[SkyRocker]

This my first try at a hacker in a game that the GM has designated 300BP.  Never played, nor built a character for it.  I welcome any/all criticism, opinions, help, tricks and tips.  Thanks in advance.

What I'm going for is a middle class kid whose parents lavished every spare cred on him, so he is somewhat spoiled.  When his parents are killed all he has left is the motorcycle they got him and a bit of experience in the Matrix. 

To survive he starts to hack and steal information until he's taken in by a go-gang who slowly becomes his family until they are wiped out and he ends up with some runners who are trying to get into Hong Kong from the slums outside it's walls.

The kid is not a fighter, AT ALL.  He doesn't have that much charisma but he's good at what he does.  He's shy, takes him a while to warm up to strangers but once he does he'd lay down his life for them.

Help me out!  Help me bring my guy to life.  TIA

NAME/ALIAS: Unnamed Character   PLAYER:    MOVEMENT: 10/25, Swim: 5
METATYPE: Human   AGE:      SEX:      NUYEN:   0
HEIGHT:      WEIGHT:      HAIR:      EYES:      SKIN:   
KARMA:   0   TOTAL KARMA:   0   STREET CRED:   0   NOTORIETY:   0   PUBLIC AWARE:   0
COMPOSURE:   5   JUDGE INTENTIONS:   5   LIFT/CARRY:   5   LIFT/CARRY WEIGHT:   30 kg/20 kg   MEMORY:   5
PERSONAL DATA Show: YESPage Break: NO
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES   MENTAL ATTRIBUTES   SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES   SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

BODY: 3
CHARISMA: 2
EDGE: 3
CURRENT EDGE POINTS:
AGILITY: 5
INTUITION: 3
ESSENCE: 6
 
REACTION: 3
LOGIC: 2
INITIATIVE: 6
MATRIX INIT: 6
STRENGTH: 2
WILLPOWER: 3
 
INIT PASSES: 1    MATRIX: 3
ATTRIBUTES Show: YESPage Break: NO
ACTIVE SKILLS
SKILL NAME   POOL   RTG.   ATT.   R. MOD.   P. MOD.
Archery   4   0   5   0   0
Armorer   1   0   2   0   0
Artisan (Carpentry)   4 (6)   1   3   0   0
Automatics   4   0   5   0   0
Automotive Mechanic   3   1   2   0   0
Blades   4   0   5   0   0
Climbing   1   0   2   0   0
Clubs   4   0   5   0   0
Computer   6   4   2   0   0
Con   1   0   2   0   0
Cybercombat   6   4   2   0   0
Data Search   6   4   2   0   0
Demolitions   1   0   2   0   0
Disguise   4   1   3   0   0
Diving   2   0   3   0   0
Dodge   4   1   3   0   0
Electronic Warfare   6   4   2   0   0
Escape Artist   4   0   5   0   0
Etiquette (Street)   3 (5)   1   2   0   0
First Aid   1   0   2   0   0
Forgery   4   0   5   0   0
Gunnery   4   0   5   0   0
Gymnastics   4   0   5   0   0
Hacking   6   4   2   0   0
ACTIVE SKILLS
SKILL NAME   POOL   RTG.   ATT.   R. MOD.   P. MOD.
Hardware   6   4   2   0   0
Heavy Weapons   4   0   5   0   0
Infiltration   6   1   5   0   0
Instruction   1   0   2   0   0
Intimidation   1   0   2   0   0
Leadership   1   0   2   0   0
Locksmith   4   0   5   0   0
Longarms   4   0   5   0   0
Navigation   2   0   3   0   0
Negotiation   3   1   2   0   0
Palming   6   1   5   0   0
Parachuting   2   0   3   0   0
Perception   6   3   3   0   0
Pilot Ground Craft (Bike)   4 (6)   1   3   0   0
Pilot Watercraft   2   0   3   0   0
Pistols   4   0   5   0   0
Running   1   0   2   0   0
Shadowing   4   1   3   0   0
Software   6   4   2   0   0
Survival   2   0   3   0   0
Swimming   1   0   2   0   0
Throwing Weapons   4   0   5   0   0
Tracking   2   0   3   0   0
Unarmed Combat   4   0   5   0   0
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
SKILL NAME   POOL   RTG.   ATT.   R. MOD.   P. MOD.
Area Knowledge: Hong-Kong   5   3   2   0   0
Data Havens (Hacking)   5 (7)   3   2   0   0
Engineering (Mechanical)   4 (6)   2   2   0   0
Gangs (Hong-Kong)   5 (7)   2   3   0   0
Triads (Turf)   5 (7)   2   3   0   0
SKILLS Show: YESPage Break: NO
CONTACT NAME   TYPE   CONNECTION   LOYALTY/INCIDENCE
Fixer   Contact   2   2
Go Ganger   Contact   2   2
Street Doc   Contact   2   2
CONTACTS & ENEMIES
QUALITY NAME   
Codeslinger (Hacking on the fly)   SR4 90
Pacifist (Minor)   SR4 95
Sensitive System   SR4 95
QUALITIES
ARMOR   BALLISTIC/IMPACT   
TOTAL   6/4   
Armor Vest   6/4   SR4 326
ARMOR Show: YESPage Break: NO
     
