The Expanded Drones Resource provides expanded homebrew rule systems for Drones in the Cyberpunk Red game. This article provides explanations and details for those optional systems.
I DO NOT WANT TO USE THESE SYSTEMS
As always, optional systems like this are not everyone’s cup of tea.
This system adds complexity, but is based on the foundation established in the Core Rulebook, on p.213. All Drones in the NetShop come with a Description, Type, and Data, which is based on the official rules.
If you do not want to adopt these systems, simply ignore all descriptions beyond these.
DRONE CATEGORIES
In addition to types and stats, each drone has a category. This category is used to determine how the drone acts, how it behaves and where it can operate.
Drones can be NETWORK DRONES, STATION DRONES and AI DRONES.
NETWORK DRONES
Network drones work like the drones described in the Core Rulebook (p.213). These drones rely on the NET Architecture they are connected to to operate. Network Drones can be deployed in a NET Architecture, as part of its defences. They are self-sufficient when it comes to making decisions based on its triggers. While deployed in a NET Architecture, Network Drones can be controlled through a Control Node.
A Network Drone must stay in the area around their NET Architecture. Generally, a network drone will stay inside, but it can move a few dozen meters outside of the area that it is defending.
In general, Network Drones are the best of both world: they do not require to be directly controlled by a human to be effective and they can use their equipment very well. However, since they cannot leave their Architecture, they are purely a defensive tool.
TO SEE GENERIC DRONES IN THIS CATEGORY, GO TO P.213 IN THE CYBERPUNK RED CORE RULEBOOK.
TO KNOW THE COSTS OF INSTALLING DRONES IN THIS CATEGORY TO A NETWORK, GO TO P.218 IN THE CYBERPUNK RED CORE RULEBOOK.
STATION DRONES
Station drones are drones that need to be directly controlled by a person through a Station.
All Station Drones must be connected to a Station to be deployed (connecting a drone to a station can be done manually without needing a Skill Check). Any character can use their Action while next to a station to take control of the drone.
The person controlling the drone uses their Basic Tech Skill or their Electronics Security Skill for all Skill Checks they make while using the drone's equipment. For example, a Tech can fire the drone's onboard weapon and will use their Basic Tech Skill to hit.
Station Drones and Stations have a level. This represents the drone’s complexity. A Station can only be paired with a Station Drone of equal level or lower. The Station lvel determines the maximum range of the paired drone.
A level 1 Station Drone (which is similar in complexity to a modern civilian drone), can be controlled with a level 1 station, while a level 2 drone (which can take the form of a spider walking drone with weapons) is much more complex and can only be controlled by a level 2 station.
STATION LEVELS
A LEVEL 1 STATION usually takes the form of a concealable tool, that is easy to carry and use. Level 1 stations have a range of 100 meters.
A LEVEL 2 STATION usually takes the form of a “portable” computer terminal with arrays and more complex controls. Level 2 stations have a range of 1 mile.
A LEVEL 3 STATION usually takes the form of fixed and non-portable high-power computers. Level 3 stations have a range of several hundred miles.
GENERIC STATIONS
Level
|
Description
|
Cost
|
|
Level 1 Station
|
A handheld controller which can control level 1 Station Drones.
When this station is connected to a drone, the user holding it can use their Action and two hands to take control of the drone.
The maximum range of this station is 100 m/yds.
|
50 eb. (Costly)
|
|
Level 2 Station
|
A portable computer terminal which can control level 2 or lower Station Drones.
When this station is connected to a drone, the user holding it can use their Action and two hands to take control of the drone. They cannot use their Move Action on the same turn that they use this station to control the drone.
The maximum range of this station is 1 mile / 2 kilometres.
|
500 eb. (Expensive)
|
|
Level 3 Station
|
A non-portable computer terminal which can control level 3 or lower Station Drones.
When this station is connected to a drone, the user next to it can use their Action and two hands to take control of the drone. They cannot use their Move Action on the same turn that they use this station to control the drone.
The maximum range of this station is at least 500 miles, but can be higher, if the local radio infrastructure can carry the signal farther.
|
5000 eb.
(Luxury)
|
CYBERWARE STATIONS
Some pieces of cyberware can be used to control Station Drones.
