[FST_Gemstar]

Has anyone built one yet? I was just playing around, and they seem much more viable now. 

With Skills C, you can max Tasking, Software, EW, Computer and Hacking, and have some real skill points in basic runner stuff. You only would need a Hardware soft for jacking out.  Skills E, You can get enough Tasking, software, and hacking, while supplementing other skills with softs. It's riskier, but it is mostly hacking tests that you want to be able to edge when it comes to matrix work. 

I just mocked this skills E elf up, capable of being team matrix specialist. At Res 1, character would pop four L2 machine sprites on the skillwires to buy 1 diagnostic hit for a total of +4 dice/+4 limit on R4 skillsofts (less for less skilled/softs). Character would still have 3 sprite herd slots to use for matrix teamworking and complex form dice.  With Focused Concentration 2, character can run static veil on themselves and can cleaner themselves enough to manage OS very well. 

Character starts with enough of their own skillsofts for basic functioning, and a basic skillsoft subscription for lingua/knowsofts.   

Growth would be to raise Res to 2, get Skinlink/FFF, and learn complex forms, as well as buy more skillsofts and kits/workshops. 

The character has liabilities, and there are permutations that trade some attributes/elfiness for more natural skills, starting Res, complex forms. But I think the character starts more optimized as is, with adding those other things later. 

Karma spent:  25 PQs, -25 NQs, 25 edge.
Nuyen Left: 7kish, but character still needs to buy drugs (cram/psyche)/ammo. 

== Personal Data ==
Name: Unnamed Character         Alias:
Elf                             
Movement: 8/16 (2m/hit)                   
Swim: 3 (1m/hit)                     
                                Composure: 9
Street Cred: 0                  Judge Intentions: 10
Notoriety: 2                    Lift/Carry: 5 (30 kg/20 kg)
Public Awareness: 0             Memory: 12
Karma: 0                        Nuyen: 6,815¥
Age:                            Skin:
Eyes:                           Hair:
Primary Arm: Right             

== Priorities ==
Metatype: D,1
Attributes: B,3
Special: C,2
Skills: E,0
Resources: A,4

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3                          CHA: 4
AGI: 4                          INT: 6
REA: 3                          LOG: 5 (7)
STR: 1 (2) WIL: 5
EDG: 3                          RES: 1

== Derived Attributes
Essence: 4.00                   Initiative:          9 +1d6
Physical Damage Track: 10       Rigger Initiative:   9 +1d6
Stun Damage Track: 11           Astral Initiative:   
Physical: 4                     Matrix AR:           9 +1d6
   Thermal Damping (Armor Jacket): +3, Only for Sneaking against Thermographic Vision or thermal sensors.
Mental: 9                       Matrix Cold:         13 +3d6
   Medkit: +6, Only for First Aid and Medicine
Social: 6                       Matrix Hot:          13 +4d6
   Ballistic Mask: +1, Only for Intimidation, Must be visible
   Mortimer of London: Berwick Suit: +1, Must be visible
   Securetech PPP: Arms Kit: -1, Must be visible
   Securetech PPP: Vitals Kit: -1, Must be visible
Astral: 9

 == Active Skills ==
Compiling (Machine)             Base: 3  + Karma: 0  = 3   Pool: 4 (6)
Hacking (Devices)               Base: 6  + Karma: 0  = 6   Pool: 13 (15)
Registering (Machine)           Base: 6  + Karma: 0  = 6   Pool: 7 (9)
Software                        Base: 6  + Karma: 0  = 6   Pool: 13

 == Knowledge Skills ==
English                         Native
BTLs                            Base: 6  + Karma: 0  = 6   Pool: 12
Data Havens                     Base: 6  + Karma: 0  = 6   Pool: 12
Neo-Classical Music             Base: 4  + Karma: 0  = 4   Pool: 10
Street Drugs                    Base: 6  + Karma: 0  = 6   Pool: 12

 == Qualities ==
Addiction (Mild) (Psyce)
Addiction (Mild) (Crm)
Analytical Mind
Creature of Comfort (Middle)
Dry Addict (Mild) (Longhaul )
Focused Concentration ( 2)
Infirm
Low-Light Vision
Otaku to Technomancer
Speed Reading
Technomancer

 == Complex Forms ==
(Tradition: Default, Resist Fading withRES + WIL ()
Cleaner
Resonance Veil
Static Veil

 == Lifestyle ==
Med (Medium) 1  Month
   + Skillsoft Network, Basic (Skillsoft Network, Basic [2,000¥]) [+2,000¥]

 == Cyberware/Bioware ==
Cerebral BoosterRating 2
ChipjackRating 2 (alpha)
CyberearsRating 1 (alpha)
   + Sound Link
   + Antennae
   + Antennae
   + Antennae
   + Damper
Muscle AugmentationRating 1 (alpha)
Narco
SkilljackRating 4 (used)
SkillwiresRating 4 (used)

