[Bewilderbeast]

Please pardon my fell and terrible powers of dark necromancy... but I'm dusting this old character off.

Pepperface was I think the absolute first character I designed when I first picked up 5e. Now that I'm delving back into Shadowrun, I want to try tweaking or recreating him. Significantly, though, I don't have money to pick up extra books so my options are still limited. However if there's something vitally important in Data Trails to a starting out decker, I would consider adding it, but right now my resources are Run Faster, the core rulebook, Chrome Flesh and Street Grimoire (which ain't relevant for this guy).

One piece of wisdom I've heard on these boards is that a super-expensive deck isn't strictly necessary since you'll rarely hit the limits on it. It'd be great to save some nuyen on the deck, but what sort of deck should I go with?

I actually like his skills, still, though if I'm missing anything huge please let me know now.

And finally cyberware. Chrome Flesh opens up lots of options, like PuShEd. If I were to pick up Restricted Gear for one piece of cyberware, what would the general recommendation be for a hacker?

Again, everything I initially said in this thread still holds true. The non-negotiablse are: 1) at least one cyberarm, 2) good at demolitions and as good as possible at decking and 3) not a total slouch in meat space combat. Everything else I'm open to tweaking.

[Herr Brackhaus]

If you're going loud as a Decker, a Pain Editor is a pretty amazing piece of kit as it allows you to ignore wound modifiers and stay conscious even after your stun monitor is filled. Unless you're running hot sim all the time, you could take a decent amount of stun damage.

Cerebellum Boosters and various geneware are also good options as they often present unique or rare abilities.

ETA: I like the character concept, and if this is for missions you'll do just fine. I would actually even out Logic and Intuition, as Intuition is used for initiative and defense as well as some hacking tests like Matrix Perception, and having a much higher logic makes you a little lopsided in terms of skill tests. Depends on your focus, of course, but I find it's rarely a good idea to specialize too much on one attribute cause you'll end up needing both.

[Hobbes]

Started reading this post and saw the first reply was from Xenon and was "Oh, he's back, yay!"  Then I saw it was from 2013.  *sigh*

Anyway, Decker with Cyberarm:

== Info ==
Street Name: Decker w/cyberarm
Missions Legal: No, Code of Honor and Traveler Lifestyle
Movement: 6/12
Karma: 6
Composure: 4
Judge Intentions: 6
Lift/Carry: 4 (15 kg/10 kg)
Memory: 11
Nuyen: 2650

== Priorities ==
Metatype: C - Human
Attributes: D - 14 Attributes
Special: E - Mundane
Skills: B - 36 Skills/5 Skill Groups
Resources: A - 450,000¥

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 3
REA: 2 (6)
STR: 1
CHA: 1
INT: 5
LOG: 6 (
WIL: 3
EDG: 7

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 1.06
Initiative: 7 (11) + 2d6
Rigger Initiative: 11 + 2d6
Astral Initiative:
Matrix AR Initiative: 11 + 2d6
Matrix Cold Initiative: 5 + DP + 3d6
Matrix Hot Initiative: 5 + DP + 4d6
Physical Damage Track: 11
Stun Damage Track: 10

== Limits ==
Physical: 4
Mental: 8
Social: 3
Ballistic Mask [+1] (Only for intimidation, Must be visible)
Astral: 8

== Active Skills ==
Computer : 5 [Matrix Perception] Pool: 13 (15) - Group Skill (Added Spec with Karma)
Con : 2 [Fast Talk]  Pool: 3 (5)
Cybercombat : 6 Pool: 14
Electronic Warfare : 6 Pool: 14
Hacking : 6 [Devices]  Pool: 14 (16)
Hardware : 5 Pool: 13 - Group Skill
Pistols : 6 [Semi-Automatics]  Pool: 9 (11)
Sneaking : 6 [Urban]  Pool: 9 (11)
Software : 5 Pool: 13 - Group Skill


== Knowledge Skills ==
Security Design : 6 Pool: 11
Security Devices : 6 Pool: 14
Shadow Community : 6 Pool: 11
Underworld : 4 Pool: 9

== Contacts ==
Louie; Hot Springs Hotel; Fixer (1, 2)

== Qualities ==
Code of Honor (Like a Boss)
Curiosity Killed the Cat
Jack of All Trades Master of None
Overclocker
Perfect Time
Prejudiced (Specific, Biased) (Newbs, Luddites, techno-illerates, ect)

== Lifestyles ==
Traveler w/options 1 months

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Antennae - Alpha
Antennae - Alpha
Antennae - Alpha
Cerebral Booster Rating 2
Datajack - Alpha
Datajack - Alpha
Obvious Full Arm (AGI 9, STR 3, Physical 5) (Right) - Used
+Enhanced Agility Rating 3
+Customized Agility Rating 6
+Armor Rating 3
+Cyberdeck
+Large Smuggling Compartment
Reaction Enhancers Rating 3- Used
Smartlink - Alpha
Wired Reflexes Rating 1 - Alpha

