Core Rules

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 Contents
1. Introduction 11
The Birth of the I.C.O. 13
What is an RPG 14
The Players 14
The Handler 15
How to Play 15
Team Play 16
Him and Her 16
What you will need 16
Getting Started 16
The Core Mechanic 18
Using the Fudge Dice 18
When to roll the Dice 19
Challenge Type 19

2. Recruitment 21
Recruiting an Operator 23
Step 1: Background 23
Step 2: Packages 49
Step 3: Pools and Talents 61
Talents 63
Step 4: Other Stats 65
Step 5: Loadout 68

3. Training 71
Operator Skills 73
Ranking & Funding 83

4. Challenges 87
Types of Challenge 90
Attempting Challenges 91
Advantage and Disadvantage 91
Target Numbers 94
Other Challenge Rules 95
Levels of Success and Failure 97
5. Combat 99
Combat Rounds 101
The Battle Breakdown 102
Basic Combat Rules 106
Other Combat Rules 120
Injury and Death 124
Other Damage 127
Bullet Time 129

6. Loadout 145
Encumbrance 147
Operator Gear 149
Carriers 153
Drones 154
Operator Armour 155
Operator Weapons 158
Explosives 164
Armed and Unarmed Combat 166

7. Vehicles 169
Obtaining Vehicles 171
Crashing 176
The Cinematic Stuff 177
Vehicle Types 179

8. Safehouses 185
Safehouse Areas 187
Upgrading a Safehouse 195

9. Handler 197
The World of Ghost Ops 199
Control and being a Handler 199
Future Ops 200
Past Ops 201
Running NPCs 202
Known Terrorist and Criminal Organisations 206
North America 206
Africa 208
 Balkans 210
K9 Companions 212
Hearts and Minds 214
How to gain support 215
Benefits to Success 218

10. Skirmish 221

What you will need 223
New Rules 224
Line of Sight 226
Range 226
Indirect fire 227

11. Mission 229

Background 231
Welcome to the Jungle 231
The Rebels 232
Starting the Mission 233
Next Move 234
Journey to the Mine 235
The Pit 238
The Other Rebels 240
Liberating the Pit 240
To the Compound 241
Reward 242
Tangos and NPCs 242
Ghost Ops

10
1. Introduction
Ghost Ops

“Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved
by him.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

12
 Introduction

The Birth of the I.C.O.

The dawning of the 21st Century began an era of fear
throughout the world. The war on terror seemed to escalate
incidents of terrorism worldwide, and with it came a flood of
other situations to worry about. Drug cartels in South America
and Mexico suddenly become more active and dangerous.
Human trafficking from Eastern Europe became widespread,
with new terror groups emerging in Africa and Asia. In Europe,
the fear of terrorist attacks grew each year causing the growth
of far-right groups and new laws controlling immigration,
freedom of speech, human rights, and religious worship.

The culmination of these events came in Paris in 2015 when

an attack on a satirical magazine by an extremist religious
group was shown on international news stations worldwide.
The attack showed the horror of the incident and united
people across borders. Politicians quickly jumped on this
wave of solidarity by coming together and showing unity and
a determination to stand up to terror and call for peace, but
this was not the only political event going on. As the leaders
of the democratic nations held hands in the streets of Paris for
the world’s media, Defence ministers, military advisors and
intelligence agencies met in private to discuss a response.

Those days in January 2015, when the world watched in horror

as innocent people died at the hands of terror, was the birth
of a new special operations unit, one that would recognise no
borders or sovereign state, that would not be funded by just
one government or country, but many. A unit that to all but a
select few would not exist. On that day in Paris, as the world’s
leaders held hands to show defiance against those that would
threaten our freedom, The International Covert Operations
Unit was born.

13
 Ghost Ops

What is an RPG
The Ghost Ops Roleplaying Game presumes that you are not
new to the roleplaying game hobby. If that is the case, then
most of the following sections in this chapter can be skipped. If
you are new to the hobby, then let me briefly explain what you
are holding in your hands.

A Tabletop Roleplaying Game is a game of imagination and

storytelling. It’s a game of make believe where a group of
friends come together to experience worlds, situations and
even beings they would never experience in their normal lives.
The players, with the help of a Handler, will face challenges
they must overcome with wit, imagination, and dice.

A typical session will last 3-4 hours, and an actual game can
last anything from 1 session to an infinite number of sessions
as the players gain new knowledge, experience, and items to
help them on their way.

The Players
To play the Ghost Ops RPG, you will need players. These
players make up an ICO Unit, and we recommend 4-5 as being
a good balance. It would help if the players knew the core
mechanic and have created Operators.

Recruitment The Handler should encourage the players to cooperate

starts on Pg
21 during Recruitment so that the Operators in the unit
complement each other and have a good spread of Training
and specialisations.

Players should also endeavour to use ‘I’ rather than ‘My’ when
playing the Operator, ‘I will rappel down the building’ is much
more immersive than ‘My Operator will rappel down the
building’.

14
 Introduction

The Handler
The Handler is the person that controls the world and in
many RPGs is called the Gamemaster. They plan the mission,
describe what the Operators see, act out the part of Non-Player
For more about
Characters (NPC) and decide the difficulty of challenges that the job of being
the Operators face. There should always be one Handler. There a Handler check
is rarely need for two. If the job of Handler can be rotated, then out Chapter 9

everyone gets the chance to play and create.

The Handler has the final say on all matters and must be fair
and just. They must listen to the players, and if something crops
up that is not covered in the rules, they must make the call.
We recommend that the Handler does not plan the missions in
advance, but just the key moments, as the players will surprise
you; be ready to improvise.

The Handler should speak to the Operators, not the players,

during game play as this will also keep the immersion
intact.

How to Play
The Ghost Ops RPG is a little different to the average RPG in
that the Operators have a clear objective and will work as a
unit (see Team Play below). How the Operators accomplish
their tasks is up to them, but they must accomplish it. Also,
the game does not rely on loot grabs or taking out the boss.
Often the missions will revolve around rescue, info gathering,
disrupting communications and breaking hijacks.

The game can be played in many ways and resources should be

available to the Operators to accomplish the task. Infiltration
of terrorist cells, recon of drug labs, operations in urban areas,
and full-out firefights are all possible.

15
 Ghost Ops

Team Play
The Ghost Ops RPG encourages and relies upon team play. The
Operators are a highly trained military unit, with each relying
upon the other to do their part. This can make the Ghost Ops
RPG feel different from other RPGs where characters can grab
all the treasure, leave the group to their fate as they run and
hide, or even have a separate agenda. In the Ghost Ops RPG,
the Unit are all on the same side and no person is left behind.

Him and Her

In the Ghost Ops RPG all references to a person is made
based on the Gender of the character unless the reference is
to a player during examples and then it is based on the Players
gender, etc.

What you will need

To play the Ghost Ops RPG, you will need at least 4 Fudge
Dice, also called Fate Dice. These are available from both
online retailers and your local gaming store. You will also need
pencils and paper.

Operator sheets can be found on DriveThruRPG.com or on the

FeralGamersInc Website.

Getting Started
mission To get started, each player should have an Operator and the
available in Handler should have a mission to put the Operators through.
Chapter 11
Drinks and snacks should be available from the start, so no
disruption breaks the game’s immersion.

The Ghost Ops RPG is set in the real world and will face real
world situations. If you are playing with a new group or have
new members within the group, make sure they understand
that there may be moments that could be uncomfortable or

16
 Ghost Ops

shocking. Make it clear that players can call a time out, and any
discussions of this nature should be done during a time out or
after the game has ended, either as a group or privately with
the Handler.

The Core Mechanic

For more info The Ghost Ops RPG uses Fudge Dice to randomly generate
regard ing
T a r g e t
results. The dice result is added to the character’s skill number
Numbers see and then compared to a Target number decided by the Handler.
page 94 If the total of the Fudge Dice and skill is equal to or higher
than the difficulty, then the character has succeeded.

Using the Fudge Dice

Fudge Dice are six-sided dice that have symbols rather than
numbers, which allows the player and Handler to quickly work
out the results without too much pesky math. The symbols
represent a +1 or good +, a 0 or blank 0 and a -1 or bad
- result. Bad results cancel out good, and blanks do nothing.

So, rolling the dice will have various outcomes, which we will
illustrate below.

+ + - - result = 0 - The minuses cancel out the pluses

+ + - 0 result = 1 - The minus cancels out 1 Plus
+ + 0 0 result = 2 - The blanks have no effect
+ + + 0 result = 3 - The blank has no effect
+ + + + result = 4 - All pluses and a great result
So, on the flipside we could also have:

- - - - result is a -4 - All minuses very bad result

- - - + result is a -2 - The plus cancels out a minus
And so forth.

18
 Introduction

When to roll the Dice

The Handler should only call for a dice roll when the
Operator is facing a challenge that could possibly fail. The
Handler determines when and why the challenge will have a
consequence and then decides what the difficulty number will
be. The more challenging the task, the higher the number.

During Combat the dice will need to be rolled for every attack For more on
Tangos see page
or defense made by both the Operator and the Tangos. 202

Challenge Type
There are two types of challenge in the game: Static and
Opposed. We go into more detail regarding Challenges in the Challenges on
Challenges chapter. pg 87

Static Challenges
A Static challenge is one that generally does not change its
difficulty without outside interference. A lock on a door will
always be as easy or as hard to pick as it was the first time, as
will the security fence be as easy or hard to climb as it was the
first time.

Example
Sarah ‘Boston’ Lewis is trying to escape the compound, she
reaches the security fence she climbed earlier. The Handler had
said the Difficulty was a 2, which was easy when she wasn’t
injured. the difficulty is still 2 but Sarah’s Athletics is one lower
because of the wounds.

Opposed Challenges
An Opposed challenge is based upon the skill of another
Operator or Tango. With their skill number or skill roll being
the difficulty that the player needs to beat. Opposed challenges
can change through the use of abilities or aid from collegues.

19
Ghost Ops

Example
The guards are getting closer so Sarah decides to hide rather
than risk the fence. The Handler asks the player to make a
Stealth roll. Sarah’s Stealth is 3 and the player rolls a
+ + - 0 on the dice giving an overall result of 4. The
guards will need to beat a difficulty 4 to find Sarah.

Many factors can effect the outcome of challenges and we go

into more detail on Page 92

Using Normal D6
You can use normal six-sided dice rather than the Fudge
Dice, as we realise that it is not often possible for people
to acquire these dice for various reasons.

To use a standard six-sided dice (D6) count the 1 and 2

result as a - and a 3-4 result as a 0, any result of a 5-6
is then considered a +

We still recommend having at least four D6 available if

possible but the game can be played with less dice rolled
more often.

20
2. Recruitment
Ghost Ops

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while

defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

22
 Recruitment

Recruiting an Operator
To play the Ghost Ops RPG each player must create an Operator,
this is done via recruitment. Recruitment takes a number of
steps to complete and each player is advised to follow the steps
below when recruiting their Operator.

Recruitment is done over 5 steps:

1. Background - Choose your Operators original Special

Forces or Law Enforcement Background.
2. Package - Your Operators chosen Package
3. Pools & Talents - Your unique Talent.
4. Other Stats - The Operators Boost points, Trauma and
Wound levels and Hit Locations.
5. Loadout - Starting Load out.

Step 1: Background
The ICO choose their operators from the best Special Forces and
Law enforcement units from around the world. Each operator
is appraised and recommended by the country of their origin.
Many Operators turn down the position but the autonomy and
freedom the ICO offers is very tempting and many do sign up.
Ghost Ops is not
An Operators background will give them a number of key the place for
political debate.
specialisations which can often separate them from the rest Though the game
of their unit, and diversity within a unit is key, this also is exists in the
equally true of nationalities and units can be made up of many world today, the
Operators have a
different nations, some which may not be as friendly to each job to do.
other politically. It is stressed that borders and politics are
not recognised within a unit and that Operators are expected
to put aside their countries political or regional intolerances.

Creating New Backgrounds

The Ghost Ops RPG includes 13 countries, with each one
fielding a number of background choices. These were chosen
based on their rank in the world.

23
 Ghost Ops

Handlers should feel free to create their own backgrounds

based on their own countries if they are not part of this list, but
we recommend that if you do that you thoroughly explore the
backgrounds that you are adding in order to offer the players
the level of options and realism found within this game.

Choosing a Background
Players can choose to play Operators from the same country
and the same Spec Ops or Law Enforcement units, but we
recommend that players work together to get a good selection
of skills and specialisations. This will ultimately make
missions easier and give more options for tactics and
approaches.

Starting Skills & Packages

Skills Pg 73 Each background gives the operator 6 starting skills at Rank
Two and Three Packages to choose from. These are designed to
represent the training and experience from this background.

Many background skills and Packages will crossover, and this

is because training is often shared and follow the same criteria
and objectives.

Weapons
The Weapons listed are the standard weapon for that particular
force. Special Forces units are trained in many different weapon
types and Operators should not feel they need to adhere to the
weapons listed.

Background Options
We suggest that
players should
What follows is a list of thirteen countries each offering a
check online for number of choices for training and specialisations. These
details on the choices represent the Operators previous career before being
units listed.
selected and accepted into the ICO.

24
 Recruitment

Australia
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR)
Formed in 1957 the SASR was modelled on the British SAS and
share the motto ‘Who Dares Wins’. The unit has taken part in
operations in Borneo, Vietnam, Afghanistan and many other
countries.

They are trained in special reconnaissance, precision strike

and direct- action operations as well as working as small units
behind enemy lines, to provide intelligence, and direct air
strikes on infrastructure.

Operators are selected for their ability to work in severe

environments for extended periods of time.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Manipulate, Stealth, Technical, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Recon, Engineer.

Starting Weapon (Choose 3)

Pistol - USP Tactical
Assault Rifle - M4A5
Battle Rifle - MK 14
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - SR 25

25
Ghost Ops

Specialist Response Group (SRG)

The SRG are a highly trained police unit of the Australian
Federal Police. They are trained to respond quickly and to
engage in a number of specialised tasks.

The SRG can be deployed internationally and are trained

to respond to situations ranging from search and rescue
missions, hostage negotiation, to tactical response. Their skill
set includes tactical canine, marksman and bomb disposal.

Recruitment is taken from the standard police force and each

member of the SRG must of served at least 2 years as a police
officer before applying for a role within the unit.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Knowledge, Mobility, Rapport, Medical, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Sniper, Specialist.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - G17
Assault Rifle - HK G36
Shotgun - M870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - SR 25

26
 Recruitment

Austria
Einsatzkommando Cobra (EKO Cobra)
EKO Cobra was established in 1978 and rose from the
Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando a regional unit to eventually
become under the control of the Austrian authority for Public
Security.

Known operations include hostage rescue from Graz-Karlau

prison, they supported police in the Munich Shooting of 2016
and have been used to end severe riots during the G20 in 2017.

Each member of EKO Cobra goes through medical, psychological

and physical testing before entering 6 months of specialised
training.

Starting Skills
Fitness, Rapport, Manipulate, Technical, Unarmed, Weaponry.

Packages
Assault, Engineer, Specialist

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - G17
Assault Rifle - STG 77
Shotgun - SPAS 12
SMG - TMP
Sniper Rifle - SSG 69

27
Ghost Ops

Brazil
Comando de Operações Especiais (COPESP)
The COPESP started in 1957 as a Parachute Rescue Group
that conducted deep forest rescue operations. The unit
was eventually disbanded until 2003 a presidential decree
designated them a Special Forces unit.

COPESP are specially trained to deal with guerilla groups and

to act behind enemy lines with covert recon missions. They
are also trained in hostage rescue and counter-terrorism
operations.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Outdoorsman, Stealth, Unarmed,
Weaponry.

Packages
Assault, Recon, Engineer

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - G17
Assault Rifle - HK 416
Shotgun - SPAS 15
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - PSG1

28
 Recruitment

Canada
Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2)
The JTF2 was started in 1993 and replaced the Special
Emergency Response Team (SERT). Operations have ranged
from hunting snipers in Bosnia, direct action missions in
Afghanistan and more recently aiding the Iraqi military to rid
the country of terrorist groups.

The JTF2 are known for their sniper skills and currently a
member of the unit holds the record for the longest confirmed
kill shot at 3.54km.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Outdoorsman, Stealth, Technical,
Weaponry.

Packages
Assault, Recon, Sniper.

Starting Weapons (choose 3)

Pistol - P226
Assault Rifle - C8SFW
Shotgun - M3
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - PSG1

29
Ghost Ops

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The RCMP are both a federal and national police force. Formed
in 1920 the RCMP are not an actual mounted Police Force, with
horses only used during ceremonial events.

The RCMP cover a wide range of duties from enforcing federal

laws on organised crime, drug trafficking and border integrity
to counter terrorism and protection duties. They also provide
policing for remote regions of Canada and support local police
forces with investigations, forensics and bomb disposal.

The RCMP also act internationally and have officers in 23

other countries outside Canada, these provide assistance
in investigations related to Canada and for the exchange of
criminal intelligence.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Mobility, Rapport, Outdoorsman,
Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Sniper, Specialist

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - P226
Assault Rifle - C8
Shotgun - R870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - RM700

30
 Recruitment

France
National Gendarmerie Intervention Group
(GIGN)
Established in 1974 the GIGN is an elite Police Tactical unit
trained in counter terrorism, hostage rescue and surveillance.
The GIGN also operates as a component of the French armed
forces and through this can operate worldwide.

Training specialises in sniping, breaching, reconnaissance, VIP

protection, airborne assault including HALO and HAHO Jumps,
and driving. They have been involved in operations ranging
from the rescue of children held hostage in a bus, hostage
rescues on planes, the capture of well- known terrorists etc.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Medical, Mobility, Outdoorsman, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Recon, Sniper

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - FN57
Assault Rifle - SG50
Shotgun - SPAS 12
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - PGM Anti-Material

31
Ghost Ops

13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment (13 RDP)

The 13th RDP became a reconnaissance unit in 1952, but the
regiment itself was formed in 1676 as a Cavalry Regiment.

The 13th RDP are trained in recon missions behind enemy

lines to gather intelligence in all environments, they are so
good at this that many other forces request their assistance.
The unit uses what they call hideouts, camouflaged locations
used as living areas for observation and transmission.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Unarmed, Weaponry, Outdoorsman,
Mobility.

Packages
Assault, Engineer Recon.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - FN57
Assault Rifle - SCAR L
Shotgun - Spas 12
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - PGM II (Anti-Material)

32
 Recruitment

Germany
Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (GSG9)
The GSG 9 are the elite police tactical unit of the German
Federal Police, on a state level their counterparts are the Special
Deployment Commando’s. The GSG 9 formation is based on the
SAS and Israeli Special Operations.

The GSG 9 have successfully completed missions involving

aircraft hijacks, terrorist capture, VIP protection and raids.
Training takes 22 weeks and is broken into 13 weeks of basic
training and 9 weeks of specialised training.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Medical, Mobility, Stealth, Weaponry.

Packages
Assault, Recon, Specialised.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - PPQ
Assault Rifle - G36
Shotgun - FP6
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - DSR 1

33
Ghost Ops

Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK)

The KSK are hand-picked from Germany’s Bundeswehr, and are
often requested for anti-terror operations in eastern Europe
and the Middle East.

Training involves an 18 - month long range surveillance course

before KSK selection begins. The selection process involves
3 weeks of physical and psychological training, a 3- month
endurance phase which includes a 90- hr. cross country run
and this is followed by a 3 week combat training course. After
selection candidates start the 2-3- year training which involves
20 environment and counter terrorist courses.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Mobility, Stealth, Unarmed, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Recon, Engineer

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - PPQ
Assault Rifle - G36
Shotgun - FP6
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - DSR 1

34
 Recruitment

Israel
Shayetet 13
The Shayetet 13 are a unit of the Israeli Navy similar to America’s
Navy SEALS. They specialise in sea to land incursions, counter
terrorism, sabotage, hostage rescue and intelligence.

Shayetet 13 operations are all highly classified but known

operations include actions against rocket positions and the
boarding of ships carrying weapons to enemy nations.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Manipulate, Mobility, Unarmed, Weapons.

Packages
Assault, Engineer, Specialist.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - G17
Assault Rifle - M4
Shotgun - SPAS 12
SMG - UZI
Sniper Rifle - M24

35
Ghost Ops

Sayeret Matkal
The Sayeret Matkal are a recon unit of the IDF, often deployed
behind enemy lines. They are also trained in counter-terrorism
and hostage rescue operations.

Training lasts for 19 months and involves gruelling

psychological tests as well as training in martial arts (Krav
Maga), camouflage, navigation and reconnaissance. They also
spend time at the parachute school as a five week counter-
terror course.

The Sayeret Matkal have been deployed to theatres all over the
Middle East, though most of their operations are top secret.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Outdoorsman, Stealth, Unarmed,
Weaponry.

Packages
Assault, Recon, Specialist

Starting Weapons (choose 3)

Pistol - G17
Assault Rifle - M4
Shotgun - SPAS 12
SMG - UZI
Sniper Rifle - M24

36
 Recruitment

Italy
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS)
The GIS is an elite special operations tactical response unit
that was established in 1977. The unit is part of the Italian
Carabinieri Military Police.

Operations have included hostage rescues, VIP protection,

intrusion of criminal compounds and assaults against military
units. The unit is trained in counter - terrorism, demolitions
and reconnaissance.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Mobility, Rapport, Unarmed, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Recon, Sniper

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - M9
Assault Rifle - HK 416
Shotgun - M3
SMG - MP7
Sniper Rifle - M82

37
Ghost Ops

Norway
Jegertroppen
Planning for this all - female special forces unit began in 2013
under the codename Tundra. With the first applicants starting
the selection process in 2014. By 2015 the unit was built and
earned the nickname ‘Hunter Troop’

Trained in special reconnaissance around urban and built up

areas, the Hunter Troop had their first deployment during the
Syrian conflict hunting down extremists.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Stealth, Outdoorsman, Weaponry, Investigate,
Rapport.

Packages
Recon, Sniper, Specialist

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - USP Tactical
Assault Rifle - C8SFW
Shotgun - M1
SMG - MP5
Sniper - MSG 90

38
 Recruitment

Poland
Jednostka Wojskowa GROM (JW GROM)
The JW GROM become an active unit in 1990, built as a anti-
terrorist and deep recon unit trained to operate behind enemy
lines.

Specialised training, includes underwater ops, marksmanship,

and aerial assault, which includes both parachuting and
HALO jumps. GROM soldiers are expected to take on the
responsibilities of their comrades and 75% of them are trained
as paramedics.

Their operations include recon missions in Afghanistan, VIP

protection and hunting for war criminals in Eastern Europe.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Medical, Rapport, Weaponry, Unarmed, Fitness.

Packages
Assault, Recon, Specialist.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - MK23
Assault Rifle - HK416
Shotgun - R870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - PSG 1

39
Ghost Ops

Russia
Spetsgruppa “A” (Alpha Group)
The Alpha Group are a dedicated counter terrorism task
force of the FSB. The unit was started by the KGB in 1974 and
since then has been involved in a number of operations, with
involve police duties, paramilitary and covert missions both
domestically and internationally.

All Alpha Group candidates must have a university degree and

be both physically and mentally fit. Candidates often come from
the police forces which gives them a degree of experience and
skill but they still each go through 3 years of specialist training.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Knowledge, Stealth, Unarmed, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Recon, Specialist

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - MP 443
Assault Rifle - AK74
Shotgun - SPAS 12
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - SVD

40
 Recruitment

Sily Spetsial’nykh Operatsii (SSO)

The SSO was started in 2009 as part of the reform of the Russian
Federation’s Armed Forces. They are highly mobile, and well
trained and equipped. They engage in sabotage, counter-
terrorist, counter-intelligence and special reconnaissance
missions.

Since their creation the SSO has engaged in operations across

Eastern Europe and the Middle East, with the most famous
being the holding off of 300 enemy troops by a 16 man unit of
SSO operators.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Mobility, Stealth, Unarmed, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Recon, Engineer.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - G17
Assault Rifle - AK74
Shotgun - SPAS 15
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - SVD

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Ghost Ops

United Kingdom
Special Air Service (SAS)
The SAS was founded in 1941 and has been involved in
a number of operations including covert recon, counter
terrorism and hostage rescue, with the most famous being the
Iranian Embassy Hostage situation in the UK.

Training includes escape & evasion and the resistance to

interrogation (RTI) test which lasts 36 hrs. It is estimated that
only 15-20% of candidates pass the selection process.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Technical, Weaponry, Outdoorsman,
Unarmed

Packages
Assault, Sniper, Specialist.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - P226
Assault Rifle - C8 Carbine
Shotgun - R870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - AW 50 (Anti-Material)

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 Recruitment

Special Boat Service (SBS)

The SBS is a special forces unit of the British Navy. The unit
began life in 1940 as the Special Boat Section and was renamed
the Special Boat Service in 1987 when it began operations of
maritime counter terrorism.

The main roles of the SBS are surveillance, reconnaissance,

offensive actions, counter terrorism and the use of guided
munitions and demolitions. The capabilities of the SBS and the
SAS are very similar with the SBS having additional training in
maritime and amphibious ops.

Training is similar to the SAS except with the addition of

swimming tests in full combat gear and underwater swim of
10m to retrieve small weights. This is followed by training in the
jungle, weapon and operations procedures and reconnaissance
training.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Mobility, Technical, Unarmed, Weaponry.

Packages
Assault, Recon, Specialist

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - P226
Assault Rifle - C8 SFW
Shotgun - R870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - AW 50 (Anti Material rifle)

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Ghost Ops

Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR)

The SSR was established in 2005 and is part of the British
Army. They conduct a range of classified activities related to
covert reconnaissance and surveillance worldwide.

The unit was formed in order to relieve the SAS and SBS of
Surveillance roles and has up to 700 personal in its ranks and
was formed around the core of the 14 Intelligence Company
(Det). The SRR has operated in the Middle East, Northern
Ireland and Somalia.

Training involves a 6 -month course where they train alongside

the SAS, they are trained in covert surveillance, CQB, mobility
and language skills. Both men and women undertake the same
physical and mental tests.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Mobility, Rapport, Stealth, Unarmed, Weaponry

Packages
Recon, Sniper, Specialist

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - P226
Assault Rifle - C8 SFW
Shotgun - R870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - AW 50 (Anti Material rifle)

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 Recruitment

United States of America

Delta Force
The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta
(Airborne) was founded in 1977 as a response to terrorist
incidents in the 1970s, these led to the U.S. government
deciding to establish a full-time counter-terrorism unit.

Delta Force Training includes marksmanship, demolitions,

trade-craft and driving, the training is changing constantly
with the above being the standard for all Operatives. Delta
Force units are also unique in that they are granted a lot of
flexibility on overseas missions, they are allowed to wear
civilian clothing, adopt civilian hair cuts and facial hair in order
to allow them to blend in and conduct clandestine operations.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Unarmed, Stealth, Weaponry, Mobility, Manipulate.

