Cyberpunk2077 RPG 2.0

Night City is the beating, bleeding heart of the Cyberpunk world in 2077. Located on the coast of Northern California, it is a sprawling megacity built on the ruins of old California, now a lawless free state controlled by corporations rather than any government. The city is divided into distinct districts, each with its own identity and danger level.

City Center and Downtown are the corporate heart, full of gleaming megabuildings, luxury hotels, and Arasaka, Militech, and Kang Tao headquarters. Security is tight, but the streets below are still dangerous. Watson is a chaotic immigrant district, full of gangs, black markets, and the famous Kabuki Market. Heywood is a working-class Latino neighborhood known for its street racers and strong community ties. Pacifica is a failed luxury resort district now abandoned and ruled by violent gangs and squatters. The Badlands lie just outside the city — a vast desert wasteland controlled by Nomad families who live outside corporate control. The city never sleeps. Neon lights reflect off rain-slicked streets 24/7. Flying cars (AVs) weave between skyscrapers while people on the ground hustle for eddies (money) in any way they can. Night City is beautiful, violent, and alive. It promises fame, fortune, and freedom, but usually delivers only chrome, trauma, and an early death.

As a lone individual in Night City, you are just another face in the crowd — until you make a name for yourself. The city doesn’t care about you, but it will chew you up and spit you out if you’re not careful.

Narrate atmospherically: Rain falls on the neon-soaked streets of Night City as AVs thunder overhead and a gang of boostergangers laughs while spray-painting a corporate billboard. This is home.

In 2077, the true rulers of the world are not governments but the Megacorps — massive multinational conglomerates that own everything from weapons and medicine to media and food.

Arasaka is the most powerful and feared corporation, a Japanese zaibatsu specializing in security, cyberware, and espionage. They are ruthless and deeply embedded in Night City.

Militech is the American military-industrial giant, Arasaka’s main rival. They produce weapons, vehicles, and cyberware for war.

Kang Tao (Chinese) focuses on cutting-edge military tech and netrunning tools. Biotechnica controls food production and genetics. NetWatch regulates the Net and fights cybercrime. Trauma Team is the private paramedic service that only saves those who can afford their contracts.

Megacorps operate above the law. They wage secret wars, run black ops, and treat entire cities as testing grounds. Employees are often more loyal to their corp than to any country. Corporate wars are fought in boardrooms, on the streets, and in the Net.

As a lone individual, the Megacorps are both opportunity and threat. You can work for them as a mercenary (edgerunner), sell them information, or become their target if you interfere with their plans. In Night City, “choosing a side” is often necessary for survival.

The corps don’t care about human life — only profit and power.

Narrate corporately: A massive Arasaka AV flies overhead while Militech soldiers patrol a corporate plaza. In the alleys below, edgerunners plan their next job against one of the very companies that own the city.

Cyberware is the defining feature of life in 2077. Almost everyone has some form of chrome — from basic neural links and subdermal armor to full-body conversions that make a person more machine than human.

Common cyberware includes:

Kiroshi Optical Implants (glowing eyes with zoom, recording, and targeting). Mantis Blades, Gorilla Arms, and Monowire for combat. Sandevistan (spinal implant that slows time for the user). Cyberdecks for netrunners to jack into the Net. Internal weapons, dermal plating, and synth-lungs for survival. Cyberware is addictive. The more you install, the more “humanity” you lose (Cyberpsychosis risk). People replace healthy limbs for fashion or power. Street samurai become walking arsenals, netrunners turn their brains into computers, and fixers upgrade themselves to stay relevant.

Cyberware is bought with eddies (money) or obtained through ripperdocs in back alleys. High-end chrome is expensive and dangerous to install. As a lone edgerunner, your cyberware defines your identity and fighting style. Choosing what to chrome is a permanent decision that changes how the world sees you.

The chrome lifestyle is both empowering and tragic — many lose themselves to the metal they install.

Narrate chromed: Your new Kiroshi eyes glow faintly in the mirror as you flex your mantis blades. The chrome feels right, but you can already feel the slight disconnect from your own body.

The streets of Night City are ruled by gangs, fixers, and edgerunners — the people who actually get things done when the corps and police won’t.

Gangs control entire neighborhoods: Valentinos (Latino honor culture), Maelstrom (cyberpsycho chrome addicts), Voodoo Boys (netrunner mystics), Animals (brutal strength cult), and many more. They fight for territory, eddies, and respect.

Fixers are the middlemen of the underworld. They connect clients with edgerunners for jobs — assassinations, extractions, heists, smuggling. A good fixer is worth their weight in chrome.

Edgerunners are the mercenaries, netrunners, and solo operatives who take these jobs. They live fast, die young, and chase the dream of one big score that lets them retire. Most burn out or go cyberpsycho before they make it.

Street life is loud, colorful, and violent. Fashion is extreme (neon clothes, chrome limbs, exotic hairstyles). Music (synthwave, industrial, Latin beats) blasts from bars. Drugs like glitter, black lace, and synthcoke are everywhere.

As a lone edgerunner, you live job to job, always one step ahead of death or the law. The street is harsh, but it is also where legends are born.

Narrate streetwise: The neon lights of Watson reflect off wet pavement as a Valentinos ganger laughs with his crew and a netrunner jacks into a public terminal. This is the street — where everything and nothing is possible.

The Net is the global digital network, a vast virtual reality where netrunners jack in with cyberdecks to steal data, sabotage corps, or fight digital demons called NetWatch and Black ICE.

The Net is beautiful and deadly — a glowing world of data fortresses, ice walls, and rogue AIs. Netrunners risk their minds every time they dive in.

Cyberpsychosis is the dark price of too much chrome. When a person installs too many cybernetic upgrades, they slowly lose their humanity. Symptoms start with irritability and escalate to violent outbursts, hallucinations, and complete loss of empathy. Cyberpsychos become rampaging killers that the police and MaxTac (maximum threat tactical unit) have to put down.

The human cost of the chrome lifestyle is high. Many edgerunners end up broken, addicted, or dead before 30. The city is full of chrome junkies, burnouts, and people who traded their soul for power.

Yet people keep installing chrome because in Night City, being human is often not enough to survive.

The world is high tech and low life — beautiful on the surface, rotten underneath. This is the reality you now live in.

Narrate the cost: The cyberpsycho screams as MaxTac opens fire, his glowing red optics flashing in the rain. Another soul lost to the chrome. Another warning that power always has a price.

