Need Hacking / Matrix Help?

[Trese Brothers]

The hacking specific tutorial is now life -
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1021210/announcements/detail/6992487606087801602?snr=2___

Or, if you'd rather watch a video, we posted a short piece to the matrix on YouTube recently:
https://youtu.be/HXn6OSRzvIQ

Ahab's Guide to Hacking:
https://cyberknightswiki.tresebrothers.com/Ahab's_Guide_to_Hacking

The wiki page on Hacking has a lot of great content:
https://cyberknightswiki.tresebrothers.com/Matrix

[Mendoza]

Wonderful! Thanks for the hard work looking forward to it

[blindseye]

I am getting (slightly) better at hacking, thanks to your all's advice. Here are my updated hacking rules/suggestions, expanded from above original list:

1. Before you start, if possible, upgrade your hacking deck as soon as possible with the best stats, and buy programs and load them into the deck. Variety is the spice of life, so read and learn what each program is good for.

2. At the start of a hacking mission or a combat mission that includes hacking, pay for the node map that shows all nodes at the start of the mission (if available, as it is worth the $10k). That map will show you all the node symbols in the matrix, including CPU and data node symbols (your target(s)). Learn and memorize what the node symbols look like as well as the IC symbols.

3. Plug into the matrix and then load your Scan program and scan the first node to 2/2. Look at the next node(s) IC using the little symbols (passive, active, trap, etc.) to tell you which programs you may need to load next.

4. Connect to the next node and decide if you need to scan that node and look at more detailed info on the IC. Keep scanning as you advance, foreknowledge is your best defense.

5. If needed, load and use programs (passive, active, trap, attack, etc.) accordingly to disable that node's IC, (but only if you need to to advance to the next node in the matrix, otherwise just scan and connect to the next node)... and, based on what you read about the ICE on that node and future node, you may need to have already loaded program(s) or you may need to backtrack to load program(s).

6. The Hacker's deck's IO (input/output) memory determines how many programs can be loaded. Buy or find programs and add them to your deck. Try for a variety, but it doesn't hurt to have two of the same as sometimes you will have to take out the IC on a node that has more instances of a single type of IC than your single (passive, active, trap, etc.) program has charges, typically 3.

7. Each program has charge counts. When charges are exhausted, it unloads and needs to be reloaded, but read the info about the IC on the node, as you may not be able to load on that node, backtrack to previous "safe" node if you need to, if necessary. It might be wise to buy both level one and two programs, as you may need more charges for a particular node and should load and use the level 2 program.

8. Eventually you will run out of actions and need to remain connected to the matrix, so be careful which button you use to end your turn so you don't get kicked out of the matrix.

9. Try to end your hacker's turn on a safe node, so that next turn your can load your scan program and continue. You may need to destroy the IC on a particular node to make it a safe node to load program to continue next turn.

10. Try and find the round tire looking nodes if you want to spike the matrix. Try and find the cylindrical nodes if you are looking for nodes with money making data to download, but read the IC info carefully on those nodes before connecting, as you may need to at least disable if not destroy the IC on that node first, so have the appropriate programs loaded and action points available, before attempting (if you have the luxury of waiting a turn to prepare).

Hackers United, please let me know what above is incorrect or could be better explained. Thanks!

[davea]

That is a great set of instructions! The only thing I would add is in step 9. It's really important to make sure you don't get kicked out of a node at the end of a turn. Otherwise you have to start your path over again from the entrance on the next turn, which will waste a lot of time. (*Occasionally* it can be useful to disconnect on purpose, if you are way deep in one branch and need to explore another path from the entrance.)

When your remaining AP gets into the single digits, think ahead to where you can stay safely. You may need to concentrate on disabling IC at one node to stay there, instead of pushing ahead "just one more node".

Also, it isn't eactly instructions for the matrix, but the hacker talent Overclock is almost required; train it, upgrade it, and use it on your first full turn in the matrix. The implant "matrix link" is also really helpful, level 2 when it becomes available from contacts.

[Trese Brothers]

So glad to see you writing out a killer list of tips and instructions for future hackers! You've come a long way since this conversation started <3

#2. While learning the node symbols, just click on a node. It will show its type, so don't have to memorize in a vacuum, the information is always easily available.

For IC, note that the IC symbol is used directly in the matching Talent (Passive IC = Brick Wall = Sleaze Talent Icon = Brick Wall) to help reinforce this visual language.

#6. IO determines the number of programs you can load *per turn*. Active Memory determines the maximum number of programs you have loaded *at the same time*.

[Trese Brothers]

Hacking Tutorial is now live
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1021210/announcements/detail/6992487606087801602?snr=2___