Hacker Creation 101, Learning to love decking... kinda Options

[JudgeIto78]

Hey everyone,

First off, I'm sure this has been asked and done a million times before. I did a search and could not find anything within the last 2 months about it, so I feel safe asking. Here's my problem...

I have never made a cybered character before, let alone a decker. I have been recently thrown into the role (somewhat willingly) and I'm am trudging through the matrix rules in the Core book as well as the Matrix source. While the thing reads like a Linux code book in ancient Sumerian to me, I am trying to figure out what exactly the basic components (besides deck and datajack) that I will need to be a competent starting decker?

This means what other cyberware, programs, etc, I should be buying and what rating to buy them at. So far I have a custom deck (basically the difference b/w a Renraku Kraftwerk and a CMT Avatar; due to availability issues) an induction jack, and a Math SPU (b/c Encephelon was bit too much money and essence cost, but still rating 3).

Any suggestions or ideas for which way I should be heading would be helpful.

Also, I was wondering whether you all thought that the flaw of "Combat Paralysis" would apply to matrix combat as well.

Thanks in advance

[mfb]

the first piece of cyber you want, besides a datajack, is a math SPU. it's cheap, it's low essence, and you add its rating directly to your hacking pool. other than that, there's really not much that you need--if you have the cash, grab an encephalon, but don't sweat it if you can't.

for programs, the first thing you need is a Sleaze program at the highest rating you can get (your MPCP is the limit). Sleaze makes it hard for systems to detect you when you're doing bad things. Deception is next, also max rating; Deception gets you into systems--if you can't get in, you can't do anything.

after that, a Validate program is probably your best bet. Validate lets you make false accounts on a host, which in turn lets you perform all kinds of operations without being spotted, and also raises the TN to hit you in cybercombat. if you do get into combat, you'll want a decent attack program (5M is probably all you need, for starters), an Armor program (max this out if possible), and maybe a Shield program. at that point, you're probably out of cash. if not, pick up a decent Cloak program; Cloak lets you escape cybercombat, which is really handy.

those are pretty much the basics, off the top of my head.

[FlakJacket]

A thread you might find useful is the Idiot's Guide To The Matrix. It also links through to a number of other matrix related topics as well.

[Large Mike]

Are we forgetting Read/Write? And how's a guy to take over an elevator without the proper proggies?

[TransistorRadio]

A slightly older thread, here, contains a fairly good walk through of decking different systems, the symbology, and the rolls involved. It's a long thread, but a good read.

Do you have access to the Matrix book or are you going pureing BBB? The reason I ask is some of the mods you can perform even on a basic budget (like pure DNI vs no, etc).

What is the theme of your character? How does she/she/they approach the Matrix?

[EDIT] looks like someone already beat me to the thread link. Oh well. [/EDIT]

[mfb]

if you can validate a user-level account, you can read and write or control an elevator without a program.

[Large Mike]

I suppose you have a point. You'll just have to excuse my School, it has some dust on it.

[Kesh]

I suppose that makes sense. If you get an account validated, it's better than having to attempt read/write rolls every time you want to do something.

[JudgeIto78]

[Kagetenshi]

[Eyeless Blond]

Analyze and Browse are important ones too. Without them you won't even be able to find the host or subsystem you need to cheat--I mean Validate--your way into.

[mfb]

only if the GM customizes the account types, kage. i do, but i'm probably one of the few. according to the basic account info in Matrix, though, Control Slave is a personal-level operation.

with any luck, the next matrix update will introduce some down sides to decking with a valid account, so Validate won't be the only program most deckers need anymore.

you don't need to locate subsystems, though--you can't locate a subsystem, as a matter of fact. once you've validated an account, Locate Access Node is a freebie.

[Kagetenshi]

Control Slave is clearly marked with an asterisk, though, signaling to the GM to consider if the operation in question will be automatic for any given instance; automatic Read/Write doesn't give you the admin's mailbox, for instance. While a particularly lenient GM might allow it, I'd suggest that it's not unreasonable to consider it not working the most likely behavior.

Incidentally, for anyone who cares I made houserules for validate such that the Validate program can only be used on the main list of users, after some Searches, possibly some jumps to different hosts depending on where such data is kept, and potentially a Decrypt or Read/Write test is made. It's still an extremely powerful option, but one now faces the question as to whether it is more effective to straight deck or try to hack an account. Under the current rules, anything but a single test is a no-brainer.

~J

[Eyeless Blond]

[mfb]

sure, validate's not going to be the only program you ever have to use, and it's going to be less useful on hardcore systems. but for a starting decker, it's really just about the only thing he needs.

[JudgeIto78]

Yeah, so umm...

I have no idea what anyone above is saying or talking about, but I'm just going to use mfb's first post as a guidline and see what my GM says about it.

Is there anything else I may need?

Also, did anyone have an answer for the flaw question I originally posted?

Thanks again

[mfb]

i'd say no.

[Kagetenshi]

I'd say it probably would or, if not, then the flaw would cost less.

~J

[tisoz]

Since it comes out and says it applies to cybercombat...

[mfb]

does it? guess i'd say yes, then.

[JudgeIto78]

I didn't know whether "Cybercombat" meant Matrix battles or combat with cyberwear. Guess that clears it...

and mfb, I couldn't find the "validate" program anywhere, what book and pg is it on?

Thanks

[Jrayjoker]

It is in Matrix, in the utilities section. I don't have it with me right now though, sorry.

[Kagetenshi]

Validate is in Matrix, Page 71.

~J

[Jrayjoker]

So sayeth the source.

[mfb]

matrix, page--damn!