[Kanly]

Also tying to wp/int makes little sense. If it was some decker related skill I'd accept it easier (setting aside the issues a skill in a defense roll would mean); currently even the best deckers are worse than a factory default (good) commlink.

[Forrest]

I've read a coupe of places in these threads that there is no defense against AOE attacks (spells or grenades). But there is listed in the defense section of the book a -2 dp modifier for defending against AOE's.  What gives, is that an errata or can you defend against grenades and kind of jumping jack your way out of the area, or do y just miraculously dodge around the shrapnel/cuncussive force?

[JackVII]

Q: Does the (-1) penalty for defending against each previous attack include Matrix defense? I'm playing in a game that uses that rule (and have no problem with it), but am wondering if that is how others play it.

[Michael Chandra]

I've read a coupe of places in these threads that there is no defense against AOE attacks (spells or grenades). But there is listed in the defense section of the book a -2 dp modifier for defending against AOE's.  What gives, is that an errata or can you defend against grenades and kind of jumping jack your way out of the area, or do y just miraculously dodge around the shrapnel/cuncussive force?

It's been confirmed as an artefact, a relic from an earlier version that shouldn't be in the book. There is no defense possible against Indirect Area spells and grenades.

JackVII: That penalty is something that applies to physical combat, applying it in the Matrix is rather strange. You don't have cover and melee vs ranged in the Matrix either.

[JackVII]

Q: Does anyone know where in the book it states that drones automatically come with a sensor array? Additionally, are the sensors in the array free?

[Dakka]

Page 270

DRONEPERCEPTION
A drone observes its surroundings with a Pilot + Clear-sight [Sensor] Test. If you’re jumped into the drone, you make a Perception + Intuition [Sensor] Test. Either way, you get to use the drone’s entire sensor suite, if it has one

You can safely assume a drone has normal sensors.  Probably 1-2 cameras, 1-2 audio.  Also page 445-446 on Housings.  Small drones can have max rating 3 sensors, medium drones 4, large drones 5.

[RHat]

Also tying to wp/int makes little sense. If it was some decker related skill I'd accept it easier (setting aside the issues a skill in a defense roll would mean); currently even the best deckers are worse than a factory default (good) commlink.

Actually, it means you can't BE the best decker with low Willpower and Intuition.  Because they're required for your defense, those are required attributes for deckers; pretty important balance wise really.

Michael Chandra: If I remember Aaron's responses on the subject correctly, that doesn't work.  If it's in your possession, as I understand it, it uses your attributes.

[Michael Chandra]

Michael Chandra: If I remember Aaron's responses on the subject correctly, that doesn't work.  If it's in your possession, as I understand it, it uses your attributes.

Then quote me his exact post, if it indeed states that, despite what the rules read, the attributes IMMEDIATELY flip to yours, then I'll follow that as official until we get the proper FAQ/errata.

Page 445 notes that vehicles and drones come factory-equipped with a sensor array at a rating that is listed in their stats. You can upgrade them theoretically, assuming they're big enough.

[Pontoark]

Which is pretty dumb, really. I mean, it just begs for "I let the Mage configure it for me and it runs stuff automatically for me, so I don't ever interact with it". I can imagine someone with high stats boosting it, but someone with poor stats automatically screwing it up when all they do is make phone calls with it? What?

It's dumb but it is what is written (page 237), how would you handle it instead?

[Michael Chandra]

Maximum(Attribute, DeviceRating). Possibly DR-1, depending on whether it's a big issue.

[Pontoark]

1 - Running silent imposes a –2 dice pool modifier to all of your Matrix actions p. 235
2 - Any bonus you get to Matrix actions also apply to Vehicle actions when you’re jumped in  (p. 266)

So when you are jumped in running silent you get +0 to vehicles actions, right? (It's very likely true, but as I was caught by surprise I wandered if other people noticed it too)

[Kanly]

It depends. +VCR Rating -2 Silent Running (+2 Hot Sim). So anything from -1 to +3.

[JackVII]

Q: I'm pretty confident there isn't an explicit rule in the book about this (and thus probably prohibited), but I wondered if someone could slot a skillsoft at a lower level than what it actually is (i.e. a Rating 4 Automatics skillsoft slotted as a Rating 2 or 3). Thoughts?

[Triskavanski]

I don't get swimming.

Why does it use your willpower to hold your breath.. with a specialization from diving? Isn't diving what you do when you're swimming underwater?

[Dakka]

Swimming and Diving currently do similar things.  The mention of controlled hyperventilation under Using Swimming would suggest they really meant Diving + Willpower [Physical] not Swimming, but whatever.  Personally I see Swimming as "tankless diving".  If you aren't using SCUBA gear or something similar you aren't using the diving skill.  Controlled Hyperventilation then becomes a possible specialization of both skills.