Do boxes on the Matrix condition monitor impose a penalty on matrix actions? For example, would 6 boxes of matrix damage force a -2 dice pool penalty on all matrix actions until the icon was repaired?

Matrix damage results in the usual modifiers (for matrix actions). (Main Book, (German) pg. 231)

interestingly, the english version is not as clear (nor is it cleaned up in the errata). the only indication that there are matrix wound effects are in the combat example sidebar where the black ic is stated to have a -1 modifier thanks to damage taken.

I've been putting together a somewhat automated character sheet, and ran into the Matrix Damage question, myself. I'd always assumed that damage to the Matrix Condition Monitor resulted in modifiers, but when I went looking for a rule on the matter, no dice. A similar confusion exists with vehicle damage. Too bad my German is too rusty to reference that edition.

What made me dig into this was trying to figure out if Stun/Physical damage in the meat world effects VR actions. There are reasonable arguments for just about every combination (stun only, phys only, both, none). As a GM, I'd say both, but as a player I'd probably go for stun only. Any thoughts? Am I missing something in the rules?

Can a Technomancer die in the Matrix? I do not have my books on me at work, but I recall reading that all damage to a TM in the Matrix is stun as they are physically there. Is there anyway to do physical damage to the TM?

Technomancers can take physical damage in VR, via Black Hammer programs, just like regular hackers. In fact, they are more vulnerable. A regular hacker will only take stun damage from Black Hammer utilities if they operate in cold sim mode. Technomancers in VR are always in hot mode, so are always vulnerable to Black Hammer.

In AR, you can only take matrix damage, and Black Hammer and Blackout have no effect. Bullets still work though.

TMs can definitely die in the matrix, as can normal hackers if Black Ice is involved. However, if you are referring to a TM taking enough non black ice damage to fill their stun, then overflow into physical, yes this can happen too. Fortunately most TMs will pass out when that stun track gets full, so they don't really risk it often. Unless your TM has some way of staying conscious when his stun track gets full (there's cyberware that can do that), or he takes enough damage to fill his stun track, then fill his physical in one shot.

Pg. 239 SR4a


emphasis mine
So according to this even Black IC does not deal physical damage only Stun. So once his stun meter is filled he passes out and his LP crashes thus disconnecting him from the matrix. Black IC has no way of keeping him online to deal further damage by holding his connection open.

I meant the TM could use something to stay conscious and connected, like a pain regulator, and thus continue to take stun damage, overflowing into his physical.

However, if you read up on black ice you'll see that it doesn't deal "Matrix Damage" so TMs don't convert it to stun. They still take physical from Black Ice

Black IC keeps the connection of an unconscious Technomancer open. Technomancers can most definitely die in the Matrix.

Sweet