Software
Software can be purchased as Matrix download or less commonly on a datachip from physical stores.
Apps, datasofts, mapsofts, shopsofts, and tutorsofts can be easily stored and accessed on a commlink, dataterminal, or cyberdeck.
Software can be purchased as Matrix download or less commonly on a datachip from physical stores.
Apps, datasofts, mapsofts, shopsofts, and tutorsofts can be easily stored and accessed on a commlink, dataterminal, or cyberdeck.
Simple little programs, apps usually only enhance a user’s augmented reality or virtual reality experience with a few minor options for support programs. There are no limits to how many commlink apps that can be run at once - some are made to run in the background, after all - but if you're running an amount over half the Device Rating of the commlink then you're going to experience significant slowdown.
A matrix host dedicated to all forms of VR gaming, acting as a matchmaking host, game browser, and means of free hosting for trideo game studios hoping to retain an online element for a smaller cost than upkeeping their own host - those things prone to disruptions by pesky deckers.
Any kind of game can be found here, including licensed games from large companies. Shooters, strategy games, life sims, Massively Multiplayer Matrix Role Playing Games (MMMRPGs), Virtual Role-Playing Games (VRPGS), and more.
All you need is a valid BattleGrid or P2.1 account (as Horizon owns both) and you have access.
Each member has access to their own private lobby with achievements, trophies, and customizations can be disributed and equipped and AR pop-ups will notify you of BattleGrid activity when you're out and about in real-life! Never again wonder when JB_42069 is going to log on again or the W/L ratios on your gaming partners when BattleGrid will make sure you know! BattleGrid is also known as a place that hackers like to blow off steam in, as the IC are fairly competent and provide a real challenge without the risk of a stroke.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free* (In-App Purchases Available!)
Notes:
-
A Code Buddy is an app designed to help you create software faster by constantly checking for errors and providing suggestions for solutions, and even writing some of the more tedious code for you based on heuristic algorithms. This app can save you a lot of time, but not always - we’ve all laughed at autocorrect fails!
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥30
Notes:
When making a programming test with the assistance of a Code Buddy app, add 1 die to your dice pool, but make it a Wild Die.
Connections! is an aging - yet still internationally popular - blogging platform based entirely around curating an individualized feed for you to browse without the pretense of overt advertisement or corporation-specific social media like MetaMatrix or P2.1.
With P2.1 opening its door to its sister-site YouStar, Connections! now is more niche and has found popularity with freelance or underground reporters, consumers, beauty gurus, and so on.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free
Notes:
-
Purporting to affect corporate change through consumer decisions, promoting product safety, fair pricing, and corporate overwatch, their motto is: “Our nuyen, our lives, our opinions matter.”
This is a great place to get - and post - info on products, everything from chewing gum to grenades. If you want to check something out before you buy it, subscribe to this network.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥15
Notes:
With a Consumables account, you may freely ascertain the quality of certain products regardless of luxury, from foodstuffs to boomsticks.
If used in conjunction with a thematically appropriate Influence-based test, you gain +1 Dice Reroll.
An ongoing self-evaluation system that monitors all the devices in a user’s PAN, giving constant vital statistics on their behavior.
Popular with computer-literate and interested users who enjoy trying to squeeze every last bit of usefulness out of devices, they are also popular in keeping people aware of attacks against their PAN in a manner similar to a biomonitor.
Availability:
1
Cost:
¥50
Notes:
Having the Diagnostics app running allows for constant up-to-date information on every device within your PAN, including how damaged they are.
Having the Diagnostics app running provides a basic alert to overt damaging actions against your devices - even if you're not paying attention!
The quintessential "don't peep my drek" app. If a decryption attempt is detected, the app’s default response is to alert the commlink’s owner and delete the files. The default response can be altered - one of the more clever applications is to cause the files to be edited or replaced, so that the hacker downloads false information unknowingly.
Availability:
3
Cost:
¥100
Notes:
Any files stored away in a File Vault app are protected by encryption with a rating equal to your commlink’s Firewall attribute.
All things game-related are supported by this social network. It provides a meeting place for gamers of all kinds - AR, VR, even board games - and helps link up multi-user games with players. Members can rate games, discuss strategy, post cheats, and kibitz about their favorite games.
