Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED is the newest pen and paper RPG by R. Talsorian Games released on November 14, 2020. It is meant to be the latest edition of the RPG to coincide with the release of the video game, and bridge the time gap between the two games.

Very little information was released for the game in 2018 other than it would use the Interlock System. Later in 2020, they released a weekly update about the game that talked about some of the systems before it was released.

In June 2018, RTG reached out to the Cyberpunk community to get their opinions on potential artists to illustrate the upcoming edition. On November 19th, 2020, the physical version of the core rule book was released.

Overview
Cyberpunk RED presents a streamlined version of the ruleset, and introduces some mechanics. The game replaces the health track with traditional hit points. However, this change can lead to characters being slightly spongy. To fix this problem, the game's armor SPs have been lowered, and a mechanic was added called the critical wound system. When rolling damage, if two 6's are rolled, your enemy takes 5 damage directly to their HP, and they receive a brutal injury that hurts their stats until they are healed by a skill check (check difficulty depends on injury.).

Weapons have also been streamlined. Instead of individually named weapons, the core book has medium pistol, heavy pistol, very heavy pistol, SMG, heavy SMG, assault rifle, sniper rifle, rocket launcher, etc. Melee weapons are the same way with light, medium, and heavy melee weapons. Basically, weapons are generic, and don't have specific names. The next type is exotic weapons. These weapons are too different to be in a category, such as The Mono-katana, the flamethrower, or the air-pistol. Each of them have their own effects and damage.

The economy has also been streamlined. Lifestyle and housing are simplified, and the game offers an easy fix for items that you are unsure of the price on it. For example, your players wanted to buy a program of your design, but you didn't figure out the price. You then consult a table, and decide that the program is in the "Super Luxury" category. So, you assign the price accordingly.

The lifepath system has been changed, so that it is purely for roleplay reasons, and it doesn't affect your starting stats or skills. There is an additional lifepath option that supplements the core lifepath. These supplementary lifepaths are for the pc's career, like where they work, who they work for, things they sell or create, etc.

Netrunning has been vastly improved from 2020. Netrunners, instead of sitting stationary and being detached from the game, have to wear VR goggles that project the Net over real life. This means that players can be with the rest of the party and run the Net at the same time. On their turn, a Netrunner can take a "meat" action, or a Net action. The Net is treated like an elevator. On each turn, the players can "Go down" a level of the Net architecture (which is the elevator.). Each level has a thing in it, such as a password, a piece of data, hellhound or other defense. Once they complete the "floor", they can descend to the next floor on their next turn. Once a Netrunner reaches the bottom of the Net, they completely descend the architecture and are done with it.

The book also includes a tremendous amount of lore, including the stories Never Fade Away, The Fall of the Towers, and Black Dog. Each story is set in a different time period. Never Fade Away is set in 2013 and establishes the tone and feel of the world of Cyberpunk. The Fall Of The Towers, in 2023, explains the operation inside the Arasaka HQ in Night City that ended with the nuke that blew up the Corporate Zone. Black Dog helps you get a feel of 2045, or the Time of the Red.

The book is more than 400 pages long, and includes over 100 pieces of art.

Purchase

 * Purchase at R. Talsorian Store (Physical)
 * Purchase at DriveThruRPG.com (Digital)

Additional Content
Cyberpunk RED has a variety of content, including planned expansions and already released downloadable content. Below you have noted the most importants.

Introduction Books
These rulebooks will allow you to play Cyberpunk RED without the need of the main corebook.
 * — Introduction to Cyberpunk RED prior to the release of the main corebook.
 * — A free and easier introduction to Cyberpunk RED.

Sourcebooks
These are purchasable additional books and items to be used with the rulebooks: RED, Jumpstart Kit or Easy Mode. To purchase the physical books go to the R. Talsorian Games store. For the digital versions, go to the DriveThruRPG store.


 * — Information to run a game smarter and faster, including four art panels to hide your game notes.
 * — A pad of character sheets, 12 additional maps, a set of lists of people, things, places and encounters, and a booklet containing new Screamsheet adventures.
 * — Cards needed to built a Net Architecture and run through it. Includes 16 Program cards, 30 Black Ice cards, 3 Demon cards, and 11 Floor cards.
 * — Compilations of released DLCs for Cyberpunk RED plus a new article in each volume.
 * Volume 1 — A compilation made up of the Old Guns Never Die, Single Shot Pack, Cyberchairs, Elflines Online, ELO Expansion Pack 1, and Red Chrome Cargo DLCs plus a new "All About Drones" article that includes 6 new drones.
 * — A collection of nine never-before-seen full-length missions.
 * — New options for gear and weaponry; commentaries on how products are found and sold in the market.

Free DLCs
These are free additional books and items to be used with the rulebooks: RED, Jumpstart Kit or Easy Mode. To download the free content simply go to the R. Talsorian Games website.

Upcoming Expansions
These are expansions which are confirmed to be in development.
 * Interface RED, Volume 2 (March 2023) — A compilation made up of the Hardened Mooks, Hardened Lieutenants, Night City Weather, Jumpstart Kit Conversion Guide, Cargo Containers and Cube Hotels, Daeric Sylar's Guide to Elflines Online, and the 12 Days of Gunmas DLCs plus a new article to be announced.
 * (originally slated for 2022) — Profiles of different characters, allies and enemies, in Night City during the Time of the Red.
 * (originally slated for 2022) — A gear of "gear cards" containing 108 weapons, weapon attachments, and ammunition. It will cover elements from the core rulebook and its DLCs.

Planned Expansions
These are expansions which have been confirmed that will start development at some point.
 * Rusted Chrome (TBA) — Supply chain and transportation, including much about nomads.
 * 2077 sourcebook (TBA) — Conversion from 2045 to 2077.

Potential Expansions
These are expansions that have been considered to develop, but have yet to be confirmed.
 * Interface RED, Volume 3 (originally slated for 2022)
 * Second Street Weapons card deck (TBA)
 * DLCs about dating, "things that go boom," an in-depth hangout place, and more hardened enemies and living spaces.
 * Highrider and Net Chrome books.
 * Moreover, there are some stories that may be added in future additions including Michiko's Big Breakup. or Michiko's Big Date.