How do you handle this?

Black IC has successfully attacked the hacker. He cannot log off anymore and jacking out is only possible with a Willpower test.

However, the smart hacker came prepared. He has a friend (or Agent, or whatnot) waiting on a switch to turn off his wireless connection on the commlink.

He sends him a message (or the Biomonitor attached to him does), and the connection is cut.

Dumpshock, and that's it?

Is it really this simple to completely prevent Black IC from doing anything?

Bye
Thanee

I'd say that sending a message to the agent/friend/etc. requires the same willpower test than to jack out by himself (sending the message to jack out to his commlink).

However, if the friend is watching (without biofeedback) what's happening and sees a black IC attacking the hacker, he can disconnect him.

Well, I mean, I wouldn't just say "That's it?" to physical dumpshock. That's scary stuff to someone that might have gotten jumped by the IC in question. That's not a nose bleed. That's a brain hemorrhage.

yeah, depending on the situation, that could be really bad news.

though, i'll grant you it's probably not as bad news as being forced to stick around.

that said, if your opponent is really serious about using black IC, they can probably kill you with multiple simultaneous strikes before you can respond.

It's entirely possible that, even while logged out, the black IC can trace you -- such a ragged disconnect could leave traces. I'm pretty sure that by RAW, the OP is correct (it's also in keeping with in-universe fictions, including in 4e books).

Technomancers, on the other hand, are trickier. One bit of fiction talked about hitting a techno with a taser when the black IC jumped him. Not sure if that would even work to 'sever the connection'. Best to bring a portable military jammer or a faraday cage, maybe. XD

But why? It's just activating a program, which you still can do (you can still fight against the IC and everything).


As for the Dumpshock, sure 5P isn't "nothing", but it certainly isn't that bad either.

The whole point, however, is, that the entire paragraph about not being able to log out and keeping the line open seems rather pointless that way... they could just shorten it to "you receive dumpshock, when you log off after having been attacked by Black IC".

Bye
Thanee

Well, if that character gets dumpshocked all the time, sounds like its time to give that character AIPS, scorched, and/or sensitive neural structure.

So, the attempt to Jack Out (System), which is normally a FREE ACTION effectively burns an entire IP in the Matrix Combat with the Black IC. While Run Program (System) is also a COMPLEX ACTION which also burns an IP just like the Jack Out attempt; however, you still need to command the Agent with the Issue Command (System) which is a SIMPLE ACTION, said agent would require a Command program resident within it in order to perform the Control Device (Command) action which is a COMPLEX ACTION which allows it to Reboot your Comlink and perform the Pilot + Response (10, 1 Combat Turn) Extended Test.

Then you hand tough and Full Defense until the agent gets enough HITS to Reboot your Comlink. Otherwise you'll probably be dead from brain hemorages by the time your Chums are dead from the HTR team sent to your locale on the Black IC's trace.

No rebooting. Just switch off the commlink's wireless connection.

Wifi off.

Bye
Thanee