The Electronics - Programming skill is the tool for those who seek control over the digital world. With a flick of a finger, you can bend software to your will and rewrite networks to suit your needs. You can alter the fundamental digital systems underlying the the behavior of robots and machines, making them your obedient servants, improving there skills sets and expanding there capabilities.
The power of this skill doesn't stop there. With it, you can craft custom software and create programs that outmatch any other in the cyber realm. Once you have hacked in you can subvert the programming of AI systems and bend them to your will. In the heat of battle, you can take control of or unleash your own combat drones and turn the tide in your favor.
The Electronics - Programming skill is the masterful tool in the digital age, giving you control over the most powerful systems and machines in the universe. With it, you can dominate the battlefield or just have them reshape the world to your liking.
This skill is primarily used to control and re-purpose software, alter networks, re-purpose doors etc as well as programming, subverting and rewriting AI systems, robots, and automated equipment. You can also use this skill for creating software patches for hacking, e-hem, I mean improving network sharing performance.
Each programming task you attempt will have a difficulty rating based on the complexity of the software or system you're working with. The more complex the code or advanced the AI, the higher the difficulty.
When you attempt to program, reprogram, or control systems, you will make an Electronics - Programming skill check against the task's difficulty rating. The GM may apply Boons or Banes based on various factors, such as the quality of your development tools, time pressure, or your familiarity with the target system.
Rather than spending skill points to move up skill levels, You may instead spend skill points to purchase any of the following tricks.
Cost: 2 Skill points
Requires: Tactical Training
Frequency: Once per Lockdown
Effect: You have a dormant script in the system already. You can activate it to reboot the security AI or system, canceling any active alarms and resetting security protocols. Takes one action to activate remotely.
Cost: 2 Skill points
Requires: Tactical Training
Frequency: Once per Lockdown
Effect: You can create a backdoor access point in any system you have successfully programmed or accessed. This backdoor allows you to bypass initial security on future access attempts, granting a +1d6 Boon to reconnect to this specific system.
Cost: 2 Skill points
Requires: Tactical Training
Frequency: Once per Lockdown
Effect: You can write code that adapts to its environment in real-time. When your software encounters unexpected system conditions or countermeasures, make a Programming check - on success, your code automatically adjusts and continues functioning.
Cost: 6 Skill points
Requires: Expert Training
Frequency: Once per Op
Effect: You carry custom AI modification chips. You can overwrite the AI core on any robot you have hacked or control. You gain complete control of that Robot, and it gains +2 to all checks for one hour, at which point the watchdog controller restores the original AI.
Cost: 6 Skill points
Requires: Expert Training
Frequency: Once per Op
Effect: You can quickly identify and fix critical programming errors and glitches. When any software fails or malfunctions (yours or an ally's), you can spend 10 minutes debugging to restore full functionality and optimize performance, granting +1d4 Boon to its next use.
Cost: 6 Skill points
Requires: Expert Training
Frequency: Once per Op
Effect: You can create and manipulate virtual machines within target systems. This allows you to sandbox dangerous code, test exploits safely, or create isolated environments that give you a +1d8 Boon when analyzing system vulnerabilities or testing programs.
Cost: 10 Skill points
Requires: Master Training
Frequency: Once per Mission
Effect: You can program advanced neural networks and self-learning AI systems. You can create an AI assistant that learns from your actions and provides tactical support, granting you and your squad +1d6 Boon to all Electronics checks for the remainder of the mission.
Cost: 10 Skill points
Requires: Master Training
Frequency: Once per Mission
Effect: You can write quantum-level code that exists in superposition states until observed. When you successfully program or hack a system, you can inject quantum code that allows you to retroactively change one programming decision or command you issued earlier in the mission.
Cost: 10 Skill points
Requires: Master Training
Frequency: Once per Mission
Effect: You can write universal code compatible with any system architecture. For the duration of one operation, ignore all penalties from unfamiliar systems, alien technology, or incompatible platforms. Your code works seamlessly across all devices and networks you encounter.
Each custom program grants a stacking Boon when used for its intended purpose:
Boons apply when:
Utility Programs:
Combat & Tactical:
Intelligence Gathering:
System Control:
Custom software requires ongoing support:
"Binary" Kim creates tactical drone control software:
Tech Officer "Firewall" Chen develops enterprise security:
"Ghost" creates infiltration utilities:
The Programming skill can be used to reprogram robots and when you are controlling robots in stressful situations, i.e Combat Drones.
When controlling droids in combat refer to the following table.
| Programming Roll | Max # Droids Controlled |
|---|---|
| 1 | Glitch, Droid goes Nuts, GM Controlled. |
| 2 – 5 | Mistarget Droid Attacks Randomly then Reboots |
| 6 – 10 | Reboot required 1 Droid Idle for 2 Turns |
| 11 – 15 | 1 |
| 16 – 20 | 2 |
| 21 – 25 | 3 |
| 26 – 30 | 4 |