Recommended Rigger Gear, Looking for Advice Options

[Riki]

Hello, im new to these forums but ive been playin shadowrun for about a year. My Character is a Cybered up Melee fighter thats really simple to use and i figured would be awsome for my first true shadowrun experience. Ive decided i wanted to play a rigger long ago when i learn better of the rules except i still dont have a complete grasp yet. First thing i wana know is a recommended set of Equipment for riggers, mostly the programs and agents needed. Also it would be good to know what a regular Rigger comes face to face with in a normal run to be aware of, cause there are a ton of hacking situations but i dont think a rigger needs to know databomb and stuff like that.

I had another question about the programs themselves, if you have multiple drones that do the same thing running that have the same stats, do they each need their own programs running? or will the one program running suffice to all of them? And if i need multiple programs cant i just open more then one of the same type on my system like if i was to open a bunch of Microsoft Word programs so i dont have to buy multiple versions of the exact same program?

[McAllister]

Welcome, Riki! I hope you find these boards useful.

I'm not the most experienced player when it comes to riggers, but here's what I do know. If you bought your copy of Clearsight legally, it, like all legal programs, will have copy protection, so you will not be able to copy it. However, if you break that copy protection, acquire a pirated program or code your own, you're free to copy it as you like. IIRC you can use the same autosoft for different types of drones, but make sure to read the relevant text carefully. I know the Pilot program is specific to its drone, and maybe the Targeting autosoft is specific to a gun type (Automatics, Heavy Weapons etc.)

Good luck!

[Riki]

I didnt know that about the programs, i'll have my hacker buddie deal with the copyright murder so i can copy the program for the commlink, also another thing came to mind, how reasonable would it be to utilize multiple commlinks jacked into one another and into my head? cause i know systems have a limited to how many programs they can run at once, could i use like one commlink for autosofts and have it overflow more programs on another commlink to keep from over bearing the system?

[KCKitsune]

I didnt know that about the programs, i'll have my hacker buddie deal with the copyright murder so i can copy the program for the commlink, also another thing came to mind, how reasonable would it be to utilize multiple commlinks jacked into one another and into my head? cause i know systems have a limited to how many programs they can run at once, could i use like one commlink for autosofts and have it overflow more programs on another commlink to keep from over bearing the system?

If you have Unwired, then look up Clustering on page 59. Fun stuff! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cyber.gif)

[Riki]

"The processor limit is determined by adding the respective limits of the nodes composing the cluster and halving them."

So pretty much to increase my processing power i would need more then 2 of the same type of commlink to up my procesing power? how does that make sense lol

[DireRadiant]

Depending on how you are rigging, don't forget to buy up the response on your drones if jumping in, or a high rating command program. ECCM, ECM, Sniff, Scan Spoof, Encrypt, Decrypt are all important programs to consider.

[InfinityzeN]

Sorry I don't have my books at work, so names might be a little off... but here we go.

Buy List
A Nanite Hive (cyber hand works well, stick in a rating 6 hive for $65~66k and 0.25 essence) and the rigger nanites from Aug should be top'o'da'list.
- In you got the nY, here are some more good nanites: Neural Amplifiers: Neocortical, Neural Amplifiers: Recall, Trauma Control System

Ware to max out your reaction, plus genetic optimization: reaction to get it even higher.

Simsense Booster ware, get those extra actions during hot-sim.

The 'More Than Meta-human' quality. (think that is how it is spelled)

On your Commlink get Simsense Accelerator, Response Enhancer 6, Custom Interface, and Optimization: Command upgrades.

Spotter/Security Agent (Analyze, Attack, Black)


Know List
Choose the style of rigger you want to be:
- Security/counter-security (a hacker/rigger hybrid, designed to take over a rigged building offensively and turn it against the defenders)
- Hoard Rigger (Uses captains chair mode to control *LOTS* of drones, they need good pilot and autosofts, plus mass fires)
- VR/Joystick Rigger (Uses VR to directly control a drone, often with a little hoard on the side)
- Jump-in Rigger (directly jumps into a vehicle to control it)

Look at the stats/programs/skills that make up the die pools for the type your going with and max those out.

Choose a type of rigger you want to be:
- Air
- Ground
- Building
- Vehicle Specialist

Focus your skills in that vehicle and Gunnery.

There are stealth/spy drones of every type. Make sure you buy several. The little fly spy, the LTA sensor platform, the little crawler spys, etc. They will actually be your bread and butter, not the gun drones.

