Shadowrun

Shadowrun General => General Discussion => Topic started by: thinklibertarian on <02-24-16/1306:48>

Title: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-24-16/1306:48>
This is a revised and updated version of a post I made a few years ago. I hope you like it.

Each post will be one combat turn of game time. If you find any mistakes or have any questions, let me know and I will edit the posts accordingly.

Here it is in one pdf file:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/337ibt3oyuwi491/Shadowrun%20Sample%20Matrix%20Run%20-%20Let%27s%20go%20to%20the%20Library.pdf?dl=0
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-24-16/1307:55>
The Matrix, Seattle's Emerald City grid...

Decker "Slicer" and Technomancer "Vixen" stand together looking up at the host for the Seattle Public Library.

"Rabbit hid the file here?", asks Slicer. His icon, an anime inspired Japanese Swordsman, shifts uncomfortably as his cyberdeck interprets his puzzled emotions.

"Yup", Vixen's icon (a Kitsune) replies, ", some corp spiders were hot on his tail, but he managed to plant the file here before he was bricked. He asked me to get it for him. For a fee, of course, I said sure."

"And I'm here because?"

"Call it a date", Vixen says.

Slicer's icon frowns.

"OK, call it a race. First one to get the file gets the fee. Besides, we have never worked together before, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to see how the other side operates."

"Fine", says Slicer, "give me the info so we can start on the same footing."

"Here you go", she says. Her icon takes a note from her kimono's sleeve and hands it to Slicer.

He reads it and nods. "Ready".

"On 3", she says.

"Three", he replies.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-24-16/1312:39>
I am using the Decker and Technomancer archetypes from the Rulebook.

Slicer is the decker. Vixen is the technomancer.

> Slicer's cyberdeck is a Hermes Chariot (Device Rating 2)
His matrix stats are currently set to: Attack 4, Sleaze 4, Data Processing 2 (3 using Toolbox), Firewall 5 (6 using Encryption)
He has the following programs loaded into his deck: Armor, Biofeedback Filter, Edit, Encryption, Hammer, Signal Scrub, Toolbox.
He has the following programs running: Encryption and Toolbox (max running = device rating)
He is in hot sim VR mode.

Note: The archetype Decker has Hacking(Hack on the Fly). This is not a legal specialization, so I am treating it as Hacking(Hosts). (If you want a bonus to Hack on the Fly, buy the Codeslinger quality.)

> Vixen's Living Persona has the following attributes:
Device Rating 6, Attack 4, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 5, Firewall 5
She is also in hot sim VR mode.

> The Seattle Public Library host has the following stats:
Device Rating 3, Attack 4, Sleaze 3, Data Processing 6, Firewall 5

Host Protocol: The Library is running Patrol IC (icon is an old man in a security uniform). The security is not very strict, since it is a publicly accessible host (if you have a SIN and library card). Wannabe hackers often test their skills here, so the Library's protocol for dealing with trespassers is to link-lock them, track them to the meat world, and notify the authorities. It has Tar Baby IC (an old lady librarian icon) and Track IC (a magnifying glass icon) loaded, but not running, for this purpose.


First Turn

Matrix Noise Rating = 2 (a commercial spam zone)

Overwatch Scores (OS): Slicer: 0, Vixen: 0

Initiative
Slicer: Data Processing 3 + Intuition 4 + 4d6 = 20
Vixen: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 6 + 4d6 = 19

First Pass

20: To enter a host, you need a mark. Slicer takes a free action to swap his deck's Sleaze and Firewall stats. Then he uses Hack on the Fly (a complex action) to try and get a mark: Hacking 7 + Hosts Specialization 2 + Logic 6 + Hot Sim 2 - Noise 2 [Sleaze 5] = 15 dice (rolls 6 hits, limited to 5) vs. Host Rating 3 + Firewall 5 = 8 dice (3 hits). His Overwatch Score is now 3 (not that he knows that), and he has his mark.

Slicer reaches into the host, feels around a bit, and pulls out a library card, which he puts in his pocket.

19: Vixen sends a message to Rabbit's commlink telling him they are starting (send message simple action). She switches to Silent Running (a simple action).

Vixen's icon winks at Slicer as she fades from view.

Second Pass

10: Slicer enters the library (complex action: Enter Host). No roll needed.

9: Vixen needs a mark to enter the library. She also decides to use Hack on the Fly: Hacking 4 + Logic 5 + Hot Sim 2 - Noise 2 - Silent Running 2 [Sleaze 6] = 7 dice (4 hits) vs. Host Rating 3 + Firewall 5 = 8 dice (2 hits). Vixen's OS is now 2, and she has her mark.

Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-24-16/1713:09>
Second Turn

Matrix Noise Rating in the Library: 0 (of course)

Overwatch Scores (OS): Slicer: 3, Vixen: 2

> Slicer: Attack 4, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 2 (3 using Toolbox), Firewall 4 (5 using Encryption)
Running: Encryption and Toolbox

> Vixen: Device Rating 6, Attack 4, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 5, Firewall 5

> Library:  Device Rating 3, Attack 4, Sleaze 3, Data Processing 6, Firewall 5
Running: Patrol IC

Initiative
Vixen: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 6 + 4d6 = 29
Library: (Host Rating 3 x 2) + 4d6 = 27
Slicer: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 4 + 4d6 = 20

First Pass

29: Vixen enters the Library (complex action: Enter Host).

27: The Library takes no actions against the PC's. It is busy doing whatever Library hosts do.

Patrol IC looks for hidden icons using Matrix Perception (a complex action): Host Rating x 2 = 6 [Data Processing 6] (1) = 6 dice (1 hit). It knows there is a hidden icon nearby but not where it is. The GM rolls a die in secret and decides there are two hidden icons in the area: Vixen and someone else.

The old man in a guard uniform looks around the library. Something is not right...

