🌐 Netrunner
“Bartmoss had it easy. To crack a system, I have to move my meat and jack in on-site. Sure, maybe I’ll encounter a Hellhound, but they don’t spike my heart rate. You know what scares me? Real dogs. Cloned, chipped, and cybered to be nastier than any black ICE.” — Redeye, Netrunner
🎯 Identity
Play this if you want to be like… Mr. Robot • Trinity • Lisbeth Salander • T-Bug (Cyberpunk 2077)
You want to be the digital ghost. You crack systems, steal data, control security, and fight battles in cyberspace while your crew handles meatspace.
The NET is Dead
The old global NET was destroyed in the DataKrash. Now you jack into local architectures — you have to be physically close to your target.
💡 Character Concepts
- The Idealist — You use your skills to expose corporate crimes and help the little guy.
- The Data Thief — Information is money. You sell secrets to the highest bidder.
- The Ghost — You were never here. Your tracks are always clean.
- The Addict — The NET is more real than meatspace. You’re losing touch.
- The Survivor — You’ve seen Netrunners flatline. You know what’s in there. You go anyway.
- The Hacktivist — Digital anarchist. You fight the power with code.
🎮 Role Ability: Interface
Your connection to the NET. Interface determines how many NET Actions you get per turn while jacked in:
| Rank | NET Actions/Turn |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | 2 |
| 4-6 | 3 |
| 7-9 | 4 |
| 10 | 5 |
Interface Abilities
Each NET Action you take uses one of these abilities. All resolve as Interface + 1d10 vs. DV unless noted.
| Ability | Roll | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Scanner | Meat Action, Interface + 1d10 | Find access points to NET Architectures. Higher roll = more found, further away. |
| Pathfinder | Interface + 1d10 | Reveal Architecture “map” — see floors equal to your Check (blocked by high-DV Passwords). Use this first. |
| Backdoor | Interface + 1d10 vs. DV | Break through Passwords. Auto-pass if you know the password. |
| Control | Interface + 1d10 vs. DV | Seize a Control Node (cameras, turrets, doors). Each device = 1 extra NET Action to operate. Lose control on Jack Out. |
| Eye-Dee | Interface + 1d10 vs. DV | Identify a File’s contents and value. |
| Zap | Interface + 1d10 vs. DEF/Interface + 1d10 | Basic 1d6 attack. Works vs Programs (DEF) and Netrunners (Interface). |
| Slide | Interface + 1d10 vs. PER + 1d10 | Escape one Black ICE to an adjacent floor. Once per Turn. Cannot be preemptive. |
| Cloak | Interface + 1d10 | Hide your tracks. DV to discover you = your Cloak Check. Skip this and you’re auto-discovered. |
| Virus | Interface + 1d10 vs. DV | At the lowest floor: leave up to 2 persistent changes. May need multiple NET Actions. |
→ Full rules with examples: Netrunning — Interface Abilities
Programs & Black ICE
Programs are loaded on your Cyberdeck (limited by slots). Each takes a NET Action to Rez/Derez. Installing/uninstalling takes 1 hour.
| Type | Behavior | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Booster | Stays active while Rezzed | Eraser (+2 Cloak), See Ya (+2 Pathfinder), Speedy Gonzalvez (+2 Speed), Worm (+2 Backdoor) |
| Defender | Stays active while Rezzed (once per Netrun) | Armor (−4 brain damage), Shield (blocks 1 hit), Flak (nullifies Attacker ATK) |
| Anti-Program Attacker | Fire once, auto-deactivates | Sword (3d6 vs ICE), Banhammer (3d6 vs Programs) |
| Anti-Personnel Attacker | Fire once, auto-deactivates | Hellbolt (2d6 + fire), DeckKRASH (forced unsafe Jack Out), Nervescrub (stat drain) |
Your starting programs: Armor, Sword, See Ya, Speedy Gonzalvez
→ Full program stats, effects, and strategy: Programs → Black ICE stat blocks and behavior: Black ICE
📘 How to Play
Roleplay Tips
Netrunners are hackers in a world that runs on data. You’re feared by Corps, hunted by law enforcement, and essential to every crew. The tension comes from:
- Meatspace vulnerability. While you’re jacked in, your body is defenseless. You need someone watching your back.
