Version 0.96 (2025-04-27)

Chapter 4: Skills

Skills represent a character’s abilities and knowledge in specific areas, allowing them to effectively perform tasks, overcome challenges, and interact with the world. They reflect both learned expertise and innate capabilities, ranging from combat techniques and academic knowledge to social influence and survival instincts. Skills are typically developed over time through experience and training, and their effectiveness is determined both by a character’s proficiency level (ranks) in a skill and that skill’s governing attributes.

Skill groups: Skills are grouped into eight broad categories. These categories have no special significance unless specifically referenced by rules or abilities.

Alternate key attributes: Each skill has two key attributes that are added to the skill rank to get the final skill modifier. On rare occasions, the GM may declare (or the player may request the GM) to change the governing attributes. For example, if an Athletics check involves pure strength, maybe changing the modifier to ranks + 2xST is appropriate.

Skill overlap: Sometimes, it can be unclear what skill is applicable—or two skills might seem equally applicable. In these cases, it’s up to the GM to make a ruling by either declaring which skill must be used or alternatively that either skill can work and whether or not one skill or the other would make the task easier. For example, getting information from an NPC could be a Challenging Charm—if the player character is female or an elf—but a Difficult Deception for anyone else.        

Unskilled challenges/Virtual skills: In some cases, characters want to do something that either isn’t skill-based at all or the skill would be so niche it doesn’t exist in the game.

This can be resolved in two different ways:

·         Make a SC based on 2x key attributes + 1x another relevant attribute.

·         Assign the acting character with a virtual skill rank (based on the character's background and capabilities) and assign key abilities to the virtual skill.

Example: A character is involved in an arm-wrestling contest with a Troll. While this can be resolved using Athletics, the GM has decided instead that this is a niche skill the player doesn’t have. The Troll, however, is a regional champion in—you guessed it—arm-wrestling. The GM assigns the player a rank of 3 in arm-wrestling (ST+VI), half of his usual Athletics. The troll gets 8 ranks.

Opposed checks: This is when multiple characters are engaged in opposed activities not covered by the combat or defense rules, such as a duel of wits or a debate over magical theory. The GM assigns each character a TN (which could be the same but need not be). Whoever gets the higher MoS, wins.

Extended checks: Success, even great success, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve completed your task. In some cases, the GM may call for Extended checks. A typical example is information gathering; others include research or crafting.

If you succeed, your MoS counts toward a goal (possibly known to you, often not) set by the GM. For example, you might need 25 MoS on a number of Mechanic checks to finish the latest modifications to your combat drone, with each check requiring 4 full hours of work. The TN isn’t sky-high, so you will eventually finish the project, but it will take time.

Combining opposed and extended checks makes it possible to represent two (or more) characters competing to finish first. Maybe once you’ve completed that drone, you’ll race another rigger for fame and money. Whoever gets first to 30 MoS on Operating checks wins, with your TN being slightly lower due to all the mods you added to the drone.

General skills

General skills encompass abilities that have broad applications across various scenarios and environments. These skills are versatile, covering areas such as Computer use, Stealth, and Streetwise knowledge. Characters rely on General Skills to navigate the world, solve problems, and adapt to a wide range of situations.

Administration (IN/PR)

This skill involves successfully organizing and managing ventures, from small projects to large-scale operations. It includes tasks such as planning, coordinating resources, overseeing staff, and ensuring that goals and deadlines are met efficiently. Administration is key for maintaining order and achieving success in various organizational contexts.

Use Cases: Managing teams or operations, securing funding or resources, planning missions or logistics, overseeing businesses or criminal enterprises, coordinating long-term projects.

Computer (CU/IN)

Computer proficiency covers general familiarity with computers and their usage. This includes understanding operating systems, software applications, and basic troubleshooting. It is distinct from skills related to Matrix systems, focusing instead on everyday computer tasks and functions.

Use Cases: Operating and troubleshooting standard systems, researching online, handling office software, bypassing basic computer security, interfacing with common digital devices.

Demolition (DX/IN)

You possess the expertise to safely and effectively manage explosive devices and other methods for destroying structures or objects. Demolition involves placing, timing, and detonating explosives to achieve desired results, such as breaching barriers or causing controlled collapses. This skill requires precision, timing, and planning to ensure the successful and safe execution of explosive operations.

Use Cases: Setting charges to breach doors or walls, rigging vehicles or devices to explode, executing controlled demolitions, defusing bombs, identifying structural weak points.

Espionage (CU/IN)

Espionage is the art of covertly gathering information, infiltrating secure locations, and executing secretive operations. Espionage covers everything from planting bugs and intercepting communications to undermining enemies through sabotage or misinformation. It is essential for those involved in intelligence work, corporate spying, or high-stakes covert operations.

