Ten bucks says Zod's player makes a manipulation mage after Zod gets iced by one.

Call. I'll add another 10 bucks if it's a possession mage.

You don't think an Inhabitation Ally Spirit? Oh, they're probably BPgen, nevermind (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Assuming you have your peripherals set up in your PAN to start with. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

They're set up in a PAN at the very least. Smartguns need Smartlink need Image Link, after all.

Even if you're a nutjob who runs cables from gun to eyes, there's a max number of cables possible; eventually, you need a router, which is all that a PAN is.

You do not need a PAN for that, though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)
And that also assumes that you are mandating the use of a Smartgun. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

… The premise assumes that, crazyface. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) See: "Also, even if you turn off your comm your Smartlink can still be hacked". Unless you're 'using' the Smartlink without a Smartgun, I suppose.

The truly paranoid just use full-auto with tracers and a laser sight. And disable wireless functionality in their guns entirely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cyber.gif)

It just ammuses me how many assumptions are made when it comes to the world/environment. There are alternatives to having a PAN. Some of them are useful, and others are not.

In the Smartlink/Gun Scenario:

1. You have them all routed thorugh the PAN. Probably the most likely.
2. You have them skinlinked thorugh your DNI'd Datajack, Not unheard of.
3. You still are a slave to old tech, and you use Induction pads and no wireless; I Still have a character or two who use the old tech.
4. You don't use the Smartlink/Gun Combination at all, and opt for Laser Sights instead (After all, how many firefights happen outside of 50 Meters?)
5. You don't care about using such equipment at all and use something else entirely.

There are alternatives. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Maybe we should collectively design a Basic Runner Competence Challenge? A batch of tests to measure if a character is able to survive daily life as a Runner?

The idea is that most of the tests should be a cakewalk for a medium-powered character; climbing on a building, dealing with a mugger, getting past a police checkpoint, surviving a script-kiddie with your bank account intact and so forth.

None of these tests should be considered life-threatening to normal characters. Can't complain that they're unreasonably hard or vicious; this isn't the CR 15 monster, these are the "your level -2 CR" problems. But they all test some aspect of your character (magic, matrix, combat, stealth, social, athletic), to find weaknesses.

If you can't pass some test on your own, it's time to worry. If you can't cope with a F4 spirit with a mind-affecting power, worry. If your initiative sucks, and your damage resistance sucks, the mugger might happen to drop you first, even though you've got 30 dice to kill him as soon as you get a turn. If you can't escape from a burning building, you're a lousy shadowrunner.

We have to make assumptions because we have a limited amount of details and no one (except possibly you) wants to read a wall of text that states the obvious.

I'll enter http://fairlygoodpractices.com/shadowrun/generic.htm for that test. If there's a hole in that character, I want it plugged.

I should sit down and try to work out what to change to give him a Battle Buddy Basic commlink instead of what he has, but I'm not sure it's worth the nuyen.

Or you should think about running tactics that do not involve setting buildings on fire, boring as it may sound (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

EDIT: (suoq's char)

OK, this has to be a bug with Chummer. How come all of you guys have the Flight skill? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

You have a bike and no helmet. Does that count as a hole?

It's Chummer. Ignore it. There may be a setting somewhere to hid it but I've never bothered to look for it.

I follow the Snow Crash theory of helmets.

I like to read... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As for the Character, Suoq, I like it... I do have a question, though. I do not use Chummer, so I am curious. What are the P Mods and R Mods columns for? What do they represent?

Rating modifier and Pool modifier. So Qualia will give a +1 Pool Modifier (P. Mod) on all Intuition skills. Off the top of my head, I can't think of something that gives a rating modifier, but that's just my mind going blank.

How is this not a PAN? That's four devices right there, two if you don't count the Skinlink modules as separate devices. Two is enough to constitute a network though, and they're most definitely on your person. Same holds true for induction pads.

PAN is generally discussed as your Comlink as a Hub to manage connections. This does not use that. It is a direct link from gun, skinlinked to the DNI Datajack and hardwired to the Image Link. It never once passes into our out of your comlink. Nor is it accessible from your comlink. And no, I do not usually count the Skinlink Modules as seperate from what they modify. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The induction pads are Direct Link, with no Wireless, so again, no PAN. You cannot remote hack an Induction Pad Smartlink System. No Wireless.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

True enough though, SR4A actually defines PANs as wireless. How shortsighted.

Heh... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
It is what it is. It is pretty easy to remove any wireless shennanigans (Dare I say Brazillian) that you wish to avoid, especially with Cyber interfaces and connectivity. Not that every character will care to do so, mind you, but it is an available solution. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wobble.gif)

I tend to have most of my hardware savvy characters with enough protections to have it not matter all that much (and those that aren't don't have anything of consequence in their 'links anyways). Yes, they are mostly speedbumps, in the long run, but they are effective. Heck, even Strong Encryption (with a paltry 1 Minute Interval) will stop most, if not all, Combat Hacks in their tracks.

Psh, whatever. PAN is 'your gadgets, data-hooked together', by whatever means.

From a certain standpoint, I'm still not sure that they aren't. It could easily be that even basic wired plugs (for those retro dudes) come with Signal 0 wireless built-in (for debugging/backup/standards). One could argue that even a wired device is still an matrix device and therefore has a signal. (Yeah, I'm not buying RAW in either direction on this one, play it any way you want. I'm not defending the position, I'm just soaking it in gas and tossing it on the coals to see if they're hot.)

Honestly, I could see some tiny bit of logic behind that. Plug in cables to your retro, vacuum tube, analog sound system and they communicate quality of connection using a weak wireless signal. Would certainly make debugging wired connections easier.

Not to mention that skinlink *is* wireless. See Unwired p59 for explicit rules that the PAN is all your crap, regardless of connection type. It does have a hub, but that's because the only alternative is single-way dedicated connections (gun wired to eyes). Which is only for luddites.

P.Mods are apparently mods to your skills coming from implants and/or adept powers. Notice that he has Tailored Pheromones 3 and P.Mod +3 to all Influence skills.