Following the current trend in futuristic military gadgets, I've been wondering on the adaptation of a lighter, cheaper alternative to ACPA ... or more precisely, the Linear Frames (or Exo suits).


Sigma Linear Frame : STR 12, Dam. Mod. +4, Lift 600, Carry 180, Weight 125, Cost 5000eb
Reflex/Control systems: Advanced (Max Ref 10), No Mart. Arts
Armored cover for the system: CP 20, Cost 500eb
Trooper size: 114kg (Standard issue)
SIB: +2
SDP: 12
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Final cost: 4950eb

What we have here is a cheap linear frame that boost soldier competence, speed and movement. Even more a Linear frame is slightly more comfortable than enclosing oneself inside a chassis for long hours.

Remember tho, that when someone shoots a Sigma user, 20% of bullets will impact the suit. When the suit reaches half its SDP there is a 40% chance of breakdown. Plus +10% for every new hit after that.

Also, the control system requires interface plugs with the Vehicle link.

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If you are wondering why a soldier would want to use something that relatively fragile and weak compared to a low tier ACPA, the answer is simple. He doesn't choose to.

Militech Commando costs 108.306eb
Arasaka Standard B costs 89.050eb

You can equip 20 soldiers with exo suits for the cost of a simple Militech Commando. Even more ... with a quarter it's weight, they can outflank their opponents more easily and take better positions. Also, they're easier to transport and maintain.

And less intimidating to the average corp. citizen.

Well ... I have begun a website to try to recap my house rules so it's easier for me to reference them later (as a lot of my games are done on play-by-post forums).

Let's hope I manage to do something with the tiny spare time I have.

dimuscul.clon01.net

This one is about netrunning and long distance links.

While it wasn't apparent years ago when the rules were created, the thing is that travelling around the net in the search of info and social media isn't more costly than keeping on your local area. After all we aren't exactly using modems of old calling to specific numbers around the world.

So we can simply ditch the LDL rules about costing money ... but we still need tracing values.

My take on the issue (which I've been mumbling about for a while) is the following.

Each Node (or LDL) is considered a Proxy who transmits data to the rest of the world. Proxies can limit incoming data so countries can ban certain sites/zones (like social media during revolts, or other political sensible content).

The problem is that proxies tend to log every visit ... and usually, netrunners don't want to be traced.

Each times a netrunner pass through a proxy without being logged on, he adds half the security value as a penalizer to his Initiative. So if he goes through:

• Night City (T2 S2)
• Los Angeles (T2 S2)
• Mexico City (T2 S1)
• Panama City (T3 S1)
• Bogota City (T4 S1)

He would accumulate a trace value of 13 and a security value of 7 (-3 to Initiative).

Of course, you can buy a prepaid SIM card (10 to 30 credits) for your cyberdeck and throw it after the run making sure no one knows who you are. Just remember, if someone trace you - thanks to I-G algorithms - they know where you are in the Real Space.

So ... try to hack from a secure/anonymous place, will you?.

We have started playing the Land of the Free module for Cyberpunk with my game group. It all begun as a forum game but quickly developed to real world sessions as we finished our Edge of the Empire introductory module.

The first part, Adriana extraction, was smooth ... maybe to smooth (thanks to the Netrunner). After the game I thought of a dozen ways to spice up that session but, alas, it was too late. I been out of "real space" DMing for quite a long time and I find myself a bit rusty doing it.

But anyways, I've returned to directing Cyberpunk 2020 and that's what matters.

At the same time, Watch Dogs have been released and I have been having some fun with it ... one of the main tools the protagonist (Aiden Pearce) uses is a mobile phone which he uses to hack remote operated machines.

I been thinking if it was possible to do the same in Cyberpunk ... yes, it can be done. 

Let's take a look into it, but take into account that those rules are not mine, most of them comes from Rache Bartmoss Guide to the Net.

First, you need to program a new interface since you won't use normal I-G algorithms (Very difficult task on Programming skill or Difficult task on Expert:Complex Computer Language). Or modify standard modem routines to handle cyberdeck programs (Difficult or Average task, same skills).

Alternatively, someone else can do it for you for a 150-200 credits fee.

As we don't plan to netrun with a little pocket PC, we don't need to make further change to it's programs or interface. Which means we are ready to go and wreak some havoc.

Heres a completely illegal piece of hardware already rigged for remote controlling:

• Zetatech "E-Book" Microcomp (1CPU, 1INT, 12 MU with a 15.4cmx7.6cmx1.3cm size) 100cr
• Cellular upgrade (similar to the Cybermodem Interface) +500cr
• Custom netrunning interface +200cr

• Crystal ball (4STR, 1MU) 140cr
• Dee-2 (3STR, 1MU) 130cr
• Genie (5STR, 1MU) 150cr
• Hotwire (3STR, 1MU) 130cr
• News at 8 (4STR, 1MU) 140cr
• Soundmachine (4STR, 1MU) 140cr
• Terminator (4STR, 2MU) 260cr
• Phone Home (2/5STR, 1UM)150cr

Which amounts to 2040cr ... but remember, its illegal, so the price should be more like 4000cr

And voila! Ready to hack some remotes.

It's debatable if PDA and Microcomps  should already have cellular SIMs and ports. When Cyberpunk was created the FAX was the tool of the future ... but they have become little more than a gimmick while most people simply send e-mail/documentation from his portable smartphone or paper thin tabletops with more processing power than old mainframes and access to cloud databases that extend far and beyond.

