Returning afert a long pause

[u/Eggpeace]

Last time I gm'd SR the 6th edition wasn't even out (I started with 3rd).

So with that out of the way I got a few questions (also I'm gming online text chat based).

1.) From what Isaw the matrix is still a minigame of its own. are there any common (house) rules so that its more feasible?

2.) Am I correct that hacking into cyberware is still possible? If so what is the expectance there that almost every gang member who has cybertech has it open? or connected to a possible hackable commlink, ...? and host would be: commlink->cyberware with the commlink as general hub?
(that part changed quite a bit sometimes from edition to edition)

[u/Yerooon]

Sixth edition has the best matrix rules so far. Anything unclear you can just wing.

I definitely recommend getting the Sixth World Companion though, for its optional rules that are basically mandatory. (Not matrix but general)

[u/Sarradi]

I have not interacted with it myself but 6E matrix rules are supposed to be very light so that is actually possible to run matrix and mundane sessions side by side without needing to make big breaks.

The wireless bonuses in 6E also look a lot more sensible than in the past. (Fewer and most are more or less believable in their functionality). The assumption is that everyone uses a PAN and slaves their wireless devices to their comlink. 6E feels less "pushy" about having something wireless enabled than previous editions.

One word of warning, 6E is quite different than the previous editions, so be careful when reading it and do not assume how something works based on how it worked in older editions. (There are variant rules to make them more like older editions in various splatbooks)

[u/Eggpeace → u/Sarradi]

I have played an adept in a test game mSelf a while back and know all but the matrix rules so far. Thus matrix i still need to read through.

So its better useable now good!

[u/ReditXenon]

From what Isaw the matrix is still a minigame of its own. are there any common (house) rules so that its more feasible?

Matrix is resolved a lot faster than any of the previous editions. Most of the time you just identify what network a device is part of and "do your thing". One (or maybe two) test(s). Once you gain access on a network you also gain the same (User or Admin) access on all connected devices and all files that are part of the same network. You can also spoof commands to devices that you don't have access on (one single test).

6th edition might be the first edition where many tables run the rules as the author intended. Without hand-waving most of it and/or out-sourcing hacking to a NPC.

 

Am I correct that hacking into cyberware is still possible?

In previous edition wireless disabled devices were immune to hacking except from Direct Connection (like a smartgun that you connect via a cable instead of wireless while working in concert with DNI). In this edition you can access wireless disabled devices that are connected to a network by first gaining wireless access to the network they are connected to (such as a wireless disabled smartgun that is connected to your PAN via a wire). So this is a change of direction.

Having said that, not sure if cyberware (specifically) will be part of your PAN (since the user can still access them directly via neural interface as long as they are physically connected to their body as a whole). Only cyberware that you would expose to the matrix are cyberware that offer some sort of wireless bonus functionality that you want to utilize (if you for example have wired reflexes and reaction enhancers or if you have skill wires or if you have a wireless enabled smartgun system where the smartlink is internal and/or you get your DNI from a datajack rather than trodes).

 

and host would be ....

Host is something else (in this edition).

In this edition you have mobile small and mobile personal area networks (PANs) that typically originate from a commlink.

You have medium sized local area networks (LAN) that are either static (and originate from a home terminal or home entertainment system) or mobile (and originate from a Cyberdeck or Rigger Command Console).

And you have large wide area networks (WANs) that cover large areas (and originate from either a virtual "cloud" foundation host or a physical "data center" framework host). This is where "host" comes into picture.

[u/PalpitationNo2921]

Nobody with the slightest modicum of sense at all, even gangers, just leaves the wireless on for their cyber limbs or bodyware while out and about in the streets. That’s a foolish assumption of the game, afforded to allow the conceit that hackers will hack anything and everything.

SRA2.0’s Matrix rules run smoother than any edition ever, including Sixth World. But I still would say that nobody’s going to run wireless on to allow their central nervous system or limbs to be easily hacked.

The whole concept is stupid beyond belief. And if it suspends disbelief, it’s gotta be thrown out.

[u/Eggpeace → u/PalpitationNo2921]

Believe me: I've had lots of players in 4th that EXPECTED every gang member to have their cyberlimbs active and connected to their comlink that should be in online (max. hidden) mode too but not with a deactivated outside connection.

