I'm trying to make a technomancer that can function as a team Matrix specialist, but uses almost exclusively resonance abilities as opposed to mundane cracking/electronics skills to do so. The main problem I am finding is that there are certain things that just require marks (usually necessitating hacking and cybercombat skills), mainly getting inside a host. I am trying to work my way around it, but it seems that using Puppeteer to Invite a Mark is the only way to do this. I know that this is not clarified, but it's really the only way I believe this concept could work. I can see how puppeteering a host itself would not be legal, but how about a slaved device? Puppeteering test would still be against host attributes, but if you can get a slaved device to offer to place marks, the marks are also on the host. It also would assume that there is a resonance way to get around protected files without the need to crack them. Either the Editor CF ignores file protection as file protection only protects from matrix actions, or Editor can be used a few times to copy a file without its protection attached to it, and then having more manipulations done to that copied file. If this is not legal, a sprite can perhaps do that cracking work, but it kind of takes the specificity out of this concept.
So, against non-host or host-protected targets/devices, strategies are pretty straight forward. The character keeps a bunch of registered sprites. High edge will help compile and register sprites at different levels, a few low level ones to sustain complex forms, and a few higher level ones to do "regular" hacking if needed as well as add dice to threading tests. An example: to take a file from someone's commlink. A sprite would spot the device the file is on for the technomancer with a matrix perception test(s) if it is running silent or far away. If a file is protected by a tough device or PAN, the character can cast a Diffusion of Data Processing on it. A sprite can then sustain this CF. Character would then thread Editor, potentially aided by another sprite, and copying the file and deleting the original with the net hits. For less straightforward but more common matrix actions that can be useful over time that require marks (Snoop, Trace Icon), a sprite can get the job done, with the technomancer and a sprite first lowering Firewall (if necessary) and the technomancer sustaining static veil on the sprite doing the hack to keep overwatch from growing. The technomancer can pass off this sustaining if needed sometimes too. Sprites can do basic matrix searches for the technomancer as well.
Hosts are a more complicated issue. There are just some jobs where you have to get inside a host (as I believe even with complex forms, you can't "directly" interact with icons inside a host if you are not inside a host). While a resonancer doesn't have to worry about noise (resonance actions aren't affected by noise) they have no way to direct connect to get around host defenses nor an easy way to get a mark on a host. Having a device slaved to a host invite a mark with Puppeteer is the only way I see this happening (if folks have other ideas that would be great!). This device can be found either with matrix searches of schematics and such and then matrix perception tests to locate the item, or by being onsite or a team being on site to find a slaved device and relay that info to the Resonancer. So Puppeteer Software + Resonance Test (Level) [2] vs Host Rating + Firewall is needed for this to happen, meaning the test needs two net hits for the simple action of inviting a mark. If successfully threaded it is a lot of Fade coming the technomancer's way so probably edge would be needed to resist. Of course a Diffusion of Firewall will probably be needed first, aided by and sustained by a sprite before Puppeteer is attempted. I am unsure of this part, but I am assuming a host would know if it invited a mark against its wishes, putting it on alert. Am I correct in this? The technomancer would then run silent in the host, as they don't have to worry about -2 to matrix actions because they don't use them. From here, a technomancer can use Editor/Puppeteer to get what they need. If they need specific matrix actions or ongoing ones that editor/puppeteer will have a hard time with, within the host, they can compile a sprite inside the host to do that work. Perhaps even overcompiling for a very high level sprite if needed. The sprite would have to mark the host on its own though, or another invite marks puppeteer test to give marks to a sprite.
So currently designed, a character like this basically needs high Software (Complex Form tests), high Compiling/Registering (For sprites with lots of services to sustain spells and for high level sprites with enough services to get a hack job done if needed), High Resonance (CFs/sprites/Fade Resistance), high Willpower (Fade Resistance/addiction tests), enough Logic (for sprite capacity/addiction tests), and high Edge (particularly to help with registering and resisting Fade). Plain Dwarves, gnomes, and ogres make good candidates for metatypes, but a Human/Elf/Troll could also maybe get the job done. Humans/elves may also start with more skills, but I'm not sure in concept they are necessary.
A dwarf, gnome, and ogre can probably get away with taking Meta A, Attribute B, and Resonance B. This would allow for higher edge with enough karma left over to buy up Complex forms. Orks/Elves/Humans will probably need Meta B and Resonance A. Trolls may need both Meta and Resonance A with Attributes C.
I mocked up both a dwarf and ogre version for concept. The dwarf version is below. I can post the ogre too as it is pretty similar if people want to see. Dwarf went Meta A, Attributes B, Resonance B.
Skillwise, Compiling, Registering, and Software are all maxed with specializations. I am not sure what to do with the remaining 4 skill points. I put them in perception and hardware for now, perception because perception and hardware because there is no resonance way to jack out if link-locked. Perhaps electronic warfare can be used to hide. Static Bomb CF might be more fitting for this kind of character.
