Draconid racial template for ACKS

x

x

Born from manipulation of dragon eggs by ambitious sorcerers searching for the perfect shock-troops and bodyguards, the Draconid blends human and dragon blood and carries the soul of a drake. Eventually escaping from their masters and breeding among themselves and with lizardmen, they now roam the world. Only a few of them still exist, despite this limited attempts at reproduction.

The draconid inherited the humanoid shape and mortality of its human progenitors, but also the magnificent reptilian might of its dragon blood and soul. He is terrifying on the battlefield, and often fierce in sorcery. However, his exact heritage determines his personality - from the shining heroism of a metallic dragon (the rarest type of draconid progenitor) to the burning greed of a red dragon or the vile cunning of a black dragon.

Requirements:

A draconid must have Strength and Intelligence of at least 12 each.

Class category values:

Fighting: certain levels of draconid add a bonus to the character's Fighting value.

Divine: a draconid may not have a Divine value above 1.

Arcane: certain levels of draconid add a bonus to the character's Arcane value.

Draconid 0 (500XP):

• Breath Weapons: once per day, the draconid may use a breath weapon which causes 1d4 damage per level of experience. the heritage list below details these weapons (200XP).

• Energy Resistance: the draconid is resistance to one form of energy: acid, poison, fire, cold, or electricity, depending on his dragon ancestry. The character is immune to mundane versions of this damage - for example a character with Fire Resistance will be immune to regular fires - and enjoys a +4 bonus to saving throws against magical versions of this energy (such as fireballs in the example above).  See the heritage list below for details (150XP).

• Fangs and Claws: claw/claw/bite attack routine at 1d2-1/1d2-1/1d4-1 (100XP)

• Inhumanity: a draconid instills awe and fear in common mortals, and therefore suffers a -2 penalty to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of humans and demihumans, but gets a a +2 bonus to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of draconids, dragons, and lizardmen (0XP).

• Longevity: The character becomes ageless and enjoys a lifespan three times longer than normal. He also becomes immune to ghoul paralysis (50XP).

• Scaly Hide: AC +1 (50XP).

• Speaks the language of Dragons and enjoys 3 more bonus languages (50XP).

Draconid 1 (1,100XP):

• Breath Weapons: once per day, the draconid may use a breath weapon which causes 1d4 damage per level of experience. the heritage list below details these weapons (200XP).

• Energy Resistance: the draconid is resistance to one form of energy: acid, poison, fire, cold, or electricity, depending on his dragon ancestry. The character is immune to mundane versions of this damage - for example a character with Fire Resistance will be immune to regular fires - and enjoys a +4 bonus to saving throws against magical versions of this energy (such as fireballs in the example above).  See the heritage list below for details (150XP).

• Fangs and Claws: claw/claw/bite attack routine at 1d3-1/1d3-1/1d6-1 (150XP).

• Inhumanity: a draconid instills awe and fear in common mortals, and therefore suffers a -2 penalty to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of humans and demihumans, but gets a a +2 bonus to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of draconids, dragons, and lizardmen (0XP).

• Longevity: The character becomes ageless and enjoys a lifespan three times longer than normal. He also becomes immune to ghoul paralysis (50XP).

• Scaly Hide: AC +2, speed -30' (100XP).

• Speaks the language of Dragons and enjoys 3 more bonus languages (50XP).

• Superior Fighting: the draconid enjoys +1 to his Fighting value (500XP)

Draconid 2 (1,500XP):

• Breath Weapons: once per day, the draconid may use a breath weapon which causes 1d4 damage per level of experience. the heritage list below details these weapons (200XP).

• Energy Resistance: the draconid is resistance to one form of energy: acid, poison, fire, cold, or electricity, depending on his dragon ancestry. The character is immune to mundane versions of this damage - for example a character with Fire Resistance will be immune to regular fires - and enjoys a +4 bonus to saving throws against magical versions of this energy (such as fireballs in the example above).  See the heritage list below for details (150XP).

