DC to Hack a drone?

[LRStahl]

Per the Computers skill... The base DC for many of the tasks of the Computers skill
is equal to 13 + (4 × the computer's tier).

And in Drone Mods, the Hardened AI adds +4 to the Hack DC.

But what is the Tier of a drone? Do Mechanic Levels come into play? I can't find this stated in the class chapter.

[Nefreet]

This is a really great discussion on the matter:

Can a mechanic's drone be hacked?

TL;DR—There's no answer based in rules as to the DC, or even whether a Drone can be hacked, since it's a creature.

Personal answer: Since Computer Tiers max out at 10, and PCs max out at 20, basing a DC on Half Mechanic Level (rounded down) would probably work just fine. On top of that, if I were your GM, I would probably still limit the ability to hack your drone to named NPCs, and for storyline purposes.

[LRStahl]

Nefreet wrote:

Personal answer: Since Computer Tiers max out at 10, and PCs max out at 20, basing a DC on Half Mechanic Level (rounded down) would probably work just fine. On top of that, if I were your GM, I would probably still limit the ability to hack your drone to named NPCs, and for storyline purposes.

That makes sense, since your personal rig is considered CL/2. And yeah, not just anybody should even be able to do it. Only other Mechanics or Hacker/Operatives in theory. Though they must have envisioned someone doing it given the Hardened AI mod.

[Metaphysician]

I lean towards "anything that isn't a Computer can't be hacked unless you have an ability that lets you do so". A drone is not a Computer, so it can't be hacked by default, just like a Robot Guard can't be hacked. Etc.

I *would*, however, allow someone to hack the Computer that is *controlling* an NPC like a drone or robot. . . and note that the Personal Rig *is* a Computer. And in practice, any robotic NPC that isn't an independent AI? Probably should have a Computer controlling it somewhere.

[Claxon]

Metaphysician wrote:

I lean towards "anything that isn't a Computer can't be hacked unless you have an ability that lets you do so". A drone is not a Computer, so it can't be hacked by default, just like a Robot Guard can't be hacked. Etc.

I *would*, however, allow someone to hack the Computer that is *controlling* an NPC like a drone or robot. . . and note that the Personal Rig *is* a Computer. And in practice, any robotic NPC that isn't an independent AI? Probably should have a Computer controlling it somewhere.

I take this same approach.

Mostly because otherwise it can make combat much too easy if you can just hack a robot enemy into doing nothing.

However, what would be scarier would be a GM that would start hacking PC drones or equipment and turning the tables on the PCs.

In this case, I very much believe in PC NPC parity.