CREDITS Game DesiGn, Layout anD art Mark Meredith eDitinG Joe Stroup speciaL thanks Enrique Bertran, Ken Hart, Michael Wolf and Andrew Mordro This work is based on Warrior, Rogue & Mage (found at http://www. stargazergames.eu/), created by Michael Wolf, and licensed for our use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/3.0/).
ForewarD: First of all, I’d like to thank Michael for letting me play around in his rules. For a long time I’ve wanted to work on my own espionage RPG, and I’ve been given a great opportunity to do so. This game has been about six years in the making, and I’m glad to see it nally coming to light. A few things had to be changed to t into the world of espionage espionage and
intrigue. I took a lot of the optional rules presented in the core Warrior, Rogue & Mage book and made them a part of the system, where appropriate. Additionally Additionally,, you’ll nd new rules, such s uch as Exposure and Concealment, specically designed for an espionage-style of the game.
I’ve always been a fan of espionage, ever since watching Spy Game when I was in high-school. I’m glad I’ve gotten a chance to add to the
fantastic rules designed by Michael Wolf, and continuing on the tradition of espionage RPGs such as Spycraft, Top Top Secret and others. I’d also like to thank Kenn Gentile with coming up with the rules of Concealment, helping me out over on the RPGTableTalk forums. Extra special thanks to R.E. Davis, who created an excellent WYRD system game called Wyred, a cyberpunk-style game, from which I
liberally borrowed rules. Finally,, I’d like to thank Andrew Modro, who has written Resolute, Finally Adventurer,, & Genius, from which I’ve borrowed a few rules and talents Adventurer from. mark
weLcome, aGent Pointman Hacker Thief is a quick, lightweight roleplaying game that allows a group of players and a game master to participate in epic espionage missions spanning the entire globe, from Hong Kong to New York City. This book has everything you need: A complete game system, sys tem, including character creation, combat, hacking, equipment and NPCs, as well as a complete modern spy setting. Combat in the world of PHT is quick and brutal, as it is in real life. But, as they say, if you’ve been spotted, perhaps you deserve to be gunned down; you are a spy, after all. PHT doesn’t make use of classes, like in other RPGs. Players are encouraged to create their characters freely without having to t them into archetypal roles. Pointman,
Hacker and Thief are the character’s basic attributes, which measure their capabilities in combat, academics and stealth, respectively respectively.. This book assumes you are familiar with tabletop RPGs. Real life espionage is generally a lot more boring than what is portrayed in the movies. Ignore all of that real-world stuff, and dive into a
world of fast cars, incredible cyberware attacks, and dangerous criminal and rogue government enterprises. Suggested lms to watch before diving
into a game of PHT include Spy Games, The Recruit, the James Bond lms,
and the Mission Impossible series, as well as television shows such as Leverage and Person of Interest.
chapter one aGent initiation “Anonymity... is like a warm blanket.” – Max, Mission Impossible
Character creation in PHT is called Initiation, as your agent is brought into training and given the skills needed to survive in the world of spies, cars and guns. Each player will need to create a character in order to play. The player character, or PC, is the player’s representation in the game world. The characters played by the game master, or GM, are called “non-player
characters” or “NPCs”. All characters in PHT are described by their attributes, skills, talents and various other values, which will be explained in detail in this chapter.
attributes PHT uses three basic attributes to describe a character: Pointman, Hacker & Thief. Each attribute is usually ranked from 0 to 6, but NPCs and veteran characters may have higher values. If an attribute is ranked at 0 you can’t use any skills related to that attribute. In the case of a Hacker attribute of 0, the character can’t even use a computer. - A character with a high rank in Pointman is a born leader: strong, tough, and fearless. Characters with a low rank in this attribute will be weaker and less daring. The Pointman often takes control, exerting leadership and, when necessary, physical strength or repower to a
situation. - A highly ranked Hacker attribute is a sign of intelligence, strength
of will and mental discipline, whereas a low Hacker attribute means the character is dull, ighty and easily inuenced. Hackers are often
behind the scenes, manipulating security systems, electrical panels and computer mainframes. - Someone with a high Thief attribute is witty, stealthy and quick with feet and mind, but a low Thief attribute means the character is clumsy and inept. A Thief is good at getting where they need to without being seen and getting back out. Each player character starts with 10 attribute levels that may be freely distributed among the three attributes. No attribute may start higher than 6. While highly specialized characters are possible, a well-rounded character
with a few levels in each attribute probably works best for new players.
skiLLs Each character is also further detailed by a few skills. Skills are abilities a character has learned over the years, like Drive or Mechanics. Skills are not ranked like attributes; you either have learned a skill, or you have not. Each character starts with three skills of the player’s choice. Each skill is related to one of the attributes. This indicates what kind of attribute rolls the skill might be applied to. Note that you can’t choose a skill if the relevant attribute is ranked at level 0. Skill
Attribute
Description
Acrobatics
Thief
Training in activities such as dancing, contortion, climbing, tumbling and ipping.
Analysis
Hacker
Gathering and studying information pertaining to a particular subject.
Athletics
Pointman
Training in swimming, running and jumping.
Pointman/ Thief (use the highest)
The ability to use hand-to-hand
Close Combat
weapons.
Coerce
Pointman
Skilled in getting people to do what you want.
Computers
Hacker
Navigating your way around a computer system.
Contacts
Hacker
Getting in touch with various sources to provide you with help and information.
Cypher
Hacker
Creating and cracking encoded information.
Deception
Thief
Determination
Pointman
Drive
Pointman
Electronics
Hacker
Use of electronic devices, including booby traps, bugs and the like.
Explosives
Pointman
Setting up and deploying explosive devices including grenades and rocket propelled grenade launchers.
Forgery
Hacker
Creating counterfeit items, from documents to statues.