• Fangs and Claws: claw/claw/bite attack routine at 1d3-1/1d3-1/1d8-1 (200XP).

• Flying: The draconid gains a flying movement rate of 30' per turn (250XP).

• Inhumanity: a draconid instills awe and fear in common mortals, and therefore suffers a -2 penalty to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of humans and demihumans, but gets a a +2 bonus to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of draconids, dragons, and lizardmen (0XP).

• Longevity: The character becomes ageless and enjoys a lifespan three times longer than normal. He also becomes immune to ghoul paralysis (50XP).

• Scaly Hide: AC +2, speed -30' (100XP).

• Speaks the language of Dragons and enjoys 3 more bonus languages (50XP).

• Superior Fighting: the draconid enjoys +1 to his Fighting value (500XP).

Draconid 3 (2,200XP - rounded up from 2,175):

• Breath Weapons: once per day, the draconid may use a breath weapon which causes 1d4 damage per level of experience. the heritage list below details these weapons (200XP).

• Energy Resistance: the draconid is resistance to one form of energy: acid, poison, fire, cold, or electricity, depending on his dragon ancestry. The character is immune to mundane versions of this damage - for example a character with Fire Resistance will be immune to regular fires - and enjoys a +4 bonus to saving throws against magical versions of this energy (such as fireballs in the example above).  See the heritage list below for details (150XP).

• Fangs and Claws: claw/claw/bite attack routine at 1d4-1/1d4-1/1d8-1 (250XP).

• Flying: The draconid gains a flying movement rate of 30' per turn (250XP).

• Inhumanity: a draconid instills awe and fear in common mortals, and therefore suffers a -2 penalty to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of humans and demihumans, but gets a a +2 bonus to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of draconids, dragons, and lizardmen (0XP).

• Longevity: The character becomes ageless and enjoys a lifespan three times longer than normal. He also becomes immune to ghoul paralysis (50XP).

• Scaly Hide: AC +2, speed -30' (100XP).

• Speaks the language of Dragons and enjoys 3 more bonus languages (50XP).

• Superior Fighting: the draconid enjoys +1 to his Fighting value (500XP).

• Superior Sorcery: the draconid enjoys +1 to his Arcane value (625XP).

Draconid 4 (2,700XP - rounded down from 2,725):

• Breath Weapons: once per day, the draconid may use a breath weapon which causes 1d4 damage per level of experience. the heritage list below details these weapons (200XP).

• Energy Resistance: the draconid is resistance to one form of energy: acid, poison, fire, cold, or electricity, depending on his dragon ancestry. The character is immune to mundane versions of this damage - for example a character with Fire Resistance will be immune to regular fires - and enjoys a +4 bonus to saving throws against magical versions of this energy (such as fireballs in the example above).  See the heritage list below for details (150XP).

• Fangs and Claws: claw/claw/bite attack routine at 1d4-1/1d4-1/1d8-1 (250XP).

• Flying: The draconid gains a flying movement rate of 30' per turn (250XP).

• Inhumanity: a draconid instills awe and fear in common mortals, and therefore suffers a -2 penalty to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of humans and demihumans, but gets a a +2 bonus to the reactions, loyalty, and morale of draconids, dragons, and lizardmen (0XP).

• Longevity: The character becomes ageless and enjoys a lifespan three times longer than normal. He also becomes immune to ghoul paralysis (50XP).

• Scaly Hide: AC +2, speed -30' (100XP).

• Speaks the language of Dragons and enjoys 3 more bonus languages (50XP).

• Superior Fighting: the draconid enjoys +2 to his Fighting value (1,000XP).

• Superior Sorcery: the draconid enjoys +1 to his Arcane value (625XP).

Additional XP per level after level 9: 51,000.

