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GM resource

Prep checklist for Cyberpunk RED

What to prep (and what to skip) before sessions. Cyberpunk RED GMing works when jobs have clear objectives, heat, and consequences. Make the city react.

Checklist

  • Define objective + payout + what goes wrong if they fail.
  • Add a clock: police response, corp escalation, rival crew.
  • Use environments: cover, chokepoints, security layers.
  • Make cyberware/Humanity and reputation matter over time.
Common pitfalls
  • Jobs with no meaningful consequence
  • Loot focus without narrative cost
  • Pure combat without leverage
Combat cheat sheet
Quick lookup during play.
Common mistakes
Avoid repeated slowdowns.

Keep sessions moving

Use quick pages, then get back to the scene.