Vehicle Rigger, Does he even need Electronics Group? Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Standard Switch to: Linear+

[sabs]

I'm pouring over the rules.

If I'm playing a wheelman. Do I need anything from the electronics group?
And do I need anything from the cracking group except Eletronic Warfare?

I'm looking at the tests i'll want to be doing, and I'm just not seeing it.

[Neraph]

If you're going to be purely rigging, then no you don't. However, it's very rare for someone to only be a wheelman/vehicle rigger. Those other skills may be useful so you're not just a glorified chauffer.

[TommyTwoToes]

Hardware should be needed if you attempt to disable car alarms or start cars with completely electronic controls. Of course your wheelman may never need to steal a car, but ours always ends up doing it.

[Udoshi]

You need Computer. Its whats used for the all-important Analyze tests. If you want to mess with other peoples drones, or prevent peopel from messing your your cars, drones, and devices - then a high computer is good.

[sabs]

How is Analyze all important?
I don't remember seeing any analyze tests?
(for defending)

[DWC]

Computer is also used to trace other matrix users (and the nodes for their cars), which can be invaluable when you're following someone. You'll also want Hacking and Cybercombat so that you can defend yourself when attacked in cybercombat.

[Traul]

Analyze is used to detect an intruder in your node. But you don't need Computer for that: it is the node that rolls Analyze + Firewall.

[Udoshi]

The node only rolls Analyze+firewall when the firewall is initially breached into. Thats the one freebie you get. Your node doesn't roll Firewall+ analyze ALL the time. Just when the firewall's originally hacked.

After that, if you want to scan for intruders in your node that the firewall -didn't- get, its a Matrix Perception Test.
and -that- is computer+analyze.

Being able to reliably analyze things, especially those running stealth is -critical- on the matrix. Per the sidebar on 4a 228, matrix perception can tell you the following things, one per net hit:

Access ID. Hidden access to another node(whether a node is connected to others. Such as a drone to a rigger). Programs running. Rating of one matrix attribute (such as FIREWALL). Type(agent, user, etc), and whether its encrypted or not.

Yes, perception tests on the internet can tell you whether the icon you're chatting with is holding a blackhammer behind its back, or how tough things are on the matrix. Its especially good for sizing up targets for jacking with electronic warfare.

[Udoshi]

How is Analyze all important?
I don't remember seeing any analyze tests?
(for defending)

Honestly, the best use of Analyze is to streamline things for the GM. The first thing I do when hacking a node is to make a perception test, and discover its System and Firewall.

One that's answered, I pretty much know all the important stats its going to be rolling, and can decide if I want to go for admin and/or use edge while hacking on the fly. More importantly, once those questions are answered, the GM knows it too at the top of his head, and Opposed Rolls during hacking become easy-peasy.

[Redcrow]

I don't really care for how they merged Hackers and Riggers in 4e and gimped the VCR. Mostly because I like to run chase scenes a lot and that has always given the Rigger a valuable niche all their own in my games.

[Johnny Hammersti...]

computer is one of those skills that you just can't go wrong with, a bit like perception or etiquette.

[Xahn Borealis]

You'll want a spoof chip, and that needs Hardware to install.

[suoq]

Another (possibly broken) option is Data Search at 6 (to find pirated skillsofts) and a skillwire system. Going that route, I'd spend the 5 bp on restricted gear and just get the skillwire at rating 5. If you do that you can be running gunnery, pilot, computer, hacking, and electronic warfare all at 5 (unless I'm misunderstanding something - quite possible). Then, when you're working on something in a shop, you swap those activesofts out for whatever technical skills you need. Add to that a control rig and (for pure evil) a Encephalon (at rating 2 even). All the above about should cost only 48 build points. (The encephalon is expensive but it's better than a logic of 6 as far as hacking is concerned.)

Assuming I haven't messed up you should have a very capable hacker/rigger at that point and a lot of build points to spend on anything else.

Hmmm. I may sit down and write up this guy...

Edit: At 354/374 points he was far too broken to continue working on. (I was debating between Born Rich or not.) He's no longer a playable character. He's a better arch-nemesis. He's become Neo with Batman's toy collection. If someone needs a reason to toss the piracy rules, this character is it.

[Traul]

computer is one of those skills that you just can't go wrong with, a bit like perception or etiquette.

Except when you can replace it with an Agent.

[Jaid]

Another (possibly broken) option is Data Search at 6 (to find pirated skillsofts) and a skillwire system. Going that route, I'd spend the 5 bp on restricted gear and just get the skillwire at rating 5. If you do that you can be running gunnery, pilot, computer, hacking, and electronic warfare all at 5 (unless I'm misunderstanding something - quite possible). Then, when you're working on something in a shop, you swap those activesofts out for whatever technical skills you need. Add to that a control rig and (for pure evil) a Encephalon (at rating 2 even). All the above about should cost only 48 build points. (The encephalon is expensive but it's better than a logic of 6 as far as hacking is concerned.)

note quite. the table for skillsofts only goes up to 4. of course, if you want to get really technical about it, you can get free open source software up to rating 4... i don't think they've errated anything in unwired yet, so technically you can still just get open source activesofts if your GM is stark raving mad.

