Good Programs in the Matrix

[Summerland]

I've tried Erosion, flame wall, medic and a couple others. When I try to do too much in the matrix the alarm goes off and I usually don't see it coming. So I don't know when I would use 'suppression'.

Because there are no levels that i can see associated with the character I don't know how far I am in the game. But I could use help in what Programs in the matrix are prefered. Thanks.

[wave.of.atla]

If you run a high skill decker (that is, decking is your primary skill): Blaster, Medic, Killer and Degrade or Erosion. Low skill decker should sometimes swap Degrade/Erosion for Sniffer (same idea, maximize damage, just through to-hit instead). Killer has a slight to-hit boost and a one round cooldown.

Attacker ESP is excellent - robust health, good special attack. Shield ESP is second best - it's like carrying a Shield program that can attack. I prefer Attacker and Shield for their relatively good health, making them suited to helping out as extra targets for enemies, scouting and valuable enough to heal with Medic.

Always buy the best deck you can afford/use. Cyberdecks determine matrix AP, health, and base attack damage in addition to how many programs and ESP you can carry.

[v0]

Even on very hard one can well manage with Blitz + shield "spell". Only had to resort to ESPs at that one point in game when enemy hacker in matrix uses his ESP and you're fighting for turret control.

Suppression is useful to slow down alarm timer (more precisely it moves that clock back a notch). You can only use it like every 4-6 turns though (forgot the precise number).

[Gravelfoot]

Most important is to get your deck upgraded because it gives you IC (matrix hp) and dodge, so you survive longer.

My go to setup for programs are the top 5 below (in order of importance):
1) suppresion (to let you stay in the matrix for as long as possible -- use it every time it is off cooldown)
2) Medic (again to be able to stay in the matrix -- the alarm level rises every time you log in)
3) Killer (high attack every round)
4) Blaster (best attack when there are more than one enemy and never misses, but has a cooldown, so less useful)
5) Shield (very useful in areas where there are 3 enemies)
6) Erosion (ok dps -- can be used in stead of shield if you prefer it)