Mandatory matrix tools for infiltrators, street samurais and gunsingers, or... "Commlinks for Dummies" Options

[whatevs]

Just a note: Because you could not spoof the Luxury in 30 Days or less, you will not get it with Purchased Hits. I would stick with the High. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Agreed. I actually only spoofed low, but I provided the tests to get a baseline of how long it would take.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Agreed. I actually only spoofed low, but I provided the tests to get a baseline of how long it would take.

Ahhh... Yeah, Low is pretty easy.

[Bodak]

My favourite is still the fez.

[Marwynn]

Does anyone use Unwired's Pocket Hacker? For roughly 5000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) it seems like a bargain.

(EDIT: I always try to buy the FTL Matrixware Net Wizard for it, so it has other programs to use. For 5400 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) total, it seems like a capable enough Agent. Does need Spoof 3 though.)

[suoq]

Does anyone use Unwired's Pocket Hacker?

Honestly, I don't understand it. It's in Unwired. It's an agent. It doesn't have mook (Unwired 101). By unwired's own rules it can't use the software it comes with.
Yes, I'd houserule that it's a mook, it's the only thing that makes sense, but even then it's dice pool feels like a glitch waiting to happen.

[Glyph]

It's described as an illegal program package, which is the definition of a mook. I would probably only use it in a campaign where the GM handwaves minor hacking.

[Stingray]

..i do not have my Unwired w/ me right now, but i do vaguely remember
program can be Optimized only once (upgrade it as acting 1 rating higher?)

allowing by optimization to upgrade programs to sky-high
just buying rating 1 hacking program (500 y) and buying lvl 5 Optimization (500 y/each) ( to bring it act like rating 6 program)
, just somehow just do not seem right to me..

as i look at it, Optimization only allow program to act as 1 rating higher than it is, and that is it..

do i look it as RAW/RAI??

[Ascalaphus]

Enemy hackers could be annoying, but network segregation can take care of that. There are only two things you need external connections for: telecommunication and TacNet. It's of course ideal to have Smartlink and TacNet on the same network; I don't think it makes great sense to stack bonuses from TacNet and Smartlink if they can't communicate with each other. But maybe you can just keep them on separate commlinks, linked together with a cable. If you notice someone trying to hack, pull the plug, and your Smartlink is suddenly unavailable for remote access.

Think of it as running in "Autistic Mode", as they do in Ghost in the Shell, when they're dealing with particularly dangerous enemy hackers. You should have a plan for those occasions, and just sucking it up and doing without TacNet for a battle may be better than someone hacking it.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

..i do not have my Unwired w/ me right now, but i do vaguely remember
program can be Optimized only once (upgrade it as acting 1 rating higher?)

allowing by optimization to upgrade programs to sky-high
just buying rating 1 hacking program (500 y) and buying lvl 5 Optimization (500 y/each) ( to bring it act like rating 6 program)
, just somehow just do not seem right to me..

as i look at it, Optimization only allow program to act as 1 rating higher than it is, and that is it..

do i look it as RAW/RAI??

Not quite...

Optimization allos a Powerful Program to run on a less than optimal System. So, you purchase a rating 6 program with an optimization of 3, and you can now run that program at optimal rating (6) on a suboptimal System/Response (Rating 3). It is a nice program option.

[Stingray]

..ok..
so if my commlink have system and response 3, i must buy lvl 6 program and lvl 3 optimization to make
it work as lvl 6 program ( Optimization must be 3 lvl otherwise commlinks response/system ratings are stopping it act like lvl 6 program)

right?..

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

..ok..
so if my commlink have system and response 3, i must buy lvl 6 program and lvl 3 optimization to make
it work as lvl 6 program ( Optimization must be 3 lvl otherwise commlinks response/system ratings are stopping it act like lvl 6 program)

right?..

Yes... The Optimization allows the Rating 3 Comlink (Along with the Optimization 3 on whatever rating 6 program) to actually run the Program Rating of 6. If the Optimization was only a 2, then it would allow a Rating 5 Program to run on that particular 'link.

[suoq]

..i do not have my Unwired w/ me right now, but i do vaguely remember
program can be Optimized only once (upgrade it as acting 1 rating higher?)

You may be thinking of Optimization on pg 198 of Unwired:

This modification optimizes the device’s processor and components to enhance one particular program, applying a +1 dice pool modifier for all tests using that software. Each device may only be optimized once.