Packages
Assault, Engineer, Specialist.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - M9
Assault Rifle - M4
Shotgun - M870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - MK 13

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Ghost Ops

Navy Sea, Air and Land Teams (Navy SEALS)

The Navy SEALs was formed in 1962 from the original Scouts
and Raiders school formed in 1942.

Training to becoming a SEAL begins with selection which

involves passing physical and mental fitness tests, this includes
500 - yard swim and a 1.5 - mile run. Once the candidate has
passed these tests they can then begin training as a Navy SEAL.
SEAL training includes underwater demolitions, airborne
assaults, reconnaissance and training as a combat medic.

The Navy SEALs operate worldwide and have worked with

many foreign units, their expertise in maritime and underwater
operations have led to them training many other special forces
units.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Fitness, Manipulate, Mobility, Technical, Weaponry

Packages
Assault, Engineer, Specialist

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - .45 ACP
Assault Rifle - M4A1
Shotgun - R870
SMG - MP5N
Sniper Rifle - MK 13

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 Recruitment

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)

The SWAT teams are elite police units of the USA assigned to
deal with subversive groups, organised crime and drug cartels.
SWAT officers are trained in marksmanship, close combat,
negotiations and assault actions.

SWAT officers are expert in a wide range of gear and weapons,

using night-vision systems, grenades, sniper rifles and other
equipment normally reserved for military units.

Starting Skills
Awareness, Knowledge, Mobility, Rapport, Medical, Weaponry.

Packages
Assault, Sniper, Specialist.

Starting Weapons (Choose 3)

Pistol - M1911
Assault Rifle - M4 Carbine
Shotgun - R870
SMG - MP5
Sniper Rifle - R700

47
 Recruitment

Step 2: Packages
Players during recruitment can choose one of the 3 Packages
offered for their Operator, this is then considered their
primary specialisation. Once the Package has been chosen
the Operator receives 3 of the abilities within as starting
abilities.

Each Package contains 8 abilities, each one linked to a specific

skill, this is to show the specialised training of the Operator.
Abilities can only be chosen for skills that have at least a rank
of 2. Skills with no rank or only a rank 1 cannot have abilities
linked to them.

Each Package will also come with starting pool points.

Package Abilities
The abilities within each package give a +2 modifier to the
skill they are linked to when used in a way that matches the
abilities description.

Primary Packages XP Pg 83
When you have chosen your Operators primary package, this
then means that those abilities only cost 5 XP to purchase after
the recruitment phase is finished. Each Operator begins with
3 for free during recruitment but after this abilities must be
purchased.

Non-Primary Packages
After the primary package has been chosen all other packages
are considered secondary. Operators can buy the abilities
within these packages but to do so will cost 10 XP, rather than
the 5 XP for the Primary.

Non-Package Abilities
There are a few non-package specific abilities that can be
bought for 5XP. These are linked to specific skills and that skill
will need to be at 2+ to have the abilities linked.

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 Ghost Ops

The Assault Package

The abilities below add a +2 to a skill when utilised. The name
of the ability is followed by the name of the skill it is linked to.

Airborne (Mobility) - The airborne assault ability is used

when parachuting, HALO (High Altitude - Low Opening) or
HAHO (High Altitude - High Opening) into danger zones.

Breach (Manipulate) - The breach ability is used when the

Operator is attempting to use breaching tools to enter a enemy
held building or vehicle.

CQC (Unarmed) - The CQC (Close Quarter Combat) when the

Operator is facing off against a Tango and is using a knife or
entrenching tool.

IFAKs can First Aid (Medical) - The first aid ability is used when
be found in
the Loadout
attempting to patch themselves or another Operator up on the
Chapter on field of battle. Operator must have an IFAK (individual First
pg 149 Aid Kit)

Rappelling (Fitness) - The rappelling ability is used when the

Operator is attempting to abseil down a building in order to
assault the enemy through a window or other entrance.

Non-Lethal Take-down (Unarmed) - The ability to take-down

and subdue a Tango without causing permanent injury.

Threat Recog (Awareness) - The threat recognition ability is

used to determine a threat in a crowd of people.

Tubular (Mobility) - The tubular ability is used when the

Operator is assaulting the enemy in a vehicle such as a bus,
airplane or yacht.

Underwater (Fitness) - The underwater ability is used when

the Operator is assaulting the enemy from beneath water, or
wish to sabotage underwater cables or set explosives.

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Ghost Ops

The Engineer Package

The abilities below add a +2 to a skill when utilised. The name
of the ability is followed by the name of the skill it is linked to.

Computers (Technical) - The computer ability is used when

attempting to access computer systems to gather information
or delete files.

Demolitions (Manipulate) - The demolitions ability is used

when setting or diffusing explosives.

Drones (Technical) - The drones ability is used when operating

drones and other mobile surveillance devices.

Electronics (Technical) - The electronics ability is used when

building or repairing electronic devices, and understanding
how a device works and what it does.

Hvy Weapons (Weaponry) - The heavy weapon ability is

used when the Operator wishes to use vehicle mounted or self
propelled weapons.

Mechanics (Technical) - The mechanics ability is used when

fixing engines and weapons.

Repair (Manipulate) - The repair ability is used when making

quick general repairs to gear and armour.

Structures (Knowledge) - The structure ability is used when

planting explosive or searching for access or advantage in
buildings.

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Ghost Ops

The Recon Package

The abilities below add a +2 to a skill when utilised. The name
of the ability is followed by the name of the skill it is linked to.

Camouflage (Stealth) - The camouflage ability is used when the

Operator is attempting to use the environment and specialist
gear to improve their stealth.

Languages (Rapport) - The languages ability is used when

communicating with someone of a different culture in a
different language.

Mountaineering (Fitness) - The mountaineering ability is

used when attempting to climb cliffs and mountains.

Navigation (Knowledge) - The navigation ability is used when

attempting to determine your position on a map, read a map
or use the stars.

Non-Lethal Take-down (Unarmed) - The ability to take-down

and subdue a Tango without causing lethal or permanent
injury.

Skiing (Mobility) - The skiing ability is used mainly for combat

skiing, the ability to be battle ready whilst skiing and avoid
enemy fire.

Surveillance (Awareness) - The surveillance ability is used

when checking out an enemy location and gathering important
retail through observation.

Survival (Outdoorsman) - The survival ability is used when

seeking food, shelter and water in harsh environments such as
deserts and arctic wastes.

Track (Outdoorsman) - The track ability is used when following

the prints of animals or enemies over terrain.

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Ghost Ops

The Sniper Package

The abilities below add a +2 to a skill when utilised. The name
of the ability is followed by the name of the skill it is linked to.

Camouflage (Stealth) - The camouflage ability is used when the

Operator is attempting to use the environment and specialist
gear to improve their stealth.

Comms(Rapport) - The comms ability is used when the

Operator is attempting to send silent signals to allies or
decipher enemy comms.

First Aid (Medical) - The first aid ability is used when

attempting to patch themselves or another Operator up on the
field of battle. Operator must have a IFAK (individual First Aid
Kit)

Marksman (Weaponry) - The marksman ability is used for

Sniping at enemies.

Martial Arts (Unarmed) - The martial arts ability is used for

silent take-downs or when no weapon is available (player must
choose Martial Art).

Over-watch (Awareness) - The Over-watch ability is used

when the Sniper is tracking their unit and watching for enemy
ambushes or threats.

Survival (Outdoorsman) - The Survival ability is used when

seeking food, shelter and water in harsh Environments such as
deserts and Arctic wastes.

Traps (Manipulate) - The Traps ability is used to disarm or set

booby traps of a non-explosive nature.

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Ghost Ops

The Specialist Package

The abilities below add a +2 to a skill when utilised. The name
of the ability is followed by the name of the skill it is linked to.

Hacking (Technical) - The hacking ability is used for accessing

secure computer systems, man in the middle attacks and
sending viruses
.
Interrogation (Rapport) - The interrogation ability is used
when questioning a suspect, can include both standard and
‘enhanced’ techniques.

Negotiation (Rapport) - The negotiation ability is used when

attempting to secure the release of hostages with conflict or
gaining information through coercion.

Offensive/Defensive Driving (Mobility) - The offensive/

defensive driving ability is used when avoiding vehicle hijacks
or attacks or attempting to run another vehicle off the road.

Paramedic (Medical) - The paramedic ability is used when an

Operator or NPC has been seriously wounded and need to be
stabilised

Pilot (Mobility) - The pilot ability is used to fly aircraft and

helicopters.

Trade-craft (Manipulate/Stealth) - The trade-craft ability is

used to pick locks, crack safes, send coded messages or crack
cyphers.

Trauma (Medical) - Trauma specialist can be used to reduce

trauma points inflicted on Operators.

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Ghost Ops

Starting Pool Points

Each package comes with a number of starting Pool Points
these can be placed in the pools immediately.

Assault - Reaction 2, Resilience 2

Engineer - Reaction 2, Focus 2
Recon - Reaction 2, Damage 2
Sniper - Reaction 2, Focus 2
Specialist - Resilience 2, Focus 2
Non-Package Abilities
The following abilities can be purchased by any package as
extra abilities. Like package abilities they add +2 to the skill.

Empathy (Rapport) - The ability to respond to grief or question

people without coming across as an interrogation.

Forensics (Investigate) - The forensics ability allows the

Operator to understand forensic reports and us forensic tools,
such as fingerprinting, DNA etc.

Law (Knowledge) - The understanding of law and legal

procedure.

Research (Investigate) - The ability to find connections and

know where to research individuals and groups.

Search (Investigate) - The ability to know where to look and

what to look for, almost a sixth sense in some.

Shadow (Stealth) - The ability to follow someone without

being seen.

Starting Skill Points

Each Operator receives 15 points to spend on skills. No skill
can be higher than 4 during Recruitment. The cost of skills
during Recruitment is point for point.

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 Recruitment

Step 3: Pools and Talents

Each Operator has 4 pools, these pools allow the Operator to
have an edge over how fast they react, how much damage they
do, how much damage they shrug off and whether they can Bullet Time is
gone into more
use Bullet Time or lower a difficulty. Each pool must have a detail on pg 129
minimum of 1 point and a maximum of 10 points.

Each Operator receives 15 points to spend on their pools.

Operators can place up to the maximum amount of points in
a pool if they wish but they must place at least 1 point in each
pool that has not benefited from starting points from packages.

Reaction
The Reaction pool is linked mainly to Initiative, an Operator Initiative is on
pg 101
can spend points from their pool to increase their chances of
reacting quicker than their units or the tangos in a combat
situation. The Reactions pool can also be used to dodge out
of the way of concealed traps or collapsing buildings. Any
situation where the Operator needs to think quick and move.

Damage
The Damage pool is used to increase the damage caused
by melee, unarmed attacks and some ranged attacks. This
indicates extra effort placed in the attack. The Damage pool
adds to the damage of the weapon or in the case of martial arts
attacks, the damage of fists, kicks or strikes. For some ranged
attacks like throwing knifes, bows etc. the extra damage
again indicates effort placed in throwing the knife or drawing
the bowstring. The Damage pool cannot be used for ballistic
damage inflicted by firearms.

Resilience
The Resilience Pool is added to the armour roll of an Operator,
and indicates their brace for injury, or their ability to ignore
the pain etc. Points from the Resilience Pool adds to the
armour points when rolled Vs. damage. Resilience Points can
also be used to stave off death when the Operator is down and
awaiting medical help from their unit.

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 Ghost Ops

Focus
The Focus pool allows the Operator to add points to a skill
roll in order to gain a improved chance of accomplishing the
challenge.

Focus represents the Operator spending time on the task and

when focus is used the challenge takes a number of rounds
equal to the Focus used.
Combat Section
starts on page
99
The other use of Focus is for Bullet Time, and this will be
explained in the combat section of this book, but briefly it
indicates the number of ranks the Operator adds to the dice in
order to achieve multiple actions within Bullet Time.

Swapping Focus Points

Operators can choose to pass Focus points over to other
Operators in their unit. This would be seen as offering advice
or expertise. The Focus points used by others act in the same
way as if the Operator has used the points themselves.

How to use Pool Points

As long as the Operator has pool points they can be used. Pool
points act like skill ranks but the Operator can decide how
many they wish to spend. The pool points can only be used on
what the pool states, e.g. Damage Pool points cannot be used
with Reactions and so forth.

Emptying the Pool

Operators can empty their pools of points by using all the
points within the pool but doing this has its drawbacks.

Rules for Good Pool points will replenish back to maximum by rolling
Successes can Good Successes, for each Good Success, the Operator receives
be found on
page 97 back a Point that they can place to replenish one of their pools.
If that pool is empty then it costs 3 Points to add the first point
back.

If the Operator rolls no Good Successes or not enough to refill

a pool don’t worry, as all the pools are replenished at the start
of a new game session.

62
 Recruitment

Increasing Pool Points

Operators will be able to increase their pool points up to a
maximum of ten by spending experience points. Sometimes
the Handler will reward pool points for exceptional game play.
For more on experience see page 79

Talents
Each Operator receives one unique talent, this indicates
specialised training within their background unit. The player
can choose one of the Talents from the following list. Players
can if they choose also spend experience points on acquiring
extra talents at a later date.

Talents give benefits in a number of ways, these can range from Advantage can
lowering the difficulty of a task, to adding a bonus to the dice be found on pg
91
roll or by giving the Operator a unique item or Advantage.

Talent List
Bush-craft - You gain advantage when attempting to find food,
water or medicinal herbs using Outdoorsman.

Canine Handler - You have trained using dogs and have a

canine companion. The canine must have a K9 sheet filled in Rules for having
a K9 companion
and can be taken on operations. The player should see the K9 can be found on pg
as a second character. (For K9 Sheets see the Handlers Section). 212

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 Ghost Ops

Contacts - The Operator has a contact within either a

Rules for Target Government or Federal Agency, a Military Intelligence Unit
Numbers on Pg
94 or in a significant public sector job. This contact can be
called upon for aid or to answer questions they, within their
particular field can answer. To find out whether the contact
is available or can help, the Handler gives a Target Number
based on the complexity of the favour and the Player must beat
it with a Rapport roll.

Cryptographer - The Operator has trained as a code breaker

and can crack ciphers. They receive a +1 to hacking when
attempting to crack passwords or coded messages.

Eagle Eyed - The Operator has 20/20 vision and gains an

advantage when attempting to spot threats or targets at a
distance beyond medium.

Forward Air Control - The Operator has trained in Forward

The rules for
Safehouses Air Control and the designation of targets for close air Support.
start on pg Close Air support is available by upgrading the units Safehouse.
187

Hazmat Trained - The Operator is trained in the use of

hazardous materials and how to dispose of them. They can
recognise materials and know the dangers. The Operator gains
advantage when dealing with chemicals or other dangerous
materials.

Lip Reader - The Operator is able to read lips, and this skill
crosses over all the languages the Operator knows. This can be
done via binoculars or across a crowded room.

Resistance to Interrogation (RTI) - The Operator gains

bonuses to resisting interrogation, when they are in a situation
where interrogation techniques are being used the Operator
receives an Advantage to their Rapport and a +2 to the
Resilience Pool until the interrogation ends or is stopped.

64
 Recruitment

Street Knowledge - The Operator knows the streets, he

knows street gangs and how they think, understands the petty
criminals. This includes gang signs, how to talk to criminals,
what to look out for and what gang controls what area. The
Operator gains Advantage when dealing with or spouting lore
about street gangs and criminals.

Step 4: Other Stats

Boosts
Each Operator receives 3 Boosts. These act similar to luck
points in that they allow the player to change or effect results
in the game. The use of a Boost passes a Bust to the Handler.
Busts act like Boosts that the Handler can use to enhance
Tangos or effect results.

Boost Options
Re-Roll - The players can use a Boost to re-roll a fail on a
challenge, they will have to accept the new roll.

Advantage - The Player can use a Boost to give them an

Advantage (See Challenges Chapter for more on Advantages).

Aid - The player can use a Boost to aid another player, by

spending a Boost the player receives a +2.

Narrative - The player can affect the narrative by using a Boost,

this can be done to make sure a door is unlocked, or a room is
empty, the guard is asleep etc. The Handler has the final say on
how much of a change the player can make.

Disadvantage - A Boost can be used to give a Tango, or even D i s a dva n t a g e

another Operator a Disadvantage (see challenges section for on pg 91
more on Disadvantages).

Busts
The Handler receives a Bust each time a player uses a Boost HVT = High Value
Target
and with this the Handler has all the options the players have
for Boosts but for the handler it affects the Tangos and HVTs.

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 Ghost Ops

Handlers can also use the Busts to give Disadvantage to

the Operators, cause them to lose or break equipment and
basically make life more difficult. We do stress restraint, and
the Handler should never use a Bust to break the game or make
a challenge impossible. Use them to throw curve balls and to
keep the Operators on their toes.

Wounds
Each Operator starts with 12 wounds, these are placed at the
1-12 numbers on a Wound clock. As the Operator takes damage
their Wound clock ticks down to 0, along the way the Operator
will pick up penalties to their skills to reflect the effects of the
damage received.

Wound Penalties
Wounds and At points on the Clock the Operator will receive penalties.
the type of
damage that can
be inflicted is
3 o Clock - All skills are at -1
explained on pg 6 o Clock - All skills are at -2
124 9 o Clock - All skills are at - 3

Once the Operator is at 12 o Clock they are out and require

serious medical assistance or they will die. For each rnd that
the Operator is left in this state they lose 1 point from their
Resilience Pool. Once this pool is empty they are considered
dead.

First Aid will halt the pool points depleting and stabilise the
Operator, until further medical aid can be given.

Trauma
Trauma indicates that the Operator is disorientated, confused,
stunned or stressed. Trauma comes from explosive blasts,
falling or being crushed.

The Trauma clock works the same way as the Wound Clock,
the clock goes from 1-12 and at certain points the Operator
receives a penalty.

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 Recruitment

3 o Clock - 1 Pool is locked.

6 o Clock - 2 Pools are locked.
9 o Clock - 3 Pools are locked.
12 o Clock - All Pools are locked.

A locked Pool cannot be used until the trauma is reduced by

medical help. The GM determines which pool is locked in each
instances, and can be related to the cause of the trauma.

Causes of Trauma
Explosive Blast - Being outside the blast radius of an explosive
may protect you from injury but often not the shock-wave
that follows. This kind of trauma could affect the Reaction or
Resilience Pools.

Crushing - Having a building land on top of you could cause

injury, but it would definitely cause trauma, affecting the
Resilience and Focus Pools.

Knock Out - Being Knocked out will cause disorientation and a

stun, this will effect the Reaction and Focus Pools.

Blunt Trauma - Some damage can cause trauma, being hit by

a blunt weapon may not penetrate the body but it can break
bones or shake up organs. This can effect the Damage and
Focus pools.
Aiming and Called
Shot rules can be
Locations and Defence found on pg 106
During combat actions Operators, Tangoes and HVTs are able
to make called shots or aimed shots at their targets. When this
happens we use a location chart.

Locations
Each location has a Target Number linked to it. This indicates
the difficulty to hit that location. Other factors such as
movement, lighting etc will add to this TN

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 Ghost Ops

Armour is also a factor, as each location can have a Armour

Armour effects,
modifiers and
Point total indicating the armour worn.
locations can be
found in more Head - TN 4
detail in the
Combat Chapter Body - TN 2
starting on pg Arms - TN 3
101
Legs - TN 2

Defence
Every Operator can attempt to avoid an attack they are aware
of, for unarmed combat this is done through parrying, blocking
Cover rules can or dodging. For ballistic or ranged combat this is done through
be found on pg
109 a natural reaction of either running away from the danger,
moving from the path of the danger or getting behind cover.

It is presumed that if the Operator is aware they are being

targeted they will attempt to make it as difficult as possible for
the shooter, and if the shooter is not using a aimed or called
shot than the natural defense of the target is always 2

Surprise attacks allow the Operator to use either their Reaction

Pool or a Boost/Bust to help avoid being hit. The Combat
section of the Core Rules will go into more detail regarding
defense and modifiers that can be applied.

Step 5: Loadout
All Operators receive a basic Loadout. This represent important
gear that all Operators should carry. Each Operator also
receives $2000 to spend on extra gear or weapon upgrades.

Operators can change their loadouts to fit the mission

parameters, this is all done via the Safehouse.

See the Section Safehouses

on Safehouses Every unit of Operators will start with a Safehouse, this can be
page 187
in any country the players decide upon. Units can obtain new
Safehouses as they progress.

68
 Recruitment

Basic Loadout
The basic loadout is in three parts, the first part are the
weapons selected from your background. The second part is
the standard gear and the third part is the Operators protective
gear.

Standard Gear
Comms - Short range in ear radio device.
Compass - Adds +1 to Survival when attempting to determine
direction
Energy Bars - Will replace 1 point into the Focus Pool when
eaten.
Flashlight - Cancels out penalties from darkness. Handler can
use a Bust to make batteries drain.
IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) - Adds +1 to First Aid attempts.
Glowsticks (5) - Reduces darkness penalties by 1 point. Lasts
6 rnds or until dropped.
Multi-Tool - Adds +1 to technical challenges
Night Vision Goggles - Cancels out darkness penalties, applies
-1 to Awareness.
Pen/Notepad - Simple pen and notepad.
Quarterback Sleeve (Maps) - Velcro pouch that attaches to
clothing.
Spare Batteries (6) - For the Flashlight
Watch - Standard timepiece with stopwatch function
Woobie - Wet Weather Poncho
Zip Ties - Used to secure or restrain

Protective Gear
Operators gain access to tactical vests and gear and are
expected to wear their own clothing underneath as they do not
receive a uniform. Tactical gear is also not suitable for every
situation and sometimes Kevlar vests will be worn concealed.

The Operators armour is also decided at the loadout stage

and like standard gear should be chosen to suit the mission
parameters.

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Ghost Ops

Ballistic Helmet - Covers and protects the head for 2AP.

Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) - The Tactical Vest

protects and carries ammo and other gear.

Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) - These

insert into the IOTV above and protect the body for 3AP

Tactical Gloves - The Tactical gloves also come with elbow

pads and will protect the arms for 1AP.

Tactical Boots - The Tactical boots come with knee pads and
will protect the legs for 1AP.

Other Gear
The following is other gear that the Operators receive that do
not fit into either the Standard or Protective gear sections.

KA-Bar Knife - The KA-Bar is the standard fighting knife of the

ICO, Operators are free to use their preferred knife.

Entrenching Tool - Used to dig trenches primarily but has

been known to be used as a offensive weapon. Some Special
Forces train with entrenching tools.

Ammo
Each Operator receives and can carry 3 Mags of ammo for each
of their weapons, along with 3 grenades. An Operator can carry
between 16 and 24 shotgun shells, Ammo types are discussed
in more detail in the loadout section pg 143.

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3. Training
Ghost Ops

“What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only
wins,but excels in winning with ease.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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 Training

Operator Skills
Each Operator has 13 skills, these skills go from Rank 0 to 6.
The Operators background choice will of started 6 of these
skills at rank 2. The Operators receive a further 15 points to
spend on their skills, each point spent equals 1 rank in a skill.

Operator skills cannot be higher than Rank 4 during

Recruitment, but they can be left as rank 0, though we do not
recommend it.

Abilities from packages are linked to skills and a skill needs to

be at least rank 2 in order for an ability to be linked.

Skills at 0
Skills with no ranks can still be used, they cannot have abilities
linked to them and add no points to the dice roll, but an
Operator can attempt the skill. This applies no penalties but
is a straight dice roll with the result compared to the Target
Number.

Operators can also choose to use Focus on 0 ranked skills.

Using Skills
To use a skill the Operator adds the skills rank to a dice roll and
the result indicates whether they have succeeded or not. If the The Challenges
Chapter starts
skill has an ability linked to it, and the situation allows the use on pg 89
of that ability than the Operator gets a increase of +2.

The use of skills and abilities to overcome challenges will

be gone into further, more in-depth detail in the Challenges
Chapter.

Skill Description
Each Operator has 13 skills and each of these can have up to 3
abilities linked to them. Below is a description of each skill and
how it can be used.

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Ghost Ops

Awareness
The Operator is aware of their surroundings and knows what
to look for regarding threats and ambushes. Awareness covers
all of the senses such as sight, listen, touch, smell and in some
instances taste.

Examples of Awareness
The Operator has entered a building and rolls Awareness to
spot anything untoward, they succeed and can smell leaking
gas.

The Operators are moving slowly towards a jungle outpost, the

lead Operator who is on point rolls awareness specifying traps,
they succeed and spot a number of trip wires.

The Operators enter a building, the Operator on Point rolls

Awareness and succeeds, they hear someone loading a gun.

Linked Abilities
Over-watch (Sniper)
Surveillance (Recon)
Threat Recognition (Assault)

Fitness
The Fitness skill covers your Operators ability to climb, jump,
sprint and dodge. It represents the Operators strength, stamina
and dexterity and should be used whenever these are tested.

Examples of Fitness
The Operator wishes to dive behind a wall for cover.

A large tree log blocks the road, the Operators use their Fitness
to lift and move it to one side.

The window is the only way out of the room and the office is 30
storys up, the Operator decides to climb out of the window and
make their way to the next office.

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 Training

Linked Abilities
Mountaineering (Recon)
Rappelling (Assault)
Underwater (Assault)

Investigation
The Operator has trained in the art of searching, using
forensics and the use of research software to build a profile
of their target. The Operator has an almost sixth sense when
it comes to knowing where a criminal will hide his stash or
understanding reports on DNA results.

Examples of Investigation
The Operator is in a cartel safe house and needs to find the data
file that contains all the names of the Cartel bosses, they use
Investigation to find it.

The Operators find their contact dead, a gun lies nearby and it
looks like suicide. The Operator gets out their Forensics kit and
checks the gun for prints and discovers someone’s else’s prints
on the gun.

The Operator needs to build a profile of an HVT, their contacts,

habits, past affiliates and so forth, the Operator uses Investigate
to shift through evidence and surveillance records to build a
profile.

Linked Abilities
Forensics (Non-Package)
Research (Non-Package)

Knowledge
This represents the Operators general and more precise
knowledge of particular subjects, cultures, the sciences and
the arts. This skill can be used whenever an Operator asks for
information on a subject or place.

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Ghost Ops

Examples of Knowledge
The Operator wants to know of the countries legal system and
whether the Police are considered corrupt.

The Operator needs to determine where is the best location to

place explosives in order to get the best results.

The Operators are deep behind enemy lines camped out in

jungle with very little gear, they determine location and time of
day by using knowledge to recognise stars and sun movement.

Linked Abilities
Law (Specialist)
Navigation (Recon)
Structures (Engineer)

Manipulate
The Manipulate skill allows your Operator to pick locks and
pockets, disarm or set traps and explosive devices and unjam
weapons. Manipulate is used to cover any challenge involving
using tools or using controls.

Examples of Manipulate
The Operator comes to a locked door so they attempt to pick
the lock.

