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khai_deckbuilding [2024/05/21 15:57] – external edit 127.0.0.1khai_deckbuilding [2025/07/18 14:10] (current) – [Chargen vs Custom Cyberdeck] khai
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 This is not an in-depth guide to decking, programming, and deckbuilding. Rather, these are thoughts intended to help mechanically optimize the creation of a decker (whether as a primary or secondary role). For more detail, take a look at the other guides and the in-game help files. This is not an in-depth guide to decking, programming, and deckbuilding. Rather, these are thoughts intended to help mechanically optimize the creation of a decker (whether as a primary or secondary role). For more detail, take a look at the other guides and the in-game help files.
  
-IMPORTANT: If you read nothing else, understand that matrix hosts resist your actions by rolling against your detection factor (see: HELP DETECTION FACTOR), so it is highly recommended that you get this to 6. Also, most utility programs reduce the TNs (see: HELP TN) you roll against, so as a generalization, it is recommended that you obtain them at the highest rating you can, even though you might not be able to fit them all into your active memory at the same time (instead, unload and load programs as needed).+IMPORTANT: If you read nothing else, understand that matrix hosts resist your actions by rolling against your detection factor (see: HELP DETECTION FACTOR), so a DF of 6 is highly recommended for a newbie decker. Also, most utility programs reduce the TNs (see: HELP TN) you roll against, so as a generalization, it is recommended that you obtain them at the highest rating you can, even though you might not be able to fit them all into your active memory at the same time (instead, unload and load programs as needed).
  
 ==== Programs ==== ==== Programs ====
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 ===== Decker Creation ===== ===== Decker Creation =====
 ==== Chargen vs Custom Cyberdeck ==== ==== Chargen vs Custom Cyberdeck ====
-Probably the most important decision when creating a decker is whether you intend to initially rely on a store-bought cyberdeck or if you intend to build your own custom deck as soon as possible. A store-bought cyberdeck (including the CMT Avatar that the pre-built decker archetype starts with) has a cold ASIST, which does not allow us to use your hacking pool.+Probably the most important decision when creating a decker is whether you intend to initially rely on a store-bought cyberdeck or if you intend to build your own custom deck as soon as possible. A store-bought cyberdeck (including the CMT Avatar that the pre-built decker archetype starts with) lets you jump into decking immediately (rather than having to spend a week IRL on building), but has a cold ASIST, which does not allow you to use your hacking pool.
  
 However, access to the hacking pool means that a custom MPCP 6 deck can often perform better than a CMT Avatar, depending on host ratings, even though the Avatar has a higher MPCP rating. The plot below shows a comparison between a CMT Avatar and a custom MPCP 6. Both deckers are assumed to have started with Computer 6 and have picked up all relevant cyberware and bioware. Because the decker with the custom MPCP 6 has spent significant time/effort in building their deck as well as programming rating 6 utilities, it is reasonable to assume that the decker with the CMT Avatar has also taken some effort to increase their computer skill to 7 and to upgrade their utility programs to rating 7 so as to maximize the benefit they get from their CMT Avatar's MPCP 7. The plot also assumes that both decks have detection factor = 6 and that the opposing Matrix Host has a security rating value equal to 2/3 (round down) of the targeted subsystem rating. The alert state is not taken into account, though an alerted host can be approximated by taking its subsystem rating as 2 points higher on the plot. However, access to the hacking pool means that a custom MPCP 6 deck can often perform better than a CMT Avatar, depending on host ratings, even though the Avatar has a higher MPCP rating. The plot below shows a comparison between a CMT Avatar and a custom MPCP 6. Both deckers are assumed to have started with Computer 6 and have picked up all relevant cyberware and bioware. Because the decker with the custom MPCP 6 has spent significant time/effort in building their deck as well as programming rating 6 utilities, it is reasonable to assume that the decker with the CMT Avatar has also taken some effort to increase their computer skill to 7 and to upgrade their utility programs to rating 7 so as to maximize the benefit they get from their CMT Avatar's MPCP 7. The plot also assumes that both decks have detection factor = 6 and that the opposing Matrix Host has a security rating value equal to 2/3 (round down) of the targeted subsystem rating. The alert state is not taken into account, though an alerted host can be approximated by taking its subsystem rating as 2 points higher on the plot.
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 ==== Mandatory Skills ==== ==== Mandatory Skills ====
 **Computers** is what we use for matrix actions, programming tests, and caps the ratings of the programs we make (except Evaluate). **Computers** is what we use for matrix actions, programming tests, and caps the ratings of the programs we make (except Evaluate).
-**Computer Build and Repair** is what we use to build deck parts, and caps what MPCP rating we can build. +**Computer Build and Repair** is what we use to build deck parts, and caps what MPCP (and other deck component) rating we can build. Note that your MPCP rating caps what program ratings you can use. 
-**Data Brokerage** is used when fencing paydata, and caps what Evaluate program rating we can make.+ 
 +==== Highly Recommended Skills ==== 
 +**Data Brokerage** is used when fencing paydata, and caps what Evaluate program rating we can make. This is not needed for completing matrix autoruns.
  