Draconid heritage list:

• Metallic Dragon heritage: bronze, silver, electrum, or gold scales. Breath weapon is a 30’ long, 10’ wide cone of fire. The fire ignites combustibles and damages objects in the area. It can melt metals with low melting points, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, and bronze. If the damage caused to an interposing barrier shatters or breaks through it, the breath may continue beyond the barrier in order to attain its full volume. Resistant to fire.

• Red Dragon heritage: flame-red, burnt orange, or charcoal scales. Breath weapon is a 30’ long, 10’ wide cone of fire. The fire ignites combustibles and damages objects in the area. It can melt metals with low melting points, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, and bronze. If the damage caused to an interposing barrier shatters or breaks through it, the breath may continue beyond the barrier in order to attain its full volume. Resistant to fire.

• Blue Dragon heritage: sky blue, slate grey, or cloud white scales. Breath weapon is a 20’ long, 5’ wide lightning bolt. The bolt can melt metals with a low melting point, such as lead, gold, copper, silver, or bronze. If the damage caused to an interposing barrier shatters or breaks through it, the bolt may continue beyond the barrier. Resistant to electricity.

• White Dragon heritage: ivory, pearl, or snow white scales. Breath weapon is a 30’ long, 10’ wide cloud of freezing vapor. For one round after the draconid breathes, the area of effect is partly obscured by the billowing vapors, steam, or dust. Attacks into or through the area suffer a -2 penalty. Resistant to cold.

• Green Dragon heritage: moss green, olive, or forest green scales. Breath weapon is a 10’ by 10’ cloud of poison vapor. For one round after the draconid breathes, the area of effect is partly obscured by the billowing vapors, steam, or dust. Attacks into or through the area suffer a -2 penalty. Resistant to poison.

• Black Dragon heritage: green-grey, midnight green, or black scales. The breath weapon is a 20’ long, 5’ wide line of acid. The acid stream will burn through wooden or metal barriers and continue beyond them to its full length. The acid can corrode metal, wood, and cloth it touches, but cannot harm stone. Resistant to acid.

Flagellant class for ACKS

The followers of the Flayed Lady see pain as the pathway to penitence and spiritual purity. They view martyrdom as the pinnacle of faith a believer can achieve, and wounding of the mortal flesh as a road to clearing one's soul of dark Chaos. Their cleric, therefore, is the flagellant - marching through the corrupt mortal world to call the sinful to repent and flogging her own flesh to ward away the bestial call of the carnal body.

An iconoclast, an enemy of slavers, resentful of the haughty, the flagellant fights with zeal. She may lack the martial training of an ordinary cleric of the Invincible Sun, but makes up to that in burning religious fervor. A simple robe or a leather armor to her skin, she carries her two characteristic flails to rend the flesh of the Chaotic idolater and the mortal tyrant.

Flagellant

Requirement: None

Prime Requisite: WIS and DEX

Class Build

(see the ACKS Player's Companion)

Hit Dice 1 (500XP): 1d6 hit dice.

Fighting 1a (500XP): as a cleric; however:

• Weapom selection remains at Narrow - bows/crossbows and flails/hammers/maces.
• Armor selection reduced from Unrestricted to Restricted - hide armor or lighter: 2 powers.
• Fighting styles: reduced to two weapons (which also allows one weapon without a shield): 1 power.

Divine 2 (500XP): as Cleric.

XP for level 2: 1,500XP.
Attacks, Saving Throws, and Magic Item Use: as a cleric.

Powers: 2 at level 1, another traded for powers at levels 5 and 9.

Level 1:

• Flagellation: the character can whip herself into a furious religious zeal. She suffers 1 point of damage per level of experience, but gains a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls and becomes immune to fear. The character may not retreat from combat while this lasts. Furthermore, the Judge may rule that she will have to attack, to the best of her lethal ability, the nearest enemy of her faith, even if the player thinks this is not a prudent choice. The zealous fury lasts until the combat ends.