PHYSICAL DAMAGE TRACK   STUN DAMAGE TRACK
            -1
            -2
            -3
  Down      OVR      OVR
  OVR      DEAD   
            -1
            -2
            -3
  Down      
CONDITION MONITOR
WEAPON   POOL   DAMAGE   AP   MODE   RC   AMMO   
Defiance EX Shocker   4   8S(e)   -half   SS   0   4(m)   SR4 316
S: 0-5   M: 6-10   L: 11-15   E: 16-20   
RANGED WEAPONS Show: YESPage Break: NO
     
WEAPON   POOL   DAMAGE   AP   REACH   
Defiance EX Shocker Melee   4   8S(e)   -half   0   SR4 316
Unarmed Attack   4   1S   -   0   SR4 159
MELEE WEAPONS
VEHICLE   HANDLING   ACCEL   SPEED   PILOT   BODY   ARMOR   SENSOR   CM   RESP   SYS   SIG   FIRE   DEVICE   
Suzuki Mirage (Racing Bike)   2   20/50   200   1   6   4   1 (5)   11   3   3   3   3   3   SR4 348
Tool Kit (Automotive Mechanics); Vehicle Sensor
VEHICLE/DRONE    Show: YES    Page-break: NO
COMMLINK   RESPONSE   SYSTEM   FIREWALL   SIGNAL   
Sony Emperor   2   2   2   3   SR4 328
ACCESSORIES
Renraku Ichi
PROGRAMS
Analyze 2; Browse 2; Command 2; Edit 2; Encrypt 2; Mapsoft 1 (Hong Kong); Miracle Shooter; Scan 2; Virtual Person; Virtual Pet
COMMLINK/PROGRAMS Show: YESPage Break: NO
LIFESTYLE   MONTHS   
Low   2   SR4 268
LIFESTYLE Show: YESPage Break: NO
NAME   RTG.   QTY.   
Analyze   2   1   SR4 232
Autopicker   1   1   SR4 335
Browse   2   1   SR4 232
Certified Credstick, Ebony   -   1   SR4 331
Chisel   -   1   SR4 335
Command   2   1   SR4 232
Earbuds   1   1   SR4 333
NAME   RTG.   QTY.   
Edit   2   1   SR4 233
Encrypt   2   1   SR4 233
Fake License   2   1   SR4 332
Fake SIN   2   1   SR4 332
Flashlight   -   1   SR4 336
Glasses   1   1   SR4 332
Flare Compensation; Image Link; Low Light; Thermographic; Vision Enhancement 1
Mapsoft (Hong Kong)   1   1   SR4 330
NAME   RTG.   QTY.   
Micro-Transceiver   4   1   SR4 329
Miracle Shooter   -   1   SR4 331
Scan   2   1   SR4 233
Sim Module (Hot)   -   1   SR4 328
Trodes   -   1   SR4 328
Virtual Person   -   1   SR4 331
Virtual Pet   -   1   SR4 331
Wire Clippers   -   1   SR4 335
GEAR Show: YESPage Break: NO

[Csjarrat]

Hackers are basically their commlinks. To that end, really you'll need to increase your cash and invest in the software you've got. You'll need to get the novatech and then get all software at R4 (higher if you can free enough cash to get response + system 5 at chargen)
Once that is sorted, get hacking to six and your ancillary skills to a reasonable level (couple ranks in perception, pistols and a social skill)
Don't got mad on attributes, you can get an awesome cybercombat for relatively cheap + wired reflexes to help in meatspace.

[b0rn]

I am doing a similar build in another thread. From what I have gathered you do not have enough dice in your dice pool. Apparently to be very effective in Shadowrun your dice pool needs to be at least 10 dice and probably somewhere on the order of 12 to 15 dice if you want to be a leave at a certain skill, which is what you appear you to want to be. Have you looked into technomancer? They are one trick hackers with no combat skills and can be made into adequate faces. If you are going to stick with the Cyberdeck Decker build you may want to look into a cyber arm to make you effective in combat without having to buy the stats. I would suggest looking at MC squared how to build a character thread on ideas on what gear and equipment you need to buy.  (Edited for clarity stupid phone)

[SkyRocker]

Appreciate the advice!  Quick question:  How does one free up cash?  I'm using Chummer and right now the status bar tells me I have 4BP and am 17k in the hole. I've actually just now gone back and re-read the 4e core guide section on character creation and it didn't give me a clue on how to free up cash.  Start taking away things that cost nuyen?

