[DigitalZombie]

So Ive got a couple of questions regarding technomancers and their complex forms.

1: duration of Mirrored persona, and pulse Storm are listed as "instantaneous" but shouldnt it be "Sustained" ? And if they are working as intended, I dont understand them :/  like is it supposed to be just against the very next action?

2: static now only Works in Sprites within hosts? And I suppose the opposed roll is the host itself right?  And a follow up question that might answer the original one: If a technomancer had an illegal admin Access to a host, together with his 5 Sprite buddies. Does he gain 3 or 18 OS each turn? If its only 3, does IT then mean that a technomancer with a Sprite using static veil doesnt gain any OS from having an illegal host Access?

3: tattle tale can now be used on any Matrix user. In 5th IT could only increase overwatch score on personas that already had an overwatch score of more than 0.
Now it seems like a techkomancer could cause convergence on hapless victims doing some shopping in the mail. Maybe thats why they are so mistrusted  . But is it working as intended?

4: not really a question, but Im a big bummed out that the increase (Matrix Attribute) are so much worse than the spell: increase Attribute. Not only do you have to pay for each version og the complex form (one for each ASDF, compared to the spell that can be used on All 8 physical/mental Attributes) But the threshold is also a lot harder (4 compared to MINUS 1*)



*The threshold gets worse with essence loss.

[Xenon]

1: duration of Mirrored persona, and pulse Storm are listed as "instantaneous" but shouldnt it be "Sustained" ?

Personally? I think so, yes (for both of them).

2: static now only Works in Sprites within hosts?

Are you talking about Static Bomb or Static Veil?

Static Bomb is a a resonance version of the Hide matrix action where the Static bomb let you hide from everyone that currently got you spotted rather then just a specific icon that currently have you spotted that the Hide matrix action do.

When it comes to Static Veil you can either target yourself or a decker, another technomancer, an agent or a spirte etc. It will, for example, let the target use Brute Force to gain admin access to a network without increasing overwatch score over time.

If a technomancer had an illegal admin Access to a host, together with his 5 Sprite buddies. Does he gain 3 or 18 OS each turn?

Each persona icon have to gain their own Admin access to the network and each persona icon that use brute force to gain Admin access to the network (rather than spending time to Probe and exploit the network to create a Backdoor Entrance) will gain 3 OS each per turn (unless a Static Veil is in effect on the Icon).

...does IT then mean that a technomancer with a Sprite using static veil doesnt gain any OS from having an illegal host Access?

Yes.

This is one of the few reasons why you would sustain a Static Veil on yourself (or a sprite, agent or decker) that gained an illegal (read Brute Force) access to a network to being with.

Static Veil basically let you (or your target) Brute Force into a network and then keep illegal admin access to the network without risk of convergence within less than a minute (instead you could potentially keep your access for many hours). The alternative would be to spend at least one minute to Probe the network in order to create and exploit a Backdoor Entry.

3: tattle tale can now be used on any Matrix user.

SR5 explicitly clarified that it could only increase the overwatch score of an icon that already had an overwatch score. SR6 leave this a bit more open ended (this is not the only example). It might or might not add an overwatch score to an icon that doesn't have one. Depending on your reading it will still 'just' increase an overwatch [that is already there to begin with].

Then again, overwatch score no longer increase automatically every 15 minutes which mean having a few points of overwatch score is not really that critical anymore.

By leaving out the last sentence it get a lot more ambiguous and by RAW i would agree that you can now cause overwatch convergence on an innocent icon. But to actually cause a convergence to an innocent icon you would have to repeat thread tattletale several times rather than just wait an hour or so... I believe this is actually a deliberate change.

4: not really a question, but Im a big bummed out that the increase (Matrix Attribute) are so much worse than the spell: increase Attribute.

As I read it the Increase Attribute spell can only be cast once per target.

As I read it you can't stack the same spell more than once on the same subject. When casting the Increase Attribute spell you have to choose which single attribute to increase (it is the same spell and you only count the test with most successes no matter if the other instance of the same spell from the same caster affect a affect different attribute).