• Blade-Dancing: The character gains a +1 bonus to Armor Class if wearing leather armor or lighter and able to move freely. At level 7, the AC bonus increases to +2, and at level 13 the AC bonus increases to +3. For flavor, mystics call this power graceful fighting. While Blade-Dancing is similar to taking the Swashbuckling proficiency selected as a custom power, for game balance reasons, consider Blade-Dancing as a separate class power and allow it to stack with Swashbuckling.

Level 5:

• Martyrdom: upon reaching 0 hit points, the character may choose to remain in full fighting condition, functioning as if she has above-zero hit points, and applying any further damage as negative hit points. She may continue fighting until she reaches a negative number of hit points equal or exceeding her Constitution score, or stays conscious for a number of rounds equal to her level of experience - the sooner between them. Then she falls, unconscious mortally wounded. The price of her sacrifice is that she suffers a penalty of -1 per level of experience to both Mortal Wounds *and* Tampering with Mortality rolls related to that injury.

Level 9:

• Holy Fervor: Any hirelings of the same religion as the character gain a +1 bonus to their morale score whenever she is present.

Pugilist class build for ACKS

From the ranks of the common folk, a hero sometimes arises who is neither a soldier, nor a sorcerer, but a man of his fists. Whether trained in a martial arts school, experienced in the bloodsports common in rowdy taverns, or master of the bar-room brawl, the pugilist lives by the fist. He never donned heavy mail or trained with a sword. Instead, he learned the art and practice of wrestling and bare-hand fighting. The haughty tyrant or blade-wielding bully underestimate him. He then rewards their hubris with a well-aimed fist to their sneering faces.

Pugilist

Requirement: Strength 9 or better.

Prime Requisite: Strength.

Class Build

(see the ACKS Player's Companion)

Hit Dice 1 (500XP): 1d6 hit dice.

Fighting 1b (500XP): as a thief; however:

• Armor selection remains at Narrow - leather armor or lighter.
• Weapon selection reduced from Broad to Restricted - club, dagger, sling, whip: 3 powers.
• Fighting styles: reduced to two weapons only: 1 power.

Thievery 2 (400XP): 5 skills traded into 5 powers.

XP for level 2: 1,400XP

Powers: 4 at level 1; 2 traded for powers at levels 2, 4, 9; 1 traded to levels 5 and 9; another 1 traded to levels 5 and 9.

So:

level 1: 4 powers

level 2: 1 power

level 4: 1 power

level 5: 2 power

level 9: 3 powers

Power progression:

Level 1:

Combat Trickery (Wrestling).

Fists of Iron: fist/fist attack routine at 1d3-1 each. At level 5, can harm creatures invulnerable to non-magical weapons (i.e. counts as a "magical" attack). Counts as 2 powers.

Legwork: as Blade-Dancing.

Level 2:

Fists of Iron 1d4-1/1d4-1

Level 4:

Fists of Iron 1d6-1/1d6-1

Level 5:

Swashbuckling (stacks with Blade-dancing); AC +1; total AC +2.

Also, as noted above, consider the pugilist's unarmed attacks as "Magical" for the purpose of harming monsters; no additional power cost (subsumed in Fists of Iron).

Level 7:

As noted above, the Legwork and Swashbuckling bonuess to AC increases to +2 each; no additional power cost (subsumed in Legwork). Total AC bonus +4.

Level 9:

Fists of Iron 1d8-1/1d8-1

Fighting Fury: at will, the character can enter a fighting fury. While furious, the character gains a +2 bonus to damage rolls and becomes immune to fear. However, the character cannot retreat from combat. Once it has begun, a fighting fury cannot be ended until combat ends. Counts as 2 powers.

Level 13:

As noted above, the Legwork and Swashbuckling bonuses to AC increases to +3 each; no additional power cost (subsumed in Legwork). Total AC bonus +6.

Vera Singh - first President of the United Terran Republic

A bit of flavor and background for These Stars Are Ours! - Stellagama Publishing's space-opera setting for the Cepheus Engine and other 2D6 OGL Sci-Fi games.