Lying and using misdirection. Pressing forward, especially through adverse conditions. Navigating a motor vehicle.
Skill
Attribute
Description
Hacking
Hacker
The eponymous skill for hackers, allows for breaking into computers and other machines.
Indigenous Knowledge
Hacker
Knowledge of local customs and traditions.
Intimidate
Pointman
Getting someone to do what you want them to do through fear.
Knives
Thief
Using knives, both in melee and ranged combat.
Mechanics
Hacker
Different than hacking, mechanics involves the physical workings of machines.
Medical Science
Hacker
This skill is knowledge and implementation of both rst aid, surgical knowledge, and forensics.
Perception
Thief
Detecting things around you, through sight, sound and smell.
Pistols
Pointman
Ries
Pointman
The skill for larger, two-handed rearms.
Science
Hacker
Covers a variety of subtopics including biology, physics, chemistry and the like.
Security
Hacker
This skill involves setting up and operating surveillance equipment, as well as being able to disable it.
Stash
Thief
The ability to hide an object, whether it be on your person, or somewhere in the room you’re in.
Stealth
Thief
The ability to sneak around, moving silently through the shadows and remaining unnoticed by people you’re trying to avoid the notice of.
Streetwise
Thief
The ability to navigate in an urban environment, from nding information to dealing with locals.
Survival
Pointman
The ability to keep yourself alive in the wild, including scavenging and hunting.
Unarmed Combat
Pointman/ Thief (use the highest)
The skill to re any handguns.
The ability to ght without any
weapon
taLents Talents give player characters special abilities that set them apart from mere civilians. You don’t have to roll the die in order to use talents. As soon as a character has acquired a new talent he gets access to a special ability. Some talents may be taken several times. Player characters start with one talent. GMs are free to add more talents if needed. Talent Body of Steel
Description Damage you take from an individual attack is reduced by 2.
Analysis
Gathering and studying information pertaining to a particular subject.
Champion
Select a cause. You get a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls against enemies of that cause. May be taken more than once.
Clever Shot Craftsman
You can use your Hacker attribute for ranged weapon attacks. You are able to craft weapons, explosives or other devices. This can be selected multiple times to select different things to craft
Devilish Charm
+3 to coerce and deception rolls.
Dual Wielding
You may wield a weapon in your off-hand without penalty. This
does not grant you an extra attack.
Leadership
You are a talented leader (having perhaps led troops in the past) and may command troops.
“Look Out!”
This talent allows you to protect one of your allies from, by jumping into the way of the attack and taking the damage instead of them. In order to do so, you make a Dodge check against the attackers attack. When successful you take the damage instead of your ally. Armor applies as normal.
Lucky Devil Massive Attack Nimble
You may reroll any roll once per scene (or combat). You can add your Pointman attribute level to your melee attack damage once per combat. You can dodge without forfeiting a combat action
Precise Shot
You can add your Thief attribute level to your ranged attack damage once per combat
Sixth Sense
You may roll a die before any ambush or other situation where you are about to be surprised. If you roll 4+ you are not surprised and may act rst.
Specialist
You have a specialist who may be asked to perform tasks. You have six points split between his attributes, and two skills
Survivalist
You are a trained hunter and may live off the land easily. When given enough time, you can provide enough food to feed a group of four.
wounDs anD Fate Wounds are a measure of how much damage a character may sustain before going down. A character with 0 Wounds is considered dead or dying. Fate can be used to save one’s life in certain situations, or take over some narrative control from the GM. Each character starts with Wounds equal to 6 plus the Pointman attribute and Fate equal to the Thief attribute. If your Thief attribute is 0, you still start with 1 fate point.
usinG cover anD DeFense Each character has a Defense stat that is equal to half the sum of the Pointman and Thief attributes, rounded down, plus 4. Using cover grants a bonus to Defense, depending on how heavy the cover is. Light cover is +2, Medium is +4, and Heavy cover is +6.
Group tempLates There are a lot of options to look at when creating a character in PHT. It is highly encouraged you use a group template in order to create your team, rather than everyone making a character in a vacuum and hoping their PCs will work well together. A group template is a bit like a group character sheet, uniting your team into a cohesive unit. This represents the training that rubs off on characters as they spend time around their organization. A hired gun among a group of hackers is likely to learn a thing or two along the way. To create your group template, take ten points, and split them between the Pointman, Hacker and Thief attributes. During the course of the session, anyone in the group may use any number of those points to modify their roll. After it is used, the number in the group template is lowered by that amount for the rest of the session. Example: Agent Redford has a heavy emphasis on Pointman, not much on Hacker. He needs to access a certain computer system, so he takes two points from the group’s Hacker attribute, raising his Hacker attribute by two for a single roll. The group’s Hacker attribute is now reduced by two for the rest of the session.
Below are a sample set of group templates for you to use. Feel free to use them or not, modifying as necessary. Ronin: P3, H3, T4. Street operatives, usually disavowed from their
previous lives as spies and assassins, Ronin are trained extensively in combat skills. These individuals take on odd jobs as “soldiers for hire”, although they can also work for a particular cause or organization exclusively. Although some are trained professionals, they are usually rugged and often resort to their own dirty tactics and experiences to get the job done. Hackers: P1, H8, T1. This group lives on the fringes of cyberspace, racing processes at a million miles a minute. Cold, hard data is sometimes worth more than cash... and these guys love to be the brokers of that market. A group of hackers also needs people to deliver and protect the information they possess, so there are many different roles that can t into the Hacker group. Law Enforcement: P5, H3, T2. Agents for a government department
or division or privately owned corporate security, these men and women put their necks on the block every day to maintain a semblance of order and protection for everyday people. Of course, many are imperfect anti-
heroes with their own loose judgments. Everyone wears the badge for different reasons. ACE: P4, H3, T3. The Allied Coalition of Espionage is a group of secret agents from all over the world, dedicated to protecting the world from the dangers that exist from both without and within. ACE agents are recruited from every walk of life for their own specic skills. Each
agent is highly skilled at what they do.
