🚔 MAX-TAC
“You are experiencing a ‘Lethal Liability’ situation. Remain where you are. A MAX-TAC unit has been dispatched.”
Maximum Force Tactical Division (MAX-TAC, also known as Psycho Squad) is Night City’s elite cyberpsycho response unit. They’re the only force in Night City that criminals genuinely fear.
See Also
For an overview of Night City’s entire justice system, see Law and Order.
📋 Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Maximum Force Tactical Division |
| Also Known As | C-SWAT, Psycho Squad |
| Parent Org | Independent (formerly NCPD) |
| Commander | Max Hammerman |
| Primary Role | Cyberpsycho Suppression, Heavy Threats |
| Reputation | Feared, Incorruptible |
🎯 Mission
In the Time of the Red, MAX-TAC is a fully independent organisation — no longer part of the NCPD. It contracts with neighbourhoods, governments, and even private citizens to handle the most extreme threats: cyberpsychos, hostage situations, military-class weapons, and terrorism.
MAX-TAC follows an impartial code to the letter — they end fights regardless of who started them. If you’re a security contractor fighting boosters and MAX-TAC shows up, you’d better put your weapons down or they’ll open fire on you too.
MAX-TAC doesn’t hold prisoners. Arrestees are remanded to the local Hall of Justice.
👥 Personnel
MAX-TAC is led by Commander Max Hammerman, a man of the old Night City Police Forces. Hammerman is incorruptible and single-minded — his mission is to maintain law and order and protect the innocent above all else.
MAX-TAC operatives are the toughest, most heavily chromed law-enforcement officers in the city. The CRB describes the Psycho Squad rank-and-file as “a few maddened Solos” — veterans with extensive cyberware who can match violent cybered-up criminals blow for blow.
⚙️ Equipment
MAX-TAC operates with military-grade equipment:
Standard Loadout
- Armor: Metalgear (SP 18, head and body)
- Weapons: Assault rifles, shotguns, anti-materiel rifles
- Cyberware: Combat-grade implants (speedware, targeting systems, enhanced reflexes)
- Vehicles: AV-4s, aerogyros with weapon mounts
Special Equipment
- EMP grenades
- Stun rounds
- Incendiary ammunition
- Trauma Team-level medical support
� Response
When a major incident is reported, MAX-TAC scrambles an AV from the nearest staging point. Response times vary wildly depending on location and whether the neighbourhood has a contract — Corporate zones get priority, while Combat Zones may wait a long time or never see a response at all.
� Lethality
MAX-TAC doesn’t take chances. Cyberpsychos with military-grade implants are effectively walking tanks — MAX-TAC responds in kind with assault weapons, Stinger launchers, and miniguns. Casualties among targets are common.
🎲 GM Notes
Using MAX-TAC in Your Game
As a Threat:
- MAX-TAC arrival means “run or die”
- If PCs cause mayhem, MAX-TAC may be dispatched
- They won’t negotiate or chase—they’ll eliminate
As Allies:
- PCs might coordinate with MAX-TAC on a cyberpsycho hunt
- But MAX-TAC doesn’t share credit or loot
- They complete the mission, then leave
As Background:
- Sirens in the distance
- AVs overhead
- News reports of suppression
Combat Stats (Quick Reference)
Use the Cyberpsycho (Boss) template from the CRB GM Toolkit for MAX-TAC officers, or a Hardened Lieutenant from Hardened NPCs with Metalgear.
🔗 Related
- NCPD — Parent organization
- Cyberpsychosis — What they fight
- Law and Order — Night City’s law enforcement
(Source: Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook, pp. 297, 302-303)