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First Decker Build

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labmouse42

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« on: <08-18-17/1707:22> »
Hey all, I'm making my first character in 5e, and was looking for some C&C advice.   The GM has said we can only pull from the main sourcebook.
This character concept is a decker that goes with the team, and shuts down all enemy hardware.    I was thinking most of his work would be done in AR, unless he finds a good spot to go limp at.
 - His main trick is to brick devices.   He's throwing 17 dice on data spike that does 8 + hits in damage.   
 - He's throwing out 12 dice when shooting with his pistol, so he's not useless if there is nothing to brick
 - He's agile, with 12 dice to dodge attacks with (Reaction + Intuition - 1)
 - He's tough with 16 dice of armor, and another 8 to soak with body.
 - He's a doctor.   With his medkit, he has 19 dice at first aid. 
 - He's still pretty good at decking stuff. 
- His Initiative is 13+2d6.   41.66% of the combat rounds he will get 3 actions.  58.33% of the time he will only get betting 2 when in AR.

I put the character on this handy-dandy google sheets I found.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l6yH2JJ09Hu9tCLT1yK5rGmrqKHASJ_d-vXjM1xYs7k/edit?usp=sharing

== Attributes ==
BOD:   6
AGI:    4
REA:   5 (6)
STR:   3
CHA:  1
INT:    5
LOG:  5 (7)
WIL:   3
EDG:  1
MAG: 0

== Skils  ==
Electronics Skill Group : 5
Hacking : 6
Electronic Warfare : 6
Cybercombat : 6
 (Devices)
Pistols : 6
First Aid : 6
Perception: 5

== Qualities ==
Codeslinger (Data Spike)

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Cerebal Booster (Level 2)
Alumimum Bone Lacing
Wired Reflexes (Alpha) Level 1
CyberEyes (alpha)
- SmartLink
- Low Light Vision
- Vision Enhancement
Commlink (alpha)
 - Tansys Comlink
Muscle Toner
CyberEars
- Audio Enchancement
- Sound Link
- Damper
OrthoSkin (level 2)
Reaction Enhancers (alpha)

== CyberDeck ==
Microtronica Azteca 200
Programs
- Armor
- Biofeedback Filter
- Decryption
- Hammer
- Shell

== Armor ==
Armor Jacket            12
Helmet                      2

== Weapons ==
Ares Predator
- 20 Rounds in 2 clips
- Gas Vent System

== Gear: Equipped ==
Fake Sin
High
Cert Credstick
Fake License
Stim Patch
Tramua Patch
Medkit (Rating 6)


I still have 31k left over to spend in cash.   There is still just over 1 essence left.

Thanks for looking at the character
« Last Edit: <08-18-17/1827:14> by labmouse42 »

Desiani

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« Reply #1 on: <08-18-17/1719:59> »
I'm going to assume that you are going Combat decker as you have 0 hacking and 6 in cyber combat. Some things to keep in mind when building a combat decker. If you are the only Trix specialist in the group then you can't always be a Pink Mohawking it into Hosts. Sure breaking down the door is super fun but if you get a job where you need to sneak, 0 hacking will mean you are shooting your way in...

I've played something similar, but we had both me and a sneaky hacker in the group. I played the distraction and Bio-killed a few spiders while my buddy got in and out.

Also... you're going to be VR or Ar? If ar :p Wired Reflexes is a must
« Last Edit: <08-18-17/1725:06> by Desiani »

Kuirem

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« Reply #2 on: <08-18-17/1730:53> »
Yeah as Desiani say discuss with your GM where the game will take place. If you are running in the street, bricking device will be fine but if you ever have to get close to a host you are going to end up in a really bad shape.

Since you are no mage you can switch Synaptic Booster with Wired Reflexes to save some money and maybe get a better decks and some more programs. Also get some more bullets and some non-lethal one, nobody likes a runner that leave bodies.

Talking about program Fork is probably one of the best one doubling the value of any Matrix Action you take. I also recommend Blackout/Lockdown to fight other Decker. Wrapper is always a good pick to be more inconspicuous.

Charisma 1 and no social skills huh? I really hope your game is full Pink Mohawk or you will mess up bad as soon as someone talk to you.

labmouse42

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« Reply #3 on: <08-18-17/1745:05> »
I'm going to assume that you are going Combat decker as you have 0 hacking and 6 in cyber combat. Some things to keep in mind when building a combat decker.
I'm sorry.  When I made the character, he has a 6 in hacking and electronic warfare.

