Augmentation Hacker, an extreme version |
Augmentation Hacker, an extreme version |
Sep 21 2007, 09:57 PM
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#1
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
Ok here the basics for an extreme version of Hacker using a majority of the Augmentation rules
Name: Jacob Bellows Street Name: Bleu Boy Race: Human Body 2 Agility 3 Reaction 2 Strength 2 Charisma 2 Intuition 6 Logic 7(9) Willpower 3 Edge 2 Initiative 9 Initiative Pass 1 Essence 3.68 Qualities Exceptional Attribute (Logic) Genecrafted Genetic Heritage -35 points of negative qualities Cyberware/Bioware/Genetech/Nanoware Genetic Optimization (Logic) Genetic Optimization (Intuition) EPE PuSHeD EPE Dynomitran EPE Qualia Datajack Math CPU Cerebral Booster 2 Mnemonic Enhancer 2 Nanohive 2 Neural Amplifier Neocortical 3 Neural Amplifier Limbic 3 Skills Cracking (Group) 4 Electronics (Group) 4 Dodge 3 Perception 3 Automatics 2 Pistols 2 Etiquette 2(Matrix) Pilot Ground Craft 1 Knowledge SW:Data Havens 4(6) SW:Matrix Gangs 4(6) SW:Matrix Topography 4(6) SW:Virtual Meeting Spots 4(6) AK:Seattle Matrix 4(6) BK:Electronics 4(6) SW:Artificial Intelligence 4(6) BK:Computer 4(6) IN:Conspiracy Theories 4(6) SW:Satellite Networks 3(5) English (Native) He gets an additional 5 dice to his dice pool for Intuition based skill tests, and 4 additional dice to his Logic based skill tests. So an Intuition linked skill test he would roll 11 dice, and Logic-linked skill test he would roll 13 dice. Both of these examples are not counting the actual skill being tested so this is the minimum amount of dice being cast. Yes he is not a balanced character, but again he is an extreme example of what Augmentation can do for a hacker. Fire away sirs. :D WMS Edited Knowledge skills to be correct due to spreadsheet calculating incorrectly, ie I played with too many of the formulas. :) |
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Sep 21 2007, 10:19 PM
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#2
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panda! Group: Members Posts: 10,331 Joined: 8-March 02 From: north of central europe Member No.: 2,242 |
how often do those two stats come into play on a hacker again?
isnt the complaint that for hackers, the stats take a back seat to the programs? |
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Sep 21 2007, 10:29 PM
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#3
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 249 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Orlando Member No.: 815 |
<Locks and loads>
The most significant problem I see is that your nanotech skill boosters only apply when you're fully focused and not distracted, not reliable in such a high stress occupation. Further, your Dynomitran makes you more likely to be so distracted. Finally, your missing an encephalon (which functions no matter the stress level). Fix this, make him an adept, then we'll talk. |
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Sep 21 2007, 10:34 PM
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#4
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@Hobgoblin
Matrix Combat is Opposed Test of Attackers Cybercombat(Logic)+ program rating versus defenders Response+Firewall Computer(Logic) for Edit, Repair Icon, track, transfer data Datasearch(Logic) Hacking(Logic) Electronic Warfare(Logic) VR Matrix Initiative is Response + Intuition plus an extra initiative pass VR Matrix Hot Sim Initiative is Response + Intuition +1 and two extra initiative passes Matrix Full Defense is Hacking(Logic) + Response + Firewall WMS |
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Sep 21 2007, 10:39 PM
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#5
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 4-October 05 Member No.: 7,813 |
no simsense booster?
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Sep 21 2007, 10:41 PM
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#6
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,246 Joined: 8-June 07 Member No.: 11,869 |
Plus I think most GMs uses either the Skill + Logic (hits limited by Program rating) or Skill + Program rating (hits limited by Logic) house rules.