While Infusion (Matrix Attribute) is a specific complex form for each attribute and you can cast each individual Infusion (Matrix Attribute) on the same target as long as you are casting Infusion (Matrix Attribute) that affect different attributes.

This is still under debate I would say, but if it turn out that rules as intended is the way i just wrote it then this would mean that Infusion (Matrix Attribute) is not really weaker (just different) from the Increase Attribute spell.

Having said that, I am honestly surprised that they didn't take the opportunity to streamline the two - seem to be a perfect opportunity if you ask me :-/

But the threshold is also a lot harder (4 compared to MINUS 1*)

Note that techomancers already (by default and without having to sustain a complex form) have a number of 'bonus' matrix attribute points equal to their Resonance that they may use to increase Matrix Attributes by up to 50% of their base rating (rounded up and with a maximum of +4).

Infusion of Attributes is then added on top of this.

This is basically akin to several power points worth of a matrix attribute version of the Adept power "Improved Physical Attribute" (default ability that all technomancers have) combined with several instances of the spell "Increase Attribute" spell (where each instance is a different complex forms which mean they can affect more than one matrix attribute at the same time).

[Ajax]

This is basically akin to several power points worth of a matrix attribute version of the Adept power "Improved Physical Attribute" (default ability that all technomancers have) combined with several instances of the spell "Increase Attribute" spell (where each instance is a different complex forms which mean they can affect more than one matrix attribute at the same time).

It should also be noted that ASDF are all of equal use to most Technomancers in almost every Matrix-based part of a mission, whereas the eight standard Attributes are not all equally useful targets of the Increase Attribute spell... Every once in a blue moon an Increase Logic or Charisma might come up, but mostly it’s going to be Agility, Reaction, Strength, and/or Body.

Giving spellcasters the “less optimal” variations on the spell for free gives them some incentive to use them and to think outside the combat box.

[DigitalZombie]

1: duration of Mirrored persona, and pulse Storm are listed as "instantaneous" but shouldnt it be "Sustained" ?

Personally? I think so, yes (for both of them)

Good, makes sense. An another follow up question regarding mirrored persona. I think its cool and useful. But what are its limitations? Will it always be "near" the real persona? Or can I have it as a decoy somewhere else in the matrix? What happens if it gets damaged? Say an IC lands a hit on the decoy, causing 5 matrix damage to it. Does it disappear in a puff of 1s and 0s? Or does the technomancer still have the decoy ready to cheat the IC next turn too? Im kinda envisioning it as the D&D5 equivelant of mirror image, where its always close to you, and it disappears when it gets damaged. But maybe thats too restrictive?

2: static now only Works in Sprites within hosts?

Are you talking about Static Bomb or Static Veil?

Static Bomb is a a resonance version of the Hide matrix action where the Static bomb let you hide from everyone that currently got you spotted rather then just a specific icon that currently have you spotted that the Hide matrix action do.

When it comes to Static Veil you can either target yourself or a decker, another technomancer, an agent or a spirte etc. It will, for example, let the target use Brute Force to gain admin access to a network without increasing overwatch score over time.



This is one of the few reasons why you would sustain a Static Veil on yourself (or a sprite, agent or decker) that gained an illegal (read Brute Force) access to a network to being with.

Static Veil basically let you (or your target) Brute Force into a network and then keep illegal admin access to the network without risk of convergence within less than a minute (instead you could potentially keep your access for many hours). The alternative would be to spend at least one minute to Probe the network in order to create and exploit a Backdoor Entry.

I mean static veil. The reason for my question is this part: while this form is sustained the target will not accumulate overwatch score from maintaining illegal access to a host on a sprite.
Maybe the part about the sprite should just be deleted?

Regarding access. As I understand your comment, wouldnt that mean that if a technomancer ran into trouble inside a host, and decides to compile a sprite to assist him, that the sprite would be outside the host? And had to hack its way in to be able to assist the technomancer?

