I’m still stumbling on mutant descriptions. The difference between Altered Humans and Altered Beasts still trips me up when meeting someone new. I mean, both are (generally) humanoids, not just Altered Humans.

I’m going to try using family specific language for alt-humans, and species specific for alt-beasts.

So, “reptilian humanoid” mostly looks like a human, but with some consistent inhuman physical mutations. But a “humanoid crocodile” looks like a very conspicuous hybrid indeed.

Makes a difference for stats including tech Level. Also matters for form factor regarding armor and weapons, and the odds that a synthetic intelligence recognizes you as a person at all. (Squishies at 6/6, Muties at 4/6, Beasties at 2/6, Greenies at 0/6)

Admittedly, as Gamma World has long played with the idea that “Pure Strain Humans are not in fact that”, a more literal “Tribes of the Moon” would have the PSH as the radiation resistant GMO humans altered for Space, and their modern descendents – the folks who returned from the lunar colony after the Social Wars.