Hackers... What is essential?, A hackers most needed programs? Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Switch to: Standard Linear+

[SHINJO STYLA]

Im a long time SR player, since 2nd ed., and now witrh 4th edition out and a lot of people wanting to play it, I have been choosen to run 4th ed. Now i have a slight problem, I have never played a hacker. I know the basic concepts and i have a player who wants to play one, however i have no idea what to advise him to take or get. Im using the standard 400 pt build for characters, so now i ask:

What do you feel is nessassary for a hacker to have as far as IC, Autosofts, programs, Active skills, Knowledge skills, and type of comms?

I want to have a use for one in game play but, to be honest im leary of having to try to keep one involveed in game play, considering how they faired in previous editions. Suggestions and comments are a welcomed.

[ogbendog]

I'm playing a rigger for the first time, and I had a similar problem

I started with the Rigger archtype, then went throught the wireless chapter looking at all the rigger type actions to take, and noted what skills or programs were involved.

[Teulisch]

Autosofts are for drones, and give skills pilot dosent cover. hackers dont need em.
IC is a type of agent, a program that runs other programs. nice to have, but can quickly reduce your response.

With the way commlinks work, a hacker will want to have 2 high-end commlinks, one for himself and one for his agent. also, grab a low-end metalink for when you need a 'decoy' signal.

for active skills, the electronics and cracking skill groups are a must-have.

[Azralon]

Offhand, I recommend getting as high of a Stealth program as you can afford to (keeping in mind that the Program's rating is capped by your comm's System rating).

[SHINJO STYLA]

SOUNDS GREAT SO FAR. What else does a hacker need as far as knowledges and what about attributes, its not like they can power out high mentals and be screwed physically because they will still have to survive combat.

[Jaid]

as written, you can completely ditch your mental attributes iirc. well, at least as far as within the matrix is concerned. if you plan on also being the electronics wizard, you would need a good logic, and whatnot, but right now, the only thing that matters in the matrix is your software and your skills.

[blakkie]

[Kremlin KOA]

which, scarily enough, fits the flavour... the original Echo Mirage were methodical Gummint types (high logic low intuition) and got ownzed by the crash virus

the next batch of mavericks (low logic HIGH intuition) won

[Teulisch]

you need logic to build hardware and compile programs. its for all the stuff you do when not online. and for 20k, you can get bioware to give you +2 logic. 7 starting logic is a wonderfull thing. with a skill group at 4, it gives you 11 dice for many fun things.

willpower is a must if you want to stay alive for long. and a high inititive is always nice.

the natural hardening quality is a good thing to have. only 10 points, so it costs the same as 1 willpower, but without the bp limit on atributes.

for knowledge skills, look at some of the older books. the fluff is still the same. Matrix security, data havens, commlink design, software design, ect.

[hobgoblin]

[Vector]

[blakkie]

[Eyeless Blond]