The unit spots an IED on the side of the road, one Operator
attempts to disarm and dispose of the device

Linked Abilities
Breach (Assault)
Demolitions (Engineer)
Repair (Engineer)
Trade-craft (Specialist)
Traps (Sniper)

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 Training

Medical
The Medical skill is one of the more important skills that
an Operator can have. It allows the us of first aid and lets
Operators attempt to stabilise injured team mates or civilians.
The medical skill gives the Operator a basic understanding of
medicines and injuries as well as using the IFAK (Individual
First Aid Kit).

Examples of Medical
The Operator can attempt to stop blood flow and the continued
loss of Wounds.

The Operator can attempt to stabilise an Operator or civilian

that are close to death.

The Operator can reduce Trauma points inflicted by critical hits

on locations.

Linked Abilities
First Aid (Assault/Sniper)
Paramedic (Specialist)
Trauma (Specialist)

Mobility
The Mobility skill represents the control and use of vehicles
and the ability to engage in other actions that involve tools to
move, i.e. skiing, and parachuting. Is also used when attempting
to assault a moving vehicle or aircraft.

Examples of Mobility
The Operators are being pursued by black SUV’s with blacked
out windows, time for some defensive driving.

The Operators need to HALO jump into enemy held territory.

A criminal gang has taken a plane full of people hostage, the

Operators need to get on the plane and launch an assault.

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 Ghost Ops

Linked Abilities
Airborne (Assault)
Offensive/Defensive Driving (Specialist)
Pilot (Specialist)
Skiing (Recon)
Tubular Assault (Assault)

Outdoorsman
The skill of outdoor survival and hunting is covered by
Outdoorsman and can be used for foraging for food, laying
booby traps or tracking prey or tangos. Outdoorsman is
another one of those important skills as often Operators will
find themselves in dangerous or inhospitable environments.

Examples of Outdoorsman
The Operators are tracking a group of Tangos through a forest,
to their camp.

The Operators escape capture and find themselves in a desert,

they need to find water.

Building a shelter and protecting their food against wild

animals when deep in a forest.

Linked Abilities
Tracking (Recon)
Survival (Recon)
Traps (Sniper)

Rapport
We cover the The art of communication is covered by Rapport, whether the
use of Hearts
and Minds on Operator is negotiating a hostage release, trying to win hearts
pg 214 and minds or deceiving the bad guys into believing they are on
the same side, Rapport is the skill.

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 Training

Examples of Rapport
The Operator needs information on local cartel activity and
decides to chat with the locals.

A Tango has a hostage as a shield and is threatening to kill

them if the Operators get to close, one Operator uses Rapport to
either distract or persuade the Tango otherwise.

The Operators need to convince the low-level Tangos that they

are here as representatives of another group, ready to make a
deal.

Linked Abilities
Empathy (Non-Package)
Interrogation (Specialist)
Languages (Recon)
Negotiations (Specialist)

Stealth
The Stealth skill allows the Operators to move without make
any sound, use the shadows to their advantage, take down
guards or other tangos quietly and shadow targets by blending
in to their surroundings. This is often done with the use of
specialist gear and outfits.

Examples of Stealth
The Operator slowly makes her way toward the guard, if she is
spotted the guard will raise the alarm.

The Operator spots their target and quickly begins to follow,

blending into the crowd so not to spook the Tango.

The Darkness of the pipes that run along the ceiling of the
bunker is a perfect place to hide and await the chance to strike.

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 Training

Linked Abilities
Camouflage (Recon)
Shadow (Non-Package)
Trade-craft (Specialist)

Technical
Whether fixing an engine or hacking a computer the Technical
skill has the Operator covered. Technical covers a wide area
of subjects from repairing weapons and vehicles, to building
radios or dismantling electronic security. This skill often
involves the use of tools.

Examples of Technical
The Operator sends out a Drone to scout an enemy camp and
operates the drone for a small control unit.

The Operator hacks an enemy computer system to snatch files

and plant a virus or spyware.

The vehicle the Operators are using breaks down and the
Operator must fix the engine before they can carry on.

Linked Abilities
Computers (Engineer)
Drones (Engineers)
Electronics (Engineers)
Hacking (Specialist)
Mechanics (Engineers)

Unarmed
The Unarmed skill covers brawling, grappling, martial arts
of different kinds and breaking free from being restrained.
All Operators are trained in unarmed combat. This skill also
includes using hand weapons, such as knives, entrenching
tools, baseball bats or anything else the Operator can bash,
stab or chop with.

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Ghost Ops

Examples of Unarmed
The Tango pulls a knife and grins at the Operator, the Operator
grabs for their KA-Bar knife and grins back.

Grabbing the wooden table leg the Operator leaps towards the
Tango and bashes them across the head.

The Tango appears around the corner of the building, the

Operator grabs the Tangos gun disarming him and elbowing
the Tango in the face. Well trained in the art of Krav Maga the
Operator cracks the Tangos kneecap and finishes them off with
a chop to the throat that crushes the larynx.

Linked Abilities
Knife Fighting (CQC)
Martial Arts (Sniper)
Non-Lethal Take-downs (Recon)

Weaponry
The Operators learn how to use most weapons available, this
is so they can pick up any type of weapon in the field and
use it efficiently. The Weaponry Skill covers all firearms and
ballistic weapons as well as ranged weapons such as bows and
crossbows.

Examples of Weaponry
Using firearms of any kind.

The use of ranged weapons of any kind.

Using vehicle mounted weapons, such as cannon or hvy

machine guns.

Using heavy weapons such as anti-aircraft guns or rail guns.

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 Training

Linked Abilities
Hvy Weapons (Engineer)
Marksman (Sniper)

Ranking & Funding

Operators will rank up as they complete missions and perform
tasks. These ranks will allow the Operators to improve skills,
pool and buy new abilities.

Earning Experience (XP)

Operators earn experience by successfully completing
missions, by achieving objectives or performing extremely
well with challenges. Handlers can also reward XP for working
as a unit, making important decisions or planning tactics that
make missions conclude without any civilian or unit loses.

Each Operator has 5 XP slots that they tick, and Handlers can
hand out XP values of between 1-5 points, with 1 being given
for completing a mission and 5 for completing a mission above
and beyond expectation. What XP is given is the Handler’s call.

How to gain Ranks

Each time the Operators are rewarded experience, the player
marks an experience slot. Once all 5 slots are filled, they receive
1 rank point. This point can be spent or saved. The choice is up
to the player.

Spending Rank Points

One rank point can go a long way and the player has various
options:

Points Buy
1 Increase a Pool by 1 Point
3 Increase a skill by 1 Point
5 Buy a Primary Package Ability
10 Buy a Non-Primary Package Ability or Talent

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Ghost Ops

Maximising your Ranks

Operators can only increase a skill up to maximum of 6. Each
skill can only have a maximum of 3 abilities linked to it and
pools only have 10 points max.

Using Ranks as Boosts

Rank points can also be used similar to a boost without the risk
of giving the Handler a Bust. Rank points are lost once they’re
used.

Actual Operator Rank

The ICO does not recognise any actual ranking system within
the units, with unit leaders being chosen by the unit based
on their expertise in the current mission. This also allows
information to be distributed amongst the Unit and make it
difficult for enemies to single out one unit member.

Funds
The completion of missions gives the Operators access to
funding. This funding differs for each mission and often when
a new objective is added to an ongoing mission, a bonus is
offered.

Example
The Operators are watching the mansion of a known cartel
boss. Their current mission is to take out the boss, grab his
files and destabilise the cartel’s control in the area. As they are
about to go in and ‘clean up,’ they get a message from their
Handler. ‘Eagle One, this is Spearhead. We have a change to the
Op. The DEA have asked if we can capture the boss alive and
deliver him to an airfield on the outskirts of the city. There’s a
tasty bonus in it for ya.’

Funding is used for improving the Operators’ safe house and

to pay off informants (see the Safe House Chapter and the
Safehouse and Drops Sourcebook). Funding differs per mission
type, and below is a list of mission types and their funding.

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 Training

Mission Fund
Hostage Rescue
Level 1 50,000
Level 2 100,000
Level 3 200,000
Assassination
Level 1 30,000
Level 2 70,000
Level 3 150,00
Assault
Level 1 100,000
Level 2 200.000
Level 3 300,000
Info gathering
Level 1 25,000
Level 2 50,000
Level 3 75,000
VIP Protection
Level 1 20,000
Level 2 50,000
Level 3 75,000

Mission Level Breakdown

Level 1 – Mission is straightforward, with good intel, low level
tangos and very little risk.

Level 2 – Mission is more dangerous or complex, with an

important target, trained tangos, and possible support
weaponry.

Level 3 – Mission is high risk, very little intel, fully trained

tangos or local military, air support and at least one HVT.

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Bonuses can be given based on how complicated a mission

becomes and from adding extra objectives. Injuries or deaths
in a unit can also give a bonus.

Complication Bonus
Extra Objective
Level 1 25,000
Level 2 50,000
Level 3 75,000
Complication
Level 1 20,000
Level 2 40,000
Level 3 60,000
Injury 10,000
Death 50,000
Capture 25,000

Failing a mission gives no funding to the unit and may even

lead to less complex or dangerous missions being offered to
the unit until confidence in their abilities is rebuilt.

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4. Challenges
Ghost Ops

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when

you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

88
 Challenges

Once the Operators agree to join the I.C.O., they will be assigned
to their new units. These units then do 3 months of training.
The purpose behind the training is to flush out any bad habits,
to share knowledge between the Operators and to work with
a new international team made up of Operators from many
different Special Forces units across the world.

Operators are sent to Hereford to train for 3 weeks at the SAS

training facility. Here they re-learn assault techniques and CQB
(Close Quarter Battle). They then go to the GCHQ facility in
Bletchley to study hacking and hacking software for 2 weeks.
Once that ends, the units are flown to Los Angeles to train
with SWAT teams, where they will also engage in actual SWAT
activity against many of the gangs that plague the city.

The Units are then sent to Virginia to train at Quantico. Here

they will learn forensics and profiling alongside some of the
best criminal investigators in the world. This also includes
various seminars and classes run by agents from MI6, Interpol
and the CIA, which covers everything from international law
to Interrogation techniques and the current political and
domestic threats worldwide.

The final month of training involves the units being dropped

into some of the most inhospitable parts of the world and left
to survive. This is more a team building exercise than one of
surviving the elements, as most of the Operators have already
had extensive survival training.

Once the 3-month training period is up, the Unit is given

a designated callsign and a safe house and all records are
wiped clean. New identification, including passports and birth
certificates, are issued and the Unit is considered active.
Operators will face many challenges as they engage in missions
across the world, and each should be fully trained and equipped
to deal with them.

The following section will go into detail about the challenges

that an Operator will face, the tools she will have at her disposal,

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Ghost Ops

and what to do in the face of either extraordinary success or

failure, plus much more.

Types of Challenge
There are two types of challenge that the Operators will
encounter as they take on missions. These are:

Static
A Static Challenge will stay the same and is not affected by
weather, day/night cycles or guard changes. Static challenges
can receive modifiers, but generally they will stay at the same
difficulty.

Opposed
Opposed challenges are used when the Operator is using their
skill versus the skill of an NPC, Tango or another Operator.
These opposed challenges work in two different ways.

Opposed Vs Skill Rank - When the Operator is attempting to

out-skill an NPC or Tango, the challenge difficulty is based upon
the opposed roll. It can be either the Tango’s or the Operator’s
roll that determines the difficulty.

Highest Wins - When an Operator faces another Operator

in an opposed challenge, it is often better to determine the
outcome by both players rolling for their Operators and the
highest result winning the challenge.

In these instances, any accumulated Advantage or Disadvantage

is added or subtracted from the skill roll of those involved,
this includes any advantage or disadvantage earned from the
current situation i.e. travelling very fast in a car and attempting
to shoot the wheels of the vehicle in front.

To Roll or not to Roll

Challenges should be exactly that, a challenge. If Operators are
attempting activities that should be relatively simple, such as
hopping over a small wall, driving a vehicle in normal traffic

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 Challenges

or operating a computer to access public files or the internet,

they should not be expected to roll the dice.

The Handler should only ask players to roll when the failure of
the activity will have consequences or possibly result in injury.

Attempting Challenges
To attempt a challenge, the player must declare their Operator’s
intent. From this, the Handler can determine a Target Number
(TN), and this number is what the player must either equal or
roll higher than to succeed.

Challenges often use the skills and abilities of the Operator

and can be modified by circumstance, items or injuries. As
explained in Chapter One, challenges involve the rolling of
the Fudge Dice with the Operator’s Skill Rank added to the
number.

Using the Focus Pool

Each Operator also has a Focus Pool she can take points from to
help them beat the challenge. The Operator can use the Focus
Pool for as long as they have points in the pool.

Advantage and Disadvantage

Every Challenge will have a Target Number which indicates
that challenge’s difficulty. This number is taken from a scale
going from 1 to 10. When a challenge is modified, this is done
by adding Disadvantage or subtracting Advantage.

Advantage can be earned by succeeding with a Great Success

or by using gear. Earned Advantage can be held and used to
reduce the TN of the next challenge.

Disadvantage is earned by getting a result of Bad Failure

and must be used on the very next challenge.

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 Challenges

Used as Modifiers
Advantage and Disadvantage is also used to determine
Target Numbers. A locked door with a difficulty 3 lock may
become harder with the Disadvantage of darkness hindering
the Operator, but if that same Operator has Night Vision
Goggles, then the Advantage earned from those will cancel the
Disadvantage out.

This will happen a lot as Operators face challenges under

various conditions or situations, with Handler’s adding
Disadvantage and the Operators cancelling it out by using gear
or earned Advantage. Players must know what their Operator
is capable of and what gear they are carrying, or they could be
making life harder for themselves.

A Disadvantage always increases a Target Number by +1 to +3,

whereas an Advantage always decreases a Target Number by
-1 to -3. This keeps the whole negotiation simple and easy to
remember. Both the Advantage and Disadvantage can be used
as many times as either the Handler or Player can justify it.

Examples of Disadvantage
Guards using Flashlights
Heavy Rain (slippery surfaces or low visibility)
Motion Sensors
Guard Dogs
Darkness (low visibility)
Injury (See Challenges and Injuries)
Suppressive Fire
Tension (Tense Scenes)

Examples of Advantage
Special items
Boost Points
Aid
Talents

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Aid and Hindrance

Operators are able to both aid and hinder each other. This can
be done using stored Advantage. The Operator must declare
their intent and why they are attempting to hinder a fellow
Operator, if that is their stated action. The Advantage they offer
then becomes a Disadvantage and is added to the TN of the
challenge.

In game terms, hindering another Operator could be knocking

away the gun before the Operator fires into a crowd, cutting the
rope as the Operator rappels down the building, or distracting
the Operator as she attempts to defuse the bomb.

Using Advantage to aid a fellow Operator needs no explanation,

but the player must declare they are doing so. More than one
Operator can aid another, as long as there is room to do so and
common sense prevails. Each Advantage offered will reduce
the TN by 1.

Opposed challenges will cause the Disadvantage to be deducted

from the roll or the advantage to be added to the roll, creating
either a easier or more difficult TN for the attacker, or causing
the attacker to fail completely with their own disadvantages
being deducted.

Target Numbers
Every Challenge faced will have a Target Number that indicates
the difficulty. Sometimes the Target Number is generated by an
NPC’s skill or ability. Often the Number will be decided by the
Handler.

As stated earlier in the chapter, a Target Number can be

influenced by Advantage taken from gear, Talents or Boosts,
etc., or by Disadvantage generated from environmental or
other factors. It is the responsibility of both the Handler and
player to know what they can do and what they have to earn,
either Advantage or Disadvantage.

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 Challenges

The following table offers a list of Target numbers and a

descriptive title for each number which can be used as an
alternative.

TN Difficulty
10 Mythic
9 Legendary
8 Near Impossible
7 Extremely Hard
6 Very Hard
5 Hard
4 Complex
3 Average
2 Routine
1 Easy

Other Challenge Rules

Various factors can affect how a challenge progresses or fails.
Most will be down to Handler discretion, but we have included
a few rules to help determine what may or may not make what
appears to be a simple task much harder.

Tension
Many situations within missions will have a certain level of
tension and Handlers can, if they choose, take in account levels
of tension during missions. Each level of tension will add
Disadvantage to what the Operators are trying to do.

Troublesome - You need to place the C4 charge before the

spotlight swings around and illuminates where you are. +1
Disadvantage.

Risky - The guard patrol is due any moment and the door is
locked. You will need to pick that lock before the guards appear
and spot you. +2 Disadvantage

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Dangerous - You are being chased and you come to a dead end.
The only way forward is over a 10ft tall wall. +3 Disadvantage.

The use of tension in a game is totally optional, but it can

add a level of desperation to missions.

Challenges & Injury

The Operators having injuries can also cause problems when
dealing with challenges. Wound levels 3, 6 and 9 will give
Disadvantage to the Operator, making normal tasks much
harder. Injuries can also give Advantage to Tangos. Maybe
blood from the Operator is helping them track the unit, or the
Operator is moving much slower. Handlers could also utilise
the optional tension rules in these situations.

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 Challenges

Challenges & Encumbrance

All Operators can carry their standard Loadout and weapons
without any difficulty, but as they start adding to this, problems
can arise. We go into more detail regarding Encumbrance in
the Loadout chapter pg 143.

The Operator’s ability to take on certain challenges will be at

a Disadvantage when carrying certain extra gear. Agility and
movement can be hindered, and it is often recommended
that the Operator drops the extra gear before attempting the
challenge.

Using Drones
The use of Drones can allow Operators to plan their next moves
by knowing the placement of Tangos, spotting important
infrastructure, planning routes to a target location, etc. The use
of a Drone will give Advantage.

Drones are powered by batteries and do not stay airborne

forever. An entry level Drone will have a battery life of 4
Rounds. This can be upgraded to 6, 8 and 10 Rounds.

Levels of Success and Failure

The Operator’s challenge roll can give various levels of success
or failure; it does not have to be to just succeed or fail. Degrees
of Success can give Advantage, extra benefits or rewards, even
positive twists to the fiction. Likewise, degrees of failure can
have the opposite effect, with Disadvantage, consequences or
penalties applied.

The degrees of success or failure are measured in 2’s, so if the

challenge roll is 2 points above or below the Target Number,
then this gives either a Good or Bad result. If the result is 4
points above or below the TN, then this gives either a Critical
Success or a critical fail result.

The table below shows these results and the effects of each.

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Ghost Ops

Roll Result Effect

+4 Critical Success Operator succeeded the task
beyond expectations. They gain
+2 Advantage and earn valuable
knowledge.
+3 Good Success Operator succeeded and gained
extra information. +1 Advantage
Forward.
+2 Good Success Operator succeeded and gained
extra information. +1 Advantage
Forward.
+1 Success Operator succeeded at the task.
TN Success Operator succeeded at the task.
-1 Fail Operator failed the task.
-2 Bad Fail Operator failed the task and
received false information. +1
Disadvantage Forward.
-3 Bad Fail Operator failed the task and
received false information. +1
Disadvantage Forward.
-4 Critical Fail The task was a disaster. The
Operator has tripped an alarm,
seriously injured themselves or
others, etc. +2 Disadvantage.

The Narrative on Good Successes, Bad Fails, Critical Successes

and Critical Fails, should move the story forward. Information
should be relative if good and not too damaging if wrong.

Combat has its own unique benefits or penalties for successes

or fails.

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5. Combat
Ghost Ops

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to

attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must
appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy
believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him
believe we are near.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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 Combat

The Operators will face combat situations, and when that

happens, the situations are resolved through combat rounds.
Operators can avoid combat if they choose by retreating, and
this will be covered in the retreat section of this chapter.

Combat Rounds
A combat round is a period of time when everyone, both
Operators and Tangos, engage in battle. The round lasts for as
long as it takes in game time for the combatants to perform
their actions.

What is a Combat Round?

A Combat Round is the name for the time it takes for all
combatants to perform their actions. A battle can be made up
of a number of Combat Rounds, and a Combat Round can be
made up of a number of Turns.

What is a Turn?
A Turn is an Operator’s or Tango’s chance to act. During his or
her turn, the combatant can perform two actions: one Minor
Action and one Major Action. A combat round is made up of
these turns, and each round can differ in how many turns it
contains, based on the number of combatants in the battle.

What are the Actions?

Actions are really how you measure a round, and this is mainly
measured by the Operator’s actions, as they are the stars of
the piece. Each Operator has two actions per turn. These are
a Minor Action and a Major Action. The Handler controls the
Tangos’ actions, and for the purposes of dramatic license
and to make the Handler’s job less complicated, the Handler
can decide how the Tangos react based upon the Operators’
decisions.

The Operators can choose not to take any actions or just to

take a single action during their Turn, but they must state this
when it is their turn to act.

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The Battle Breakdown

The first round of a battle is broken down into 3 steps. The first
step only happens once; each round after that, the combatants
can ignore the first step and continue with the second until
all groups of combatants have retreated, surrendered or been
neutralised.

Step 1: Initiative
Each of the Combatants should roll their Initiative to determine
when they act in each round. This step is done at the beginning
of the first round of the battle and then it is no longer used.

Initiative is determined by each Operator rolling the dice with

the result determining their turn order. The Handler should
roll for the Tangos.

When duplicate rolls by Operators happen, the players take

their turns at the same time, deciding amongst themselves who
should go first. Tangos always go after Operators whether they
rolled the same initiative or not. An initiative roll between 4
Operators and a group of Tangos could look like the roll below:

Operator A - ++00=2
Operator B - - + 0 0 = 0
Operator C - + - - - = -2
Operator D - + 0 - - = -1

The GM rolls for the Tangos as a group and gets:

Tango’s - 0 - - - = -3

So, from this we can see that Operator A is going first, followed
by Operator B, then Operator D and finally Operator C. All go
before the Tangos, who rolled a disastrous -3 initiative.

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Operators can add as many points from their Reaction Pool as

they wish in order to increase their chance to act more quickly.

Surprise can also be a factor with initiative. Surprise is

discussed later in the chapter.

Step 2: Actions
Once initiative order has been set, the Operators then decide
what actions they will take. As stated before, the Operators can
take one Minor and one Major Action during their turn.

Minor Action Major Action

Get to Cover Shoot
Shout Command Attack with Melee
Drop Prone Unjam Weapon
Jump Small Wall Perform Skill
Drop Item Give First Aid
Throw Item Change Mag*
Draw Weapon Call in Airstrike
Reload Weapon Start Vehicle
Run 3 Metres Take Aim
Walk 1 Metre Throw Grenade
*Change mag involves removing current clip, stashing it and replacing it.

The Tangos also have similar action options which are

controlled by the Handler.

Step 3: Resolve Combat

During this step, the Operators and Tangos determine the
results of their actions. If some or all the combatants are
still standing, a new combat round begins at Step 2 with the
initiative decided in round one staying as it is.

Most combat rounds will play out with the above three steps,
but often Operators will engage in combat in many different
ways, and for these instances, various rules apply.

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The players and the Handler should read through all the
following rules in order to know what they are capable of and
how the action is conducted.

Sometimes a situation will arise that is not covered in the

following section. In these rare cases, the Handler should
decide the correct course of action.

Basic Combat Rules

The following section covers the basics of combat. Most of this
will be obvious, but it will give some insight into the nuances
of the battlefield.

A Target Number Ranged Combat

is just a base The Weaponry skill covers the use of ranged weapons,
n u m b e r. T h e
Handler can then
everything from handguns to mounted weapons on vehicles.
add modifiers. The Operator rolls the dice and adds their Weaponry skill
to the total. Unless the Operator declares they are making a
Called Shot or Aiming, then a successful hit will always be to
the body and a base TN of 2.

Aiming
Aiming takes time, but for each round spent aiming, the
Operator gains 1 Advantage to the shot. Upon declaring they
are aiming, the Operator forgoes their first round of combat
but starts the second round with Advantage.

Called Shots
Operators can also declare Called Shots. These can be done
immediately by adding 1 Disadvantage to the Target Number.
A Called Shot will allow the Operator to choose a location or
target to attempt to hit.

Only Handguns, SMGs, Assault Rifles and Shotguns can be used

to make a called shot.

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Locations and Objects

Each location on the body has a built-in TN. These are used for
both Called Shots and Aiming. Standard attacks will always hit
the body and the base TN for those shots is 2.

The diagram below shows the base target number of each

location used in Called or Aimed Shots. The body TN is the base
TN of all normal ranged attacks

Head - TN 4

Body Arms - TN 3
TN 2

Legs - TN 2

The Location TN will always be the base difficulty to hit.

Handlers will then add any modifiers to this TN. A base TN can
be reduced using Advantage.

Objects have a TN based on size:

Huge (Car and above) - TN 1
Large (TV, Fridge etc) - TN 2
Medium (Laptop, Alarm Box) - TN 3
Small (Handgun, block of C4) - TN 4

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Armour
Operators will use ballistic armour to negate damage taken
from ranged combat. Armour is available for each location of the
body. If a location has no armour marked, then it is considered
unarmoured for the purposes of determining damage.

When a target is hit, armour is rolled the same way as skills or

damage. The player rolls the dice, adds the Armour Level, and
the result is removed from the damage inflicted. If the attack
was from an Aimed or Called Shot, then the location’s armour
is rolled, if there is any.

The player can also choose to use points from the Operator’s
Resilience pool to add to the armour roll. These points can also
be used if the Operator has no armour marked down at that
location.

if the Armour Level is less than the Penetration Level of the

bullet then no armour is rolled as the bullet has ignored it. If
the Penetration level is less than the armour level than that
amount of armour is ignored

Example
The Operator is hit by an assault weapon round, luckily it isn’t
an AP, but the bullet still has a PL of 2. The Handler rolls for the
damage and gets + + 0 - which is a 1, with the weapons
5 damage this makes a total of 6 damage.
The Operators armour is 3 but the PL of 2 reduces this to a 1
and the player rolls + + + 0 which is 3 giving a total of 4.
The armour absorbs some of the damage but the operator still
takes 2 Wounds. (6-4=2)

Cover
Using cover increases the ranged attack’s TN, and the type of
cover will add an Armour Value to the target.

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Hitting someone in Cover

The size of the cover will often determine how much harder
it would be to hit the target. Cover comes in 3 sizes, each one
adding Disadvantage to the TN.

Quarter Cover - This would be a thin wall, post or pillars

holding up a roof. Quarter cover will allow the shooter to aim at
any exposed locations and decrease the TN. +1 Disadvantage.

Half Cover - A waist-high wall, doorway, corner of a corridor,

etc. Half cover will also allow for aiming to reduce the TN. +2
Disadvantage.

Full Cover - A building or wall. Full cover does not allow for
aiming to hit exposed locations. No target.

Cover as Armour
Cover is not always a guaranteed way to avoid being targeted.
Various ammo types are designed to shoot through armour,
and this can also include cover.

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Shooting someone through full cover is impossible, as this

would involve either knowing the target’s position (through
the use of a drone, for example) or just guessing. The use of
the drone to highlight a Tango’s position will make the shot
possible but with a Disadvantage.