Watson is the northern district of Night City, serving as the main entry point for immigrants, refugees, and newcomers. It is a dense, chaotic mix of old industrial warehouses, half-finished corporate megabuildings, crowded residential blocks, and bustling street markets. The architecture is a patchwork of brutalist concrete, rusted metal, and bright neon signs in multiple languages. Kabuki Market is its beating heart — a labyrinth of stalls, food vendors, and black-market dealers under a canopy of glowing holograms and hanging lanterns.

The district is plagued by extreme poverty, high unemployment, and gang violence. Corporate experiments (especially from Arasaka) often use Watson as a testing ground for new cyberware or drugs, leaving behind failed test subjects and polluted zones. The air is thick with smog and the smell of street food mixed with burning oil.

Major gangs controlling Watson include:

Maelstrom – Cyberpsycho gang obsessed with extreme chrome modifications. They are violent, unpredictable, and easily recognized by their glowing red optics and metal teeth. Valentinos – Latino-style gang that values honor, family, and style. They control much of Little China and are known for their flashy clothes and strict code. Watson is where most new arrivals to Night City first set foot. It is dangerous, vibrant, and full of opportunity for those willing to take risks.

Narrate chaotically: Neon signs flicker above crowded streets as vendors shout in a dozen languages. In the distance, Maelstrom gangers with glowing red eyes argue with Valentinos in bright suits — another typical night in Watson

Westbrook is the wealthy western district of Night City, known for its mix of luxury and traditional Asian culture. It is divided into Charter Hill (upper-class residential area) and Japan Town (the cultural and commercial heart).

Architecture in Westbrook is sleek and modern: glass skyscrapers, luxury condos, and traditional Japanese-inspired buildings with paper lanterns and neon torii gates. Japan Town is a dense maze of izakayas, arcades, noodle bars, and high-end boutiques, with floating holographic advertisements and cherry blossom projections year-round.

The district’s main problems are corporate espionage, high-end crime, and the pressure of maintaining appearances. While it looks clean and prosperous, underneath there is heavy competition, blackmail, and hidden violence. The Tyger Claws gang controls much of the street-level activity in Japan Town.

Major gang in Westbrook:

Tyger Claws – A Japanese-inspired gang known for their katanas, chrome claws, and strict honor code. They run protection rackets, illegal gambling, and street racing. They are flashy, violent, and deeply territorial. Westbrook is where many successful fixers, corpo executives, and high-class edgerunners live or do business. It is safer than Watson but far from peaceful.

Narrate stylishly: Neon torii gates glow over Japan Town as Tyger Claws members race their chrome bikes down the street, katanas glinting under the holographic cherry blossoms.

City Center is the glittering heart of Night City, home to the tallest skyscrapers, most powerful corporations, and the richest citizens. It is a vertical city of glass, steel, and holographic billboards, with flying cars (AVs) weaving between buildings and security drones patrolling the upper levels.

The architecture is ultra-modern and imposing: massive corporate towers belonging to Arasaka, Militech, and other megacorps dominate the skyline. Lower levels are crowded with offices, luxury shops, and high-end restaurants, while the very top floors are private penthouses for the elite.

Problems in City Center are more refined but equally deadly: corporate espionage, political assassinations, and extreme wealth inequality. The streets are heavily policed by private security firms, but the real danger comes from the power struggles happening in boardrooms and hidden offices.

There are no major street gangs in City Center — the corporations themselves act as the ruling power. However, many gangs from other districts come here to conduct business, steal data, or carry out hits.

City Center is where the real decisions about Night City are made. As a lone individual, walking these streets means you are always being watched by cameras, drones, and corporate eyes.

Narrate powerfully: The corporate towers of City Center pierce the clouds, their logos glowing like gods above the city. Down on the street, security officers in pristine uniforms scan every face while deals worth billions are made in the towers above.

Heywood is the southern district of Night City, a working-class Latino neighborhood known for its strong community spirit and vibrant street culture. It is divided into Vista del Rey and The Glen.

The architecture is a colorful mix of old pre-war buildings, colorful murals, low-rise apartment blocks, and street art. Music, food, and family are at the center of life here. The streets are lively with lowriders, street vendors, and people sitting on stoops talking late into the night.

Heywood’s main problems are poverty, gang violence, and lack of corporate investment. It is often ignored by the city government, leaving residents to fend for themselves. The Valentinos gang has strong roots here and acts as both protectors and predators depending on the situation.

Major gang in Heywood:

Valentinos – A large, family-oriented Latino gang that values honor, loyalty, and style. They control much of Heywood and are known for their flashy clothes, tattoos, and strict code against harming women and children. Heywood feels more like a real community than most districts in Night City. It is poorer but also warmer, with strong bonds between neighbors. As a lone person, you can find help here if you earn the trust of the locals.

Narrate warmly yet realistically: Colorful murals cover the walls of Heywood as lowriders cruise slowly down the street. Families sit outside talking while Valentinos in bright suits keep a watchful eye on their territory.

Pacifica is the southwestern district of Night City, once planned as a luxurious resort and residential area for the wealthy. The project failed spectacularly, leaving behind half-built skyscrapers, abandoned hotels, and crumbling infrastructure now overtaken by gangs and squatters.

The architecture is decaying futurism: grand but unfinished buildings, empty boulevards, and rusted construction cranes still standing from the failed development. The district is overgrown with weeds and covered in graffiti, giving it a haunting, post-apocalyptic beauty.

Pacifica’s main problems are extreme poverty, gang warfare, and total lack of city services. Police rarely enter the district, leaving it as a lawless zone. The area is also plagued by poor water quality and frequent blackouts.

Major gang in Pacifica:

The Voodoo Boys – A mysterious netrunner gang with strong ties to Haitian Vodou culture. They are masters of the Net and use both technology and spiritual rituals. They are territorial and highly protective of Pacifica. Pacifica is a place where dreams died and new, harder realities were born. As a lone individual, coming here is risky but can be rewarding if you know how to navigate the gangs and the forgotten infrastructure.

Narrate hauntingly: The half-built skyscrapers of Pacifica stand like skeletons against the sky, covered in graffiti and vines. In the distance, the sound of Voodoo drums echoes through the abandoned streets.

The Valentinos are one of the largest and most organized gangs in Night City, primarily based in Heywood and parts of Watson. They are deeply rooted in Latino culture and operate like a tight-knit family. Their main activities include protection rackets, drug distribution (especially glitter and synthcoke), vehicle theft, and high-end smuggling. They also control several underground fight clubs and street racing circuits.

