RUGGED ADVENTURES. The Miniatures Game of Manly Adventure In Exotic Locals. Of The Pulp Era. PRELIMINARY CORE RULES. This is the primary format
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1RUGGED ADVENTURES The Miniatures Game of Manly Adventure In Exotic Locals Of The Pulp Era PRELIMINARY CORE RULES This is the primary format of Rugged Adventures. These basic rules will allow you to start gaming in the Pulp Era. The Core Rules focus primarily on combat mechanics, as conflict is a driving factor in action stories. A Rugged Adventure is much more then a wargame though. Players are expected to act their character and contribute to the story development. Further rule supplements will be added as separate chapters. Specific supplements can then be consulted if, for example, boats, aircraft, cavalry or artillery fire, come into play in a particular scenario. Supplements will also cover more colourful subject matter; zeppelins, curses, monsters and the occult, to name just a few of the notions stewing away in our fevered brains. What is necessary to have a Rugged Adventure?Most important, you will need a game master or GM. The GM will design the scenario and assign the goals and restrictions of each player. The GM will also have the last word in rule interpretation and may modify die rolls to suit a specific situation. Remember, the most critical part of Rugged Adventures is the STORY. All other aspects take a back seat. It is the job of the GM to govern the story as it unfolds. Minimally, you will need individual miniatures representing each of the players in your gaming group. Each player then needs a group of about ten followers. Military officers are followed by soldiers. Gang Leaders are followed by assorted thugs. Archaeologists are followed by simpering grad students and local labourers. We recommend that each player provide his character and their followers so that some emotional attachment is developed before the game begins. Numerous other miniature ‚extras™ (movie terms suit Rugged Adventures) can be used in the game but they must be managed, to some extent, by the GM. You will need a playing surface. This tabletop area might be a large, highly detailed landscape with buildings, jungle, mountains and waterways or it might be an interior layout of a seedy bar, roughly drawn with crayon on blank newsprint. Your ‚set™ (another movie term) is up to you. Get as involved as much as your time and budget will allow. Finally, you need several tape measures, a six-sided die (D6), and at least a dozen ten sided dice (D10). The game uses D10’s to resolve combat and morale. Die rolls of 1 are good and die rolls of 0(10) mean bad news. Remember, the rule mechanics are a guideline only!
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2Figure Scale Scale is 1:1. Each miniature represents an individual player or non-player extra. Figure Classes There are three figure classes in Rugged Adventures-Condensed: PRP s, Combatants and Non-Combatants . The Complete Rugged Adventures rules will add a Special Figures class that will include monsters and the occasional killer robot. The primary Class is the Player Represented Personality or PRP. A PRP represents you the player on the gaming table. Each player should only have one PRP in the game. Play tests allowing more than one PRP per player caused confusion and most players usually only role-played one PRP in the game anyway. This is not to say that one PRP can™t command several units of Combatants. Combatants are units of soldiers, native warriors, gang members or rioting civilians. Units of combatants must be lead by a command figure such as a military officer or NCO, tribal chief, head of the local gang or the hothead civilian who probably started the riot in the first place. These leader figures may or may not be PRP’s. These are typical war game figures. Non-Combatants comprise all those unarmed bystanders wishing no part in the danger or action. Examples might be villagers, missionaries and government bureaucrats. Non- Combatants are useful plot devises for a Rugged Adventure. The players may have to rescue them from an evil villain or help them to reach the ship ahead of an oncoming lava flow. They can also be sources of information, supplies or loot. In the role-playing aspect of the game Non-Combatants will be played by the GM. Designing the ScenarioThis is the critical part of the GM™s job. When creating the setting in which the players will act the GM must present a rough plot around which the action will evolve. Keep it simple but clever. Start by describing the situation in a Log-Line: Curse of the Jade Buddha: A motley assortment of archaeologists, soldiers and treasure hunters vie with Sinister Dr. Koo and Chinese locals over the whereabouts of a legendary Jade Buddha. Is it hidden somewhere in the seedy port of China Station or lost deep within the steaming bamboo jungle?Of course it must be fleshed out from here but don™t get over complicated. This is a framework. It is up to the players to inject the details. Establish the setting, determine the characters and assign their respective motivations. The scenario might be a straight up battle or a roleplay intensive mystery. Remember that the hallmarks of pulp fiction are atmosphere , character and action .
