Hive Scum
Hive Scum, or Scummers, are masterless or itinerant Imperial Hivers who will fight for anyone who offers them coin. They are the most generic hired gun and neutrals one can find across the street; so long as the pay is right.
Overview
Some are mercenaries who travel from zone to zone, earning whatever easy money is around before moving on. Many though are drunkards and down-and-outs who, despite their appearances, are more than capable of holding their own in a fight. Regardless of their background, Hive Scum are too wild and independent to submit to the leadership of anyone for very long and will only work when they feel like it — as their services are always in demand.
In the Underhive of Necromunda, most Hive Scum end up working for the Merchant Guilds, though a few are always willing to aid one the Hive World's numerous gangs. They are especially valuable to newly created gangs, who hire Hive Scum to supplement their low numbers or inexperienced gang members. For the more established gangs, however, Hive Scum are either seen as not worth hiring or nothing more than cannon fodder to use against the gang's enemies.
As they are often a rag-tagged bunch of misfits. Hive Scum aren't the most well-equipped. Typically, common weapons include Stub Guns, Stub Rifles, Autopistols, Autoguns, Lasguns, Sawn-Off Shotguns, Pump-Action Shotguns, Flails, Axes, Combat Knives, Mauls, and Chainswords.
Crunch
On Necromunda, Hive Scummers can usually be found in a Merchant Guild and Iron Guild. In a Merchant Guild, there is always at least two free Hive Scums for hire, although if you want more, it is best to go to the Iron Guild which offers d3+2 Hive Scum for the battle. They are completely free, so it’s not the worst thing in the world, since each one comes equipped with up to 60 credits worth of gear of the player’s choice. Use them to fill in the gaps of your own gang’s firebase, send them off on a special flanking mission, or just run them straight forward as cannon fodder.