President Vera Singh

of the United Terran Republic

art by Anthony Suorez

Vera Singh (2182-2255) was the United Terran Republic's founding (grand)mother, or "Granny Vera" as many Terrans refer to her - the UTR's first president and before that leader of the resistance fighting for Terra's freedom from its old Reticulan masters.

She was born in 2182 and fought in the Chiwak Wars, in the Terran Expeditionary Army which back then was an auxiliary force for the Reticulan Empire. She enlisted in 2200 and mustered out in 2216 as a Sergeant after four terms of service. From there she ended up in the Returnees' Circles and the Resistance. She suffered some serious injuries at the war, leaving her scarred. Official portraits are typically from the mid-2230's, in the early War, when she was in her 50's. She died at a very young age in 23rd century terms (73 - the average Terran life span, combat deaths aside, is well above 100) in 2255, possibly from lingering inoperable injuries from her combat days against the Chiwak.

Hero of Terran Reconstruction Medal

Highest Terran non-combat award.

Bearing President Singh's portrait.

art by Anthony Suorez

The term "Granny Vera" also refers to the UTR government as a whole, as she became a symbol of the UTR and, during her tenure, synonymous with it. The current President Shen dislikes this, and so does his administration, but people's sentiments are a stubborn thing. Singh's face is also on the Cr10 bill, which has earned it the nickname "Granny", i.e. "I'll give you five grannies for this, i.e. Cr50 in five Cr10 bills.

So raise a toast to ol' Vera and the Republic she has built!

Shanah Tova - Stellagama Publishing Jewish New Year Sale!

Stellagama Publishing wishes you all Shana Tova - Happy Jewish New Year. For the occasion, we offer a 25% discount off our products from now until September 24th, 2017. Setting material is at %30 discount as part of the September Setting DriveThruRPG sale!

VISIT OUR STORE

Cepheus Engine Variant Rules: Grunts, Mobs, and Monsters

Yesterday I posted Classic Traveller variant rules for Grunts, Mobs, and Monsters and I have been requested to convert them to the Cepheus Engine. So here is the Cepheus version of these rules!

Anyhow, sometimes the Referee would want to create a situation in which the player characters face a large number of undisciplined, unskilled combatants - an angry mob of locals with torches and pitchforks, looters in a disaster - or even a zombie horde! As per the Cepheus Engine combat rules, as written, this will create much paperwork and die rolls as each member of a mob suffers wounds to their characteristics and makes their attack rolls at the DM-3 "unskilled" level.

I wrote the following variant rules to reduce that paperwork and die-rolling load and thus facilitate situations in which skilled PCs face a large number of unskilled or minimally skilled combatants. Additionally, I added rules for relentless monsters which do not easily die from accumulated wounds.

Streamlined Armor
The Cepheus Engine uses the default armor system from the 2D6 Sci-Fi SRD. That system presents armor as a damage absorber - i.e. it subtracts the target's armor rating from any attack's damage. For the sake of simplicity when dealing with the combatants presented in this blog post, I propose a simpler armor system. Under that variant system, armor does not absorb damage but rather incurs a negative DM to incoming attack rolls, as presented in the following table:

Armor Type	To-Hit DM
Jack	-0/-1*
Mesh	-1
Flak	-2
Reflec	-0/-8**
Cloth	-3
Combat	-6

* The first number is against ranged attacks, the second against melee attacks.
* The first number is against non-laser attacks, the second against laser attacks.

Mobs

A mob is a number of untrained irregulars who lack adequate combat training or tactical awareness. They may be enraged or even fanatical, but will typically rush at their enemies instead of employing a more cautious tactical approach. As noted above, the classical "low-tech local peasants chasing the spacemen with pitchforks and torches" or "zombie apocalypse" are good examples of this theme.