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3Turn sequence The first turn begins with the GM presenting the scenario. PRPs in initial contact with each other should get together for preliminary roleplay so they can commence the conspiracy and double-dealing. After that you should follow the turn sequence. Movement Orders, Charge & Rally Declarations: Each player declares what type of movement their figure & unit/units will use. Any figures & units wishing to charge declare their charge and designate their target. Rally attempts are made. Movement Phase: Charging unit’s charge. Units that are targets of a charge check morale to see if they will stand or run away from the chargers. All other figures & units now move. Movement is simultaneous.Shooting Phase: All figures & units armed with rifles, pistols, non-carriage mounted machine guns (Tommy guns, Maxims etc), muskets, bows, spears etc., may fire at enemy units. Charging units that are shot at test morale to see if they will complete the charge. Hand-to-Hand Combat Phase: All PRPs, or units in base contact with enemy figures or units may fight hand-to-hand combat. Morale Phase: All units that were shot at or fought in hand-to-hand combat test morale. PRP Communication / Role-Play Phase: Players may communicate with other PRPs by issuing ill-conceived orders, complaining about the stupid actions of others or hatching futile but glorious plans. This is the time for funny voices and bad acting. Players are encouraged to ham it up. Those in radio contact may communicate with each other as long as they add appropriate radio static to their dialogue. The GM will oversee the time allowed for this phase depending upon the impetus of the ongoing game. Further role-play may continue into other phases of the turn sequence during any turn. (Supplemental Chapters will include an Occult Powers phase & a Supporting Fire/Artillery phase.) Forming Commands Combat units should contain 10 figures. They may or may not be led by a PRP. Non- combatant units may contain up to 20 figures. These could include such figures as archaeologists, labourers or local civilians.
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4PRPs Each PRP needs to be created prior to the game. A PRP must be assigned the following traits: Luck , Character Traits and Field Craft .Luck Luck is mostly used to determine if a PRP can lower a wound table result. It is useful in other circumstances but these are governed by the GM. Luck is only available to PRP figures. When creating their PRP, the player rolls a D10 on the following chart to determine the PRP™s luck. The Luck number is usually permanent unless the PRP finds a monkey™s paw 😉 Die RollLuck 1Why Me? / Luck 3 2,3,4That™s Tough Pal / Luck 4 4,5,6,7Average Palooka / Luck 5 8,9Caught a Break / Luck 7 10Ya Lucky Mug / Luck 8 When a PRP must roll on the ‚Wound Table™ they may be able to reduce the affects of the wound by making a luck roll. The player rolls a D10. If the die roll is less than or equal to their ‚Luck™ number the ‚Wound Table™ result is reduced to the next lowest level. For example: if a killed result is rolled and the PRP makes his Luck roll the killed result becomes a wounded result. Sometimes luck can be used in other circumstances determined by the GM. An example might be a PRP who wants to risk leaping over a treacherous crevasse. The GM can have the PRP roll their luck to see if they make it or not. Character Traits PRPs have special traits they may use during a game. Each player rolls a D6 and divides the result by 2. This is the number of character traits a PRP may have. A PRP that can only have 1 trait may choose either a negative or positive Character Trait. PRPs who may have two or three Character Traits must take at least one positive and one negative trait. PRP’s who have a third trait may finish off with either type. Character Traits are permanent once assigned. Certain Character Traits apply specifically to PRP’s from certain regions or of specific nationalities. The Character Trait description will indicate who may use those specific traits otherwise a PRP may choose any trait. Some character traits and how they are used are listed below. We encourage you to create your own, provided they keep within the ‚Pulp™ spirit. The GM has final say.
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5Positive Character Traits Ambidextrous: The PRP may fire two pistols in one turn or fight hand-to-hand combat with two weapons. Two dice will be allowed per each combat (as long as it™s with weapons that can be used one-handed). The ‚To Hit™ roll remains the same. Sixth Sense: The PRP has an uncanny ability to sense trouble. When the PRP figure moves into detection range of an unseen enemy or hazard, such as a trap, the player rolls a D10. If the die roll is less than or equal to their field craft they will be told by the GM that, fiyou have a bad feeling about thisfl. They will not be told specific locations or details. Detection range is 12fl regardless of terrain. Sure Shot: This PRP has deadly aim with a specific weapon. The figure™s basic ‚To Hit™ number for shooting is 6. This skill usually applies to rifles or pistols but works for bows or throwing knifes also. Excellent Swordsman: (or any other H-to-H weapon) The PRP is particularly good at hand-to-hand combat when using their weapon of choice. This figure will add +2 to their base ‚To Hit™ number in hand-to-hand combat. Eagle Eye: An eagle-eyed PRP will get an automatic field craft rating of 9. Strong Like Ox: This PRP is particularly robust. It will require three regular wounds to kill the PRP. The PRP treats their first killed result as a wound. A second ‚Killed™ result will remove the PRP from the game. Inspired Leadership: The PRP is truly admired by their followers for their charisma and bravery. Any unit directly under the command of the PRP gets a +2 modifier to their base morale point (The PRP must be with the unit when the morale check is made). Tactician: The PRP must be a soldier/warrior to use this trait. At the beginning of the movement phase of any turn the PRP may attempt to use their superior military ability. The player rolls a D10. If the die roll is 1 or 2 the PRP, and the unit they are currently with, may move after all other units have moved. Huge Joss: Only available to Far Eastern PRPs. The PRP has more luck (joss) than others ordinarily do. This trait permits the PRP to re-role any failed luck rolls. The result of the second luck roll must be used. Ancient Training: Only available to Far Eastern PRPs. Think ‚Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon™. The PRP has received training in ancient arts and may fly short distances or run up walls. The PRP may use these special moves 4 times during a game in place of normal Remember that negative Character Traits can often be more fun to play then positive Character Traits.