Question: do the Intuition enhancing wares increase your initiative? I thought those only increased Intuition based skill rolls, not initiative rolls. |
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Sep 21 2007, 10:43 PM
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#7
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@Kyrn
Encephalon is over rated, PuSHeD provides the same bonus at less essence and nuyen. If this was a 500 BP build yes the encephalon might be considered. Yes the use to those two items have some drawbacks, Neocortical only when hacking an ultrasecure system, raging firefight etc, Limbic the user just has to stay focused, there are not rolls listed for this. As for Dynomitran he rolls Will 3 plus Logic 9 plus additional 4 dice that is 16 dice to get only 3 successes, I believe he will make that one very easily. WMS |
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Sep 21 2007, 10:46 PM
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#8
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@Jaid Again this a 400 bp build, simsense booster just costs to much. @Buster This is a RAW character, so such "house rules" are up to each GM. I never said that initiative booster wares affected initiative, I was responding to Hobgoblin asking for how often those Attributes are used in Matrix. WMS |
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Sep 21 2007, 10:59 PM
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#9
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,228 Joined: 24-July 07 From: Canada Member No.: 12,350 |
On behalf of GM's everywhere I roll my eyes. Here's a challenge for all you character-optimizers out there: create a build without any negative qualities. That will be far more impressive in my mind. |
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Sep 21 2007, 11:16 PM
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#10
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CosaNostra Deliverator Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 346 Joined: 29-January 05 From: Philadelphia, PA Member No.: 7,034 |
1st, using "RAW" as you stated, you don't ADD logic to any of the above Matrix tests. It's just Skill + Program Rating. 2nd, I (and I think most GMs) would disallow the bonuses from Neural Amplifiers in most Hacking and Cybercombat situations. And 3rd, you forgot to buy a Commlink. Personally, I would add Codeslinger (Hacking on the Fly) and strongly consider getting an Encephalon and Simsense Booster. Yes, you'd probably have to break the 50 pt max on starting resources to get those, but I think a lot of GMs don't care too much about that. |
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Sep 21 2007, 11:30 PM
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#11
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 718 Joined: 10-September 05 From: Montevideo, in the elusive shadows of Latin America Member No.: 7,727 |
well, I do care about money max at chargen. But Augmentation has made the roof a lot higher for hackers and I do like that. I can't wait for Unwired really can't.
Conversely, that's one book I do not want rushed, I think a lot -addressing the critics, making hackers funnier, etc. - depends on getting that book just right. Cheers, Max |
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Sep 21 2007, 11:37 PM
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#12
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@jklst4
1.Can you direct me to where it states that you can not use Logic in such tests? 2.That is the domain of each GM, but RAW states otherwise. 3.No if you look no gear is listed. 4. Since he has 35 points of Positive Qualities, getting any more would be against what RAW states. 5. For a 500 bp build those two pieces of cyberware are an option. But ones does not want to be essence of near zero either. :) WMS |
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Sep 21 2007, 11:42 PM
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#13
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,246 Joined: 8-June 07 Member No.: 11,869 |
I think this is what jklst4 meant:
Which is why I said many GMs have a houserule counting this with Skill + Logic (hits limited by Programming rating). |
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Sep 21 2007, 11:51 PM
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#14
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CosaNostra Deliverator Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 346 Joined: 29-January 05 From: Philadelphia, PA Member No.: 7,034 |
That's exactly what I meant. And for the record, although I don't use it, I'm fine with using the Skill + Logic (Limit Program Rating) house rule that Buster noted. |
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Sep 22 2007, 12:04 AM
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#15
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@Buster and jkls14
I can see why some GM's have come up with that "House Rule". So in this case if the skill was a 4 and logic was a 9, the max number of successes the program rating lets say a 5. So with 4+9 and then the logic-linked skill ware would add 4 so total dice would be 17 dice with a max of 5 successes? WMS |
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Sep 22 2007, 12:37 AM
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#16
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Bushido Cowgirl Group: Members Posts: 5,782 Joined: 8-July 05 From: On the Double K Ranch a half day's ride out of Phlogiston Flats Member No.: 7,490 |
...for a "Hack from Home" Matrix Specialist he works. For one that goes into the field a lot, without initiative enhancement life will be very difficult. I at finally broke down and took the -2 essence hit to give my M.S. Violet (#5 & counting) Wired Reflexes 1 so she can survive going out with the rest of the team.
