Cyberpunk Red
Originally created by Mike Pondsmith
Welcome to Night City, 2045. In this alternate Earth, widespread economic and ecological disaster paved the way for the rise of sovereign megacorporations, powerful street gangs, and corrupt politicians to take control. Neon-lit urban sprawl covers population centers, where the underclass labors under the yoke of corporate wage slavery while the wealthy augment themselves with cybernetic implants, enjoy cutting-edge technology, and do designer drugs. But Cyberpunk Red is a tabletop roleplaying game, so where you do you fit in? You play a cyberpunk, a rebel surviving on the edge of society by their highly valuable set of skills. You might be a hacker, a cyborg road warrior, an assassin, street doc, or fixer; but will you use your talents for a big payday from corporate interests? Or fight back against a rigged system and liberate the people? Cyberpunk Red is the latest installment in a series of tabletop roleplaying games that have directly inspired video games and television shows like Cyberpunk 2077 and Cyberpunk Edgerunners.
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Cyberpunk Red Reviews (17)
See what other Game Masters and players are saying about Cyberpunk Red
KingTasty (Elliot)
Ran 10 sessions / Played 1 session
As initially a D&D guy, I was a little hesitant to get into something so far removed, but I’m so glad I took the plunge. I’m a big fan of the system, and I think it may even be my favourite now (if not, definitely top 3!). It hits a perfect balance between intuitive mechanics and narrative freedom, making it just as effective for high-octane one-shots as it is for slower, narrative driven Play-By-Post campaigns. The world feels gritty, flexible, and immersive, while the official Companion App is hands-down one of the best digital tools I’ve ever seen for a TTRPG, even putting giants like D&D Beyond to shame.
Kirdan
Cyberpunk RED is a streamlined tabletop RPG set in the futuristic 2045 Night City, offering quick character creation through multiple methods. It features distinct Roles with unique abilities, a straightforward dice mechanic, and deadly combat that emphasizes tactical decisions. The game balances accessibility for new players with depth for veterans, supported by rich lore, stylish artwork, and strong GM tools. Overall, it delivers an immersive cyberpunk experience with a focus on narrative and action. Highly recommended!
Kevin
Ran 39 sessions
Great system to leave out your Edgerunner fantasies! Great combat, good roleplay mechanics, and a system that keeps giving.
Elwood
Ran 121 sessions
This game is a gem, whether you are running single mission one-shots or long running multi-session campaigns Cyberpunk RED gives you everything you need to give your players a dark and immersive dystopian experience. Solid mechanics and a great setting, with plenty pointers for how to run it both thematically and mechanically. One of the best games out there.
Mark
I ran a tabletop campaign of this that lasted maybe half a dozen sessions, and for the most part it went pretty well. The game's main strength is its very fully realized and imaginative backstory. If you have players who don't mind reading and learning a bit about the world their characters will be inhabiting before jumping in, it's original and immersive while remaining true to most of the tropes of the broader genre. It's not so good for the types of players who just want to explore those tropes without artificial constraints. The main thing I wasn't crazy about was how little action takes place in online or virtual environments compared to, say, in the works of William Gibson or Jeff Noon. The system was also a little overly grindy for my tastes, though our combat encounters were all actually pretty fun and went by quickly.
F Young
Cyberpunk is one of the first games I ever played a long long time ago. Cyberpunk Red is a fantastic new edition if you loved the older editions or you just love that slick cyberpunk aesthetic and genre! You can't beat it.
How to Make a Character in Cyberpunk Red
Cyberpunk Red gives players three levels of control over character customization: Streetrat, which is a ready-to-go character template, Edgerunner, where a few key decisions have been made but allows some customization, or Complete, where players have full control over their character build.
Characters start with a role, which has a unique ability and defines their place in Night City's edgerunning society and subculture. There are ten roles to choose from, and they might offer some suggestions of skills to take. Next, you'll run that character's Lifepath, a unique system for determining their personal history where you roll or choose results from a series of tables that reveal their origin, family, relationships, style, and more. You can pick the result that fits your concept best, or roll for a complete surprise of a character! Next, you'll buy your characters stats, allocating points to the ten main stats that form the base of their talents. These stats will also feed into a few derived statistics, like hit points and humanity, which you'll calculate next. Then come skills, perhaps your character's most important assets, which you'll buy similar to stats to determine what they're trained in or especially skilled at. Finally, you'll be able to purchase gear, including weapons, armor, tech, and cybernetic augmentations!
