[X] My Assistant

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

I wonder what the best way to get spirits to help with drones is, then? If they possess a drone with mounted weapons, the weapon uses Gunnery which the spirit doesn't have, and the spirit cannot use autosofts. An Ally Spirit could have Gunnery, of course, but you only get one of those.

You can have as many Ally Spirits as you are willing to pay the price for. There is no limit, other than Karma.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

Now read the section about wireless connectivity (SR4A p. 313). So (nearly) everything is at least OR 3 for the contained electronics.

But you can fix things with the spells other than electronics.

[Dakka Dakka]

But you can fix things with the spells other than electronics.

The point is that nearly everything must contain electronics since it is wireless enabled. So you have to assume an OR of 3 or more, because you cannot affect part of a whole with magic.

[Tymeaus Jalynsfe...]

The point is that nearly everything must contain electronics since it is wireless enabled. So you have to assume an OR of 3 or more, because you cannot affect part of a whole with magic.

No Assumptions are necessary at all. Not EVERYTHING (not even Nearly Everything) is wireless enabled. You will have other concerns, however, than electornics. Your biggest challenmge is that almost everything in the world is either a Manufactured High-Tech object (OR 3), or is Highly Manufactured (OR 5).

[Dakka Dakka]

Not EVERYTHING (not even Nearly Everything) is wireless enabled.

Actually the book says otherwise:

In 2072, almost every device is computerized and equipped with a wireless link—from guns to toasters to clothing to sensors to cyberware. As a rule, assume that any gear item that is electronic or mechanical has a wireless-enabled computer in it. Even non-electronic devices without moving parts may have a built-in computer, if it might be useful or convenient to the user (wouldn’t you like to be able to download and play your favorite songs on your jacket?). The gamemaster has final determination over what items are wireless-enabled.

You will have other concerns, however, than electornics. Your biggest challenmge is that almost everything in the world is either a Manufactured High-Tech object (OR 3), or is Highly Manufactured (OR 5).

That's for those three things that are not wireless enabled. It's not that bad though. Once you exceed the threshold (which is strangely necessary for spells) you will fix at least 4 or 6 boxes of damage, since all hits not net hits are counted.

[Yerameyahu]

Oh snap! RAW-slam. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

My take is that magic is simply *supposed* to be hard with significant-OR targets. I once saw someone say that 'spells specifically designed for high-OR objects should ignore it', or something like that; that's just crazy talk.

[Dakka Dakka]

It is crazy talk, but the RAW make the whole Ram/Wreck/Demolish line of spells not very useful. -1 drain for very limited application is not that great.

[Makki]

The point is that nearly everything must contain electronics since it is wireless enabled. So you have to assume an OR of 3 or more, because you cannot affect part of a whole with magic.

if you are only slightly tech-savy, you can disassemble the device and fix only the broken part. this could be a simple piece like a broken axle or burned fuse. Then you re-assemble your vehicle. It's the slow way. But also the fun way.

[Dakka Dakka]

At that point a roll of duct tape is about as useful as the magician.

[PresentPresence]

I've had some difficulty making a successful build for this character. Optimizing my drain attributes and getting that wicked power focus costs me a lot of money. Part of being a driver is owning a tricked-out ride which itself costs a lot of money. I am running up against a brick wall on how to buy everything I need. Then I had the grand idea to not give this character a vehicle. "Say whaaaa?" Someone who boosts cars and provides transportation for runners and then sends them to his chop shop contact for an additional payout. Quick, anonymous, cheap. Now, what skills does a car thief need?
According to Arsenal, you need to broadcast:

• Access ID
• License plate
• Registration, Insurance, SIN, and License

Access IDs are covered by integrating a spoof chip (Y500) and the plates are covered by a morphing license plate (Y1,000). Integrating a spoof chip is a Hardware+Logic (2) test, easy to accomplish. Assuming both of these can be removed and re-applied to various vehicles allows for a cheap investment to keep yourself anonymous. However, we run into an issue with the papers. How can these be represented by fake SINs and licenses? Would I have to edit them to say that I own this kind of vehicle? How could I edit that? Would I have to have a forger contact that would edit my SIN every time I stole a car? That's crazy! But I have an idea. Since I am a witch, I can use me magicks to cast Vehicle Mask to make the vehicle look like a car that my fake license "genuinely" owns and operates. Ka-Blam! Yeah, I'll light up on the astral, but I'll trick the GridGuide sensors.
As for actually gaining access to the vehicle, I would have to beat these systems:

• Maglocks or
• Keypads or
• Biometrics or
• Transponder keys or
• A combination thereof and
• An encrypted node

Most of these are Hardware+Logic tests and involve using various kits or gadgets to evade. What kind of gear and what level of ability would a hacker need to decrypt a rating three node with a rating three encryption without alerting the owner? How can I integrate Task spirits into these operations?

[Yerameyahu]

Dakka Dakka, I think they're meant to be not very useful. Bad design. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Ol' Scratch]

Access IDs are covered by integrating a spoof chip (Y500) and the plates are covered by a morphing license plate (Y1,000). Integrating a spoof chip is a Hardware+Logic (2) test, easy to accomplish. Assuming both of these can be removed and re-applied to various vehicles allows for a cheap investment to keep yourself anonymous. However, we run into an issue with the papers. How can these be represented by fake SINs and licenses?

You're putting way too much thought into it. Shadowrun is an abstract game system. "Fake SIN" and "Fake License" covers everything you need that SIN or license for, and it's assumed that you keep it up to date through whatever legitimate or illegitimate means necessary. You don't have to worry about the fine details unless your GM decides to have some fun and do a side adventure based on your day-to-day lives or some such. Otherwise, that's simply not what the game is about.

[PresentPresence]

Here's what I've got so far:

[ Spoiler ]

Metatype: Dwarf [25]

Qualities: [0 Net]
Mystic Adept (Witchcraft)
Mentor Spirit (Snake)
Restricted Gear (Power Focus)
SURGE II
-Metagenetic Improvement (INT)
-10 points of negativity
35 points worth of Negative Qualities (As much as I hate getting points from In Debt, I may have to)

Cyberware:
Cybereyes R3 (Y8750)
-Vision Enhancement R2
-Vision Magnification
-Low-Light Vision
-Thermographic Vision
-Flare Compensation
-Smartlink

Bioware:
Genetic Optimization (INT) (Y45,000)
EPE - Daredrenaline (Y25,000)
Cereberal Booster R2 (Y20,000)
Reflex Recorder (Pilot Ground Craft) (Y10,000)

Total Essence Cost: 1.0

Primary Attributes: [110]
Intuition 7/8
Logic 3 (5)/6
Willpower 6/7

Special Attributes: [65]
Magic 6 (5) - 2 points for Powers

Powers:
Mind Over Matter (INT)
Improved Skill (Pilot Ground Craft) 2

Spells: [15]
Stunbolt
Analyze Device
Improved Invisibility
Vehicle Mask
Increase Reflexes

Skills: [156]
Pilot Ground Craft (Wheeled) 6
Spellcasting (Detection Spells) 4
Summoning 4
Binding 4
Perception 4
Hardware 4
Hacking 3
Enchanting (Vessel Preparation) 2
Automotive Mechanic (Wheeled) 2
Arcana 2 *
Gunnery 1
Pistols 1

*I want to get an Ally Spirit ASAP. Using the Familiar initiatory ordeal, I need to be able to write my own spirit formula. Is 2 enough for this task?

Gear: Y226,960 [46]
Power Focus R4 (Y100,000) [4]
Pocket Mage Library R3 (Y1,800)

Autopicker R6 (Y1,200)
Cellular Glove Molder (Y600)
Hardware Tool Kit (Y500)
Electronics Tool Kit (Y500)
Chisel (Y20)
Wire Clippers (Y25)
Tag Eraser (Y150)

2x Fake SIN R4 (Y8,000)
2x Fake License (Driver's) R4 (Y800)
2x Fake License (Registration and Insurance) R4 (Y800)
2x Fake License (Practice Magic) R4 (Y800)
2x Fake License (Weapons Permit) R4 (Y800)
Fake License (Mechanic Certification) R4 (Y400)
Fake License (Locksmith Certification) R4 (Y400)
2x Disposable Commlinks (Y600)

Spoof Chip (Y500)
Morphing License Plate (Y1,000)

Predator IV (Y350)
-Personalized Grip (Y100)
Spare Clip (Y5)
30 Rounds Regular Ammo (Heavy Pistol Caliber) (Y60)

Total: 421 BP

And I haven't even raised my phsyical attributes, bought contacts, or purchased a good commlink yet! Here's my new list of priorities:

• Drive better than my team.
• Steal cars nonchalantly.
• Summon possession spirits for shenanigans.
• Reliably casts spells that can defeat OR 5.

