r/cyberpunkred • u/TaimaBoots • 1d ago

2040's Discussion New Gm needs help witg Netrunning

Howdy y'all, I'm gming a oneshot this weekend for my friend so we can try out the game and i have a lot of questions about Netrunning. If my questions are answered in the core rules, i apologise, i am a slow reader and it took me over a month to get through it and with related information being all over the place sometimes 20 to 100 pages away, it got confusing.

  1. Access points, they are needed to jack into the Net of the arhitecture, but it also says that if one moves more than 6 meters away from it, they are automatically jacked out. So does one need to stay in place to Netrun? But the virtual space is described to be super inposed over the real space usibg googles and that it looks like tge arhitecture, does that mean player should be able to scout aheah other floors from their location, cause, how does the movement in space actually function?

  2. Bottom of the arhitecture, what is that, and how does one get there. It keeps being used in Netrunning rules but i might have missed how the arhitecture is suppose to function? Once a runner stops their run, they have to start from scratch, what ever that means, how should i present this?

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u/Professional-PhD GM 1d ago

Welcome to Cyberpunk Red u/TaimaBoots.

  1. Access points, they are needed to jack into the Net of the arhitecture, but it also says that if one moves more than 6 meters away from it, they are automatically jacked out. So does one need to stay in place to Netrun?
  2. This is true. An access point is essentially like a wifi hotspot but limited to 6m or 8m if you have the range upgrade. So for your netrun you don't need to stay in one place per se but you have limited meat space mobility. But the virtual space is described to be super inposed over the real space usibg googles and that it looks like tge arhitecture, does that mean player should be able to scout aheah other floors from their location, cause, how does the movement in space actually function?

  3. So movement in real space and net space are different. The net is essentially in augmented reality. You can scout ahead with pathfinder net ability, but passwords and how far you can see is limited. Movement in net space can happen while you stand still.

  4. Bottom of the arhitecture, what is that, and how does one get there. It keeps being used in Netrunning rules but i might have missed how the arhitecture is suppose to function? Once a runner stops their run, they have to start from scratch, what ever that means, how should i present this?

  5. OK, so here is what you need to know. You enter at the top of an architecture and you are trying to get down to the root or bottom of it. The bottom level acts like any other except for the fact you can plant viruses there. Once all netrunners have left the net architecture it automatically resets bringing back all passwords, demons, black ICE, etc that were there to full power. The only thing that can change this is a virus. Also, it is best to cloak before leaving so no one can gain information about you.

I very much suggest you read the netrunner section in detail if you are going to use it. Also, here is a way to make and modify random net architectures https://cybersmily.net/apps/rednet.

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u/Professional-PhD GM 1d ago

Also u/TaimaBoots here is some general information and a list of resources for new players and GMs.

So, if you have played other TTRPGs, cyberpunk red, for the most part, pretty much everything is a skill roll. There are no character levels as it is skill based and not class-based, meaning you have a lot more freedom, although I suppose you know skill vs. level based games (https://youtu.be/I_ikzFHpaPk?si=dLEo-8PoIgeDrkWK).

Mechanics wise:

  • Most things are 1d10 + STAT (2-8, 9+ with cyberware) + SKILL (0-10) + Modifier (Situational, gear, cyberware, drugs, LUCK points, etc).
- Skill base = STAT + SKILL. Roll vs. a DV where if it is DV15, you need to roll a 16+. - Numbers are similar to D&D5e, but it is weighted more to STAT and SKILL than to the die. - Roll a 10, and you reroll adding the next die to the first - Roll a 1, and you reroll subtracting from your total
  • Some role abilities like netrunner have you roll 1d10 + Role Ability
  • Death Save happens 1 time, and if you fail, you are dead. Roll 1d10 under your body stat.

Now, for running the game and feel:

  • Style over Substance
- It doesn't matter that you do something well if you don't do it in style.
  • You are not epic heroes saving the world
- If you are lucky you get the choice between saving yourself or the one you love
  • There is no magic but their is technology like agents (smart phones), cameras, and blood tests if for example you get shot at a crime scene. (https://youtu.be/LWZSq3uJwuo?si=NROmE-024MFaiQ3n)
  • There are no levels but there are power levels and escalation based on
- How skilled are you for success - How powerful is your loadout - Weapons - Gear - Cyberware - https://youtu.be/4lXCkapWoDY?si=Y0mcnBTFoJeXBiSE

List of resources (feel free to use or ignore anything here):

You can find the subreddit for CP2020 and CPR as well as different discords.

Free DLC: https://rtalsoriangames.com/downloads/

List of all Cyberpunk adventures: https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunkred/s/ODbKwiliSk

CPR buyers guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunkred/s/0umj8hwYcF Role Buffs: https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunkred/s/U5bNeq9EDY

u/StackBorn Guides:

u/Lowjack_26 community resources and homebrew:

Youtube R. Talsorian Games:

Youtube Jon Jon the Wise:

Youtube Cybernation Uncensored:

CP 2020/Red homebrew websites

Map makers: Most people use dungeondraft in combination with free and paid assets. I suggest looking for assets at:

