cyberpunk red character creation guide
Embark on a thrilling journey crafting your Edgerunner! This guide provides essential tips and advice for Cyberpunk Red character creation, ensuring a unique experience.
Explore roles, lifepaths, and skills to build a compelling persona within the dystopian world. Prepare for a deep dive into the process!
What is Cyberpunk Red?
Cyberpunk Red is a tabletop role-playing game set in the dystopian future of Night City, 2045, before the events of Cyberpunk 2077. It’s a gritty, action-packed experience focusing on mercenaries, rebels, and those living on the edge of society.
Unlike its video game counterpart, Cyberpunk Red emphasizes collaborative storytelling and player agency. The system utilizes a percentile dice pool mechanic, making it accessible yet offering strategic depth. It’s a game about surviving in a world controlled by corporations, battling cyberpsychosis, and forging your own legend amidst chaos. Prepare to become an Edgerunner!
Why Use This Guide?
Creating a Cyberpunk Red character can seem daunting with its numerous options and intricate systems. This guide streamlines the process, offering clear, concise instructions for both newcomers and experienced tabletop gamers.
We break down complex rules into manageable steps, providing tips and advice to help you build a compelling and effective Edgerunner. Avoid common pitfalls and maximize your character’s potential. This resource ensures you’ll be ready to hit the streets of Night City, fully equipped to face the dangers that await!
Step 1: Understanding the Core Concepts
Grasp the gritty reality of Cyberpunk Red, a world defined by mega-corporations, technological advancement, and societal decay. Prepare to delve into its foundations!
The Cyberpunk Red Setting
Night City, 2045, is a sprawling metropolis consumed by power, corruption, and technological excess. The Fourth Corporate War has ravaged the landscape, leaving the United States fractured and controlled by mega-corporations. Cyberpunk Red takes place in this post-collapse world, decades before the events of Cyberpunk 2077.
Independent of corporate or governmental control, Night City thrives as a haven for outlaws, mercenaries, and those seeking to forge their own destinies. The setting is characterized by extreme wealth disparity, rampant cybernetic augmentation, and a pervasive sense of danger. Expect a world where survival depends on skill, cunning, and a willingness to bend – or break – the rules.
Key Themes and Aesthetics
Cyberpunk Red deeply explores themes of transhumanism, corporate control, and the struggle for individuality in a technologically advanced society. The setting questions what it means to be human when the line between flesh and machine blurs. Expect narratives centered around rebellion, survival, and the pursuit of freedom against overwhelming odds.
Aesthetically, the game embraces a gritty, neon-drenched visual style. Think 80s punk rock meets high-tech futurism. Fashion is bold, rebellious, and often incorporates cybernetic enhancements. Music plays a crucial role, with synthwave and industrial sounds dominating the atmosphere. Expect a world that is both visually striking and deeply unsettling.
Step 2: Choosing a Role
Select a Role – Rockerboy, Solo, Netrunner, Tech, Media, Lawman, Exec, or Fixer – defining your character’s core skills and place in Night City.
Overview of the Roles
Cyberpunk Red offers eight distinct Roles, each representing a common archetype within the setting. These Roles aren’t strict classes, but rather starting points that grant unique abilities and skill proficiencies. A Rockerboy inspires and manipulates through performance, while a Solo excels in combat and direct action.
Netrunners navigate the Net, Techs craft and repair, and Media controls information flow. Lawmen uphold (or bend) the law, Execs wield corporate power, and Fixers connect people and acquire resources. Choosing a Role shapes your character’s initial capabilities and influences their narrative path within Night City.
Role Abilities and Specializations
Each Role in Cyberpunk Red grants unique Abilities, powerful talents usable a limited number of times per session. These define what your character can do beyond standard skills. Specializations further refine your Role, offering focused skill bonuses and thematic advantages.
For example, a Solo might specialize in “Assault” for combat prowess or “Infiltration” for stealth. Netrunners can specialize in “Virus Creation” or “Data Retrieval”. Abilities and Specializations work together to create a character truly tailored to your desired playstyle, enhancing both effectiveness and narrative flavor.