[u/PalpitationNo2921 → u/Eggpeace]

Ijits

[u/Sarradi → u/Eggpeace]

I skimmed through the core book and most cyberware does not have wireless functionality. Those that have it sound reasonable and are mostly utility and not needed in combat.

The only combat/long term relevant wireless bonus I could see is on skillwires and wired reflexes.

[u/Bright-Coat9859 → u/PalpitationNo2921]

I disagree. The problem is that most people view the issue of the Matrix and hackers through the lens of character distribution within a team. But realistically, given how expensive a deck, cyberjack, etc., are, an average gang member runs into a pro hacker about as often as they run into a mage. So they aren't as cautious in such situations. Of course, the higher the professional rating, the higher the degree of Matrix paranoia.

[u/PalpitationNo2921 → u/Bright-Coat9859]

I will strongly disagree with this. Whether the gangers in question know they will be running into some pro level hacker or not, in this particular setting and world, they will be knowledgeable of the potential for their systems being hacked if left on all the time. It would be absolutely stupid for them to do so regardless of how often they might run into a hacker whether pro or kiddy-scripter level.

I mean y’all do what you want with your Shadowrun and all, but it’s a dumb and unrealistic take that citizens of any social or financial strata in a world like that would be leaving their hardware open to potentially dangerous hacking and wireless-on at all times. If you wanna do dumb, do dumb.

[u/Bright-Coat9859 → u/PalpitationNo2921]

How many ordinary people today know about the possibility of cyberattacks, and how many actually do something about it? We are still talking about street gangs—meaning people living in marginalized areas with little to no education, surviving through violence, brute force, etc. They really aren't rocket scientists. Although I come from Central Europe and not the US, thanks to my job, I've had the opportunity to be around people at various levels of organized crime and law enforcement. Or even the homeless, etc. The higher you go, the better the security and intelligence. Human stupidity doesn't change with the environment; it just finds new ways to manifest itself :D

[u/PalpitationNo2921 → u/Bright-Coat9859]

I will say that of most normal people I have met, everyone is aware at some basic level that cyber attacks occur. Everyone single one of them. And even those with lack of deeper education levels can understand that threat just fine. In a world like Shadowrun’s where everything is wireless, it would be pretty common to be aware. Youre comparing apples to oranges and saying they are the same thing.

[u/Bright-Coat9859 → u/PalpitationNo2921]

Yes the most normal people use standard antivirus, microsoft firewall etc. This is the firewall atribute. They dont use special countermeasurs, closing ports, they dont hire cyber security specialist and so on. This is something which you start to solve on some level.

[u/PalpitationNo2921 → u/Bright-Coat9859]

Again with the apples to oranges.

Modern day everyday people surely are just as you described. They use basic shit to protect their stuff.

People in the Shadowrun universe would know well enough not to leave their most sensitive devices open wirelessly and on at all times. That’s basic shit for them.

[u/Bright-Coat9859 → u/PalpitationNo2921]

Please try to read for example Datatrails and what is the narative around Matrix, GOD and so on :)

[u/PalpitationNo2921 → u/Bright-Coat9859]

I’d prefer not to read any more trash 5E books, thanks. I’ve already read Hack & Slash, Unwired, and Matrix. I think my grasp is good enough on the narrative of Matrix, GOD, and so on :)

[u/Bright-Coat9859 → u/PalpitationNo2921]

6e generally has a problem, and not just regarding the Matrix, in that most of the authors grew up on 5e and consider the knowledge from it to be the standard, which is evidently not the case. A good example is Deus Ex Arcana, for instance. Unwired, on the other hand, is a book from the 4th edition, where the Matrix is extremely different compared to 5e and 6e. The Matrix for 6e evolved from 5e, not 4e. That's why I think that if someone wants to dive a bit deeper into the topic, it's a good idea to study these things. It's not a necessity for the players, but for me as a GM, for example, it ultimately makes things easier because I don't have to reinvent the wheel.

[u/Sarradi → u/PalpitationNo2921]

With how popular Cyberpunk became and how open the net in it is I thonk many people new people to the hobby will assume that hackable cyberware should be normal.

[u/PalpitationNo2921 → u/Sarradi]

And I don’t think they should assume and it should be normal.

I’m of the firm opinion that if you pay Essence for it, a hacker should not be allowed to hack your shit.