Cyperpunk TCG Faction Guide
Six major factions, six ways to run Night City: here’s how to pick your side
Night City runs on loyalty, chrome, and the right crew. Most cards in Cyberpunk TCG carry a faction (or tribal) tag: Arasaka, Maelstrom, Tyger Claws, 6th Street, Valentinos, Aldecaldos, and others (shown right on the card). Building around those tags unlocks real synergy: Legends that reward specific crews, Units that scale when their faction is on the board, and strategies that feel like they belong to that corner of the city. Here’s a breakdown of the six factions that currently define constructed play, along with real Legend, Unit, Program, and Gear examples so you can see exactly what each one plays like at the table.
Arasaka
Theme: “Embracing Power” (Corpo control, board presence, tribal payoffs)
Arasaka plays the long game with corporate muscle. Stack efficient Units, protect your board, and lean on Legends that reward having Arasaka cards in play. This is the faction for players who want a controlling, midrange-to-value game plan that grinds the opponent down with superior resources and board presence.
Goro Takemura — Hands Unclean is a Legend with Go Solo and Blocker, letting you drop him as a ready Unit or use him as a reactive wall. Adam Smasher — Metal Over Meat is a high-power Unit that can clear the board on Play. Hanako Arasaka — Daughter of the Emperor reinforces the corporate tribal engine that makes Arasaka decks so sticky.
Maelstrom
Theme: “Chrome or Die” (Aggressive removal, discard, cyber-psychosis energy)
Maelstrom hits hard and dirty. Expect early removal, aggressive Units, and effects that punish the opponent for having cards in hand or on the board. This is the faction for players who want to stay on the front foot and force awkward decisions from turn one.
Dum Dum — Maelstrom Triggerman is a Legend that fits the chaotic Maelstrom vibe. Caliber — Totentanz’s Top Dog is a Unit that removes cheap threats on Play and forces discards on Defeated, scaling with your Gig values.
Tyger Claws
Theme: “Japantown Heat” (Tempo, combat tricks, vehicle and support plays)
Tyger Claws excel at short, sharp exchanges and combat tricks. They lean on low-to-mid cost Units that swing fights or generate temporary power, often with vehicle support and rebound effects. This is the faction for players who like to dictate the pace of combat and punish misplays.
Modded Kusanagi is a Vehicle Unit with Adrenaline that returns to hand at the end of the turn, letting you reuse the body and the pressure. The faction rewards precise timing and staying mobile.
6th Street
Theme: “Neighborhood Watch” (Gig manipulation, consistent pressure, patriotic muscle)
6th Street focuses on controlling the flow of Gigs and turning small advantages into steady Street Cred. Expect Units that interact with specific dice values and a more methodical, midrange style that values consistency over pure explosion.
6th Street Recruits is a classic example: a cheap Unit that boosts a Gig when a friendly Unit steals a d6. The faction rewards players who carefully manage their Gig dice and turn incremental value into a win.
Valentinos
Theme: “Family First” (Loyalty, resilient Units, cultural flavor)
Valentinos lean into durable, value-oriented Units and effects that reward sticking around. The faction has strong ties to characters like Jackie Welles and a playstyle that feels loyal, stubborn, and hard to fully remove from the board.
Jackie Welles — Ride or Die Choom is the poster child: a Unit whose Attack and Defeated triggers both scale with how many Gigs you’re holding. El Sombrerón and La Llorona reinforce the cultural identity while giving the faction real table presence.
Aldecaldos
Theme: “Badlands Runners” (Mobility, Gear synergy, Nomad resilience)
Aldecaldos (and broader Nomad tags) reward movement, Gear interaction, and surviving the long haul. Expect effects that reposition Gear, protect key pieces, or turn vehicles and convoy energy into board advantage. This is the faction for players who like flexible, resourceful crews that can adapt on the fly.
Panam Palmer — Nomad Cavalry is a Legend that can move Gear from herself onto unequipped friendly Units, turning her into a mobile support engine. The faction rewards protecting your board and making the most of every piece of Gear you equip.
Factions at a Glance
| Faction | Playstyle | Core Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Arasaka | Corpo control / midrange | Tribal payoffs, board presence |
| Maelstrom | Aggressive removal / disruption | Early pressure, discard, chrome |
| Tyger Claws | Tempo / combat tricks | Mobility, temporary power, vehicles |
| 6th Street | Gig manipulation / consistency | Dice interaction, steady value |
| Valentinos | Resilient value / loyalty | Scaling Units, hard-to-remove crew |
| Aldecaldos | Mobility / Gear synergy | Repositioning, Nomad resilience |
What Does This Mean for Deckbuilders?
If you’re brand new, the two starter decks (“The Heist” and “Embracing Power”) already lean into distinct identities - one more mercenary/street, one heavily Arasaka. Play a few games with each before you commit to a tribal direction for constructed.
If you’re chasing aggression, Maelstrom and Tyger Claws both want to stay on the offensive, just with different flavors of pressure. Maelstrom removes and discards; Tyger Claws tempo and trick their way through fights.
If you’re drawn to control and value, Arasaka and Valentinos both reward building a resilient board and extracting more from every exchange. Arasaka does it through corporate tribal engines; Valentinos through stubborn, scaling Units.
And if you’re building for flexibility and the long game, Aldecaldos and 6th Street both excel at adapting. Aldecaldos move resources around; 6th Street carefully manages the Gig dice that decide the match.
Browse our full Cyberpunk TCG singles collection at RAMChannel.com to start building your crew of choice.