Monster: Big Bug (Big Bug, Great Big Bug, Giant Bug)
Game/Product: GURPS Atomic Horror
Origin: While GURPS Atomic Horror is obviously referencing all the 50s B-movies that feature bugs grown to giant size by radiation. But bugs are an all-purpose monster because 1) they look about as far from the mammals we're wired to respond well to, 2) many are already a common, everyday fear (especially spiders, but also wasps, I'm surprised we don't have any specific Giant Earwig movies), and 3) are easy to imagine for players because they exist (at less atavistic sizes) in the real world.
Fear Level: High. When they're not that big, they tend to swarm, and don't tell you didn't just reflexively think about scratching yourself. When they are big, they're hideous and tap into fears that are ingrained in the human race.
Danger Level: Varies. Depending on how you use them, they can have all sorts of attacks, though players might think them sword fodder, too.
Famous examples: In the sourcebook's filmography, we find Attack of the Giant Leeches, The Black Scorpion, The Deadly Mantis, Tarantula and Them! Among others. We might also look at more modern fare like Starship Troopers, Mimic and the Tremors franchise. Fantasy also has big bugs, like Shelob and the rest of Spiderkind in The Lord of the Rings.
I wonder if: I should have used Big Bugs more often in my games, perhaps in place of my actual standard "real life" monster, the dinosaur.
So what bug would YOU enlarge to swarm or eat the player characters?
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