This network is also the favorite dumping ground for software pirates, and users frequently can download copies of the latest and greatest (even unreleased) games that they’ve cracked.
Availability:
2
Cost:
Free* (In-App Purchases Available!)
Notes:
Grants a bonus point of Edge when performing a Matrix Search to find pirated software.
The central matrix portal of traditional hermetic street witchcraft. The vast majority of users are deeply radical, with a significant population holding neo-anarchist attitudes. HexNet represents what is seen as more 'colorful' and less academically accepted on MagickNet such as traditional withcraft, Chaos Magic, Wicca, Vodou, Heka, other neo-pagan traditions and even black magic.
HexNet bills itself as a primarily woman oriented, anti-fascist, anti-capitalist alternative. Needless to say, it is one of the most unpopular matrix sites for magic in the Sixth World and it faces daily attacks and terrible reviews about the "disturbed" traditions of HexNet.
Availability:
4
Cost:
Free
Notes:
Grants +1 Dice Reroll when using a Matrix Search in Magic-related searches.
May be consulted for various Knowledge Skills involving magic, paganism, and spiritualism. Results may vary!
MagickNet is a popular social network that deals exclusively with magical topics including academic discourse, research, development and reference material. Awakened users can meet and mingle with other likeminded folk, discuss the latest theories, and post spell formulae (including illegally obtained copyrighted formulae, if you know which SysOp is part of the Undernet).
There are also special areas devoted to all the wacky paranormal things Mother Earth’s been throwing at us. It is one of the oldest social networks in history - tracing its roots back to a bulletin board forum in the late 1980's. Like all social media sites, it offers AR tags so that users of the network can identify each other on the street.
Various "licensed" talismongers offer their goods via MagickNet for relatively moderate prices.
Availability:
2
Cost:
Free* (In-App Purchases Available!)
Notes:
Allows for the acquisition of spell formulae without a Magic-related contact - worldwide! At a 30% mark-up.
Grants +1 Dice Reroll on any Matrix Search related to paranormal topics.
Hackers sometimes need to make it look like one of their devices is running an active persona, perhaps while they are busy using a different device or just trying to blend in somewhere. The Mannequin app requires a Personal Assistant app to be running in order to function. With both Mannequin and a personal assistant running, your commlink appears to any Matrix observer to be generating an active persona.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free
Notes:
Detecting that this is a false persona requires a Matrix Perception test against a threshold equal to the commlink’s Device Rating.
The most popular of the dating services (or perhaps just the one with the largest subscriber base), this fee-for-service group allows members to post their details and their preferences for companionship. The network allows you to see if someone meeting your specifications is within range and even provides meeting suggestions.
The network also provides a live blogging feature, advice columns, a rating system for everything from restaurants to florists, streaming video, and audio files on everything from personal grooming to pickup lines and their signature “Ten Best Places to Kiss” lists for major sprawls around the globe.
Availability:
-
Cost:
¥35
Notes:
Grants a +1 Dice Reroll for any Influence-related tests involving seduction.
Grants a point of Edge on any Matrix Search related to restaurants and clubs.
Social media is ubiquitous in the Sixth World, and it can be a useful way to gather information quickly. Even people without MeFeed accounts are referenced and tracked, so if you know where to look, you can invade anyone’s privacy. These are commonly accessorized with a small flying drone for capturing life on the go and taking selfies. Many shadowrunners take advantage of this to excuse the presence of a surreptitious reconnaissance device.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free* (In-App Purchases Available!)
Notes:
Having the MeFeed app running provides a point of Edge on any Matrix Search about a person, company, pop culture topic, or current event.
A Glitch on this test introduces a piece of misinformation, while a Critical Glich corrupts the entire search.
With roots dating back to the 2050s, the "citizen journalist" network was started by Yamatetsu and it remains one of the oldest social networks in the Sixth World. MetaMatrix designers who rebuild MetaMatrix post-Crash 2.0 made sure that great lengths are gone to focus on bringing all of metahumanity together, and representation is not difficult to find at all. In addition to the usual offerings of a social network - friend lists, instant messaging, personal posts, travel reports, recipes, beauty tips, bloggers - MetaMatrix offers a space for independent news away from the mainsteam with the MetaMatrix Citizen Journalist platforms. These act as individual micro-hosts where people can become "citizen journalists" and document life as a minority in the Sixth World on the basis of their own experiences in vlogs, blogs, MeFeeds, and YouStar videos.
