Viral Avatars and Hybrids - Part 2: Viral Avatars
Jul 27, 2017 21:01:23 GMT -5
Post by Mani4c on Jul 27, 2017 21:01:23 GMT -5
There are two kinds of Avatars that utilize viral code, each one is exceptionally similar on the surface, but possess a few distinct differences that warrant the distinction. As they are the more common type, let's look at Viral Avatars first.
I cannot stress this enough, Viral avatars ARE NOT true hybrids. While, yes, they possess the ability to manipulate viral code, true viral hybrids are capable of utilizing the viral code WITHIN themselves for attacks, as opposed to viral avatars, who require an outside source of code to effectively use it as an attack.
Thankfully for most Viral Avatars, even the most well maintained cyber-city possesses SOME viral data within it, mostly harmless fragments of code that simply sit inert within the city's framework, but it's rarely enough to unleash the true potential of their code manipulation abilities, limiting them to creating viral payloads for weapons, or, if they're particularly skilled, creating simple, solid shapes or bursts of light. (which I'm told by Mani4c can be effective tools for blinding and distracting foes, even if they're effectively just light shows.)
However, the biggest, and potentially most damaging difference between the two, is that viral avatars are not truly bonded to their viral code. Oh, they're connected, but the bond is like two pieces of wood linked by epoxy, they CAN be wrenched apart, and when they are, the effect on the viral avatar is devastating.
This weakness is because of HOW viral avatars are created. They gain their viral traits because a piece of viral code is REPLACING part (or parts) of their framework, be it emotional grids, cognative functions, or even something as relatively simple as motor control. But, because the code is just sitting there, acting as a part of the body without actually fusing with it. This is due to the fact that the viral code is being restrained by the built in firewalls that make up the avatar's body. if they were to deactivate their firewalls and ALLOW the code to combine, they could potentially become a true hybrid...or they'd mutate into a monster and die, or start devouring anything within a mile of them.
The result? A useful, but dangerously tenuous state of existence. After all, viral code manipulation, organic thought processes and emotions, and even possessing a marked increase in virus resistance (NOT IMMUNITY! Again, I cannot stress this enough.), with little in the way of a vulnerability to anti-virus attacks.
BUT, it comes at the cost of having a massive weak point in the form of an easily identifiable chunk of vital data that can be ripped out with the right weapon or downloaded program. If a viral avatar loses it's viral code, their body begins to suffer from extreme side effects. This includes including locking up, weapon and DP backfiring, and even full blown data collapse that can result in permanent deletion for a non backed up avatar. These shortcomings are part of the reason for the small number of Viral avatars in existence, with about 90% of those being members of special divisions of the NPD, or a countries own Digital Special forces.
In fact, Hybrids are actually MORE common than Viral Avatars, if only because it's easier to become one by accident...but that, is something to cover in the next entry.
I cannot stress this enough, Viral avatars ARE NOT true hybrids. While, yes, they possess the ability to manipulate viral code, true viral hybrids are capable of utilizing the viral code WITHIN themselves for attacks, as opposed to viral avatars, who require an outside source of code to effectively use it as an attack.
Thankfully for most Viral Avatars, even the most well maintained cyber-city possesses SOME viral data within it, mostly harmless fragments of code that simply sit inert within the city's framework, but it's rarely enough to unleash the true potential of their code manipulation abilities, limiting them to creating viral payloads for weapons, or, if they're particularly skilled, creating simple, solid shapes or bursts of light. (which I'm told by Mani4c can be effective tools for blinding and distracting foes, even if they're effectively just light shows.)
However, the biggest, and potentially most damaging difference between the two, is that viral avatars are not truly bonded to their viral code. Oh, they're connected, but the bond is like two pieces of wood linked by epoxy, they CAN be wrenched apart, and when they are, the effect on the viral avatar is devastating.
This weakness is because of HOW viral avatars are created. They gain their viral traits because a piece of viral code is REPLACING part (or parts) of their framework, be it emotional grids, cognative functions, or even something as relatively simple as motor control. But, because the code is just sitting there, acting as a part of the body without actually fusing with it. This is due to the fact that the viral code is being restrained by the built in firewalls that make up the avatar's body. if they were to deactivate their firewalls and ALLOW the code to combine, they could potentially become a true hybrid...or they'd mutate into a monster and die, or start devouring anything within a mile of them.
The result? A useful, but dangerously tenuous state of existence. After all, viral code manipulation, organic thought processes and emotions, and even possessing a marked increase in virus resistance (NOT IMMUNITY! Again, I cannot stress this enough.), with little in the way of a vulnerability to anti-virus attacks.
BUT, it comes at the cost of having a massive weak point in the form of an easily identifiable chunk of vital data that can be ripped out with the right weapon or downloaded program. If a viral avatar loses it's viral code, their body begins to suffer from extreme side effects. This includes including locking up, weapon and DP backfiring, and even full blown data collapse that can result in permanent deletion for a non backed up avatar. These shortcomings are part of the reason for the small number of Viral avatars in existence, with about 90% of those being members of special divisions of the NPD, or a countries own Digital Special forces.
In fact, Hybrids are actually MORE common than Viral Avatars, if only because it's easier to become one by accident...but that, is something to cover in the next entry.