 ==== Notable Optional Skills ==== ==== Notable Optional Skills ====
-**Cyberterminal Design** and the five **Program Design** skills are optional for early deck-building and programming. Without these skills, we default to Intelligence for design tests, but if we picked up everything on the the highly recommended 'ware list, our likelihood of failure without these skills for rating 6-8 parts/programs is very small. These skills do make a significant difference for higher rating decks/programs, but we can pick them up later when we're actually thinking of upgrading.+**Cyberterminal Design** and the five **Program Design** skills are optional for early deck-building and programming. Without these skills, we default to Intelligence for design tests, but if we picked up everything on the highly recommended 'ware list, our likelihood of failure without these skills for rating 6-8 parts/programs will be low. These skills do make a significant difference for higher rating decks/programs, but we can pick them up later when we're actually thinking of upgrading.
  
-Because programming tests also get bonuses from a computer with sufficiently abundant active memory and from possessing a programming suite, the cyberterminal design skill is much more valuable than the five program design skills. In addition, cyberterminal design tests have TN = MPCP/2 (whereas program design tests have TN = 4, or 5 if program rating above 9), it is particularly important when building a MPCP 12 cyberdeck. NOTE: your design skills are used even if they don't meet/exceed the rating of the program/part.+Because programming tests also get bonuses from a computer with sufficiently abundant active memory and from possessing a programming suite, the cyberterminal design skill is much more valuable than the five program design skills. In addition, cyberterminal design tests have TN = MPCP/2 (whereas program design tests have TN = 4, or 5 if program rating above 9), it is particularly important when building MPCP 10 or 12 cyberdecks. NOTE: your design skills are used even if they don't meet/exceed the rating of the program/part.
  
 ==== Highly Recommended 'ware ==== ==== Highly Recommended 'ware ====
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 ==== Notable Optional 'ware  ==== ==== Notable Optional 'ware  ====
-As optional items for consideration, a **Chipjack** (any rating) is all that's needed to use the //skillsoft// versions of the design skills. A **Chipjack Expert Driver III** gives us +3 dice when using chipped skills (though note that no other dice pools apply). We can combine the chipjack and expert driver with **Skillwires** to use the skillsoft versions of any active skills that we might want to have on a temporary basis, and that we might not intend to max out, e.g., athletics, electronics, vehicle and vehicle b/r skills, maybe also etiquettes to make the initial purchases easier (though there's also an argument for maxing out etiquettes as real skills eventually). Rating III or V matches the skillsofts available in chargen (all the rating V softs are also available in-game).+As optional items for consideration, a **Chipjack** (any rating) is all that's needed to use the //skillsoft// versions of the design skills. A **Chipjack Expert Driver III** gives us +3 dice when using chipped skills (though note that no other dice pools apply). We can combine the chipjack and expert driver with **Skillwires** to use the skillsoft versions of any active skills that we might want to have on a temporary basis, and that we might not intend to max out, e.g., athletics, electronics, vehicle and vehicle b/r skills, etc. Rating III or V matches the skillsofts available in chargen (all the rating V softs are also available in-game). 
 + 
 +==== Success Rates ==== 
 +These tables show success rates for building MPCP 6 deck components by number of computer b/r dice and cyberterminal design dice. The time to build is the base time for the specific part divided by the number of successes you rolled. Success rates for programming are not shown here because they are typically easier (you can get TN bonuses from your computer having abundant active memory, and bonus dice from having a Programming Suite). 
 + 
 +^Odds to Succeed                    ^Computer B/R dice (skill + 'ware bonuses)^^^^^ 
 +^Cyberterminal Design dice          ^6 ^7 ^8 ^9 ^10 ^ 
 +|0 (default to 6/8 int)             |88%/92% |90%/93% |92%/94% |93%/95% |95%/96% | 
 +|3                                  |98%  |99%  |99%  |99%  |99%  | 
 +|6 (e.g., r3 skillsoft + r3 driver) |99.93% |99.95% |99.96% |99.97% |99.98% | 
 + 
 +^Median # of Successes Rolled       ^Computer B/R dice (skill + 'ware bonuses)^^^^^ 
 +^Cyberterminal Design dice          ^6 ^7 ^8 ^9 ^10 ^ 
 +|0 (default to 6/8 int)             |3/4 |3/4 |4/5 |4/5 |5/6 | 
 +|3                                  |5 |6 |6 |7 |8 | 
 +|6 (e.g., r3 skillsoft + r3 driver) |5 |6 |7 |8 |8 |
  
