That stuff is in another book than SR4A correct? All I have in SR4A is a small paragraph and table on page 228.

So, just assume I am not talking about at chargen but rather during the time frames experienced in game sessions.
If the code-it-yourself times still seem unreasonable at weeks, why not a house rule that utilizes Logic and Intuition to reduce the interval period to days? I am just looking at sparking some thought on some suggestions here, not looking to step on any toes.

Yes, yes it is. And yes, yes they are.

Like I said, finding a legit control panel in SR is going to be neigh impossible. Logic comes in to play figuring out which button does what. Examples litter our world.

I mean, what is 'reasonable' for coding a program? We're not talking about Notepad or solitaire, here. The fact is that hackers pretty much only pay for two things: comm gear, and programs. If they can get programs for free *and* FAST, that's a problem. Even pirated programs add up (and the GM can bump the cost up from 10% to slow things down).

Thanks



Yeah basically. I looked it up to try and find the mechanic for it and couldn't. I think we've been using it as a house rule for so long it's become a permanent fixture.

Basically anytime a knowledge skill would apply, you make a skill test and add 1 die to the active skill test for every 2 hits on the knowledge skill test. We only allow it for things when the character has time to really analyze and think about what is going on. Examples include the matrix stuff I mentioned earlier, but I have also seen: 'Seattle Astral Geography' used to assist in astral tracking tests, 'Structural Engineering' to assist in where to place a shaped charge to make an entry without bringing the house down, and 'Advanced Mathematics' used in a lengthy encryption process.

I swear I have seen this as an actual RAW somewhere - but for the life of me I can't find it today.

Previous versions did, SR4 does not, officially afaik

Once you're in a node, being discovered becomes a Hacking + Stealth vs. Computer + Analyze opposed test.
That's not invisible forever. A security-level IC at r4 with R4 analyze program and a r4 homeground autosoft throws enough dice to be a threat to a TM on a hack.

Really, I still think that the half-burnt Physad is the best hacker, especially with War pricing out software and hardware that can put a guy on the level of a massively-submerged technomancer. Response of 10 and System of 10 means potential program ratings up to 20 (realistically, only common progs will show up at these ratings, since kicking out a hacking program at r20, even with a DP of 24 + edge is still a massive time-suck.) Add in the bonuses from PuSHeD, NANites, and Improved Ability that a TM probably won't ever see, and you're looking at someone who murders on the Matrix. Sure, a mancer can pull 30+ DPs out on creation with the use of sprites and serial-threading, but that only lasts for a few seconds at a time in exchange for hours of prep work.