Cover being used as a way to protect against damage is

determined by the type of cover and the ammo being used.
Each type of cover has an Armour Level (AL) of 1-5, with 1
being the lowest and 5 the highest. Ammo has a Penetration
Level (PL). Shooting ammo with a lower PL than the cover’s AL
means that the shot is absorbed or deflected.

PL < AL = Failure
PL = AL = Success with -1 damage to target
PL > AL = Success

• If the PL rating of the ammo is less than the AL rating of the

cover, it will fail to pass through.
• If the PL rating of the ammo is equal to the AL rating of the
cover, then the target will be hit, taking -1 damage.
• If the PL rating of the ammo is higher than the AL rating of
the cover, the target will be hit with full damage.
• The following table gives an example of types of cover and
their Armour Level (AL).

Cover Type AL
Wooden Door 1
Wooden Fence 1
Plaster Wall 1
Car Door 2
Fire Door 2
Brick Wall 3
Bulletproof Glass 4
Engine Block 4
Steel Wall 5

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Handlers should use the above table as examples and then

adapt the numbers to suit the situation. Ammo PL can be found
in the Loadout chapter on pg 151.

Rates of Fire
During a firefight, the Operators have various firing modes
available to them, and which firing mode they choose will
deplete their mags faster.

Operators can only carry so much ammo, and this is represented

by mags. Primary and Secondary weapons are supplied with
3 mags of ammo each, whereas Tertiary weapons, such as
handguns, are supplied with 2.

On the Operator’s sheet below the Weapon section are 3 blocks

of 5 squares. Each of these blocks equal 1 mag in each of the
three weapons. As the mag depletes, the squares are ticked.
Once all squares are ticked, the mag is empty.

Firing modes affect how quickly the mag depletes, with each
mode causing more squares to be marked off.

Single Shot - No Squares Marked.

Double Tap - 1 Square Marked
3 Shot Burst - 2 Squares Marked
Full Auto - 3 Squares Marked.

Operators rarely fire in full auto mode and it is much more

common for single shot and 3 round bursts.

Bursts and Full Auto

Firing in a 3 round burst applies an Advantage to the chance
to hit, whereas firing in full auto applies 2 Advantages, but
depletes the ammo quicker. A double Tap gives no Advantage
but doing so allows the Operator to roll damage twice.

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Suppressive Fire
Suppressive fire is used to keep an enemy pinned, and when
used is considered full auto for ammo purposes. Using
Suppressive fire has two effects:

Targets under suppressive fire are at +2 Disadvantage to all

actions.
Targets under suppressive fire gain 1 trauma per round.

Using Suppressive fire with personal weapons will eat up your

ammo and is not encouraged.

Reloading
To reload a weapon is a minor action. Soldiers train to eject
and reload mags very quickly. Larger weapons such as Light
Machine Guns or Belt-fed weapons will take a Major action to
reload.

Close Combat
Operatives will also get into close combat with Tangos. This is
often in the form of unarmed combat using martial arts or just
brawling, and melee combat using hand held weapons such as
knives, batons or even entrenching tools.

Unarmed
Unarmed combat in the Ghost Ops RPG is also referred to
as Hand-to-Hand Combat. This is the skill of defending and
attacking with an empty hand. This can be done by brawling,
boxing, wrestling, etc., and all kinds of fighting that are derived
from those.

To engage in Unarmed combat, the attacker rolls the dice and

adds their Unarmed combat skill and any abilities they may
have. The defender then can choose to block, counter or dodge
the attack by rolling their Unarmed skill, adding any abilities,
etc., and comparing the results. The highest result wins the
round.

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Like all combat, Unarmed combat is set out in rounds with

each combatant taking their turn.

Blocking and Dodging

Operatives can block and dodge any kind of unarmed or melee
based attack. Operatives cannot block or dodge a ranged attack
from ballistic weapons or bows.

To block an attack, the defender would use their own skill in

Unarmed combat to counter the attacker’s strike, with the
highest result winning the round.

Dodging will involve a more physical action, and the defender

must use their fitness skill to move out of the way quickly
enough. The highest result, again, wins the round.

Martial Arts
Martial Arts types
Many Operatives and Tangos may train in a specialised form of
and damage can Unarmed combat which come under the group heading martial
be found on pg arts. The martial arts ability is linked to the unarmed skill and
167
will add a +2 to the skill.

There are a few different martial arts available for the Operative
to choose from, and we have listed many in the Loadout chapter.

Martial Art Benefits

Studying martial arts gives the Operative a number of benefits,
which we have listed below:

• Extra damage - Learning a martial art means that the

Operative will do increased damage when engaging in
unarmed combat.
• More Moves - The martial artist is faster and gains an
extra Major Action per turn, effectively allowing them to
attack twice.
• Subduing - The Operative can choose to subdue rather
than kill an assailant during unarmed combat rounds.
• Throws & Locks - An operative can stun or make prone a
Tango. See martial arts in Loadout Section

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Melee
The Operative can also engage in melee combat, which uses Russian Alpha
the unarmed combat skill but is conducted using a hand-held Team members
are treined to use
weapon such as a knife, club or other type of weapon. Like an entrenching
unarmed combat, melee attacks can be blocked or dodged, tool as a melee
and the mechanic to do so is exactly the same. The attacker weapon.
rolls the dice and adds their skill + any abilities, etc., and the
defender rolls their skill + any abilities. As always, the highest
score wins the round.

The Loadout chapter has a full list of melee weapons.

Stealth Attacks
Operatives can attempt to quietly dispatch or subdue enemies
using unarmed combat. A stealth attack works differently to
normal combat attacks in that it does not use a combat-based
skill.

The theory behind using stealth is to approach the target

without being spotted and then to either dispatch or subdue
them as quickly and as quietly as possible. We feel that once
the target has been approached, two opportunities arise.

The first opportunity is to either kill or subdue the target. This

would be done in the most effective way. Strikes will be made
against unarmoured areas to get the best results.

The second opportunity is to grab the target for interrogation,

as a negotiation tool or to be used as a shield.

Once the attacker declares they are wishing to stealth attack

the target, they must roll their stealth skill. The target then
rolls their awareness skill, with the highest result winning.
If the stealth attack is a success, then the attacker gets a free
attack on the target which cannot be blocked or dodged, and
armour is invalid, which means there is no defence roll.

The attacker rolls for the damage inflicted, with any Good or
Critical successes on the stealth roll adding to the damage

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of the attack. A Good success adds +1 to the damage, whereas

a Critical success adds +2.

A failed stealth attack gives the target Advantage to either

dodge or attack back. Failures are treated like all standard skill
failures.

Grabbing a Tango in order to interrogate or use as a shield or

for hostage purposes works the same way as the attack. The
difference is in the extra damage applied from any successes
from the skill roll, meaning that they gain Advantages rather
than damage.

Explosives
Operators will come across and get to use many types of Explosives can
explosive devices. These will range from types of grenade to be found on pg
160
planted explosives like C4 and mines. All explosives do set
damage, so no dice are rolled.

Grenades
The Operative can carry a number of specialist grenades, and
most Operatives will load up on grenades to meet the mission
parameters. The Loadout chapter gives lists of various types,
the damage they do and their area of effect (AoE).

Grenades are thrown using the fitness skill, and the range that
an Operative can throw a grenade accurately is equal to their
fitness in metres multiplied by 3. For example, an Operator
with a fitness of 3 can throw a grenade 9 metres and hit their
target.

After you release the lever, a grenade has a 3-4 second fuse
until they detonate. You can also attempt to cook a grenade.
This is the ability to release the lever and count down 2 seconds
before throwing, which is very risky. Any Operator that cooks
a grenade and then rolls a fail on throwing it has the grenade
explode in their hand.

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Grenades, like all explosives, have two Areas of Effect, one

which determines the physical damage of the grenade and one
that determines the shockwave and trauma damage.

Throwing a grenade can have various effects based upon the

result.

Success – Grenade lands and will bounce 1m.

Good Success – Grenade lands and will bounce 1/2m.
Critical Success – Grenade lands and detonates.
Failure – Grenade lands and bounces 2m.
Bad Failure – Grenade lands and fails to detonate.
Critical Failure – Grenade lands and Tango picks it up
and throws it back.

A grenade bouncing will do so in a random direction. This is

determined by a dice roll.

+ = Forward
- = Left
0 = Right
Mines
Like grenades, mines come in various types and styles, and all
of these are covered in the Loadout chapter. In our experience,
Operators will be dealing with these as possible targets rather
than placing them as defenders or attackers.

There are a few differences between a mine and a grenade.

One is Area of Effect. Mines tend to be more directional rather
than have a blast radius like grenades.

How Mines are used and defused also differs. The use of mines
requires the manipulate Skill and the demolitions ability. An
Operator can place a mine using just manipulate, but they will
find it easier to defuse by also having demolitions.

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Mines do not have detonation times, and most are activated by

proximity or booby traps, but some are detonated by sound,
vibration and magnetism. Mines are also difficult to spot.
When an Operator spots a mine, the Handler should start with
the manipulate skill of the Operator or Tango that placed the
device as a base for the TN and then add any Disadvantages on
top of that for time of day, weather, etc. The Handler can also
take into consideration Anti-Tamper Devices placed in mines,
for extra Disadvantage.

A mine’s Area of Effect is often a Direct Blast Effect (DBE) but

can send out shrapnel affecting a larger area. Most of a DBE
will be directed toward the front of the mine or directly above
it, and those are considered the epicentre of the blast.

Timed & Remote Bombs

Explosives such as C4 and Dynamite can be set with timers or
can be activated remotely. This uses the technical skill of the
Operator and would also need the demolition skill. The base
TN to set a timed or remote charge would be 3.

Failed attempts will result in either the explosive detonating

to soon or not at all. Like mines, the defusing of these types of
explosives will begin with a base TN equal to the technical +
demolition value of the Operator or Tango that set it.

These types of ordnance include Improvised Explosive Devices

(IED), but these start with a base TN of 4.

Booby Traps
Operatives and Tangos have the ability to place booby traps.
Traps do not always have to be explosive, but they do have
to be hidden. The building and setting of a booby trap takes
the technical Skill to build and the stealth skill to hide. If the
Operator has the camouflage ability, they can use this alongside
the technical skill to cancel out the need to use stealth. To set a
booby trap has a base TN of 4.

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To spot a booby trap, the Operator’s or Tango’s stealth or

technical + camouflage is used for the base TN. Damage from
a booby trap is determined by the device used and will do
damage equivalent of that device be it a knife or grenade.

Explosives and Damage

All explosives, from grenades to mines to C4, do a set amount
of damage. The explosive is thrown, tripped or detonated, and
the damage is the same. Everyone within the AoE receives the
chance to roll for defence, which is the base TN of 2 plus any
attempts to dodge or deflect the blast back. They also get their
armour roll.

No roll is done for damage. This is the maximum damage listed

in the Loadout chapter.

Other Combat Rules

Modifiers
In the Ghost Ops RPG, modifiers to combat tasks are similar to
modifiers for standard challenges. They act as either Advantage,
which reduces the Target Number, or as Disadvantage, which
increases the Target Number. Advantage will mainly come
from the Operator as they use scopes, gear, etc., that helps
them overcome the more common obstacles Operators will
face. Disadvantage comes from the Handler and shows the
added difficulty from lighting, weather and other issues.

Modifiers act as a trade-off with the Handler stating the

modifiers that will increase the Target Number and the player
countering with gear or options that cancel out those increases.

As a rule, we suggest that each modifier should never go above

either 3 Disadvantage or 3 Advantage. This allows the modifiers
to stack and be controlled and understood in a simple way.

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Situation Disadvantage
Darkness - Pitch Black 2
A d v a n t a g e
Darkness - Moonlight 1 reduces the TN.
Disadvantage
Range - Extreme 2 increases it.
Range - Long 1
Smoke - Dense 2
Smoke - Light 1
Weather - Harsh 1
Movement - Fast Walk 1
Movement - Run 2
Gear Advantage
Night Vision 2
Flashlight 1
Scope 2/1
Infra-Red Vision 2

Surprise
Getting the drop on your enemies can often turn the tables and
even end a battle before it begins, but how is it done? There are
various types of surprise attack.

There are three ways for surprise to play out. These are:

Operators Vs Tangos - Melee

When the Operators wish to get the drop on Tangos, the
Handler determines which Tango has the highest awareness.
They then add +1 Disadvantage for each of the other Tangos
in the group. This only applies to Tangos that are awake. This
number then becomes the Target Number the Operators need
to beat using stealth. If they succeed, then they receive a free
attack on the Tangos.

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Tangos Vs Operators - Melee

For a group of Tangos to attempt to get the drop on the
Operators, the Handler determines which Tango has the lowest
skill. They then add +1 for each Tango in the group. This then
becomes the Target Number that the Operators need to beat
with awareness. Only one Operator needs to succeed in order
to cancel out the Tango’s surprise attack.

Surprise using Ranged Weapons

As long as the Target is not aware of your presence, then any
ranged attack will be a surprise. This ends as soon as one of the
targets notices one of their comrades drop. Once the first shot
is fired and it either hits a target or misses, each target gets the
chance to become aware of the attack. This is done in the same
way as surprise melee attacks above.

Synchronised Shots
A unit of Operators can choose to attempt a synchronised shot.
This involves each member of a team making an aimed or
called shot on a target and then firing together in order to take
out a group of Tangos at once. These types of shots are risky,
but as long as the Handler agrees that all those involved have
clear shots, it can be done.

Each shot’s modifiers should be worked out and applied.

Retreat & Surrender

The rules of war do apply even though as a unit you are deniable
and do not exist. Units that kill without consideration of these
rules will eventually be dissolved. There are exceptions,
however, and units can be given kill orders which override this
law.

Retreating
The way a retreat is handled varies between the Operators and
the Tangos. Tangos can flee, which would offer the Operators
a free attack, or Tangos can retreat tactically. A tactical retreat
plays out the same as combat, with movement and cover
modifiers applied to the Operators as the Tangos move back

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using available cover to make their escape.

Operators cannot flee, but they can tactically retreat. The unit
should work together, offering each other covering fire and
moving as a team to get the best result and withdraw.

Surrender
The rules of war state that enemy combatants that surrender
are no longer a threat and should be treated as prisoners of
war, meaning they are to be taken to a secure location and held
until the conflict is over.

Killing unarmed or prone targets is not something that is

encouraged within the military, but with the covert nature
of some of the missions the unit will be engaged in, keeping
prisoners or handing Tangos over to an authority is often not
an option. Some missions will come with a kill order, which
will state that no enemy combatants should be left alive.

Kill orders are down to the Handler and the type of mission.
Often the ICO will want to ‘interview’ the target or negotiate
with them. Missions will often state that a kill order has been
sent; if not, then the option is open to the Handler.

Operators are not expected to surrender, and by doing so

they are left to the mercy of their captors. Only the unit can
save them. No authority, be it government or military, will
acknowledge the Operator’s existence.

Successes & Fails

Combat Successes and Failures can be a lot more devastating
than those gained with challenges.

Successes
Beating a TN in combat has the same level of Successes as
challenges do, but the result of those successes can differ.

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Success - A direct hit.

Good Success - A direct hit and the Operator can choose
an Advance or +1 damage.
Critical Success - A critical hit, the Operator gains an
Advantage and does +2 damage.

Fails
Like Successes, Failures during combat can have different
effects to those achieved with challenges.

Fail -You missed the Target.

Bad Fail - You missed the Target and receive a
disadvantage.
Critical Fail - You missed the Target, gain a disadvantage
and also something bad happens (gun jam, dropped or
broken weapon, etc).

Injury and Death

Operators will get injured and some unfortunately will possibly
die. These are the facts of modern warfare.

Wounds
Each Operator has 12 wounds. These are marked out like
the face of a clock. As the Operator takes damage, the clock
ticks down to 0. At certain points on the clock, the Operator’s
ability to use skills, etc., will be affected with a modifier. This is
designed to replicate injuries causing debilitations.

3 o’clock: The Operator receives -1 to all Skills

6 o’clock: The Operator receives -2 to all Skills
9 o’clock: The Operator receives -3 to all Skills

Once the Operator reaches 0 on the clock, they will no longer

be able to act and will be considered out of action. This will last
a number of rounds equal to the Operator’s Resilience Pool,
with 1 point being removed from the pool each round. Once
the Pool is empty, the Operator is considered dead.

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Trauma
The Operator can also face trauma from explosive blasts,
concussive blows and other types of stress or danger. Trauma
is similar to wounds in that there are 12 of them set similar
to a clock face. At certain levels of trauma, the abilities of the
Operator are affected.

Trauma can cause the Operator to lose the option to add points
from their pools. This is done by locking the pools. The pool
will be locked until medical attention is given.

3 o’clock: The Operator has 1 Pool locked.

6 o’clock: The Operator has 2 Pools locked.
9 o’clock: The Operator has 3 Pools locked.
12 o’clock: All the Operator’s Pools are locked

For each pool that is locked, the TN to cure the trauma is

increased by 1.

Medical Aid
At some point, medical aid will need to be administered to
either an Operator or NPC. The type of injury determines the
Target Number needed to aid the patient.

Medical Aid Vs Wounds

Applying first aid to a wound will help stabilise blood loss and
even cancel out any modifiers. A standard wound without a
modifier has a Target Number of 1 + the Wound amount. What
this means is that if the Operator has 2 Wounds, then it is 1+2,
giving a Target Number of 3.

Wounds with modifiers increases the TN by one step. So a

wound of 4 will add +4 and then a further +1 for the modifier
meaning a TN of 6 (1+4+1=6).

It is important that injuries are dealt with quickly so that they

do not become untreatable. Medics can opt to reduce wounds
by only healing a portion of the injury. This is most effective in
getting the Operator ‘back on their feet’ by removing modifiers.

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Back on your Feet

The medic can use their skill to reduce a wound to a more
workable level so it can be dealt with later in a better
environment or situation. This is mostly used during critical
moments or in fire fights, when the medic will basically patch
up the Operator so they can continue to act.

When a wound becomes untreatable, the medic can try to only

remove 2-3 wound levels, to take the wounds below a modifier
point.

Example
The Operator has been hit by a blast and just received 7
wounds. This has placed them at 2 Disadvantage. The medic
feels that a TN of 8 would be impossible at that time so decides
to try and reduce the Operator’s wounds down by 3. This
would cancel out one point of Disadvantage and make healing
them more doable later. This makes the TN only 4, but the GM
decides that as this is all happening during a battle, the tension
increases this to 5.

Operators can attempt to heal themselves, but this increases

the base TN to a 2.

Medical Aid Vs Trauma

Trauma, though not as debilitating as wounds, can still cause
the Operator issues. trauma is not life threatening and it will
not get worse over time.

Trauma will cure itself with some R&R, but in the field it can
only be cured by using the medical skill + paramedic ability.
Normal first aid does not work. The process of removing
trauma is the same as wounds, with the level adding to a TN of
1 and any locked pools increasing the base TN by 1.

Death
All things come to an end, and Operators can die. Dead
Operators are not left behind and every effort must be made to
retrieve and return the body.

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Operators do not wear or carry forms of ID for obvious reasons.

If an Operator dies, then the Player must create a new Operator

which will be introduced into the unit during next session if
they are close to a safe house, or in a location where the new
unit member can be either airdropped or delivered in some
other way

Other Damage
Operators will face many dangers. These will usually come
in the form of bullets, but other threats do exist, and in this
section, we will cover the more common ones.

Damage from falling, fire and crushing is rolled like normal

damage, and the Operator can roll their armour to reduce or
cancel it out.

Fire
Damage from fire happens over time. This is from the target
being either set alight with the use of flamethrowers or
engulfed in flame from explosives or flash fires.

For every Turn or 10 seconds that the Operator is on fire, they

will take 2 wounds and 2 trauma. They can attempt to put out
the flames by rolling on the floor or diving into nearby water.
To do this while on fire is a fitness roll TN of 4. Others can also
attempt to douse the flames with a TN of 2.

Drowning
An Operator can hold their breath for a number of minutes
equal to their fitness Skill. Once this time is up, they will begin
to drown. Each round of drowning causes 1 trauma and 1
wound. The Operator can attempt to hold their breath and halt
this by rolling under a Target Number of 3 + trauma level per
round, using their fitness. After a number of rounds equal to
the Resilience Pool; the Operator will die unless rescued or
they manage to get to safety.

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Ghost Ops

Falling
Falling is different from jumping or dropping. Falling is
uncontrolled and will cause damage. For every 3 metres that
the Operator falls they will receive 1 wound. The fall can be
broken by a fitness roll with a TN of 2 +1 for every 3 metres. All
measurements are rounded down.

Example:
The Operator attempts to jump across two roofs but fails and
ends up falling between them. The drop is 17 metres. The
Handler states that the Operator can attempt to limit the
damage by controlling the fall. 17 metres would add a +5 (+1
for every 3 metres rounded down) to the target number of 2.
The Operator will need to roll 7 (2+5=7) or more to control the
fall.

By successfully controlling the fall, all damage is halved.

Crushing
Explosions can often destabilise buildings or weaken
structures, meaning that in urban environments, the threat of
having a house fall on you is real. This can also be the case with
rolling vehicles or falling aircraft. Being crushed causes both
wounds and trauma damage.

Crushing damage is determined by the following table:

Object Damage
Brick Wall 2W, 1T
Overhead Ceiling 2W, 2T
Family Car 4W, 2T
Military Humvee 6W, 4T
Helicopter 8W, 4T
Building 10W, 6T
W = Wounds, T = Trauma

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 Combat

These are examples, and the Handler has the final say on all
damage. All dangers can be avoided using fitness at a TN of 3
+1 for slow, +2 fast and +3 very fast-moving threats.

Poisoning
The chance that the Operators will be poisoned is rare, and this
will come mainly from reptile or insect bites while on missions
in certain locales.

Each type of poison will have an effect level which acts as a

TN to resist using the Operator’s fitness along with any points
from the Resilience Pool. If the Operator fails to resist, they
take the effects of that poison until they manage to get serious
medical care or find an antidote.

Poison Lvl Effect

Ricin 8 Attacks proteins. Instant
Tetradotoxin 6 Paralyses, Treatable
Batrachotoxin 8 Neurotoxin, Instant
Amatoxin 6 Organ breakdown, Coma, Death
Cyanide 7 Blood Cells. Instant
Nerve Gas 6 Neurological, Treatable
Brodificoum 6 Internal Bleeding, Treatable
Strychnine 8 Neurotoxin, Treatable
Polonium 10 Radioactive, Instant

Some Poisons are instant death if not resisted. We suggest you

avoid these at all cost.

Bullet Time
The Ghost Ops RPG is a game of action, and that includes
those moments when you just have to eliminate everyone in
the room. During moments like these, the Bullet Time ability
comes into effect.

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Ghost Ops

All Operators can attempt to use Bullet Time. What this does is
slow time down, allowing the Operator to take multiple actions
in a slow-mo, action movie kind of way.

To use Bullet Time, the player must describe what they wish
their Operator to do. This breaks down into either basic or
complex actions, with each one adding disadvantage to a base
TN of 2.

Basic Actions - Each adds +1 to the Base TN.

Body Shot
Dive
Barge Door
Close Combat Strike

Complex Actions - Each adds +2 to the Base TN

Called Shot
Acrobatic Move (Somersault, Blackflip etc)
Dive through small space
Martial Art Move

Example 1
The Operator will barge through the door and headshot the 3
Tangos in the room. To break this down, the Base TN is 2, the
door barge adds +1, and the 3 headshots add +2 each, giving
this Bullet Time action a TN of 9.

Example 2
The Operator will dive through a window, roll into a crouch
and shoot the two interrogators with body shots. Breaking this
down is a Base of 2, the dive is a +1, the roll into a crouch is a +2
and the two body shots are +1 each. The total TN is 7.

How it Works
The Player can only use the Operator’s available Focus Pool to
use Bullet Time. They can also use Boost Points to lower the
TN, as they would normally. No skills or abilities can be used to
succeed in the attempt.

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 Combat

131
Ghost Ops

Example 1 - Attempt
The TN is 9. The Operator has 5 Focus Points in their pool. They
use a Boost Point to give them an advantage and reduce the TN
to 8. The Player must now roll the dice and add Focus Points.
The player rolls a + + - 0 which is a 1. They add all their
Focus Points and only get a total of 6.

The Handler can decide that the Operator succeeded in some

of the attempt. Maybe they barged the door and managed to
get 2 of the attempted headshots off but missed the third.

Failing a Bullet Time event places the Operator as prone for 1

round, allowing any Tangos free attacks. Deciding to attempt
Bullet Time is risky but can be ultimately rewarding.

A Bullet Time event, whether a success or failure, uses up

Focus Points and cannot be attempted again until those points
are replenished. Any damage done plays out like a normal
attack, with the Operator rolling damage and the target rolling
for armour.

Optional Rules
These are optional rules that can be used to replace rules you
may not like.

Armour
Instead of rolling for Armour just subtract the armour total
from the damage. This is much quicker, but will not allow for
glancing shots etc. The AL Vs PL is still in affect but there is no
armour roll.

132
 The
Loya Files

Standard Military Training

Instruction
 Acronyms
Acronyms are a constant for militaries and government
agencies the world over. Here are a few to use during your
gaming sessions to make your special operations missions
seem more ‘special’.

0K Zero Killed “Zero K, Okay” - A term used to convey that no

personnel have been killed during the operation; can be used
as either a mission expectation or a status. Ex: “At end of day
I expect to be at Zero K, gentlemen” or “Mission accomplished
and we are Okay”.
BDA Battle Damage Assessment - The action of moving into
an area (typically after an airstrike) to confirm destruction/
death of a target. Ex: “After we have confirmed detonation,
your team will move in to BDA the area”.
CASEVAC Casualty Evacuation - Either the action of removing
casualties (typical emergency wounded) from the battlefield
by a vehicle not specially equipped to do so, or the vehicle
assigned itself. Ex: “I have wounded and am sending out
a convoy of 3 trucks to CASEVAC my most in need” or “This
MRAP has been CASEVAC for the last three patrols”.
CBRN Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear - Gear,
personnel, or conditions involving weapons of mass destruction
or defense against them. Ex: “CBRN is a serious subject boys.
Laugh now, but don’t come cryin’ when your face is melting
off”.
MEDEVAC Medical Evacuation - A vehicle specially equipped
and crewed to deal with medical emergencies and removing
them from the battlefield, or the act of removing casualties from
the battlefield utilizing a MEDEVAC vehicle. Ex: “MEDEVAC will
be leaving the airfield at 0500 for Landstuhl, I expect you to be
on it.”
PII Personally Identifiable Information - Any piece of
information that can be used to easily identify an individual or
target. Ex: “Each of you needs to go through your PII checklists;
this is a black op” or “I want you to check all our tangos for PII;
we have to confirm we eliminated our target.”
SCI Sensitive Compartmentalized Information - The
official term for information classified ‘above Top Secret’; the
much lauded ‘need-to-know’ information. Ex: “This mission
briefing contains information that is SCI, I need your verbal
acknowledgment of that fact.”
SOFA Status of Forces Agreement “So-fah” - A treaty between
two nations that establishes the recognition and treatment of
each other’s military forces. Ex: “We have no SOFA with the
target nation, so if captured you will be treated as spies.”
SSE Sensitive Sight Exploitation - The identifying and
procurement of items of high intelligence value from a specific
location, commonly a target building. Ex: “After we have the
site secured I want three guys on SSE.”
TCN Third Country National - An individual of citizenship
or ethnicity that does not belong in the operational area. Ex:
“Yeah, Command, something bigger may be going on; we have
about 50% TCNs among the downed tangos.”
TOC Tactical Operations Center “Tock” - The command
center for any given mission, serving as a clearinghouse
for necessary information and relaying communications
to supporting parties. Ex: “Are we going to have somebody
competent manning the Net at the TOC this time?”
TIC Troops In Contact “Tick” - The point at which rounds are
first fired, at or by the unit or the entire combat engagement.
Ex: “It was at that point we had TIC” or “We currently have 3
TICs in progress across the country.”
VDM Visual Distinguishing Mark - Any easily verifiable
features to verify the identity of an individual or target. Ex: “If
you check your dossier you will see that Target One has several
VDM.”
 Jargon
Jargon is common with every profession and the military and
government are no exceptions. These are a few common to
the military in general, or the special operations community
specifically, to add flavor to your character’s interactions.

