Cargo Technician and their Toolbelts

[Bronimin]

Cargo Technicians spawn with toolbelts (and insulated gloves!) but when I admin helped to ask what you could do with them, the staff member that responded didn't understand why they start with them at all. Can they hack doors, consoles et cetera? No. Can they build and repair things? Again, I was told that they can't and the staff member said that they had been told that by a senior staffer though the wiki says this in contradiction:

With the right modifications Cargo can become a fortress unto itself. Follow the directions of the RO (and check out the RO wiki page for more information on defending the Cargo Bay) and ensure you're equipped with the right tools. A few plasteel barricades by the windows, followed by wielded doors, flamers, grenades and sentry guns, will cause most Aliens to seek a alternative way up.

Implying that they can construct barricades at least. I know that the wiki is outdated, however, and opinions may have shifted.

I have seen technicians hacking their vendors and autolathe in the past, and I think that you have to hack the supply console in order to purchase black market weapons so I assume that that is done by them as well. I have also seen cargo technicians building hidey holes in the back of the warehouse (walls, beds and chairs) and I have seen them spamming barricades when the Alamo is boarded with no punishment or OOC warning by staff (see above, it is recommended in the wiki). The general consensus regarding prep rooms seems to be to never hack them and always ask for an MP or squaddie to get the door, however, so it seems to be a bit nuanced.

So the question is, what is the consensus among staff? I did poke around but couldn't find anything, my google-fu is weak and that extends to forum searches. If staff could weigh in then that would be very helpful. I'd ask that the wiki be updated to reflect any ruling given here so that CT's don't get into trouble for following its advice.

[Tidomann]

I thought that the idea is they can't hack, that would be left to the RO. i thought they could build barricades.

[Finefire984]

I'm just going to say this. A cargo tech being able to hack is like your common mailman being able to hack. I would be amazed if I saw an untrained mailman hacking into stuff in real life.

[Tidomann]

I'm just going to say this. A cargo tech being able to hack is like your common mailman being able to hack. I would be amazed if I saw an untrained mailman hacking into stuff in real life.

That's a little exaggerated. I imagine cargo techs are more skilled than a mailman. Proper military loading/unloading procedures, how to properly tie down/strap items (ie explosives, ammo, weapons) safely and properly. Sure it doesn't translate into the game that much, but I think they are a bit more skilled than a mailroom clerk.

[MrJJJ]

The wiki isin't THAT outdated, that page is about as old as a month in terms of a update, but as far as i am aware you should be able to and allowed to hack the console, its like a black market secret amongst comrades, nobody in higher ups seems to know but your buddies in the workforce know this secret.

[Tidomann]

The wiki isin't THAT outdated, that page is about as old as a month in terms of a update, but as far as i am aware you should be able to and allowed to hack the console, its like a black market secret amongst comrades, nobody in higher ups seems to know but your buddies in the workforce know this secret.

I was 100% with you until this post viewtopic.php?f=64&t=13164#p145841

[MrJJJ]

Dammit...what's the point of having a black market if you aren't allowed to actually get it? maybe the RO only can...

[Challenger]

Non engineers can still have a wide use for toolbelts, for CTs the main reason they have toolbelts is because they're doing manual work lifting and packing crates so of course they'd have tools at their disposals, that being said this doesn't translate to gameplay too much on the Almayer - HOWEVER

If the CTs are sent down to the FOB as scavengers or such then their tools come into full use. Crowbar to open crates and unpowered doors to scavenge the stuff behind 'em, wrench for unwrenching tables and chairs for metal, multitool for salvaging mines in useless locations, wirecutters for rods, etc.,

[Steelpoint]

CTs and the RO do need to hack their vending machines if only so they can resupply non-standard magazines for Marines with access to them, such as Mod 88 magazines for the Sniper Specialist.

[Challenger]

So get an MT to do it.

The RO especially has no right knowing how to do anything physical at all given they just graduated officer's academy specializing in paperwork.

[Bronimin]

I was trying to figure out how to access the blackmarket last round as a requisitions officer and during my drunken fumblings got a helpful PM from a Moderator telling me the process to unlocking the receiver.

Hacking the supply console seems to be allowed.