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6movement. The maximum distance a figure may fly is 12″. They may fly from ground to a rooftop or visa-versa. A flying figure may only make hand-to-hand attacks and may be shot at while flying. Martial Arts: Usually only available to Far Eastern PRPs. This trait gives the PRP an improved hand-to-hand combat base rating (see applicable chart). Players are expected to mimic the martial arts moves and sounds during the game. Negative Character Traits Blind Eye: The PRP is blind in one eye. You must specify right or left. A ‚blind eye™ PRP may only see straight ahead and up to 45 degrees to the side of their good eye. A ‚blind eye™ PRP can’t spot or shoot at any figures currently on their blind side. Extremely Arrogant: This trait only applies to western PRP’s. The PRP feels that all natives or foreigners are inferior. If they try to rally a foreign ally or native unit, the unit receives a -2 morale modifier to their base morale point. Near Sighted: A nearsighted PRP must wear their glasses or a monocle at all times. They may never have a field craft rating above 6. Clumsy: The PRP is prone to bad cases of the shakes during tense situations. They must pass a luck test before shooting at a charging enemy single figure or unit, or before fighting in hand-to-hand combat. If the luck test fails they have dropped their weapon and may not shoot or fight back during that turn. The PRP may still be shot at and attacked in hand-to-hand combat. They may pick up their dropped weapon at the beginning of the next turn. Extremely Brave and Dashing: Aside from being very popular with the ladies at social functions, this PRP will not retreat or run from hand-to-hand combats. If their unit routs the PRP will remain behind to continue the fight. They may be taken prisoner but will continue to taunt their captors until they are released or rendered unconscious. Impetuous: The PRP prefers closing with cold steel to shooting from a distance. Any turn in which the PRP is within a charge move of an enemy unit they must check their field craft. If the check is passed the PRP will act as the player wishes. If the test is failed the PRP must charge. If the PRP is a commander they will take their unit with them in the charge. If they are commanded by another figure (the character is an NCO and has a superior officer for example) they will obey their commander. If they are not currently under the command of a superior officer (he may not be with the unit or is currently out of sight) then the PRP must check for the impetuous charge. Abrasive Personality: The PRP has a natural gift for putting people off. Due to an argumentative, “I know I am right”, attitude. Units under this PRP™s command suffer a -2 modifier to their base morale point. Who wants to die for a sour mug like this?
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8Terrain Effects Open, CropsOpen areas have light or no vegetation. Open areas do not affect movement or visibility. Mature crops provide concealment but do not affect movement. Visibility is 4fl. Forest, Jungle Foot units move at their normal rate through forest. Visibility in a forest is 16″. Jungle cuts movement by 1/2 and visibility is 8fl. Forest or jungle provides light cover. Rivers, Streams and Swamp Streams can usually be crossed at 1/2 of the figure™s movement rate. Rivers are normally too wide to cross but can be crossed at a ford if one exists. Units crossing at a ford move at 1/4 their normal move rate. Swamps can vary and crossing them is the prerogative of the GM. Avoiding quicksand or black mambas might require a Luck Roll. Roads and TrailsRoads and trails pass through and over any type of terrain and figures move as if it were open ground. Units on a road do not benefit from any cover. Cover Provided by Built Up Areas When in towns, villages and other settlements visibility is line of sight. Figures may see up to a building but not through it. Huts provide concealment but do not provide cover from shooting. Buildings made from mud or clay bricks provide light cover. Buildings built from logs, fieldstone or kiln fired bricks provide medium cover. Fortifications are deliberately stronger than civilian buildings and provide hard cover. HillsThe GM will govern movement penalties depending on the grade of the hill. Line of sight can also be affected by the presence of a hill.
