So I am joining a game that is starting up in a week or so and I am starting to put together a character.

I would like to be an infiltration style character, but never really played anything like that so I have a few questions and hopefully some of you have some great suggestions as well.

1). I want my character to be a "master thief" type character. So obviously I will be taking a lot of the stealth and athletics skills. But I was wondering if it is worth it to take the Hacking Skill and buy the Exploit program so that I can bypass electronic security?

2). What is generally better for an infiltration style character: Adapt or Augmentation? I like the idea of taking the Wall Running, Traceless Step, and Gliding powers, but at the same time they seem expensive given how much they give.

3). I would love to get a chameleon suit and a helmet, both all tricked out with all sorts of goodies ( eg. AR, Trodes, Comlink). Is it possible to get a helmet that has an echolocation system built into it? And what other goodies would be great for an infiltrator?

Thanks for your help.

1) You need more than just Exploit to be a decent hacker. For a casual B&E person, I would take no less than the following
Stealth ( NO GET CAUGHT)
Analyze (WTF IS THIS SECURITY)
Edit (DEREET LOGS)
Exploit (HACKITOL)
Spoof (COMPUTER, I'M YOUR OWNER, PUNCH YOURSELF)
Browse (PAYDATA WHERE?)
Scan (TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE SO I CAN HACK YOU)
Command( Generally awesome, and super cheap for what it does)
Encrypt (Mandatory!)
Decrypt (Mandatory for hacking! you cannot beat encrypt 1 without it)
Defuse (if you need it, you NEED it)
Purge (fuck viruses, just in case your GM is a dick)
Attack (works on anything, if you need it you need it)
Track/Sniffer help with wi-fi shenanigans, and tracking down people to impersonate with spoof, but they aren't mandatory
Biofeedback Filter (JUST in case, but only if you have VR)

2) Adepts are significantly better with Way of the Adept. Specifically, Way of the Athlete is what you want.
Adepts offer abilities that you can't get elsewhere, but they're fairly pricey. Ask your GM about any adept houserules he may be willing to consider - the street magic one about initiating to gain power points instead of metamagics is the most common one i see. A single initiation in character generation under karmagen is also reasonable.
Cyber is cheap, and lets you have free points for other things, like tons of edge. An adept with a point of ware is WELL worth considering.

3) The spy toys and armors in arsenal are definitely worth looking at. Keep in mind that both Arsenal's limits on armor mods are both optional rules; the default standard if they're not being used is the same as it is in the core book: just slap whatever you want on it. The missions standard, which I recommend using, uses both Capacity and Mod Ratings.
Which echolocation system were you looking at specifically? Keep in mind that adepts can just grab other non-standard human senses via Enhanced Sense power(i think).

..any thoughs of what race would be?
..Elf W/ high racial Agility would worth a thought..
..If Metavariants is allowed, Gnome W/ level or two Changeling-Quality..
.. if Adept, Pure Adept or Bio/Cyber Adept?

consider taking hardware (Sensors), so you can physically bypass any cameras or the like that you can't kill electronically.
A camera neutralizer is also a good investment if you get sprung. Not subtle, but it can stop your target from getting a snapshot of your face.

You don't necessarily need to hack, but hardware and locksmith skills are a must have, IMO.
That, and the toys coming with them: autopicker, lockpick set, cellular glove molder (for taking finger- or palm prints), keycard copier, maglock passkey, sequencer, miniwelder, glass cutter.
A commlink with the aformentioned programs and the proper skills to use them wouldn't go amiss, e.g. to spoof security cameras and sensors, but I think those are things that can be picked up or improved in game.

As for adept or cyber: Not mutually exclusive E.g., I would use muscle toner for agility instead of adept powers. Much cheaper on the whole.

Don't.

Instead, take HArdware, specialise in Maglocks, and buy yourself both a Maglock Passkey and a Maglock Sequencer. Then, maybe, pick up a rank or three of Lockpicking, and get an Autopicker.

IOW: don't hack the locks, via software. Bypass them, via hardware.


There are functionally no augmentations that directly improve your ability to be stealthy, aside from (a) attribute improvements, and (b) chameleon mods for your skin (but, do you want to work naked??). Therefor, Adept will more directly benefit your chosen role (yayy for Improved Ability: Noncombat ...!).

Some light augmentations can still be useful - maybe 1 essence worth, 2 essence tops.


Helmets can take any and all "vision" modifications/systems, including Ultrasound. To start, toss in flare compensation, low-light, thermographic, and an Image link.

Since you want a complete suit, I recommend the RIG ("Responsive Interface Gear"), which takes up [2] capacity in your armor and [1] capacity in your helmet; it works like Trodes, and acts as a skinlink-capable hub for your entire PAN.

