[Senko]

As the title say's sticking a cheaper dongle in a comlink which is a better attribute to add attack, sleeze, up to the preson?

[Kincaid]

Sleaze will be the popular choice, I assume.  You don't automatically alert folks to your presence, can hide reasonably well, and have a pretty good selection of Matrix actions.  No Crack File hurts, but that's about it.

[Senko]

As a result of the other thread I'm now debating if it'd actually be useful for a secondary decker or if you'd be better of getting the lower rating deck for the program running . . . 50k deck vs 50k comlink with no programs.

[firebug]

This depends entirely on what a "secondary decker" is.  Attack actions and Sleaze actions can happen almost independantly of eachother in various situations (except where Crack File comes into play).

If your role is to cover for the normal decker for something like...  "Hey, I need to search the host for the file, can you mark and control cameras and doors while I do this?" then Sleaze would be the way to go.  You are there to do the light lifting and ditch if things get heavy/heated. 

If you're backup for if things go badly, then Attack can be the way to go.  "Oh shit, I got spotted!  Senko, get in here and help me fend off the IC while I finish the job!"  Alternatively, you can be the overwatch guy.  You're staying in the meat, using your Attack to brick things and cause mayhem and take out potential threats and screwing enemy communication while the primary decker works their magic on the matrix or in the host.

[Senko]

More the first one so sleeze then, appeals to me on a personal level too. Thanks.

[I_AM_ZHOUL!!!]

Sleaze Dongle (2 or 3) with a Virtual Machine Program Module modification in a Transys Avalon or Fairlight Caliban & a high rated Agent program (4+) makes a better "secondary hacker" than a PC ever would. They can run a constant Matrix Perception, check your Persona for Marks, Reboot your PAN if they find any (no Attack to Erase Marks),  Hack on the Fly against non-deckers, which leads to Reformat Device & Reboot Device (again no Attack so only Sleaze actions).... all on the Agents Matrix Initiative Passes not sucking up valuable PC actions they will be inferior at doing anyways. Doing this setup also gives a non decker the most useful utility cyberprogram around... Wrapper.

[Senko]

Hmmmm expensive but tempting, especially if you can make the agent your personal secretary as per that variant Comlink as well. Managing your appointments, waking you up, etc, etc.

[SichoPhiend]

Don't Overlook the value of Attack, using the same idea of an attack dongle, Virtual Machine and an agent, you can set it to start bricking your opponents in a fight.  Even if all you do is 'encourage' them to shut their wireless off it's helpful.  Sometimes making them forego those extra 2 smartlink dice is all you need.

Eventually, when I have the cash, I intend to have both dongles and switch as the situation demands.

[I_AM_ZHOUL!!!]

Hmmmm expensive but tempting, especially if you can make the agent your personal secretary as per that variant Comlink as well. Managing your appointments, waking you up, etc, etc.

Not expensive at all to do what you are describing  (what I currently have on my Face.)  That's a Fairlight VM modified with a Agent 3 (¥3000) & Sleaze Dongle 1 (¥3000) that way he can hack onto grids for me, Matrix Perception tests, & Matrix Searches in teamwork tests. Nothing fancy cause that takes investing about ¥60,000 to accomplish. Which is still a better (or at least substantially cheaper in Character Resources) than using a Little Hornet with a PC who has low skill ratings & average Attributes.

[Senko]

Ah I was thinking 3/4 for the sleeze dangle that'd be the difference in price. Oh for the karma/nuyen to make a proper mage/decker.

[Rooks]

I always liked this PAN set up used for my rigger:

This will have a persona/character running it so you can hide or sneak marks on it
EvoTech Himitsu 8R 11,000¥
sleaze 5
Receiver Dongle 3 400¥ -2 noise
Add a Module 500¥
Program Carrier 900¥
Virtual Machine
Signal Scrub 80¥ -2 noise
Smoke and Mirrors 250¥
Effective Sleaze Rating of 9

Total cost 13130 ¥


Nixdorf Sekretär 4 6 2 5 4,000¥ 2 6
Rating 3 Agent
Data proc 6
Ticker
Add a Module 500
Program Carrier 900
Virtual machine
Browse 80
Search 80

Total cost 5560¥ Room for dongle too

Effective Data Processing of 8+ Rating 3 Agents computer skill 11 dice pool plus divides search time by half and the agent is doing it so you can still run hide/do other things

all slave to

Transys Avalon 5,000¥
6 Data Processing 6 Firewall
Add a Module 500¥
Program Carrier 900¥
Virtual machine
Armor 250¥
Agent (Rating 3) 9  3,000¥

Total 9650¥
Effective firewall rating of 8 + 3 agent skill rating 11 room for dongle


Grand total cost 28340¥ for a network of commlinks with fire wall 11 to resist damage 9+users skill for stealth actions and 8+3 11 dice pool for matrix search functions with effective deck stats of data processing 6 firewall 6 stealth 9

unless the dongle takes up the cyberprogram carrier slot

[Senko]

Hmmmm what if you swapped the noise reduction dangle on the himitsu for an attack dongle? If you have the money a rating 3/4 attack dongle would give you options on how to go about things, alternatively a cable tap could also be a good choice. Hook it up to the vending machines data cable and make it think you payed for that food with no noise issues at all hmmm something I need to ask in another thread actually.. Maybe all 3 and swap them depending on the circumstances. Either way I like your pan and it's better value for money than the equivalent decks.

[Rooks]

actually just re reading the matrix chapter its computer+stat limit is the data processing/sleaze so dice pools are about 8ish

[Senko]

An 8 die pool isn't bad if your only a dabbler who hacks minor things rather than a decker breaking into secured areas.

[Rooks]

Considering Riggers are screw over hardcore in this edition and can get hacked pretty easily with no recourse cause the RCC doesnt even have sleaze to hide your icon/person from being hacked