🛸 Drones
“A drone doesn’t call in sick, take a bribe, or fall asleep on watch. It just does the job.”
Drones come in two flavors: Security Drones (big, deadly, tied to NET Architectures) and Personal Drones (smaller, Agent-linked, accessible to anyone with eddies). This page covers how both types work, how to use them, and how to counter them.
⚡ Quick Reference
Drones At A Glance
Drone Type MOVE SP HP Counter DV Cost GRAF3 Security 2 11 60 DV 17 5,000eb Savannah Eagle Security 6 7 30 DV 21 15,000eb Savannah Panther Security 8 11 40 DV 21 15,000eb KTech Doberman 500 Personal 8 11 25 Cannot counter 5,000eb My First GRAF3 Personal 1 — 5 DV 9 500eb Observer Personal 6 — 15 DV 17 1,000eb Transporter Personal 6 — 20 DV 21 5,000eb Security Drones = need NET Architecture. Personal Drones = need Agent only.
🏭 Security Drones (Active Defenses)
Security drones are Active Defenses — they require a NET Architecture to operate (see Netrunning). They patrol a defended perimeter and engage intruders automatically.
How They Work
- Trigger: Default trigger is “target enters defended area without wearing proper pass or badge.” A Netrunner controlling the Architecture can change this.
- Perception: Drones use their Combat Number as their Perception Skill Base to detect threats.
- Combat: In combat, security drones are controlled by the GM. They prioritize threats based on their programming.
- Countering: A character can disable a security drone with Electronics/Security Tech vs. the listed DV. Takes 5 minutes and you must remain within 6 m/yds of the drone.
Player-Owned Security Drones
PCs can buy them, but they require a NET Architecture to run. Treat PC-owned drones just like NPC-owned ones — they follow their programming, they can be hacked, and they can be destroyed. Don’t worry, they can always be repaired.
The Zhirafa Lineup
Zhirafa Technical Manufacturing produces the three most common security drones in Night City. All are animal-inspired biomimicry designs created by founder Artyom Sokolov.
🦒 GRAF3 — Construction Platform
5,000eb (Luxury) — Security Drone
Stat Value MOVE 2 SP 11 HP 60 Combat Number 10 Counter DV 17 Roaming Range Perimeter of defended area Armament: Very Heavy Melee Weapon (Giraffe Neck), Observation Camera
The third-generation GRAF forms the foundation of post-war construction. Equipped with a crane capable of lifting up to 5 tons, it uses proprietary hydraulic systems and myomar muscle fibers. In security mode, that giraffe neck swings like a wrecking ball.
Zhirafa’s Hex-Lok™ system allows additional tool augmentation for industrial uses.
🦅 Savannah Eagle — Aerial Security
15,000eb (Super Luxury) — Security Drone
Stat Value MOVE 6 SP 7 HP 30 Combat Number 10 Counter DV 21 Roaming Range Perimeter of defended area Armament: Shrieker, SMG (30 Basic or Rubber Bullets), Observation Camera
Special — Cloaking: After remaining still for 1 minute, the Eagle activates optical camouflage. Spotting a cloaked Eagle requires a DV 17 Perception Check (regular vision only). Low Light/IR/UV and Radar/Sonar bypass cloaking entirely.
The Eagle lurks in overwatch and swoops down on intruders with a barrage of bullets and a disorienting sonic assault.
🐆 Savannah Panther — Ground Hunter
15,000eb (Super Luxury) — Security Drone
Stat Value MOVE 8 SP 11 HP 40 Combat Number 10 Counter DV 21 Roaming Range Perimeter of defended area Armament: Stun Baton, Heavy Melee Weapon (carboglass claws), Grenade Launcher (2 Teargas or Incendiary Grenades), Observation Camera
Sleek and deadly, the Panther patrols hallways and streets with hydraulics and myomar muscle fibers. Designed for crowd control and intruder neutralization.
📱 Personal Drones
Personal drones are linked to an Agent (your phone) — no NET Architecture needed. They’re smaller, more fragile, and accessible to anyone.
