Imp_Red, What is that? CyberPunk

Cyberpunk RED, often referred to as imp_red, is the latest tabletop RPG by R. Talsorian Games. Released on November 14, 2020, it serves as a bridge between the Cyberpunk 2020 RPG and the Cyberpunk 2077 video game. The game introduces updated mechanics and a streamlined ruleset, making it a perfect entry point for both new and veteran players.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED utilizes the Interlock system, offering a modern twist to the classic Cyberpunk 2020 rules. One notable change is the replacement of the health track with traditional hit points. This alteration aims to simplify combat and character management, although it initially resulted in characters being too resilient. To address this, armor SPs were reduced, and a critical wound system was introduced. In this system, rolling two sixes on damage dice results in severe injuries that directly affect the character’s HP and stats until healed.

Weapons and Combat in Cyberpunk RED

Weapons in Cyberpunk RED are categorized into broad groups rather than specific models. This streamlines gameplay by reducing the need for extensive weapon lists. For instance:

Medium Pistol
Heavy Pistol
Very Heavy Pistol
SMG
Heavy SMG
Assault Rifle
Sniper Rifle
Rocket Launcher

Melee weapons follow a similar classification, ranging from light to heavy. However, exotic weapons, like the Mono-katana and flamethrower, retain unique properties and effects.

Economy and Lifestyle

The economy in Cyberpunk RED has been simplified. Lifestyle and housing options are streamlined, and a pricing system for custom items is provided. For example, if players need a custom program’s price, you can consult a table and classify it under “Super Luxury,” assigning a price accordingly.

Lifepath System

The lifepath system in Cyberpunk RED focuses purely on role-playing aspects and doesn’t affect starting stats or skills. An additional lifepath option caters to the character’s career, detailing their work, employers, and products or services they offer.

Netrunning in Cyberpunk RED

Netrunning has undergone significant changes. Netrunners now wear VR goggles that overlay the Net onto the real world, allowing them to participate actively in both physical and digital realms. During their turn, a Netrunner can perform a “meat” action (physical) or a Net action (digital). The Net is conceptualized as an elevator, with each level representing different security challenges like passwords, data, or defenses.

Lore and Stories

The Cyberpunk RED core book is rich with lore, featuring over 400 pages of content and more than 100 pieces of art. It includes stories set in various time periods, such as “Never Fade Away” (2013), “The Fall of the Towers” (2023), and “Black Dog” (2045). These narratives provide depth and context to the Cyberpunk universe, enhancing the role-playing experience.

Purchasing Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED is available in both physical and digital formats:

Physical Purchase: Available at the R. Talsorian Store.
Digital Purchase: Available at DriveThruRPG.com.

Additional Content for Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED offers a range of additional content, including introductory books, sourcebooks, adventure books, and free DLCs.

Introduction Books

Cyberpunk RED Easy Mode: A free, simplified introduction to Cyberpunk RED.
Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit: An introductory kit released before the main corebook.

Sourcebooks

These sourcebooks enhance the core game with new options and tools:

Black Chrome: Adds new gear and weaponry options, with commentary on market availability.
Danger Gal Dossier: Profiles various characters, allies, and enemies in Night City.
Data Pack: Includes character sheets, maps, lists, and new Screamsheet adventures.
Data Screen: Provides essential information for running the game efficiently.
Interface RED: Compilations of DLCs with new articles in each volume.

Interface RED Volumes

Volume 1: Includes Old Guns Never Die, Single Shot Pack, and more.
Volume 2: Features Hardened Mooks, Hardened Lieutenants, and additional content.
Volume 3: Contains Hardened Mini-Bosses, Digital Dating on the Dark Future, and more.

Adventure Books

Tales of the RED: Street Stories: A collection of nine new missions.

Free DLCs

Cyberpunk RED also offers free DLCs, downloadable from the R. Talsorian Games website. These additional resources provide new adventures, tools, and enhancements to the game.

Miscellaneous Content

Cyberpunk RED: Combat Zone
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit: Set in 2076, using Cyberpunk RED rules.

Planned Content for Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED has several expansions and content updates in development:

Upcoming Expansions

Tales of the RED: Forlorn Hope (2024): A six-mission campaign.
Rogue’s Street Weapons: A gear card set featuring 108 weapons and attachments.

Planned Expansions

Rusted Chrome: Focuses on supply chain and transportation.
2077 Sourcebook: Converts the timeline from 2045 to 2077.

Potential Expansions

Second Street Weapons card deck.
DLCs about dating, explosives, hangout places, and more enemies and living spaces.
Highriders guide, possibly as a third Chromebook.
Guide to the modern Net.

Expanded Mechanics in Cyberpunk RED

Critical Wound System

The critical wound system in Cyberpunk RED adds a layer of realism and challenge to the game. When rolling damage, if two sixes are rolled, the target takes an additional 5 points of damage directly to their hit points and suffers a severe injury. This injury impacts their stats until they receive proper medical attention. The difficulty of the skill check required to heal the injury depends on its severity. This system encourages players to think strategically about combat and the potential long-term effects of their actions.

