Just when we thought the new and improved matrix was super secure, a wave of Trojans, Spam and virusses hits the digital world.
Ive made some rules for using various malware options.
(these might or might not survive the upcoming kill code supplement).
Infecting a device or persona with malware requires various conditions to be met. Some malware has a minimum required Marks before the hacker as a complex action roll hacking +logic [sleaze] (fire wall + intuition). If the test succeeds the target is now infected with the malware. If the test fails the hacker is hit by the targets firewall and suffers net hits from the defense test in unresisted matrix damage, and the target is notified of a malware attack.
Other malware requires the target to access a file - a kin to accessing a data bombed file-instead of a boom it's a malware.
Others again requires the hacker to cause matrix damage- like injection poison in the meat world.
The power of the malware is equal to the hits (not net hits) On the initial hacking+ logic test. This works as a threshold when searching for malware with a matrix perception test. And as a threshold when trying to delete it with edit file.
Various apps and programs might give a bonus to this, like diagnostic, Medic, etc.
Malwaree aren't meant for direct combat, instead they are best applied beforehand in the prep phase. Malware doesn't go away after a reboot, the target of malware must clean his device with for instance edit file.
Do you have other suggestions for malware, or some tweaking of the rules? Currently very few of the virusses here can actually spread to other matrix users-maybe it's a feature of the new matrix-maybe I haven't come up with some workable rules
Sample malwarez
Swiss cheese
Vector: 3 marks
Speed: targets firewall rating in minutes (minimum 1 minute)
Power: hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: -1 firewall
Cow bell
Same as Swiss cheese, replace firewall with sleaze
Clutter
Same as Swiss cheese, replace firewall with DP
Hippie
Same as Swiss cheese, replace firewall with Attack
RAT
Vector: accessing infected file
Speed: 10 minutes
Power: 2+ hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: targets firewall is ignored when hacker uses the snoop or spoof command action on him.
Crash
Vector: 3 marks
Speed 1 minute
Power: hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: one predefined cyberprogram doesn't have an effect when loaded, this isn't necessarily apparent to the target. - Loading the hammer program doesn't give +2 matrix dmg, but the target doesn't know that.
Backdoor
Vector: accessing the infected file
Speed: 10 minutes
Power: 2+ hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: the hacker may place multiple marks more easily now. -3 for 2 marks and -6 for 3 marks.
Snitch
Vector 3 marks
Speed: targets sleaze rating in minutes (minimum 1)
Power: hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect:target may not use Sleaze when resisting matrix perception tests or trace icon by the hacker.
Judas hand
Vector 3 marks
Speed 10 minutes
Power hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: device is affected by "garbage in/out" it's will take effect each time the predetermined trigger/action is activated. For instance each time the target tries to make a melee attack with his infected cyberarm he will instead go for a high-five, dropping anything in the hand and look somewhat silly.
P-f#x
Vector 3 marks
Speed 10 minutes
Power: hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: only targets skillwires, p-fixes etc. The target gains a predetermined mental negative quality. Like: did you just call me dumb?, curiosity killed the cat, prejudiced, poor self-control etc. And usually also some favorite quotes from someone simstar. Higher power threshold means meaner negative qualities.
SPAM
Vector: 3 marks or accessing infected file
Speed 1 round
Power 2+ hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: target suffers -2 to all matrix perception and search tests.
If the target doesn't manage to beat the power threshold when attempting to delete the file, the file seemingly goes away for 3d6hours before becoming active again.
Instability
Vector 3 marks
Speed: targets data processing rating in minutes
Power hits (not net hits) from initial hacking+logic test
Effect: affected device gains the Gremlins negative quality at rating 1, or the next rating if it's already under the effect of gremlins
Venomous code
Vector: matrix damage
Speed: x minutes
Power: hits (not net hits) from initial cybercombat+logic test
Effect: the target suffers matrix damage equal to the hackers attack rating, resisted as normal. The hacker may choose the speed of this virus in full minutes. this virus uses cybercombat+logic instead of hacking.
