Modifications

1 Change the character attributes
2 Add items in the characters inventory
3 Create accessory slots
4 Pre-installed accessories
5 Change test related behaviour
6 Special: Modifications to the characters unarmed attack

Nearly all data items in Commlink allow attaching a set of modifications along with them.

When coming from gear, you can make use of variables, like $RATING
All modifications need to have a target - usually either the piece of gear a modification belongs to or the character itself. You can use the applyTo-Attribute (CHARACTER, DATA_ITEM, PERSONA, UNARMED) to define the target explicitly. If you omit the attribute, Commlink tries to guess the target by inspecting the type-Attribute
Attribute and skill values distinguish different value types. If you want to modify a value, you can use the set-Attribute to define which attribute to change
- a NATURAL value - everything bought with Karma
- an AUGMENTED value (DEFAULT) - usually boni given my bodyware or powers
- an ARTIFICIAL value - a totally alternate value, like coming from a cyberlimb or a skillsoft

Change the character attributes

The apply=”CHARACTER” indicates that the modification is intended for the character. If the attribute is missing, type=”ATTRIBUTE” is sufficient to be interpreted as a character modification

<!-- Add a modification to the matrix initiative dice depending on the rating, but look up in a table -->
<valmod type="ATTRIBUTE" ref="INITIATIVE_DICE_MATRIX" value="$RATING" table="1,1,1,2,2,3" apply="CHARACTER" />

Add items in the characters inventory

<!-- Add the Hermes Ikon commlink in the characters inventory ->
<itemmod type="GEAR" ref="hermes_ikon" apply="CHARACTER"/>

<!-- Add a security tag in the "stealth_tag" variant in the inventory -->
<itemmod type="GEAR" ref="security_tag" variant="stealth_tag" apply="CHARACTER"/>

<!-- Add an item that requires one or more decisions in the inventory -->
<itemmod type="GEAR" ref="jammer" variant="area" apply="CHARACTER">
  <decision choice="720ed738-46d2-4124-bd6f-5ed62025be20" value="6"/>
  <decision choice="720ed738-46d2-4124-bd6f-5ed62025b345" value="STANDARD"/>
</itemmod>

Create accessory slots

<!-- Add a SKILLJACK slot with a capacity of Ratingx2 -->
<valmod type="HOOK" ref="SKILLJACK" value="$RATING*2"/>

Pre-installed accessories

<!-- Install a 'soundlink' accessoriy in the INTERNAL slot of the data item and treat it as "included in the stats" ->
<embed  type="GEAR" ref="soundlink" intoType="HOOK" intoRef="INTERNAL" included="true" apply="DATA_ITEM"/>

Change test related behaviour

<!-- Gain 1 (bankable) Edge whenever a perception check is made ->
<checkmod type="SKILL" ref="perception" value="1" what="EDGE"/>

<!-- Eventually gain 1 (bankable) Edge when an athletics check is made -->
<checkmod type="SKILL" ref="athletics" value="1" what="EDGE" cond="true"/>

Special: Modifications to the characters unarmed attack

The unarmed attack is a virtual weapon of a character. To address it use applyTo=”UNARMED”

<valmod type="ITEM_ATTRIBUTE" ref="DAMAGE" value="1" apply="UNARMED"/>

CommLink6