Phoenix Logs/Banished Units/Grunt Riders

Backseat driver.

The Grunt Rider is an infantry unit which replaces Suicide Grunts. The Grunts

chosen to lord it over captured Brutes still lack much common sense, so going

from carrying a backpack to being a backpack may not be a step up. Grunt

Riders have a simple partnership with their Brutes: the Brutes punch things

with their fists, while the Grunts tell them where to go and throw plasma

grenades at enemies, allies, small animals, inanimate objects, and strange noises.

The Brute's attacks as-is, they can upgrade their punch force with Grunt-

engineered plasma gloves by investing in Punch Harder, You!

Unlike methane and infusions, the Grunt and Brute pairing is not a perfect

match. Among other quirks, some Brute Riders have a tendency to develop an

obsession with biofuels, power management, and gladiatorial fights, much to

the annoyance of everyone else in the rebellion. Other Brute Riders suffer

"accidents" at the fists of the Brutes if they get too bossy. The rest simply hope

to survive long enough to get promoted to Locust driver or methane hauler.