Android: Netrunner

ANDROID: NETRUNNER is a LEGENDARY COMPETITIVE 2-PLAYER LIVING CARD GAME (LCG) published by FANTASY FLIGHT GAMES (2012-2018). It is a reimagining of the 1996 game NETRUNNER by RICHARD GARFIELD (creator of MAGIC: THE GATHERING) — considered THE GREATEST 2-PLAYER CARD GAME EVER MADE + one of the best games of all time. Held BGG top-25 for YEARS; peaked in top-10. Set in the ANDROID cyberpunk universe (near-future megacorps + AI + hackers). Asymmetric CAT-AND-MOUSE gameplay: one player is the RUNNER (independent hacker attempting to steal data agendas from megacorps); the other is the CORPORATION (megacorp attempting to advance 7 agenda points before Runner steals them). Widely considered THE PINNACLE OF ASYMMETRIC CARD GAME DESIGN + one of the finest achievements in modern hobby gaming. LEGACY: FFG discontinued line 2018 (Wizards of the Coast reclaimed Netrunner license). Community launched NULL SIGNAL GAMES (NSG) 2020 — a nonprofit that continues publishing new cards under 'Netrunner' name (dropping Android IP) via free print-and-play + community distribution. Considered active in 2026 with new sets released annually. FACTIONS: RUNNER — ANARCH (self-destruct + viruses + brute force), CRIMINAL (money + tempo + tricks), SHAPER (rig-building + programs + memory). CORPORATION — HAAS-BIOROID (cyber-tech + brutal ice), JINTEKI (biotech + traps + net damage), NBN (media + tags + spam), WEYLAND (real estate + advancement + kill combos). GAMEPLAY: 20-card RUNNER RIG (installed programs, hardware, resources) + 15-card HAND. CORP has 45-49 card R&D + AGENDA cards (worth 1-3 points, 7 to win). Runner takes CLICKS (4 per turn) to: draw, spend money, install programs, RUN a server (HQ, R&D, Remote). Running = attempt to break server's ICE (defensive programs) + access cards; if agenda accessed, RUNNER STEALS IT. Corp takes CLICKS (3 per turn) to: draw, spend money, install ICE + assets + agendas, advance agendas. Corp wins at 7 agenda points scored (Runner also wins at 7 stolen). Corp can also win via FLATLINE (Runner takes damage exceeding hand size). RELEASE: (a) Core Set 2012; (b) Genesis Cycle (2013); (c) Spin Cycle (2013-14); (d) Lunar Cycle (2014); (e) SanSan Cycle (2015); (f) Mumbad Cycle (2015-16); (g) Flashpoint Cycle (2016); (h) Red Sand Cycle (2016-17); (i) Kitara Cycle (2017); (j) Reign & Reverie deluxe (2018 final FFG release); (k) NSG post-2020: Ashes, Downfall, Uprising, System Gateway, Elevation, Rebellion Without Rehearsal. Total 100+ product releases. RECEPTION: BGG top-25 for years; Origins Awards Best Card Game 2013; multiple Golden Geek Awards; ranked #1 on many 'best card games ever' lists; considered a CULTURAL LANDMARK of hobby gaming. Runs BEST as competitive tournament game with deep meta + counter-play.

First to 7 agenda points wins. Corp scores by advancing agendas; Runner scores by stealing. Corp can also win via flatline.

Win condition · First to 7 agenda points OR Corp flatlines Runner.

Corp has HQ, R&D, Archives + Remote servers protected by ICE. Runner has installed rig (programs, hardware, resources) + hand + credit pool. Central play space for runs + accesses.

• Android: Netrunner Core Set (2012, discontinued)

  Was $40; secondhand $60-100

• Null Signal Games System Gateway (free PDF or ~$25 print)

  Current entry-level starter (2021+)

• Null Signal Games System Update 2021 (free PDF)

  Free downloadable core cards

• Data Packs ($15 each, cycles of 6)

  FFG's cycle expansions

• Deluxe Expansions ($30)

  Faction-focused expansions

• Custom decks: 40+ Runner, 45+ Corp

  Deck-building depth

• Credit + click + agenda tokens

  Included in core

• Jinteki.net (free online play)

  Community-run online platform

• NetrunnerDB (deck-building)

  Free deck-building site

• Runner: Rig-building + tempo

  Install programs efficiently; run when Corp can't defend.

• Corp: ICE-strong servers + trap plays

  Force Runner to fear runs via ICE + trap cards.

• Credit denial

  Deny opponent economy = win game.

• Agenda tempo control

  Corp: score behind never-advance agendas. Runner: pressure key servers.

• Meta reading (tournament)

  Prepare decks + sideboards vs expected field.

• Hidden information exploitation

  Corp's face-down cards create bluff + bluff-catch decisions.

Runner

Hacker player (Anarch / Criminal / Shaper factions).

Corp

Corporation player (Haas-Bioroid / Jinteki / NBN / Weyland factions).

ICE

Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics — Corp's defensive programs.

Agenda

Corp's scoring card (1-3 points); 7 total to win.

Click

Action currency; Runner 4/turn, Corp 3/turn.

Run

Runner's attempt to access Corp server.

Server

Corp's card grouping (HQ, R&D, Archives, Remotes).

Flatline

Corp wins by killing Runner with damage.

Advance

Corp places counters on agenda; enough counters = score.

• World Championship

  annual · worldwide (FFG 2013-2018, NSG 2021+) · since 2013

• European Championship

  annual · Europe · since 2014

• American Continental

  annual · USA + Canada · since 2018

• Regional Tournaments (many)

  quarterly · worldwide · since 2013

• AlwaysBeRunning tournament tracker

  ongoing · worldwide · since 2018

• 🇺🇸United States
• 🇬🇧United Kingdom
• 🇩🇪Germany
• 🇫🇷France
• 🇮🇹Italy
• 🇪🇸Spain
• 🇵🇱Poland
• 🇦🇺Australia
• 🇨🇦Canada
• 🇸🇪Sweden
• 🇳🇱Netherlands
• 🇯🇵Japan

• Wizards of the Coast (original 1996 IP owner)

  Founded 1990 · Renton WA, USA

• Fantasy Flight Games (2012-2018 licensee)

  Founded 1995 · Roseville MN, USA

• Null Signal Games (2020+ community continuation)

  Founded 2020 · worldwide (nonprofit)

• Null Signal Games — Netrunner— NSG
• BoardGameGeek — Android: Netrunner— BGG
• Wikipedia — Android: Netrunner— Wikipedia
• NetrunnerDB (deck-building)— NetrunnerDB
• Jinteki.net (online play)— Jinteki.net