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Sep 22 2007, 01:18 AM
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#17
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,246 Joined: 8-June 07 Member No.: 11,869 |
Exactly. The trouble is that by RAW, hackers are a bunch of retarded scriptkiddies. You don't use Logic for any of the matrix checks. You'll need Logic for hotwiring a door, writing your software faster, First Aiding blackhammer damage, or figuring out some alien piece of machinery (how often does that come up?), but nothing in the matrix. The house rule was an attempt to make Logic useful in the game. |
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Sep 22 2007, 01:36 AM
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#18
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@Buster
Well what you have said is a fact, the lack of the use of Logic in any Matrix test is...less than desirable to say the least. Which by RAW makes even the encephalon useless. :( *shakes head in wonder* @KK On that I disagree, I have two characters in games right now, that only have one IP, and they are not dead yet. :) Being slow one must plan better and use better tactics than the quick jerk and shoot types. :) But it also depends upon the team of characters you are working with and the GM. In one game I am in, Mega Troll just got taken down by a Unarmed Combat Monster in one action, then the Unarmed Combat Monster rolled an Initiative of 27. No even with your 2 IP's using a wired reflexes of 1, you would be playing second fiddle, so time to think, plan and tactics, it helps that two other characters are between my character and the Unarmed Combat Monster. :) Again planning and tactics, it did not just happen where my character is placed, with two other characters leading the way. :) WMS |
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Sep 22 2007, 01:52 AM
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#19
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,246 Joined: 8-June 07 Member No.: 11,869 |
Oh I agree, the encephalon is advertised as a boon to hackers, but it's actually useless by RAW. Good for car thiefs and doctors, but useless to pure hackers. Another nice house rule I saw that I really liked (I forget who posted it) said that all matrix tests are Skill + Logic and there are no program ratings at all. Programs are just tools and if you don't have the right program loaded you take the standard -4 penalty for not having the right tool. I like this rule because it makes Logic critically important, but cuts down on the number of things to keep track of (and the number of dice :-) ) during the game. The other nice thing about this house rule is that all the new stuff in Augmentation becomes really useful and is not limited like the other houserules. |
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Sep 22 2007, 02:07 AM
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#20
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@Buster
So by that "House Rule", you just have to have the program and not worry about its rating. Interesting in light of what RAW says. WMS |
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Sep 22 2007, 02:29 AM
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#21
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Target Group: Members Posts: 45 Joined: 25-November 03 From: Harrisburg, PA Member No.: 5,848 |
Silly question, since I don't have Augmentation: Does the encephalon thing add to "Logic based skills" or to "Logic tests"? If it's the first, then I can see it being a boon to hackers. Since Hacking and Computer are Logic based skills, even if you're not rolling your Logic dice. |
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Sep 22 2007, 02:39 AM
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#22
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Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 12-April 07 From: Ork Underground Member No.: 11,440 |
@tyweise
"a rating 1 encephalon applies a +1 dice pool modifier to all Active Skill tests using skills linked to Logic(the bonuses do not apply to Logic-linked Knowledge skills). This bonus applies to Matrix tests when using these skills as well....." It seems Augmentation contradicts what RAW has said about Logic and use in Matrix. :( I prefer the "House Rule". WMS |
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Sep 22 2007, 02:44 AM
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#23
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
There is no contradiction. Skills are linked to specific Attributes, even if they are not always used in conjunction with those Attributes.
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Sep 22 2007, 02:54 AM
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#24
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 7,116 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 1,449 |
It's kind of silly to get bent out of shape over number-crunching exercises which are not even intended for play. |
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Sep 24 2007, 03:31 PM
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#25
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 617 Joined: 28-May 03 From: Orlando Member No.: 4,644 |
According to RAW the encapholon (sp??) does work in Matrix Tests. As Fortune stated this affects skills linked to logic as well as Logic tests. So any skill that is in the Linked Logic tree ie hacking, computer, medicine etc etc all get the bonus dice. Now it states with the encapholon rating 2 you get a + 2 dice modifier as well as +2 to all MATRIX tests so it that +4 die modifier to all matrix tests as well? |
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