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

[Squiddy Attack]

My bad. I have no idea why, but I forgot to list that the commlink was implanted. Fixed now.

Though, there are probably wireless earbuds that work with implanted 'links...?

[Yerameyahu]

Naturally. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The only drawback is that, if you were helpless, someone could remove them. It's not much of a drawback, but there it is.

[Emy]

My bad. I have no idea why, but I forgot to list that the commlink was implanted. Fixed now.

Though, there are probably wireless earbuds that work with implanted 'links...?

Skinlink everything. The implanted commlink can talk to your skinlinked earbuds through your skinlinked datajack or something.

[Yerameyahu]

Or your skinlinked SKIN, it's implanted. Whatever. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Draco18s]

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.

You are correct. Drop in Attack then, also, for the defensive agent.
(Blackhammer has no effect against programs, agents, sprites, or AR users)

Note how the defensive node has Attack, but not Armor, while the offensive hacker has Armor, but no Attack. This is because Matrix Combat is basically "just deadly" to hackers; if you've gotten into combat, something has already gone terribly, terribly wrong and you should be logging out. Armor/Shield exists only to give you more time to sever your connection before the real shit hits the fan (e.g. they find out where your meat is).

Where as on the defense, you want to hit those hackers with something beefy and keep them logged in as long as possible so you can teach them a lesson. If they get away, that's fine, they still don't have your data, and if they want it bad enough, they'll come back.

[Yerameyahu]

Isn't it also super-illegal? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Draco18s]

Isn't it also super-illegal? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

How will anyone know? If you only hit the guys in hotsim with it (who die) there aren't any witnesses.

Besides, is it any less legal than your HMG?

[Wasabi]

I made the setup below for a friend interested in protecting himself and he isnt a hacker. Its a deadly agent in a harder-than-average to attack Commlink. The best defense is still a low signal or turning the fool thing off entirely. Note that this is NOT starting-legal due to availability. -Wasabi
=====


GEAR
Skinweb Array (200 Avail 10) [Unw, p200] {+1 to ECCM Strength, Static Zone penalty lessened by one}


NASTIEST COMMLINK (Itself)
Transys Avalon (5000¥, Avail ?) [SR4A, p328]
Modified for BTL/hot sim (250¥, Avail 4F) [SR4A, p328]
Response Chip Increase (8000¥, Avail 16) [SR4A, p222] {NOTE: Half of this cost to make using a Hardware (12, 1 day) extended test}
Firewall 6 (3000¥, Avail -) [SR4A, p330]
System 6 (3000¥, Avail -) [SR4A, p330]


NASTIEST COMMLINK MODULES
Cryptosense Module, Ultrawideband Radar (1000¥, Avail (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) [Unw, p196] {Intruders must have similar system}
Nonstandard Wireless Link 6 (3000¥, Avail 6R) [Unw, p196] {Threshold to Scan for this node raised by one}
Environmental Resistance {heat, cold, underwater, high pressure, intense radiation, vacuum} (600¥, Avail (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) [Ars, p58] {Operate indefinitely in matching hostile environ}
Hardening 6 (150¥, Avail 4) [Ars, p58] {+6 Dice to defend against EMP or HERF}
Inertial Trigger (25¥, Avail (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) [Ars, p58] {automatically does something you specify if commlink is moved. In this case, turn off if moved while in VR.}


NASTIEST COMMLINK MODIFICATIONS
Optimization, Firewall (500¥, Avail 6) [Unw, p199] {+1 to Firewall Tests}
[If a hacker get the one that adds a 4th pass and the Simsense Booster Cyberware for a 5th pass]

NASTIEST COMMLINK PROGRAMS
Encrypt 6 (with Ergonomic, Optimization-3 and Crashguard) [6500¥]
Tacsoft 4 {But have the rating 1-3 versions available so you can switch out if you lack people or tacsoft sensor channels} [12000¥, Avail 20]
NOTE: If you get jammed switch the Tacsoft out for: ECCM-6 (with Ergonomic, Optimization-3 and Crashguard). That costs 1100¥.

Unregistered Agent 6 [18000¥]
Agent Autosoft: Cascading-3 (with Optimization-3, Crashguard) [1800¥]
Agent Autosoft: Expert Offense (with Optimization-3) [600¥]
Agent Autosoft: Homeground 4 (with Optimization-3, Crashguard) [4400¥]
Armor-6 (with Ergonomic, Optimization-3 and Crashguard) [6500¥]
Analyze-6 (with Ergonomic, Optimization-3 and Crashguard) [1100¥]
Attack-6 (with Area-6, Optimization-3 and Targeting) [11500¥]
Blackhammer-6 (with Area-6, Targeting, Psychtropic-6 [Moderate Phobia of Cybercombat(Common/Moderate)]) [18000¥]
Stealth-6 (with Ergonomic, Optimization-3 and Crashguard) [6500¥]

[Draco18s]

Oh, found the "vehicle" equipment I mentioned somewhere recently.

