[RPG] Can a Rigger command multiple drones when jumped into one

A drone, while kind of squishy, is not totally unable to pat it's head and rub it's tummy (so to speak). It doesn't need an autosoft for most of it's tasks. However, it does seem to need one for firing weapons that are attached to it. You'll need a Targeting autosoft just to make the roll for a drone (note: this autosoft isn't needed if you're jumped into the drone).

As a rigger, you have to choose what to do for drones. Not only can they load up their own autosofts, they can use yours on your RCC as well. The rules do state that a drone can only use the RCC programs if it doesn't have it's own loaded up, but I think it would be easy enough to handwave letting a rigger disable drone programs to override with RCC programs (talk to your DM, your mileage may vary). So, what I would do is this:

Have three groups of drones: air surveillance, ground surveillance, and support. Air surveillance drones should have a good Clearsight and a good Stealth autosoft (can't remember what the actual autosoft names are). Then, have a Targeting autosoft for them on your RCC, in storage, ready to load up and run when you need it. Do the same with the ground surveillance ones, but I would ready a Maneuver autosoft for them rather then a Targeting one. Finally, for the combat drones, load up a Targeting and Clearsight autosoft and ready a Maneuvering autosoft in case they are going up against things they can't kill outright themselves.

When we get the Cannon Companion or Arsenal book (which I believe is the first splat book slated for release) we'll have a lot better ways to trick out and customize your drones. But for now, use them safely and try to overwhelm opponents. If you can't do this, use your combat ones to Covering Fire and zone control while your actual street sams flank or run away.

First and foremost as a rigger, you are support. Your job is not to blow away targets. It's to light those targets up and inform your group so they can do it that much better. And have autosofts ready to load up into the RCC to get them out of danger.

Because you might not always have the money built in to your character at char gen to put into buying an RCC. It is not a REQUIRED piece of hardware for a rigger. In fact, riggers can rig just fine with only a commlink. It's just that it becomes a lot harder to control an entire group of drones, or multiple drones, or give them extra abilities. It's not unheard of, it's just rare.

My suggestion to you is to always have an RCC for your rigger. Characters generated in the example section is supposed to be more of an inspiration then a full-out, well made character. If you are going to be a rigger, you should be putting high priority into money anyways, so this should never be much of an issue. But, I have seen adept riggers too, and they'll only have the data port to jack into a vehicle (usually a car or plane or something) and rely on adept powers and bonuses to do better driving or flying.