Gamma World 1E Mutations PDF
Gamma World 1E Mutations PDF
Gamma World 1E Mutations PDF
MUTATIONS REFERENCE
MUTATIONS
Physical and mental mutations for humanoids and animals are listed
in chart form. When using random mutation selection, the chance of
occurrence for any given mutation is shown alongside as a
percentage. Detailed descriptions of these mutations are given in
the text that follows. A (D) indicates that the mutation is a
defect.
PHYSICAL.........................................................2
MENTAL...........................................................8
PLANT...........................................................17
NPC MUTATIONS...................................................23
PHYSICAL MUTATIONS
No. Human Mutation Animal
1 01-02% Attraction Odor (D) 01-02%
2 03-04% Body Structure Change (D) 03%
3 05% Chameleon Powers 04-06%
4 06% Density Control 07%
5 07-08% Diminished Sense (D) 08%
6 09-10% Double Physical Pain (D) 09%
7 11-12% Electrical Generation 10-11%
8 13-14% Fat Cell Accumulation (D) 12%
9 15-16% Gas Generation – Musk 13%
10 17% Heat Generation 14%
11 18% Heightened Balance 15%
12 19-22% Heightened Constitution 16-21%
13 23% Heightened Dexterity 22%
14 24% Heightened Hearing 23%
15 25% Heightened Precision 24%
16 26% Heightened Smell 25%
17 27-32% Heightened Strength 26-29%
18 33% Heightened Taste 30-32%
19 34% Heightened Touch 33%
20 35% Heightened Vision 34%
21 36-37% Hemophilia (D) 35-36%
22 38-39% Increased Metabolism 37%
23 41-42% Increased Speed 38-39%
24 43% Infravision 40-41%
25 44% Light Generation 42%
26 45-46% Multiple Body Parts 43-45%
27 47-51% New Body Parts 46-47%
28 52-53% No Resistance to Bacteria (D) 48%
29 54-55% No Resistance to Poison (D) 49%
30 56-57% No Sensory Nerve Endings (D) 50-51%
31 58% Oversized Body Parts 52%
32 59% Partial Carapace 53-56%
33 60-61% Photosynthetic Skin 57-60%
34 62% Physical Reflection 61%
35 63-64% Poor Respiratory System (D) 62%
36 65% Quills/Spines 63%
37 66-67% Radiated Eyes 64%
38 68-69% Regeneration 65-67%
39 70% Shapechange 68%
40 71-74% Shorter 69-71%
41 75-76% Skin Structure Change (D) 72%
42 77% Sonic Attack Ability 73%
43 78% Symbiotic Attachment 74%
44 79-83% Taller 75-82%
45 84% Total Carapace 83%
46 85% Ultravision 84-86%
47 86-87% Vision Defect (D) 87%
48 88-89% Weight Decrease (D) 88%
49 90% Wings 89-90%
91-94% Roll a Good Mutation 91-94%
95-00% Pick Any Mutation 95-00%
1. ATTRACTION ODOR (D): The mutant's body secretes a substance which will
attract carnivores.
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2. BODY STRUCTURE CHANGE (D): Much latitude is left to the referee on this
defect. Generally, this involves the replacement of essential elements,
such as calcium in bones, with some other damaging substance that will
lower the body's resistance to outside force. Possible changes might
include: lack of calcium in bones - they break easily; no body hairs -
anywhere - beware of dust; only one eye in center of head - no depth
perception; and so on.
3. CHAMELEON POWERS: This is the ability to change the body color in order
to blend in with the surroundings. The color change will be almost
instantaneous and, once changed, the mutant need not concentrate on the
color(s) desired. It is left to the referee to determine the effectiveness
of this mutation in any given situation.
4. DENSITY CONTROL: A mutant with this ability can change the molecular
structure of his body to increase his armor class or move more rapidly. To
achieve a better armor class, the mutant's body shrinks and becomes more
dense. Shrinking raises the armor class in direct proportion to the size
change. A one-half size mutant has twice the normal armor class. A one-
eighth size mutant is too dense to be punctured by any type of sword,
spear, arrow, etc. However, becoming denser also decreases movement and
reflex actions by the same amount, so that one-eighth size mutants are
slowed to one-eighth normal speed.
To become less dense involves a size change the other way, and the mutant
becomes larger. This lowers the armor class and strength, but allows faster
movement. A twice normal size mutant is four armor classes lower than
normal, but can move four times as fast as usual. A mutant may only expand
to twice its normal size. There is no limit to the number of times a mutant
may change its density and the change is instantaneous.
5. DIMINISHED SENSE (D): One of this mutant’s senses (sight, smell, taste,
etc.) will not function at normal levels (i.e., mutant may not smell an
approaching predator or smell the burning woods he is in).
8. FAT CELL ACCUMULATION (D): A mutant with this problem will be fat (twice
as large as normal). The referee will determine how much this impairs the
mutant’s movement and fighting ability. It is possible that only certain
body parts, rather than the entire body, might be affected (such as the
head, one arm, one thigh).
9. GAS GENERATION - MUSK: This gives the mutant a gas, or musk gland. Much
like a skunk, the mutant may expel this musk or gas, causing repulsion,
unconsciousness, or even death In the beings at which it is directed.
Range: 10 meters. Suggestions: obscuring gas, irritating gas, paralysis
gas, poison gas, poison musk, blinding musk, and so on.
10. HEAT GENERATION: This allows the mutant to cast beams of heat from its
hands (paws/tentacles) that do 4 dice (4d6) of searing heat damage. The
beams have a maximum range of 15 meters and may be used every 3 melee
turns.
