Roles, Gigs, and Subgenres [Solo Play Article]

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Roles, Gigs, and Subgenres

Sometimes best approach in Solo Play is to treat sessions as fast-paced action movies. When I first read character archetypes in a new system, I tend to find each archetype an action movie subgenre. Cyberpunk RED suited this approach naturally for its Narrative-first approach.

CPRED is built upon three foundational rules: Style over Substance, Attitude is Everything, and Living on the Edge. All centered on the Player Character which is perfect for Solo Mode where your PC is everything. I'll see if these core rules can lead my characters into danger that can only produce memorable stories.

In CPRED, there are ten distinct Roles that serve as your character's self-defining label on the Street. In comparison, unlike in CP2020, a role is an identity here, rather than just a job. Unique Role Abilities, such as Nomad’s "Moto" (convoy management) or Solo’s "Combat Awareness," anchor these identities to be mechanically reflected in every scene. Which is what makes the ruleset suitable for action-packed, dramatic stories.

But most importantly, with a streamlined tool called Story Beats Chart for pacing scenes through a systematic arc, you can easily start by Social high-stake opening, continue with Exploration & Investigation, go on and Escalate the Tension with Conflicts & Combat, and finally conclude with a Resolution. Perfect for quick and dirty 20 min solo sessions.

I hope this Solo Approach and my Role-Subgenre matches translate well into other settings so that whether you play sci-fi, medieval fantasy, or a modern game, you can find the sweet spot on action-packed dramatic stories.

This is my make-shift Story Beat Chart, if you don't have Single Player Mode that brings it to next level:
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The Ten Roles in the Dark Future

I didn't go beyond these basics yet but here's the ten CP Roles, their Role Ability, Suiting Gigs for them, and the Action Subgenre that might go naturally in their main story:

Rockerboy


Rebel artists who use performative arts and rhetoric to fight authority. Johnny Silverhand in CP 2077 is one of the best examples.

Role Ability: Charismatic Impact. The ability to influence fans and lead crowds to action.
Suiting Gigs: Leading protest concerts, inciting crowds to rebellion, and using art to lead "armies" against Corporations or Governments. They often act as the "Face" with a gun in missions, using their stardom to smooth-talk or distract guards.
Subgenre: Socio-Political Thriller / Drama. They embody the typical "rebel with a cause" archetype who is fighting against the tyranny of authority.


Solo


The elite fighting machines of the Dark Future, working as assassins, bodyguards, or mercs-for-hire. Morgan Blackhand, widely regarded as the "Solo of Solos," is the example for the role.

Role Ability: Combat Awareness. Grants tactical advantages, such as increased damage or better initiative during a firefight among others.
Suiting Gigs: Elite hitman contracts, high-stakes bodyguarding, and freelance "black ops". They are the "Muscle" or "Killer" in a team, providing the raw violence or surgical strikes needed to eliminate opposition.
Subgenre: Assassination / Mercenary Action. Their lives are defined by "Play for Keeps" lethality and the simulation of professional combat.


Netrunner


Cybernetic master hackers who dive headfirst into the virtual reality of the NET (pun intended). As an example, all I can say is Alt Cunningham in CP 2077. No spoilers.

Role Ability: Interface. Allows the character to Netrun and use a suite of abilities to control computer systems.
Suiting Gigs: Infiltrating Data Fortresses, opening remote doors for teams, deactivating security cameras, and stealing deep mainframe secrets. They also work to secure family (Nomad) or corporate systems from "NET threats".
Subgenre: Cyber-Heist / Techno-Thriller. Their reality is the artificial landscape of the NET, diving into rabbit holes of code and ICE (Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics).


Tech


Renegade mechanics and supertech inventors who keep the Dark Future running. Like Eran Malour. A veteran armorer who gained legendary status on the Street for building custom, high-end weaponry, most notably the personalized handguns used by Johnny Silverhand (Malorian Arms 3516).

Role Ability: Maker. The ability to fix, modify, upgrade, and invent new technology and items.
Suiting Gigs: Inventing new gadgets, fixing broken supply chain hardware, and scavenging for wreckage in abandoned City Zones for rare parts. They provide the "Maker" solutions when unexpected tech problems arise during a heist.
Subgenre: Industrial Survival / Tech Noir. They are geniuses who are addicted to technology in a world where no one person knows how half the stuff works.


Medtech


Unsanctioned street doctors and cyberware medics patching up "meat and metal" alike. Viktor Vektor, a ripperdoc and an ex-boxing champ who is closely related to the struggle of CP 2077's Main Character V, is a dramatically satisfying example.

