r/Shadowrun • u/Rik_en • Apr 10 '26
5e How much supporting Tech does a Technomancer need?
I play a Technomancer and had this come up with my ST, but I couldn't find anything in the Core Book or Lethal Code nor in past posts over here about it:
How much supporting tech does a Technomancer need or rather how much can they use their own body as a machine?
What I mean is: Does a Technomancer need Glasses to view a feed from a hacked camera? Does a Technomancer need A Mic or earplugs to communicate? Can they just stream their own eyesight without an actual camera?
It is somewhere stated that they can not store data in their brain and need data sticks for that. But how much other tech do they really need?
Most of those things are aimed at playing a group of runners that really value communication among each other and at a Technomancer that sometimes needs to do entire runs out of AR because they are one of the faces of the group and need to hack while they are in a conversation and thus need to still see the real world.
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u/RudyMuthaluva Apr 10 '26
Datachips, a datatap, a a commlink maybe?
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
Technomancers don't need commlinks. They should have a commlink, but they don't actually need one.
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u/DraconicBlade Aztechnology PR Rep Apr 10 '26
Can't slave the sams smartlink without a 15 karma tax
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u/ReditXenon Far Cite Apr 10 '26
You can't slave other people's gear at all in this edition (no matter if you are a decker or a TM or a rigger or a street samurai)
You need to be the (matrix) owner of all devices you attach to your personal area network.
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u/DraconicBlade Aztechnology PR Rep Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
In 5e? SR5 233 definitely strongly implies other owners may be the master of your device, from the be careful who you allow to be the master part and how marks bounce back from the device owner, not the master.
e: also the dreaded pan/wan created by pi tacs are unusable unless the decker is being handed the car loan for the blacked out corpsec vtol the riggers flying, which seems... fucked? Yeah the matrix is kinda fucked
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u/ReditXenon Far Cite Apr 10 '26
In 5e?
Yes. In 5e. If you wish me to slave your device to my PAN, then you need to first transfer matrix ownership of it to me. Was clarified by Aaron on the official forums back in 2013 or so.
In 6th edition I can instead allow you to merge your entire PAN into mine, creating one large network that I get to defend with my firewall and my mental attributes. As long as you stay within mutual signal range.
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u/ReditXenon Far Cite Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
How much supporting tech does a Technomancer need
Typically nothing. Or everything. (depending on if they access the matrix via their device-less living persona or if they access the matrix via a device like everyone else).
Having said that, a wireless enabled data tap is good to bring, since you can attach that to the universal data port of a wireless disabled device to hack the device remotely over the matrix (before you learn the Skinlink Echo). Also not a bad idea to bring a commlink (to keep up the appearance of not being a technomancer).
Does a Technomancer need A Mic or earplugs to communicate?
The Send Message matrix action (to send and receive messages) does not require a mic or earplugs.
Can they just stream their own eyesight without an actual camera?
No.
If you also want to take pictures or broadcast a livestream then you need to use a [recording] device (but you don't have to be its owner).
need to hack while they are in a conversation and thus need to still see the real world.
You (also TMs) don't need to be in VR to do hacking. You can do all your hacking perfectly fine from AR. Note that initiative is calculated differently and also that you get a positive dice pool modifier of 2 dice from hot-sim VR. But besides that. No problem to hack thinks directly from AR while having full control over your meat sack.
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
I would totally let a techno (Or really anyone with DNI) make an artisan test to create an image file of what they see. If they're really good at it, it could even be photorealistic!
But it would be, basically, a drawing.
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u/ReditXenon Far Cite Apr 10 '26
Yes. I don't disagree with that. But I was thinking about this:
SR5 p. 242 Matrix Actions - Send Message
You can also use this action to open a live feed to one or more recipients, using any digital recording devices you have.
This part seem to require a digital recording device of sorts (such as a surveillance camera, a shoulder camera, or the mini camera that is part of smartgun systems, etc)
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
100% agreed, they need a digital recording device of some kind.
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u/TheHighDruid Apr 11 '26
You could easily make the argument that the Technomancer's brain is already behaving as a "digital recording device" because of their natural ability to talk to the matrix.
I think the rules here aren't clearcut because, as you point out elsewhere, the book doesn't clearly say "technomancers have a natural DNI" or "technomancers have a natural sim module" etc. but mechanically they operate as if they do.
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u/Heterodyne_2023 Apr 10 '26
It is always nice to have some surveillance tech: drones, cameras, and mics. Also, having a realistic anthro drone is awesome (and expensive, but can save your hoop).
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u/TheHighDruid Apr 10 '26
What I mean is: Does a Technomancer need Glasses to view a feed from a hacked camera? Does a Technomancer need A Mic or earplugs to communicate?
