[RoboCopsGoneMad]

I'm gearing up for @CarnageCon next month and am super psyched to play some Missions. I've been playing SR for a while, but never missions. I'm trying some new stuff with this Combat Decker build and I'd love to get some feedback  from anyone with Missions experience.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kwh5fyvxer0st2u/K-rad.htm?dl=0

Looking for any input!

[Csjarrat]

General rule of thumb is that copy pasting your char sheet into a regular post will get much more response. I can't actually view your link at all on my mobile device so i'd suggest changing it so we can all see and therefore help you out, cheers

[RoboCopsGoneMad]

tl;dr - Combat Decker, carries no deck but uses commlinks with dongles. Will do some commlink mods later to add program capacity. Actually faster in AR than cold sim VR.

NAME/ALIAS: Kenneth Hunter (K-Rad)   MOVEMENT: 6/12
METATYPE: Human   AGE:   24   SEX:   M   NUYEN:   12
HEIGHT:   1.8M   WEIGHT:   70kg   HAIR:   Black   EYES:   Blue   SKIN:   Pale
KARMA:   0   TOTAL KARMA:   0   STREET CRED:   0   NOTORIETY:   0   PUBLIC AWARE:   0
COMPOSURE:   5   JUDGE INTENTIONS:   6   LIFT/CARRY:   4   LIFT/CARRY WEIGHT:   30 kg/20 kg   MEMORY:   11

BODY: 2
CHARISMA: 2
EDGE: 5
INITIATIVE: 7 (11) + 3d6
AGILITY: 3
INTUITION: 4
CURRENT EDGE POINTS:
 
REACTION: 3 (7)
LOGIC: 6 (
ESSENCE: 0.35
RIGGER INIT: 11 + 3d6
STRENGTH: 2
WILLPOWER: 3
 
MATRIX AR: 11 + 3d6
MATRIX COLD: 4 + DP + 3d6
MATRIX HOT: 4 + DP + 4d6
ATTRIBUTES Show: YESPage Break: NO
ACTIVE SKILLS
SKILL NAME   POOL   RTG   ATT   MOD
Ani Handling   1   0   2 (CHA)   0
Archery   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Armorer   7   0   8 (LOG)   0
Automatics (Submachine Guns)   9 (11)   6   3 (AGI)   0 (+3 for full cyberarm when firing one handed)
Blades   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Clubs   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Computer   13   5   8 (LOG)   0
Con   6   4   2 (CHA)   0
Cybercombat (Devices)   14 (16)   6   8 (LOG)   0
Demolitions   7   0   8 (LOG)   0
Disguise   3   0   4 (INT)   0
Diving   1   0   2 (BOD)   0
Electronic Warfare   12   4   8 (LOG)   0
Escape Artist   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Etiquette   3   1   2 (CHA)   0
First Aid   9   1   8 (LOG)   0
Forgery   7   0   8 (LOG)   0
Free-Fall   1   0   2 (BOD)   0
Gunnery   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Gymnastics   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Hacking (Devices)   14 (16)   6   8 (LOG)   0
Hardware   13   5   8 (LOG)   0
ACTIVE SKILLS
SKILL NAME   POOL   RTG   ATT   MOD
Heavy Weapons   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Impersonation   1   0   2 (CHA)   0
Instruction   1   0   2 (CHA)   0
Intimidation   1   0   2 (CHA)   0
Leadership   1   0   2 (CHA)   0
Longarms   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Medicine   9   1   8 (LOG)   0
Navigation   3   0   4 (INT)   0
Negotiation   1   0   2 (CHA)   0
Perception   6   2   4 (INT)   0
Performance   1   0   2 (CHA)   0
Pilot Ground Craft   6   0   7 (REA)   0
Pilot Watercraft   6   0   7 (REA)   0
Pistols   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Running   1   0   2 (STR)   0
Sneaking   5   2   3 (AGI)   0
Software   13   5   8 (LOG)   0
Survival   2   0   3 (WIL)   0
Swimming   1   0   2 (STR)   0
Throwing Weapons   2   0   3 (AGI)   0
Tracking   3   0   4 (INT)   0
Unarmed Combat   2   0   3 (AGI)   0

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS

SKILL NAME   POOL   RTG   ATT   MOD
Area Knowledge: Seattle   8   4   4 (INT)   0
Bars and Clubs   6   2   4 (INT)   0
Gangs   10   6   4 (INT)   0
Mafia   9   5   4 (INT)   0
Security Design (Matrix)   8 (10)   4   4 (INT)   0
Shadow Community (Safe Houses)   6 (   2   4 (INT)   0
Small Unit Tactics   8   4   4 (INT)   0
Sports   9   1   8 (LOG)   0


