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Update from Rumbarr 9-25-08
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Due to a recent move the images hot-linked to the main site are no longer valid. You'll find the complete Guide at the main site, with working images. Sorry about that, wish I could edit McBains' post to reflect the new locations.
Enjoy the greate guide!
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Update from Rumbarr 9-25-08
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Learning to Craft, aka Code, in the Matrix is really quite simple. In this guide we will review what components you will need in order to be a successful Coder. In the Matrix this is a very valuable for one simple reason; you'll be able to Code your own Abilities in turn saving precious Information, but don't be fooled you can craft more then just Abiltiies, however, you can also learn how to make clothing, weapons and tools.
I recommend waiting until you are at least level 5 and have spent some time beating up the local thugs and collecting resources. However, if you want you can code as early as level 2 if you have everything that is required. You will need to make sure you have the proper Abilities, Tools, and resources.
The Coder discipline is one of the most dynamic discplines you can learn in the Matrix. The discipline breaks down into 2 main catagories; Programer and Code Shaper. Programmers have the ability to craft items and abilities. Code Shaper is designed for combat and support. In the end how much of the Coder discipline you can load at a time will depend on your RSI's level. If you want to see an interactive Coder Ability Tree, follow the link.
Abilities
There are certain abilities you will need in order to be able to craft. If you are under level 15 you will need to make sure you have Write code loaded.
Write Code – Use for crafting Apparel, Upgrades, Tools, Weapons, and Abilities. Keep in mind you can only level this ability to level 15.
Once you are level 15 you can learn to use the Maker abilities which are found in the Code Crafter Abilities. The Maker abilities are required to craft items beyond a difficulty level of 16. Each ability grants one point per level bonus up to a maximum of 50.
Apparel Maker – Used to craft Clothing, including Basic, Armoured, Shielded, and Enhanced.
Upgrade Maker – Used to make Pills, Tactic Booster, and Health Booster.
Tool Maker – Used to make Data Mining Tools, Hacking Tools, Spy Tools, Wooden Stakes, Holy Water, Silver Bullets and Program Launchers.
Weapon Maker – Used to make Guns.
Ability Maker – Used to make Operative, Coder, Hacker, and Awakened Abilities.
Definitions
Ability Code: These Codes are the abilities you load into your memory in order to access and use your skills and disciplines. All Ability Codes are automatically learned as your level increases.
Code: This word holds 2 meanings. 1. Verb: to use the abilities of a Coder. 2. Noun: The item that is created by Compiling the correct Fragments and Subroutines, which can then be used or compiled to make real items that you can use. There are two kinds of code you can create and use: Item Code and Ability Code.
Code Bit: These numbered discs are the basic building blocks of Code Fragments and Subroutines, which make up all craftable objects in MxO. These can be looted from NPCs or Mission Containers, and extracted from items by decompiling a weapon, tool or clothing that you already know the recipe to. Some Code Bits are rarer than others.
Code Fragment: A piece of Code that is signified by a Matrix code glyph. These can be created or looted in the same manner as Code Bits, and is one of the components of Items or Ability Codes.
Coder: A player who is able to use most of their abilities in the Coder discpline.
Code Structures: Every craftable item and ability code in the game has a Code Structure, or "schematic", that can be learned by a Coder of the appropriate Write Code Ability level. As you improve your Write Code Ability, you'll gain access to more Code Structures. You'll learn many of these Code Structures automatically, as your Write Code skill increases. Compile: The act of turning Code Structures into Items.
Decompile: Allows the Coder to possibly learn the Recipe for an item. If the Coder already knows the Recipe the Item will be turned into Code Bits.
Item Code: These Code generally have multiple charges and can be used to compile more then item. The recipes for new item codes, whether clothing weapon or tool, must be learned by decompiling the item itself to learn it's code structure.
Purity: Purity effects how difficult an item is to repair (more purity = easier repair, less purity = harder repair) and has a slight effect on how difficult an item is to damage (more purity = harder to damage, less purity = easier to damage).
Purple Fragment: The rarest of all Fragments, These Fragments are required for crafting the Items that are found and learned from rewards found while Data Mining. For more information visit Data Node Spawns & Loot Tables Explained written by Symmetric.
Recipe: The knowledge of how to compile Items and Abilities. Some recipes are learned as you level your ability others are learned through Decompiling Items.
Red Fragment: The Fragments are required for Coding anything level 16 or higher.
Repair: To restore purity points to an Item allowing a player to continue using an Item.
Stability: Items such as clothing, tools, and weapons are all comprised of code in the Matrix. They will over time, degrade, decay and lose some of their stability.This is caused by use and taking damage in combat. Eventually the item will become completely destabilized and will cease to exists.
Subroutine: A complex type of Code Fragment, specific to the type of Item or Ability being created.
Write Code: Coders use their Write Code ability to create items and ability code, in addition to clothing and consumables. They also gain experience from successfully creating a code. If the item is very easy (below the Ability level), then the earned experience is low, but if you do an exceptional job and create an item above your normal skill level, you'll see a substantial Experience Bonus.
