Introduction: One of the things I really enjoyed about the Judge Dredd Miniatures Game was how the Deeds system enables characters to grow and become more powerful. With the Judges already having comprehensive options for promotion, I thought it might be fun to expand the options for the faction most likely to oppose the Judges: the Block Gang. The Chip Cap limit was also on my mind as it encourages the use of more Star Chip characters in a perp force, so more options on that front to fill the Block Gang's ranks would be helpful - and would present the Judges with a real challenge!
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| Obviously there are some named characters pictured here. Feel free to use whichever models from your collection best represent the new characters. |
New Characters and their Ranks:
Triggerman: Rank 4
Racket Leader: Rank 5
Bodyguard: Rank 5
Blitz Agent: Rank 5
Overlord: Rank 6
As usual, the ranking system and promotion works as set out in the rulebook. They may also be bought for the required Notoriety without having to rely on promotions. As usual, the Notoriety cost only allows you to field the character and that you still have to pay additional Notoriety to arm them from the weapons available to the Block Gang as per the list on page 95 of the rulebook. Let's take a closer look at the new characters:
Rank 4:
Henchman
Move: 6" Shoot: 3 Fight: 4(+1) Evade: 0 Resist: 4 Cool: 4 Notoriety: 11
Skills: Brawler, Drokk The Stinkin' Jays! Cyborg Punch/Kick/Head-Butt (+1 Fight)
Triggerman
Move: 6" Shoot: 4 Fight: 3 Evade: 2 Resist: 3 Cool: 4 Notoriety: 11
Skills: Gunfighter, Drokk The Stinkin' Jays
Notes: These gunfighters favour bullets over braun and have become proficient enough in their art that they are capable of duelling with Judges in bullet-time!
Rank 5:
Racket Leader
Move: 6" Shoot 4 Fight: 4 Evade: 2 Resist: 4 Cool: 4 Notoriety: 14
Skills: Brawler or Gunfighter, C'mon you lily-livered scumsuckers, Drokk the Stinkin' Jays, What the Spug?
What the Spug?: If another friendly model is within 3" of the Racket Leader when they are attacked, they can switch places with the friendly model and let it take the attack in their place.
Notes: A racket leader is basically the next level for a promoted Gang Lieutenant. Because they are already formidable fighters, their stats are unchanged, but they have learned to become a little more slippery, hence the new ability (thieved from Max Bubba's What The Sneck ability from the Strontium Dog rulebook).
Bodyguard
Move: 6" Shoot: 3 Fight: 4(+1) Evade: 0 Resist: 5 Cool: 4 Notoriety: 12
Skills: Brawler, Drokk The Stinkin' Jays!, Berserker, Cyborg Punch/Head-Butt (+1 Fight)
Berserker: These monstrous characters suffer no stat loss for the first injury marker they take but may no longer take double-actions other than Charge or Hunker Down when they activate. Single actions may be taken normally (ability also thieved from Strontium Dog).
Notes: Henchmen may be the brutes of the gang but, occasionally, a gang is lucky enough to have an absolute beast in their ranks. These muscle-bound freaks are usually employed as personal Bodyguards to protect the gang's leader.
Blitzer
Move: 6" Shoot: 4 Fight: 4 Evade: 3 Resist: 4 Cool: 4 Notoriety: 13
Skills: Gunfighter, Drokk The Stinkin' Jays, Access To The Stash
Access To The Stash: If a Blitzer is the leader of your gang, this works the same as the Citi-Def Leader's Access To The Armoury ability, albeit the source of the equipment comes from the gang's various secret (and highly illegal!) weapons stashes. It is commonplace for Blitzers to get first dibs on whatever additional hardware the gang has at its disposal, hence the inclusion of this special rule. An additional benefit is that Blitzers can be equipped with any weaponry from the Armoury section in the rules book, including weapons (such as Sniper Rifles) which Block Gangs do not usually have access to. For reasons of game balance, please note that Sniper Rifles, Heavy Spit Guns and Rocket Launchers should remain restricted to one per gang (but there's nothing stopping you having one of each in your gang).
Notes: Blitzers are the underworld's feared assassins and are often employed to silence informants or eliminate enemy leaders. Their elusive nature and ability to leave no trace makes them among the city's most wanted.
Some Blitzers specialise as Snipers. For no additional cost, you make take a sniper-specialist Blitzer. Sniper Blitzers are identical to standard Blitzers in all regards except that the Access to the Stash skill is replaced it by the Sniper ability. These models have access to Sniper Rifles - but not Heavy Spit Guns or Rocket Launchers.
In campaign play, once a model becomes a Blitz Agent, you may not flip between the standard and sniper-specialists to suit the scenario you face, it is permanently one or the other.
Rank 6:
Overlord
Move: 6" Shoot 4 Fight: 4 Evade: 3 Resist: 4 Cool: 5 Notoriety: 16
Skills: Brawler or Gunfighter, C'mon you lily-livered scumsuckers, Drokk the Stinkin' Jays, What the Spug?, Intimidate
Notes: These criminal masterminds are legendary figures in the criminal fraternity, feared and hated in equal measure. Just being in their presence can cause more lowly enemies to quake, hence their Intimidate skill. However, their status makes them targets for every hoodlum wanting to make a name for themselves, so they would be wise to employ a bodyguard or two...
Summary of All Gang Members (highest to lowest Notoriety):
And that's it! I hope you have fun with these new characters! The Judges should have their hands full with this lot! Happy gaming!
If you enjoy the Judge Dredd Miniatures Game, please consider subscribing to the Life of Die Youtube Channel where you'll find JD video battle reports and interviews with the game's creators! And on top of that, Allan Stenhouse's epic Strontium Dog Miniatures Game campaign is fast approaching its climax!