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11. HEIGHTENED BALANCE: Beings with this mutation are able to maintain
their balance in difficult Circumstances and will never fall into a pit,
trip over a rope or wire, or land in any way but on their feet. If
undisturbed, they can climb sheer walls and walk tight wires with no chance
of falling.
12. HEIGHTENED CONSTITUTION: This adds 2 additional hit points for every
point of the mutant's constitution. It also gives an 18 resistance to
poison and adds three points to the mutant's radiation resistance.
13. HEIGHTENED DEXTERITY: Mutants with this ability are so agile in combat
that their armor class is increased to 4. However, the referee may penalize
such a mutant by reducing its armor class when it is encumbered.
14. HEIGHTENED HEARING: As the name suggests, this is the ability to detect
and identify even the slightest noise up to 60 meters away. Because of
this, any being with this mutation cannot be surprised (see SURPRISE).
17. HEIGHTENED STRENGTH: This mutation allows its owner to cause 3 dice of
damage over and above all damage he would normally inflict with non-powered
weapons.
18. HEIGHTENED TASTE: Mutants with this ability can detect poisons at a
touch of the tongue and can determine whether any given substance is
edible.
19. HEIGHTENED TOUCH: Mutants with this power have a better chance to
figure out the use of ancient devices (see ARTIFACT USE AND OPERATION).
Given time, a mutant with heightened touch can “feel” the weak points of
any given object. This ability could be very useful when trying to pick a
safe, open a locked door, or escape from confinement.
20. HEIGHTENED VISION: This is the ability to see clearly and identify
objects over long distances (up to 3 kilometers). Mutants with heightened
vision can see in the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums, but are not
bothered by full daylight.
21. HEMOPHILIA (D): The lack of blood clotting agents in the mutant’s blood
causes serious bleeding in even the smallest of cuts. Once this mutant has
lost even 1 hit point, he begins to bleed and loses 2 extra hit points per
melee round until he has time to stop and bind his wounds.
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22. INCREASED METABOLISM (D): This defect forces the mutant to spend great
amounts of time feeding. it must carry large quantities of food when
traveling, and in combat, must stop every 5th melee turn and spend one turn
eating, before returning to battle, or lose 1 point of physical strength
and 2 hit points each melee turn thereafter. NOTE: these losses are
temporary (unless the mutant is killed) and may be replaced at the same
rate it the mutant takes time out to eat.
23. INCREASED SPEED: Mutants with this ability are able to move at twice
normal speed. They accomplish mental tasks in a much shorter time than
normal and, in combat; they are allowed to strike twice each melee turn.
24. INFRAVISION: This power allows the mutant to see any heat-producing
body. At night, everything will seem like day to this mutant. Flashes of
heat, such as laser blasts, explosions, raging fires, or even torches at
close range, will blind this being for a short period of time. The full
light of day will also be painful if endured for any length of time.
25. LIGHT GENERATION: This is the ability to emit high candlepower beams of
light through the eyes. The blinding effect (which works even in full
daylight) incapacitates the viewers by lowering both their armor class and
“to-hit” chance by 4 points for 1-4 (d4) melee turns. This is a flash much
like a camera flash bulb, and is thus not generally useful as illumination
for explorers. Effective range: 10 meters
26. MULTIPLE BODY PARTS: Multiply any normal body part (except the brain),
so that the mutant has a greater number of legs, or more eyes, or the
complete use of 1-10 additional arms, etc.
27. NEW BODY PARTS: Add one or more parts, not usually found on the being
in question, such as: third eye (back of head), feelers (radiation
sensitive), antennae (light sensitive), pincers, fur coat, feathers,
radiation absorbing organ, and so on.
28. NO RESISTANCE TO BACTERIA (D): The mutant with this defect will have
little or no resistance to sickness, making any infection or illness a
serious thing. It is necessary to have disease-causing agents in the game
if this mutation is used. A cut from a dirty sword may cause blood
poisoning. The scratch of the claws of certain meat-eating creatures may
cause serious infection, or a simple cold, caught from a tribesman, may
turn into pneumonia. All of these examples may cause up to 10 points of
damage per day, and are very hard to cure.
29. NO RESISTANCE TO POISON (D): Exposure to any poison will kill this
mutant unless the appropriate antidote is quickly administered.
30. NO SENSORY NERVE ENDINGS (D): This defect cancels the warning systems
of the mutant's body. Although the mutant cannot feel pain, he also cannot
detect a surprise attack from behind, tell if his body has been punctured,
or know when to regenerate lost hit points. This defect adversely affects
the mutant's ability to figure out ancient devices by adding 2 points to
each die roll when trying to figure out ancient artifacts (see ARTIFACTS
AND EQUIPMENT).
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32. PARTIAL CARAPACE: A partial carapace is a thick shell covering the back
and head that will reduce the damage done to the body by one half, if hit
in those areas. It gives the mutant a basic armor class of 6.
33. PHOTOSYNTHETIC SKIN: This allows the mutant to produce its own food in
sunlight or its equivalent. Such mutants may also heat lost hit points four
times as fast as normal if they spend most of their time basking in the sun
without moving. Mutants with photosynthetic skin suffer 1 extra point per
die of damage from heat and cold attacks, and move at one-half speed in
periods of darkness.
34. PHYSICAL REFLECTION: With this mutation, the skin of the mutant
reflects even the most Intense forms of energy away from its body in random
directions. This reflection should work for only one type of energy, such
as: heat, sonic, radioactive, electrical, etc.