Thoughts? Suggestions? QQ?

[PresentPresence]

Luckily, the shadow rigger and hacking communities have devised a number of tricks and tools for just those reasons. Most riggers spoof their vehicle’s access ID on a regular basis and keep a number of fake licenses —including registration and insurance papers—on hand. To make it even easier, most also take advantage of spoof chips, morphing license plates, and chameleon coating to alter their vehicle’s looks as necessary.

Would a fake driver's license cover registration and insurance information? I know IRL requires separate documentation, but with the advent of SINs, they may just lump them together electronically. It's not a huge cost for me to get some more fake licenses, but it would make things simpler.

[Yerameyahu]

I mean, that's a kind of crazy list of priorities. It can be done, sure. It's just very hybrid.

[Modular Man]

You may switch "Vehicle Mask" for "Physical Mask". Does the same thing and a lot more. A little more drain, but so much more versatility.
The "PuSHeD" geneware and "neocortical" nanites (employing a nanohive, of course) grant you +1 and +3 to logic-related skills, the latter only if you can concentrate enough.
You could also rent out cars from time to time. The papers are matching then, you could - with a little time - add in a few improvements and remove them afterwards. Make sure you sign the best car insurance that's on the bill just in case you have to wreck that ride. You can, of course, only do that so much on every fake SIN. If your runner lives in a city with state borders nearby, use that to your advance - car rentals, if not part of a chain, are unlikely to check in other nations, even if they are nearby.
You could get a few fake licenses/papers of cheap, common cars in common colors ready at hand. Spoof the car's node ID and you're golden. In times of real ned, you can even re-paint the car.
Make sure to clean the car up afterwards (read: C² in massive doses).
Personally, I'd use drones for a lot of this stuff, but your character seems more like a mano-a-mano kind of guy. A cleaning rag might even not have such a high object resistance (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As for use of "Analyze Device": Technically advanced stuff is, if the character in question isn't tricked out for that, right off. But there may be other things... for example, carry an obsidian dagger with you all the time. A possession spirit will go in there more likely, and you can boost your pool easily. Almost no one will suspect that flint stone with the sharp edge in your pocket for your murder tool. The spell might not be as useful as on first sight, but it's still worth something...

[Ol' Scratch]

Would a fake driver's license cover registration and insurance information? I know IRL requires separate documentation, but with the advent of SINs, they may just lump them together electronically. It's not a huge cost for me to get some more fake licenses, but it would make things simpler.

Fake License: Carry and Conceal Weapons (Rating 4)
Fake License: Fishing (Rating 4)
Fake License: Registration and Insurance (Rating 4)

Those are three examples of what a fake license can do. The "lumping of them together" is covered by the fact that you have both a Fake License and a Fake SIN. If you only have one and not the other, then they're either not "lumped together" or they're attached to legitimate SINs or licenses that you possess. Which, incidentally, are free of charge as long as you have the SINner negative quality.

Also, if you're going with a Possession tradition, just have a spirit possess your vehicle. Then you 1) don't have to worry about piloting yourself, 2) it gains its Force to all of the relevant vehicle stats, and 3) you can do a lot more while the spirit is piloting. It basically turns you into a universal drone rigger, except you don't have to pay for your vehicles or drones and can just usurp existing ones with relative ease.

[Udoshi]

For reliably casting spells to beat OR, you have a few options.

Most of them make you take a look at what spell category you're going to be casting. That is either Manipulation or Divinitation, likely.
From there, you have Spellcasting Foci, Bound Spirits with Assist Spellcasting....

and specialities. Using the FAQ ruling that the core book list of specialties aren't the ONLY ones, your spellcasting skill should definitely be Spellcasting ( Object Resistance +2).

