Spike

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.

Spikes show up in the "Inventory" tab of the game interface. They are used through the "Equipment" tab of the game interface.

## Types of Spikes

There are many different spikes, and different types of spikes. There are roughly three major types 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 on one in the "Equipment" tab to install it in the Neural Interface, and then right clicking to actually activate it. Your character then watches recorded entertainment, which generally increases Psychosis and some positive Moods and reduces some negative Moods.

After you use the spikes, the data is erased and the spike becomes a blank spike.

### Information Spikes

All information spikes are green Street Data spikes. You use them by left clicking on one in the "Equipment" tab to install it in the Neural Interface, and then right clicking to actually activate it. You are then given the choice to either make a Cunning, Skill/MMI, and Alertness test to download the data, or a Cunning, Skill/Hacking, Skill/MMI, and Alertness to gather extra information from the spike. On success with either choice, the spike's data is erased and it becomes a blank spike.

Primer spikes
When used successfully, these spikes give Rumors and Hard facts about a specific place, associated with the spike.

Knowledge spikes
Using these spikes at all requires Familiarity 10+ with the place associated with the spike. When used successfully, the spike increases the Familiarity by 1.

Five Lucky Winds
This Street Data spike is currently not implemented and can neither be installed nor activated.

### Modifier Spikes

There are several different types of modifier spikes: blue Enhancer spikes, blue-green Feelgood spikes, purple Pro spikes, orange Skill spikes, and yellow Special spikes. You use them by left clicking on the spike in the "Equipment" tab to install it, and immediately get a boost to Moods, Skills, or Traits. The boost remains as long as the spike is installed, and goes away installing when the spike is removed by left clicking on it again. The spike is re-usable after being removed, though there is a rumor that modifier spikes can burn out and become blank after use.

Enhancer spikes
These spikes give a bonus to a few Traits when installed.

Feelgood spikes
These spikes reduce some Hazards and improve some Traits when installed.

Pro spikes
These spikes give a boost to both Skills and Traits when installed.

Skill spikes
These spikes give skill bonuses. They come in three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Basic skill spikes generally give fewer bonuses than intermediate skill spikes, which give less bonuses than advanced skill spikes. Even so, depending on the desired set of skills, basic skill spikes sometimes give a larger bonus to a specific skill than an advanced skill spike that more bonuses overall to related skills.

Special spikes
These spikes give non-standard bonuses, such as reducing Pain or improving Alertness.

The Booster spike is a non-standard special spike that needs to be activated after installing. It gives bonuses to Carpe Diem when used.

### Other spikes

There are a few spikes that can't really be used.

SensX Spike
These are pornographic entertainment spikes but you can't use them. You can only sell them.

Snuff Spike
These are entertainment spikes about people being murdered. You can only throw them away at this time.

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

### A Dangerous Game

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

## Acquiring and Sorting Spikes

There are all kinds of different ways to acquire spikes. Unsorted spikes all kinds are available, which can then be identified by category and specific type. You can also get specific spikes.

### Buying (and stealing) spikes

You can buy spikes from all kinds of different vendors. Spikes are usually sold unsorted, but it depends on where you buy. You can also usually attempt to steal these spikes if you favor Temperament/Trickster.

* The Spike Dealers of Gamble Street Market sell Street data, Pro, Enhancer, and Skill spikes.
* You can sometimes find unsorted spikes at the Border Market in the Cinci Bordertown.
* The Street Sellers card in the Cinci Slums will sometimes sell Street data spikes.
* The Modes and the Jags will sell packages of spikes when Working The Streets, and there are other opportunities to buy specific and unsorted spikes.

### Receiving spikes

Various Contacts will sometimes give you spikes. Contact/Jax and Contact/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 such as a Street Data spike. Converting an unsorted, category spike into a specific, usable spike usually requires an action.

The App/SafeScan phone app can sort up to 10 of some categories of spikes in a single action. It can be bought from the App Vendor at Gamble Street Market.

## Selling and giving spikes away

The primary way to sell spikes is to bundle them together and sell them while Working The Streets. While buying specific spikes to resell them is generally not profitable, acquiring assorted spikes and converting them to bundled Advanced skill spikes can be be extremely profitable.

Some Contacts will also appreciate being given some spikes. Notably, Contact/Irene will give Credit for receiving blank spikes.

Spikes are also useful for setting up some Specialty Teams.