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket12
Ballistic Mask2
+Gas Mask
+Single Sensor Rating 2
+Thermographic Vision
Clothing0

== Weapons ==
Savalette Guardian
+Concealed Quick-Draw Holster
+Personalized Grip
+Silencer
+Smartgun System, Internal
+Spare Clip
+Spare Clip
Pool: 9 (11)Accuracy: 8DV: 8PAP: -1RC: 3
Unarmed Attack
Pool: 2Accuracy: 4DV: 1SAP: -RC: 2

== Gear ==
Ammo: APDS (Heavy Pistols) x30
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Heavy Pistols) x20
Contacts Rating 3
+Flare Compensation
+Image Link
+Vision Magnification
Cram
Electronic Parts Pack
Fake SIN (Sandy) Rating 4
+Fake License (Restricted Bioware License) Rating 4
+Fake License (Restricted Cyberware License) Rating 4
+Fake License (Firearms License) Rating 4
+Fake License (Cyberdeck License) Rating 4
+Fake License (Driver's License) Rating 4
Handheld Housing Rating 3
+Single Sensor Rating 3 [Ultrasound]
+Single Sensor Rating 3 [Camera]
+Single Sensor Rating 3 [Omni-directional Microphone]
Jazz
Long Haul
Medkit Rating 6
Microtronica Azteca 300
+Mod: Modify a Matrix Attribute
+Browse
+Signal Scrub
+Toolbox
+Wrapper
+Stealth
+Program Carrier [Encryption]
+Cat's Paw
+Virtual Machine
+Exploit
+Bootstrap
+Smoke and Mirrors
+Tantrum
Psyche
Slap Patch, Stim Patch Rating 6
Slap Patch, Trauma Patch
Standard Tags x100
Survival Kit
Tag Eraser
Tool Kit (Hardware)

== Vehicles ==
Chrysler-Nissan Jackrabbit (Subcompact)
+Sensor Array Rating 2
MCT Fly-Spy (Minidrone)
+Sensor Array Rating 3
MCT Fly-Spy (Minidrone)
+Sensor Array Rating 3
Shiawase Kanmushi (Microdrone)
+Sensor Array Rating 3


== Nuyen Expenses ==
-10 +1 Reaction
-15 +1 Agility
-12 Positive Qualities
+25 Negative qualities
-7 Matrix Perception Specialization

6 Karma left

Mechanical Notes: Standard Decker with Cyberarm of shootyness.  Hack stuff, shoot things.
Modify message
« Last Edit: (21:40:26/04-06-16) by Hobbes »


Could downgrade to a Little Hornet if you want more money for things.  Main selling point here is 7 Edge and a decent dice pool in everything that you'll want to do.  Possible tweaks, you could drop Cybercombat completely to free up more skill points.  If your table has stat mins you'll have to shuffle points around.  You may have to drop to Edge 5 to pick up a couple stat points by shuffling Priorities.  Although your stats could be fixed with 'ware if you drop to a Little Hornet.  Several Options. 

Anyway, Decker with Cyberarm, its a classic for a reason. 

[Bewilderbeast]

Hey Hobbes. Thanks for your input, was hoping to get your take in particular. I've seen your cybered decker and like it, but I have an innate aversion to full-on copying someone's build. Still, I'll try to learn what I can from it.

I've heard you say elsewhere that an expensive deck is unnecessary, and the build you posted only has a Microtronica Azteca. Would you mind sharing some of the rationale behind this?

Looking at Run Faster again, I see that Restricted Gear is 10 Karma this edition, not 5. So too rich for my blood, that. I take you're going with wireless wired reflexes and reaction enhancers because, as a hacker, you're confident you can watch your back enough to not get your 'ware bricked? Because that's not a bad idea.

[Hobbes]

Little Hornet plus Perfect Time and Overclocker and the assorted programs to boost Matrix Attributes on a deck and the situational awareness  to correctly juggle the stats absolutely works.  Note the long string of conditions.  So for a Generic, here you go, kind of build that had the money to spare I went with the "easy" option of the more expensive deck. 

If you're comfortable with the conditions, then downgrade the deck and profit.  This particular build has "E" stats so they're pretty gawd awful.  A level of old fashioned Muscle Replacement to boost Agility and get the Str out of small child levels would be my choice.  There are lots of other good options too.

Copy/Pasting builds...eh... you're rarely going to straight up take a build verbatim off some post on the interwebs.   You'll change the Negative Qualities, Contacts, and Knowledge skills to what would make sense for your character.  Ultimately Shadowrunners have pretty similar stats and skills, especially compared to other characters of the same Archetype, I wouldn't worry about it.