20: Slicer uses Matrix Perception (complex action) to find the location of the file. He would normally roll Computer 6 + Intuition 4 + hot sim 2 [Data Processing 5] = 10 dice vs the threshold set by the GM. In this case the threshold is 1 (easy, since he knows the filename). The GM lets him buy the hit. Data processing actions do not add to the OS.

Slicer stares at the library's vast virtual bookshelves for a moment. He asks a librarian icon where to find this book. It gives him directions to the Special Collections. In an instant, he is there.

Second Pass

19: Vixen uses Matrix Perception (complex action) to find the book's location. She has Computer 4 + Intuition 6 + hot sim 2 + Technomancer 2 [Data Processing 5] (1) = 14 dice. The GM lets her buy the one hit needed, and she moves to the Special Collections.

17: The Library's Patrol IC rolls Matrix Perception (complex action), looking for the hidden icon, host rating 3 x 2 = 6 dice (4 hits). Since the GM determined there were two hidden icons, he rolls a die to determine which one the Patrol IC is looking at, and it comes up Vixen. The test is opposed by Vixen's Logic 5 + Sleaze 6 = 11 dice (2 hits) and she is spotted!

The old man glances sharply at Vixen and her icon becomes visible. She sighs.

Per protocol, the library launches Tar Baby IC to link-lock the once hidden icon. It will come online next turn.

To both hacker's surprise, the Special Collections icon turns out to be a locked door: it is another host!

> Special Collections Host: Device Rating 5, Attack 6, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 8, Firewall 7

Host Protocol: Special Collections has Patrol IC running (a big friendly dog icon), looking for hidden icons. In general it tries to link lock intruders, trace them, and notify the authorities. It also has a Spider on call, just in case. There are some valuable books here, after all!

The Special Collections host rolls initiative: (Host Rating 5 x 2) + 4d6 = 21, minus 10 because it is the second pass = 11.

11: Since neither player is inside the SC host, it takes no actions against them.
 
10: Slicer tries Hack on the Fly (complex action) to get a mark on the Special Collections host: Hacking 7 + Hosts Specialization 2 + Logic 6 + hot sim 2 [Sleaze 5] = 17 dice (5 hits) vs. Host Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (2 hits). He gets his mark. His OS is goes up to 5.

Third Pass

9: Vixen needs a mark to enter the SC host. She tries Hack on the Fly: Hacking 4 + Logic 5 + hot sim 2 [Sleaze 6] = 11 dice (2 hits). Thinking that won't be enough, she spends an Edge for a second chance. Rolling the 9 failed dice gets her 4 more hits (for a total of 6, hitting her limit). The SC Host rolls Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (7 hits!). She fails the Sleaze action and is automatically marked by the Special Collections host. Vixen's OS is now 9.

7: The Library's Patrol IC rolls Matrix Perception, looking for the other hidden icon. Since this not relevant to our story, I will ignore the Library's Patrol IC from here on.

1: Special Collections gives an update to it's on-call Spider (send message) who will come online at the start of turn four. It also launches Probe IC (load program free action) which comes online next turn.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: adzling on <02-24-16/1754:16>
Excellent posts, nicely illustrates why this sort of example is needed in the rulebooks.

One question, why the +2 for Vixen's Matrix Perception?
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-24-16/1907:41>
"Since you're so intimately connected to the Matrix, you get a +2 dice pool bonus to all Matrix Perception Tests." SR5, pg 251.

Easy to miss.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Raven2049 on <02-24-16/2010:22>
if their hot simmed, as they are in this example, they get +2 to all matrix actions. so yes vixen should have a +2 to that example

Quote
19: Vixen uses Matrix Perception (complex action) to find the book's location. She has Computer 4 + Intuition 6 [Data Processing 5] (1) = 10 dice. The GM lets her buy the one hit needed, and she moves to the Special Collections.

Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Raven2049 on <02-24-16/2013:16>
also:

Quote
Since you’re so intimately connected to the Matrix, you get a +2 dice pool bonus to all Matrix Perception Tests.

pg 251 CRB right above the living persona table
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-24-16/2108:39>
Third Turn

Overwatch Scores (OS): Slicer: 5, Vixen: 9

> Slicer: Attack 4, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 2 (3 using Toolbox), Firewall 4 (5 using Encryption)
Running: Encryption and Toolbox

> Vixen: Device Rating 6, Attack 4, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 5, Firewall 5
Vixen has 1 mark on her from the SC host.
She has used 1 of her 3 edge.

> Library:  Device Rating 3, Attack 4, Sleaze 3, Data Processing 6, Firewall 5
Running: Patrol IC. Tar Baby IC comes online.

> Special Collections Host: Device Rating 5, Attack 6, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 8, Firewall 7
Running: Patrol IC. Probe IC comes online (a fierce chihuahua icon). It automatically shares the host's mark on Vixen, so it knows who to target, but it can't act unless Vixen is on the SC host.

Initiative
Vixen: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 6 + 4d6 = 28
Library: (Host Rating 3 x 2) + 4d6 = 27
Slicer: Data Processing 3 + Intuition 4 + 4d6 = 23
Special Collections: (Host Rating 5 x 2) + 4d6 = 21

First Pass

28: Vixen gets more aggressive, using Brute Force to gain entry to the SC: Cybercombat 4 + Logic 5 + hot sim 2 [Attack 4] = 11 dice (4 hits) vs. Device Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (7 hits!). Vixen fails, and suffers 3 matrix damage (= host's net hits) as the host sends corrupted code back at her. Technomancers take matrix damage as Stun. She now has a wound penalty of -1, dropping her initiative to 17 for the next pass. Her OS increases to 16.

27: The Library's Tar Baby IC attacks Vixen: (Host Rating 3 x 2) [Attack 4] = 6 dice (2 hits). Vixen rolls Logic 5 + Firewall 5 + wound penalty 1 = 9 dice (3 hits). It misses.