Use Cases: Infiltrating secure facilities, gathering intelligence, planting surveillance devices, extracting sensitive data, conducting sabotage and counterintelligence efforts.

Forgery (CU/IN)

You have the skills to create convincing fake documents, credentials, and other forms of identification, both in the physical and digital realms. This includes replicating handwriting, official seals, or digital signatures, as well as fabricating electronic records and hacking databases to insert forged data. Forgery requires acute attention to detail, an understanding of the systems you're working within, and the ability to adapt quickly when the circumstances demand it. Whether creating a fake passport or tampering with a security clearance, this skill helps you pass the false off as real without raising suspicion.

Special: Forgey in 2097 is primarily digital. Consider using DX/CU instead of CU/IN if working with physical materials.

Use Cases: Creating fake IDs, doctoring paperwork or credentials, altering digital records, forging signatures or seals, embedding false data into secure systems.

Medic (CU/IN)

Medic encompasses general medical practice, including basic first aid and emergency care. This involves diagnosing and treating common injuries and illnesses, performing basic medical procedures, and administering initial care in urgent situations. While not as advanced as specialized medical fields, this skill ensures effective handling of health issues and injuries until professional help can be obtained or more advanced treatment is possible.

Use Cases: Stabilizing wounded allies, treating common injuries, administering first aid, identifying symptoms, preventing infections or complications, assisting with emergency surgery.

Mechanic (CU/IN)

Mechanical skill covers the understanding and manipulation of mechanical systems. This skill involves working with engines, gears, hydraulics, and other mechanical components. Whether repairing a vehicle, maintaining industrial equipment, or assembling complex mechanical systems, this skill is essential for hands-on, practical tasks that don’t involve digital or electronic systems.

Use Cases: Repairing vehicles or machinery, assembling mechanical devices, performing maintenance on mechanical equipment, diagnosing mechanical failures.

Skulduggery (DX/CU)

Skulduggery involves the ability to execute covert and often unscrupulous activities. This skill includes tasks such as lockpicking, sleight of hand, forgery, and other activities requiring dexterity and cunning. It is essential for those involved in espionage, thievery, or other secretive operations.

Use Cases: Picking locks, concealing objects, planting or stealing items unnoticed, cheating in games of chance, escaping restraints, manipulating small devices silently.

Stealth (AG/CU)

Stealth is the ability to move undetected and avoid detection by others. It involves moving quietly, blending into surroundings, and avoiding making noticeable disturbances. This skill is crucial for covert operations, evading pursuit, and approaching targets without being seen.

Use Cases: Sneaking past guards, tailing someone without being noticed, hiding in cover or shadows, silently escaping combat, avoiding drone surveillance or sensor detection.

Streetwise (CU/PR)

Streetwise involves understanding and navigating the complexities of urban environments and social networks. It includes knowing where to find resources, how to interact with various types of people, and how to handle potentially dangerous situations in city settings. This skill is vital for surviving and thriving in gritty, urban landscapes.

Use Cases: Finding black market contacts, identifying gang territories, knowing where to lay low, knowing how to negotiate with street-level players, recognizing scams and urban dangers.

Survival (CU/RE)

Survival is the skill required to endure and thrive in wilderness or harsh environments. It includes finding food and water, building shelters, navigating through the wild, and dealing with environmental hazards. Mastery of this skill is essential for staying safe and maintaining well-being in remote or challenging natural settings.

Use Cases: Tracking animals, foraging for food, building shelter, navigating wilderness terrain, avoiding natural hazards, identifying signs of danger in unfamiliar environments.

Movement skills

Movement skills focus on a character’s ability to control and maneuver their body or vehicles in various environments. These skills include everything from athletic feats like running, jumping, and acrobatics, to specialized skills like flying an aircraft or riding horseback. Movement Skills are crucial for physical navigation, evasion, and reaching objectives.

Athletics (ST/AG)

This skill encompasses a range of physical activities and feats of strength. It covers tasks such as climbing, jumping, lifting, running, and swimming. Athletics is crucial for overcoming physical obstacles and performing demanding tasks in various environments.

Use Cases: Climbing walls or buildings, leaping across gaps, sprinting long distances, breaking down doors, swimming across bodies of water, hauling heavy objects or people.

 

Diving (ST/AG)

This skill covers the techniques necessary for underwater operations, including swimming in challenging environments, managing breathing apparatus, and handling the pressures of deep dives. This skill encompasses both free diving and the use of specialized equipment such as SCUBA gear.

Use Cases: Navigating underwater ruins or wreckage, maintaining control with diving gear, swimming in zero-visibility conditions, performing tasks under pressure (literally), avoiding decompression sickness or drowning.

