[Xarin]

Alright I've had this idea brewing a while.  There's a number of build choices that are geared for the RP concept, like being a Pixie in the first place or not completely dump-statting much, but it's not all set in stone.  The game this is for is normal 400 BP, all books, Charisma x 2 free contact BPs, and 10 karma to spend at the end.

I had first thought of a pixie technomancer, but rules digging proved that impossible.  So "Plan B" time, and went for a Way of the Artisan adept.

Playstyle I'm going for is tech-nerd.  Practically zero personal combat capability, just relying on not being found or even present to avoid getting geeked.  Concealment + Chameleon suit seemed a good idea.  Hacking is the primary focus, but Rigging suits the techie concept well and gives a pixie an intermediary to interact with the big-people world (not to mention something that can actually carry a gun).

I've been playing a hacker some already and I feel mostly comfortable with that end.  It's the Rigging end that's still pretty new to me and I need the most help with.  In particular: Optimizing skills a bit, drone setups / approaches, etc.  I'm currently leaning towards a few support / surveilance options and a couple rotodrones or dobermen for combat, then a manservant or the like for around the shop, and maybe some bust-a-move toys for general cheap shenanigans.  But not sure what would be some of the better ways to do it.

I don't think I can do the jump-in option since I haven't seen a non-implant version of a Control Rig and I can't get the deltaware for it.  So, assuming the drones are slaved to the master commlink: Is that secure enough vs enemy hackers?  As I understand it, they need to get my ID to spoof them, and to get that they need to first track my node down (requiring Track which I can Spoof against if I'm not on-site for a Hidden node scan), then succeed on a Matrix Perception vs my Hacking + stealth to get the info.  Or Intercept Wireless and bust through my Encryption before the fight ends.  I've got a good ECCM and signal on the commlink to help prevent simple Jamming as well.

Also, considering options for where to scrounge some BP to get the remainding money for drones (like using the karma to re-buy low-end skills or to bump an attribute back up maybe, or a different contact for maintaining the vast software suit involved that costs fewer BP)

For refference, here's the latest edition of the character-in-progress:

Code: [Select]

Pixel
Female Pixie Tech Adept
400 BP
5 BP left
10 karma

Metatype: Pixie [35 BP]
[20, remove Uneducated]

== Attributes [190 BP] ==
Body 2 [10]
Agility 4 [10]
Reaction 4(6) [10]
Strength 1 [0]
Charisma 4 [10]
Intuition 4 [20]
Logic 5 [30]
Willpower 7 [40]

Essence 6.0
Edge 3 [20 BP]
Magic 5 [40 BP]
Initiative 10 (3 IP)

Phys Track: 9 boxes
Stun Track: 12 boxes

== Special Qualities ==
Concealment (self only, -[Magic] dice pool to percieve Pixel)
Enhances Senses (Astral Perception)
Sapience
Vanishing

== Qualities [-15 BP] ==
5 Adept
10 Artisan's Way adept (-25% cost: Improve Tech / vehicle skills,

Improved Initiative)
5 Restricted Gear (Response 6)
0 Distinctive Style (Pixie)
-5 Media Junkie (Mild)
-15 Sensitive System
-5 Big Regret (outcast techno-fetish pixie)
-10 Day Job (20 hrs / week, running mechanic shop)

== Adept Powers (5 PP, Way discount included) ==
0.25 Sustenance (1/3rd eat / drink / sleep / relief requirement)
0.25 Analytics 1
0.75 Improved Ability (Hacking) 3
0.5 Improved Ability (Computer) 2
0.5 Improved Ability (Data Search) 2
0.5 Improved Ability (Hardware) 2
0.5 Improved Ability (Software) 2
0.25 Improved Ability (Electronic Warefare) 1
0.5 Improved Ability (Gunnery) 2
2.5 Improved Initiative 2

== Contacts [11 BP, 8 free] ==
Warezhouse 24, virtual group contact (Conn 3/9, Loy 4) [13]
Argent - female elf fixer (Conn 3, Loy 3) [6]


