Rayguns & Robuts Review

Rayguns & Robuts is a retro sci-fi tour de force by Levi Combs, the mad genius of Planet X Games. Most of the content was written by Levi, with a contribution from Luau Lou. The cover is done by Planet X regular Ed Bickford (who also has some wonderful interior art). The rest of the interior art is done by Lawrence Hernandez, JE Shields, Dan Smith, and James V. West. In addition to the awesome artwork for the games itself, there are a couple of fantastic retro comic book ads for other PX content. These just add to the character and sheer awesomeness of Planet X Games books.

The book is a system neutral (OSR adjacent). Instead of giving stats for a bunch of new equipment and things, this book assumes you already have a system you like that has those things. The book contains an overview of the setting, ROBUTS and why they could have rebelled, planets and destinations, an adventure, and the craziest collection of characters you've ever seen. Seriously, you're players will never forget characters like Professor Mantis (a literal giant mantis scientist in a lab coat) or the cyborg chimp, H.A.M. 

This book is wild. Seriously, everything Levi rights is just interesting af. There's so must style. I love that every time the mechanical villains are mentioned they are ROBUTS in all caps. This setting feels alive and weird in all the best ways. To be quite honest this is the kind of strange sci-fi setting I was hoping for with Alpha Blue many years ago (in the days before its author went full asshole). 

When/if I do run this game, I think I'm going to use Survive This!! The Blackest Space. Scorched or the original Blackest Space are great options too. White Star is another great option. They all seem like a great fits. The few stats that are in the book would be easy to use with them. You can get your own copy of Rayguns & Robuts here. While you're waiting on your copy to arrive check out this great Spotify playlist Levi made for it.

October Horror Movie Challenge - PG: Psycho Goreman (2020)

 

Plot

On a backwater planet known as Earth an eccentric little girl and her brother unleash a powerful evil. Able to control him with a magic stone, they must contend other powerful ancient beings.

Review

You can read my original review here. There is currently a Kickstater project for a Pyscho Goreman comic book seeking funding.

In Your Game

Templar Pandora

Armor Class 3 [16]
Hit Dice 10
Total Hit Bonus +7
Attacks Templar Blade (1d6+6 vs evil) or Containment Cube (2d6)
Saving Throw 9
Movement 12
HDE/XP  12/2,600

Templar Pandora can use her attack to trap anyone she sees in a containment cube of divine energy. Foes must make a successful saving throw to avoid being trapped. While trapped in a cube, the victim can do little more than speak. On the victim's turn they may attempt another saving throw to escape the cube. Pandora can cause the cube to contract doing 2d6 damage. 

Movie Count

New To Me: 3

Total Movies: 6

PG: Psycho Goreman (2020)

Synopsis

A disturbed young girl and her brother friend find an ancient alien gem that gives her control of a super powerful overlord. Dubbing him Psycho Goreman (or PG for short). Soon creatures from across the galaxy come to Earth searching for PG. 

Review

Psycho Goreman is one of those unique and insane flicks. It's really dark, but instead of being depressing, the it's really humorous. There's tons of random murder and body horror, but it's all really cheesy looking. The film is bloody and gross, but in an over the top, unrealistic way. There's tons of fake blood and viscera. PG and the other aliens look like cheesy Power Ranger/Super Sentai foes. Honestly the whole film kind of feels like Power Rangers on crack. 

The cast are memorable. Mimi is an absolute monster in the body of a small child and her long suffering brother Luke seems to be the only sane person in the flick. The interactions between the family, PG, and the community are fantastic. 

Finally, the score is top notch. There's a great 80's dark synth vibe that tends to go with these wild horror flicks with purple themes (like Mandy). In addition to the great score you also have I'm The Heckin' Best and PG for Short, which are definitely memorable tracks. 

In Your Game

As I mentioned this movie had a Power Rangers vibe to me, so I statted PG out in the vein of my White Star Power Rangers.

Pscyho Goreman (or PG for short)
Armor Class 1 [18]
Hit Dice 10
Total Hit Bonus +6
Attacks Goreblade (1d6+6) or Diabolic Magic (3d6)
Saving Throw 9
Special Horrific Transformation, Juggernaut
Movement 12
HDE/XP  12/2,600

PG is an ancient powerful evil. His goreblade is crafted from pieces his hated foe, Pandora. Though not truly a blade, it can slice through nearly anything. PG also has the ability to fire dark magic at a range of 120'. He can grow to immense size (which allows him to destroy buildings and go toe-to-toe with mecha should that sort of scenario rise). PG also has the ability to transform weaklings into hideous monstrosities. This is more of a plot power and a tool for the GM. Feel free to give PG other powers if the plot requires or it just makes a scene cooler. 

