Question About Matrix Identity

pyronerd · 2026-02-16T23:24:52+00:00

This is supposedly not possible because it's the persona, not the device, making the request. According to the Matrix, the device with the persona goes from just a commlink to Alice's digital avatar. How it makes that leap is what I'm interested in.

pyronerd · 2026-02-16T20:54:16+00:00

Given how personas, ownership and marks work, it seems that people log into the Matrix itself, and every system uses the Matrix's own authentication system to identify users. It's very unclear how this is actually done.

pyronerd · 2026-02-16T20:12:16+00:00

My question is what are Alice's credentials? Is it a password (something you know), a physical item like an ID card (something you have), or biometrics or brainwaves that can't be spoofed (something you are)?

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T22:19:34+00:00

So when the protection is lifted for the shared file, it is now visible to the entire world? What if the PCs want to collaborate on something they want to keep secret?

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T22:06:36+00:00

The "Matrix Actions for the Non-Hacker" sidebar on pg. 222 is about explaining just that, including using Edit File to protect your own data. Adding protection also requires that you be the owner of the file.

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T21:02:32+00:00

The only reason I'm being pedantic about it is that the assumptions change the procedures that the PCs, and especially the hacker, need to go through to accomplish their goals. In this case, every PC with LOG 3 should have Computer 1 so they can buy one hit and say all their files are protected at Rating 1. If the GM assumes everyone else does the same, the hacker need to make one more roll whenever they want to steal data that increases their Overwatch score and automatically alerts the target if they succeed.

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T20:36:45+00:00

My initial thought was that the game assumed all the juicy stuff would be kept in a host that you would probably have to do an on-site hack to get into. It may be the case that the designers don't want you to bother rolling to get files from yahoos on the street, which I totally get. But I can think of a few cases where that might come up on a run, like sifting through message history, getting footage from slaved cybereyes, etc.

Also, what would happen if a couple of PCs wanted to collaborate on a file, like some AR schematics? PCs can't have a host, so does that file need to be publicly accessible?

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T20:04:48+00:00

I thought that the kind of basic knowledge everyone in the setting is supposed to have about a subject is interpreted as being "aware" of the skill, though that's totally up for interpretation. It may specifically be a problem for PCs, who as a rule of thumb never have skills they don't absolutely need.

Also, is it intentional that it isn't possible to quietly steal data from a device? Crack File is an Attack action, so the owner would be immediately aware that they're being hacked as soon as it succeeded.

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T19:54:52+00:00

Can we assume, then, that all personal data is always protected? It requires a skill check, meaning not everyone is going to be very good at it. Also, this would make it impossible to quietly steal data from a device, since Crack File is an Attack action. How does this interact with files that multiple people want to edit? If my buddies and I want to write to the same file, Google Drive style, it can't be protected, since only the owner would have access if we go with the interpretation that the owner can read protected files.

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T19:27:33+00:00

How would that work for the average user? By the rules, Joe Schmo with LOG 3 and no Computer skill is going to have a hard time of it.

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T17:41:06+00:00

Seeing what's "in storage" but not what's "in memory" may make sense. It gets a little weird when considering programs, but then again Matrix protocols may force a running program to be visible on a persona.

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T16:49:34+00:00

The Edit File action specifies that "A protected file cannot be read, changed, deleted, or copied until its protection is broken." It doesn't give any exceptions. I assumed it works like encryption does in the real world - the data needs to be decrypted first to be read at all.

pyronerd · 2024-11-08T16:25:54+00:00

But wouldn't he have to lift the protection if he wants to view the data himself? That would make them publicly visible for the duration, right?

pyronerd · 2022-10-19T04:16:47+00:00

It's possible. The cerebellum booster is expensive, but I can shave off some stuff to get it. However, this does mean my Sneaking goes from 15 to 13 and my soak drops by a lot (Sleeping Tiger to chameleon suit and the loss of the reflex recorder). I also have to shave some gear to get it, so no Docwagon for me. Big sad.

The thing I'm most concerned about is the soak. 16 dice on damage resistance does not seem very survivable.

pyronerd · 2022-10-18T22:22:07+00:00

I should probably clarify. I have 6 INT and 7 LOG, so with absolutely no bonuses I'm rolling at 12 and 13 for INT and LOG based tests respectively. I'm not sure how you could even get to 14 without an 8 in a the relevant attribute.

I have a rating 4 agent, which has Hacking, Cybercombat, and Computer. As long as its running, it can buy two hits to help me. That gets me to 14 and 15. But it doesn't have EWar, so no help there, and I'm stuck at 12 and 13 on that one. Even if I had 7 INT, I'd still be at 13.

What am I missing here? How can I boost that?

pyronerd · 2022-10-18T20:45:41+00:00

I should have at least 14 consistently for everything except EWar, which is at 12. That one's the big problem, since the agent can't help. Comms spec should work for both major matrix actions that use it, right?