== Active Skills [124 BP] ==
4/6 Electronics Skill Group [40]
Computer, Data Search, Hardware, Software
6/9 Hacking [24]
2/3 Electronic Warfare [8]
1 Cybercombat [4]
1 Aeronautics Mechanice [4]
1 Automotive Mechanic [4]
1 Armorer [4]
1 Infiltration [4]
1 Perception [4]
4/6 Gunnery [16]
1 Pilot Aircraft [4]
1 Pilot Groundcraft [4]
1 Pilot Anthroform [4]

== Knowledge Skills [0 BP, 27 free] ==
- Language -

== Gear [30 BP, 148,345 spent, 1,655 left] ==

- Commlink - [18,600]
Meta Link (Res 6, Sig 5)   100
 Response Upgrade 6 8,000
 Signal Upgrade 5 1,000
 *Hardening mod, rat 6   300
 *Optimization: Command (+1 all tests)   500
 *Armor, rat 10 (10/10)   500
 *Biometric Lock   150
Customized OS (Firewall 6, System 6)    --
 Firewall 6 3,000
 System 6 3,000
AR Gloves   250
Nanopaste Trodes   100
Satellite Link   500
Sim Module (hot sim) 1,000
Holo Projector   200

- Software - [76,600]
% Common Use %
(6) Purge   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
*Viral Resistance 6   600
(6) Command   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
6 Edit   600
*Optimization 3   300
(6) Browse   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
(6) Scan   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
(6) Encrypt   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
(6) Analyze   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
*Viral Resistance 6   600
5 Programming Suit 5,000
2 Tacsoft 6,000

% Hacking %
3 Armor 1,500
3 Attack 1,500
6 Biofeedback Filter 6,000
6 Decrypt 6,000
6 Defuse 6,000
(5) ECCM 5,000
*Ergonomic   300
6 Exploit 6,000
3 Medic 1,500
6 Sniffer 6,000
6 Spoof 6,000
6 Stealth 6,000
3 Track 1,500

% Agents/Pilots and Autosofts %
3 Agent 3,000

- Drones & Vehicles - [3,000]
Repeater Drone 3,000
 (Uw pg198, flying mini, Sig 4 retrans)

- Electronics - [150]
Tag Eraser   150

- Armory - [13,195]
Chameleon Suit (6/4, -4 perc) 8,000
 Thermal Damping rat 5 2,500
 Non-Conductive 4   800
 Shock Frills   200
Goggles, Rat 4   200
 Low Light   100
 Image Link    25
 Thermographic   100
 Flare Comp    50
Contacts, rat 1    50
 Vision Enhancement 3   300
Earbuds, Rat 2    20
 Hearing Enhancement 3   300
 Spatial Recognizer   100
Respirator, Rat 6   150
Biomonitor (belt)   300

- Tools - [21,800]
Hardware Kit   500
Hardware Shop 5,000
Automotive Shop 5,000
Aeronautics Shop 5,000
Armorer Kit   500
Armorer Shop 5,000
Medkit, rat 6   600
 Supplies x 4   200
 

-= Lifestyle, Advanced =- [15,000]
Point Total:20 (High, 10,000 per month, +50% for pixie = 15,000)

Description:
An older workshop / warehouse building in Tarislar.  The

neighborhood's been cleaned up by the tight-nit elven community.  The

building itself has been renovated and repaired, with a large work area

on the ground floor for vehicles and drones, as well as a small lobby /

front desk.  The second floor features the electronics shop and a small

 studio-style apartment.  Pixel's upgraded the security grid

signifgantly since taking up residence and opened up shop as "Rally's

Repairs".  Most of her biz is just drone and vehicle repair for the

local elves, including a few Ancients.  Biz is conducted primarily

through an anthromorph drone stationed at the front desk, though closer

friends get to meet the pixie in person.

2 Comforts - Low
Some cheap, mostly-matching furniture, a comfy chair or two,

some cheap AR wallspace programs, 1 cheap old household drone

3 Entertainment - Middle
Lots of MAtrix and trid channels, the odd night out or small

vacation, a few pampering treatments

4 Necessities - High
Lots of space, sturdy building, 2-car garage, real food (drone

-made), high-priced chocolates, good appliances, stylish clothing

(mostly Evo-made)

3 Neighborhood - Middle
Quiet suburban neighborhood, small park area, safe, patrol

drones & security contract, white-collar neighbors

4 Security - High (Device 4, Proffessional 4)
Excellent home security to deter all but most determined of

thieves, superior locks and systems, solid firewall with patrolling IC,

 neighbors would call polices or help out

Qualities: (+4)
+5 Feng Shui (+3 to artisan & tech skills from home)
+1 Workspace
-2 Living by Committee (elven hood's community watch rules)


[UmaroVI]

Within the "Pixie Rigger" constraint, I think you are pretty much on the right track so most of what I have to offer is fairly minor suggestions.

