Unwired (We Want Spoilers!), For those who did get the book Options

[Aaron]

I do have a few questions about it. When Jin succeeded in her Perception test to see the Kitsune get shut down, does she automatically see the Hacker as well?

In this case, no. In general, I believe, not necessarily. Each hit on the Matrix Perception Test gives one piece of information for which you're looking, and "is there an extra icon in this node" is a valid bit of information to seek, to me at least. Jin spots the hacker because he tries to shut down the Juhseung Saja; that was explicit at one point, but either I took it out or it was edited out (if it was me, sorry).

Since the hacker was running the Stealth program, how does that affect the threshold for Jin's Perception test?

If Jin wanted information about the hacker, it would act as the opposition in an Opposed Test, per page 217 in your hymnal.

Would it be possible to see the Kitsune get shut down and not see the Hacker? When she turns on the Active Alert, does she specify the Hacker as the intruder? If she hadn't seen the Hacker, could she still trigger an Active Alert, without having seen a target?

This was my intent in the example, to show that you don't need a specific target to activate an alert. That's why the node doesn't get a +4 bonus when opposing the attempt to unload the IC, the alert wasn't called specifically against the hacker's icon. This one was definitely my fault -- I should have made that more clear, sorry.

Also, could the Hacker, having admin privleges, have activated an Alert against Jin? Would the activated IC then attack Jin?

Muhuhuhahahahahahaha! Er ... I mean yes, that's a clever tactic. Although, nothing says "somebody's in my node" like having it initiate an alert against you. On the other hand, IC could be programmed with a whitelist of icons not to attack. I suppose it's possible for a node to be also given a whitelist, but then an attacker could simply add himself to that list ... and so on.

thanks and great work by the way!

Thanks! I hope it's useful.

[Synner]

well, there was a option to tweak the decryption times. apply that and be happy i guess (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Unwired contains numerous advanced encryption options as well as guidelines for "dramatic encryption." The Andrews Algorhythm (aka the "Heinrich Maneuver") is meant to provide some context (for those that require it) for the rebalancing of the cryptography armsrace in favor of the decrypter. Note that there numerous other data protection methods available (from IC to access logs to other tricks) that complement encryption as a defense, and the introduction of the Heinrich Maneuver did not change any of that. And, no we have no intention of breaking out full-blown quantum encryption in SR quite yet.

[jklst14]

Thanks! I hope it's useful.

Thanks! Your answers were very helpful. I do have one more question about this example.

The hacker was able deactivate the Kitsune without a roll. Why did he need to roll to try to unload the Juhseung Saja? Is it because the system is on alert, even though the alert wasn't directed against the hacker?

[Naysayer]

re: Encryption: while I didn't find the encryption rules in the BBB "t3h borken" per se, they did generally tend to make it a rather minor challenge, forcing a GM to handwave plot relevant instances more than even I think he should need to.
That said, the new advanced encryption rules, while not completely overhauling the system, look gorgeous!
I have no idea how they relate to any form of real en-/decryption technology, and I don't really care. They provide a set of very pretty options and frameworks for working encryption into a plot in a meaningful way and that is always a good thing!
/fanboi (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[jklst14]

I think I got this from Dumpshock but I have always just used increasing Intervals on my Encryption tests.

For example:

Roll #1 - 1 combat turn
Roll #2 - 1 minute
Roll #3 - 1 hour
Roll #4 - 1 day
Roll #5 - 1 month
Roll #6 - 1 year

It keeps low grade encryrption easy to break but can make high grade stuff take a long time.

[Aaron]

And, no we have no intention of breaking out full-blown quantum encryption in SR quite yet.

Well, not to mention that it's not nearly as cool as people once thought it was.

[Aaron]

The hacker was able deactivate the Kitsune without a roll. Why did he need to roll to try to unload the Juhseung Saja? Is it because the system is on alert, even though the alert wasn't directed against the hacker?

That was my intent.

Roll #1 - 1 combat turn
Roll #2 - 1 minute
Roll #3 - 1 hour
Roll #4 - 1 day
Roll #5 - 1 month
Roll #6 - 1 year

I like it. I wish I'd thought of it, although it probably wouldn't have made it into my work; there seems to be a deliberate aversion to exponents and logarithms in Shadowrun development, at least as I perceive it.

[Rotbart van Dain...]

There now is quite a number of Programs of every kind out there in total - and to perform certain tests, you need them.

Unfortunately, they either degrade each (second for common use) month in the case of cracked/self written/free Programs (taking at least a week per program to patch them) - or lower the Data Search Threshold against you per Program in the case of legal Programs.

Technically, if strictly enforced, it makes it suicidal to run legit software and futile to use self written software, leaving hackers with only the option to regularily buy cracked software or cracked patches.


Oh, and of course, the Skillwire Expert System is basically useless - the DIMAP option does the same, in software.