Most Citizen Journalists with major followings are known to be conspiracy theorists, influencers, and paid actors by various corporations or special interests.
MetaMatrix does position itself clearly against racists, reactionaries, and other non-progressive individuals and groups. Evo - MetaMatrix's owner - is known for pushing product placement on MetaMatrix harder than any other social media site, with MetaType clinics, MetaErgonomics, MetaTribe, MetaL fashion, and even residential communities and member discounts which are all targeted via metadata at your metatype. MetaMatrix is also a popular target with hate groups and has a fairly high level of security to counter the daily spam, misinformation campaigns, and DDOS attacks.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free* (In-App Purchases Available!)
Notes:
Having the MetaMatrix app running grants a +1 Dice Reroll on any Matrix Search about a person, company, pop culture topic, etc.
Having the MetaMatrix app running grants a point of Edge on any Matrix Search regarding hate movements and groups.
Persona 2.1 (or P2.1 to anyone born after 2060) monitors and supports all other social networks that a person might use, incorporating the gigantic network of information that builds up around a normal citizen into a Persona profile.
From this activity, a Persona Score (P-Score) is generated which judges their reputation on P2.1 and inside the company of Horizon itself. Commercial offers become more available to those with higher P2.1 scores, including free deliveries and one-time deals on expensive items such as vacation packages, cars, and cyberware.
For much of the Matrix, a P2.1 score is more or less a metric of how reliable and "real" you are but Horizon also uses it for employee assessment via Eternal Horizon - the company's closed-off, behind-the-doors P-Score.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free* (In-App Purchases Available!)
Notes:
Having the P2.1 app running provides a point of Edge in all Influence-related tests against Horizon employees.
Having the P2.1 app running grants +1 Dice Reroll on any Matrix Search relating to an individual and their personal information.
Having the P2.1 app running grants a +1 Dice Pool Bonus on all Con tests relating to to pretending to be or know a specific person by using the information found on P2.1.
The personal assistant is one of the most common and popular commlink apps. It functions as a software servant, with the primary functions of keeping track of your schedule, monitoring your network, and automating control of connected devices. They are often programmed with artificial personalities and distinctive icons but are nowhere near being true sentient AI. These are essentially just highly sophisticated commlink automation tools.
Availability:
2
Cost:
Rating x ¥100
Notes:
Unless equipped with additional software (see P-ICE below), it is limited to the following Matrix actions: Change Icon, Control Device (owned devices only), Edit File (owned files only), Enter/Exit Host, Format Device (self-only), Full Matrix Defense, Jack Out, Matrix Perception, Matrix Search, Reboot Device (self-only), and Send Message.
Issuing your PA a simple command requires a Minor Action. More complex automations requires a bit more time and focus.
Especially elaborate and complex automations may require an extended programming test (Electronics (Software) + Logic) with an interval of 1 minute, per the GM’s discretion. Any sequence, contingency, and combination of the available Matrix Actions is possible.
Your PA will only take actions as directed. It has no initiative of its own and is capable of taking a single Matrix Action each Combat Round on your turn.
For all actions, a PA’s dice pool is its (Rating x 2). However, a PA must buy hits instead of rolling (1 hit for every full 4 dice, rounded down), and no Edge may spent on its behalf.
On its default setting, a PA improves your overall Matrix defense by constantly taking the Full Defense Matrix Action on your behalf. This adds its rating to your dice pool to resist any hostile Matrix actions.
Note: A rating 1 PA can buy 0 hits, rating 2–3 buys 1 hit, rating 4–5 buys 2 hits, and rating 6 buys 3 hits.
This app allows you to share your simsense feed with other users. Most commonly used to experience media together or share a private simsense environment, it also allows users to subscribe to the commlink’s simsense feed as a passenger in the Matrix. A subscribed user experiences all the same simsense as the commlink’s owner, including any dumpshock or biofeedback damage. Subscribers can choose their own interface mode to limit this danger.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free
Notes:
Using AR completely prevents any damage, and cold sim VR means you only take Stun damage from biofeedback. Only biofeedback damage is shared, not Matrix damage. The only Matrix Actions a SimShare subscriber can use are send message, switch interface mode, and jack out, but you can assist other Matrix Actions with a Teamwork test if you have the matching skill.
