SIGMATA: This Signal Kills Fascists

by Chad Walker

From the author of Cryptomancer comes SIGMATA: This Signal Kills Fascists, a cyberpunk tabletop role-playing game about ethical insurgency against a fascist regime, taking place in a dystopian vision of 1980's America.

Players assume the role of Receivers, the superheroic vanguard of the Resistance, who possess incredible powers when in range of FM radio towers emitting a mysterious number sequence called "The Signal." When the Signal is up, Receivers lead the charge against battalions of Regime infantry and armor or serve as the People's Shield, protecting mass demonstrations from the brutality of a militarized police force and neo-Nazi hooligans. When the Signal is down, however, Receivers are mere mortals, desperately fleeing from a powerful state that senses their weakness.

It's called the Sigmata, a Signal-induced stigmata, because it is a both a blessing and a curse. At least when you're marked by the state, you can’t sit on the sidelines anymore.

Construct your cybernetic revolutionary with a wide assortment of cybernetic implants, Signal-fueled superpowers, iconic equipment, and invokable story hooks.

Leverage strong teamwork mechanics to prevail in structured scenes of combat, evasion, and intrigue, each scene putting every player at the table in the spotlight.

Manage a fragile alliance of partisans from vastly different ideological backgrounds and steel the Resistance against sabotage, extremism, dwindling morale, and shocking betrayals.

Contend with the Regime in a constantly evolving political struggle powered by the game's built-in insurgency sandbox, which incorporates Resistance and Regime strategy, factional loyalty, and the sentiment of the people.

This Signal Kills Fascists. Repeat the Signal.

Genres: Dystopia

331 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Benjamin]

Bought as part of the Bundle of Holding's Indie Cornucopia #7.

Logline: Radio-powered cyborg superheroes attempt to resist a fascist government in alternate 1980s America and weld together a Resistance that means something out of conflicting agendas.

What I like: I mean, that logline showcases both the fun (retro-80s clothes! dial up modems! techno-superpowers!) and the serious political interest of this game.

What's gonna keep me from playing: Learning a new system with several (related) subsystems for signal strength, war, international relations, faction relations. I mean, if someone patient wanted to play and teach me, I guess, but I'm not champing at the bit to play.

That said, I've heard one of the Kickstarter stretch goals was a companion guide to playing that might make this an easier lift.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a gamers' rule book. In fact. it's a pretty good read in its own right. I doubt I'll ever play the game - I don't know enough people who share my interest, nor do I have the time to spend upon it. But if you like dystopian fiction, this is compelling stuff. The superhero element I found a little hard to take - especially the precise super-powers described; however, they are there for the purposes of gameplay, and in that context, are unquestionable. The anecdotes supporting the construction are very well done.

[Davy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this, I don't know if I'm more excited about running this game or about starting a revolution.
As I'm not a FM-powered cyborg in a dystopian 1986 USA, I guess I'll have to settle for running the game.

Anyway, my brain is thoroughly tickled. Which is how I like it.