The Spoof Chip. Arsenal p105.
"Changes the access ID for a vehicle node (or any device) on a regular basis, or as instructed."
"Integrating a spoof chip into a device requires a Logic + Hardware (2) test."
500 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) availability 8F

[Sengir]

N.B.: Using simsense requires a sim module, trodes and datajacks are merely the connector plug between the brain and an external (ie not implanted) sim module.


Just because I frequently see people who get their matrix gear wrong...including several of the sample chars (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[BobChuck]

N.B.: Using simsense requires a sim module, trodes and datajacks are merely the connector plug between the brain and an external (ie not implanted) sim module.


Just because I frequently see people who get their matrix gear wrong...including several of the sample chars (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Yes, this much I have figured out. You need any one of three setups:
1) Commlink (implanted) + Sim Module (Implanted)
2) Commlink + Sim Module + Data Jack (Implanted)
3) Commlink + Sim Module + Trodes

For options 2 and 3, either the link or the mod can be either external or implanted; option 1 only works if both are implanted.
For 3), the trodes can either be nanopaste (which are short term but difficult to remove) or a net (meaning something worn around the head: net, hat, etc).

I've got a couple more questions, though, on the basic setup. I imagine these are addressed in Unwired (or possibly Arsenal), but I don't have those. When running external gear that is touching skin, there needs to be either a wireless connection (which other can grab) or a skin link.

How do skin links work, exactly? How many do you need to buy, one, or one per device? What are the restrictions? What does it feel like to have an active skin link running all over your body?

Also, how do trodes work? what are the limitations? How much contact do they need to work? What are the disadvantages to using a trodenet versus nanopaste?

[Sengir]

Yes, this much I have figured out. You need any one of three setups:
1) Commlink (implanted) + Sim Module (Implanted)
2) Commlink + Sim Module + Data Jack (Implanted)
3) Commlink + Sim Module + Trodes

For options 2 and 3, either the link or the mod can be either external or implanted; option 1 only works if both are implanted.

I'd phrase it a bit (IMO) more simple:
The sim module needs a DNI, which can be archieved in three ways:
1) Implant the sim module
2) Datajack
3) Trodes


Where you keep the commlink does not really matter, an implanted commlink + external sim module with trodes if perfectly fine.

[BobChuck]

But the SIM Module also needs access to the commlink; It's SIM mod (to process AR/VR) + commlink (access matrix and run programs). I'm not sure what running with just a SIM mod (no commlink) gets you. Both are needed to access matrix data through anything other than a keyboard and tiny screen, both are needed to go AR/VR, unless you are just talking peripherals. You also need some way to connect them to each other and to your brain.

Oh, and random off-topic thought: voicechat.
If you have a commlink, you can talk to people (I'm assuming that commlinks still work as phones).
If you have a subvocal microphone and earbuds, you can talk hands-free.
So far so good.

So... if you are running a commlink + SIM Module + <brain interface>, do you need to 'talk' at all, or can you just think at the person and have the message go? Will it come out as audio, or does the person need to also be running a comm+sim+brain setup?

[Draco18s]

Being stupid, ignore me.

[Sengir]

I'm not sure what running with just a SIM mod (no commlink) gets you.

Sure you need a commlink, but where you have that commlink does not matter. You can have it in your skull, in your pocket, or on your wrist, as long as you have a sim mod + DNI all configurations are just fine.

You also need some way to connect them to each other and to your brain.

Welcome to the wireless world (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
Sim module in your left pocket, commlink in your right pocket, trodes on your head, all three have wireless and can talk to each other.


Regarding "thought messages", typing does not sound different from activating an ARO, and IMO each commlink should be capable of transforming text to speech and vice versa.

[Yerameyahu]

Indeed. 2.0 means never worrying about any of 'what's hooked up to what', full-on psychic communication at all times, etc.

[sabs]

I usually let all my players who have:

ear buds, subvocal mics, and contacts/glasses/cybereyes with Imagelink basically have conversations, share info, etc.

I usually have the Hacker make a electronicwarfare+encrypt test, number of successes sets the threshhold for hacking into the conversation from the outside.

People running Tacsofts, Specialized Agents can add the rating to the encryption successes.
So, A hacker who setup a Rating 3 TacNet, along with Encrypted, Secured Communications to all members of the 'party'. Would create a scan/decrypt/capture threshhold of: 3+net hits.
If you're running all your communications through a Nexus, that has a dedicated Data Encryption Agent R6:
Then the Threshhold would be 6 + net hits.

Of course, the bad guys have access to the same technology. Well certainly those that would use it. Running against AAA's in my world requires seriously well rounded out, experienced runners with good backup.