@Udoshi - Thanks for the tips on hacking. Never really played a hacker character so I didn't know what type of programs I would need. As for the echolocation, I was just thinking of an echolocation mod to the helmet.

@Stingray - I was actually thinking of being an Ork. I know elves get the agi bonus, but the are 30BP and I don't really want the Cha. Instead as an Ork for 20BP I get the 3 points of body and 2 of strength which will help because I am also thinking of taking blades as a weapon choice.

@FuelDrop - I was going to take Hardware and Lockpicking, but I was just interested in knowing if people thought taking some minor hacking skills would help an infiltrator type character.

Thanks for the ideas guys. I will try to put together a character with actual numbers and post it later.

As an added bonus, strength is good for athletics skills.

Yeah, climbing tests are strength. I was planning on getting some gecko gloves and just climbing all over the place. Mix that with wall running and gliding and I think I could do some really fun things.

You're welcome. The matrix is an absolutely confusing place full of rules holes. I think it COULD help, but there are some additional considerations you should make first. 1) Having two hackers - i'm assuming your team's gonna have a Real Hacker - means you can participate in The Hacking Minigame instead of the Well I Guess Its Pizza Time minigame.
The second is how well your GM handles the matrix. the more they know about it, and the more it's presence is emphasized in the game world, the more utility you're gonna get out of hacking skills. The best GM's honestly just throw most of the rules out the door and concentrate on resolving what you want to do on the matrix, instead of forcing what you want to do through the bad ruleset.

I think you should go for it, because hacking is pretty cheap to get into and costs nothing but a few skills and money. Entry level hacking equipment is cheap and doesn't need restricted gear or anything. You basically want a rating 5 commlink, rating 6 firewall, a sim unit for VR(you can do AR instead if you have multiple physical passes, but having the option is nice, especially since Probing gets you a massive time discount in VR), and cherrypicking some skills from groups.
I'd also recommend an Agent. A spy with a smart computer intrusion program to throw extra Actions at problems works out pretty well. If you decide you don't wanna be a hacker, an agent can still cover basic tasks for you.
In terms of Skills, I'd probably take Hacking(exploit)+Electronic Warfare(cryptology or scan) at 3-4, Cybercombat at 1(if you have to fight, you've probably lost already). The Electronics group is all around handy. You don't need high Software unless you plan on making your own code, or for a few edge cases in unwired involving installing patches or creating user account. Data search isn't a great skill, but it helps finding paydata and useful stuff quickly. Hardware you want for physical infiltration and disabling maglocks and cameras. Its a tossup between the group at 3-4, or cherrypicking skills from it.


Also, orks are a pretty solid choice. Great bang for buck. If you're thinking of going melee, trolls are a natural step up, and a stealth troll is a hilarious concept. If you end up going Adept, I'd probably recommend going Unarmed instead of Blades. Facepunchy adepts can hit very very hard for low power point expenditures.

...or just pick free spirit and go wherever you like. As soon as you can bypass wards without being detected, you're golden as an infiltrator.

If you wanna stay more physical, pay attention to not spread yourself too thin. The "infiltrator" role is one of the more broad ones.

So put together a character. I still have like 2k left to buy some more gear or software.

Enhanced Articulation: +1 Infiltration, +1 Palming, +1 Athletics
Reflex Recorders: +1 Stealth, +1 Athletics, +1 Perception
Qualia: +1 Disguise, +1 Shadowing, +1 Perception
Synthacardium (1-3): +x Athletics
Neo-EPO: +1 Athletics
Synch: +1 Perception
Reception Enhancer (1-3): +x Perception
Attention Coprocessor (1-3): +x Perception (Meatspace only)

Perception != Stealth

Athletics != Stealth

That pretty much leaves EnArt and Recorders. *shrug* For 1PP, you can get +2 to Infiltration and be done with it, as an Adept.

Actually, for .75pp you can get +3 to infiltration (as long as you have a Six Skill).

I believe there's a mentor spirit that gives Infiltration bonuses as well.
I want to say that it's Cat, but that may be Gymnastics instead.

look up the ultimate mundane climber and adapt it to what you would like a bit?

Lets see.

I don't think Biocompatability is worth it. If anything, change it for an Adept Way - even way of the burnout nets you the same thing with better side benefits.
The Invisible Way or The Athlete's way is something you almost certainly want. It should let you squeeze an extra power point out of your powers.

Pick up a Pro User Suite for 600Y, 4A 323. You need analyze at least, and the user suite is cheaper and better.
You need the Computer skill for the All-Important matrix perception tests, as well as analyze.