chapter two the Game “Don’t ever risk your life for an asset. If it comes down to you or them... send owers.” – Nathan Muir, Spy Game
basic task resoLution Every time a character wants to perform an action which has a chance of failing, the GM may ask the player to roll a die to determine the outcome of said action. The basic task resolution method is the attribute check. The GM picks the appropriate attribute and decides how difcult the task at hand is. Then the player rolls one six-sided die (d6) and adds the relevant attribute’s
level to the roll’s result. If the character knows any skills that might help in that situation, the player may add 2 to his result. The nal result is then compared to the difculty level set by the GM. If the result is equal or higher than the DL,
the task was successful. If not, the task failed. If a character knows more than one skill that could be used in a given situation, the GM may allow the player to add another 2 to the result.
expLoDinG Dice Whenever a player rolls a 6 on damage rolls and attribute checks that use an appropriate skill, the die may “explode”. This means that the player adds 6 to the total of the attribute and skill bonus, then rolls again and add the second result as well. If the second die roll is another 6, the player adds that 6 to the total and rolls again, and so on.
automatic success When the risk of failure is extremely low, or the task is only of minor importance to the story, and the character has an appropriate skill, the GM may decide that no roll is necessary. In this case the character automatically succeeds.
unopposeD checks If the task at hand is not actively opposed, the player has to beat a difculty level determined by the GM. The following list provides you with
some examples (DL in parenthesis): Easy (5), Routine (7), Challenging (9), Hard (11), Extreme (16).
opposeD checks The opposed check method is used when two characters are in direct competition. This is a contest of rolls. The player of each character makes a roll for the appropriate attribute (and skill, if any). Whoever gets the higher result wins the contest. Opposed checks don’t need to be of the same attribute (or skill), so long as the action of one can oppose the other. Example: A thief wants to sneak past a guard. The guard then rolls a die and adds his Hacker attribute to the result, along with a +2 bonus if he has the Awareness skill. The thief will have to beat this total to remain unnoticed. Optional: Instead of rolling, you can just add 3 to the relevant attribute (and any skill bonus) of one character to get the DL of the roll for the other. This is most useful when a PC is actively opposing a passive NPC. In the above example, the GM could just add 3 to the guard’s Hacker attribute (and +2 for Awareness if the guard has it) to get a DL for the player’s roll.
circumstantiaL moDiFiers There are circumstances which can make tasks harder or easier to perform than usual. The lack of tools makes it harder to build something. A superior weapon grants a bonus to an attack. Or bad lighting conditions make it easier to hide in the shadows. The GM may add circumstantial modiers to any DL if appropriate.
FATE Players may spend one of their character’s fate points to do the following (GM approval needed): -Ignore an attack that would have killed the character, making it just
miss instead. -Change a minor detail in the game world. For example: your character knows the NPC you’ve just met, or there is a shop in the town you just entered with the equipment you need.
-Reroll a single die roll and use the better of the two, or add +2 to a
single check. Fate doesn’t regenerate automatically, so players are advised not to waste their fate points. GMs should grant players fate points for heroic actions, good role playing and achieving character goals.
conceaLment Any agent is trained to carry Concealed items for use in the eld. These items do not need to be purchased or pre-chosen but are declared when the agent reveals them and may t the situation as needed. The number
of items that can be concealed are determined by the “Thief” stat. So, for example, if the Thief stat is 4 then the agent may reveal four concealed items/tools/gadgets per session. These items can be anything reasonably concealable in the current situation that they are revealed as long as the Agent can come up with a somewhat plausible description of the reveal. For example; 50’ of special high-strength cord could be revealed to have been concealed in a belt, or enough C-4/detonator to blow out a lock could be revealed inside the heel of a shoe; however, a full-sized
SOCOM with Suppressor and LAM could not be concealed in a situation where the agent is left with only socks and underwear, so the agent would not be able to plausibly explain how he could have concealed one... as amusing, thought-provoking, and slightly disturbing as that explanation
might prove to be. The weapon could, however be easily revealed to have been concealed disassembled in a briefcase.
Concealed items can also be shared through a team. Team Members may use their concealed “slots” to each reveal a module or component of a larger, normally concealable item. For example; Agent Jones might conceal a detonator and remote, Agent Smith may have the explosives, and Agent Torn may be carrying enough caltrops to make a fairly large anti-personnel mine.
Also, any team member may reveal an item associated to team “property” such as a safe house the team currently inhabits, or a vehicle they’ve been issued. The only limit with location concealment is that the agent or team must have former knowledge of the location. For example: while escaping, Agent Connery uses his last “reveal” to activate the recently installed bullet-proof shield for his Special Services DB-9 just before skidding through the guardrail and into the icy lake.