Rockerboy
Rockerboys are the voices of dissent, wielding influence through music, fashion, and charisma. They inspire, provoke, and rally the masses against the oppressive corporations. Abilities focus on crowd control, intimidation, and boosting allies’ morale.
Specializations include “Solo Performer” for combat prowess on stage, “Political Activist” for manipulating public opinion, and “Media Star” for leveraging media attention. A Rockerboy excels at social encounters, using their presence to gain advantages and disrupt the status quo. They are masters of performance and rebellion.
Solo
Solos are the ultimate combat specialists, mercenaries, and bodyguards. They thrive in dangerous situations, relying on skill, reflexes, and cybernetic enhancements to survive. Abilities center around weapon proficiency, hand-to-hand combat, and tactical awareness.
Specializations encompass “Assault,” focusing on direct firepower, “Infiltration” for stealth and sabotage, and “Protection” for safeguarding clients. A Solo excels at physical challenges, often taking on high-risk assignments for substantial rewards. They are the frontline warriors of Night City, feared and respected.
Netrunner
Netrunners are the digital ghosts in the machine, masters of cyberspace and information warfare. They navigate the Net, hacking systems, stealing data, and manipulating networks. Abilities revolve around Interface, Cybertech, and Electronic Warfare, allowing them to breach security and control technology.
Specializations include “Black ICE” for aggressive intrusion, “Data Search” for information gathering, and “Control” for system manipulation. A skilled Netrunner can cripple corporations, expose secrets, and turn the digital world into a weapon. They are invaluable assets, operating from the shadows.
Tech
Techs are the builders, fixers, and inventors of Night City, skilled in mechanics, electronics, and engineering. Their abilities center around Technical Ability, First Aid, and Education & General Knowledge, allowing them to create, repair, and modify technology. They are the go-to people for custom gear and solving complex problems.
Specializations include “Combat Engineer” for weapon modifications, “Paramedic” for advanced medical tech, and “System Repair” for maintaining complex systems. A resourceful Tech can turn scrap into valuable tools, keeping the team equipped and operational. They are essential for survival.
Media
Media are the influencers, journalists, and broadcasters of Night City, wielding power through information and public perception. Their core abilities revolve around Awareness/Notice, Interviewing, and Persuasion, allowing them to gather intel, manipulate opinions, and control narratives. They thrive in the spotlight, shaping the world around them.
Specializations include “Braindance Editor” for crafting immersive experiences, “Investigative Reporter” for uncovering hidden truths, and “Talk Show Host” for captivating audiences. A skilled Media operative can expose corruption, incite rebellion, or build a legend.
Lawman
Lawmen represent authority within the fractured system of Night City, ranging from NCPD officers to private security. Their core abilities focus on Handgun, First Aid, and Interrogation, enabling them to enforce the law (or their version of it). They navigate a complex web of corruption and bureaucracy, often walking a fine line.
Specializations include “Cop,” “Detective,” and “Security Specialist,” each offering unique advantages. A Lawman can uphold justice, protect the innocent, or exploit the system for personal gain, making for morally ambiguous characters.
Exec
Execs embody corporate power, wielding influence and resources as leaders within mega-corporations. Their key abilities center around Business, Persuasion, and Finance, allowing them to manipulate markets and control assets; They are masters of negotiation and strategic planning, often operating above the law.
Specializations include “CEO,” “Manager,” and “Investment Banker,” each offering distinct advantages in the corporate world. An Exec can build empires, crush rivals, or navigate treacherous internal politics, making them formidable players in Night City.
Fixer
Fixers are the information brokers and dealmakers of Night City, connecting people with what they need – for a price. Their core abilities revolve around Networking, Streetwise, and Persuasion, allowing them to navigate the criminal underworld and secure valuable resources. They know everyone and everything, operating in the shadows.
Specializations include “Fence,” “Information Broker,” and “Smuggler,” each offering unique advantages in their respective fields. A Fixer can acquire rare tech, arrange discreet meetings, or facilitate illicit transactions, making them essential for any Edgerunner.
