So my hacker character decided to get a drone. After researching the issue and realizing he didn't have the skillsets to build one, he decided to buy one and modify the programming.

Until you start getting sufficient funds on your runs, this can get expensive. I've argued with the GM that the drone isn't too delicate to be sent out and, as we're in Hong Kong, a dragonfly on the docks is probably not too noticeable.

None the less, I find some reluctance in using the drone and a lack of people actually using them.

I was wondering what folks thought about hackers using micro drones for surveillance.

They're great, slightly expensive, but as a hacker, it should be a pain in the ass to steal your drones.

Drones are not really all that hard to use; even a mage working in AR can use one for simple stuff. A dragonfly right out of the box with some cheap software is something I think every team should have and use even if they don't have a rigger or hacker.

I guess the biggest argument my GM has is the drones ability to get swatted, literally or figuratively.

Basically, one my team thought the drone was a pest and a pilot test was required to keep Charlie alive (yes, I named my drone for the sake of fun gameplay).

According to the book(s), a more hefty drone would have a better armor rating, but would also be more obvious. I picked the dragonfly off the list for the flight capability.

I'll try using it more often in upcoming weeks and see if I can't find ways around this whole flyswatter scam my GM is dieing to use.

A troll with a flyswatter could take out a dragonfly, it just dosent have the armour or body. However it is manuverable and it can dodge. If your worried about it geting smashed upgrade the agent and tweak the handling.

Still it is very small and fast. That makes it a hard to hit.

Mini targets are a -4 mod for the attacker (see Arsenal target size modifiers).

Not to mention a perception test to notice it in the first place too.

Just keep it flying up higher than a troll can reach and your problem is solved.

One opposed by the riggers infiltration or shadowing skill. Not that easy chances, quite impossible without substantial senseware.

The main argument against that is that most of the microdrones in the book (the flying ones anyway) are designed to fly around and trail people. Saying that just because the drone is small it'll get destroyed is kind of silly, it's like saying you can't buy a car/plane/boat/etc because it could potentially crash/fall out the sky/sink/etc.

I'm pretty sure there is a modifier for spotting micro/mini drones. I don't recall off the top of my head, but I'd make sure to tack that on there too.

Can't I just pop into AR and have it show up as a wireless device?

Not if it's running in hidden mode you won't. Unless you make the vast number of hits needed on a scan test first that is.

And the perception test to notice that something is amiss before that. Nice try

Why are you in fly-swatter range? You should rarely be within 50 fly swatter squares of the target.

From Aztechnology Outdoorsman Guide: The Extendo-Swatter, for those bugs that have acidic blood that you don't want on your skin! Perfect for the Awakened Jungles of the World!

Telematic system? ...

Drone Flyswatters. Sold in Bulk.

Aren't they just Dragonfly drones fitted with C10?

Shhhhhhhhhhhh, do you want the AZT Marketing SWAT Team to silence you???

That might well work, but most people on the street don't have a telematic system set up around them.

I think its a good idea. I generally suggest that any semi-tech savvy character invest in a Spy-Fly or Dragonfly with upgraded sensors. Heck, even the micro-sized crawler drones can be pretty handy for casing a location. You don't have to use it all the time, but having it around "just in case" is a good idea, IMO.

If price is a sticking point, see if you can get the rest of the group to pitch in or set aside a share of the payout from a couple runs to help pay for group expenses, such as software upkeep, binding materials, ammo, drones, etc.

Oh, and for the record, I'm not really a fan of leaving a drone unattended and on autopilot for extended periods. That's asking for trouble, IMO. One good reason to upgrade your commlink's Signal rating.

-paws