35. POOR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (D): This mutant has trouble getting needed
oxygen into the blood stream, making him weaker and requiring him to rest
after fighting for 5 melee turns. Failure to rest after 5 rounds of combat
causes this mutant to faint for 1-6 minutes after the 6th melee turn.
36. QUILLS/SPINES: These defensive weapons usually cover the mutant’s arms
or legs. Treat the touch of each quill as doing dagger damage to the
victim. Some mutants may be able to throw their quills a short distance (up
to 3 meters). Spines are larger and stronger than quills. Each spine does
1-12 (d12) points of damage if it strikes a target, and these can be thrown
in the same manner. Growth of replacement quills or spines takes a minimum
of one week.
37. RADIATED EYES: This gives the mutant the power to emit a damaging blast
of radiation through the lenses of its eyes (roll 3d6 to determine
intensity). This power may be used once every 4 melee turns and has an
effective range of 10 meters.
38. REGENERATION: This allows the being to heal itself and replace lost hit
points. One hit point is regenerated per 5 kilograms of body weight per
day.
40. SHORTER: To determine how short to make a mutant, roll percentile dice
(2d10) two times for 0-99 results. Treat 00 as zero rather than 100 as is
usual. Add the two results together. This gives the mutant's height in
centimeters. The change decreases the metabolic rate of the mutant and also
causes a marked reduction in its ability to do damage to opponents in
physical combat. Such small mutants will be very hard to hit in physical
combat. The referee is to determine what these effects will be.
41. SKIN STRUCTURE CHANGE (D): As the name implies, the skin of the mutant
changes for the worse. Suggestions: thin skin - add 1 point to each die of
damage sustained; water soluble skin contact with water does 1 die of
damage per melee turn; phosphorescent skin - mutant glows in the dark
(enough to reveal position, not enough to see by); light sensitive skin -
skin burns for 1-3 dice of damage when exposed to bright light.
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42. SONIC ATTACK ABILITY: This is the power to generate high-frequency
sound waves that are damaging to exposed tissues at short range. The damage
amounts to 3 dice (3d6) and is not selective. All beings (except the
mutant) within a radius of 10 meters are affected and the dice are rolled
once, with each suffering that amount. Sonic attacks may be made once very
4 melee turns.
43. SYMBIOTIC ATTACHMENT: This allows the mutant to link with the nervous
system of another creature. The mutant must first hit its victim with an
attacking appendage (claw, fang, etc.) and then maintain contact for three
melee turns. The mutant will then be in complete control of both bodies. If
contact is broken, the control is lost; to re-establish control requires
three additional melee turns.
44. TALLER: To determine how tall to make any given mutant, roll a die (d6)
for a 1-6 result and add this to a basic 2 meters. This will yield beings
ranging from 3 to 8 meters tall. For every additional meter of height over
2 meters, this mutant may add a bonus of 1 point to each of its damage dice
when its strikes an opponent in physical combat with a non-powered weapon.
However, for every 2 meters of additional height, this mutant must subtract
1 point from its “to hit” die roll when striking an opponent in physical
combat. The number of hit points the mutant has Is not affected.
45. TOTAL CARAPACE: The total carapace is a thick shell that covers the
entire body of the mutant. It reduces all damage done to the mutant by half
and raises its armor class to 4. This shell is cumbersome, and it reduces
its owner’s movement rate by one-fourth.
46. ULTRAVISION: This allows the mutant to seethe ultraviolet end of the
light spectrum. In addition to UV emissions, he will be able to see such
things as: radiation, energy cells, mental mutations that affect the
physical environment, and the electrical workings of machines.
47. VISION DEFECT (D): Mutants with this defect suffer from one of the many
possible eye problems such as myopia, astigmatism; etc., but are not blind.
They must subtract 4 points from their die roll to hit opponents in combat
and they have difficulty seeing objects over 15 meters away.
48. WEIGHT DECREASE (D): This weakens the mutant so that it is slowed by
one-fourth in every endeavor, with its physical strength reduced by one-
fourth, as well.
49. WINGS: The growth of usable wings allows the mutant to fly through the
air at a rate of 12 meters per melee turn. When f lying, the mutant may
carry no more than the equivalent of one-fourth of its own body weight.
Mutants weighing over 80 kilograms will probably not be able to fly but can
still make wing-assisted leaps over objects such as walls or trees.