3: tattle tale can now be used on any Matrix user.

SR5 explicitly clarified that it could only increase the overwatch score of an icon that already had an overwatch score. SR6 leave this a bit more open ended (this is not the only example). It might or might not add an overwatch score to an icon that doesn't have one. Depending on your reading it will still 'just' increase an overwatch [that is already there to begin with].

Then again, overwatch score no longer increase automatically every 15 minutes which mean having a few points of overwatch score is not really that critical anymore.

By leaving out the last sentence it get a lot more ambiguous and by RAW i would agree that you can now cause overwatch convergence on an innocent icon. But to actually cause a convergence to an innocent icon you would have to repeat thread tattletale several times rather than just wait an hour or so... I believe this is actually a deliberate change.

Hhm ok, I guess you are right. I read it as the same. A technomancer is able to cause convergence on legal users, by threading tattletale enough times. Often a legal user wouldnt be hit that hard by convergence as hot sim users, especially if he is just using AR.

Regarding increase Matrix (attribute) and increase attribute.

I agree that increase attribute should only be able to affect a character once, but as we saw in the other thread about that subject, its in a bit of a grey area, with some different opinions on that.

But lets say we have a technomancer with increase (attack) and increase (FW). He is a fresh runner, and has 14 dice in threading dicepools. On average he would just get about an increase of 1 in both of those.

Whereas if he got a boost from his mage friend, an Increase Charisma would easily give him +4 charisma (and thus +4attack, and the ability to use more of his resonance in attack as well.... and the ability to restist fading when compiling bigger sprites).

A charismatic technomancer would on average be able to increase his attack from 9 to 10 ( 6 charisma + 1/2 resonance). Whereas if he got an increase attribute spell it would go from 9 to 15 ( 6+4 charisma, +5 from resonance) if he decides to focus solely on attack.


The mage could also give another an agility bonus, and himself +4 to willpower and/or to his own drain stat.

While its true that the technomancer already can buff his living persona with his resonance points, that just brings him at the level of  a decker and his programs.

I agree with Xenon, that it would have been nice if those 2 abilities where somewhat more streamlined.

But maybe you are both right that increase (matrix attribute) has its place, if increase attribute can only be cast once on each target. ( but decrease the threshold to maybe 2 )

[Xenon]

But what are its limitations? Will it always be "near" the real persona? Or can I have it as a decoy somewhere else in the matrix?

There is no real concept of "distance" in the matrix....

Opponent take a matrix perception test.
If they fail they will target your mirror.

What happens if it gets damaged?

Say an IC lands a hit on the decoy, causing 5 matrix damage to it. Does it disappear in a puff of 1s and 0s? Or does the technomancer still have the decoy ready to cheat the IC next turn too?

As written it is not sustained (which might very well be intended) and if it is not sustained then it doesn't really matter what happen if it get damaged (as it will not stick around anyway).

It will disappear in a puff of 1s and 0s no matter if IC targeted it or not.
Technomancer does not have the decoy ready to cheat the IC next turn too unless she thread a new mirror.

...while this form is sustained the target will not accumulate overwatch score from maintaining illegal access to a host on a sprite.
Maybe the part about the sprite should just be deleted?

https://imgur.com/AicNKAQ

I agree that increase attribute should only be able to affect a character once, but as we saw in the other thread about that subject, its in a bit of a grey area, with some different opinions on that.

Yes, this part is ambiguous. Would be nice to get author insight about the intent here.

But lets say we have a technomancer with increase (attack) and increase (FW). He is a fresh runner, and has 14 dice in threading dicepools. On average he would just get about an increase of 1 in both of those.

The majority of her augmented attributes will probably come from taking the Reconfigure Matrix Attribute action. With Resonance attribute of 6 she could for example augment both her attack and firewall with 3 points each (and another point or two from infusion which will probably bring both of them up to the augmented maximum of +4).