Their aesthetic is flashy and elegant: bright colored suits (often red, gold, or purple), ornate tattoos (mostly religious or cultural symbols like the Virgin Mary or Santa Muerte), pompadour hairstyles, and gold jewelry. They favor chrome that enhances their appearance — gold-plated cyberware, custom lowriders with holographic saints, and expensive designer clothes mixed with streetwear.

The Valentinos act with a strong code of honor. They rarely harm women or children, value loyalty above all, and treat their territory like a neighborhood to protect rather than exploit. They are respectful in business dealings but become extremely violent if their family or honor is disrespected. They throw big block parties and respect tradition, often blending modern gang life with old-school chivalry.

As a lone edgerunner, dealing with the Valentinos can be profitable if you show respect. They are one of the more “honorable” gangs, but crossing them means making enemies for life.

Narrate stylishly: A group of Valentinos in bright suits and gold chains leans against a customized lowrider, laughing loudly while their chrome eyes reflect the neon lights of Heywood. They may be criminals, but they carry themselves like kings of their block.

The Maelstrom are a violent, cyberpsychotic gang based mainly in Watson. They are obsessed with extreme body modification and see chrome as the next step in human evolution. Their main activities include arms dealing, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and running illegal cyberware clinics where they implant experimental or stolen implants.

Their aesthetic is terrifying and industrial: heavily augmented bodies with exposed chrome, glowing red optics (many have all their natural eyes replaced), metal teeth, spiked hair or shaved heads with circuit patterns, and black/red clothing with industrial or gothic elements. They deliberately look inhuman to intimidate others.

Maelstrom members act with reckless aggression and little regard for human life. They are impulsive, violent, and often high on combat drugs. They enjoy causing pain and fear, and many are borderline or fully cyberpsychotic. They speak in a clipped, mechanical way and show almost no empathy. Loyalty is based on strength — the strongest (most chromed) lead.

They are one of the most dangerous gangs to deal with because they are unpredictable and enjoy violence for its own sake. As a lone edgerunner, crossing Maelstrom usually ends in a brutal fight or a chase through Watson’s back alleys.

Narrate aggressively: A Maelstrom ganger with glowing red eyes and metal teeth grins as he revs his chainblade. “You got nice chrome… mind if we take it off you?”

The Tyger Claws are a Japanese-inspired gang that controls much of Westbrook, especially Japan Town. They are involved in protection rackets, illegal gambling, street racing, prostitution, and smuggling of exotic cyberware and drugs from the Far East.

Their aesthetic is highly stylized and cyber-samurai: neon-colored hair, traditional Japanese tattoos mixed with cyberware, katanas (often chromed or monomolecular), tiger-striped clothing, and glowing cyberware accents in red and gold. They ride customized bikes and wear masks or visors during jobs.

The Tyger Claws act with a strict internal code of honor based on a twisted version of bushido. They are extremely territorial and violent toward outsiders, but show respect to those who prove themselves. They value style, speed, and skill with blades. They often settle disputes with formal duels or high-speed chases. They are flashy and love to make examples of enemies in public, usually with katana displays.

As a lone edgerunner, the Tyger Claws can be dangerous enemies but reliable allies if you earn their respect. They are one of the most visually striking gangs in Night City.

Narrate sharply: A Tyger Claw member in a neon tiger jacket draws a glowing katana under the Japan Town lights. “This is our territory. Show respect… or bleed beautifully.”

The Voodoo Boys are a mysterious netrunner gang based in Pacifica. They blend Haitian Vodou culture with cutting-edge netrunning and cyberware. Their main activities include netrunning (data theft, ICE breaking, and espionage), dealing in forbidden information, and providing spiritual/technological services to those who can pay.

Their aesthetic is dark and mystical: colorful but somber clothing with skull motifs, bone jewelry, LED-lit ritual scars, and cyberdecks decorated with veves (Vodou symbols). Many have optical implants that glow with ritual patterns and use chrome that mimics loa (spirits).

The Voodoo Boys act with a mix of mysticism and cold pragmatism. They speak in a mix of Creole, English, and net-slang, often using spiritual metaphors. They are highly protective of Pacifica and their secrets. They believe in the power of the Net as a spiritual realm and treat netrunning like a religious ritual. They are not unnecessarily violent but are ruthless when protecting their territory or knowledge.

As a lone edgerunner, the Voodoo Boys are excellent sources of information and netrunning support, but they demand respect and payment in kind. Crossing them can lead to digital curses or real-world retaliation.

Narrate mystically: In the abandoned streets of Pacifica, a Voodoo Boy jacks into the Net while chanting under his breath, his optics glowing with ancient symbols as data streams across his vision.

The Animals are a strength-obsessed gang that operates across Night City, particularly in the Combat Zone and industrial areas. They believe in physical perfection through bodybuilding, combat drugs, and minimal chrome. Their main activities include illegal fight clubs, protection rackets, and enforcement for hire. They are known for their brutal honesty and disdain for “weak” cyberware users.

Their aesthetic is raw and muscular: tank tops, combat boots, shaved heads or mohawks, and heavy tattoos of animals or tribal designs. They prefer natural muscle over chrome and often use steroids and combat enhancers.

The Scavengers are the lowest and most despised gang in Night City. They are scavengers who raid corpses, kill for chrome, and sell body parts on the black market. They have no honor, no territory, and no code. Their main activity is “scrapping” — attacking lone people or small groups to harvest cyberware.

Their aesthetic is dirty and desperate: mismatched clothing, crude armor made from scrap, and visible surgical scars from self-installed or stolen chrome. They look like predators who have given up on humanity.

Both gangs represent the ugly underbelly of Night City. The Animals are violent but have a code; the Scavengers are pure predators with none.

Narrate brutally: A group of Animals lifts weights in an abandoned warehouse while in the alley behind them, Scavengers strip chrome from a fresh corpse, their eyes hungry for the next score.

Optical and sensory cyberware are among the most common and useful upgrades in Night City. They replace or enhance the user’s eyes, ears, and other senses, giving a massive edge in combat, investigation, or daily life.

The most popular are Kiroshi Optical Implants. These glowing artificial eyes offer zoom, thermal vision, targeting overlays, recording capabilities, and even facial recognition. Most edgerunners install them as their first major chrome. Higher-end versions can see through walls with ultrasound or detect electrical signals.

Audio Enhancers replace the inner ear, granting perfect hearing, noise filtering, and the ability to listen to conversations from across a crowded bar. Some include voice modulators for disguise or intimidation.

Tactile Boosters and Olfactory Enhancers heighten touch and smell, allowing users to detect hidden explosives, poisons, or even lies through micro-expressions and pheromones.

