Bite the Hand is a lightweight TTRPG system for telling stories of rebellion and vengeance in gritty, dark, future cities, by using Mothership’s Panic Engine to bring a touch of horror to the cyberpunk genre. With over 40 types of cybernetics, over 50 items like weapons and armor, and several pages of GM tools, the Bite the Hand Core Rulebook contains everything you’ll need to experience tense cyberpunk action at your tables.
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The city is harsh and unforgiving. This isn’t a power fantasy where armies of grunts are cut down with ease. No, it is a brutal game where victories will be suspenseful, bloody, and not guaranteed.
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The 48-page zine is jam-packed with:
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4 player classes: Will you be a sneaky rogue, a tough soldier, a clever technician, or a charismatic turncoat?
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A d100 table of signature styles to personalize your PCs
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A total of 44 types of cybernetics, to customize PCs and NPCs
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Dozens of items, weapons, armor types, and vehicles
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A full suite of lightweight rules for stat checks and saving throws, stealth, social manipulation, hacking, environmental hazards, downtime, medical care, and of course high-intensity combat
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A modified version of the Stress and Panic systems you know and love from Mothership, complete with a fully custom Panic table
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A wanted system called Heat, and debt mechanics that feed into each other
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Several pages of Warden advice, helpful to both total newbies and Panic Engine veterans
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Cyberpunk genre guidance, including worldbuilding advice and a list of inspirational media
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A full page of house rules and homebrew advice to help you make Bite the Hand your perfect game
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13 easily modifiable NPCs for Wardens to populate their worlds and challenge their players
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A built-in one-shot module, featuring an open-ended encounter that's sure to play out differently for each party
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A handy quick-reference “cheat sheet” with the most important rules on the back cover
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Will you bite the hand that feeds you?
Will you stay down on your knees?
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If you have an actual play, podcast, stream, or news outlet that would be interested in making content around Bite the Hand, please reach out to Alex Vigna at Spellbook.Gaming.Team@gmail.com.
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Get the digital version of the game via Itch below. Physical copies to come in the near future.
Extra character sheets: