Banner (🚩) is an anti-EtR “icemelter” (ie. “non-breaking icebreaker”), as a fixed-strength fracter: it doesn't break
any subroutines, nor prevent any non-end the run
effects from resolving, but it still interacts with ICE and still must interface
against ICE strength.
For example:
Pharos: For $2
and 1 tag
, Banner “melts” past its 5 strength
(unless triple-advanced).
Endless EULA: For $2
, Banner would “melt” all six ↳ End the run unless the Runner pays $1.
subroutines (though a Cleaver would still fully break it for just $3
).
Banner “melts”:
↳ End the run.
↳ End the run if the Runner is tagged.
↳ End the run unless the Runner takes 1 tag.
↳ Give the Runner 1 tag and end the run.
(→ ↳ Give the Runner 1 tag.
)
↳ Trace[X]. If successful, end the run.
It can also:
“melt” through unbreakable or semi-breakable ICE:
- eg. a triple-advanced Akhet (
The Runner cannot break more than 1 of its printed subroutines during each encounter.
)
“melt” past anti-breakage effects:
- eg. a just-rezzed Hafrún (
Choose 1 installed Runner card. That cardʼs abilities cannot break subroutines for the remainder of that run.
)
“melt” retributive ICE:
keep “nothing broken” checks on and “subroutines resolved” counts up:
Compare:
Endless Hunger: also anti-EtR. cf. Interface → [$2]: Break any number of “↳ End the run.” barrier subroutines.
.
Flashbang: also an “icemelter”; it interface
s, but to derez
(not to break
).
Umbrella: also a weapon icebreaker that's "nonstandard"/"unorthodox".
PS. Note that NSG's icebreaker retemplating (ie. adding Interface → …
) clarifies which abilities must match strength (eg. Flashbang’s derezzing) and which can ignore strength (eg. Lustig’s bypassing), and thus facilitates more “icemelters” getting printed.
PPS. Since Parhelion (which printed Tsakhia "Bankhar" Gantulga and Raindrops Cut Stone), I'd been designing some custom icemelter cards that "mitigate" or "reimburse" negative subroutine effects (such as damage, destruction, tagging, zapping, and so on).
Some example "mitigators":
Killer
with Interface → [$1]: Choose 1 subroutine on the sentry you are encountering. For the remainder of this encounter, it cannot cause you to trash installed programs or to suffer damage.
Decoder
with Interface → [$1]: Choose up to 2 subroutines on the code gate you are encountering. For the remainder of this encounter, they cannot cause you to lose [$], lose [Q], or take tags.
And some example "reimbursers":
Killer
with Interface → Whenever a subroutine resolves on the sentry you are encountering, you may draw 1 card. Use this ability only twice each run.
Stealth Decoder
with Interface → Whenever a subroutine resolves on the code gate you are encountering, you may place [$1] on this program. Use this ability only three times each run.
and You may spend hosted credits during runs.