☠️ Combat Zones
The most dangerous parts of Night City. Gangs rule. The law doesn’t exist.
📍 Overview
Zone Type: Combat Zone Threat Rating: Combat (extremely dangerous) Population: Unknown — many transient, homeless, or hiding
The Combat Zones are where Night City’s thin veneer of civilization breaks down entirely. There is no law here except what you can enforce with a gun. The gangs carved up these areas after the 4th Corporate War, and they’ve been fighting over the scraps ever since.
🏚️ Sub-Districts
Old Japantown
Former: Vibrant Japanese cultural center Now: Abandoned, gang-controlled ruins
Once a thriving Japanese neighborhood, Old Japantown was devastated during the 4th Corporate War. Most residents fled to Kabuki in Watson. Now it’s a ghost town ruled by gangs.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Kaifū Corner | Abandoned mall, home to Recluse (Netrunner) |
| Temple ruins | Occasional squatter camps |
| Old shops | Looted, used as gang hideouts |
| Streets | Dark, dangerous, full of debris |
Little China
Former: Sprawling Chinatown Now: Besieged community fighting to survive
Unlike Old Japantown, Little China still has residents — tough communities who refused to leave. They live in constant conflict with surrounding gangs.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Market streets | Still operating, heavily guarded by locals |
| Tong territory | Weng Fang Tong operates here (David Ling Po) |
| Safe houses | For those who know the right people |
| Neutral zones | Some restaurants are “off-limits” for violence |
Old Combat Zone
The original. This is where the Combat Zone concept started — an area abandoned by police decades ago. It’s been fought over so many times that little remains.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Burned buildings | Constant fires, arson |
| No services | No power, no water, no law |
| Scavver territory | Desperate homeless picking through ruins |
| Kill zones | Some areas are trapped |
South Night City
Industrial wasteland — abandoned factories and warehouses now used as gang hideouts.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Warehouses | Gang headquarters, chop shops |
| Factories | Some still operate (illegally) |
| Docks | Smuggling, body dumping |
| Industrial pipes | Maelstrom loves these for ambushes |
🔫 Gang Situation
Who Controls What
| Gang | Territory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maelstrom | Industrial areas, Japantown edges | Cyberpsychos, extremely violent |
| Inquisitors | Mobile, throughout | Anti-cyberware cult, hate everyone |
| Scavvers | Ruins, Hot Zone edges | Not a gang, desperate scavengers |
| The Bozos | Random | Killer clowns, no fixed territory |
| Local crews | Various | Small gangs rise and fall constantly |
Constant Warfare
The Combat Zones are in perpetual low-level war:
- Maelstrom vs Inquisitors — Blood feud over cyberware
- Everyone vs Scavvers — Scavvers are prey
- Territorial skirmishes — Daily occurrence
🛡️ Security
There is none.
| Who | Presence |
|---|---|
| NCPD | Will not respond |
| Corporate Security | Will not enter |
| MAX-TAC | Only for confirmed cyberpsychos |
| Trauma Team | Will extract if you have a policy (risky) |
🌆 Atmosphere
Day
- Eerily quiet in abandoned areas
- Scavvers picking through rubble
- Occasional vehicles moving quickly
- Squatters watching from windows
- Bodies from last night
Night
- Extremely dangerous
- Gang activity peaks
- Fires burning in barrels
- Screaming, gunfire
- Avoid unless heavily armed
😄 What You See
🎲 GM Resources
Combat Zone Rules
- No law — Kill or be killed
- No lights — Most power is out
- No help coming — Trauma Team is your only hope
- Everyone is armed — Assume danger
Notable NPCs
- Recluse — Mysterious Netrunner in Old Japantown
- David Ling Po — Tong boss in Little China
- Various gang leaders (create as needed)
🔗 Related Topics
- Maelstrom — Major gang
- Inquisitors — Anti-cyberware cult
- Scavvers — Desperate scavengers
- Hot Zone — Even worse (irradiated)
- Watson District — Where refugees fled
(Source: Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook, pp. 297-298)