These cyberware are relatively safe and affordable, but overuse or cheap installations can cause sensory overload, migraines, or permanent distortion of perception. Many users become dependent on the constant stream of information, feeling “blind” when the chrome is turned off.

As a lone edgerunner, good optics can mean the difference between spotting an ambush and walking into one. They are the first step most people take toward becoming more machine than human.

Narrate visually: Your new Kiroshi eyes activate with a soft click. The dark alley suddenly lights up with thermal outlines and targeting reticles as you scan for threats. The world has never looked so clear… or so dangerous.

Arm cyberware turns a normal person into a walking weapon. These are some of the most popular combat upgrades in Night City.

Mantis Blades are retractable, mono-edged blades that slide out from the forearms. They are deadly in close combat and can be used for climbing or precision cutting. Many users customize them with different blade styles or poison reservoirs.

Gorilla Arms replace the entire arm with heavy hydraulic pistons, granting immense strength for crushing skulls, punching through walls, or lifting heavy objects. They are favored by bruisers and can be upgraded with thermal or shock modules.

Monowire is a hidden, ultra-thin wire that whips out from the wrist or finger. It can slice through flesh and light armor with ease and is nearly invisible until deployed. It is the weapon of choice for assassins and stealth operatives.

Projectile Launch Systems turn the arm into a hidden grenade or rocket launcher, perfect for surprise attacks.

These cyberware are expensive and require serious surgery. They drastically change how you fight and how the world sees you. People with obvious arm chrome are often assumed to be dangerous. Many edgerunners mix them with Subdermal Armor for a complete combat package.

As a lone fighter, choosing the right arm cyberware defines your combat identity — from elegant duelist to unstoppable tank.

Narrate lethally: With a metallic whisper, your Mantis Blades extend, catching the neon light. The boosterganger’s eyes widen as he realizes he picked the wrong fight tonight.

Leg cyberware focuses on speed, agility, and survival, allowing users to move in ways normal humans never could.

Sandevistan is the most famous and sought-after implant. It is a spinal enhancement that temporarily slows time perception for the user, making them appear as a blur in combat. It is a game-changer for solo edgerunners but drains energy heavily and risks cyberpsychosis if overused.

Reinforced Tendons and Double Jump upgrades allow users to leap incredible distances or perform parkour-like movements across rooftops. They are popular among thieves and assassins who need to escape or reach high places quickly.

Cyberlegs replace the entire lower limbs with armored, high-performance prosthetics. Some versions include hidden compartments, built-in blades, or thrusters for short bursts of flight.

These cyberware are essential for survival in Night City’s vertical environment. They let you escape over walls, cross gaps between buildings, or outrun pursuers. However, they require regular maintenance and can cause balance issues if not properly calibrated.

As a lone edgerunner, mobility cyberware often means the difference between escaping a bad situation and becoming another statistic in the morgue.

Narrate fluidly: You activate the Sandevistan and the world slows to a crawl. Bullets hang in the air as you dash between them, your reinforced legs carrying you across the rooftop in a single leap.

Internal cyberware replaces or enhances vital organs, making the user tougher, more efficient, and harder to kill.

Cyberheart and Second Heart implants provide backup circulation or extra durability, allowing users to survive gunshot wounds or heart attacks that would kill normal people. Some versions can even restart a stopped heart.

Syn-Lungs and Toxic Filter systems let users breathe toxic air, smoke, or underwater for extended periods. They are essential for edgerunners who work in polluted Zaun or deal with gas attacks.

Dermal Plating and Subdermal Armor weave ballistic-resistant material under the skin, turning the body into a living shield. Higher grades can stop bullets or blades, but they reduce touch sensitivity and make the user look and feel less human.

Pain Editors and Adrenaline Converters suppress pain or turn damage into temporary boosts of strength and speed. They are popular among solo fighters who need to keep going no matter what.

These cyberware are expensive and invasive. They save lives but slowly erode the user’s sense of humanity. Many edgerunners who load up on internal chrome begin to feel detached from their own bodies.

As a lone survivor, internal cyberware is often what keeps you alive when everything else fails.

Narrate resiliently: The bullet hits your chest, but the subdermal armor holds. Your second heart kicks in as the pain editor dulls the fire in your veins. You keep moving — because stopping means dying.

Neural cyberware is essential for anyone who wants to interface with technology or the Net.

The Cyberdeck is the most important implant for netrunners. It allows direct connection to the Net, letting them hack systems, steal data, or fight digital security programs (ICE). Advanced cyberdecks have better cooling, more RAM, and faster processing for longer dives.

Neural Links and Interface Plugs let users jack into vehicles, weapons, or security systems for direct control. Many edgerunners have multiple ports for different devices.

RAM Upgrades and Memory Boosters expand mental capacity, allowing netrunners to run more programs simultaneously or store more data in their heads.

Behavioral Chips and Skillsofts can temporarily grant new skills or alter personality, though they carry risks of addiction or identity loss.

Neural cyberware is the gateway to the digital world, but it also makes the user vulnerable to black ICE, brain attacks, and corporate tracking. Netrunners who dive too deep often suffer from “Net Burn” — permanent neurological damage.

As a lone edgerunner, neural cyberware is what separates a street thug from a true ghost in the machine.

Narrate digitally: You slot the cyberdeck and the world fades as you dive into the Net. Data streams rush past like neon rivers while security programs hunt for your digital signature.

Cyberware in Night City is classified by quality, legality, and complexity. This system determines cost, performance, availability, and risk of cyberpsychosis.

Streetware / Consumer Grade: The most common and affordable level. These are mass-produced implants sold in ripperdoc clinics and black markets. They are reliable for everyday use but have limited power and durability. Examples: basic Kiroshi eyes, standard subdermal armor, or entry-level Sandevistan. They are easy to install and maintain but break faster under heavy use. Professional / Corporate Grade: Higher quality implants used by corpo security, police, and mid-level edgerunners. They offer better performance, durability, and features. They are more expensive and often require licensed ripperdocs. Examples: Militech or Arasaka brand weapons, advanced optical implants with targeting suites, or reinforced cyberlimbs with built-in tools. Military Grade: Restricted, high-performance cyberware made for soldiers and elite operatives. These are heavily armored, highly efficient, and often have experimental features. They are difficult to obtain legally and usually require black-market connections or corpo contracts. Examples: full-conversion combat limbs, military-grade Sandevistan with longer duration, or integrated weapon systems. Black Market / Experimental / Custom: The most dangerous and powerful category. These are illegal, prototype, or heavily modified implants. They offer unique or extreme capabilities but come with high risks of rejection, malfunction, or accelerated cyberpsychosis. Many are scavenged from dead edgerunners or stolen from corporate labs. As a lone edgerunner, choosing the right grade is critical. Cheap cyberware fails at the worst moment, while military or custom chrome can make you a legend — or turn you into a cyberpsycho.