Character Creation Challenge - Day 10

Today's character was inspired by the video game Void Bastards and statted with White Star. 

Name: Prisoner 740

Class/Level: Mercenary 1

Alignment: Neutral 

Strength 9

Intelligence 10

Wisdom 13

Constitution 10

Dexterity 15 (+1 to hit with missile, +1 to AC)

Charisma 9

HD: 1+1

HP: 6 HP 

Save: 14 

Movement: 12
AC 6 [13] (Dex Light Armor) 

Attacks 

Mono-Dagger 1d6 damage

Laser Pistol - 1d6+2 (ROF 2, 100' range)

Other

Combat Machine - against foes of 1 HD or less, gets free extra attack per round

Saving Throw - +2  on Saving Throws against death and poison

Equipment 

140 credits, mon-dagger, laser pistol, light armor

Background

Prisoner 740 is a masked merc known for raiding derelict ships on behalf of various corporations. No one knows his crimes and he's not telling.

Create Your Own Stories In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

I've read nothing but praise for Disney +'s The Mandalorian and I know it's got a lot of folks wanting to roll some dice and make their own Star Wars adventures. If you're going to do so (and don't already have them), I recommend downloading White Star and the White Star Companion (both of which are pay what you want) and snagging this awesome custom character sheet created by David Okum.  While you're at it, considering backing David's patreon.

Welcome Aboard!

This is a fun video that was a YouTube recommendation for me today. I vaguely remember watching this when it came out last September. It's excellent inspiration for a White Star or Starfinder game. Check it out!

Power Rangers vs. Street Fighter

I don't care this this is a pormotional video for a mobile game... it's awesome!

This is the first ranger I've statted for White Star. If you want to see my previous write-ups for the franchise click here.

Ryu Ranger (Ryu)
Class: Power Ranger (Star Sailor)
Level: 6
Experience: 20,000

Strength: 17, +1 to hit melee
Intelligence: 11 (1 extra language)
Wisdom: 16 (+5% xp awards)
Constitution: 15 (+1 to HP)
Dexerity: 16 (+1 to hit ranged, -1[+1] AC)
Charisma: 11 (1 assistant, +0 loyalty)

Hit Points: 21 (3+1 HD)
Armor Class: 6[13] (Dexterity, Star Sailor (Power Ranger) Transformation)
BHB: +2
Saving Throw: 9

Languages: English, Japanese
Powers Per Day: 6

Special Abilities:
Martial Arts (Star Sailor Starlight Wand), 1d6 damage
Hadoken (Starlight Blast), 1d6+6 damage, range 100', (counts as use of power)
Luminous Courage Glow, Duration: until damage is take or an enemy has be vanquished, whichever comes first. Effect: Ryu is surrounded by a glowing yellow energy field  that adds a +2 bonus to all Saving Throws, attacks and AC (AC -2 if descending and +2 if ascending), (counts as use of power)

Equipment: Morpher and coin

Happy National Power Rangers Day!

Today is the first ever National Power Rangers Day.

I've decided I'm going to stat out one of my childhood crushes.

Scorpina is a childhood friend of Rita Repulsa and is shown to be affectionate with Goldar. Rita can cause her to grow into a gigantic humanoid scorpion monster. Once I figure out how to do the kaiju-side of Power Rangers in White Star, I'll stat out that aspect of her.

Scorpina
Armor Class 5 [14]
Hit Dice 6
Total Hit Bonus +5
Attacks Scorpion Blade (1d6+1, see below)
Saving Throw 9
Movement 12
HDE/XP  6/300

Scorpion Blade
This crescent-shaped sword can be thrown like a boomerang at a range of 60'. Once thrown it will return to it's owner who must make a saving throw to catch it. 

Because Scorpina has been using the blade her entire life, she can catch it automatically. 

Previous Stats
Lord Drakkon (Boom! Comics)
Rita (Power/Rangers)
Finster (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)
Putties, Z-Putties, Super Putties (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)
Putties (Power Rangers)
Oozemen (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie)

Oozemen for White Star/Power Rangers

Another mook for your White Star/Power Rangers game, this time drawn from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.