Intuition is one of the few stats that actually matters a lot for Matrix characters - it sets your initiative, which is quite important for rigging (shooting first matters a great deal). I'd really try to scrape up another 20 BPs for Intuition 6. I'd probably shave a Charisma and an Agility for that?

While you are buying Restricted Gear for Response 6, I would consider taking a Singularity Battle Buddy Basic and Response 7, since you're already blowing Restricted Gear for it. This is debatable, but IMO worth it since past that you get into "just not worth it" levels of cost to upgrade further.

I'm not sure how much use you're getting out of +2 meatspace IPs - you can Command Rig while in VR (and there's little reason not to). You are, however, scraping the bottom of the Adept powers barrel because there's only so many useful ones for you. I would consider ditching the extra IPs, and taking some Improved Physical Ability (maybe cutting some points you would otherwise spend on physical ability scores and putting them into skills). Body 3 in particular would probably be nice.

I feel like the 2 bps to buy the Mechanics skill group rather than 2 of the skills separately would be worth it.

I am of the opinion that Cybercombat is silly and a waste of everyone's time, and you are better off just not bothering and relying on Stealth and Mute.

I'm not sure why you have all that Optimization - I think you can run those programs anyways? Is there any advantage to it I don't know? I would lose those unless I am missing something. Also, I would consider losing Medic, it is pretty pointless. I would also ditch Attack.

Gear-wise, I would try to start with a Doberman, it's a legal and nifty enough drone. Most of the really fun stuff you cannot get until AFTER character creation. Follow the link in my sig and look at the Mercenary Rigger and the Technoshaman; both have some cheap-and-dirty starting drones, and their Suggested Advancement has some very nice albeit not cheap drones you can buy later.

In general, since you cannot buy 'ware, really, I would try to spend as few BP on gear at chargen as you possibly can, since you will not have as much demand on your nuyen as a non-Awakened hacker.

As a Command rigger, you can get a pretty solid dicepool defaulting on Pilot, and you can thus probably live with not having Pilot Anthroform at chargen and pick it up later.

Response Enhancer on commlinks is really REALLY good. I can understand wanting to wait until after chargen so you can get a Rating 6 one but it is quite good.

Customized Interface is cheap and good.

[Makki]

you don't need a Rigger Control implant for Jumping in.

[UmaroVI]

You don't need it, but Jumping In is already a little bit of an iffy thing to really specialize in, and no control rig really hurts it. But it is useful as a last-ditch anti-hacking measure, and for Gunnery with non-FA weapons.

[Xarin]

What's a "Singularity Battle Buddy Basic and Response 7"?  Or rather, what book?  That in WAR?

The meatspace IPs are aimed at using AR primarily rather then relying on VR, only going VR when those extra 2 dice are absolutely needed.  A rigger cocoon negates the primary survival route of a pixie in not being found in the first place since it ties them into a rather easily found (and shot at) drone, so staying AR lets her fly free and virtually invisible.  AR also makes her effectively immune to Black IC and all forms of dumpshock / feedback.

Normally I'd agree with you on aiming for Body 3.  I'm just not sure what real benefit it gets a pixie though.  However, as an Artisan adept, I could instead take Keen Wits.  But either way, I lose the 25% discount as only Improved Reaction is available for this Way at a discount.

I think I'm with you on the mechanics skill group.  And probably Cybercombat (at worst as something to get with karma later)

The Optimization and ergonomics also help drones and Agents run the software.  So, for instance, my Rating 3 Agent can run Analyze, Scan, and Browse independantly with a 9d6 pool (not bad for a bot) and still have payload space for Spoof and Stealth (though they'd work at Rating 3) to keep it more sneaky.  It also means I can run basically every program and suffer less of a performance hit.  Plus it's a pretty cheap upgrade on standard software.  And for drones, the boosted Analyze makes them more hacking resistant.