However, as they hit the water Agent Moore “reveals” the submersion mode of the car... all the while chiding Connery for “not reading the Q-Branch Brieng.” Or as the Dr. Furter’s agents storm the safe house,
Agent Janet “reveals” she’s going for the Concealed “panic button” to drop the iron shutters over the doors and windows, while Agent Brad reveals the escape tunnel, and Agents Scott and Eddie hold the basement exit secure armed with their revealed crowbars. However, none of them could do that in a motel they just pulled up to or a car they had just stolen. Once a concealed item it revealed, it must be noted and remains a known quantity until the session ends, or the GM declares there is opportunity to recycle these items. Also, as with anything the GM has the nal word on “yea” or “nay” pertaining to if the Concealment is valid. Lastly... any major NPCs or Arch-Villians, should have access to the
same ability of Concealment.
chapter three combat “Shoot him, Ryan. Shoot him before he gures out what I’m saying.” – John Clark, The Sum of All Fears
initiative Whenever combat occurs, player characters and non-player characters
act in turns. At the start of combat, the sequence in which the two sides in the conict act is determined. This is called initiative. In most cases
common sense dictates the initiative. If the GM is unsure, roll a die for each side. The side with the higher result acts rst. A character with the
Awareness skill may add +2 to the initiative roll.
combat actions Combat turns are generally short, a few seconds in duration, so characters can only perform a few actions. Running a short distance, drawing a weapon, attacking a foe, and doing a quick computer search are reasonable actions that can be performed during one turn.
attack roLL A roll to hit an opponent is made just like a skill check. The character’s player rolls the die and adds one of the character’s attribute scores, depending on the attack, as well as any applicative skill bonus. Environmental factors may apply conditional penalties to the attack roll, such as darkness or heavy fog. Each attack works based on the type of weapon being used. Some weapons use the Pointman, while others utilize the Thief attribute. Check the relevant skill if you are unsure. Example: A thief wants to shoot a guard in the back with a silenced pistol. The skill list determines that when using a pistol the Pointman attribute applies. The thief knows this skill, so he may also add the +2 modifer to his attack roll.
The attack roll is compared to the target’s defense. If the attack roll equals or exceeds the target’s defense, the attack hits and damage is dealt (see Damage, below). Attack rolls are subject to the “exploding die” rule if the character has the appropriate skill.
combat ranGes Distance is grouped into six narrative range bands. These bands come into play when determining if a weapon can be used to strike an opponent and in chase sequences. The six range bands are: • Melee: Anything that can be hit with a hand held weapon like a club or sword. If you can reach out and touch it, this is the range. • Close: A reasonable shot with a small projectile weapon or a thrown object. • Medium: Beyond the range of thrown objects. Requires skill to hit with a small projectile weapon; easier to hit with a heavier projectile weapon such as a rie. • Long: Beyond range for small projectile weapons. Requires skill to hit
with a larger projectile weapon. • Far : Possible to hit with great skill using a larger projectile weapon, but generally outside shooting range of hand held weapons at all. A weapon or attack can hit foes at its listed range band or closer. Vehicles may affect the range bands during combat using chase rules. These are covered in detail in the Vehicles Chapter.
rate oF Fire Firearms come in a variety of ring modes, everywhere
from a single shot at a time to a burst of rounds or even a full spray. Individuals trained in ring particular weapons can take advantages of the automatic ring to
potentially hit multiple targets in a single attack. When attacking multiple targets, there is a single attack roll that is made against each target’s Defense scores. • Single Shot: The weapon only res off
a single shot during a combat round. • Semi-Automatic: May attack two targets in a single action at a -2 penalty. • Burst Fire: Fires a 3-shot burst. May take a -3
penalty to shoot up to 3 targets within line of sight. • Full Auto: Within line of site, the weapon may be used to re a spray of bullets. The spray uses
10 rounds, and each target within the spray after the rst takes -2 on the attack roll. Note that Burst Fire and Full Auto attacks in either horizontal or vertical arcs, and that any allies in the way are targets as well.
DamaGe anD heaLinG After having scored a hit, you determine the damage it caused. Damage is determined by the weapon used (see the weapon list for details). The damage caused by an attack is increased by the margin of success of the attack roll. This additional damage is capped at the maximum damage the weapon can normally cause. The maximum damage for a weapon with 1d6 damage is 6 for example. Example: A character using a pistol attacks an opponent with a Defense of 6. His attack roll is a 9. So the margin of success is 3. He then rolls for damage (2d6). With a damage roll of 7 plus the 3 additional damage, he causes 10 damage to his opponent. Note that damage rolls are always subject to the “exploding die” rule. The victim’s hit points are reduced by a number of points equal to the damage caused. If hit points drop to 0, the character is dead or dying. A character’s hit points may never drop below 0. Characters who are reduced to under half their maximum hit points are considered seriously wounded and get a -3 modier on all attribute checks.
Characters heal a number of hit points equal to their highest attribute per day of rest. Only light activities are allowed during that time. A character who takes part in a combat, chase or a similar strenuous activity may only heal a single hit point that day. Characters with the Medical skill may use their abilities to speed up healing. When receiving such treatment, a character heals an extra 2 hit points per day of rest.
parryinG Characters wielding any melee weapon can try to parry attacks. In order to be able to parry they have to be aware of the attack. Parrying always consumes the defending player’s combat action. If you already acted this turn, you can choose to forfeit your next action instead. This does not apply to characters with Dual-Wield. They can use their off-hand
weapon to parry freely. To parry successfully the result on a Pointman check has to be equal or higher than what the attacking player rolled. The GM may add modiers
to that roll when parrying against a much stronger foe. There should also be penalties when you try to parry a swing by a large two-handed weapon
against a dagger. Players can add in their weapon skill bonus when trying to parry. It’s not usually possible to parry ranged attacks.
DoDGinG Dodging works similar to parrying. You have to forfeit one combat action and your check result has to be higher than your opponent’s attack roll result. But in the case of dodging, Thief is used and players can add +2 if they have the Acrobatics skill. When trying to dodge missile attacks you have to use Hacker and Awareness instead. Especially in the case of dodging fast travelling projectiles like bullets, GM discretion is advised.
hit Locations Combat in Pointman Hacker Thief is intentionally deadly. Straight up gun ghts are never a pleasant sight; and in a spy setting, sticking your
head out too far can be a costly mistake. Hit Locations adds variety to the damage. It can sometimes be a lifesaver... having the nasty shots go to the leg or an off-handed arm, allowing the GM to rule a serious injury but keep your guys in the ght. On the other hand, taking nasty shots to the
head are never pleasant.