Each mob includes up to 12 members. In many cases there will be multiple mobs involved. Do not track individual characteristics, damage, or skills of mob members. The mob moves as one unit. It makes a single attack roll per round. Make this roll at an effective "Skill-0", with DM+1 for every four active members in the mob, or part of four. Thus, a big mob of 12 members will attack at base DM+3, modified, of course, by weapon and range DMs; a mob of 5 members will attack at base DM+2. Make the attack as if the mob is one character; use automatic fire or shotgun rules as usual. While the entire gang might be unloading a hail of bullets, these shots are badly aimed and only a few have a chance of striking true.

PCs attack the mob as if it is one target. Most mobs are either unarmored or wearing Jack or Mesh armor; apply DMs accordingly. A non-automatic ranged attack which hits the mob incapacitates one member; if its Effect is +4 or better, it incapacitates two members, one from the bullet and another from "Shock & Awe". When autofire, a shotgun, or a grenade hit a mob, a number mob members equal to the attack's Effect are incapacitated. Obviously, as with single shots, "incapacitated" does not necessarily mean "killed by a bullet" but rather "out of the fight" - killed, wounded, or maybe just shocked enough to be ineffective in fighting. The latter is the reason why autofire can incapacitate above 4 mob members while a Cepheus Engine autofire burst only contains 4 bullets.

Mobs are much more dangerous in melee, with a to-hit DM+1 per 2 members rather than per 4, and making two attacks per round rather than one. When skilled characters fights a mob in melee, they "cleave" - each hit incapacitates a number of mob members equal to the attack's Effect, up to the character's relevant melee skill.

Mobs rarely fight well under fire. In any of the following cases, throw 5+ for the mob to disperse in panic and be effectively removed from the fight. This number rises to 8+ for frenzied mobs. Fanatical mobs are immune to this effect and will continue swarming the PCs regardless of death. Reasons for such morale throws include:

• The first time the mob comes under ranged fire.
• The first time the mob loses a member.
• When the mob first falls to half or less of its size.
• Each time the mob is attacked with flames, explosives, or similar shocking attack.
• When first attacked by armored vehicles or troops in battledress.

A "Rabble Rouser" character with the Leadership skill may attempt to rally a dispersed mob by a Leadership, INT, Difficult (DM-2) throw.

Grunts

Conscripts out of basic training, as well as street criminals with some combat experience, fight far better than a mob of rabble. Whoever, they still are not a match for professionals. Grunts fight individually, as per the standard rules, including movement and attacks. However, they have a total DM+0 base modifier (from skill, characteristics, etc) to hit targets, subject to armor DMs and range difficulty. Any attack which hits a grunt incapacitates them. Grunts use morale laws as above, with a throw of 8+ (apply any sergeant's or officer's Leadership skill as a -DM to this throw); this roll refers to the grunts' unit or squad, which may be broken

The Referee might also want to consider various small-to-medium-sized wild animals, but not apex predators or particularly large animals, as grunts.

Monsters

Sometimes, felling a monster is not a simple matter of riddling it with bullets or chopping it one piece at a time - it just keeps fighting! In this case, attack the monster as per the Cepheus Engine rules, and roll damage on a hit. However, do not count accumulated damage. Instead, ignore any attack which does 14 or less damage. Any attack doing 15 or more damage kills the monster. For particularly fearsome monsters, make that 16 or less damage; this monstrosity will continue fighting even under a hail of bullets until a lucky attacks rolls 17+ damage (which is unlikely on the typical gun with 3D6 damage).

Classic Traveller Variant Rules: Grunts, Mobs, and Monsters

Art by JoakimOlofsson

Classic Traveller has wonderful combat rules, among my favorites in the entire tabletop RPG world. They work wonderfully well when small teams of relatively skilled combatants - or predatory animals - face each other in pitched combat, with guns blazing and lasers glowing.

However, sometimes the Referee would want to create a situation in which the player characters face a large number of undisciplined, unskilled combatants - an angry mob of locals with torches and pitchforks, looters in a disaster - or even a zombie horde! In the Classic Traveller combat system, as written, this will create much paperwork and die rolls as each member of a mob suffers wounds to their characteristics and makes their attack rolls at the DM-5 "unskilled" level.