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9Movement There are five movement rates players must choose from and announce at the start of the turn: combat, patrol, march, run and charge.A Combat move is very slow and cautious. Figures are assumed to be taking advantage of any ground cover available. Using a combat move gains bonuses for shooting and being shot at. A Patrol move is a faster version of a combat move. The figures are alert and ready but are not using the local ground for cover against enemy fire. A March move is used to rapidly advance. The marching figures must be in a column, which may be up to 4 figures wide. Units marching use half their field craft, fractions rounded up, when they make a spotting check. Units marching may not shoot. A Run move is used to cross ground quickly. Running units may not shoot. Combatant units may run for two consecutive turns and then must either remain stationary or use a combat move. Non-combatants may only run for one turn and then must either remain stationary or use a combat move. Units may not use a run move to engage enemy units in hand-to-hand combat. A Charge move is used to place a unit into hand-to-hand combat. Charges are covered in the hand-to-hand combat section. Charging units may not fire their weapons. Movement Table March 12″Charge 20″ Patrol 8″Run 15″ Western Foot Combat 4″ March 12″Charge 22″ Patrol 10″Run 18″ Native Foot Combat 4″ Western Foot includes Europeans, Americans, East Indian British military and any forces modeled on the western example such as Imperial Japanese. Use Western movement rates for all civilians but without the march move. Native Foot represents local peoples including those local troops serving a western command (e.g. European trained and armed African askaris). Native units classed as combatants (e.g. irregulars fighting for a Chinese warlord) or being used as hired porters may use the march move. All other native units may not march.
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10Ranged Combat Ranged combat occurs when a unit fires at an opposing unit. The target must be within range. All shooting is assumed to be simultaneous. Weapon RangesSmall Arms Weapon ClassShortMediumLong Pistols, Bows6″15″N/A Bolt Action Rifle6″40″60″ Shotgun (2 Dice)4fl10flN/A Jezzail / Musket / Matchlock6″24″40″ Thrown Spears6″N/AN/A Sub Machine Gun (3 dice)6″15″20″ Automatic Rifle (BAR) (3 Dice)6″30″50″ Machine Gun (4 dice)10″40″60″ ShootingThe firing unit must have line of sight to the target. Figures may shoot at a concealed, firing enemy they have not yet spotted, as long as they can see the enemy’s location. D10s are used to resolve ranged combat. The weapon class determines the number of dice per figures shooting. Most weapons roll only one D10. (e.g. A unit of ten, rifle- armed figures throw 10 D10 for hits.) Each weapon has a Base Hit Number of 4 or less. A PRP with the sure shot character trait has a base hit number of 6. The base hit number is modified according to the Shooting Modifiers Table. Shooting Modifiers Target is within short range+2 Shooter is stationary or used a combat move+2 Target is at long range-1 Target is charging shooter or routing+1 Target is using a combat move-2 Target has not been spotted1/2 hit number Target is in soft cover-1 Target is in medium cover-2 Target is in Hard cover-3 Each D10 that rolls less than or equal to the modified hit number will score a hit. Players should roll dice to randomly determine which figures within the target unit are hit. Any figures that are hit must roll for results on the ‚Wound Table™.
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11Jezzail, Musket and Matchlock Firing Restrictions Due to the process required to load a Jezzail, matchlock or flintlock musket, figures with these weapons shoot only if they used a combat move or remained stationary that turn. If their weapon was loaded in a previous turn but was not fired, the unit may move and fire their weapon during a later turn without the movement restriction. Machine Guns (referring to Maxim or Lewis types) Due to their high rate of fire machine guns roll 4 D10 for hits. Machine guns usually require a crew of at least 2 figures. One figure fires the gun while the other loads ammo. If a machine gun is being fired by a single figure it only rolls 2 D10. It takes one turn after moving with a maxim type machine gun to prepare the position and ammunition before it may be fired. A lewis type machine gun is fed ammunition by a round canister that is mounted on the top of the gun. A lewis gun will always roll 4 D10. A lewis gun must spend one turn reloading for every three turns of firing and may not fire during the reloading turn. The crew must remain stationary to change the ammunition canister. If loaded, a lewis gun may be fired in a turn during which the gun crew moved, if they used a combat move. Automatic Rifles (BAR) and Sub-Machine Guns These weapons are machine guns that can be carried by a single figure. They roll 3 D10 per figure. For simplicity players do not have to worry about reloading these weapons therefore they may fire every turn and are treated as a regular small arms weapon for moving purposes.
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