Vixen is startled when an angry old librarian lady tries to stamp her library card, and not in a good way. She barely avoids it.

The Library's Patrol IC keeps looking for hidden icons. Since it is no longer relevant, I won't mention it again.

23: Slicer enters the Special Collections host (complex action).

21: The SC host logs Slicer's presence and ignores him, since he has a valid mark. Vixen is not yet in the SC host, so it can't do anything to her.

It's Patrol IC continues to search for hidden icons.

The Probe IC is running, but has no target.

Second Pass

17: Feeling a but harried, Vixen attempts Hack on the Fly (complex action) to get her mark, using her second point of edge before rolling: Hacking 4 + Logic 5 + hot sim 2 + Edge 3 - wound penalty 1 [no limit] = 13 dice (5 hits). SC rolls Device Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (3 hits) and she gets her mark. Her OS is now 19.

17: The Library's Tar Baby IC attacks Vixen again: (Host Rating 3 x 2) [Attack 4] = 6 dice (2 hits). Vixen rolls Logic 5 + Firewall 5 + wound penalty 1 = 9 dice (5 hits). A clear miss.

The angry librarian shrieks in frustration.

13: Slicer uses Matrix Perception (complex action) to find the book. The GM lets him buy the necessary hit, and Slicer is there. The goal is in sight!

The Special Collections, though much smaller than the Main Library, is still a huge area. Slicer asks a virtual librarian for some help, and the shelves blur in movement for a split second. He stands before his target.

11: Since Vixen is not inside, the SC host does nothing except keep its Spider notified (simple action: send message).

Third Pass

7: Vixen enters the Special Collections host (complex action).

7: The Library does nothing since Vixen has moved to another host. The Library is no longer relevant to the story, so I will ignore it going forward.

3: Slicer examines the target book (Matrix Perception complex action): Computer 6 + Intuition 4 + hot sim 2 [Data Processing 5] = 12 dice (2 hits). He learns two things: the book is Protected and has a Data Bomb on it.

Slicer decides to be cautious and examines the book without touching it. He sees that the book has a lock on it, and there is a thin wire leading from the book's spine to something behind it.

1: SC's Probe IC attacks Vixen. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack 6] = 10 dice (5 hits) vs. Intuition 6 + Firewall 5 - wound penalty 1 = 10 dice (2 hits). Vixen now has two marks on her!

The angry chihuahua icon chomps on Vixen's hand.

The SC host launches Trace IC (load program free action). It will be online next turn.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/1244:49>
Fourth Turn

Overwatch Scores (OS): Slicer: 5, Vixen: 19

> Slicer: Attack 4, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 2 (3 using Toolbox), Firewall 4 (5 using Encryption)
Running: Encryption and Toolbox

> Vixen: Device Rating 6, Attack 4, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 5, Firewall 5
Vixen has two marks on her.
She has used two of her three edge.
She has suffered 3 Stun, and has a wound penalty of -1.

> Special Collections Host: Device Rating 5, Attack 6, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 8, Firewall 7
Running: Patrol IC, Probe IC. Trace IC (a bloodhound icon) comes online now.

The Special Collection's Spider, Reese, comes online. Reese's matrix skills, deck stats, and mental stats are all 5. He is in cold sim VR mode. His icon is a sharply dressed businessman wearing mirror sunglasses and carrying a briefcase.

Initiative
Special Collections: (Host Rating 5 x 2) + 4d6 = 27
Slicer: Data Processing 3 + Intuition 4 + 4d6 = 24
Reese: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 5 + 3d6 = 20
Vixen: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 6 + 4d6 - wound penalty 1 = 28. At this point the GM informs Vixen that the stress of the run has triggered her Combat Paralysis, reducing her Initiative to 14.

First Pass

27: SC's Probe IC attacks Vixen (complex action): Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (4 hits) vs. Intuition 6 + Firewall 5 - wound penalty 1 = 10 dice (2 hits). Vixen now has three marks on her: the maximum!

The chihuahua, job done, yips happily.

SC's Trace IC attacks Vixen (complex action): Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack 6] = 10 dice (3 hits) vs. Willpower 5 + Sleaze 6 - wound penalty 1 = 10 dice (4 hits). It fails to lock on to her data trail.

The bloodhound icon sniffs around Vixen.

The SC host demands that Vixen leave immediately (send message simple action). It also updates the Spider on what is going on (simple action). The spider automatically has access to the marks the SC host has on Vixen, just like the host's IC. SC launches Scramble IC (free action) which will forcibly try to remove Vixen when it comes online next turn.

24: Slicer has to defuse the data bomb before doing anything else (a complex action). He spends Edge because if you fail to defuse a data bomb Bad Things happen. Software 6 + Logic 6 + hot sim 2 + Edge 2 [no limit] = 16 dice (10 hits) vs. (SC Host Device Rating 5 x 2) = 10 dice (2 hits with a glitch). He defuses the data bomb, and the GM rules that because of the host's glitch, Slicer's OS does not increase.

Slicer takes out his tanto and carefully cuts the nearly invisible wire that runs from the book's spine to the tiny bomb placed on the shelf behind it.

20: Reese, the SC's Spider, wants to know more about the fox woman icon, so he uses a Matrix Perception Test on Vixen. He rolls Computer 5 + Intuition 5 [Data Processing 5] = 10 dice (5 hits) vs. Vixen's Logic 5 + Sleaze 6 = 11 dice (5 hits). He learns nothing.

14: Worried about all of the unwanted attention she is getting, Vixen thinks she needs some help, so she attempts to summon an attack dog of her own: a Level 6 Fault Sprite (Compile Sprite complex action). She rolls Compiling 3 + Resonance 6 - wound penalty 1 [Level 6] = 8 dice (4 hits) vs. Sprite Level 6 dice (2 hits). Success! The sprite appears, and owes her two services (= net hits). Vixen has to resist 4 points of Fading (twice the hits it rolled): Resonance 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 dice (3 hits). She takes one more Stun. Resonance actions do not increase OS.