If you want to keep spells up all the time, like analyze device, you will almost certainly want some way of reducing the sustaining penalty. Foci, Psyche or spirits.

The other option is raising your Edge, and getting a decent/moderate size dice pool, and just rerolling it if you're casting an important spell.

Also, if you're going with a Possession tradition, just have a spirit possess your vehicle. Then you 1) don't have to worry about piloting yourself, 2) it gains its Force to all of the relevant vehicle stats, and 3) you can do a lot more while the spirit is piloting. It basically turns you into a universal drone rigger, except you don't have to pay for your vehicles or drones and can just usurp existing ones with relative ease.

Car-possessing is less good than you think. It loses a pass compared to the pilot, and still needs to burn one to control itself, because its a vehicle. ITNW and the stat buff is nice, but its not necessarily less expensive either. If you want to reliably possess a high OR target, it needs to be a prepared vessel. Those tend to be pretty expensive, and they open you up to being counter-possessed while not in use by your spirit.

[PresentPresence]

Using the FAQ ruling that the core book list of specialties aren't the ONLY ones, your spellcasting skill should definitely be Spellcasting ( Object Resistance +2).

I was thinking about some kind of specialization like "Hi-Tech Targets".

If you want to keep spells up all the time, like analyze device, you will almost certainly want some way of reducing the sustaining penalty. Foci, Psyche or spirits.

Smoke Psyche every day. I also plan on having familiars to possess (Greymalkin, Paddock, etc.) to help me sustain/cast spells.

[PresentPresence]

As for car-possession, I would love to purchase a car and have an Ally Spirit to inhabit it, but regular spirits can't do it so well. For starters, none of them have access to Vehicle skills, so they wouldn't be able to handle a crash test very well. I would probably just have them make my ride faster, but I can't find very concrete rules about it. "Adds Force to vehicle stats." So...a Force 5 spirit increase my acceleration by 5/5? And I top out at 5 more for Speed? That's...pretty useless. However, my Ally Spirit could have both Pilot Ground Craft and Gunnery skills, and would basically be a magical Pilot.
And on that note, could I have a Task spirit possess something with functional appendages and have it hack for me? Just to take care of those pesky low-risk 3/3 nodes and save myself the trouble? Would you rule that a spirit is more, less, or equally competent as a similarly-rated Agent? At the very least, they wouldn't have to be "unrestricted".

[Ryu]

Here's what I've got so far:

[ Spoiler ]

Metatype: Dwarf [25]

Qualities: [0 Net]
Mystic Adept (Witchcraft)
Mentor Spirit (Snake)
Restricted Gear (Power Focus)
SURGE II
-Metagenetic Improvement (INT)
-10 points of negativity
35 points worth of Negative Qualities (As much as I hate getting points from In Debt, I may have to)

Cyberware:
Cybereyes R3 (Y8750)
-Vision Enhancement R2
-Vision Magnification
-Low-Light Vision
-Thermographic Vision
-Flare Compensation
-Smartlink

Bioware:
Genetic Optimization (INT) (Y45,000)
EPE - Daredrenaline (Y25,000)
Cereberal Booster R2 (Y20,000)
Reflex Recorder (Pilot Ground Craft) (Y10,000)

Total Essence Cost: 1.0

Primary Attributes: [110]
Intuition 7/8
Logic 3 (5)/6
Willpower 6/7

Special Attributes: [65]
Magic 6 (5) - 2 points for Powers

Powers:
Mind Over Matter (INT)
Improved Skill (Pilot Ground Craft) 2

Spells: [15]
Stunbolt
Analyze Device
Improved Invisibility
Vehicle Mask
Increase Reflexes

Skills: [156]
Pilot Ground Craft (Wheeled) 6
Spellcasting (Detection Spells) 4
Summoning 4
Binding 4
Perception 4
Hardware 4
Hacking 3
Enchanting (Vessel Preparation) 2
Automotive Mechanic (Wheeled) 2
Arcana 2 *
Gunnery 1
Pistols 1

*I want to get an Ally Spirit ASAP. Using the Familiar initiatory ordeal, I need to be able to write my own spirit formula. Is 2 enough for this task?

