Please critique my hacker. Options

[Ed_209a]

I am building a hacker for Missions, and I would love your input. It seems like 400BP went so quickly

I am making a Troll hacker, both for survivability and to try playing against type. If I can, The con specialisation is to help with social engineering.

It is still a WIP, so forgive if it isn't exactly 400BP.

Attributes:
Body 6
Agility 4
React 5
Str 6
Cha 3
Int 4
Log 4
Will 3
Edge 5
resources 10 (50K)

Skills:
Athletics(gr) 2
Cracking (gr) 4
Electronics (gr) 4
Etiquette 2
Con (Impersonating) 2(4)
Survival (urban) 2(4)
Longarms 2
Pistols 2

Quaities:
Addiction (Mild) -5
In Debt (20000) -20
Prejudiced (Specific, Biased) -5
Media Junkie (Mild) -5

Ware:
Datajack, Wired 2, Simsense booster

Gear:
I copied the comlink from the hacker in the book.
I am still choosing other gear, but I am thinking low-tech big boom like a shotgun and a Warhawk. An armor jacket to keep me alive.
Instead of the usual cyber optics & ears, I am thinking goggles and headphones. Just for a change of pace

So, what do you think? I am worried that the typical convention Missions table will be all super-specialized twinks, and I don't want to be left holding jackets and purses because I am not optimised enough.

TIA

[Udoshi]

Your hacking skill needs to be higher. Swap the electronics and cracking groups.

What programs do you have, and at what ratings? This is a very, very important question.

[sabs]

Uh what?
Swap Electronics 4 for cracking 4?
That doesn't even make any sense.


Skill wise he seems fine.
70K for gear and programs is going to be super duper tight.

If you're that tight on cash, do not get an implanted commlink. It's a terrible idea money wise.

The sony Emperor is a bad commlink.
I would go with the Hermes Ikon, or the Transsys Avalon depending on your theories on advancement.
There is sadly no reason to get the FairlightCaliban. Such sadness.

Transys Avalon 5K (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
with R5/S5 upgrades 5k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Trodes 50 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Sim Module Modified for BTL/Hot Sim 350 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
System: 5 2.5k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Firewall: 6 3k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Common Use Programs: all at 6 3.6k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Hacking Programs: 6k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) each (12 Minimum) 72k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

grand total: 91,500 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

You can shave some ratings off your hacking programs, but then of course you have to buy them later.

edited to fix costs on rating 6 programs

[Stingray]

Hacker have minor need for STR, so dropping it to 5 and increasing
Willpower (and reinforcing it to add Biofeedback Filters)..

Instead of Armor jacket (no concealibility bonuses), Lined Coat/Great Coat (Mortimer of London)
and some pieces from PPP line would be better choice (IMOO) (Form Fitting Body Armor too)

[Ed_209a]

What programs do you have, and at what ratings? This is a very, very important question..

Sony Emperor w/ Sim Module modified for BTL/Hot Sim, w/Response 5, Signal 5, System 5, Firewall 5)
Programs [Analyze 5, Armor 4, Attack 5, Biofeedback Filter 4, Black Hammer 4, Browse 5, Command 5,
Data Bomb 2, Decrypt 3, Edit 5, Exploit 5, Scan 5, Spoof 4, Stealth 5, Track 4];

The sony Emperor is a bad commlink.
I would go with the Hermes Ikon, or the Transsys Avalon depending on your theories on advancement.

I'm not disputing you, but why is each 'link you mentioned good/bad?

btw, I didn't notice the 'link was implanted, thus didn't get it that way.

[Stingray]

Uh what?
Swap Electronics 4 for cracking 4?
That doesn't even make any sense.


Skill wise he seems fine.
70K for gear and programs is going to be super duper tight.

If you're that tight on cash, do not get an implanted commlink. It's a terrible idea money wise.

The sony Emperor is a bad commlink.
I would go with the Hermes Ikon, or the Transsys Avalon depending on your theories on advancement.
There is sadly no reason to get the FairlightCaliban. Such sadness.