Driving (DX/CU)

Driving is the skill required to operate all types of ground vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Mastery of this skill ensures smooth handling, maneuvering through various terrains, and the ability to respond to different driving conditions.

Use Cases: Navigating high-speed chases, performing sharp turns or evasive maneuvers, controlling vehicles in off-road or urban environments, maintaining control during collisions or under fire, stunt driving or tailing another vehicle unnoticed.

Mobility (AG/CU)

Mobility focuses on fluid and agile movement. It includes acrobatics, maintaining balance, executing catfalls to minimize damage from falls, and performing contortionist maneuvers. This skill is essential for navigating complex terrain, dodging attacks, and performing impressive physical feats.

Use Cases: Performing flips or rolls in combat, dodging hazards or attacks, walking tightropes or narrow ledges, squeezing through tight spaces, surviving falls with minimal injury, parkour-style movement in urban terrain.

Operating (DX/CU)

This skill pertains to the control and management of specialized drones and other remote-operated devices. It includes flying drones for surveillance, performing maintenance tasks, or handling complex remote operations that require precision and technical knowledge.

Use Cases: Piloting surveillance drones in recon missions, deploying repair bots in hazardous zones, manipulating robotic arms or devices remotely, engaging in remote combat or support tasks, evading enemy countermeasures while maintaining drone control.

Piloting (DX/CU)

Piloting covers the operation of various types of flying or hovering craft, such as helicopters, jet fighters, and spacecraft. This skill involves navigating, controlling, and ensuring the safe and effective use of these vehicles in different scenarios.

Use Cases: Executing evasive aerial maneuvers, navigating through dangerous airspace, engaging in dogfights or space combat, performing aerial landings in hostile zones, managing reentry or launch under duress.

Riding (AG/DX)

Riding is the skill needed to handle and control mounts or creatures, whether they are horses, magical beasts like griffons, or mythical creatures like dragons. It includes managing the animal’s movement, maintaining control, and performing tasks while mounted.

Use Cases: Guiding a mount through chaotic terrain or battlefields, performing mounted combat maneuvers, taming or calming frightened beasts, executing tricky jumps or dodges while riding, racing or chasing across rough landscapes.

Perception skills

Perception skills involve a character’s ability to sense and interpret their surroundings. These skills range from using technological sensors to maintain situational awareness to relying on heightened vigilance or even extrasensory perception. Perception Skills are key to detecting threats, uncovering hidden details, and understanding the environment.

Insight (CU/PR)

This skill lets you intuitively understand and interpret people’s behaviors, emotions, and motives during interactions. Insight is crucial for reading social cues, understanding underlying intentions, and gaining a deeper understanding of others in conversations or negotiations.

Use Cases: Detecting lies or emotional distress, reading nonverbal cues in conversations, sensing ulterior motives, gauging a person’s true reaction, understanding group dynamics in tense situations.

Investigation (CU/IN)

You excel at actively searching for and analyzing clues to uncover information. This skill is essential for piecing together evidence, solving mysteries, and conducting thorough inquiries, whether in a crime scene or a complex puzzle.

Use Cases: Examining crime scenes for evidence, following paper trails, uncovering hidden compartments or items, analyzing patterns in behavior or data, reconstructing past events from available clues.

Sensors (CU/IN)

Your proficiency lies in operating and interpreting data from various technological sensors, such as radar, infrared, or other scanning devices. This skill enables you to gather and analyze data from these tools to assess situations or detect hidden objects and threats.

Use Cases: Scanning areas for life signs or movement, identifying cloaked or camouflaged enemies, interpreting drone or vehicle sensor feeds, operating security systems, detecting environmental anomalies or traps.

Vigilance (CU/RE)

You have an exceptional ability to maintain constant alertness and focus on your surroundings despite distractions. Vigilance is vital for staying aware of your environment over extended periods, ensuring you are prepared for potential threats or changes in your surroundings.

Use Cases: Spotting ambushes or snipers, staying alert during long stakeouts, reacting to sudden movements or noises, detecting subtle changes in the environment, noticing details others might overlook in real time.

Weapon skills

Weapon skills represent a character’s proficiency in various forms of combat. Whether firing a gun, engaging in unarmed combat, wielding a sword, or mastering archery, these skills determine a character’s effectiveness in battle. Weapon Skills are essential for characters who must defend themselves or engage in offensive actions.

Archery (DX/CU)

You are trained in the use of ranged weapons such as bows and crossbows.

Use Cases: Bows (shortbows, longbows, compound bows), crossbows (standard, repeating), and exotic variants such as elven or awakened bows.

Brawl (ST/AG)

You excel in close-quarters, unarmed combat. Brawl is used for any form of hand-to-hand fighting, allowing you to engage effectively in physical confrontations without weapons.

