Looking for low-level enemies.

[Epsilon Rose]

Does anyone know of some good human-ish enemies I can throw at low-level adventures in a modern setting? I think I need things in the <=1 cr range because the players are going to be on their own allot and guns mean I need to throw a bunch of mooks at them (I think, alternatives to that strategy would also be appreciated). I'm perfectly happy to use homebrew if that helps, but I don't really want to be reduced to throwing waves of zombies and skeletons at them till they level a few times (I would like to avoid house-cats and the like entirely if at all possible:smallyuk:).

A good compendium of modern urban enemies would also be good for later if anyone seen such a thing floating around.

Thank you.

[Johel]

Does anyone know of some good human-ish enemies I can throw at low-level adventures in a modern setting? I think I need things in the <=1 cr range because the players are going to be on their own allot and guns mean I need to throw a bunch of mooks at them (I think, alternatives to that strategy would also be appreciated). I'm perfectly happy to use homebrew if that helps, but I don't really want to be reduced to throwing waves of zombies and skeletons at them till they level a few times (I would like to avoid house-cats and the like entirely if at all possible:smallyuk:).

A good compendium of modern urban enemies would also be good for later if anyone seen such a thing floating around.

Thank you.

In modern setting, low-level enemies would mainly be in the realm of gangsta, bikers, maybe a few psychopathic hobbos...
Very badly equipped, mainly melee weapons.
And if they got guns, most don't know how to use them because of the lack of proper and regular training.
This is especially true in countries with strict anti-gun laws.
But even in the USA, I guess most thugs aren't exactly sharpshooters.
This can be refined in any brand, what with the fanatic cult members who just got handed weapons and said : "kill the heretics !!"

If you are looking for the level above, you got over-zealous security personnel, crime syndicate hitsquads, paramilitary militiamen, hunters,...
These people aren't at professional soldier level but at least they practice regulary and are genuinely interested in getting good at shooting.
They will be more about calculated attacks than just frontal assault.
The quality of their equipment can vary from below average to outstanding.

Just above this, you got cops, professionnal killers, PMC, regular soldiers or national guards,...
Those will be well equipped, well trained but still not too specialised opponents.

Attack dogs can make fun opponents, what with them not even trying to dodge bullets and the lack of moral guilt about using lethal force.
Use the D&D 3.5. Wolf to pose as large breed of dogs.

If the setting is slightly futuristic, killbots are good too :
Resilient, show no fear, very large firepower but unimaginative and not really looking for self-preservation.

[Epsilon Rose]

Wow, quick response.
That's mostly what I've been planning, though I had overlooked the attack dogs. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding or putting to much emphasis on the cr system, but don't adult humans count as cr 1 minimum (or does that assume they're well equipped and properly trained)? I'm slightly worried about having 4-6 cr 1 enemies attack a single level 2 character (even if they are gestalt) but, given how much damage a rifle does, I'm not sure if a smaller number can be a challenge...
Perhaps I'm over-thinking things. I've never DMed before and I'd rather not accidentally kill a PC because I didn't plan the encounter properly.