PHYSICAL LIMIT: 5   MENTAL LIMIT: 8   SOCIAL LIMIT: 3   ASTRAL LIMIT: 8

Ballistic Mask [+1] (Only for intimidation, Must be visible)

Contacts

NAME   LOCATION   ARCHETYPE   TYPE   CONNECTION   LOYALTY
Margie   Seattle   County Clerk   Contact   2   2
Nexus   Denver   Data Haven   Contact   Group(5)   1
Travis "T-Rex" Cotton   Seattle   Ganger   Contact   2   2

QUALITY NAME   
Allergy (Common, Mild) (Seafood)   SR5 78
Codeblock (Disarm Data Bomb)   SR5 80
Codeslinger (Brute Force)   SR5 72
Go Big or Go Home   DT 44
Prime Datahaven Membership   DT 45

ARMOR   VALUE   
TOTAL   15   
Actioneer Business Clothes   8   SR5 437
Armor Jacket   12   SR5 437
Nonconductivity 2
Ballistic Mask   2   RG 74
Forearm Guards   1   RG 73

     
WEAPON   POOL   ACCURACY   DAMAGE   AP   MODE   RC   AMMO   
Ares Crusader II   9   8   7P   -   SA/BF   4   40(c)   SR5 427
Concealed Quick-Draw Holster; Gas-Vent 2 System; Personalized Grip; Smartgun System, Internal; Spare Clip; Spare Clip; Spare Clip
S: 0-5   M: 6-15   L: 16-30   E: 31-50   

Ingram Smartgun X   9 (11)   7   8P   -   BF/FA   5   32(c)   SR5 427
Foregrip; Personalized Grip; Sling; Smartgun System, Internal; Sound Suppressor; Spare Clip; Spare Clip; Spare Clip
S: 0-10   M: 11-40   L: 41-80   E: 81-150   


IMPLANT   ESSENCE   GRADE   
Cerebral Booster Rating 2   0.4   Standard   SR5 460
Datajack   0.1   Standard   SR5 452
Image Link   0.1   Standard   SR5 453
Obvious Full Arm (AGI 6, STR 3, Physical 5) (Right)   1   Standard   SR5 456
Customized Agility 6
Reaction Enhancers Rating 2   0.6   Standard   SR5 455
Smartlink   0.2   Standard   SR5 453
Ultrasound Sensor Rating 1   0.25   Standard   SR5 452
Wired Reflexes Rating 2   3   Standard   SR5 455


VEHICLE   HANDLING   ACCEL   SPEED   PILOT   BODY   ARMOR   SENSOR   CM   SEATS   DEVICE   
Yamaha Growler (Off-Road Bike)   4/5   1   3   1   5   5   1 (0)   15   1   3   SR5 462
Sensor Array Rating 2


DEVICE   DEVICE RATING   ATTACK   SLEAZE   DATA PROC.   FIREWALL   
Transys Avalon (Commlink)   6   0   0   6   6   SR5 438
ACCESSORIES
Attack Dongle 5; Stealth Dongle 5
Meta Link (Commlink)   1   0   0   1   1   SR5 438
ACCESSORIES

LIFESTYLE   MONTHS   
Medium   1   SR5 268 (Ares Grid)


NAME   RTG.   QTY.   
Ammo: APDS (Machine Pistols)   -   120   SR5 434
Ammo: APDS (Submachine Guns)   -   96   SR5 434
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Machine Pistols)   -   40   SR5 434
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Submachine Guns)   -   32   SR5 434
Cram   -   2   SR5 411
NAME   RTG.   QTY.   
Fake SIN (Bobby Tables)   3   1   SR5 442
Fake License 3 (Firearms License); Fake License 3 (Cyberdeck License)
Gas Mask   -   1   SR5 449
Jazz   -   2   SR5 411
Laés   -   2   SS 188
Medkit   4   1   SR5 450
NAME   RTG.   QTY.   
Sensor Tags   -   10   SR5 440
Slap Patch, Stim Patch   3   2   SR5 451
Slap Patch, Trauma Patch   -   1   SR5 451
Stealth Tags   -   10   SR5 440

DESCRIPTION Show: YESPage Break: NO
Medium height, skinny pale ganger. Wears cargo pants with bandoliers of commlinks strapped around his legs. Burners, hackjobs, plants... whatever. Dresses kinda like a rave kid, usually black pants and black/blue windbreakers or hoodies. Bald head with obvious datajacks, a couple are just for show. Covers 'em up with baseball caps (Go Mariners!).

