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Cyberpunk RED artwork

Cyberpunk RED

Cyberpunk RED IP (Improvement Points) guide

Cyberpunk RED uses Improvement Points (IP) instead of traditional XP. This guide explains how progression works and how to track it cleanly.

Quick workflow

1

After sessions: award IP based on goals, roleplay, and mission outcomes.

2

Spend IP on skill ranks and role abilities following the book's costs.

3

Track cyberware, humanity impacts, and gear upgrades as part of progression.

Cyberpunk RED Improvement Points (IP) cost chart

Raising a skill to a new rank costs that rank multiplied by 10 IP. To lift a skill from its current rank to the next, pay the "IP to reach this rank" amount below. The cumulative column shows the total IP to train a skill from nothing up to that rank.

Skill rankIP to reach this rankCumulative IP from 0
110 IP10 IP
220 IP30 IP
330 IP60 IP
440 IP100 IP
550 IP150 IP
660 IP210 IP
770 IP280 IP
880 IP360 IP
990 IP450 IP
10100 IP550 IP

The maximum skill rank is 10. Role Abilities advance on their own track (the core book charges the new rank multiplied by 5 IP), so budget for them separately from your skills.

Context: how Cyberpunk RED plays

Character creation in Cyberpunk RED starts with choosing a Role: Netrunner (hacker), Solo (combat specialist), Tech (inventor), Medtech (healer), Media (information broker), Exec (corporate), Lawman (cop), Fixer (dealer), Nomad (driver), or Rockerboy (entertainer). Each Role has a unique Role Ability that defines your specialty.

Track progression in one place

Save your character, keep notes, and maintain a clean history as your campaign evolves.