Megapulses of Fun
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Mess with the best...die like the rest...
More and more every day our world becomes Electronic.  Probably one of the most exciting features about Shadowrun is the Decking and Rigging concepts.  The ability to directly link yourself to a machine and essentially project yourself into the electronic universe has kept players coming back for more. 

I have kept many features of the matrix set up.  Structure is still the same.  But combat is easier.  It is the same combat as in normal world, except your programs function like weapon or skill bonuses.  Same old D20, new modifiers.  This makes game play easy and simplistic.  Instead of a complicated system of attempts and fails, there are several differences. 

I must say my first character was a decker.  A Troll by the name of "O'khaisi"  Known to his friends as Ratdog.  Since then I have loved Deckers.  Riggers are jsut as important and in recent years I have come to love them too. 

At thened is a list of programs.  It will be repeated in the equipment section.  I will state that the programs listed here are in no way the final list.  I am trying to get this site up in a flash(pardon the pun) and I will be adding more as time goes on.  Also, feel free to join the yahoo group mentioned on the main page.  Any suggestions are welcome. 
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Who says elves can't be deckers?  Old Shadowrun Rules made this cost prohibitive!
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matrix

STOCK CYBERDECK TYPES

COST

SI

DECK RATING(MPCP)

HARDENING

ACTIVE MEMORY

STORAGE MEMORY

I/O SPEED

RESPONSE INCREASE

Allegiance Sigma

Y14000

1

MPCP-1

11

200

500

100

0

Sony CTY-360-D

Y70000

1

MPCP-3

13

300

600

200

1

Novatech Hyperdeck-6

Y125000

1

MPCP-4

14

500

1000

240

1

CMT Avatar

Y250000

1

MPCP-4

14

700

1400

300

1

Renraku Highlander

Y400000

1

MPCP-4

14

1000

2000

360

2

Transys Highlander

Y600000

1

MPCP-4

14

1500

2500

400

2

Novatech Simcase-10

Y960000

1

MPCP-5

15

2000

2500

480

2

Fairlight Excalibur

Y1500000

1

MPCP-6

16

3000

5000

600

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I started to design the Matrix system for this conversion, I ran into a question. How do I convert the Decks and the statistics for them? Hmmm. Good Question. I decided to keep it simple. I would use D20 style statistics for skills for all programs related to decks including for the System programs, BOD, EVASION, MASK, and SENSE. These statistics are based on the Deck you buy and how you customize it. The concept in the Matrix is that the difference in actual skill is means a lot but the better the deck the better the decker. So, your Persona Programs function as both Ability Scores, and as Saves. I'll Explain:

  1. Your deck gives you a number of points to allocate to these System Programs(persona Programs) equal to 3 times the MPCP rating. The MPCP rating also acts as the max ranks.
  2. Hardening I simply added 10 to, just like the Armor class system. And Hardening functions as your Armor Class on the Matrix.
  3. Response increase is the amount of a bonus you add to your initiative(norm is 1d6). In the Shadowrun D6 system this means (1d6+2) for each one. By converting this to a D20 format I changed the numbers to make it make sense in the D20 system. In D20 Shadowrun, each point of Response increase gives a +5 bonus to your initiative roll. This also should eliminate the need to state that all matrix actions take place before physical world. LET THE INITIATIVE STATE WHAT HAPPENS FIRST. If A decker rolls a 1 for initiative he should go LAST!!!!
  4. BOD determines your decks ability to take damage and the overall strength of your deck. It functions as your bonus to your DP(deck points or HP on the Matrix) like the CON bonus does in the real world. It also is used as the resistance to certain programs.
  5. EVASION is like dexterity of sorts. It determines your ability to dodge and parry attacks. It does not boost your initiative though.
  6. MASK is the ability to hide or disguise yourself. In the Matrix Anonymity is KEY, and a good MASK rating lets you avoid being caught. This is used to avoid detection, hide, and escape without a trace.
  7. SENSE represents your ability to perceive the matrix. This functions as a key like spot, etc. Its also a general skill used much like intelligence and wisdom.
  8. Memory and Load stay the same as the rules on that convert perfectly to D20

 

