Gear for the Matrix, What you need, what you want, and what you can afford Options

[BobChuck]

I've been going over the matrix stuff; it's the last part of the book I need to sort out, then I can start trying to pull everything together into really big chunks.

I'm looking for I think six different gear setup selections for the commlink/matrix/etc setup. I have a rough idea of what they should be or contain, and I could try putting them together on my own, but I know the people on this forum could do a better job, so I'm asking for help.

1) basic, bare-bones, just enough to get by in the wireless AR-filled world of 2072. Commlink, cheap fake SIN, maybe licences; No cyber/bio ware.
2) above, with cyber/bio ware allowed.
3) solid, complete, robust tech setup. Enough for a hacker/rigger to run with, though not top of the line; more than enough for other characters to conduct themselves with reasonable assumptions of safety. Good commlink, maybe with a slave or backup as a shield, good user interface and protection programs, SIM mod, smartlink, SIN and licenses, maybe a spare set, etc; No cyber/bio ware.
4) above, with cyber/bio ware allowed.
5) best of the best (that's portable). Upgraded or self-built hardware. Multiple backups, blocks, and decoys. As good as it can get; No cyber/bio ware.
6) above, with cyber/bio ware allowed.

Please include estimated cost in nuyen and essence. Game type should be "black trenchcoat" (I think that's the right term; not pink mohawk, not mirrored sunglasses) - the default, middle of the road playstyle, where characters can get hacked/scanned/traced, but it only happens when they go into places where it obviously would happen.

I realize this is a tall order, but I also realize that many of you have one or more of these set up for all of your characters as a ready-to-buy package, which is precisely what I am looking for.

[Johnny B. Good]

So are you looking for a shadowrunner setup, spider setup, shadowrun rigger setup, or security rigger setup? Some combination of the above? I can think of lots of ways to do this depending on your scope. Even then, lots of hackers are good at different things. My old TM was lousy at cybercombat, but was still fairly decent thanks to a good stealth program and spoofing.

Are you using the rules for Warez? Are you using the unwired sourcebook?

Also remember that hacking isn't all about your gear, there are lots of little tricks that hackers use to get what they want.

[BobChuck]

I...do not know enough to answer those questions.

[Doc Chase]

Assume a shadowrunner setup with no Unwired book, or a shadowrunner/rigger setup with same. Good all-around functionality while hacking with no incredible specialty. I'd say go with the Warez rules since hey, he's a hacker, amirite?

[Johnny B. Good]

Well, I'm assuming core rulebook, mainly a hacker with minor rigging capabilities. I won't use unwiredn rules (including warez) or anything non-core 4E rulebook. I highly suggest you get Unwired, it introduces some nifty things like illegally gotten programs, new programs, program options, some cyber and trojans, viruses and worms.

I've done a loooooot of reading on matrix rules, gear and setups, so send me a PM or AIM or somesuch fiddlefaddle if you need any quick advice.

One more question: are you doing this as a GM or a player?

[Minchandre]

Well, I'm assuming core rulebook, mainly a hacker with minor rigging capabilities. I won't use unwiredn rules (including warez) or anything non-core 4E rulebook. I highly suggest you get Unwired, it introduces some nifty things like illegally gotten programs, new programs, program options, some cyber and trojans, viruses and worms.

Do note that the balance, utility, and annoyance of some of the rules in Unwired are disputed by some of the community (primarily warez and patching).

[Johnny B. Good]

Do note that the balance, utility, and annoyance of some of the rules in Unwired are disputed by some of the community (primarily warez and patching).

That's true. I'll probably make a thread about this later.

I'll get on that gear thing once I get home from work. I don't have any books on me right now.

[BobChuck]

Okay, yes.

Corebook only; I have the 20th anniversary version if that matters.

I'm looking for something that is for player use. Particualrly aimed at getting new players up to speed quickly. Something that will let them dabble and experience the matrix and AR stuff right away, without having to spend weeks reading rules and browsing forums in an effort to figure things out.

Something that says
"this will let you interact with AR and the matrix, but is pretty basic and would be common - the equivalent of a cheap cell phone and basic home PC today"
or
"this will let you interact with AR and the matrix, be protected from hacking, and hack effectively if you want to make that kind of character - the equivalent of a smart phone and gaming/graphics PC"
or
"this is a dream rig that a dedicated hacker would be shooting for - top of the line, drool-worthy stuff"

I don't really know enough to be able to ask the question better than this.

