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Message no. 1
From: Carsten Baermann <Carsten.Baermann@****.UNI-GIESSEN.DE>
Subject: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 12:08:40 +0100
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Hi,

I have got some questions regarding VR2.0.

a) The SPU(Math) increases Technical, Technical(B/R), and Science skills
with half its rating (Shadowtech). Does this include the Computer skill?
While decking?

b) If you have got an Encephalon, the Task Pool goes into the Hacking Pool
when:
- - You slot a skillsoft(Decking) of equal or higher rating as your Decking
skill
- - Or You only use the skill granted from the skillsoft
That is what VR2.0 says (right?). For the second part: SRII states that
you can not use any Pools while using a skillsoft. So you can not use the
Task Pool Dice (and the Hacking Pool Dice) for any tests in the Matrix?!

c) Armor reduces the Power level of any attack (not including
Body/Willpower tests against Black Ice)?

d) Hardening 'only' adds to the TN made by certain gray and black ice?

That's ist for now,


Bye,
########### Carsten Baermann - http://www.uni-giessen.de/~gcg4 ##########
# carsten.baermann@****.uni-giessen.de - case@**********.uni-giessen.de #
########## finger gcg4@**.hrz.uni-giessen.de for PGP Public Key #########

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Message no. 2
From: Brett Borger <bxb121@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 11:51:19 -0500
>That is what VR2.0 says (right?). For the second part: SRII states that
>you can not use any Pools while using a skillsoft. So you can not use the
>Task Pool Dice (and the Hacking Pool Dice) for any tests in the Matrix?!

Using a Skillsoft and being jacked in are two different things. To my
knowledge, you cannot use Pools to aid any skill that is not "natural". If
this includes your computer skill, sucks to be you, but then, no decker
should be using a slotted Computer skill.

-=SwiftOne=-
Message no. 3
From: The Digital Mage <mn3rge@****.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 16:35:43 +0000
On Fri, 31 Jan 1997, Carsten Baermann wrote:

> a) The SPU(Math) increases Technical, Technical(B/R), and Science skills
> with half its rating (Shadowtech). Does this include the Computer skill?
> While decking?
I believe it adds half (I personally would make it add its rating
whole) its rating to the Intelligence attribute for purposes of
determining the Hacking Pool, therefore it should not be 'double counted'
and added to Computer skill too (I think thats the official rule as well).

> b) If you have got an Encephalon, the Task Pool goes into the Hacking Pool
> when:
> - - You slot a skillsoft(Decking) of equal or higher rating as your Decking
> skill
> - - Or You only use the skill granted from the skillsoft
> That is what VR2.0 says (right?). For the second part: SRII states that
> you can not use any Pools while using a skillsoft. So you can not use the
> Task Pool Dice (and the Hacking Pool Dice) for any tests in the Matrix?!
Yes this just does not make sense, especially as this makes Skillsofts
more powerful than a skill of the same rating.

> c) Armor reduces the Power level of any attack (not including
> Body/Willpower tests against Black Ice)?
Correct

