Matrix
Locations in the Matrix
Physical location is largely meaningless in the Matrix. Devices and Commlinks are capable of transmitting GPS data--and by default everything does--but that doesn't mean they have to. People in many professions--Shadowrunners, Security Guards, children who don't want their parents to know where they are--turn that functionality off. There is a mild stigma against having one's GPS turned off, but there is an even bigger stigma towards asking about it in any context other than tight security. After all, why do you need to know where that 10-year-old lives, you pervert? A device that is not actively transmitting GPS data may still be found with the Trace Device action.
The Graph
There is a well-known and rather large Matrix Host that is essentially a map of the entire world. People can zoom out, in, and even walk the streets of their favorite city. If they have Simsense enabled, they can even experience the pollution of whatever sprawl they want in real time! The Persona of anyone who has their GPS turned on appears on the Map in their real life location, and personas on the Graph can appear on other people's AR display. The interior of non-public buildings are usually not mapped, but someone can get a list of all GPS-enabled devices in a particular building and if that building has an attached Host, enter that Host.
Loose Devices and PANs
Only Commlinks, Cyberdecks, Living Personas and RCCs naturally have a Firewall rating. Devices without a Firewall rating are totally without protection against wayward hackers. Anyone with a Cyberdeck or a Living Persona may treat any device not attached to a PAN or a Directory as though they had 3 Marks on it. Additionally, such Devices do not have a firewall rating.
In Matrix terms, all Devices on a PAN or a WAN are merged into a singular device. All icons may be manipulated or harmed by manipulating the Master device. Any Marks on the Master also count as Marks on all of its Slaves, and visa versa. Registering or removing a device from a PAN or WAN takes roughly one minute worth of work. There is no limit to the number of devices that can be in a PAN or a WAN.
Hosts
Hosts are further subdivided into Directories. Each Directory contains any number of files and devices. Marks on a Directory count as Marks on all attached Files and Devices, and an attack on a Directory is applied to one of its attached Files or Devices (attacker's choice). A person may use the Brute Force or Hack on the Fly actions against a Directory they are not in, as long as they are in that Directory's Host. All other Matrix and Resonance Actions require that that the Hacker "Access" a particular Directory. One can access a Directory with the "Enter Host" action, and only one Directory may be accessed at a time. Accessing a new directory immediately severs the Hacker's connection to the old one. Intrusion Countermeasures may be considered in any or every Directory at the same time.
By default, a Host can have up to (Host Rating) Directories, and may spread (Host Rating)*2 points of Protection amongst those Directories, with no one Directory getting more than (Host Rating) Protection. A Directory rolls Protection + [Host's Matrix Attribute] to defend against all actions, and is incapable of actions on its own. Many Hosts have at least one Directory with no protection as a sort of store front or face, where visitors can enter. Many Directories are also protected with a Data Bomb. Beyond that, its merely a question of how much the Host wants a potential Hacker to have access to at once.
Short-Wave Hacking
Adding this later. Its going to cover "Point my Cyberdeck at that camera and I hack it."
Long-Range Hacking
What's required to make that ganger holding a gun to your friend's head jam when you're on the other side of the continent??
Basics
- Matrix Actions are all resisted with Intuition + [Matrix Attribute]
- Computer may be used like the Leadership skill, but only applying to Pilot Programs, Agents, and Sprites (who may not normally be affected by Leadership).
- Computer's new Rally option only applied to multiple targets if used through an RCC.
- Marks have gone from a 1-4 scale to a 1-5 scale. 5 Marks is Ownership.
- Not having an Attack or Hacking attribute is the same as having it at 0. Edge and other cap-breakers may be used normally.
- Someone inside VR may open up a window screen displaying their meat body's statistics and to "send commands," just like someone can use AR to view the Matrix. Mechanically, you can be aware of what goes on around your body and even perform actions with it, but you receive a -12 penalty on all actions and defense rolls performed through your meatsuit.
Existing Matrix Actions
- All Matrix Actions that are Complex Actions, except Full Matrix Defense and Control Device, become Simple Actions.
- Data Spike counts as your "Attack" for that initiative pass.
- Erase Mark is now a [Data Processing] Action.
- You may not take a -6 or -10 penalty to apply multiple Marks to a target through Brute Force or Hack on the Fly, but see Multiple Matrix Attack, below.
- All actions that require at least one Mark, except Enter Host, increase the number of required Marks by one.
- Spoof Command requires 3 Marks.
- The defender does not gain a Matrix Defense against the following Matrix Actions: Control Device, Crash Program, Edit File, Format Device, Snoop, Spoof Command.
- Snoop only lasts as long as your Mark remains on the target.
New Matrix actions
Manual Quarantine
(Interrupt Action, -5 Initiative)
Marks Required: 3
You personally monitor all incoming and outgoing traffic from your device or persona, allowing you to better notice and counter intrusions. By decreasing your initiative by 5, you add your Electronic Warfare skill ranks to all Matrix Defense tests for the rest of the Initiative Pass. Any Matrix Defense test that utilizes this bonus receives a Limit of your Persona's [Data Processing].
