Hey everyone! A group of my friends and I are super excited about diving into a cyberpunk tabletop RPG after enjoying the video game and Edgerunners. We’ve got a ton of experience with D&D, particularly 3.5 and 5e, as well as some other systems like Pathfinder and Star Wars. We’re looking for thoughts on which cyberpunk system might work well for us. I’ve heard mixed things about Cyberpunk Red and Shadowrun, with opinions swinging between editions and depth compared to 5e. I want something that captures the richness of the Night City world without requiring major adjustments from me. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
If you’re leaning towards a lighter experience, give Cy_Borg a try. It’s easy to adapt from D20 systems, packs a cool aesthetic, and doesn’t overwhelm you with rules. Plus, it’s very fun!
I’ve been playing CBR+PNK lately, and it’s pretty nice! It’s lightweight and great for one-shots, but you can also stretch it into longer campaigns. Just a heads up: having some experience with games like Scum and Villainy might help you grasp it faster, but it’s learned quickly. Check it out at myth.works!
Shadowrun 2e is my absolute favorite! It’s heavily detailed, but fair warning—it’s a pretty crunchy system. I’ve played since it was first released, and I think it still holds up well. Just be ready for a bit of a learning curve, especially with all the sub-systems!
I think the systems were always the issue. You do need a solid grasp of the rules, especially for hacking and vehicles.
Cyberpunk Red is on my radar too! They’ve got tools like the Edgerunners mission kit, which could help you get into the game easily, plus there’s plenty of community content if you want to expand your game later. It’s not as crunchy as 2020, but it’s still fairly deep. If you’re after the Cyberpunk lore, it could be a good fit!
But keep in mind, if you’re more into the complex systems, Shadowrun could be worth the hassle since fans love it despite its troubles.
Cyberpunk 2020 is a classic! If you want the traditional vibe and don’t mind some crunch, this is a solid pick. A lot of people swear by it, even with all the new systems out there.
True, but CBR+PNK might not explain everything upfront; it assumes you already know some of the core rules from other games.