The Hackclock

OSR/NSR style cyberpunk and sci-fi hacking

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I want some lean but involved hacking rules for when I’m running Cy_Borg, Death in Space and Salvage Union and I thought you might like a peek. It’s system agnostic. Here’s what I’ve cooked up.

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Systems

The players make decisions together during the hack, this is always a group activity.

The target is a computer system, which has:

• Entry points. Ways into the system. Might require a password etc. Gives you access to an initial node.

• Nodes. System components e.g. data archives, CCTV control.

• Connections. Links between nodes.

Hackers use entry points to gain access. Once they are in, they can take actions:

• Get data. Access data from a node. Some of this is public: the name of the node, a brief description of its function. Private data is only accessible if the node has been ‘breached’, and includes things like the nodes it is connected to and it’s internal data (e.g. employee records).

• Breach. Attack a node to access its full functionality and data. No check is required, it just takes time.

• Command. Have the node execute a command it has access to e.g. delete a file, open door 13A.

The hackers can only see the nodes that are connected to ones they have breached. You, the GM, can make and use a map like the one below. It’s like a dungeon map, but communicate it like a computer terminal (you can even speak like one). Instead of “there are passages north and south”, say “1A linked nodes: 1B, 1C, 1D”.

Example of a system map (by me).

Drawing these diagrams works really well in my hexbooks.

For each node, note its public data (e.g. it’s name “door control”), private data (e.g. that it is connected to 3C and 4B; a building layout; recently opened doors), and stuff it can command (e.g. doors). Note entry points (noted by a triangle arrow on this map) on relevant nodes. Provide details of how access works (e.g. retinal ID).

Players might ‘create’ an entry point you didn’t expect. If that happens, pick the most sensical node they would start with.

For credentials, you can have access levels. On my map I’m using 1A to refer to a node. Level 1 access means access to 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.

Tick tock goes the hackclock

Hacking is about the pressing worry of being detected. I’m taking inspiration from the ‘underclock’ mechanic from Goblin Punch, a ‘hackclock’ clock if you will.

The hackclock starts at 20. When hackers commit suspicious actions, such as breaching (unless they have leverage like employee credentials), accessing sensitive data without having forged a data access request, making a suspicious command, or lingering in the system like a normal user wouldn’t, roll a d6 and subtract the result from the hackclock.

If the hackclock reaches 1-3, the hackers know security systems are closing in on them. Give them a warning: ‘firewall triggered’. If they leave the system before the hackclock reaches 0, add 1 back to the hackclock for every 10 minutes in game time that the hackers aren’t in the system.

If it reaches 0, they are booted out of the system, which is inaccessible for d6 hours whilst it is locked down. Alongside being booted out, they might be traced and other consequences might be on the way (e.g. a corporate kill squad).

A system can change between hacks. Nodes and entry points may be rearranged or added in response to security threats.

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Gear and resources

Better gear and computational resources count when hacking, they can add 1-10 to the hackclock depending on the quality of the kit and resources being deployed.

A well guarded system might have countermeasures that trigger if the hackclock reaches 0, like infecting the hackers’ gear with viruses.

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That’s it

Design systems for your major corporations, sci-fi factions, or for heists at a physical location like a laboratory. Fill them with interesting information and functions for players to exploit.

Someone on reddit asked if I could make a printable version, so I put up a basic one on DriveThruRPG.

To draw these irl, I’m using Muji notebooks (absolutely, 100% THE BEST notebooks) with a Lamy pen for writing and Faber-Castell Pitt Pens for drawing/mapping/diagraming.