Character Basics

This guide explains character creation, roles, stats, progression, and development in Chatsubo. Understanding these systems will help you build effective characters and make informed choices as you play.

Character Creation

Starting the Process

During the tutorial, you will create your character.

Important: Take your time! Your choices will shape your gameplay experience.

The Creation Steps

Choose your role - Select from 5 cyberpunk archetypes
Name your character - Pick a fitting name for the setting
Write your description - Craft how others see you

Character Roles

Chatsubo offers 5 distinct roles, each with unique strengths, starting equipment, and playstyles.

Console Cowboy (Netrunner)

Archetype: Elite hacker who jacks into cyberspace

Strengths: - Hacking and cyberdeck mastery - Information gathering - Electronic warfare - Matrix navigation

Starting Gear: - Basic cyberdeck - Interface cables - Hacking software

Playstyle: Tech-focused, intelligence-based character who excels at digital intrusion and data manipulation. Good for players who enjoy puzzle-solving and strategic gameplay.

Recommended Stats: High Intelligence, Cool, and Awareness

Street Samurai

Archetype: Cybernetically-enhanced combat specialist

Strengths: - Close combat mastery - Heavy cyberware integration - Reflexes and speed - Weapon proficiency

Starting Gear: - Combat knife or sword - Light armor - Basic combat cyberware

Playstyle: Front-line fighter with enhanced reflexes and combat abilities. Ideal for players who want direct action and physical combat.

Recommended Stats: High Reflexes, Body, and Strength

Fixer

Archetype: Street-level dealmaker and information broker

Strengths: - Negotiation and persuasion - Black market connections - Quest access - Resource acquisition

Starting Gear: - Credstick with extra starting nuyen - Contact list - Street clothes

Playstyle: Social character focused on connections, deals, and information. Great for players who enjoy roleplay, negotiation, and building networks.

Recommended Stats: High Cool, Awareness, and Intelligence

Tech (Technician)

Archetype: Engineer and cyberware specialist

Strengths: - Crafting and repair - Cyberware installation - Hardware expertise - Invention and modification

Starting Gear: - Tool kit - Repair supplies - Technical scanner

Playstyle: Support character who maintains equipment, installs cyberware, and creates custom gear. Perfect for players who like crafting systems.

Recommended Stats: High Intelligence and Awareness

Street Medic (Medtech)

Archetype: Underground medical professional

Strengths: - Healing and medicine - Cyberware surgery - Poison and disease treatment - Pharmaceutical knowledge

Starting Gear: - Medical kit - First aid supplies - Basic pharmaceuticals

Playstyle: Support character focused on keeping the team alive. Essential for group play and dangerous areas.

Recommended Stats: High Intelligence and Cool

Character Stats

Your character has several core attributes that define their capabilities:

Primary Attributes

Health - Your hit points and survivability - Reduced by damage from combat, poison, disease - Restored by healing, rest, medkits

Reflexes - Speed and reaction time - Affects combat initiative and dodge chance - Critical for combat-focused characters

Body - Physical toughness and endurance - Affects maximum health and damage resistance - Important for survival in dangerous areas

Strength - Physical power and carrying capacity - Affects melee damage - Determines what equipment you can use effectively

Intelligence - Mental acuity and problem-solving - Affects hacking, crafting, and learning - Essential for Console Cowboys and Techs

Cool - Composure under pressure - Affects social interactions and fear resistance - Important for leadership and negotiation

Awareness - Perception and environmental observation - Affects detection of hidden things - Useful for all roles

Viewing Your Stats

score

Shows your complete character sheet with all stats, level, XP, and progression.

status

Shows your current health, injuries, status effects, and condition.

Leveling and Experience

How XP Works

You gain experience points (XP) by: - Completing quests - Defeating enemies - Discovering locations - Achieving milestones - Roleplaying in-character

Leveling Up

When you accumulate enough XP, you level up automatically: - Health increases - Stats improve slightly - New abilities may unlock - Access to better equipment

Pro tip: Each role has different XP requirements and progression curves. Some level faster early, others scale better late.

Level Ranges

Level 1-5: Beginner (learning the ropes)
Level 6-10: Experienced (competent operative)
Level 11-15: Veteran (skilled professional)
Level 16-20: Elite (top-tier specialist)
Level 20+: Legendary (renowned expert)

Skills and Progression

Role-Specific Skills

Each role has unique skills that improve with use and level:

Console Cowboy: - Hacking - Matrix navigation - ICE breaking - Data extraction

Street Samurai: - Melee combat - Cyberware integration - Reflexes - Weapon mastery

Fixer: - Negotiation - Streetwise - Contacts - Resource acquisition

Tech: - Repair - Crafting - Cyberware installation - Invention

Street Medic: - Medicine - Surgery - Pharmacology - Trauma care

Improving Skills

Skills improve through: - Use - Practice makes perfect - Training - NPCs may offer skill training - Quests - Some quests reward skill improvements - Items - Certain cyberware and equipment boost skills

Equipment and Inventory

Starting Equipment

Each role begins with role-appropriate gear: - Basic weapons or tools - Starting clothing - Essential supplies - Small amount of nuyen (currency)

Equipment Types

Weapons: - Melee (knives, swords, clubs) - Firearms (pistols, rifles, shotguns) - Energy weapons (laser, plasma) - Grenades and explosives

Armor: - Light (mobility, low protection) - Medium (balanced) - Heavy (high protection, reduced mobility)

Cyberware: - Neural (interface, reflexes, processors) - Optical (vision enhancement, scanners) - Skeletal (strength, durability) - Dermal (armor, sensors) - Internal (organs, systems)

Tools and Consumables: - Medkits and healing items - Hacking tools and software - Repair kits - Food and drink - Drugs and stimulants (BTLs, boosters)

Managing Inventory

inventory

View everything you're carrying.

equip <item>

Wear or wield equipment.

unequip <item>

Remove equipped items.

examine <item>

Get detailed information about an item.