Defaulting on Pilot only works for groundcraft and watercraft.  The others cannot be defaulted at all.  SR4A has them listed in italics   Does mean I can ditch the groundcraft one though.

[UmaroVI]

Yep, WAR!

OK, I can see the value in hiding and AR rigging; that will get you your money's worth out of that -5 Concealment.

Optimization doesn't help your agents run programs. Optimization adds to the System of nodes to determine max rating; Agents instead cap the rating with their Pilot.

You're right on the Pilot Anthroform, whoops.

I'd be a bit afraid of running around with a 2 body when my goal was to AR rig/hack from outside a rigger cocoon. It strikes me as the sort of strategy that will work fine 75% of the time and get you super dead 25% of the time. With that in mind I would maybe drop Analytics, Sustenance, and Improved Ability (Data Search) for IPA Body to get yourself that 3 body.

Either way I would wear better armor. Chameleon suits are not actually a good idea; wearing Ruthenium Coating is much better because it doesn't restrict your armor choices as much. Make sure you are using FFBA.

Post-chargen, I would consider investing in some MilSpec armor. For low-body characters, MilSpec is really, really amazing - it doesn't stack with anything else, but it can get you waaaay more armor than you otherwise would have if you have 2-3 body. It will be super expensive with the +50% pixie markup, and super unsubtle, but the latter is only a problem if people see you anyways.

[Xarin]

Ok, I don't own WAR! yet.  And besides, while Restricted gear ups the Availability cap to 20, the Rating is still capped at 6 for chargen.  That's ok though, fits easier with the built-from-scratch approach for a backpack-style pixie commlink and keeps it easier to replace if needed.

Bummer on the agents, it starts out talking about them using a System rating then eventually just up and says it's hard-capped.  Still works for drones in any event.  They operate as an independant node unto themselves with full node stats and everything, so I think the optimization works fine for them without debate.  So an off-the-rack drone can run the Analyze at 6 to up the odds of detecting intrusions when they're not slaved, and the ergonomic ECCM to help protect them from jamming.

Body 2 is something that can be fixed much cheaper with Karma.  There's no "hard cap" cost penalty with karma, it'd just be 15 to go from 2 to 3.  The point of magic is worth a whole lot more (well, most of a point).

The FFBA with Ruthenium is a good idea.  Add a little PPP to start and then stack more on as Body increases a bit.  The cost difference is pretty negligible.

I love the milspec idea.  Thankfully the cost and availability issues are alleviated a bit by her to-be-increased Armorer skill.  So it winds up at a net of 75% base cost home-made pixie-size mil-spec.  It would probably look something like Fire Watch Barbie[TM].

[UmaroVI]

I can see buying up body with karma being a sensible option too.

I can definitely see Optimized Analyze being worth it so you can keep that running in drones to make them more hack resistant. But Command? Browse? There's no really good reason to have  a bunch of that stuff running in drones. You can probably do more useful things with your money.

[Xarin]

I may drop the rating down on some of the Optimizations to free up a bit of cash with the enlightenment on Agent restrictions.  May keep some though so I can run my common use, my hacking, my Tac-softs, and an Agent on patrol in my commlink and still keep more of it running solid.

Analyze and Scan seem like prime droning candidates.  Stealth would be great, but it'd need a Restricted gear to start with it, so it'll just have to wait a bit.

[UmaroVI]

Ooops, I just noticed this. You should for sure have Codeslinger of some sort - it is an amazingly good positive quality for a rigger or hacker. What Codeslinger you take it a matter of taste, but you really should have some type of Codeslinger.

Codeslinger: Control Device is a solid choice for +2 to all your command rigging. It's like having +2 to your Command program. That is pro.

Codeslinger for Hacking on the Fly, Probing, etc might be helping an aspect of your character you care more about, although it is also going to be more specialized.

[Xarin]

Mmm, yeah codeslinger would be nice.  Just not sure I can scrounge the 10 points for it without dumping a stat lower then I really wanted the character at.

