[JUNK de LUXE]

so.. being fairly new to this game (read: complete newb - 1 quick rules test game so far) I'm having trouble figuring out what gear, skills and programs I would need to accomplish my goal as a player.

I see my character as a top class thief like those shown in Entrapment (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Ocean's Eleven (Vincent Cassel) etc.

My goal is to do the following:

1. Break in
2. Get the goods
3. Get out
(4). Decent skills to get out of hairy situations should I be discovered (Con / Combat)

All should be accomplished without a trace (and in the case of data theft - without the company ever knowing a break-in has been done).

How do I accomplish this? I "think" I got the physical aspect of it down (Gymnastics group, Stealth Group, Con/Etiquette, Pistols, Unarmed). But what about the Matrix? how many programs would I need and which?

I'd apreciate it if you could also give some situation and how something like this could be accomplished.


Thanks in advance

[Razhul]

Gosh, that's not a short answer. I recommend looking at other people's hackers to get a sense of what Programs and hardware you will need. Being a kick-ass hacker is a function of money first and foremost cause none of those tests are based on Logic (4th edition shenanigans) but rather your Hacking, Data Search, Electronic Warfare, Cybercombat skills + Program rating.

Getting a good dice pool rolling for hacking is a function of:

• Properly high Skills (4-5) (see above)
• Powerful Comlink (stats around 5 or 6) to power...
• ...High rating programs (5-6)
• Add cyberware that gives you +dice for Logic-related tasks (Neocortical nanites +3, Pushed +1, Encephalon +2)
• If money permits add Simsense Accelerator and Simsense Booster for a 4th and 5th Initiative Pass

With that, my fairly new hacker character hangs around 18-22 dice on average for matrix tests which is fantastic (imo).

Now, a very good comlink will not be cheap, as won't hacking programs (rating x 1000) but normal programs are rating x 100 so get them at 6 (like Edit, Analyse, Encryption etc.). 6000 per rating 6 Hacking program is the max at char creation (it seemed to me) as rating 7 went to 49.000 (!?).

Here are programs that you will need and what for:
Offense:

• Stealth - treshold to detect you, duh
• Exploit - to hack, duh!
• Analyse - to "look at" nodes and files and get info about them (like is there a data bomb on it or is it encrypted)
• Decrypt - break encryption on nodes and files and the access log (!)
• Edit - edit data in files, data streams like vid feeds and edit the access log (!)
• Defuse - data bomb would hurt otherwise
• Scan - to find wireless traffic and hidden nodes
• Spoof - to send fake commands once you have someone else's access ID (after using Analyse)
• Blackhammer and Blackout - to stun or kill Matrix opponents

Defense

• Encrypt - run on your own traffic and node for protection
• Armor - when attacked by normal Matrix attacks
• Biodfeedback Filter - when attacked by Black IC and someone is trying to melt your brain (ouch!)

I've never used Medic or Reality Filter yet.

I hope that helps you, buddy.

[All4BigGuns]

Gosh, that's not a short answer. I recommend looking at other people's hackers to get a sense of what Programs and hardware you will need. Being a kick-ass hacker is a function of money first and foremost cause none of those tests are based on Logic (4th edition shenanigans) but rather your Hacking, Data Search, Electronic Warfare, Cybercombat skills + Program rating.

Getting a good dice pool rolling for hacking is a function of:

• Properly high Skills (4-5) (see above)
• Powerful Comlink (stats around 5 or 6) to power...
• ...High rating programs (5-6)
• Add cyberware that gives you +dice for Logic-related tasks (Neocortical nanites +3, Pushed +1, Encephalon +2)
• If money permits add Simsense Accelerator and Simsense Booster for a 4th and 5th Initiative Pass

With that, my fairly new hacker character hangs around 18-22 dice on average for matrix tests which is fantastic (imo).

Now, a very good comlink will not be cheap, as won't hacking programs (rating x 1000) but normal programs are rating x 100 so get them at 6 (like Edit, Analyse, Encryption etc.). 6000 per rating 6 Hacking program is the max at char creation (it seemed to me) as rating 7 went to 49.000 (!?).

The things you mentioned in points 4 and 5 can very easily be held off on until after creation, and the hacker will be perfectly functional.

Yes, rating 6 is the max for creation, but it is not only because of the availability and cost of the ratings beyond that but also that there is the hard limit that no gear may exceed rating 6.
The cost of rating 7 sounds about right since 7 through 10 costs rating x rating x <multiplier for program type>.

[UmaroVI]

Among WAR's many amazing contributions to Shadowrun are the rating 7+ programs and commlinks, Razhul (that's why Chummer is giving you the sudden price increase, because it's using a different rule).

[Mirikon]

Milspec gear, milspec prices. And really, the gear in WAR is almost entirely for a mercenary-style campaign, not a typical shadowrun adventure.

[RHat]

Plus, a runner that needs programs of that calibur should be able to write them herself.

[Razhul]

Plus, a runner that needs programs of that calibur should be able to write them herself.

There is never enough time for that between our jobs.

[CanRay]

There is never enough time for that between our jobs.

When your Public Awareness gets too high, take some time out in a Safehouse.