Sometimes he's wearing glasses, sometimes not.

Talks ALOT but knows when to shut up. Moves very quickly when excited, or on drugs.

In the Matrix, his avatar is Admiral Grace Hopper in her dress uniform. His marks look like Navy chevrons.

BACKGROUND Show: YESPage Break: NO

Smart kid, got caught up with the wrong kids early. Started with hacking soda machines for free drinks to ... "wow, that escalated quickly!". Too smart for school and was making too much money on the streets to go back. Ran away from home and took up with the Cereal Killers, and the rest has been a slow but steady climb up the income ladder.


HATES diffusing data bombs, ever since he got fragged real good by one early in his career. Still likes to just write code, and spends time working on agents and virii. Time flies in VR, he gets a lot done.


CONCEPT Show: YESPage Break: NO
K-Rad is a hyper aggressive combat decker who runs with the Cereal Killers, a Matrix Gang operating out of all parts of Seattle. He hates being used only for Matrix support, and will demand to be on the front lines as much as possible. K will almost always defer to Attack over Sleaze, but will tone things down when required. Specifically when hosts are involved.

NOTES Show: YESPage Break: NO
Sometimes fake datajacks are booby traps. He keeps them armed with assorted virii that he works on.

Travis "TRex" Cotton, his cousing from CAS Autin Tx, the decker with the really short arms.

Margie is a Seattle municipal clerk, can get access to muni networks and archives.

Been scouting out the Chosen Ring. Has plans to move on up to them once he's mastered the Cereal Killers.

[Csjarrat]

just so you know mate, the ratings and price of the dongles mean that you're paying the equivalent of a decent deck anyway without the actual functionality of one. you'd be far better off just grabbing a deck imho.
also, if you're intending to go into combat, you'd probably need better resilience than BOD 2 and an armour jacket. i'd be looking at bumping BOD up a bit and getting some bone lacing/orthoskin and such to help

[Hobbes]

Just guessing, Resources A, Skills B, Stats C, Meta D (Human)? 

For what you're spending on Dongles just get a Little Hornet from Data Trails and stick two Program Carriers on it (Smoke and Mirrors, and Encryption).  You'll want three Antenna and a couple Data Jacks jammed in somewhere.  Honestly with as much 'ware as you're packing I'd recommend Biocompatibility Cyberware. 

Skills B.

Electronics Group 5, Hacking, Electronic Warfare, Sneaking, Automatics at 6.  Cybercombat if you do such things, Perception if you don't want to use sensors, Specializations if you still have points.  All those 1s and 2s should be bought with Karma.  Possibly spend Karma on Computer (Matrix Perception) if you've got the points. 

[RoboCopsGoneMad]

Transys Avalon + the dongles is 65K. Resulting in a 6/5/5/6 "deck". I mean sure, you need to swap out the dongles when sleazing vs. attacking, but what deck can you get that competes with that price? Yes, I'm also forfeiting program slots. I plan on getting another Avalon and moding both to have program carriers.

I honestly think deck pricing is broken, but thats a whole 'nother post.

Agreed, damage soak isn't great, but I think i'll live with it till I can train up BOD to the 3 sweet spot.

[Whiskeyjack]

This is a perfect example of why I hate dongles.

[Hobbes]

Vulcan Lieglord RCC with all programs and add a matrix attribute puts you around 70k and is "better".  You can actually get double digit Sleaze going with Smoke and Mirrors and cancel out the most of noise penalty with just software.  (2 from Signal Scrub + whatever Noise reduction you've got left from open program slots on an RCC)

Edit: sorry decent levels of Sleaze.  8 IIRC.  2 Sleaze, 5 Smoke and Mirrors, 1 Stealth?  8.  Good 'nuff.

Microdeck Summit with two program carriers works fine too.  Especially with Perfect Time, although the Little Hornet is worth the upgrade price IMO.  4/3/3/1 becomes 10 Sleaze when you need Sleaze, and a 5 anything else when you need anything else.  And a limit of 5 will get you through most any hacks.

You really only need two good stats with a Cyberdeck when you have Perfect Time, and with Program Carriers you can essentially add 1 to two stats.  And then Smoke and Mirrors gets you to silly levels of Sleaze.

The drawback to Hacking by Commlink dongle is swapping dongles, and action economy is a Deckers weak point.  Also swapping Dongles when you're in VR is problematic at best.

Anyway, just saying.  For what you're spending on Dongles you can just as well have an actual deck or RCC and gain flexibility for no real loss.  Deck stats are normally just limits, so 6+ isn't really needed.  Especially when you have 5 Edge.

