If an AI has ECCM as an inherent program, then it could potentially get ECCM up to 14. Rating 7 AI mind you, which would be extremly expensive on the karma.
The stupid way they have AIs Inherent programs setup to start with, being limited to your rating at creation. With no option to buy more means who would want to start without being rating 6.
Personally I think allowing them to buy a new inherent program at a cost of 6 karma seems reasonable, as long as they have a rating greater than the total number of inherent programs.
6 coming from 2 for the program and 2 for each program option.
Back to the original question. If for whatever reason an AI, Agent or IC, ends up in a node that has a system rating less than their own rating does their rating and attributes associated with that rating decrease?
A System program can't have a rating greater than the response. Matrix programs can't have a rating greater than the System. (SR4A pg 222)
Agents count towards processor limit (SR4A pg 234)
Something interesting I just found on pg 234 related to agents and I would expect IC:
QUOTE
Agents use the Response attribute of the node on which they are running; this means that the attributes of an agent operating independently may vary as it moves from node to node.
Just above that paragraph is stated that the Pilot attribute acts as the Agents System rating. Sounds like Agents get dropped to the Response of the node they are running in.
For AIs I came across the following in UW pg 166
QUOTE
Like agents, they use the Response and Signal attributes of whatever node in which they happen to be. Their Firewall and System attributes are based on their rating.
So they also use Response from the node, which only makes sense. Other than saying, "Like agents", there is no comment about their attributes changing. I Still think it would since System can't be higher than the Response.