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d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game

John Pennisi

Additional Contributions Interior Art

Cameron Mount ─ “Kerian” Andre Campbell ─ Tyran Eades ─ John Pennisi

Cover
John Pennisi Layout
John Pennisi
Additional Editing
Cameron Mount ─ Abbi Unger

Playtesters
Trevor Bancroft ─ Aaron Killeen ─ Tina Hays ─ Cameron Mount
Ben Nelson ─ David O'Loughlin ─ R. Padraic Springuel ─ Abbi Unger
“Kerian” ─ “SapphireMagic” ─ “zachol”

Designation of Product Identity: The following items are hereby designated as Product Identity in accordance with Section 1(e) of the Open Game License, version 1.0a: Any and
all Jackelope Crossing Games logos and identifying marks and trade dress; any specific characters and places; capitalized names and original names of persons, places, or things; any
and all stories, storylines, histories, plots, thematic elements, and dialogue; and all artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, illustrations, maps, and cartography, likenesses, poses,
logos, or graphic designs, except such elements that already appear in final or draft versions of the d20 System Reference Document or as Open Game Content below and are already
open by virtue of appearing there. The above Product Identity is not Open Game Content.

Designation of Open Content: The following items are hereby designated as Open Content: Chapters I – XII.

©2008 Jackelope Crossing Games.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game
Introduction
Gary Gygax died today.
It's a strange feeling, to know that someone in your little niche in
the world has passed on. For people who weren't gamers, the
passing of Gary Gygax probably went unnoticed, but to gamers, it
really did mark the end of an era.
Gaming changed a lot during Gary's lifetime. He and his friends
oversaw the development of the first true roleplaying games from
old-fashioned wargames, and with the publishing of a little box set
for a game in 1974, they changed the world of gaming forever when
they introduced the notion that the miniatures on the table were
more than just representations of soldiers in a battlefield, but
characters in an adventure that was unfolding between the players
of the game.
Things have changed since the old days, but that one basic
premise remains the same: roleplaying games are meant to be
ways that players can create characters and take them on amazing
adventures together. Since then, that basic concept has been
applied in different ways, as some gamers have put more emphasis
on using roleplaying games as a collaborative way to tell
captivating stories about their characters and the world they're
gaming in. Some players did more of this, some did less, but that
was the beauty of roleplaying games: there's no wrong way to play.
But that's not to say that the disagreements on what counted as fun
to different gamers out there weren't informative. In many ways, the
disagreements and discussions about different playstyles were
incredibly informative. And it was reading comments from Gary and
gamers like him that really helped to crystallize my own gaming
philosophy, and that's the philosophy that led me to create d20
Advanced.
In many ways, d20 Advanced is designed to be a departure from
older systems, such as the ones Gary worked so hard on
throughout his life. The game lacks endless subsystems, instead
having only a few main methods of conflict resolutions which are
designed to encompass a wide variety of similar challenges. It
enables a lot of customization on the front end with character
design, and it's made to be flexible enough that groups can quickly
and easily adjust the game to their liking. When I set off on this
journey almost three years ago to come up with a system I could
use to play a fantasy world with airships, I had no idea that I'd wind
up with an entirely new game system.
By making d20 Advanced as open and as boiled down to its
essential elements as possible, I've tried to provide a firm
foundation for a new generation of gamers to play the game the
way they want. My goal with d20 Advanced was to create a toolbox
for gamers to create their game, to create their vision of how the
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game should play. The beauty of roleplaying games is that there
are so many ways to get it right, for the game to be fun for the
individual group. Not everything needs to work the same way for
every group. There's room for lots of options at the table, and d20
Advanced strives to make them all work within the framework of a
single gaming system.
And yeah, this is a little different than they did things in Gary's day.
More emphasis is placed on making unique and interesting
characters with lots of options, and the social contract between
players and the GM is more clearly stated. But the principle's still
the same: get a group together and use the game to put your
characters through adventures. d20 Advanced presents more
options in the end for developing characters as points of interest to
the game by themselves, to help players invest more in their own
characters than they would if these characters were mere game
pieces.
But at the end of the day, the option is yours entirely. That's what
I've tried to create with d20 Advanced: a system that gives you the
tools to make the game your own, so that it plays just the way your
group needs for your game. It's been a labor of love, written on my
laptop (with two big dull spots worn into the paint on the keyboard
from where I rest my hands while typing) in bits and pieces over the
past three years. I can still remember sitting in the student center at
my college when I was just starting on this project, back when it
was just going to be an alternate magic system for a fantasy game
with airships, and I was just poking away at it in between classes.
Now, three years later, I can finally give you the finished product.
The artwork is pretty sparse, since the budget for this book was in
direct competition with other pressing needs, like tuition and
groceries, but I had help from some good friends to assemble it.
In 1974, Gary Gygax published a game that came in a little white
box, with three little booklets inside, and he changed the world of
gaming forever. With the advent of .pdf publishing and online stores
and graphics programs, I'm publishing d20 Advanced in much the
same way. I doubt this game will ever have anything near to the
influence or success that Gary Gygax's creations have had, but if
d20 Advanced can help gamers to create worlds of adventure, to
help give a group somewhere a set of rules that are flexible and
robust enough to support their game, then that's enough of a
success for me.
So go out there and start gaming.
Don't forget to roll a 20 for Gary.
- John Pennisi (AKA Jackelope King)
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game