How to Play Cyberpunk Red
The core mechanic of Cyberpunk Red involves rolling a ten-sided die, adding bonuses from the character’s stats and skills, and comparing the result to a target number to determine success or failure. Characters are highly customizable, built with a “lifepath” system, a narrative method of character generation that determines the career and backstory of your character, in addition to player choices about which skills to specialize in and what gear to purchase. Cyberpunk Red also has special rules for combat and for “netrunning,” or computer hacking.
Generally, your characters will go on jobs or runs, complete missions, and get paid. You'll use your resources and experience to improve your gear and skills, then hustle in downtime to keep scraping by, and do it all over again.
Cyberpunk Red map makers
Matt Henderson
Matt Henderson is the owner and lead designer/cartographer at Loke Battle Mats, where he makes maps for encounters in fantasy and sci-fi tabletop roleplaying games.
Explore MapsCyberpunk Red community artists
Anselm Zielonka
Anselm Zielonka is a concept artist, illustrator and environmental designer for tabletop and video games. He specializes in futuristic designs for objects, vehicles, weapons, and locations.
Explore ArtFrequently asked questions about Cyberpunk Red
Explore Cyberpunk Red Classes
Corporate
Living in Cyberpunk is a struggle, a battle for resources against the greedy corporations that control all. But what if you were on the side with all the cool stuff? The Corporate Role gives you the resources and personal skills that come with a high spot on the career ladder. But they also come with a target on your back put there by company rivals.
Fixer
The key to survival in Cyberpunk Red is getting others to take the bullets for you. The Fixer does this by arranging the jobs guns for hire take on, taking a cut and staying out of the action. Choose this role to play the dealmaker and put your street smarts to use for the team.
Lawman
When the gangs and corporate-backed mercenaries are upgraded with savage cybernetic weapons, beat cops don’t stand a chance. And yet when you play this Role, you’ll be the guy on the front lines just trying to keep the peace while the city turns into a warzone. At least you’ll have authority abilities and backup to get what you need when the situation gets really hostile.
Media
The world of Cyberpunk is a bleak one, and everyone has to get their hands dirty to survive. But if you want to play a character with a more noble calling, consider the Media Role. Armed with a camera and tenacity, you work to expose the shady corporations that rule the world. The more successful you are, the more credibility you earn to tackle bigger stories.
Medtech
The Cyberpunk Medtech is a valuable Role. Professional medical care costs a fortune in the dystopian future, so you save a lot by having the skills yourself. Not only can you patch up allies (or randos for a price) with a hasty surgery, you can also install new cybernetic mods.
Netrunner
In the Cyberpunk future, the internet is a reality unto itself. Netrunners are the master hackers who can move freely within this world. You plug your brain in directly, so there’s risk, but that’s what makes the game fun. Your gameplay abilities here will be infiltrating secure servers and stealing their valuable data.
Nomad
The Cyberpunk Nomad Role is a little Mad Max, a little Fast & Furious. They gather into large family units that live by their own code and live on the road. When you play this Role, you’ll probably be a tough gunslingers who’s great behind the wheel. You can call upon your family for shelter or firepower, but you’re obligated to return the favor.
Rockerboy
If you’re drawn to the Bard class of DnD, or Keanu Reeves’ performance in the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, be a Rockerboy. That's what Keanu’s character Johnny Silverhand was. These performers sway fans with their anti-corporate messaging, rallying them and gaining allies for battle.
Solo
Here’s your full combat class. Be you a mercenary or loyal soldier, Solos are great with guns and often enhanced with lots of cybernetics for protection. Their special ability allows you to ready your skills as soon as battle starts so that you’re always prepared for what’s coming.
Techie
Every team needs someone to fix all the gear they rely on in Cyberpunk, and that’s you if you play a Techie. You can build, maintain, and modify people’s gadgets and even vehicles. You can also make use of junk you find around the city to make quick repairs.
Virtual table tops for Cyberpunk Red (VTTs)
Blog links about Cyberpunk Red
How to Make a Character for Cyberpunk RED
Learn the ins and outs of edgerunning and create your dystopian punk with this step-by-step guide to the Cyberpunk roleplaying game's character creation.
The Best VTT for Cyberpunk Red
Looking to run the net ON the net? This article will help you find the perfect cyber-platform for your Cyberpunk game.
The Best Places to Find a Group for Cyberpunk Red
Get your crew together to take Night City by storm with these resources for gathering a gaming group for Cyberpunk Red.