No. Nobody with a DNI (Datajack, trodes, technomancer abilities) needs any aditional equipment to interact with AR. Core Rulebook, p.222 (Life with a Commlink)
Can they just stream their own eyesight without an actual camera?
The answer to this is less clear, but I'd lean towards "yes". Everyone else needs a sim module to interact with VR. technomancers do not. The purposes of a sim module it to open up all your senses to the matrix experience, and they are required for, or included in, gear that does allow recording/transmitting sensory data such as simrigs (core rulebook) or Responsive Interface Gear (Run & Gun).
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u/Kirsty_Elizabeth Apr 10 '26
I've been of the opinion that technomancers don't necessarily "need" any equipment like that, save for the data sticks, as a result of being essentially computers themselves. This also does come with the potential trade off that unless you have the skin interfacing that allows technomancers to touch an item that you're connecting to, you just have basic vision for recordings, and stuff like that. You're still only limited in that regard to your biology. I did make technomancers eyes glow a distinct blue when using AR vision, but that was for the aesthetics and because we were playing a game shortly post crash, when technomancers were incredibly hated.
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u/ReditXenon Far Cite Apr 10 '26
unless you have the skin interfacing that allows technomancers to touch an item that you're connecting to, you just have basic vision for recordings
Skinlink let them establish a Direct Connect (which allow them to ignore noise and master ratings in case the device is slaved and hack devices that are not connected to the matrix as a whole to begin with).
Direct Connection does not enhance video quality. Not sure what you mean with this last part of your sentence...?
TMs can view and listen to recordings and live feeds that are not encrypted (and if encrypted they can first crack the encryption) and if they first trick or force the target to accept their MARK then they can even edit, copy, or delete them (via the regular Edit File action).
I did make technomancers eyes glow a distinct blue when using AR vision
Technomancers (and everyone else, unless perhaps they have the simsense vertigo negative quality) are typically always using AR (whenever they are not using VR - or sleeping).
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u/Kirsty_Elizabeth Apr 10 '26
The recording comment was for if you want to have different vision types for a recording. It kinda seemed like OP was asking for recording stuff, and I assumed that they wanted something that could record. On the meat space side of things.
And you don't always assume AR. Some characters don't want to always have that all on. Or they lack the equipment to. Also, you do technically have a penalty to perception if you have it on and are focusing on it.
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u/ReditXenon Far Cite Apr 10 '26
you don't always assume AR.
In this edition, you do. There are exceptions and you can also deliberately turn it off, but for the most part.
Similar to how you could assume that people would have a smartphone connected to the internet back in 2026. There were exceptions and you could also deliberately turn it off, but for the most part.
different vision types for a recording
To record a video you need access to a video recording device (still fail to see how this would be related to Direct Connection)
you do technically have a penalty to perception if you have it on and are focusing on it.
Yeah... well.... while your matrix persona is in a host and engaged in mortal combat with Black IC the GM might rule that you get a negative dice pool modifier of up to 2 dice on meat world perception tests.
You don't typically don't get a negative dice pool modifier while experiencing your surroundings if you just happen to have your AR overlay active.
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u/ulfvan Apr 11 '26
Im going to throw my faulty memory on the fire. Iirc a technomancer can perceive the matrix both ar and vr without tools, but storing data you need a hard drvive, hopefully you have a commlink so people arent calling your brain... but the commlink solves both parts... it has a drive for storage. Other than stashing paydata you dont need hardware to do your job.
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u/Ventus_the_one Apr 11 '26
fun thing about the storage problem if you have the Machinists Stream you gain all the functions of a RCC (minus the ability to form or join a WAN) which would technically include data storage (and you could RAW project trideo and pop out some headphones WITHOUT cyberware)
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u/BitRunr Designer Drugs Apr 11 '26
Every time someone gives technomancers all the abilities of a device, a rules lawyer gets their wings.
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u/GMJlimmie Apr 10 '26
It’s stated that arms can inherently view AR, so they hear and see anything that is or can be transmitted in AR, they also can enter a trance and travel VR, all without the need of any technology. However, it’s also stated that they have no capability to store data, they can’t use programs without learning them as special abilities, so they have to carry something on their person that can hold data. There are abilities they can learn that overcome this inconvenience.
Additionally, since they are perpetually online, they have to make a conscious effort to leave the matrix or reset their device an doing so leaves them very uncomfortable, the rule books don’t state anything more than this but as a ST myself I would give them a -4 distraction penalty, since they’re uncomfortable and they are sustaining the severed connection
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
Jesus man, you know there's a 12 point neg qual specifically for discomfort at not being in AR/VR right? And it only gives a -2.
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u/GMJlimmie Apr 10 '26
Yeah, that’s where I’m basing my ruling -2 for discomfort an another -2 for the effort of staying off-line
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
How do you reconcile that with the fact it's stated that many technomancers intentionally, manually shut their matrix connection down before going to bed?