Role Ability: Medicine. Allows them to keep people alive through surgery and the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.
Suiting Gigs: Patching up edgerunners during or after "Typical Jobs," performing renegade surgery for gangs, and synthesizing pharmaceuticals or street drugs.
Subgenre: Medical Drama / Body Horror. They care for patients who are often more machine than human in a world where "meat and metal" are fused into each other.


Media


Reporters and social influencers who risk everything for the truth or self-glory. If I give an example for this, I'll spoil CP 2077.

Role Ability: Credibility. The ability to convince audiences of the truth and gain passive access to rumors and information. It can be their strength and weakness at the same time.
Suiting Gigs: Investigative reporting on corporate takedowns, muckraking to expose corruption, and producing "screamsheet" (1-page newspapers) exposes on political intrigue.
Subgenre: Conspiracy Thriller / Investigative Noir. They provide the "Credential" truth in a world where there are no secrets from the cameras.


Exec


Corporate power brokers who are fighting to restore the rule of the Megacorps. Saburo Arasaka, The "Emperor" of the Arasaka Corporation who is despised by Silverhand to say the least, is a good example.

Role Ability: Teamwork. Allows the Exec to build a team of specialized employees (like envoy of drivers or bodyguards) to accomplish their goals.
Suiting Gigs: Leading "headhunting" runs to kidnap researchers, sabotaging rival corporate projects, and managing "black project" procurement.
Subgenre: Corporate Espionage / Machiavellian Drama. They play a "game of thrones," by selling their souls to restore the rule of the Megacorps.


Lawman


Enforcers patrolling the mean streets and "barbarian highways" of the post-war world. Best example is REDACTED! in Phantom Liberty expansion pack of CP 2077. Move along citizen, nothing to see here.

Role Ability: Backup. The ability to call upon a group of fellow officers for tactical assistance.
Suiting Gigs: Patrolling highways, criminal investigation, and hunting down high-functioning serial killers or cyberpsychos.
Subgenre: Hardboiled Crime Fiction / Police Procedural. They represent the "Maximum Law" in a town where the police force is often as dangerous as the gangs.


Fixer


Dealmakers and info brokers who control the Night Markets. In example, Silverhand's once partner-in-crime Rogue Amendiares, the "Queen of the Afterlife bar." Started as Solo and climbed her way up to become Night City's top Fixer in 2077.

Role Ability: Operator. Grants the ability to source rare gear and navigate complex social customs of the Streets.
Suiting Gigs: Brokering contracts between rival gangs, procuring "milspec" weapons, and acting as agents for high-priced edgerunner teams. And sending them to their dea... glory.
Subgenre: Underworld Crime Noir. They are the middlemen who control the Night Markets, one part Robin Hood and two parts Al Capone. So, three parts puppeteers.


Nomad


Transport experts, builders, and ultimate road warriors who keep the world connected. Like Panam Palmer, a "former" member of the Aldecaldos tribe. Panam is suited for the "Road Warrior" subgenre, with an addition of her tribal family loyalty and expertise in transport and vehicular combat.

Role Ability: Moto. The ability to pilot, maintain, and upgrade a customized fleet of family vehicles.
Suiting Gigs: Smuggling contraband cargo, shipment protection across highways, and engaging in land, air or sea piracy. They are the "Drivers" who provide transport for every major caper.
Subgenre: Mad Max / Post-Collapse Western. Self-explanatory. Though, they live by a strict code of family protection instead of "Lone Cowboy" trope.

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HOW to Translate the Subgenres into Gameplay?

You can bake your favorite subgenre directly into the Role Abilities and mission structures of the tabletop system via the Beat Chart and random tables in Single Player Mode. I gave you the broadest definitions and it is up to you to learn how it progresses.

1. Action and Combat

Assassination & Mercenary Action

This is the primary domain of the Solo, whose "Combat Awareness" ability provides tactical bonuses during "Wetwork" gigs.
Gameplay focuses on "Play for Keeps" lethality where combat is an all-encompassing simulation and character death is a constant threat.
Among the themes are moral ambiguity, betrayal, corporate control, impact of high-tech on identity and society, etc. It's not uncommon for Solos to retire after a burn-out and seek simpler lifestyles away from cities.

The Rescue in CP 2077 (the high-stakes extraction of REDACTED! from a Scavenger den).