 == Armor ==
Armor Jacket                       14
   + Fire Resistance 3
   + Gel Packs
   + Nonconductivity 6
   + Thermal Damping 3
Ballistic Mask                     +2
   + Gas Mask
Mortimer of London: Berwick Suit   9
   + Concealability
   + Custom Fit
Securetech PPP: Arms Kit           +1
Securetech PPP: Vitals Kit         +1

 == Weapons ==
AK-97
   + Gas-Vent 3 System
   + Personalized Grip
   + Sling
   + Smartgun System, Internal
   Pool: 3      Accuracy: 8     DV: 10P      AP: -2    RC: 5
Knife (Survival Kit)
   Pool: 3      Accuracy: 5     DV: 3P       AP: -1    RC: 2
Remington Suppressor
   + Concealed Quick-Draw Holster
   + Gas-Vent 3 System
   + Personalized Grip
   + Smartgun System, Internal
   + Sound Suppressor
   Pool: 3      Accuracy: 9     DV: 7P       AP: -1    RC: 5
Survival Knife
   + Concealed Quick-Draw Holster
   + Personalized Grip
   + Survival Knife Bonuses
   + Survival Knife Wireless Bonuses
   Pool: 3      Accuracy: 6     DV: 4P       AP: -1    RC: 2
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 3      Accuracy: 4     DV: 2S       AP: -     RC: 2

 == Commlink ==
Living Persona (ATT: 4, SLZ: 6, DP: 7, FWL: 5)
Meta Link (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 1, FWL: 1)
   + Commlink Functionality [Camera, Micro 1, Chip Player, Credstick Reader, Earbuds 3, GPS Guidance System, Micro Trid-Projector, Music Player, RFID Tag Scanner, Shock- and Water-Resistant Case, Touchscreen Display]
Transys Avalon (ATT: 0, SLZ: 0, DP: 6, FWL: 6)
   + Commlink Functionality [Camera, Micro 1, Chip Player, Credstick Reader, Earbuds 3, GPS Guidance System, Micro Trid-Projector, Music Player, RFID Tag Scanner, Shock- and Water-Resistant Case, Touchscreen Display]
   + Sim Module
   + Micro-Transceiver
   + Subvocal Mic

== Gear: Equipped ==
Activesoft (Computer) Rating 4
Activesoft (Perception) Rating 4
Activesoft (Hardware) Rating 4
Activesoft (Electronic Warfare) Rating 4
Activesoft (Sneaking) Rating 4
Activesoft (Automatics) Rating 4
Activesoft (Con) Rating 4
Activesoft (Pilot Ground Craft) Rating 4
Biomonitor
Bodyguard BTL
Bug Scanner Rating 6
Contacts Rating 2
   + Smartlink
   + Flare Compensation
Data Tap
Fake SIN Rating 4
   + Fake License (Weapon License) Rating 4
   + Fake License (Driver's License) Rating 4
   + Fake License (Matrix Software License) Rating 4
   + Fake License (Cram License) Rating 4
Medkit Rating 6
Pacifier
Slap Patch, Stim Patch Rating 6 ×2
Slap Patch, Trauma Patch
Survival Kit
   + Lighter
   + Compass
   + Matches
   + Lightweight Thermal Blanket
   + Several Days' Worth of Ration Bars
   + Water Purification Unit
Tool Kit (Hardware)

 == Vehicles ==
Chrysler-Nissan Journey (Car)
   + Morphing License Plate
   + Sensor ArrayRating 1

[Marcus]

Sorry Gemstar which Errata? I'm clearly missing something.

[FST_Gemstar]

Sorry Gemstar which Errata? I'm clearly missing something.

Oh... I mean the technomancer errata so far. 

Extra Free Complex Forms at chargen (now three at C, 4 at B, 7 at A). 
Complex Form Fade reductions (basically -3 on everything down to L-3, minimum of 2).   
More free skill points at chargen (three R2 skills from Tasking, Electronics, and/or Cracking at C, three R4s at B, three R5s at A).   

For skillwires, getting more free skills goes a long way on being a functional hacker (basically, you can hack AND use edge if you need to). And having more CFs that are easier to use makes them much more fuctional supplemental powers for a skillwires character. 

[Marcus]

i see reddit discuss on it, but where is the coming from? I don't really where this info was released from.

[FST_Gemstar]

the volunteer errata team posted the approved errata on these forums somewhere. They have a running list of what is provisional (stuff that they have suggested that has not gotten CGL approval yet), and what is approved (stuff that CGL stamped).

[Marcus]

Ok I found it. My lord that stuff is hard to track down. I figure I'm about as regular to this board as you can be and took me awhile to find the actually thread, and I still haven't gotten all they way through it. It's certainly steps in the right direction. I'm gonna go finish reading the thread compile and see what I think it looks like when I'm done.
Increasing the number of complex forms while decreasing their drain should make "casting" more viable. The question remain is it enough?