Ass - The vocalization of the acronym AS, standing for Armored

Support, referring to any accompanying dedicated combat
vehicles (Tanks, LAVs, etc). Ex: “Sir, if we’re to be assaulting
that heavily fortified of a position will we be bringing any Ass
with us?”
B3 - A shorthand form of Beans, Bullets and Bandaids, a
colloquialism for the basics of logistics, representing the need
for food, ammunition, and medical supplies. Ex: “Is supply
100% on B3 this time?”.
Crypto - Shortening of the word cryptography; used to describe
both the process of, and the means to, secure operational
communications. Ex: “Yo, did you get the SINCGARS up with
the new crypto before we left the MOB, because I can’t raise
anyone.”
Flower - Shortening of the term Flower Soldier, a holdover from
the Vietnam War, used in reference to indigenous forces who
don’t even bother to show up for duty. Ex: “We’re supposed to
be training an entire company here and over half of them are
Flowers.”
Fobbit - A mashup of the words FOB and hobbit, used to
indicate a service member who inhabits a FOB in the way the
hobbits inhabited the Shire. Ex: “Careful now buddy, you keep
up that kind of intel value and they’ll transfer you to Fobbit
country
Ghost Soldier - A non-existent soldier (similar in effect to a
Flower Soldier), and another holdover from the Vietnam War,
used to reference a soldier that exists only on paper, either that
never existed at all, or that died and whose death was never
reported. Ex: “The commander of the local ANA garrison had
over 30 Ghost Soldiers on his payroll. We’re to track those
funds and figure out just where they went.”
Gogs - A vocalization of the unofficial acronym GOG, standing
for Guys On Ground; used primarily by aviation elements
to describe the personnel they are providing CAS for, it has
also been occasionally used to describe any personnel in the
field, particularly by members of units with long-standing
relationships with Special Mission Aviation units. Ex: “I’ve got
8 blips on thermal, South-East of building 1, is that our Gogs?”
Indig - Shorthand for Indigenous Personnel, while officially
used to describe a member of the military or police forces of
a nation in which operations are occurring, it can also be used
to identify any native resident of the country. Ex: “We have the
hostages, but I have 20 count Indigs also in detention. What is
our call Command?”
Pogue - The vocalization of the unofficial acronym POG,
standing for Personnel Other Than Grunt; it has a shifting
definition (much like the word civilian) where members of
combat arms specializations consider everyone else to be a
Pogue, while those in infantry or Special Operations consider
everyone not in those fields to be one. Ex: “Geez man, you take
enough time recovering from that wound? You’re starting to
look like a pogue.”
Squirter - An individual retreating from the engagement
area; originally utilized by aviation units it has become more
commonly used by infantry and Special Operations. Ex: “South
side, South side, I’ve got a squirter headed out the door on the
South side of the building.”
Straphanger (or more commonly “Strap”) -The term for Non-
SOF personnel assigned to an SOF mission, often in a supporting
role; can also be used to describe an individual who has not yet
finished “training-up” but is still accompanying an operational
unit on deployment. Ex: “BRC doesn’t mean crap out here. Until
you have both your bubbles and your wings you are a Strap,
you hear me?”
Terp - Shorthand for Interpreter, specifically one of indigenous
origin working under the promise of money, protection,
relocation, or a combination of the three. Ex: “Well we’re up
The Creek, Terp was with Boyes and Parson in Victor One.”
 Hand Signals
Even in today’s day and age of throat mics and satellite
comms the military still practices hand signals. While this,
admittedly archaic, practice may seem useless to some it has
a very important real-world application. Sometimes comms
break down, sometimes even subvocalization would be too
loud, sometimes it’s just more expedient to make a few hand
motions than to speak.

While there are a pretty set standard selection of hand signals,

they can vary from nation to nation and unit to unit so instead
of showing what the signals are and how and when to use
them, instead we’ll cover just what information can be easily
conveyed with hand signals.

Formation and Posture

From starting and stopping movement to indicating who will
be where while that movement is occuring, hand signals can
be used to declare a great number of things in this category.
Rally codes can also be given and practiced indicating a series
of specific actions to be taken within a given time frame before
reaching a point to await the next rally code or a call to the end
of the operation. Even basic changes in the ROE can be given
through hand signals, indicating when to load and/ or charge
your weapon or entering free-fire and cease-fire states.

Enemy Presence, Count, and Location

The specifics of an enemy position can be fairly clearly
communicated via hand signals as well. Of course, just the
mere presence of an enemy comes first, but with a short series
of gestures count, basic armament, positioning, whether they
are a static position or patrol, and even leadership can be
highlighted, all without speaking a word. While specifics are
outside the capability to hand signals without prearranged
coordination between members, enough information can be
passed to allow rough tactical plans to be drawn on the spot.
Target Building Information
If a building is being targeted for an operation, information
on its structure can be passed utilizing hand signals as well.
External features such as doors, windows, access ladders,
etc. and on which side they are placed are some of the more
commonly relayed information, but suggestions and decisions
on specific entry points can also be communicated. Once inside
a structure, hand signals can continue to be used, passing the
same or similar information as on the external features, as well
as stairwells/ ladderwells, points of interest, and potential
caches.

So, as you can see, there is a huge amount of information that

can be conveyed while remaining non-vocal, with the threat of
detection shifting from sound to vision (you stand out quite
easily making hand signals). While the biggest drawback is the
inability to confer specifics of situations or things, they can be
utilized to confer a wide array of information. Ultimately, it will
be up to your Game Master whether a particular piece of info
can be passed along utilizing hand signals or not.
 Tactical Movement
To get into the specifics of tactical operations would take a
far greater amount of space than is available here, and would
cover a great number of subjects that have no bearing on the
tabletop gaming environment. Instead we’ll cover the basic
rules of tactical operations, and the exception to each rule.

Never Skyline Yourself

It may look good in movies and on book covers but skylining
yourself is the absolute best way to giveaway your position
and get your team killed. Don’t walk on the very top of crests,
instead move slightly down from the top of any ridge to allow
you the most visibility down from your position and allow your
camouflage to do its job. The Exception: when establishing an
Observation Post or a Combat Outpost, especially where its
presence is an instrumental part of a deterrence plan, and 360
degree visibility is needed, then the absolute highest point is
a must.

Never Bunch Up
It may look good and allow for tighter shots on television and
movies, but bunching up is a great way to get a team killed with
a single grenade or burst of automatic fire. Maintaining spacing
is an instrumental part of training and rehearsal exercises, so
much so that it becomes second nature. Knowing the armament
of your enemy can also influence just how much spacing is to
be maintained. The Exception: while there are a few, the most
notable is taking a Diamond Formation in protection of an HVI
for extraction in a hostile environment, where your job literally
becomes covering as much of their surface area with your body
as possible and taking any bullets that were intended for them.
Always Conserve Your Fire
Ammunition is not unlimited, and unlike in video games,
running over the top of a downed enemy doesn’t give you a
few extra magazines. The reason marksmanship is trained so
heavily is often times SOF teams will be carrying out extended
duration missions with limited logistical support and bullets
have a funny way of disappearing in combat. The Exception: it
may seem counter-intuitive, but when engaging a numerically
superior force, a team will undertake a bounding action and
begin engaging with heavy fire, the intent being to convince
the enemy force that they are engaging a much larger element
than they are and potentially forcing a retreat or surrender.

Move With Deliberation

It’s not about moving slowly, it’s about moving with intention.
An operator should know where he is going, and how he’s going
to get there, before the door is ever opened. A part of this is
rehearsal exercises, if there is the intel and time to support that,
and the other part is experience as regardless of region, nation,
or culture, buildings tend to get laid out the same the world
over. The Exception: walking into the unknown, particularly if
it is an intentionally “off-designed” structure; speed becomes
paramount, with the intention of catching an enemy presence
unprepared and unable to react and coordinate
 Laws of War
While there are literally hundreds of books written on the
laws and rules of warfare, not all of these are applicable to
the world of tabletop gaming simulating such situations, so
we have to attempt to parse the information down to a usable
level. The basic premise of the laws of war are to protect those
who are not involved in the fighting, as well as those no longer
able to fight. Specifics about different groups within those two
categories can vary.

Civilians
Even in the era of modern war against a non-uniformed enemy,
civilians cannot be intentionally targeted. Just as with a court
of law, suspicion is not enough, evidence must be gathered
before an individual can be declared a combatant or operating
in support of the enemy. This protection extends to things
considered vital to the continued survival of a local populace,
to include: livestock, infrastructure, food and water sources,
etc. Additionally, civilian law enforcement (CLEOs), even when
armed, must be allowed to continue to conduct their business
without interference by military activities.

Detainees
Once an enemy is captured they are no longer the enemy,
they are a detainee. Detainees are entitled to food, water,
communication, and fair treatment; this is not to say that the
food and water cannot be rationed, that the communication
cannot be monitored, or that the treatment requires any form
of nicety, but regardless of their previous actions they are no
longer a threat and cannot be treated as such. The issue arises,
however, that many small tactical units cannot afford to take
detainees and have limited options as to remove them as a
threat. While there are several solutions to this situation, of
varying degrees of humanity and legitimacy, the field execution
of these individuals is not one of them.
Wounded
Regardless of which side a combatant was on, once wounded
they become entitled to equal care and effort to save their
lives. Additionally medical personnel, whether members of
a uniformed military, local emergency service workers, or
volunteers with an internationally recognized NGO, are not
allowed to be targeted, coerced, or threatened while in the
performance of their duties. Once an individual has received
sufficient care to no longer be in a life threatening situation
their status can change, but care tends to be required for
wounds even upon detainment of enemy combatants.

Weaponry
Limitations to weaponry seems counter to the effort of
warfighting, but is, in all actuality, an effort to allow an area
to return to a semblance of normalcy after fighting has ended,
or moved on. It is for this reason that area denial weapons
are such a subject of contention as a majority of them remain
active, and most become increasingly unstable, as they remain
in place for years after the war they were utilized in.
Additionally, weapons that result in intentional maiming or
lifelong health conditions are highly restricted, if not outright
banned, due to the fact that soldiers do not remain soldiers
their entire life and they have a right to pursue the life they
chose after they exit their service.

While a certain level of flexibility should be expected at the

table, and indeed is in actual war, these laws can provide the
potential for an overarching theme or story outside of combat
for your campaigns
6. Loadout
Ghost Ops

“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not,
will be victorious.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

146
 Loadout

Operators start with a basic loadout. These are the essentials

and can be picked up or dropped depending on the mission
parameters. The unit’s safehouse will over time become more
filled with gear, allowing more choice for mission loadouts as
the safehouse gets upgraded.

Encumbrance
What the Operator carries and how it affects their actions is
all down to encumbrance. As more and more gear is included
above the basic, the more difficult it becomes for the Operator
to move quickly or engage in more physical actions. There are
two options that can be used when determining encumbrance
and its effects.

Option 1: Common Sense – Above and beyond the basic

load out (starting gear + 3 weapons) the Handler determines
how much extra the Operator can carry just from working
out realistically what this would look like. Carrying two light
machine guns will hamper movement, whereas carrying a few
extra energy bars will not.

Option 2: Encumbrance Rule – The encumbrance rule is

designed to show the added penalty that carrying too much
gear can give. This is shown as a form of Disadvantage and will
affect movement, physical actions and stealth.

The Encumbrance Rule

Certain types of gear have an Encumbrance Number (EN) that
ranges from 1-3. This number indicates the item’s weight or
bulk. Operators can easily carry their basic loadout plus three
weapons.

ENs and what they mean:

1– Light
2 – Bulky with weight
3 – Heavy

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 Ghost Ops

Some items do not have ENs. This is because they are either
too light or are worn. Items that fall into this category are often
small items like pens, notepads, energy bars, etc.

Encumbrance should not turn into a micromanagement system,

as this can be dull and become distracting with Operators
calculating everything they pick up to maximise their potential
or avoid Disadvantage.

The standard loadout and three weapons comes to 20 EN. This

will go lower if the Operator decides to swap things out because
they are not needed. Reducing this loadout number does
nothing and adds no advantage but will allow the Operator to
carry more extra gear or found gear.

For every 5 points above the 20 EN allowed, the Operator is at

+1 Disadvantage to all movement actions. If the Operator’s EN
is 30, they will have a +2 Disadvantage to their movement.

Operator Loadouts
Safehouse
rules begin on
Operators will have a safe house (see the Safe House chapter).
pg 185 This will allow the unit to store gear and upgrade the various
aspects of the safe house, such as garage, armoury, medical
facility and so forth. Each Operator has a locker within that
safe house, and these can be set with loadouts for different
mission parameters.

On the Operator sheet are 4 loadout sections. These can be

filled in immediately (or whenever gear becomes available)
and be selected to match the mission. This will save time.
Imagine the Operator in the safe house grabbing their pack,
ready to go.

Weapons and Gear

Each Operator receives a basic loadout, but they need to use
their starting funds to buy any extra gear they need, and this
includes extra weapons, ammo, etc. It is advised that the unit
uses their starting funds to buy as much stuff as they can, as
anything they use will need to be replaced.

148
 Loadout

Operator Gear
What follows is a list of available gear to Operators, this also
includes available upgrades. Items marked with an * is standard
Loadout for the Operators and should always be available in
the Safe House.

Each gear entry has an EN number, a cost and what advantage

they give. A brief description of each item follows. All costs are
in dollars.

Gear Descriptions
Chemsticks – Small sticks that can be cracked open to give a
personal area light or as a marker for Evac pickups. They come
in three types: Glow, which creates a yellow light; UV, which
gives out Ultraviolet light; and Strobe, which is mostly used for
Evac markers.

IFAK – Indiviual First Aid Kit

Woobie – All weather poncho

QB Sleeve – Quarterback sleeve that can be attached to arm or

leg and will hold maps, etc.

Maghook – The Armalite MH-12 Maghook. The Maghook is a

grappling hook with magnetic head. The maghook looks like
a tommy gun and is fired like a rifle. The magnetic plate can
be switched on or off and comes with 50 metres (150 feet) of
cable.

Designator – The laser designator is quite bulky and allows

the Operator to mark locations for airstrikes.

Flotation – A circular device attached to the battle belt. When

activated, the device inflates a semicircle cushion around the
user allowing them to float. Often two are used.

149
Ghost Ops

Standard Gear List

All gear in the following table are supplied as standard to
Operators. These will always be available at the Safe House.
Standard gear has no dollar cost or EN as they are already
factored into the Operators Loadout.

Item Description
Batteries (6) Standard batteries
Chemsticks Plastic rods, shake and break
Glow Standard
Ultra Violet Can only be seen using UV
Strobe Will strobe
Comms Unit
Survival Radio Large radio with built in GPS
Throat Standard comms unit
Compass Advantage to Navigation
Energy Bars 1pt to Focus Pool for 1rnd
Entrenching Tool Can be used as a weapon
Flashlight Advantage to searching at night
Gasmask Gives Advantage to resisting gas
IFAK Standard First Aid Kit
Multi-Tool Standard Multi-Tool
Night Vision Googles give Advantage in darkness
UV Allows user to see Ultra Violet
IR Allows user to see Infra Red
QB Sleeve Holds maps
Rations Standard ration packs
Tourniquet Standard tourniquet
Woobie Standard all weather poncho
Zip Ties (10) Pack of 10 zip ties

150
 Loadout

Non-Standard Gear
The Following gear will need to be purchased or gained
through improving the Safe House.
Standard gear has a EN and Cost Column.

Item EN Cost Description

Binoculars 0 400 Standard binoculars
Nightvision 0 +100 Optional Night-vision
CamalBak 0 70 Water carrier
Canteen 0 40 Water carrier (belt)
Carabiners 0 30 Advantage Climbing
Designator 3 2500 Forward Air Control
Flotation 0 25 Belt carried flotation
Ghillie Suit 0/2 700 See description below
Grapple 1 40 Advantage Climbing
GPS Nav 0 75 Advantage Navigation
Hazmat Suit 0/2 800 See Description
Laptop 1 1000 Shock Resist/ Anti-EMP
Laser Pointer 0 10 Standard laser pointer
Lockpicks 0 40/120 Advantage Trade Craft
Maghook 2 400 +2 Advantage Climbing
Metal Detector 2 200 Advantage mine detection

Rebreather 0 150 Stay beneath water

longer
Rope 1 20 20 metres of rope
Tool Kit 1 50 Selection of tools

151
Ghost Ops

Ghillie Suit
The Ghillie Suit is used by both
Snipers and Recon Operators
to improve their stealth.

The Ghillie Suit will add a 2 to

either the Operators attempts
to hide or as a Disadvantage to
Tangos searching for them.

The Entry for Ghillie suit

has the EN for worn (0) and
carried (2).

Hazmat Suit
Not standard gear for most
Operators the Hazmat
suit allows the safe use of
dangerous chemicals or other
materials (radioactive etc).

The Suit allows the Operator

to be in the proximity of
dangerous materials for 20
rnds before it needs to be
decontaminated.

The suit has the EN for worn

(0) and carried (2)

152
 Loadout

Carriers
When building your battle belt, Molle or plate carrier you
must make sure that everything is in easy reach and balanced.
Snipers may consider leaving the front of a battle belt clear to
make laying front down easier.

All carriers are standard issue for Operators and should be

available in the Safe House.

General Battle Belt Setup

Holster, Pistol Ammo Pouches (2), Rifle ammo Pouches (1),
Dump Pouch, Multi-tool, Flashlight, IFAK, Knife.

Carrier Description
Ammo Pouch Can hold two mags of any type ammo
Backpack Can hold up to 30 litres
Battle Belt See below
Dump Pouch Large pouch for storing extra mags etc
Holster For a handgun
Ankle Strapped to ankle
Belt Attached to belt
Drop Leg Attached to lower thigh
Molle See below

Battle Belt - Highly customisable belts that can be matched

with mollies and battle armour. Allows you to mount holsters
and pouches. Has Velcro area for IFAK quick grab, a rappel ring
and various hooks.

Molle - Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment

- Worn along with the IOTV or Tactical vest. The Molle has
removeable pouches and various pockets for carrying gear.

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Drones
Drones come in three types, but each type can be upgraded to
the next type up, so a basic recon drone can be fitted out with
tactical drone upgrades and so on. This allows the Operator to
match the drone with the mission even in the field.

Drones are smaller than the standard civilian drones and can
be easily carried in a pack folded.

Drone EN Cost Modifier

Recon 2 1500 Advantage to Awareness
Upgrade to 300 Will upgrade to Tactical
Tactical 2 2000 Advantage to Awareness
Upgrade to 500 Will upgrade to Assault
Assault 3 3000 Uses Technical for combat

Drone Descriptions
Recon - Standard recon drone. Can be sent to scout areas,
relaying information back to the Operator via video feed. Can
take photos and has night-vision.

Tactical - The next step up, similar to the recon drone but can
be placed in stealth mode, making it almost silent. Has night-
vision and infrared, relays back information by video and
sound. Can be used to pinpoint Tangos and place them on a
map. Operator can zoom and mark important locations.

Assault - The assault drone is designed to take out Tangos at

range. It has both video and sound feeds which are relayed
back to the Operator and comes fitted with night-vision and
infrared. Also has an automatic targeting and manual targeting
system for the 4 missiles and 6 shot .38 gun (see weapon
section for damage) built into the drone.

The drone operator will fire the weapon once the drone has
the target fixed. Drones cannot make called shots but can aim.

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Operator Armour
Armour is an important component in an Operator’s life, but
they need to know what to wear in relation to the mission.
Sometimes a simple bulletproof vest is enough for those low-
profile missions, and sometimes complete battle gear is called
for.

Operators have a wide variety of armour at their disposal from

many different parts of the world.

Underlayers & Inserts

Armour AL EN Modifiers
Underlayers
Army Shirt (ACS) 0 0 2 AL Vs Fire Damage
Blast Boxers 1 0 2 AL Vs Explosions
Long Johns 0 0 2 AL Vs Fire Damage
Tactical Trousers 0 0
Inserts
E-SAPI 3 3 See below
X-SAPI 4 2 See below
E-SBI 3 2 See below

Underlayer & Insert Descriptions

Underlayers - The under layers are designed to go under the
body armour of the wearer. They are designed to be comfortable
and flame retardant.

Blast Boxers - Designed to protect against IED shrapnel and

worn under the armour.

Inserts - Ceramic plates that are inserted into plate carriers.

These are needed to give armour like IOTVs there AL Value.

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Body Armour
The AL of body armour is without inserts added. Armour that
can be fitted with Inserts are marked *
EN number is before Inserts are added.

Armour AL EN Information
Body Armour
IOTV* 1 1 Disadvantage to Stealth
Light Body 3 0 +1 AL Vs Blades
Plate Carrier* 1 1 E-SAPI or X-SAPI only
IMTV* 1 1 E-SAPI or X-SAPI only
Leg Armour
Boots 1 0 See description
Knee Pads 1 0 Non-slip
Arm Armour
Axillary * 1 0 Must have IOTV
Deltoid * 1 1 Must have IOTV
Elbow Pads 1 0 Non-Slip
Gloves 1 0 Cut proof
Helmets
Ballistic 2 1 Standard helmet
MICH 2 1 See description
ECH 2 1 See description

IOTV – Improved Outer Tactical Vest – Military standard and

offers all-round protection. It is compatible with the deltoid
protector and the axillary protector. Can be loaded with both
E-SAPI or X-SAPI and E-SBI plates and also has velcro and
straps for pouches. Weighs between 30 to 35 pounds (14-16
kg) when fully loaded. The armour can be quickly removed by
pulling a hidden lanyard.

Plate Carrier - The plate carrier covers the chest and back,
Built to hold gear via straps built into the vest. Can have either
E-SAPI or X-SAPI plates in the front and rear pouches.

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Light Body Armour - Is designed

to be concealable and is what most
people think of when body armour
is mentioned.

Light body armour is stab resistant

and will protect against some small
arms fire.

Often seen being used by Agents or

Police.

IMTV - Improved Modular Tactical Vest – A smaller, lighter

version of the IOTV and has the same side, front and back
pouches for the inserts. Due to its lighter, smaller size its often
favoured by smaller Operators or female Operators.

Deltoid Protector – These cover the upper arms and are only
usable with the IOTV.

Axillary Protector – This is worn under the IOTV and is

attached to the underside of the shoulder section of the IOTV.

MICH - Modular Integrated Communications Helmet –

The standard helmet for military personnel. Can be covered
by cloth covers to match the camouflage needed and allows
attachment of night-vision device and goggles.

ECH - Enhanced Combat Helmet – A more tactical design

than the MICH, the ECH allows for better mobility and is lighter.
Can be fitted with camouflage covers and allows attachment of
night-vision and comms equipment.

Pads - Both elbow pads and knee pads are designed to be

comfortable, non-slip and not hinder movement.

Gloves - The gloves are cut proof and padded.

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Operator Weapons
Each weapon section has both the weapon and an ammo list.
In the Ghost Ops RPG we work on ammo damage rather than
weapon damage, which allows each weapon to take a variety
of ammo with varying effects. The Operator sheet allows you to
mark down 3 different damage types so that the Operator can
carry clips of 3 different types of ammo.

Ranges
All weapons have four ranges: S-Short, M-Medium, L-Long
and E-Extreme. The table below will indicate whether the
weapon can hit at that range and whether it would receives
and modifiers.

The weapon table will indicate whether the weapon will gain
any Advantage or Disadvantage when used to hit a target at
that range.

Weapon Short Medium Long Extreme

Assault Rifles ADV 2 None DAV 1 DAV 2
Handguns ADV 1 None DAV 1
LMGs ADV 2 ADV 1 None DAV 2
Shotguns ADV 2 ADV 1 DAV 1
SMGs ADV 1 None DAV 1
Sniper Rifles None None ADV 1 ADV 2

If the Weapon has a modifier than it can hit at that range.

ADV - Advantage
None - No Advantage or Disadvantage
DAV - Disadvantage
Blank - Out of Range

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Handguns & SMGs (Tertiary Weapons)

Name Type Cal Cost

.38 Special Revolver .38 420
Desert Eagle Auto .50 1,300
FN57 Auto 5.7mm 1,290
G17 Auto 9mm 600
M1911 Auto 9mm 1,050
M9 Auto 9mm 540
Mag .44 Revolver .44 1,350
MK23 Auto .45 ACP 1,920
MP443 Auto 9mm 720
P226 Auto 9mm 800
PPQ Auto 9mm 630
USP Auto .45/9mm 880
SMGs
MP5SD SMG 9mm 1,400
MP5 SMG 9mm 1,800
TMP SMG 9mm 1,350
UZI SMG 9mm 1,200

Calibre
Type 9mm .45 5.7 .44 .32 .38 .50
Standard 4(1) 5(1) 4(1) 6(2) 2(1) 3(1) 7(2)
FMJ 4(2) 5(2) 6(1) 3(1)
Hollow Point 4(1) 5(1) 4(1) 3(1)
Hollow Point + 4(2) 5(2) 3(2)
Number in Brackets is Penetration Level

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Handgun & SMG Attachments

Upgrade Cost Effect

Handguns
Compensator 400 +1 Damage/ -1 Stealth
Flashlight 80 Cancels out dark modifier
Match Grade Barrel 200 Reroll 1 - dice
Neon Sights 120 Reroll 1 - dice
Red Dot 75 Reroll 1 - dice
Suppressor 240 -1 Damage/ +1 Stealth
SMG
Folding Stock 220 -1 EN
Neon Sight 120 Reroll 1 - dice
Laser Sight 75 Reroll 1 - dice
Suppressor 320 -1 Damage/ +1 Stealth

Upgrades can only be purchased once the Safe House has been
upgraded to the relevant level.