Universal Rules
All personal drones share these rules:
Linking & Countering
- Linking to a new Agent requires 5 uninterrupted minutes with both Agents within 6 m/yds of the drone.
- Countering requires Electronics/Security Tech vs. the listed DV, 5 minutes, and staying within 6 m/yds for the duration.
- If countered, the drone can be linked to a new Agent with 1 Action.
Operation Modes
Most personal drones have 2-3 modes. Switching modes does not require an Action.
| Mode | Available On | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Standby | All | Powered on but inactive. Cannot move, attack, or dodge. |
| Sentry | KTech Doberman 500 | Follows within 8m, auto-detects threats, attacks if user is threatened. |
| Tracking | KTech Doberman 500 | Tracks a specific scent. Cannot attack. |
| Auto | Observer, Transporter | Follows preset behavior (orbiting/filming or delivering packages). Cannot attack or dodge. |
| Direct Control | All except Doberman | User controls drone via Agent, using 1 Action per turn (same as Netrunner Interface → Control). Uses your own skills for attacks/defense. Cannot dodge ranged attacks. |
Direct Control Key Rule
When you directly control a drone, attacks and defenses use your own skills as if you were firing its weapons and dodging with your own body. But personal drones can never dodge ranged attacks, no matter how high your REF.
Signal Tether
Personal drones have a maximum range from their linked Agent:
| Drone | Range |
|---|---|
| KTech Doberman 500 | 50 m/yds |
| My First GRAF3 | 6 m/yds |
| Observer | 6 m/yds |
| Transporter | Unlimited (via CitiNet) |
If a tethered drone moves beyond range, it stops functioning (and lands safely if flying). The Transporter is the exception — it uses CitiNet for long-range delivery, but loses function if CitiNet is disrupted.
Battery Life
| Drone | Battery | Recharge |
|---|---|---|
| KTech Doberman 500 | 48 hours | 1 hour (sun or outlet) |
| My First GRAF3 | 3 hours | 1 hour |
| Observer | 48 hours | 1 hour |
| Transporter | 48 hours | 1 hour |
The Personal Drone Catalog
🐕 KTech Doberman 500 — Combat Drone
5,000eb (Luxury) — Personal Drone
Stat Value MOVE 8 SP 11 HP 25 Combat Number 10 Counter DV Cannot be countered Tether 50 m/yds Battery 48 hours Armament: Exotic Very Heavy Melee Weapon, Motion Detector, Olfactory Suite
The only personal drone that cannot be countered via Electronics/Security Tech. It has three modes:
- Standby: Powered on but inactive.
- Sentry: Follows within 8m, scans with motion sensor/olfactory suite (uses Combat Number as Perception). Alerts with electronic bark + neon arrow. Attacks threats to user autonomously. Cannot dodge ranged attacks. Controlled by GM in combat.
- Tracking: Tracks a scent (present item with scent = 1 Action). Uses Combat Number as Tracking Skill Base. Cannot attack. Dodges melee only.
User can recall the Doberman via Agent or verbal command without an Action at any time.
→ Full entry: KTech Doberman 500
🦒 My First GRAF3 — Toy Drone
500eb (Expensive) — Personal Drone
Stat Value MOVE 1 SP — HP 5 Counter DV 9 Tether 6 m/yds Battery 3 hours A 1m tall toy version of the GRAF3. No weapons, no armor — just a cute little construction drone that responds to commands. Modes:
- Standby: Inactive.
- Direct Control: Control via Agent (1 Action). Uses your skills. Cannot dodge ranged attacks.
→ Full entry: My First GRAF3
📷 Observer — Camera Drone
1,000eb (Very Expensive) — Personal Drone
Stat Value MOVE 6 (flying) SP — HP 15 Counter DV 17 Tether 6 m/yds Battery 48 hours Equipment: Observation Camera (records audio + video)
Roughly the size of a book. Four rotors, high-quality camera. A flying camera drone with three modes:
- Standby: Powered on, can be used as real-time camera, but not recording or moving.