SR6 p. 189 Living Persona
A technomancer’s living persona has Matrix attributes based on their Mental attributes (as below) plus a number of bonus points equal to their Resonance. A single attribute cannot be raised by more than 50 percent of its base rating (rounded up, to a maximum of +4). Example: A technomancer with a Logic of 5 and a Resonance of 4 could increase their Data Processing to 8 by spending three points (half of their Logic 5, rounded up). Bonus points can be moved between two attributes with a Reconfigure Matrix Attribute action.

[DigitalZombie]

But what are its limitations? Will it always be "near" the real persona? Or can I have it as a decoy somewhere else in the matrix?

There is no real concept of "distance" in the matrix....

Opponent take a matrix perception test.
If they fail they will target your mirror.

What happens if it gets damaged?

Say an IC lands a hit on the decoy, causing 5 matrix damage to it. Does it disappear in a puff of 1s and 0s? Or does the technomancer still have the decoy ready to cheat the IC next turn too?

As written it is not sustained (which might very well be intended) and if it is not sustained then it doesn't really matter what happen if it get damaged (as it will not stick around anyway).

It will disappear in a puff of 1s and 0s no matter if IC targeted it or not.
Technomancer does not have the decoy ready to cheat the IC next turn too unless she thread a new mirror.

Hhmm interesting. But if, say it isnt sustained, it would need to have a duration or something. Otherwise it would go like This: TM 0k, I 7hread m1rrored Image with a m4jor action in initiative Counts 15. Wooo No drain.

GM: Ok, at initiative Counts 14 the IC whacks you, take 6 matrix and some biofeedback dmg.

TM: eeeh what about my m1rror?

GM: its an instant CF, so it expired when your turn was over. N00b

TM:....

The only way I see it being an Instant action, would be if it could be used as a reaction/interrupt action. Otherwise it should have a duration, or be sustainable.

By "location" I mean: TM had a meeting with Mr Johnson in Host A, together with the rest og the gang. Unbeknownst to the Johnson TM creates a mirrored image og himself, standing next to the party face. Whole the real TM goes stealth mode and hacks his way into the nested Host B.

...while this form is sustained the target will not accumulate overwatch score from maintaining illegal access to a host on a sprite.
Maybe the part about the sprite should just be deleted?

https://imgur.com/AicNKAQ

[/quote]

Well, colour me surprised. Time to update my PDF I Guess

But lets say we have a technomancer with increase (attack) and increase (FW). He is a fresh runner, and has 14 dice in threading dicepools. On average he would just get about an increase of 1 in both of those.

The majority of her augmented attributes will probably come from taking the Reconfigure Matrix Attribute action. With Resonance attribute of 6 she could for example augment both her attack and firewall with 3 points each (and another point or two from infusion which will probably bring both of them up to the augmented maximum of +4).


SR6 p. 189 Living Persona
A technomancer’s living persona has Matrix attributes based on their Mental attributes (as below) plus a number of bonus points equal to their Resonance. A single attribute cannot be raised by more than 50 percent of its base rating (rounded up, to a maximum of +4). Example: A technomancer with a Logic of 5 and a Resonance of 4 could increase their Data Processing to 8 by spending three points (half of their Logic 5, rounded up). Bonus points can be moved between two attributes with a Reconfigure Matrix Attribute action.

True. But I still dont get why increase (matrix Attribute) had to be 4 different versions. Because with the ability to boost her Matrix Attributes with her resonance score a TM would care less about what her Increase (matrix Attribute) actually was for. She could just as well (almost) pick Increase (firewall), if she Then needed some nice attack ratings.. just put Up to 4 points into that one from resonance. Might as well have changed the CF to boost your resonance allocation points.

Or alternatively made IT into Manipulate (matrix Attribute), with the choice of each threading to make IT a boost for yourself and your Allies, or make IT a debuff for your enemies.

I dont even Think Ive seen any builds here yet with that CF (fair not many TM had been posted yet)