Decker Guide
The world of 2060 is deeply interconnected through the data-streams of the Matrix, and those who hack and work the Matrix from the shadows are refered to as Deckers.
Deckers are individuals skilled in programming, data-manipulation and cyber-warfare.
Introduction to the Matrix
The Matrix has long since replaced the internet, built on the old network after the Crash of 2029.
Made up of countless hosts spread across several grids, the matrix is a worldwide network accessible from even the simplest comlink. Of course not all spaces on the matrix are available to the public, hosts can be public forums, media-feeds and digital-storefronts, but they can also be private spaces, company networks and massive databases.
Even the grids that connect the hosts are not built equal, almost every megacorp out there has their own grid, each with their own benefits and most importantly, subscription fees. There´s always the public grid, usually local to a city or a region, which is free, but also filled with ads, bots and scamware. The public grid is the subway network of the matrix; dirty, crammed and crime-ridden, but cheap and accessible. Jumping from grid to grid is simple, but not something you do in a hurry. On the other hand, entering and exiting a host is usually about as easy as going into building, in fact many hosts use buildings as their representation on the grid in VR.
Virtual Reality
When the internet was reborn as the matrix, it was made into a Virtual Reality network. The matrix still works on screens in a 2D format, but the full matrix can only be experienced in full emersion VR. A person hook themselves up with a pair of "trodes" or a implanted datajack and enter the matrix as if they were really there. They can walk, fly or teleport (depending on the grid or host!) around the grid and enter hosts, interact with others and consume and create data in a thousand different ways. The grids and hosts can look like any environment the owner wishes and (within limits) the user can choose freely how they are portrayed on the matrix. Your presence in matrix VR is called your Persona. Your persona is how others perceive you in online, and can be customized to your liking, although some grids and most hosts place limits on how crazy you can go with your persona. Common limits include an upper and lower size limit around the sizes of the largest
Many devices are connected and/or controlled through the matrix, enhancing their capabilities but also leaving them vulnerable to hackers. Hence, matrix security has become a priority for those wanting to keep their stuff from being stolen, damaged or hijacked. Corporate Deckers working security are called Spiders, since they sit at the center of a web of sensors, both physical and digital.
Playing a Decker
To become a decker, you just need two things: The right skills and a cyberdeck.
Skills & Attributes
A decker needs a few specific skills to do their job, along with the attributes to use them. All of the following skills and attributes are useful, but it´s hard to be good at everything. Hence it´s worth considering picking a niche and becoming especially good at those skills.
A decker that spends most of their time fully emerged into the matrix and working from a distance may not need to be particularly good at Electronic Warfare and Hardware, for example. Whilst a decker that prefere to be in the thick of the fight and do most of their work using AR (augmented reality) don´t need to be as good at Cybercombat and Computers, but Hardware may be a lot more useful.
If you plan on buying most of your programs and/or cyberdeck, and don´t expect to need to work with devices in the field, you can forgo Software and Hardware skills and just buy what you need! But you may disappoint your comrades when they want you to improvise a hardware solution during a job.
Skills:
- Hacking - Used for most general hacking tasks.
- Computers - Used for most legal, computer usage related tasks like searching for information or setting up a program.
- Cybercombat - Your skill in "personal" combat inside the matrix.
- Electronic warfare - Jamming signals, locking onto targets and other "realspace/hardware" related warfare .
- Software - Writing, modifying and using programs, scripts and tools running on computers. Programming, essentially.
- Hardware - Building, fixing and inspecting electronic devices.
Attributes:
- Logic - Your most important attribute, used with most decking skills.
- Intuition - Used for initiative, matrix perception and other actions involving paying attention.
- Willpower - Useful in resisting shock damage, both in the matrix and in real-life. In the matrix, most damage is shock damage.
Cyberdecks
A cyberdeck (or just a deck) is a powerful, flexible and portable computer designed for hacking and counter-hacking. They feature more modular hardware and alot more processing power than your average comlink or home entertainment system.
A cyberdeck has 4 Matrix Attributes, which serve as Limits when performing matrix tasks with that deck.
- Attack - Offensive actions, loud and not subtle, but fast and effective.
- Sleaze - Stealth actions like bypassing firewalls, tracking enemies or stealing data. Slow but quiet.
- Data Processing - The devices ability to handle large amounts of data, calculations and searches. Generally speaking most tasks that are legal are handled by Data Processing.
- Firewall - A decks defenses agains invasion and damage. Serves as virtual armor against matrix damage.
The cyberdecks greatest strength is its flexible design; a decker can change these characteristics on the fly with a free action, re-assigning the values to a new attribute as necessary. When purchasing a deck, it has a listed Attribute Array. These are the values available to be assigned to different Matrix Attributes.
Dave the Decker is trying to hack into a server without being noticed, so he configures his Hermes Chariot cyberdeck to have Sleaze 5, Firewall 4, Data Processing 4 and Attack 2.
Later tonight when Dave is back home and playing video games, he re-configures his deck to instead have a Data Processing 5, Firewall 4, Sleaze 4 and Attack 2.
Side note: A decker actually doesn´t need a cyberdeck to hack things, they just need a way to interface with the matrix. A commlink (think smartphone) can be powerful in the right hands, but lacks many of the features that enhance a deckers abilities, like an flexible attribute array for example.
Cybernetics for Deckers
A huge pair of cyberarms won´t help you hack the Neo-Pentagon, but there´s more to cyber than just brute force!
Datajacks
The first thing you´ll want to get is a DNI, more commonly known as a Datajack. This lets you connect directly to devices and the matrix itself, enabling you to dive into matrix VR or control AR action with just your thoughts.
Note that you don´t need to get a DNI to enter matrix VR or use matrix AR, you can use a non-intrusive set of "trodes": electrodes worn around the head that detect and stimulate your brainwaves to produce a similar effect to a "true" datajack.
Cybereyes
While you don´t need these for entering VR (the datajack takes care of that) you might want to replace your normie eyes with a pair of high tech cybereyes to see the matrix overlaid over meatspace using augmented reality (AR). Cybereyes come standard with an Image Link to let you see AR, images and video from other devices and other information overlayed on your vision, as well as a camera to record what you see and save it for later. Cybereys also have room for further enhancments varying from Thermal vision to Retinal duplication.
If you don't feel like removing your eyeballs, a pair of glasses, googles or similar with the Image Link enhancement can do just as well. Just remember that losing your glasses is a lot more likely than losing your eyes!
Cyberdecks and comlinks
Yes, you read that right! For those who really cant put their computer away there's the option to have a full cyberdeck or comlink (or both!) implanted. This really needs you to also have a datajack to be practical, as reaching inside your head to press some keys is.. less than ideal. With an implanted cyberdeck and datajack you can use your deck hands free and without risk of losing it or damaging it (unless you yourself are damaged, but you know, bigger issues).
Extended reading and Video guides
Would you like to know more?
Note: Most gamemasters will run simplified/streamlined versions of these rules, so don't be off-put by the complexity of the rules as written!
Have a look at the Shadowrun 5e Core Rulebook and read through the Matrix chapter on page 216.
Once you have a grasp on that you´re ready to take on the expansions Street Grimoire , the expansion Chrome Flesh may also be of interest, as it contains some decker oriented augmentations as well.
If you´d rather ingest your rules in a video format, we can highly recommend these videos by Complex Action, covering some of the more complex rules in bitesize videos. Below is a playlist of their videos on matrix and decking, but they have clips on other areas of Shadowrun 5th edition as well!
Complex Action - Matrix Rules Playlist
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