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software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 tacnet BonUSeS When in operation, tacnets provide dice pool bonuses for certain actions. The dice pool bonus is based on the number of team members (that is, each member that is supplying the minimum amount of sensor channels). The bonus equals the total number of team members minus 2 (you need at least 3 members to have an effective tacnet, so the first two don’t count), up to a maximum equal to the software’s rating. So a team running Rating 4 tacnet software with 7 team members gets a dice pool bonus of +4 (the maximum). A team running Rating 4 with 4 team members gets a +2 dice pool bonus (4 – 2). Tacnet bonuses apply to any test a team member makes that might conceivably benefit from the tactical soft’s analysis, data-sharing, and suggestions. This is subject to gamemaster interpretation, but several guidelines can be applied. First, the test’s environment must fall not only within range of that character’s sensor channels, but also within range of the sensor channels of other team members (at least one). For example, if a team is involved in a firefight inside a building, and one team member runs outside, where none of the others can see/sense, that outside character may not get a tacnet bonus on any tests made outside. Second, the test must be something that tactical data and suggestions from the network could conceivably aid. For example, a test to summon a spirit, kick down a door, or hack a node are unlikely to benefit in any way from the information and resources the tactical network is applying to the situation (for more details on what information tacnets can apply, see Tacnet Information, p. 126). Here are some example tests in which tacnet bonuses might apply: Close Combat Tests: The tacsoft can evaluate fighting styles, stances, opponent’s health, and physical layout to instantaneously suggest movement, countermoves, and targeting advice to a character engaged in melee. Dodge Tests: Enemy movement, fields of fire, line of sight, cover location, targeting probabilities, and spent ammunition estimates can benefit a character trying to avoid being hit. Firearms Tests: The tacsoft judges the momentum, speed, and direction of opponents, estimating likely course of movement and probable firefight tactics, giving the user an edge on targeting. Infiltration Tests: Tactical networks can predict likely locations of guards, patrols, and sensors, and evaluate the best course of action contingent to layout and security protocols, in order to assist a sneaking character. Maneuvering Tests: The tacsoft considers maps, environmental factors, speeds, and probable vectors of other vehicles, suggesting maneuvering solutions and other options for vehicles engaged in combat. Perception Tests: Sensor data from other team members can enhance a character’s situational awareness. Shadowing Tests: Using motion analysis on a target and analyzing avenues of movement, as well as coordinating multiple scouts, the tactical soft can aid efforts to tail a target unnoticed. Surprise Tests: The tacnet can monitor for signs of ambush or enemies maneuvering to engage a team member unaware. optional rule: initiative Bonuses An optional rule provided under AR Modifiers, p. 208, SR4, stated that networked characters could use their network and augmented reality to gain a tactical advantage, possibly including dice pool or Initiative bonuses. These tacnet rules supersede that suggestion with the dice pool modifiers they apply, but they do not offer an Initiative bonus unless you adopt one of the following optional rule options. The first option is to provide a tacnet Initiative bonus only to characters who access tacnet data via a direct neural interface (DNI), as the information is channeled direct into their brain and accessed that crucial split second more quickly. This would include those linked to their commlinks via datajack or trode net, who have implanted commlinks, or who view the data via cybernetic image links. It would not include characters who view the tacnet’s AR data via contacts, glasses, and the like. In game terms, DNIbased tacnet users receive a +1 Initiative bonus (in addition to other tacnet bonuses). The second option is to allow any character who is part of a tacnet to eschew tacnet dice pool bonuses for a full Combat Turn in exchange for an equal Initiative bonus that turn instead. In this scenario, the character is using the overall tactical awareness provided by the network to plot a general course of action, getting a significant Initiative bonus as a result, rather than reacting to the situation on a play-by-play basis (which would normally award the tacnet dice pool bonus). So a character who might normally have a +3 tacnet dice pool bonus to look forward to can instead take a +3 dice pool bonus on his Initiative Test that Combat Turn. indirect fire Using targeting data supplied by another team member, tacnets can be used to engage unseen targets with indirect fire (see Indirect Fire, p. 162, Arsenal). Similar, networked characters can engage in sensor targeting (see p. 162, SR4) for other members of their tacnet engaged in vehicle combat. tacnet inforMation Apart from the dice pool bonus and other benefits, players and gamemasters should keep in mind that the level of interaction tacnets provide, via the exchange of sensory information, first and foremost allows players and characters to coordinate their actions as if everyone part of the tacnet can sense what the other characters sense. Gamemasters especially should keep this in mind when describing the situation to the players and when calling for Perception Tests, as each character’s perceptual range is effectively expanded and magnified. While the sensor channels input by each team member are a crucial source of data, they are not the full extent of the information that a tacnet can supply. The critical part of tactical software is in fact its analytical engine, which is capable of using those sensor feeds to model a situation, make predictions, analyze outcomes, and so forth. This information is then supplied to each team member, along with an ergonomic and data-packed AR interface that highlights the most important data while also making it easy to access other information. For example, tacsofts can analyze a character’s actions in combat to ascertain whether they are friend or foe, color-code Unwired Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9