Step 3: Determining Your Lifepath
Lifepaths define your character’s past, shaping skills and connections. Choose from Nomad, Edgerunner, or Corporate backgrounds to establish a rich history!
Lifepath Overview and Importance
Choosing a Lifepath is arguably the most crucial step in Cyberpunk Red character creation. It’s far more than just a backstory; it fundamentally defines who your character was before becoming an Edgerunner.
Each Lifepath – Nomad, Edgerunner, and Corporate – provides a unique set of starting skills, connections, and, importantly, significant Lifepath Events. These events are pre-determined moments from your character’s past that impact their present and future.
Ignoring the Lifepath’s influence diminishes the roleplaying potential and can lead to a less integrated character. It provides context for motivations, relationships, and even inherent biases, enriching the overall narrative experience.
Nomad Lifepath
Nomads hail from the sprawling highway systems and badlands outside the city, belonging to tight-knit, family-based clans. They value freedom, loyalty, and self-sufficiency above all else. This Lifepath grants bonuses to skills like Driving, Gunnery, and Survival, reflecting their upbringing.
Nomad characters often possess a practical, resourceful mindset, comfortable with mechanics and navigating dangerous territories. Their connections lie within the Nomad network, offering access to information and support outside the corporate and urban spheres.
Expect Lifepath events centered around clan rivalries, resource scarcity, and the challenges of life on the road.
Edgerunner Lifepath
Edgerunners are individuals who’ve walked the dangerous path of mercenary work within the city, often operating outside the law. This Lifepath emphasizes street smarts, combat prowess, and a willingness to take risks for profit. Expect bonuses to skills like Athletics, Stealth, and Combat Awareness.
Characters choosing this path likely have a history of running with gangs, taking on dangerous jobs, and navigating the criminal underworld. Their connections are found amongst fixers, other Edgerunners, and the shadowy figures of Night City.
Lifepath events will revolve around heists gone wrong, betrayals, and the constant struggle for survival.
Corporate Lifepath
The Corporate Lifepath represents a background steeped in the power and influence of mega-corporations. Characters from this path typically possess skills in areas like Accounting, Bureaucracy, and Persuasion, reflecting their upbringing within a structured, hierarchical environment.
Expect connections to executives, security personnel, and other corporate employees. This Lifepath often involves navigating complex political landscapes, engaging in espionage, or managing assets for a powerful organization.
Lifepath events might include corporate takeovers, internal power struggles, and the ethical dilemmas inherent in working for a ruthless entity.
Lifepath Events and Background
Lifepath events are crucial narrative beats shaping your character’s history and motivations. Each Lifepath – Nomad, Edgerunner, or Corporate – presents unique events, forcing impactful choices. These events define relationships, skills gained, and even lingering traumas.
Background details, determined by Lifepath choices, influence starting gear, contacts, and reputation. A Nomad might have vehicle repair skills and a network of drivers, while a Corporate character boasts financial resources and influential connections.
Carefully consider how these events and background elements contribute to your character’s personality and drive their actions in Night City.
Step 4: Attribute and Skill Allocation
Attributes (INT, REF, TECH, COOL, ATTR, LUCK, MA) define core capabilities. Skills represent learned expertise. Strategically spend points to create a specialized and effective Edgerunner!
Understanding Attributes (INT, REF, TECH, COOL, ATTR, LUCK, MA)
Attributes are the foundational statistics defining your character’s inherent abilities in Cyberpunk Red. Intelligence (INT) governs knowledge and learning. Reflexes (REF) dictate agility and reaction time. Technical Ability (TECH) measures skill with technology.
Cool (COOL) represents composure and willpower. Attractiveness (ATTR) influences social interactions. Luck (LUCK) provides beneficial twists of fate, and Movement Allowance (MA) determines how far you can travel. Each attribute impacts skill checks and overall character effectiveness, so thoughtful allocation is crucial during creation.
Skill Categories and Relevance
Skills in Cyberpunk Red are categorized to reflect areas of expertise. Combat Skills (Handgun, Rifle, Melee Weapon) determine fighting prowess. Technical Skills (Cybertech, First Aid, Electronics) cover technological abilities. Social Skills (Persuasion, Streetwise, Interview) govern interactions.
