Matrix Combat

Matrix Combat

Differences from Regular Combat

  • There is no 'defense' roll in Matrix combat. If an Icon is hit, it rolls to soak.
  • Matrix combat actions are all Simple Actions.
  • Each Turn, a Matrix combatant gets 2 Simple or 1 Complex action.
  • A Matrix combatant may also take 1 Free Action per turn after his first action, even during another combatant's action.
  • The TN to hit an Icon Depends on it's status as a legitimate/illegal icon
  • Reactive IC does not roll initiative - it merely reacts to a stimulus.
  • Proactive IC rolls initiative and attacks and defends as necessary
  • When an IC crashes it adds it's rating to the Security Tally to the attacker
  • The Host is actually using the IC as a weapon therefore
    • IC uses the host's Security Rating to attack
    • IC does damage using it's rating as Force and a Damage Level depending on the Host Color
    • IC initiative is determined by adding the IC rating to Host Color
IC Damage Table
Host Security Code IC Damage Level
Blue Moderate
Green Moderate
Orange Serious
Red Serious
IC Initiative Table
Host Security Code Initiative
Blue 1d6 + IC Rating
Green 2d6 + IC Rating
Orange 3d6 + IC Rating
Red 4d6 + IC Rating
Cybercombat Target Numbers Table
Host Security Code TN To Hit Intruding Icon TN To Hit Legit Icon
Blue 6 3
Green 5 4
Orange 4 5
Red 3 6
Matrix Combat Maneuvers
Name Test Outcome
Evade Detection Evasion vs Sensors or IC Rating Icon becomes invisible to target icon for a number of rounds equal to his net successes.
Parry Attack Evasion vs Sensors or IC Rating Increase the TN to hit the maneuvering Icon by the number of his net successes until the next attack.
Position Attack Evasion vs Sensors or IC Rating Decrease the TN to hit opposing icon by the number of net successes on the next attack.
Overload Damage
Icon Damage Level Target Number
Light 2
Moderate 3
Serious 5
Dumpshock Damage Levels
Host Security Code Damage Level
Blue Light
Green Moderate
Orange Serious
Red Deadly

Matrix Combat

  • Initiative
    • Each participant in the combat (IC, Persona or other) rolls Initiative
    • Combat proceeds in order of highest initiative
    • Once each combatant has had one Turn subtract 10 from all initiative scores.
    • Those combatants that still have a positive initiative score may take another Turn
  • Combat Turn
    • All matrix combat actions are Simple Actions
    • Matrix combatants may engage in Matrix Combat Maneuvers as a Simple Action
      • Each Combat Maneuver requires an opposed test between the Icon performing the maneuver and the Icon it's performing it against
    • Any combatant that wishes to attack may roll to do so on it's action
      • A Decker rolls Computers(Decking) vs the appropriate target number. IC are always considered legitimate icons.
      • An IC rolls the host Security Rating vs the appropriate target number. Deckers can be considered legitimate icons if they used a passcode or validated an account.
      • A Decker does damage according to his appropriate attack program (IE: Attack Deadly (6) does a 6(D) wound)
      • IC does damage with a Force equal to it's rating and a damage code dependent on the host's security color.
    • An Icon that is hit, takes damage and rolls to soak the damage
      • A Decker uses his BOD statistic. The Force of the damage is reduced by his Armor utility rating of he has one and it is in active memory.
      • An IC uses the host's Security Rating. The force of the damage is reduced by the Armor IC Option (-2)
    • A Decker with an Shield utility loaded into active memory may roll the Shield utility's rating vs the skill of the attacker
      • TN is the Computer(Decking) skill of a hostile decker or the Security Rating of the host for IC.
      • Each success on the Shield test reduces the attacker's net successes by 1.
      • The Shield rating is reduced by each attack against the Decker whether it succeeds in foiling the attack or not.
    • A Decker that takes damage to his Icon from white or gray IC can potentially suffer Overload (Stun Damage)
      • Decker must roll Willpower vs a TN based on the damage his Icon took or take Stun Damage as per normal.
  • Damage Staging
    • Compare the attacker's roll vs the BOD roll (or Security Rating of the Host) to determine who had more successes
    • For every two additional net successes by the attacker, stage the damage up by one Power level (Not the Force)
    • For every two net successes by the defender, stage the damage down by one Power Level (not the force)
      • Note that if an IC gets 4 successes and a defending Decker gets 3
      • If the IC gets 4 successes and the Decker gets 4, neither side has net Successes but the target takes full base damage
      • For the Target to take no damage he must get more net successes than the attacker enough to soak all levels of damage
    • Apply the remaining damage to the target Icon's damage track
  • Deadly Damage
    • Deadly Icon damage for an IC will crash it.
      • When an attacked IC crashes, it's rating is added to the Decker's Security Tally
      • A Decker may 'suppress' an IC, that is prevent the additional Security Tally by sacrificing either 1pt of Hacking Pool or Detection factor
        • This expended point is considered 'used' until the Decker spends an action to Unsupress the IC or he leaves the Host
      • When A Decker suffers Deadly Icon damage he is dropped from the Matrix.
      • When a Decker is dumped or jacks out - he does not clear his access logs which can potentially leave traceable information behind.
  • Dumpshock
    • A user takes Dumpshock depended on the Security Color and Rating of the Host.
      • Dumpshock may be soaked as any other Stun Damage.
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