- The addiction of the NET. It feels better than reality. How long before you stop wanting to come back?
- Knowledge is power — and danger. You see things in corporate systems that can get you killed just for knowing.
Common Situations
| Situation | Roll This | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Finding an access point | Scanner (Meat Action, Interface + 1d10) | Higher roll = more found from further away |
| Breaking a password | Backdoor (Interface + 1d10 vs. DV) | Auto-pass if you know the password |
| Scouting the Architecture | Pathfinder (Interface + 1d10) | See floors = Check, blocked by Passwords > roll |
| Fighting Black ICE | Zap + Attacker Programs | Interface + ATK + 1d10 vs. DEF + 1d10 |
| Running from Black ICE | Slide (Interface + 1d10 vs. PER + 1d10) | Once per Turn, non-preemptive |
| Taking control of devices | Control (Interface + 1d10 vs. DV) | Each device = separate NET Action to operate |
| Hiding your tracks | Cloak (Interface + 1d10) | Skip and you’re auto-discovered |
| Leaving a virus | Virus (Interface + 1d10 vs. DV) | Lowest floor only, may need multiple NET Actions |
| Cracking a physical lock | TECH + Security Tech | For hardware you can’t hack remotely |
| Breaking encryption | INT + Cryptography | Out-of-NET codebreaking |
| Sneaking to access point | DEX + Stealth | Getting close enough to jack in |
| Researching a target | INT + Library Search | Data Pool searches |
Tactical Tips
- Always have a bodyguard. You’re helpless while jacked in. A Solo watching your meat is essential.
- Pathfinder first. Knowing the architecture map before committing lets you plan your NET run.
- Don’t fight what you can Slide past. Black ICE is dangerous. Avoid when possible.
- Control wins encounters. Turning turrets on their owners is more effective than shooting.
- Invest in Stealth. You need to get close to access points — that means not being seen.
- Carry a light pistol. For when things go wrong in meatspace.
🔑 Key Skills
🖥️ Primary — NET & Technical
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🕵️ Support
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🖥️ Required Cyberware
To Netrun, you need:
- Neural Link — Foundation cyberware
- Interface Plugs — Physical connection
- Cyberdeck — Your weapon
📋 Quick Reference
Recommended STATs
| Priority | STATs | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High | INT | Interface checks, all NET actions |
| Medium | WILL | Resist Black ICE, focus |
| Low | BODY | You’re usually behind the lines |
Starting Gear
- Cyberdeck (basic model)
- Programs: Armor, Sword, See Ya, Speedy
- Agent (smartphone)
- Light Pistol for emergencies
📜 Role Lifepath
What kind of runner are you?
d6 Type 1 Freelance hacker-for-hire 2 Corporate runner (does it for “the Man”) 3 Hacktivist (expose/attack bad actors) 4 Cracks systems for the thrill 5 Part of a regular freelance team 6 Works ad-hoc for a Media/politico/Lawman
Do you have a partner?
d6 Partner 1 Family member 2 Old friend 3 Also romantic 4 Secret partner (possibly not human) 5 Secret partner with gang/mob ties 6 Secret partner with corporate ties
What's your workspace like?
d6 Workspace 1 Screens everywhere 2 Better in Virtuality (you swear) 3 Filthy nest of cables 4 Corporate-modular and utilitarian 5 Minimalist and organized 6 Consumed your whole living space
Who's gunning for you?
d6 Enemy 1 Something weird: rogue AI / NET ghost 2 Rival runners 3 Corporates who want to own you 4 Law enforcement hunting “black hats” 5 Burned client seeking payback 6 A Fixer trying to lock you down
🔗 Connections
Related Roles
- Tech — Hardware to your software
- Media — Information-focused investigator
- Fixer — Can source the programs and gear you need
World & Lore
- Netrunner Lore — History and details of Netrunners in Night City
- Old NET — What was lost in the DataKrash
Rules & Mechanics
- Netrunning — Netrunning rules, Interface Abilities, NET combat
- Programs — All programs (Boosters, Defenders, Attackers) with stats and strategy
- Black ICE — Black ICE and Demons with stat blocks and behavior
- Skills — Complete skill list and descriptions
- Combat — Meatspace combat rules