Transys Avalon 5K (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
with R5/S5 upgrades 5k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Trodes 50 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Sim Module Modified for BTL/Hot Sim 350 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
System: 5 1k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Firewall: 6 1.2k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Common Use Programs: all at 6 2.1k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
Hacking Programs: 3k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) each (12 Minimum) 36k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

grand total: 50,700 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

You can shave some ratings off your hacking programs, but then of course you have to buy them later.

firewall 6 cost 3000 yen (rating 4-6 500 yen /rating)

[Ed_209a]

Hacker have minor need for STR, so dropping it to 5 and increasing
Willpower (and reinforcing it to add Biofeedback Filters)..

Very good point about STR, but I don't like making a character who has any stat at 1 before race mods. I can deal with a Troll "geek" who is just "below average" Str/Bod, (2 before mods) but not one who is sickly (1 before mods)

That is a hit I am willing to take for character concept.

[sabs]

You can only increase signal and response by +2
The Sony Emperor is a 2 response 3 signal commlink for 700 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
The Transys Avalon is a 4 response 4 signal commlink for 5000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

At best you can make the Emperor a 4 response 5 signal commlink for an upgrade cost of: +3000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)
The Avalon can be upgraded at char gen to 5/5 for an aditional 5000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) but more importantly, it can be upgraded post char creation to a 6/6 for 11k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

the Emperor is maxed out on upgrades.
Now, the Sony Emperor maxed out to 4/5 for 3700 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) is not bad if your plan is to throw it away alter (or turn it into a spare commlink) when you can put 16000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) together to buy your top of the line commlink.

[Ed_209a]

the Emperor is maxed out on upgrades.
Now, the Sony Emperor maxed out to 4/5 for 3700 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) is not bad if your plan is to throw it away alter (or turn it into a spare commlink) when you can put 16000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) together to buy your top of the line commlink.

Interesting stuff...

I realise this is slightly meta, but how does the money run in Missions? Is it highly variable depending on a bunch of stuff, like in my regular game, or is it pretty consistent? Will it take a lot of runs to net that 16k?

[Whipstitch]

It really would just be for the best if he just freed up some points to spend on more gear. It's awful tough to fight the fact that Riggers and Hackers tend to be nuyen heavy archetypes. Keep in mind that even just dropping both specializations would net another 20k while a single attribute point would be worth 50k, so we're not necessarily talking about some kind of major thematic overhaul here. Another option to consider would be dropping Pistols, since there's a short barreled shotgun in Arsenal that uses the longarm skill but is otherwise a heavy pistol in terms of damage code and concealment. That'd also free up some points for gear or could even just be used to bump longarms up to a 4 and into genuinely competent territory. Besides, who doesn't like the idea that a "troll pistol" is really just a pared down shotty? I know I like it.

[Udoshi]

Uh what?
Swap Electronics 4 for cracking 4?
That doesn't even make any sense.

It was 2 and 4 when i replied, hence the WTF.
Hacking is way, way more important than software, hardware or data search. Computers, though, is essential.

I would strongly consider using restricted gear to get a rating 6 processor chip for your commlink at the start. Its expensive, but its worth it.
Alternatively, you can -plan- to pick it up immediately, and get your programs/system/firewall at 6, and just let them be downgraded to 5 until you get your new processor. Its only 8k. Even if you don't, don't forget to upgrade your firewall as high as it will go.

You may want to look at the born rich quality in the RC. it'll give you more money to spend on augmentation and programs and stuff.

Consider dropping wired reflexes. Drugs, slap patches and autoinjectors can get you by if you need it. If you have to fight, i'd recommend using a drone instead.

You may want to consider getting an agent. those things are handy.

[klinktastic]

Yeah, I agree with Whip. Remove pistols, add a point to longarms and a specialty in shotguns, giving you 3/5, better than your 2 in both skills.

[sabs]

Agents are 10 grand.
He might be better off waiting on that.

He's got wired reflexes? I hadn't even noticed that.
Two things,
1) get the simsense booster as used standard so you pay 1/2 price for it.
2) you're buying a simsense booster, but skimping on a solid commlink? WTF.