I'd probably drop Muscle Augmentation - 1 point isn't worth it, and bioware's cheap enough you don't need alphaware. Since you have so much, though, you should pick up a little bit of Cyberware - since its half off. A datajack would be good, and attention co-processors also rule.

I don't have the Way of the Adept book so I don't know what those rules are.

Also I am still using the 4th edition, not Anniversery Edition, so I don't know what the Pro User Suite is.

As for the augmentation, the one point might not be super worthwhile, but since I could squeeze it in I did. Also I am using alphaware, because if I don't I will drop below 5 essence and loss another power point. Similarly I don't need a data jack if I just use trodes, the RIG, or whatever. The Co-processors is a good suggestion, I will have to see if I can free up the cash.

A user suite is a cheap bundle of common use programs. You're supposed to purchase it when you buy a commlink/OS.

Pro User Suites contain Analyse 4, Browse 4, command 2, Edit 4 for 600Y.

Way of the adept qualities are 10PT qualities that let you pick a Way, and choose a few powers(mag/2) within that Way's theme to get a 25% discount. Basically helps adepts be a bit better and helps counteract stupidly expensive powers.

As for strength, its your call, but I tend to like to get my DV bonuses from other areas than Strength boosts. Its 10 points per strength, and 5points for a martial arts quality which can let you punch at +1 damage.

your will and charisma are almost munchkinned. A mage that catches you (chameleon doesn't work in astral, and you are awakened) is going to clean your clock.

Not that they can't do it, but is there a particular reason you are choosing to play as an ork? I honestly looked at that character sheet and saw a combat character with some hacking, not a master thief. Ghost in the Shell combat guy.


A note on Ultrasound: ultrasound fires a higher-than-human-hearing sound pulse, and records the feedback time to orient itself. ANYTHING that can hear that is going to instantly tweak to your position: and a fair number of sensors can bag that too. I never use active ultrasound when sneaking for this reason.


*~ You have a lot sunk into climbing and no gecko gloves. I would have thought that would be an easy sell.
*~ You could have also gotten the full form-fit without encumbrance, not sure why you chose the 1/2 suit.
*~ I see a Tag Eraser, but no tag scanner. I'd get a scanner (Radio Signal Scanner, under sensors). Without it, sweeping for tags using a comm requires a Sniffer + Electronic Warfare (typically) test. You has no sniffer program.
*~ Was there a reason you went with hacking and not computer? Analyze (potentially your most important program) runs off the computer skill. You are not a hacker, so I wouldn't worry about hacking so much.
*~ I assume the Synaptic Booster you took was alphaware (doesn't say so) due to the .45 essence when it should be .5. This means you spent 160,000¥ on a single bloody initiative pass, when you could have had 2 for the same price. I really personally think this one was a giant waste of cash. Muscle Augmentation also seems like a waste: I can't see any way that 1 dice is going to make that much a significant difference for you for strength. You'd be better served on agility/reaction IMO. Damage/Climbing are easy to get elsewhere.
*~ you have a biker helmet with the EXACT inserts as your contacts and glasses. I am not sure this will serve you significantly.
*~ you have Parachuting (base jumping) and no parachute or wing suit. Spygames has a wing suit that has concealed wings (airfoil suit pg 159-160 SG). Perfect for an impromptu bailout from an upper story. If not the suit, then at least get a parachute.

You have quite a few points spread around for combat on what I had taken from the description was not a combat character. With unarmed combat, Killing hands, Critical Strike, pistols, and long arms, thats quite a few points that IMO would be better suited elsewhere. I think that comes under the prior post recommendation of "spreading yourself too thin." I'd recommend dropping one of those (you could even drop two) as between the others, you'd be fine. Pistols and Longarms are extremely varied in what they can handle as skills. You could easily lose one.

So far, in my opinion, this character is trying to do 3 jobs, and unless your GM is planning for that because you only have 2 players or so, this character is spread too thin. Just my opinion. If you intended to be more combat driven, then I'd drop the hacking entirely, as well as Great Leap/Traceless Walk, and focus more on combat.

I know they are super low and I do like to keep my attributes at a min of 2, but as you pointed out later in your post I am spreading myself thin.


I picked Ork because they are great for getting a good variety of attributes of a low amount of BP.


I realize that ultrasound gives away your position to anyone with an ultrasonic sensor. But you can put ultrasonic vision systems in passive mode and still get some image from other ultrasonic senors, which are motion sensors, which security systems use, which I would be breaking into. Plus being able to turn on the system if things won't sideways, then upside down with lights going out or smoke being used, is always nice.


