Category Archives: Cyberpunk Red

Through the letter box

Cyberpunk Red, expansions, new arrivals, Rivals, Scythe, Vampire the Masquerade Rivals, vampire the masquerade: rivals

Life has changed a bit since Nan left us. I have a part time job now that sees me start work at 5am. But finishes midday (at the moment) which leaves me the rest of the day to be there for Mum. So you can imagine I’m pretty tired by the evening and usually asleep by 7pm!

This week has been particularly tiring as I worked what I dubbed the long week so that I could be around today when a second stair rail is fitted to Mums stairs to help her get up them.

So I’m pretty knackered. And it might be understandable why there has been no posts during the week.

Gaming wise obviously I’ve not played anything since last Friday. However there have been some arrivals.

Last weekend saw the arrival of the latest and second expansion, The Wolf and The Rat for Vampire the Masquerade (VtM) Rivals.

It’s arrival bought a new dilemma on how to store the game and both of its expansions. The core game box is no longer large enough to hold everything. So I started thinking about alternative storage solutions. High up on the possible solutions were the MtG storage boxes for cubes or lots of Commander decks. And that is an option I may eventually go for. However I decided to repurpose my quiver that was currently home to various rpg decks for the new home of my VtM Rivals cards.

There’s room for the third expansion (currently in production) so it’s bought me a little time before I have to get a second or alternative solution.

Naturally tokens for the game are kept separately now, and I need a folder to store the rulebooks. But that’s just how things are. Although I should look into some stickers to decorate the folder.

There was one hiccup with this preorder of the expansion. The promo Tamaska & General Flint Alt Art Cards were included. But the Victor Temple Promo card wasn’t. Apparently it hadn’t arrived in time to be sent out with the preorders. Which I’d argue that Renegade Studios knew and should have been proactive in letting customers know before shipping started. The promo will be sent out at a later date. So we will get it. But when, who knows? I’m more concerned that it will be packaged properly and not destroyed in the post. Plus this is extra expense for Renegade.

On Monday the first three organised play kits for VtM Rivals Season 1 arrived. I’ve not even opened the box for those yet. I suppose I should do just to check over the contents. Depending on how next weekends learning games go, I might be able to start to organise some events!

The start of the week saw the launch of an EU specific web store for Stonemaier Games. Which meant my Champion account was moved over to that web store, and all my orders will be through there now. And to celebrate its launch Jamey gave EU customers an extra 10% off if they used the provided promo code he emailed out.

Champion discount and a further 10% off! Ok the temptation was too great. Before I knew it the spiral bound version of the Scythe Complete Rulebook, some of the plastic token storage containers, and four of the double sided neoprene Wingspan player mats were in my shopping basket.

Why four mats and not five? I don’t intend to play Wingspan at five players ever ever again! Famous last words I know. But if I only have four player mats it’ll be hard to play at the higher count.

Yesterday also saw the arrival of another preorder. This one was for the Cyberpunk Red rpg.

Inside the package was the Cyberpunk Red Data Pack and Netrunning Deck. I’ll look at these in more depth in another post (possibly if I remember).

So that’s all the stuff that landed this week. Thanks to the randomness of the whole shipping crisis currently going on who knows when my preorders for the Arnak or Imperium expansions will appear. Potentially The One Ring second edition Kickstarter might arrive before Christmas too.

Anyway it’s a Commander session this evening that I’m very much looking forward too.

An idea “borrowed” from an episode of Scandal

Alien, Cyberpunk Red, D&D, Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, RPG, session planning, Strontium Dog

SPOILER ALERT TO MY ADVENTURERS! The following post contains spoilers for the up and coming campaign. You may want to avoid this post and join me in a future one.

Ok this warning may be over dramatic but this post is here to record an idea down for a future session. I needed to capture it before I forgot all about it. So by reading this post, it may spoil an upcoming session for them.

I’ve been binge watching the tv series Scandal on Disney+. I’d seen it before but there are many things I like about it that warranted a second watch years after first watching it.

In Season 5 episode 21 there is a scene between the main character of the show Olivia Pope, her father Command (ex-head of a secret Government shadow organisation) and one of her love interests who also happens to be one of her fathers shadow agents, Jake Ballard.

Olivia is trying to help Jake escape from her fathers influence, and has turned up to take him away to “safety”. However a stand off develops with her father pointing a gun at Jake’s head. During this stand off Command says the following (I’m paraphrasing) “It may look like it’s my hand on the trigger, it may look like I’m pointing a gun at his head. But it’s an illusion. In fact it’s you whose doing it.”

That’s so cool.

Those words spoke to me. Inspired me.

I can use them, use this scene in a campaign.

The most obvious use would be in say a modern or scifi setting where there are guns. But I can see it working in a fantasy setting also with maybe a knife at the persons throat.

It could easily be the culmination of a rescue mission where the big bad replaces Command, the party replaces Olivia and the hostage replaces Jake.

