REMOTE HACK (EX) 5th Level
You can use your custom rig to attempt Computers and
Engineering skill checks at a range of 20 feet. At 7th level
and every 2 levels thereafter, this range increases by 10 feet.
A target of this ability (or a creature attending or observing
your target) can attempt a Perception or Sense Motive check
(DC = 10 + 1-1/2 × your mechanic level + your Intelligence
modifier) to determine that you are the origin of this activity
My Question is this. How does Remote Hack work in regards to Hack able Systems that are not within line of sight? If there is a computer on the other side of a wall, could the Mechanic hack it without line of sight as long as its within 20 feet and assuming it can be remote hacked?
Definitely seems that way.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
No rule on this, so line of effect could certainly be enforced. I'd expect a lot of variation.
Thinking of wireless networks, hacking through walls seems like a no brainer. Thinking of an undefined ability to hack things that normally require a physical connection, the question of what is "obvious" becomes complicated.
I mean, this ability technically allows you to pop an analog padlock with no circuitry from 20 feet away.
That blows my verisimilitude out of the water. Hacking a network through a wall shouldn't be a problem.
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
I was more thinking that with verisimilitude out of the question already, there's no reason someone can't say "line of effect applies, just like every ability, because nothing says otherwise."
HammerJack wrote: I was more thinking that with verisimilitude out of the question already, there's no reason someone can't say "line of effect applies, just like every ability, because nothing says otherwise." Except if you apply that logic a Starfinder mechanic can't hack my (early 21st century) computer because it is in a thin metal case.
Personally, I apply the rules from Sense Through to a mechanic's remote hack.
CRB page 265 wrote: Unless stated otherwise, in addition to all other limitations, sense through is blocked by energy fields and sufficiently dense material. This includes all energy fields that impact the physical world (such as force fields that grant temporary Hit Points and force effects such as the wall of force spell). The density limitation generally causes these senses to be blocked by 10 feet of wood or plastic, 5 feet of stone, 1 foot of common metal, or 6 inches of lead or any starmetal (such as adamantine).
Nefreet wrote: I mean, this ability technically allows you to pop an analog padlock with no circuitry from 20 feet away.
That blows my verisimilitude out of the water. Hacking a network through a wall shouldn't be a problem.
It seems kind of self evident that to remotely hack an item, that item would have to be able to be hacked in the first place.
I wouldn't expect a GM to allow this ability to work on a padlock any more than it would work on a melon.
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Computers is hacking, Engineering is physically manipulating.
You can do both at range with Remote Hack. The name is a misnomer.
Nefreet wrote: Computers is hacking, Engineering is physically manipulating.
You can do both at range with Remote Hack. The name is a misnomer.
I understand the skill distinction and that the way the ability is worded technically allows this.
But it very clearly falls into the nonsensical category that you can pick a lock remotely on an item that has no way to be accessed remotely. The GM of a player attempting this should say something along the lines of "Ok, you try to remotely connect to the padlock with your custom rig and fail, as the padlock does not have a way to remotely access it."
That player should probably seek out a new GM.
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Nefreet wrote: I mean, this ability technically allows you to pop an analog padlock with no circuitry from 20 feet away.
That blows my verisimilitude out of the water. Hacking a network through a wall shouldn't be a problem.
Never heard of a sonic screwdriver?
Not pinpoint at 20 feet away, no, but the fun thing about Starfinder is coming up with wacky ways to explain mundane technology.
I think next time my Mechanic tries to Remote Hack a vent opening I'll describe it as a prototype Cosmic String Manipulator.
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Magnets! How do they work?!
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Yeah, my read on the power is that, yes, you totally can do Engineering checks to screw with analog technology at a distance. You are using Super Science to do it, so this is fine. Its *primary obvious purpose* is to hack a computer you cannot reach, but you can induce gravitics in a mechanical lock just as easily as you can induce eletromagnetics in a computer chip.
( Also, that this is *not* wireless hacking through an open wifi port or the equivalent. Anybody can do that. This is hacking a computer that is air-gapped. )
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Pffft. Ferromagnetic forces. Oh 21st century, you were so primitive.
In today's 4th century we've perfected the use of Ouranomagnetic forces that can manipulate everything from sky metals to magical force fields.
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