[Rooks]

Ok smart soft why do I need it? can I just use the smartlink on the gun to fire? if I mount all weapons with smart link I just need that or do I need that and the smart soft autosoft to fire weapons on it?

[Adamo1618]

Smartlink is the vision enhancement (page 444), not a gun upgrade. That one is called a smartgun (page 433). The smartsoft acts as the drone version of smartlink, allowing you to use the smartgun features and bonuses.

[SichoPhiend]

Follow up question

If a function has the same name as an imaging or audio device, it’s the same as its description in those sections, with a Capacity equal to its Rating

If a drone with rating 3 sensors has a camera in the array, it then has capacity 3 in that camera for vision and audio enhancements.
Do I
A) have to purchase a smartlink enhancement for that camera in order to use Smartsoft?
B) use the Smartsoft in place of a smartlink enhancement in the camera, therefore not purchase the smartlink enhancement?
C) not need Smartsoft if I purchase the smartlink enhancement for that camera?

[Kiirnodel]

I believe it is B. The drone needs the smartsoft to integrate the information from the smart gun system and be able to take advantage of that tech.

A is never necessary (it would be redundant). You don't need the program/accessory in the smartgun's camera to use a smartgun, you need it in the vision enhancements of the user firing the gun.

You could use C (sort of) for a non-drone user. If you put smarting in a gun sight, you could use its bonuses as long as you are using the sight to aim. (Like a sniper rifle)

[Rooks]

what if I have a pair of smart glasses do I need the smart soft then?

[Kiirnodel]

Smartsoft is for drones. The smartlink eyeware enhancement is what you use for meat people.

[Marcus Gideon]

The only rationale I can come up with... is that people kept arguing whether or not drones could benefit from mounted Smartguns, and what it took to make that happen. Some thought you'd have to modify one of the onboard cameras to incorporate a Smartlink just like a person. Others say the drone can't use it, but a Rigger with a Smartlink implant can (which I think is dren since it's an ocular implant and you aren't using your eyes in VR).

So now they've definitively said drones can use Smartguns... if they run the Smartsoft program.

[Rooks]

What about smart platforms aren't they the same as weapons mounts

[Marcus Gideon]

Smart firing platforms are basically a stationary drone (but without the Rigger Interface, which means no Jumping In). They have Pilot 3, Targeting Autosoft 3, can be upgraded with additional Autosofts (which would include Smartsoft). The basic write-up on Core pg 433 doesn't say anything about benefitting from the Smartgun bonuses on their own, but does specifically call out that someone controlling them remotely can benefit if they have an implanted Smartlink.

Which again, makes no sense in my mind. Since Smartlink is an Eyeware function, which has zero relevance inside VR.

[Herr Brackhaus]

An implanted smartlink would still provide your brain with targeting data, even when you are in VR.

[Marcus Gideon]

An implanted smartlink would still provide your brain with targeting data, even when you are in VR.

Depends whether the implant is feeding data into your visual cortex, or literally projecting a HUD on your retina or something.

If it is just data into your melon, then there's no reason why it needs to be Eyeware at all. Just make Smartlink a program you run on anything with DNI. Then you could be 100% natural, wearing Trodes, and still get the same benefits. You're still getting targeting data, only now you didn't need to go under the knife.

Especially now that there's Smartsoft, you could run that on your Commlink, piped through your Trodes / Datajack, and call it a day. Maybe even stick with the +1 for non-implant (Trodes) or +2 for implant (Datajack).