Rerolls - If the upgrade allows a reroll of 1 - dice that

indicates that when the Operator rolls to hit they are able to
roll a number of - equal to the amount of upgrades that allow
it.
Example
The Operator rolls to hit, and gets + + - - but because
they have a neon sight attached they can reroll one of the -

Maximum Upgrades - Handguns and SMGs are allowed a

maximum of 3 upgrades. Also only two of these upgrades can
be barrel mounted, so you can not have a Red Dot, Flashlight,
and Neon sight all on the same gun.

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Rifles (Primary or Secondary)

Name Cal Benefits Cost

Assault Rifles
AK74 5.56 Never jam on a fail 1,145
AK47 7.62 Never jam on a fail 750
C8SFW 5.56 Comes suppressed 1,500
HK G36 5.56 Fitted with telescopic sight 560
HK 416 5.56 Adjustable stock 430
HK 417 7.62 Extended barrel 700
M4A1 5.56 Comes suppressed 1,900
Scar L 5.56 Barrel upgrade to 7.62 3,350
SG 50 5.56 Telescopic sight 1,350
STG 77 5.56 Telescopic sight 2,340
Sniper Rifles
AW50 .50 Adjustable stock & bipod 3,400
DSR 1 308 Comes suppressed & bipod 2,700
M24 7.62 Telescopic sight & bipod 2,400
MK13 300 Telescopic sight & bipod 3,000
PSG 1 7.62 Telescopic sight 2,100
PGM 11 .50 Telescopic sight & bipod 2,150
RM700 303 Bolt action 970
SSG 69 7.62 Bolt action 1,560
SR 25 7.62 Telescopic sight 1,890
SVD 63 7.62 Telescopic sight 1,600

Bolt Action - Bolt Action Rifles will only shoot single shot once
per rnd.

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Rifle Ammo

Calibre
Type 5.56 7.62 300 303 .50 338
Standard 5(2) 6(3) 6(2) 6(3) 9(5) 6(2)
Tracer 5* 6* 6* 6* 9* 6*
FMJ 5(3) 6(4) 6(3) 6(3) 9(6) 6(3)
Incendiary 7 (2) 8(3) 8(2) 8(3) 11(5) 8(2)
Hollow Point 6(1) 7(1) 7(1) 7(1) 10(2) 7(1)
HEIAP 11(7)
Subsonic 6 (2) 7 (2) 7(2) 7(2) 10(3) 7(2)
* Special Effect

Tracer - Rounds are visible to the naked eye when fired.

Incendiary - Incendiary rnds are designed to explode after
penetration causing more damage
HEIAP - High Explosive Incediary Armour Piercing.
Subsonic - Subsonic rnds travel lighter than speed of sound
meaning they do not ‘crack’. making them suppressed

Rifle Upgrades

Upgrade Cost Effect

Adjustable Stock 200 Changes weapon length
Bipod 230 Reroll 1 - dice
Compensator 420 +1 Damage / -1 Stealth
Flashlight 80 Cancels out dark modifier
Extended Barrel 340 Reroll 1 - dice on Long shots
Grenade Launcher 360 Fires 40mm grenades
M26 MASS Underbarrel 12 gauge shotgun
Red Dot 75 Reroll 1 - dice
Reflex/Holosight 125 +1 Initiative on snapshots
Suppressed 500 -1 Damage / +1 Stealth
Telescopic Sight 700 Reroll 1 - dice on long shots

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Shotguns (Primary or Secondary)

Name Type Cal Cost

FP6 Pump 12g 600
M3 Pump 12/20g 1,420
M870 Pump 12/16/20g 450
R870 Pump 12/16/20g 400
SPAS 12 Pump 12g 850
SPAS 15 Auto 12g 1,200

Shotgun Ammo

Calibre
Type 12g 16g 20g
Shot 9 9 10
Slug 7(3) 6(3) 6(3)

Light Machine Guns (Secondary)

Name Type EN Cal Cost

MAG 58 Belt 4 7.62 2,800
L7A1 Belt 4 7.62 3,200
L86A2 HK Mag 5 5.56 3,000
AA F-1 Belt 4 7.62 2,100
MINIMI Belt/Mag 5 5.56 2,500
Aug A1 Mag 4 5.56 3,200

Use Rifle Ammo chart for Damage

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Ranged Weapons

Name EN Cost
Compound Bow 2 300
Crossbow 3 400
Hand Crossbow 1 600
Knife 1 60
Hatchet 1 80

Ranged Ammo

Type Bow Crossbow

Arrow 3
Explosive Tip 5
Armour Piercing 3(3)
Bolt 5/4*(1)
Explosive Tip 6/5*(1)
Armour Piercing 5/4*(3)
Tracker* 0*
*Hand Crossbow

Explosives
Explosives will come in many different shapes and sizes, from
grenades to blocks of C4, and from land mines to nuclear
bombs. Using, priming and disarming them is an important
skill in an Operators retinue.

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Grenades/Mines/IEDs

Name Damage AoE (W) AoE (T)

Grenades
Frag/40mm 9(4) 4m 6m
Flashbang Stun 1 rnd - 6m
Phospherous 11(3) 4m 6m
Incendiary 8* 3m 3m
Mines
Anti-Personal 9(3) 2m 3m
Anti-Vehicle 10(5) 3m 4m
IEDs
C4 8(3)** 7m 10m
Dynamite 7(2)** 4m 6m
Mine (IED) 7(2) 3m 4m
Molotov Cocktail 3* 2m 0
*Per Rnd ** Per Block/Stick

Launchers

Name Damage AoE (W) AoE (T)

MANPADS 20(10) 5m 7m
Under-Barrel 8(4) 4m 5m
RPG-7 16(7) 5m 7m
Stinger 20(10) 5m 7m

MANPADS - Man Portable Air Defense System - Shoulder

mounted surface to air missile system.
Under - Barrel - Single shot 40mm grenade launcher
RPG-7 - Anti-Tank Rocket Propelled Grenade - Most used
rocket launcher in the world.
Stinger - Infrared Homing Surface to Air Missile - Gives a +2
to hit bonus.

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Fixed Weapons (SAMs & Turrets)

Name Damage AoE (W) AoE (T)

Anti-Tank 20 (10) 10m 12m
Anti-Aircraft 20(10) 8m 10m
M2HB .50 10(5)
Mortar 16(5) 6m 8m
SAM 20 (10) 10m 12m

Anti-Tank/Aircraft - 120mm Cannons often fixed to a movable

platform, mounted on trains etc.
M2HB .50 - Turret mounted heavy machine gun.
Mortar - Fixed indirect fire launcher.
SAM - Surface to Air Missile System with built in guidance and
Radar.

Armed and Unarmed Combat

Armed combat includes knifes and handheld weapons,
whereas unarmed includes brawling and martial arts.

Melee & Hand to Hand

Name Type Damage

Hand to Hand
Headbutt Trauma 2
Kick Trauma 2
Punch Trauma 1
Melee
Club Trauma 3
Entrenching Wound 3
Knife Wound 2
Taser Trauna 3

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Martial Arts

Type Damage Effect

Muay Thai
Punch +2 Increases punch damage
Knee 2T Adds knee as an extra option
Elbow 2T Adds elbow as an option
Kick +3 Increases kick damage
Judo
Throw - Causes victim to be stunned 1 rnd
Pin - Pinned to ground & unable to act
Krav Maga
Elbow 2T Adds elbow as an option
Punch +2 Increases punch damage
Grab - Successful grab allows for free action
Knee 2T Adds knee as an option
Jujitsu
Choke - -1 Resilience for each rnd
Lock - Victim is restrained
Throw - Causes victim to be stunned 1 rnd

The following martial art moves are achieved from a successful

opposed roll (unarmed Vs unarmed).

Throw - Victim is thrown and is stunned for 1 rnd

Pin - Victim is thrown to the floor and pinned must succeed an
opposed test to escape.
Choke - Victim is choked and will lose 1 Resiliance Point per
rnd until they win an opposed roll.
Grab - Victim is grabbed and attacker can gain free throw or
pin action.

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Added Rules Section

We have been asked about ammo cost as there seems to be none
in the Weapon and Ammo section of the Loadouts Chapter.
This was an oversight, so we have decided to add it here as an
extra ruling.

All ammo is cost based on the calibre, some ammo types in the
game are illegal in real life so we will need to basically ‘make
it up’, of course if you know better ( which I am sure someone
will) then please change it.

Ammo Cost
Each Calibre of ammo has a number of bullet types linked to
it, so rather than create an exhaustive table of costs etc work
on the basis that a a box of 30 standard bullets is $5, with each
type above Standard in the table going up by $2, so for example,

9mm Standard rounds will cost $5 for 30, 9mm FMJ will be $7
per box of 30 and Hollow Point will be $9 per box of 30.

This keeps it simple but effective.

Ranges
There are 4 ranges within the game these are Short, Medium,
Long and Extreme. The below table shows what these mean in
metres.

Range Metres
Short 15 - 30
Medium 31 - 70
Long 71 - 150
Extreme 151 - 300

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7. Vehicles
Ghost Ops

“Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood.

Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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 Vehicles

Vehicles can be an important part of an Operator’s gear, with

the use of ground vehicles in getaways or helicopters to pick
up or drop off.

Obtaining Vehicles
Operators can buy vehicles for their Safehouse garage. As
they improve the level of their Safehouse, they can store more
vehicles and add helipads and even airfields if they have the
land. Operators can also acquire vehicles whilst on missions.
This is often done by either stealing them or requisitioning
them from the Tangos.

The Operator may need to hotwire a car or, in the case of

electronics, hack the vehicle’s security. This can be done by
using the technical Skill with a TN of 3.

Vehicles gained during missions can, if still in one piece, be

added to the unit’s Safehouse garage if they have room.

Using Vehicles
For an Operator to drive or pilot a vehicle, they need a mobility
skill of at least 2+. This allows them to use the vehicle in normal
conditions. What this means is that they are moving at an
average speed, are not being pursued or attacked, the weather
is good, and everything is peachy. No skill roll is needed to
operate a vehicle in normal conditions. When operating a
vehicle in dangerous or chase conditions, then the base TN of
driving or piloting a vehicle is 2. This may differ based on type
of vehicle.

Defensive Driving
In the Ghost Ops RPG, defensive driving includes any use
of any vehicle in a defensive way, which includes avoiding
damage, avoiding detection, losing pursuers, and even moving
out of the way of guided missiles and fixed SAM launchers.

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The use of Defensive Driving involves skill rolls and Target

The Mobility
skill is used
Numbers. The challenges involved will be mainly active and
for driving opposed, with changing landscapes, avoiding objects and
and piloting a Tangos attempting to either shoot out your tires or slam you
vehicle.
off the road.

Each vehicle has an Armour Level which will protect the vehicle
against damage and is treated the same way as Operator
armour. Vehicles also have locations and TNs associated with
those locations, which is used for making called or aimed shots.

To hit a vehicle moving in normal conditions with a ranged

weapon has a base TN of 1 and always hits the main chassis or
body of the vehicle. In other conditions, refer to the ramming
and being rammed section.

Offensive Driving
Offensive driving involves using the vehicle to either attack
with or to attack from. This includes pilot operated weaponry,
ramming or pursuing target vehicles. Using a vehicle offensively
involves modifiers to the mobility skill of the driver, also to any
skills used by passengers in shooting at enemy vehicles with
either personal weapons or vehicle mounted weapons.

Vehicle Modifiers
Below are the modifier tables set out for both defensive and
offensive driving. Each modifier is a Disadvantage to the
mobility skill of the driver or pilot or skill of passengers.

Chases
Each vehicle has three speeds: normal, fast and very fast. The
speed you are travelling will affect the mobility skill as seen in
the modifiers above. In order to ram or get past a target car, the
driver of the attacking vehicle must travel at a faster speed or
at least match the speed of the target.

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 Vehicles

Defensive Driving Modifiers

Action DAV
Speed
Normal 0
Fast 1
Very fast 2
Rough Terrain 1
Ice 2
Sand or Snow 1
Blown out Tire 1 per Tyre
Swerving 1
Rammed 1
Low Visibility 1
Engine Hit 2

Offensive Driving Modifiers

Action DAV
Speed
Normal 0
Fast 1
Very Fast 2
Rough Terrain 1
Ice 2
Sand or Snow 1
Ramming 1
Shooting 1
Side swiping 1
Target Swerving 1
Engine Hit 2

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Ramming and Being Rammed

Attempting to ram a vehicle from behind involves going at a
faster speed than the target vehicle and then attempting to ram
that vehicle. These both can create Disadvantage to the driver
attempting the ram. Avoiding a ram will involve swerving away
from the attacker and attempting to travel faster, which again
will create modifiers. As these are opposed actions, the roll of
the target and attacker become the TN.

Shooting at a target also will create modifiers to the shooters,

as they deal with the movement of the vehicle they are in and
attempt to get a bead on the target vehicle as well.

Example 1
The Operators are chasing a Cartel boss. The boss’s mobility
is 3 and they are travelling really fast, which gives them a 2
Disadvantage. The GM rolls the dice and gets + + + -,
which is 2. This is added to the Boss’s 3 in mobility and minus
the Disadvantage of 2. For the Operators to catch up they will
need to equal or beat TN 3. The Player rolls for the Operator
driving, who has a mobility of 4. They are also driving very fast,
so there is a Disadvantage of 2. The roll is 0 - + +, which
is a 1. This added to the mobility of 4 and the disadvantage of 2
gives a total 3. They catch up and can start to ram the boss off
the road.

Example 2
The Operators are being chased by a bunch of militia in a
Technical. The Operators are driving fast (-2) and swerving to
avoid the gunfire (-1). The driver has a mobility of 4 and the
player rolls + + + 0, which is 3, giving a total of 4 (4+3-
2-1=4). The Militia will need to beat 4 if they want to shoot the
Operators’ vehicle. The Militia are also driving fast (2) and the
target is swerving (1). The best weaponry skill is 3. The GM
rolls + + - 0, which is 1, giving a total of 1 (3+1-2-1=1),
which is a miss.

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 Vehicles

Vehicles as Cover
Vehicles can be used as cover, but contrary to what Hollywood
may lead you to believe, a lot of ammo will pass through
a vehicle. Using a vehicle as cover uses the same rules as
standard cover, the difference being the armour of the vehicles
and which part you are using as cover.

Each vehicle has locations and each of those locations have

armour levels. Every vehicle’s locations are the same, with the
exception of some aircraft and boats. The primary locations
are:

Engine
Fuel Tank
Drivers Cockpit
Wheels (Cars and Bikes)
Body (More so with Boats)
Passengers

Each location will have a different armour level, a different

TN and will create a different effect, which will often depend
on the location hit. This is for standard vehicles; armoured
vehicles will differ in AL. The table below shows the base TN
with the vehicles AL in Parentheses.

Type Car Aircraft Boat

Body 1(3) 1(3) 1(3)
Driver 3(0) 4(0) 3(0)
Engine 2(4) 2(4) 2(4)
Fuel 3(3) 3(3) 3(3)
Passengers 3(0) 3(0) 3(0)
Wheels 3(0) 3(0) 3(0)

Hitting a Location can have different results or effects as shown

in the table below.

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Ghost Ops

Type Success
Standard
Body Bullet passes through body of vehicle
Driver Treat as a standard attack
Engine Bullet stuck in engine block
Fuel Fuel leak, will stop vehicle in 10 rnds
Passengers Treat as standard attack
Wheels See modifiers
Good
Body Bullet hits passenger
Driver Treat as a good success attack
Engine Vehicles top speed 1 lower
Fuel Fuel leak, will stop vehicle in 5 rnds
Passengers Treat as good success attack
Wheels See modifiers
Critical
Body Bullet hits passenger as a good success
Driver Driver is at a 2 Disadvantage
Engine Vehicle top speed reduced by 2
Fuel Vehicle explodes*
Passengers Treat as a critical success attack
Wheels See modifiers
*Treat as C4 detonation with an AoE of 2 metres

Crashing
Crashing a vehicle differs depending on the vehicle.

Wheeled vehicles
Crashing a wheeled vehicle stops that vehicle immediately. If
the crash was a result of a bad fail, then the engine or vehicle is
damaged and will be at a 1 Disadvantage to drive. If the crash

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 Vehicles

was the result of a critical fail, then the engine will begin to
smoke and will explode within 1 round with a similar result as
a fuel tank explosion.

Aircraft
Crashing in an aircraft will leave the aircraft either inoperable
(bad fail) or exploding (critical fail) immediately as it impacts.
A standard fail would indicate the aircraft has clipped an
obstacle or the pilot lost control, and this leads to regaining
control with a TN 4.

Boats
Crashing in a boat will cause the boat to be inoperable (bad
fail) or to begin sinking (critical fail). Sinking will take 10
rounds. A standard crash will stop the boat and the pilot will
need to make a TN 3 mobility roll in order to get the boat back
on its course.

The Cinematic Stuff

The fun stuff to do with vehicles have their own range on Target
Numbers. This can include driving off ramps, looping a plane
or free-falling a copter. We have listed a number of ‘Stunts’
Operators can attempt. These may seem like fun, but they can
also be used to get the unit out of many sticky situations and
should not be discouraged by the Handler.

Move TN
Jump 3
Wheelie 3
Two Wheel Drive 5
Looping 3
Copter Dive 4
Handbrake Turn 2
Free Fall 3

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Jump – The use of a ramp to launch the vehicle into the air,
used normally to jump gaps or other vehicles. Needs a ramp or
something similar.

Wheelie – Exclusively for bikes. This allows the rider to lift the
front wheel.

Two- wheel drive – Exclusively for cars. The driver forces the
vehicle onto two wheels on either the left side or right side of
the vehicle, which is good for tight spaces.

Looping – For helicopters and airplanes. The pilot loops the

vehicle in a circle or even a figure of eight. Can be used to avoid
SAMs.

Copter Dive – Exclusively for Helicopters, the Pilot points the

copters nose to the ground and dives. The can be difficult to
come out from.

Handbrake Turn – Cars and bikes. Allows the driver to spin

the vehicle either to a halt or to immediately start travel in the
opposite direction.

Free fall – The Pilot cuts the engines and allows the aircraft or
helicopter to free fall or glide. Can be used for stealth.

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 Vehicles

Vehicle Types
What follows are the vehicle types available in the game. The
Top Speed of vehicles are in comparision to the same vehicle
type so, planes to planes, wheeled vehicles to wheeled vehicles.

Type Top Speed TN Cost

Cars
Compact Normal 3 30,000
Mid-Size Fast 3 40,000
SUV Fast 2 60,000
Sports Very Fast 3 70,000
Semi Fast 2 65,000
Van Normal 2 60,000
Bikes
Motorcycle Very Fast 2 15,000
Dirt Bike Fast 1 12,000
Quad Fast 1 9,000
Trucks
Light Fast 3 60,000
Medium Fast 2 80,000
Heavy Normal 2 90,000

Top Speed - This is the top speed of the vehicle and will apply
modifiers during chases and when passing over difficult
terrain.
TN - This is the Base TN when the passing over difficult terrain
or for Defensive and Offensive driving attempts..

Descriptions
Light Truck - This is the average pick up
Medium Truck - A Light Haulage truck (often used by removal
companies)
Heavy Truck - Long-Distance trucks and semi-trailers.

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Military Wheeled Vehicles

Type Speed TN Weapons AL Cost

Jeep Fast 2 None +2 90,000
Humvee Fast 2 None +3 120,000
Zero MMX* Very Fast 3 None +1 70,000
Technical Fast 2 LMG +2 65,000
Truck Normal 2 None +4 90,000
Armoured Vehicles
AAVP 7A1 Fast 2 .50 HMG 7 200k
LAV-25 Normal 2 7.62 LMG 8 280k
25mm CN
M1126 Fast 2 .50 HMG 7 300k
MK19
M1128 Normal 2 105mm CN 7 320k
M1134 Normal 2 TOW 6 380k
M1A1 Normal 2 120mm CN 9 600k
* Motorcycle CN = Cannon

AL - The AL of standard military vehicles is added to the

standard vehicle AL that matches it. For Armoured vehicles the
AL is the full armoured capability of the vehicle.

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 Vehicles

Aircraft

Type Top Speed TN Cost

Helicopter Fast 3 150,000
Jet Very Fast 3 275,000
Gyro Fast 2 100,000
Taildragger Fast 2 130,000
Seaplane Fast 2 180,000
Glider Normal 2 700

Military Aircraft

Type Speed TN Weapons AL Cost

Helicopters
UH-60 Fast 3 .50 HMG 5 250,000
AH-64 Fast 3 .50 HMG 5 220,000
SH-60 Fast 3 .50 HMG 5 220,000
Aircraft
F-15E Very Fast 2 Sidewinder 7 2 Million
120 Amraam
C-130 Fast 2 .50 HMG 10 3 Million
120mm CN

Boats

Type Top Speed TN Cost

Rowboat Normal 1 90
Yacht Fast 2 200k
Hydrofoil Fast 2 180k
Speed Boat Very Fast 3 170k
Hovercraft Fast 2 200k

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Military Boats

Type Speed TN Weapons AL Cost

MK6 PB Fast 2 .50 HMG 6 700k
MK19
Patrol Boat Fast 2 .50 HMG 6 7000
Submarine Normal 3 - 8 -
Destroyer Normal 3 - 10 -
Carrier Normal 3 - 10 -

Personal Vehicles

Type Top Speed TN Cost

Mini Sub Fast 3 300k
Jet Ski Very Fast 3 90,000
DPV* Fast 2 10,000
Wingsuit Fast 3 25,000
*Diver Propulsion Unit

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 Vehicles

Vehicle Upgrades

Upgrade AL Cost
Armour +1-5 500 - 2500
Bullet Proof Glass +3 4000
Bullet proof Tires +3 3000
IED Detection - 20,000
Long Range Optics - 25,000
Missile Jammer - 40,000
Remote Turrets - 80,000
Run Flat Tires - 700

IED Detction - Adds +2 to detecting IEDs using the Technical

Skills.
Missile Jammer - Uses the Technical Skill to operate, gives a
disadvantage to anyone aiming missiles at vehicle
Remote Turrets - Have a Weaponry Skill of 3.
Run Flat Tires - Cancel out modifiers for flat tires.

Vehicle Upgrades Explained

Most Vehicles can be upgraded with extra features. These

upgrades can only be applied at the Safehouse and the Garage
of the Safehouse must be of the correct level. Upgrades that are
destroyed, such as Bullet Proof Glass/Tires etc will need to be
replaced at the same cost and in the Safehouse garage.

The Technical skill can be used to perform repairs on upgrades

that have been damaged.

Upgrade Damage
Upgrades that are located on a part of the vehicle that is hit
will be damaged on a critical success. To repair these upgrades
will involve a TN of 3. Upgrades that quilify includes missile
jammer, optics, detectors.

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Vehicle Mounted Weapons

Type Cal Range Cost

Heavy Machine Guns (HMG)
M2E2 .50 Long 30,000
FN M3P .50 Long 25,000
M134 7.62 Long 32,000
Anti-Tank
WOMBAT 120mm Long 200k
MILAN 120mm Extreme 180k
TOW 120mm Extreme 270k
Cannons
25mm - Long 240k
105mm - Long 230k
Grenade Launchers
MK19 40mm Medium 780
Missile Launchers
Sidewinder - Extreme 200k
AMRAAM 120mm Extreme 300k

Vehicle Mounted Weapon Ammo

Type 120 105 .50 40 7.62

Tracer - - 9 - 6
SLAP* 20(10) 15 (7) 10(7) - 7(6)
AP 7(6) - 6(5)
HEAT* 25(10) 20(7) - - -
Grenade - - - 12(5) -
Missile 18 (9) 17(9) - - -
*Saboted light armour penetration
*High Explosive Anti-Tank

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8. Safehouses
Ghost Ops

“When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve
them. When settled, make them move.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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 Safehouses

Every unit of Operators start with a standard Safehouse. This

can be in any part of the world the Operators choose. Each
Safehouses has 3 levels, and the areas within the safe house
also come in 3 levels. All safe houses start at level 1, and the
Operators can spend funds earned from missions to upgrade
different sections.

Starting Funds
Each Operator receives funds once they join the ICO. These
funds are then added to the Safehouse pool in order to buy
weapons and gear for their Safehouse. Each operator receives
$10,000.

Mission Funds
Every mission earns the Operators funding. The more
successful the mission, the more funding they receive. This
funding can be spent on improving their Safehouse, buying
a new Safehouse, paying off informants and buying new
weapons, ammo, gear or upgrades.

Managing the funds will be done by the Operators, and it is

suggested that any expenditure is a group decision. On the
Safehouse sheet there is a Funding Pool, and this should be
used to keep track of the current fund amount.

Starting Fund
Every Operator comes to the unit with $10,000 to add to
the pool at the start, so a team of four Operators will have a
starting pool of $40,000. This is used to stock their Safehouse
and to make sure they have enough gear to cover themselves.

Safehouse Areas
Each Safehouse has a number of areas based on their size. Each
of these areas start at level 1 and each gives a group benefit.
As more funds are spent on improving the areas, the benefits
increase. These areas can be improved up to level 3. Once all
areas are at level 3, the Safehouse becomes a level 3 Safehouse
and is considered complete.

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Below are the different areas in each Safehouse, the benefits

each level offers to the Operators, and the cost of each level.

Standard Safehouse Cost – $100,000

The basic Safehouse that all Operator units begin with. This
can be located in any city or country that the Unit decides
upon. Each location has a description and cost of upgrading,
plus any benefits this brings to the unit.

Armoury
Every safe house has an armoury for the storage of weapons
and ammo.

Level 1 – Free – The level 1 armoury is a gun locker with a key

lock. It can hold up to 6 rifles and Handguns and has storage
for 30 ammo clips.

Level 2 - $20,000 – The Level 2 Armoury is a small room,

locked by electronic keypad. It can hold up to a dozen assault
rifles and handguns, has places for explosives (12 grenades,
4 blocks of C4 and 4 mines) and 50 ammo mags as well as
various melee weapons. Operators can upgrade weapons.

Level 3 - $50,000 – The level 3 armoury is a larger room locked

with high level security, retinal or fingerprint scanner. The
room can carry up to 24 rifles and handguns, plus 6 launchers,
100 mags of ammo, 24 grenades, 10 blocks of C4, 12 Mines, 12
Missiles as well as various melee weapons.

Garage
The Garage is for storage of vehicles and their repair and
upgrading.

Level 1 – Free – The garage can hold 3 vehicles.

Level 2 - $15,000 – The garage can hold 5 vehicles and gives a

+1 Advantage to repair damaged vehicles.

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Level 3 - $30,000 – The Garage can hold 10 vehicles and gives

a +2 Advantage to repairing vehicles.

Medical Facility
The Medical Facility can be used to treat injuries and even
conduct research and complex surgeries.

Level 1 – Free - Basic first aid station. Operators can restock

their IFAKs from this location.

Level 2 – $30,000 – Allows the treatment of injuries and has

room for 3 patient beds. Also comes with a research lab for the
analyses of toxins. Adds +1 Advantage to Medical challenges.

