Chargen Guide
Read this page in full before beginning. Character generation cannot be partially undone — only a full reset (chargen/reset) wipes the slate.
Overview
Character generation takes place in the Character Generation Room. All chargen commands function only in that room. The process follows this sequence:
- Choose your Role
- Choose your generation method (Edgerunner or Complete Package)
- Run the
chargencommand — guided menus handle gear, specialties, and skill instances - Complete the
lifepathmenu - Allocate remaining stats and skills (Complete Package only)
- Optionally install starting cyberware
- Run
chargen/finishto lock your sheet and submit for approval - Wait for staff approval
Step 1 — Choose Your Role
| Role | Role Ability | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Rockerboy | Charismatic Impact | Performance, crowd manipulation, cultural warfare |
| Solo | Combat Awareness | Elite combat, bodyguard, mercenary |
| Netrunner | Interface | Hacking, NET architecture, cyberspace warfare |
| Tech | Maker | Crafting, repair, invention, field upgrades |
| Medtech | Medicine | Trauma care, surgery, pharmaceuticals, cryogenics |
| Media | Credibility | Investigative journalism, publishing, rumor networks |
| Exec | Teamwork | Corporate command, resource leverage, team buffs |
| Lawman | Backup | Law enforcement, backup call, criminal takedown |
| Fixer | Operator | Information brokerage, contacts, deal-making |
| Nomad | Moto | Vehicle mastery, road combat, pack loyalty |
Your Role Ability starts at rank 4 regardless of generation method. It cannot be set during chargen — only improved via +ip during play.
Step 2 — Choose Your Generation Method
Edgerunner Method
Stats are randomly generated from a role-specific table. You receive a curated starting gear and cyberware package. You also receive 500 Eurodollars extra spending money and an 800eb fashion budget (use-it-or-lose-it). Skill pool: 86 points.
Best for players who want to jump in quickly or enjoy a classic tabletop feel.
Complete Package Method
You receive 62 stat points and 86 skill points to allocate yourself. Starting money: 2550eb plus an 800eb fashion budget. Required skills are pre-set to rank 2. Stats range from 0 to 8.
Best for players who want precise control over their character's build.
Both methods grant the same Role Ability (rank 4, free — not deducted from your pool) and the same required skills pre-set at rank 2.
Step 3 — Run the Chargen Command
chargen <method> <role> <full name>
Examples:
chargen edgerunner Rockerboy Kimmy Owens
chargen complete_package Solo Marcus Chen
chargen edgerunner Medtech Dr. Yuki Tanaka
Valid methods: edgerunner or complete_package
Valid roles: Rockerboy Solo Netrunner Tech Medtech Media Exec Lawman Fixer Nomad
Your Handle defaults to your full name. Change it before finishing with selfstat HANDLE=<handle>.
Interactive Menus
Depending on your role and method, the chargen command launches one or more guided menus:
Gear Menu (Edgerunner only, roles with equipment choices)
Choose between weapon or equipment options for your starting package.
Medicine Specialty Menu (Medtech only)
Allocate your Medicine rank across three specialties. All three must sum to your Medicine rank.
- Surgery — each point = 2 Surgery skill (max 5 points)
- Pharmaceuticals — each point = 1 Medical Tech, unlocks drug crafting (max 5 points)
- Cryosystem — each point = 1 Medical Tech, unlocks cryogenic equipment (max 5 points)
Maker Specialty Menu (Tech only)
Allocate 2 points per Maker rank across four specialties: Field, Upgrade, Fabrication, Invention. No specialty may exceed your Maker rank.
Skill Instances Menu (all roles)
Choose specifics for instanced skills:
- Local Expert — choose your area of expertise (Watson, Heywood, Pacifica, etc.)
- Play Instrument — Rockerboys choose their instrument
- Science skill — Tech and Medtech choose one science specialty
Complete each menu in sequence. Quitting a menu aborts chargen without creating the character.