Even the pay per time travelled on the net and it's LDC seem obsolete in the face of the networks and competing corps trying to offer the best and cheapest way to connect around the world.

So our generic Zetatech clone smartphone (1CPU, 1INT, 10MU) should cost around 200 or 300 credits, while the top of the line models (1CPU, 2INT, 20MU) should be around 500 or 600 cr.

Also, we need to put a bit of attention to Remotes and its accessibility ... should any hacker wannabe walk nearby to an Arasaka building and take a sneak peek over its camera system? 

When letting players (and NPC) use his remote hacking tools make yourself a question ... is that remote inside a datafortress?

• Is a robotaxi behind a datawall? Most probably, not.
• Is a Dataterm behind a datawall? Surely not.
• Is an Arasaka camera behind a datawall? Yes, you can bet about it.
• Are public traffic cams behind datawalls? Nope.

To control a remote behind a datafortress you will need to gain access to it. You can wreak it's datawalls previously (but they will repair them in a small amount of time) or you can brute hack the Codegate to attain the password (but most datafortress change it's passwords periodically).

The better way to do it, is to assault a datafortress, get inside, access to the users database, and add a new user for you and leave before somebody notices you and could suspect something. Until someone supect that account is compromised, your safe to go.

Once you have a way around the datawalls you can use the remote tools freely.

Well, it's been a while ... like ... more than a year? Really? Well, it seems real life can get quite busy isn't it?

Anyway, I been playing games anyway. I had to go back on Spider processors and almost free wi-fi attacks, they gave to much power to Netrunners as they could control literally anything.

So I have stepped back and returned to standard hacking rules for implants. Netrunners can still make fun of solos and all that, it is just harder and more limited.

Spiders had gone the way of Dodo, and I have modified some implants. Interface plugs now are wi-fi hotspots and can pair with anything the user desires. You can still use them to plug yourself physically, and in fact it has better performance (all cable connections are treated as low impedance cables instead) and cannot be hacked wirelessly.

Other implants include lowering camera gadgets space in implants (like Cyberoptics) and displays (Times Square). Cheapen cellular implants and convert them to small agendas/computers on it's own.

I also incorporated domestic humanoid robots, AI are to large to be put in a simple humanoid, but I use ideas from the movie I Robot and the RPG Game Neurospasta. Basically robots are only vessels and they are remotely controlled by company AI who manage multiple robots on real time.

Which by itself can led to a lot of adventures.

Also, cheaper full cyborgs. I know I created a previsoulsy one more cheaper but I have added other variations based on actual cyberimplants found on books. You know, using Enable Cyberlimbs to build an obsolete model has it's charm.

Also, Soviet ones.

In a summary, they are quite cheaper, but also a piece of junk that tends to fail more often than not. Take a look at the PDF of it's components.

Maybe another day (month or year) I will post the domestic robot statistics. I why not, my actual house rules.

The previous entry arose some design problems I have with the Maximum Metal rulebook.

A motorbike is stated as having only 1 space. And you must reserve an space for the pilot … which mean you cannot use options that need more space.

It doesn't care that you may be working with a huge motorbike or even a trike. It doesn't take in account that thousands of people carry a companion on its motorbike on a daily basis.

It doesn't even take in account sidecars.

What if I want to put a sidecar with a mounted turret connected to the cybernetic controls of the motorbike?

My first reaction was to modify the cycle entrance to allow for 1 to 2 spaces.
My second reaction was to tweak the SDP rules to copy other vehicles so you needed to increase the SDP if you wanted more space.

My third reaction was to create an extra option (like increased speed) to allow for extra spaces at a speed cost and SDP cost.

The last option made me think about other kind of options for vehicles. The most obvious, being method of movement. Why I can’t make a cycle with continuous tracks (for a snowmobile)?

But alternate moving systems come with different speeds and acceleration … so I’m thinking on modifying the cycle entry to add variable SDP based on spaces (15 SDP per space) and adding another entry for cycles with tracks.

That’s not all.

Once you add a tracked cycle, you must ask yourself … and why not a walking car, truck or MBT? Because you know you want to make a personal walking MBT with robotic IA … you could be tempted to use ACPA rules, but Fuchikomas, Tachikomas work more like autonomous vehicles than ACPAs.

If you don’t know what a Fuchikoma is, go kill yourself.

So later (or not) I will try to make those entries an corresponding options (pincers, retractable wheels, grip pads, etc) to create track vehicles, and walking vehicles.

Edit: That was a fumble, books already cover vehicles with legs, etc

New vehicle ... well, motorbike.

Snakeeyes Timber 3 Cyborg Cycle

The ST3 is a special cycle designed for cybered people. It is robust, armored and fast, and comes with full equipment for the modern day chrome addict.

It's also bigger than most bikes.

TOP SPEED: 120 MPH
ACC/DEC: 36/60 MPH
CREW: 1
PASSENGERS: 0
RANGE: 400 MILES
CARGO: 45 KG
MANEUVER: +1
SDP: 37
SP: 15
TYPE: CYCLE
MASS: 250 KG
COST: 23,000 ED

Equipment: Seat Massager, Auto-pilot, Cybernetic linkage, Entretaintment system, Navigation system, Security system.