Now that the core system is built….the next step would add your utility programs. Programs help you accomplish all your functions on the matrix. The size determines how fast you can load it based on your LOAD score(represents how much per round). Programs size has a multiplier. To determine the size in Mp(megapulses) you use this formula(multiplier x rating x rating). Programs do everything from Attacking, to Sneaking, to disguise. All the skills you might hold in the real world, now have to be done by programs. As I said…the better the deck…the better the decker. Below is list of utility programs and what they do, and their cost. You will also notice that many of the utility programs have ratings. Any check made with a utility program uses this rating like a skill bonus. The Program Modifier to your Computers skill roll would look like this: (Rank)+(Key Ability like BOD, MASK, EVASION, SENSE)+and any miscellaneous modifiers you have. This bonus is added to your computers roll. So when you make a roll on the matrix it is D20+(Computer Skill Mod)+(Program MOD). I'll give an example. Lets say I am using my ATTACK program with a rating of 4. I have a BOD rating of 3, and 5 ranks in computer with a +2 INT modifier. I roll a D20 and get an 11. My total score would then be 25(11+4+3+5+2). I know this sounds high, but like the Magic, the DC's are high so don't worry--you'll need it. Unless otherwise specified you must have a program loaded into your memory in order to use it.

PROGRAM NAME

KEY PERSONA ABILITY

SIZE MULTIPLIER

DESCRIPTION

Analyze

SENSE

3

Analyze programs are used to collect information about a host or Icon

Browse

SENSE

1

Browse programs are used to search through files and server listings.

Commlink

SENSE

1

Uses your comlink for communication with Physical world while decking

Deception

MASK

2

 Deception programs are used to Slip past security, and otherwise hack nodes into thinking you are someone you are not.

Decrypt

SENSE

1

 Used to decode or Decrypt files or information.

Read/Write

SENSE

2

 This is the ability to read text files and write to them and icons once hacked without downloading them. This allows you to change or interpret already existing info on the matrix. User logs, financial records. You get the picture.

Relocate

EVASION

2

 Used versus track utilities. Moves the deckers Icon origin around so they ae more difficult to get a fix on.

Scanner

SENSE

3

Used to locate information or icons in the area(like Spot) 

Spoof

MASK

3

 Works against slave nodes. Program used to convince them the decker is a legitimate user making a legitimate move.

Sleaze

MASK

3

Its used to work against Scanner and other general detection factors.

Track

SENSE

8

 Used to track down the origin of a decker, icon, or item on the Matrix.

Attack

BOD

Special

 Size depends on the strength of your attack program. d4(2), d6(3), d8(4),d10(5),d12(6)

Black Hammer

BOD

20

 Does Physical Damage to the decker as opposed to DP's

Killjoy

BOD

10

Does Real Stun Damage and stops when decker is unconscious leaving them online and able to be traced and have their deck hacked.

Slow

EVASION

4

Each time the Decker succeeds in using this program against a target, it loses one action for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 the rating of the program.

Armor

BOD

Special

 This program, when active, increases the Online Armor Class of the decker while jacked in. The size depends on the increase. +2(3), +3(4), +4(6), +5(8), +6(12)

Cloak

EVASION

3

 Works opposed to Lock On---Acts as a "hide" skill for in the Matrix.

Lock-On

SENSE

3

 Works opposed to cloak and other disguise programs. Functions as a Search skill only for local Icons or programs. Success means they can begin tracking the decker.

Medic

BOD

4

This heals repairs the DP of a deck of (rating)D4 damage.

 Programs still cost the same as in the book

RATING COST

    1. size x 100Y
    1. size x 200Y
    1. size x 500Y

11+ size x 1000Y

 Other General Matrix Rules. IC are not STANDARDIZED anymore. Red, Black, White. I will probably post some examples when I get the monsters page loaded, but as for right now standard stats are fine. All IC's and programs have all the benefits of a construct. Their rating is essentially their Hit dice, as well as other benefits. Special abilities like the Tar Baby IC's or the Killer Black IC, are left up to the DM. I am dong this because I saw way too many GM's just going off what they had in the book and then changing the appearance. NOT all programmers work the same. Once the same trick has been used a couple thousand times, people are gonna have new stuff. What about an IC that does nothing but have a HUGE armor program and a HUGE cloak program? That would be kind of like an invisible wall right? See what I mean? The possibilities are endless.

 

This new system uses Computer skill for everything. Attack rolls are made with general computer skill or with an attack program. Most rolls are opposed, just like skills. In other words, the matrix is a skill based system. As a side note, most of the rules from the old system can still be used. As someone jumps from one Matrix main to another the target numbers go up. Every failure on something or even a success of a otherwise abnormal procedure tallies up, making staying in a LONG time very difficult. In other words, the Matrix system as a whole stays as is. If anyone wants more info on any conversions I've one to existing stats let me know. And if anyone has any idea for new programs let me know…we can add them here.