Spikes

Sweet and dangerous, these things. Both, either, in equal measure. If you want to plug them into your head, that is. Otherwise, each represents a stiff roll of bank notes.

Abilities and Memories on a Stick

Spikes are equipment that require a Neural Implant to use. There are different kinds of spikes that can be used to improve Moods, reduce Hazards, increase Rumors or Familiarity, or give temporary boosts to Traits and Skills. They show up in the "Inventory" tab and are used through the "Equipment" tab.

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Types of Spikes

There are roughly three major types of spikes that are used differently: Entertainment, Information, and Modifier spikes. There are also a few spikes that can't be used in a Neural Interface but have other uses.

Entertainment Spikes

Pink mood spikes and yellow-pink SensPerience spikes are entertainment spikes. You use them by left-clicking to install one in your Neural Interface, and then right-clicking to activate it. Your character then watches recorded entertainment, which generally increases Psychosis and some positive Moods while reducing negative ones. After use, the data is erased and the spike becomes a blank spike.

Information Spikes

All information spikes are green Street Data spikes. After installing, you can choose to make a standard test to download the data, or a harder test to gather extra information. On success, the spike becomes a blank spike.

Primer spikes

When used successfully, these spikes give Rumors and Hard facts about a specific place.

Knowledge spikes

Using these requires Familiarity 10+ with the associated place. When used successfully, the spike increases that Familiarity by 1.

Five Lucky Winds

This Street Data spike is currently not implemented and cannot be used.

Modifier Spikes

These spikes (blue Enhancer, blue-green Feelgood, purple Pro, orange Skill, yellow Special) provide a boost as soon as they are installed. The boost remains as long as the spike is equipped and goes away when it's removed. They are re-usable, though there is a rumor that they can burn out and become blank after use.

Enhancer spikes

Give a bonus to a few Traits when installed.

Feelgood spikes

Reduce some Hazards and improve some Traits when installed.

Pro spikes

Give a boost to both Skills and Traits when installed.

Skill spikes

Give skill bonuses and come in three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced, with increasing effectiveness.

Special spikes

Give non-standard bonuses, such as reducing Pain or improving Alertness. The Booster spike is a unique special spike that needs to be activated after installing to grant bonuses to Carpe Diem.

Other Spikes

There are a few spikes that can't really be used for their intended purpose, serving primarily as trade goods or plot items.

SensX Spike

Pornographic entertainment spikes. You can't use them, you can only sell them.

Snuff Spike

Entertainment spikes depicting murder. You can only throw them away at this time.

Strange Beast

These are strange SensX spikes that you can't even sell.

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A Dangerous Game

Some spikes have an "A Dangerous Game" rating. Using these spikes, even for a single action, will transfer this rating to your character and may increase Black shakes. Your character's "A Dangerous Game" rating will go down over time, but having it too high may cause additional Hazards or Menaces.

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Acquiring & Sorting Spikes

Buying (and stealing) spikes

You can buy spikes from various vendors, though they are usually sold unsorted. You can also often attempt to steal them.

• Spike Dealers of Gamble Street Market: Sell Street data, Pro, Enhancer, and Skill spikes.
• Border Market (Cinci Bordertown): You can sometimes find unsorted spikes here.
• Street Sellers (Cinci Slums): Will sometimes sell Street data spikes.
• The Modes and the Jags: Sell packages of spikes when you are Working The Streets.

Receiving spikes

Various Contacts will sometimes give you spikes. Jax and Irene often give you spikes, either out of generosity or as part of a favor.

Sorting spikes

It is a free action to convert an unsorted, assorted spike into an unsorted, category spike. Converting a category spike into a specific, usable spike usually requires an action. The App/SafeScan phone app, available from the App Vendor at Gamble Street Market, can sort up to 10 of some categories of spikes in a single action.