One of the staples of the Science Fiction we all know and love is the superior
version of the human. Whether through harsh environment or genetic
engineering, these beasties can fight better, think faster,
and/or shoot straighter than anyone else in their universe. Some of my
favorite include SM Stirling's Draka, Jerry Pournelle's Saurons, and JP's
Frystaaters. So here's my ideas on how to represent these folks at the
Dirtside II level. Note that these require use of Elite, who roll
d12 as per Stargrunt. I'm mostly concerned with infantry here--with
armored vehicles, the emphasis is on the quality of the systems rather
than the uber-troopers inside. I'm not even going to suggest thinking
of remotely considering point costs for these buggers.
Frystaaters: Boers who live on a hostile, high-G planet. Very strong
and fast, high quality light infantry. Made up elite units like Jornsvelt's
Jaegers. Perhaps as normal line infantry (rifle or specialist team), but with
4" movement, 4 chits in close assault, and they don't have to pass confidence
checks to close assault. In J's
Jaegers and simillar elite units, only Orange/Red 1s.
Saurons: Genetically manipulated supermen. Sauron Soldiers: As Frystaaters,
but riflemen also have 8" range when engaging in firefights. Male Soldiers are
Orange, the women and children Blue.
Never have confidence checks--will always make decisions based on
tactical realities. Cyborgs: As above, but draw 5 chits in close combat, 3 at
range. Always Red 1s. Movement of 6". Takes 4 hits to kill.
Draka: UGH!! Genetically engineered fascists which make you long for warm and
fuzzy folks like Hitler, Pol Pot, and Stalin. I don't have a
complete workup for them--I'm basing it loosely on a Draka army list for
NetEpic I got my hands on. Basically treat Homo Drakensis as Powered Armor, 5
chits in close combat, and never take confidence nor reaction checks. Always
Red 1s.
I'm not 100% sure how to translate into Stargrunt, except to say that one
Drakensis should be able to have a platoon of NAC or ESU troops for lunch, and
hold his own against Sapiens in powered armor.
> One of the staples of the Science Fiction we all know and love is the
I've done some stuff with supermen--of a sort--in SGII, although I have
always found the level of abstraction in DSII to be too high for me to bother
making the attempt in 6mm. Just wait 'til I adapt ShockForce to
DSII, though! Bwa-ha-ha-ha!
But I digress. In my background, we have two basic types of human: Terran
Humans (Homo Sapiens Sapiens), and Imperial Humans (Homo Sapiens Robustus).
These are represented by "true" 25mm (GZG, Partha, Denizen) figures for the
former, and 28mm (just about everyone else) for the latter. The products of a
much older (and psychologically unhealthy) society, Imperial humans are
larger, faster, and stronger than the Terran variety. This has a number of
effects.
Physical: Imperials have a basic movement of 8"/d8x2". When encumbered,
this drops to 6"/d6x2". All Imperials get a +2 Die Shift in close
combat, reflecting their greater strength, reach, and speed. However, because
of their great size, Imperials are considered to be one range band closer than
they actually are when under fire. (In other words, Regulars firing at an
Imperial unit would have a d10 at close range, a d8 for the next range band,
etc.)
Mental: Imperials are themselves immune to *Terror*, but cause it when
charging normal humans. Imperials may automatically discard the first "Under
Fire" marker placed upon them without charge during their activation (To
translate that into English, an Imperial unit with two "Under Fire" markers on
it may discard the first one without having to roll, but must roll as normal
for the second marker.). Imperials always
have "High" mission motivation. Imperials have no regard for their wounded
comrades, and are not obligated to attend to them in any way (although a
bullet in the head, to "put him out of *our* misery", is not
uncommon). Lastly, Imperials will not rout; if they are ever broken, they will
charge the nearest enemy unit.
On the downside, their birthrate has been declining for several centuries now,
and suicide is the most common cause of death in the Imperium, but that
doesn't have all that much effect upon the gaming table.
John spake thusly upon matters weighty:
> Physical: Imperials have a basic movement of 8"/d8x2". When
Are they more bulletproof or immune to grenades? Most modern CC is not bayonet
and combat knife! I think 1 shift would be generous enough.
However,
> because of their great size, Imperials are considered to be one range
Oh, now that is harsh.
> Mental: Imperials are themselves immune to *Terror*, but cause it when
> charging normal humans.
I see they must be bullet resistant.
Imperials may automatically discard the first
> "Under Fire" marker placed upon them without charge during their
> roll, but must roll as normal for the second marker.). Imperials
Gosh, sounds like a GW space marine force (grin).
> On the downside, their birthrate has been declining for several
Suicide on the SG2 gaming table should be common for these units as they are
used to weapons being ineffective and close combat being the true way to kill
things (Of course, the latest 40K does try to fix
this.... a bit).
