Sometimes I feel the warband mechanics for Cairn, Into the Odd, and similar games leave something to be desired. So I whipped up these skirmish wargame rules designed for a certain range of 28mm-tall grimdark gothic future miniatures.

Starting Stats: 4 HP, 10 STR, 10 DEX, 10 WIL, 6” MV

Saves: Roll d20 under a stat to save.

  • STR for dying, poisons, resisting movement
  • DEX for terrain and initiative (activate models from highest DEX to lowest)
  • WIL for morale and psychic

Actions: take 2 in a turn

  • Move up to your MV stat
  • Attack with your weapon
  • Interact with something

Attacks: Roll your weapon’s damage die, and subtract any Armor that your target possesses. You deal that much damage to your target’s HP.

Damage that reduces a target’s HP below zero decreases a target’s STR by the amount remaining. They must then make a STR save to avoid death.

Weapon Damage Range Special
Unarmed d6 melee  
Sidearm d8 melee  
Polearm d10 melee bulky
Pistol d6 6”  
Carbine d6 12” bulky
Energy d6 6” bulky, ignore Armor
Shotgun d8 6” bulky
Heavy Gun d8 12” bulky, can’t move and shoot
Type Armor
Unarmored 0
Light Armor 1
Heavy Armor 2