The lifepath you choose in Cyberpunk 2077 determines the background of your character and where they came from. It provides the initial motivations for your character and identifies where they acquired their early experiences. These personal experiences give you additional dialogue options to use during quests that you may not have had without that start. One of the available lifepaths you can choose in Cyberpunk 2077 is the Nomad.

The Nomad lifestyle starts you out in the Badlands, a location outside the city that you can visit even if you don’t choose to start here with your character. As a member of a Nomad pack, you grew up outside of Night City, and have little idea beyond stories and rumors of what it’s like to live in such a massive, sprawling metropolis. The stories are mere fantasies for your character, where your small group of lowlifes did everything you could to get by.

The Nomad’s prologue starts you out when your character decides to leave your Nomad tribe, and you’re making your way towards Night City. You reach the metropolis’ border walls to speak with Jackie Welles, who you pick up to assist in smuggling a package past the border security. While security does pull you aside to an interrogation room to sort things out, you have your bribe ready, and things settle down to grant you and Jackie access to the city.

Living outside the traditional Nomad lifestyle will be tough for your character, and you may find yourself learning a lot of things the hard way. Because you grew up outside the city, expect having to learn a lot about new mannerisms, cultural expectations, and who’s the top dog in each sector. To make it in Night City, it’ll be sink or swim, and swimming is the only way to remain alive.