[Yerameyahu]

Well, let's not assume that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It specifically says that FOSS is sporadically updated, available only for some programs, and sucks. Okay, not that last one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Critias]

I don't really care for how they merged Hackers and Riggers in 4e and gimped the VCR. Mostly because I like to run chase scenes a lot and that has always given the Rigger a valuable niche all their own in my games.

I've had success with a few characters, just ignoring that merging and trying to see the cheapness (essence and nuyen wise) of the VCR as a good thing. Merged with, say, a Street Sam instead of a Hacker, you can still be a pretty badass driver/criminal type. Very GTA, without having to delve too far into the computers/electronics aspect, just murdering and driving.

[Mooncrow]

I've had success with a few characters, just ignoring that merging and trying to see the cheapness (essence and nuyen wise) of the VCR as a good thing. Merged with, say, a Street Sam instead of a Hacker, you can still be a pretty badass driver/criminal type. Very GTA, without having to delve too far into the computers/electronics aspect, just murdering and driving.

Aye, it's nice that my riggers can get out of their cars without getting completely murdered now. It gives me a lot more flexibility when writing new adventures.

[Neraph]

note quite. the table for skillsofts only goes up to 4. of course, if you want to get really technical about it, you can get free open source software up to rating 4... i don't think they've errated anything in unwired yet, so technically you can still just get open source activesofts if your GM is stark raving mad.

If I remember correctly, I'm the first one to post that. Good to see my ideas are taking root.

But yeah. Free R4 Activesofts for everyone who doesn't mind like Psychotropic and R3 Overdrive on them (never said free 'softs weren't buggy).

And on Skillwires: The rating x2 is how many "Skillsoft Points" you can run. Each activesoft takes up a number of skillsoft points = the rating of the activesoft. For example: R3 Skillwires can run up to 6 points of Skillsoft Points total - either two rating 3 'softs, three R2 'softs, or any combination adding up to six and with any one program not exceeding 3 (the rating of the Skillwires).

You can Personalize a skillsoft, gaining a +1 Dicepool bonus while using that 'soft, and you can Overdrive them, gaining a bonus equal to the rating of the Overdrive (up to 3), but also gaining a dicepool penalty to any other Test not related to that 'soft the same number (IE: +2 Pistols, but -2 Gymnastics [and many others], but not -2 Perception to see something to shoot with your pistol).

You can also Pluscode (up to R3) an activesoft in order to reduce the "Skillsoft Points" drain, and you can Cluster 'softs to reduce the memory usage also. All those pretty rules are found in Unwired.

[suoq]

It's good to see the rules I missed. I'm much happier realizing that monstrosity isn't as broken as I thought. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[LurkerOutThere]

Suoq if you are who I think you are just keep a mind open source is specifically disallowed in SRM as an optional rule. If you try and bring it to the theoretical home game I've kicked aorund starting I will laugh/slap you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Shinobi Killfist]

I've had success with a few characters, just ignoring that merging and trying to see the cheapness (essence and nuyen wise) of the VCR as a good thing. Merged with, say, a Street Sam instead of a Hacker, you can still be a pretty badass driver/criminal type. Very GTA, without having to delve too far into the computers/electronics aspect, just murdering and driving.

Oh this reminds me of the f"joy" of having a player who wants to be a GTA type like Tommy from GTA3 but refuses to take any skills that allows him to steal cars in 2070, because those skills are too nerdy for someone as tough as Tommy. And then he gets upset that he is having trouble stealing cars.

[Yerameyahu]

Um, what? The only skill you need is open the door, pull out the driver, and drive away. Car stolen. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Sadly, the way it works in SR4, presumably they just sell car-hack agents in prepackaged commlinks to anyone. One button wireless stolen car. :/

[suoq]

Suoq if you are who I think you are just keep a mind open source is specifically disallowed in SRM as an optional rule. If you try and bring it to the theoretical home game I've kicked aorund starting I will laugh/slap you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

With the current piracy/registration rules, the two roles I don't want to touch are hacker and rigger anyway. I'll stick with playing the legend of Ransom Stoddard.

[Neraph]

Suoq if you are who I think you are just keep a mind open source is specifically disallowed in SRM as an optional rule. If you try and bring it to the theoretical home game I've kicked aorund starting I will laugh/slap you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This type of behavior is a sign. That sign means I can never play in your games.

There are more than enough ways to allow players to have things like freeware and still maintain game balance. Have the skillsofts have Psychotropic or Overdrive, for example. Or have a program actually be spyware, always telling whoever made it the locations and nodes the person with the 'ware connects to. Freeware was not intended to simply be R4 programs for free - they're R4 programs with bugs, spyware, and problems for free.