Smartlink 2 subsystems, legal way to do it but expencive? Options

[Siege]

[AK404]

*blink*

Hey wait a minute. Does this mean that if I wanted to upgrade my SL cyberware to SL2, all I'd need to pick up and replace is the processor? :eek:

[Siege]

[BitBasher]

[Siege]

[Siege]

[The White Dwarf]

Plugging a datajack directly into the gun is different from plugging it into a glove with a pag to the gun; there is an additional non-cybernetic link in the chain there. I understand that it might look similar on paper, but when youre dealing with something like shooting, where precision matters, something as simple as the glove's fit to the hand could cause error (remember that a limited simsense rig is part of the package here). Because the glove could slide a bit, making the smartlink off a bit, a case can be made for the non-cybernetic modifier rather than the full bonus; and I would make such a case were I gm-ing. Its clearly stated, and if you want to go the non-detectable route there should be some tradeoff in use for the advantage.

And yes, if you want to upgrade your smartlink you only need to use surgery to swap the old processor out for the new- still a fairly difficult procedure if memory serves but not all that expesive to do.

[Herald of Verjig...]

The special part about being entirely cybernetic is not that all parts must be implanted. The important part to remember is that any system grows less accurate the more times data is translated between forms. In this case, the forms are very different: digitally encoded trajectory data and a sophisticated distributed fuzzy logic system.
A concrete 2 has less meaning in a system built to handle uncertainties and incomplete data sets. Likewise, "probably" is hard to translate into a mathematical form without some massive overhead.

As long as the only translation of logic types is at a simsense rig, you should get the full -2 TN bonus.

[Cain]

Let me make this suggestion, then. A typical smartgun is wired to work with an induction pad, and not a datajack. You'd need an induction adapter to make it work. Why can't those induction adaptors come in the form of gloves?

Not to mention, what happens if the character is wearing gloves in the first place? Dos his smartlink cease to function? What about those in heavy armor?

[The White Dwarf]

No, the hand gripping differently wouldnt be the same necessarily. The limited simsense rig (presumably in the firing arm, Id imagine) could tell that youre gripping it a bit lower, or a bit angled, and work from there. With the glove, the rig might tell you one thing but the thickness and position of the glove could (in theory, the induction pad is a bit bulky from the sound of it) cause issue. And its the same glove youd be using in an external smartlink. Thus the chain is not all cybernetic, and theres a possible (on some level) reason to explain the game mechanics, thus Id stick to them and say only -1 bonus if you use a glove. Im not saying this is some kinda iron clad theory that completly explains smartlink, just that the rules say "it works like xxx" and in this case I can come up with an example that supports the "like xxx" bit, so Ill go with it.

edit: Oh about the armor. Given that most armors like security and military etc can have smartlink built in, Id definatly give some thought to the idea of making implanted smartlinks not work in them, its very plausible the armors thickness would block the flow of the induction pad. This is one case where a datajack linked smartlink would work more easily (armor obvious anyhow, just put on armor, plug in gun, and go) and more plausibly. Alternativly you could make a case that the armor is custom fitted like form fitting, and that a system like would be used for gunnery is in the suit to link the smartlink to the gun, providing full bonus... but its not all cybernetic, so could go either way. This is one area that I think is more of a GM call for your setting. Given the fact that the -1 vs -2 isnt always as big as the other benefits of a SL-2 such as called shot or rangefinder Id have no problem telling someone who managed to get military armor (only happend once for us) its no longer all cybernetic, and I doubt theyd have any problem with that. YMMV.

[Ed_209a]

The fact that it is a _induction_ device confirms that there is no actual contact between either part.

Security cards that you wave in front of a sensor work by induction too. In essense, it is like a little radio transmitter.

In any event, there is only a range of a few cm.

Most glove materials (leather, polymers) would not degrade the signal much if at all. Heavy armor material would block the signal, but it's up to the GM if the armor has plates on the inside of the palm. I would say no, because anything thicker than wetsuit neoprene would be hard to work in.

[Siege]

There isn't a hard and fast rule for using a "smart glove" in the manner we're describing, so it falls to a matter of taste.

You can still "jack" your gun using a datajack instead of a palm-based induction pad as per cannon rules.

Sub topic of vague interest -- is there a clear definition of what the "limited sim-rig" does? My general conception is the device serves to make you "one with the gun". In which case, could that technology be applied to other devices? Vehicles? Melee weapons?

Not considering game balance, but does the logic hold? A character with a "bike-link" gets a -2 to handling the bike when jacked and simmed or a sword-wielding samurai gets a -2 bonus for being "in tune" with his weapon?

Idle thoughts.

-Siege

[BitBasher]

well yes kind of, a VCR subtracts its level from a number of target numbers while jacked in. I don't see that happening with a melee weapon as it would confer far less of a benefit.

[Siege]

My thought would be a cheaper version of the VCR -- no init bonus, but an upgraded version of the -1 bonus for a datajack.

I imagine it would be a popular bit of 'ware among go-gangs.

Any other opinions on the weapon theory?

-Siege

[sapphire_wyvern]

You could use a palm mounted induction datajack I suppose.

[BitBasher]

I would allow that but I think it would definitely require some abnormal hardware for the gun.

[BlackSmith]

we made a quite intresting house rule.

any part that calculates anything (e.g. SL, biomonitor, GPS, orientation system...) can use Math SPU's number cruching ability thus resulting to reduced essence cost equal to the MATH SPU's essence cost from the other parts.
there are some limitations.
Math SPU can take care only of as many subsystems equal to its rating and you have to pay ½ the orginal parts price.

The system uses Math SPU for calculations thus it is legal but much more expencive and it needs to be linked separetly to math help needing parts.

and like early said, M&M states that pad can be found by touch.