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Neon Blood - Cyberpunk Roleplaying

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Neon Blood is an OSR/DIY (we call our work Dirty-OSR) inspired cyberpunk game set in a version of the world in 2035. We don't need to go very far into the future to see how culture, tech, and politics might shape the future of humanity. It is dystopian, but all hope is not lost for ye who enter here.

The goal of this game is to take the OSR-based RPG system and roughen up the edges, throw in some chrome, pump it full of HiCap neon, and light it on fire. The rules start with the d20, but we make a firefight feel like a frenetic two-way range where your decisions and training will be a matter of life and death. And hacking will never be boring or the side gig; it easily occurs in real-time alongside a firefight without disruption to either team.

The combat is brutal and deadly, and death is one bullet or NovaWire away. Zero hit points isn't the end, but neither is it a handful of chances to not experience what comes for everyone. Even hackers aren't safe; play hacking games, win deadly prizes. As awesome as this sounds, combat is full of player-facing choices to keep your character alive and gunning. But everything comes at a cost in Neon Blood.

Your character will be known on the streets as a Glitch, but in reality they will represent one of six primary Roles in Neon Blood, each with three Specializations that when combined with the massively player-focused choice structure, no two Glitches will be the same. 

We start with a choice between being born a natural human or a genetically spliced human, but beware, everything comes with a price. Following that choice is our three methods of attribute generation, depending on what power level of game you are looking to play, a push and pull method of quickly determining the raw potential of your character, but then allowing for fine-tuning to how YOU want to play by personalizing starting resources, bonus skills, and cyberware access.

Next is the Mentor System, a radically different manner in determining by whom and how your character's life was formed by these influencers; they are not always positive, but they always leave a lasting mark. And each character has more than one.

Skills are a departure from standard OSR games, but they are also not overwhelming in Neon Blood. We cover the basics of surviving in an urban sprawl during a dystopian shift. Training makes a vast difference in a person with raw potential or a true subject matter expert.

Round out with cyberware, armor, guns, and gear and you're ready for the shiniest razor ganger, ChromeKid!

//ROLES

  •  EMISSARY
    • Specializing in personal defense, small-team engagements, and protection of assets.
  •  ANARCH
    • Typical toughs who've grown up in some harsh conditions and they learned to improvise or die.
  •  PATCH
    • Trained in medical techniques and biotechnology, they seek to keep the team going...or maybe extract biolocked data.
  •  MESHBURNER
    • Beyond script kiddies, these individuals are the true masters of the NeuralNET. Nothing is beyond their reach. No one is beyond their control.
  •  JOCKEY
    • High-speed drone junkies, who live for the thrill of the hunt. There are varying drone builds, each accommodating the Jockey's personality. Oh, they can also use their drones to conduct P2P hacking.
  •  TITAN
    • Killing machines capable of soloing a gig with little hesitation. But no one survives alone in a world poised to control every facet of your life. And death. 

As for the 18 Specialties, well, we'll leave a few things to be discovered.

//CYBERNETICS

Augmentations, or chrome as the kids call it, comes in a wide variety of alterations to the human body, from data storage to kicking over walls to getting close to immortal. You make the choices, you decide what best suits your Role and play style, nothing is pre-ordained. Cyberware not only modifies how your character interacts with the game, but also how the world interacts with them.

//HACKING

Our hacking, called VX in-game, comes in two varieties, vice attempting to shoehorn in one method to all situations. When a Hacker goes at a Mesh within the NeuralNET, they do so in a cat and mouse game of discovery, applications, and control. When they go at it against a Personal Access NET (PAN), that's when things get really interesting and can change the face of a firefight. Off-site, co-located, full immersion; the choice will matter not only to your skills as a hacker, but also to the team under fire. There's a few  techniques and methods to use as you rip through the NET, but again, somethings are better left to discovery.

//DRONES AND VEHICLES

For the true tech geeks, there's an entire section of fast and easy to use rules on making drones. Monocopter with a flechette gun? Check. Stationary Indirect Fire turret? Check. Tricopter with an ISR suite to extend the combat and hacking capabilities for the team? That's insultingly basic. We cover everything from frame, to payload to control module to PAN. Oh, yeah, your toy can be taken away from you, you've been warned.