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MENTAL MUTATIONS
No. Human Mutation Animal
1 01% Absorption 01%
2 02% Anti-reflection (D) 02%
3 03-06% Complete Mental Block (D) 03-04%
4 07% Cryokinesis 05%
5 08% Death Field Generation 06%
6 09-10% De-evolution 07-09%
7 11% Density Control 10%
8 12% Directional Sense 11-13%
9 13% Dual Brain 14%
10 14% Empathy 15%
11 15-18% Epilepsy (D) 16-18%
12 19-22% Fear Impulse (D) 19-20%
13 23-25% Force Field Generation 21-24%
14 26% Genius Capability 25%
15 27-31% Heightened Brain Talent 26-28%
16 32-41% Heightened Intelligence 29-43%
17 42-45% Hostility Field (D) 44%
18 46% Illusion Generation 45%
19 47% Intuition 46-49%
20 48-52% Life Leech 50-52%
21 53% Light Wave Manipulation 53%
22 54% Magnetic Control 54%
23 55% Mass Mind 55%
24 56-58% Mental Blast 56%
25 59% Mental Control 57%
26 60% Mental Control Over Phys. State 58%
27 61-62% Mental Defenselessness (D) 59-61%
28 63% Mental Defense Shield 62-66%
29 64% Molecular Disruption 67%
30 65-66% Molecular Understanding 68%
31 67-69% Multiple Damage (D) 69-71%
32 70% Planar Travel 72%
33 71-73% Poor Dual Brain (D) 73-75%
34 74% Precognition 76%
35 75% Pyrokinesis 77%
36 76% Radar/Sonar 78%
37 77% Reflection 79%
38 78% Repulsion Field 80%
39 79% Sound Imitation 81%
40 80-82% Telekinesis 82%
41 83% Telekinetic Arm 83%
42 84% Telekinetic Flight 84%
43 85% Telepathy 85%
44 86% Teleportation 86%
45 87% Thought Imitation 87%
46 85% Time Field Manipulation 88%
47 88% Total Healing 89%
48 89% Weather Manipulation 90%
49 90% Will Force 91-95%
91-94% Roll a Good Mutation 96-98%
95-00% Pick Any Mutation 00%
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2. ANTI-REFLECTION (D): This dangerous defect gives the mutant a 25%
chance, each time he uses a mental power, of having the attack or defense
reversed. This would cause a mental attack to come back and damage the
mutant instead of his target, and a mental defense to apply to the opponent
instead of the mutant.
3. COMPLETE MENTAL BLOCK (D): This is the inability of the mutant to see or
even come near (intentionally) one of the following types of things or
creatures: Robotic, Technological (non-robotic), Plant, or Animal. While
the mutant is able to operate logically in the presence of his block, he
cannot use or touch, or even be aware of attacks on his person originated
from his block- Only one creature of the types mentioned, i.e. a security
robot, as determined by the referee, should constitute a mutant's mental
block.
5. DEATH FIELD GENERATION: In one melee turn, this mutation drains all but
one of the hit points from all beings within 20 meters. When a being uses a
death field, he is not affected by it except that he can do nothing else
for 1-20 (d20) melee turns, as he will be lying on the ground, nearly
unconscious.
9. DUAL BRAIN: Any mutant with this power has 2 brains (not necessarily 2
heads), both of which function normally and which may have, between them,
up to 3 additional mental mutations. This allows the mutant a minus 1 on
all die rolls when trying to figure out any ancient artifacts (see ARTIFACT
USE). When under mental attack, one brain may suffer the effects while the
other keeps the mutant functioning normally (moving, striking, attacking,
etc.). A Dual Brain allows two mental saying throws and if either one is
successful; the mental attack on the mutant fails. Both brains have the
same mental strength (rolled at the start of the campaign by the player),
but any increase in mental strength due to surviving mental attacks is
awarded at one-half the normal rate.
9
10. EMPATHY: This allows the mutant to sense the feelings (hate, fear,
hunger, pain, etc.) of others. An empathetic mutant can force emotions on
non-intelligent beings of any type (treat non-intelligent creatures as
having a 12 for mental resistance). Thus a mutant could force a pack of
wild dogs away in tear, or entice a food animal closer for the kill. Range:
30 meters.
11. EPILEPSY (D): This is a body paralysis that occurs for various reasons.
When attacks come on, the body is unable to respond to the environment
around it and remains motionless. The referee should set up a consistent
set of variables to determine when these attacks come on (i.e. 10% chance
per melee turn during physical combat, or 25% chance immediately preceding
any combat situation, etc.).
12. FEAR IMPULSE (D): This mutation, for one reason or another, simply
causes unreasonable fear of an object or animal and makes the mutant
unable, for any reason, to look at that thing without feeling total fear
and running away (dropping everything in the process). A six sided die is
rolled to determine the object of fear: 1 = random mutated animal, 2 =
random mutated insect, 3 = random non-mutated creature, 4 = any robot, 5 =
any computer, 6 = any talking plant. The referee is to determine the
specific creature involved, if any, in this fear impulse.
13. FORCE FIELD GENERATION: This endows the mutant with the power to create
an invisible wall of energy through which physical objects may not pass.
The wall forms around the body of the mutant (about 15 centimeters out) and
will take 5 dice of accumulated damage (as though it were the mutant)
before being forced down. The force field requires no effort to maintain
once it is established and will last up to one hour (unless it is driven
down by damage) before it dissipates. Only one such force field may be
generated by the mutant in a 24 hour period.
14. GENIUS CAPABILITY: Roll a six-sided die. The mutant becomes one of the
following:
Die Result
Roll
1,2 A military genius with a plus 4 chance “to hit” with any weapon, and
causes one extra die of damage to be inflicted.
3,4 A scientific genius who may subtract 1 point from each die roll when
trying to figure out ancient artifacts (see ARTIFACTS & EQUIPMENT).
Any weapon this mutant makes, such as a crossbow, sling, trap, etc.,
will do 4 extra points of damage with each hit. However, it takes
three times as long for this mutant to make any given weapon of this
type.
5,6 An economic genius who will be able to turn a triple profit on
anything he or she tries to sell, and possesses the charisma bonus
(+3) of a Pure Strain Human.
15. HEIGHTENED BRAIN TALENT: Mutants with this ability will be able to
figure out the workings of any artifact in one-third the normal time (i.e.
40 minutes for 10 die rolls on the ARTIFACT USE & OPERATION chart instead
of 2 hours) and they receive 2 saving throws against mental attacks. Note,
however, that if this mutant has a double brain, he does not get four
saving throws. It is impossible to tell an undetected lie to a mutant with
heightened brain talent.