On a similar note though... I'm debating which specialization to grab for Hacking:  Exploit or Stealth.  Exploit makes getting in and the down-and-dirty of hacking easier.  But with rigging as a component as well, Stealth adds more security vs opposing hackers trying to grab my Access ID to start spoofing my minions.  Command is looking alright already with the commlink optimization to help it out, not to mention typically being able to add the tacsoft bonus.  Spoof might be interesting both for messing with other devices and to thwart Track attempts (which also give out my Access ID if successful).

And after I swap out a couple rating 1 skills to buy back with my 10 starting karma, I'll have 2 karma left to add the spec in.  So that just leaves figuring out what to take

[Xarin]

Ok, here's the current rendition.  I still managed to somehow spend 50BP on gear with zero augmentations.  I am soooo not used to that.

I didn't nab codeslinger because while it's nice, it's pretty pricey at 10BP when those same BP could instead be used to up entire skills still rather then one-off uses of a single skill.  ie:  It's a bit further down the optimization train then the character is headed.

Note on the drones that none of them have chameleon coatings, much as I'd like to add them.  RP reason: I only have a Shop, it takes a Facility, and I'm aiming for all her stuff being self-built / modded.  I'll be saving for the big Forge though to up all the Shops to full on Facility capacity when I can of course

I tried to also keep the drones pretty basic, with only simple sensor upgrades to support the tacnet and 1 or 2 things to fill thier primary role.  The rest is left to the cracked software that I can copy to each one for free

Code: [Select]

Pixel
Female Pixie Tech Adept
400 BP
10 karma / 8 spent

Metatype: Pixie [35 BP]
[20, remove Uneducated]

== Attributes [190 BP] ==
Body 2 [10]
Agility 4 [10]
Reaction 4(6) [10]
Strength 1 [0]
Charisma 4 [10]
Intuition 4 [20]
Logic 5 [30]
Willpower 7 [40]

Essence 6.0
Edge 3 [20 BP]
Magic 5 [40 BP]
Initiative 10 (3 IP)

Phys Track: 9 boxes
Stun Track: 12 boxes

== Special Qualities ==
Concealment (self only, -[Magic] dice pool to percieve Pixel)
Enhances Senses (Astral Perception)
Sapience
Vanishing

== Qualities [-15 BP] ==
5 Adept
10 Artisan's Way adept (-25% cost: Improve Tech / vehicle skills,  Improved Initiative)
5 Restricted Gear (Response 6)
0 Distinctive Style (Pixie)
-5 Media Junkie (Mild)
-15 Sensitive System
-5 Compulsion (Sweet Tooth, especially cupcakes)
-10 Day Job (20 hrs / week, running mechanic shop)

== Adept Powers (5 PP, Way discount included) ==
0.25 Sustenance (1/3rd eat / drink / sleep / relief requirement)
0.25 Analytics 1
0.75 Improved Ability (Hacking) 3
0.5 Improved Ability (Computer) 2
0.5 Improved Ability (Data Search) 2
0.5 Improved Ability (Hardware) 2
0.5 Improved Ability (Software) 2
0.25 Improved Ability (Electronic Warefare) 1
0.5 Improved Ability (Gunnery) 2
2.5 Improved Initiative 2

== Contacts [10 BP, 8 free] ==
Warezhouse 24, virtual group contact (Conn 3/9, Loy 3) [12]
Argent - female elf fixer (Conn 3, Loy 3) [6]

== Active Skills [110 BP] ==
4/6 Electronics Skill Group [40]
Computer, Data Search, Hardware, Software
1 Mechanic Skill Group [10]
Aeronautics, Automotive, Industrial, Nautical
6/9 Hacking [24]
2/3 Electronic Warfare [8]
1 Armorer [4]
1 Infiltration [4]
1 Perception [4]
4/6 Gunnery [16]
1 Pilot Aircraft (4 karma)
1 Pilot Anthroform (4 karma)

== Knowledge Skills [0 BP, 27 free] ==
1 Old Flat-vid movies [2]
1 Classic Manga [2]
3 Engineering [6]
1 Famous Hackers [2]
3 Sweets and Treats [6]
- Language -
N English
1(+2) French (Speaking) [3]
1(+2) Sperethiel (Speaking) [3]
1(+2) Or'Zet (Speaking) [3]

