Apologies if this has been answered already, but I checked the FAQ and these forums and found nothing, so here it goes.

In short, does this combo work?

I can see an argument both ways.

The argument for "yes" is fairly straight forward as that seems to be what the cards are meant to do and, if I had to guess, appears to be their intent as well.

But, if we look at it with very strict interpretation of the wording, the argument can be made that Emergency Shutdown CANNOT be used if the only successful run on HQ in a turn was one initiated by Sneakdoor Beta. I say this because the run intiated by Sneakdoor Beta is on Archives and then TREATED like a run on HQ, but it isn't actually a run on HQ.

While being "treated" as a run on HQ seems like a fairly obvious indicator that Emergency Shutdown could be used, it isn't clear. Also, in the FAQ, this is written in regards to Sneakdoor Beta, "Yes. The run is initiated under a specific condition: that if successful it is treated as a successful run on
HQ. This effect lasts until the end of the run, regardless of whether or not Sneakdoor Beta is trashed."

This could indicate that the treatment of the run as a successful run on HQ ends with the run, therefore Emergency Shutdown could not be used later in the turn.

Thoughts?

It is treated as a run on HQ. That means it is considered the same as a run on HQ.

TerenceJDorman said:

Are you also not collecting Gabriel's 2 credits when you make the successful run with Sneakdoor? If so, then Emergency Shutdown works for the same reason. The card specifically tells you to treat the run as a successful one on HQ, so you get to access cards from HQ and get all the benefits and/or penalties that come with such a run.

stormwolf27 said:

The difference is that Gabriel's ability happens during the actual run, which at the time is a "successful run on HQ." According to the FAQ, the effect of treating it as a successful runs on HQ "lasts until the end of the run," which includes Gabriel's ability but NOT Emergency Shutdown as that card clearly takes place after the run is concluded.

I am well aware that my argument looks ridiculous, but the way the cards are worded AND the FAQ is worded, my theory is quite plausbile. I agree with everyone that it is likely the cards are working as intended, but it is not guranteed that they will be interpreted that way by every player due to shaky wordings.

TerenceJDorman said:

Interesting that you mention the FAQ entry. I think the entry says the effect "lasts until the end of the run" because the Sneakdoor Beta leaves play during the run and thus no longer in play at the end of the turn, so the effect can only last until the end of the run. In normal cases (i.e. the Sneakdoor Beta is in play at the end of the turn), the effect of treating it as a successful run on HQ would last.

This is just my opinion, and I could probably be wrong.

Angus Lee said:

I wholeheartedly agree that is likely the intent of the card and that the interaction should work as everyone (including myself) expects it to. I'm just a stickler for wordings and, with Regionals right around the corner and Gen Con not too far away, I always think it is best to have everything hammered out.