[kyoto kid]

...however, in older editions the gun or external smartlink already had sensors to deal with environmental factors.  So basically, that means technology supposedly "advanced", but it's functionality was reduced at the same time.

The -2 to TN in 1st through 3rd eds. was effectively the +2 dice in 5th.  It increased the ability to hit the target.

[Medicineman]

the -2 TN from former Editions is Mathematically much more important than +2 Dice.
Lowering the TN from 8 --> 6 f.E. (or even 5-->3 ) helped almost anybody shooting.
whereas +2 Dice is nice but only a bit of Help   unless it's a ...Poor shooter (do you say that ?) with a Pool of <8 Dice

And raising the ACC from 6 --> 8 (Basic Smart function without WiFi Schmoe) only helps those High Class Shooters that have a Pool of at least  25 Dice)
 So Smart was very Important / a cool Gimmick in SR1-3.
was OK in SR4A and is worth nearly nothing in SR5 (not much better than a Laserpointer )

With a Dance through the Editions
Medicineman

[Jack_Spade]

Yeah, smartlink has become a tool for the dedicated professional - which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
And it does make a huge difference with some shotguns and other crappy SMGs/automatic pistols. Otherwise it's really easy to dodge those.

[Halinn]

...however, in older editions the gun or external smartlink already had sensors to deal with environmental factors.  So basically, that means technology supposedly "advanced", but it's functionality was reduced at the same time.

The -2 to TN in 1st through 3rd eds. was effectively the +2 dice in 5th.  It increased the ability to hit the target.

Alternately, smartlinks always used wireless, but only recently did decks and such get good enough to pick it up and do anything with it.

[Rift_0f_Bladz]

Have not read all of the internal router stuff, but I think it gives the owner the bonuses of having wireless on but majority of the protection of wireless off.

[Medicineman]

Have not read all of the internal router stuff, but I think it gives the owner the bonuses of having wireless on but majority of the protection of wireless off.

only for internal Cyberware like the combination Wired Reflexes and improved Reaction.
Not to external Sources like an "Headcomlink" or the Wireless Connection to  your Smartgun

with an internal Dance
Medicineman

[Stoneglobe]

...however, in older editions the gun or external smartlink already had sensors to deal with environmental factors.  So basically, that means technology supposedly "advanced", but it's functionality was reduced at the same time.

The -2 to TN in 1st through 3rd eds. was effectively the +2 dice in 5th.  It increased the ability to hit the target.

And because of this it because of this really anyone who used a gun would have it installed along with rating 3 vision magnification in their eyes. Suddenly every shot fired was a target number of 2 for very little cash/essence expenditure. To be honest it was always a ridiculously powerful bit of kit.

At the end of the day trying to compare 1st through 3rd edition really doesn't work as the rules system has changed so much. I don't know about 4th edition as have never seen or played it.

[Medicineman]

I don't know about 4th edition as have never seen or played it.

4th Ed is like 5th Ed without Limits (except for the Matrix)

HougH!
Medicineman

[falar]

I don't know about 4th edition as have never seen or played it.

4th Ed is like 5th Ed without Limits (except for the Matrix)

And the initiative is super different. 4e's initiative system was the thing that I hated probably the worst about it.

[Medicineman]

I don't know about 4th edition as have never seen or played it.

4th Ed is like 5th Ed without Limits (except for the Matrix)

And the initiative is super different. 4e's initiative system was the thing that I hated probably the worst about it.

Yeah sure, there's lost of difference (some smaller, some larger) but the Basics  are the same, thats what I wanted to say
( and the SR5 inisystem is easier and after a while i got to like it too)

with quite the same Dance
Medicineman

[kyoto kid]

...played only a little of 4th and went back to 3rd ed as for one, I had several issues (won't go into them here to not derail the thread any further).

Before the advent or the "Wireless World" in 4th ed, most cyber and electronic gear was considered to be "hardwired" save for comm equipment and sensors.

I agree about Smartlinks losing their appeal with respect of targeting bonuses (yes -2  to TN had a greater impact than +2 dice to a pool)  At least in the current edition they also add  a bonus the accruacy for weapons. Nice when you can apply 5 hits (6 with personalised grip) with a Krime Boss Shotgun.

[Medicineman]

Yeah
Limits is one of the big ...Spoilsports of SR5 (together with Wireless)

HokaHey
Medicineman

[kyoto kid]

...guess I'm just having difficulty with pretty much everything now requiring the matrix to function when before "Crash 2", it didn't and it all functioned the same.  It's as if after 2068, engineers and technicians worldwide suddenly "forgot" how to do anything the old school way any more.

I see a "good" shadowtech or shadow-cybertech being into cutting out dependence on the "matrix middleman" altogether and going back to the old (pre crash  2) "ways". Such items/ware may have premium price as they'd all be custom designed to offer the same functionality and benefits of off the shelf gear/chrome without the downsides of having to rely on the wireless environment.

[spoiler]May have to consider this for a campaign theme. [/spoiler]

Don't like depending on the "cloud" whether in RL or Fiction.

[ProfessorCirno]

The actual answer is to stop trying to treat literally every mechanic as if it were an inherent rule of physics or whatever.  Smartlink in-universe is the same.  Mechanically it has changed to fit an alteration of system.

[Hobbes]

The actual answer is to stop trying to treat literally every mechanic as if it were an inherent rule of physics or whatever.  Smartlink in-universe is the same.  Mechanically it has changed to fit an alteration of system.

This.  It's all metagamey and handwavey to accommodate AR hacking of guns and eyes and whatnot.  The Devs tried to make a system where combat hacking was a thing that was useful.  They came really close, and honestly, it can be if the GM presumes the hacker has been looking around in AR before the shooting starts.  "Realism" wasn't particularly a concern, fun and game balance came first.

If you presume that Shadowrun technology has advanced enough that modern day paradigms don't apply you can just treat the Matrix rules like magic.  And given the amount of Otaku, Blood Magic, AI and other shenanigans that went into creating the Matrix 2.0 its as likely as not that there is some element of Magic in the Matrix.  Hello, Technomancers? 

Or you can use modern day real world analogies and bang your head against the rules to try and make them work.