If you are the only Trix specialist in the group then you can't always be a Pink Mohawking it into Hosts. Sure breaking down the door is super fun but if you get a job where you need to sneak, 0 hacking will mean you are shooting your way in...
Got it.   Thanks for the suggestions. :D

Also... you're going to be VR or Ar? If ar :p Wired Reflexes is a must
My plan was AR.   The ork has 11+2d6 dice, meaning he is getting 2 actions most of the time, and 3 actions 27.77% of the time.    If you have any cheap suggestions to grab 2 more reaction or Init, that chance jumps up dramatically.
http://www.thedarkfortress.co.uk/tech_reports/2_dice_rolls.htm#.WZdfjSiGMuU
« Last Edit: <08-18-17/1750:59> by labmouse42 »

labmouse42

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« Reply #4 on: <08-18-17/1747:25> »
Yeah as Desiani say discuss with your GM where the game will take place. If you are running in the street, bricking device will be fine but if you ever have to get close to a host you are going to end up in a really bad shape.
Again, sorry for the dumb questions.   Why is that the case?   With the electronic warfare and hacking of 6, is that still the case?

Since you are no mage you can switch Synaptic Booster with Wired Reflexes to save some money and maybe get a better decks and some more programs. Also get some more bullets and some non-lethal one, nobody likes a runner that leave bodies.
Those are great suggestions.   I'll play with the numbers and see what I can do.  Thank you.

Talking about program Fork is probably one of the best one doubling the value of any Matrix Action you take. I also recommend Blackout/Lockdown to fight other Decker. Wrapper is always a good pick to be more inconspicuous.
OK, thanks.  I can grab a few programs for cheap.

Charisma 1 and no social skills huh? I really hope your game is full Pink Mohawk or you will mess up bad as soon as someone talk to you.
My plan was to start him as an anti-social freak and grow that with karma.  Do you suggest dropping another area and then growing it instead?
« Last Edit: <08-18-17/1749:06> by labmouse42 »

Desiani

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« Reply #5 on: <08-18-17/1801:00> »
If you decide on the Wired reflexes route, reaction enhancers are a 100% must. If you ever boost your WR to 3 with the max rating of Reaction enhancers, the combo allows 6 reaction I stead of the normal 4 maximum

labmouse42

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« Reply #6 on: <08-18-17/1828:42> »
If you decide on the Wired reflexes route, reaction enhancers are a 100% must. If you ever boost your WR to 3 with the max rating of Reaction enhancers, the combo allows 6 reaction I stead of the normal 4 maximum
Thanks for the suggestion.   I made it and updated the orig.   I was only able to start with WR1 and Reaction boosters of +2 -- which increases his defense dice and gives him a 41.66% of having a 21 init - or 3 actions a turn in AR.

Desiani

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« Reply #7 on: <08-18-17/1838:19> »
If you decide on the Wired reflexes route, reaction enhancers are a 100% must. If you ever boost your WR to 3 with the max rating of Reaction enhancers, the combo allows 6 reaction I stead of the normal 4 maximum
Thanks for the suggestion.   I made it and updated the orig.   I was only able to start with WR1 and Reaction boosters of +2 -- which increases his defense dice and gives him a 41.66% of having a 21 init - or 3 actions a turn in AR.

I'm doing an ar adept decker. Improved reflexes 2 or 3 ain't decided which and Imp Ability Hacking 3 :D. 2 cerebral boosters and 2 datajacks plus Blood Crystal eyes with astral perception quality.

8 log plus 9 hack plus 2 code hotf is 19 dice :D Adapts are fun

Kuirem

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« Reply #8 on: <08-18-17/1842:38> »
Again, sorry for the dumb questions.   Why is that the case?   With the electronic warfare and hacking of 6, is that still the case?

It's really more a word of warning, you've only invested a specialization in Cybercombat so that's not so bad but in host it's often useless, you will rely on Hacking instead. The reason is that Attack actions will immediatly alert the host and it will start to send IC and fighting IC is pointless because a new one will spawn every turn.

Also what does corps hate? Paying! And bricked gear cost time to repair and time is nuyen. So if you are against gangsters go for it, brick their shit. If you are against corp? Think twice, it will probably be better to use a Format Device or just a timed Reboot if you don't want a corp deciding to go against you because you cost too much while running loose.

My plan was to start him as an anti-social freak and grow that with karma.  Do you suggest dropping another area and then growing it instead?

I mean you can go full anti social if that's what you want to but generally a runner will have to deal with people sooner or later and so they should have some Etiquette skill at the least. You could drop First Aid and Pistols a bit to get some points in Etiquette (street specialization often make sense for Orks), maybe compensate by taking specialization in Bullets Wounds/Semi-Automatics since those are the one you will use often.

One last note about Initiative, Drugs are a viable option given your Body/Willpower/Logic. Cram is dirt cheap and gives as much as Wired Reflexes and Jazz is good for emergency and when you really need the initiative dice rolling. Unless you abuse them you won't even need to make an addiction test.

Now that I think about it I made a character a bit similar, an ork specialized in data spikes although he wasn't using Hacking/EW at all so wasn't meant to be a main decker. You can find it here in case you want to take a look at it. Quick Backstory: he was a Decker hunter for some security company, linklock them, find their position and take them down. Of course he was often toying with them because he had some power over them and one day a technomancer, likely engaged by some pals from one of his victims, messed with him and pinned his colleagues murder on him forcing him into the Shadows.