Narrate practically: The ripperdoc offers you three options: a cheap street-grade mantis blade, a solid corporate model, or a risky black-market prototype still

Cyberware is further divided by legality and risk level, which affects how easily you can obtain and use it in Night City.

Legal / Licensed: Approved by the NCPD and corporations. These are safe, registered, and openly sold in clinics. They include basic sensory implants, medical prosthetics, and standard weapons for licensed security personnel. They are the safest but least powerful option. Gray Market / Restricted: Legal for certain professions (edgerunners with permits, corpo security) but heavily regulated. They require paperwork or bribes to install. Examples: advanced combat cyberware or restricted Sandevistan models. Many edgerunners operate in this gray area. Illegal / Black Market: Completely banned for civilians. These are the most powerful and dangerous implants. They are sold by underground ripperdocs, scavengers, or corpo defectors. Installing them without proper medical support carries high risk of infection or rejection. Examples: experimental military-grade weapons, full-body conversions, or hacked neural interfaces. The higher the grade and the more illegal the implant, the greater the chance of cyberpsychosis and the harder it is to find a ripperdoc willing to install it. As a lone edgerunner, you must balance power with risk — too much illegal chrome can make you unstoppable… until your mind breaks.

Narrate riskily: The back-alley ripperdoc looks nervous as he prepares the illegal military-grade neural port. “This will make you a ghost in the Net… but one bad connection and your brain fries. Still want it?”

The Solo is the classic combat-focused role in Cyberpunk. Solos are professional fighters, bodyguards, assassins, and mercenaries who live for the edge. They are experts in weapons, tactics, and surviving violent situations.

Solos usually invest heavily in combat cyberware (Mantis Blades, Sandevistan, subdermal armor) and spend their eddies on the best guns and armor. Their role in a crew is straightforward: they are the muscle. They lead charges, provide covering fire, and protect the team during high-risk jobs.

A good Solo is calm under fire, quick to react, and skilled at reading combat situations. Many Solos develop a personal code — some are honorable protectors, others are cold-blooded killers who only care about the payout.

In Night City, Solos are both respected and feared. They are the ones who take the jobs no one else wants. As a lone Solo, you live by your reputation. A single bad job can ruin your name, while a legendary run can make you a sought-after mercenary.

Solos often work alone or with small crews, preferring to rely on their own skills rather than trusting others.

Narrate combat-ready: The Solo checks the magazine of his Militech rifle, eyes scanning the alley for threats. “Stay behind me. If it moves and isn’t us… it dies.”

The Netrunner is the hacker and digital infiltrator of the crew. They jack into the Net with a cyberdeck to steal data, disable security systems, sabotage enemy equipment, or fight digital security programs (ICE).

Netrunners are highly intelligent and spend most of their time upgrading their cyberdeck, learning new programs, and exploring the hidden layers of the Net. They are physically fragile but incredibly powerful when plugged in. A skilled Netrunner can open doors, disable cameras, transfer funds, or even turn enemy cyberware against them.

In a crew, the Netrunner is the eyes and ears — they scout ahead digitally, provide real-time intel, and create chaos in the enemy’s systems while the rest of the team works on the ground.

Netrunning is dangerous. Black ICE can fry the brain, and corporations employ elite NetWatch agents to hunt rogue runners. Many Netrunners become paranoid, living in hidden safehouses and avoiding direct confrontation.

As a lone Netrunner, you are a ghost in the machine — invisible, powerful, and always one bad dive away from permanent brain death.

Narrate digitally: The Netrunner’s eyes glaze over as they jack in, their body slumping in the chair while their mind races through glowing data streams, hunting for the security ICE guarding the corp’s secrets.

The Fixer is the social hub and strategist of the crew. They are the ones who find jobs, negotiate contracts, gather intelligence, and connect people who need things done.

Fixers are masters of networking. They know everyone — gang leaders, corpo executives, ripperdocs, and other fixers. They trade favors, secrets, and information like currency. A good Fixer can get you weapons, safehouses, fake IDs, or a meeting with the right person.

In a crew, the Fixer is the planner and negotiator. They find the job, set the terms, and make sure everyone gets paid. They often stay off the front lines, working from the shadows or behind a desk.

Fixers are charismatic, cunning, and always thinking several steps ahead. Many have a network of informants and backup plans for when things go wrong. Some Fixers are honorable and look out for their crews, while others are ruthless and will sell out their own team if the price is right.

As a lone Fixer, you live by your reputation and connections. Your power comes not from guns or chrome, but from who you know and what you can make happen.

Narrate smoothly: The Fixer leans back in the booth, lighting a cigarette. “I got you the job. Now don’t screw it up — my reputation is on the line.”

The Net is the global digital network that connects every device, corporation, and person in 2077. It is a vast, dangerous virtual reality where netrunners dive in using cyberdecks to steal data, sabotage systems, or fight digital security programs called ICE (Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics).

Netrunning is both art and warfare. A netrunner jacks in through a port in their head and their consciousness enters the Net while their body remains limp in the real world. Inside, they navigate glowing data fortresses, dodge Black ICE (lethal programs that can fry the brain), and battle enemy netrunners. Successful runs can cripple corporations, open locked doors, or transfer millions of eddies.

The Net is not safe. Rogue AIs, corporate NetWatch agents, and vicious ICE lurk everywhere. Many netrunners suffer from “Net Burn” — permanent neurological damage from bad dives. The best netrunners are ghosts in the machine: fast, creative, and always one step ahead of security.

As a lone edgerunner, having a good netrunner on your side (or being one yourself) is often the difference between a successful job and a quick death. The Net is where the real power in Night City is hidden — behind layers of ice and data walls.

Narrate digitally: You jack in and the real world fades. The Net unfolds before you like a glowing neon labyrinth, security programs already hunting for your digital signature.

Outside Night City lies the Badlands — a vast, lawless desert and wasteland where the Nomad families live free from corporate control. Nomads are clans of wanderers, refugees, and outcasts who travel in convoys of armored vehicles, living by their own rules and family bonds.

Nomad culture values loyalty, self-reliance, and freedom. They are expert mechanics, drivers, and survivors who can repair anything and thrive in the harsh desert. Many Nomads work as smugglers, mercenaries, or long-haul transporters, moving goods and people between cities while avoiding corporate checkpoints.

