Hacking

Deep intrusion and crack networks (slow).

Hacking is the slow, methodical end of the intrusion spectrum -- the kind of work that takes hours or days, not seconds. It covers defeating hardened network security, exfiltrating data from corporate servers, planting persistent backdoors, cracking encrypted data stores, and the patient art of mapping a network's architecture before striking. In the verse, Hackers are the Academics' weapon of choice -- patient, thorough, and devastating when they find the right node. Distinct from Computers/Slicing (fast, tactical, in-combat), Hacking is the siege, not the skirmish. Black-ICE (Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics) is the real danger: corporate and military networks fight back.

Rules Reference

Field	Value
Armor Check Penalty	false
Key Ability	INT
Opposed Skills	Computers/Slicing
Trained Only	true
Untrained Use	Cannot reliably hack. Almost guaranteed detection and counter-response.
Key Ability	INT

Notes

Special: Hacking typically takes 1d4+1 hours per system tier. The Master Slicer feat (8 ranks) grants +2 and reduces black-ICE damage by half.

Special: Hacking typically takes 1d4+1 hours per system tier. The Master Slicer feat (8 ranks) grants +2 and reduces black-ICE damage by half.

Untrained: Cannot reliably hack. Any untrained attempt is almost guaranteed to be detected and trigger the strongest available defences. No encryption cracking, no backdoor capability. Untrained hacking is walking into a minefield blindfolded.

Descriptors

dc: 15

Field	Value
dc	15
task	Defeat a basic security perimeter

dc: 18

Field	Value
dc	18
task	Exfiltrate data from a corporate server

dc: 22

Field	Value
dc	22
task	Crack a standard encryption layer

dc: 25

Field	Value
dc	25
task	Plant a persistent backdoor in a hardened system

dc: 28

Field	Value
dc	28
task	Defeat a military-grade ICE defence

dc: 30

Field	Value
dc	30
task	Compromise a sealed black-site network

Synergy

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
from	Computers/Slicing
threshold	5

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
from	Engineering
threshold	5

Synergies

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
ranks	5
skill	Computers/Slicing

bonus: 2

Field	Value
bonus	2
ranks	5
skill	Engineering

bonus: +2 Hacking/Computers, slice as free action, halve black-ICE damage

Field	Value
bonus	+2 Hacking/Computers, slice as free action, halve black-ICE damage
feat	Master Slicer

Uses

application: Defeat a basic security perimeter

Field	Value
application	Defeat a basic security perimeter
dc	15
failure	Perimeter holds; retry possible. Failure by 5+ triggers alert.
success	Perimeter breached; network accessible.

application: Exfiltrate data from a corporate server

Field	Value
application	Exfiltrate data from a corporate server
dc	18
failure	Data encrypted or access denied; must try another route.
success	Data copied; 1d4 hours per attempt.

application: Crack a standard encryption layer

Field	Value
application	Crack a standard encryption layer
dc	22
failure	Encryption holds; 1d4 hours wasted.
success	Encryption broken; data readable.

application: Plant a persistent backdoor in a hardened system

Field	Value
application	Plant a persistent backdoor in a hardened system
dc	25
failure	Backdoor detected and removed; system alerted.
success	Backdoor installed; remote access for 1d4 weeks.

application: Defeat a military-grade ICE defence

Field	Value
application	Defeat a military-grade ICE defence
dc	28
failure	ICE counterattacks; 2d6 damage to hacker's deck.
success	ICE defeated; network compromised.

application: Compromise a sealed black-site network

Field	Value
application	Compromise a sealed black-site network
dc	30
failure	Black-ICE response; 4d6 damage, system traces hacker.
success	Network compromised; full access achieved.