rpg

3179 readers

39 users here now

This community is for meaningful discussions of tabletop/pen & paper RPGs

Rules (wip):

Do not distribute pirate content
Do not incite arguments/flamewars/gatekeeping.
Do not submit video game content unless the game is based on a tabletop RPG property and is newsworthy.
Image and video links MUST be TTRPG related and should be shared as self posts/text with context or discussion unless they fall under our specific case rules.
Do not submit posts looking for players, groups or games.
Do not advertise for livestreams
Limit Self-promotions. Active members may promote their own content once per week. Crowdfunding posts are limited to one announcement and one reminder across all users.
Comment respectfully. Refrain from personal attacks and discriminatory (racist, homophobic, transphobic, etc.) comments. Comments deemed abusive may be removed by moderators.
No Zak S content.
Off-Topic: Book trade, Boardgames, wargames, video games are generally off-topic.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Question about whether I should switch systems for Cyberpunk genre game? (self.rpg)

submitted 1 year ago by KayMan17 to c/[email protected]

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I am currently in a group playing Cyberpunk: RED and, while I am enjoying the GM's play style and plot, I feel like we're not utilizing the system to its full extent. Particularly, we have dropped initiative, the XP system, and the very, very detailed way it handles "damage to body parts." What might be a good system to switch to while still keeping the feel of the game? I've looked for any PbtA games, but there seem to be none in the cyberpunk genre. I personally would prefer a narrativist sort of game but I'm okay with a little bit of crunch in combat (and I think the other players/GM would agree with me).

top 11 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] INeedMana 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

we have dropped initiative, the XP system, and the very, very detailed way it handles "damage to body parts."

Yeah, I think it might be a good idea to at least look at alternatives.

We play Shadowrun, so probably there are better pure Cyberpunk systems. But I think it should be enough to just cross out the magic parts to get what you need. Some of these might be available on itch.io only

The Sprawl (PbtA)
Karma in the Dark/Runners in the Shadows/Subway Runners (FitD)
Shadow of the Beanstalk (Genesys)
Neon City Overdrive (City of Mist)
Interface Zero (Fate/SWADE)
Sprawlrunners (SWADE)
there are multiple non-official Shadowrun hacks for SWADE (check forums etc)
Megacity Mercenaries
vs. MIRRORSHADES
Rainworld
Axon Punk Overdrive
Bookmark no HP Cyberpunk
CyberPunk One Page (lasers & feelings)
Running in New Orleans (Dungeon World)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Just dropping by to recommend Sprawlrunners. It has everything you need for Shadowrun in SWADE, but you can toss the fantasy elements/races and you'll have Cyberpunk for SWADE, no problemo.

My group switched from Shadowrun 2e to Sprawlrunners and it was so damn fun

[–] INeedMana 1 points 1 year ago

Personally I don't like the way it handles chrome. Interface Zero has a better approach in my opinion.
But it definitely is in the spirit of "fast"

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is going to be a bit of an echo but nevertheless

The folks behind City of Mist (crunchy PbtA) are working on Tokyo: Otherscape, cyberpunk with mythic flavour. Haven't looked into it apart from following along the Kickstarter so cannot comment on how easy it is to remove the mythic elements from it. But yeah, in development so perhaps not what you need now.
Cities without Numbers. Kevin Crawford's upcoming cyberpunk system which going to the printers soon, mid August, and then the pdfs will go on sale. Will come with, as usual, great GM tools. Since it uses the same engine as Stars/Worlds Without Numbers you can check out the bones of the system already now. And the basic editions are free.
If you want something with a clear mission structure you cannot go wrong with something Forged in the Dark. Don't know what though but saw some in another reply.
Shadow of the Beanstalk for Genesys. Genesys is great featuring awesome dice, but those can be a but hard to get. Haven't read SotB but will echo the recommendation.
Among the "pure" PbtAs there is at least the Sprawl (classic anti-corp cyberpunk) and the Veil which is a bit more artistic and philosophical (my impression).
(Long shot) While Ironsworn: Starforged is very sci-fi it has a great mission structure (vows), ways to track progress (best trackers ever!) and tools for emergent gameplay (gm-less play). With a bit of reflavour and hacking in hacking it could be great. Bet there already is a cyberpunk hack for it...

[–] INeedMana 1 points 1 year ago

For Genesys dice you can use an online roller. The one we used is not online anymore but this one looks good. It's not the same as rolling real dice but might be a good idea in the beginning

The regular dice to genesys dice conversion will be adding to the time needed to "calculate" the result which takes a bit of time itself. The dice are the biggest boon and the biggest flaw of the system at the same time IMO

[–] Kertain 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I love cyberpunk and have run many different systems and settings over the years. A few years ago I picked up The Sprawl a PBtA book and it clicked. Of course very narrative but with the cyberpunk stuff you want- hacking, gear, cyberware but without a ton of book keeping.

Is it perfect? No, but it's a good fit if you like to narrative games. It's default is mission based gameplay, but have done several campains breaking out of that mission structure. Doing a Shadowrun campain right now :)

I can't recommend it enought! DM me happy to chat more!

http://www.ardens.org/games/the-sprawl/

[–] KayMan17 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Hey! I'm looking at the system online and I'm liking what I'm seeing! I'm (very) broadly familiar with PbtA's system and I am fairly sure that this will get a positive reaction! Our #1 gripe has been the over-complexity with the synthetic mechanics and weird hacking mechanics in RED's system. Thanks a ton :)

[–] Kertain 4 points 1 year ago

Cool glad to help. I played Red as well and while its perfectly fine, I felt it was just too much mechanics that get in the way of the story.

Note on Sprawl: default system is deadly and high chance of body parts blown off or death it's gritty but you can adjust to your taste. Embrace the chaos. Also stick to mission structure for first few games, a narrative will emerge naturally that just fits and you will know it, and that you can build into a campain around. Scary to start that way but it works well!

As for PBtA in general it (for me at least) took a bit to grok how to run it. Once it clicked and I realized I didn't need a ton of detailed prep, just going with the flow in game, and then putting my prep into vectors of story and world-building, and character complications, I feel in love. Your not making plot details, your adjusting around player decisions and adding complications... It's a very diffeent take for me.

There is a good actual play for the Sprawl that was a good primer to see how it works. Let me dig that up.

Also this video is good too! Adam is a dbag for other reasons but this advise is solid https://youtu.be/xBkMOsZ7KDo

[–] Kertain 2 points 1 year ago

Also I am very happy to run a one shot online for you and your group! I can do a solid one in 4 hours and should help you see if it's worth your time. :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Even if you aren't interested in OSR style gameplay (which sounds like you ain't), I'm still gonna recommend Cities Without Number because it's sure to be a dearth of fantastic tools for generating campaigns in a cyberpunk environment.

I'm not familiar enough with the Forged in the Dark stable of games, but given that Blades in the Dark is about thieves and their schemes, I would be extremely surprised if there isn't a cyberpunk version, which seems like it would be right down your alley!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I've looked for any PbtA games, but there seem to be none in the cyberpunk genre.

The Sprawl is Pondsmith cyberpunk in PbtA. It seems like it's close to what you're playing. The Veil is a japanese style cyberpunk, closer to Ghost in the Shell.