Thanks!

Hackers are basically their commlinks. To that end, really you'll need to increase your cash and invest in the software you've got. You'll need to get the novatech and then get all software at R4 (higher if you can free enough cash to get response + system 5 at chargen)
Once that is sorted, get hacking to six and your ancillary skills to a reasonable level (couple ranks in perception, pistols and a social skill)
Don't got mad on attributes, you can get an awesome cybercombat for relatively cheap + wired reflexes to help in meatspace.

[SkyRocker]

Thanks for the advice.  I'm going to try to find your thread and the MC squared one that you referred to.  Appreciate the advice.  I've hear a lot about the dice pools but didn't really pay attention to it.  I'll try to learn more about it so that I can incorporate it into my build.

Thanks again!

I am doing a similar build in another thread. From what I have gathered you do not have enough dice in your dice pool. Apparently to be very effective in Shadowrun your dice pool needs to be at least 10 days and probably somewhere on the order of 12 to 15 days if you want to be a leave at a certain skill, which is what you appear you to want to be. Have you looked into technomancer? They are one trick hackers with no combat skills and can be made into adequate basis. If you are going to stick out with the Cyberduck Decker build you may want to look into a cyber arm to make you effective in combat without having to buy the stats. I would suggest looking at MC squared how to build a character thread on ideas on what gear and equipment you need to buy.

[b0rn]

That is emsquared's thread that is stickied on the front page very informative.
http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=10206.0

This is the thread I started, and that emsquared has been helping me with my build in.
http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=17068.0

[SkyRocker]

I read your thread,  Very informative.  Getting ready to check out the other.  Thanks for the tips.

That is emsquared's thread that is stickied on the front page very informative.
http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=10206.0

This is the thread I started, and that emsquared has been helping me with my build in.
http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=17068.0

[emsquared]

300 BP is brutal, really with that few BP you're not a Runner, you're barely an average Joe (which I guess is reflected in your story, so cool). I can't really give you any advice for your build on something like this because if you're worried about having something that's mechanically optimal you're not gonna have anything else. Sorry, I don't got much for ya besides; "good luck"!

[Csjarrat]

Appreciate the advice!  Quick question:  How does one free up cash?  I'm using Chummer and right now the status bar tells me I have 4BP and am 17k in the hole. I've actually just now gone back and re-read the 4e core guide section on character creation and it didn't give me a clue on how to free up cash.  Start taking away things that cost nuyen?

Best thing to do is to start again then,
Set 30-50bp to cash straight away so you can get your primary equipment + some cyber, then you know what you have left to play with.
In 4e as a hacker, you don't need to worry about good mental stats (which will change if you decide to play 5e). Your dicepool is made of your skill +software rating and will take a huge amount of money to buy after chargen. To that end, get the best comm you can now and use karma to improve your weak attributes and low skill pool.
It's imperative to get hacking skill as high as you can, a couple ranks in electronics group and then save some BP for perception skill, a rank or two in a social skill and put the rest into attributes + a Co tact. Don't forget to max out your negative qualities for the extra 35 BP!
Cyber can offset poor attribs, cyberlimbs help get decent combat dicepools and things like reaction enhancers + wired reflexes get extra passes and help dodge bullets etc. Muscle toner is cheap enough and fits with the "rich boy" theme too.

[Csjarrat]

== Info ==
Street Name:
Name: Unnamed Character
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 5
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 0
Public Awareness: 0
Human
Composure: 5
Judge Intentions: 5
Lift/Carry: 8 (75 kg/50 kg)
Memory: 6
Nuyen: 0

== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 3 (5)
REA: 3 (5)
STR: 3 (5)
CHA: 2
INT: 3
LOG: 3
WIL: 3
EDG: 2

== Derived Attributes ==
Essence:                   4.85
Initiative:                6 (
IP:                        1
Matrix Initiative:         10
Matrix IP:                 3
Physical Damage Track:     10
Stun Damage Track:         10

== Active Skills ==
Automatics                 : 4 [Machine Pistols]   
Computer                   : 4                     
Con                        : 2 [Fast Talk]         
Data Search                : 4                  You can hack pretty well here, dicepool of 6 + 5 + hot sim 2 + optimisation 1 for 14 dice. you can shoot straight and have basic social skills too
Dodge                      : 1 [Ranged Combat]     
Electronic Warfare         : 4                   
Etiquette                  : 2 [Corporate]         
Hacking                    : 6                     
Hardware                   : 4                     
Perception                 : 3                     
Pilot Ground Craft         : 3 [Wheeled]           
Software                   : 4                     

Dicepools:
Hacking: 14
Ancillary matrix skills: 12
Machine pistol: 12
Driving: car 10(AR +1) / drone 10
Perception: 9
Social: 6

== Knowledge Skills ==
18 points to spend, you choose these

== Contacts ==
Fixer (3, 1)     A reasonably well connected fixer means you've always got help on hand, at a cost of course!

