- BGG rating
- 8.3
Netrunner: Proteus
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 1996
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,445
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Netrunner
1996
Rules assistance for Netrunner
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 45 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.9/5
Rules assistant for Netrunner
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Netrunner is a board game released in 1996 for 2 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Richard Garfield and its main mechanics are Action Points.
Expansions
- BGG rating
- 8.2
Netrunner: Classic
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 3.6/5
- 1999
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About the game
Netrunner is a cyberpunk-themed collectible card game. The two players are the Corp (who wins by completing Agendas) and the Runner (who wins by infiltrating the Corp and liberating Agendas). Each side has a limited number of both actions and bits (money) to spend per turn; bits are gone once used, and actions must be spent to gain more. An important thing when evaluating the power of cards is to see the Bit per action ratio. One unique feature of this game is that the Runner physically moves on the "board" created by facedown Corp cards. It has the feel of a "capture the flag" game, with the Runner moving in dataforts to steal Agendas from the Corp. Another unique feature is that the Cards are NOT the primary strategy of the game; in fact, players can win by simply "playing with the rules" itself (a concept difficult to understand if you've never played Netrunner). Both players play as both Corp and Runner in a game, one after the other, with each player's Runner going against the opponent's Corp. A winning match provides 10 points and the loser scores points equal to the number of agenda points scored/liberated. The winner of the game is the one who has the most points in the 2 submatches. Though Netrunner is traditionally a two-player duel, there are formats that allow for more players (called "The Big Sell Out").
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Wizards of the Coast
Questions and answers
Netrunner supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Netrunner is 45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Netrunner for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Netrunner has a complexity rating of 2.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Netrunner belongs to these categories: Card Game, Science Fiction, and Collectible Components. Its main mechanics are Action Points. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Netrunner are: Richard Garfield. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Netrunner as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.