Effective hacker play comes down to “Having enough Processing Power to pwn forums without consumables while using 4 beast0r cables.” Doing that really requires some decent .moar files (I heartily recommend Riprogrammatori). But the four beast0r cables are not optional. The Hackers that established the benchmark that resulted in the clbum getting nerfed were all using 4 beast0rs.

Other than “Four Beast0rs, enough PP to keep you funded, and good .moar files” you just want to put a lot of points into offense, and enough points in ego. Also, don’t use avtr if it would require you to use any PP consumables. Playing a hacker you just have to realize that your attacks are going to stink unless you get your offense up to at least 170.

EDIT: Oh, and it helps to not compare them to trolls. Trolls are silly overpowered relative to the other clbumes right now. Hackers are at comparable levels to Emos and Camwhores, but Trolls are way out of line.