== Gear [50 BP, 250,000 spent] ==
- Commlink - [20,500]
Custom commlink (Res 6, Sig 5)    --
 Response Upgrade 6 8,000
 Signal Upgrade 5 1,000
 *Hardening mod, rat 6   300
 *Optimization: Command (+1 all tests)   500
 *Armor, rat 10 (10/10)   500
 *Biometric Lock   150
Customized OS (Firewall 6, System 6)    --
 Firewall 6 3,000
 System 6 3,000
AR Gloves   250
Nanopaste Trodes   100
Satellite Link   500
Sim Module (hot sim) 1,000
Holo Projector   200
Fake SIN, rating 2 2,000

- Software - [88,600]
% Common Use %
(6) Purge   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
*Viral Resistance 6   600
(6) Command   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 1   100
6 Edit   600
*Optimization 1   100
(6) Browse   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 1   100
(6) Scan   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
(6) Encrypt   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
(6) Analyze   600
*Ergonomic   300
*Optimization 3   300
*Viral Resistance 6   600
5 Programming Suit 5,000
2 Tacsoft 6,000

% Hacking %
3 Armor 1,500
3 Attack 1,500
6 Biofeedback Filter 6,000
6 Decrypt 6,000
6 Defuse 6,000
(5) ECCM 5,000
*Ergonomic   300
6 Exploit 6,000
3 Medic 1,500
6 Sniffer 6,000
6 Spoof 6,000
6 Stealth 6,000
3 Track 1,500

% Agents/Pilots and Autosofts %
3 Agent 3,000
4 Targetting (Automatics) 4,000
*Optimization 2   200
4 Clearsight 4,000
*Optimization 2   200
4 Covert Ops 4,000
*Optimization 2   200

- Drones & Vehicles - [88,480]

"Jeeves"
Renraku Manservant-3 (medium walker) 2,500
  Hand: 0, Acc: 5/15, SPD: 15, Plt: 3, Bod: 3, Arm: 0, Sens: 2
  *Personality soft (High Society Butler)   100
  *Add Analyze, ECCM from library    --
  *Add Clearsight from library    --
  (2,600)

"Plum"
Bust-A-Move (mini walker)   350
  Hand: 0, Acc: 3/10, SPD: 10, Plt: 2, Bod: 1, Arm: 0, Sens: 1
  *Personality soft (Plucky dance girl)   100
  *Add Analyze, ECCM from library    --
  *Add Clearsight from library    --
  (450)

"Peach"
Bust-A-Move (mini walker)   350
  Hand: 0, Acc: 3/10, SPD: 10, Plt: 2, Bod: 1, Arm: 0, Sens: 1
  *Personality soft (Chirpy Secretary)   100
  *Add Analyze, ECCM from library    --
  *Add Clearsight from library    --
  (450)

"Marvin"
MCT-Nissan Rotodrone (medium flier) 2,000
  Hand: 0, Acc: 10/25, SPD: 100, Plt: 3, Bod: 3, Arm: 2, Sens: 3
  VTOL    --
  *Personality soft (Depressed genius)   100
  *[1] Satellite Comms   500
  *[1] Retrans unit (Signal 6) 4,000
  *[1] Additional fuel tank 1,000
  *Cover Ops and Clearsight from library    --
  *Add Analyze, ECCM, Scan from library    --
  (7,600)

"Eddie"
Ford LEBD-1 (medium flier) 4,500
  Hand: 0, Acc: 5/20, SPD: 75, Plt: 3, Bod: 3, Arm: 6, Sens: 3
  Mechnical Arm, VTOL, 2 handcuffs    --
  Weapon Mount: external, fixed, remote    --
  *Personality Soft (Stoic robot enforcer v2.09)  100
  *Add Clearisght + Targetting from library    --
  *Add Analyze, ECCM from library    --
  *Upgrade camera with Low Light + Thermo   200
  *Ares Alpha 1,700
   w/ Airburst link   500
  *Fill with regular ammo (50)   100
  *Smoke Grenade x 6   180
  (7,280)