10
16. HEIGHTENED INTELLIGENCE: Add 4 points to the mutant’s mental resistance
rating (not to exceed 18) and subtract 2 points from the die rolls when
this mutant is trying to figure out an artifact (see ARTIFACT USE &
OPERATION).
18. ILLUSION GENERATION: This is the ability to create images in the minds
of other beings who are within 30 meters of the mutant. Such illusions will
have any visual, audible, and olfactory aspects the sender wishes, and are
dispelled only when a viewer attempts to touch the illusion.
20. LIFE LEECH: This is the power to drain life energy from all semi-
intelligent or intelligent beings, friend and foe alike, within a 10 meter
radius of the mutant. This range is increased by 3 meters for every 4
points of mental strength possessed by the mutant. Life leech will drain
away 6 hit points per melee turn (i.e., cause 6 points of damage) from each
being in range and add a like number of hit points to the mutant's total.
If the mutant with life leech takes damage, the hit points are first
subtracted from those points leeched. Those leeched hit points that are
not destroyed in combat dissipate after 24 hours.
21. LIGHT WAVE MANIPULATION: This allows the mutant and everything he is
wearing or carrying, to become invisible at will, to negate the effect of a
laser, or to create a patch of total darkness (2 meter radius) anywhere
within 10 meters of the mutant. Although this mutant can only make himself
invisible, the ability to create darkness or stop laser blasts may be used
anywhere within his 10 meter range.
22. MAGNETIC CONTROL: This is the power, through the control of magnetic
fields, to repel, attract, or utilize any inanimate ferrous object. The
effects on powered objects are to be determined by the referee. Treat any
object to be controlled as having a mental resistance of 12 to determine
whether control is successful. There is no weight restriction, and the
mutation has a range of 100 meters. Magnetic control lasts up to 25 melee
turns and may be used once every 24 hours.
23. MASS MIND: This allows the mutant to empathize with creatures of a like
nature (same type) or like power (mental control mass mind, telepathy,
etc.) in order to amplify the effects of its own powers. Mass mind works in
direct proportion to the number o minds participating. A mutant with mass
mind and mental bias abilities could get together with another creature
with mental bias and, together, deliver a double strength mental blast
twice the normal distance.
24. MENTAL BLAST: This is the ability to launch a mental assault worth 3
dice (d6) of damage on any being within 15 meters. It may be used every
other melee turn.
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25. MENTAL CONTROL: This mutation allows the takeover of another being’s
body. While in control, the mutant experiences all the sensory impressions
of the controlled being, and is totally unaware of his own body (which
remains motionless). If the being under control is knocked unconscious or
dies, the controller suffers the same fate. To establish control, the
mutant must be within 15 meters of his intended victim. Thereafter, there
is no range restriction to this mutation. The mutant may break off control
and "return" to his own body at any time.
27. MENTAL DEFENSELESSNESS (D): Disregard the mental strength of the mutant
as rolled. It is now 3.
28. MENTAL DEFENSE SHIELD: This ability adds 4 points (not to exceed 18) to
the mutant's mental resistance rating. In addition, this mutant will sense
any other being with mental powers within a 30 meter radius, whether those
powers are being used or not.
29. MOLECULAR DISRUPTION: This is a dangerous but powerful ability that may
only be used infrequently. Upon attempting molecular disruption, whether it
works or not, the mutant is reduced to 1 hit point and one-half movement
for 1 full day. The chance of success varies with the subject matter
involved: metal and dense material have a 3% chance of being disrupted per
point of mental strength, stone and non-living material has a 4% chance per
point of mental strength, and living organisms have a 5% chance of being
disrupted per point of mental strength possessed by the mutant. Up to 50
kilograms of contiguous matter, within a range of 30 meters, may be
destroyed in this manner. For example: A mutant with a mental strength of
15 would have a 75% chance of disrupting an obb (see CREATURES) and a 45%
chance of disrupting a metal door. Once this ability is employed, a varying
number of days (referee rolls d6, with result unknown to player) must pass
before it will have any chance of succeeding again.
30. MOLECULAR UNDERSTANDING: This power allows the mutant to know the
weaknesses of any object and its separate parts. Because of this, the
mutant does 1 extra die of damage, over and above any damage he would
normally inflict in combat. Mutants with this power are also able to
instantly figure out the use of any artifact on CHART A, and subtract 2
points from the die roll on the other charts (see ARTIFACT USE &
OPERATION).
31. MULTIPLE DAMAGE (D): This causes the mutant involved to double, or even
triple (referee's option) any damage sustained by the mutant. This occurs
not because the damage has really been inflicted, but because the mutant
thinks it has.
32. PLANAR TRAVEL: This is the ability to open doors to alternate planes of
existence. The mutation manifests itself as a 3 x 3 meter opening lasting
up to 3 full melee turns at the discretion of the mutant. These planes of
existence may or may not be populated (with referee-inspired creatures),
but once entered, there is no way to leave them (unless the mutant re-opens
the door), so they make perfect places of exile. Only one such door may be
opened per week.
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33. POOR DUAL BRAIN (D): This is a second brain which handicaps the
function of the primary brain. It may take over the body at strange times,
have several defects, or even counteract a mental power of the good brain
in difficult situations. The extent and effects of this mutation should be
determined by the referee and may be kept a secret from the mutant until
the moment of truth.
