[Index]

Brute 4 (12)

2nd Edition

A brute is a generic term for any sort of large, tough humanoid that is known for strength and resilience but not intelligence. Most brutes are taller than a typical human, but some are more stocky or wide than tall. The following are iconic examples of brutes in each of the common roleplaying genres.

• Bruiser (superhero): A low-skill supervillain who hits hard and can go toe to toe with most low- to mid-power superheroes. On their own, a brute probably sticks to petty crimes like robbing banks and stealing armored cars. As part of a supervillain team, they’re the muscle that protects the leader and blaster villains from the most dangerous heroes.
• Hulker (space opera science fiction): A warlike alien species. They’re frequently hired as guards and enforcers by raiders and imperial governments, turned loose against civilians and soldiers.
• Jovian (hard science fiction): A human genetically engineered to withstand harsh or high-gravity environments. They work as shock troops for interplanetary militaries, security for prison colonies, bodyguards for important politicians, or laborers in radioactive mines.
• Ogre (any fantasy): A bestial, sadistic, and cannibalistic creature that preys on any creature in the woods, mountains, or other wilderness areas, or even on the fringes of civilization.
• Rogmutant (postapocalypse): A human subspecies created by radiation-induced mutations. Most are aggressive and simple-minded, raiding communities alone or in small groups.
• Tough thug (real world): An exceptionally large and burly example of humanity, perhaps augmented with a lot of anabolic steroids and a bodybuilding fetish. A typical club bouncer, Mafia goon, criminal bodyguard, or corrupt police officer may be a tough thug.

Motive: Hunger (drugs, food, or pleasure), violence, greed

Environment: Anywhere, usually alone or in a group of three or four

Health: 20

Damage Inflicted: Major wound

Armor: 1

Movement: Short

Modifications: Feats of raw strength as level 6; Intellect defense and seeing through deception as level 3; dodge as level 3 due to size

Combat: A brute usually uses a simple club or a large, two-handed weapon. If a brute strikes a smaller foe, the foe is either hindered for one round due to the force of the blow or moved sideways or backward up to 5 feet (1.5 m).

A brute can also swing their huge melee weapon in a wide arc, making an eased attack against all foes within immediate range and inflicting a moderate wound with each hit.

Brutes rarely flee from a fight, and only a foe of overwhelming power can force them to surrender.

Interaction: Brutes are stupid and often cruel. They don’t like conversation. Reasoning with one is difficult at best, but sometimes they can be fooled.

Use: A solitary brute is an excellent encounter for a group of first-tier characters. A number of brutes, particularly well-equipped and well-trained warriors, make good troops or guards in the service of a powerful master. Evil overlords like to bribe or enslave brutes and place them at the forefront of their armies.

Loot: Some brutes hoard wealth or other valuables, but they rarely have the patience for manifest cyphers.

GM Intrusion: The brute’s mighty blow (whether a hit or miss) strikes the ground or the wall, causing major structural damage and a possible collapse, cave-in, or landslide, inflicting a moderate wound to all characters in the immediate area. This might also expose a hidden underground cave or chamber.

• Militarized brute (science fiction): A brute working as part of an army or police force is equipped with body armor for their size (granting an additional +1 or +2 Armor) and a long-range rifle that the brute can fire twice per round, each hit inflicting a moderate wound.
• Supervillain brute (superhero): A supervillain brute usually has an additional +2 or +4 Armor, eases all attacks and strength-based tasks by two steps, and has one minor superpower such as immunity to fire, moving a short distance (charging, flying, or leaping) as an extra action, or recovering 3 health per round.