I'm curious about the things one can potentially do with Miniaturized computers. There isn't much information for their use by 'adventurers', so I'm hoping its more of a case of an intended sourcebook in the wings than a simple oversight.
I haven't noticed anywhere in the rules anything about the following but I just wanted to raise a bunch of ideas for consideration or potential rulings or feats etc.
I, as an adventurer with a Miniaturized computer, would love to try the following:
1) Have my computer somehow assist me in hacking other devices(I know it can possibly control them when the hacking is done, but can they help hack it, and if so, what modifier?)
2) Have my computer with remote control over a complex device(such as a gun), fire it remotely under set conditions(What even would be the attack roll, would it be me? My Computers modifier? the Computer's Ranged attack modifier? the Computers Computers modifier? A roll I did when setting UP the gun placement?)
3) Remote pilot a vehicle
4) Imbue my computer with a starship module to gain the benefit of this module on any starship I link it to, while it's linked.
That's all for now, I realise the system is still in development, but these are just a couple things I've noticed that would be super fun to have some added information on how to do/use.
I’ve looked over the computer rules a few times. Not with a microscope yet, because the specific details haven’t come up in game yet. However, the impression I get is that the game designers wanted to have some rules to govern them but did not necessarily know how they would ultimately be used in the game. The question “what can I do with a computer” isn’t fully defined in the rule book. It will be defined by you and your GM, and possibly by future Starfinder supplements.
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Right now, computers in Starfinder can do the following:
- With an appropriate downloaded data set (secure data module), the user can take 20 on a skill check to recall knowledge or a Culture skill check to decipher writing.
- With a control module and a Range I, Range II, or Range III upgrade, the user can control another technological device without being directly connected. This requires that the control be set up first, however (the character has to hack the device to gain control, or otherwise have authorized access, before establishing the control module's control).
To answer your questions:
1) The computer doesn't add any bonuses to hacking attempts by RAW.
2) The rules aren't clear on setting up automated weapon emplacements. The closest RAW is for antipersonnel weapons on a starship: "When an antipersonnel weapon is activated, if a hostile creature approaches within the weapon's range increment, it begins firing with an attack roll modifier equal to the ship's tier (minimum 1). It fires once per round during combat until its ammunition is depleted or the hostile creature is disabled or flees." Going off of that, as well as the RAW regarding starship computers ("A starship has a basic computer of a tier equal to half of the starship's tier (minimum 1)..."), I'd say that an automated weapon emplacement can be set up by purchasing a weapon (at normal price), a weapon mount (5-15 cr, based on the "minor piece of equipment" on page 218; 5 cr for a small arm mount, 10 cr for a longarm/sniper weapon mount, and 15 cr for a heavy weapon mount), and a targeting computer (attack bonus equal to 2 x tier) with a control module for the weapon (10% of the weapon's price).
3) Probably, with a control module for that vehicle. For starships, because they don't have a price in credits, I'd say that the control module would need to be for the starship's computer (as mentioned above, a starship's computer has a tier of one half of the starship's tier).
4) I'd say control of the starship's computer is sufficient, rather than specifying specific systems. See above.
2) Assuming you some way of detecting conditions you should be able to. This could range from a trip wire to a full suite of motion detectors, cameras and scanners, Attack bonus would probably be the tier x 2 of the computer. This is equal to the anti-personnel weapon mod on a ship.
2) The rules aren't clear on setting up automated weapon emplacements. The closest RAW is for antipersonnel weapons on a starship: "When an antipersonnel weapon is activated, if a hostile creature approaches within the weapon's range increment, it begins firing with an attack roll modifier equal to the ship's tier (minimum 1). It fires once per round during combat until its ammunition is depleted or the hostile creature is disabled or flees." Going off of that, as well as the RAW regarding starship computers ("A starship has a basic computer of a tier equal to half of the starship's tier (minimum 1)..."), I'd say that an automated weapon emplacement can be set up by purchasing a weapon (at normal price), a weapon mount (5-15 cr, based on the "minor piece of equipment" on page 218; 5 cr for a small arm mount, 10 cr for a longarm/sniper weapon mount, and 15 cr for a heavy weapon mount), and a targeting computer (attack bonus equal to 2 x tier) with a control module for the weapon (10% of the weapon's price).
2 is simple. It costs 10% of the device being controlled, which includes any mounts etc required. If you want it to be able to do so at range then you also need the range upgrades.
If the device being controlled needs a roll then either a user can use their own appropriate roll or the computer itself can make the roll. If the computer is making a roll it has an attack bonus equal to its tier or a skill bonus equal to 2.5x its tier.
For example you want your tier 4 Computer to control a Yellowstar Plasma Rifle. It costs 1680c to get a control module that comes with all the appropriate mounts for the Rifle to essentially become an auto turret. Unless you further fork out for Range modules then the computer has to stay connected to the turret. It attacks with a bonus of +4. If you take direct control over it, you can instead substitute your own roll.
I've been working under the assumption Malk makes here, that the mount is part of the 10% "complex control" cost, and that the modifier is tierx2. But given three close but different answers, with varying repercussions at higher levels, it would be nice to get an official clarification.
3) Probably, with a control module for that vehicle. For starships, because they don't have a price in credits, I'd say that the control module would need to be for the starship's computer (as mentioned above, a starship's computer has a tier of one half of the starship's tier).
4) I'd say control of the starship's...
Huh, that is actually a really clever way to handle it, thanks!
Sadly, they don't do the most obvious thing -- act as an encylopedic set of knowledge so you could look up the basics of any planet, alien, company, etc instantly -- you know, kind of like Google or Wikipedia
I'm curious about the things one can potentially do with Miniaturized computers. There isn't much information for their use by 'adventurers', so I'm hoping its more of a case of an intended sourcebook in the wings than a simple oversight.
I haven't noticed anywhere in the rules anything about the following but I just wanted to raise a bunch of ideas for consideration or potential rulings or feats etc.
I, as an adventurer with a Miniaturized computer, would love to try the following:
1) Have my computer somehow assist me in hacking other devices(I know it can possibly control them when the hacking is done, but can they help hack it, and if so, what modifier?)
2) Have my computer with remote control over a complex device(such as a gun), fire it remotely under set conditions(What even would be the attack roll, would it be me? My Computers modifier? the Computer's Ranged attack modifier? the Computers Computers modifier? A roll I did when setting UP the gun placement?)
3) Remote pilot a vehicle
4) Imbue my computer with a starship module to gain the benefit of this module on any starship I link it to, while it's linked.That's all for now, I realise the system is still in development, but these are just a couple things I've noticed that would be super fun to have some added information on how to do/use.
Sadly, they don't do the most obvious thing -- act as an encylopedic set of knowledge so you could look up the basics of any planet, alien, company, etc instantly -- you know, kind of like Google or Wikipedia
Isn't that exactly their base function? To take 20 on knowledge rolls?
Well they can now that there's the downloadable data set on a library chip in the pact worlds.