[Unahim]

A bug scanner picks up all wireless devices within its range that don't run silently automatically, the others have to make a check. Can guns and such run silently, though? Are they running silently when in a PAN to a commlink or other device set to run silently? Are there any negative modifiers to using a smartgun that runs silently, if truly it can?

[RiggerBob]

Marks can’t run silent because they’re already pretty hidden, but all other Matrix objects can be switched to silent running by their owners.

[Xenon]

the only negative effect from a game mechanic point of view of running silent is if you try to do matrix actions.

it is also not very hard to spot devices that run silent since they don't have a sleaze rating (like cyberdecks, personas, stealth RFID tags, cookie sprites etc.)

anyone can try to locate silent running icons, not just hackers. you resolve it as an opposed Computer + Logic [Data Processing] v. Logic + Sleaze test where Data Processing is equal to the rating of your commlink and you can default your Computer + Logic roll to Logic + Logic - 1 if you don't have Computer skill. Icons that does not have a sleaze rating only roll their owners Logic as their defensive roll.

[Michael Chandra]

Of course the owner can run on Full Defense, right?

And wait, Logic+Logic-1 for defaulting? Since when do we do that?

[Xenon]

Of course the owner can run on Full Defense, right?

And wait, Logic+Logic-1 for defaulting? Since when do we do that?

my bad. updated my post. thanks for pointing it out.

True, it make sense that you get -2 dice if you try to do a full matrix defense when defending a device that is running silent (full matrix defense it is a matrix action after all).

[DigitalZombie]

If your PAN runs silently, then I guess items linked to that PAN also is, otherwise your gunz, nads, pants and shoes would just tell the enemy decker that you are 85 meters away behind a wall.


(and its intuition +computer vs logic +sleaze)

@Unahim its also worth remembering that icons that are running silent, are detected one by one by randomizing. this would in most cases lead to either a houserule or a gentlemans agreement between the GM and players. ( as to discourage the runner team of 5 members from running around with a bag of 95 active stealth tags, if the 5 runners are also running silent, then the enemy hacker only has a 5% chance of finding a hidden PAN he can hack, and 95% chance of finding a stealth tags, he has limited use of). Id personally propose the opposed int+comp vs log+sleaze is against all relevant hidden icons, and not only one at random.

[Crunch]

If your PAN runs silently, then I guess items linked to that PAN also is, otherwise your gunz, nads, pants and shoes would just tell the enemy decker that you are 85 meters away behind a wall.


(and its intuition +computer vs logic +sleaze)

@Unahim its also worth remembering that icons that are running silent, are detected one by one by randomizing. this would in most cases lead to either a houserule or a gentlemans agreement between the GM and players. ( as to discourage the runner team of 5 members from running around with a bag of 95 active stealth tags, if the 5 runners are also running silent, then the enemy hacker only has a 5% chance of finding a hidden PAN he can hack, and 95% chance of finding a stealth tags, he has limited use of). Id personally propose the opposed int+comp vs log+sleaze is against all relevant hidden icons, and not only one at random.

The rules actually imply (in the chart above the text) that if you know at least one aspect of the icon you're looking for (like type or physical location) you can skip the random step.

[DigitalZombie]

Ooh right you are
But when does a person "know" a feature of an icon running silent? I guess one could search for personas running silent? Would the eney decker "know" tonsearch for personas inside his turf when looking for 5 runners and 95 stealth tags? or would he have to see them first to "know" that they most likely have some personas on silent mode?

[Crunch]

I'm assuming that if you see the Decker and want to search for his Persona that would apply. Or if you were searching for the icon of 'that smartgun right there. If a Spiderhas gotten an alert from his security chief and says "I want to scan the facility for Silent Running Personas" I would think that was in the realm of reason as well with which persona was spotted being random. The same would go for runners as well, so the Decker doesn't have to randomly sort through every office and security device in the facility to spot the persona of the security guard right there.

[Sendaz]

The rules actually imply (in the chart above the text) that if you know at least one aspect of the icon you're looking for (like type or physical location) you can skip the random step.

Following on this, how well can you tell the icons apart?  I mean if I am wearing shock gloves and wielding a smartgun, the two icons are fairly close to one another.  Would the decker qualify for being able to skip the random  choice part or would the two icons be too close to guess and have to make a random guess between the two as to which icon to go for if he wanted the smartgun?

I have this crazy notion of messing with a decker by installing a second and third RFID tagging into a smartgun, with a minichip running a simple routine.  Each one shows the basic profile for the weapon, and the two dummys even show a mock ammo count, a mini sensor reading the shock of firing and deducts the count accordingly and 'reloads' when the count hits 0. 

The two dummies are basically built into the body of the gun (and may even count toward my Redundant process manufacturing since it's extra garbage ), but do not connect to any parts that would affect performance if they get bricked and a small mini switch on the side to flip either or both to silent mode.  This creates a trio of hidden icon signals, relatively the same location, reading as a weapon if discovered, but if the decker does not look at the other two icons and just tries to brick the gun right off, there is a 66% chance he is just bricking the dummy, leaving the gun live.
And even then if they realize something is amiss its still 50/50 of getting the right icon.

[Crunch]

I would guess that "that smartgun over there" would allow you to bypass the random portion.

[Sendaz]

I would guess that "that smartgun over there" would allow you to bypass the random portion.

But what if it is the trio of smartgun signals all in hidden mode in close proximity to each other as described above?

[Crunch]

At that point I think you'd have to randomly select, although as a GM (and we're well into GM interpretation land here) I'd rule that if you say "I'd like to spot the Matrix Icon for that Ares Alpha that I can see right there at that physical location" then you wouldn't find the Streetline Special in the dude's sock or an Ares Alpha halfway across the building. Now if the Ares Alpha is turned wireless off you might waste your action looking in vain.

[CanRay]

The Clue-By-Four.  (A piece of construction lumber that has been run through a degausser to get rid of the RFID tags.)

Big fragging nail optional.