Die Roll 1 2-4 5 6
Location
Head Torso Arms Legs
When making an attack, roll an additional off-colored d6 to represent the hit location.
If a character wishes to make a “called shot” to a particular location, they may do so but at a -4 penalty.
chapter Four hackinG “The world isn’t run by weapons anymore, or energy, or money. It’s run by little ones and zeroes, little bits of data. It’s all just electrons.” - Cosmo, Sneakers
Hacking is a trope commonly seen in many different spy movies. Breaking into a computer system so your cohorts can get into a building, stealing important government information and more are all hacks. A hack could be anything from breaking into a computer for information down to getting into an elevator’s computer system to take control of the directions the elevator goes. Hacking, in PHT is intended to keep with the pace of the game, so the hackers don’t end up hogging the scene or slowing the game down for the rest of the players. The guidelines below were intended so Hacking works just the same as any other skill check or combat roll, and can even be ran alongside gun ghts and other events in the game.
The simplest way to handle computer trickery is to stick with a Hacker roll, with the Computer skill added as a bonus as necessary. Anytime a character wants to manipulate a network to perform a particular action, such as searching for les or accessing databases, or programming
scripts (like a time delay to set off the sprinkler system) use just a Hacker check (with a bonus from the Computer skill and the Hacker’s Computer’s Rating). The DL is determined by the GM based on the complexity of the task. When actually attempting to override, break in or bring down a computer system, the situation is handled just like a form of combat. Computers and networks have a stat block similar to NPC’s, simply called “Systems.” This is to give an abstract representation of the power, presence and resources available to it in cyberspace. Depending on the scenario, the GM may use a System to either represent an entire network (such as the network maintaining an ofce building or business)
or the System can be used to represent just one part of the network (for instance, the computers handling a laser security system in the lobby of the building, or a CEO’s desktop.)
Initially, when the character starts hacking, the character rolls a Hacking check versus the System at a DL equal to its Net Defense rating. Like regular combat, the player’s computer used for the hacking is the “weapon” and the rating plus the amount rolled over the DL is the “wounds” dealt to the System. Once the “wounds” are depleted, the rewalls are crushed and the system is
exposed to the whims of the Hacker. However, as soon as the player fails one of his Hacking attempts, system admins are notied and the ICE (Intruder Countermeasure
Electronics) comes online. Initiative is rolled like in combat, and the System will now begin making active attacks against the intruder. If the hacker is using his or her computer as a terminal, the computer’s Net Defense is 4 + Rating. The computer’s rating is the number of “Wounds” it can take. In the event the hacking takes place during a moment of combat in the physical world (say, the guards show up as the team’s hacker starts to plug in directly to the camera controls) the Hacker and System roll initiative along with the other combat participants, and act in turn like the others. Additionally, there may be times when a system will have highly advanced Programs that will be sent in to actively hunt for a hacker. They have their own separate stats, similar to a System. They attack in the same way a System does, but if the Program defeats the Hacker’s computer, the computer is permanently fried and cannot be used again.
chapter Five exposure “Rule number one: Do not get caught.” – Walter Burke, The Recruit
You’ve seen the movies: The spy who runs around blowing up everything in sight, and in the end, he gets a slap on the wrists for it. Not so, in PHT. It’s a dangerous world out there, but a spy’s job is to keep a low prole,
not stir up trouble in front of the general public. This need for secrecy is called Exposure. All agents begin with 0 Exposure. Ideally, an agent will sit at 0 Exposure their whole careers, but it’s unlikely. Here’s how it works. When an agent performs any kind of espionage actions while within the public eye, and while not disguised, they gain Exposure, which steadily rises. Being captured on security cameras can also raise your Exposure. Being captured by the enemy, and revealed as a spy to the general public will raise your Exposure to its maximum. An agent’s maximum Exposure is equal to twice their highest attribute. If an agent reaches their maximum Exposure, they will be disavowed by their agency and be forced into retirement (or become an independent spy). An agent will have a difcult
time lowering their Exposure. It will drop by one for every six months in-game. If their Exposure is too
high, it might be a good idea for them to cool their heels on a vacation for a while (usually at their agency’s request). Also, a very public falsied death will drop
their exposure dramatically. The Exposure rules are designed to allow the GM to rein in maverick characters: If they are being a little too gung-ho, ignoring the rules of espionage,
they’re going to be disavowed by their agency and have nothing to show for it. Spies need to keep themselves out of the limelight, or they could nd themselves in hot water.
chapter six vehicLes “It’s the insurance damage waiver for your beautiful new car. Now, will you need collision coverage?” – Q, Tomorrow Never Dies
vehicLes anD combat Vehicles can be a crucial to a spy setting. From the agents on their
motorcycles, the pilots of helicopters and the gun runners blazing down the streets in their souped-up sports cars, vehicles are just another tool
for life on the edge. A vehicle in PH&T has the four following stats: • Armor: the vehicle’s ability to resist damage. • Body Points: the vehicle’s structural integrity. • Maneuver: the vehicle’s maneuverability, expressed as a modier to
rolls made to drive or pilot the vehicle. • Shift: the number of range bands the vehicle shifts due to its size .
vehicuLar ranGe banDs Because of their size, vehicles treat range bands slightly differently from characters. Distances between vehicles are treated normally. However, when characters and vehicles interact (such as characters shooting at villains in another car during a chase), things become a bit more complicated. This is where a vehicle’s Shift number comes in. When characters are acting over vehicular distances, their personal ranges are related to the ranges of the vehicles. The Shift number changes the range band being used by a number of steps equal to its value. For characters in different vehicles, the Shift number raises the range: if two sedans in a chase are Close, the distance between a character in one car and a villain in the other counted as Medium (as the Shift value of a sedan is 1). The situation can also be reversed. If a character is at Medium range to a villain and they both climb onto motorcycles to begin a chase, the chase begins at Close range for the bikes (as the Shift value of the motorcycles is 1). The characters still would use the Medium range band to shoot at each other, but the chase is determined from the vehicles themselves. When vehicles have different Shift values (such as a speedboat and a gunboat), the difference in Shift values is what is applied. What would be considered Long distance for the speedboat would be Medium for the gunboat, and vice versa.