Cyber-Heist & Techno-Thriller

Translated through the Netrunner who uses the "Interface" ability to dive into the virtual reality of the NET.
Missions often involve infiltrating "Data Fortresses" to steal corporate secrets while battling lethal Black ICE (Intrusion Countermeasures Electronics).
Cyber heists include the moral complexities -for both sides- of hacking, the consequences of digital crime, and the tension between law enforcement and cybercriminals.

The Heist in CP 2077 (the legendary infiltration of REDACTED! Plaza to steal the REDACTED!)

Road Warrior

Mad Max but with Family: Embodied by the Nomads and their "Moto" ability, which allows for the management and upgrading of a customized family vehicle convoy.
Gameplay utilizes specialized vehicle combat and "Hot Pursuit" rules for high-speed chases with lots of bullet shells across highways.
Mad Max particularly explores survival in a post-apocalyptic world, the collapse of society due to resource scarcity, but add that the pov of a huge "extended family" of neo-tribes that constitute an entire unified nomad nation.
Individuality versus society or hotheaded youngsters vs wise elders can be the main conflict if external threats are not enough.

Life During Wartime in CP 2077 (a kinetic AV chase and crash site battle in the Badlands).

Post-Collapse Western

Also centered on Nomads, this subgenre focuses on "The Open Road," tribal family loyalty, and protecting cargo shipments through dusty, lawless territories.
Attrition and scarcity during dangerous trips are two main problems.
This is also a great medium to introduce Ruffian-Shivs, the most hated among nomads and are considered sub-human by traditional packs for their bad behavior such as preying on the innocent, raiding small villages and attacking weakly guarded corporate transports.

Ghost Town in CP 2077 (securing an alliance with the REDACTED! tribe).

2. Noir and Investigation

Investigative Noir

This subgenre suits the Media who uses "Credibility" to gain leads and uncover truths for "screamsheet" exposes.
Gameplay leverages an optional "Investigation System" where characters use a "Focus" stat to find clues and solve mysteries by reducing a goal's "Complexity."
Among the themes are systematic conspiracies, corruption, injustice, that give way to 4 moral dilemmas: 1 - Truth versus loyalty, 2 - Individual versus community, 3 - Short term versus long term, 4 - Justice versus revenge."

The Information in CP 2077 (using Braindance sensory analysis to uncover hidden target data).

Police Procedural

Followed by Lawmen who patrol the streets and use their "Backup" ability to call in tactical assistance during criminal investigations. It involves using skills like "Criminology" to examine evidence and ballistics to search and destroy cyberpsychos or to detain criminals.
A Courtroom Drama in epilogue section of the job can also be played or narrated.
Themes are similar to Investigative Noir with an addition to psychological toll of crime on both the investigators and the society they serve.

The Hunt in CP 2077 (REDACTED's investigation into a high-functioning serial killer).

Hardboiled Detective Noir

Realized through Lawmen and Fixers operating in an urban environment designed to feel like any city at 2:30 AM. The narrative pacing is managed via "Beat Charts," strictly alternating between narrative "Developments" which are exploration and investigation, then abrupt, high-tension "Cliffhangers" which are social conflicts & combat.
If you add Media to the mix, only thing missing will be a villain.
Typical themes are moral choices, institutional corruption, and the complexities of human nature.
The PC navigates the gritty world of crime where right and wrong are not clearly defined, reflecting a sense of existential despair and cynicism. Also, whiskey and cigars!

Raymond Chandler Evening in CP 2077 (V acts as a hardboiled investigator for REDACTED!)

Underworld Crime Noir

It defines the Fixer's gameplay loop, using the "Operator" ability to navigate social customs and control of the "Night Markets" where scarce gear is traded.
Themes can be social alienation, consequences of morally dark choices, and the impact of consumerism on identity.

NOTE: Since it is the Fixers' responsibility to find jobs for the PCs, they will be the most needed NPC type in Single or Multi Player Modes alike. In Single Player Mode, you can play the Fixer role more as a crime lord, with typical group roles played by NPCs. Or by creating a playable Fixer PC but treating it as an NPC via Random Tables while your Main has another Role. There are enough job-related tables in SP Mode to quickly find you a gig.

The Ride in CP 2077 (stepping into the "major leagues" via a meeting with high-level Fixer REDACTED!)

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3. Drama and Survival

Corporate Espionage [Stealth]

Realized through the Exec who uses the "Teamwork" ability to direct a team of specialists like personal netrunners or assassins to sabotage rivals, steal blueprints, or gain access to rivals' buildings & secrets.