> d) Hardening 'only' adds to the TN made by certain gray and black ice?
Correct
The Digital Mage : mn3rge@****.ac.uk
"So that which I imagine, is that which I believe" -Rush
Shadowrun Web Site http://www.bath.ac.uk/~mn3rge/Shadowrun.html
Message no. 4
From: Ted Cabeen <cabeen@******.COM>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 12:36:18 -0600
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At 12:08 PM 1/31/97 +0100, you wrote:
>I have got some questions regarding VR2.0.
Okay.
>a) The SPU(Math) increases Technical, Technical(B/R), and Science skills
>with half its rating (Shadowtech). Does this include the Computer skill?
>While decking?
Yup. It includes computer skill. Computer is a Technical Skill. That's why
they're sooo cool for deckers and medics. (+2 Computer and Biotech)
>b) If you have got an Encephalon, the Task Pool goes into the Hacking Pool
>when:
>- - You slot a skillsoft(Decking) of equal or higher rating as your Decking
>skill
>- - Or You only use the skill granted from the skillsoft
Right. Those are the same thing.
>That is what VR2.0 says (right?). For the second part: SRII states that
>you can not use any Pools while using a skillsoft. So you can not use the
>Task Pool Dice (and the Hacking Pool Dice) for any tests in the Matrix?!
I think this might be an exception because the book specifically says
otherwise. It's your call.
>c) Armor reduces the Power level of any attack (not including
>Body/Willpower tests against Black Ice)?
Right. Armor does not help against Body/Willpower tests/
>d) Hardening 'only' adds to the TN made by certain gray and black ice?
This is your call. The VR2.0 book does not spell out the exact use of
hardening very well, and the only refrence to it's use is in Body/Willpower
tests. However, there are no examples of people getting attacked normally.
In my game, hardening also acts as a permanent version of the armor program.
This is how it worked in VR1.0, and without that, it becomes pretty useless
for it's price. I think it was just an omission on the part of the writer.
Again, that's a house rule. Your mileage may vary. :)
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--
______________________________________________________________________________
Ted Cabeen http://shadowland.rh.uchicago.edu cabeen@******.com
Check Website or finger for PGP Public Key secabeen@******.uchicago.edu
"I have taken all knowledge to be my province." -F. Bacon cococabeen@***.com
"Human kind cannot bear very much reality."-T.S.Eliot 73126.626@**********.com
Message no. 5
From: Denzil Kruse <dkruse@***.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 12:39:00 MST
>>a) The SPU(Math) increases Technical, Technical(B/R), and Science skills
>>with half its rating (Shadowtech). Does this include the Computer skill?
>>While decking?
>
>Yup. It includes computer skill. Computer is a Technical Skill. That's
why
>they're sooo cool for deckers and medics. (+2 Computer and Biotech)

If remember correctly, in VR2.0, the hacking pool is determined by your MPCP
and your intelligence. No longer by your computer skill, so any dice bonus
you get to your computer skill won't help your pool.

Your hacking pool is not made up of any skill, so a bonus you get from the
Math SPU, and the task pool from the Encephalon might not help you decking.
The Encephalon's intelligence bonus will help though.

I guess you would get the bonus whenever you rolled computer skill tests in
the matrix. But right off I can't think of when you do that. You are
usually rolling program rating dice and persona rating dice. So I guess you
only use computer skill when you build your computer? I get the feeling I'm
missing something fundamental here. I haven't read the VR2.0 book to well.

Denzil Kruse
d.kruse@****.com
Message no. 6
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 08:53:31 +1100
> c) Armor reduces the Power level of any attack (not including
> Body/Willpower tests against Black Ice)?

Not any attack, just most. E.g. it doesn't work against cripplers AFAIk,
and I
don't know if it works agains rippers either.

Lady Jestyr

-----------------------------------------------
A titanic intellect in a world full of icebergs
-----------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.com.au
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1503/
-----------------------------------------------
Remember, no matter what they say, you can
never have enough sugar. - Michael
-----------------------------------------------
Message no. 7
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 08:58:09 +1100
> a) The SPU(Math) increases Technical, Technical(B/R), and Science skills
> with half its rating (Shadowtech). Does this include the Computer skill?
> While decking?

I see no reason why not (apart from, perhaps, game balance :) - it is
designed to enhance the very kind of number-crunching work you'd be
doing.

> b) If you have got an Encephalon, the Task Pool goes into the Hacking Pool
> when:
> - - You slot a skillsoft(Decking) of equal or higher rating as your Decking
> skill
> - - Or You only use the skill granted from the skillsoft
> That is what VR2.0 says (right?).

VR2.0, p.19:
"Generally, an encephalon implant represents the best chocie because its
Task Pool dice directly enhance the Hacking Pool"

So no, sorry, wrong. I think you have it the wrong way around.



Lady Jestyr

-----------------------------------------------
A titanic intellect in a world full of icebergs
-----------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.com.au
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1503/
-----------------------------------------------
Remember, no matter what they say, you can
never have enough sugar. - Michael
-----------------------------------------------
Message no. 8
From: Lady Jestyr <jestyr@*******.DIALIX.COM.AU>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 09:19:54 +1100
> > a) The SPU(Math) increases Technical, Technical(B/R), and Science skills
> > with half its rating (Shadowtech). Does this include the Computer skill?
> > While decking?