If your building a begining 400BP character, avoid buying one or two of the expensive drones and go with hoards of the cheap ones. Trust me, your going to lose drones and losing a $5k drone is a lot easier to handle then losing a $50k drone.

Taking a que from the above, moding cheap drones with guns ('specially a concealed gun) is a effective way to get some combat power. Just remember to stay cheap, use bulk fires, and suppression fire is your friend.

Know that as a Rigger you will almost always be cash strapped. Steal or otherwise aquire drones and vehicles at every chance you get. That means buy the gear you'll need to jack a drone/vehicle and wipe out the tags on it. You got to replenish your metal army somehow and unless your GM is giving out money like crazy then you most likely will not even be able to cover your combat loses.

Combat loses suck! So the job is paying $10k each huh? Well you lose two $5k drones and you just came out negative for the night since I find it highly unlikely that the other PCs will be willing to take the hit to gross pay or the Johnson to pay damages. Unless the drones are crazy cheap or stolen, make sure that they don't go pop!

Stealth Drones! Spy Drones! Extreme Long Range Attack Drones! Assassin Drones! Things that don't get whacked often. If you want something to go boom, steal a vehicle or drone in mission and load it with explosives or grenades. There, mostly free smart bomb.

And you run the Autosofts on the drone, not your Commlink. So you don't need umber processing power from hell like the hacker in my game has (He runs six Commlinks, plus his implanted Commlink, for the capability to run 21 rating 6 programs... ARG! Drives me crazy!)

[Riki]

Awsome! that helps quite a bit. I plan on being a Joystick Rigger(most likey air or ground) and yes stealing or buying cheap drones was my idea to begin with cause i know in almost every mission we run something gets blown up or destoryed (usually my car) and just have the drones run their own autosofts? didnt know they could do that, i can still illegally copy the programs into them from the mother program right?

Edit: also im not to sure that my GM will like a whole lot of genetech and nanotech in my chars, hes still kinda iffy on all of that stuff since its suposed to be high end augmentation and shadowrunners are suposed to be bottom of the barrel in a sense. any alternatives?

Edit again: yes im makin a brand new 400bp char, im still tinkering around with stats and junk like that.

[InfinityzeN]

If the Autosoft is cracked or ware, then you can load it on all the drones you want. Only a legal copy is restricted to a single drone.

As for the Nanotech and single genetech item, runners are not the bottom of the barrel unless your playing a street level game. And you want to buy all that you can as a Rigger, since most of your money will be going towards drones once play begins.

[Riki]

Ya drones are here and there and everywhere, im sure i can find a down baddie, take his AK-47 and weld it onto a Manservent drone, pop in a couple autosofts and wala! I really appreicate the feedback, also.

Thats not the first time ive heard the term "Street Level" but i only see that here, whats that mean exactly?

[InfinityzeN]

Street Level is really nitty gritty, the players are playing street scum claiming to be "Shadow Runners" and spend most of their time worried about living day to day, paying the rent, barely making it by. Normally played at less than 400BP and with build restrictions.

Normal level for a SR game has the runners as established and skilled Shadow Runners.

[Riki]

Ah, no my current GM doesnt play that way, we are established skilled runners.

Tho that reminds me of my first GM, 250BP chars and we had to pay for almost everything ourselves(lifestyle covered nothing, including gas and food), and we got very little for our runs, it was a pain in the ass really was all it was and it frustrated more then was fun.

But its a lot to think about, i'll get with my preperations and i'll post back in here if i have any more comments or questions

[InfinityzeN]

If you get the right drones, the hacker in the party will be able to route over your signel and hack from your most forward drone. Good signal or directional signal devices here and a very very small stealth drone for the final. Just thought I would add that in.

Oh, and buying a large used van and mounting a couple drone racks in it would be a good idea. You gotta get them around someway that does not call massive attention to them.

[Riki]

I just thought of this, if the Drones are running the programs that means its running off their device rating, i dont expect little household drones i plan on stealing to have more then a 2-3 device rating, whats a quick method to upgrade that, how reasonable is it, how expensive, or should i not even bother if i plan on blowing it up within 2-3 missions?

[InfinityzeN]

Cost you a few $k, since you have to use the pilot increase mod. Not really worth it except for you main drones, which if your sinking a lot of cash into you don't want to get into fights.

