Cyberpunk RED skill
Shoulder Arms
Shoulder Arms is a skill in Cyberpunk RED: Rifles, shotguns, and assault weapons, for jobs where reach beats discretion.
Last reviewed
Key facts
- Stat
- REF
- Category
- ranged
Overview
Shoulder Arms is the skill for anything braced against your shoulder: hunting rifles, shotguns, assault rifles, and sniper platforms. These are the weapons that solve a problem at a distance, punch through armor a pistol only annoys, and clear a room in a single trigger pull. At the table this is the planned-violence skill. You do not carry a shotgun into a negotiation, so Shoulder Arms shows up when the crew knew what they were walking into: a Badlands ambush, a warehouse breach, a rooftop overwatch position covering the rest of the team. When it comes up, it usually decides the encounter within a round or two rather than grinding through it.
How it works
Linked Stat: REF Category: Ranged Resolution: 1d10 plus REF plus skill level against a DV set by the weapon's range band, so distance rather than the target's reflexes decides the number. Rolling a natural 10 lets you roll again and add; a natural 1 subtracts a second roll. Weapon behavior: Long arms hit harder and reach further than pistols, and shotguns trade range for a wide, brutal effect up close. Rifles and shotguns are impossible to conceal on your body and openly carrying one changes how every NPC in the scene reacts.
Tips and playstyle
Best for: Solos, Lawmen, and Nomads, plus anyone whose crew expects fights they chose rather than fights that found them. Character concepts: A Badlands convoy guard, a corporate breach specialist, a former military sniper, a Nomad who keeps a shotgun behind the seat. Synergies: Autofire is a separate skill even on the same weapon, so budget for both if you want burst fire. Perception finds the firing position, Weapons Tech keeps the rifle zeroed, and Drive Land Vehicle gets it to the site.
Frequently asked questions
Does Shoulder Arms cover automatic fire?
No. Pulling a trigger once uses Shoulder Arms, while spraying a burst uses the separate Autofire skill. An assault rifle with high Shoulder Arms and zero Autofire is a very accurate single-shot weapon.
Can I carry a rifle around Night City?
Openly, in most districts, no. Concealment is not realistic for a long arm, so these weapons live in vehicles, cases, and safe houses, and get picked up on the way to the job.
Is a shotgun better than a rifle?
At close range a shotgun is devastating and forgiving. At distance a rifle wins outright. Both use this one skill, so pick by expected engagement range rather than by rebuilding your character.