A hitchhiker shows up as an icon attached to the host persona, and cannot be targeted separately via Matrix Actions, complex forms, or sprite powers.
A legal online marketplace that was made to connect buyers and sellers, tracking transactions through SINs and allowing subscribers to see the evolving rep of any other registered subscriber.
Before you choose to deal with someone, you can view their rep score and if it's negative you can choose to take your business elsewhere or take your chances.
Availability:
2
Cost:
Free
Notes:
Requires a Rating 2 SIN to use.
While The Bazaar app is running, it grants a +1 Dice Reroll on any Matrix Search relating to buying or selling any legal items.
An algorithm that constantly monitors the owner of the PAN in all their interactions with devices.
Taking this data, it attempts to determine the emotional state of the person and generates a playlist of songs to better support said user, either enhancing the feelings or dampening them.
Essentially the mood ring of the Sixth World.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free* (In-App Purchases Available!)
Notes:
Having the Theme Music app running grants +1 Dice Reroll on weapon-related attack tests. Because music makes you fight good.
The downside? it also imposes a -2 Dice Pool Penalty on Perception tests because you're blasting music into your noggin.
A series of commlink apps that provide an information feed from a specified source, the vast majority being legitimate, such as stock markets and news organizations. Some shadow services also use these apps to give details on other shadowrunners, fixers, Mr. Johnsons, police response times, and current payment rates for a variety of services and bribes. Ticker reduces the time for subject-related Matrix Searches in half.
Obviously, there are a great many topics out there that don’t generate enough traffic to merit an information feed - for example, you can’t subscribe to a feed with up-to-the-minute news about Medieval Europe when Mr. Johnson sends you after a weird-looking cup and expect results to come flooding in.
Availability:
2
Cost:
Free
Notes:
Having the Ticker app running reduces the Matrix Search interval for a pre-determined, specific topic to 1 Minute.
The Ticker app can subscribe to as many specific topics as you can keep track of.
Horizon's answer to MeFeed, with an emphasize on recorded content. It's a Los Angeles based online trideo sharing social media platform.
It's the second most visited Matrix site right after P2.1 and has more than 3 billion monthly users who collectively watch an amount of content per day equivalent to the length of metahuman history.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free
Notes:
-
Analyzes local objects and projects possible parkour moves based on the user’s skill profile.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Free
Notes:
Provided you have a DNI or image link, it provides a point of Edge on any Athletics test, which must be spent on the test or is lost.
This does not provide Edge on attack or defense tests, even ones that benefit from Athletics via the Dodge action.
Personal ICE, or P-ICE, is a new line of commlink app designed to make people feel safer about using the Matrix. Not as powerful as true IC, it can still mess up a hacker’s day. A commlink can only run one at a time, and it must run along with a personal assistant app.
This type of P-ICE causes the PA to protect against hostile hacking activity against the commlink and its connected devices. If signs of hostile activity are detected, the PA carries out a batch of actions immediately. The default response is to alert its owner and the authorities of the attack or intrusion, then turn wireless off for all connected devices, then reboot the commlink. It can instead be set to alert only certain numbers, or to adjust the settings of some devices but not others. This must be predetermined, but the advantage is that the owner doesn’t have to spend time and effort turning each device’s wireless mode off to protect them against hacking - it all just happens quickly in response to a detected intrusion.
Availability:
3
Cost:
¥250
Notes:
This type of P-ICE causes the PA to spend its action every Combat Round searching for signs of hostile Matrix activity against the commlink and its connected devices.
The default response is to alert the user, then turn Wireless off for all devices, then reboot the commlink. This can be adjusted as desired.
You can also trigger the app using a Minor Action, even if no illegal activity is detected.
The Spines program arms your PA with some extra defense against hackers.
Availability:
3 (Legal)
Cost:
¥500
Notes:
Your PA continues to use its action on Full Defense every combat round. Any time a hacker takes a Matrix action that is opposed by your commlink’s Firewall attribute, they take Matrix damage.
