Now y'all are talking my language.
Mystic, I agree with you on fundamentals. I think, in SR terms, firearms skills from 1-3 are all fundamentals, but new technology does inspire new techniques, and that's the direction I'm attempting to steer things. For example, I had instruction on two optic (side by side) MOUT training with AR's.
In CA the 'City' Police statistic is 4 out of 5 shots miss at point blank because of point shooting. My brother has an absurd talent for it, I can't even get close to a grouping like he does without a proper sight picture. A bunch of friends of mine are Kiowa pilots and they have to qualify in flight with M4s, spray-and-pray is the best I could do while 'in flight'. When I say I understand fundamentals I really do, not that fighting smart is always the applicable technique IRL, but when your life's on the line...
I'm not taking this personal if it sounds like I am, but I wasn't hoping for a discussion on the basics so much as something that's following the new developments in tech and the techniques that ensued. I view firearms as a martial art, though SR doesn't. You couldn't get 'farmer John' with his gun of choice to enter and clear a building, unscathed, without proper training unless he was just cannon fodder.
Maybe I have a case of knowledge spoils the fantasy, but the groups I've played with all wanted more realism than otherwise...
It's possible that my understanding of the Smartlink is different. So here's another query
(I haven't played 4e yet, but I have the books)... Did the 4e Smartlink change so radically from 3e?
3e:
A smartlink is the feedback loop circuitry necessary to take full advantage of a smartgun. Targeting information appears on the user’s retina or cybereye as a small dot or cross hairs that corresponds to the smartweapon’s current line of fire. Typical systems use a subdermal induction pad in the user’s
palm to link with the smartgun
The smartgun link system breaks down into four components: an I/O device (typically a subdermal palm induction pad that syncs with the smartgun's system), and eye display, a ballistics processor and a limited simsense rig (for body posture/gun positioning). Some users may not want the whole package. For example, a user with an image link doesn't need the eye display, he just needs to connect his existing cyberware to the smartlink system. Some users may wish to avoid the palm pads (detectable by touch), preferring to jack a smartlinked gun through a datajack instead.
Two accessories for the smartlink system are available: the range finder and the personalized smartlink safety.
4e:
Smartgun System: The smartgun system connects a firearm or projectile weapon directly to a user’s smartlink (p. 333). It incorporates a laser range finder and a small camera, and keeps track of ammunition, heat buildup, and material stress. It allows a smartlinked character to mentally switch between gun modes, eject clips, and fire the gun without pulling the trigger. The camera allows for targeted shooting around corners, without exposing oneself to return fire.
The system makes use of advanced calculation software, allowing the user to aim even weapons with a highly ballistic firing arc (like grenades) with tremendous precision over any distance. The smartgun system can also be accessed via wireless link, allowing for the gun to be remotely fired or to block the trigger (in case an opponent gets ahold of it). When used with a smartlink, it provides a +2 dice pool bonus on the ranged attack test.
Retrofitting a firearm with an internal Smartgun system doubles the weapon’s price. An external smartgun system can be attached to the top mount or underbarrel mount with an Armorer + Logic (4, 1 hour) Extended Test. The small camera can be equipped with vision enhancements (p. 333).
Smartlink: This accessory interacts with a smartgun system (p. 322) to project the weapon’s angle of fire into the user’s vision, centering red crosshairs where the user is pointing and highlighting perceived targets. The smartgun’s laser rangefinder also calculates and displays the distance to the target. Additional data from the weapon, such as the ammunition level, heat buildup, and stress can also be displayed. Requires an image link.
The 3e version was a four part system (and was Bodyware but now it's Eyeware). The 4e Smartlink only has three parts (though it now includes some other features). Where did the Ltd simrig go? That paints the picture that it's just a more intuitive laser sight. Is that what it became or did I just miss some errata on 3e?