them and plot them on a three-dimensional map or visual display, and assign them a threat rating as to how dangerous they are to each particular team member, even highlighting the ones that are the most immediate threat in a given moment. They can track the probable locations of opponents who have moved out of sensor range, anticipate opponents’ actions, and even calculate probabilities for different actions and outcomes. If desired, they can display ballistic trajectories, lines of sight, fields of fire, and blast radii. Tactical softs are of course designed to spot and analyze weapons, armor, and other combat factors. Their programming includes built-in databases of weapon, armor, and implant designs and schematics, making it possible for a team member to call up the specs on an opponent’s hardware. If something is not listed in its database, they can look it up online, provided there is an active Matrix connection. They can analyze acoustics to determine direction and caliber of the weapon, and count spent ammunition. To judge exactly what a tacsoft spots or knows, the gamemaster can make Perception Tests using Response + tacsoft rating. If the tacsoft needs to search for something online, it rolls tacsoft rating + Browse. Tactical softs can also take advantage of auxiliary input, such as floor plans or mapsofts, GPS positioning via commlink, sensor software (see p. 60, Arsenal), or external sensor feeds that are patched into the network. Team members with biomonitors can also feed that data to the network, allowing their teammates to remotely check their health and vital signs. Spiders are particularly valuable to tactical networks, as they can plug in data from their rigged security systems, giving team members access to interior sensors and possibly even building controls (if the rigger allows it—most will not, preferring to exercise control over their domain). Software BUndLeS While programs are the bread and butter of software manufacturers these days, there is always the demand to keep the market alive with new package offers, functional upgrades, and improvement of programs by options or making them less impacting on smaller computer systems. Learning from cybertechnology’s take of integration and optimization, program packages, software suites, and skillsoft clusters have become a latest market trend in the software field to persuade the customer to replace their old programs with new ones. Unwired prograM packageS Program packages are usually special offers made by software companies to customers buying new commlinks/nodes. They typically include legal programs, agents, and sometimes specialized software as a package deal with a 10–20% discount on the total price. Eastern Tiger Palladium Programs: Armor 4, Biofeedback Filter 3, Medic 3, Track 4 Eastern Tiger offers some defensive utilities in their Palladium package deal, designed for freelance spiders and Matrix security specialists that go one-on-one with intruding hackers or worms. Eurosoft Clavicula Programs: Decrypt 5, Encrypt 5 The Clavicula is a high-end software package featuring excellent encryption and decryption routines from one of Renraku’s premier software manufacturer. ftL Matrixware net wizard Programs: Analyze 3, Browse 3, Command 1, Edit 2, Purge 3 The Net Wizard is a basic package that includes the most common program needed by a run-of-the-mill Matrix user. Perfect as a starter package to go with new commlinks. ftL Matrixware power Suite Programs: Analyze 3, Browse 4, Command 2, Edit 4, Purge 4, Scan 2 Another NeoNET-subsidiary starter package, this one marketed towards more advanced Matrix users, business professionals, and the wealthy. pocket Hacker Programs: Agent (Pilot 3, Browse 3, Exploit 3, Stealth 3) Released by the notorious Hacker House, this illegal program package is intended for someone who needs a hacker, but doesn’t know how to hire one or doesn’t want to use a real person. Singularity Seeker Programs: Browse (Crashguard) 5, Browse Agent (Pilot 3 with Browse 3) This package from a Horizon subsidiary earned solid reviews for its reliability and intuitive search interface, including a search bot of moderate quality. Tactical Software Availability Cost Tacsoft (Rating 1–4) Rating x 5 Rating x 3,000¥ Program Packages Availability Cost Eastern-Tiger Palladium 6R 6,640¥ Eurosoft Clavicula 10R 4,700¥ FTL Matrixware Net Wizard — 480¥ FTL Matrixware Power Suite — 1,240¥ Pocket Hacker 10F 4,920¥ Singularity Seeker 4 8,200¥ Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9 127 software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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TM Simon Wentworth (order #1132857
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Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9
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Malware 86 Agents 87 Botnets 88 the
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JackPoint StatS___ 57 users current
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AR transmissions are so easy to eav
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And I’m even happier when I can i
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tHe aUgMented worLd The augmented w
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people started cobbling together re
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While the cheaper commlinks are onl
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Matrix criMeS > I’ve downloaded a
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“protection rackets” against vi
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a general agreement that in order t
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Now, to operate in the sprawl, you
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capabilities and resources to do it
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popULar SoUSveiLLance videoS knight
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drug treatments during incarceratio
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of more than one sprite at a time.