Corrupt Access
(Interrupt Action, -5 Initiative)
Marks Required: 3
You actively hunt down errant data in your registry, using your own Decking skills to corrupt and and cut off any data that shouldn't be running. By decreasing your initiative by 5, you add your Cybercombat skill ranks to all Matrix Defense tests against [Attack] actions for the rest of the Initiative Pass. Any Matrix Defense test that utilizes this bonus receives a Limit of your Persona's [Attack]. This is still not considered an Attack action--you do not receive additional Matrix Damage on a failed defense.
Run Analysis
(Simple Action)
Marks Required: 2
Dicepool: Software + Logic [Data Processing]
You may create a dynamic combat simulation of every possible action a given target may take. This simulation creates a network between all involved devices (usually weapons) and updates in real time, giving advice on how to best approach a combat situation. Mechanically, this Matrix Action uses a Commlink or other device to "Mark" a target in meatspace. Hits on this this test are applied as a penalty to any Defense roll made by the "Mark" against anyone who attacks with a wirelessly enabled weapon while also using an image link and/or smartlink. The person who used this action may decide that the Mark only receives the penalty against certain attacks. Marks required for this action must be on the device doing the processing, and that device being compromised or bricked causes the penalty to immediately cease.
Multiple Matrix Attack
(Free Action)
Marks Required: Owner
Dicepool: None (Data Processing Action)
This action may only be performed through your Persona, and allows you to perform a single Matrix Action multiple times. This may modify any one other Matrix Action performed during this initiative pass, and functions like performing Multiple Attacks. This action may not be performed on actions that do not have an opposed roll or Resonance actions.
Debug Code
(Simple Action)
Marks Required: Owner
Dicepool: None (Data Processing Action)
You open up and tinker with the core functionality of your Commlink or Cyberdeck. This grants you +1 Bonus Die or a +1 Bonus to your Limit on the next Matrix Action you perform. You may use Debug Code multiple times in a row, applying a cumulative bonus. If you sue a non-Matrix, non-Interrupt action then this bonus is lost. No single roll may benefit from more than [Data Processing] uses of this action.
Technomancers
- Technomancers assign the following priorities to their living persona, rather than basing their Living Persona off of their mental attributes: (Resonance +1), (Resonance), (Resonance -1), (Resonance -2).
- Technomancers have a Device Rating equal to their Resonance/2.
- When threading a complex form, the Technomancer may choose whether the target becomes aware of the attack on a failed action or a successful one.
- Threading a Complex Form is still a Complex Action.
- Complex Forms are always opposed by Intuition + [Matrix Attribute]
- A Technomancer may learn any Matrix Action that targets another Device in the Matrix that is not an interrupt action as a Complex Form. Doing so changes the Dice Pool to a Software + Resonance [Level] roll vs. Intuition + Firewall. There is always a resist roll, although Resonance Actions never require Marks. The Fading for these Complex Forms is (Level + Required Marks -1).
Existing Complex Forms
- Infusion of [Matrix Attribute]'s bonus is capped at +4 rather than twice the modified attribute, to be in line with other augmentations.
- Editor is just Edit File as a Complex Form.
- Puppeteer is a Simple Test. On the target's next action phase, they must succeed in an Intuition + Firewall test with a Threshold equal to the Technomancer's net hits or perform that action instead of whatever they were going to do.
- Resonance Channel applies to all Noise, but increase its FV to Level + 0
- Pulse Storm gains a duration of S.
New Complex Forms
Resonance Emulation
Target: Device Duration: S FV: Level + 2
Select up to one common or hacking program per two Levels this Complex Form is Threaded at and make a Software + Resonance [Level] vs. (Number of Programs Currently Running on the Device)x2. If successful, the target immediately begins running the selected programs.
Sprites
- Diagnostics allows you to use the Sprites [Level] as the Limit when using the target item. The Teamwork bonus only applies to build or repair an object.
- A Technomancer may grant a Sprite up to 1 Optional Power per three levels of the Sprite.
- Sprites may select any Common or Hacking program as an optional power.
Updated Unwired Sprites
- To be done later.
Echoes
- Fine as-is.
Updating Unwired Echos
- Amplification may be purchased. It takes a free action to use, but grants Noise Reduction equal to half of the Technomancer's Grade (rounded up) on one action.
- Biowire is an option. A Technomancer may have upload a total of (Grade x3) points of Skillsoft, with no individual Skillsoft being higher than (Grade or 6, whichever is lower). The Technomancer must have the Skillsoft on a datastorage he owns and the Emulation Complex Form is not necessary.
- E-Sensing may be purchased. It allows the Technomancer to know the exact presence, nature and location of all devices within 100 meters who are not successfully running silent against the Technomancer. This includes devices not currently connected to the Matrix.
- Living ECM may be purchased, and functions as presented. However, use SR5's rules for Jammers. Note that like a normal Jammer, the Technomancer may choose to exclude certain devices, et cetera.
- Macro functions like Fork, but for Resonance Actions. It imposes a -2 penalty to both the Threading and Resist Fading rolls.
- Multiprocessing lowers the penalty for using your meatsuit while in VR by 2 per Grade.
- Skinlink may be purchased, an allows a Technomancer to directly connect to devices through touch.
- Sprite Link exists and functions as presented.
- Swap exists and may be purchased an unlimited number of times. It reduces the total penalty from sustaining complex forms, not the penalty per form.
- Acceleration exists as a basic Echo. It may be purchased up to three times, granting +1 Reaction and +1d6 to Physical Initiative per time it is purchased. This bonus counts as Augmentation.