Movement & Stealth Skills (Athletics, Stealth, Driving) impact physical actions. Skill relevance depends heavily on your chosen Role and Lifepath. Prioritize skills aligning with your character’s background and intended playstyle for optimal effectiveness within Night City’s dangerous landscape.
Spending Attribute and Skill Points
Attribute points are spent to increase core stats like INT, REF, and COOL, impacting overall character capability. Skill points enhance specific proficiencies. Initial allocation is crucial; consider your Role and Lifepath when prioritizing.
Generally, focus on maximizing attributes relevant to your chosen path. Don’t spread points too thinly! A few highly developed skills are more effective than many mediocre ones. Remember, higher attributes unlock access to more advanced skills. Strategic spending ensures a capable and focused Edgerunner.
Step 5: Cyberware Installation
Enhance your Edgerunner with cybernetics! Installation grants powerful abilities, but beware of Humanity loss and associated consequences. Choose wisely for optimal performance.
Cyberware Basics and Costs
Cyberware in Cyberpunk Red represents technological augmentations to the human body, offering significant advantages but demanding a price. These modifications range from simple optical enhancements to full-body replacements.
Costs vary dramatically based on the cyberware’s complexity and functionality. Basic cyberware, like a Datajack, might cost a few hundred Eurodollars (eb), while advanced implants, such as cybernetic arms or legs, can easily reach several thousand eb.
Installation requires a skilled Ripperdoc and incurs additional costs. Remember that each implant impacts your Humanity score, representing the erosion of your essential self. Careful consideration is crucial!
Humanity Loss and Consequences
Cyberware installation in Cyberpunk Red isn’t without a psychological toll. Each implant causes a loss of Humanity, a core stat representing your connection to your emotions and empathy. As Humanity decreases, characters risk developing psychological conditions.
Consequences range from mild compulsions to full-blown psychosis. Lower Humanity can manifest as emotional detachment, violent tendencies, or even complete personality shifts. Reaching zero Humanity results in becoming a mindless machine, effectively losing control of your character.
Balancing power with preserving your Humanity is a central theme, forcing players to make difficult choices.
Essential Cyberware Options
Cyberware dramatically enhances capabilities in Cyberpunk Red. Neural processors boost REF and INT, vital for Netrunners and Techs. Cyberoptics, like Kiroshi Optics, provide enhanced vision modes and targeting assistance, benefiting Solos and Lawmen.
Cybernetic limbs offer increased strength and dexterity, crucial for combat roles. Subdermal armor provides essential protection. Don’t overlook interface plugs for seamless Netrunning. Remember to consider the cost in Humanity!
Prioritize upgrades aligning with your Role and Lifepath for maximum effectiveness.
Step 6: Gear and Weapons
Equip your Edgerunner with essential tools! Select from diverse weapons, armor, and modifications. Starting packages provide a foundation for survival in Night City.
Starting Gear Packages
Choosing a starting gear package is crucial for immediate effectiveness. These pre-selected bundles align with your chosen Role, providing essential equipment for early missions. Packages typically include a weapon (pistol, rifle, or melee), basic armor, a communication device, and some Eurodollars (Eddies) for additional purchases.
Consider your Role’s strengths when selecting. A Solo might prioritize a powerful weapon and heavy armor, while a Netrunner focuses on cyberdecks and interface gear. The Fixer package emphasizes tools and contacts. These packages aren’t restrictive; they’re simply a convenient starting point for building your character’s arsenal and adapting to the dangers of Night City.
Weapon Types and Modifications
Cyberpunk Red offers diverse weaponry, from reliable pistols and shotguns to powerful rifles and devastating heavy weapons. Melee options include swords, knives, and blunt instruments, catering to different combat styles. Weapon damage is determined by dice rolls, modified by skill and attributes.
Modifications significantly enhance weapon performance. Attachments like scopes, silencers, and extended magazines improve accuracy, stealth, and firepower. Smartguns link to your cyberware, granting targeting bonuses. Remember that modifications cost Eddies and may impact weapon handling. Carefully consider upgrades to tailor your arsenal to your preferred tactics.
