Tactical Tuesday: Guerrilla Game
Guerrilla Warfare TTRPG Supplement
“Alright, listen up, rookies. You signed up for the hard stuff, and you’re about to get a taste of a world where survival isn’t a luxury – it’s the only option. This is jungle warfare. You’ll learn to live off the land, fight smarter than the other guy, and play a game where staying alive is the win condition. Let’s get to it.”
Setting the Mood
The jungles are a relentless, green hell where the enemy could be a shadow in the trees or the terrain under your boots. Players are part of an elite, mixed-unit commando force dropped deep into hostile territory. Supply runs are rare. Backup? Forget about it. All you have is the squad at your side, your gear, and your gut instincts. Your goal? Simple. Disrupt the enemy’s supply chains, take out key targets, and hold your ground until extraction.
But don’t think for a second it’s gonna be easy. Between the rain that soaks to the bone, the diseases waiting in every puddle, and the danger that lurks behind every vine, the jungle itself is as much your enemy as the troops hunting you.
Character Roles
Your team is a ragtag group of specialists. Each has their own skills, quirks, and reason for braving the shadows. Pick and play one of these gritty roles:
- The Strategist
The mind of the operation. Analyzes encounters, plans ambushes, and calculates risks. Your ability to adapt under pressure keeps the squad from walking into danger blind. - The Survivalist
You can light a fire in the rain or turn a patch of jungle into a five-star buffet. Expert at tracking, foraging, and staying alive where no one else can. - The Operator
Steady hand and dead-eye aim. When someone needs to pull the trigger or make that impossible shot, you’re the one they trust. - The Saboteur
Explosives, traps, and guerilla tactics are your bread and butter. No convoy, bridge, or supply post is safe while you’re around. - The Medic
Patch ’em up and keep ’em breathing; that’s your gig. Whether it’s jungle bugs or battle wounds, you’re the only reason the squad makes it another day. - The Radiohead
Your radio set is the squad’s lifeline to HQ. Navigating weak signals and encrypted codes, you call in supply drops or organize extractions (if luck’s on your side).
Mission Ideas
You didn’t think this was a vacation, did you? Every mission tests the squad’s endurance and ingenuity. Here are some ideas to keep the adrenaline flowing:
- Silent Night, Deadly Fight
Your team’s gotta take down a hidden enemy outpost without being spotted. Scouts report enemy patrols on high alert, and time’s ticking. - The Supply Train Heist
A convoy hauling weapons and rations is rolling through the valley. Set the ambush, loot what you can, and disappear before reinforcements arrive. - Radio Silence
An allied commando group has gone offline. Your squad’s orders are to track their last known position and find out what went wrong. But something isn’t right in the jungle… - Bridge Burners
The enemy is moving reinforcements, and their main route is a jungle bridge. Your mission is to take it down, but rumor has it the bridge is heavily guarded. - Dead Drop Trouble
A supply drop is scheduled, but your contact on the other side warns of movement near the clearing. Will you risk collecting the supplies or find another way to resupply? - Extraction Impossible
After weeks in the field, HQ sends word of an airstrip deep in enemy territory. Get there and hold the location… but hear that? Sounds like the enemy knows you’re coming.
Environmental Challenges
Make no mistake, the jungle is out to get you. On top of dodging bullets, your squad will be battling these hazards:
- Unforgiving Weather
Sudden downpours can flood rivers, wash out trails, and destroy maps. Mud is your new companion. Enjoy. - Wildlife Encounters
Think the enemy’s the only threat out here? Snakes, panthers, or swarms of angry insects beg to differ. - Unknown Terrain
The jungle’s a maze, and maps are as reliable as rumors. Survival depends on good navigation and grit. - Weak Signals
Radios barely work, and the messages you get from command may be garbled or out of date. Plan for the worst. - Supplies Running Dry
You’re running on fumes, and there aren’t any convenient stores in the jungle. Players will need creativity to stretch resources.
GM Guidance
“Hey, I get it, running the game ain’t easy. Takes guts to tell a story where the stakes feel real and the victories earned. But you’re doing good work, trust me. Here’s how to keep it rockin’.”
- Play With Tension
A jungle mission isn’t just about combat. Build suspense with the unknown. Slow radio transmissions, rustling in the brush, and traps that trigger if the squad gets careless can keep your players on their toes. - Reward Creative Thinking
This isn’t just about shooting down the bad guys. Celebrate players who use their characters’ unique skills or come up with out-of-the-box solutions to problems. - Mix Success with Sacrifice
Jungle warfare isn’t clean. Players might pull off the mission, but it could cost them resources or force tough decisions. Keep the emotional stakes high. - Keep the Squad Cohesive
Make cooperation rewarding. Whether it’s sharing limited resources or working together to solve a problem, the squad’s survival depends on teamwork.
Final Word
These are the medals we use here at Scaldcrow Games. They’re not just decorations; they’re the heart and soul of your characters’ journey. Now get out there and earn those medals, Legionnaire. Command, out.