armor anD boDy points Vehicle armor stops damage. It prevents the vehicle’s structure from
being harmed by an attack. The vehicle’s armor score is subtracted from the damage of any successful attack. The remaining damage is then applied to the vehicle’s body points. If a vehicle is reduced to half its maximum body points, it is severely damaged and has a -2 penalty
applied to its maneuver score (which can make a negative maneuver value even worse). If a vehicle is reduced to 0 body points, it is destroyed and can only be used again if repaired.
chases One of the best uses of vehicles is when things don’t slide your way, and you need to get out. Or when someone is getting away with something you need, it’s nice to have your hands on the steering wheel and the pedal to the oor. Whether eeing from enemy soldiers or trying
to cut off the shipment truck you were hired to hijack, chases are a part of everyday life in Spy Fiction. Each round of a chase, the quarry and pursuer make rolls appropriate to their current mode of movement: Either the appropriate vehicle skill (Car, Bike, Helicopter ,etc.) for vehicles, or Athletics for running on foot. If either the quarry or the pursuer is obviously faster than the other, that participant receives a bonus to the roll (for example, +2 for the difference between a man and a galloping horse, +4 for a man and a speeding car, +6 for a man and an airplane). Subtract the pursuer’s roll from the quarry’s roll. This total is applied to the distance between the participants. If the quarry rolls higher the gap will increase, and if the pursuer rolls higher the gap will decrease. Tied rolls, or rolls that are very close, mean that the gap remains the same. Difference Change +7 or more Quarry immediately escapes +5 to +6 Gap increases by 2 range bands +3 or +4 Gap increases by 1 range band +2 to -2 No Change -3 to -4 Gap decreases by 1 range band -5 to -6 Gap decreases by 2 range bands -7 or less Pursuer immediately catches quarry
Chases begin at a range determined by the starting positions of the participants. Two people or vehicles starting next to each other are at Melee distance. Note that if the quarry ees before the pursuer can react, the range may increase to Close for the rst round of the chase (or more, depending on the speed difference!)
If the quarry can extend the range beyond Far, it has escaped. If the pursuer can bring the range to Melee, the quarry has been caught and the pursuer can attempt to capture the quarry, such as with grappling. Intermediate ranges permit the use of weapons with the proper ranges — but remember that vehicles shift ranges, so that what the vehicles consider Close range might be Medium for the attacking characters. Vehicle
Armor
Body
Maneuver
Shift
Cost
Motorcycle
1
10
2
1
$1000
Sedan
2
20
1
1
$15,000
Sports Car
2
15
2
1
$20,000
Truck/SUV
2
25
0
1
$15,000
Heavy Truck
5
35
0
1
$20,000
Jeep
5
25
1
1
$17,500
Limo
5
30
-1
1
$45,000
Armored Car
10
10
0
1
$100,000
Tank
12
40
-3
1
$2,500,000
Standard Helicopter
5
5
25
1
$120,000
Assault Chopper
5
10
30
1
$1,750,000
Speedboat
2
2
1
1
$17,500
Cargo Ship
20
20
-2
2
$4,000,000
Private Plane
10
10
0
1
$370,000
Gunboat
0
25
2
2
$25,000
Assault Boat
10
60
-2
2
$250,000
weapon mounts A common practice for teams of spies is the modication of adding
armaments to vehicles. Anyone trained in appropriate skills (such as Mechanics or Engineering) can spend some time rigging together weapons for their vehicles. A general rule of thumb is small vehicles (such as motorcycles) can easily be equipped with one or two Ranged Combat weapons (ries, smg’s etc.) Larger vehicles, like trucks, cars and the like can be modied with not only a couple Ranged Weapons, but may tack on a number of Gunnery-based weapons equal to their Shift rating.
Remember, all of these weapons will also require proper ammunition storage. Also, the GM is free to tack on any penalties to chases or actions after ring off any
Gunnery based weapon (could you imagine what the recoil of a rocket launcher could do against the speed of a sports car? Hope you’re a good driver.) Also remember that those heavy weapons loaded on your vehicles are normally not considered street legal, especially in civilian areas.
chapter seven equipment “Technology gets better every day. That’s ne. But most of the time all you need is a stick of gum, a pocket knife and a smile.” – Nathan Muir, Spy Game
Each character starts with $3000 to purchase equipment. Every character can wield every weapon. Any character may wear body armor, but the armor penalty of the armor worn raises the difculty of many skills.
Characters can requisition supplies from the organization they work for, depending on the mission. In the planning stages of a mission, the players may ask the GM for additional supplies, and the GM may provide the characters with supplies based on the needs of the mission. Weapon
Skill
Damage
Range
Rate of Fire
Cost
Unarmed/Fist
Unarmed
1d6/2
Melee
Single
-
Combat Knife
Close Combat
1d6-1
Melee/ Close
Single
$50
Garrotte*
Close Combat
1d6
Melee
Single
Brass Knuckles
Close Combat
1d6
Melee
Single
Police Baton
Close Combat
1d6+2
Melee
Single
Pistol
Semi-Automatic 2d6
Medium
Semi
Assault Rie
Burst Fire
3d6
Long
Burst
Heavy Machine Gun
Rie
3d6+3
Medium
Burst
$100 $75 $100 $500 $1000 $1250
RPG
Explosives
5d6
Long
Single
Shotgun**
Rie
2d6+3
Short
Single
Grenade***
Explosives
4d6
Close
Single
Sniper Rie
Rie
3d6
Far
Single
$3000 $600 $100 $3000 $750
Uzi 3d6+1 Medium Rie Full-Auto *The Garrote can only be used on a target that is unaware of the agent’s presence. If they make a successful attack, the target must make a successful Pointman to escape or take another automatic successful hit the following round. **The Shotgun can hit up to three people standing close together. ***The Grenade will cause damage to anyone within Close range of where it lands.