Good fun, for certain! And an excuse to use the UberFigures of GW....
/************************************************
John spake thusly upon matters weighty:
> Frystaaters: Boers who live on a hostile, high-G planet. Very strong
Where'd this one come from? I'd love to read the inspiration for this.
> I'm not 100% sure how to translate into Stargrunt, except to say that
Hmm. I recall reading marching through Georgia and I don't recall them being
quite that fearsome. How about a more moderate representation: Homo Drakensis:
Move as light infantry (8"). If encumbered, move 6". Morale minimum of any
combat unit is Veteran, Elites are not uncommon. Fire at targets as if one
range band shorter (effectively giving them an extra range band and doubling
the width of their close range band).
(eg if they were elites, defenders would roll d4 in 0-23", d6 from
24-35", d8 from 36-47", d10 from 48-59", d12 from 60-72")
They get +1 shift in close assault. They sustain wounds better
(resolve all casualties at +1 on the dice). They do not check morale
when first fired upon or on first casualty. Their leadership is typically 2
although 1 is also common. 3s get weeded and are never seen on line. They get
1 upshift in armour (due to exceptional toughness and muscle tissue density).
Just another thought.
/************************************************
Regarding yon Draka. I may be wrong, but I think in the later books (I only
read the first two...) they become geneered super-dude(ttes). In
Marching through Georgia (The title is the BEST...) they are simply the
product of
tough training and natural selection, not to mention having a 30-year
technological edge on EVERYONE else in the entire world. They never,
ever,ever,ever,ever,ever,ever make any bad choices militarily, or
technologically, and that became awfully tiresome IMHO. Feh.
> ----------
> I'm not 100% sure how to translate into Stargrunt, except to say that
FYI - Stirling wrote several more books with the Draka, and in the
latter two, the Draka have mastered genetic engineering. They reengineered
themselves, adding bits they liked from other species. They still look human,
but are stronger, faster, tougher, have active control over their
pheromes to manipulate the non-Draka around them, etc etc etc.
Another person suggested that they never make mistakes - though if you
read
The Stone Dogs, the ending might be viewed as one - depends on point of
view.
His interpretation of them for gaming purposes is not far off from their
ability in the stories - particularly the last one which takes place
hundreds of years after Marching Through Georgia. There is a scene in which
one Draka takes on a platoon size force of regular humans armed with
high-energy plasma rifles (I think... they were energy weapons of some
kind, anyway). They had guns, she had a bushknife, and of course she cuts
through them like a hot knife through butter.
Anyway - the game representation was true to the stories (now, whether
or not you buy into the whole Draka idea is another issue...)
> > Frystaaters: Boers who live on a hostile, high-G planet. Very
Gleaned from a number of stories in Jerry Pournelle's War World series.
The ha-Bandari were founded by a band of refugees led by an exiled
Captain in the Jaegers, with a handful of fellow Frystaaters.
> > I'm not 100% sure how to translate into Stargrunt, except to say
In Marching Through Georgia, Draka were simply selectively bred. In Drakon,
they have been altered heavily through genetic manipulation.
http://www.mindspring.com/~atalbott/drakafan.html
has stats on end-state Homo Drakensis, which is a seperate species from
humanity--no longer interfertile with us mere Sapiens. Effectively
immortal, 4x as fast, 4x as strong, 5x as good hearing, hearing on a level
with a cat, an implanted AI aide, subcutaneous armor, etc, etc, etc.
I've only read the first two books in the series, started the Stone Dogs,
pooped out (it really began grating on me...) I think the Draka are a bad idea
both philosophically and from a game standpoint (unless you fall along
the Anorak-Munchkin-Cheesemonger axis). Give geneered troops some
move,command, or morale bonuses and a little edge. Maybe make 'em able to work
like hell through some scenarios (SG: High mission motivation for 1 or two)
then they drop off (too much combat drug induced stress, whatever). They
should be rare and expensive and have a downside IMHO.
> ----------
Yucky. I see this happening a lot:
Well <sigh> looks like we have to nuke another of those pesky Draka worlds
into a uninhabitable glassy sphere.
> ----------
> > this drops to 6"/d6x2". All Imperials get a +2 Die Shift in close
If I understand the 'inspiration' behind these Imperials, they are also
better equipped for close combat as well--SMG-style weapons, etc.
> However,
I presume this also reflects that they tend to move in straight lines standing
up with little regard for cover?
BTW, there's a lad who wishes to learn Stargrunt, and the only figs he's got
are GW Eldar things. Any idea how to convert them into Stargrunt terms?