Table of Contents
Credits.................................................iii
Introduction..........................................ii
Table of Contents..................................i
Thanks..................................................i
Part I: Characters....................1
Chapter I: The Basics..........................2
Gameplay...........................................4
Hero Dice...........................................7
Character Points..............................10
Details & Characteristics.................12
Drawbacks.......................................15
Chapter II: Abilities.............................19
The Abilities......................................19
Altering Ability Scores......................20
Movement........................................21
Size..................................................22
Chapter III: Skills...............................24
How Skills Work...............................24
Skill Descriptions.............................28
Creating Skills..................................51
Chapter IV: Feats...............................52
Feat Descriptions.............................52
Fighting Styles.................................62
Creating Feats.................................64
Chapter V: FX....................................65
FX Components...............................65
FX Types.........................................68
Using FX..........................................69
Noticing FX......................................74
Countering FX.................................74
FX Descriptions...............................75
FX Feats........................................116
FX Modifiers...................................119
Extras.............................................119
Flaws.............................................124
FX Drawbacks...............................127
FX Structures................................129
Creating FX...................................133
Improving and Adding FX.............136
Chapter VI: Gear..............................138
Equipment.....................................138
General Equipment.......................140
Weapons.......................................142
Armor............................................145
Vehicles.........................................146
Structures......................................148
Devices.........................................150
Constructs.....................................153
Wealth...........................................154
Part II: Action.......................155
Chapter VII: Combat........................156
Combat Statistics...........................156
Actions...........................................159
Action Descriptions........................160
Damage & Injury............................162
Tactical Movement and Options....165
Combat Advantage........................168
Attacks of Opportunity...................170
Maneuvers.....................................171
Chapter VIII: Environments.............175
Zones.............................................175
Terrain Effects................................179
Climate Effects..............................186
Conditions.....................................191
Chapter IX: Dramatic Interactions...195
Dramatic Interactions.....................195
Interaction Types...........................197
Reputation.....................................198
Mental Strain.................................200
Taint...............................................201
Examples of Taint..........................202
Part III: Running the Game.208
Chapter X: Gamemastering.............209
The Three Commandments of
Gamemastering.............................209
Overseeing Character Creation.....212
Running the Game........................214
Creating the Adventure..................218
Chapter XI: Campaign Building.......223
Campaign Era................................222
Campaign Feel..............................227
Realism..........................................229
Power Level & Character Points....233
Genre.............................................234
Creating PC Templates.................239
Selecting Options..........................241
Designing Worlds of Adventure....243
Chapter XII: Stock Characters.........246
NPC Guidelines.............................246
Creating an Encounter...................248
NPC Archetypes............................250
NPC Templates..............................262
Appendix I: Creating a Character....268
Appendix II: Sample Session...........270
Index................................................277

Special Thanks
To Andre and the guys at Heritage Comics HSQ for the help getting art assembled for the book.