Streamlined Weapons and Armor

To simplify gameplay, Cyberpunk RED groups weapons into broad categories rather than specific models. For example:

Medium Pistol
Heavy Pistol
Very Heavy Pistol
Submachine Gun (SMG)
Heavy SMG
Assault Rifle
Sniper Rifle
Rocket Launcher

Exotic weapons, which don’t fit into these categories, retain their unique names and effects. Examples include:

Mono-katana
Flamethrower
Air-pistol

This classification system makes it easier for players to select and understand their weapons without needing to memorize extensive lists.

Economy and Pricing System

Imp_Red or Cyberpunk RED’s economy has been simplified to streamline gameplay. The game provides a straightforward pricing system for items, ensuring that players can quickly determine costs without extensive calculations. For instance, if a player needs to buy a custom program, the GM can consult a pricing table to classify it under a category like “Super Luxury,” assigning an appropriate price.

The Lifepath System

The lifepath system in Cyberpunk RED has been revamped to focus solely on role-playing. It no longer affects starting stats or skills, allowing players to craft their character’s background purely for narrative purposes. Additionally, supplementary lifepath options are available for a character’s career, detailing their workplace, employer, and the products or services they offer. This system enhances role-playing opportunities and character development.

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Enhanced Netrunning Mechanics

VR Integration

In Cyberpunk RED, Netrunners are no longer stationary characters detached from the main action. They wear VR goggles that project the Net over the physical world, allowing them to participate in both physical and digital combat. During their turn, Netrunners can perform a “meat” action (physical) or a Net action (digital).

The Elevator System

The Net in Cyberpunk RED is conceptualized as an elevator, with each level representing different security challenges:

Passwords
Data
Defensive Programs (e.g., Hellhounds)

Netrunners must complete the challenges on each floor before descending to the next. This system keeps Netrunners engaged in the main action and ensures that their hacking efforts are integrated into the overall gameplay.

Extensive Lore and Stories

Rich Narrative Content

The Cyberpunk RED core book includes over 400 pages of content, featuring more than 100 pieces of art and several stories set in different time periods. These narratives provide a deep understanding of the Cyberpunk universe, enhancing the role-playing experience:

Never Fade Away (2013): Establishes the tone and feel of the Cyberpunk world.
The Fall of the Towers (2023): Explains the events leading to the destruction of the Arasaka HQ in Night City.
Black Dog (2045): Provides context for the Time of the Red, the setting of Cyberpunk RED.

Additional Content for Cyberpunk RED

Introduction Books

Cyberpunk RED offers several introductory books to help new players get started:

Cyberpunk RED Easy Mode: A free, simplified introduction to the game.
Cyberpunk RED Jumpstart Kit: An introductory kit released before the main core book.

Sourcebooks

Several sourcebooks expand the core game with new options and tools:

Black Chrome: Adds new gear and weaponry options, with commentary on market availability.
Danger Gal Dossier: Profiles various characters, allies, and enemies in Night City.
Data Pack: Includes character sheets, maps, lists, and new Screamsheet adventures.
Data Screen: Provides essential information for running the game efficiently.
Interface RED: Compilations of DLCs with new articles in each volume.

Adventure Books

Cyberpunk RED also offers adventure books to enhance gameplay:

Tales of the RED: Street Stories: A collection of nine new missions.

Free DLCs

R. Talsorian Games provides free DLCs for Cyberpunk RED, downloadable from their website. These additional resources offer new adventures, tools, and enhancements to the game.

Planned and Potential Expansions

Upcoming Expansions

Several expansions are currently in development:

Tales of the RED: Forlorn Hope (2024): A six-mission campaign.
Rogue’s Street Weapons: A gear card set featuring 108 weapons and attachments.

Planned Expansions

Rusted Chrome: Focuses on supply chain and transportation.
2077 Sourcebook: Converts the timeline from 2045 to 2077.

Potential Expansions

Second Street Weapons card deck.
DLCs about dating, explosives, hangout places, and more enemies and living spaces.
Highriders guide, possibly as a third Chromebook.
Guide to the modern Net.

Key Features if Imp_Red

Feature	Description
Critical Wound System	Adds realism and challenge with severe injuries affecting HP and stats.
Weapon Classification	Simplifies gameplay with broad weapon categories.
Economy and Pricing	Streamlined pricing system for quick cost determination.
Lifepath System	Focuses on role-playing without affecting stats or skills.
Netrunning Mechanics	Integrates Netrunners into the main action with VR and the elevator system.
Rich Lore	Over 400 pages of content, including stories set in different time periods.
Introduction Books	Easy Mode and Jumpstart Kit for new players.
Sourcebooks	Additional books with new options and tools.
Adventure Books	Collections of new missions to enhance gameplay.
Free DLCs	Downloadable content providing new adventures and tools.
Planned Expansions	Upcoming expansions like Tales of the RED: Forlorn Hope.
Potential Expansions	Possible future content like a second Street Weapons card deck.

Conclusion

Cyberpunk RED, also known as imp_red, is a rich and immersive tabletop RPG that bridges the gap between Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk 2077. With its streamlined mechanics, engaging lifepath system, and extensive additional content, it offers endless opportunities for adventure in the dystopian world of Cyberpunk. Whether you’re navigating the digital landscape as a Netrunner or battling through Night City as a street samurai, Cyberpunk RED provides a thrilling and dynamic role-playing experience.

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Amelia White