So, this became another "why are TM's so awful"-Threads. Well, why not ...
Direct Connection:
A direct Connection needs 3 Things:
Universal data Connector on MY Device
Universal data Connector on HIS Device
And a Cable. (5NY for 1m cable, datajacks and cyberdecks come with one)
How does a Decker do it:
He has a Cyberdeck. If its implanted, he gets free DNI. If its not implanted, he needs a Datajack. His Cyberdeck is Connected to his DNI. He puts a cable in his Cyberdeck and in the Enemy Machine and gets direct connection.
Technomancer:
Living Persona equals no PAN, and no chance in putting a cable into something. But what does his Living Persona equals?
He can see AR and HOT Sim VR.
AR equals: Cybereyes / Glasses / Contacts with built-in Image Link.
VR equals: Commlink + Sim Module + Hot sim
OR Cyberdeck (Sim Module + Hot Sim is always installed on Cyberdecks)
The BIG Question:
Does Living Persona equal to implanted Cyberdeck without DNI and Cable? And can this be supplemented with Trodes (No Essence Cost) or a Datajack?
The book doesn't seem to answer this question properly and as I see the discussion here and in every other TM-related Topic, nobody is too sure about it.
Other, probably related Questions:
1. How to use Smartlink?
This may seem an odd question, but it does a similar job as the Imagelink, only the info doesn't come out of the Matrix (ARO's) but from the device/Weapon in your Hand. So you can interpret all Kinds of AR stuff via your Living Persona, but not what the Weapon is trying to tell you.
Imagelink and Smartlink is usually implanted in the same device, as if they are just ... programs in your Glasses OS, as an example. It would seem weird to use i.e. Cybereyes for everything, except the Smartlink on a pair of Glasses. As these two are not connected, it might generate a giant mess in your field of view, because everything is overlaying everything else. CHAOS.
2. Wireless Bonuses of any Kind:
let me quote the Book:
Because nearly every piece of gear and ’ware is wireless
capable, it means nearly every piece of gear and cyberware
benefits dramatically from being “meshed” into your
wireless personal area network and the Matrix as a whole.
As the Book states, your living Persona does not have a PAN, so you should NOT be able to benefit from wireless boni of any kind, except you do the following:
1. Shutdown your living persona, 2. Enter AR with your Commlink (Master of your PAN) and Glasses+Image-Link. 3. Enjoy Wireless like a Mundane.
Kinda kills some of the fun.
As to the original Topic here: We adjusted the Matrix a bit and I have the Rules a bit clearer in front of me, so I'm sure it will get better in the future.
Only now the other characters start to demand impossible things (Quote: "There are two persons missing for three days. You, Matrix Guy!, go into the matrix and find them!"). OOC I might need to talk to them again, IC I only hear "please put Databombs on my Commlink, as many as you can!".
Let's see how long my character survives.
