Neither did i. You can't use edge with skillwires, but thats the only limitation that pops up in my head right now.

Yes, since it's the reverse that's problematical. You can easily build an effective decker with Logic 1, so long as his other skills are high enough.

Force does matter. "The hits scored on the Spellcasting Test may not exceed the spell's force" p.174. Since you're looking certain thresholds to achieve certain results, having your hits capped by a low force sorta sucks. In fact, I do belive a Force 1 Increased Reflexes spell is absolutely useless.

[Edit]What Tashio said.[/Edit.]

Actually on those tests, there is already effectively no default. The default rules do not allow you to use an attribute instead of a skill, they let you use an attribute without a skill. Not quite the same thing on tests that normally don't use the attribute at all.

So the example action, the character normally rolls (Logic * Zero) + Computer + Analyze. If the character defaults, he doesn't suddenly become able to add his Logic to the test, he's just got an additional -1 dice pool penalty because he doesn't have the appropriate skill. So the total dice pool is Analyze - 1. I suggest going out and getting a Computer Skill.

You can't get more Hits than you have Force. So if you want the better results, you need to cast it at a higher Force. Personally, I think the thresholds are too low, but casting it at Force 5 is substantially better than casting it at Force 1.

-Frank

That's not what page 110 says. Says if you don't have a skill, and want to make a test, use the Linked Attribute. After all, why even have linked attributes to Computers and Data Search otherwise? I think you're wrong there boss.

That's a damn good question. Many skills (Counterspelling, Dodge, Hacking) are almost never actually rolled with their attribute. The key, however, is almost never. There are a couple of uses for these skills that involve the linked attribute. They are rare, but they do exist. When you have a skill that is actually never rolled with a link attribute (Dodge), it still matters a little bit. For purposes of items like Enhanced Articulation every skill has to be associated with a Physical, Mental, or Special Attribute. As soon as they make Enhanced Articulation for Technical Skills, the fact that Data Search is officially attached to Logic will come up even though you don't normally benefit from using your Logic while using it.

---

Of course, that's just what the book says. I don't personally play that way. I make every Electronic Warfare and Computer test into a Logic + Skill test and cap the maximum hits by the Program Rating (like Spells). A big Attack program is still good, but it's not quite so crazy-go-nuts awesome. Also, it's neatly killed the Logic 1 Hacker, which is an archetype that noone likes.

-Frank

Agree. While "accessories" have to match the grade of the thing they're being implanted in, I wouldn't consider the Navi to be an accessory to the Alpha CommLink. The Alpha CommLink is just a connector.
How 'bout this as a rule of thumb? If it uses capacity, it's an accessory. Is this valid?

So, I recognize that the 'price' might be different for higher grade cultured bioware, but page 339 doesn't clarify any what that price increase/decrease is, and I can't find where it, like in 3rd Ed, prevents higher grade Cultured....

Much thanks,
Sphynx

There is no other rule.
But i read the quote from p. 303 as:
"There exists normal, alpha, beta and delta cyberware as well as normal, alpha, beta and delta (normal) bioware and cultured bioware (which can't have grades).
But that may be only me.

Indeed, because on page 303 "Cyberware and Bioware Grades", in the very first sentence we find "Cyberware and bioware is available in four grades: standard, alphaware, betaware and deltaware".
Additionally on p. 64 "Implant Grades", we find "Higher grades of cyberware and bioware known as alphaware, betaware and deltaware are available."

It's the "with the exception of cultured bioware" phrase that degrades the passage.

It seems to imply that cultured bioware is not standard bioware. If that's the case, then "cultured" seems to fall outside of the grading system. It also means that cultured bioware is not available in character generation, because only standard and alpha are initially available.

If they mean to suggest that bioware has two grade paths (standard/alpha/beta/delta and cultured/alpha/beta/delta) then that allows for much more character generation flexibility.

Or, if they mean to work it like it did prior to SR4, then bioware has one grade path (basic/cultured). Unfortunately that introduces a new typing label of "basic" (from the table on p. 338) that isn't explained at all. Following the RAW's wording strictly, that would mean that no bioware is available at chargen because it's not "standard or alpha." That can't be the case, though, if "bioware is available in four grades: standard, alphaware, betaware, and deltaware."

So, yeah. WTF already.

This is why i said:

Since cultured bioware is already tailormade, it can't be further "optimized" to better suit your genetic structure. It's practically delta for bioware already.