Vixen's icon begins chanting softly in Japanese. As she does, a ball of sparking, glowing plasma coalesces next to her. Chanting complete, she daintily wipes a bead of sweat from her brow. She has called on Wisp before, and smiles in anticipation.

Wisp's Stats are: Level 6, Attack 9, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 7, Firewall 8, Resonance 6. Its skill ratings and mental attributes are equal to its Level.

Wisp rolls initiative: (Level 6 x 2) + 1 + 4d6: 23. Since 23 has already passed, the GM subtracts ten (=13) and adds him to the next Pass.

Second Pass

17: Because a new icon appeared in the host, the SC Patrol IC scans Wisp. It rolls Matrix Perception: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Data Processing 8] = 10 dice (5 hits) vs. Wisp's Level 6 + Sleaze 6 = 12 dice (4 hits). With one net hit, it determines Wisp's type: a sprite persona.

The Special Collections host runs its technomancer sighting protocol. (This is something The GM made up, since Technomancers are so rare.) It sends a message (simple action) about the technomancer sighting to a certain pre-programmed commcode (queue ominous music). As a free action (load program), the SC launches Blaster IC, canceling the Scramble IC (since hosts can only load one IC per combat turn). Technomancers are easier to capture when they are unconscious. It will come online at the start of the next turn.

SC's Probe IC attacks the sprite (complex action): Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (4 hits) vs. Wisp's Level 6 x 2 = 12 dice (5 hits). Swing and a miss!

The chihuahua has a new target. It lunges at the ball of light but misses.

SC's Trace IC attacks Vixen: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack 6] = 10 dice (4 hits) vs. Willpower 5 + Sleaze 6 - wound penalty 1 = 10 dice (4 hits). It fails again.

The bloodhound continues sniffing around Vixen.

14: Almost there, Slicer has to mark the book before removing the file protection. He uses Hack on the Fly: Hacking 7 + Logic 6 + hot sim 2 [Sleaze 5] = 15 dice (6 hits, limited to 5) vs. SC Host Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (6 hits). Not only does he fail to mark the book, but the SC host gets a free mark on him and knows he is a hostile entity. His OS increases to 11.

13: Wisp does nothing, since he has no orders.

10: Reese decides to go on the offensive, and attacks Vixen with a Data Spike (complex action): Cybercombat 5 + Logic 5 [Attack 5] = 10 dice (4 hits) vs. Intuition 6 + Firewall 5 - wound penalty 1 = 10 dice (5 hits). Missed! He loads an Armor program (load program free action) which comes online next turn.

Reese opens his briefcase and a tornado of paperwork leaps out at Vixen. She nimbly dodges a thousand paper cuts.

4: Vixen orders Wisp to "Destroy anything that attacks me, starting with him", pointing at Reese. (Simple action: command sprite).

Third Pass

7: The SC host requests that Reece deal with Slicer and let the IC deal with the technomancer and the sprite (send message simple action). This is also part of the technomancer sighting protocol (not that Reece knows about that): prioritize capture over killing.

Probe IC continues to attack Wisp. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (3 hits) vs. Level 6 + Firewall 7 = 13 dice (2 hits). Wisp gets a mark.

The chihuahua lifts its leg and pees on the floor under Wisp.

Trace IC tries again to lock on to Vixen: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (4 hits) vs. Vixen's Willpower 5 + Sleaze 6 - wound penalty 1 = 10 dice (3 hits). Success!

Vixen curses as the bloodhound picks up her scent, which leads back to her physical location: a city park a few blocks away from the real-life library building.

4: Slicer still needs to mark the book to get access to it. He tries again to Hack on the Fly (complex action): Hacking 7 + Logic 6 + hot sim 2 [Sleaze 5] = 15 dice (5 hits) vs. SC Host Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (4 hits). He gets his mark, and his OS increases to 15. He loads the Armor program as a precaution replacing Toolbox (free action swap program). It will come online next turn.

Slicer's icon replaces the toolkit he was carrying with suit of samurai armor.

3: Wisp attacks Reese with a Data Spike (complex action): Cybercombat 6 + Logic 6 [Attack 9] = 12 dice (3 hits) vs. Intuition 5 + Firewall 5 = 10 dice (2 hits). Reese takes a 10 matrix damage hit (Wisp's Attack 9 + 1 net hit), and rolls to soak the damage: Willpower 5 + Firewall 5 = 10 dice (2 hits). He takes 8 points to its matrix damage track (out of 11 boxes). There is no wound penalty for matrix damage, so he continues to operate normally. Wisp's OS is now 2.

Wisp discharges a bolt of plasma at the sharp dressed man and blasts the icon to pieces. The icon reforms, but it flickers a bit.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Whiskeyjack on <02-25-16/1256:28>
What's your rationale for that specialization being illegal? I'm pretty sure the listed specs aren't exhaustive. And if "Hack on the Fly" isn't a thing in setting then it's rational to think of that term as just mechanical shorthand for a particular narrative hacking style.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/1309:12>
The specializations for Hacking listed in the book (Devices, Files, Hosts, Personas) are all about what you hack.

The codeslinger quality is all about getting a bonus to how you hack, since they have to be matrix actions, like HotF.

YMMV.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Whiskeyjack on <02-25-16/1312:58>
That's a fair interpretation.

Also it seems like a lot of slicer's lead comes from Vixen sending a message - jfc why the hell is sending a text a simple action?!
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/1340:12>
Fifth Turn

Overwatch Scores (OS): Slicer: 15, Vixen: 19, Wisp: 2

> Slicer: Attack 4, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 2, Firewall 4 (5 using Encryption)
Running: Encryption and Armor
Slicer has one mark on him.
Slicer has used 1 of his 2 edge.

