Monster: Pest Swarm

Monster: Pest Swarm

Cityscape has a new monster - pest swarm. Basically, this is a rat-and-bug swarm and nothing else.

Pest Swarm [Cityscape, page 136]

53 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST-6 [-60]; DX+2 [40]; IQ-7 [-140]; HT+4 [40].
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: HP+2 [4]; FP-2 [-6]; Will+6 [30]; Per+9 [45]; Basic Move-2 [-10]; Basic Speed -0.5 [-10].
Advantages: Combat Reflexes [15]; Flexibility [5]; Night Vision 4 [4]; Reduced Consumption 3 (Cast Iron Stomach, -50%) [3]; Resistant to Metabolic Hazards +8 [15]; Silence 2 [10].
    Swarm: Injury Tolerance (Diffuse; Body of Swarm, Rat-Sized, +0%) [100].
    Swarm Bite and Sting [42]: Cutting Attack 1d (Area Effect, 1 yard, +25%; Cosmic, No die roll required, No active defense allowed, +400%; Link, +10%; Melee Attack, C, No Parry, -35%) [35] + Toxic Attack 1 point (Area Effect, 1 yard, +25%; Contact Agent, +150%; Cosmic, No die roll required, No active defense allowed, +400%; Link, +10%; Melee Attack, C, No Parry, -35%) [7].
Disadvantages: Semi-Upright [-5]; Short Lifespan 4 [-40]; Wild Animal [-30].
Perk: Fur [1].
Creature Type: Animal.

Typical Stats

ST:	4	HP:	6	Speed:	6
DX:	12	Will:	9	Move:	4
IQ:	3	Per:	12
HT:	14	FP:	12	SM:	+0
Dodge:	10	Parry:	N/A	DR:	0

    Swarm Bite and Sting: 1d cutting plus linked 1 point toxic, Reach C. The swarm must “step” into close combat with the target and attack. The target can retreat or dodge and drop (p. B377) to move at least one yard away; if not, it automatically takes 1d large area cutting damage that is reduced by DR normally. In addition, it automatically takes 1 point of toxic damage ignoring non-sealed armor. Subjects with natural DR (but not with the Tough Skin limitation) are safe only if they keep their eyes and mouth shut and plug their nose, ears, etc.
    Swarm: A pest swarm consists of about a dozen of rats, bugs, and other pests. This makes it immune to crippling injuries and reduces the damage it suffers from most physical blows; see Injury to Unliving, Homogenous, and Diffuse Targets (p. B380). The swarm cannot be slammed or grappled. Diffuse includes all the benefits of No Blood, No Brain, and No Vitals. The swarm is dispersed by injury equal to its HP. A dispersed swarm is effectively “unconscious” and unable to act in concert. A determined foe might contain and continue to damage the dispersed bodies, though. Should the swarm reach -HP, enough of the bodies have been killed to destroy the swarm.

    Traits: Combat Reflexes; Flexibility; Fur; Night Vision 4; Reduced Consumption 3 (Cast Iron Stomach); Resistant to Metabolic Hazards +8; Semi-Upright; Short Lifespan 4; Silence 2; Wild Animal.
    Skills: Climbing-14; Escape-14; Scrounging-13; Stealth-14.
    Creature Type: Animal.