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intuitive Hacking Cost: 5 BP A char
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tweaking tHe rULeS Gamemasters and
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‘link will s-l-o-w d-o-w-n, big t
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gram and a massive amount of time (
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. . . Matrix topoloGy . . . Hex was
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track programs are not able to dete
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node attributes like a metaphor or
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datatrail Every interaction on the
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a castle could represent a control
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Simsense can also be used for exper
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with their image links is an expens
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To avoid detection, the hacker can
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aLertS Another important line of de
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B A R S C I L W ESS 3 2 3 2 3 4 4 3
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encryption on the access log of the
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filled with a high-rating Data Bomb
Page 77 and 78: You also need to choose the Matrix
Page 79 and 80: Sculpting: The node looks a lot lik
Page 81 and 82: Hardware: Saeder-Krupp Schwermetall
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Page 85 and 86: Don’t call me a script kid Don’
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Page 91 and 92: what it sounds like: two or more ha
Page 93 and 94: Yep. You can also stick malware int
Page 95 and 96: gaMe inforMation The Hacker’s Han
Page 97 and 98: paYdata General rules for fencing p
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Page 101 and 102: Spoofing commands from a user with
Page 103 and 104: to Mook or not to Mook? For some ch
Page 105 and 106: Issuing commands to a smartgun thro
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Page 111 and 112: Server-Side prograMS Server-side pr
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Page 115 and 116: worms). To match the opposition, ho
Page 117 and 118: Mute Program Types: Common, Hacking
Page 119 and 120: temporary degradation can be restor
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Page 123 and 124: prone to degradation. This is in pa
Page 125 and 126: dataworms Dataworms are a stealth t
Page 127: military and police units, professi
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Page 135 and 136: attuning to a particular part of th
Page 137 and 138: advanced tecHnoMancer rULeS The rec
Page 139 and 140: Streams are still evolving and are
Page 141 and 142: info Savants Fading: Intuition + Re
Page 143 and 144: experience, induced by unfiltered e
Page 145 and 146: don’t have to be strictly technom
Page 147 and 148: new ecHoeS The following section ex
Page 149 and 150: Sift Technomancers who possess this
Page 151 and 152: Neuroleptic: This widget creates a
Page 153 and 154: make are geared towards someone wit
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Page 159 and 160: traceroUte taBLe Subject Interacts
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Page 163 and 164: . . . Matrix phenoMena . . . It’s
Page 167 and 168: gaMe inforMation This section provi
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Page 171 and 172: known aiS These are but a few examp
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infektors The Infektors’ ultimate
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corrupting it into a temporary diss
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Pilot Response Firewall Matrix INIT
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former prematurely and leave them o
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playback gear On the most basic lev
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y default can be used repeatedly an
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to explain the missing time. Also,
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compartmentalized pieces of informa
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. . . Matrix Gear . . . Glitch was
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eLectronicS Electronics follow all
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Hacker ServiceS See Buying a Better
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Software Suites Availability Cost H
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SaMpLe nodeS (cont.) . . . . . . .
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SaMpLe SpiderS (cont.) Security tec
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