> Vixen: Device Rating 6, Attack 4, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 5, Firewall 5
Vixen has three marks on her.
Vixen has taken 4 stun damage and has a -1 wound penalty.
She has used 2 of her 3 edge.

> Wisp: Level 6, Attack 9, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 7, Firewall 8, Resonance 6. Its skill ratings and mental attributes are equal to its Level.
Wisp has one mark on it.

> Special Collections Host: Device Rating 5, Attack 6, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 8, Firewall 7
Running: Patrol IC, Probe IC, and Trace IC, Blaster IC (a hellhound icon) comes online now.

> Reece's stats are all 5.
He is in cold sim VR mode.
His Armor program comes online.
Reese has taken 8 matrix damage.

Initiative
Special Collections: (Host Rating 5 x 2) + 4d6 = 29
Wisp: (Level 6 x 2) + 1 + 4d6: 27
Reese: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 5 + 3d6 = 23
Slicer: Data Processing 3 + Intuition 4 + 4d6 = 19
Vixen: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 6 + 4d6 - wound penalty 1 = 18

First Pass

29: The SC host has its Patrol IC examine Slicer: Matrix Perception Host Rating 5 x 2 [Data Processing 8] = 10 dice (4 hits) vs. Logic 6 + Sleaze 2 = 8 dice (1 hit). With 3 net hits, the SC host learns: how damaged he is (no damage), what his last action was (crack file), and what programs he is running (armor and encryption). It informs Reece (send message simple action).

The SC host launches Killer IC to deal with the sprite (free action). It comes online next turn. That will make five, which equals its host rating: it can sustain no more.

Probe IC moves to attack Slicer. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (2 hits) vs. Intuition 4 + Firewall 5 = 9 dice (1 hit). Slicer gets a second mark.

The chihuahua is on a roll.

Trace IC can now target Slicer: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (3 hits) vs. Slicer's Willpower 5 + Sleaze 2 = 10 dice (3 hits). No luck.

The bloodhound sniffs around Slicer.

Blaster IC attacks Vixen: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (6 hits). Vixen takes Matrix Full Defense, lowering her initiative to 18. She rolls Logic 5 + Firewall 5 + Willpower 6 = 16 dice (5 hits). Not wanting to get hit, she spends her last point of edge to reroll the failures, getting two more hits and causing the attack to miss.

The hellhound lunges for Vixen's throat, but she stumbles at the last second and the creature flies by.

27: Wisp blasts Reese with a Data Spike (complex action): Cybercombat 6 + Logic 6 [Attack 9] = 12 dice (4 hits). Reese takes Full Matrix Defense, lowering his initiative to 16, and rolls Intuition 5 + Firewall 5 + Willpower 5 = 15 dice (3 hits). Reese takes a 10 matrix damage hit (Wisp's Attack 9 + 1 net hit), and rolls to reduce the damage: Willpower 5 + Firewall 5 + Armor 2 = 12 dice (6 hits). He takes 4 more points of matrix damage and his cyberdeck is bricked. Reese suffers 6S dumpshock and his icon vanishes from the Matrix.

Wisp unleashes another plasma blast at the businessman, melting his icon into digital slag. He never even got the chance to deal with the SC host's unexpected message.

19: Before trying to crack the file protection, Slicer swaps his deck's Sleaze and Attack attributes as a free action. Then he goes for it: Crack File (complex action): Hacking 7 + Logic 6 + hot sim 2 [Attack 5] = 15 dice (4 hits) vs. (SC Host device rating 5 x 2) = 10 dice (3 hits). He has done it! His OS goes up to 18.

Slicer studies the lock sealing the book. He draws his katana and swings in one smooth motion. The lock parts and fades away.

18: Vixen orders Wisp to attack the Blaster IC (command sprite simple action).

Second Pass

19: Probe IC attacks Slicer again. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (2 hits) vs. Intuition 4 + Firewall 5 = 9 dice (1 hit). Slicer gets a third mark.

Curse that little dog!

Trace IC attacks Slicer again: Host Rating x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (4 hits) vs. Slicer's Willpower 5 + Sleaze 2 = 7 dice (2 hits). Success!

The bloodhound picks up Slicer's trail back to the meat world. He is in the back of a parked van a block away from the real library.

Blaster IC attacks Vixen again: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (3 hits). Still under Matrix Full Defense, she rolls Logic 5 + Firewall 5 + Willpower 6 - wound penalty 1 = 15 dice (5 hits), so the attack fails.

9: Slicer copies the book's contents to his cyberdeck (Edit File complex action, no roll).

Slicer takes the book from the bookshelf and tucks it into his shirt. Another copy appears in its place instantly.

8: Ignoring the IC threatening her, Vixen examines the target book (Matrix Perception complex action): Computer 4 + Intuition 6 + hot sim 2 + Technomancer 2 - wound penalty 1 [Data Processing 5] = 13 dice (4 hits). She learns that the book is clear of protection and data bombs.

Thank you, Slicer! She grins at him. He shows her his middle finger.

7: Wisp blasts the Blaster IC with a Data Spike (complex action): Cybercombat 6 + Logic 6 [Attack 9] = 12 dice (3 hits) vs. Device Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (8 hits). No luck.

Third Pass

9: The Blaster IC relentlessly attacks Vixen: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (3 hits). She rolls Logic 5 + Firewall 5 + Willpower 6 - wound penalty 1 = 15 dice (4 hits), so the attack fails.

Dumb luck keeps Vixen in the game.

Probe IC goes back to attacking Wisp. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (1 hit) vs. Level 6 + Firewall 5 = 11 dice (4 hits). Miss!