Use Cases: Fist fighting, grappling, martial arts strikes, kicks, headbutts, claws (natural or implanted), horns, tails, and other body-based attacks—including cybernetic enhancements like shock knuckles or monofilament whips.

Gunnery (DX/IN)

You are skilled in operating large weapon systems mounted on vehicles.

Use Cases: Vehicle-mounted machine guns, autocannons, missile pods, railguns, anti-aircraft turrets, naval guns, drone-mounted weaponry, and similar heavy weapon systems.

Melee (Brawn) (ST/AG)

You are skilled in wielding traditional melee weapons such as swords, spears, and clubs. This skill involves combat with weapons that require substantial strength and technique, making you effective in close combat situations where heavy, durable weapons are used.

Use Cases: Swords (broadswords, greatswords), axes, hammers, spears, halberds, maces, clubs, staves, and similar heavy melee weapons, including two-handed variants.

Melee (Finesse) (AG/DX)

You are adept at using melee weapons that emphasize speed and agility over brute force, such as knives and other swift, lightweight weapons. This skill relies on fast, precise strikes and quick maneuvers, ideal for rapid engagements and evasive combat.

Use Cases: Daggers, knives (combat and throwing), rapiers, short swords, batons, escrima sticks, whips, chains, monofilament razors, and other light or flexible melee weapons.

Ranged (Close) (DX/CU)

You are skilled in handling and firing pistols and other close-quarters firearms, such as shotguns. This skill covers the use of handguns in combat, emphasizing precision and control in engaging targets at closer ranges, where speed and accuracy are paramount.

Use Cases: Pistols (semi-auto, revolvers, machine pistols), hold-out weapons, tasers, sawed-off or compact shotguns, and other concealable or close-combat firearms.

Ranged (Precision) (DX/CU)

You have expertise in operating rifles and similar long-range firearms. This skill involves the use of these weapons to engage targets at medium to long distances, requiring a steady hand and a keen eye to maintain accuracy over extended ranges.

Use Cases: Assault rifles, sniper rifles, designated marksman rifles (DMRs), hunting rifles, railguns (handheld), and other long-barreled precision firearms.

Ranged (Support) (DX/CU)

You are proficient in using large, powerful firearms such as machine guns and grenade launchers. This skill covers the handling and firing of weaponry designed for significant impact and area control, often requiring considerable strength and training.

Use Cases: Light and heavy machine guns, grenade launchers (single or multi-shot), autocannons (portable), miniguns, and other heavy or suppressive support weapons.

Throwing (AG/DX)

You are proficient in accurately and effectively launching projectiles. Throwing encompasses the use of spears, knives, grenades, and other throwable objects, allowing you to engage targets from a distance with precision and skill.

Use Cases: Thrown knives, throwing axes, javelins, spears, chakrams, bolas, grenades (frag, smoke, flashbang, EMP), and improvised thrown weapons.

Social skills

Social skills relate to a character’s ability to influence, persuade, and interact with others. Whether through charm, negotiation, coercion, or leadership, these skills determine how effectively a character can navigate social situations, build alliances, and achieve their goals through interpersonal interactions.

Charm (CU/PR)

You possess a natural charisma that makes you likable and engaging. Charm is used to influence others through friendliness, flattery, or genuine appeal. This skill is ideal for making a positive impression, winning people over, or creating a favorable atmosphere.

Use Cases: Making a good first impression, diffusing tense social situations, seducing or endearing yourself to others, building rapport quickly, convincing someone to do you a favor without direct gain.

Coercion (RE/PR)

You are skilled at using intimidation or pressure to achieve compliance. Coercion involves applying threats or leveraging fear to get others to act against their will or disclose information. This skill is helpful in situations where persuasion through force or intimidation is necessary.

Use Cases: Forcing a confession, intimidating witnesses or enemies, asserting dominance in a confrontation, extracting information through threats, compelling obedience in high-pressure scenarios.

Deception (CU/PR)

You excel at lying and misleading others. Deception is used to craft falsehoods, disguise your true intentions, or manipulate perceptions. This skill is crucial for creating believable cover stories, hiding your motives, or tricking others into believing false information.

Use Cases: Lying convincingly under scrutiny, maintaining a false identity or persona, forging believable excuses or cover stories, planting misinformation, feigning emotions or intentions.

Instruction (IN/PR)

You are effective at teaching and training others. Instruction involves imparting knowledge or skills to individuals or groups. This skill is useful for educating, mentoring, or providing guidance, and it requires clarity and patience in communication.

Use Cases: Teaching skills to other characters, mentoring apprentices or trainees, giving effective tactical briefings, running workshops or educational programs, guiding others through complex tasks.

Leadership (RE/PR)

You have the ability to inspire and direct others. Leadership is used to motivate, organize, and guide teams or groups toward common goals. This skill is essential for managing groups, making strategic decisions, and fostering teamwork and morale.