Don't forget to pick up a copy of Tactical AR Software (Rating: 4)

With a Remote-Control Rigger, your going to want the highest Command program you can get, running on a Commlink that is optimized for Command (+1 dice on all Command test), and get high ratings in these skills
- Gunnery, Dodge, Infiltration, Vehicle, Perception

Good Autosofts out of Unwired are:
- Adaptability (Makes the drone think, function on its on, and take orders better)
- Chaser (Lets the drone take 'Shadowing' test with a bonus)
- Covert Ops (Lets the drone take 'Infiltration' test with a bonus)

Remember that the Optimization programing option is allowed for autosofts! Get all your autosofts with several levels of Optimization. Optimization adds its rating to the System rating for running the program, up to double the system rating. A rating 3 System can run a rating 6 Autosoft as long as you have 3 levels of optimization added to the Autosoft.


Now lets talk about something really important for a Rigger, network security. The easiest thing to do is cut the Matrix out. Get a 'Nonstandard Wireless Link' Rating 6 for your commlink and all your major drones. Use 'directional antennas' and 'laser links' to restrict access. If you need longer range, install a 'sat uplink' to your commlink and a repeater drone. I like the GTS Tower w/ chameleon coating, satellite communications, suncell, and nonstandard wireless link R: 6 for $34.5k. Expensive but it shouldn't go into danger. It serves as the center of your network, able to move around far above the battlefield and bounce your signal down to any of your drones in the area.

[Riki]

This is just a wealth of knowledge, i thank you so much i wasnt aware i could transmit without going completly wireless and i wasnt aware of optimizing. Ive got a lot of planning to do.

[Alexand]

Any recommendations for a technomancer rigger? with about 75,000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

[kigmatzomat]

One program everyone should use more is databomb. If someone doesn't have the Defuse utility it goes off, inflicting damage and acting as a warning of an intruder. If they have the utility they still need to spend time running it. Databomb all your drones and commlinks. Cyber too, if your GMs a jerk. Different password on every one.


TMs have it easy in many regards since they can thread TacSoft as needed or have machine sprites with the Autosoft(Tacsoft) ability. Given that your sprites are much more flexible than drone AI, you've got less call to be "jumped in" the drones. Plus the machine sprite "analyze/diagnose" power is bonus dice even to the on-site sprite.
TMs other advantage is encryption. TM encryption is pretty tough, if I remember Unwired correctly. Use data sprites with encryption to keep your system secure.

If you've got Unwired, show the GM the section about mesh networks (around page 60), it pretty much nerfs the retrans unit by letting all your drones act as repeaters for your other drones and you. Meaning off-the-shelf drones act as range extenders by default.

Get a couple of mini/micro drones and keep them on you at all times. They can house your sprites and act as a warning system since the AI gets a chance to notice overt danger (aka something that will hit you, fire, etc).

[Riki]

best rigger race lol, i cant decide on which one, and you said a high reaction, so im assumin dwarf is a bad selection

[Riki]

Also can i remotely control drones while jacked in? i know thats kinda weird to ask but i only get 1 pass while roaming in the world but i get 4 passes while jacked in with hot sim and simsense booster. Or would it be better to get like wired reflexes and forgo the simsense and stick with just remote control and crazyness, and if thats the case how would i pull that off?

[InfinityzeN]

I assume by jacked in, you mean in VR? If so, then yes you can. And if you add a Simsense Accelerator to your commlink, you'll get 5 actions in hotsim.

You will only need more meat passes if you want to do any rigging from AR. I wouldn't really recommend it since you'll be doing captains chair. Unless your building a troll rigger tank.

[DWC]

best rigger race lol, i cant decide on which one, and you said a high reaction, so im assumin dwarf is a bad selection

Actually, dwarves make phenomenal riggers and hackers. Intuition and Willpower are the only stats that actually matter when you are working in hot VR.

[InfinityzeN]

Actually, dwarves make phenomenal riggers and hackers. Intuition and Willpower are the only stats that actually matter when you are working in hot VR.

And at least a decent reaction (piloting without full jump-in), logic and agility (if you plan to do your own work).
But yea, dwarves make great riggers. Actually, their kinda typecast into that roll.

[DWC]

Reaction only matters if you are driving with two hands on the wheel. A decent Command program lets you drive via remote control without bothering with having a decent Reaction. An optimised Command program is also a hell of a lot cheaper than having a decent Reaction.

[InfinityzeN]

Wait wait wait, say it right. An optimised Command 6 program running on a Commlink optimised for the Command program.