Trace IC has no target, since Wisp only has one mark. And where would a sprite trace to anyway? The SC host terminates the program (free action).
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/1450:45>
Sixth Turn

Overwatch Scores (OS): Slicer: 18, Vixen: 19, Wisp: 11

> Slicer's current matrix stats: Attack 5, Sleaze 2, Data Processing 4(5), Firewall 4(5). He is running Encryption and Armor.
Slicer has three marks on him.
He has been tracked to his physical location.
Slicer has used all of his edge.

> Vixen: Device Rating 6, Attack 4, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 5, Firewall 5
Vixen has three marks on her.
She has been tracked to her physical location.
She has used all of her edge.
Vixen has taken 4 stun damage and has a -1 wound penalty.

> Wisp: Level 6, Attack 9, Sleaze 6, Data Processing 7, Firewall 8, Resonance 6. Its skill ratings and mental attributes are equal to its Level.
Wisp has one mark on it.
Wisp has taken no damage.

> Special Collections Host: Device Rating 5, Attack 6, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 8, Firewall 7
Running: Patrol IC, Probe IC, and Blaster IC. Killer IC comes online (a snarling junkyard dog icon).

Initiative
Vixen: Data Processing 5 + Intuition 6 + 4d6 - wound penalty 1 = 31
Special Collections: (Host Rating 5 x 2) + 4d6 = 24
Wisp: (Level 6 x 2) + 1 + 4d6: 23
Slicer: Data Processing 3 + Intuition 4 + 4d6 = 22

First Pass

Before 31: Knowing the Blaster IC is still breathing down her neck, Vixen declares Full Defense, lowering her initiative to 21. Better safe than sorry.

24: Probe IC continues attacking Wisp. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (2 hit) vs. Level 6 + Firewall 5 = 11 dice (3 hits). Missed!

The Blaster IC attacks Vixen (complex action): Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (4 hits). She rolls Logic 5 + Firewall 5 + Willpower 6 - wound penalty 1 = 15 dice (5 hits), so the attack misses.

The damned hellhound will not give up!

Killer IC attacks Wisp with a data spike (complex action): Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (4 hits). Wisp rolls defense: Level 6 + Firewall 8 = 14 dice (6 hits). The attack misses.

The junkyard dog snarls and bites at Wisp, who dodges nimbly.

The SC host sends a message (simple action) to Knight Errant with the physical locations of both hackers and a description of their illegal activities.

23: Wisp continues to attack the Blaster IC: Data Spike (complex action): Cybercombat 6 + Logic 6 [Attack 9] = 12 dice (3 hits) vs. Device rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (4 hits). No luck.

22: Slicer, job done, exits out of the SC host (complex action). He is back on the Seattle grid.

Slicer looks over at Vixen, grinning in victory. Then he vanishes in a digital puff.

21: Vixen still has to mark the book before she takes it, so she does Hack on the Fly (complex action) Hacking 4 + Logic 5 + hot sim 2 - wound penalty 1 [Sleaze 6] = 10 dice (5 hits). SC host rolls Device Rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (3 hits) and she gets her mark. Her OS is now 21.

Second Pass

14: Probe IC doggedly attacks Wisp: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (2 hits) vs. Level 6 + Firewall 6 = 12 dice (5 hits). Denied!

Blaster IC attacks Vixen. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (2 hits) vs. Intuition 6 + Firewall 5 - wound penalty 1 = 10 dice (4 hits). Missed!

Killer IC attacks Wisp with a data spike (complex action): Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (5 hits). Wisp rolls defense: Level 6 + Firewall 8 = 14 dice (2 hits). Wisp takes Attack 6 + 3 net hits + 2 for one mark = 11 matrix damage. He rolls Willpower (= Level) 6 + Firewall 8 = 14 dice (5 hits). He takes 6 matrix damage (out of his 11 boxes).

The SC host continues updating the authorities (send message simple action) it requests another Spider (simple action), who will come online on turn eight.

13: Wisp continues to attack the Blaster IC: Data Spike (complex action): Cybercombat 6 + Logic 6 [Attack 9] = 12 dice (6 hits) vs. Device rating 5 + Firewall 7 = 12 dice (6 hits). Yet another miss.

12: Slicer switches to AR mode (change mode simple action) and exits the matrix (jack out simple action). Since he was in AR mode, he suffers no dumpshock. He is back in the meat world. As a free action, he verbally commands his van's autopilot to take him home.

11: Vixen uses Edit File to move the book to one of her many data chips (Complex action, no roll needed). This time, the book is not replaced by another copy.

Realizing that Slicer could have done the same thing, she thinks "That was nice of him... wait a minute, since when is he nice?"

Third Pass

4: Probe IC goes for Wisp: Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (2 hits) vs. Level 6 + Firewall 6 = 12 dice (3 hits). Nope!

Blaster IC attacks Vixen. Host Rating 5 x 2 [Attack] = 10 dice (3 hits) vs. Intuition 6 + Firewall 5 + Willpower 5 - wound penalty 1 = 15 dice (2 hits). Vixen takes a hit! Attack 6 + 1 net hit + 6 for 3 marks = 13 matrix damage. She rolls Willpower 5 + Firewall 5 = 10 dice (2 hits) to soak the damage. She takes a mighty 11 matrix damage as Stun, filling in the remaining 7 of her stun damage track and overflowing 2 boxes into Physical damage (4 stun overflow becomes 2 physical damage). But it is not over yet, since Blaster IC also does biofeedback stun damage equal to the matrix damage. She rolls Willpower 5 + Firewall 5 = 10 dice (4 hits), netting 7 stun damage which overflows into 3 physical damage. She has taken all 11 stun (-3 wound penalty) and 5 out of ten physical damage (another -1 wound penalty). The hit also Link-Locks her, but she is unconscious in the meat world, so her icon freezes.