Use Cases: Rallying allies in stressful situations, coordinating team actions, boosting group morale, maintaining order in chaos, giving commands that others follow instinctively, resisting fear or panic in others.

Negotiation (IN/PR)

You are skilled in reaching mutually beneficial agreements and resolving conflicts. Negotiation involves discussing terms, making concessions, and finding compromises. This skill is used to broker deals, settle disputes, and facilitate agreements between parties with differing interests.

Use Cases: Settling disputes peacefully, brokering contracts or deals, mediating between rival factions, bargaining for better pay or terms, convincing someone to change their mind or stance.

Performance (CU/PR)

Performance encompasses the ability to entertain and engage audiences through the performing arts. This includes skills in acting, music, dance, and other forms of artistic expression. Mastery of this skill allows individuals to captivate and influence audiences in various entertainment settings.

Use Cases: Acting or impersonating convincingly, performing music or dance for income or distraction, drawing crowds for social or political influence, manipulating emotions through artistic expression, enhancing a disguise with flair or stage presence.

Matrix skills

Matrix skills are specialized abilities related to interacting with the digital and virtual realms, particularly within the context of the Matrix in the Shadowrun universe. These skills encompass activities such as hacking, digital security, and navigating cyberspace, making them vital for characters engaged in electronic warfare, data retrieval, or digital manipulation.

Both deckers and technomancers utilize these same Matrix skills. However, their methods differ: deckers rely on advanced cyberdecks and software, leveraging hardware and code to interact with the Matrix, while technomancers harness their innate, almost mystical connection to the digital world, channeling their mental and spiritual energy to achieve similar effects. Despite these differences in approach, their core skills—such as mobility, offense, defense, and perception within the Matrix—remain fundamentally the same.

Hack (IN/PR)

Covers all offensive actions within the Matrix, including breaching firewalls, executing data spikes, and launching attacks against other entities.

Use Cases: Hacking into systems, launching attacks on netrunners or IC, disabling security protocols, manipulating data aggressively.

Guard (IN/RE)

Represents your defensive capabilities in the Matrix. This skill involves setting up barriers, countering incoming attacks, and maintaining a strong digital presence to resist hostile intrusions.

Use Cases: Defending against hacks, reinforcing security measures, repelling attacks, maintaining control in the Matrix.

Roam (CU/RE)

Represents your ability to move swiftly and efficiently through the Matrix. This skill is essential for navigating data streams, bypassing security nodes, and evading digital obstacles, much like movement in the physical world.

Use Cases: Navigating the Matrix, evading traps, infiltrating secure areas, repositioning during digital combat.

Scan (CU/IN)

The skill used to detect and analyze the digital environment. It’s vital for identifying threats, hidden nodes, and analyzing data flows, ensuring awareness within cyberspace.

Use Cases: Detecting hidden traps or enemies, analyzing data streams, identifying vulnerabilities, monitoring the Matrix for threats.

Agent

Agent skills deal with creating, boosting, and controlling advanced semi-autonomous Matrix programs.

Compiling (IN/RE)

Allows you to create semi-autonomous programs (agents, daemons, sprites, etc.) that can perform tasks within the Matrix on your behalf. This skill is key for generating tools to assist in various Matrix operations.

Use Cases: Creating specialized programs for hacking, defense, data retrieval, or other purposes.

Registering (CU/RE)

Extends the functionality and longevity of your compiled programs, allowing them to operate over longer durations or be called upon when needed. This skill is crucial for maintaining a stable of reliable digital assistants.

Use Cases: Maintaining and enhancing the longevity of compiled programs, ensuring their availability for extended use.

Tasking (CU/PR)

Used to issue commands to your compiled programs, directing them to perform specific tasks or respond to certain conditions within the Matrix. It’s the skill for managing and deploying your digital resources effectively.

Use Cases: Directing programs to attack, defend, scout, or perform other specialized functions.

Magic skills

Magic skills involve a character’s ability to wield and control magical forces within the Shadowrun universe. These skills govern casting spells, summoning spirits, and other mystical practices. Magic Skills are essential for characters who harness the supernatural to alter reality, protect allies, or unleash powerful attacks.

Note that Physical Adepts do not have access to Magic skills but instead express their innate magic through Physical Adept Talents.

Assault (RE/PR)

Assault covers all offensive actions in the Astral Plane, including attacking spirits, astral projections, and other entities. This skill is essential for aggressive engagements, allowing you to strike with precision and power, whether in direct astral combat or when targeting astral entities.

Use Cases: Engaging in combat with spirits or other astral beings, launching powerful astral attacks, disrupting enemy projections, and overpowering hostile entities.