== Qualities ==
Allergy (Common, Moderate) (choose)
Day Job (10 hrs/week)                 just examples of how to max negative quals, you choose whatever you want
Distinctive Style (10 pts)
SINner (Standard) (name)

== Lifestyles ==
Middle  1 months                               a nice flat to live in with parking, decent food and decent 'net connection

== Cyberware/Bioware ==
Datajack
Muscle Augmentation Rating 2
Muscle Toner Rating 2                        Fits with the "rich boy" theme, surgically enhanced to save time + effort. boosts physical stats nicely
Reaction Enhancers Rating 2

== Armor ==
Form-Fitting Full-Body Suit6/2
   +Nonconductivity 5
Leather Jacket            3/4               Maximum armour you can wear before encumbrance, light protection from tasers + gas also
   +AR Enhanced
   +Carbon-Boron
   +Chemical Protection 3

== Weapons ==
Ares Crusader
   +Folding Stock, Powered
   +Gas Vent 2
   +Laser Sight                      Decent sidearm, concealable and burst fire too
   +Personalized Grip
   +Skinlink
   Pool: 10 (12)   DV: 4P   AP: -   RC: 4
Unarmed Attack
   Pool: 4   DV: 3S   AP: -   RC: 0

== Commlink ==
Fairlight Caliban (5, 5, 6, 5)
   +Novatech Navi              This is a pretty decent commlink for a starting hacker, not uber optimised but very good
   +Skinlink
   +Sim Module (Hot)
   +Customized Interface
   +Optimization (Exploit)
   +Analyze Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Crashguard, Ergonomic, Registration]
   +Biofeedback Filter Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Ergonomic, Registration]
   +Browse Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Command Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Decrypt Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Defuse Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Edit Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Encrypt Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Ergonomic, Registration]
   +Exploit Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Ergonomic, Mute, Registration]
   +Purge Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Scan Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Sniffer Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Spoof Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]
   +Stealth Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Ergonomic, Registration]
   +Track Rating 5 [Copy Protection 5, Registration]

== Gear ==
Certified Credstick, Standard
Fake License (Guns) Rating 4
Fake License (Cyberprograms) Rating 4           Basic licenses to accompany fake SiN and some tools to deal with cameras/physical security
Fake License (Cyberware) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Choose Name) Rating 4
Flashlight
Tool Kit (Hardware)

Headphones Rating 3
   +Skinlink
   +Microphone, Micro Rating 1
   +Audio Enhancement Rating 3
   +Spatial Recognizer
decent set of perception enhancers, you'll want some contacts with low light/thermo or something at somepoint though

Monocle Rating 4   
   +Vision Magnification
   +Vision Enhancement Rating 3
   +Image Link
   +Flare Compensation
   +Skinlink


== Vehicles ==
Hyundai Shin-Hyung (Sedan)
   +Morphing License Plate
   +Run Flat Tires Rating 4
   +Spoof Chip                         
   +Vehicle Sensor
 If you don't have a dedicated rigger/wheelman then its handy to have someone with a car! You're not a bad driver for a low powered campaign
the car is set to be able to drop off the grid to help shake a tail too

S-B Microskimmer (Microdrone)
   +Hovercraft Upgrade, Add-on
   +Microdrone Sensor
      +Camera Rating 3 [Low Light, Vision Enhancement 3, Vision Magnification]
      +Microphone Rating 3 [Audio Enhancement 3, Select Sound Filter 1]
      +Motion Sensor
A little recon drone. Pilot it with Command 5, Reaction 5 for a decent dicepool of 10 and it can be your eyes and ears.
needs autosoft upgrades for independent use but works well as a piloted scout for now

hope that helps mate

[SkyRocker]

Luck is good!  Thanks em!

300 BP is brutal, really with that few BP you're not a Runner, you're barely an average Joe (which I guess is reflected in your story, so cool). I can't really give you any advice for your build on something like this because if you're worried about having something that's mechanically optimal you're not gonna have anything else. Sorry, I don't got much for ya besides; "good luck"!

[SkyRocker]

hope that helps mate

Awesome!  Thanks for taking the time to post this, much appreciated.  Back to Chummer!