- Auto: Orbits within 6m, records audio/video. Responds to simple verbal commands (“record the person I’m pointing at”) without requiring an Action. Stores 1 hour of footage onboard (auto-overwrites). Also saves to linked Agent.
- Direct Control: Full control via Agent (1 Action). Uses your skills. Cannot dodge ranged attacks.
If countered, the attacker can view/download the stored footage.
→ Full entry: Observer Drone
📦 Transporter — Delivery Drone
5,000eb (Luxury) — Personal Drone
Stat Value MOVE 6 (flying) SP — HP 20 Counter DV 21 Tether Unlimited (CitiNet) Battery 48 hours Equipment: Observation Camera, Gripping Arms (carry up to 30 lbs / 13.5 kg)
A large four-rotor delivery drone. Three modes:
- Standby: Inactive.
- Auto: Send to specific address or coordinates to deliver a package and return. Can require confirmation via Agent before delivery. Cannot attack or dodge.
- Direct Control: Full control via Agent (1 Action). Uses your skills. Cannot dodge ranged attacks.
If countered, attacker can force the drone to release its package. The Transporter uses CitiNet for long-range navigation — if CitiNet is disrupted, it lands safely and awaits reconnection.
→ Full entry: Transporter Drone
⚔️ Drones in Combat
Attacking Drones
Drones are physical objects — shoot them, hit them, EMP them. They use HP and SP just like everything else.
| Method | Effect |
|---|---|
| Ranged/Melee attacks | Deal damage normally. Subtract SP, remainder to HP. |
| EMP | Forces DV 15 Cybertech Check (same as cyberware). Failure = drone inoperable for 1 minute. |
| Hacking (Countering) | Electronics/Security Tech vs. DV. Takes 5 min, must stay within 6 m/yds. |
| Netrunning | Security drones can be controlled via NET Architecture by a Netrunner. |
Repairing Drones
Damaged drones are repaired using Electronics/Security Tech (×2 skill) vs. the standard repair DV for the drone’s price category:
| Price Category | Repair DV | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expensive (500eb) | 17 | 1 day |
| Very Expensive (1,000eb) | 21 | 1 week |
| Luxury (5,000eb) | 24 | 2 weeks |
| Super Luxury (15,000eb) | 29 | 1 month |
Destroyed Drones
A drone at 0 HP is destroyed and cannot be repaired — you need a new one (or a Tech with Fabrication).
❓ Quick Answers
Can I use a security drone without a NET Architecture?
No. Security drones (GRAF3, Savannah Eagle, Savannah Panther) require a NET Architecture to operate. Without one, they’re expensive paperweights.
Can a Netrunner hack my personal drone?
Personal drones are countered via Electronics/Security Tech, not Netrunning. However, the KTech Doberman 500 cannot be countered at all — it’s a premium feature.
Can my drone dodge bullets?
No. Personal drones in Direct Control and most autonomous modes cannot dodge ranged attacks. The Doberman in Sentry mode and the Panther/Eagle also can’t dodge ranged fire. Plan accordingly.
Can I weaponize my Observer drone?
Not without homebrew. The Observer has no weapon mounts. You could try ramming it into someone, but that’s likely a one-way trip for a 15 HP drone.
How does Direct Control work in combat?
Controlling a drone costs 1 Action per turn (same mechanic as a Netrunner’s Interface → Control). You use your own skills for all attack and defense rolls, but the drone’s physical stats (MOVE, HP, SP) apply. The drone still can’t dodge ranged attacks.
🔗 Related Topics
- Money — Affording drones (Luxury/Super Luxury = need a Fixer)
- Repair & Crafting — Fixing broken drones
- Netrunning — NET Architectures that run security drones
- NET Defenses — Security drones as Active Defenses in NET Architectures
- Database — Browse all drone entries
(Source: Interface RED Volume 1, “All About Drones” pp. 54–59; Cyberpunk RED Black Chrome, “KTech Doberman 500” p. 45)