[Doc Chase]

So you want an everyday schlub, SR4A hacker out the gate, and a prime SR4A hacker.

[Johnny B. Good]

Check out AH's PACKS system. He has some things similar to what you're looking for under his Kits.

http://www.box.net/shared/6auo6qljd3

It's not all-inclusive, but it's very useful for chargen.

[AStarshipforAnts]

Second on the packs.

I take it you're going by the standard hacking roll being hacking skill + programing rating?

[BobChuck]

Check out AH's PACKS system. He has some things similar to what you're looking for under his Kits.

http://www.box.net/shared/6auo6qljd3

It's not all-inclusive, but it's very useful for chargen.

...holy crap.

Where did you find that? It's amazing. I didn't understand a third of the stuff in it, but still, it's clearly going to be very useful.

I really would like to know where you found that; I've been trying to find a list/index of a whole bunch of awesome different online resources.

[Biffles]

I'm not sure about the whole backstory, but it's originally written by Ancient History and was planned to go into the Runner's Toolkit (before the CGL money fiasco). Ancient History cancelled his contracts, and released his work to the community. Lots of forum members helped proof it, and it was awesome-ized and re-released.

http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=31442

http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=31745

EDIT: You can see it in his signature, but here's a link to (I believe) Ancient History's site: http://ancientfiles.dumpshock.com/

[Draco18s]

Gear for the matrix:
If you're looking at a hacker, you want a rating 6 system (should cost slightly over 1 BP) followed up by R6 of the following programs:

Exploit
Stealth
Analyze
Armor
[Every "common" program such as Edit]

And you're done. Though you could pick up Decrypt, Encrypt, and a few other utils.

If you want to be unhackable, then:

R6 comlink
R6 Blackhammer
R6 Analyze
And the highest rating agent you feel like buying.

The agent does all the work: if it sees a hacker, it hits them (and the hacker probably dies).

[Johnny B. Good]

AH (Ancient History, awesome dude), made that for an official book. Then he resigned after the catalyst shenanigans, and now it's up for all to see. He has some other interesting magical fluff things on The Ancient Files.

There used to be a good resource for vehicles/drones Here but I think the link's broken now.

[Falanin]

BobC, are you including a van-based Nexus as a possibility for your high-end portables, or would those fall under the mythical option 7?

7-8 ) The most pimpin' stuff you can get, generally restricted to those who hack from home. Bio/cyber, etc.

[BobChuck]

Actually, the PACKS stuff is pretty much perfect, combined with the suggestions here.

Half of what I needed was a template to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything; the PACKS does the very well. A typical commlink needs System and Firewall installed, plus user Programs; to interface directly, the use needs a SIM mod and either Trodes (hat or paste) or Data-Jack.

The other half was a set of basic tricks to keep oneself safe while still being online. Tricks like running with a fake commlink in front to prevent hacking when not in another node, plus an "attack dog" agent that just sits and waits, and maybe toss in a minor "user-friendly" agent that takes the commands of the computer-illiterate owner and turns them into meaningful queries.

Still, I'd love to see what some of you can come up with. The PACKS is very nice for a gear framework, but doesn't have quite enough to pull everything together. Admittedly, doing so is what gives the rig a personal touch, but if the player doesn't know what he's doing, he'll miss important things.

[Johnny B. Good]

Actually, the PACKS stuff is pretty much perfect, combined with the suggestions here.

Half of what I needed was a template to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything; the PACKS does the very well. A typical commlink needs System and Firewall installed, plus user Programs; to interface directly, the use needs a SIM mod and either Trodes (hat or paste) or Data-Jack.

The other half was a set of basic tricks to keep oneself safe while still being online. Tricks like running with a fake commlink in front to prevent hacking when not in another node, plus an "attack dog" agent that just sits and waits, and maybe toss in a minor "user-friendly" agent that takes the commands of the computer-illiterate owner and turns them into meaningful queries.

Still, I'd love to see what some of you can come up with. The PACKS is very nice for a gear framework, but doesn't have quite enough to pull everything together. Admittedly, doing so is what gives the rig a personal touch, but if the player doesn't know what he's doing, he'll miss important things.

