2e Tuesday - Gators (Green Hissers)

 That's right, Gamma World 2nd edition... what 2e did you think I meant?  Every Tuesday I will pick one of my favorite monsters from the fully illustrated bestiary included in the 2d edition Gamma World Basic Rules Booklet and convert it to Mutant Future.  Today's monster is...

Gators (Green Hissers)

No. Enc: 1-2

Alignment:  Neutral

Movement:            40' (10')

                  Swim: 120' (30')

Armor Class: 3

Hit Dice: 5

Attacks: 2 (bite and tailslap) 

Damage:  1d6/1d8

Save:  L3

Morale: 7

Hoard Class: VI (usually buried in the swamp near the Gators feeding grounds)

Were it not for the 3' long tentacles emerging from their foreheads, these creatures would appear to be normal alligators.  Unfortunately for explorers of the swamps of the Mutant Future, the tentacles paralyze any prey hit by a mental attack roll (treat the Gators as Willpower 16 for purposes of determining the success of this attack).  As usual, victims get a saving thow vs. stun attacks to avoid this effect and the paralysis lasts 2d4 turns.  Gators normally swim below the surface of the water with only their nostrils and tentacles protruding, making it very difficult to notice them before a paralyzing attack is launched on an unsuspecting lunch date.  While it is rare to see more than one or two of these creatures under normal circumstances, each spring large groups (1d6x10) congregate to mate and spawn.

Mutations:  Reflective Epidermis (radiation), Special (Paralyzing Tentacle)

I like the simplicity of this creature, just one mutation removed from a regular crocodile.  I also have a soft spot for swamps (come to think of it, both games that I am currently running in two different systems feature swamps prominently) and the critters to be found in them.