Drones: upgrading Response, System, & Signal

_Pax_ · May 6th, 2012, 09:19 AM

You're supposed to be able to independantly upgrade a drone's stats - Response, Signal, Firewall, and System - directly, as per:

Do all drones come equipped with an average Device rating of 3 (as per the Sample Devices table on p. 222, SR4A) or does the Steel Lynx (for example) classify as a “security vehicle” and have a Device rating of 4?

Any drone that comes equipped with weapon mounts should be considered a security device, and given a Device rating of 4. These built-in Device ratings are meant to serve as a guideline, however, so the gamemaster should feel free to modify them as appropriate. Likewise, a drone’s Firewall, Response, Signal, and System ratings may be individually be modified, improved (or reduced) at the discretion of the gamemaster or the character that owns the device. Drones begin with the Pilot rating listed in their entry, no matter their device rating.

Source: SR4 FAQ, http://www.shadowrun4.com/game-resou...ked-questions/ ... emphasis mine.

However, HL does not currently allow this to be done; you have to install a commlink first ... which is extra money that shouldn't need to be spent.

Mathias · May 6th, 2012, 10:30 AM

The signal and response modules are the first thing you can purchase on the vehicle modification lists, the firewall program is near the top of the Programs table on the Matrix tab, and on the Agents and Independant Programs table, purchasing a better pilot program also upgrades the system.

Canis · May 6th, 2012, 12:50 PM

There is a set of Matrix stats shown on the Matrix tab for the Pilot itself, and the response there is 1 by default. While that stat doesn't change with the drone's upgrades, you can change it on the pilot's matrix stat line (pilot 'hero' added when you add an upgraded pilot).

_Pax_ · May 6th, 2012, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathias

The signal and response modules are the first thing you can purchase on the vehicle modification lists, the firewall program is near the top of the Programs table on the Matrix tab, and on the Agents and Independant Programs table, purchasing a better pilot program also upgrades the system.

OH. So they are.

May I ask why they were placed there, and not as Matrix options?

It just seems a less-than-intuitive interface choice.

Mathias · May 7th, 2012, 08:56 AM

Signal and Response improvements are described in the book as physical objects, not programs.

Mathias Senior Member Lone Wolf Staff Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 13,213 May 6th, 2012, 10:30 AM	The signal and response modules are the first thing you can purchase on the vehicle modification lists, the firewall program is near the top of the Programs table on the Matrix tab, and on the Agents and Independant Programs table, purchasing a better pilot program also upgrades the system.
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Canis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 191 May 6th, 2012, 12:50 PM	There is a set of Matrix stats shown on the Matrix tab for the Pilot itself, and the response there is 1 by default. While that stat doesn't change with the drone's upgrades, you can change it on the pilot's matrix stat line (pilot 'hero' added when you add an upgraded pilot).
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