Gear: Y226,960 [46]
Power Focus R4 (Y100,000) [4]
Pocket Mage Library R3 (Y1,800)

Autopicker R6 (Y1,200)
Cellular Glove Molder (Y600)
Hardware Tool Kit (Y500)
Electronics Tool Kit (Y500)
Chisel (Y20)
Wire Clippers (Y25)
Tag Eraser (Y150)

2x Fake SIN R4 (Y8,000)
2x Fake License (Driver's) R4 (Y800)
2x Fake License (Registration and Insurance) R4 (Y800)
2x Fake License (Practice Magic) R4 (Y800)
2x Fake License (Weapons Permit) R4 (Y800)
Fake License (Mechanic Certification) R4 (Y400)
Fake License (Locksmith Certification) R4 (Y400)
2x Disposable Commlinks (Y600)

Spoof Chip (Y500)
Morphing License Plate (Y1,000)

Predator IV (Y350)
-Personalized Grip (Y100)
Spare Clip (Y5)
30 Rounds Regular Ammo (Heavy Pistol Caliber) (Y60)

Total: 421 BP

And I haven't even raised my phsyical attributes, bought contacts, or purchased a good commlink yet! Here's my new list of priorities:

• Drive better than my team.
• Steal cars nonchalantly.
• Summon possession spirits for shenanigans.
• Reliably casts spells that can defeat OR 5.

Thoughts? Suggestions? QQ?

- You might be overshooting your target on the Driving aspect. I´d expect some samurai at REA 7 and Pilot Ground 3 (Bikes +2), but that are only 12 dice. You are nowhere near a Jumped-In-Rigger on the other hand.
- You lack the gear for hacking
- Easy to cover.
- Some dice missing there. (Talking dp sizes, wasn´t one original goal having a dp of 12 for important skills? You are dangerously low on attributes for an unskilled char like that.)

[Ol' Scratch]

They can use their other powers while possessing. Like, oh I don't know, Movement. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And they shouldn't need Vehicle Skills or make many tests just for 'moving' since the moment they possess the vehicle they become a possessed vessel, not simply a vehicle. Just like how they don't have to make any kind of tests to move when possessing, say, a Plasteel Homunculus or Zombie.

Since the rules specifically state that its up to the GM to decide how such things are handled (Street Magic, pp 102-103), I'd imagine that if a test is required that normally uses a skill, Force would/should take its place. Such as Reaction + Force instead of Reaction + Vehicle Skill. The spirit isn't "piloting" the vehicle. It *is* the vehicle. Far and away moreso than even a jumped-in rigger.

[PresentPresence]

Driving: INT 7 + Skill 6 + Power 2 + RR 1 + Spec 2 + AR 1 = 19 +/- Handling
Stealing Cars* (Hardware): LOG 5 + Skill 4 + AR 1 = 10 + Task Spirit Teamwork
Summon: MAG 3 + Focus 4 + Summoning 4 = 11
Bind: MAG 3 + Focus 4 + Binding 4 + Mentor 2 = 13
Cast Detection Spell on High-OR object: MAG 3 + Focus 4 + Spellcasting 4 + Spec 2 + Mentor 2 = 15 + Air Spirit Aid Sorcery

*Yes, I do not have hacking gear yet. I am not sure what I need for my specific task (Decrypting a rating 3 node's encryption), and what I need to do to achieve my goal (Steal a car). Arsenal says that I need to decrypt the node, but then what? Do I need skills outside of Hacking? Can a Task Spirit do it reliably with a decent enough commlink?

[Ryu]

The whole "Mind over Matter" business is a waste. Play a proper possession based spellcaster. Get initiated as soon as possible, choose Channeling. Get two points of implants: add a Trauma Dampener and Reaction Enhancer 3. Forfeit on super-Intuition.

With Rea +Force from possession, your dp´s won´t suffer. Your physical initiative will be ludicrously high. Go for mook hacking, get the software suite ingame if you are not allowed to buy hacked software at chargen.

[PresentPresence]

Hey, I have an idea! Why don't I just play a pornomancer! Oh wait, that's totally not what I wanted to do. What I'm looking for is optimizations without compromising the core character concept. Mind Over Matter is the name of the game, compadre, and I'm just trying to figure out how to work with it.