [Director's Cut] and am getting lost in game mechanics. Anyone play this game? I have a few questions, to start off with

1) Can we switch "active Characters" at all?

I have a "team" of characters, but it seems that everything I activate, it is only *me* that gets to take actions. Why bring a Decker in my group if I cannot get him to do his thing? Why bring anyone else, since it seems that only *my* skills are available to get things done? If I click on another character, I just move to them.

2) Is there a way to tell how much actions cost?

I have moved characters for 1 action and then been unable to do anything else. Also, is there a "wait state" or "defensive stance state" that I can place my teammates in? If I hit the enter key, or the "end icon" it ends my whole turn, not just the character I am currently controlling. There are times I would like to have 1 character move into a position, have a second character fire a shot, have a third character do something else, then come back to the first character. Is this possible, or am I dreaming?

3) Karma Points.

Is it best to focus on my strengths, or try to round myself out? I ask because of the first question. I'd like to concentrate in what I am good at (melee fighter), but I am constantly being asked to to do things I have no skills to accomplish, though my teammates do. This is especially prevalent in dialogues.

4) Do I need to roll up a Decker to start off with?

It seems this class has the skills that I am being asked to use. I usually like to roll up the intelligent, "fixing things" type of character, but went with the "magic based melee character" for this one. It's not too late to switch, for sure

5) How close is this game to the TableTop RPG?

I found a PDF online that covers the TableTop game. Will this help me with the video game?

I am not disappointed with this game. I am enjoying the snot out of it! I like the world. I like the story, thus far. I like that there are NO voice overs, and great writing to keep me interested. I so miss descriptive text like this. It is just the mechanics that are tripping up

[EDIT]

I also have Shadowrun Returns. Should I play this one first? I thought Dragonfall was the first one, though now see I was mistaken

Been a while since I played the game but...

1) No, only your character can perform actions outside of combat. It's definitely something of a head-scratcher why that is. During combat, however, it's possible.

2) Yep, the actions' AP costs are indicated next to the actions in the tooltip. As for running, you can tell how many AP you'll spend by the squares. Everything in the first square is 1AP, beyond is 2AP. In Glory's case, you get a third square to signify 3AP. If memory serves, you can change the turn order by clicking the portrait of the character you want to move/order next.

3) I'd focus on strengths, but the game is perfectly playable with a rounded character too. Don't spread your karma points too thin, though. No need to learn useless skills so your character will be hobbled in his/her main occupations.

4) You don't need to roll up any kind of character, really, since the game will provide you with a versatile party to complement your character. A few points in Decking never hurts though.

5) I've never played the tabletop game, so I can't answer that, sorry.

And yep, play Shadowrun Returns and its Dead Man's Switch campaign first, if you can. It's not as good as Dragonfall, but certainly not bad at all, and Shadowrun Returns is like pizza: when it's good, it's great. When it's bad, it's still pretty good!