When Infinity N3 was released a year and a half ago, I immediately observed two things about the overhaul of the hacking rules: they were super fun, and they were super hard to remember. To help me keep track of my available hacking options, I wrote a relatively simple web app that could filter the available options down to only the hacking programs that were relevant to the given situation. Originally I made this just for myself and my local playgroup to use, but the local response was encouraging enough that I went ahead and made it pretty enough for general release.

The first 3rd edition expansion book, Human Sphere N3, releases from distributors… tomorrow..? Sometime this week..? I’m not totally clear on the date. In any case, the book contains a large amount of new hacking content, and I’ve spent the past six weeks adding the new options to the N3 Hacking Helper. And since I had the files open anyway, I also decided to overhaul the graphics and add some completely new features to the app.

The full patch notes are below, but I’ll quickly run you through some of the most significant changes.

The device selection screen has been expanded to include the three new hacking devices in Human Sphere N3: the EVO device, the Killer device, and the White device. Additionally, I’ve added the options for Tohaa Pheroware to the app, since those rules are hacking in all but name.

Human Sphere N3 contains a large number of Hackers with non-standard hacking devices. These lucky models start with a normal device, but also gain an additional advanced Upgrade program not normally available to models with that device. I’ve listed all of these special cases at the bottom of the appropriate program menus; if you’re playing one of these models, just click the bar containing its name to show its special program.

In addition to the updated hacking content in today’s update, I’ve also added a large new feature to the Hacking Helper: a Reference tab.

I created the Hacking Helper to help me remember one set of complicated tables in the Infinity rules, but hacking isn’t the only set of complicated tables in the Infinity rules. There are also tables of Martial Arts modifiers (and new in Human Sphere N3, similar tables for Guard and Protheion bonuses), as well as long lists of random bonuses available to models with Booty and Metachemistry. It’s a pain for me to look this information up when I need it during a game, so I’ve incorporated these tables into the Hacking Helper to keep the information readily at hand when it comes up.

Mostly these tables are just there for reference (hence the tab name), but the Booty and metachemistry tables have one additional feature: counters to help you remember what you’ve rolled. The application will mark the results you select, as well as displaying a timestamp to prove that you actually rolled that result an hour ago and didn’t just make it up. 😛

The Reference section is definitely a bit of an odd fit for the Hacking Helper, but it’s information that I personally wanted easier access to, so I threw it in. If you don’t think it’s useful, that’s fine– just don’t use it. 😉

The full patch notes are below. If you notice any errors in the app’s data, feel free to let me know in the comments below, or by clicking the “Contact” button in the top bar above. I think everything is correct, but after staring at the numbers for six weeks, it’s all kinda turning to mush for me. Your fresh eyeballs may do a better job of spotting discrepancies than mine at this point.

-Spud

Release Notes – Hacking Helper v2.0

The Hacking Helper has been updated with all hacking content from Human Sphere N3, and has also been upgraded with some additional reference functionality.

• Groovy graphics! Increased contrast for easier viewing by people with crap eyes. Also shoehorned in lots of pointless animations because Spud learned how to do those. <3
• Hacking Updates
  • Added four new Device options to the Device Selection panel:
    1. EVO Hacking Device
    2. Killer Hacking Device
    3. White Hacking Device
    4. Tohaa Pheroware
  • Added a Device Rules button which lists the passive abilities possessed by each device (e.g., the Killer device’s ability to go through Firewalls).
  • Added a Full Menu button which displays the entire list of programs available to each device. Useful if you know your device has a particular program but can’t figure out where the hell Spud hid it in his stupid menus. :p
  • Added model-specific submenus to accommodate models with upgraded hacking devices. Click the name of your hacker to show its extra program(s), then click again to collapse the menu.
  • Added all new programs released in Human Sphere N3.
• NEW: Reference Section!
  Spud originally built the Hacking Helper because he personally couldn’t remember the hacking tables. Over the last 16 months, it’s occurred to him that there are several other tables that he also can’t remember find when he needs them. So, being far too lazy to carry a book around, Spud has added these tables to the Hacking Helper.
  • Click the white Reference tab at the top right to switch to Reference view. Once there, click the dimmed N3 Hacking Helper header to return to wherever you were in the Hacking menus.
  • Choose a reference option on the right side of the screen. Available tables include:
    1. Booty Lv. 1 & 2
    2. Metachemistry Lv. 1 & 2
    3. Martial Arts
    4. Guard
    5. Protheion
  • Counters!
    • The Booty and Metachemistry tables contain an optional feature: built-in counters to help you remember which options you rolled. Click the [ + ] icon to select an option, and the [ – ] icon to deselect it. While an option’s counter is at 1 or greater, the option will be highlighted in the table.
    • Spud recommends two workflows for using counters, depending on your preference:
      • Use the counter to show how many of each option you rolled; generally this will mean counting each to “1”.
      • Use the counter to assign rolled options to specific models; so, put a 1 beside Bounty Hunter 1’s upgrade, and a 2 beside Bounty Hunter 2’s upgrade.
    • A timestamp will appear underneath any table whose counters you’ve altered. This is useful if your gaming group is made up of lying douchebags who can’t trust each other not to cheat bounty results halfway through a game.
    • All Booty and Metachemistry options will be recorded in a Selection Summary panel that can be accessed by clicking the Reference button again at the top.
  • The last tab, labeled “Notes”, is just a big text box that you can type into on your tablet or phone. Spud uses it to record the identities of his four Kotail; you can use it to record camouflage, hidden deployment, lieutenants, grocery lists, your children’s names, songs you heard on the radio that you want to download later, or anything else you have trouble remembering.