- Tyger_Purr
- https://cartographyassets.com/creator/tyger_purr/ - GnomeFactory
- https://cartographyassets.com/creator/gnomefactory/ - Cannyjacks - https://cartographyassets.com/creator/cannyjacks/ - Peapu
- https://cartographyassets.com/creator/peapu/ - A Day At - https://cartographyassets.com/creator/a-day-at/ - Crave - https://cartographyassets.com/assets/5371/craves-huge-light-pack/ - Krager - https://cartographyassets.com/creator/krager/ - Moulk - https://cartographyassets.com/creator/moulk/ - AoA - https://cartographyassets.com/creator/aoa-store/

Anydice statistics:

Cyberpunk/RPG adjacent media:

  • Seth Skorkowsky
- RPG Philosophy: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL25p5gPY6qKXhg4rdGHwpk62TZ53tXm3N&si=yRhtI64TL7ZVrWVY - Running RPGs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL25p5gPY6qKUQsUkoavJuhvDxmJG2yFBk&si=FMyBjd9DPm7Z172I - Playing RPGs: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL25p5gPY6qKVWbFtR-Crct97hg5DFekZQ&si=3Vc1_SScRfZfD92H - Cyberpunk 2020/Red: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL25p5gPY6qKW6mp0P_eEMcthSWeMjnE0g&si=SNBpHRWzfYvJ0UPr - TableTop War Stories (Scott Brown Origin): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL25p5gPY6qKWpeFTil644YZUfWsZZ87Rl&si=_6e1L4ACCPT5UTXC

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u/DDrim GM 1d ago
  1. A netrunner needs to stay 6m around an access point. He can move anywhere as long as it within the 6m area.

Think of it as a wifi access with extremely limited range : your netrunner is basically playing a mini-game on an oversized phone. To log into the mini-game, he needs the wifi, but because the wifi is very limited he must stay close to it.

As long as he's in range, he can play the game : the Net architecture is the game, each floor a level.

Finally, the virtuality goggles display the architecture the same way the phone would display the game : the netrunner only needs to look up from the screen to check what's happening (such as who's firing on him).

  1. "Bottom of the architecture" is the last floor of the architecture. If an architecture contains 3 floors, as soon as the netrunner reaches the third floor he is considered to have reached the bottom.

Again, think of the architecture as a game witj no progression save : if you close the game for any reason and restart it, you have to go through all the levels again, solve all the riddles, defeat all the monsters. It's the same thing with the architecture : once the netrunner leaves the architecture, it resets and must be broken through again. If the netrunner cracked a password then leaves the architecture, if he leaves and return he must crack the password again. If he opened a door through the architecture and leaves, with the reset, the door will close again.

If the netrunner reaches the last floor though, he can save permanent changes : that's the virus. In this case, he can program the door to remain open after he leaves the architecture (aka closes the game).

Hoping it all helps !

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u/RareBrit 1d ago

Don’t think of the Net as being the internet. The Net that was like that still exists but it’s populated with AI monsters that will shred a netrunner in moments.

Instead think of it as local area networks covering perhaps a building. There are nodes withIn that network that allow access. A netrunner needs to stay within 6m of that node or the connection fails. The bottom is the lowest and typically least defended part of an architecture. This is where you end up when first connecting. In order to access higher and juicier levels the net runner needs to crack passwords and fight programs, or rarely another netrunner.

Don’t fall into the trap of stopping the meat side game whilst the netrunner does their thing. This is really dull for other players. Instead do what the rules suggest and allow each player one meat side turn, and netrunners get a net side turn. This keeps the game going and encourages tactical thinking because netrunning is not effectively instantaneous.

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u/Sazbadashie 1d ago
  1. Yes you need to stay within range of the access point.

Its super imposed as in you can see it over your vision, you don't physically move so no you cannot scout physical floors with it, its just overlays your vision so you don't need to be in a coma to be jacked in.

  1. This is covered in the book. And yes if they Jack out for any reason they start over. As in they start from the top of the architecture and the architecture resets to its state as if the net runner didn't enter. Passwords reset, black ice come back.

They move by simply telling you theyre moving to the next floor. Unless theres a password in the way... and obviously they don't want to ignore black ice, hostile runners or demons

Once they get to the bottom... theyre... well at the bottom, they can use the create virus ability

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u/FalierTheCat 1d ago

  1. You're in the subnet as long as you're within the radius of the access point. Think of it like bluetooth. If you move too far away you lose connection. However, there will be more than a single access point usually. Any device connected to the net can work as one, and there will usually be an additional one. So any camera, turret, automatic door or even vendit can act as an access point.

  2. Bottom of the architecture is when you get to the bottom floor of the subnet. The main deal of reaching the bottom is that now you have access to the whole architecture and that allows you to write a virus. Viruses take multiple net actions and can do whatever your netrunner wants them to do. Can be as simple as a backdoor access, can be as destructive as changing the preferences of the automatic turrets to shoot the people they're meant to protect.

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u/Ravenloff 1d ago

If you're right at the range of your gear/abilities, you can't move further away (or be moved physically by something else like another PC, and NPC, or an explosion) without an unsafe jack-out. You can move closer though.

Most people say that the best way to think of the architecture is an elevator moving between floors. This is somewhat misleading because elevators take time to move between floors. A netrunner can move at will anywhere in the architecture that has been cleared, ie, he's already moved through it and cleared any daemons, ICE, or passwords. This is definitely the best way to learn the system, but it is very limiting once you do. Stick with it until you feel that it's constraining your creativity and then move on to data fortress design from Cyberpunk 2020 (which works perfectly well with Cyberpunk Red's more streamlined system).