I like how it adds a “final” twist to overcome for the party. It’s not an original twist. There are many examples of the kidnapper being cornered and holding the victim at gun point trying to save their own skin. There is a NCIS scene that comes to mind immediately for example.

But the word illusion also inspires. What if the person holding the gun/knife to the victim looks like one of the party using an illusion spell? Will it make them doubt who the real one is, mistrust the person, confuse?

How the party handles the situation will be interesting. I have no idea how it would play out, what the outcome will be. That’s something that’d be decided at the table at the time.

Three Cool Cyberpunk Red Additions

Cyberpunk Red, new arrivals, RPG

I so need to get a session or two of Cyberpunk Red organised. But that I’m afraid has to wait for safer times. However in the meantime I got one or two bits in to help with that when it happens.

The cool thing is one is generic enough it could be used in a Judge Dredd RPG, Genesys RPG Shadow of the Beanstalk, or even an Alien RPG session. Whilst another although aimed at Cyberpunk players it’s contents could apply to other RPGs. Finally the third item is pure Cyberpunk Red only.

First up is the newly released Cyberpunk Red Data Screen.

The Data Screen is the official GM screen for Cyberpunk Red by R. Talsorian Games.

My initial impressions of the screen is that I like it. It looks one of the more useful screens in relation to the information it has (see below).

I love the art on the player facing side (see below). It screams cyberpunk, the Bladerunner influence is clear to see. The sprawling metropolis of Night City looks stunning.

Images off the R. Talsorian Games website

The Data Screen is available from R. Talsorian Games directly if you can’t wait (like me) for it to arrive at your FLGS (they are in transit).

Next up is a reprint of a 1994 book for the Cyberpunk RPG, “Listen Up You Primitive Screwheads!!!!” The book offers “advice on a number of topics, including crafting long-term campaigns, game style and atmosphere, cyberpunk sociology, running interesting and dynamic combat, and more!” Despite being nearly 30 years old, the info still seems relevant today.

“Listen Up You Primitive Screwheads!!!!” is available physically, as a pdf and as an audible book. Which ticks all the bases for me. I don’t think this will be a surprise to anyone but I have all three versions! So I can listen to the book while going to sleep or driving (a good use of an audible credit). I do like having a physical copy, I’m old school like that. But I also like the digital as well in case I need to print or quote something. I’m an ideal mark for a publisher.

Finally the “Big Book of CyberPunk Battle Mats” is bigger than I was expecting. It’s A3 size (there is an A4 version). I really should read the product description. But as I said at the top of the post this is generic enough to be used with several other systems. The maps can be bought digitally via DriveThruRPG for use with something like owlbear.rodeo for running a game online.

Inside the large tomb you get the following maps: Concrete Plaza,Motel,Downtown Shops,Nightclub,Neon Streets,Neon Crosssing,Car Park,Neon Alleys,Subway Station,Rooftop Helipad,Supermarket,Municipal Lobby,Municipal Rooms,Corporate Office,Data Centre,Tech Rooms,High Rise Hab Block,Corporate Lobby,Neon Plaza,Freeway,Luxury Residence,Warehouse,Shipping Container Lot,Storm Channel Underpass ,Industrial,Cabin in the Woods,Quarry Dirt Track,Ruined Street,Death Road,Abandoned Desert Houses,Mud and Grass,Deserted Train Yard,Shanty Town, and a Blank Grid.

Having said that it’s large, I do actually prefer the larger A3 size over the A4 (I have one of the fantasy map books of theirs in that size).

I just need to use the stuff now in anger.

Quest Models

Cyberpunk Red, D&D, DM/GM Tips, Eberron, genesys, Judge Dredd, Paranoia, Rogue Trooper, RPG, Strontium Dog, Uncategorized, W.O.I.N.

This recent video by Sly Flourish is one of many short DM advice videos that he has released recently. They are rather nifty, and brilliant for those with busy lives.

The reason I’ve embed the video and talking about it here is that I think this advice is pretty universal to which ever RPG system you are playing.

The three common quest models Sly briefly covers in the above video are:

  • Kill the boss quest
  • Recover the artifact
  • Rescue somebody

Sly points out that it’s the flavour that makes these quest models interesting. To aid in that flavour I think the adventuring party needs a patron of some kind. Whether that patron is a crime lord, guild leader, a fixer, wealthy, powerful, a corporation (I think you get the idea) they are a handy plot device to use to introduce one of the quest models above, and not just away to give the party useful equipment.

For instance they could have to eliminate a rival crime lord, steal a top secret device/plans from a rival corporation, or rescue hostages.

This isn’t the first time that Sly has talked about quest models. In the video below he talks about “The Three-of-Five Collection Quest”.

“The Three-of-Five Collection Quest” is a variation of “recover the artifact” quest. Sly also lists three other quest models within the above video, the “heist”, “kill the lieutenant” and “destroy the thing”. But in reality to the initial list from the quest models video we are only adding one new quest to our tool box.

