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azazel_rigging

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Azazel's Rigger Notes

This reflects the state of the game as of May 28, 2022 .

The Good

TL;DR: rigging trivializes combat in the early through mid game

  1. The most heavily armored drone (the GM-Nissan Doberman) can be obtained while still in chargen.
  2. Magic vs drone functionality doesn't exist yet in the mud, meaning drones are immune to enemy spellcasting.
  3. After chargen, it takes ~20k nuyen of upgrades to make the doberman able to easily handle most enemies, even through 500+ rep autoruns.
    • With a dikote coating, the doberman is immune to any damage codes with power up to 15.
    • With a hardpoint, gas vent IV, and underbarrel weight, the doberman suffers zero recoil penalties using an HMG firing full auto (10).
    • With an ultrasound sensor module, the doberman spots enemies using improved invisibility

The Bad

TL;DR - rigging lacks convenience, is weak in the late game, and high rating VCRs aren't worth it.

  1. Drones can only shoot at targets in the same room.
  2. Drones with more than one weapon mounted will take multiweapon penalties, even when only one weapon is being fired.
  3. Drones have no way to deal with doors and can't push elevator buttons.
  4. Drones can only act while being actively controlled - they can't follow the rigger as the rigger does other things (like opening doors and using elevators)
  5. The only drones with decent armor are ground-type, so they can't traverse areas involving swimming or climbing.
  6. The control pool is only being added to driving tests (so no dodging, and poor damage resistance for hits that get past the armor)
  7. Reaction/initiative use the rigger's meat stats

The Tips

  1. Because the mud code is using the rigger's meat reaction/initiative, we can build like a street samurai, just with a VCR 1 (alpha) from chargen, plus your choice of datajack.
  2. Combat pool applies (though only the dice allocated to offense).
  3. So long as the rigger and mounted weapon have the cyber and accessory, the smartlink bonus applies.
  4. A drone can be used as a tank, even against enemies that the drone's weapon may not be able to damage.
    1. Drive the drone in and engage to draw aggro.
    2. RETURN to your meat, leaving your drone in place.
    3. Pick off enemies with other options while enemies are still beating on the drone.
  5. A roto-drone can tow (i.e. lift) a doberman over any terrain.
azazel_rigging.1653767065.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/01/30 19:07 (external edit)