With the publication of Cyberpunk Red there were some fundamental changes from previous editions. There is of course, the advancement of the timeline, the addition of lore and the refinement of rules. This is to be expected in a new edition. This included all of the character roles as well. One that changed the most in regards to interpretation was the Lawman.
What is a Lawman?
In Cyberpunk 2020 the Lawman role was referred to as a “Cop”. They were cops that did cop things like solve crimes and enforce the law (or look the other way and take bribes). CP Red renamed them as Lawman; an individual that COULD be a police officer but was more about enforcing the rules of an organization. Whether that organization was related to law enforcement or not isn’t important. The organization makes rules and the Lawman enforces them, it doesn’t matter if those rules are laws or the rules are based on the organization’s own structure.
Lawmen in Practice
“Backup” is the Role ability for a Lawman. Mechanically it allows the player to call extra support if they think the situation might go pear shaped. The capabilities of the backup is dependent on the Lawman’s rank in the role ability. Lower levels have less capable backup, higher levels have more capable backup. The type of backup, what type of armor and weapons they have as well as the combat number they use in addition to dice rolls can be found in the Cyberpunk Red core rule book.
Another caveat of Backup is that the role needs to be successful. This is also dependent on a die roll. It takes an action to call backup, if the Lawman fails then they can attempt to call backup again on subsequent turns. If successful, the backup typically shows up within a few rounds.
Media
Recommended media for Lawmen can be any number of different police procedurals. There are, however, some good genre specific examples. I have also included a few that aren’t law enforcement specific. As always, there is more, but these should provide some inspiration.
Ghost in the Shell (Live Action Movie)
Nobody Wants to Die (Video Game)
The Running Man 2025 Remake (Movie)
The Terminator (Movie) (the second and third movies also count)
Homebrew
The Lawman role’s main problem is the simple lack of utility. Rules as Written, they call for some backup, IF the backup shows up they mostly stick around for the conflict then leave shortly thereafter (at higher backup levels this can change). Police can investigate, they can call for logistical support, they must navigate social situations. Being law enforcement (be it police or some other organization) is much more nuanced than the RAW describes.
I pretty much went back to basics. I searched around and found what other people were doing with the Lawman role and made up some things I felt the role needed to give it some “oomph” that was lacking while still making it general enough to allow for reskinning the role for anything that wasn’t a garden variety “cop”.
I’ve introduced a meta currency the player has depending on their rank in the role ability. Each session, they start with that set number of points and can spend them how they see fit to complete their goals. They have a list of the kinds of things they can do and the point cost to make them happen.
- I’ve reintroduced the concept of the Authority role from Cyberpunk 2020. It gives some options to the Facedown mechanic if he reveals himself and his organization.
- They can still call in combat backup, but the Lawman can use the new meta currency of the role to decide on the type of backup and guess what? It always shows up, although it takes longer. It can, however, be called in prior to combat actually taking place.
- In addition to the backup, they can call in logistical support in the form of some skilled expertise in particular fields that the player or party lacks. The experts have time to make a couple of skill roles that are requested of them.
- Finally, they have the ability to requisition some equipment from the organization they represent. The dollar amount is defined by how much of the meta currency is spent and the role play can determine how long they can keep it before it must be returned.
Recently at my table, one of my Solos decided to multiclass into Lawman. The crew had recently been forced into a work contract with Danger Gal (they did it to themselves and chose the option, no railroading here!). His new abilities as a lawman allow him to call in not only backup if needed, but to also call in certain skill expertise for help that he or the party may lack. He could have just as easily been police, or part of organized crime, or another kind of governmental or corporate organization. The point being he isn’t reduced to being some beat cop or overworked detective.
This rounds up my thoughts on the Lawman (Lawperson?) role. I feel that with the changes I made a player can have a a lot of fun with their new cop/enforcer type person and the party can greatly benefit from the role’s new choices over all.
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