To Jim and Becca for hosting d20 Advanced, and to the community at Dragon Avenue for all their help in developing the game.

To Steve Kenson for the ideas and the Open Gaming Content from his game that provided so many of the ideas that inspired this work.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Part I: Characters
The fundamental unit of any story is the character, and roleplaying
games are no different. This section of the book details everything
you need to know to create your character, from the basic abilities
to more advanced special FX to the gear used. Part I of d20A
details everything you need to design a character for almost any
genre of gameplay.
For the Player
Part I is important for games where you design your own character
from the ground up. If your GM's game has character archetypes
already created, you only need to familiarize yourself with Chapter I
to be ready to game. More experienced players might want to dive
in and create a character from the ground up, which requires details
from the rest of Part I.
For the GM
If you've chosen to run d20A, Part I details information more
necessary for the players, but it does include rules for resolving
many tasks. Be familiar with Chapter I, and understand the
resolution systems for certain abilities in Chapter II and for skills in
Chapter III. The rest of the information in this section is important
for reviewing potential characters and designing NPCs, but isn't as
important for actually running the game.
What's in This Part
Part I of d20A covers all the essential information to create a
character and the basic rules for playing the game. All players and
GMs should be familiar with the information in these sections.
Chapter I: The Basics
In Chapter I, the very basics of the d20 Advanced system are laid
out, explaining the roles of the players and the GM, the basic task
resolution system, and explaining the important terms that are used
throughout the book. Chapter I also covers the fundamentals of
character creation by explaining how abilities are limited by Power
Level and how characters are created using Character Points. This
chapter is a must-read for all players and GMs.
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Chapter II: Abilities
The second chapter covers the basic ability scores a character has,
as well as the other attributes characters have which are derived
from these abilities. They include Strength, Dexterity, Constitution,
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. The chapter also details how
characters purchase these abilities. This chapter is essential for
designing characters.
Chapter III: Skills
Chapter III lays out the basic system governing mundane character
skills in a wide variety of tasks. It includes several methods for
resolving tasks which require skill on the part of the characters, and
a number of skills characters can choose from. It also details with
different ways to purchase skills. This chapter is essential for
designing characters.
Chapter IV: Feats
Beyond simple abilities and skills, feats are slightly more powerful
but situational abilities that players can choose for their characters.
The feats are organized in such a way that a GM can quickly and
easily select which ones are a good fit for a specific game. This
chapter is essential for designing characters.
Chapter V: FX
Far above the mundane abilities of ordinary people, FX are a set of
powers which can be purchased to represent certain superhuman
or supernatural capabilities characters might have. These are not
for every game, and for many genres are restricted by the GM. This
chapter is important for designing character with supernatural
powers.
Chapter VI: Gear
Characters often rely on different types of gear to perform up to
their full capabilities. Chapter VI details how equipment and devices
are purchased with character points, as well as showing sample
pieces of equipment (ranging from weapons to vehicles to
structures) and outlining an optional Wealth system for buying gear.
This chapter is important in many games with characters who lack
FX.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Chapter I: The Basics
Who hasn't wanted to be the hero at one time or another? Whether
that hero is crossing blades with evil monsters and battling dark
sorcerers in the bowels of some horrible dungeon, soaring across
the sky in a fancy costume and cape with fantastic powers, or
maybe traveling through space in a futuristic spaceship, all types of
heroes exist in fiction. d20 Advanced is a game dedicated to
making it possible for you to play that hero in a game fueled by the
imaginations of yourself and your friends.
What is a Roleplaying
Game?
A roleplaying game, or RPG for short, is a game of the imagination,
where you and some friends get together and create fictional
characters, then play out their adventures around a tabletop. One
player takes the role of Gamemaster (or GM) and describes the
setting and the challenges your characters encounter. The GM
plays the supporting characters and villains in the story. The GM
also acts as referee to adjudicate the rules of the game and make
sure everything's handled fairly.
Your imagination is the only thing limiting the sorts of adventures
you can have, since you and your friends create the world, the
characters, and the adventures. It's like writing your own story, with
your characters as the heroes! All of the action takes place in your
imagination, and the story can go on for as long as you want, with
one exciting adventure after another.
What is d20 Advanced?
In the d20 Advanced RPG, you take on the role of a character in
any number of wonderful worlds. Whatever you can imagine, you
can be, and any sort of game world you would want to play in, you
can create. This book contains all the information you need to play
the game. This Basics chapter provides a quick overview of how
the game works. After you read it, flip through the rest of the book
and see the various options for creating character. Then you can
read through the following chapters thoroughly to see which options
