Netrunning: Basic and Advanced Tactics For Cyberpunk Red (Timestamps Available)

I break down Netrunning in Cyberpunk Red from A to Z and offer my thoughts on the more nuanced subjects within it. Say "NO!" to brain fry!
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TIME STAMPS
00:00 Intro
02:16 TL:DR Netrunning
03:56 Meat Space vs Net Space
04:59 Interface: Netrunner Role Ability
05:33 The "Elevator" Metaphor
06:28 In The Net (Summary)
08:04 Basic Netrunning
08:17 (B) Cyberdecks
09:36 (B) The 3 Programs
10:31 (B) Scan-JackIn-Pathfinder
11:45 (B) Passwords
12:00 (B) BLACK ICE
15:02 (B) Control Nodes
15:27 (B) Files
16:04 (B) Net Architecture Reset
17:21 Advanced Netrunning
17:59 (Adv) Cyberdeck Slot Management
18:18 (Adv) Hardware Upgrades
18:54 (Adv) Multiple Program Copies
19:46 (Adv) DEMONS
21:31 (Adv) Enemy Netrunners
22:20 (Adv) DeckKRASH
22:53 (Adv) Preparing For Netrunners
23:22 (Adv) Defenses
24:29 (Adv) Multiple Hazards On One Floor
24:56 (Adv) Virus
26:37 (Adv) Cloak
27:50 (Adv) Destroy Access Points
29:03 Outro

[John]

I'm a new DM just getting into Running RED for my friends, and netrunning has been the most confusing thing for me, so thanks for the tips!

[GotrekGurnisson]

I run a warhammer 40k rpg with a mechanicus player. This video has given me the ability to elevate his role beyond a door opener\repair man. Thank you

[roarshach]

My only concern with Netrunning in Red is that I feel it can get very repetitive. The Data Fortresses in 2020 were a little better for making unique runs. The main solution I'm thinking for crafting netruns as a GM is to have some of the architectures be crafted to look like certain locations like a dungeon or cave and have the Demons and Black Ice be designed to fit these environments. I'm specifically planning on an architecture created by a mad Netrunner made to look like the Minotaur's Maze!

[zacharyburd]

As far as rules for multiple black ice programs, it states that the cost to install more than one black ice in a room is the amount of black ice in a room multiplied by the cost of the black ice. For example, if you wanted a giant, a dragon, and a sabretooth in the same room, it would cost 9000 eb. This is because there are 3 programs and each one has a base cost of 1000 eb, which means each one costs 3000 eb. So, if your GM is a psycho, it also means your enemy is extremely wealthy.

Also, black ice in a cyberdeck can also be used against other black ice if they are designed to be anti-program. Do remember that black ice are expensive, and having them destroyed permanently by an enemy program. However, some black ice can also destroy programs in the architecture instead of just derezzing them, meaning they don't reset. For some wealthy netrunners, this causes a unique type of deck-swapping strategy as you can jack in and out without having all the ice reset, letting you utilize multiple cyberdecks.

In the Midnight with the Upload DLC, this can be doubled down on with the Raven Microcyb Phoenix, which can save and restore destroyed black ice, which is something that could not be achieved before, even with the backup drive, which explicitly restricted such a thing. Jack in with an expensive Black Ice deck to wreck the programs permanently, and then pop out, swap to a specialized cyberdeck when you need to brute-force passwords, control nodes, and so on.

[_Woody_]

Throw Rache Bartmoss himself at my Netrunner?

That might just be one of the coolest ideas I've heard. Homebrewing those nasty R.A.B.B.I.D.S. gonna be so much fun.

Oh and on behalf of all the Runners out there: "Are you insane?!?"

[ldhat]

Dude, thank you sooo much for making these vids, I'm beginning a campaign in a couple weeks and even though I read the book from cover to cover, I was still so uncertain about things, but now I feel a lot more confident. Thanks man!

[larsbangjensen]

Probably been said before but the levels in Inception are also a nice way of depicting the Net imho :)

[wilduu]

Just in time! One of my players is wanting to multiclass from medtech into netrunner.

[ASummersetproduction]

Just in time planning for session 2 with my Netrunner the fantastic breakdown I was looking for all day today !!

[everettfores]

hey, its two years after you posted this video and just wanted to let you know that its still very helpful. thank you so much!

[MetAlexTHVK]

I am just getting into Cyberpunk Red and Netrunning looks like the most unique part of it, so i wanna make sure i understand it inside and out before i run this game. This video gave me a really good idea of the principles before i read the nitty gritty in the book, much appreciated!

[jupiterrising]

Netrunning is one of the coolest things about the game.

[eddyquik]

Awesome! I'm super clear now as it's an area that has traditionally been NPC turf only.

[bronxsmash]

I always liked the idea of playing a net runner in 2020 but it just didn’t work so well in our campaign’s so I just ran solo’s

[shawns.]

Awesome 👍. Next Sat is my first day as a GM for Red and I'm really excited for it and hoping at least one if my 4 players will take Netrunner!

[MlSTERTORGUE]

Really helpful!
The only thing I think unmentioned was how each Floor of an Architecture can hold up to 3 Black ICE, as stated by JGray in the Discord.
Would be a nightmare to enter a floor and find 3 Hellhounds D:

[alessanadrochiominto]

I think that is the best tutorial video i ever seen

[spraylansquivvens]

The elevator description is good, though I can't help but picture it like the data forts/servers from the CCG.

[soggysoup]

Thank you for explaining this in a way that makes playing a netrunner build actually sound fun and useful. Great breakdown.

[fernandonumba.]

You are the 🐐 choom you helped me hella with all yo cyberpunk vids 💪🏽