Does an exocortex mechanic need a datajack?

[Cyrad]

Quote:

You have created a customized toolkit you can use to hack systems and items. Your custom rig can be configured to take up an upgrade slot on your armor or can be installed as a cybernetic augmentation system in your brain (though it can be combined with a datajack for the same price as installing a datajack normally), your eyes, or an arm.

What does this line mean? At a glance, it seems like it implies you need a datajack to plug your augmentation exocortex to anything. However, that doesn't make any sense as you can't really use it for hacking and Computer checks if you can't connect it to a computer.

Or does it mean that you don't need a datajack to use the exocortex, but you can install datajack and have it share the same augmentation slot as a brain exocortex?

[Peat]

Exocortex is not the same as Custom Rig which is what you quoted above. Exocortex is left as more abstract and it's basically just part of your character advancement (flavor fluff on why you get abilities no different than explanation of why a soldier gets feats). No slot or held requirement or anything necessary. Custom Rig is a tangible thing that all Mechanics get - it's a custom designed kit that does have rules around holding or installing it.

[Cyrad]

That's quite true. Let me rephrase my question.

Does a mechanic with a custom rig installed in their body need a datajack? Or does the text simply mean a datajack can share the same augmentation slot as a custom rig installed in your brain?

[Peat]

Oooooooo. That is a good question and something I hadn't considered.

It says Custom Rig functions as all basic Tool Kits (assuming that includes Hacking Kit) and that you only have to hold it to use it if it's a handheld computer, implying you have access to always use it if it takes up an augment slot.

A Hacking Kit tool kit says you don't need to have access to the physical user interface (first part of the Computers skill entry). This seems like a very similar (but not quite the same?) benefit as an entry level data jack, which says you don't need an interface to transfer data.

So my interpretation (and how I would flavor it) would be it basically functions as a free Data Jack itself and the text is there in case you want an upgraded data jack with skill bonuses down the road.

[Andy Brown]

It doesn't need a jack; without that text you wouldn't be able to have both a brain-based custom rig and a data jack, because they are both in the 'brain' augmentation slot.

[Mark Carlson 255]

Cyrad wrote:

That's quite true. Let me rephrase my question.

Does a mechanic with a custom rig installed in their body need a datajack? Or does the text simply mean a datajack can share the same augmentation slot as a custom rig installed in your brain?

I read the text as saying you can have both in your brain augmentation slot.

IMHO I also understand the rest as saying you do not need a data jack but it can help a lot when doing comp/hacking/system operation/stuff.

MDC

[CriticalQuit]

I do think that you don't need the data-jack with the exocortex because the exocortex gives you the ability to interface with machines and computers at a distance, functionally the same effect as the datajack.

[baggageboy]

It doesn't give this ability actually the custom rig does. Also you don't get this ability until level 6 I believe.

[Deadmanwalking]

A Datajack can provide a circumstance bonus on hacking, something a custom rig or exocortex cannot. The ability to have all that stuff in your head at once is thus super cool.