In the park people are startled by a woman's sudden scream of pain.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/1454:30>
Epilogue

Vixen's unconscious body is found in the park by Knight Errant. She is taken to a prison hospital. Once she has stabilized, some well dressed corporate types arrange for her to be transferred to an undisclosed location. Her criminal charges are quietly dropped.

All is not lost, however. Once they realize she is missing, her friends begin looking for her.

But that is a story for another time...
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Whiskeyjack on <02-25-16/1512:43>
Is the takeaway "fighting IC is dumb and ultimately pointless, especially for a TM" because that's definitely a conclusion I've (again) come to.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Raven2049 on <02-25-16/1644:27>
think i learned something from this exercise, and you can correct me if im wrong.

When a Host launches an IC (or program) it comes online in the next turn (knew that) but each IC (be it blaster, patrol, killer, etc) all act effectively at the same time during the hosts initiative pass? am i understanding this correctly? if so then Whiskeyjacks comment stands true for both TM's and Deckers. your up against multiple targets all at once and they just wear you down.

also, Vixen screwed up from the get-go when she continued to try to hack on the fly the library host when she failed. or at minimum, she screwed up by not using "Erase Mark" on the mark that the library host planted on her.  the only reason Slicer had the lead on this (as far as i can tell) is because of that first mark. which goes to show you how screwed you are if you arent careful...

an old adage comes to mind for this whole story:

Hacking is like sex; get in, get out, and pray to GOD that nothing can be traced back to you.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/1653:11>
It certainly is dangerous. In the original version, it was Vixen who got the file. Slicer took a single massive hit that bricked him in one go.

Fighting certain IC is certainly more dangerous for Technomancers, but being able to summon sprites that can act independant of you on their own initiative is a big advantage. With better luck, Wisp could have blasted the IC first.

The thing I got out of it both this and the original version is  "hackers need more edge". At least 4, IMHO.

Of course this is all written from my perspective. I was player and GM. I am going to run this scenario with real players and see how it turns out.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/1829:10>
It seems I was wrong about IC initiative. Each one is supposed to get its own initiative roll (SR5 p. 247).

If you don't want the extra bookkeeping, you could just use the same for the host and its IC like I did.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Malevolence on <02-25-16/1919:03>
Actually, in this case, Vixen's main mistake was going in Running Silent, since it wasn't necessary at all, and alerted the IC to her "malicious" intentions all that much earlier - Slicer was unmolested all the way up until he failed to get a mark on the book while Vixen was hounded from the get go. Granted, since she failed her first mark on the SC host, she would also have had trouble the moment she entered there, so it might not have made a tremendous amount of difference. Her generally low dice pools were also a major issue (10 dice vs. slicers 15 when using HotF). Also, during Turn 5, Vixen was denied her action at 28.


In short, the TM was out of her league.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: PiXeL01 on <02-25-16/2037:33>
Wait, with a full stun condition monitor Vixen would be out cold and wouldn't be able to try anything. Being link-locked would mean her persona would still be there and she would probably get killed by the blaster icon.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-25-16/2055:54>
Wait, with a full stun condition monitor Vixen would be out cold and wouldn't be able to try anything. Being link-locked would mean her persona would still be there and she would probably get killed by the blaster icon.

At first I thought a full Stun monitor = unconsciousness, but after reviewing the damage section on SR5 169-170, all they mentioned was that stun overflows into physical.

Good catch about the initiative. I took the easy way out and edited the post so she rolled an 18 to begin with. Too big a rewrite otherwise. Thanks.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: PiXeL01 on <02-25-16/2313:39>
All editions except this one specify that should a condition monitor be filled your character lose consciousness. Why they have neglected to write it out in this edition is beyond me. There has been a lot of discussion about it in the past but the consensus reached was that full bars mean you are out of luck unless you are equipped with special ware, drugs etc. such as the Pain Editor which states:

Pain editor: This cluster of specialized nervous tis- sue is designed to  alter sensory stimuli. If the pain editor is active, this allows you to ignore all injury modifiers, and you even stay conscious when your Stun Condition Monitor is completely full. You feel no pain—you’re blissfully, dangerously, recklessly unaware of the extent of damage you’ve taken without either performing a self-examination (Observe In Detail action) or being in- formed by a biomonitor (p. 450). While active, the pain editor increases your Willpower by 1 and decreases your Intuition by 1. Additionally, all tactile Perception Tests you make receive a dice pool modifier of –4.

Quote CRB p. 460.

If that wasn't the case there really wouldn't be any point of having it.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-26-16/0748:47>
All editions except this one specify that should a condition monitor be filled your character lose consciousness. Why they have neglected to write it out in this edition is beyond me. There has been a lot of discussion about it in the past but the consensus reached was that full bars mean you are out of luck unless you are equipped with special ware, drugs etc. such as the Pain Editor which states:

Pain editor: This cluster of specialized nervous tissue is designed to alter sensory stimuli. If the pain editor is active, this allows you to ignore all injury modifiers, and you even stay conscious when your Stun Condition Monitor is completely full. You feel no pain—you’re blissfully, dangerously, recklessly unaware of the extent of damage you’ve taken without either performing a self-examination (Observe In Detail action) or being in- formed by a biomonitor (p. 450). While active, the pain editor increases your Willpower by 1 and decreases your Intuition by 1. Additionally, all tactile Perception Tests you make receive a dice pool modifier of –4.

Quote CRB p. 460.

If that wasn't the case there really wouldn't be any point of having it.

Great. More unclear rules.

I think I will leave it as is. RAW, you don't lose consciousness if you run out if stun. Pain editir is still useful for cancelling your wound penalties. The second part (about staying conscious) i will treat as (yet another) editing and proofreading error.

