The legs add 4/4 natural armor, 12 dice to jumping, the Nanohive for neocortials 3 (more hacking dice when not stressed), and then they have some other odds and ends. So while yes, they are expensive, you get some nice benefits. Ortho skin or dermal plating cost almost as much for less armor. The big cost is the nanohive (which you can get used for cheaper and no essense penality since you are using capacity for storage) and the neocortials 3 (which are expensive no matter what). You could opt for no hydraulic jacks, and save the capcity for later. Or just add some cheap cyberstakes for a quick get away if needed.

I still like monkey feet. The jumping jacks are just *fun*.

But do any of those things require the modular property? I am definitely taking the legs with jacks and the rest.

Modular costs very little as I recall and allows you to swap limbs out should you ever need to.

It's a very minor expense for future flexibillty.

Yeah, modular cost is negliable for the flexability it provides. Alternatively, you can drop some of the jacks rating for grip feet, which are pretty sweet.

Are grip feet worth it though, considering I've only got a cyberlimb strength of 3?

I just like climbing. Also, they have weak manual dexterity, so you can grab/hold things. Definitely not a vital issue, but they're fun.

Probably not, but something to include in future modular limbs if you need to climb.

Where can I find the Cybergland and Orientation system? I've looked through the books I have, and haven't been able to find them (though I may have just missed them). I found them.

Also, if I were to go the Used Cyberware route, would that reduce the cost of the accessories (i.e. Hydraulic Jacks, Thermographic Vision, etc.) as well?

I don't really see why not. A strength 3 person should be able to hang from a bar with just their hands and so I don't see why a person with special monkey feet shouldn't be able to do the same. Beyond that situation, a +2 bonus to climbing is a +2 bonus. I also wouldn't discount the advantage of just having plain ol' rubberized feet instead of flesh and bone either, and if I remember correctly rubberized soles are part of the grip feet package. I've really gotten into rock climbing over the last year and you'd be surprised what someone can do with a specialized rock shoe. "Smearing" requires you to have a lot of confidence in the power of friction, but luckily that faith is pretty well-founded. If it wasn't I'd be a dark stain at the bottom of the Black Hills right now.

Freebasing an actual climb? Fun stuff. Yeah, those climbing shoes are great. I can't imagine climbing something without them really.

Yes, I would have standardware partial legs, but see if your GM will let you put used standards in the legs. Worth a shot. Otherwise, you can just make them completely used for even less cost but a little more essense.

Does anyone know where I can find the rules for implanting and modifying my commlink?

What do you mean? It's just 'Implanted Commlink' in cyberware, for whatever comm you want. If you want to mod it later… too bad, you shouldn't have gotten it implanted.

I'm just wondering if it costs essence (and if so, how much), costs extra nuyen, that sort of thing?

Oh. SR4A p339. Essence or Capacity, Commlink Cost + 2000¥.

And if I only have the SR4? Also, as the commlink in Glyph's build sounds like what I want to use, where can I find the rules on upgrading them, and writing a custom OS?

It's in SR4 somewhere near there.

It's unlikely that you want to 'write a custom OS'. Just buy System (like any other program) and Firewall.

same in SR4, ess .2, or capacity cost 2.

I say so only 'cause it was suggested in Glyph's Build.

pg 240, sr4 has starting rules for it.

OH. That's the same as what I said. I thought you meant 'program your own System'.

Ok, so I've got my 'wares figured out, along with my gear and build. Thanks for all of the help, everyone.

Can you please post your final build? I'm looking to create a similar concept as a new player, minus the cyber limbs and I'd like to see your breakdown.

Yeah, I'll format it up and post it here. One thing though, what exactly are you going for? Gunbunny/Hacker or Street Sam/Hacker? And if you're not going to go with the cyberlimbs (and I can't blame you for that) then I would recommend going the Adept route, as that seems to be a bit simpler to keep track of.

I'm going for a gunman / hacker character, who's likely going to grow into a security specialist, who will crack open all locks and etc.

The main thing I'd like to see, is how you break down your expenses, for programs and hardware, I'm a touch less concerned about skills because I can allocate those pretty easily, however, I'm pretty overwhelmed by the minutiae of all the equipment and software one needs to buy for the hacker.

When one says 'standard hacking programs' do they mean all the ones listed in the SR4 book at rating 5 or 6, and the normal ones at 4 or 5? Are there ones people typically neglect at start to focus on other specific things?

As far as breaking down expenses, I just went through and listed everything I wanted, and their costs, then pared away what I couldn't afford. It's something of a laborious process, but I don't know of any other way to do it.

As far as the programs go, I've asked my GM if he wants me to pay for them, or if he'll let me code them myself. If you get to code them yourself then there's little reason not to have them all and all at five or six (depending on what you're allowed).

So, there were several pages of discussion on what constitutes a stressful situation, and how to get around that limitation with drugs...

Yet no one mentioned the Focus reality amplifier from Unwired. Shame on you.

The what? What's that piece of shiny do? The character is built and in play, but I'm looking for ways to upgrade him when I've got the nuyen and the karma.

It's basically a BTL drug. It… helps you focus. (And it's addictive and messes you up.) But, it does indeed eliminate distraction/stress penalties. The book doesn't make it really clear whether the 500¥ list price is for one-use or reusable versions, though. If reusable, it seems really cheap. I try to avoid giving the GM reasons to use addiction against me, but Emy's right that it's *certainly* relevant to that discussion.

Ah, I see. Not really applicable to my character then, as for one the GM is letting me use a composure roll to use my nanites while stressed.

Usually BTLs have a preset number of uses, unfortunately we don't know what that number might be in this case. Of course, if a hacker is using it, they'll just break the protection on it and reuse it anyway.

Well, it specifically says they're reusable, but black market one-shots exist. And 500¥ just seems too cheap.

True, but I once again point you to the hacker breaking the limited use on it.

Real hackers suck at Hardware and Software. No logic required! Hehe.

Only Script Kiddies suck at Hardware and Software...

Like I said.

Must have missed it...

So, another question has popped up - can I write my own programs in order to defray the costs thereof?

Yes and no. If you're using Unwired, just pirate them anyway. If not, you'll spend months, bleh. If you can convince your GM that self-coded programs don't obsolesce (which the FAQ doesn't say ), then you can eventually get lots of free programs. Did you invest a lot of BP/karma in Logic and Software?

Hmmm, it seems that Software wasn't high enough a priority to get picked up. I guess that means I'm pirating them.