"Alpha"
GM-Nissan Doberman (medium walker) 3,000
  Hand: 0, Acc: 10/25, SPD: 75, Plt: 3, Bod: 3, Arm: 6, Sens: 3
  Walker, External Fixed remote weapon mount    --
  Clearsight 3, Targetting (automatics) 3    --
  *Personality soft (loyal talking guard dog)   100
  *Upgrade camera w/ Low Light + Thermo   200
  *upgrade autosofts from library    --
  *Add Analyze, ECCM from library    --
  *Add Ingram White Knight LMG 2,000
  *Fill ammo bin to 250 regular ammo   500
  (5,700)

"Pepe"
MCT Fly-Spy (mini flyier) 2,000
  Hand: +1, Acc: 3/15, SPD: 15, Plt: 3, Bod: 1, Arm: 0, Sens: 2
  VTOL    --
  Maneuverability 2    --
  *Personality soft (Amorous french fellow)   100
  *replace Maneuver with Covert Ops from library   --
  *Add Clearsight 4 from library    --
  *Add Analyze, ECCM from library    --
  *Camera, rating 6   300
    w/ low-light + thermo   200
  *Microphone, rating 6   300
  *Radar Signal Scanner, rating 6   300
  (3,200)

"Beanie"
GMC Hermes Van (wheeled delivery truck) 45,000
  Hand: -1, Acc: 5/10, SPD: 100, Plt: 2, Bod: 17, Arm: 6, Sens: 2
  Customization slots used / total [7, 17]
  Small Landing Drone Rack x 2     --
  *Personality soft (swaggering getaway driver)    100
  *Add Clearsight 4 from library     --
  *Add Analyze, ECCM from library     --
  *[0]Ammenities: Squatter (6 passengers)    100
  *[1] Gridlink    750
  *[1] Gridlink Override 2,000
  *[1] Interior Cameras 1,700
  *[1] Mechanical Grapple Arm 1,000
  *[1] Rigger Adaptation 2,500
  *[1] Satellite Comms    500
  *[1] Vehicle Tag Eraser 4,250
  *Morphin License plate 1,000
  *Spoof chip    500
  (59,400)

- Electronics - [150]
Tag Eraser   150

- Armory - [15,470]
Full Body From Fitting (6/2) 1,600
 *Ruthenium Polymer coating 7,500
 Thermal Damping rat 4 2,000
 Non-Conductive 4   800
PPP obvious armor
 Forearm guards (0/+1)   200
 Shin Guards (0/+1)   150
Goggles, Rat 4   200
 Low Light   100
 Image Link    25
 Thermographic   100
 Flare Comp    50
Contacts, rat 1    50
 Vision Enhancement 3   300
Earbuds, Rat 2    20
 Hearing Enhancement 3   300
 Spatial Recognizer   100
Respirator, Rat 6   150
Biomonitor (belt)   300
Regular assault rifle ammo x 100   200
Stick-n-Shock Assault Rifle ammo x 50   400
Regular machine gun ammo x 180   360
Thermal Smoke grenades x 5   175
Flashbang grenade x 6   180
Frag Grenade x 6   210

- Tools - [21,800]
Hardware Kit   500
Hardware Shop 5,000
Automotive Shop 5,000
Aeronautics Shop 5,000
Armorer Kit   500
Armorer Shop 5,000
Medkit, rat 6   600
 Supplies x 4   200
 

-= Lifestyle, Advanced =- [15,000]
Point Total:20 (High, 10,000 per month, +50% for pixie = 15,000)

Description:
An older workshop / warehouse building in Tarislar.  The  neighborhood's been cleaned up by the tight-nit elven community.  The  building itself has been renovated and repaired, with a large work area  on the ground floor for vehicles and drones, as well as a small lobby /  front desk.  The second floor features the electronics shop and a small   studio-style apartment.  Pixel's upgraded the security grid  signifgantly since taking up residence and opened up shop as "Rally's  Repairs".  Most of her biz is just drone and vehicle repair for the  local elves, including a few Ancients.  Biz is conducted primarily  through an anthromorph drone stationed at the front desk, though closer  friends get to meet the pixie in person.