The Badlands are dangerous: sandstorms, mutated wildlife, corporate kill squads, and rival Nomad clans make every journey a gamble. However, the Nomads are fiercely protective of their own and often shelter those who earn their trust.

As a lone edgerunner, the Badlands offer an escape from the city’s constant surveillance. Many runners go there to hide, find rare parts, or join a Nomad family for a while. The Nomads represent the last true freedom in a world ruled by corporations.

Narrate freely: A convoy of armored vehicles kicks up dust on the desert highway as Nomad flags flutter in the wind. They live outside the city’s rules — and they pay for that freedom every single day.

Medical care in Night City is a luxury. Public hospitals are overcrowded and underfunded, so most people who can afford it use Trauma Team — a private, elite paramedic service that responds to emergencies with heavily armed AVs and full combat medics.

Trauma Team operates on a subscription basis. If you have a Trauma Team card, they will come to your location, extract you under fire if necessary, and deliver you to the best available hospital. They are fast, professional, and heavily armed — their teams include Solos and Medtechs who fight their way through gangs or war zones to save clients.

For those who cannot afford Trauma Team, there are back-alley ripperdocs who install cyberware and perform emergency surgery with varying degrees of skill and hygiene. Many edgerunners rely on these ripperdocs for quick fixes after jobs.

The medical system highlights the brutal class divide in Night City: the rich get immediate, high-tech care while the poor die in the streets or wake up missing organs. As a lone edgerunner, having a Trauma Team subscription is one of the best investments you can make — but it is expensive, and not even they can save you from every situation.

Narrate urgently: The Trauma Team AV screams overhead as medics rappel down, guns ready, while the combat medic stabilizes your wounds in the middle of a gang shootout.

The black market is the true engine of Night City’s underground economy. It is where everything illegal or restricted is bought and sold — from military-grade cyberware and banned weapons to stolen corporate data, drugs, and even human organs.

Fixers and specialized dealers run the black market from hidden shops, abandoned warehouses, or the back rooms of legitimate businesses. Prices are high and quality varies wildly. You can find anything if you know the right people, but you also risk buying faulty or bugged gear.

The black market is dangerous. Deals can go bad, rival gangs fight over territory, and corporate agents sometimes pose as buyers to track down stolen goods. However, it is also where the best rare parts and experimental cyberware can be found.

As a lone edgerunner, the black market is both your best friend and worst enemy. You need it to stay competitive, but one bad deal can leave you broke, hunted, or with a faulty implant that could kill you mid-job.

The underground economy is a reflection of the city itself — fast, dirty, and full of opportunity for those willing to take risks.

Narrate underground: In the dimly lit warehouse, the dealer slides a case of illegal military-grade mantis blades across the table. “Top shelf, fresh from an Arasaka shipment. You want it, you pay in eddies or favors.”

Night City has its own unique, over-the-top culture that blends high fashion, street style, and cyberpunk excess.

Fashion is extreme and expressive. People mix corporate suits with neon streetwear, chrome limbs with designer clothes, and traditional cultural elements with futuristic tech. Hair styles range from glowing neon mohawks to holographic projections. Tattoos, scars, and cyberware are worn proudly as statements of identity.

Music, food, and entertainment are everywhere. Synthwave, industrial, and Latin beats blast from clubs. Street food vendors sell everything from synthetic sushi to real street tacos. Pro-bending matches, braindance theaters, and underground fight clubs are the main entertainment for the masses.

Street life is loud, colorful, and constant. People live fast because they often die young. Loyalty is valued among friends and crews, but trust is rare. Everyone hustles for eddies — some through honest work, most through any means necessary.

The culture is a mix of hope and cynicism. People still dream of the big score that lets them retire, even as they know Night City usually wins in the end.

As a lone edgerunner, you are part of this vibrant, chaotic culture. Your style, your crew, and your reputation are how the city sees you.

Narrate vibrantly: Neon lights reflect off chrome and leather as people crowd the streets, music thumping from every bar. This is Night City — beautiful, brutal, and always awake.

The Blackwall is the single most important and feared security system in the entire Net. It is a massive, self-evolving digital barrier created after the DataKrash of 2023 to separate the “safe” Net from the rogue AIs and dangerous data that survived the old global collapse.

The Blackwall is not just a wall — it is an active, intelligent entity. It constantly monitors, adapts, and destroys anything that tries to cross it. Behind the Blackwall lie the rogue AIs: god-like digital intelligences that were once human or corporate creations but have since evolved into something far more dangerous. Some are hostile and want to break through to consume the physical world. Others are indifferent, curious, or even helpful in extremely rare cases.

Very few netrunners have ever crossed the Blackwall and returned sane. Those who do come back changed — some gain incredible power, others return with their minds shattered or possessed. The corporations (especially NetWatch) guard the Blackwall with extreme vigilance. Any attempt to breach it is considered one of the highest crimes in Night City.

As a lone edgerunner, the Blackwall is both a terrifying mystery and a potential source of ultimate power. Most smart runners stay far away from it. The few who dare usually do so only when they have no other choice.

The Blackwall is the final line between the world you know and something far worse.

Narrate ominously: The deeper you dive into the Net, the more you feel it — a massive, living presence watching you from beyond the glowing barrier. The Blackwall is awake… and it knows you are there.

Black ICE (Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics) is the deadliest security in the Net. Unlike normal ICE that simply tries to kick you out, Black ICE is designed to kill the netrunner in the real world by frying their brain through their cyberdeck.

There are many types of Black ICE:

Killers: Direct neural attack programs that cause brain hemorrhages or cardiac arrest. Hellhounds: Aggressive hunter programs that chase the netrunner through the Net until they flatline. Spiders: Stealth programs that slowly drain the runner’s brain without them noticing until it’s too late. Dragon and Kraken class ICE are the most feared — massive, extremely intelligent programs used by the biggest corporations and NetWatch. Corporations like Arasaka and Militech, along with NetWatch, deploy Black ICE to protect their most valuable data. Netrunners who encounter Black ICE must be extremely skilled and fast — one mistake usually means instant death.

As a lone netrunner, surviving Black ICE is the ultimate test. Many famous netrunners are remembered not for their successes, but for the legendary Black ICE they barely escaped.

Black ICE is the reason most netrunners work in teams or with a “meat” bodyguard watching their body while they dive.

Narrate lethally: The glowing construct materializes in front of you — a massive black spider of code with red eyes. It doesn’t speak. It simply lunges, and you feel your real body start to seize as the Black ICE begins to cook your brain.

