[JoeNapalm]

My street merc currently has, among his augmentations, move by wire 1, muscle toner 2, and reaction enhancers 2.

He has REA 5 (9) and AGI 5 (.

I am wondering if I should trade one level of Reaction Enhancer for another point of AGI?

My thinking is that allows me to raise them each to the enhanced cap via karma, later.

Or is that just a silly anoint of karma to contemplate?

-Jn-

[Stahlseele]

So, you want to make your
Agi from 5(9) < = even if you improve the 5 to 6 via karma, if it's a human without any extra stuff in it, the 9 will stay at 9.
By lowering your Reaction from 5(8 ) to 5(7)? So when you get the 5 to 6 with karma, the 7 will go to 8, but not further? O.o

[JoeNapalm]

Not exactly. It is currently 9.

I am wondering if I should drop it to 8, since I can raise it to 9 via karma, later.

-Jn-

[Stahlseele]

*shrugs*
New Attribute Karma Cost is what?
New Rating x 3 or x 5?
So it's either 18 or 25 Karma for going from natural 5 to natural 6 . .

[Operator]

It's x5 advancement in SR4A. It will cost you 30 to go from 5 -> 6.

[JoeNapalm]

Okay, humor a newb, I guess my question is - is that A LOT of karma? Or no?

-Jn-

[Chrona]

Depends on your GM and Karma per session

[Zephraim]

I think the average karma per run is considered to be 6-8.

[Stahlseele]

4-8 is average, yes.
So Every 5 Sessions or so you should be able to declare yourself to be raising an attribute.

[JoeNapalm]

Thanks guys - I think I will do that, then. I can (eventually) up my REA various ways - upgrading Move-by-Wire, etc, as well...the more balanced option saves me money and Essence.

Though part of me feels that having a stronger defense/initiative is more important, I think it's the smart call for the long run....if he lives that long. *Grin*

On another note - are Datajacks kind of obsolete? I know it's more secure, but for a non-Hacker, Skinlink and Wifi should cover most of my interface needs, no?

Thanks again for the help.

-Jn-
Ifriti Sophist

[Glyph]

Datajacks are much more of a niche piece of cyberware in the 2070's.  That said, I usually do get it for my characters with move-by-wire, because I turn wireless off for all of my cyberware, so a datajack is useful for uploading skillsofts.

Also, two people with datajacks and a cord connecting them have very secure communications (where potential eavesdropping is a major factor), and datajacks let you interface with electronic devices by plugging into them.

[Stahlseele]

ESPECIALLY Non Hackers should get Datajacks.
Remove Wireless from EVERYTHING, INCLUDING the DataJack.
Route EVERYTHING through the DataJack.
Use a WiFi Comlink with a HARD WiFi Off Switch.
Download data onto comlink, disconnect wifi with the hardware switch so that there is NO MORE WiFi activity going on/in/out about . .
Connect Comlink to Datajack and transfer Data. Pull the plug when done, reactivate Comlink WiFi again.
Run as high as possible FireWall and AntiVirus and any other kind of defence there is on the external comlink.
Have a backup comlink internally, which has no wifi either and route this through the datajack too.
Cluster your ware and the internal comlink together and run an agent with another load of firewall and antivirus . .

Congratulations, you have impressed every hacker on your side and made every other hacker angry.

[JoeNapalm]

ESPECIALLY Non Hackers should get Datajacks.
Remove Wireless from EVERYTHING, INCLUDING the DataJack.
Route EVERYTHING through the DataJack.
Use a WiFi Comlink with a HARD WiFi Off Switch.
Download data onto comlink, disconnect wifi with the hardware switch so that there is NO MORE WiFi activity going on/in/out about . .
Connect Comlink to Datajack and transfer Data. Pull the plug when done, reactivate Comlink WiFi again.
Run as high as possible FireWall and AntiVirus and any other kind of defence there is on the external comlink.
Have a backup comlink internally, which has no wifi either and route this through the datajack too.
Cluster your ware and the internal comlink together and run an agent with another load of firewall and antivirus . .

Congratulations, you have impressed every hacker on your side and made every other hacker angry.

I did all of those things, so far, except for the Datajack.

My "hidden" commlink that serves as my PAN hub is Skinlinked. The only Cyber I have that can't be accessed via Skinlink is my Bone Lace (with that, I can use my DNI to activate the Wireless if I need to check for stress fractures).

My understanding of Skinlink, from Unwired, is that it can access any 'ware that is close to the surface, which would include Skillwires, my eyes, my Smartweapons (which are also locked down by my Cyber Safety).

Or a Datajack better for security over a Skinlink? I figure they'd have to get a bug on me, somehow, to exploit the Skinlink - and if they can do that, I have larger problems. 

I have the ¥ and Essence to get the 'jack if it's really more secure, though.

Just had a thought - if I'm using my cheapo commlink for communications, and it's not linked to my PAN, how do I perceive any external AR? While my character thinks spam should be punishable by public beatings (for which he would gladly offer his services), my understanding is that it's pretty hard to move around in society in 2072 without being tapped into the AR of a particular area. I guess I could wear goggles over my cybereyes that were Image Linked to his throw phone?

That's really going to clash with his fashion sense...he's got an image to maintain, you know. 

Thanks for all the feedback, by the way - I'm glad I'm not the only one to ponders the minute details of all this...heh.

-Jn-
Ifriti Sophist

[CanRay]

Get some cheap datashades with your cheapo commlink and PAN them together through wireless rather than your skinlink.

Datajacks have a lot of advantages, the fact that someone can't hack your PAN just by touching their skinlinked body to your body for one thing.  For another, Datacables can work as Lanyards. 

By RAW, Datajacks starting to get phased out as 'Trodes and Skinlink allows to a better system, but I see a problem with both from other points of view, mainly due to personal experience (I know how long it takes to wire up a person to get any kind of measurements out of the brain) and training (Computer Tech.).  But there's a lot of folks with Datajacks still, because, well, Skinlink is still a new thing, and 'Trodes probably just got to the same level of ability as a Datajack feed.

[All4BigGuns]

ESPECIALLY Non Hackers should get Datajacks.
Remove Wireless from EVERYTHING, INCLUDING the DataJack.
Route EVERYTHING through the DataJack.
Use a WiFi Comlink with a HARD WiFi Off Switch.
Download data onto comlink, disconnect wifi with the hardware switch so that there is NO MORE WiFi activity going on/in/out about . .
Connect Comlink to Datajack and transfer Data. Pull the plug when done, reactivate Comlink WiFi again.
Run as high as possible FireWall and AntiVirus and any other kind of defence there is on the external comlink.
Have a backup comlink internally, which has no wifi either and route this through the datajack too.
Cluster your ware and the internal comlink together and run an agent with another load of firewall and antivirus . .

Congratulations, you have impressed every hacker on your side and made every other hacker angry.

Honestly, most of this is not necessary, except maybe for your Smartlink and possibly a hacker watching through your eyes. Since pretty much all 'ware is DNI controlled, a hacker can NOT hack your PAN and gain control of your 'ware and hence control of your body. Anyone who tells you otherwise is just doing so in hopes that you won't know any better.