[Hobbes]

Oh, and Dongles are Rating Squared times 3,000 Nuyen.  Your two rating 5 Dongles actually cost a total of 150,000 Nuyen.

Edit: Source  https://www.dropbox.com/s/022gpaf8wkohvwy/SRM%20Chicago%20FAQ%20Ver%200.1.pdf?dl=0   Way down on p. 42.

Hacking by Dongle works.  A Transys Avalon with a Rating 2ish Sleaze Dongle and Modified to run Smoke and Mirrors, beat the noise penalty down with stacking Antenna and Data jacks, use Edge every time you need to break file Encryption.  Totally works for most hacking tasks a Player will run into, especially in Missions play. 

[RoboCopsGoneMad]

Nice, so I've been errata'd!

Yes, 150K changes these tradeoffs quite a bit, i'll revisit this now.

Thanks!

[Whiskeyjack]

Oh, and Dongles are Rating Squared times 3,000 Nuyen.  Your two rating 5 Dongles actually cost a total of 150,000 Nuyen.

Edit: Source  https://www.dropbox.com/s/022gpaf8wkohvwy/SRM%20Chicago%20FAQ%20Ver%200.1.pdf?dl=0   Way down on p. 42.

I mean, frankly, thank god.

I'm really ok with a Matrix dabbler being able to do things in a very limited way, or a decker having a backup in case taking his deck somewhere wasn't feasible. But when edition intent was bringing back decks, and then promptly obviating them, that was super problematic.

[falar]

Man, I would have jumped in earlier if I'd realized the math was the big thing.

With Rating x Rating, dongles are pretty darn expensive as you get to a dongle that's worth having. Really, it's only good for a semi-decent Rating 4 Dongle at around 50k. Anything above that and it just gets flat out ridiculous pricing - but I"m pretty sure that's the intent.

After all, having an agent in your commlink helping out your attack/sleaze actions with a limit of 4 still isn't that bad. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid investment in your future.

[Csjarrat]

Man, I would have jumped in earlier if I'd realized the math was the big thing.

With Rating x Rating, dongles are pretty darn expensive as you get to a dongle that's worth having. Really, it's only good for a semi-decent Rating 4 Dongle at around 50k. Anything above that and it just gets flat out ridiculous pricing - but I"m pretty sure that's the intent.

After all, having an agent in your commlink helping out your attack/sleaze actions with a limit of 4 still isn't that bad. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid investment in your future.

at 50k, you can just get a deck and hit limit 4 with a 3,2,1 spare for other ratings, plus can run software on it to boost the ratings as needed as well. i don't see the value in dongles for hacking work at all, just grab a rating 2 dongle and stick a program carrier with virtual machine; sneak + stealth (or smoke n mirrors if you're feeling really cheesy/have loads of NR) on your link and use it to run your pan silently

[RoboCopsGoneMad]

I really like the idea of using an RCC. I think it gels nicely with the idea of a Combat decker... might actually use it for drones at some point.

One problem though, is that it seems that Add Matrix Attribute can only be used once on a device. That implies that I must choose between Attack and Sleaze, and cannot have both. If that is the case, I'll go with Attack because this character is all about bricking stuff fast.

However, i don't want to be so loud during legwork phases of runs. I think what i'll do is get an RCC and sleaze it up, and then just get a burner commlink and give it an attack attribute.

Metalink : 100¥
Attack Attrib : 2000¥ parts
Increase Attack (5) : 2000¥ parts

so that gives me a burner with a really low everything BUT attack, which I would use during combat to take out devices. Can't run programs, which is a bummer but for that price reasonable. Its matrix condition monitor will be 2 lower, but again that seems fair for the price.

While it'd be nice to run Hammer on an "attack burner", I think thats a tradeoff I can live with.

[falar]

You can only get to an Attack Rating 2 on your MetaLink.

Here’s a list of mods you can perform on a device. This isn’t an exhaustive list—if you want to try something that isn’t written here, check with your gamemaster to see if you can do it. There are no additional costs for the mods beyond the cost for the parts and for any kits or facilities used. Unless otherwise noted, a device can only have one modification.

Since Add a Matrix Attribute specifically says that you can add Increase a Matrix Attribute to it, you can do that at least once. Even if it wasn't  a one-time only, you can only do Increase a Matrix Attribute a maximum of 4 times on a Meta Link because it causes two permanent and irreparable boxes of Matrix damage to the device and  Meta Link has 9 boxes, IIRC.