Sequencer + Electronics vs Maglocks, can you use both? Options

[GlassJaw]

A sequencer can be used to bypass a Maglock. Can they assist with your Electronics skill or do you have to use one or the other?

Also, in the NSRCG program, sequencers are only listed up to rating 4. Any reason for this?

[mfb]

you can use the electronics skill to increase the effective rating of the sequencer.

[GlassJaw]

So they stack? Cool, all I needed to know.

[mfb]

they don't stack. as i recall--i can't find the damn rule to save my life--you roll your Electronics skill, and every 2 successes (no clue what the TN is) adds 1 die to your sequencer's roll.

[GlassJaw]

Wow, that's news to me. The BBB says very little on the matter...

[TeOdio]

It may be a gamemaster's call, but according to the book, you can use Electronics as a complimentary skill to using an electronic device. A complementary skill needs 2 successes to create one success for the Sequencer, and then the Sequencer must have at least one success to be successful. The target for both tests would be the rating of the mag lock.
:nuyen: :nuyen: :nuyen:

[mfb]

hm. maybe that's what i'm thinking of. what's the page number for that?

[Necro Tech]

When using a sequencer the maglock MUST contain a key pad. The sequencer is a code breaker. The Mag Pass key is only for maglocks that have a swipe card. When using either, it is an opposed success test between the lock and the device. The device does all of the work so no complimentary test is allowed.

These devices are for people who lack the skills to do it manually. They don't stack at all.

[Fortune]

[mfb]

a-HA! SR3 page 97. the electronics skill can be used as a complimentary skill when making certain device rating tests.

[GlassJaw]

[mfb]

yep.

[Necro Tech]

[Tarantula]

Maybe you blow some of the dust off it first?

[Eyeless Blond]

Well, and you also notice things like worn buttons/connectors, and program the sequencer to emphasize those numbers over the unworn ones, going on the assumption that a correct passkey will be pressed more often than a non-pressed one. You might be able to recognize some idiosyncrasies in the particular maglock that could help you flog it into working again, etc etc.

[mfb]

sure, but not when all you have to do is swipe your passkey through the reader.

[hahnsoo]

Sometimes we allow characters to roll 2 skill checks: Once for the maglock-bypass (using a sequencer or forged card key or whatever), and once to bypass the anti-tamper mechanisms (using Electronics). It's usually easier just to make a single roll, though, with or without Electronics as a complementary skill.

[tisoz]

[mfb]

eh. my GM discretion sense tells me that using electronics to swipe a card better is silly. other GMs' discretion sense may be less finely-tuned.

[Rev]

Perhaps you missed those two tiny knobs on the maglock passkey :)

[hahnsoo]

Our tech wiz characters would never use a Maglock Passkey or Sequencer, mostly because too many things can go wrong and in most cases, rolling Electronics + Task Pool enhanced by Microscopic Vision is easier in terms of making the rolls rather than the risky opposed test. Of course, if you are in a hurry, or you aren't skilled in Electronics, then there is need for using the Maglock Passkey and Sequencer.

[mfb]

bah. you just say that because you're jealous of my character's rating 10 sequencer.

[hahnsoo]

[Dog]

So does the sequencer fit over top of the keypad somehow? Or do you need to electronics (b/r) the keypad open to get to the leads to hook up the sequencer? Opinions?

[mfb]

no opinions, just facts from the book. you have to break the maglock's casing, pitting your Electronics B/R skill against the BR of the casing, same as you would if you were going to use the Electronics skill to bypass the lock.