How do you play Cyberpunk RED?

Playing a TTRPG typically starts with creating characters that fit the setting. Since Cyberpunk is such a distinct setting already, there are a lot of cool ways you can go. You can be a chromed-up merc, Netrunning genius, ace driver, or any other daring career path you’ve seen in the video game or anime. This is achieved by buying and upgrading your skills individually, giving you freedom to customize your character according to your vision. 

Once everyone’s character is ready to play, the Game Master presents the story. Usually the players are filled in on the basics beforehand so they can create characters that make sense together. You wouldn’t want to create a hardened detective if the mission is conducting a big heist. The GM draws players into the world with narration, establishing where their characters end up and what threat stands in their way. With their objective in sight and obstacles established, the players must use their abilities and gear to find a solution. 

The action is handled by rolling a ten-sided die, called a d10, and adding bonuses based on any skills the character has. So if you’re handy with a gun, you’d probably have a big number to add to your d10 and ensure your shot finds its mark. Cyberpunk RED features a critical wound system. If two sixes are rolled when calculating damage, the target suffers a heavy injury that lowers one’s stats. This can happen to players and foes alike. If you find yourself on the receiving end of a critical wound, you better find a doc quick or risk flatlining.

How to Play Cyberpunk RED Online

While playing at a table with friends is fun, not everyone has that option. Good news: you don’t actually need a table to play tabletop roleplaying games! Video call programs like Zoom and Discord allow you to play TTRPGs all over the world. With just some dice, a character sheet, and a GM to run things, you can participate in “theater of the mind” games where everything runs on imagination.  

That said, you can also enlist the services of a virtual tabletop, known as a VTT. A VTT creates a shared online space where the GM can show character art, players can track their gear inventory, and maps can be displayed to track everyone’s position in a fight. Many popular VTTs like Roll20 and Foundry can support Cyberpunk RED either through official digital adaptations or community tools created by fans. With such easy online tools, and the help of an expert GM, learning Cyberpunk RED can be intuitive and fun! 

How to Find a Cyberpunk RED Group

The TTRPG hobby is growing as is interest in Cyberpunk. Your local game store is a great place to start looking for an open table. You might find a board where GMs post ads looking for players, or the shop itself might host a “Learn to Play'' night. Several online RPG communities like Reddit or Discord have “Looking for Group” (LFG) channels where people post open games. Here’s one Reddit thread with several options. You can also check the forums for VTTs like Roll20. Here at StartPlaying, we have a robust, user-friendly tool for browsing open games that fit your schedule and experience level! Finally, if you have a group of friends who want to play, you can always jump in and learn as you go! One person will need to be the Game Master, however.

Why Hire A Professional Game Master for Cyberpunk RED?

Being a Game Master is not easy: you have to learn all the rules, craft a story, and keep track of everything while keeping the game moving. You might be genuinely excited to do all of that, and that’s awesome if you are! But many people just want to have a fun weekly game, an escape from all their other commitments. Enter a professional GM!

 When you sign up with a professional GM, they’ll have all the details ready to go. You won’t have to worry about scheduling all of the players or deciding on the story. The professional GM will take care of all that so you can just play! If you’re a beginner, there are many professional GMs who run games focused on teaching the rules as you go. If you’re already a Cyberpunk RED fan, a professional GM can still present you with a challenging, engaging campaign like you’ve never seen before.