And yes, if your Decker's gear gets bricked you're a bad decker and you should feel bad.  :  )

[Bewilderbeast]

Ah, I think you misunderstood my question. I was concerned that the Azteca 300 is kind of a weaksauce deck with Limits that are too low; but I'm guessing you would advocate just switching your Matrix Attributes accordingly a lot? Preferably with the very excellent Perfect Time if applicable?

[Hobbes]

Ah, yes.  If the Microtronica 300 has "low" limits you're playing with a different set of expectations than I am. 

IMO as long as you can get a limit of 6 for the thing you're doing, you're fine.  There are several ways of getting there, one is buy a Deck that has the target limits out of the gate.  Costs Nuyen, saves on PQs and action economy, certainly works.

[Bewilderbeast]

Ah, yes.  If the Microtronica 300 has "low" limits you're playing with a different set of expectations than I am.

Okay, I just realized (with Google's help) that there was apparently a Microtronica 300 in Data Trails. So you were saying 300, and I was thinking 200, and I was thinking to myself "Wow, that's kind of a lousy deck for a primary decker."

Just to be clear, you're not advising taking the 200? Because I'm thinking with Overclocker and Perfect Time I could swing it.

[Richtenstahl]

I'm currently building a decker and I'm very interested int this discussion, to decide what kind of deck to get too.

[Hobbes]

I like the Little Hornet from Data Trails, but I don't mind the micromanaging and I don't take the Cybercombat skill so I'm never trying to juggle 4 stats, usually just leave the second highest in Firewall, Highest in Sleaze, and bounce the Sleaze and Data Processing around depending on the action I'm doing that turn.  Attack gets a 1, if I need to crack file protection I'll swap into Attack, but that is really the only time.  The Second highest number just always stays in Firewall.

The 300, IMO, is a lot of Deck.  Especially with Overclocker, programs, and Perfect Time.  You're going to be over 500 Karma into the game before your dice pools get big enough to need to upgrade.  Probably more if you're fixing stats and branching out your skills at all. 

And also, Smoke and Mirrors is essentially, broken.  You can easily pick up a +5 Sleaze and cancel out the noise with Antenna and Datajacks.  That is really the key to making the low end decks function.  With Overclocker, Stealth, Smoke and Mirrors, you've got a +7 to Sleaze potentially.  It's why you can get away with hacking on a Commlink with a dongle.  Your opposed checks are typically Sleaze, the Data Processing tests are typically a threshold (couple key exceptions).  And the one Attack test I ever would use is a Threshold.  IMO, Firewall is your second line of Defense, you should be running silent and have a lot of dice to avoid detection.

[Herr Brackhaus]

And also, Smoke and Mirrors is essentially, broken.  You can easily pick up a +5 Sleaze and cancel out the noise with Antenna and Datajacks.  That is really the key to making the low end decks function.  With Overclocker, Stealth, Smoke and Mirrors, you've got a +7 to Sleaze potentially.  It's why you can get away with hacking on a Commlink with a dongle.  Your opposed checks are typically Sleaze, the Data Processing tests are typically a threshold (couple key exceptions).  And the one Attack test I ever would use is a Threshold.  IMO, Firewall is your second line of Defense, you should be running silent and have a lot of dice to avoid detection.

Totally broken. Which is why I get it every time as a non-decker; my missions character will be running with 3 Logic, coupled with an Evotech Himitsu commlink (complete with smuggling compartment and built-in Sleaze 5 module!) with a receiver dongle and a Virtual Machine program carrier running Stealth and Smoke And Mirrors. Total Sleaze dice pool for running silent (on the public grid, of course): 14. Device Rating 2 + Noise Reduction 2 = 5 Noise needed to shut down my comms device.

The recommendation is good, though; you don't need to juggle stats that often, and when you do if you have Overclocker you're good to go.

Bewilderbeast:
You should very much consider the multidimensional copocessor; for 1,400¥, avail 7R, you plug in a module on your deck and get another +1D6 for Matrix initiative (so +4D6 in cold sim, +5D6 in hot sim).

[Bewilderbeast]

Bewilderbeast:
You should very much consider the multidimensional copocessor; for 1,400¥, avail 7R, you plug in a module on your deck and get another +1D6 for Matrix initiative (so +4D6 in cold sim, +5D6 in hot sim).

Source?

[Herr Brackhaus]

Data Trails, which I think you mentioned you don't have. I can provide a page reference once I'm no longer on the phone.

[Hobbes]

MDC is VR only, if you're an AR hacker with Augmented initiative it's really skip-able. 

[Herr Brackhaus]

I'd almost agree with that, Hobbes, if the coprocessor wasn't so darned cheap. If you've got 4d6 physical initiative, sure, skip it, but if not and you ever need that +2 dice and +5d6 initiative and the cost is going full rag doll, at least have the option for maximum initiative.

Especially since decks can have two modules, if desired.