[klinktastic]

Some guy was asking for advice on a combat hacker like 2 days ago. Take a look at the solid 6 pages of postings here: http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?showtopic=33406

[LurkerOutThere]

I am afb so forgive me if I'm a bit vague on some of this.

First off my compliments on a character who is against type.

I would strongly recommend encephlon and some grade of skillwires oreven mbw if you build can support it, as a hacker you can make the test necissary to get access to a pirate network which makes skillsofts viable again.

On my missions character I laid down the points for a rating six implanted link and have been happy with it. The other plus to this is it allows you to get that all important stealth six with your first paycheck which is the biggest thing you can do to increase your ability to get into systems.

I'm also going to come out recomending dumping cracking EW and cybercombat are good to have at least a level in and raise later but hacking (and the exploit emphasis) are king for getting into a system when your team needs it.

As to making points for these changes the athletics group and survival are good places to look to start.

[Whipstitch]

I'm inclined to disagree with cutting points from the Athletics group unless he wants to pick up Dodge. If anything I actually considered suggesting that he drop a point of Strength and put it into Athletics so he could hit a Gymnastic Dodge of 3 if he really needed to. That's still not great, of course, but overall I'd still say Strength deserves to be first on the chopping block even without considering gymnastics dodge. His minimum score is more than adequate to carry hacker gear and he doesn't use close combat skills, so much of its value in attribute tests is already gone. And as far as skills go, Strength can't even manage to be the linked attribute on the entire Athletics group. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[Udoshi]

I'm also going to come out recomending dumping cracking EW and cybercombat are good to have at least a level in and raise later but hacking (and the exploit emphasis) are king for getting into a system when your team needs it.

Agreed here. Hacking 6 (exploit +2) is pretty much the best thing you can have.
You can tank cybercombat, and make up for it with a good Attack program. (No, not the stealth specialty. It doesn't help the test to get spotted when you break into a node)
I'd -almost- agree on EW, but that threshold 4 on hidden nodes is brutal if you don't have a good dice pool or phenomenal luck. You use it for decryption too.

If you don't have a math spu, you should get one. They're cheap and good.

[Udoshi]

Agents are 10 grand.
He might be better off waiting on that.

using restricted gear, a rating 6 mook(unwired, it makes your agents able to do illegal stuff) is exactly availability 20, and only 18 grand. Its a very solid deal for 9 build points.

[Zyerne]

Where does the max +2 upgrade come from?

[Yerameyahu]

Game balance? Who knows.

[Zyerne]

I meant where is the rule, it's not one I've ever seen.

[Karoline]

I meant where is the rule, it's not one I've ever seen.

It cropped up in 4A to stop people buying a metalink and upgrading it to a 6/6 commlink.

As for the build, you need to do something to get more dice. My thought is that if you don't have more dice than an agent, you aren't a hacker. And right now it looks like you have about 11 dice, which is one shy of an R6 agent.

[LurkerOutThere]

Interesting stuff...

I realise this is slightly meta, but how does the money run in Missions? Is it highly variable depending on a bunch of stuff, like in my regular game, or is it pretty consistent? Will it take a lot of runs to net that 16k?

Depends on the mission and table rating, at TR 6 it should only take a 2-3, longer at lower TR's. Some missions don't pay squat it feels like. On the whole i would plan to make about 5k a mission with some missions paying more depending on factors (amount of stuff you steal, how good your face is etc etc).

[Ed_209a]

Thanks for all your comments so far.

This is a more general Missions question. (OK, it is still a pretty specific question, just not troll hacker related) How practical is the In Debt quality in Missions? I guess the big question is how much time is there between Missions runs. 1 per month could make In Dept very difficult, because most of your pay would go to a bookie. 2-3 runs a month, it gets workable.

[Karoline]

In debt is entirely impractical in missions. Missions requires you to not only pay the 1.5x debt back, with interest, they also expect you to pay off the BP cost in karma. Which frankly makes it the worse quality you could ever pick.