Welcome to the HoloNet Uplink, citizen. This series focuses on Fantasy Flight Games’ Star Wars Roleplaying Game, with content aimed mostly at the Gamemaster. Threats, adventure seeds, rules supplements, and more are all to come for those who access The HoloNet Uplink.
Summary: The popularity of HK-series Assassin Droids resulted in their spread across many works from the Star Wars Legends continuity.
Observation: HK-47 was a true breakout character from Knights of the Old Republic. His popularity among the fanbase lead to his return in The Sith Lords, Star Wars: Galaxies, and The Old Republic.
Statement: HK-47’s popularity has led to him being copied by other models, both in universe (HK-50s) and, to take it in a more meta direction, by repeated inclusion of HK-series droids in later Star Wars works.
Promise: Below, I will provide a write-up for both a generic HK-series Assassin Droid and the infamous Protocol Pacifist Package.
Supplication: Oh please, forgive me for using this now tired joke!
HK-series Assassin Droid [Nemesis]
Produced by the infamous Czerka Corporation, HK-series Assassin Droids were ruthless killers programmed for unmatched lethality. Despite their sinister appearance and psychopathic behavioral programming, HK-series droids are capable of serving as protocol droids. This allows the droid a degree of plausible deniability. This protocol capability allows the HK-series droid to infiltrate by hiding in plain sight. Once in position, the droids activate their higher level assassination protocols and eliminate their targets with maximum prejudice.
Characteristics
Br 4, Ag 4, Int 3, Cun 4, WP 2, Pres 3
Soak 7, W. Threshold 35, S. Threshold 20, Def M/R 1/1
Skills: Charm 1, Cool 4, Coercion 3, Computers 3, Deception 3, Gunnery 5, Knowledge (Education) 1, Mechanics 3, Melee 2, Ranged (Heavy) 5, Ranged (Light) 5, Vigilance 2
Talents: Adversary 3 (upgrade difficulty of all combat checks against this target three times), Barrage 2 (add two to the damage of all Gunnery or Ranged (Heavy) attacks made at medium or long range), Plausible Deniability 2 (remove 2 Setback Dice from all Coercion and Deception checks), Point Blank 2 (add two to the damage of all Ranged (Light) and Ranged (Heavy) attacks made at short or engaged range), Soft Spot (After making a successful attack, may spend 1 Destiny Point to add damage equal to Cunning [4] to one hit.).
Abilities: Droid (Does not need to breathe, eat or drink and can survive in vacuum or underwater. Immune to poisons or toxins.), Assassination Protocols (May shift between Assassination Protocol levels once per round as an Action), Multiple Combat Turns (if facing four or more PCs alone, this character takes one additional turn at the end of the round).
Equipment: Light repeating blaster (Ranged [Heavy]; Damage 11; Critical 3; Range [Long]; Autofire, Cumbersome 4, Pierce 1), 2 frag grenades (Ranged [Light]; Damage 8; Critical 4; Range [Short]; Blast 6, Limited Ammo 1), wrist-integrated flame projector (Ranged [Light]; Damage 6; Critical 2; Range [Short]; Burn 3, Blast 6)
Special – Assassination Protocols:
Modify the HK-series Assassin Droid’s statistics as follows, based on which level of Assassination Protocols is currently active.
Deactivated:
- Per standard stat block
Level I:
- Remove all ranks of Plausible Deniability
- Add True Aim 1
Level II:
- Remove all ranks of Plausible Deniability
- Remove all ranks of Deception
- Add True Aim 2
HK Protocol Pacifist Package
“Answer: Oh, Master, I could not allow myself to harm another. What if they have families? Or children? We must always think of the children. The littlest ones always suffer in war.” -HK-47 to Meetra Surik, upon the installation of the Protocol Pacifist Package
A rare software module for use within the behavioral cores of HK-series Assassin Droids, this package disables assassination protocols and completely rewrites the droid’s personality towards pacifism. The droid’s existing memories are archived as unreadable while the package is installed. Assassination protocols and psychopathic tendencies are replaced by true protocol abilities and a genuine care for the wellbeing of all sentients. These effects persist so long as the package is installed.
Installing the Protocol Pacifist Package requires an Easy (1 Purple) Mechanics Check. Replace the HK-series Assassin Droid’s Skills, Talents, and Abilities with the following:
Skills: Charm 3, Cool 2, Computers 3, Knowledge (Education) 3, Mechanics 3, Negotiate 3, Vigilance 2
Talents: Adversary 3 (upgrade difficulty of all combat checks against this target three times), Kill with Kindness 2 (remove 2 Setback Dice from all Charm and Leadership checks), Just Kidding (Once per round as an incidental, spend 1 Destiny Point to ignore Despair generated on a social check by the character or any ally in short range.)
Abilities: Droid (Does not need to breathe, eat or drink and can survive in vacuum or underwater. Immune to poisons or toxins.)
Christopher Hunt
Latest posts by Christopher Hunt (see all)
- Command School – Deterrence and Compellence - July 11, 2019
