Hack Time
Hack Time is a time-stop scanning mode. Press N (keybind Hack Time) to enter. In single-player the world stops completely and the camera pulls in toward your cursor. While inside, you scan targets around you and upload a quickhack protocol to one of them. The effect lands the moment the upload finishes.
Press N again to exit. Effects already applied keep running after you leave.
How to unlock it
Section titled “How to unlock it”If pressing N shows “Hack Time Unavailable,” you have no access point yet. The prompt means you need to meet one of these conditions:
- Hold a weapon with a smart interface (such as SHPC)
- Install a netrunner cyberware, for example the CSTM Opti-Visual Cybereye from the Cyberware system
Either one grants access. Cyberware installation is covered on the Cyberware page.
What to do inside
Section titled “What to do inside”- Hover to scan: Move your cursor over a target to scan it. You can scan enemies, dropped items, projectiles, tiles, liquids, turrets, and signal towers; hovering shows that target’s analysis (type, threat, defense, and so on).
- Lock the target: Left-click to lock a target and open the protocol panel. Right-click to release it.
- Upload a protocol: Pick a protocol and it starts uploading. The upload takes a short time and drains RAM while it runs; the effect applies on completion.
- Exit: Press
Nagain.
Upload times vary from about 1 to 4 seconds. Stronger effects take longer to upload and cost more RAM.
RAM cost
Section titled “RAM cost”Every protocol has a fixed RAM cost. The cost is scaled up against tougher targets: regular enemies use a 1x to 1.5x multiplier depending on how dangerous they are, while bosses go up to 3x. If you cannot afford it, the upload will not start.
RAM capacity, recovery, and upgrades are covered on the RAM System page.
Protocols
Section titled “Protocols”Against enemies
Section titled “Against enemies”| Protocol | RAM | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Short Circuit | 2 | EMP burst, instant damage and brief paralysis |
| Synapse Burnout | 3 | Continuous thermal damage for 5 seconds |
| Optic Overload | 2 | Blinds the target for 4 seconds |
| Memory Wipe | 3 | Resets aggro for about 5 seconds, spreads to the same group |
| System Reset | 4 | Paralyzing stun for 6 seconds |
| Contagion | 4 | After about 6 seconds, self-replicates to nearby targets |
| Cyberpsychosis | 5 | Target attacks everything nearby for 8 seconds |
Against tiles and dropped items
Section titled “Against tiles and dropped items”| Protocol | RAM | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Pull | 2 | Pulls nearby dropped items toward you |
| Tile Detonation | 3 | Breaks structures and triggers a localized explosion |
| Phasing Protocol | 4 | Makes a tile intangible for a duration |
Against machines, turrets, and signal towers
Section titled “Against machines, turrets, and signal towers”| Protocol | RAM | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Short Circuit | 3 | Drains machine energy, arcs damage to nearby entities |
| Turret Short Circuit | 3 | Briefly stalls a turret, then it comes back online |
| Circuit Overload | 6 | Disables a turret for a long duration |
| Virus Broadcast | 8 | Signal tower emits a wave that short-circuits every turret in range |
Other details
Section titled “Other details”Spreading protocols (Cyberpsychosis, Memory Wipe, Contagion) pay off most against packs of small enemies.
Turret and signal-tower protocols mainly target Void machinery, used to shut down their fire while you push in.