appeal to you the most.
Characters
The characters you create to play d20 Advanced are like the heroes
of their own comic book series, television show, or movie. Your
character might be...
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• A master swordsman, a warrior of renown.
• A great sorcerer who wields fantastic magic.
• A cunning thief who survives on his wits alone.
• A superhero from straight out of a comic book.
• An explorer who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
• The pilot of an experimental futuristic space ship.
• One of the last survivors on Earth after a zombie apocalypse,
armed with only a crowbar and a shotgun against the undead.
• A brilliant scientist whose brain is his greatest weapon.
A strange monster or alien from some far-off place.
•
• A timid seeker of knowledge man was not meant to know.
• A mighty psychic whose mind holds vast power.
• A martial artist who has mastered unarmed combat.
• A zany cartoon character ready for hijinx.
• Or anything else that you can imagine!
What You Need to Play
Here’s what you need to start playing the d20 Advanced
Roleplaying Game:
• This book, which contains all the rules to create a hero and
play the game.
• A copy of the character sheet (found at the back of this book).
• A pencil and some scratch paper.
• At least one twenty-sided die (d20). You may want to have one
die for each player, or you can share dice.
Dice
d20 Advanced uses (and takes its name from) a twenty-sided die—
available at game and hobby stores—to resolve actions during the
game. References to “a die” or “the die” refer to a twenty-sided die
unless stated otherwise. The die is often abbreviated “d20” (for
twenty-sided die) or “1d20” (for one twenty-sided die). So a rule
asking you to “roll d20” means, “roll a twenty-sided die.”
Modifiers
Sometimes modifiers to the die roll are specified like this: “d20+2,”
meaning “roll the twenty-sided die and add two to the number
rolled.” An abbreviation of “d20–4” means, “roll the die and subtract
four from the result.”
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Using this Book
The best way to read this book depends on whether you plan to be
a player or Gamemaster in your d20 Advanced game. The GM
creates the world in which the characters live and controls all non-
player characters (NPCs) such as thugs, bystanders, and evil
villains, as well as the supporting cast. Each player controls a
character of his or her creation, interacting with other player
characters as well as with the world and stories created by the GM.
Gamemasters
If you plan to be a d20 Advanced Gamemaster, you should
familiarize yourself with the whole book. Start by looking over the
character creation (Part I: Characters) and Chapter X:
Gamemastering. Then read through Chapter VII: Combat, and
familiarize yourself with those rules. You may want to run a few
sample combats using the character archetypes in the book, just to
get a feel for things. Then you can decide what sort of game you
want to run by reading Chapter XI: Campaign Building.
Players
If you’re creating a hero for a d20 Advanced game, Part I:
Characters contain all the information you need to create your own
character. You may want to consult with your GM before creating a
character to find out what sort of campaign your GM is interested in
running.
Notifications
This book uses numerous icons to quickly draw your eye to
suggestions, options, and potentially problematic areas.
• Cinematic: This icon is meant to show you rules
which make a game especially cinematic, and to make the PCs
much larger-than-life.
• Examining the Mechanics: This graphic highlights
some of the design principles used in certain areas of the
game, so you can better understand how to make such choices
for your own game.
• Gritty: This icon represents an option which will make
your game grimmer and grittier, and make the PCs smaller and
even more vulnerable.
• Options: This icon denotes optional guidelines for
other ways to handle a rule, or how changing it can affect your
game.
• Rule of Thumb: This icon shows helpful suggestions for
how to quickly resolve a question without resorting to flipping
through the rules.
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• Social Rules: This icon points out rules which are used
to resolve social interactions, which you might not find
appropriate for your style of play.
• Tactical Complexity: This icon is used to point out
rules which might be problematic because of increased tactical
complexity during combat.
• Warning: This icon alerts you to mechanics which might
prove problematic for your game because they might be too
powerful for your game.
The Basics
d20 Advanced provides a framework for your imagination. It has
rules to help you decide what happens in your stories and to
resolve conflicts between characters and the challenges they face.
With it, you can experience adventure as just about any sort of
character possible. Any adventure you can imagine is possible.
Rule Number One
The first, and most important, rule of d20 Advanced is: do whatever
is the most fun for your game! While we’ve made every effort to
ensure d20A is as complete a game system as possible, no system
can cover every situation an imaginative group of players may
encounter. From time to time, the rules may give you strange or
undesirable results. Ignore them! Modify the outcome of die rolls
and other events in the game as you see fit to make it fun and
enjoyable for everyone. It’s your game, so play it the way you want!
The Core Mechanic
d20 Advanced uses a standard, or core, mechanic to resolve
actions. Whenever a character attempts an action with a chance of
failure, do the following:
1. Roll a twenty-sided die (or d20)
2. Add any relevant modifiers (skills, abilities, powers, or
conditions)
3. Compare the total to a number called a Difficulty Class.
If the result equals or exceeds the Difficulty Class (set by the GM
based on the circumstances), your character succeeds. If the result
