Syndicate Game Mechanics

5 Game Mechanics

Syndicate is a simple RPG system, with most rules concerning various material things, which could be hard to invent quickly. There are no exact rules available, and this chapter concentrates on general guidelines for gamemastering Syndicate.

Syndicate is an expert-GM system (or a very trusted one), because there are no exact rolls or modifiers nor combat phases, and all results are determined by the GM with his intuition and experience. If this feels difficult or the players do not accept it, find another game system or generate exact rules for all actions.

5.1 Die Rolls

Die rolls in Syndicate are not essential, but the GM may use them to help him choose a result of some action. And if needed to, even the players can be allowed to roll dice, but they must understand, that there is no exact number to be rolled; at least not in the rules.

The GM can roll a die every time he needs to make a decision about success or situation. All modifiers are given as for a standard six-sided die (d6), but the GM is completely free to roll any dice he chooses to. There is only one basic rule about all rolls:

Bigger is Better

OF course, the roll just made can be ignored, as usually, but sometimes it might give new ideas.

Example of die rolls: A player character is sneaking throught a corridor, trying to be very silent. The GM can roll a die, and if it turns to 1, the PC has probably caused some noise. I said probably, because it all depends on the PCs skills, situation etc., and perhaps the GM should then roll die again, and make his decision according to that second roll.

With initial roll of 2 or greater, no extra action is done, because sneaking like that is quite easy.

Another example: PC has just climbed to roof of the building, and the GM rolls a die (secretly, of course) to test, if he spots the video camera. The die roll is 3, so the GM chooses, according to PCs attributes and skills, that PC will spot the camera after a while, unless he does something special.

If the player had already said, that his character is looking for cameras, the die roll of 2 or more should have been automatic success in this case, and 1 for further consideration.

5.2 General Tips

Do not try to find a combat system - there is none. Play it as you want to but make it cinematic like in a good action movie. But try to be fair towards players: give about the same number of actions for each player.
Do not make carrying guns around too easy, but do not completely prevent it either - shooting around in an essential part of the fun.
Do not hesitate to waste characters. That is the Syndicate way. Just make it fair, and do not let them die for accidental hit or in a stupid non-heroic way (unless they deserve it).
Keep it quite realistic. Too surrealist things break the game. Allow miraculous survivals only for the players and major opponents.
Modify what you need to. If you do not like something, modify it. If you do not like the world, do not use it. If you prefer another world, use it. If you like flying cars, use them. These rules are not made to restrict you, but to help.

5.3 Experience points

The players should be given experience points for what their characters endure. A typical amount is 1 point for each major session. Do not give too much but give something.

The experience points can be used to improve old skill and ability levels, and to buy new skills. It can also be used, in some cases, to remove disadvantages, but this must be approved by the GM. The experience points cannot be used to buy cyberware or equipment - use your money instead.

To make things a bit more realistic, the experience points can be linked to time: in order to improve, the character must use the experience points, and the improvement is gained after an equal number of weeks. This way, the character cannot improve his skills instantly, but must train for it.

Example: Bud has 5 experience points. He uses 3 to raise his combat skill from 1 to 2, and 2 to get two new skills. After a week, these 2 new skills are gained. Bud must still train 2 weeks more to get that combat level.

If the GM allows, the characters may train during campaigns even without experience. In such a case, each 2 month period is worth 1 point of experience to the trained skill or attribute.

5.4 The Damage System

Being damaged in Syndicate is a serious threat. Even a small weapon can easily kill a man if it hits the right place. The characters should always wear some kind of armor. There are some general rules about damage in Syndicate.

Armor makes otherwise lethal hits painful - it does not completely nullify it.
There are no exact damage rolls in Syndicate. The gamemaster uses these guidelines as he sees fit. Many hits should do less damage than their basic damage.
Hit location is important. Roll a die (higher result is higher hit) or choose a location (GM).
When under the influence of adrenaline, most little scratches are ignored. After combat they should be bandaged.
In damage, there are definitions like -1 to all action. GM should use these guidelines to penalize character action. Consider these as modifiers to skill or ability level.

5.4.1 Attack Strength

Each attack has some kind of basic Trauma and Pen (penetration) values. Trauma describes the general destructivity of the weapon while pen is its direct capability to penetrate armor.

If the target has any kind of armor, it has some ballistic and concussion protection.

Ballistic protection is against firearms and cuts - if the attack's pen value is not higher than the armor's ballistic protection value, the attack does not penetrate the armor and the result is concussion damage.
Concussion damage reduces general damage caused by blast waves and blunt objects.