Level 3 - $60,000 – Med bay has room for 5 Patients, a fully

functioning surgery, and a biolab for the research and storage
of toxins. Adds +2 Advantage to medical challenges.

R&R
Every Operator needs to relax, and the R&R areas of a Safehouse
is where this is done.

Level 1 – Free – Small room with sofas, mini fridge and TV.

Level 2 - $10,000 – The room has a pool table, coffee machine,

fully loaded fridge, cinema system and various games consoles.
Reduces 1 trauma per day.

Level 3 - $20,000 – The room has a small cinema, fully loaded

bar and coffee area, a group of arcade machines with VR units,
and a movie and video and board game library. Reduces 2
trauma per day.

Comms Centre
The communications centre holds the computers, satellite
links, and servers.

Level 1 -Free – Computer, Internet access and radio rig.

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Level 2 - $20, 000 – Computer station, Server bay, selection of

Hacking software and satellite links. Will connect to palm tops
or Operators’ phones allowing the uploading and downloading
of data. Includes top-line virus and malware protection.

Level 3 - $50,000 – Computer Station, 4 networked Laptops

holding top of the range hacking software, encrypted VPN
network, Server farm, private satellite network, digital
communications, and intrusion detection and is accessible
worldwide by Operators.

Holding cells
Each Safehouse comes with a holding area for prisoners.

Level 1 – Free – Small cell with toilet and bed with adjoining
interview room.

Level 2 - $10,000 – 2 Small cells with toilet and bed and

camera surveillance. Adjoining interview room, with security
cameras and voice recording. Comes with floor and table
manacles, soundproofing and lie detector unit. +1 Advantage
to interrogation challenges.

Level 3 - $25,000 – 3 Small cells with toilet and bed, 2

interview rooms with security recording devices, manacles
and lie detector units. Has another room used for enhanced
coercive interrogation techniques and access to extraordinary
rendition black sites. +2 Advantage to interrogation challenges.

Workshop
A workshop for the repair and upgrading of gear, comms and
Drones.

Level 1 – Free – Basic workshop allows the repair of basic gear.

Level 2 - $20,000 – Workshop with electrical tools for

repairing comms systems and Drones. Gives +1 Advantage
when repairing electronic devices. Operators can upgrade
Drones

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Level 3 - $40,000 – Workshop with electrical tools and ammo

making equipment that allows the Operators to create 50 rnds
of ammo per day. +1 Advantage when creating ammo.

Medium Safehouse Cost $250,000

Larger than the standard with all the standard areas plus an
extra bunker below the building and a helipad on the roof. All
areas start at level 1.

Bunker
A bomb proof shelter built beneath the house, set up for
emergencies.

Level 1 – Free – A basic Bunker with 5 bunks, chemical toilet,

air filters and enough food and water for 3 months. Includes
gun locker for up to 6 weapons.

Level 2 - $25,000 – More advanced Bunker with 3 double

bedrooms, advanced chemical toilet linked to septic tank, air
filter unit, kitchen and comms room, food and water for a
year and a gun room that holds up to a dozen weapons and
unlimited gear.

Level 3 - $50,000 – Top of the range Bunker, with outside

security cameras and motion detectors, comms room with
satellite link, 5 bedrooms, kitchen, R&R room, workshop,
generator (petrol and solar powered0, gun range and secure
room. Enough food and water for 5 years.

Helipad
A roof-built helipad.

Level 1 – Free – A marked out area on the roof for a helicopter.

Comes with landing lights.

Level 2 - $15,000 – Secure Helipad, with landing lights and

satellite links to air traffic control. Tethers are available to lock
down the copter.

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Level 3 - $30,000 – Secure Helipad with built in air defence,

SAM launcher. Landing lights activate by remote sensor when
copter is detected. Electronic disabler cuts off copter engine
when landed and can only be removed with code.

Large Safehouse Cost $500,000

The largest Safehouse available, often with its own land. It has
all the same areas as the standard and medium Safehouses but
with an added Airfield and Dock.

Airfield
An airfield situated near the Safehouse will have a number of
hangars, a control tower and a fuelling station.

Level 1 – Free – Small airfield with single hangar, small fuelling

station and unmanned control tower.

Level 2 - $30,000 – Medium sized airfield, has two hangars,

a fuel truck, spotlights for security and night flying. Manned
control tower.

Level 3 - $60,000 – Large airfield. Has 4 hangars, air defence

(SAM), and radar systems built onto 24hr manned control
tower. Security flood lighting and electric fencing. Each hangar
has its own fuel station and office area.

Dock
A small dock, may be open or covered depending on level.
Situated near the Safehouse.

Level 1 – Free – Small wet dock near house, with a jetty and
room for one boat.

Level 2 - $20,000 – Covered dock. Can hold two boats. Comes

with repair station, fuel pumps, and security lights and doors.

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Level 3 - $40,000 – Large covered dock with underground

access from Safehouse. Comes with repair shop, fuel pumps,
security doors and locks. Room for holding diving gear and can
store up to 4 boats.

Upgrading a Safehouse
Each Safehouse has 3 levels. At the end of each mission, the
squad gains access to funds. These increase as more missions
are accomplished. These funds can be spent on an upgrade,
spent on obtaining a new Safehouse or saved in order to
accumulate enough funds to by higher upgrades.

The Safehouse will upgrade to the next level once all components
of that Safehouse have been upgraded. So, a level 1 Safehouse
will upgrade to level 2 once the Garage, Armoury, Medical Bay,
R&R Room, Holding Cells, Workshop and Computer Room have
been upgraded to level 2.

By upgrading a Safehouse, the squad gains access to better

gear, more vehicles, upgrades and support. By purchasing new
Safehouses, the squad has always got somewhere to go.

Each Safehouse comes with 2 drop locations and 2 Bug-out

kits per level. These can be hidden anywhere within the city
or country where the Safehouse is located at level 1. At level 2
they can be located in an adjoining country and at level 3 they
can be anywhere in the world. This allows the squad to have
access to gear in emergencies.

Bug-out Kits
A basic Bug-out kit will be a rucksack or holdall filled with
rations, medical kit and ammo, with the higher-level kits being
maybe lock ups or containers holding vehicles, weapons and
even a whole comms room.

Bug-out kits match the level of the safe house they are linked
to.

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Level 1 – Emergency rations, medical kit and 5 mags of ammo.

Level 2 – As above, plus Weapons, gear, and +5 mags of ammo.

Level 3 – As above, plus vehicles, fuel and a comms unit.

Drops
These are locations where information and items can be
delivered by the ICO or contacts. The drop must be arranged.
Operators just turning up to a drop does not guarantee that
something will be there.

A drop location could be a mail box in the middle of nowhere, a

luggage locker at a train or bus station and even a box at a post
office under a false name.

We will go into more detail about Safehouses and Drops

in the Safehouses and Drops Sourcebook published by
FeralGamersInc.

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9. Handler
Ghost Ops

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”

― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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 Handler

The World of Ghost Ops

The world of the Ghost Ops RPG is very similar to our own, with
the same issues and the same wars. In Ghost Ops, the Operators
exist to tackle some of these problems with international
backing. They are a team of highly trained individuals that are
not controlled or funded by any single country but by many.
This allows them access to places and aid that would be closed
to them if they were solely sponsored by the USA or the UK, for
example.

The Ghost Ops RPG can be set anywhere. Missions can be

placed in cities, jungles or deserts. Borders and laws are not
recognised as freedom and democracy is the deciding factor.
This allows missions to revolve around terrorist cells, drug
cartels, criminal organisations, disreputable arms dealers and
even rogue special forces units acting as mercenaries for rogue
nations. The scope of the missions is endless.

As a Handler you work directly with Control under the

International Covert Operations banner, and pass on the intel
and mission parameters to the Operators. You control the
NPCs and Tangos that the Operatives encounter and relay any
mission changes that may occur.

Control and being a Handler

Who are Control?
Control are the people behind the curtain, the faceless agency
and government officials that pass the jobs to you, which
you then pass on to the Operatives. They can come from any
country and from any agency. They are never seen and are
never in any danger. Control are expected only to have the best
interests of the people, and have no outside agenda, but is this
always the case?

Responsibilities of a Handler
As the Handler you relay the information from Control. You

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answer the questions and deal with the issues and fallout. You
are the bridge between the Operators and Control, the only
connection the team has to the ICO hierarchy. The Handler
will often be in the field, but a lot of the information or
communication you have will be through encrypted channels
or Drops. Face-to-face meets with the Operators are rare.

Future Ops
The Ghost Ops RPG can be played in different time periods,
one of which is the future. Military equipment and weaponry is
advancing quickly, with smart weapons, invisibility, iron man
suits and even AI and robots.

To run a Ghost Ops game in the near future will involve checking
predictions of next gen military equipment and adapting it to
the game. We will be releasing the Future War Supplement
later in 2019 which will allow you to adapt the game to 20
years into our future.

Post -Apocalyptic
The Post-Apocalyptic scenario is a popular one and something
that can easily be adapted into Ghost Ops. Setting the game
after a major nuclear attack, with the Operatives emerging
from their bunker, will be easy to do. Below are a few plot ideas.

Save the President – The Operatives emerge in a destroyed

capital city. The last message they received was to get to the
capital building and save the president and get him or her to a
safe location.

Find the Bombs – Terrorists detonated 3 nuclear devices

in major cities, and they say there are more. Find them and
defuse them before they go boom.

Clean Up – ICO Operatives are being called to help bring order

back to the city. You will need to secure hospitals and food from
looters and criminal gangs.

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 Handler

Invasion
The Invasion scenario has been popular with movies like
Red Dawn, etc., and works well with the Ghost Ops RPG. An
invading country taking over infrastructure and key locations
will give a lot of missions for secret forces like the ICO.

Infection
A world-wide pandemic, a disease released by terrorists or
some other biological threat would be similar to the Post-
Apocalyptic scenario, with the collapse of society and a deadly
virus passing through the survivors, causing a variety of
symptoms.

Zombies
The Zombie Scenario is a fan favourite and a world infested
with the walking dead has been used a lot in recent years,
giving the Handler a ton of source material.

Past Ops
The Ghost Ops RPG can also be set in the past with very little
adaption. A lot of the weaponry used today has been around for
a few years or are improvements upon older designs. Modern
equipment like Drones, the Internet, GPS and cell phones did
not exist, meaning Operators will need to rely on Payphones,
Fax machines, mail, compasses and maps a lot more.

Cold War
The Cold War is a large period in history, but a lot of interesting
moments happened. Spying and espionage were at an all-time
high between Russia and the USA, with covert actions happening
on an almost weekly basis. Setting the game between the 60’s
and the early 90’s gives a lot of scope for missions around the
world, from Embassy infiltrations, snatch and grabs, sabotage
and even spreading false information.

Vietnam
The Vietnam War could be an interesting period, with most

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operations happening in steaming jungles where the slightest

wrong step could trigger a landmine or booby trap. Villages
held enemy combatants and you could never tell who was
friend and who was foe. Also, agencies like the CIA were very
active, blurring the lines and dealing with all sides of the
conflict.

World War II
Earliest of all the past timelines, the Second World War is
another great era for exciting missions. These could include
being dropped behind Nazi lines, infiltrating Nazi bomb
making facilities, or taking out Nazi top brass. The Operatives
could have assistance from the Resistance to sabotage research
stations and put a stop to Nazi technology.

Running NPCs
The Operators will come across many NPCs during their
missions, from civilians to Tangos, and as the Handler you
need to run all of them. Often civilians will be there to create
obstacles, give information or run screaming from the room as
a hail of bullets fills the air.

Civilians
Civilians are the non-combatants in a mission. Often they
are the innocent bystanders, but sometimes they may have
important information or be a contact for the Operators.
Civilians don’t have stats; as the Handler you must decide what
happens. If they get shot they are either dead or injured, and if
injury happens, then it happens for a reason, either to force the
Operators to help them as a distraction or as a reason for the
bad guys to be even more vilified.

Civilians can always be in the background, a busy shopping

market or city street, members of a village or even the workers
in a cartel drug factory. Civilians make great obstacles, and the
killing of civilians should be frowned upon or totally forbidden
by the Operators.

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The 3 Stages of Threat

The standard bad guys are the most common threat to the
Operatives. These are the cartel soldiers, the militia, the camp
guards and the criminal gang members. In the Ghost Ops
Tangos from Drug
RPG the bad guys are referred to as Tangos. Operators may
Cartels, etc., will
never be drug have different names depending on who they are dealing
addicts. They with - Narcos or Sicarrios for Cartels, Ali Baba for Middle East
may take drugs
but will never be
criminals, Muj for Insurgents and so on.
wholly dependent
upon them. It Tangos come in three types of threat level: Minor, Standard
would be the sign
of a poor Cartel if and Major. These threat levels can show the difficulty of the
all their soldiers mission or a particular scene during a mission. As the Handler,
were junkies.
you must know what the Operators can deal with and fit the
threat accordingly. Every Tango has 4 Attributes. These are
Awareness, Weaponry, Unarmed and Skill, with skill being an
overarching stat that covers everything the Tango attempts
outside what the other 3 Stats are related to.

Tango Levels

Attributes Minor Standard Major

Awareness 2 3 4
Skill 2 3 4
Unarmed 2 3 4
Weaponry 2 3 4
Weapon Machete AK-47 AK-47
Handgun Shotgun Sniper Rifle
Armour None Kevlar (3) IOTV + Inserts

All Tangos, no matter the threat level, have only six wounds.
They do not suffer any effects from reaching wound number
3. As the Handler you can make Tangos last long enough to be
questioned before they die from their injuries.

Tangos can have personalities, and any Tango that is captured

will play hard to crack until a Good Success is rolled to either
interrogate or intimidate them.

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 Handler

Ranking up a Tango
Tangos that escape, capture or kill an Operator or manage to
force the Operators to retreat, can, if they survive long enough,
be promoted by their HVT. A Tango that is ranked up will be HVT = High Value
come the next level of threat (so a minor becomes a standard, Target and is the
or a standard becomes a major). Any Tango that is already highest level of
Tango
the highest level of threat can be promoted to run their own
Tangos and become an HVT.

The 3 Laws of Tangos

• A Tango’s gear is never as good as the Operators’.

• A Tango will run or surrender when the odds are
3 to 1 against.
• There are always more Tangos than Operators.

High Value Targets (HVTs)

HVTs are the bosses and refer to the playing cards given to
military personal and is an abbreviation for high value targets.
HVTs are rare, and Operators will need to get through a lot
of Tangos to meet one. When running an HVT, we suggest
that they are the ultimate goal, always one step ahead of the
Operators, surrounded by loyal Tangos and wealth. They will
have influential connections with all kinds of people, from
police chiefs to government officials.

Unlike Tangos, HVTs have all the Skills, Pools and Talents
the Operators do, and Handlers should create HVTs like they
would an Operator. HVTs also have 12 wounds and trauma and
like Operators they experience the effects from trauma and
damage as they work around the clock. HVTs do not receive
Boosts, though, but any Busts the Handler has can be treated
as such.

Many HVTs could be ex-special forces themselves, and the

ultimate challenge to any team would be to take on a group
of ex-special forces HVTs. That would be a tough job. All HVTs
will be wealthy and have the loyalty of the Tangos they control.

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Obstacles and Exploding Barrels

As the Operators move through areas, obstacles can be used
to their advantage or used against them. Do not be afraid to
litter an area with cars, fences, trees or even piles of garbage
for both Operators or Tangos to hide behind or have to move
through.

Exploding barrels are a great resource. Having a few red

barrels littered around an area can benefit both the Operators
and the Tangos and cause the players to be more alert of where
they are moving. They might also gain an edge if a red barrel is
close to an enemy position… but watch out for those Civilians.

Known Terrorist and Criminal

Organisations
We will be releasing a number of sourcebooks over the coming
months which will cover parts of the world and the criminal
and terrorist groups that can be found there, but we have also
included a few examples in the following pages that can be
used in any missions designed by the Handler and as a taster
of how these groups are shown within the Ghost Ops RPG.

North America
The Blackwood Group
Back in 2006, a prominent business man and ex-Marine named
John Logan decided to start the Blackwood Group, a private
military contractor. They quickly obtained funding from the
US government to protect VIPs entering Iraq and Afghanistan,
which they did for a number of years without too many
incidents. The Blackwood Group thrived. In 2012, Logan was
accused of stealing arms from both US and Iraqi stockpiles
and selling them to insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Blackwood quickly lost their contract but not the contacts
Logan had made.

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Ghost Ops

Since 2012, Logan has allowed Blackwood to turn into a

mercenary group, working across Europe and Middle East,
Africa and Asia, selling arms and their military trained personal
to the highest bidder. They have committed what some claim
are war crimes working in illegal diamond mines in Liberia
and Sierra Leone as enforcers and guards, working as Death
Squads in South America and arming militias and organised
crime families in Ukraine and Serbia.

Currently John Logan is wanted by the FBI for gun running, by

the DEA and Interpol for supplying protection for drug dealers
in Europe, and by various countries for a number of serious
crimes and even an attempted act of genocide.

John Logan is considered an HVT

The average Blackwood Merc is a Standard Tango.

Africa
The popular Forces of Uganda (PFU)
The Popular Forces of Uganda began in 2009 in response to
a power imbalance in the region. The then small group were
hardly heard of and were mainly involved in small tribal
conflicts. Then, in 2009, the leader, Jean-Baptiste Okeke,
decided they would take the out the largest tribal presence in
the region while it was in a position of flux.

By 2011, Okeke and his militia had grown into a serious threat,
armed by Libya and various other rogue states as well as arms
dealers like John Logan. They began to sweep across Uganda,
grabbing land, hijacking aid convoys and even successfully
attacking a UN compound in order to steal two helicopters and
a number of armed vehicles.

Recently Okeke has been taken on more child soldiers and has
also begun distributing drugs in order to control the Ugandan
people and weaken any resistance. They have committed

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various massacres and are negotiating with other African

militia in Liberia and the Republic of Congo to create a new
African government.

Okeke is considered an HVT

The PFU Milita are both Minor and Standard Tangos

Balkans
Ndjekesit e Deshmorit (Followers of the Martyr)
In 2010, an Albanian drug dealer by the name Driton Hoxha was
shot down by Albanian authorities. The news spread quickly
amongst crime gangs and soon, like Chinese whispers tend to
do, the more people heard and talked the more the story and
circumstances changed. Driton went from a drug dealer to a
worker helping the poor, killed by corrupt authorities under
control by outside forces. Within two weeks of being killed,
Driton became a martyr.

The small crime gang that Driton ran with changed their name,
claiming that they had only done what they did to help the
poorest in their part of Albania, acting like modern day Robin
Hoods. The people they had terrorised were too scared to
contradict, and quickly the gang began to distribute food to the
people to reinforce their claims, but this charity only lasted a
short time.

The gang grew and changed as the years went by, and in
2018 they are the largest crime organisation in Albania. They
have incorporated gun running, kidnapping, blackmail and
protection into their list of criminal enterprises and have also
adopted a more far-right stance, with tributes to Adolf Hitler,
providing protection to far-right group rallies and marches and
even being implicated in the assassination of pro-immigrant,
pro-Israel leaders and influencers.

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Ghost Ops

The current leader of the gang is Frenk Kreshnik, a Kosovar

who moved to Albania to find work but quickly fell into crime.
No one is sure how Kreshnik managed to convince the gang to
take him as their leader, but since he has, the gang has become
more dangerous and unforgiving.

Frenk Kreshnik is considered an HVT

Gang Member – Standard & Major Tango

K9 Companions
Operators who have chosen the K9 Companion Talent will have
a dog. These specially trained dogs live with the Operator from
puppyhood, and a bond grows between them both. This bond
is unbreakable and is for life.

Special Operative K9s are trained in sniffing out explosive

devices and taking down Tangos, and when they are present
during an Operation are considered one of the team and just as
valuable. The Operator with the Talent does not need to take
their companion on every mission, and the Dog will be happy
to wait back at the Operator’s home or the Safehouse.

K9 Operators are one of the team and are treated as such. They
receive the same level of medical care as a human Operator and
they are never left behind. K9 Operators can parachute behind
enemy lines with the unit, can use stealth to help infiltrate and
will be a forward warning for the unit.

K9s have 3 Attributes, which can rank up similar to Operators.

Awareness – This is used to discover Tangos and explosives. If

the Dog is sent ahead then the player will roll as if the dog was
a second character. When the K9 is with the group, the dog’s
awareness will add Advantage to their Operator.

Skill – Skill is used for climbing, stealth and jumping and is

used the same way as Operator skills.

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Awareness Advantage
1-3 1
4-5 2
6 3

Unarmed – This is used for the taking down of Tangos and is

treated in the same way as the Operator’s unarmed skill. See
the gear section for damage.

The Operator sheet has a section for a K9 companion, and this

should be filled in with all the relative information. Each K9
starts with 7 pts to spend on the three attributes.

K9 Wounds
Each K9 has 6 wounds and is similar to an NPC in that respect.
They do not suffer Disadvantage when injured and if they
reach zero wounds, they must be given medical care within 6
rounds or die.

K9 Gear
Each K9 receives a tactical vest with an assortment of gear and
some Doggles.

Gear AL Effect
Comms - Frequency specific comms
Doggles 2 Dog goggles
GPS - Tracking and navigation gear
Packs - Packs for extra gear
Tactical Gear 3 K9 tactical vest
Attacks
Type Dam Effect
Bite 3 Per rnd until dog releases
Claws 2 Two attacks per rnd

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Hearts and Minds

An important part of any operation, and often one that can
assure success, is the ability for the Operators to connect
with the locals and be in contact with any rebel factions
or sympathetic groups. Understanding the culture and the
current political or social aspects of an area, country or region
can sway success.

As a Handler, you need to make sure the Operators understand

the importance of Hearts and Minds campaigns and how they
can help in a number of ways. Below is a selection of important
aspects of running a Hearts and Minds mini mission within a
larger campaign.

Information
No one is going to know what is happening in an area better
than the locals. Gaining their trust and showing that you are
there to help them will go a long way toward receiving rumours
or local news which is often shared between villages or groups.

Handlers should make sure that not all the information

received is relevant or correct. Often information changes as
it moves between places and people, and you should let the
Operators decide which rumour or snippet of info they take
on board.

Extra Supplies
Gaining the trust of people will allow the Operators to acquire
food or water more easily or gain local knowledge of where
to find the best foraging. Rebel forces may have supply caches
they will share with the Operators, along with ammo and
weapons.

Back up
Being able to call upon a fully armed local rebel militia could
not only save the Operators’ lives but also act as a distraction.
Coordinating missions with local rebels will be a great benefit,
but there must be a benefit to the rebels as well.

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 Handler

Travel Routes
Locals will know the land, and this will include travel routes
through jungles, urban locations and even deserts. They will be
able to share safe areas, good overwatch spots and may even
know the location of enemy camps. This could also include
acquiring help from local trackers or hunters who will lead you
through the more dangerous or difficult terrains.

Bug out locations

Trusted locals may shelter you if you are being hunted. Having
somewhere safe to retreat to is a great resource and something
that could mean the difference between life and death for the
Operators.

How to gain support

Operators can gain support in a number of ways, but rapport
and bribery are often key. Being able to convince a group,
person or militia unit to help and possibly even fight alongside
you will depend on 3 factors:

How you are Perceived

Is the country a friendly one? Have there been issues in the
past with western countries, or are there trust problems that
need to be overcome? The following table can be used by the
Handler to determine the TN for the rapport skill

Trust TN
Allies 0
Trusted 1
Friendly 2
Indifferent 2
Non-Friendly 3
Untrusted 4
Enemy 6

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Common Enemy
If the enemy is a threat to the local people, this can often help
sway an unfriendly group to a friendlier one, at least until the
mutual issue is resolved. This may seem like a no-brainer but
just because a local cartel are considered a major problem by
the DEA does not mean that locals feel the same way. The cartel
could provide jobs, give gifts of food or even fund local festivals.
These should all be taken into consideration.

Also, Operatives need to show power. A criminal or terrorist

group can control whole communities through fear, kidnapping
loved ones, religious beliefs, etc. Locals will be more willing to
help if they know they have the chance to win.

Bribery and Gifts

Gaining the trust of the locals by giving gifts of chocolate has
been a tried and trusted method of gaining communities’
friendship, or at least of softening any bad feelings. This is not
going to work with hardened rebels. The following table shows
possible modifiers that can be applied.

Social Group Food Money Guns

Individuals 1 ADV 1 ADV 0
Groups 1 ADV 0 1 ADV
Rebels 1 DVA 1 ADV 2 ADV
Government 1 DVA 1 ADV 1 ADV
Forces

Also, the offer in aid to solve a problem for them will often be
enough.

Example 1
Hey Gringo, we will help you fight the Pendejo Cartels, but we
need our men released from the Federale prison. This will gain
our trust.

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Example 2
As the police commissioner, I have some sway, but the gang
leaves my family alone and each month I receive 2000 euros to
look the other way. My hands are tied unless you can come up
with another solution.

Benefits to Success
Once the Operators have accomplished gaining the support
of the local people, this can manifest in various ways and will
depend on how the Handler wants to run it. Offers of food and
shelter are exactly that, and the Operators can forgo rations for
a time. Offers of military support from rebel factions or groups
could appear in various forms.

Distraction
The rebel group are attacking the Tangos at a different location,
forcing Tangos away from the Operators’ target or allowing the
Operators advantage to infiltration as everyone is looking the
other way.

Aerial Bombardment
Depending on the level of the rebels, a bombardment via
mortars could weaken or suppress the Tangos, again offering
advantage to the Operators.

Holding Force
The rebels could act as a holding force, entering a location in
order to take control of it and secure it as a staging area or
place of retreat.

Rebel groups or militias should never be used to do the

Operators’ job for them. The Handler should never state that
they will, and the level of support will never be higher than as
a back up unit. Also, for the sake of drama, any attacks by the
locals should be off screen. The Operators should be aware of
it, but the Handler should control the effects of the aid through
narration.

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 Handler

Example 1
The rebel bombardment can be heard a mile away. Many of the
Tangos jump into jeeps and drive off toward the attack. This
has lowered the number of threats in the drugs lab.

Example 2
The mortar fire hits a number of buildings in the compound.
You see the communications building collapse into rubble.

Example 3
The rebels enter the base and begin rounding up any Tangos
that surrendered. The rebel leader states that they will hold this
location, making sure no one can flank the Operators.

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10. Skirmish
Ghost Ops

“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot

fathom our real intent.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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 Skirmish

When I began designing Ghost Ops I wanted the option to use

miniatures and to play the game as a skirmish, but I also wanted
the players to be able to move their Operators seamlessly
between the RPG and any skirmish element I included. So,
what I have come up with is simple but efficient. It will allow
the Handler to fill the table with scenery and run every combat
situation or even other parts of the game, like infiltrations and
chases with miniatures, and then to drop straight back into the
theatre of the mind roleplay game.

