WOTC Gamma World 4e?!?

Well THIS came outta nowhere. It seems that Wizards is gonna release a boxed Gamma World set built upon the 4th edition D&D ruleset in October 2010. They will also be releasing updated adventures based on Legion of Gold and Famine in Far-go (or as they call them, "Expansion Kits").

There's a lot of angst in the blogosphere about the collectible-card-mechanic of the mutations/character generation, so I won't go into it here. (Search Google for discussions elsewhere.) To summarize, there are 40 cards available in the boxed set and more mutations can be purchased in booster packs of cards. Yup, just like any other collectible card game. So
instead of getting to choose your mutations or rolling on a table, you must apparently own a certain card to have that ability.

As I read elsewhere:

Player: “OK, so here’s my Gamma World character. His mutations are Kinetic Bolt, Precognition, and Anti-Necrobiosis.”

DM: “Anti-Necrobiosis? Cool! So you are collecting the boosters now?”

Player: “Uh, actually my buddy just told me about the mutation and I wrote down the details. But you can check it with your DDI subscription.”

DM: “Sorry, go out and buy a few boosters if you really want that mutation.”

Player: (mumbles and starts thinking about Mutant Future.)

And, with that, we return you to your Mutant Future news and info already in progress...

Want To Be Inducted Into The Order Of The D30?

Hey gang,

Thought I'd throw out a fun little random drawing for the readers of The Savage AfterWorld. I'm looking to induct one new member into the esoteric Order of the D30. Therefore, I shall be giving away one black D30 die to one lucky reader. Also, because it needs to be somehow "post-apocalyptic" to be a proper post on this blog, I shall also make up a Radioactive Dice Cup (like the one I made for myself) for the lucky winner to keep his or her new D30 in! So how can you win? Well, I originally thought about having folks create a new 30-item table for use with Mutant Future, but that seems like a lot of work just to win a die (no matter how cool that die is). So I'll make it simple: To enter, just reply in the Comments to this post. Next Friday, February 5, I'll randomly draw from those who commented and that person gets the cup and die. This contest is open to everyone on the planet, as I don't mind footing the shipping for an overseas winner. That's it. Good luck to everyone!

Here's what's up for grabs! Keen!

[Thundarr Thursday] Notorious NPCs: Queen Stryia

Stryia - Wizardess Queen of the Amazons
8th Level Sorcerer

STR: 13 --- INT: 15
DEX: 16 --- WIL: 18
CON: 11 --- CHA: 9
HPs: 49 --- AC: 6
Mutations: water breathing

Queen Stryia is a very powerful denizen of the deep. She is the current leader of the Amazons - an aquatic race of women warriors - as well as a powerful wizard. Her plans are to raise an army of Amazons and then strike and conquer the land as she has the sea. Queen Stryia usurped the throne from Queen Deona - the rightful Amazon ruler. As Amazon leader, she has an underwater palace that she rules from as well as a large number of Amazon warriors who will follow her orders unquestioningly. However, Queen Deona and a small rebel band hope to one day wrest the throne away from this powerful foe (which could be the plot hook that leads the PCs to their first encounter with her).

Queen Stryia has many of the features of a shark including a mouth lined with razor-sharp teeth. To enhance her shark-like appearance, she wears a wetsuit that has dorsal fins on the head and back. Her hands are both clawed and webbed. Since she is an Amazon, she has the mutation of water breathing, which allows her to breathe both underwater as well as on dry land. She can also swim very quickly, doubling her normal movement rate when underwater. When in the water, she and her warriors ride bull sharks (MF rulebook, page 94) as mounts. These sharks are well-trained and will join in underwater combat if commanded to do so.

As an 8th level wizard, Queen Stryia has the following number of spells and levels memorized: three 1st level spells; three 2nd level spells; two 3rd level spells; and two 4th level spells. The Mutant Lord should use the magic-user/elf spells list from the Labyrinth Lord rulebook. When fighting hand-to-hand, Queen Stryia receives a +1 to hit and +2 to damage when using a handheld weapon.

Although she is a skilled warrior and has powerful magic at her command, Queen Stryia prefers to let her Amazon army do her fighting instead. She may confront another sorcerer though, just to test her own power against another spell-slinger. But if the tide begins to turn against her, she'll retreat to her underwater lair where she shall regroup and plot her revenge...

NOTE: This villain was inspired by the episode "Attack of the Amazon Women" from the classic Ruby Spears post-apocalyptic cartoon "Thundarr the Barbarian." Stay tuned each week for "Thundarr Thursday"!

A Week's Worth Of Mutant Future!

Like sands in the hour glass, so are the weekly series dedicated to Mutant Future. Be sure to tune in each week for the following regular ongoing series:

* 2e Tuesday at Warning-Mutagenic Substance: Each Tuesday, blogmeister Carl Nash converts a classic second edition Gamma World critter for use with Mutant Future. This week, Carl presents both the Sleeths and Fleshins. If you have a warm radioactive soft spot in your heart for Obbs, Fens, and Hoops, you'll want to make a stop over at his blog each Tuesday.

* Word Verification Wednesday at both I SEE LEAD PEOPLE and Green Skeleton Gaming Guild: A friendly contest between blogmeisters Eli Arndt and Brutorz Bill has turned into a very interesting menagerie of Mutant Future critters. Each week, both Eli and Bill design creatures for the words they encounter on various word verification requests around the Internet. Since December, they've posted the likes of the Volog, Obkil, Parahowl, and Dizatere. A keen idea that has birthed some keen (and disturbing) mutants!

* Thundarr Thursday at The Savage AfterWorld: Sure, it's a little self-serving, but Thundarr Thursday has been running since June 2009 and has even spawned a Thundarr-specific Mutant Future supplement.

Who knows what else we may see soon? Might I suggest someone pick up the ball and run with "Mutation Mondays"?