The character has high enough willpower and logic to safely use zen for a willpower boost, as it could help with all of the Fade rolls this character takes. Psyche can be used to increase Logic/Sleaze to avoid detection when running silently and a little VR initiative.
This type of character starts pretty unhelpful in the meatworld, but as a resonance focused "hacker" Noise/direct connections are irrelevant. They really can hack from anywhere, so they really could do their jobs safely in VR from home or a van. With some piloting/gunnery skills and access to a van, they could be getaway drivers too. Perhaps a techno-rigger if built carefully could eventually double as a Resonancer, as investing in complex forms is karma cheaper than investing in hacking skills for a high resonance technomancer. To be more a straightforward Resonancer, the character would probably submerge for Overclocker and the Pain Editor echo to ignore the would modifiers caused by fade. In the meantime, stim patches will do.
I don't think i've seen a technomancer character like this on the boards. It is a little time intensive to play, but is it playable?
Karma Expenses: 24 positive qualities, 6 nuyen, 20 complex forms, -25 on Negative Qualities = 0 Remaining.
== Info ==
Name: Unnamed Character Alias: Work-Around
Dwarf Movement: 6/12
Composure: 10
Street Cred: 0 Judge Intentions: 8
Notoriety: 0 Lift/Carry: 6 (45 kg/30 kg)
Public Awareness: 0 Memory: 12
Karma: 0 Nuyen: 18000
Age: Skin:
Eyes: Hair:
== Priorities ==
Metatype: A(4) - Any metatype
Attributes: B(3) - 20 Attributes
Special: B(3) - Adept, Magician, or Technomancer
Skills: E(0) - 18 Skills/0 Skill Groups
Resources: E(0) - 6,000¥
Bonus Skill: Compiling
Bonus Skill: Registering
== Attributes ==
BOD: 3 CHA: 3
AGI: 3 INT: 5
REA: 4 LOG: 5
STR: 3 WIL: 7
EDG: 5 RES: 7
== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 6 Initiative: 9 + 1d6
Physical Damage Track: 10 Rigger Init: 9 + 1d6
Stun Damage Track: 12 Astral Init:
Physical: 5 Matrix AR Init: 9 + 1d6
Mental: 8 Matrix VR Cold Init: 5 + DP + 3d6
Social: 7 Matrix VR Hot Init: 5 + DP + 4d6
Astral: 8
== Active Skills ==
Compiling (Crack) Base: 6 + Karma: 0 = 6 Pool: 13 (15)
Hardware (Jacking Out) Base: 1 + Karma: 0 = 1 Pool: 6 (
Perception (Visual) Base: 2 + Karma: 0 = 2 Pool: 7 (9)
Registering (Crack) Base: 6 + Karma: 0 = 6 Pool: 13 (15)
Software (Puppeteer) Base: 6 + Karma: 0 = 6 Pool: 11 (13)
== Knowledge Skills ==
English N
Matrix Security (AIs) Base: 4 + Karma: 0 = 4 Pool: 8 (10)
News (Technology) Base: 4 + Karma: 0 = 4 Pool: 9 (11)
Sprawl Life (Street Docs) Base: 3 + Karma: 0 = 3 Pool: 8 (10)
Street Drugs Base: 4 + Karma: 0 = 4 Pool: 9
== Contacts ==
(Techno-hermit) (CON: 1, LOY: 2)
(Drug Dealer ) (CON: 5, LOY: 1)
== Qualities ==
Asthma
Exceptional Attribute (RES)
Impassive
Otaku to Technomancer
Resistance to Pathogens/Toxins
Technomancer
Thermographic Vision
Weak Immune System
== Weapons ==
Unarmed Attack
Pool: 2 Accuracy: 5 DV: 3S AP: - RC: 2
==Complex Forms==
Diffusion of Attack
Diffusion of Data Processing
Diffusion of FIrewall
Editor
Puppeteer
Resonance Veil
Static Veil
== Lifestyles ==
S (Squatter) 1 months
== Armor ==
Armor Vest 9
== Weapons ==
Survival Knife
Pool: 2 Accuracy: 5 DV: 5P AP: -1 RC: 2
Unarmed Attack
Pool: 2 Accuracy: 5 DV: 3S AP: - RC: 2
== Commlink ==
Hermes Ikon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 5, FWL: 5)
+Fake SIN (UCAS) Rating 4
Living Persona (ATT: 3, SLZ: 5, DP: 5, FWL: 7)
Fade Resistance Pool: 16
== Gear ==
Medkit Rating 6
Psyche x6
Slap Patch, Stim Patch Rating 6 x6
Survival Kit
Zen x12
I'll add to my technomancer wishlist a Complex Form that lets you transfer a mark a sprite gets to its technomancer.