Armor and Protective Gear
Surviving the streets of Night City demands robust protection. Cyberpunk Red features various armor types, ranging from lightweight vests offering minimal protection to heavy duty suits providing substantial damage resistance. Armor reduces damage taken from physical and energy attacks, crucial for surviving firefights.
Protective gear extends beyond armor, including ballistic masks, reinforced clothing, and cybernetic enhancements. These items offer additional protection against specific threats. Consider the trade-off between protection and mobility when selecting gear. Remember, even the best armor isn’t foolproof – smart tactics are essential!
Step 7: Character Background and Personality
Develop a rich backstory, defining motivations and goals. Craft compelling personality traits, shaping how your Edgerunner interacts with Night City and its inhabitants.
Developing a Compelling Backstory
A truly memorable Cyberpunk Red character needs more than stats; they require a history. Consider your Lifepath – how did it shape their worldview? What significant events occurred during their formative years?
Think about relationships: family, friends, rivals. Were they betrayed? Did they experience loss? These emotional anchors provide depth. Don’t just list events; explore the impact they had.
Detail their early career, failures, and successes. What drove them to become an Edgerunner? A well-developed backstory informs roleplaying choices and creates a character players will genuinely connect with, making the game more immersive.
Motivations and Goals
Beyond survival, what truly drives your Cyberpunk Red character? Defining motivations adds layers to their personality. Are they motivated by wealth, revenge, a desire for justice, or simply the thrill of the risk?
Establish both short-term and long-term goals. A short-term goal might be completing a specific job, while a long-term goal could be escaping Night City or dismantling a corrupt corporation.
Consider how these goals align (or clash) with their Lifepath and Role. Conflicting motivations create internal struggles and compelling roleplaying opportunities, enriching the overall narrative.
Defining Personality Traits
Personality breathes life into your Cyberpunk Red character. Go beyond simple alignments; consider quirks, habits, and defining characteristics. Are they cynical and world-weary, or optimistic despite the grim reality?
Think about their social tendencies – are they charismatic and outgoing, or reserved and distrustful? Do they have a code of honor, or are they purely self-serving?
Utilize descriptive adjectives: impulsive, cautious, reckless, meticulous. These traits should influence their actions and reactions within the game, making them feel authentic and memorable.
Step 8: Finalizing Your Character Sheet
Double-check all entries, calculate derived stats, and refine your character’s appearance. Ensure everything aligns for a cohesive and combat-ready Edgerunner!
Reviewing All Sections
Carefully scrutinize each section of your Cyberpunk Red character sheet. Confirm your chosen Role aligns with your Lifepath and intended playstyle. Verify Attribute and Skill point allocations reflect your character’s backstory and aspirations.
Ensure Cyberware choices haven’t excessively impacted your Humanity, and that starting gear is appropriate for your Role. A thorough review prevents inconsistencies and maximizes your character’s potential. Don’t overlook details – a well-rounded character is a believable character, ready to navigate Night City’s dangers!
Calculating Derived Stats
Now, determine your character’s derived statistics. Calculate your Humanitiy score based on installed Cyberware – a crucial metric impacting mental stability. Derive your Composure from COOL, and your Initiative from REF plus INT.
Calculate your Movement Allowance based on REF and any relevant Cyberware. Don’t forget to determine your Carry Capacity, influenced by ATTR. Accurate derived stats are vital for smooth gameplay and realistic character performance within the Cyberpunk Red universe. Double-check your math!
Character Appearance and Style
Beyond stats, visualize your character! Cyberpunk Red thrives on distinct aesthetics. Detail clothing, hairstyles, and any visible Cyberware modifications. Consider how their appearance reflects their Role and Lifepath.
Think about scars, tattoos, and unique accessories. Does their style scream rebellion, corporate conformity, or something in between? A well-defined appearance enhances roleplaying and immersion. Don’t be afraid to get creative and embrace the gritty, high-tech fashion of Night City!