  • Kill some-one
  • Recover the thing/heist
  • Rescue somebody
  • Destroy the thing

I would argue a heist is a variation of the recover the thing quest model, if not the same thing. I don’t see any difference between the “kill the boss” and “kill the lieutenant” quests. They are basically go kill some-one for some reason. So I think count as one.

UPDATE: adding a fifth quest model escort/protect someone/thing.

With these handful of quest models it should be easy to come up with quests for your campaign or even at a push on the fly.

Oh while I’m talking RPGs. It struck me as I was binge watching Leverage for the third or fourth time that the Leverage team is the perfect party make up for a cyberpunk (Red or Android) party.

I’m not sure what the mastermind role would map to, but they are basically the brains of the group. But every other role maps I believe. At a push this could be a D&D party too. What do you think?

Cyberpunk RPG Humble Bundle

Cyberpunk Red, news, RPG

Not quite Cyberpunk Red (the pdf has just been released, with the physical dropping very soon now). But Humble Bundle have teamed up with the publishers of the Cyberpunk RPG R. Talsorian to offer a shit load of Cyberpunk goodies for charity.

Highlights include the Cyberpunk 2020 rules, the Cyberpunk Red Jump Start Kit, plus a load of adventures and source books.

Even with the new updated rule book now available, these allow you to either try the system before getting the latest rules. Or they can still be used with the new rules and instantly give you a tonne of stuff to use in your games.

Remember these are digital versions (ie PDF’s).

You can get them HERE.

Start of my horror notes

Cyberpunk Red, D&D, genesys, Judge Dredd, netrunner, Rogue Trooper, RPG, Strontium Dog, W.O.I.N.

Today I decided to start making some notes about horror in relation to RPGs instead of just dumping clippings into a note app entry on my iPad.

I’m using the excellent iThoughts mind map app to organise them. It allows me to create something like below.

Basically I’ve captioned headings, sub headings, etc and turned them into mini mind maps on one big mind map.

The plan is to expand each of the mind maps with further notes. Which naturally will take sometime.

But thought I’d share this incase it’s of interest to anyone.

A First Look at the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit

Cyberpunk Red, first look, RPG

Over in the video game world they are eagerly awaiting the release of the next instalment in the Cyberpunk franchise (which just happens to have a guest appearance by Keanu Reeves in it).

In the meantime we in the ttrpg world get an early look into the world portrayed in the new Cyberpunk game with an updated release of the Cyberpunk RPG, called Cyberpunk Red. Before the main rule books drop for this update we got treated to a starter kit or as the publisher R. Talsorian Games call it Jumpstart Kit.

The Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit came out in the later half of last year. Since before Christmas last year this starter kit has been sold out in the UK. Every now and then I’d trying finding a copy. Hoping that it had been reprinted and sent out to stores. But nada. So a month ago I reached out to R. Talsorian Games over Twitter about it being out of stock in the UK. After a couple of interactions it came to light that there were copies winging their way over the Atlantic to Asmodee to distribute. Patiently I waited (pretty unusual for me I know) looking for Asmodee in their weekly new releases pdf to announce a restock of the starter kit. Sadly it did not appear.

I reached out again to the publisher and this time they pointed me in the direction of a retailer that had copies! You guessed it, I made use of this information and ordered a copy. Which brings us to this post.

So for your money what do you get in the Jumpstart kit?

For starters there is the cut down rule book. Remember this is a “taster” of the full experience. It’s meant to give you an idea what the system is like. Plus the full rules haven’t been published yet.

The other book inside is the world book. This gives you background info on the setting for Cyberpunk Red and adventures to run.

Two double sided maps.

Six dice – 2d10 and 4d6.

Six pre-generated characters that can be customised.

Cardboard standees.

Finally a rules reference sheet.

I really like the pre-generated characters that come with the Jumpstart Set. There are stats on one side (some of which are chosen at start of play by the player to help personalise the character). On the reverse side there is background info and art for the character. These are nice and the personalisation of them helps the player feel more connected to the character. That’s pretty cool.

Why other RPG systems don’t provide a rules reference sheet I don’t know. But this is a really nice and welcome addition to the contents. So you can guess I really really like this.

Another thing I like about this Jumpstart Kit is the battle maps and standees. Another addition that you would think other starter kits would have.

The one thing I dislike about the Jumpstart Kit is the included dice!

I just don’t like their design. I get that they wanted to produce something that would appear thematic. But these are literally unreadable for some of the numbers especially on the d10. These are a big let down and something I’ll never use.

As starter sets go I like this one a lot. It’d be nearly perfect if it weren’t for those dice.

The nice thing about this Jumpstart set is that if once I get it to the table and I don’t get on with the system for whatever reason I can re-use some of the content (maps and standees) with say the Genesys RPG and the Android setting.

Like the Android setting if you are looking for inspiration there are plenty of tv shows and movies that can be watched. I did a list a while back here for Android.