"Similar in design to the N-series, the Ex-series offers the same custom system design but instead of no processors to run programs, it offers a unique program sub-processor that allows a greater number of programs to be run. Despite the steep price tag, the programs aren’t included, but each system has enough memory to store twice the number it can run at any given time for those who want options. Purchasers appreciate the extra program capacity, even if it means sacrificing some of the capabilities of the deck itself." p.60 KC
I have to admit, that this text could be a lot cleare, but I certainly don't get from it that you get DR+2 programms to run.
Now that I try to make sense of it, it actually gets less clear. Parsing this sentence by sentence I get: Unique sub-processor allows greater number of programms to run (at the same time). The system (i.e cyberdeck?) can store 2x what it can run (That doesn't make sense at all, since storing programs is quasi unlimited anyway.)
Extra Program Capacity is provided (I can only assume that program capacity means the program listing that is equivalent to the Device Rating)
From that I would have interpreted that the middle sentence is just a very garbled way to say: The special sub-processor can run double the device rating number of programs at the same time.
But I certainly welcome anyone who can make sense of the bolded sentence.
Anyway, onward with the review:
I'm skipping the new IC, although they are certainly nasty - but then that's what they are made for. You have enough new tools to deal with them anyway.
SHIAWASE CYBER-6 RCC: It's slightly more expensive than it's competitor the Proteus Poseidon and has a worse Firewall. +2 Ini to commanded drones and +1 limit on all tasks is nice, but considering that limits are a lot easier to enhance than a dicepool that will reliably hit those limits. Also you have to be jumped into a drone to get those benefits - which a drone-master is not necessarily interested in (the whole point of having a swarm of drones is that you don't have to do the work yourself). Enhancing Ini is now easier than ever thanks to the new Matrix Actions. Finally, the extra dumpshock increase from 6 to 10 certainly doesn't make this more attractive (0)
SPINRAD GLOBAL SKIRMISHER RCC: More expensive than the Maersk Spider, but with better statts than the Maser Industrial which is actually more expensive. +2 to Control Device and +1 limit to Gunnery and Perception is actually worth it though - especially since there is no drawback. All in all a fair product (++)
HORIZON FLOW COMMLINK: An R5 commlink for 1000 more than the Hermes Ikon, +1dp to Matrix Search and +2 to limit might be worth it if you positively need ever last dice - but then Matrix Search is an extended test, where one dice more can actually allow you to make one more test before you are down to two and the risk for a critical glitch become to high. (+)
WUXING FREQUENCY COMMLINK: A technomancer detecting commlink. To get reliably 5 hits you need a dp of around 15. The +5 bonus makes this actually quite feasible, provided the user already has a dp of 10. A very specialized tool best suited to NPCs that's too expensive for regular use. (+)
SAEDER-KRUPP LAST CHANCE LINK: Good idea, bad execution. -8 concealability mod is great and all, but doesn't help at all against metal detectors and cyberware scanners. Also, it doesn't have a sleaze rating that could help you hide the transmission, nor a way to punch through the noise a paranoid runner team will certainly employ to keep the abductee from communicating with any hidden device he has on him. Honestly, just add a persona mod to a stealth tag and you have a better and cheaper link (--)
PI-TAC UPGRADES AND ACCESSORIES
The most important part isn't the add-ons for PI-TACs, but the fact that you now actually have a chance of buying one without bankrupting your entire team.
75% Price reduction removes 3 main features, but it is actually quite easy to restore them and adds 2% price markup - which makes the reduction just 73% (yeah, not particularly impressive as hindrances go). Glitches are a concern but can be avoided through magical means or just by having a good dicepool. The option to fuck over the team is a bit petty - and honestly, the GM always has this option anway. More matrix damage is a small price to pay - especially if you consider that having an R3 PI-TAC will give you +6 Firewall which makes more than up the additional matrix damage. Physical damage... well I'm pretty sure if your equipment is getting hit you already have other problems to concern yourself with.