Awareness (CU/RE)

Awareness encompasses your ability to perceive and analyze your surroundings, whether in the physical world or the astral plane. This skill is crucial for detecting hidden threats, sensing magical energies, identifying weaknesses in defenses, and understanding your environment in both mundane and supernatural contexts.

Use Cases: Detecting hidden entities (such as spirits, astral projections, or concealed enemies), analyzing the flow of magical or astral energy, identifying threats or traps, and monitoring your surroundings for potential dangers or opportunities.

Traverse (IN/RE)

Traverse represents your ability to move swiftly and efficiently through the Astral Plane. This skill is crucial for navigating the complex and ever-changing astral environment, allowing you to reach your destination, evade threats, and reposition yourself during astral combat.

Use Cases: Moving through the Astral Plane, evading astral threats or traps, reaching strategic positions quickly, and avoiding astral barriers or obstacles.

Ward (IN/RE)

Ward represents your defensive capabilities in the Astral Plane. This skill involves setting up protective barriers, countering incoming astral attacks, and maintaining a strong astral presence to resist hostile forces. It’s vital for those who wish to protect themselves and others from harm in the astral realm.

Use Cases: Defending against astral attacks, reinforcing your astral form or defenses, repelling hostile spirits or entities, and maintaining control over your astral presence during combat.

Artificing

Artificing skills deal with the creation of temporary and permanent magic items.

Alchemy (CU/IN)

Alchemy involves the creation of magical potions, elixirs, and compounds that can produce a wide range of effects, from healing to offensive capabilities. This skill covers both the gathering of rare ingredients and the intricate process of preparing them into potent substances. Characters with Alchemy can craft consumables that offer temporary magical benefits or harmful effects.

Use Cases: Crafting healing potions, creating explosive alchemical devices, brewing antidotes or poisons, enhancing substances with magical properties.

Enchanting (RE/PR)

Enchanting focuses on imbuing objects with magical properties, creating permanent or semi-permanent magical items. This skill involves understanding the nature of magic and how it interacts with physical objects, allowing characters to create weapons, armor, and tools with enhanced abilities. Characters can also disenchant or alter existing magical items.

Use Cases: Crafting enchanted weapons or armor, creating protective charms, imbuing items with magical properties, disenchanting or modifying magical objects.

Spirit

Spirit skills deal with the summoning, binding, and banishing of spirits.

Banishing (IN/RE)

Banishing is the art of sending a spirit back to the astral plane or wherever it originated from. This skill is particularly useful when dealing with hostile or uncontrolled spirits. A skilled banisher can rid the physical world of dangerous entities that threaten them or their allies.

Use Cases: Removing unwanted or hostile spirits, breaking the hold that another summoner has over a spirit, or cleansing areas of spiritual disturbances.

Binding (CU/RE)

Binding is the skill used to compel a spirit to remain in service beyond the initial summoning. This skill allows a character to bind a spirit to their will, ensuring its continued loyalty and service. Binding requires both skill and the appropriate reagents, making it a more advanced form of spirit control.

Use Cases: Extending a spirit’s service, creating long-term pacts with spirits, or forcing a spirit to obey commands beyond what a simple summoning would allow.

Summoning (RE/PR)

Summoning involves calling forth spirits or other supernatural entities to aid the character. This skill is essential for characters who want to utilize the power of spirits, commanding them to perform tasks, fight in battles, or offer guidance. The strength and loyalty of summoned spirits depend on the Summoning skill.

Use Cases: Bringing spirits into existence to fight alongside the caster, perform reconnaissance, or carry out specific tasks that the character commands.

Sorcery

Sourcery is divided into eight separate skills, each representing a type of magic spell.

Combat (IN/RE)

Combat Magic is focused on spells designed for offensive and defensive purposes in battle. These spells are often direct and potent, crafted to harm, incapacitate, or protect during combat situations.

Common Spells: Manabolt, Powerbolt, Death Touch, Armor, Stunball.

Use Cases: Inflicting direct magical damage, shielding oneself or allies, incapacitating multiple opponents with area-of-effect spells, and disrupting magical defenses or attacks.

Detection (CU/IN)

Detection Magic encompasses spells that enhance perception, allowing the mage to uncover hidden information, detect threats, or perceive distant or concealed phenomena. This subskill is essential for gaining strategic information.

Common Spells: Detect Life, Clairvoyance, Mind Probe, Detect Magic, Analyze Device.

Use Cases: Sensing hidden enemies or traps, reading thoughts or emotions, viewing distant locations, and identifying magical or technological properties of objects.

Elemental (RE/PR)

Elemental Magic involves spells that draw upon the primal forces of nature—fire, water, earth, air, and electricity. Mages specializing in this subskill can command these elements to cause damage, create defenses, or manipulate the environment.

