Are you ready to dive into the dystopian future and test your mettle as a notorious Blade Runner on StartPlaying? Can you solve cases and walk the fine line between morality and survival? If so, strap on your guns, check your comms, and let’s learn how to make a Blade Runner RPG character.

Human or Replicant?

Your first and most important choice lies at the core of the game world. In the year 2037, Los Angeles is a megalopolis built upon the backs of Replicants: mass-produced humans with enhanced skills. They are stronger, faster, and more durable. They have higher attribute bonuses. However, they are also seen by many as second-rate citizens with considerably less autonomy and freedom.

Humans, on the other hand, enjoy first-class status but are constantly reminded of their fragility and must deal with the moral dilemma: how will they treat their cohabitants? Both choices will force you to grapple with questions about life and humanity and test your character. It’s recommended to have a mixed group of both origins for the setting’s full storytelling potential.

Archetype

Next, you have to decide on your role within the group. The role determines your expertise and the type of work you typically do within the LAPD. While you can create your own, seven core archetypes provide ample opportunities to find a Blade Runner that suits you.

• Perhaps the Analyst draws you in: a master of the crime lab with key skills in Tech, Medical Aid, and Observation.
• Perhaps the City Speaker finds its way onto your character sheet: the kind of Blade Runner who navigates the grim city with connections in all the right places. They’ve got informants in every gutter and are experts at reading people.
• ‍Doxies soak in facial expressions and body language, noting pulse rates and vocal tones. They use this knowledge to manipulate foes and, if that fails, cut enemies down with Hand-to-Hand Combat expertise.
• Speaking of combat, at the front lines we have Enforcers, scrappy Blade Runners who hit first, shoot second, and ask questions when the suspect is already bleeding out.
• All of which would land them in trouble if not for the Fixers, who use their specialty Protected to avoid penalties for stepping over the line.
• You can never go wrong with a Skimmer or an Inspector, who operate more methodically. The former supplies the party with cash and firearms, while the latter points a barrel at suspects until they spill information.

Years, Attributes, Skills, and Specialties

Next, you have to determine your experience and attributes, starting with years of service. More years in the force mean more experience—you’ve had time to hone your profession. Replicants are confined to short careers since the newest Replicant Nexus-9 models joined the LAPD recently. However, more years also mean weaker attributes, as your body ages and the world has had a chance to beat you down.

Each attribute gets a die, ranging from d6 to d12, shaping your character and defining your odds of success in any given action. They also affect your health and resolve—your ability to cope with the dangers of LA. For a strong, powerful build, you might make a rookie—someone eager to prove their worth, with a body and mind ready for the task.

If you imagine playing a veteran, one step away from retirement, with the body and resolve broken and rebuilt multiple times, you’ll need to give up some skill and attribute bonuses. That might cost you dearly when making a desperate rooftop leap—but fret not! More years mean greater experience and, with that, more specialties. These unique fields distinguish your Blade Runner from the rest.

A Sniper, for example, grants an advantage on FIREARMS rolls when firing a single shot at long range. Smokes will kill you someday, but until then, once per shift, you can light one up to heal a point of stress. It’s up to you to move the Years on the Force slider until you find your sweet spot.

Key Memory and Relationship

This is where the heart of Blade Runner storytelling lies. Choosing your key memory and relationship isn’t just a throwaway backstory—it’s what embeds your character in the world. It shapes how you interact with the world and how the world has shaped you. Beyond mechanical healing benefits, your memories define who you are—a past you’ll often revisit.

Perhaps your character witnessed something extraordinary and has spent their life searching for answers. Maybe that’s why they joined the LAPD. Or perhaps they suffered a betrayal and now seek revenge. These story beats you can develop on your own, collaborate with the Game Runner, or roll from tables in the book, which will tell us the memory’s when, where, what, who, and why. Each character gets a single key memory and a single important relationship.

Appearance and Signature Item

Once you’ve established the foundation of your character, it’s time to think about their appearance. The world of Blade Runner is filled with body augmentations, high-tech gear, and unique fashion. This is your chance to create a visually memorable character.
Along with appearance, you can also determine your home, either by selecting from the table or rolling for it.

You’ll also receive your starting Chinyen, the world’s currency, and gear, along with the chance to select your signature item. This item provides both mechanical benefits and role-playing opportunities. Choose wisely, as it holds immense storytelling potential. Perhaps it’s the dog tag of a former partner killed by a crime boss or a book left to you by your grandfather, a book containing secrets about the evil Wallace Corporation, of course.

With these elements in place and a trusty set of dice, you’re ready to step into the neon-lit streets of LA, hunting Replicants, solving crimes, and struggling with the ever-blurring lines between human and machine. Now, tell me: who do you want to be? ‍‍

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Nikko is a professional game master and writer who chases clouds in faraway worlds.