36. RADAR/SONAR: Creatures with radar or sonar have large ears, antennae,
or hearing orifices. Much like bats or dolphins, they can walk or fly day
and night, “seeing” without using their eyes. They also receive a bonus of
plus 2 on all “to-hit” probabilities. The range of this mutation is usually
30 meters, but is tripled if the mutant has heightened hearing.
37. REFLECTION: This mutation requires great concentration, and the mutant
must remain motionless while exercising it. On the first melee turn of
concentration, up to 3 dice of damage (of any type) is sent back to the
beings who inflicted it. On the second melee turn of concentration up to 4
dice of damage is reflected, and so on, until, on the 18th and final turn
of this power, up to 20 dice of damage may be reflected. Note: Reflected
damage may not exceed damage inflicted. Reflection is usable only once
every 24 hours, and while in use, the mutant is subject to simple attacks,
such as light generation, which incapacitate, but do no dice of damage.
This mutant can maintain concentration and reflection powers even if it
takes damage, so long as no other action (combat, fleeing) is initiated.
While reflecting, the mutant receives no damage unless damage inflicted
exceeds reflecting ability. For example, if the mutant is hit by a laser
pistol (which does 5 dice of damage) on the first melee turn of
concentration, 3 dice will be reflected and the mutant will receive 2 dice
of damage.
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39. SOUND IMITATION: Similar to thought imitation, this allows a mutant to
recreate sounds that it hears and throw back sonic attacks immediately
after hearing (and surviving) them. This mutant cannot remember how to
recreate sounds; it merely repeats what it hears.
40. TELEKINESIS: This enables a mutant to lift objects, other than the
mutant himself, into the air and move them about. The mutant can only
telekinesis as much weight as he could normally lift, and he must strain as
though he were actually carrying the object of his telekinesis. Only
objects within 15 meters may be thus lifted, and the mutant may only keep
them aloft for 5 melee turns, after which time he must rest for another 5
melee turns before again using this power. When telekinesis is attempted on
living creatures, or things that they are holding, the referee should treat
it as a mental attack on that being, which must succeed before the object
may be lifted.
42. TELEKINETIC FLIGHT: Mutants with this ability can fly through the air
at a variable speed (1-20 meters per second), carrying only as much as they
could carry normally.
43. TELEPATHY: This is the power to read another creature’s thoughts and/or
emotions and send your own in return. This power transcends language and
works on all beings up to 10 meters away.
45. THOUGHT IMITATION: This power allows mutants to immediately return any
thought or mental attack directed at them, although it does not negate the
effects of such attacks on themselves. A mutant with thought imitation is
able, any time he wishes, to exactly copy the communication patterns of
those creatures with whose thought patterns he is familiar, even if those
creatures do not speak a language known by the mutant. Note: The power to
return a mental attack is temporary. Once a mental blast has been returned,
the mutant does not know how to repeat it. This mutant can, however, recall
communications patterns at a later date.
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46. TIME FIELD MANIPULATION: This is the ability to travel or send objects
through the currents of time. The use of this mutation requires an 18
intelligence and a “heightened intelligence” on the part of the mutant
(i.e. this is rare). If the mutant does not have both, roll another
mutation. The ability to send objects through time varies with the material
involved, and distance in time required. The material travels through time,
but remains in the same spot on GAMMA WORLD. The energy required, whether
or not the attempt succeeds, drains one-half the hit points from the mutant
for 1-8 (d8) days and reduces the mutant's speed to one-half for 1-12 (d12)
days. The percentile dice are used to determine the success of time travel:
The preceding chart is for the mutant and/or any inanimate object not
belonging to another being sent into the past. Material which is part of or
belongs to another being is more difficult to send through time: subtract
10% for metal or powered items, subtract 15% for stone and other inorganic
material, and subtract 20% for biological material (such as another being).
To send objects into the future, subtract 25% from each increment on the
above table. The mutant must be able to touch whatever he is attempting to
send through time and the energy drain occurs even if the attempt fails.
47. TOTAL HEALING: This allows the mutant to heal all its own lost hit
points, up to four times a week, once per 24-hour period.
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48. WEATHER MANIPULATION: This allows the mutant to manipulate the weather
in the area he is in. The newly-created weather conditions will last as
long as the mutant concentrates on them. (Note that if the mutant is hit in
combat his concentration will be broken.) The mutant must concentrate for a
full minute (6 melee turns) before the weather begins changing, and it
takes another 2 minutes (12 melee turns) for the change to be completed.
The weather will be affected in a 10 kilometer radius around the mutant.
The weather cannot be radically changed, i.e. from below zero to a 100
degree heat wave. The extant of manipulation possible depends upon the
prevailing conditions:
Prevailing
Aspect of Weather Conditions Possible Extant of Change
Cloud Cover/ Clear Very Clear
Precipitation Partly Clear/Hazy
Partly Cloudy Clear
Cloudy
Misty/Light Rain/Light Snow/
Sleet/Small Hail
Cloudy Partly Cloudy
Deep Clouds
Fog/Heavy Rain/Heavy Snow/
Driving Sleet/Large Hail
Temperature Hot Sweltering Heat
Warm
Warm Hot
Cool
Cool Warm
Cold
Cold Cool
Arctic Cold
Wind Calm Dead Calm
Light Wind
Light Wind Calm
Strong Wind
Strong Wind Light Wind
Gale
Gale Strong Wind
Storm
Storm Gale
Hurricane/Typhoon
All three aspects of the weather can be manipulated, but only as shown. For
example, a day which is clear and warm with a light wind can become a hazy,
hot, calm day. Contradictions are not possible, fog and strong wind, for
example.
