SR5: Sleaze Only Applies to Control Device When It Applies

Since as I understand it, the next Shadowrun Missions (using 5th edition rules) session is this Tuesday at FLGCS. What better way to enter the proper mindset than some blogging about how the Sixth World works, eh chummer? More to the point, how a particular rule works.


As I have mentioned before, Shadowrun Missions only occurs once a month. Any gamer will tell you that learning a game system proceeds at a slow pace if you don't play it frequently. Heck, I've stated I don't read the rules all that much between sessions. Doesn't help during the game session when the drek is hitting the fan and you need to reference a rule.


The rule could be staring you in the face and you miss it as if you glitched on test. (In SR5, if you roll more 1s than half your die pool, you glitch.)


So after last session, I decided to peruse ye olde core rule book. For a lark, I was looking at Matrix actions when my eyes happened upon the Control Device action (pg 238). There's two limits. One of them is Sleaze.


During the heat of the moment, my natural tendency would be to go with Control Device is a Sleaze action then.


Works right?


Nope.


See, Control Device is what a rigger uses to remotely direct via commlink a vehicle. Commlinks don't have a Sleaze rating. Neither does a Rigger Control Console (RCC).


So then a rigger couldn't do so. Except the description of the action says a rigger can.


Disclaimer: To be fair, part of what would could my initial confusion is that Electronic Warfare is the skill used in the Sleaze test.


Electronic Warfare is a skill riggers are recommended to have. Perusing the Matrix Actions section, it's difficult to understand why as pretty much all actions have Sleaze as the limit. Ergo, I am like the proverbial dog chasing its tail.


What is the other limit you may ask? Data Processing. Both the commlink and RCC have a Data Processing rating.


Furthermore, Sleaze is only used when the Sleaze rating is used as the limit or no test is associated with the action. Firing a gun, Sleaze not required. Opening a sliding door, yes.


Thus, Sleaze impacts the Control Device action when it does.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.