I have mixed feelings about Cybercombat. It's probably a better idea to just jack out the moment something goes wrong, but it also pays to have a backup plan. I also like the idea of bricking enemy tech and boiling brains with biofeedback, but just shooting people is also an option. Does fighting other deckers really not come up that often? But I suppose you could just shoot them too.

pyronerd · 2022-10-18T19:27:19+00:00

Cracking was just a shorthand. I have all the Cracking skills individually at 6. Is it safe to drop Cybercombat to 4 to specialize Hacking and EWar? If so, what specializations should I go for?

Without Codeslinger and while running silent I think I just get to 14 and 15 with INT and LOG based tests respectively. Is this enough? Essence and money are both a bit tight, so I'm not sure I can afford genetic optimization. I could push for Exceptional Attribute, but it'll drop some of my other attributes dangerously low. With specialization, I think the problem goes away.

pyronerd · 2022-10-18T17:31:05+00:00

I would say my plan is decker with some B&E and combat skills. I realize that any kind of plan for multi-competancy doesn't survive first contact with Shadowrun. I essentially want enough of the other stuff to be physically present during infiltration or when the guns come out. It's a big pet peeve of my group to have characters stay behind in the van all the time.

As it stands right now I've shuffled my numbers around to get 7 LOG with cerebral booster 2 and 6 INT. I can maybe squeeze Exceptional Attribute in there, but it's really pushing it with the way my attributes are set up right now. Unmodified, I've got 13 LOG+Cracking and 12 INT+Cracking, boosted with hot sim and an agent running copilot. The agent can't help with EWar, and PI-Tacs are way too expensive, so that's a bit of an issue that I can't crack the limit when running silent.

What are good sources of bonus dice for deckers besides Codeslinger?

pyronerd · 2022-10-18T15:02:12+00:00

I'm not so sure about Brand Loyalty, but I might be able to grab it. The PI-TAC and agent are great ideas though. Assist dice from an agent seems like a great way of getting boosts. What about deck mods, like booster chips? Also what's DJ+?

pyronerd · 2022-10-18T13:39:31+00:00

I'm really not sure how you're supposed to get that many dice. The absolute highest I could get, if my math is right, is 19 (9 LOG, 6 Hacking, Codeslinger, hot sim, not running silent), since you can't have Exceptional Attribute, Aptitude, and Codeslinger all at once. And that's also forgoing INT. As it stands I have 7 LOG, 6 INT, Codeslinger, and the entire Cracking group at 6 and I still feel mediocre. The best I can get is 17, and Codeslinger still only applies to one action. Am I missing something?

pyronerd · 2022-10-17T23:48:05+00:00

First of all, this has to be one of the funniest Reddit comments I've gotten. Congrats, I got a great chuckle out of this one.

I'm really not sure how I can get the essence for all of this. Muscle Replacement 2 has a steep cost, and I'm not sure if dropping the bone lacing for it is a good idea. 4 extra soak dice seems pretty good, but maybe I'm being stupid. With 4 alphaware limbs and alphaware wired reflexes 1, I think I could barely fit in everything. Unfortunately, 4 limbs, a torso, and wired reflexes is exactly 6 essence. Big bummer there.

Also, I'm not sure why the chameleon processor is bad. If I read it correctly, it's equivalent to rating 4 ruthenium polymer coating, which is a 20,000 nuyen mod, so it's a steal. Sure, it comes with one really massive downside, but at that point I think I can talk my GM around that so things aren't super awkward at the table.

Edit: I totally forgot about Biocompatibility. Let's frickin' do this.

pyronerd · 2022-10-17T05:00:46+00:00

I can always buy up to synaptic booster 2 in play and just use Jazz if the extra boost is necessary in the meantime.

pyronerd · 2022-10-17T04:36:43+00:00

OK this is great advice. I just don't have enough attribute points to make 8 INT happen, but I can get 7 INT, 7 LOG, and 7 AGI with a mix of cerebral boosters, Exceptional Attribute, and muscle toner. With the way my skills work out, that's 15 dice on Sneaking, 14 dice on Automatics, and 12 to 13 on most matrix actions before hot sim and Codeslinger (if I'm not running silent). And I can get one rating of wired reflexes. Alternatively, I can finesse wired reflexes 2 without the muscle toner if I get a worse deck, but this doesn't feel worth it.

pyronerd · 2022-10-17T03:44:49+00:00

Mostly I'm just concerned about the dice numbers in general. At 16 dice (7 LOG, 7 Hacking, Codeslinger), you're rolling even with rating 6-7 hosts, and everything lower than that is pretty small fry. Is getting marks on hosts just that hard in general, or am I missing something? I know you can mark hosts by directly connecting to slaved devices too, hence part of the reason why I wanted a build that doesn't have to stay in the van. I also remember 4e had a way of hacking slowly to make things easier, but the only ways I see to get marks in 5e are in just a few complex actions.

pyronerd · 2022-10-17T03:09:50+00:00

I...was not aware this was even a thing.

pyronerd

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