Themes of greed, betrayal, and the moral complexities of business practices are common.
Gigs can center on "Headhunting" missions to kidnap researchers from other corporations via Fixers who pass the job to other Roles/PCs.
These gigs typically highlight the lengths individuals or corporations will go to gain competitive advantages.
In Solo Mode, you can alternate Roles to both give commands to your "team" and play the action with the team to see how it actually turns up.

The Corpo-Rat in CP 2077 (operating as an REDACTED! counterintel agent sabotaging corporate rivals).

Machiavellian Drama

Grounded in the "game of thrones" theme played out by Execs and Fixers, often requiring players to "sell their souls" to a Corporation or a Gang leader to survive and be used as pawns, out of necessity.

Social conflicts utilize "Facedowns," a duel of wills where reputation alone can end a confrontation.
Themes like "cost of power," deception that blurs the line between virtue and vice, and the use of cunning and force to achieve goals, might makes right, etc., can be counted among many others. Really though, steal from Game of Thrones, there's plenty in that series.

Totalimmortal in Cp 2077 (the REDACTED! path centered on restoring the rule of the REDACTED!)

Conspiracy Thriller

Often involves Medias pulling on a small thread which unravels a vast conspiracy that ultimately goes all the way to the top.
"Revelation" or "Revealed Lie" beats (from SP Mode) along with many other tables is suited for this subgenre.
Gameplay is driven by "(randomized) Foreshadowing" (then finding it out via interpretation in Solo Mode) and "Secret Meetings" where the true antagonist is slowly unmasked and forced to act.

Themes can be "difficulty of discerning the truth from deceptions," rumors, lies, smear campaigns, propaganda, counter-propaganda build upon one another until conspiracy and coincidence become entangled.

I Fought the Law in CP 2077 (V pulling a "small" thread that unravels a vast political mystery).

Medical Drama

Embodied by Medtechs patching up "meat and metal" alike, it often explores "Body Horror" themes through the treatment of cyberpsychosis and renegade surgery.
This subgenre is all about patient's humanity (or what's left of it) versus the inhumane sides that their chrome take over.
But it can also be just like in CP 2077 and emphasize friendship, saving lives, loss, or other medical themes.

The Ripperdoc in CP 2077 (the tutorial for patching up meat and metal.)

Tech Noir / Industrial Survival

Suited for Techs who scavenge wreckages for rare parts in dangerous edges of the Night City and use the "Maker" ability to fix or invent hardware in a world of economic scarcity.
It deals either with dark shenanigans in the world of computers and hi-tech supernerds. Or the virtual landscapes of a techno-generated underworld (even in Elfines Online). Or both.

Disasterpiece in CP 2077 (navigating a techno-underworld power plant to find evidence).

Socio-Political Thriller / Drama

Follows the Rockerboys who use "Charismatic Impact" to influence fans and incite crowds to rebel against corporate / government authority through protest concerts boosted by performative arts, alcohol, and cool ideological speeches.
It typically includes themes such as justice, power, and societal change but from the pov of cynical, if self-centered rockstars.
In CPRED context, catalyzers could be either a governmental move that threaten Rockerboy / fan lifestyle and their rebellious ideals, or a corpo move that threaten way more than that.

A Like Supreme in CP 2077 (just use the REDACTED! concert to incite your own rebellion / societal change).

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BONUS: Phantom Liberty & Spy-Thrillers

The Phantom Liberty era in CP 2077 [not RED] expanded these types further with Spy-Thriller genre, which has three distinct sub-genres:

1. The Super Agent:

Cool gadgets and smooth operation (James Bond or Mission Impossible).

"You Know My Name." in CP 2077

This job is the definitive Super Agent story, featuring high-society infiltration at the REDACTED! party, the use of tactical diving suits, and identity-simulating faceplates to navigate a high-stakes environment.

2. The Rogue Outcast:

One person outsmarting a massive, powerful agency (the Bourne series).

"The Killing Moon." in CP 2077

Fulfilling the Bourne series kind of fantasy, this job features V and REDACTED! acting as fugitives attempting to outmaneuver the full tactical might of the R.E.D.A.C.T.E.D! and Redacted! at the RDCTD! spaceport to secure an escape.

3. The Agency Analyst:

Navigating the internal bureaucracy and complex loyalties of intelligence work (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

"Get It Together." in CP 2077

This job focuses on the technical and logistical side of espionage, requiring V to coordinate with sleeper agents REDACTED! and REDACTED-2!, to navigate the shadow politics of Dogtown, and manage the complex loyalties inherent to the ReDaCTeD's operation.

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