Breaching

Before a Netrunner can Quickhack a vehicle, they must first bypass its security system through a process known as Breaching.

• Base Breach DV: 6
• Range A Netrunner can connect to a vehicle within 50 m/yds (25 squares) that is visible to them.
• Time to Breach: 1 Net Action
• Drive-ICE Modifiers: Each Drive-ICE installed on the vehicle increases the DV by +2.
• Multi-System Vehicles: Some advanced vehicles may require multiple Breaches (e.g., multiple Drive-ICE installed).
• Failed Breach Attempts: Certain vehicles have ICE Programs that activate upon failed attempts (see Vehicle ICE Programs below).

Quickhacking Rules:

• A Netrunner can attempt one Quickhack per vehicle per Turn.
• If a Quickhack fails, the Netrunner cannot attempt another hack on that vehicle until their next Turn.
• Unless otherwise noted, the driver immediately knows they’ve been hacked once a Quickhack has been used.

Simple Quickhacks (DV6)

• Emergency Brake – The vehicle hard stops, causing the driver to lose 1 round of movement.
• Lock Doors – The vehicle’s doors lock shut for 20 Rounds (1 minute), requiring a Basic Tech (DV10) check or force to open.
• Alarm Trigger – The vehicle’s security alarm blares, attracting police, gang members, or nearby NPCs.
• Kill Radio – Disables all vehicle comms, music, and emergency signals for 1 minute.
• Seatbelt Lock – Engages the vehicle’s seatbelt locks, preventing selected drivers or passengers from exiting without a Basic Tech (DV8) check.
  • The Netrunner can choose specific targets or lock all occupants in place at once.

Standard Quickhacks (DV8)

• Disable Headlights – The vehicle’s headlights shut off, imposing a -2 penalty to Driving checks in low-light conditions.
• Jammed Ignition – The vehicle’s engine stalls for 3 Rounds, preventing acceleration. The vehicle can continue to move at its current movement or slow down.
• Open Door – The vehicle’s door or trunk pops open, potentially exposing cargo or passengers.
• Hydraulic Leak (Sea/Air) – Disrupts aerial stabilizers or ship hydraulics, causing -2 to all Pilot checks for 3 Rounds.
• Reverse Ping – If the vehicle has a Communications Center, the Netrunner hijacks its homing tracer, allowing them to track the vehicle up to 1 mile away for 24 hours.
  • This Quickhack does NOT alert the user of a breach.

Difficult Quickhacks (DV10)

• Engine Kill – The vehicle shuts down entirely, requiring a (Target Vehicle Type) Tech (DV13) check and 1 Round to restart.
• Steering Lock – The vehicle’s steering locks, preventing all turns for 3 Rounds.
• Reverse Override – The vehicle suddenly shifts into reverse, moving backward at its current speed for 1 Round.
• Flight Disruptor (Aerial Vehicles Only) – Forces a self-righting protocol, forcing a aerial vehicle to move upward or downward 10m before regaining control.
• Bilge Flood (Sea Vehicles Only) – Triggers the bilge pumps in reverse, causing the vehicle to slow by 5m per Turn at the start of the Vehicle Operator’s turn until a successful Manual System Reboot (Emergency Flush) is performed.

Advanced Quickhacks (DV12)

• Burnout – Forces the vehicle to max throttle, causing a smoke screen effect (See Smoke Grenade) for 3 Rounds.
• Self-Eject – If the vehicle has an Ejection Seat, it automatically triggers, launching the driver/passenger(s) out.
• Onboard Hijack – If the vehicle has Onboard Weapons, the Netrunner takes control for 3 Rounds.
• Throttle Surge – The vehicle’s acceleration is forced to max, making braking or slowing down impossible for 2 Rounds unless a Manual System Reboot is performed.

Expert Quickhacks (DV14)

• System Override – The Netrunner gains full control of the vehicle for 3 Rounds, overriding all driver inputs.
• Explosive Detonation – Cause a malfunction in the engine, making the vehicle ignite, taking 2 damage per turn and a -2 penalty to Driving checks.
• Neuro-Spike – If the driver is using a Neural Link, they must Resist Torture/Drugs (DV14) or take 3d6 damage.
• Total Blackout – Disables all electrical upgrades on the vehicle (Onboard Weapons, Communications Centers, and Interface Plugins Etc.), until a successful Manual System Reboot is performed.
  • Vehicles with AV-4 Engine Upgrades or Hover Upgrades lose power, dropping 10m per Round at the start of the Vehicle Operators turn until restored.
  • If they collide with the ground or another object, the vehicle takes 6d6 damage, and all passengers suffer the Whiplash Critical Injury.

Manual System Reboot (Emergency Flush)

The driver (or a passenger with system access) can perform a Tech Check as an Action to force a hard reboot of the vehicle’s onboard systems.

The required skill depends on the type of vehicle being hacked:

• Land Vehicles → Land Vehicle Tech (DV13)
• Sea Vehicles → Sea Vehicle Tech (DV13)
• Aerial Vehicles → Air Vehicle Tech (DV13)

Other Methods of Ejecting a Netrunner

Vehicle Security Upgrade

With each installation (maximum 3), a single Passwall is placed into the vehicle's onboard security system, providing an additional line of defense against Netrunners.

Additionally, each installation of Drive-ICE increases the Breach DV of all Passwalls in the vehicle:

Corporate fleets, military vehicles, and high-end private security transports frequently use Drive-ICE to prevent hijacking and remote infiltration.