Oozeman
Armor Class 7 [12]
Hit Dice 3
Total Hit Bonus +2
Attacks Martial Arts (1d6+1) 
Saving Throw 16
Special: Immune to damage from any non-blunt source
Movement 12
HDE/XP  4/100

Power/Rangers (Rita Stats)

I love Adi Shankar's Bootleg Universe stuff. This short is one that got me interested in Power Rangers again.

Rita 

Armor Class 8 [11]

Hit Dice 8

Total Hit Bonus +4

Attacks Claw (1d6+3) 
Saving Throw 10

Special Meditations/Gifts

Movement 12/Fly 18

HDE/XP 8/400

Being a powerful witch, Rita can use the following meditations and gifts: Detect Thoughts unlimited, Invisibility unlimited, Stupor 3/day, Charm Creature 2/day, Hold Person 2/day, Invisibility II 1/day, 

How-To Make White Box Monsters (and Finster White Star Stats)

A recent discussion I've been having with friends is the style of games that we like to play. Most of my irl gaming friends tend to be Pathfinder players. They love the crunch, the options, and that there's a rule for everything. I'm not going to yuck someone's yum, but personally that's the reason I don't play Pathfinder anymore. I prefer a strong foundation and the ability to adapt it to do whatever and keep things going.

Yesterday my friend Josh made a great post over at JB Publishing highlighting one of the things I love about OSR games. You can check it out here. In a short post he gives simple step by step suggestions for creating monsters on the fly. No cross-referencing multiple Bestiaries for stats and templates, no "perfect balance", just a good 'ol monster ready to kill the party.

Now I'm going to use these suggestions to continue my White Star Power Ranger posts by making monster stats for the monster maker of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. That's pretty meta, right?

In the show Finster makes monsters for Rita and is said to be a great scientist (and alchemist).

Finster

Armor Class 8 [11]

Hit Dice 4

Total Hit Bonus +3

Attacks By Weapon or Alchemical Bomb (1d6+1 damage, range 25)

Saving Throw 13

Special Alchemical potions and bombs

Movement 12

HDE/XP 4/140

When encountered Finster will have 3d6 alchemical bomb potions (1d6+1 damage, range 25), 1d6+2 monster healing potions (heal 2d6 to "monsters," 1d6 to humans and demihumans at the GM's discretion), and 1 love potion (imbiber must make saving throw or fall in love with the next sentient being they see, this effect is permanent until the antidote is taken)

Putties (2017 movie) for White Star

While the movie had its issues and I've already statted the classic putties, I thought I'd give stats to the movie version of the putties too. Rita makes these instantly from materials around her, unlike the show versions which were baked from clay in a monster maker. Also, it's said they fall apart if you strike them in the center, which makes them similar to the Z Putty Patrollers. 

Putty
Armor Class 5 [14]
Hit Dice 4
Total Hit Bonus +4
Attacks Slam (1d6+1)
Saving Throw 15
Special: When stuck by an attack roll of 20, the Putty is automatically reduced to 0 HP.
Movement 12
HDE/XP  4/175

Putty Patrols For White Star

Putty Patrollers with the original mooks from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the perfect low level foes for a White Star Power Rangers game.

Putty Patroller
Armor Class 8 [11]
Hit Dice 1+1
Total Hit Bonus +1
Attacks Slam (1d6) or by Weapon
Saving Throw 17
Movement 12
HDE/XP  1/15

Super Putty
Armor Class 7 [12]
Hit Dice 2
Total Hit Bonus +2
Attacks Super Slam (1d6+1)
Saving Throw 15
Special Can only be destroyed by mythic artifacts. When reduced to 0 HP, it will spawn two Super Putties at full HP.
Movement 12
HDE/XP  5/240

Z Putty Patroller
Armor Class 7 [12]
Hit Dice 3
Total Hit Bonus +2
Attacks Slam (1d6) or by Weapon
Saving Throw 17
Special: When stuck by an attack roll of 20, the Z Putty Patroller is automatically reduced to 0 HP.
Movement 12
HDE/XP  3/75

Shattered Grid Short (with Lord Drakkon stats for White Star)

Lord Drakkon is the main villain of the newest Power Ranger comic arc, Shattered Grid. I was a Power Ranger fan as a kid and I still have a soft spot for it. I plan on using White Star (and the Star Sailors pdf in particular) to star creating Power Ranger material.