[Stingray]

..device can be optimized only once, does that mean if my commlink have 10 programs, i must choose just one to be optimized
and leaving others as it were?

[suoq]

..device can be optimized only once, does that mean if my commlink have 10 programs, i must choose just one to be optimized
and leaving others as it were?

Yes, for THAT type of optimization.
Note that optimization type #1 (running a rating 6 on a response 3) is an add-on for software. Optimization type #2 (running software at +1) is an add-on for hardware. They are different things with the same name.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Yes, for THAT type of optimization.
Note that optimization type #1 (running a rating 6 on a response 3) is an add-on for software. Optimization type #2 (running software at +1) is an add-on for hardware. They are different things with the same name.

Ooops... Yep, forgot about the one for devices. Guess I should use it more often.

[suoq]

Forgot to mention. I highly suggest houseruling against Optimization: Tacsoft.

Optimization: Agent doesn't have a lot of appeal to me from a balance standpoint as well.

I'm beginning to think I overlooked this one for mere mortals as well. Optimization: Firewall sounds like a good investment of 500 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) until I realize it opens the door for Optimization: System and then I throw up in my mouth a little.

[Traul]

I highly suggest houseruling against Optimization: Tacsoft.

No need to houserule: tacsofts do not accept options.

[CanRay]

"Pocket Hacker" Software Bundle (Unwired, Page 127.). Always can come in handy!

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

No need to houserule: tacsofts do not accept options.

You are not adding an Option to the Tacsoft. You are adding the Option to the Hardware that RUNS the Tacsoft.

[Traul]

You are not adding an Option to the Tacsoft. You are adding the Option to the Hardware that RUNS the Tacsoft.

What good would that do? It would add 1 die to every tacsoft roll, not to the tacnet bonus. The only tacsoft rolls are used for pattern matching.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

What good would that do? It would add 1 die to every tacsoft roll, not to the tacnet bonus. The only tacsoft rolls are used for pattern matching.

I'm not the one coming up with it, but yes, it would add to the Tacnet ROLLS, not the Bonus dice granted... *shrug*

[suoq]

What good would that do? It would add 1 die to every tacsoft roll, not to the tacnet bonus. The only tacsoft rolls are used for pattern matching.

Good. That makes me feel better. Also means I can ignore my brain fart on System.

Still, makes a nice firewall bonus for non-hackers. Kinda like that. Might be worth investing 1000K to protect my two commlinks a hair more.

[CrowOfPyke]

Anyone can be a hacker - anyone. Your Logic attribute is NOT used in most of your Matrix dice pools. It is your Active Skill Rating + Program Rating for most all dice pools. Your thick skulled axe wielder with Logic attribute of 1 and a Computer or Hacking of 5 with all his program ratings=6 is just as good as your "geek whiz" and his Logic attribute of 5 or 6.

This is one of the flaws or benefits of the system, depending on your point of view. Makes it easier for people and gm's playing in campaigns where no one wants to be a hacker. But makes it so simple that there is no point to really making a good hacker with a high Logic score....

As for gunslingers: physical adepts are the way to go. You can get dice pools well into the 20's with your preferred type of gun. Silly good.

For street samurai and infiltrators: I prefer bioware over cyberware. It doesn't set off chem sniffers or metal detectors.... DERP! DERP! DERP!!!.... Yeah, none of that please. Bioware is more expensive and still leaves "black holes in your soul" if perceived magically, but it is definitely more stealth than cyberware.

[suoq]

Anyone can be a hacker - anyone. Your Logic attribute is NOT used in most of your Matrix dice pools.

This is seriously oversimplified.
1) There is still cyber/bioware that is beneficial to hackers and precious little else. Not having that ware reduces your effectiveness.
2) While the logic attribute is no longer needed, there are now two skill groups required for the role instead of 1. The karma/BP costs to be a hacker are not cheap.
3) If the table is not using piracy (and note that Missions season 4 does not use piracy), then the gear required for being a hacker is not cheap or easy to obtain and some will have to be obtained after chargen.

Claiming that anyone can be a hacker is like claiming anyone IRL can own a mansion. It's meaningless unless everyone IS becoming a hacker.

[Yerameyahu]

Everyone *is* becoming a hacker. You can easily get to about 75%. The specialized stuff and the maxed skills is that last 25%, at vastly increasing cost.