If the Matrix Action against you succeeds, they take one Matrix damage.
If it fails, they take one damage for every net hit against them (minimum one damage).
This Matrix damage can only be prevented by the Spineshield cyberprogram.
The Watchdog P-ICE causes the PA to spend its time sniffing around for icons that are running silent - just like a good, loyal puppy!
Availability:
3
Cost:
¥250
Notes:
Witch the Watchdog P-ICE active, the PA spends its action every Combat Round to search for any icons that are running silent.
If hidden icons are discovered, it alerts its owner and any other numbers it has been pre-programmed to contact.
No further test or action is required to identify the icons, but the only information provided is the type of icon or device.
If the icon is disguised or otherwise altered, the watchdog app reports the falsified information as if it were true.
Major software which can't run idly in the background and take up a decent amount of computational power to do whatever it is you want them to do. Typically they serve a purpose: doing something for you so that you don't have to, giving precious minutes and seconds that would've been wasted typing, searching, or thinking about something that could've easily been accomplished for you with an e-soft!
Datasofts are like mini-library sections. Each holds a database on a specific subject.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥120
Notes:
A Datasoft holds a narrow version of a Knowledge Skill.
For example, since Seattle Gangs is a Knowledge Skill, a Datasoft might instead have Seattle Gangs (Halloweeners) or Seattle Gangs (Puyallup).
Mapsofts are downloaded data featuring detailed information about a single specific area, approximately 5,000 square kilometers. An interactive interface allows you to quickly determine the best routes and directions, locate the nearest spot of your choice, or create your own customized maps.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥100
Notes:
Mapsofts includes every bit of available public data: streets, business/residential listings, topographical, census, GPS, and environmental data.
If a wireless link is maintained, the map automatically self-updates with the latest data from the GridGuide. Of course, this also means that the mapsoft is aware of your location.
Mapsofts provide a +1 Dice Pool Bonus on any test to find directions.
Shopping programs like Clothes Horse, Caveat Emptor, and Guns Near Me provide pricing breakdowns, and user reviews for comparison shopping purposes for standard goods.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥150
Notes:
Shopsofts must be purchased separately for every category: electronics, firearms, melee weapons, armor, etc.
Provides a +1 Dice Pool Bonus to Matrix Search tests to buy and sell items.
These virtual private tutors aid you in learning a specific skill.
Availability:
(Rating / 3)
Cost:
Rating x ¥400
Notes:
The Tutorsoft makes Instruction tests with a Dice Pool of (Rating x 2).
Tutorsofts cannot teach Skills based on Magic or Resonance.
The concept of subliminal advertising is over a century old. While most of the old stuff has been disproved as pseudoscience, subliminal subacoustics have proven to be effective. Certain acoustic frequencies can have dramatic effects on the mood and cognition of metahumans on a subliminal level. These acoustic frequencies can be tuned to a certain mood, such as love, hate, rage, or despair. Any standard speaker can broadcast these frequencies.
Availability:
9 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥1,250
Notes:
Those affected by the subliminal subacoustics take a -2 Dice Pool Penalty to any actions that oppose the broadcasted emotion.
Subjects in an area where a subliminal subacoustic frequency is being broadcast must succeed a Logic + Willpower (2) test or be affect.
The PocketMage is an expert system, search engine, and datasoft library concerning paranormal animals, spirits, and magic in general that may be incorporated into a character’s PAN and interfaced through the character’s commlink. Users may prompt the system with questions, visual data (such as a feed from an eye camera), or files (such as a scan of a spell formula) and the PocketMage will output the search results.
Availability:
3
Cost:
Rating x ¥600
Notes:
Add (Rating) as a Dice Pool Modifier to a Matrix Search action regarding paranormal critters, spirits, or magic use.
The PocketMage does not give any understanding of the principles or terminology of magic; if a character asks a highly arcane question, the correct answer may be in the form of undecipherable mystical technobabble.
A skillsoft program is a recorded skill that includes both digital knowledge and muscle memory data. When used in conjunction with the proper augmentations (a skilljack for knowsofts and linguasofts; a skillwire system for activesofts), skillsofts let you know and do things you’ve never otherwise learned. When a skill test is called for, the character may use the skillsoft rating in place of the skill. Downside: Tests made with a skillsoft may not be boosted with Edge in any way.