This video is connected to the event featured in this video. 

Lord Drakkon (Tommy Oliver)
Armor Class 3 [16]
Hit Dice 10
Total Hit Bonus +5
Attacks Sword of Darkness (1d6+6)
Saving Throw 9
Special Star Sailor powers (see below)
Movement 12
HDE/XP  12/2,600

Because of his connect to the Grid, Tommy is the most powerful Ranger in existence. He is able to tap into the abilities of various Rangers. He has access to all Star Sailor powers (with the exception of Light Force Engage! and Healing Orb) and can use them in any combination up 10 times per day.

Sword of Darkness
This mystic blade is even more powerful than a star sword (dealing 1d6+6 damage). It is imbued with dark energy and will cause it's wielder to act on their darker impulses.

Star Sailors

Star Sailors is a magical girl supplement for White Star by Okum Arts Games. The artwork and layout is really colorful and fun. It's really appropriate and lends itself well to the genre the pdf emulates. While its only 11 pages long, there's quite a bit of content packed in.

The book begins with basics on what a magical girl is. Next we get info on the Star Sailors, the entity that powers them, and their archenemies, The Gloom (who are given stats towards the end of the pdfs). There is quite a bit of discussion about the class itself, including tropes of the genre (alter egos, mascots, girl power, etc). The class itself is pretty flexible and honestly you could have an entire party of Star Sailors and each one would still feel unique. Btw, the class has all classic magical girl elements, including a transformation is a class ability. All Star Sailors have mascots and stats (including charts to customize them) are given. Several campaign ideas are presented, notable for space, modern era, and fantasy. To emulate one of these ideas, The Planetary Defenders, stats are given for Monsters of the Week. These generic stat blocks have charts that let you customize them. The book ends with an adventure structure for typical Star Sailor adventures and some adventure hooks. 

I love this supplement. It's just really fun and unique. Also if would lend itself to other genres and you could easily run a Power Rangers game with this.

Running A Star Wars Game On The Cheap

I realize that most of the folks that come here are OSR types, but you never know. This post is here to give you the ability to run a Star Wars table top for free (minus the cost of dice). First you need to grab White Star: White Box Science Fiction Roleplaying. This game is really all you need. It has all the rules and honestly you could stop here. All of the classes cover your main types of characters in an SW game. The gifts and meditations for the Star Knight and Alien Mystic are obvious Force equivalents. White Star Companion adds some classic Star Wars inspired goodness with it's bounty hunter class. It also includes the Yabnab would make a perfect ewok... and everyone loves ewoks, right? I can think of one more free White Star resource you could add to this mix. Yesterday I mentioned The Space Monkey Player Character. This is a fun little class that adds some alien variety and fits well into the Star Wars universe.

The Space Monkey Player Character Review

If you ever wanted to play Gleek from Super Friends (and be honest, we all have) then The Space Monkey Player Character was made for you. It's a pay what you want 6-level racial character class for White Star (and by default White Box). Honestly it is what it sounds like. You play a helpful and loyal space simian.

While able to use all tech and intelligent, or at least more intelligent than your average pet, they aren't quite proficient in it and have to make a saving throw to use things properly. A failure means a roll on the (non-lethal) Space Monkey Equipment Mishap chart. They also only have limited ability to communicate. While they do have these issues, they have some cool features to make up for it.

When you make your space monkey you get a cool color based on the type of space monkey you are. They are also have better than average AC's, can track objects anywhere, and are experts at climbing and jumping. Not to mention the fact that they're decently hearty.

If you want something a little different in your White Star game, this is a cool addition. Honestly, the work just as well in a regular White Box game too.

Destiny 2

This trailer is spectacular and also great inspiration for Starfinder and White Star. 

Also I want to play a character like Cayde-6.

Destiny 2 Trailers

I didn't play Destiny. I probably won't play Destiny 2. That being said I watched these trailers at work today, laughed my butt off, and got they urge to play some science fantasy (Starfinder and White Star come to mind). If you need to smile (and love Nathan Fillion like I do), watch these.

Sci-Fi Inspiration - Stryka

Need a good laugh? Want to watch a fun sci-fi short? Sure you do. Check out Emily Carmichael's Stryka. 

Here's a brief synopsis:

Stryka is an awesome reptile woman from another planet who does heists and odd jobs with her (literal) partner in crime, Callen. But she has a secret, she's been stealing with somebody else.