//CHASES

We include a system of chases that make them more narrative driven with player-facing checks when it is time to roll the dice. And no two chases will be the same thanks to our designs, plus chases are not just limited to running the streets...

//THE WORLD OF 2035

Included is a vision of 2035, but it is **a** vision. We provide the resources and assets to produce a dystopia you and your table might enjoy or be more inclined to see as your possible future.

//VANILLA WRAPPER EDITION


This is a version of the game, totally printer friendly with all the extra removed you won't need when printed.

//WHAT WE ARE NOT

We are NOT a retro clone. We use the retro clone foundations and shift a few things to make more sense and more fun, but 99% of our DNA IS the original seed game. If you've backed and or played our first game Oubliettes, Sorcery, and Reavers (OS+R), you are familiar with how we manipulate the rules and make them exciting in new ways. Same here. We promise you, our gun fights will be the most fun version of a two-way range in an rpg you've played. And the easiest. And allows hacking to occur concurrently with no lull in action at either end of the spectrum.

 Come join us: https://discord.gg/WETvcpEEup

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Reviews (4)
Discussions (12)
Customer avatar
Dharma S February 09, 2023 6:16 pm UTC
This looks very nice. Interested to know whether it can be played solo or if there are any solo hacks available. Thanks :)
Customer avatar
christian S September 05, 2022 1:05 am UTC
PURCHASER
BEST GANE EVARE
Customer avatar
Scott W February 05, 2022 11:22 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Premium Hard Cover is now available!!!! Looks and feels amazing.
Customer avatar
James E January 30, 2022 10:57 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I've got most of the CP 2020 line, and a Black Hack inspired game called MirrorShades already, Neon Blood seems like happy medium between rules light and, well I don't really know what to call CP 2020, it's a glorious nightmare sometimes. The copy I ordered seems to have gotten lost in the mail and I'm running out the clock on the two months I have to wait until I can contact DriveThru about it. It sounds and looks incredible though.
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Customer avatar
James E February 03, 2022 9:50 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Got my hardcover today, standard paper doesn't even remotely do the game justice. Probably going to order a premium in softcover (or hardcover if the option gets offered down the line) after I run the game a few times. System's really neat if anyone was wondering.
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Customer avatar
Scott W February 04, 2022 6:53 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Sorry I missed the first discussion James, on travel. THANK YOU for the kind words!!! Tell your friends ;)

The premium HC is a thing, but I am waiting on the proof to make sure it ain't wonky. But Le ice storm in our region is delaying everything. I expect in a week or two...

Thank you again!!!
Customer avatar
Greg S January 14, 2022 10:05 pm UTC
How is this different from the OSR? The preview does not show much. I can't find any reviews of the game on YouTube. There are no summaries about some notable differences. Does Neon Blood still have Armor Class in the traditional sense or is it as damage reduction? Do Hit Points go up each level or are they capped?
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Customer avatar
Scott W January 14, 2022 10:48 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
All Target Numbers are 16, per the preview. The game is not a re-skin of any OSR system.

Armor reduces damage but also has a limited usage. It is the player’s choice to expend armor or let the wounds come in, giving more tactical decisions.

HP increase is up to the player as well, you spend Advancements manning the character better, to include more HP.

Here’s a walkthrough of character creation:

https://youtu.be/cw09_GdcZvU
Customer avatar
Benjamin N December 28, 2021 3:52 am UTC
PURCHASER
Is there a premium color hardcover book available?
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Customer avatar
Scott W December 30, 2021 2:53 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
There absolutely can be. I thought the price would be cost prohibitive for most, but I am more than willing to add the option. Thanks!
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Customer avatar
Benjamin N December 31, 2021 8:27 pm UTC
PURCHASER
What do you think the price would be for a premium color hardcover edition?
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Customer avatar
Scott W January 02, 2022 3:13 am UTC
PUBLISHER
$45 or $50 with the pdf
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Customer avatar
Benjamin N January 02, 2022 4:30 am UTC
PURCHASER
That's within my budget. I'll be buying it when the option is posted.
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Customer avatar
Scott W January 04, 2022 3:37 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Awesome and thanks. Just ordered the proof time meow. It’ll take a bit to get here, but expect the option to go live by the end of the month.
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Customer avatar
Benjamin N January 05, 2022 6:12 am UTC
PURCHASER
Thank you! I'll be waiting for it.
Customer avatar
Mathieu M October 20, 2021 1:32 pm UTC
PURCHASER
The fact that Nova Rockafeller was quoted in this is making this even better!
Reply
Customer avatar
Scott W October 20, 2021 4:42 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
YES! When designing the Anarch, her early stuff was on loop ;)

