Table of Contents

Decker Archetype

Data is Nuyen.

A decker hacks the Matrix through the use of a cyberdeck.

Game Play

The Matrix is itself an entire gaming system, making this archetype the most difficult to learn. See: Sunny's Guide to Decking

In the physical world, a decker plays similar to a street samurai. See: Street Samurai Archetype

Coming out of character generation, your SMG should be set to either burst-fire (easier to hit) or full-auto 6 (better power/damage).

Key Features

While there is limited interaction (as currently implemented in AWCE) between the physical and virtual worlds, a decker is unique in being able to take on Matrix missions.

Searching Matrix datastores for paydata provides a way to obtain large amounts of Nuyen, while being significantly safer than taking on corporate guards.

SMGs are only slightly weaker than ARs, in exchange for being able to be used one-handed. Your Ingram Smartgun is one of the strongest SMGs available, though it's a bit more difficult to properly accessorize.

Progression

The first program you should create (or obtain from another decker) is a programming suite. This will help you with all your future programming needs, including creating higher rating programming suites.

While the programs that you start with are enough for early Matrix missions, there are other programs that you may wish to pick up sooner rather than later, such as Evaluate to help with finding paydata and Decrypt to help with encrypted paydata and hosts.

In the physical world, you will want to find a gunsmithing workshop so that you can replace your Ingram Smartgun's default gas vent 2 with an improved gas vent 4. This will let you hit targets while firing in full-auto 6 just as easily as when firing in burst-fire or semi-auto.

Build

The pre-built archetypes were designed using the standard custom character creation rules, with the intent of providing generalist builds that are fully functional immediately out of character generation. There is a trade off in that such builds are less efficient in the use of their chargen points and resources. For this reason, as well as to improve the new player experience, they have been permitted up to 20k additional nuyen in their build, plus a free electronics kit, pocket secretary, phone, subsidy card, ammunition, and 2 points of brawling skill (not listed below).

The Decker archetype was built using the points system: 

46 attributes (23)
44 skills (44)
30 resources (1m nuyen)
0 metatype (human)
0 magic (mundane)

Attributes: 

Body          4(7)
Quickness     6(9)
Strength      3
Charisma      1
Intelligence  6(8)
Willpower     3

Skills: 

Athletics                     3
Clubs                         3
Submachine Guns               6
Computers                     6
Electronics                   3
Computer Building and Repair  6
Biotech                       4
Negotiation                   3
Corporate Etiquette           3
Data Brokerage                6
Driving Trucks                1

Cyberware: 

a datajack
an encephalon II
a math SPU III
a smartlink-2 system
some bone lacing (kevlar)
a dermal sheathing I

Bioware: 

cat's eyes
a cerebral booster II - cultured
muscle toner III
a trauma damper - cultured

Cyberdeck: 

a CMT Avatar cyberdeck                    (r7 MPCP)
Persona Programs:
  a Fuchi Ltd evasion persona chip        (r3 evasion)
  a Novatech Level Six Bod Program        (r6 bod)
  a Novatech Level Six Masking Program    (r6 masking)
  a Novatech Level Six Sensors Program    (r6 sensor)  
Other Software:
  a matrix sword R:4                      (r4 attack)
  a Transys 'Electro-Vest' Armour Program (r6 armor)
  a FoxFire 'Kitsune' Analyze program     (r6 analyze)
  a Renraku "Bypass" Deception Program    (r6 deception)
  a Transys 'Riffle' Browse Program       (r6 browse)
  a Transys 'Scribe' Read/Write Program   (r6 read/write)
  a Novatech Fifth Sleaze program         (r5 sleaze)

Worn: 

Eyes:       a pair of thermographic goggles
About:      a Secure jacket (5b/3i)
Body:       a plated armor vest (4b/3i)
Underneath: form-fitting body armor III (4b/1i)
Arms:       a pair of forearm guards (+0b/+1i)
Waist:      a black leather duty belt
Thigh:      a thigh holster
Legs:       a pair of extremely baggy dark blue jeans
Feet:       a pair of white sneakers

Weapons: 

an Ingram Smartgun (SMG)
  top: a top-mounted smartlink-2 accessory
  barrel: an improved gas vent II
  underside: a foregrip

Other: 

a DocWagon gold modulator
a microtronics tool kit
a medkit
a Mitsuhama Z4 desktop computer
a Novatech Burner
The Title to a Ford Bison