Notes | ***Hitpoints*** = SIZ.
***Note - only has SIZ Characteristic, the other Characteristics are for calculation purposes***
The normal characteristics for creatures are not applicable to swarms. Instead, only one characteristic is given: SIZ. This is used to gauge the volume of the swarm in comparison with an average human. A swarm of SIZ 6 is enough to engulf one half of the body. A swarm of 12 is enough to engulf the entire body. A swarm of SIZ 24 could engulf two opponents simultaneously.
***Damage/Combat Action*** :
***SIZ 1-5*** -> 1 Damage all locations, 1 CA
***SIZ 6-11*** -> 1d2 Damage all locations, 2 CA
***SIZ 12-18*** -> 1d3 Damage all locations, 3 CA
***SIZ 19-25*** -> 1d4 Damage all locations, 4 CA
***SIZ 26-33*** -> 1d6 Damage all locations, 5 CA
RQ6 pg 365
Worn armour initially counts against this damage, but is reduced by 1 point for each successful attack, as the insects begin to crawl inside gaps in the clothing.
It is almost impossible to kill a swarm: there are simply too many individuals. The only hope is to either outrun it or find a way of taking cover (water is not always an effective way of evading a swarm of insects, since they often wait about for the victim to surface). A swarm may decide to cease an attack if it collectively feels a threat has been neutralized: after 1d3 rounds of combat, make a Willpower roll for the swarm. If the roll is successful then the swarm abates its attacks and returns to its nest or previous activity.
Swarms do not generate Special Effects and neither do they use Combat Actions to parry or evade unless attacked with an area affect assault. On the other hand a victim can use Evade to temporarily avoid a swarm. Otherwise they must flee, hide or seek cover.
Whenever a character is stung by a swarm of poisonous insects, he may succumb to the increasing levels of venom introduced into his body. Keep track of the accumulating value of the damage suffered from each attack, which represents the growing toxicity of the venom. Every time the character experiences another attack, they must make an opposed roll of their Endurance versus the new level of toxicity. Failure means that they suffer the effects of the insect’s venom. |