I understand how these work in principal and the rules are clear enough but...

1. does the filter affect only what the winning hacker sees?
2. will it change other persona icons?
3. if there are multiple reality filters running in the node do they change the architecture for the hacker running them only or for all the hackers in the node? ie do they override the system only or the filters on another 'link?

Thanks

1. Insofar as that he sees the UI he's used to working with, instead of the node's own virtual sculpting, yes.
2. See 1.
3. Reality Filters change the way a single user perceives the node he's in. Every single thing within it will conform to the design of his Reality Filter, from the node's layout, to the programs running on it, and the iconography of the users on it.

1) yes
2) no
3) only theirs

Big node is set up with a Napoleonic architecture. Hacker A successfully uses a sci-fi reality filter. Hacker B successfully uses a fantasy filter. Hacker C fails to use a surfing filter.

IMO (can't support this by the book one bit) hacker A & B are comfortable in their preferred realities (+1 each). Hacker C is having this really jarring mixture of surfers and french soldiers surfing/riding through french towns with the occasional tiki themed business (-1). C would be better off just killing the filter and using the unfamiliar metaphor.

It should have been +1 if you succeed, +0 if you fail, on that test. Otherwise, no one would use reality filters.

Why aren't you using them anyway and then turning it off if it doesn't succeed?

Hence my previous post.

They could make them per-login, or simply waste Actions switching.

Which only really matters if they trigger an alert, and have to be quick before cybercombat gets them a log-off anyway.

Does anyone really them? and if so what?

I think you have a missing verb.

*shrug* Hacking is fundamentally about speed. Defending against it is about slowing the hacker down, etc. If it costs actions at all, that's helping.

If I'm probing then I'll use it just because I'm already in and they failed to spot me so I have the time to waste. Plus you never know when that +1 could mean the difference between tripping a data bomb and getting away clean.

You never have the time to waste. A node that doesn't have at least one patrolling IC Analyzing is most likely a node not worth hacking into.

There is "Customized Interface" in Unwired, and that is IMO as far as it should go, both from effect and rules complication. The way your commlink displays information for you will (IMO) always be set for your preferences. If the way the matrix is displayed to you matters, please tell me (regardless of my GM/player state). As far as familiarity with a certain iconography is concerned, I´d look more at knowledge skills than program ownership.

But as said, the rules are clear.

The idea is that VR *matters*. When you enter a virtual environment, you really enter it. This is perhaps much more clear with UV nodes, but still. I'm not saying RF is a good job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

With Stealth 7+ it hardly matters.

Techno? Gotta love threading.

This is why I don't like the hacking rules:

If your Stealth rating is high enough (i.e. "7+") you can't be detected ever no matter what they might as well not even try. You win.

If your Stealth rating is not high enough then you're detected all the time every time no matter what you might as well not even try. You lose (and have a chance at being killed outright*).

*If you are a technomancer and cybercomat begins, abort immediately and make a new character. That's REAL damage you're taking there, Son. And it's unresisted (you get your Armor CF, that's it; the game doesn't care if it's effecting you like Biofeedback does, it's still not resisted with your Biofeedback rating).

That last part is real dumb, so dumb I didn't even notice it til now. I've always given the technos biofeedback for cyber combat.

You do realize that once you are in the system, every action you perform likely results in an OPPOSED Stealth Test vs the System's/Agent's/Hacker's Analyze right? Since it is opposed, you can be seen. I have seen the technomancers rating 14 Stealth get cracked by a rating 9 system. Roll enough times and you will be spotted. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Armor is for the Attack Damage inflicted...
Biofeedback Filter is for the BlackHammer/BlackOut/Biofeedback Damage Inflicted...

They both have uses...

And a Technomancer who does not have Shield is usually a dead Technomancer...

Actually I was talking about the Milspech progs from War. Besides BRs it's the only thing we use from it because it's done nothing bad while making some stuff better. As said in Unwired Milspec programs were only given as special rewards for missions. In my case it was getting the R9 stealth after rescuing a GOD investigator who was being tortured in a UV node.

I don't think they would be Analyzing you if the account you have is legal. As in the rules in Unwired that show you how to hack a legit account.

Nope, they analyze you constantly, regardless. Otherwise, it makes no sense, and it's impossible to ever find hackers.

Then what's the point of making a legit account?

You can do certain actions without a roll.