New Simplified Matrix and computers
rules
Digital Tracing is used to locate
people and systems, or to find out restricted information on the
Matrix. It consists of finding a pattern or bit of information or
"Digital Trace" on the matrix, and stealthily investigating
it through hacking. Hackers have sophisticated heuristics, programs
and NUMB3RS style cross-referencing that they use to track a target
in combination with breaking into and passing through restricted
systems and channels. Modern matrix security and identity protection
are ubiquitous, and effective, so the process isn't easy; nonetheless
it's often a first resort for finding someone. There are a few
steps:
1. Find a Digital Trace
The attacker attempts
to find a lead in locating his target in the matrix. To do this, he
rolls an open computers test against a base target number of (4+ the
defender's digital stealth ranks) +or- any of the following
modifiers
Social Modifiers
target known well*: -
6
superficial details(appearance, habits): - 1~2
personal
info(Name, CC#): -4
Target hunted: -2~-6
*This is the
sum of personal info and superficial details, and replaces them if
they are maxed.
Evidentiary Modifiers
Contact With
system defender has interacted with: -2
Access to personal system
of defender: -4
Digital Contact: -4
Defender
Bonuses
Protected by Engineer or VI: +Rating
Defender has
Fake ID: + 1/2 Rating
Defender Sheltered by a group: +
2~6
Previous Session*: +2
Blind Search**: +6
*The matrix as
a whole, and individual defenses are adaptive, and each previous
attempt at tracing a target imposes a 2 point penalty, these stack
each time the same attacker goes after the same defender.
**If
none of the above negative modifiers apply, then the attacker has no
"hook" to find his target, and this penalty applies on top
of all others.
Many of these modifiers will be known only to
the GM. Thus; the attacker rolls an open test and the GM reports his
success or failure in finding a Trace. Failure could mean either that
he didn't roll high enough, or that there was nothing to be found. It
is similar in this way to checking a device for tampering. If the
Attacker succeeds the GM informs him of the target number that he
will have if he chooses to begin a session. Finding additional
information or evidence can lower the target number before the
session, if the attacker chooses to go out and find it through
old-fashioned means, or during the session if the attacker picks it
up digitally as he goes along.
1. The attacker first divides his Tech
Pool Dice (if any) between his computers and Digital Stealth skills.
They remain allocated in this way until the session ends or contact
is made with the defender.
2. The Attacker rolls an open
Digital Stealth test. This determines how hard it is for the defender
to detect him, how long he has, and how close he can get. At this
point the session is begun, and if the attacker backs out, he
receives a +2 previous session TN penalty.
3. The Attacker attempts to find
information about the target by rolling computers versus the
established TN. Depending on how specific or sensitive the
information is, a penalty is applied to digital stealth:
Level 1: -2 penalty, vague information:
country, race, sex
Level 2: -4 penalty, more descriptive: city,
hair color, archetype
Level 3: -6 penalty, good info: City
district, photo, modus operandi
Level 4: -8 penalty, exact info:
Building, Name, SIN, Deploy Hacking Power
Every attempt has a 50% chance to cause
digital stealth to degrade by 2 points. Each failed attempt
permanently lowers digital stealth by the level the attempt was
failed at.
Before the Attacker actually gains the
information, the defender has a chance to roll computers+tech pool
(if any) to see if the attacker is exposed. If this roll fails, the
Attacker continues unimpeded. If it succeeds, the defender may
respond in various ways such as counter-hacking, or the deployment of
IC.
If you get caught...
Counter-hacking
The Defender may try to further expose
the Attacker by rolling computers vs. the Attacker’s current
digital stealth rating. Each success reduces digital stealth by 1 and
imposes a +1 penalty on current and future trace attempts.
The Defender may attempt to gain
information about the Attacker by rolling computers vs a TN of the
Attacker's current digital stealth level + the level of information
desired.
The Defender may attempt to end the
attacker's session outright with an opposed computers roll. The
defender gains a -1 bonus, and the attacker gains a +1 penalty for
each round since the attacker has been exposed.
Intrusion Countermeasures (IC)
The Defender May use their action to
deploy Intrusion Countermeasures, or IC. Once deployed, IC remains in
effect for the duration of the session, acting each turn. Defenders
may allot tech pool dice to their IC. A user may control a number of
defensive programs equal to their computers skill.
White IC
White IC rolls its user's computers
skill against TN 4 and can be avoided by using tech pool to negate
successes. It is resisted by rolling computers against a target
number equal to its rating. Each net success from the IC reduces the
attacker's computers skill by one for the duration of the session.
Attackers reduced to 0 computer's skill may not take actions other
than to attempt to leave the session.
White IC programs cost ¥1000*rating
Black IC
Black IC rolls its user's computers
skill against TN 4 and can be avoided by using tech pool to negate
successes. It is resisted by rolling computers+body against a target
number equal to its rating. Black IC has a base damage code of
moderate, and stages up as ranged damage. The IC is capable of frying
hardware or killing hackers.
Cost: ¥10,000*rating, avial:
rating*1.5, street index: 2
Tar bombs
Defenders may deploy Tar Bombs to
hamper attackers. The defender rolls computers vs a TN of the
attacker's current digital stealth level. Each success imposes a +1
penalty on the attacker's rolls, up to a maximum of the Tar's rating.
Attackers effected by tar cannot choose to leave a session. The
penalties from Tar are reduced by 1 each turn, and can be negated by
using an action to roll computers vs the Tar's rating, with each
success lowering them by 1. A Tar Bomb program can be used once per
session.
Tar Bombs cost ¥1500*rating and have
an availability of their rating, with no street index.
Barriers
Defender's may place barriers to
protect their information and systems, causing attackers to require
extra successes to gain access. The defender rolls computers vs TN 6,
with each success placing an additional barrier, up to a maximum of ½
the program’s rating.
Cost: ¥1000* rating, avail:
rating/rating days, street index: 1
Summoning help
Attackers or defenders may use their
actions to summon help from others they can contact who can link to
their session. New participants arrive at the start of the next turn,
and participate as either attackers or defenders accordingly.
Participation in a session counts as digital contact.
Leaving a session
The attacker may choose to leave a
session at any time prior to being discovered, or as their chosen
action after being discovered. Attackers may choose to abort an
action and leave the session instead after a defender has responded.
Data-jacks and computers
Being linked into a system with a
data-jack gives a user the ability to supplement computers tasks with
intelligence, and a tech pool equal to ½ their intelligence if they
would not normally have one.