Activesofts replace physical active skills, basically one exists for every active skill that isn't related to magic or technomancy. A Skillwire system is required to translate the muscle memory data properly.
Availability:
4
Cost:
Rating x ¥5,000
Notes:
Requires a Skillwire system.
The number of Physical Skills you can use at once is based on the Skillwire's Rating.
Knowsofts replicate knowledge skills, actively overwriting a user's knowledge skill with their own data.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥2,500
Notes:
Requires a Skilljack.
The number of Knowledge Skills you can use at once is limited by the Skilljack Rating.
Linguasofts replicate language skills, allowing a user to easily speak a foreign language.
Availability:
1
Cost:
Rating x ¥1,500
Notes:
Requires a Skilljack.
Linguasoft Ratings are equal to Language Skill abilities. Meaning that a Rating 1 Linguasoft equates basic language facility, Rating 2 equates language specialist, Rating 3 equates language expert, and Rating 4 equates a native speaking capability.
The number of Linguasofts you can use at once is limited by the Skilljack Rating.
Social Software Subscriptions are a new service to come from fake ID syndicates. These are illegal subscription services operated by several underworld data networks. They require a wireless connection to use.
This service is a mashup of a linguistic database and code-breaking software. It allows users to translate unknown languages that they may have no other way of understanding, including coded communication developed exclusively for small groups of people.
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250 / month
Notes:
This service allows the user to make an Electronics + [Device Rating of device running the service] Test in place of a Language + Intuition Test to understand what was said.
This facial recognition database grants a bonus when attempting to identify an unknown individual’s image through various Matrix databases. Used in conjunction with a visual recording device.
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250 / month
Notes:
+2 Dice Pool Modifier to Matrix Searches to identify an unknown individual.
Requires a visual recording device.
Used in conjunction with an olfactory sensor or cyberware, this software is able to detect and identify various types of synthetic pheromones such as the ones produced by the tailored pheromones bioware, tailored perfume/cologne, and other, similar sources.
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250 / month
Notes:
Detect and identify pheromones with an Electronics + [Device Rating of device running the service]
Requires an olfactory sensor or cyberware.
This software can analyze existing recordings of an individual and pick out speech patterns, word use, and other vocal identifiers. This speech template can then be used to compare to new recordings to help determine if a recording is a fake or the real thing.
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250 / month
Notes:
+2 Dice Pool Modifier against Con (Impersonation) attempts.
Requires an audio recording device.
This software assists in surveilling an individual or individuals even in a crowd. If combined with speech template comparison software and an audio recording device, it allows tracking targets that are out of line of sight but still speaking within range of the audio sensor.
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250 / month
Notes:
+2 Dice Pool Modifier on Perception tests regarding the target(s).
Requires a visual sensor of some sort.
(Device Rating) individuals at once may be tracked with this software.
This software uses microfluctuations in the target’s skin surface temperature to judge emotional state. Used in conjunction with a visual sensor with thermographic capability.
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250 / month
Notes:
+2 Dice Pool Modifier on Judge Intentions tests.
Requires a visual sensor with thermographic vision.
If Vocal Tension Lie Detection software is run together with this software, the combination creates a total +3 Dice Pool Modifier to Judge Intentions.
Analyze vocal stress in real-time to help determine the truth in a subject's words. Used in conjunction with an audio recording device.
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250 / month
Notes:
+2 Dice Pool Modifier on Judge Intentions tests.
Requires an audio recording device.
If thermal mood reading software is run together with this software, the combination creates a total +3 Dice Pool Modifier to Judge Intentions.
Autosofts are programs accessed by the Pilot program in drones. They serve as skills to augment the drone's performance. The attribute used with each Autosoft is included in the listing, though remember that Riggers use their own attributes when Jumped In. A drone has a number of slots for Autosofts and other Matrix programs equal to half it's Pilot rating, rounded up.
If a drone is slaved to a Rigger Command Console, it uses the programs running on the RCC. This can exceed a drone's normal program limit.
Attribute: Sensor
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This Autosoft acts as the drone's Perception Skill.
Attribute: Sensor
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This Autosoft is used as the Cracking Skill for purposes of jamming and overcoming ECM.