Step 4 — Sell Your Soul (Optional)
Optional — available before or after chargen
Opt into Sell Your Soul for an additional 1500 Eurodollars and a free Neural Link or Neuroport. In exchange, your character is entangled with a powerful employer who holds leverage over them.
sellyoursoul
Choose your employer type (Military, Corporate, Crime, or Gang), specific organization, and catch (Hostages, Blackmail, Sabotage Cybernetics, etc.). This is a permanent roleplaying commitment tracked on your sheet.
Step 5 — Complete the Lifepath
The Lifepath defines your character's background and history. It does not cost stat or skill points.
lifepath
This launches a menu covering:
- Cultural Origin — grants a native language at rank 4
- Personality — how you present yourself
- Clothing Style — your aesthetic
- Hairstyle — your look
- Affectation — a notable habit or trademark
- Motivation — what drives you
- Feelings About People — your general outlook
- Life Goal — your long-term ambition
- Family Background — where you came from
- Neuroport — accept a free Neuroport implant, or take 500eb instead
- Childhood Environment — the world you grew up in
- Family Crisis — what broke your family apart
- Role Lifepath — role-specific background questions
Each step can be chosen from a numbered list or randomized with r. Progress is saved — you can quit and resume.
Step 6 — Allocate Stats and Skills (Complete Package Only)
selfstat <attribute>=<value>
Stats (62 points, range 0-8)
selfstat INT=6 selfstat REF=7 selfstat DEX=6
selfstat TECH=4 selfstat COOL=7 selfstat WILL=5
selfstat LUCK=4 selfstat MOVE=6 selfstat BODY=5 selfstat EMP=5
Skills (86 points, range 0-8)
selfstat handgun=6
selfstat evasion=6
selfstat local_expert(Watson)=4
selfstat play_instrument(guitar)=6
selfstat martial_arts(Judo)=4
Instanced skills require the instance name in parentheses. Double-cost skills (Autofire, Martial Arts, Pilot Air Vehicle, Heavy Weapons, Demolitions, Electronics/Security Tech, Paramedic) cost 2 skill points per rank.
Languages
selfstat Japanese=4
selfstat Spanish=3
Languages cost 1 skill point per rank (max rank 6). Streetslang starts at rank 4 for free. Use +lang all to see all available languages.
Medtech Medicine Specialties
selfstat medicine_surgery=3
selfstat medicine_pharma=1
selfstat medicine_cryo=0
Step 7 — Install Starting Cyberware (Optional)
You may install cyberware before finishing chargen. All cyberware must be purchased from a Ripperdoc — starting money or your Edgerunner package funds this.
Browsing and Searching the Catalog
list chargen -- show category menu
list chargen/weapons -- all weapons available in chargen
list chargen/armor -- all armor
list chargen/gear -- all gear
list chargen/cyberware -- all cyberware available in chargen
list chargen/programs -- netrunning programs and Black ICE
list chargen/search <keyword> -- search by name, category, or description
list/search chargen <keyword> -- alternate search syntax
list/info <item name> -- detailed info on any item
The search command matches against item names, categories, and descriptions. Use it to find items by type or keyword:
list chargen/search fashion -- find all fashionware cyberware and clothing
list chargen/search medical -- find medical gear
list chargen/search pistol -- find pistols
list chargen/search neuralware -- find neuralware cyberware
Viewing Installed Cyberware
cyberware -- list your installed cyberware
cyberware/info <name> -- detailed info: cost, HL, prerequisites
Buying Gear and Cyberware
buy <item name> -- buy weapons, armor, gear
buy/cyberware <name> -- buy and install cyberware
buy/cyberware pair=<Name> <Name> -- buy a paired limb (e.g. pair=Cybereye Cybereye)
buy/cyberware parent=<option>/<parent> -- buy option and attach to parent limb
buy/stash <cyberware> -- buy without installing (for Medtechs reselling)
buy/program <name> -- buy a netrunning program or Black ICE
Items over 1,000eb require a relevant role specialty to purchase. Role discounts apply automatically.
