[ScytheKnight]

So... I found myself wondering what it would cost to turn the best Comlink out there into  half decent sleaze machine. Then comparing that to the cost of an equivalent Cyberdeck. The anwser by the way is about 1/5^th the price.

Shiawase Cyber-5 DR: 5. AA: 8/7/6/5. Programs: 5. Availability: 15R. Cost: 549,375¥

Fairlight Caliban /w Hot-Sim
DR 7. Data Processing/Firewall: 7. Availability 18F. Cost 8,350¥

Non standard form factor. Availability: 20F Cost: 10,020¥

Rating 6 Stealth Dongle. Availability: 12R Cost: 108,000¥

Program Carrier Modification. Availability: 2. Cost, including parts, 1,400¥


Black Trenchcoat sleaze special
Device Rating 7. A/S/D/F 0/6/7/7. Programs: ? (1 cyberprogram hardwired). Availability: (Standard)18F (Non-Standard)20F. Cost: (Standard)117,750¥ (Non-Standard)119,420¥

The only real potential sticking point here is you''ll only have one hacking program hardwired, as unless things have changed Comlinks can't run hacking programs, and there's questions about how many programs it could run anyway.

Still, at under 120K you've got a Comlink, that potentially doesn't look like a Comlink for another 2K, that's almost as good as a practically 550K Cyberdeck as long as you're not trying to brick stuff.

[Kincaid]

Encrypted files are a stumbling block.  But yeah, it's a very functional sleaze machine.  I don't think it really comes close to replacing the deck in terms of functionality, but for a non-decker looking to get his feet wet, it adds a lot of tools to the toolbox.

[Fedifensor]

If you're good enough to avoid being hit, take Virtual Machine as your hardwired program, and you can load two other programs of your choice.

[ScytheKnight]

Yeah, but then again encrypted files tends to mean a Host, thus you're probably going to be wanting a full Cyberdeck anyway.

Wasn't ever meant to replace a full deck... but someone wanting to do some hacking on the side, especially pulling some fun with Bootstrap (which isn't a hacking program thus can be installed on it) and rebooting devices it's a pretty solid performer at a fraction of the price.

[JackVII]

I think commlinks can only run apps. But I guess you could put that one into your hardwire program module modification. I think you could even put a hacking program in it and still run it.

[Xenon]

You need to compare your link with a deck that run cyberprograms.

For example;
Toolbox = +1 data processing
Stealth  = +1 sleaze
Encryption = +1 firewall

Renraku Tsurugi: 7/6/6/3 for 214,125¥
Your link: 7/7/6/0 (fixed attribute array!)

[ScytheKnight]

Hmm, interesting, still cheaper though. Also was using the array format used by the specialized decks in Data Trails. Attack/Sleaze/Data Processing/Firewall

[Xenon]

Your format probably make more sense. I just listed the attributes in desc order. My remark was not aimed at you at all, just there to make it clear that a 'link is less flexible in this regard.

[Herr Brackhaus]

The attribute array is likely only listed in Attack, Sleaze, Data Processing, Firewall order for consistency (and because it spells ASDF, which is a neat little reference in and of itself).

[ScytheKnight]

Your format probably make more sense. I just listed the attributes in desc order. My remark was not aimed at you at all, just there to make it clear that a 'link is less flexible in this regard.

Ohh yeah, no doubting that it's less flexible.. no Attack means it can't do decription or toss data-spikes, thus no Cat's paw (NO LUCA! NO!). This is why I call it the "Black Trenchcoat Special" as by choosing Sleaze it can hide gear more effectively, place marks without alerting the victim and cause various chaos via GI-GO, Roobot, Format, etc without the telltale of a deck Icon (sure there's Wrapper but a successful Matrix Perception will reveal it's real nature anyway.)

[Hibiki54]

I kinda mentioned this in another thread, possibly in the Missions section. It's a great tool for B&E without the heavy investment in a deck. Logic 4 (6) + Hacking 4 (vs devices) and you easily have 10-12 dice against any rating 3 security device that you direct connect.

[BetaCAV]

To me, it sounds like the biggest potential of such a "sleaze-box" (or a "beat-box" like The Blue Offender) is to make street-level deckers semi-viable. This might also be a way for a player to get their feet wet in (a subset of) the matrix, rather than taking the plunge and risking it being a belly-flop.

[Senko]

I have been too busy to sit down and read data trails properly but is the Comlink can't run programs still a thing when you can set them up with the hardware to have both attack and sleeze attributes?

[Xenon]

You can't have attack rating, sleaze rating and run cyberprograms at the same time on a commlink. But you can hardwire one program carrier module into the commlink that will run one cyberprogram and then get either one attack- or sleaze dongle.

[firebug]

I like the idea of being able to send more low-end hackers at the players with the dongles.  A  ganger who has a R3 Attack Dongle on his Renraku Sensei doesn't need Sleaze if all he is meant to do is fuck with other people's wireless in a fight--  Something I could see gangs doing for an edge in a fight.

Allows for matrix "specialist" enemies for the group's hacker to fight come up more often, while both making sense economy-wise and not meaning that every enemy hacker is a four-month bonus from fencing their deck.