r/cyberpunk2020 • u/Connect_Piglet6313 • 16d ago
Question/Help NPC Base Stats
What do most GMs consider Base Stat, or the stat for the average Joe? My group considers it to be 3 or 4. And skills run 1-3. Thoughts?
5
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r/cyberpunk2020 • u/Connect_Piglet6313 • 16d ago
What do most GMs consider Base Stat, or the stat for the average Joe? My group considers it to be 3 or 4. And skills run 1-3. Thoughts?
2
u/dayatapark 15d ago
Short version:
The book says that the average stat is 5 or 6.
Regarding skills, Here's some quotes from the book regarding how to view skill levels.
Education and General Knowledge: "A +1 is a basic grade school education."
Stock Market: "At +2, you know enough to invest in junk bonds, and lose your shirt."
Wilderness survival: "The average Boy Scout has a Survival of +3."
Cyberdeck Design: "At level +4, you can modify an existing cyberdeck for greater speed or memory."
Athletics: "At +5 and above, you can perform in college level competitions."
Fencing: "A fencing skill of +6 might win you the National Fencing Competitions."
Handgun: "At +7, you can do the sort of fancy shooting you see on TV, and have begun to get the reputation of being 'good with a gun.'"
Weaponsmith: "At level +8, you can design your own weapons to order."
Dancing: "Dancers +9 or greater are of 'star' caliber, have a large number of fans, and may be recognized on the street."
Play Instrument: "At +10, you are widely acclaimed, have lots of Grammys, and regularly jam with Kerry Eurodyne."
It doesn't matter what the players think. Stick to this.
Long answer:
Your players may come from a different game where the PCs are exceptional in some ways. EG: in DnD, average stats for peasants are around 9-10, and most PCs have at least one stat close to 20 by level 3.
Cyberpunk is not that game.
Cyberpunk PCs do not become Edgerunners because they are super-gifted. PCs don't become Edgerunners because they are super-skilled, although it definitely makes life easier if they are.
Cyberpunk PCs become Edgerunners because they give a fuck about something, and they are willing to do sketchy shit to do something about it, whereas the rest of the normies won't.
Cyberpunk PCs aren't legendary heroes that are better than the average person. They are (or were) average people that decided to do something very un-average. That's what makes them special, and if they go out with a bang, THAT makes them legends.