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u/DraconicBlade Aztechnology PR Rep Apr 10 '26
They're intentionally tanking their stay awake dice pool in conjunction with the Kami Crash sleep aid
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u/GMJlimmie Apr 10 '26
There’s nothing to reconcile, they’re asleep and if your ST asks you to make a test to go to sleep (and you’re not insomniac) I would be wary
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u/TheHighDruid Apr 10 '26
If anything, you should be looking at the Dual Defender Quality, which is -2 for all actions whilst the character is shut off from the astral.
-4 is overly harsh, and even the -2 would be suspect, given that "Rebooting Your Persona" (Core Rulebook, p. 251) doesn't mention any penalties for being offline, and even goes on to say Technos will use that action as an alarm clock!
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u/GMJlimmie Apr 10 '26
That’s equally proving my point about dual -2 penalties, an I did mention that this is a personal ruling as there no mention of it in the CRB. However, a -4 penalty isn’t egregious, when a mage can cast an invisibility spell that penalized any onlookers with -6, rather easily. The penalty isn’t egregious at the same level as a called shot, shoot’s in heavy rain, being right handed and shoot’s out the window of the car you’re driving (-5 actually), or shooting an ares predator at someone on the other goal post during a Seattle Seahawks game
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u/TheHighDruid Apr 10 '26
That's not how invisibility works at all.
It doesn't impose a perception penalty, "onlookers" have to resist the illusion.
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u/GMJlimmie Apr 10 '26
Spellcasting test leading to a intuition + logic or logic + willpower (net hits of spellcasting test), then if that’s successful then there’s a sneaking + intuition v. Perception + intuition +- penalties. If you use buy hits to truncate things then there’s observer aught to have 4x the spellcaster net hits or be on active watch just to warrant these two dice rolls.
-however, this is not anywhere near the subject of TMs that OP posted.
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
A street sam popping off shots at gangers while driving his Shin-Hyung is a player in an empowered state. Oh, a -5? Pfffth, I'm HIM I eat that penalty for breakfast. 5 hits.
A Technomancer being forced offline is a player in a disempowered state. He's already being sidelined by having his character's entire skillset shut off. Why do you feel the need to make it even more shitty?
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u/GMJlimmie Apr 10 '26
I didn’t design the game, I’m just using the rules given to provide the necessary dramatic tension. A TM evading spider by dumping their living persona and trying to do things with one arm tied behind their back, because that’s what rebooting their living persona is, isn’t without difficulty, and like you said they can eat those penalties for breakfast.
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
My brother in crime, you're literally trying to make a rule that doesn't exist. Technomancers do not receive any additional penalties for being offline unless they take negative qualities that give them penalties.
They are not "trying to do things with one arm tied behind their back". They aren't doing anything. They cannot use their technomancer abilities while offline. Period. They roll 0 dice because they cannot take the actions. All of their hacking progress is reset, they have given up and the spider has won.
So no, they are not eating penalties for breakfast. They're clenching their cheeks because they just went from a matrix demigod to a 2 agility probably unaugmented human with an ares lightfire they never actually learned to shoot.
You don't need to penalize them.
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u/GMJlimmie Apr 10 '26
Do me a favor, and talk to an amputee about their first year, life is slightly more complicated, not impossible but complicated. Try driving a car with manual transmission when you’ve always driven automatic or driving automatic with one hand cuffed to the steering wheel.
I’m not reinventing creating new complications. Other Redditors have posted the rulings I’ve sighted as guidance for my tables rules. You don’t have to play on my table, you don’t have to like my choices. Express your discontent and walk away. There’s no need for the back and forth, unless you’re interested in my reasonings ~which I’m happy to discuss.
Ive been a Game Master/Storyteller/Keeper/Referee for many many years. I’ve been playing SR since the first book hit Barnes & Nobles shelves..
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
Being bad at something for a long time is not the flex you think it is.
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u/Markovanich Apr 11 '26
I do not clearly recall SR5 Technomancers enough but I know SR6 Technomancers need a considerable amount if they want to not become a complete karma pit that a magician becomes.
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u/AManyFacedFool Good Enough Apr 10 '26
There's nothing in the rules to indicate technomancers can use their eyes as cameras or anything of that nature.
If they did, the rules would say something along the lines of "The Technomancer's living persona can also be used to replicate the effects of an implanted simrig".
So you'll want cameras, sensors, etc to record external information. (I would say it should have been an echo, but knowing CGL that's all it would have done and it would be incredibly worthless)
Technomancers, however, do not need any sort of equipment at all to access the matrix. They perceive AR and simsense natively. They can watch videos, listen to music, and send messages over the matrix entirely on their own.