Cyberpunk: Playing a believable characters

So I might be taking part of a Roll20 over-the-net tabletop Cyberpunk 2020 game with some old friends from way-back-when. Thinking I'd like to take on the role of a Fixer - the deal-maker, smuggler, fence, info broker. Not sure on exact details as of yet, only that I'm employed with a large corp and that I'll be having to do some not-very-legal things (which is the norm in Night City).

I'm looking for some tidbits and anecdotes on how to play up such a role. Anyone ever played a Fixer in CP before? How did it go? What sort of mannerisms, habits, tone and posture did you go for?

Ah CP 2020, here's how to make the most of a night of 'Punking:

• A character is only as good as the last score. A fixer is always looking to work the "angles", making deals and looking for the next big payoff.

• Even Evil Has Standards : a fixer can be seen as just another criminal, but even in Cyberpunk there are lines not to be crossed. Poser gangs like the Bozos or the JFK's are hates because they don't play by rules. Even a-holes like Arasaka and EBM have lines they won't cross as in Slave to PR. Pet the Dog: help out some neighbors with the rent, get medicines past a Corp blockade. etc.

• Balance the party! PT 1 Yeah everyone want to either be the solo with more cyber and metal than a Dragoon or a net runner. If you wanna be the fixer it's YOUR job to get the group balanced: make sure someone watches the 'Runner while she's in the 'net. Make sure your solos don't get too much cyberware. Have plans when the run goes pearshaped. Solos need ammo and guns, get to know people who can score them. Pay off the cops, the corps and the booster gangs.

• Balance the party! PT 2, How about recruting a techie to make sure the car runs? A corporate who can get you into Arasaka Tower or a medtech who can sticth up the bullet holes you WILL get after a bad run? An all solo party sounds fun, strong as a rock, but dumb as a brick. You won't be extracting that rich corporate if your getaway car won't start.

• Keep track of the money. A group of solos can blow through 50K of eurobucks like nothing. What good is a large heist if you can't fence it?

edited 3rd May '14 6:24:52 PM by TairaMai

Playing a fixer specifically: The big thing to keep in mind is that his stock-in-trade is his information, connections, sources, and knowledge. Resist the urge to brag about how you accomplished something or who you got stuff from/sold stuff to/have working in your pocket. Information can't be taken back once you give it away, and information is what you sell. Be close-mouthed. Be The Quiet One, or be talkative but watch what you say. Listen to everyone; you never know when someone will say something that will tip you off to a new source, or a need you can sell your talents to fill.

edited 3rd May '14 8:25:24 PM by Madrugada

Ditto what Maggie sez. Any good you do can be undone by one bad act. Since several MegaCorps can toss things up to giant armored cyborgs at you, it's good to keep a low profile.

Always Take a Third Option, as a Fixer you should be the Only Sane Man. When the Solo wants to shoot her way in, try and find a way to sneak in. When the corporate wants to spend big, talk him down to a reasonable budget, etc.

To paraphrase Bill Buckley, you should stand aside your party's wild plans and yell "Stop!" before Max-Tac gives you unnecessary body piercings.

And better yet, let someone else take charge and you can be The Man Behind the Man, it's the Cyberpunk way!

edited 3rd May '14 8:44:21 PM by TairaMai

A fixer should never be The Face of the team. Never.

Ok, there's one situation where having a fixer as The Face works: when there's another fixer in the shadows doing the work.

edited 3rd May '14 9:09:37 PM by Madrugada

If you wanna be The Face, don't let on that you're a fixer if you're not on the street. You're a "businessman/woman". Always have an alibi.

edited 3rd May '14 9:39:47 PM by TairaMai

I was already angling for the professional businesswoman theme... but with shady street connections, both because her Corp pretty much uses her as a middlewoman contact for certain street activities, and because that's her past. Still formulating ideas with the GM, who will be doing this over Roll20 (due to the fact that we're scattered all over the planet now).