YMMV
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: PiXeL01 on <02-26-16/0829:22>
The editing error and unclarity is that the accidentally deleted the implications of having a full Stun bar. Even in the quick start rules they explain you go unconscious as well as other places in the CRB as seen in this thread here :

http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?topic=11363.msg220189#msg220189

CRB talks about going unconcious from stun on p. 100 under calculating your bars (how much physical and stun damage you can take before going unconscious). P. 137 under survival and fatigue damage is says if your stun condition monitor overflows and you fall unconscious... And p. 460 the pain editor. So every places it's mentioned.

It would also be strange that four editions (five of you count anniversary as separate) had full stun = lights out.
Also stun weaponry would be completely useless if not. You need 30 boxes of damage to knock an average person out and if you do those 30 boxes then not only is your target out cold, the target is also dying.
Stun weaponry is designed to incapacitate which is impossible if full stun does not knock targets out.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: adzling on <02-26-16/0937:57>
yeah full stun = unconscious.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Whiskeyjack on <02-26-16/1002:18>
Wait, with a full stun condition monitor Vixen would be out cold and wouldn't be able to try anything. Being link-locked would mean her persona would still be there and she would probably get killed by the blaster icon.
There's not a real reason for the IC to kill her instead of the spider noting "target down" and reporting her location to law enforcement while tracking the illegal stuff she did that get her KO'd in the process.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-26-16/1225:59>
I will concede the point and update the narrative (and pdf) accordingly. Thanks.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: thinklibertarian on <02-29-16/1326:28>
I ran this as a mini-adventure for three hackers this past weekend. Two deckers and a technomancer. I treated it as a competition.

They all ran silently, even in the library, where security is a joke.

One decker did it because he thought of himself as a ghost, as in "ghost in the shell".

The other decker was new to the game, and was so cautious that by the time he entered the SC host, the technomancer was about to leave with the file.

The interesting bit was when the technomancer sicced his fault sprite on Ghost while he stole the file after Ghost had spent the effort in defusing the data bomb and unprotecting the file.

What we gathered from the experience: Deckers should prioritize resources (at least B) to get the best deck they can afford. Ghost was created with skills and attributes before resources, like the archetype in the book, and struggled with the limits imposed by the DR 2 deck.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: PiXeL01 on <02-29-16/1734:53>
I'm not sure if I mentioned it before but I think it is a good example of a run. It's very clear what is happening and why. I really should use this or similar to give the hackers at my table a test run.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: RickDeckard on <05-07-20/0649:27>
Thanks for this awesome example. Really helpful.

And yeah, Vixens fatal mistake was clearly running silent. Which begs the question, why would you ever run silent in a host? If you have a mark, you’re authorized to be there and won’t get in trouble until you make an illegal action, so you can just run normal up till that point.
Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: Xenon on <05-07-20/0728:03>
This thread is more than 4 years old......

Having said that; in 5th edition you switch to silent running before you take an Attack action, otherwise you will automatically be spotted.



...and there are some mistakes in the example (I just read it):

Noise is measured at your location. Distance to hosts in the 5th edition is zero.
You don't measure the noise the actual physical library (unless you happen to be hacking the host from there, but in that case you should probably establish a direct connection by using a cable from your cyberdeck to a device slaved to the host or physically touching it if you have skinlink echo in case of the TM, this would also let you ignore host ratings as trick or force your mark upon the host).

Marks are placed on the host, not the other way around. In the text Slicer picks up a library card and Vixen has a mark. Should rather be that he place it on the library host and Vixen placed her mark.

To locate a specific file inside a host you take the Matrix Search action with a base time of 1 minute, not just a matrix perception test as it is resolved in the text.

Running silent give you a negative dice pool modifier of 2 dice. Text does not account for that.

Patrol IC is noticing a persona that is looking for a file. Nothing illegal in that. Looking for a file is a legal Data Processing action. Running silent is also not illegal (but it is a bit suspicious - should probably gone in without running silent, unless perhaps it was after closing hours and the host is expected to be empty).

Nestled hosts was not a 'thing' in the 5th edition.

If you are spotted then you can take the Hide matrix action to become unspotted (this is optional and not really a mistake in the text, however, it would have been good to showcase it)

If you are marked then you can take the Erase Mark action to remove the mark (this is optional and not really a mistake in the text, however, it would have been good to showcase it).

Once things started to get heated Vixen could have just compiled a crack sprite and ordered it to retrieve the file while she exited the host and just waited for the sprite to complete his tasks.

Marks are individual. The Host has its marks. The spider has his. You can't 'share' your marks. Spider need to place his own. Instead of slicer gets a third mark it should be host place its third mark on slicer.

Edit File action to copy is opposed by host ratings. This is normally one of the hardest tests during a pay data run since you can't directly connect to the file in order to ignore host ratings. In the text no test is needed.

Tracing a sprite lead to the physical location of the technomancer that compiled it.

6th turn 1st pass. Vixen could have placed her mark on the file. And then taken the full matrix defense action, in the same initiative pass. Full Matrix Defense does not cost her the complex action, she still get to use it. That way she could have copied the book at initiative pass 2 with initiative score 11.

Title: Re: Shadowrun 5 Sample Matrix Run "Let's go to the Library" (Revised)
Post by: RickDeckard on <05-13-20/0254:19>
Old for sure, but obviously still relevant.

I think the part about Slicer picking up a library card is just a visual representation of him being a legal guest since he places a mark. All the italics texts are a visual description of what happens.

I was wondering about the host-inside-a-host cause I don’t recall seeing that anywhere in the rules. The only back door you can find inside a host is to the Foundation.

Agree it would have been smart to erase marks and definitely to hide after being spotted. That killed Vixen.

Are you sure the Spider doesn’t share marks with the host? He IS the host after all.

The Interrupt action could potentially have been taken just as Vixen is attacked rather than taking it as her first move, essentially costing her her first action phase. Never really sure when the best time to take an interrupt action is so I usually take it when needed and no sooner. Otherwise it could be a waste.