> I believe it adds half (I personally would make it add its rating
> whole) its rating to the Intelligence attribute for purposes of
> determining the Hacking Pool, therefore it should not be 'double counted'
> and added to Computer skill too (I think thats the official rule as well).

It says in STech it adds half its rating *to the Hacking Pool* (which
makes a BIG
difference), *and* to the skills. If that's what the equipment does (and
it says so flat out), then that's what it does.

However, those rules *were* written in the days of VR1...



Lady Jestyr

-----------------------------------------------
A titanic intellect in a world full of icebergs
-----------------------------------------------
Elle Holmes jestyr@*******.dialix.com.au
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1503/
-----------------------------------------------
Remember, no matter what they say, you can
never have enough sugar. - Michael
-----------------------------------------------
Message no. 9
From: Brett Borger <bxb121@***.EDU>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 21:44:22 -0500
>It says in STech it adds half its rating *to the Hacking Pool* (which
>makes a BIG
>difference), *and* to the skills. If that's what the equipment does (and
>it says so flat out), then that's what it does.
>However, those rules *were* written in the days of VR1...
Yes, and VR2.0 SPECIFICALLY clarifies what the Math SPU does according to
the new rules.

-=SwiftOne=-
Message no. 10
From: Ted Cabeen <cabeen@******.COM>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 20:21:58 -0600
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At 12:39 PM 2/4/97 MST, you wrote:
>I guess you would get the bonus whenever you rolled computer skill tests in
>the matrix. But right off I can't think of when you do that. You are
>usually rolling program rating dice and persona rating dice. So I guess you
>only use computer skill when you build your computer? I get the feeling I'm
>missing something fundamental here. I haven't read the VR2.0 book to well.
Actually, computer skill is what you roll most often in VR2.0. Program Rating
dice give the power of the attack, and persona rating dice are mostly used for
enemy target numbers (except for Body). You can best think of Computer skill
as very similar to Firearms skill. The programs and deck give him the tools
with which he uses his skill. The similarities between the two are quite
intersting and really helped me to understand exactly how VR2.0 works.


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--
______________________________________________________________________________
Ted Cabeen http://shadowland.rh.uchicago.edu cabeen@******.com
Check Website or finger for PGP Public Key secabeen@******.uchicago.edu
"I have taken all knowledge to be my province." -F. Bacon cococabeen@***.com
"Human kind cannot bear very much reality."-T.S.Eliot 73126.626@**********.com
Message no. 11
From: The Digital Mage <mn3rge@****.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 11:54:43 +0000
On Tue, 4 Feb 1997, Denzil Kruse wrote:

> I guess you would get the bonus whenever you rolled computer skill tests in
> the matrix. But right off I can't think of when you do that. You are
> usually rolling program rating dice and persona rating dice. So I guess you
> only use computer skill when you build your computer? I get the feeling I'm
> missing something fundamental here. I haven't read the VR2.0 book to well.
Fundamental indeed! All system operations in the matrix require a roll of
Computer Skill (programs now just reducing the TN).

The Digital Mage : mn3rge@****.ac.uk
"So that which I imagine, is that which I believe" -Rush
Shadowrun Web Site http://www.bath.ac.uk/~mn3rge/Shadowrun.html
Message no. 12
From: The Digital Mage <mn3rge@****.AC.UK>
Subject: Re: VR2.0 Questions
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 1997 11:56:22 +0000
On Wed, 5 Feb 1997, Lady Jestyr wrote:

> > I believe it adds half (I personally would make it add its rating
> > whole) its rating to the Intelligence attribute for purposes of
> > determining the Hacking Pool, therefore it should not be 'double counted'
> > and added to Computer skill too (I think thats the official rule as well).
>
> It says in STech it adds half its rating *to the Hacking Pool* (which
> makes a BIG
> difference), *and* to the skills. If that's what the equipment does (and
> it says so flat out), then that's what it does.
>
> However, those rules *were* written in the days of VR1...
Indeed my assumption is always that latter products supercede older
products where rules conflict.

The Digital Mage : mn3rge@****.ac.uk
"So that which I imagine, is that which I believe" -Rush
Shadowrun Web Site http://www.bath.ac.uk/~mn3rge/Shadowrun.html

Further Reading

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