3:16 – Not For Attacking

Fight Infection (original called Left 4:16 Dead) is hack of 3:16 Carnage Amongst the Stars based on the Valve game Left 4 Dead. It’s worth taking a look at for many reasons. But one thing I like about is that they changed the name of Fighting Ability (FA) and Non-Fighting Ability (NFA) to For Attacking (FA) and Not For Attacking (NFA). In my opinion it doesn’t describe what the number is, but it does describe how it’s used pretty succinctly.

3:16 is a game about murdering (sometimes) innocent space creature en mass. So, in my experience, people tend to weigh a little heavier on the Fighting Ability side. Partially because of the setting and theme of the game, partially because the uses of Non-Fighting Ability are described throughout the book. Good because it talks about the rules roughly in the order in which they’d come up. But bad because NFA can seem a little useless until you delve further into the text.

Because I’ve learned recently that I’ve been playing the game wrong and also because I’m planning on making a cheat sheet for my players, I’ve tunneled my way through the rules (again) and compiled a list of actions or uses of FA/NFA that can be used in combat.

This list deals only with actions taking during combat.

For Attacking/Fighting Ability (FA)

• Attack: Cause kills, if FA roll is higher then the enemy’s AA/FA/NFA roll then you can also then move.
• Use a Special Weapon: TPK Bomb, Paradise Bomb, see rules.

Not For Attacking/Non-Fighting Ability (NFA)

• Move: Can be combined with another NFA action (ie roll NFA to Move and Switch Weapons)
• Switch Weapons: Can be combined with another NFA action (ie roll NFA to Move and Switch Weapons)
• Prep/Support: Give yourself or an ally +1 to yours or their next roll.
• Cause ‘E’ Wound: Can only be used when fighting a human NPC or another PC, see rules.
• Pilot a Vehicle: Drop Ship, APC, move and/or attack.
• Use Special Abilities: Force Weakness, E-Vac, Orbital Bombardment, see rules.

Free Actions

• Switch to Grenades, Hand-to-Hand, or Power Claw
• Use Combat Drugs: Re-roll FA.
• Use Strength/Weakness: May be used even when it’s not your turn.
• Apply Leverage Bonus (Optional Rule)