Attribute:
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This Autosoft is used when a drone attempts to avoid an attack.
For example, a drone being fired at would use its Pilot + Evasion to avoid being hit.
Attribute: Pilot
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This Autosoft is the Piloting skill for a specific drone.
Attribute: Pilot
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This Autosoft acts as a specific type of drone's Stealth skill.
Attribute: Sensor
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This Autosoft acts as a weapon Skill for the specific mounted weapon.
The following Skills can be purchased as Autosofts. Note that when a specialization is given, no capability outside of that specialization exists.
Also note that certain Skills are unusable without limbs.
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
Beginner: Rating 1
Specialist: Rating 3
Expert: Rating 5
Availability:
3
Cost:
¥1,500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
(Rating)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Availability:
4 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250
Notes:
A +2 Dice Pool Modifier against Matrix- and Electronic Warfare-based attacks.
+2 Dice Pool Modifier to a rigger's Damage Resistance when in Hot Sim.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥60
Notes:
+1 Firewall.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥60
Notes:
Reduce Noise by 2.
Availability:
4 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥250
Notes:
When performing the Hide action, gain a +1 Dice Reroll on that action.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥60
Notes:
+1 Data Processing.
Availability:
2
Cost:
¥60
Notes:
Gain 2 Program Slots. Take 1 extra box of unresisted Matrix damage when attacked.
E-softs, as the kids are calling them, are a hybrid form of Autosofts and Cyberprograms. E-softs were developed by the industrious tech heads at The Garage over in Detroit but have quickly spread among the community as riggers seek ways to be able to engage the Matrix on their own terms without investing in cyberdecks.
E-softs are considered a form of Illegal Autosoft for the purposes of availability, price, and maximum rating. When it is needed, the Matrix Attack Rating is determined by adding the rating of the e-soft to the device rating of the RCC they are running on.
This e-soft allows use of the Data Spike Matrix action, but only when targeting vehicle or drone Matrix icons. When making this test, Crash and Burn grants a virtual Attack attribute equal to its rating.
Availability:
(Rating) (Illegal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This program counts as a hacking cyberprogram for accruing Overwatch Score.
This grants the e-soft benefit to Matrix Attack Rating for the Spoof Command Matrix action. However, this only applies when the action targets devices intended to interact with vehicles and/or drones, such as traffic lights, crossing arms, retractable bollards, etc.
Availability:
(Rating) (Illegal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This program counts as a hacking cyberprogram for accruing Overwatch Score.
While running, this e-soft grants a virtual Sleaze attribute equal to its rating.
Availability:
(Rating) (Illegal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This virtual Sleaze value is only used when defending against the Trace Icon Matrix action.
While the RCC’s PAN is running silent, this e-soft grants a virtual Sleaze attribute equal to its rating.
Availability:
(Rating) (Illegal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This Sleaze attribute may only be used to defend against Matrix Perception tests made against the PAN.
This e-soft allows the use of the Brute Force and Control Device Matrix actions, but only when targeting vehicle or drone Matrix icons. While making the test, Slim Jim grants a virtual Attack attribute equal to its Rating.
Availability:
(Rating) (Illegal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
This program counts as a hacking cyberprogram for accruing Overwatch Score.
When this program is shared from an RCC, all drones enjoy the benefit of a sensor lock (pg. 140, Double Clutch) achieved by any participating drone.
Availability:
(Rating) (Illegal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Drones, like anything else, can attack as a pack (pg. 114, SR6. "Grunt Groups"). But when this program is shared from an RCC, each affected drone after the first counts as two participants.
Availability:
(Rating) (Illegal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥500
Notes:
-
Agent software generates a second persona of limited machine intelligence that can carry out Matrix Actions at the commands of its owner. While many are programmed to emulate personalities, these programs are not truly sentient. There are many stories that suggest an agent program can become a self-aware AI, but there doesn’t seem to be a predictable means for how this occurs - if there is any truth to the stories at all.
An Agent program requires a program slot on a cyberdeck, or an external device called an Agent Box, in order to run. A cyberdeck or agent box can run one agent with a rating no greater than its device rating. Even with an agent box connected, a cyberdeck can only run one agent at a time.
