Black Ops for 4th Edition

[LoneWolf23k]

So, I was thinking of updating the GURPS Black Ops setting for the modern day, in this post SCP Foundation era. I would definitely use a mix of the GURPS Monster Hunter and GURPS Action series for the main tone, using the "X-Terminators" from Pyramid Vol 3, #5.

But rather than create entire 600-point Department Agent templates like in 3e, I'd create smaller Department-based Templates, around 100 to 200 points, that could be combined with one of the Action or MH Templates. So you could have an Assassin who was trained by Combat Division as a one-person death machine, or one who was trained by Technology Division as an expert who engineers perfect death traps.

Looking for feedback and suggestions on this concept. How would you handle Black Ops with 4e rules?

[Captain Joy]

My impression is that Black Ops is basically a setting for Monster Hunters. I’d massage the Monster Hunter templates to fit the five Black Ops departments. I think there was no magic, only psionics, in Black Ops; I think Monster Hunters might be the opposite.

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

My impression is that Black Ops is basically a setting for Monster Hunters.

With you so far.

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

I’d massage the Monster Hunter templates to fit the five Black Ops departments.

I'd probably make up five 100-200 point Department Lenses that can be overlaid onto the MH Templates to do what OP is looking for.

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

I think there was no magic, only psionics, in Black Ops; I think Monster Hunters might be the opposite.

Monster Hunters most definitely has Psionics; the Psi template is right there with Witch in Book #1.

On the other hand, if you want to strip out the magic completely and add aliens, that's addressed at length in MH 5: Applied Xenology, which is probably close enough to a 4e version of Black Ops to be used as-is with a few terminology changes.

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc

With you so far.



I'd probably make up five 100-200 point Department Lenses that can be overlaid onto the MH Templates to do what OP is looking for.



Monster Hunters most definitely has Psionics; the Psi template is right there with Witch in Book #1.

On the other hand, if you want to strip out the magic completely and add aliens, that's addressed at length in MH 5: Applied Xenology, which is probably close enough to a 4e version of Black Ops to be used as-is with a few terminology changes.

I think if you want anything close to the competency of Black Ops you need the MH 400 point templates. Otherwise, I'd go with 200 point lenses modified from Action, X-Terminators and Specialists.
I think 100 pts is too low to be survivable as field agents. For base support staff & Red-Shirts it's fine.

[Gold & Appel Inc]

Originally Posted by Tinman

I think if you want anything close to the competency of Black Ops you need the MH 400 point templates. Otherwise, I'd go with 200 point lenses modified from Action, X-Terminators and Specialists.
I think 100 pts is too low to be survivable as field agents. For base support staff & Red-Shirts it's fine.

Right, I'm talking about starting them off with 400-point MH templates and then throwing 100+ points of Department-specific stuff on top of that.

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

My impression is that Black Ops is basically a setting for Monster Hunters. I’d massage the Monster Hunter templates to fit the five Black Ops departments. I think there was no magic, only psionics, in Black Ops; I think Monster Hunters might be the opposite.

Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc

Monster Hunters most definitely has Psionics; the Psi template is right there with Witch in Book #1.

On the other hand, if you want to strip out the magic completely and add aliens, that's addressed at length in MH 5: Applied Xenology, which is probably close enough to a 4e version of Black Ops to be used as-is with a few terminology changes.

You can strip whatever elements you're not using from monster hunters to shape the world you want. I generally try to either ask players about it first. A few modes I've toyed with:

• The divine is understated, and aliens are absent, but fae are common. This is the mode I've played in the most.
• No Psionics or Aliens, set in a historical rather than modern setting.
• No, magic, but lots of plagues, science zombies, psis, and experiments in a lawless jungle

I've also toyed with saying "No humans apart from mages" and banning the psis for an "inhuman" campaign about monsters (yes, witches are honorary monsters).

[LoneWolf23k]

Thanks for all the feedback. Nice to see there are plenty of options available. I was considering a broader version of Black Ops, crossing over with elements of Cabal, where the Supernatural and Mystical co-exists with the Psionic and Alien elements. Again, somewhat inspired by the SCP Foundation.

As suggested, I think I'll focus on the Monster Hunter side of the rules, although I may dip into Action (specifically the Exploits book) for the more cinematic elements.

[safisher]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf23k

Looking for feedback and suggestions on this concept. How would you handle Black Ops with 4e rules?

One thing you might look at is the Action templates in Pyramid 53. It has the Ultimate Action Hero for 350 points, plus two different 100-Point lenses, True Grit and Action Demigod. You'd need to look those over to see which best fits your view of Black Ops. Personally, I think the Action Demigod works pretty well. These are supposed to be used for a long action hero scenario, but I think they clearly serve the Black Ops action hero movie motif well.