How does a Hacker load an agent into a node?
Does the Agent have to either have the same passcode as the hacker? Or does it have to roll Pilot + Exploit to hack in?

Unwired p.110


If not then what action does the Hacker have to make to copy the agent? Does the agent have to hack by itself into the next node of the network if the Hacker does?

Unwired is kinda vague on this point. I have a hacker that drops a rating 6 agent with him into the node as a simple action and the agent acts on its own. I wanted to know if there is any type of roll needed.
Hacker typically rolls 19 + dice to typically get Security and sometime Admin level access.

This one is one of those "up-to-the-GM" moments, AFAIK. Personally, I usually have it depend on the system. Lower-end systems (or public ones) won't require much of anything and may not have any way of detecting the load. Higher-end systems may restrict the ability of users to run software on the node's hardware of any type requiring an Edit test (IMO) to offload the Agent.

Regardless, don't forget that once the Agent is operating independently, you can always force a Pilot test to determine if the Agent understands what the Hacker is asking it to do and the Hacker has to take a Simple Action to command the Agent to do something other than what it's scripted or previously commanded to do.

Its pretty clear, to load an agent, the agent must login with passcodes, or hack with exploit. A hacker could either hack his own admin account, create an account for the agent (edit) and then have the agent log in to that account, or let the agent hack its own way in. Those are your options.

Thanks guys. That gives me a starting point.
So once the agent is loaded on the node with the script to "Protect Me" all that it will do on its own is protect the hacker if he engages in Cybercombat. If an IC icon decloakes when the Hacker analyzes it and attacks it does the Agent automatically 'see' the IC?
On the flip side if the IC attacks the Hacker icon and the Hacker misses his analyze check would the IC get a surprise attack? Would it then become visible to Hacker and Agent without perception rolls? Or if there is a backup team member supporting the Hacker would he see the IC if it attacks only the Hacker?

If the IC is not running stealth, then yes, the Agent will automatically perceive it. If the IC is running stealth, then there would be a Pilot + Analyze vs. Pilot + Stealth test for the Agent vs. the IC and if the Agent wins, then it sees the IC.

As for the IC getting a free attack on the hacker if the hacker doesn't perceive it, that's too bad for the hacker. The hacker would know that *something* hit him and may have caused damage, but he wouldn't know where the attack was coming from yet.

The backup team member would also need to beat the IC's stealth to perceive it.

Granted, all of this is moot if the IC doesn't run stealth. In that case, it's a visible icon the whole damn time and everyone can jump it if they need to.

If you're planning on using agents independent of your Hacker I'd recommend brushing up on the sections on Mass Probes and Backdoors.

Thanks Dash.
I thought that once upon a time you had some Matrix docs on a site? Or am I misremembering.

Cheops I will look into those. I am currently re-reading Unwired and will pay more attention to those sections.

I don't recall, but I start a lot more projects than I ever have time to finish so it's possible. I was involved in various threads here on the forums re: the matrix, but I don't specifically recall anything else that I've done.

You might be searching for Knassers work, which you will find on Aarons site: pavao.org

Don´t forget to check out the cheat sheets on the same page.

He has access to all those cheat sheets when he is running games here at the house.

Oh and yes master I read the dam book (well some of it anyway we will need to talk ).

For those of you still woundering yes I am the bad hacker wreaking havok on the poor GM.

On the other side of the coin he did it to me first in my games.

Bad Cas!! ::pulls out the squirt bottle and the rolled up newspaper:: Bad Cas, go sit in the corner!!