Card game · 2021

Netrunner: System Gateway

Two starter decks, a hacker and a megacorp: steal agendas, protect servers and reach seven points before your rival.

2 players
30–60 min
3.1 / 5 · Medium

Set up the game

0 of 6 steps

Tick each step as you complete it.

1Decide who takes each side. The Corp uses the blue-backed deck (34 cards, The Syndicate) and the Runner the red-backed one (30 cards, The Catalyst). Put the booster pack aside until you have played a game or two.
The two identities
2Shuffle each deck and draw a starting hand of five cards. Each player begins with five credits. The Corp places their identity to represent HQ (their hand) and leaves room for R&D (their deck) and Archives (their discard pile).
Cards
3Get counters ready: small coins, cubes or tokens. They track credits, advancement counters on agendas and damage. Without counters the game descends into chaos.
Card types
Tiles
Coins
4Place the action reference card between the two players. One side lists the Corp's actions and the other the Runner's; it also shows whose turn it is.
Cards
5The Corp goes first. Their opening turn is usually economic: install some ice or gain credits. The Runner answers by probing servers that are still unprotected.
Table from above
6Agree on whether you play the starter game (34 cards, six points to win) or the full game with the booster pack (44 cards, seven points). The game recommends starting with the former.
Cards

What it is about

Netrunner is an asymmetric duel where both players play different games on the same table. The Corp builds servers, hides agendas and defends with ice; the Runner invests in programs and credits to break in and steal them. Neither can win by looking only at their own cards.

System Gateway is the front door: two preconstructed decks that make sense after one game and are later expanded with a booster pack into the full experience. The learning curve is well designed: simple cards first, complex ones afterwards.

The game is decided on resources. A Runner with an economy can afford to fail; a Corp with credits can afford to rez. Whoever runs out of either loses, even holding the best cards in hand.

BGG page Official rulebook

Source note

This guide is based on Null Signal's comprehensive rules and the System Gateway Learn to Play booklet. System Gateway is a beginner product with two preconstructed decks (30 Runner cards and 34 Corp cards) plus a booster pack that brings them to 44 cards. Illustrations come from Null Signal's promotional material.

Reglas completas v26.03 (Null Signal Games) · Reviewed: 24 Oct 2026