Success is not automatic. There is a base 90% chance of causing one of the
possible changes. If it is desirable to cause a change one degree away
(from clear to light rain, for example) the chance of success drops to 50%,
and double the time is required (12 melee turns of initial concentration,
24 melee turns to accomplish the change). If a change two degrees away from
the prevailing conditions is desired (such as warm to arctic cold ), the
chance of success is only 10% and triple the time is required (18 and 26
melee turns).
The percentile dice (2d10) are rolled after the initial concentration is
completed, but the new conditions are not fully effective until the change
in weather is completed. If the mutant is unsuccessful in changing the
weather (either through failing the percentage roll or being interrupted
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after the initial concentration), he must rest a full week before
attempting weather manipulation again. This mutation is usable a maximum of
once a day.
49. WILL FORCE: This is the ability, through sheer force of will, to double
any one of a mutant's abilities. It can be used in conjunction with any
other power, or it may be used to add one point to the mutant's “to-hit”
die rolls. Will force lasts from 1-10 (d10) melee turns and may be used
only once every 24 hours.
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PLANT/VEGETABLE MUTATIONS
The following plant and vegetable mutations are to be used by the referee
when creating non-player plant mutations with which to populate GAMMA
WORLD. It is recommended that the referee not allow the players to become
mutated plants. Most of them do not have the intelligence or life span
necessary to successfully interact with other player-character types.
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2. AROMATIC POWERS: This power is used by carnivorous plants (much like
flowers attract bees) to lure food (victims). The plant gives off a strong
fragrance that can carry for up to 10 kilometers if the wind is right. The
scent causes the beholder to believe that the plant is his (or its)
favorite food. When drawn to within 30 meters of this plant, all beings
will do nothing but walk directly to the plant, unless they make their
saving throw (treat as intensity 8 poison which does not kill, but attracts
instead).
3. ATTRACTION ODOR (D): With this mutation, the plant's body or flowers
give off an odor that attracts herbivores.
5. BARBED LEAVES: These are very tough leaves, ringed with barbs up to 2.5
centimeters long. They usually attack as saw-edged leaves. If attached to a
motile plant part, such as a segmented limb, a sucker vine, a manipulation
vine, etc., that part may attack, do damage, and hold or drag the victim
with the barbs. The range is, of course, restricted to the length of the
plant part wielding the barbed leaves.
Die
Roll Color Effect
1 Purple Heal one die of damage
2 Blue Heal all damage
3 Green Mental Strength + 4 for 1 hour
4 Turquoise Poison (random intensity, 3d6)
5 Orange Radiation (random intensity, 3d6)
6 Orange-Yellow Radiation Resistance (+ 4/1 hr)
7 Red-Orange Poison antidote (3d6 intensity)
8 Black Sonic Resistance (1 hour)
Of course, there are many other berries, most of which are merely sources
of food. Remember that berries are seasonal, and some limits should be
imposed on how long they remain effective.
7. BORING TENDRILS: These are tough, motile tendrils, with which the plant
can bore through just about anything. Special acids and abrasive pads
enable the tendrils to penetrate:
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9. COLOR SENSITIVITY AND IMITATION: This gives the plant the ability to
change colors and appearance in order to imitate any other type of plant.
Intelligent plants can use this ability to operate color band-activated
machinery.
10. CONTACT POISON SAP: Plants with this mutation have, In their sap, a
toxic substance of random poison intensity. Once the plant has been damaged
and the sap exposed, the poison works on contact with flesh (it does not
need to get into the victim).
11. DAYLIGHT STASIS (D): This mutation forces the plant to become totally
inactive during full daylight. Note: All other plants are in stasis in
periods of darkness, although they may grow and heal in darkness.
12. DISSOLVING JUICES: This allows the plant to secrete juices that will do
5 dice (d6) of damage per melee turn to any organic matter it contacts.
13. DIVISIONAL BODY SEGMENTS: The branches, vines, limbs, trunk, stalk, or
whatever is appropriate, of the plant are now segmented much like the
bodies and legs of an insect. This gives the plant mobility.
15. EXPLOSIVE AND/OR RADIATED FRUIT OR SEEDS: Any seed, berry, or fruit
becomes an explosive or radioactive hazard. Referee is to determine the
strength. Plants with this mutation plus some type of mobility or
manipulating vines may hurl their missiles - up to 10 meters for small
bush-sized plants, up to 20 meters for larger ones, and up to 30 meters for
trees.
16. HEAT GENERATION: This gives the plant special heat-generating organs
that can cast beams of heat that do 4 dice (4d6) of searing damage. The
organs are usually located on top or at the ends of motile extremities on
the plant. The beams of heat have a maximum range of 15 meters and may be
used every three melee turns. Unintelligent plants and plants lacking any
special sensory organs will attack anything which comes in range and stand
a 25% chance of missing the target with each shot (if a miss is indicated,
no “to-hit” die roll is made). Intelligent plants and plants with
heightened sensory abilities will not always shoot immediately and are more
accurate (no penalty when casting beams of heat). No more than 3 such heat-
generating organs may appear in one plant.
17. INCREASED SENSES: This mutation gives new (or improved) sensory
abilities to the plant, such as sight, hearing, smell, etc. These senses
are only useful if the plant is in some way able to utilize them (i.e. it
moves, flies, attacks, etc.).
18. LOW FERTILITY (D): This severely limits the reproduction rate, reducing
the number of these plants that may exist in any one place. If this
mutation is rolled twice, the plant becomes extinct.