Half way through typing out my gear I got bored and just stopping. I did get a parachute, as well as some other stuff like a med-kit, some random drugs, cred-chips, a flashlight, a utility knife, a motorcycle, and some other fluff stuff. You are right I can use a full-body suit, and I think I just mistyped because it says full-body on my chummer character. I did forget the Tag Scanner and I will look into the wing suit (sounds so much more awesome than my parachute). I don't have the Spygames book but I will see if I can find the rules on it somewhere.


Yes there is a reason. I don't want to be a hacker. I want to be able to bypass security systems while breaking into a place. So I would only be doing hacking on the fly, using Exploit. Then I would just command the system off or not to trigger or something like that. I am not planning to hack the building, just the single camera/motion sensor/door lock that I can't sneak around. But again I don't know the hacking rules very well. I always though that Analyze was for scanning nodes to see what is in it, searching for data bombs, and such. I just want to do Electronic Warfare, hack the camera directly instead of hacking the building security and erasing the footage of me.


No I didn't get alphaware. I took Biocompatability-Bioware for a 10% reduction. .5-10%=.45. So it was 80k, which I could still buy Wired Reflexes 2 for less. But WR 2 is 3 essence points, which drops my essence to 3, which drops my magic to 2 (plus the muscle toner and aug is 1). The reason I spent a lot of bioware was to keep my essence loss less than 1. Also yes 1 muscle aug does only give me 1 Str die, but that is 1 to Climbing and 1 to running, plus in our games we round melee damage down so that is 1 to DV.


People find it odd when you walk around wearing a biker helmet all the time. Sometimes you need to blend it, but still need to be able to use your smartlink if things go bad.


The GM usually does combat heavy runs. Plus I want to be a sniper, but you can't carry a sniper rifle everywhere and unarmed combat can get you killed fast in a gun fight so I took some pistol.


I am thinking of dropping Great Leap. It is pretty limited and I will probably be climbing more than jumping. I like Traceless Walk for the sneaking. Also I am pretty sure we are only going to have 3 players. Plus the group is normally a D&D hack-n-slash group which is another reason why I took more combat skills. Finally, as a player, I tend to think that over 13 dice at character creation is excessive and a bit of abusing the rules. So I like to spread my skills out, plus I enjoy being a more "Jack of all, master of none" type of character.

Analyze is by far the most important thing you need on the matrix.

It lets you ask your GM important questions

Like "what's that node's firewall rating?" before you hack it. oh shit, its 6, i'll get my ass kicked!

Also, you default to program -1 on tests. Without a relevant program, you cannot make a test.

You know what analyze is used for? Spotting traces and whether your ass is about to be busted. Not getting hacked yourself(firewall+analyze to spot hackbacks). Without it, you are literally unable to percieve anything running a basic stealth program.

Its a common use program, and you are literally shooting yourself in the foot by not taking it.

Also you need Edit to erase footage and browse to find logs to clear your tracks.

You're also going to want Spoof to quickly change your commlink's electronic signature so you don't get caught when you pop online later. (though you can do this with Hardware, it takes 10 minutes, and you don't have that time in combat phase)

I seriously wasn't kidding about the bare-minimum program list.

Oh, yeah, major brainfart on my part. I was thinking Combat skill prices, whoops.

All in all, quite a solid base for the build. For improvements:

1) As others have suggested, Biocompatability (Bioware) is a big quality sink, and as an adept you are probably not going to get enough mileage out of it. You can make sure you use less than 1 total essence by dropping Muscle Augmentation 1 for sure, even if it does reduce your DV by 1.

2) I too would recommend the Electronics group. Computer helps you with Analyze as mentioned by Krishash, Data Search could help you get floor plans of the place you are infiltrating. Software you may never use, but hey Computer, Data Search and Hardware will all help you.

3) I would drop Hacking and Electronic Warfare, useful as they are, and spring for a R4 Agent (10K new yen, 2BP) to do these tasks for you more competently than you can currently. Put the BP you save into cash (for the Agent and if you can a few microdrone scouts) and the Electronics skill group.

Good luck!

You currently do 6 damage (may be electrical) in unarmed combat and invested heavily into it by pumping strength and getting adept powers. What's better: just use shock gloves.

Or better yet, shoot people.

You don't need both pistols and longarms. If you want to go longarms, go for shotguns when doing close combat. There are even small ones (sawed-off) that can be concealed ok.

nd the skill Hardware under the electronics skill group will also allow you to bypass all those pesky individual items you were referring to; such as maglocks, cameras, motion sensors.

Of course they aren't Stealth. They are strong support skills to the Stealth focus.