I wrote the following variant rules to reduce that paperwork and die-rolling load and thus facilitate situations in which skilled PCs face a large number of unskilled or minimally skilled combatants. Additionally, I added rules for relentless monsters which do not easily die from accumulated wounds.

Mobs

A mob is a number of untrained irregulars who lack adequate combat training or tactical awareness. They may be enraged or even fanatical, but will typically rush at their enemies instead of employing a more cautious tactical approach. As noted above, the classical "low-tech local peasants chasing the spacemen with pitchforks and torches" or "zombie apocalypse" are good examples of this theme.

Each mob includes up to 12 members. In many cases there will be multiple mobs involved. Do not track individual characteristics, damage, or skills of mob members. The mob moves as one unit. It makes a single attack roll per round. Make this roll at an effective "Skill-0", with DM+1 for every four active members in the mob, or part of four. Thus, a big mob of 12 members will attack at base DM+3, modified, of course, by weapon and range DMs; a mob of 5 members will attack at base DM+2. Make the attack as if the mob is one character; apply automatic fire or shotgun rules as usual. While the entire gang might be unloading a hail of bullets, these shots are badly aimed and only a few have a chance of striking true.

PCs attack the mob as if it is one target. Most mobs are either unarmored or wearing Jack or Mesh armor; apply DMs accordingly. A non-automatic ranged attack which hits the mob incapacitates one member. When autofire, a shotgun, or a grenade hit a mob, throw 1d6; this is the number of mob members who fall. When using a flamethrower or machine gun, throw 2d6. Obviously, "incapacitated" does not necessarily mean "killed by a bullet" but rather "out of the fight" - killed, wounded, or maybe just shocked enough to be ineffective in fighting. The latter is the reason why autofire can incapacitate up to 6 mob members while a Classic Traveller autofire burst only contains 4 bullets.

Mobs are much more dangerous in melee, with a to-hit DM+1 per 2 members rather than per 4, and making two attacks per round rather than one. When skilled characters fights a mob in melee, they "cleave" - each hit incapacitates a number of mob members equal to the skilled character's relevant melee skill.

Mobs rarely fight well under fire. In any of the following cases, throw 5+ for the mob to disperse in panic and be effectively removed from the fight. This number rises to 8+ for frenzied mobs. Fanatical mobs are immune to this effect and will continue swarming the PCs regardless of death. Reasons for such morale throws include:

• The first time the mob comes under ranged fire.
• The first time the mob loses a member.
• When the mob first falls to half or less of its size.
• Each time the mob is attacked with fire, explosives, or similar shocking attack.
• When first attacked by armored vehicles or troops in battledress.

Grunts

Conscripts out of basic training, as well as street criminals with some combat experience, fight far better than a mob of rabble. Whoever, they still are not a match for professionals. Grunts fight individually, as per the standard rules, including movement and attacks. However, they have a total DM+0 base modifier (from skill, characteristics, etc) to hit targets, subject to armor and range DMs. Any attack which hits a grunt incapacitates them. Note that Classic Traveller Book 1 Morale applies to grunts.

The Referee might also want to consider various small-to-medium-sized wild animals, but not apex predators or particularly large animals, as grunts.

Monsters

Sometimes, felling a monster is not a simple matter of riddling it with bullets or chopping it one piece at a time - it just keeps fighting! In this case, attack the monster as per the Classic Traveller Book 1 rules, and roll damage on a hit. However, do not count accumulated damage. Instead, ignore any attack which does 14 or less damage. Any attack doing 15 or more damage kills the monster. For particularly fearsome monsters, make that 16 or less damage; this monstrosity will continue fighting even under a hail of bullets until a lucky attacks rolls 17+ damage (which is unlikely on the typical gun with 3D damage).