Oh man, I hated the matrix rules in SR 3rd edition, it's like a totaly different set of rules within an already big set of rules. And the sad part where most of the group had to wait for the decker to end his solo part. That was so bad that we never used matrix in our sessions ourself, unstead we used a npc decker to switch the rules to a pure storytelling action which was great. The players had to escort the npc and protect him while he used his matrix vodoo stuff.
That was the only solution for us to implement the matrix without ruining the flow.
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Typically I either did this or had a PC with the computers skill do a roll or two and generally glossed over the whole hardware thing. This was a little bit of a shame, but it made play go a lot faster.
I had a little more 4/5e computer stuff because of the wireless rules they introduced (maybe that was just 5e?), but most of that used a simplified system that didn't approximate decking in 3e and earlier.
It's actually a decent set of rules (if you can spare the time for it; I think someone made a roguelite out of it), and it shines in the video games when there's a solid single-player opportunity to explore the whole thing, but it just wasn't something that ever worked out in my groups.
Yep, if it's part of a video game the matrix system is great because the game does remember all of these matrix rules and if it's not a multiplayer game it's awesome to dive into the matrix but if it's within a SR 3E session it's a pain in the ass ...
I really tried to include a decker in our group but after reading the rules for hours I noticed that it's impossible to get one of my group to really understand the matrix rules. And it's hard to combine the adventures of a decker with the rest of the group because if the decker dives into the matrix the time literally freezes for the rest of the group. Having the group split into 2 groups is sometimes exhausting because you have to switch between both groups to keep them both motivated but having one decker in the matrix and the rest in the meat world is just fucked up because the meat world stops and the players will have to pause until the decker has finished his duty. That's why I never had a decker in my 3E games. 5E does a better job because of the wireless thing and I would love to test it but never had the chance to do so because my group prefers fantasy settings.
Yeah, basically.
It's a shame because the mechanics themselves are good, but the execution is flawed.
In 5e, my groups didn't try a whole lot of matrix stuff, but they did dabble a little in hacking. They generally found it to be a "side-thing", but it really required a certain amount of investment most of the characters weren't willing to make.
Yep
It would be great if a decker could do every action wireless and without that time dilatation because it kills the flow.
Hmmm if it were like the astral stuff that wpuld be great. The decker could see the defending ICE within the physical world and fight against it if he wants to manipulate a system guarded by it. That would make it easier but it would also reduce the matrix to a mere copy of the astral stuff.
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