is lower than the Difficulty Class, your character fails. This simple
mechanic is used for nearly everything in d20 Advanced, with
variations based on what modifiers are made to the roll, what
determines the Difficulty Class, and the exact effects of success
and failure.
The Gamemaster
One of the players in a d20 Advanced game takes the role of
Gamemaster or GM. The GM is responsible for running the game,
a combination of writer, director, and referee. The GM creates the
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adventures for the characters, portrays the villains and supporting
characters, describes the world to the players, and decides the
outcome of the characters’ actions based on the guidelines given in
the rules. It’s a big job, but also a rewarding one, since the GM gets
to create the whole world and all the characters in it, as well as
inventing fun and exciting stories. If you’re going to be the GM, you
should read through this whole book carefully, particularly Part III:
Running the Game, which talks about how to run d20 Advanced
games and how to create your own game settings for adventures.
You should also have a firm grasp of how the rules of the game
work, since you’re expected to interpret them for the players to
decide what happens in the game.
The Characters
The other players in a d20 Advanced game create characters for
their own adventures, like an ongoing story or television show. As a
player, you create your character following the guidelines in this
book along with the guidance of your GM. There are several
components to creating a character, described in detail in Part I:
Characters, and outlined here.
Abilities
All characters have certain basic abilities. These are Strength,
Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. They
each have a numeric ability score averaging +0 for a normally
capable human being. Higher ability scores grant bonuses while
lower ability scores impose penalties. As part of creating your
character, you decide how strong, smart, and tough your character
is by choosing the appropriate ability scores.
Skills
Skills represent training or ability in a particular sort of task,
everything from complex acrobatics to performing surgery,
programming computers, or piloting a plane. A skill acts as a bonus
for actions involving those tasks. Someone trained in climbing can
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climb faster and with more confidence than someone who isn’t
trained, for example. Skills are measured in ranks, reflecting how
much training a character has in the skill. As well, skills determine
your combat abilities - how accurate your attacks are, how well you
can dodge attacks against you, and how well you can resist
damage from attacks that successfully hit you. You choose the
skills your character knows and how well trained the character is in
them.
Feats
Feats are special abilities—talents or knacks. A feat allows your
character to do something other characters can’t normally do, or
makes your character better at doing certain things. They give the
character an advantage over others. You select your character’s
feats based on what you want your character to be able to do well
relative to others.
FX
FX are special abilities beyond those of ordinary human beings.
They’re like feats, only more so. Whereas a feat might give your
character a minor special ability, FX grant truly superhuman
abilities. You choose the FX you want your character to have.
Chapter V: FX presents a wide range of FX, along with FX
modifiers and FX feats, allowing you to mix and match to create
nearly any ability you desire.
Drawbacks
Finally, characters often have challenges to overcome. They have
drawbacks. Overcoming these drawbacks is part of what makes a
real hero. Drawbacks range from physical disabilities to unusual
weaknesses or vulnerabilities. You choose your character’s
drawbacks, allowing you to define the sorts of challenges your
character must overcome in the game.
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Gameplay
roll a check total of 15 or better to succeed. In some cases, the
results of a check vary based on how much higher or lower the
result is than the DC.
A session of d20 Advanced resembles a small part of a story,
ranging from a chapter of a book to an episode of a television
program to an issue of a comic book. The GM and the players get TABLE 1.1: CHECK EXAMPLES
together and tell a story by playing the game. The length of the
Task Example DC
game session can vary, from just a couple hours to several hours or
more. Some adventures may be completed in a single session Simplistic Follow a mob in broad daylight 0
while others may take multiple sessions, just as some stories are Easy Climb a knotted rope against a wall 5
told in one short book, while others span whole series. The episodic Average Hear an approaching guard 10
nature of the game allows you to choose when to stop playing and
allows you to start up again at any time at which you and your Challenging Repair an alarm clock 15
friends agree. Difficult Swim in stormy water 20
Just like any other story, a d20 Advanced adventure consists of a Very Difficult Pick the lock to a house front door 25
series of interrelated scenes or encounters. Some scenes are fairly Formidable Leap across a 30-foot chasm 30
straightforward, with the characters interacting with each other and Heroic Track a ninja across hard ground 35
the supporting cast. In these cases the GM generally just asks the
Epic Hack the Pentagon mainframe 40
players to describe what their characters are doing and in turn
describes how the other characters react and what they do. When Legendary Locate a master spy in a metropolis 45
the action starts happening, such as when the characters are Mythical Open the vault at Fort Knox 50
staving off a disaster or fighting villains, time becomes more crucial
Perform open-heart surgery on yourself with
and is broken down into rounds, each six seconds long, and the Impossible 55+
a pen knife in the dark
players generally have to make die rolls to see how their heroes do.