Glad you are enjoying the game!
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Customer avatar
Mathieu M October 21, 2021 1:20 pm UTC
PURCHASER
saw it off the previews, I got my paycheck today so you get a buy from my bro.
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Customer avatar
Scott W October 22, 2021 8:49 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Very much appreciate your support!
Customer avatar
Jackie K September 14, 2021 3:18 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I feel like I'm blind but I can't see where the amount of ammo each weapon has is.
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Customer avatar
Scott W September 14, 2021 3:41 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Pg. 73:

AMMUNITION
Every firearm or bow comes with enough ammunition to count as Ammo O. The O indicates a vague amount of ammunition; it could last until the end of the round (SA) or be burnt in a single Action (BF/FA).
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Customer avatar
Jackie K September 14, 2021 4:44 pm UTC
PURCHASER
If that's the case why would anyone pick an LMG over other platforms that have the same ammo but better effects/range for cheaper? That would make a light rifle have better range and more fire mode options without slow or awkward at a 3rd of the cost.

EDIT: Indeed the example text on P7 implies ghosts SMG has 3 ammo notches
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Customer avatar
Scott W September 14, 2021 4:54 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Roleplay, ability to mount, etc. This is also the realm where Boost/Hinder, ADV/DIS should be brought into play by GMs/Players. We can however take a look for any errata. I am immediately thinking LMGs gain an extra O Ammo in order to accommodate suppression fire/FA

EDIT: That is assuming the player purchased the extra ammo.
Reply
Customer avatar
Jackie K September 14, 2021 5:33 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Personally I'd lean more towards preferring the concrete mechanical advantage of the ammo notch over something more GM fiat/referee needing.

Though if you want the LMG to be The Bullet Hose but still make full auto a tactical consideration you could do something fun like Even attack Rolls: No ammo use, odd attack rolls: Ammo use.

Give it a very "just how long is that chain of bullets?" in action movies vibe while still making it likely to be gone after 2 shots on average.

Either way I genuinely do dig what I've read of the combat system. The ammo system is simple and clean and the initiative system attacks the usual cyberpunk 'go first, shoot hard, win' thing by offering up oh so tempting bonus actions for going lower.
Reply
Customer avatar
Scott W September 14, 2021 6:24 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
I like that line of thought...thanks for that.

As to the rest, thank you! We went for making hacking and gunfights fun when they go down simultaneously at the table; normally it is soooo slow for one side or the other. Once players do a round or two with our Initiative, you can see the light in their eyes of, damn...it does matter when I act and how many times.
Reply
Customer avatar
Jackie K September 14, 2021 8:05 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Yeah, I haven't read through hacking fully because uh, the jargon nonsense filled chapter is definitely harder to do on a scan read.

But it reminds me of how Infinity is just like 'hackers should be cool oncombat initiative because we aren't pretending that the default action scene isn't combat'
Customer avatar
Scott W September 11, 2021 3:20 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
PINNED DISCUSSION

There is a POD version coming. We are waiting on proofs and will get that into the system soonest.
Customer avatar
Stacie W September 10, 2021 11:32 pm UTC
Will there be a print option?
Reply
Customer avatar
Scott W September 11, 2021 12:37 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Absolutely. Should be soon...just need time to cooperate properly.
Customer avatar
Jeff M September 10, 2021 7:15 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hey guys, when will the character sheet will available please ?
Reply
Customer avatar
Scott W September 10, 2021 8:25 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
OH SNAP! On it now...sorry about that!
Reply
Customer avatar
Jeff M September 10, 2021 8:28 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks Scott ! :D
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Customer avatar
Scott W September 10, 2021 8:31 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
w00t! And thanks for the purchase!
Reply
Customer avatar
Jeff M September 10, 2021 8:47 pm UTC
PURCHASER
i had OS+R so i was currious about how you handled the cyberpunk genre.
Reply
Customer avatar
Scott W September 11, 2021 12:39 am UTC
PUBLISHER
::big eyes::
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