Armor
Armor Bonus
Cost
Hidden-Armored Suit
+2
$750
Bullet-Proof Jacket
+1
$500
Heavy Tactical Gear
+3
$1000
Equipment
Description & Rule
Cost
Camera Glasses
Glasses can take photos of what you’re looking at. You need one hand free for the button.
Explosives Detector
Can actually be installed into a $1200 smart phone, giving a +4 for detecting explosives.
Safe Cracker Computer Memory Wipe Climbing Gear Advanced Hacking Computer Jetpack
Gives a +2 to breaking into safes. Completely clears off a computer without any chance of recovery.
$1000
$2000 $1600
Gives you a +3 to all rolls to climb.
$200
Gives you a +3 to all hacking roles.
$10,000
Gives a half hour of ight time, but
$12,000
is quite noisy. Night-Vision Goggles
Poison Ring
Allows the user to see perfectly in the dark. However, bright lights or ash grenades will cause temporary blindness in the user. The ring on your nger has a
$4000
$2000
hidden compartment with a deadly poison. Being searched gives you a +4 to have them overlook the ring. Grapnel Belt
Hidden in your belt buckle is a $1500 coiled band of wire. Attaching it to a surface allows both ascension and descending with the press of a button.
Disguise Kit
Gives you a +4 to change your appearance.
$800
chapter eiGht Game masterinG “I would ask you if you could remain emotionally detached, but that’s not your problem, is it?” – M, Casino Royale
runninG pointman hacker thieF PHT is light on rules (compared to some RPGs), so a lot is open to interpretation, and in many cases GM at plays a major role. This is an
aspect it shares with a lot of early roleplaying games. But that aspect of the game allows it to be a perfect toolbox for players and GMs alike. If there’s something missing from the game that you need for your campaign, just add it. If there’s something that bothers you, change it or drop it completely. The possibilities are endless and the rules-light nature
of the game allows you to make the game your own without having to fear you break the whole game. Simple rule off the bat: If something is favorable to a character, they get a +2. If it’s unfavorable, they get a -2. Simple as that.
misDirection The players may think they know what’s going on. They don’t. Make sure of that. Twists and turns are an important part of the spy genre. Just when the agents have discovered the secret to who’s in charge, they nd
out it was all a ruse; they killed the wrong man. While misdirection can be a powerful tool, make sure it isn’t used so often that the players come to expect it, or it won’t be surprising at all. Utilize it to really throw your players for a loop every once in a while.
Gm ruLinGs insteaD oF ruLes In most cases it’s much faster and better for the flow of the game if the GM makes rulings when there’s a rule discussion. Nothing destroys the mood of any game more than a lengthy discussion about rules and the interpretation of what is printed in the book. To avoid that, the GM should always have the last word in these cases.
If the issue at hand still bothers you after the game, just look it up and make up your mind; during the game you should decide something instead of making a fuss about it. There are a lot of rules in this book that are open to interpretation: How far is close range? Can you really jump that pit? This is intentional. The game is meant to be loose and easy with the rules. Go with it.
make it your own I can’t stress this enough: make Pointman Hacker Thief your own. GMs and players are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Add new organizations. Create new NPCs. Change the rules. Write up your own skills and talents. Whatever suits your fancy, do it. A lot of creativity went into the production of the game, but it denitely shouldn’t end there!
This book contains several optional rules that you can use, but you can add your own house rules as well. If you think there’s something critical or very cool missing from the game, let us know!
spy Fiction Spy ction is, as a genre, one of the
oldest of modern genres, seen all the way back to the early 19th Century. It really hit its peak of popularity in the days of the Cold War between the US and USSR, and that’s where you’ll nd the
most stories set. Even so, the current political climate in the world makes it ideal for spy stories and adventures. Use current world news for ideas of missions and plots. If a major event happens in the world, incorporate it into your game. Have the players gure out who’s
behind the plot. The sky’s the limit.
settinG the mooD with music When it comes to setting a mood, nothing is better than music. James Bond soundtracks, or music from a John Williams score work great.
The important part is that you and your players are comfortable with the music and that it enhances the mood of your game. Playing music from a horror movie in the background is a great way to improve the immersion if you’re running a much darker adventure.
aDvancement Characters in PHT don’t have levels or need to amass experience points to improve their abilities. The GM decides when the characters are ready to advance. Usually this happens at the end of a successful adventure. (If you want to let the characters advance faster, you can allow them to advance after each session, every other session, and so on.) Whenever the GM allows the players to advance, they may do one of the following: • Raise one attribute by one. • Add 1d6 to HP • Gain an additional skill • Gain a talent
Talents should be harder to get than an additional skill or HPs. The GM should send the player character on a side-quest to nd a trainer, get
admission to a special group or learn from an old training manual that unlocks that talent. Optional: The GM can allow players to add 3 points of HP when they level up instead of rolling the die.
noncombat hazarDs Aside from combat, there are many ways a character may be harmed. The table below lists a few possible hazards. Hazard
Damage
Fall
1d6 per 3 yards fallen
Suffocation/Drowning
1d6 per round
Mild Poison
1d3 initial damage, 1 damage per round until successful Pointman check vs. DL 7.