An agent program’s Charisma, Intuition, Logic, and Willpower attributes are all equal to its Rating. An Agent also has a number of ranks in the Cracking and Electronics skills equal to its Rating. The Matrix attributes of an Agent come from the hacker’s devices and are exactly the same as the cyberdeck’s persona (including any bonuses or penalties from software, hardware, complex forms, etc.). An agent does not normally have a Matrix Condition Monitor of its own - if it takes Matrix damage, that damage goes straight to the cyberdeck’s Condition Monitor. If an Agent’s actions generate overwatch, it applies to the parent device’s Overwatch Score. Agent software shares all user and admin access statuses with its parent device, and it only has access to any devices or files that are explicitly allowed.
An agent’s Matrix initiative is (Rating x 2) + 2D6. Any Matrix initiative enhancements also boost an Agent's initiative. Unlike personal assistant apps, Agents are not limited to legal Matrix actions. They will take any Matrix action that is required in order to carry out their orders with no regard for legality or ethics.
One of the most common uses for an agent is to provide assistance to a decker. Unless commanded to do otherwise, an agent will always make a Teamwork Test on behalf of all of its owner’s Matrix actions. When used in this way, the Agent must buy hits instead of rolling dice, providing 1 hit for every 4 dice (rounded down). To save time, note how many hits your agent can buy, and don’t forget to add that many bonus dice to your dice pools when you take a Matrix Action. Note that each teamwork assistance requires your Agent to take a Major Action, so its uses may be limited when time is of the essence.
Agents can access and use any program that is also running on their parent device. Some programs have been specifically designed to enhance agents. Autosofts were originally designed to provide drones with additional skills, and skillsofts to work with skillwire augmentations, but the Autosoft Host program allows an agent to make use of them, too. If you are running an Autosoft Host, you can load additional autosofts and skillsofts in your other program slots. Your Agent gains the skills provided by the software. An agent can only run them at a rating up to its own rating, but it can effectively run a more powerful autosoft or skillsoft at a lower rating in order to make it compatible.
Agents may also undertake Remote Missions - this allows an Agent to operate independently of its host cyberdeck or Agent Box. Details of this are on Page 60 of Hack & Slash.
Note that an agent already has the Cracking and Electronics skills. Agents can provide teamwork assistance with any skill they have access to.
Many hackers prefer to code their own agents, but they can be legally purchased with a special license.
Availability:
(Rating) (Legal)
Cost:
Rating x ¥1,500
Notes:
-
Ownership of an Agent Box can be transferred, so there is an actual market for a number of unusual devices. They vary in shape, size, and style but are commonly referred to as "cyberkits" and are a popular alternative to hiring a decker to come with your team on a run.
You might think that deckers wouldn't be so willing to make something that replaces them but there are plenty who prefer making and selling these to exposing themselves to more personal risk - besides that, the self-wiping software is a safety feature in and of itself so there's a guarantee your cyberkit software will eventually get bricked and that means easy repeat transactions.
A cyberkit's Rating is also the Rating of the Agent software loaded on to it. Note that when a cyberkit is rebooted, its software is deleted. The hardware (an Agent Box) is the most expensive part, so unless it gets wrecked or lost, it can be reloaded for the listed recharge cost. Finding one to buy requires most Contacts a number of hours equal to it's (Rating x 2).
Availability:
2 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥1,100
Recharge Cost:
¥200
Attack/Sleaze:
1
Data Processing/Firewall:
1
Dice Pool (Hits Bought):
4 (1)
Availability:
3 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥1,600
Recharge Cost:
¥300
Attack/Sleaze:
2
Data Processing/Firewall:
1
Dice Pool (Hits Bought):
6 (1)
Availability:
4 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥3,700
Recharge Cost:
¥400
Attack/Sleaze:
2
Data Processing/Firewall:
2
Dice Pool (Hits Bought):
8 (2)
Availability:
5 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥6,000
Recharge Cost:
¥500
Attack/Sleaze:
3
Data Processing/Firewall:
2
Dice Pool (Hits Bought):
10 (2)
Availability:
6 (Illegal)
Cost:
¥9,200
Recharge Cost:
¥600
Attack/Sleaze:
4
Data Processing/Firewall:
2
Dice Pool (Hits Bought):
12 (3)