[Marcus]

The biggest issue remains, TMs are so wrapped up in resonance Threading, Resisting Fading,  etc. So your problem becomes taking an essence hit is a kinda serious issue if you want take threading method as far as possible, which means to solve the init problem so your gonna be drug reliant until your sufficiently, Submerged.  After that getting software+Resonance Pool Above 15 is tough. Which all means your gonna need edge to be front line effective. However Resonance Spike is Unresisted making it about the only thing in the game that is unresisted. There are paths to pursue comes to mind, Puppeetering, and some sprite assistance and seems like you could make some serous mischief and there's lots of utility to be found with cleaner and static veil. The -3 means TMs built to handle deal with fading can handle it at effective levels, meaning that number of hit is currently more the issue then level maximum. So until we have widgets or there an easier way to use programs on TM I think it's kinda stuck. I do think with proper drug support it's probably approaching playable.

[firebug]

Realistically, what is available to TMs as Resonance-based stuff is just kind of bad.  Complex Forms, even with lowered Fading, are still just not powerful options and don't warrant sacrifice in any other areas for them.  Sprites are okay, but they still have a lot of things they can't do.  A "good" TM build that wants to be the team's matrix specialist can basically ignore them entirely.  Once you do that, Resonance only affects your Living Persona's Device Rating.  So even if you end up with 2-3 RES, it's still about the same as a decker.

[FST_Gemstar]

Oh I agree, firebug! 

My techno builds are usually in the 2-4 Res range, and are often ok leaving chargen at Res 1 (like this concept). 

In relation to skillwires, before the errata, it was tough to get the permaskills needed to both be a matrix specialist and Diagnostics your skillwires to the point of usefulness, AND have the resources/attributes to acquire the needed dicepools. 

This build can handle host work, uses CFs to handle that work better (basically OS management, which doesn't really require huge CF pools or high Level threading), and can bring skillwire Functionality out of the Matrix. 

Diagonstics boosted skillwire characters were a possibility before (and really the only somewhat viable skillwire build as the effective doubling of the skillsoft rating to your dicepool makes the cost of a skillsoft worthwhile), but as they functioned only as generalists, they were often  not great fits to the playstyles of most Shadowrun groups, which are teams of specialists. Basically, they were either trying to be in every scene and not doing a good job of it, or just getting overshadowed by everyone else. Being able to function like a brain-decker (using their Resonance rating mostly for its Living Persona access) and have diagnostics boosted Skillwires I think may make the concept an actual playable build concept. 

[The Bald Man]

For skillwires, getting more free skills goes a long way on being a functional hacker (basically, you can hack AND use edge if you need to). And having more CFs that are easier to use makes them much more fuctional supplemental powers for a skillwires character.

Where (and what) is the skillwire errata?  I didn't see it under the Core book errata where I would have expected it. 

[ShadowcatX]

For skillwires, getting more free skills goes a long way on being a functional hacker (basically, you can hack AND use edge if you need to). And having more CFs that are easier to use makes them much more fuctional supplemental powers for a skillwires character.

Where (and what) is the skillwire errata?  I didn't see it under the Core book errata where I would have expected it.

Skillwires didn't get errata, technomancers did.

[tequila]

Here's a link to the errata (in the second post):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Shadowrun/comments/7ctpb7/technomancer_errata/

I had missed the skill errata somehow. Need to go tweak a character now.

[Slamm-O!]

What liabilities does the character have ?  Are they an acceptable alternative for a Decker ? 

[FST_Gemstar]

The primary liabilities of any skillwire build is that you can't use edge on rolls. This is tough when doing matrix work, but is tough when you get a bad roll anywhere. This character template mitigates those liabilities with high-ish attributes, drugs, and Diagnostics bonuses, and taking Hacking as a real skill.   

The character can be a primary matrix specialists, just like a decker. 

[FST_Gemstar]

The biggest issue remains, TMs are so wrapped up in resonance Threading, Resisting Fading,  etc. So your problem becomes taking an essence hit is a kinda serious issue if you want take threading method as far as possible

A character like this tends to hack more conventionally, like a decker. They have the living persona stats and the matrix dicepools to do that kind of work. Crack file is the toughest (with a natural Attack of 4) but that can be upped with drugs (ex. Novacoke) or teamworking with a crack a low-level crack sprite. 

The character is not designed to be getting their work done by threading, but complimenting their work by doing so. Ex. Even at Res 1, character has a good chance to get two hits on static veil, and can buy those hits at Resonance 2. Having a fade resistance of 8 (Will 5, Res 1, Otaku to Technomancer 2) the character can soak the fade of attempting to do so a few times just fine. This lets the character pre-mark a target and/or hold on to their marks for much longer. Spamming Cleaner can do the same thing, especially with its lower Fade code now (threading at lvl 3 or 4 you still are only resisting 2 fade). 

At res 1, character has the skills and capacity to compile/register L2 machine sprites, which can buy diagnostics hits for +1 die/+1 limit, with minimal Fade risk as well. 

The Resonance rating is there to give the character a living persona (letting them do matrix work), some basic augmenting strategies (easy CFs like Static Veil/Cleaner, an L2 sprite to teamwork with sometimes, etc.), and machine sprites to supercharge the the skillwires.