5.4.2 Determining the Inflicted Damage

Firearms

divided by two (2)

	1 - 2 	Damaged 	(bleed 0-2)	
	3 - 4 	Crippled 	(bleed 0-4)	
	5 - 7 	Disabled 	(bleed 1-5)	
	8 + 	Blasted 	(bleed 2-8)

Concussion (blast waves, blunt objects)

	1 - 2	Stunned		(no bleed)
	3 - 4	Damaged		(no bleed)
	5 - 6 	Crippled 	(bleed 0-2)	
	7 - 9 	Disabled 	(bleed 0-4)	
	10 + 	Blasted 	(bleed 1-5)

Cut (knives, blades)

	1	Cut		(bleed 0-1)
	2 - 3 	Damaged 	(bleed 0-2)	
	4 - 5 	Crippled 	(bleed 1-5)
	6 	Disabled 	(bleed 2-7)	
	7 + 	Blasted 	(bleed 3-8)

General Notes:

The GM can roll a die, and modify the inflicted damage. With a low roll, the attack has lower penetration and trauma potential. With a high roll, the bullet might have struck a weak spot in the armor or some cap, and trauma can be more severe than normally. For most of the time, reduce trauma instead of raising it. Values given for attacks are their basic damage with a good hit.
Head and some torso hits are dangerous even when no significant damage is made. A character can die from any firearms damage to the head or torso vitals. Additionally, almost all concussion hits to the head can inflict unconsciousness.
Legs withstand damage better than other locations. Reduce 1 point from damage potential.

5.4.3 Definitions of Damage Terms:

Damaged

Some bones are broken or muscle cut or damaged. Character is at -1 action when using that body part.

Crippled

The limb loses its strength. Torso damage causes -1 to all actions, and if vitals were hit, internal bleeding is inflicted (it will result in death within days if not healed). If the skull was hit, character loses consciousness automatically.

Disabled

The limb loses all its strength, while torso hit causes -2 to all actions while torso vital or head hit is fatal in a few minutes, and a neck hit causes paralyzation.

Blasted

Appropriate location is severed, blown off or otherwise completely pulverized. Torso or head hit is instantly fatal.

5.4.4 Other effects of Damage

Bleeding

In addition to the immediate effects, most hits cause bleeding that will eventually lead to unconsciousness and death unless halted. Bleeding levels depend on the character's endurance value, and each is 3+possible modification from good or poor endurance. Total bleeding has the following effects:

	Bleeding	Effect
	(3)		-1 to all actions, 1 extra bleeding point each 15 minutes
	2 x(3)		-2 to all actions, 1 extra bleeding point each 10 minutes
	3 x(3)		unconscious, 1 extra bleeding point each 5 minutes
	4 x(3)		bled to death

Extra bleeding can be stopped by successful first aid. Otherwise, the wounded character's condition becomes worse and worse, but bleeding rate does not increase unless damaged again. Furthermore, the character can lose consciousness because of bleeding.

Internal Bleeding

Dangerous hits to the torso vitals or head area cause internal bleeding. This internal bleeding will kill the character in a day or two unless stopped, which requires a surgical operation. One extra bleeding point is taken in 1-6 hours.

Blackout

When the character is hit with great force, he can lose his consciousness because of a sudden nervous overload. Also, a hit to the head can cause unconsciousness.

Typical results are:

The character remains conscious, but his vision blurs for a moment.
The character is knocked out for a brief moment (20 seconds or so), and during this time, the consciousness does not return even if hit.
The character faints and loses his consciousness for a few minutes. During this time, it is difficult to get him back on his feet and even then he is at -1 in all actions.
The character loses his consciousness completely and does not wake up for a few hours, unless forced awake. Otherwise as above.

The GM should roll a die, and small number results in some kind of knockout.

5.4.5 Healing

In field conditions, bleeding can be stopped by successful first aid. Bandaged wounds may reopen later unless surgically bound.

Bleeding points are regained at the rate of 3+endurance points each week if in bed rest. Blood transfer can be used for faster recovery, as can be Instant Blood(tm).

A damaged location heals in 2 weeks in bed rest. Crippled locations need 4 weeks to heal, while disabled and blasted parts cannot heal naturally. Surgical methods are required, or cybernetics installed. Disabled status is healed in hospital in 16 weeks.

Healing drugs can be used to quicken the healing. Divide the time by 4.

Light activity doubles the time needed. During heavy activity the character does not heal, and all previous healing time can be lost.