2 Comforts - Low
Some cheap, mostly-matching furniture, a comfy chair or two,  some cheap AR wallspace programs, 1 cheap old household drone

3 Entertainment - Middle
Lots of MAtrix and trid channels, the odd night out or small  vacation, a few pampering treatments

4 Necessities - High
Lots of space, sturdy building, 2-car garage, real food (drone -made), high-priced chocolates, good appliances, stylish clothing  (mostly Evo-made)

3 Neighborhood - Middle
Quiet suburban neighborhood, small park area, safe, patrol  drones & security contract, white-collar neighbors

4 Security - High (Device 4, Proffessional 4)
Excellent home security to deter all but most determined of  thieves, superior locks and systems, solid firewall with patrolling IC,   neighbors would call polices or help out

Qualities: (+4)
+5 Feng Shui (+3 to artisan & tech skills from home)
+1 Workspace
-2 Living by Committee (elven hood's community watch rules)

Drone setup idea is the van is the mobile base with the LEBD-1 and Rotodrone in the launch racks, the fly-spy can sit in the glovebox if it needs to, and the doberman / manservant can just park themselves in the passenger area.  Plum is the main "face" the manservant carries around, and Peach stays at the shop's counter to handle guests.  Drones can deploy from the van as needed and roam a ways off on missions with Marvin keeping them in touch, letting the pricey van stay farther from the line of fire.  The Beanie / Jeeves / Plum combo also makes for better remote-shopping in meat-space with Jeeves doing labor and Plum playing "Face".

Alpha is the heavy fire support drone, very basic.  Eddie is the versatile support option with more ammo types and grenade types to suit the needs at hand, and the ammo can be toted around in Beanie (I wish Smuggling compartments were also a "shop" mod, but ah well)

And since Pixel, Marvin, and Beanie all have satellite links, Pixel can stay far from even the van much of the time, further removing her from danger of kinetic lead poisoning.

[UmaroVI]

I would really reconsider Codeslinger: Control Device. It's 10 points for +2 to command rigging; that's really cheap for what it does, and you can't buy it later on.

I would consider replacing the fly-spy with a Flying Eye Drone (Spy Games), which is a Micro rather than Mini drone but has the improved sensor array upgrade (so it can still hold just as many cameras). It's cheaper and better at sneaking around.

I would replace the GMC Herman Van with an Ares Roadmaster. It's still legal, costs only a tiny bit more, and is -1 body for +10 armor. It's also slightly faster. I'd really hesitate to have such an expensive vehicle with such low defenses as the GMC Herman.

[Xarin]

I would really reconsider Codeslinger: Control Device. It's 10 points for +2 to command rigging; that's really cheap for what it does, and you can't buy it later on.

Actually you can buy it later on, for 20 karma with GM approval.  And besides, Issue Command doesn't even involve a roll on the character's part.  You issue the command, and the drone automatically understands if it's within normal behavior, or rolls Pilot + response to figure out that you did not, in fact, want it to put the frying pan in the microwave.  SR4A pg 245.  So since there's no success test from the character, Codeslinger doesn't even apply.

I would consider replacing the fly-spy with a Flying Eye Drone (Spy Games), which is a Micro rather than Mini drone but has the improved sensor array upgrade (so it can still hold just as many cameras). It's cheaper and better at sneaking around.

Huh, don't have that book yet.  Doubt I'll have it before game time either, so I may just pick a few of those little guys up in-game then.  They sound sweet

I would replace the GMC Herman Van with an Ares Roadmaster. It's still legal, costs only a tiny bit more, and is -1 body for +10 armor. It's also slightly faster. I'd really hesitate to have such an expensive vehicle with such low defenses as the GMC Herman.

The Roadmaster has a few issues as well though.  It's extremely conspicous for starters, while the hermes is everywhere as the ubiquitous delivery van and people will even be completely used to seeing it drive around under remote rigging.  The other catch is the roadmaster doesn't come with 2 free landing drone racks already installed like the hermes does (and would require 10k + a facility to install).  The Hermes's main defense is just staying low-key and away from the direct action.  But I can still give it all the armor plating of the Roadmaster and then some if need be (armor's cheap and a Shop-level mod).

[UmaroVI]

Armor makes it restricted, though. I think I'm just in general less willing to put my faith in strategies that amount to "low defenses don't matter if you never get shot at," though.

You're getting Issue Command and Control Device mixed up. Issue Command is used to get drones/vehicles to act autonomously. Control Device is used to remote-control rig, and you really want to be doing this (not JUST this obviously). Issue Command is Command+Skill, and is what makes VR riggers good because you can jack this roll through the roof.