NEURALWARE (Foundation Cyberware: Neural Link)
Level
|
Install |
Description
|
Cost
|
HL |
|
Drone Link
|
Clinic |
Allows user to connect their thoughts and neural impulses to level 1 station drones. Can pair, connect and control level 1 station drones. Maximum range to control drones is 50m, but is doubled if wearer has Radio Communicator (Cyberaudio Option). Controlling a drone paired to the Drone Link is a Free Action. If the paired drone suffers a critical injury, the wearer takes 3 (1d6) direct damage.
|
500 eb. (Expensive)
|
7 (2d6) |
|
High-Capacity Drone Link
|
Clinic |
Allows user to connect their thoughts and neural impulses to level 2 and level 1 station drones. Controlling a drone paired to the Drone Link is a Free Action. If the paired drone suffers a critical injury, the wearer takes 3 (1d6) direct damage. Maximum range to control drones is 50m, but is doubled if wearer has Radio Communicator (Cyberaudio Option).
|
1000 eb. (V. Expensive)
|
14 (4d6) |
CYBERLIMBS (Foundation Cyberware: Cyberarm)
Level
|
Install |
Description
|
Cost
|
HL |
|
Drone Station
|
Clinic
|
Level 2 Drone Station installed in Cyberarm. When this station is connected to a drone, the wearer can use their Action and their free hand to take control of the drone. They cannot use their Move Action on the same turn that they use this station to control the drone. Requires a Cyberarm and takes 2 Option Slots.
|
1000 eb. (V. Expensive)
|
7 (2d6) |
STATION DRONE LEVELS
A LEVEL 1 STATION DRONE usually takes the form of… well, toys. Level 1 station drones can move, fly and operate a camera, for example, but even a weapon is too complex for this type of drone (although a Tech might be able to make it work).
A LEVEL 2 STATION DRONE usually takes the form of “portable” complex drones. These drones can be armed and have intricate movement mechanisms (jumping, climbing on walls, etc.).
A LEVEL 3 STATION DRONE usually takes the form of military or corporate equipment with advanced targeting systems and weaponry. Mechs, drone tanks, ballistic missile-equipped flying drones., for example, are level 3 drones. Many level 3 station drones cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of eurodollars to purchase and set up.
In general, Station Drones are most useful when you have the manpower to operate them: they are not locked down to a specific location and can achieve their objectives easily, but each one needs to be controlled by a person directly.
GENERIC LEVEL 1 STATION DRONES
Type
|
Description
|
Data
|
Cost
|
|
Mini Ground Drone
|
The Level 1 Mini Ground Drone comes equipped with an Observation Camera. It can be deployed for 30 minutes on a full battery. The drone must be recharged for 2 hours before it can be used again.
It can be controlled by using an Action with a Level 1 Station in hand.
|
4 MOVE // 5HP
|
50 eb. (Costly)
|
|
Mini Plane Drone
|
The Level 1 Mini Plane Drone comes equipped with an Observation Camera. It can be deployed for 30 minutes on a full battery. The drone must be recharged for 2 hours before it can be used again.
Plane Drones uses the aerodynamics of planes to fly. You must keep track of the drone's direction. Plane Drones can only move in the three squares in front of itself, or can attempt a DV10 Skill Check to change direction faster. On a failure, the plane drone crashes.
It can be controlled by using an Action with a Level 1 Station in hand.
|
10 MOVE // 5HP
|
100 eb. (Premium)
|
|
Mini Air Drone
|
The Level 1 Mini Plane Drone comes equipped with an Observation Camera. It can be deployed for 30 minutes on a full battery. The drone must be recharged for 2 hours before it can be used again.
It can be controlled by using an Action with a Level 1 Station in hand.
|
6 MOVE // 5HP
|
100 eb. (Premium)
|
GENERIC LEVEL 2 STATION DRONES
Type
|
Description
|
Data
|
Cost
|
|
Ground Drone
|
Same as Active Defenses Ground Drone (p.213)
|
---
|
5,000 eb. (Luxury)
|
|
Large Air Drone
|
Same as Active Defenses Large Air Drone (p.213)
|
---
|
5,000 eb. (Luxury)
|
|
Mini Air Drone
|
Same as Active Defenses Mini Air Drone (p.213)
|
---
|
1,000 eb. (V. Expensive)
|
|
Spider Walking Drone
|
Same as Active Defenses Spider Walking Drone (p.213)
|
---
|
5,000 eb.(Super Luxury)
|
GENERIC LEVEL 3 STATION DRONES
<< DATA CLASSIFIED >>
AI DRONES
Artificial Intelligence Drones are self-sufficient drones which take decisions independently from humans by using onboard computing power and algorithms. These AI Drones are not truly intelligent: like Network drones, they act based on the software and protocols that they have installed.
