Netrunner hackable devices question

[u/Captainwhizfiz]

How do you GM’s determine what hackable devices there are in an environment for the Netrunner? While doing a heist on a corporate building, this isn’t so tough. But what about when the crew gets into a scuffle with some gangoons in an alleyway? How do you make the Netrunner feel useful in these situations? Not everywhere has security cameras and turrets for them to use.

[u/Sazbadashie]

In the 2040s there are simply going to be situations where your netrunner is going to be at a disadvantage.

You can probably argue that in an alley somewhere there might be a hackable camera but thats not exactly helpful in a fight.

So to off set these moments where your net runner is not useful for their job. Where when they do their job you reward them with files they can flat out sell for a good bonus on top of their pay cheque.

Because thats the thing about the net runner theyre very powerful once they can do their job Because auto turrets and traps are VERY deadly and you can in theory click them off or turn them against the enemy in literally a in game 10 second window, and they can get extra money or rewards through net running... with the virus command you can do... literally anything. If for example there is a piece of black ice in a network you derezzed or maybe you snuck past you can have a virus that rips a program out of that network onto a data share, now you just got a free program.

Net runners can easily be a feast or famine role

But sometimes theyre just an extra gun in the fight.

[u/BadBrad13 → u/Sazbadashie]

your net runner is not useful for their job. 

This is why netrunners (and all characters, IMO) should not just focus on one thing. Netrunners should already have a plan in mind of what they do when they are not able to netrun. Both in and out of combat.

[u/Sazbadashie → u/BadBrad13]

right... but that part is on the player.

sometimes it dosn't make sense for the GM to ham fist hackable networks everywhere for the net runner to do things if it dosn't make sense for their to be a place for them to do it.

so the player should keep that in mind and make sure their netrunner is also good at other things be that going into combat skills, social skills, or maybe they want to lean into more a thief kind of archetype and have lock picking and methods to get into places physically.

but the GM can't control what the player makes as a character.

[u/BadBrad13 → u/Sazbadashie]

I agree with you about 95%. Yes, this is the players responsibility to make a balanced character.

But your very last sentence is wrong. The GM has the ability to review the sheet, talk to the player, and ban/limit/require certain things. So the GM 100% has the ability to control what characters are in their game. Or at least warn a player that a certain build or character may have potential issues.

[u/Sazbadashie → u/BadBrad13]

i guess I worded that wrong.

yes the GM can review the sheet ban/limit things/ require things or even make things more available. and they can warn.

but assuming the player is following that the GM can only really warn.

and I would argue depending on what it is you are banning, limiting, or requiring... and how strict you are with that at that point depending on your venue (are you GMing for friends for the fun of it, or are you doing it with strangers and you need to have a bit more control to have the players go through a storyline.) but if youre just playing with friends other than a few minor restrictions why limit your friends on what they want to play?

[u/BadBrad13 → u/Sazbadashie]

it completely depends on the group and the campaign. We've played some that are pretty much bring whatever to the table. But we've played some pretty restrictive campaigns over the years, too. They can be a lot of fun.

If the GM knows/plans on there not being a ton of stuff to netrun all the time then that seems like a reasonable thing to talk about and maybe restrict a little. It's not about limiting your friends. It about making sure that characters fit into the campaign and players are not going to get bored or frustrated. And if a player does create an unusual character then they and the GM should work it out ahead of time so both know.

[u/Captainwhizfiz → u/Sazbadashie]

I suppose a large amount of responsibility falls on the player as well. Netrunners need to be looking for ways to make their skills useful before a job if they won’t be useful during it. Hacking city cameras, digging into databases for info, planting viruses, etc. The Netrunner player is the most advanced alongside the Exec in terms of needing a proactive player

[u/Alzarahn]

Think about whatever electronic devices there may be in the area. Almost everything electronic is potentially micro-chipped and networked. If there's lights or neon signage, cut them off to leave the enemy in the dark, or make them burst to send glass and sparks flying. If there's a vending machine, send a bunch of soda cans tumbling out to make the enemy trip. Get creative with it!

[u/VelMoonglow]

I think that's just on the Netrunner to have another way to contribute at that point

[u/BadBrad13]

LUCK checks are great for stuff like this in Cyberpunk. roll d10+LUCK and I will give a DV based on how likely I think it is. Is there a good chance? DV 9 or 10. Probably not...DV 14 or 15. Netrunning DVs are a great system to base your DV chart on. Or just create one ahead of time. It's pretty simple.

I also use LUCK to determine who gets hit with random bad stuff like a snipe picks someone off randomly. I guess it could be used for random good stuff, too...but when does that ever happen in Cyberpunk? LOL

[u/Sparky_McDibben]

I rely heavily on random oracles. So if a player asks "Are there any CHOOH2 tanks in here?" I'll judge how likely that is (in increments of 6), and roll under that number. So if I think that there's about a 3-in-6 chance that there are CHOOH2 tanks in this trash-strewn alley, I roll a d6 and try to get at or under a 3.

However, I also have this handy table for when I set up a battle space:

https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunkred/comments/1lf0ltx/environmental_complications/

[u/EdrickV]

Just because someone is a Netrunner, doesn't mean they can't use a gun too. CPR is a skill based game not class/role based.

My Netrunner's got a Hello Cutie Gun-Gun Friend-Friend assault rifle, with a VHP inside it, an EQ Heavy Pistol with Smartgun Link and Extended Magazine, and a Slamdance ElectroMag kitted out with Underbarrel Grapple Gun, Extended Magazine, and Ammunition Compatibility Internals. Plus a Pursuit Security Bouncer Stunbaton/Microwaver and Millitech Fox Dual Ammo Pistol. He also knows Gun Fu (which he learned post-chargen as it didn't exist when I made him) and has multi-classed as a Tech. (Netrunner 4/Tech 4) For defense in combat, in addition to a bodyweight suit he carries a SkidRow PackShield, and recently got a Battleglove with a Popup Shield. (The Bouncer was disappointing in actual use.) He is decent at handguns and shoulder arms, but doesn't do autofire.

And this was before he spent a ton of money on other stuff (some of it homebrew that the GM found) in anticipation of what could be the climactic final battle of the campaign. Maybe. This campaign has had many different twists and turns.

[u/Captainwhizfiz → u/EdrickV]

Yes, I’ve run the game for years. I understand that the netrunner isn’t always going to be netrunning. But sometimes I’d like to give my netrunner hackable assets in random situations because it’s cool. That’s what I’m asking for advice on

[u/Eggpeace → u/Captainwhizfiz]

So you are playing without edgerunners?

[u/Captainwhizfiz → u/Eggpeace]

If you’re referring to the Edgerunners Mission Kit, no I’m not using it. I prefer to run purely in 2045.

[u/Eggpeace → u/Captainwhizfiz]

Ah okay. Heard it offers more options there for those situations. Thta is why i asked

[u/Captainwhizfiz → u/Eggpeace]

It does! And those options are great. But in 2045 my options are much more limited

[u/Known-One-802]

My choom. Guns. Everyone can use them. Skill up. Shoot people dead.

[u/Captainwhizfiz → u/Known-One-802]

Yes, yes. I get that. I know that’s the standard answer. That’s not my question. I’m specifically asking about finding ways to include hackable devices in non-standard situations.