[JackVII]

I don't usually post builds, but I wanted to throw this guy out there as he was a bit of a challenge. The basic concept is a nautical-themed decker with a specialization in taking control of drones, including the ability to jump in. This ended up requiring a lot of skill points and resources and was an interesting exercise in balance (for instance, I had to put off the reaction enhancers for post-chargen). I usually build using just Core, the only things I added here from other books was a firearm and armor, I can easily swap those out if R&G isn't allowed. Anyway, thoughts?

(Priorities - A: Skills, B: Resources, C: Attributes, D: Race, E: Magic)

Handle: Corsair
Name: Nate Grayson
Race/Nationality: Human/Australian
Gender: Male
Role: Dronejacker

ATTRIBUTES (16/16) (20 Karma)
BOD   3   WIL   4
AGI   2   LOG   6
REA   2   INT   5
STR   2   CHA   2
EDG   5   ESN   4.52
Initiative:  7 + 1D6
Matrix Initiative: (DP + 5) + 3D6/4D6
Limits (M/P/S)   7/3/5
Monitor (P/S)   10/10

SKILLS (46/46, 10/10)
Active
Combat: Exotic Weapon Proficiency [Gyrojet] (3)
Physical:  Perception/Visual (1), Swimming/Treading (2)
Social: Con/Fast Talk (2)
Technical: Cybercombat/Devices (6), Electronic Warfare (4), Electronics SG (5), Engineering SG (5), Hacking/Devices (6), Navigation (2)
Vehicle: Gunnery (3), Pilot Air/Remote Operation (2), Pilot Ground/Remote Operation (2), Pilot Water (6)

Knowledge (22/22)
Interests: Drones (4), Fishing/Guide Spots (4)
Professional: Maritime Laws & Procedures (3)
Street: Black Markets (1), Smuggler Haunts (4)
Language: English (N), Atzlaner Spanish (5)

QUALITIES (25 – 10 + 15 = 30)
Positive: Codeslinger [Hack on the Fly]
Negative: Mild Allergy [Uncommon], Weak Immune System

CONTACTS & REP (6/6)
Juicy Juice, Female Dwarf Fixer (4/2)
Current Karma (0), Total Karma (0), Street Cred (0), Notoriety (1), Public Awareness (0)

GEAR (Starting Nuyen: 380 + Starting) (10 Karma)
FN-AAL Gyrojet Pistol [GYR] w/Laser Sight & Spare Mag [GYR]: 2,450 (W)
Bike Racing Armor: 500
Monocle (3) w/FC, LL, & VE (1): 1,610 (W)
Meta Link (1): 100 (W)
Samuravi Otter w/Rigger Adaptation: 22,000 (W)
Microflare Launcher w/3x Microflares: 250
Hardware Kit: 500
Fake SIN (3) [Bruce Jackman]: 7,500
Fake License (3) [Augmentation, Boat Pilot]: 1,200
1x Month Low Lifestyle: 2,000

Augmentations (256,510)
Control Rig (1): 43,000 (1)
Datajack [Alpha]: 1,200 (0.08) (W)
Implanted Novatech Navigator (3) [6543]: 209,750 (0.4) (W)
Common Programs [All]: 560
Hacking Programs [Armor, Biofeedback Filter, Decryption, Hammer, Mugger, Shell, Stealth, Wrapper]: 2,000

One thing I had considered was swapping Resources and Skills: Eliminate Engineering SG (5), Pilot Air/Remote Operation (2), & Pilot Ground/Remote Operation (2). Drop Cybercombat/Devices (6) to (4) & Pilot Water (6) to (4). That would allow me to upgrade my deck to the best available at chargen and still leave me with about 30Kish nuyen, which should allow me to get Reaction Enhancers (2).