In general, AI Drones are the most hands-off drone. They are clumsy, awkward and a bit slow, but still relatively efficient at getting the job done. They are not locked down to a location and can be deployed anywhere, but, with their limited computing power, they cannot do everything typical drones can.
AI BASE SKILL
When deployed, AI Drones roll Skill Checks on their own, using their “AI Base Skill”. For example, a Personal Assistant Air Drone attempting to fire its onboard weapon will roll 1d10+5 to try to hit.
AI Drones cannot attempt any INT, EMP, COOL or TECH Skill Check unless they have a Protocol that allows them to do so.
AI DRONE PROTOCOLS
AI Drones have "Protocols", which take the form of complex tasks they can accomplish. Each AI Drone has "Protocol Slots", which represents the number of Protocols they can have installed.
All AI Drones have a Protocol to understand and follow simple orders such as “Shoot this!” “Go there!” Grab this!” AI Drones use voice recognition algorithms to identify the person ordering them around, and it will only respond to orders from their controllers or people their controllers have approved. This Protocol is universal and does not count towards the number of Protocol Slots a drone has installed.
Protocols can be bought and installed to a drone. Each Protocol comes with the software and any pieces of hardware needed for the drone to make use of the Software (for example, the Scan Protocol comes with a scanner that must be installed on the drone.)
Installing and uninstalling a Protocol takes 1 hour and requires a DV13 Electronics Security Skill Check.
Type
|
Description
|
Data
|
Cost
|
|
Helping Hand Air Drone
|
Helping Hand Air Drones are equipped with an Observation Camera. Can be deployed for 8 hours on a full charge. It must be recharged for 12 hours before it can be used again.
It has 1 Protocol Slot and comes with the following Protocol preinstalled:
- SCAN. This Drone can create an accurate 3D map of any 25 m/yds by 25 m/yds area. It can then use the scan to double any Skill Check it makes when navigating, cleaning or preparing food in the area. It can remember up to 5 Scans. These maps can be exported.
|
6 MOVE // 20HP
AI Base Skill +4
1 Protocol Slot
|
1,000 eb.
(V. Expensive)
|
|
Personal Assistant Air Drone
|
Personal Assistant Air Drones are equipped with a computer and 1 of the following options:
- Observation Camera
- Dartgun with 8 Poison Arrows
- Heavy Pistol with 8 AP Bullets.
Can be deployed for 8 hours on a full charge. It must be recharged for 12 hours before it can be used again.
It has 3 Protocol Slots and comes with the following Protocol preinstalled:
- DATABASE SEARCH. This Drone can attempt Accounting, Bureaucracy and Library Search Skill Checks. It doubles its AI Base Skill for the roll.
|
6 MOVE // 20HP
AI Base Skill +5
3 Protocol Slots
|
5,000 eb.
(Luxury)
|
|
Walking Security Android Drone
|
The Walking Security Android Drone is a humanoid walking drone. It comes equipped with two of the following:
- Heavy SMG with 80 Basic Bullets
- Very Heavy Melee Weapon
- Grenade Launcher with 2 Grenades
- Grenade Launcher with 2 Smoke Grenades and 2 Teargas Grenades
Can be deployed for 8 hours on a full charge. It must be recharged for 12 hours before it can be used again.
It has 2 Protocol Slots and comes with the following Protocol preinstalled:
- DESIGNATE TARGET. As a Free Action, the drone uses an onboard laser to designate a target of its choice. The laser is visible to everyone. When any drone with the Designate Target Protocol shoots the designated target, it gains a +1 bonus to their Skill Check. This bonus can stack. If the drone loses sight of the designated target, the target is no longer designated and the bonus is no longer granted.
|
4 MOVE // 25HP // 7 SP
AI Base Skill +6
2 Protocol Slots
|
50,000 eb.
(Super Luxury)
|