 ==== Other CharGen Comments ==== ==== Other CharGen Comments ====
 All the highly recommended 'ware can be picked up with resources at priority B, and the mandatory skills at priority E, so we have quite a bit of room for the rest of the character. NOTE: because melee is only defended against by melee, it is a very good idea for all characters to pick up a melee skill. If we're using a firearm, we use clubs for melee defense. If we put a bayonet on the firearm, then we use polearms for melee defense. All the highly recommended 'ware can be picked up with resources at priority B, and the mandatory skills at priority E, so we have quite a bit of room for the rest of the character. NOTE: because melee is only defended against by melee, it is a very good idea for all characters to pick up a melee skill. If we're using a firearm, we use clubs for melee defense. If we put a bayonet on the firearm, then we use polearms for melee defense.
  
-WRT magical characters: picking up everthing on the highly recommended 'ware list means starting with magic 3. For mages, this means we'll want to grind paydata for at least a rating 3 power focus before we start spamming stunbolt 6. For adepts, it may be worth using those 3 power points for kinesics; we'll be lacking combat abilities until we get in a few addpoints and initiations, but we'll also be able to buy truck-loads of APDS ammo much earlier than any other character concept.+WRT magical characters: picking up everything on the highly recommended 'ware list means starting with magic 3. For mages, this means we'll want to grind paydata for at least a rating 3 power focus before we start spamming stunbolt 6. For adepts, it may be worth using those 3 power points for kinesics; we'll be lacking combat abilities until we get in a few addpoints and initiations, but we'll also be able to buy truck-loads of APDS ammo much earlier than any other character concept. On the other end of the scale, we can skip all the 'ware and just use an electrode net. Note that if we're also skipping all the design skills, this will double our odds of failure when making deck components.
  
 WRT riggers, each rating of a vehicle control rig reduces hacking pool. Having a rig also increases matrix TN by 1. Because program ratings directly reduce matrix TNs, this is really only a problem while our ratings are still low. One idea might be to start without a rig and pick one up in-game after we can upgrade to higher rating decks and programs. WRT riggers, each rating of a vehicle control rig reduces hacking pool. Having a rig also increases matrix TN by 1. Because program ratings directly reduce matrix TNs, this is really only a problem while our ratings are still low. One idea might be to start without a rig and pick one up in-game after we can upgrade to higher rating decks and programs.
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   * microtronics workshop (15k nuyen)   * microtronics workshop (15k nuyen)
  
-This totals 41.4k nuyen, which can be covered by doing all the newbie Neophyte Guild autoruns, plus "idle nuyen" while programming and deck building, making it perfectly reasonable for a decker to start the game without having spent chargen resources on a store-bought cyberdeck. This assumes we picked up a Mitsuhama Z4 computer and a cooker in chargen. We should probably buy the optical chips first so we can get the cooking started as we complete each program.\\ NOTE: Making the cyberdeck components will require the workshop and cyberdeck parts, as well as cooked programs for those parts that require them.\\+This totals 41.4k nuyen, which can be covered by doing all the newbie Neophyte Guild autoruns, plus "idle nuyen" while programming and deck building, making it perfectly reasonable for a decker to start the game without having spent chargen resources on a store-bought cyberdeck. This nuyen cost assumes we picked up a Mitsuhama Z4 computer and a cooker during chargen. We should probably buy the optical chips first so we can get the cooking started as we complete each program. \\ NOTE: Making the cyberdeck components will require the workshop and cyberdeck parts, as well as cooked programs for those parts that require them.\\
 NOTE: There are a number of parts and programs included here that aren't necessary for bare-bones paydata farming, though the cost difference is only 5k nuyen. NOTE: There are a number of parts and programs included here that aren't necessary for bare-bones paydata farming, though the cost difference is only 5k nuyen.
 +
 +All that said, **it takes a lot of time to build a deck**, on the order of a week IRL for a deck with MPCP 6 using a char-gen level character. If you choose this route, you will want to ensure that your character is able to do non-matrix things during your playtime and have your character do the longer programming/build tasks while you're asleep. Alternatively, having one character doing build tasks while playing another character is acceptable under **Policy 2**.
  
 ==== The Cyberdeck ==== ==== The Cyberdeck ====
khai_deckbuilding.1716332266.txt.gz · Last modified: by 127.0.0.1

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