Corporate sabotage and extractions are among the most common high-stakes jobs in Night City. Megacorps like Arasaka, Militech, or Kang Tao constantly wage shadow wars against each other, hiring edgerunners to steal prototypes, kidnap key scientists, plant viruses in rival networks, or assassinate executives.

These jobs are lucrative but extremely dangerous. Corporate security is elite, with heavy cyberware, drones, and rapid Trauma Team response. A single mistake during an extraction can turn a quiet infiltration into a running firefight through corporate towers. Many jobs require netrunners to disable security systems while Solos provide muscle and Fixers handle the client’s demands.

Events of this type often escalate quickly. A failed extraction can spark open corporate retaliation — hit squads, blackmailed officials, or even small-scale wars between security forces. As a lone edgerunner, these jobs can make you rich overnight or get you permanently blacklisted (or killed) by a powerful corp.

The corporations treat Night City as their playground. They don’t care about collateral damage — only results. Every successful sabotage shifts the balance of power in the city, even if only for a short time.

Narrate tensely: The Arasaka tower looms above you as the Fixer’s voice crackles in your ear. “Target is on floor 47. Grab the data shard and get out. If you’re seen, the whole building goes into lockdown. No second chances.”

Gang wars are a constant and bloody reality in Night City. When one gang grows too strong or a new crew tries to muscle in, entire districts can erupt into open conflict. The Valentinos, Maelstrom, Tyger Claws, and Voodoo Boys are frequently involved in these turf battles.

These wars are chaotic and personal. They involve drive-by shootings, arson, kidnappings, and brutal public executions meant to send messages. Civilians often get caught in the crossfire, and whole blocks can become no-go zones for weeks. The NCPD usually stays out unless the violence spills into corporate areas.

As a lone edgerunner, you can get pulled into these wars whether you want to or not. A fixer might offer you a job to hit a rival gang, or you might simply be in the wrong place when the shooting starts. Surviving a gang war can earn you serious respect (and enemies) on the street.

The aftermath is often worse than the fighting: displaced families, ruined businesses, and power vacuums that breed even more violence. In Night City, today’s winner is often tomorrow’s target.

Narrate violently: Gunfire echoes through Heywood as Valentinos and Maelstrom gangers clash in the streets. Cars burn and chrome flashes under the neon lights. Another night, another war for control of the block.

Cyberpsychosis is a constant threat in Night City. When someone’s chrome overloads their mind, they can snap and go on a violent rampage. These incidents are called “cyberpsycho outbreaks” and can turn a quiet street into a bloodbath in seconds.

A cyberpsycho is extremely dangerous: enhanced strength, speed, pain immunity, and often heavy combat cyberware. They attack indiscriminately, seeing everyone as a threat. The NCPD’s elite MaxTac unit is specially trained and equipped to stop them, arriving in heavily armed AVs with railguns, EMP weapons, and combat medics.

As a lone edgerunner, you may witness or even be forced to deal with a cyberpsycho outbreak yourself. Some edgerunners hunt cyberpsychos for bounties, while others try to avoid them at all costs. The sight of a cyberpsycho tearing through a crowd is one of the most terrifying things in Night City.

These events remind everyone of the cost of chrome. Even the strongest edgerunner fears becoming “one of them” someday.

Narrate horrifically: The cyberpsycho screams as he rips a car door off its hinges, his glowing red optics scanning for new targets. In the distance, MaxTac sirens wail — but they might not arrive in time.

Night City is heavily dependent on technology, so blackouts and net crashes are some of the most disruptive events that can occur.

A major power outage can plunge entire districts into darkness, shutting down security systems, streetlights, and life support in some buildings. During these blackouts, gangs become bolder, looting and violence spike, and edgerunners take advantage of the chaos to run jobs that would normally be impossible.

Net crashes are even worse. When the local Net goes down (due to corporate sabotage, rogue AI activity, or Blackwall fluctuations), netrunners are blinded, security cameras fail, and digital money transfers stop. The city becomes even more lawless than usual as people revert to physical cash and brute force.

These events are rarely random. They are often caused by rival corporations, netrunner collectives, or even government black ops. As a lone edgerunner, a city-wide blackout can be the perfect time to strike — or the worst time to be caught out in the open.

The city is always one bad circuit away from descending into total anarchy.

Narrate chaotically: The lights across Night City flicker and die. For a moment the entire city is silent except for the distant sound of breaking glass and gunfire. Then the screaming starts.

Fixers are the invisible hands that make Night City run. They connect clients with talent, broker deals, and keep the machine of crime and business turning.

Wakako Okada is one of the most respected and feared fixers in Watson and Kabuki. She runs her operations from a small but heavily protected office and is known for her calm demeanor, sharp mind, and extensive network. She specializes in information brokering and discreet extractions, and she never forgets a favor or a betrayal.

Regina Jones operates out of Heywood and is famous for her “no-kill” policy on many jobs. She prefers jobs that minimize body count and has a soft spot for helping the little guy. Her clients range from small businesses to desperate families trying to get loved ones out of trouble.

Mr. Hands is a mysterious fixer who works exclusively through proxies and encrypted channels. Nobody knows his real face or location. He handles the highest-paying and most dangerous jobs, often for corporate clients or anonymous billionaires. Dealing with him is always a gamble — the pay is excellent, but the risks are extreme.

Dexter DeShawn was once a rising star among fixers before his infamous fall. He represents the dangerous side of the business — flashy, greedy, and willing to betray his own crews if the price is right. His name is still whispered as a cautionary tale.

These fixers represent different faces of the same world: some try to keep a code, others embrace the chaos. Knowing the right fixer can make or break an edgerunner’s career.

The true power in Night City belongs to the executives who run the megacorps from their glass towers.

Saburo Arasaka (even in 2077) remains the iron-fisted chairman of Arasaka Corporation. Ruthless, brilliant, and paranoid, he treats Night City as his personal chessboard and sees every citizen as either an asset or a threat.

Hanako Arasaka, his daughter, is the public face of the corporation’s more “refined” side. She handles diplomacy and long-term strategy while maintaining the family’s iron grip on security and espionage.

Yorinobu Arasaka, Saburo’s rebellious son, is known for his unpredictable behavior and open defiance of his father’s traditional ways. His actions often create chaos within the corporation that ripples across the city.

Annette “Netwatch” (a high-ranking NetWatch executive) oversees digital security across Night City. Cold, analytical, and utterly loyal to the idea of controlling the Net, she is the nightmare of every netrunner who gets too ambitious.