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19. MANIPULATION VINES: These are vines that act as appendages for the
plant, allowing it the dexterity to handle and manipulate things. They are
not as strong as squeeze vines and do no damage by themselves, but they
could conceivably wield weapons of all sorts.
20. MOBILITY: Plants with mobility are able to walk, slither, or crawl,
utilizing motile roots or vines. This does not necessarily imply that the
plant has any intelligence.
21. NEW PLANT PARTS: With this mutation, the plant is given a new part or
set of parts, such as: eyes, ears, arms, an elephant-like trunk, a brain
and nervous system, etc.
22. NEW SENSES: This gives the plant the sensory capabilities, through
adjustments in its normal structures, equal to those of a human. Note: to a
plant with no moving parts, or defenses, this mutation will not be
particularly useful. Senses are touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound.
23. PARASITIC ATTACHMENT: This allows the plant to link with the nervous
system of another creature and take control of its body. The plant must
first hit its victim with an attacking appendage (tendril, vine, segment)
and then maintain contact for three melee turns. The plant will then be in
complete control of that being. Unintelligent plants will utilize such
creatures for the defense of the plant (or eat them if the plant is
carnivorous), while intelligent plants may have other things in mind. If
contact with the plant is broken, the control is lost.
24. PHYSICAL REFLECTION: With this mutation, the skin or bark of the plant
reflects even the most intense forms of energy away from its body in random
directions. This reflection should work for only one type of energy, such
as heat, sonic, radioactive, electrical, etc.
25. POISON THROWING THORNS: These are (1-100) poisoned versions of throwing
thorns, covered with poison of random intensity. Growth of replacement
thorns takes a minimum of one week.
26. POISON VINES: These are non-motile prickly vines. On contact with
flesh, they are able to inject their poison (intensity 3-18 (3d6) referee
to determine).
27. RADIATED PLANT FIBER: With this mutation, certain parts of the plant
emit radiation of intensity 3-12 (3d4). This radiation has a range of up to
50 meters and will not harm the plant itself.
29. SAW-EDGED LEAVES: These are large-toothed, motile leaves, which the
plant usually keeps withdrawn or hidden until disturbed. These leaves will
viciously attack anything thrust into their midst. There are usually 6-8
such leaves per branch or vine so equipped, each branch doing 1 die (d4) of
damage per melee turn. They will only cut cloth, flesh, or other soft
materials.
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30. SEED MOBILITY: With this mutation, motile tendrils allow the seeds to
move and become separate entities from the parent plant. If appropriate,
the seeds will have separate mental and physical powers, or may be linked
telepathically to the parent. A most insidious application of this mutation
can occur in certain carnivorous plants, whose seeds lurk around campsites
or sleeping places of animals and then plant themselves in the bodies of
their sleeping victims overnight.
31. SIZE DECREASE: This makes the plant 1-20 times smaller than normal
(d2O), i.e., down to a possible 1/20th of normal size.
32. SIZE INCREASE: This allows a plant to be 1-20 times normal size (d20).
33. SONIC ATTACK ABILITY: This gives the plant the ability, when stimulated
or disturbed, to emit a high frequency shriek that will damage exposed
tissues of all creatures within a 10 meter radius. The plant itself, and
others of its kind nearby, are not harmed by this attack. All other beings
in range take 3 dice (3d6) of damage. Sonic attacks may be made once every
4 melee turns.
35. SPORE CLOUD AND/OR SHOOTING SEEDS: On contact or other stimulus, these
will come shooting out of the flower or sporangium doing damage, taking
root, or anything else the referee deems appropriate. (For example, see the
narl ep under CREATURES.)
36. SUCKER VINES: These are manipulation vines (see #9) covered with tiny
suction cups that give each vine a dexterity of 18.
37. TANGLE VINES: These are weak vines, able to move slowly and possessing
only minimal strength. A large patch of tangle vines could trip or entangle
beings and can even entwine and crush beings with only one hit point
remaining.
38. TEMPERATURE SENSITIVITY (D): This causes the plant to suffer an extra 2
points per die of any heat, cold, or energy weapon attacks it receives.
39. TEXTURE CHANGE: The normal epidermis of the plant is replaced with a
tougher substance, such as scales, hide, even metallic-like plates. Any
change must be an improvement.
40. THORNS/SPINES: These are large (15-30 cm long) spikes covering the
plant that do dagger damage if they puncture a being. Generate a random
number for each plant, but always more than 5.
41. THROWING THORNS: These are (1-100) darts that may be cast by the plant
up to a distance of 10 meters, depending upon the sensory ability
(awareness) of the plant. Each dart does the damage of a dagger if it hits
a creature. Growth of replacement thorns takes a minimum of one week.
42. WINGS/GAS BAG: These are parts that allow the plant to slowly fly from
one area to another. The rate and direction of travel depends largely on
the wind. Certain carnivorous plants use this ability to fly in search of
food.
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CREATING NON-PLAYER CREATURE MUTATIONS
The referee will need to populate his GAMMA WORLD with many non-player
creatures and plants. This may be done by simply selecting mutations from
the preceding lists and adding them to a basic creature or plant type. The
following method may be used to create random non-player mutants:
4. For each generation that a plant mutates, simply roll one mutation on
the PLANT/VEGETABLE MUTATIONS TABLE.
5. It the creature mutates in a defective manner for the first two or three
generations, it will not be able to survive, so choose another creature and
start over.
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