Common Spells: Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Ice Sheet, Earthquake, Acid Stream.

Use Cases: Unleashing elemental attacks, creating barriers or environmental hazards, and enhancing objects with elemental properties.

Healing (IN/PR)

Description: Healing Magic is dedicated to spells that restore health, cure diseases, and repair physical damage. These spells are vital for sustaining the health and vitality of the mage and their allies.

Common Spells: Heal, Treat, Cure Disease, Detox, Stabilize.

Use Cases: Mending wounds, removing toxins, stabilizing dying characters, and reversing physical injuries.

Illusion (CU/PR)

Description: Illusion Magic involves creating deceptive sensory experiences, making things appear as they are not. Mages specializing in Illusion Magic can craft convincing visual, auditory, and tactile illusions to mislead or protect themselves and their allies.

Common Spells: Invisibility, Phantasm, Silence, Trid Phantasm, Mask.

Use Cases: Concealing oneself or others, creating false images or sounds to deceive, and altering perceptions to gain a tactical advantage.

Mental (IN/PR)

Mental Manipulation Magic deals with spells that influence, control, or alter the thoughts, emotions, and perceptions of others. This subskill is focused on affecting the minds of living beings, whether for benevolent or malevolent purposes.

Common Spells: Control Thoughts, Influence, Memory Alteration, Fear, Calm Emotions.

Use Cases: Controlling or influencing the thoughts and actions of others, altering memories, manipulating emotions, and creating mental illusions.

Mobility (CU/RE)

Mobility Magic focuses on spells that enhance or alter movement, whether it’s increasing physical agility, enabling flight, or even teleporting across vast distances. Mages who specialize in this subskill can maneuver themselves and others in ways that defy normal physical limitations.

Common Spells: Levitate, Fly, Teleport, Feather Fall, Haste.

Use Cases: Granting the ability to fly or levitate, teleporting across space, enhancing speed or agility, and preventing or reducing fall damage.

Physical (IN/RE)

Physical Manipulation Magic focuses on spells that alter or control the physical world, affecting objects, the environment, or the physical bodies of living beings. This subskill is about shaping matter and physical forces to the mage’s will.

Common Spells: Levitate, Shape Metal, Physical Barrier, Control Gravity, Animate Object.

Use Cases: Moving objects or creatures, altering the properties of materials, creating protective barriers, and manipulating physical forces like gravity.

Knowledge skills (CU/IN or IN/IN)

In a world where the Matrix has made data and knowledge universally accessible, the ability to reference and collate information from online sources is commonplace. However, the sheer volume of information available can be overwhelming, and the ability to filter, analyze, and apply this data in practical, meaningful ways remains a precious skill. Specialist knowledge, particularly when applied to real-world situations, is in high demand, as it requires a deep understanding and the ability to synthesize and implement information effectively. Knowledge skills represent a character’s ability to not only recall facts and theories but also to use that information in practical, impactful ways.

Applied Knowledge (CU/IN) focuses on practical skills and abilities to use information in real-world scenarios, whereas Theoretical Knowledge (2xIN) deals with understanding, recalling, and analyzing academic or abstract concepts. Whether the success check is Applied or Theoretical depends on the situation, not the skill used.

Academic Knowledge

These skills are based on theoretical knowledge and reflect formal education and scholarly expertise. Theoretical knowledge often takes longer to process in real-time situations but can provide the critical insight needed in planning or research.

·         Anthropology: The study of human societies, cultures, and their development over time.

·         Chemistry: Knowledge of chemical reactions, compounds, and processes, useful for explosives, poisons, or chemical creation.

·         Engineering: Expertise in designing and building mechanical, electronic, or structural systems.

·         History: Understanding of past events, historical figures, and the development of nations or organizations.

·         Literature: Knowledge of written works, including novels, plays, poetry, and other forms of storytelling.

·         Magical Theory: Scholarly understanding of how magic works, including traditions, formulae, and the metaphysical structure of spells.

·         Mathematics: Understanding of mathematical principles, from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus, applicable to a variety of technical fields.

·         Medicine: Knowledge of human and metahuman anatomy, diseases, and medical procedures.

·         Political Science: The study of governments, political systems, and public policy, especially in relation to mega-corporations.

Interest Knowledge

Interest skills are based on applied knowledge and reflect personal interests and hobbies. These skills can be valuable in social situations, recreational activities, or niche industries.

·         Cooking: Expertise in preparing meals, understanding recipes, ingredients, and culinary techniques.

·         Fashion: Knowledge of current trends in clothing, accessories, and styles, useful in social situations or infiltration.

·         Music Genres: Familiarity with different types of music, musicians, and the cultural significance of various genres.

·         Popular Media: Understanding of current entertainment, including movies, TV shows, trid broadcasts, and celebrities.