Lethal Poison
1d6 initial damage, 2 damage per round until successful Pointman check vs. DL 11.
Fire
1d6 per round exposed to the ames.
chapter eiGht Genres “You gotta be heartless in my line of work.” – Eldon Perry, Dark Blue There are actually multiple genres you can utilize when running VoS.
The game is versatile, and gives the opportunity to run some very dynamic games.
ronin “It’s a grim world. One minute, you’re at the top of the food chain, the next, you’re a bottom feeder. I’ve brought down governments all over the world; deposing dictators, toppling military-industrial complexes. Now what am I? Working out of a warehouse in New Jersey, doing anything I can to stay one step ahead of the game.”
In a Ronin game, your heroes are anything but. They’re disavowed agents, who may or may not have deserved getting let go. A few movies for inspiration include “Ronin”, the rst “Mission: Impossible” movie, as well as the TV shows “Leverage” and “Burn Notice”.
Common enemies include other teams of Ronin, who are after the same target as your group, rogue enemy governments, and even the CIA or MI6. Ronin could be hired as hit men for a specic task, tasked with recovering
a rare antiquity, or hired by an airplane manufacturer to sabotage the prototype for a rival’s new aircraft. The world is a land of shades of grey, not black-and-white. Anyone could be an ally or an enemy.
appropriate ruLes Group Templates: Your group has picked up a thing or two from one
another as you’ve worked together. Concealment: This works really well, as your Agents have a lot of spy gear they’ve retained from their spy days.
inappropriate ruLes Exposure: Your agents have already been exposed. Everyone within
the community knows they’re spies. This makes it dangerous for the agents; your family could be a target, just as easily as you could.
Lone woLF “My name? My name doesn’t matter. When there’s a job Her Majesty’s government needs done, I do it, no questions asked. I’m a one-man killsquad, one of the greatest agents the world has ever seen. I’ve survived more frefghts than most ordinary men see in a warzone. When you try to kill a man, you’d better make damn sure you fnish the job.”
The Lone Wolf is a different game than most. This game is designed for a one-on-one game between the GM and a single player. This works well
for couples or roommates, as you always have someone on hand to play with. The stakes are much higher in a Lone Wolf game. Often, the fate of the whole world is in jeopardy, with our hero the only man (or woman) who can stop it. Films in this genre include the James Bond lms, as well as the Jason Borne lms.
appropriate ruLes Concealment: The hero is always pulling out gear he had on him for
just such an occasion. Advancement: Your Lone Wolf should begin the game with Four Advancements as detailed in the Advancement section of this rulebook.
inappropriate ruLes Group Template: Your hero is one agent. Group templates don’t apply. Exposure: There are a lot of things your hero is going to do that would
get an ordinary agent booted. Not you. It seems that no matter how often you tell your enemies your name, they never remember to Google you later to nd out who you work for.
miranDa riGhts “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense…”
PHT handles running a police game surprisingly well. By removing a few extraneous rules, you can run a game anywhere from members of a SWAT team to detectives investigating the criminal underbelly, even Crime Scene Investigation! TV shows that are good examples of this are Law & Order, CSI or
NYPD Blue.
appropriate ruLes Group Template: Your investigators
have been spending a lot of time with one another. They’re bound to pick up a thing or two.
inappropriate ruLes Exposure: Your characters are public
employees. They don’t need to worry about this. Concealment: Your PCs won’t be pulling ying cars out of nowhere here.
ace - aLLieD coaLition oF espionaGe “Gentlemen, at 1600 GMT, the forces of SPIRE moved in and captured a Russian nuclear base near the border of Georgia. They have threatened to launch all missiles unless their demands are met. Your mission…” In ACE, your agents are world-hopping super-spies, performing
amazing missions from Bangkok to Alaska. They are glamorous, capable, and most importantly, discreet. No one knows their names, but they do their jobs with style and air. They ght against international terrorist
organizations, criminal governments and their own agents who have gone rogue. Films in this genre include the Mission: Impossible lms (most notably the Vatican scene in M:I3) and Spy Games.
Reality is somewhat suspended as your heroes pull out all the stops to keep the world from toppling over into chaos. All rules in the book are appropriate for this genre, and will work well for anything you want to accomplish.
appenDix one npcs In this chapter you’ll nd average stats for various non-player
characters. Please note that the Defense listed is always the unarmored Defense. Bonuses granted by armor are listed in parenthesis.
younG hacker Attributes: Pointman 2, Hacker 5, Thief 3 HP: 8, Fate: 2 Defense: 6 Skills: Computers, Electronics, Hacking Talents: Lucky Devil Trappings: Tweed Jacket, pack of smokes, Computer Memory Wipe, $100 cash
thuG Attributes: Pointman 5, Hacker 2, Thief 3 HP: 11 Defense: 10 (+2 for bulletproof vest) Skills: Intimidate, Pistols, Ries Talents: none Trappings: Black suit & tie, bulletproof jacket, pistol
typicaL civiLian Attributes: Pointman 2, Hacker 1, Thief 2 HP: 8 Defense: 6 Skills: none Talents: none Trappings: Clothing, Cell Phone
speciaL Forces Attributes: Pointman 6, Hacker 3, Thief 2 HP: 16, Fate: 2 Defense: 10 (+2 for bulletproof vest) Skills: Close Combat Weapons, Determination, Explosives, Pistols, Ries Talents: Champion (Patriotism), Leadership, Massive Attack Trappings: Special Forces Uniform, Weapon of Choice (Assault Rie, Shotgun, or Sniper Rie)
JeweL thieF Attributes: Pointman 3, Hacker 4, Thief 6 HP: 9, Fate: 4 Defense: 8 Skills: Acrobatics, Cypher, Security, Stash Talents: Nimble, Precise Shot Trappings: Thief suit, climbing gear, wires, pistol
