[SR5] Drone overwatch, Assisted targeting Options

[Bodak]

keep things in perspective with the considerable investment required to run a Battletac System in SR3.

Bodak, it's software. There is no hardware you have to buy with the system. If there was hardware you had to buy to get it working then I can see the cost,

Indeed, it is hardware. Implanted cyberware, plus an external Tactical Computer, which required a specific Skill to use:

1) Battletac components are outside of the availability range of most runners. Since you need a TON of components, this means you really need to know someone to get one.
2) Tactical components really only shine if you've invested 6 skill points in the Small Units Tactics skill, and you have enough members in your group.

Really it's a specialty piece of gear made for squads. If you're running a merc campaign, or see a LOT of combat, it may pay out. Otherwise, you're looking at one squad leader spending an action each turn to boost everyone's initiative by a few points, and he gets a bonus to combat pool, all for about 2 essence + $500k. I can think of a lot of better things to spend that sort of change on.

Now if you're tricky, convince your GM to run on the 2nd edition version (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

See what I mean now?

SR2 had it powerful
SR3 had it costly
SR4 had it powerful
SR5 had it costly

[Mantis]

SR2 had it powerful
SR3 had it costly
SR4 had it powerful
SR5 had it costly

I see a trend here. Maybe in SR6 we can it get balanced. I wouldn't think it would be that hard a thing to do. Just don't overdo things in one direction or the other.