·         Sports Teams: Detailed knowledge of specific sports, teams, players, and current or historical standings.

·         Street Art: Familiarity with graffiti, murals, and other urban artistic expressions, often tied to local subcultures.

·         Vehicles and Racing: Expertise in ground vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and racing strategies.

Languages Skills

Language skills represent both applied and theoretical knowledge. Speaking a language fluently (CU/IN) reflects applied use, while formal writing and deeper understanding (2xIN) can reflect more theoretical learning.

·         Cantonese: Spoken primarily in southern China and Hong Kong, useful in certain underworld dealings and megacorporations.

·         Draconic: The ancient language spoken by dragons, particularly those who survived from the 4th age. It is rarely spoken aloud and is often considered esoteric knowledge.

·         English: The most widely spoken language in many parts of the world, including Seattle and the UCAS.

·         Filipino: The official language of the Philippines, with many speakers across Southeast Asia and expatriate communities.

·         French: Spoken in France, parts of Canada (especially Quebec), and many former French colonies. Important in diplomatic and international business dealings.

·         German: Spoken in Germany, a country with a strong economic and magical presence in the Shadowrun world.

·         Japanese: The official language of Japan, home to several powerful megacorporations like Renraku and Mitsuhama.

·         Spanish: Widely spoken across the Americas and Spain, important in areas like Aztlan and the NAN.

·         Sperethiel: The ancient language of elves, used in formal settings and among the Elven Nations.

·         Vietnamese: The official language of Vietnam, useful in dealings in Southeast Asia and with Vietnamese expatriates.

Local Knowledge

These skills represent applied knowledge of specific communities, environments, or cultures. This is the kind of knowledge that comes from direct, lived experience.

·         Corporate Etiquette: Knowledge of the unspoken rules, hierarchy, and behavior expected in corporate environments. Includes navigating office politics and understanding power structures.

·         High Elven Culture: Deep understanding of the traditions, rituals, and etiquette in elven nations. Focuses on how elves operate within their own societies, including power structures and societal expectations.

·         Street Culture: Knowledge of the social dynamics and norms of life on the streets in Seattle, including gangs, black markets, and urban legends. Useful for navigating street-level power structures.

·         Tribal Knowledge: Familiarity with customs, traditions, and societal structures among Native American Nations or other indigenous groups, especially those connected to nature and magic.

·         Urban Metahumans: Insight into how different metahuman races (elves, orks, trolls, dwarves) adapt to and live within urban environments, particularly in cities like Seattle. Covers cultural blending, social dynamics, and how metahumans fit into (or rebel against) mainstream urban life.

·         Urban Subcultures: Understanding of various niche subcultures within a city (punk, goth, hacktivist groups), including their customs, dress codes, and social networks.

·         Underground Networks: Knowledge of hidden social or criminal networks within the city, including underground clubs, music scenes, and safehouses. Useful for operating in a city’s shadow economy.

Professional Knowledge

These skills represent both theoretical and applied knowledge of specialized professional fields. These skills often have direct real-world applications in jobs and tasks.

·         Architecture: The knowledge of designing and constructing buildings, useful for planning heists or urban exploration.

·         Bioware Modification: Modification, enhancement, and repair of bioware implants.

·         Business: Understanding corporate structures, marketing, finance, and the general operations of businesses.

·         Combat Tactics: Expertise in strategic planning and execution of military or paramilitary operations.

·         Corporate Law: Knowledge of legal systems and regulations as they apply to corporations, useful in navigating corporate politics.

·         Cybersecurity: Involves protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.

·         Cyberware Modification: Modification, enhancement, and repair of cyberware implants.

·         Drone Engineering: Expertise in the design, construction, and modification of drones, particularly useful for riggers and tech specialists.

·         Environmental Engineering: Designing and managing solutions to environmental challenges.

·         Law: A more generalized understanding of legal systems, including criminal and civil law, applicable in a variety of social situations.

·         Matrix Protocols: Understanding of how the Matrix operates, including software, security protocols, and data retrieval methods.

·         Magic Research: Deep academic knowledge of magical phenomena. It allows characters to study and advance the theoretical aspects of magic, including developing new spells, rituals, and enchantments.

·         Psych Warfare: Manipulating the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors of others to achieve a strategic advantage.

·         Security Procedures: Knowledge of standard security measures, protocols, and systems, including locks, alarms, and guard patterns.

·         Social Engineering: Manipulating people into giving up confidential information or bypassing security systems through deception and psychological tactics.

·         Tech Research: Expertise in cutting-edge technological fields, from artificial intelligence to nanotechnology.

·         Vehicle Engineering: Expertise in the design, construction, and modification of vehicles, particularly useful for riggers and tech specialists.