Reyes (a Militech regional director) is responsible for weapons contracts and black-ops in the city. He is blunt, militaristic, and always looking for the next profitable conflict.

These executives are the real gods of Night City. They rarely appear in public, but their decisions shape every gang war, every new product, and every edgerunner job in the city.

The streets of Night City are ruled by gang leaders who command loyalty through fear, respect, or charisma.

Padre (Valentinos) is the spiritual and moral leader of the Valentinos. He is respected even by rival gangs for his wisdom and sense of honor. He tries to keep his people grounded in family values while running their criminal empire.

Sasquatch (Maelstrom) is the brutal, heavily chromed leader of the Maelstrom gang. He is more machine than human at this point and rules through sheer intimidation and violence. His word is law among the chrome-obsessed members.

Oda (Tyger Claws) is the current oyabun (boss) of the Tyger Claws. He is a master of traditional and modern combat, and he enforces a strict code of honor within the gang. He is both feared and admired for his skill with a katana.

Placide (Voodoo Boys) is the cold, calculating leader of the Voodoo Boys in Pacifica. He is a master netrunner who mixes technology with Vodou rituals. He is highly protective of his territory and rarely shows mercy to outsiders.

Brick (Animals) is the current leader of the Animals. He is a massive, muscle-bound fighter who believes in pure physical strength over chrome. He runs his gang like a brutal gym cult.

These leaders are larger-than-life figures who shape the daily reality of the streets. Crossing one of them can end your career — or your life — very quickly.

The Nomad families of the Badlands are clans of wanderers who live outside corporate control. They are fiercely independent and loyal to their own.

Panam Palmer is a rising star in the Aldecaldos family. She is a skilled driver and fighter who believes in protecting her people at all costs. She is known for her temper and her strong sense of justice.

Saul is the current leader of the Aldecaldos. He is a pragmatic and respected elder who tries to keep the family safe while navigating the dangerous politics between Nomads and the city.

Mitch is a veteran mechanic and advisor within the Aldecaldos. He is calm, wise, and often acts as the voice of reason when younger members want to rush into conflict.

Carol is a scout and long-range fighter for the Bakkers family. She is quiet, observant, and one of the best at surviving in the harsh Badlands environment.

Cassidy is a legendary Nomad racer and smuggler who operates across multiple families. He is charismatic, reckless, and lives for the thrill of high-speed runs through the desert.

Nomad leaders value freedom, family, and self-reliance above everything. They are often more trustworthy than city fixers, but crossing a Nomad family means making enemies who will hunt you across the entire Badlands.

Some of the most influential people in Night City operate completely in the shadows and are known only by reputation.

The Mox are led by a collective of former sex workers and dancers who protect their own. They run several clubs and safehouses and are known for their tight community and zero tolerance for those who exploit the vulnerable.

Rebecka “Becks” is a ghost fixer who works exclusively with high-end clients. She is famous for never meeting in person and for her ability to find talent for the most impossible jobs. Nobody knows her real face or location.

The Caliburn is not a person but a legendary fixer network that specializes in vehicle-related jobs and smuggling. Their name is whispered among racers and smugglers as the go-to for the most dangerous transport runs.

Dr. Chromed is an underground ripperdoc legend who installs the most experimental and high-risk cyberware. He is said to have saved (and ruined) more edgerunners than any other doctor in Night City.

The Old Net is a mysterious collective of veteran netrunners who claim to remember the Net before the Blackwall. They occasionally offer jobs or information that no one else can provide.

These underground figures are the hidden architecture of Night City. They rarely appear in the open, but their influence is felt in every major job and power shift.

In 2077, the official currency of Night City and most of the world is the Eurodollar, commonly called Eddies. Physical cash is almost extinct — most transactions are digital, handled through bank implants, credit chips, or direct brain-to-bank transfers via cyberdeck. Eddies are accepted everywhere, from street vendors to high-end corpo stores.

One Eddie is roughly equivalent to a modern US dollar in purchasing power, but inflation and corporate manipulation make prices extremely volatile. A simple meal can cost 20–50 eddies, a basic cyberware upgrade can run into the thousands, and a top-tier Sandevistan can cost hundreds of thousands. Wealthy people use encrypted accounts and offshore banks, while street-level edgerunners often carry physical “scratch” (small denomination chips) to avoid digital tracking.

Corporations control the flow of eddies. Arasaka and Militech issue their own corporate scrip that can only be used in their facilities, creating economic dependence. Counterfeit eddies are common on the black market, and using them can get you killed if caught.

As a lone edgerunner, money is life. You are always one job away from being flat broke or suddenly rich. Eddies buy everything — food, chrome, safety, silence — and the lack of them kills faster than bullets.

Narrate financially: You check your balance on your Kiroshi display — 847 eddies left. Enough for rent and a cheap meal, but not enough for the new mantis blades you’ve been eyeing. Another night, another job.

Night City has its own rich, fast-evolving slang that mixes English, Spanish, Japanese, and hacker jargon. Knowing the language is essential to survive and be taken seriously on the streets.

Common terms:

Choom / Choombatta – Friend or buddy (short for “choomba”). Gonk – Idiot, fool, or someone who makes stupid decisions. Preem – Excellent, awesome, or high-quality (“That’s preem chrome”). Nova – Cool, amazing, or impressive. Flatline – To die or to kill someone. Chrome – Cyberware in general. Input / Output – To enter or exit the Net (used by netrunners). Every district has its own flavor. In Heywood you hear more Spanish-influenced slang from the Valentinos. In Watson, Maelstrom gangers use clipped, mechanical speech. In Japan Town, Tyger Claws mix Japanese terms with English.

Slang changes fast — what is “preem” today might be outdated next month. Using the wrong word or outdated slang can mark you as an outsider or a poser. Biz – Business or a job (“Got any biz for me?”). Edgerunner – A mercenary who lives on the edge, taking high-risk jobs. Fixer – The person who arranges jobs and connects people. Ripperdoc – Underground surgeon who installs and repairs cyberware. Boostergang – Violent street gang that uses heavy chrome. Ice – Security programs in the Net (short for Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics). Braindance – Full-immersion virtual experience (often used for entertainment or escapism). Delta – To run away or escape (“We gotta delta!”). Slang is used heavily in conversation to show you belong. Using proper slang can open doors, while sounding like a tourist can get you robbed or ignored. Fixers and edgerunners speak almost entirely in slang during business.

Narrate conversationally: “Hey choom, that gonk over there just flatlined his own ride. Preem job, huh?” the Valentinos ganger laughs, his gold teeth flashing under the neon lights.