[Dashifen]

I know I personally based the structure of the Simsense chapter in Unwired after the structure I'd used for the Astral Space and the Metaplanes chapter of Street Magic. So you should see similarities there as far as how much fluff there is and how the ideas are presented with a mix of background and mechanics.

You did a very good job. The similarity was obvious (in a good way). Also, props to whom ever decided that having a picture of a hacker getting analyzed on page 61 and that same hacker getting alerted to the analysis on page 67. That was a very cool moment.

[Muspellsheimr]

I'm more than willing to answer any questions about Programmable ASIST Biofeedback. It should actually be much simpler, mechanically, than its third edition incarnation. In 4E, the reprogramming test is a straight-up Extended Test with a table of Threshold modifiers. In 3E, this was the mechanic for reprogramming:

I have gone over it again, and now only have one remaining question. To reprogram, you must make a Psychology + PAB Unit Rating extended test.

Is Psychology a knowledge skill? Specialization of Medicine? A new active skill? A knowledge skill makes the most sense to me, but from what I have read, it is unclear.

[JBlades]

Is Psychology a knowledge skill? Specialization of Medicine? A new active skill?

Psychology is a specialization of the skill Knowledge: Tom Cruise.

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Psychology should probably be a knowledge skill, while Psychiatry would be a specialization of Medicine.

[Demonseed Elite]

Psychology would be a Knowledge skill, yah.

[CloisterCobra]

There now is quite a number of Programs of every kind out there in total - and to perform certain tests, you need them.

Unfortunately, they either degrade each (second for common use) month in the case of cracked/self written/free Programs (taking at least a week per program to patch them) - or lower the Data Search Threshold against you per Program in the case of legal Programs.

Technically, if strictly enforced, it makes it suicidal to run legit software and futile to use self written software, leaving hackers with only the option to regularily buy cracked software or cracked patches.

Don't forget that the "Registration" Program option means that the item of software doesn't degrade. I suspect most hackers will have Registered Common-Use programs and use patches on their illegal programs.

Cheers
CC

[Cthulhudreams]

Does anything stop someone from just buying an R4 agent and suddenly being a pretty good hacker yet?

[Rotbart van Dain...]

Don't forget that the "Registration" Program option means that the item of software doesn't degrade. I suspect most hackers will have Registered Common-Use programs and use patches on their illegal programs.

Actually, that would be the 'suicidal' part. Hackers can only safely work with non-registered software.

[Synner]

Does anything stop someone from just buying an R4 agent and suddenly being a pretty good hacker yet?

Nope, there is no such restriction in Unwired, though the Agent Competency sidebar addresses the advantages and limitations of agent software compared to hackers and technomancers.

[Ryu]

A "pretty good hacker" has more than 8 dice and an edge of 0.

[Cthulhudreams]

Sure, that is why a R4 agent has a DP of 10 because of the R6 programs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) That compares favorably with the characters in the main book if I remember correctly

[Hat]

Just curious, any description or coverage of security rigging in the book?

With a sweep of his...

Hat

[Dashifen]

Just curious, any description or coverage of security rigging in the book?

With a sweep of his...

Hat

Yes. There's a whole chapter on security systems and tricks for spiders.

[JoelHalpern]

Sure, that is why a R4 agent has a DP of 10 because of the R6 programs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) That compares favorably with the characters in the main book if I remember correctly

And presumably, after chargen you can upgrade your comlink to response 6, and buy an Agent 6. (Autosofts are limited to 4, but after repeatedly looking at the BBB I can not see anywhere that Agents or Pilots are limited to 4 other than availability.)
At which point you up your 9 dice starting agent to 12? A 12 die pool is more than sufficient for a lot of tasks.

Joel

[Dashifen]

I finally realized where the names of the characters in the intro to one of the chapters came from ... Aaron: I saw what you did there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Also .... Poor Puck; he always gets himself in over his head. 'Course, he does always seem to come out of it again.........

[Sir_Psycho]

A "pretty good hacker" has more than 8 dice and an edge of 0.

How about 5 Agents all with 8 dice?


Speaking of, does Unwired give hackastacking/mr. Smithing/ZERG RUSHing it's much needed nerfing, so that we have some reason to say no other than "i'm the GM and I don't like that".

[CanRay]

You want a spoiler? Do you? DO YOU REALLY?

Jack.

B.

Nimble.

[hobgoblin]

Speaking of, does Unwired give hackastacking/mr. Smithing/ZERG RUSHing it's much needed nerfing, so that we have some reason to say no other than "i'm the GM and I don't like that".

not so much a nerfing as a set of rules to work it into the rules. from what i understand, each agent now have a accessid of its own, that cant be changed while its running. and multiple agents with the same accessid cant enter a node at the same time. the hacker can still sit down and craft a collection of agents with different accessids, but this will take time.