[JackVII]

Based on the final comment of the previous post, here's the alternate (better deck & reaction enhancers)

(Priorities - A: Resources, B: Skills, C: Attributes, D: Race, E: Magic)

Handle: Corsair
Name: Nate Grayson
Race/Nationality: Human/Australian
Gender: Male
Role: Dronejacker

ATTRIBUTES (16/16) (20 Karma)
BOD   3   WIL   4
AGI   2   LOG   6
REA   2 (4)   INT   5
STR   2   CHA   2
EDG   5   ESN   3.92
Initiative:  9 + 1D6
Matrix Initiative: (DP + 5) + 3D6/4D6
Limits (M/P/S)   7/4/4
Monitor (P/S)   10/10

SKILLS (36/36, 5/5)
Active
Combat: Exotic Weapon Proficiency [Gyrojet] (3)
Physical:  Perception/Visual (1), Swimming/Treading (2)
Social: Con/Fast Talk (2)
Technical: Cybercombat/Devices (4), Electronic Warfare (4), Electronics SG (5), Hacking/Devices (6), Navigation (2)
Vehicle: Gunnery (3), Pilot Water (4)

Knowledge (22/22)
Interests: Drones (4), Fishing/Guide Spots (4)
Professional: Maritime Laws & Procedures (3)
Street: Black Markets (1), Smuggler Haunts (4)
Language: English (N), Atzlaner Spanish (5)

QUALITIES (25 – 10 + 10 = 25)
Positive: Codeslinger [Hack on the Fly]
Negative: Weak Immune System

CONTACTS & REP (6/6)
Juicy Juice, Female Dwarf Fixer (4/2)
Current Karma (0), Total Karma (0), Street Cred (0), Notoriety (1), Public Awareness (0)

GEAR (Starting Nuyen: 130) (5 Karma)
FN-AAL Gyrojet Pistol [GYR] w/Laser Sight & Spare Mag [GYR]: 2,450 (W)
Bike Racing Armor: 500
Monocle (3) w/FC, LL, & VE (1): 1,610 (W)
Meta Link (1): 100 (W)
Samuravi Otter w/Rigger Adaptation: 22,000 (W)
Microflare Launcher w/3x Microflares: 250
Hardware Kit: 500
Fake SIN (3) [Bruce Jackman]: 7,500
Fake License (3) [Augmentation, Boat Pilot]: 1,200
1x Month Low Lifestyle: 2,000

Augmentations (421,760)
Control Rig (1): 43,000 (1)
Datajack [Alpha]: 1,200 (0.08) (W)
Implanted Sony CIY-720 (4) [7654]: 349,000 (0.4) (W)
Common Programs [All]: 560
Hacking Programs [Armor, Biofeedback Filter, Decryption, Hammer, Mugger, Shell, Stealth, Wrapper]: 2,000
Reaction Enhancers (2): 26,000 (0.6)

[8-bit]

I don't see anything major at the moment. The only couple of things I can recommend are that you take the full 25 karma worth of negative qualities. Sure, they have problems, but they not only round out your character, they really help with getting more gear/skills/contacts. Also, you can take Used Reaction Enhancers 3 for 29,250 nuyen IIRC. I figure your Essence is already below 4 and is probably not going to mind taking another slight hit to it.

[8-bit]

Sorry for double posting here, but something else I would like to add. I don't think this build is meant to be 100% optimized (you can tell me otherwise) as you make a few sacrifices for some really nice flavor. Another thing I would like to add is that Willpower 4 doesn't really do anything for you. Due to how most calculations round up, it's better to sit Willpower at 3 unless I'm missing something. You can take that one point and put it into Reaction. If you combine that with Used Reaction Enhancers 3, then you would have 3 (6) Reaction, which should be more than enough for a while.

[JackVII]

No, it isn't intended to be highly optimized.

As a decker/rigger, I think Willpower has a lot of utility for a variety of Matrix resistance tests, particularly biofeedback damage and dumpshock. I don't usually go with the 3 dice/hit average consideration, but use anydice.com for percentage chances when factoring utility and that extra die often helps. It's also a lot harder to raise Willpower, from what I recall. I don't really consider drugs a reliable option.

Thanks for the tips, BTW, I went ahead and upgraded the Reaction Enhancers (2) to Reaction Enhancers (3) [Used] in the second build. The cost difference was negligible and the increased essence loss didn't drop me down any further due to rounding. Social limit isn't as much of a concern as additional penalties for assisted healing and Healing class spells. Getting the Reaction Enhancers (2) already dropped me to the -1 First Aid/-3 spells penalty level, but I think the trade was worth it.

[8-bit]

I wasn't thinking about all the tests as a decker/rigger, that's a good point. I was talking more about condition monitor boxes. Willpower 4 is probably fine then. Reaction Enhancers 3 should give you enough reaction as it is, so you should be fine.