Hacking (DXMD)

Hacking is a game mechanic in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. Hacking allows players to unlock doors, computers, and other devices by means of a minigame. While keypad codes and computer passwords are often obtainable, there are many instances in which hacking is required to progress through the game.

The hacking minigame was previously introduced in Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Unlike previous hacking games, Mankind Divided hacking features 3D maps with upgraded graphics, more complex mechanics and diverse hacking software.

Overview
The goal of the minigame is to progress through the system network's nodal map and capture all green nodes, before the timer expires. During the course of progressing through the nodal map, players may also capture any datastore nodes, to uncover hacking software, credits, or experience, but these datastores must be captured prior to capturing all green nodes.

Alternatively, the minigame can be completed by capturing all red nodes, if possible. Doing so will automatically capture all datastore nodes on the map.

Each device has a number of hacking attempts. Quitting a session without triggering detection will not subtract the available attempts. Finishing a session in the very first attempt will reward an extra XP. This reward also applies to remote hacking sessions.

Enemy nodes are represented by diagnostic nodes. These nodes are only active if Jensen is detected. Capturing a Spam API will slow these. However, one should only capture a Spam API node if they are detected. Spam API nodes always have 100% detection chance no matter what.

If Jensen is detected, a timer starts and the diagnostic nodes will begin spinning, flashing and tracing Jensen. If these nodes capture Jensen’s node, the IO Port, then Jensen fails and alarm may sound.

Normal nodes are represented by folders. These have no use other than as a bridge and possible barriers.

Datastores are represented by storage cylinder akin to a hard drive.

Registry nodes are represented by green rotating spheres. These are to be captured if Jensen is to win.

API nodes are represented by two gears. There are three API: Clearance, Transfer and Spam.

Spam API node is an always 100%-detection node meant to slow down enemy diagnostic node.

Transfer API node is a node that transfer security rating from a nearby node to another nearby node.

Clearance API node is a node that docks security rating of other Datastore nodes.

Whenever an enemy diagnostic node captures a node, the security rating of the captured node will increase. Therefore, Jensen will have a harder time capturing a node.

Enemy nodes will also attempt to breach fortified nodes and always cancel a being-fortified node after a short delay.

Alrthough players are able to wander around the map using their movement key, wandering too far will cause the screen to shake and their connection will be terminated.

Augmentations
The ability to hack computer systems and keypads is provided by the Hacking Capture augmentation. Each level of Hacking Capture permits the player to capture computer systems up to that level, up to a maximum of level 5.

Level 1 Hacking Capture is always available in Mankind Divided and its DLC missions, with the sole exception being A Criminal Past, in which the player begins with all augmentations disabled.

Ability to reprogram cameras are always available. However, the augmentation to affect robots and turrets must be manually unlocked. Robots are more common in late to end game while turrets are found from the middle of the game.

The Hacking Fortify and Hacking Stealth augmentation branches increase proficiency in hacking.

Hacking: Fortify allows Jensen to reinforce captured nodes and use them as barriers against enemy diagnostic nodes. The default upgrade is to turn any captured node into a barrier. Then, Jensen may further fortify a captured node.

Hacking: Stealth lowers chance of detection to as low as 15%. At maximum upgrade, Jensen may even hack the entire system without triggering detection.

A related but different augmentation is the Remote Hacking. This experimental augmentation is used in conjunction with MHD-995 (Hacking: Capture) and Infolink augmentation.

Instead of remotely hacking computers and keypads, Remote Hacking permits the manipulation of smart objects such as cars, mines, robots, hidden ladders and glass cover. Therefore, this augmentation is more of an exploration tool.

Furthermore, unlike normal hacking, Remote Hacking uses variable amount of energy and may have its range increased with Smart Vision and its cursor slowed down with Focus Enhancement.

While normal hacking may permanently disable or even reprogram enemy automatons, Remote Hacking often only temporarily stun these machines.

Still, players should not rely on one of these hacking branches as both normal and remote hacking are priceles.

Hacking software
The player may also utilize any of the following hacking software for various effects during the minigame.
 * Stop! Worm Software – used to stop the detection timer for a few seconds
 * Nuke Virus Software – used to instantly capture any node
 * Reveal Software – used to remove the "fog" on certain computer systems
 * Overclock Software – used to speed up the capture and fortify commands
 * Datascan Software – used to reveal the contents of datastore nodes
 * Stealth Software – used to avoid detection while capturing a node