Encumbrance

You have limited carrying capacity based on your Strength: - Carrying too much slows you down - May prevent certain actions - Drop unnecessary items or increase Strength

Reputation System

Your actions build reputation with various factions:

Faction Types

Street Reputation: - Gangs and street-level contacts - Affected by: street crimes, helping locals, gang interactions - Benefits: Street access, black market deals, gang quests

Corporate Reputation: - Megacorporations and business entities - Affected by: corporate jobs, legal behavior, professional conduct - Benefits: Corporate access, legal resources, high-paying jobs

Criminal Reputation: - Organized crime syndicates - Affected by: illegal activities, smuggling, heists - Benefits: Criminal contacts, illicit goods, underworld protection

Medical Reputation: - Street medics and clinics - Affected by: helping injured, medical quests, health services - Benefits: Discounts on healing, medical training, rare pharmaceuticals

Viewing Reputation

rep

Shows your standing with all factions.

Reputation Effects

High reputation: Discounts, special quests, faction support
Neutral reputation: Standard interactions
Low reputation: Hostility, higher prices, denied access

Important: Some factions conflict. High street rep might lower corpo rep, and vice versa. Choose your allegiances carefully!

Character Development Strategies

Early Game (Levels 1-5)

Complete the tutorial - Essential skills and understanding
Accept beginner quests - Build XP and gear safely
Explore safe areas - Unlock taxi stands and locations
Talk to many NPCs - Build quest chains and connections
Don't overextend - Stick to areas appropriate for your level

Mid Game (Levels 6-15)

Specialize - Focus on your role's strengths
Upgrade equipment - Invest in better weapons, armor, cyberware
Build reputation - Align with factions that support your playstyle
Team up - Group content becomes more rewarding
Take calculated risks - Venture into harder areas for better rewards

Late Game (Levels 16+)

Master your role - Maximize role-specific abilities
Acquire rare cyberware - High-end augmentations
Complete faction storylines - Access endgame content
Mentor new players - Share knowledge and build community
Pursue legendary quests - High-risk, high-reward objectives

Build Optimization Tips

For Combat Characters (Street Samurai): - Prioritize Reflexes and Body - Invest in combat cyberware early - Maintain good armor and weapons - Learn when to flee vs. fight

For Social Characters (Fixer): - Max out Cool and Awareness - Build diverse NPC contacts - Complete faction quests for reputation - Focus on information gathering

For Tech Characters (Console Cowboy, Tech, Street Medic): - Prioritize Intelligence - Invest in role-specific tools and equipment - Unlock advanced crafting/hacking abilities - Support other players for group benefits

Character Customization

Descriptions

Update your character description anytime:

@desc me = <new description>

Description tips: - Include physical appearance - Mention notable cyberware (visible) - Describe clothing and style - Show personality through description - Update as your character develops

Example:

@desc me = A wiry Console Cowboy with mirrored optics and chrome interface jacks running along her temples. Faded band t-shirt, tactical pants, and worn combat boots. Carries herself with the wary confidence of someone who's jacked into places they shouldn't have.

Roleplaying Your Character

Stay in character: - Make decisions based on role and personality - Use emotes to express actions and reactions - Develop character quirks and mannerisms - Build relationships with other characters

Character development: - Let experiences shape your character - React to major events IC (in-character) - Build character arcs and storylines - Don't be afraid to fail or struggle

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Spreading Stats Too Thin

Don't try to max everything. Focus on 2-3 primary stats for your role.

2. Ignoring Reputation

Faction standing matters. Don't burn bridges unnecessarily.

3. Soloing Too Much

Some content requires groups. Make friends and allies.

4. Neglecting Equipment

Outdated gear will get you killed. Upgrade regularly.

5. Rushing Progression

Take time to learn your role, explore, and roleplay. It's not a race.

6. Breaking Character

Stay in-character in IC areas. Use OOC channels for out-of-character talk.

7. Forgetting to Save Nuyen

Cyberware, equipment, and repairs are expensive. Budget wisely.

Character Progression Checklist

New Character (Level 1-3)

[ ] Complete the tutorial
[ ] Talk to NPCs in Chatsubo Bar
[ ] Accept your first quest
[ ] Explore Night City Street
[ ] Unlock first taxi destination
[ ] Purchase or acquire basic equipment
[ ] Join the newbie channel for help
[ ] Practice roleplay with emotes

Developing Character (Level 4-10)

[ ] Complete 5+ quests
[ ] Unlock 3+ taxi destinations
[ ] Install first piece of cyberware
[ ] Build positive reputation with a faction
[ ] Upgrade primary weapon or armor
[ ] Participate in group content
[ ] Develop character relationships
[ ] Establish character personality and quirks

Advanced Character (Level 11+)

[ ] Master role-specific abilities
[ ] Acquire rare or unique equipment
[ ] Complete faction storylines
[ ] Mentor newer players
[ ] Participate in server events
[ ] Build complex character relationships
[ ] Pursue personal character goals
[ ] Contribute to server roleplay community

Need Help?

If you're confused about character development:

Check help <topic> for specific mechanics
Ask on the newbie channel
Talk to experienced players in-game
Use staff to see who's online
Use helpdesk to file questions
Check the FAQ

Next Steps

Now that you understand character basics, explore:

Getting Started - If you haven't created your character yet
Basic Controls - Master essential commands
Exploration Guide - Discover Night City
Roleplay Guidelines - Learn RP best practices

Your character is your story. Build them thoughtfully, develop them consistently, and enjoy the journey!

Last Updated: October 2025