Pssh, I farkin' love putting matrix systems together. I'm definitely game for this.

[Emy]

Gear for the matrix:
If you're looking at a hacker, you want a rating 6 system (should cost slightly over 1 BP) followed up by R6 of the following programs:

Exploit
Stealth
Analyze
Armor
[Every "common" program such as Edit]

And you're done. Though you could pick up Decrypt, Encrypt, and a few other utils.

If you want to be unhackable, then:

R6 comlink
R6 Blackhammer
R6 Analyze
And the highest rating agent you feel like buying.

The agent does all the work: if it sees a hacker, it hits them (and the hacker probably dies).

You probably want another attack program in addition to Black Hammer, since AR hackers, agents, and AI can--if I remember correctly--ignore Blackout and Black Hammer.

[MortVent]

just a standard attack program is all you really need, blackhammer is just nasty but will work iirc on anything as a standard attack program too.

[Simon Kerimov]

FLASH-LINK (300 nY)
Cheap, throwaway trash:

Hardware: Meta Link Hardware [Response(1), Signal(2)] 100 nY
OS: Vector Xim OS [Firewall(1), System(1)] 200 nY

"Get your 2-year Horizon Wireless contract for only 350 nY, and you'll only pay 50 nY for the amazing technology phone!"

OMICRONPHONE (2,350 nY)
A Normal low-end factory-stock commlink:

Hardware: Novatech Airware [Response(3), Signal(3)] 1,250 nY
OS: Iris Orb [Firewall(3), System(3)] 1,000 nY

Trodes [Device Rating(3)] : 50 nY
Subvocal Microphone [Device Rating(3)] : 50 nY

"You're an on-the-go, up-and-coming corporate management. You need a commlink that fits your fast-pased life-style: sleek, efficient, and stylish.
"OmicronPhone™: for Professionals™."

ALI3NZ BURNING MACHINE (9,900 nY)
High-end factory-stock commlink:

Hardware: Fairlight Caliban [Response(4), Signal(5)] : 8,000 nY
OS: Novatech Navi [Firewall(3), System(4)] : 1,500 nY

AR Gloves [Device Rating(3)] : 250 nY
Skinlink [Device Rating(3)] : 50 nY
Subvocal Microphone [Device Rating(3)] : 50 nY
Trodes [Device Rating(3)] : 50 nY

"Use the same top-notch equipment the operators of GOD use! Amaze your friends at your BLAZING HOT RESPONSE! With our SUPER-GAME™ SIGNAL-AND-RESPONSE™ BURNING MACHINE™ you'll never be beat at Miracle Shooter™ again!"

[Squiddy Attack]

As a newbie, this is what I'm using (before having a chance to upgrade/replace anything). Here's one for somewhere in the 'less crappy' category:

• Fairlight Caliban comm (8,000)
• Novatech Navi system (1,500)
• Subvocal Microphone (50)
• The following programs, all at rating 6: Analyze, Armor, Attack, Biofeedback Filter, Black Hammer, Browse, Command, Databomb, Decrypt, Defuse, Edit, Encrypt, Exploit, Medic, Scan, Spoof, Stealth, Track (total 70,000)
• Firewall (rating 6; 3,000)
• Standard AR stuff: Virtual Surround Music, Weather, Pet, Person (total of 400)

And the following alphaware:

• Cerebral Booster (rating 2; 40,000 and worth every penny)
• Commlink implanted (4,000)
• Control Rig (20,000. We do not have a rigger.)
• Cybereyes (rating 3; my mistake, as this was one of the first things I bought, and am going to upgrade. You should use rating 4, at 1,500 nuyen)
• Datajack (1,000)
• Datalock (2,000)
• Ear Recording Unit (1,000)
• Sim Module (4,000)
• Sound Link (500)

[MortVent]

better to get the cyberears at rating 4 for the ear recorder and and sound link. Can add what you want later on to them too (damper is nice, as is the enchancements)

[Squiddy Attack]

better to get the cyberears at rating 4 for the ear recorder and and sound link. Can add what you want later on to them too (damper is nice, as is the enchancements)

This is also true.


I, however, realized my mistakes long after character creation... ;P

[Yerameyahu]

Better still to just get earbuds. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)