Djinn

Djinn 2[credit]

Program: Daemon
Memory: 1 • Strength: -
Influence: 2

Djinn can host up to 3[memory unit] of non-icebreaker programs.

The memory costs of hosted programs do not count against your memory limit.

[click], 1[credit]: Search your stack for a virus program, reveal it, and add it to your grip. Shuffle your stack.

Illustrated by Mark Anthony Taduran
Decklists with this card

Core Set (core)

#9 • English
Startup Card Pool
Standard Card Pool
Standard Ban List (show history)
Printings
Rulings
  • Updated 2017-04-08

    The Runner cannot move other installed programs to Djinn when it is installed. [Official FAQ]

  • Updated 2017-04-08

    When the Runner installs a program, they have the choice of installing it directly into their rig or on Djinn. Thy cannot move programs onto Djinn at a later point. [Official FAQ]

Reviews

Pros

  • essentially 2MU for non-icebreakers
  • tutoring is always welcome, even if "only" for viruses

Cons

  • you have to have 1MU free to begin with

Thoughts

  • very vulnerable to program destruction, since hosted programs also go to the trash
  • so don't host everything immediately on Djinn, if you have still some regular MU to spare
  • Sacrificial Construct or Sharpshooter can protect Djinn
  • the tutor effect is super cheap, paying 1 credit for a certain card (and being able to do that over and over again) is really good
  • the cost is especially cheap in view of maximizing Cyberfeeder usage
  • can be the cornerstone for a Shaper-virus deck via Test Run or Self-modifying Code
  • a Djinn can actually host another Djinn
  • list of all viruses: netrunnerdb.com
(All That Remains era)
223
How is it 2MU? —
I think they are saying that programs are typically 1 MU, so hosting 3 programs is essentially 2 additional MU over the 1 you used to install Djinn. However, it's more nuanced than that since Djinn ignores the MU cost of the hosted program, so the actual additional memory varies. —

The ability to host more programs for less memory is one of the first thing that new Netrunners are drawn to. Its true power however comes from the ability to tutor for any (virus) card for only a click and a credit. Tutors are powerful in Netrunner, to find what you need, when you need it, not relying (too much) on the vagrancies of the draw.

Djinn has remained a staple of virus decks which always need more memory, and the ability to find what they need when they want it. It is also the first Daemon, a design space that is still not explored very far. All Daemons host programs with various effects for those programs. Daemons are useful, but the fact that programs hosted on them are trashed if the Daemon is gives an inherent weakness to that. Given the increase in abilities of the Corp to trash programs, this becomes more and more of a weakness. Still, Djinn remains useful for both its effects (Memory compression and tutoring) and will continue to remain a player where virus cards are concerned.

(Written during the meta of The Valley, part of the SanSan Cycle. For more reviews like it, visit wyldside.blogspot.com)

(The Valley era)
422