> Adrian Johnson wrote:
...Snip...JTL
> Anyway - the game representation was true to the stories (now, whether
OK, I'll accept the the concept and the rules. Now, just where
are you going to get the person to run the supermen who never makes a mistake
in a game?
Bye for now,
> pooped out (it really began grating on me...) I think the Draka are a
> From a game standpoint, anyone who uses them in a standard scenario is
> OK, I'll accept the the concept and the rules. Now, just where
To say they don't make mistakes is overdoing it. Draka are simply superbly
trained, and hence tend to make correct tactical decisions more often than
not. Same as any other elite force.
> If I understand the 'inspiration' behind these Imperials, they are also
Yeah, I give 'em range penalties too. Big nasty guns that are very inaccurate
at any significant range. They prefer close fighting; that way, you get to see
the look of terror on the other guy's face. On the other hand, if they DO
succeed in hitting someone, the target usually ends up looking like salsa.
The chunky variety.
> However,
They honestly don't care if they die. They don't want to die needlessly, but
the average Imperial citizen spends most of his life looking forward to, and
planning, his own death. For civilians, it is usually a spectacular and
artistic suicide. For soldiers, it is an equally spectacular death in combat.
I make no bones about the fact that my Imperium is based strongly upon the
orignial concept by (and of) the Evil Empire. All I'm doing is reconsidering
the *why* of Space Marine psychology. Are they brave and noble savages, the
last best hope of humanity? Or are they simply
fanatical Death-Fetishists, fighting an ongoing and pointless struggle
for the decadent, crumbling remains of a once powerful Empire?
You be the judge....
> BTW, there's a lad who wishes to learn Stargrunt, and the only figs
I do have a few ideas about the Eldar (Or "Old Ones" in my little universe),
none of which have ever been used. I like the figures, and have a lot of them,
but have only painted one tank and a few sample pieces. The old Harlequin
figures remain among my favorites, though. I
don't know how workable these ideas would be, but they should be playable, not
too weird (and thus would not obscure the basic SGII mechanics), and have some
of the Eldar flavor (as I see it). Try 'em, or not.
Movement: 8"/4d4x2" The use of 4d4 for the combat move gives them a
higher average movement, which beter represents their legendary speed and
grace. The winged guys (Shining Hawks, I believe) should have
20"/d20x2", along with the ability to ignore most terrain. Teleporters?
Spider guys, I think. Give them a 1d12 move, but they don't actually cross the
area between point A and point B.
Armor: Full Light Armor (d8) If he was Wraithguard, just make them into
heavy power armor.
Weapons: Lasrifle (Firepower 3, Penetration d6). To depict the accuracy
of a laser weapon, you could have it treat all targets as though they were one
rangeband closer. If you are playing with a complete newbie, and want to give
him a break, make it work like the HELs in DSII: EVERYthing is close range.
Shuriken Catapault (Firepower 3, Penetration d8).
I'm not too familiar with the current GW or background for the Eldar, but I
believe that they break heavy weapons into their own seperate squads, and do
the same with the CC guys. I'd give the heavy weapons guys the closest SGII
equivalent (with SUperior Firecons and guidence,
when appropriate), and give the CC guys a +1 or +2 die shift in melee.
Again, it depends on how generous you want to be.
With a new guy, especially one used to 40K, I'd give him all the help he
can take; 40Kr tactics will not work all that well in SGII, and the cognitive
leap can be a difficult one to make. The last thing that you want to do is
make his first game of SGII into a slaughter. That's a good way to lose a
potential player. I've seen it happen.
> George,Eugene M wrote:
In HERO rpg terms, we always assumed that the Draka must have 6D6 Luck as a
race...
> Adrian Johnson wrote:
Since the Draka books are alternate history, another way of looking at the
world in the books is that it is at the far end of the
Draka-producing probability curve. There are hundreds (millions?) of
other earths where the Draka appeared but everyone behaved more realistically
and they were either stomped (at any of a couple dozen crisis points) or went
decadent after their earlier conquests.
That's the only way I could rationalize them, anyway.
> On Tue, 22 Dec 1998, George,Eugene M wrote:
> I've only read the first two books in the series, started the Stone
Well, having superdudes in a regular scenario would be kind of unfair. Either
the superdudes are too overpowering, or they are too few because of point
costs. But they can be good in some specially designed,
scenario-based games. Superdudes are probably best as a "limiting
factor" or "act of nature", used essentially as an ending to scenarios. For
example, you can have an inferior regular force facing off a superior one, and
their objective would be to hold on until relieved by the superdudes. The
superdudes should arrive late in the game as reinforcements, and depending on
the successful or unsuccessful actions of the inferior force, may or may not
have arrived too late to affect the outcome of the game. Just some random
thoughts.