On to the add-ons:
“CO-PILOT” MK I: This is confusing: Depending on the device you have added your PI-TAC to, you already have the ability to use control device on anything that has given you MARKs - which includes likely your whole team. So, pretty useless (---)
“CO-PILOT” MK II: Captain's chair is also pretty useless if you just have all the devices in your tac-net give you three MARKs from the get go. Still, it counts as an upgrade to normal Level I and II PI-TACs (0)
“CO-PILOT” MK III: Makes Teamwork checks for piloting possible (which is nice, but implies that you couldn't do that before) and you can remote control weapons and sensors (which also seemed to be nothing you needed a special feature for before) (0)
DOOR GUNNER: Half as expensive as Co-Pilot MK III and only allows you to remote control weapons. Useful but then, nothing you actually need a PI-TAC for if you have the MARKs already (0)
ECM-WARRIOR: Finally, something worthwile: +3dp to EW for 200 bucks? what are you waiting for - especially since there are now a few very nice Matrix Actions that can benefit from them. That alone might be worth to upgrade your deck or commlink with a PI-TAC (+++)
MOBILE CNC: 6 Bonus dice for navigation, teamwork or combat maneuvers and 2 points noise reduction. For 300 Nuyen. Yes, this is money well spend (+++)
SHIELD WALL: +3 Firewall against Brute Force or Data Spike actions for linked Cyberdecks. A bit specific, but at 200 Nuyen certainly not too expensive (++)
TACTICAL PROGRAM DONGLE: There aren't actually that many worthwile programs around to require a dongle. But should additional good ones be made available, this piece of hardware is certainly useful and very reasonably priced (++)
HARD CASE CCOB: An armored backpack with capacity - that is already pretty neat. Being able to mount up to three small drones with personal drone racks is just icing - especially since you don't have to be the one to carry the backpack if your antro drone can do so instead. (++)
GENERIC CCOB: Why shouldn't you be carrying the Hard Case? Because you are actually better of getting the generic version. True it has less armor (as if that was actually relevant), the same capacity for fun stuff, only one drone hardpoint, but... it has a weapon holster for SMG, Shotguns or Assault Rifles. Depending on interpretation (because of course it isn't explained anywhere) this either means you can quickdraw those weapons, but at the very least you can conceal what weapon you are actually carrying. That makes this piece of equipment very desirable for all those Ares Alpha owners out there (+++)
SPINRAD GLOBAL/PANTHEON INDUSTRIES MERCURY-ALPHA BATTLEFIELD SIGNAL BOOSTER: Either 4 Noise reduction + double range (200 m auto detection range for matrix perception!), or +2 to EW tests. Yes. This is definitely worth the investment. This plus the ECM Warrior Program give you +5 to your EW skill for less than 4000 Nuyen. Get it while it's not yet errataed! (+++)
Qualities:
Deck Builder: Yes. Great utility, especially if you are working with a low DR deck that can use every bit of cheap enhancement you can find (+++)
IMPENETRABLE LOGIC: Boosting Logic is easier than Willpower. Therefore this quality is quite useful for anyone who regularly uses Full Matrix Defense. (+)
ROOTKIT: -8 dp is really harsh. For this to be worth it you need to have at least a DR of 4 to break even. Still, in the right hands this can be quite devastating (+)
Silence is golden: 2 Noise reduction for every device in your immediate vicinity is a huge boon. Everyone who relies on wireless boni should consider this quality (++)
AVRSE: Don't use VR if you aren't in a safe place. I'd say this is a fair negative quality. There is abuse potential, but then there always is (+)
BASEMENT DWELLER: The antithesis to good first impression. Not particularly interesting and combines with a certain other 3 point negative quality to cancel each other out. Get ready to not being allowed to use that one (+)
BIG BABY: Physical damage gives you an additional -1 dp. Weird to find this quality in this book. All in all probably a fair trade off (+)
BUDDY SYSTEM: Only recommended if you actually have teammates capable of using Matrix Perception and working with you. Otherwise it's a tremendous nerf to your matrix abilities. Other than that, probably fair (+)
DISCOMBOBULATED: AR and VR addict. Makes for an interesting character that gets really freaked out outside his comfort zone. Good RP potential (+)
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Gremlins for Matrix Searches. Actually a quite nice neg quality that is a lot less harsh than actual gremlins quality (++)
ECHO CHAMBER: With a different name and fluff this could have been a positive quality. As is there is a lot of RP potential as well as mechanical benefit(++)
FROSTBITE: If IC is present I can't use the computer skill as effective - yeah, that cheap neg quality is not really a drawback most of the time. Not very interesting (0)
INFORMATION AUCTIONEER: Distinctive Style + free money. This has lots of story potential while also giving incentive to take the quality, so I hartily recommend it (++)
LAZY FINGERS: Multi Marking isn't your thing - rife for abuse with people who wouldn't or couldn't use this option anyway. Also it's boring (0)
MALWARE INFECTION: Don't take this quality. It's not worth it when you compare it to other qualities that give you the same negative dp for similar actions (-)
MATRIX TROLL: Raven Mentor negative quality for matrix users - might get old pretty quickly (0)
SLOPPY CODE: Seriously bad for your character. Avoid it - especially with that low bonus karma to gain (--)
WELL, ACTUALLY ...: Great, now you get to enjoy the OP discussions IP too. Do not want (---)
That's all for today. More on the techno stuff to follow.