Dumpshock Datahaven Issue #2, Published a few days early Options

[Phatpug]

Loved them both. I just read through both editions last night, i missed when #1 came out, and have to say that as a new shadowrun GM running new players through our first baby runs that the information will be a big help. The hacking guide alone will allow us to streamline that side of the gameplay, save time, and introduced us to some concepts that we hadn't thought of before like creating a back door in a node.

Please keep these coming.

I also had a questing about Ronin and his use of Activesoft Complex Forms. How does this work? I understand the smartlink CF, this is just a program running that computes data. Activesofts on the other hand, at least in cyber, take over normal reflexes and use the body to perform the skill. How does the Activesoft CF control the TM body?

Thank you again.

[Redjack]

I also had a questing about Ronin and his use of Activesoft Complex Forms. How does this work? I understand the smartlink CF, this is just a program running that computes data. Activesofts on the other hand, at least in cyber, take over normal reflexes and use the body to perform the skill. How does the Activesoft CF control the TM body?

Start with the Biowire Echo (Unwired, pg145) and then emulation (Unwired, pg149)

[Phatpug]

Ahh. Thank you.

[Redjack]

I'd enjoy submitting stuff-I just don't know what you guys are looking for. At any rate if you find yourself needing some material let me know, and my legion of Shadowrun monkey's will go to work! I realize I said thanks earlier but here's what I didn't say and should have: no matter what people may think of the material, you're at least doing something. And that I totally respect, and can get behind totally.

Here is a *thread* to talk about what we might have in Issue #3

[Prime Mover]

First let me start by saying thank you for bringing back Data Haven.
I liked the hacking flowchart, I try to walk my players through hacking as we encounter it. Be nice to just drop a chart down on table.
All in all a great first outing here's to seeing Data Haven continue for many issues to come.

[Doc Chase]

Short review: A font of good information. Layout/editing tweaks, though folks should be used to that from me by now - and if you aren't, you will be again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

I'll do a longer review on this later. Suffice it to say, it keeps in tune with the world of Shadowrun I know and love - and the screamsheets and rumors alone are worth issues all by themselves.

I expect I'll be able to look at this a lot closer now that I finally have time. The last semester was brutal, but it's now over. Now I can start thinking about heists again.

(I missed you guys)

[Neurosis]

Just wanted to say I'm happy (I might even go with "pleasantly surprised") seeing this 'zine being continued. : )

Let me add that the article on basic hacking is particularly awesomely useful.

[Doc Chase]

Lengthier review:

I stand by my initial. The 'zine is good and useful. As a member of the unwashed masses when it comes to Hacking, seeing a flow chart and step-by-step example makes that whole system make sense, and for that I'm quite grateful.

I suppose the word that this issue screams at me is 'Street'. This is what we see at the level most runners start at. This is the stuff that they need to know, and that they do know. There's little jetsetting, little A-listing, and a lot of small-denominations in a back room or shady corner in exchange for someone getting shot in the face. These are the issues that are near and dear to the street-level runner, and the issue fits that bill.

I did like how the fiction pieces reflect life in the area the issue spoke of. I am curious to see how that will look in #3.

I'm also digging the 'centerfolds' on Prime Runners, as well as the contacts at the area hotspots being fleshed out. It's a good combination of crunch and fluff that makes for a balanced diet. Since I'm jumping into the middle of this with the review I'm not sure how the stats for the Primes come about, and hope that if Dumpshocker PC's are the ones constituting all these that they aren't too put out if the stats are tweaked. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

The Crime Mall. I remember that place back from the MUDding days, and I'm happy to see it again. I'm happy to see it utilized. SR needs more black-market bazaars.

I have some concerns with the fiction. The flow is good, immersive, and I feel it portrays a good example of the street lifestyle that the 'runner experiences on a day-to-day basis. But for the love of Ghu, which caliber is that damned Manhunter chambered in? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) I see 10mm in one, .45ACP in the other!