Installing Cyberware
cyberware/install <name>
cyberware/install "Popup Melee Weapon" = "Tanto"
cyberware/install "Popup Ranged Weapon" = "Medium Pistol"
Pairing Cyberware
Some options must be parented to a foundation piece:
cyberware/parent image enhance=cybereye
cyberware/parent cybereye=multioptic mount -- for a 3rd eye under borgware
cyberware/unparent image enhance -- disconnect and uninstall
Humanity Loss
Every piece of non-fashionware cyberware reduces your humanity. Your maximum humanity is Empathy x 10. Your sheet tracks this as current/max (e.g. 42/50). If humanity reaches 0 your character becomes an NPC.
Fashionware (Techhair, Chemskin, Light Tattoo, etc.) has 0 HL and never affects humanity.
Step 8 — Set Personal Details
selfstat HANDLE=Kimmy
selfstat AGE=21
selfstat HEIGHT=159
selfstat WEIGHT=48
selfstat GENDER=Female
selfstat HOMETOWN=Tokyo
shortdesc <brief description visible to others>
Step 9 — Finish Chargen
chargen/finish
This validates that all required skills are at rank 2 or higher and that no points remain unspent. If validation passes your sheet is locked and a staff approval job is created automatically. No further changes can be made without staff assistance.
Step 10 — Approval
Staff review your sheet and approve or request changes. You will be notified in-game when approved. After approval you may leave the Character Generation Room and full game access is unlocked.
Resetting Chargen
WARNING — IRREVERSIBLE
Wipes all stats, skills, cyberware, inventory, lifepath, and character data. Returns your character to baseline as if freshly created. Cannot be undone.
Quick Reference
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
| chargen <method> <role> <name> | Start character creation |
| chargen/finish | Lock sheet and submit for approval |
| chargen/reset | Full reset to baseline (irreversible) |
| selfstat <attr>=<value> | Set stat, skill, language, or personal info |
| lifepath | Launch lifepath background menu |
| sellyoursoul | Opt into Sell Your Soul (1500eb + Neural Link/Neuroport) |
| list chargen | Browse chargen catalog by category |
| list chargen/<category> | List weapons, armor, gear, cyberware, or programs |
| list chargen/search <keyword> | Search catalog by name, category, or description |
| list/info <item name> | Detailed info on any item |
| buy <item name> | Buy weapons, armor, or gear in chargen |
| buy/cyberware <name> | Buy and install cyberware |
| buy/program <name> | Buy a netrunning program or Black ICE |
| sheet | View your current character sheet |
| cyberware | View installed cyberware |
| cyberware/info <name> | Detailed info on a cyberware item |
| cyberware/install <name> | Install cyberware from inventory |
| cyberware/parent <option>=<parent> | Parent a cyberware option to its foundation |
| cyberware/unparent <child> | Unparent and uninstall a cyberware option |
| +lang all | List all available languages |
| inv / inv/balance | View inventory / check Eurodollar balance |
Rules Summary
- Edgerunner stats are final — randomly generated from a role table, cannot be changed.
- Role abilities cannot be set during chargen — start at 4, improved only with
+ipduring play. - Required skills must all be at least rank 2 before
chargen/finishwill pass. - Double-cost skills cost 2 skill points per rank.
- Fashion budget (800eb) is separate from starting money. Unused fashion budget is lost at finish.
- Lifepath does not consume stat or skill points.
- Languages cost 1 skill point per rank (max 6). Streetslang starts at 4 for free.
- Cyberware during chargen must be purchased normally — no free cyberware outside your Edgerunner package.
- Items over 1,000eb require a relevant role specialty to purchase from the chargen catalog.
- Multiclassing requires your primary Role Ability to be at least rank 4 before purchasing rank 1 of any secondary Role Ability.
Night City MUSH • nightcitymux.com • Based on Cyberpunk Red by R. Talsorian Games