These skirmish rules are completely optional, and you do

not need them to play the core game, they are more as an
alternative or even as a short skirmish mission designed by the
Handler or even amongst the players.

What you will need

The skirmish game will need extra bits and pieces in order to
play.

• Miniatures – I tested the system using 28mm models on

square bases, but you can use any size you like. I suggest
that if you are playing the game with 2 players each
controlling a squad then 4 miniatures each. If this is part
of an RPG mission, then each player should have a model
to represent their Operator and the GM should field an
equal amount of Tangos +2.
• Scenery – A lot of scenery, this can be bought from a
wargaming website or store, or you can use books, cans,
boxes and whatever you have lying around to represent
buildings, trees etc.
• Measuring Device – A tape measure or ruler. A tape
measure is better and also one per person involved
would make life simple.
• Templates – The Ghost Ops RPG comes with a selection
of templates that can be printed out.

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• Dice – The same dice you use for the RPG are used for
the skirmish game. You will also need at least 2 standard
six-sided dice.
• Table or Battle Mat – You will need a flat surface to set
up the scenery on. I have used both 2x2 and 4x4 size
tables and they both work fine depending on the type of
skirmish.

New Rules
The skirmish game will add certain rules to the game, these
are not used in the RPG but can, if the Handler chooses, be
incorporated easily into the game.

Setting Up
A Skirmish game needs to be set up and this is done by all the
players deciding which end of the table they will appear from
or based on the missions parameters. Table sizes are measured
in feet so a 2x2 table would be 2 feet by 2 feet. On a 2x2 table
each unit decides to set up 3 inches from the edge of the table
opposite the opponent’s entry point. On a 4x4 table then it is 6
inches from the edge.

Movement
The skirmish game relies upon rules that we do not use in the
RPG, one of which is movement. Movement is measured in
Inches.

Each Operator has 3 types of movement they can attempt

during their turn.

1. Stealth – Moving quietly allows the Operator to move up

to 3 inches during their turn.
2. Standard – Standard movement for all Operators and
Tangos is 6 inches per turn.
3. Run – A Run movement allows the Operator or Tango to
move 9 inches during their turn.

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Terrain
Terrain is used both as a form of cover and as an obstacle.
Cover is dealt with in the combat section of the core rules, so
we will deal more with movement and terrain here.

There are a number of different terrain types, these are:

• Impassable – Operators and Tangos cannot pass through

impassable terrain unless using special equipment or
skills like Fitness (whereas movement is reduced to 3”)
• Broken – Broken terrain includes rubble, brush and
streams. A unit can pass through with a standard
movement but cannot run through.
• Buildings – Buildings will offer various types of cover
from half to full cover (see Core Rules). Passing through
a building allows normal movement but doors will drop
all movement to none if locked or standard if unlocked
until they are passed through. Passing through an
unlocked window reduce movement to 3”
• Sloped – Moving up a slope reduces movement to 3”,
whereas moving down has no effect.
• Difficult Terrain – Terrain such as barbed wire reduces
movement to 3”
• Walls & Fences – Walls less than 3” in height can be
climbed over, walls or fences higher than this become
impassable terrain. Walls offer cover.

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Line of Sight
If the model has line of sight they can engage. Line of sight is
determined by 1. The direction the model is facing, and, 2. The
use of a tape measure to run the distance between attacker and
target to verify no obstacles are in the path.

Line of Sight Stealth

Models in stealth that fall into an enemy’s line of sight must
first be verified by the enemy, this is an opposed Awareness Vs
Stealth test. If the target is verified, then the enemy can attack.

Range
Weapon Range differs in the Skirmish rules. Ranges are in
inches rather than metres. They still have the same penalties.

Handguns – 12/24/48/60
Assault Rifles – 24/48/96/110
SMGs – 12/24/48/60
Sniper Rifles – 50/100/200
Shotguns – 6/12/24/-
Light Machine Guns – 30/60/120

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Indirect fire
Fire from air support, mortars or heavy guns is always indirect
unless one of the Operators has the Forward Air Control
Talent. Indirect fire is determined by placing the large 6” blast
template on the target and rolling the Fudge Dice and checking
the result below.

Direct Hit – When there are more + than- or 0

Near Miss – When there are more 0 than + or -
Total Miss – When there are more- than 0 and +

A close miss involves rolling a D6 for direction and another D6

for distance (in feet).

Roll Result
1-2 Back
3 Left
4 Right
5-6 Forward

A Total Miss is done the same way as a Near Miss but 2D6 is
rolled for the distance.

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11. Mission
Ghost Ops

“Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And
they will follow you into the deepest valley.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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 Mission

Pursuit
This is an easy to mid level mission for Ghost Ops, and can
work very well as a starting mission for new Operators.

Background
Handlers can
The Operators have been sent to East Africa to rescue a UN if they wish
actually run the
Ambassador taken hostage by a rebel faction. The mission was first part of the
a success and the Operators along with the Ambassador (VIP) mission but it is
got to the exfil site. Unfortunately as the chopper was leaving not acquired for
this mission to
the area Rebel scouts managed to hit the tail rotor with an work.
RPG. This grounded the chopper with possible injuries to the
occupants inside.

Injuries
When the chopper crashes there is a possibility that either
the Operators or VIP are injured. The Handler can decide this
or roll the dice. If there are more - than + then somone
was injured. If this someone is the VIP then that will slow
progress, if it was an Operative then it could be a -1 to skills.
Trauma could also be a factor. The Handler needs to decide
this as it will make the mission more difficult.

Welcome to the Jungle

The Operators and VIP will now be stuck in the jungle and
hunted by rebels. Travel through the jungle will be slow, and
this will be made even more evident with a civilian in tow. The
Ambassador is out of shape and not dressed for jungle treking.

The Jungle is dense and all travel times are doubled, walking 1
klick will take 40 minutes rather than 20 and so forth. There are
rivers but the water will need to be purified before drinking,
drinking the water unpurified will have a potency level 2 with
failure resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea. Food will need to
be found or killed.

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Travel through the forest will reveal structures built by tribes

and rebels, ranging from rope bridges, huts and lean to’s.

The Operators will need to use Survival to forage for food and
water and also Awareness and Survival to avoid predators or
traps.

Situation TN
Avoid Traps 2
Finding Food 3
Finding Water 4
Avoiding large predators 2
Avoid snakes 3

The Rebels
The rebels want the VIP back, and also do not wish to lose
face as that could affect their hold on territory. They know the
jungle and will move through it quicker than the Operators.
The rebel leader will send between 10-15 rebels to hunt the
Operators down. Stats for the rebels can be found in the Tango
section of the mission chapter.

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 Mission

Starting the Mission

The mission begins with the Operators and VIP at the crashed
chopper. An Operators radio squawks into life.

Alpha team can you read, alpha team come in.

The Operators must answer the call and supply the Hander
with a sitrep.

What the Handler Knows

• The Operators chopper is down - The chopper suddenly

disappeared from HQs trackers.
• That a CIA satellite will be coming into range within
20 minutes - This will allow the Handler to update the
Operators on enemy movement.
• That there is a UN outpost 10 klicks from the Operators
last known position - Once the satellite is available this
will drop to 8 klicks.

The Operators can attempt to work out their location by using

the Survival skill TN 3, if they have a map then TN 2. A success
will allow them to get within 5 Klicks of where they actually
are, a good success 3 klicks and a critical success 1 klick.

What the Operators Know

• They are in hostile territory with a civilian - The VIP

must be protected at all cost.
• Rebel forces will be searching for them - The rebels will
almost definitely have a good idea where the Operators
crashed.
• They have very little food or water - For trained Operators
this is less of an issue than it is for the VIP.

The Ambassador
The Handler should play the Ambassador how they like but it
could be fun to have him complain a lot, blame the Operators

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for the current situation. Have them want to stop and rest,
complain about hunger and thirst and basically be a pain in
the ass.

Next Move
Once the Operators have heard from the Handler they must
then decide what to do next. The options are limited to three.

1. They could start moving towards the UN outpost without

waiting for the satellite feed. They basically know the
direction it is in.
2. They could wait for the satellite, but this would mean the
rebels will be 20 minutes closer.
3. They could just wait for the rebels and shoot it out, but
this would place the VIP in danger.

What ever they decide the Handler will radio back after 20
minutes to give the Operators an update.

Satellite footage is in, shows a large force headed in your

direction, maybe an hour behind you. The UN outpost is 8 Klicks
north east of your position. There seems to be, what looks like a
Mine Pit, but there are no mines registered at that location, so
its either deserted or an illegal diamond mine. We had received
reports of Whitemarsh Mercs operating in the area about 2 yrs
ago but it was never confirmed.

Any Operators with a background in Iran or Afghanistan will

know of Whitemarsh, private military contractors, that had
their government contract withdrawn due to their aggressive
actions towards civilians.

The mine is 3 klicks away and the Operators can choose to

move towards the mine or circumnavigate it, if they decide to
go around the mine it will add 6 klicks to the journey, and they
will need to avoid any patrols around the mine.

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 Mission

The Handler can as an option call in with an offer.

If that is an illegal mine run by Whitemarsh, I know an agency

that will pay 50k for you to shut it down and take out the head
snake of those merc fucks!

Journey to the Mine

The Journey to the Mine should involve Survival and Awareness
rolls from the Operators in order to find food and water and
avoid predators and traps. The 3 Klicks will take around 4 hrs
due to the constant rest breaks of the VIP so a Survival and
Awareness roll each hr would be advisable. The Operators
should be made very aware of how quickly the rebels are
catching up and if they can placing traps or false tracks would
help to widen the gap.

Dangers
There will be a number of dangers as the Operators travel
through the Jungle, mainly from Predators. Below are the more
common threats.

Type Skills Damage AL

Leopard Awareness 4, Stealth 4, Claws 3 1
Unarmed 4 Bite 3
Black Mamba Stealth 5 Lvl 7 0
Boomslang Stealth 5 Lvl 6 0

Leopards will attack stragglers, but will run if startled. They

receive 3 attacks per rnd 2 claw and 1 bite. They are a TN 2 to
hit.

Black Mamba and Boomslang are snakes, they are hard to spot
and will bite if threatened (step to close), their venom is the Lvl
number in the damage column. They are a TN 4 to hit.

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The Pit

xx

x
 x

1. Guard Towers
2. Fence
x 3. Prisoner Huts
4. Guard hut
5. Guard Quarters
6. Pit service road
7. Pit office
xxx 8. Warehouse
9. Tool shed
x 10. Latrine
11. Explosives shed

a. Terrace
b. Work face
c. Pit bottom
d. Disused pit
Ghost Ops

The Pit
The mine is not deserted and in fact is very much active. The
Operators will arrive at an overwatch position overlooking the
mine.

Handler Text
As you approach the edge of the rise you begin to hear the
sounds of work, picks hitting stone, the clanking of wheels
running on train lines, and the shouts of commands and abuse.
Below is the pit, an illegal diamond mine, worked by slaves
and prisoners and patrolled by African rebels and mercs, the
Whitemarsh insignia worn on the sleeves of their uniforms.

The Mine is worked by around 80 slaves who are in various

degrees of starvation, injury and illness. Children as young as
six can be seen, as well as men and women ranging from
teenage to old age. Armed men patrol the area carrying AK47s
and huge Machete. Each wear a uniform with the Whitemarsh
emblem on the sleeve. A mix of African and American voices
can be heard as the guards chat between each other or shout
orders at the slaves.

At night the Pit has less guards on patrol, but the work
continues, half the guards will be asleep in the guard quarters
(5)

The Operatives have three choices:

1. Avoid the Pit - The Operatives can choose to circumnavigate

the pit, this will add 6 klicks to their journey. The Handler
should play on this as a moral choice.
2. Attack the Pit - The Operatives can choose to attack the
pit and claim the reward offered by the CIA. This will slow
them down but the Pit could offer cover and gear.
3. Wait and See - The Operatives could hunker down and see
what happens with the pursuing Rebels turn up. This will
be a waiting game for around an hour. Stealth Vs Awareness
will need to be made as the Rebels check the area.

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 Mission

The Pit
1. Guard Towers – These are held by rebels, one per tower.
2. Fence – An 8-foot-high wire fence, it is broken in places
allowing access.
3. Prisoner Huts – This is where the miners sleep and live.
At any time, there will be around 20 miners in these huts
sleeping or ill.
4. Guard Hut – A small hut normally occupied by 1
whitemarsh merc
5. Guard Quarters - This is the guard living area. During the
day it will be empty at night half the guards will be here
sleeping.
6. Service road – A dirt track leading to the mine.
7. Pit Office – The whitemarsh commander can be found
here.
8. Warehouse – Here can be found tools and supplies. The
Operators will also find a number of aid parcels here
which the mercs have taken from local villages to feed
the miners.
9. Tool Shed – Stacked tools can be found here along with a
box of dynamite and blasting caps.
10. Latrine – Guard latrine
11. Explosive Store – This is the main explosives storage,
various crates of Dynamite, blasting caps, gunpowder
and some bricks of C4 can be found along with primers.
This building is securely locked TN 4

A. Terraces – These are walk ways around the pit, accessed

via ramps or ladders
B. Work face – these are the main digging areas
C. Pit Bottom – Water fills the bottom of the pit. Diving into
the water will also reveal a number of corpses. Good reason
not to drink the water.
D. Disused Pit – This is an abandoned or exhausted pit area.
X. Guards

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Ghost Ops

The Other Rebels

If the operators decide to wait and see what happens when the
other rebels arrive the Handler has three options.

1. The rebels do not approach the mine and attempt to go

around it, presuming the Operators did the same. This
would mean the rebels are now ahead of the squad,
but for how long? They will discover the lack of tracks
eventually.
2. The rebels approach the mine and the Operators realise
that they are the same faction as the mine guards.
3. The rebels attack the mine, and a shoot out ensues, with
the slaves caught in the middle.

If you go with option 1 the rebels will start to double back after
a couple of hrs, the Operators will need to move quickly and
quietly to avoid, with the usual stealth vs awareness rolls.

If you go with 2, then the mine guard population increases by

10 for a short while as the rebels talk to the commander.

A choice of 3 means that you must decide who wins, a roll of

more - than + would indicate the rebels win and vice versa.
The Operators can choose sides adopting the ‘The enemy of my
enemy is my friend’ philosophy.

Liberating the Pit

If the Operators liberate the Pit they will have a small fighting
force which will aid them against the approaching rebels, they
will grab the guard’s weapons and fight with the squad. You
can make this more of a negotiation using the hearts and minds
rules in chapter 9, convincing the miners to fight beside them
rather than flee into the jungle (they have just been imprisoned
by mercs which probably look similar to the Operators).

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 Mission

If the miners fight then they will act like a friendly faction, they
will attempt to slow the rebels down and whittle down their
numbers. This will happen off screen, but the Operators will
hear gunfire from the jungle. At least half the rebels should
survive and confront the squad or continue to follow them.

Operators will find ammunition, body armour, IFAKs, Rations

and Water in the Pit. They will also find a Jeep and two Trucks.
The vehicles will make the journey to the compound easier, but
it will involve a 2 Klick diversion in order to reach the road
leading to the compound.

The Handler can remove the vehicles from the Pit if they want
the Operators to make the mad dash to safety as explained
below.

To the Compound
The compound is a further 6 klicks past the Pit. The Operators
can place booby traps for the remaining rebels with any
dynamite or explosives they managed to grab from the mine.
The race to the compound should begin with survival rolls and
begin to change into stealth rolls as the rebels catch up. The
last dash to the compound should be a running battle. The UN
troops will not help unless they are fired upon or the rebels get
to close to the compound.

The Operators can just run for it, using their movement
and zigzagging to avoid enemy fire and hope for the best,
with the handler rolling for the rebels with the appropriate
disadvantage.

There is cover before the compound, walls, small buildings and

trees if the operators decide to stand and fight.

If the Operators grabbed a vehicle from the Pit then the above
will not happen and they will manage to reach the compound
in a short amount of time.

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Reward
If the Operators deliver the ambassador to the UN compound
they will receive a level 2 hostage rescue reward, with a level
1 complication bonus. If they took out the mine, then this will
add $50k to the reward.

The Handler should decide the XP earned based on

performance.

Tangos and NPCs

Below are the Stats for the Tangos and NPCs the Operators will
come into contact with during the mission.

Attributes Mercs Rebels Miners

Awareness 3 3 2
Skill 3 3 2
Unarmed 4 4 3
Weaponry 4 3 2
Weapon Machete AK-47 AK-47
M4 Machette Pick
Armour IMTV Kevlar None

Ambassador
Awareness - 3
Skill - 4
Unarmed - 2
Weaponry - 2
Armour - None. Has 6 Wounds
Weapon - None, unless given one.

Snakes
Stealth 5, TN 4 to hit and 1 Wound. Bite Venom Lvl 6/7

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 Mission

Whitemarsh Commander (HVT)

Ex-Navy SEAL gone bad.

Awareness - 4
Skill - 4
Unarmed - 5
Weaponry - 5
Armour - IOTV, Has 12 Wounds
Weapon - M4, K-BAR, FN57 Handgun

Leopard
Awareness - 4
Stealth - 4
Unarmed - 4
Armour - 2, 6 wounds
Weapons - Bite 4, Claws x2 - 4

243
Ghost Ops

244
Backers & Community
Ghost Ops

“Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously

never encountered automatic weapons.”
― Douglas MacArthur

246
 Backers

A Big Thank You to all our Backers

3ngine, Aaron A Gonzales, Adam “Silent” Bush, Adam Clayton,
A. Derda, Adam “The Dude” Johnson, adumbrates, Alexander
“DoC” Niewiadomski, Alan Molina, Alexey “Averrin” Nabrodov,
Alexandrea Delashmit, Ambalus, Andreas Jaeger, Andreas
Timel, Andre J, Andy MWG Venn, Andy Brown, Andrew F,
Andrew Elvis Froehlich-Duran, Andrew Jones, Andrew Smith,
Andrew Vandeyar, Andrew Ward, A Nony Mouse, Angry
Goblin, Adriano Alberti La Marmora, Aramis, Ari T, Aaron J.
Schrader, Aston Howes, Bartek Ewertowski, Ben Hutchings,
Benj Davis, Benjamin Lec, Bernard Gravel, Ben ‘Red Rook’
Nettleship, Ben Greene, Bez Bezson, Bjørn, Bob Hall, BRADLEY
CLARK, Brandon “FoolsFire” Struble, Brenden Fettis, Brian
Bremer, Bebberino, Brian Kreuzinger, Brian Laur, Brian Young,
Bryan Miller, Cameron Ken, Carlos Arias, Carlos H Benitez,
Carlos Fernandez-Mayoralas, Carsten “semiomancer” Husek,
Charles Chapman, Charles Crowe, Chris A Challacombe, Chris
Crawshaw, Chris Edwards, Christof Faulhaber, Christopher
E. Eliasen, Chris Noakes, Chris “KillrGruve” Olsen, Christian
Lindke, Christian L. Nommay, CLAN PLOEGER, CW, Clemens
Hugo, Colter Lee, Connor Locklin, Christian “Corvus” Häusler,
Cryoban, Dale Russell, Dale C. Blessing, Danny Archer, Daniel
Baranowski, Daniel Crisp, Dan Stufflebeam, David Garcia,
David Ginsburg w/Tales from the Fandom Podcast, David
Scott, Dave Terhune, David Wolf, Dean Newman, Deleuze
Bruno, Derek Stoelting, Derek Walters, Dominic, Dr Donald
A Turner, Don Penney, Doug Grimes, Dr. mikedk, Earl Scott
Nicholson, El Sobrino, Elyezer Costa, Eric Blair, Eric Czimcharo,
Erik Collett, eskhiss, Ewan Spence, Extradaemon, Father
Morpheus, Fernando Segismundo Alonso Garzón “Viajero
Salvaje”, Fluffe, Forest Pavel, Francesco “Frankie” Bianco,
Francisco Blanca “Funy Skywalker”, Frank Hart, Frédéric
Dorner, Gareth H. Graham, Gavin Maxwell, Dr. Gerd Hauser,
General Lopez, Gordon Cranford, Grégory “Sky Marshall”
Huyghe, GremlinLegions, Glynn Stewart, Gustavo Velez,
Guillaume Hatt, Ghost Toad, Hafbad The Sailor, Harry K, Heine
Stick, Helge Jordal, Henrik Hellbom, hidsnake, Holger Schrenk,
Ian K. Moser, Ian Woodley, Jacob Gilliam, Jae “ChillChick” Walkr,

247
Ghost Ops

Jim Autry, James E. Douglas, James H Brown, James “Mr_Stag”

Holt, Jim Lovell, Jamie Laike Tsui, Jan “Jetty” Jetmar, Jan van der
Wielen, Jarvis Mishler, JBeagle, Jason “Agent 1414” Childs, Jason
“JiB” Tryon, Jason Buchanan, Jasper Williams, JB Joyner, Jean-
Luc Barbera, Jedd Greathead, Jeremy Seeley, Jeff Burton, Jeffrey
S. James, Jeff “CYPH3R” Ruiz, Jeremy “Meatsweats” Price, Jim
Bellmore, Jimmy Shave, J. A. Cummings, J. Aldridge ,Joel Mills,
John M. Osborne, John M. Portley, John P. Hans, John Pyrich,
John Steve, John Alan West, JohnnyVoodoo, Jonas Karlsson,
Jonathan Ritter Koehnen, Jordan Cunningham, JORDAN
SIRGENT, Jose Luis Porfirio, Josh Mahan, Josh Eaves, j0rdi, JR,
Juan Cruz Balda Berrotarán, Karl Deckard, Keiran Sparksman,
Kenneth Sieffert, Kevin Woon, Kevin “Lion in the Mist” Shaud,
Kevin Shinners, kka0s, KJ Potter, Kurt McMahon, Kyorou,
Laurent, Lester Ward, Lloyd Rasmussen, Loki Darkmare, Luca
Accomazzi, Mark Mintz, Mike Harper, MD, Magnus Bergqvist,
Manuel “ManuFS” Sambs, Marc Langworthy, Mario Cordova,
Mark Carter, Mark Fenlon, Mark “LooseBolt” Margraf, Mark
O’Mealey, Mark Spanjer, Mark Thompson, Mark Webster,
Mårten Eliasson, Martin Blake, Marty Meatballs, Matt “Brutus”
Benjamin, Matthew Yerkes, Matthew J. Barlow, Matthew
Smitheram, Mattius Tannhauser, Matthew R. Martinez, Matt
Thomason, Michael Machado, Madasaskaven, Michael Beck,
Michael Sprague, Michael A Guerra, Miguel McDowell, Mike
Strefford, Mike Garoni, Moises Jacobo, Nathan Reetz, Nate
Shandy, Nazabobo, Neal5x5, Neal Dalton, Nery Mejicano III,
Nicholas Cavazos, Neil Ikerd, Nigel Rich, Niko Salthouse, Nils L,
Noel “TNT” Tobin, Norbert Denninger, Ols Jonas Petter Olsson,
Omar Amador, Paris Conte, Patrice Mermoud, Patrick Farrell,
Patrick Phillips, Paul Bendall, Paul Ray Reinar Coulter III, Paul
Hayes, Peter Bogdasarian, Peter D Engebos, Peter A. Jaensch,
Peter “Savage Oz” Morson, Peter Thomas, Philip Larkin, Pierre
Vigne, Pieterjan Heyse, Robert A. Jacobs, Ralph Holland,
Raminagrobis, Reuben Qualls, RENKZ 747, Richard Bilsker,
Richard Collins, Richard Ferris, Rich Brandon, Rick Sorgdrager,
Robert “Erolat” Black, Robert Carnel, Robert P. V. Davis, Robert
C. Kim, Robert Mosley, Roberto “Sunglar” Micheri, Robert
Wood, Olivier Robineau, Rob Stevenson, Rob Wieland, Ronald
Olexsak, Ron the “Dragon” Smay, Ron Windauer, Roy Paeth, Roy

248
 Backers

Sachleben, Ryan C, Ryan Linegar, Sam Benke, Sam Heazlewood,

Sam Fokker, Sam Watson, Sandy Nelson, Scott Crosson, Scott
Ferwerda, Scott Johnson, Scott Maynard, Scott Spicer, Scott
“Disemvowel” Welker, Sean Huempfner, Sean Mulqueen,
Sean Richmond, TIN, Shades of Vengeance, Shawn Carman,
Shawn Walters, Shen Hung-Yang, Simon Such, SirPadras,
Sophie Lagacé, Stacy Young, Stefan Pohl, Steven Maisel, Steven
Trustrum, Steven D Warble, Stuart Dobson, Ted Arlauskas, Ted
Wallerstedt, Terrell Scoggins, Thaddeus Ryker, Thalji, Theo,
Temvaryen, The Roach, Thescourge, The.Iron.Mandarin, T.
Osborne, Thomas Shaw, Thomas Walker, Tarvios, Topdecker,
Timolution, Tim Davis, Tiny Terrain Models, Todd Gibel, Todd
Stephens, Tommi “Baal” Paalanen, Tommi Putkonen, Thomas
Piddock, Tyrarn Ulfarsson, Uwe Schumacher, Veloci, Viktor
Korablin, Vinnie Santo, vincent furstenberger, Vorien, W. Reese
Flory, Walter F. Croft, Walker Fitzroy, Walt Robillard, Wilfred
Helling, Zack Adamskn, Zack - Our Favorite Backer, Zadakiel

Our Great Community

We have been lucky to have a thriving and helpful community
of people who have supported the game, shared information
and answered our questions. You have made the process easier
and a lot more fun with all your videos, stories, advice and new
articles. This game is much yours as it is mine.

Honorary Mentions in no particular order

Tim Loya, Forest Pavel, Ewan Spence, Matthew J. Barlow, Mario

Cordova, Jeff Ruiz, Joey Manning, Gregory Huyghe, Joey Batts,
Neil Hyde, Harold Lee Kearns III, Jessie Indracusin.

This is just to name but a few of the 200+ community, so thank

you all and I salute you.

249
 Ghost Ops
Welcome to the world of Covert Missions, Black Operations
and Kill Orders.

You are a member of an elite team of special operatives,

enlisted from the world’s best special forces units, to work for
a new private military force, that does not recognise borders
and is not funded by just one government, but all of them.

Your missions will take you to the streets of the USA and
Western and Eastern Europe, the mountains of South
America, the Jungles of Africa and the deserts of the Middle
East. You will tackle drug cartels, organised crime, private
militia, corrupt governments and terrorist cells.

The game is based on the modern world, but we include help

on setting missions in the past like World War 2, Vietnam or
even trying your team with the Iranian Embassy siege of the
80’s, or you can set the game in the future after an apocalypse,
or invasion of the country you live in. The possibilities are
endless.

Inside you will find rules for:

• Creating Operatives from 13 different countries and

over 20 different SpecOps units.
• K9 Companions
• Buying and upgrading Safehouses.
• Bullet Time
• Rules for running Hearts and Minds missions
• And Much More...

So gather your Squad and grab that kill order, the world is a
bad place and you have work to do.