The flow from fiction into the hacking rules is jarring. I understand there may have been some issues getting this to 'print', and I suggest a bit more of a smoother segue into the hacking rules with a bit of a layout switch: Fiction first, then the intro from the editor, who can then make mention of the hacking rules as the issue unfolds. I think that will suit my CDO regarding these matters.

While the issue had a cornucopia of meet locations (I saw the Horn of Plenty on page 26), I found I was also looking for other locations that would be useful. Safehouses. Overnight stopoffs. Places to outright avoid. "Here There Be Ghouls." I didn't really see much on Tarislar, the Kitchen, or the Farm. I think that would've been right spiffy to see non-gang/organized crime threats that people would want to look at.

After all, one man's limb-eating Devil Rat is another man's sausage link.

[CanRay]

I have some concerns with the fiction. The flow is good, immersive, and I feel it portrays a good example of the street lifestyle that the 'runner experiences on a day-to-day basis. But for the love of Ghu, which caliber is that damned Manhunter chambered in? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) I see 10mm in one, .45ACP in the other!

As I wrote both stories, I can answer that.

By RAW, firearms can be chambered for either Caseless or Cased rounds. And, like many real life firearms, they can be made in multiple calibers. In this case, the first story has someone who bought the pistol new and got it in 10mm Caseless. In the second, the character is far more ghetto and got the pistol from someone else (Example: The laser sight doesn't work), and it's chambered in .45 ACP, a cased round. (The M1911A1 uses .45 ACP.).

Some companies give different names or model numbers to firearms that use different calibers, others don't. That's what makes things confusing.

I've also had one character use a .45 ACCP (The caseless version of the .45 ACP) in a different story. And another that has a revolver in .500 S&W rimmed cased.

[Doc Chase]

I thought that might be the case. I did want to make sure, though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Murrdox]

The step-by-step hacking scenario was SO useful, that I'd seriously consider it as a regular column "Hack this system!"

It would be helpful both for GMs to do system design and as Player hackers for how to defeat them, and what tricks to use. Most importantly to answer that age old question for the newbie hacker "What kind of opposed test is this again?" Heck, even experienced hacker players still ask questions like that all the time.

I'd love to see a column on Astral tracking and detective work.

[ggodo]

I thought that might be the case. I did want to make sure, though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

I just figured you were hassling him about his pet peeve of no calibers in Shadowrun.

[CanRay]

I just figured you were hassling him about his pet peeve of no calibers in Shadowrun.

I'll wait to see if someone's actually baiting me before I flip out.

Or I'll go cry in my corner as Tech Support memories come back. Depends on my mood.

[Doc Chase]

I just figured you were hassling him about his pet peeve of no calibers in Shadowrun.

I don't like it either, TBH. I just always figured the Manhunters to be 10mm/.40S&W, rather than go to .45.

[3278]

The step-by-step hacking scenario was SO useful, that I'd seriously consider it as a regular column "Hack this system!"

+1000, with the caveat that it should be called, "Hack This!" and should include hacking all sorts of different types of things, like drones, toasters, cyberarms, etc. [Obviously, those are all still "systems," but some of these fall outside of what we typically think of as a system.]

[eudemonist]

Awesome awesome awesome!

I LOVE all the stuff on Puyallup...been needing this for a while. The map and addresses, especially, will help me out. Not being from Seattle, I have limited concept of the layout up there, and, with my guys being a biker gang, fleshing out some of the smaller crews is tres chic.

Many, many thanks!

[Larsine]

Just printed my copy, and noticed that page numbers are a bit off. They go 1-32, 11, 14-19, 40-44.

Looking forwards to actually readin it.

[Redjack]

Just printed my copy, and noticed that page numbers are a bit off. They go 1-32, 11, 14-19, 40-44.

I just opened my copy and tried to see what you are saying and do not...?

Page #33 is the Scream Sheet

[Larsine]

I just opened my copy and tried to see what you are saying and do not...?

Page #33 is the Scream Sheet

Yes it is. I've just downloaded a new copy, and the weird thing is that the PDF is numbered right, but when I print it, my printservere changes the page number on pages 33-39.

So there is nothing wrong with the PDF, the error is on my side.