Die Rolls
There are a number of different die rolls in d20 Advanced, although
they all follow the core mechanic of a 20-sided die + modifiers vs. a
Difficulty Class.
Dice Pools
Some abilities grant characters access to dice pools, which grant
the player the option to try again on a failed check by rolling
multiple dice at once and then taking the best result from all of
those dice. After using a dice pool in this way, the player loses one
die from the dice pool.
Negative Dice Pools
There are also some statuses which are meant to represent the
buildup of harmful things, such as taint. In these examples, players
roll their dice pools and select the lowest result. They don't lose one
die from the dice pool for using it (since it's usually unwanted
anyway), but they might be able to lower these problematic dice
pools through other means.
Checks
Opposed Checks
Some checks are opposed. They are made against a randomized
number, usually another character’s check result. Whoever gets the
higher result wins. An example is trying to bluff someone. You roll a
Persuasion check, while the GM rolls a Perception check for your
target. If you beat the target’s Perception check result, you
succeed. For ties on opposed checks, the character with the higher
bonus wins. If the bonuses are the same, roll d20. On a 1–10 one
character wins and on 11–20 victory goes to the other character;
decide which character is “high” and which is “low” before rolling.
Alternately, you can just flip a coin to see who wins.
Trying Again
In general, you can try a check again if you fail, and keep trying
indefinitely. Some tasks, however, have consequences for failure.
For example, failing an Athletics check to climb a building may
mean the character falls, which makes it difficult to try again. Some
tasks can’t be attempted again once a check has failed. For most
tasks, when you have succeeded once, additional successes are
meaningless. (Once you’ve discovered a room’s only secret door
using the Perception skill, for instance, there’s no further benefit to
be gained from additional Perception checks.)
If a task carries no penalty for failure, you can take 20 and assume
the character goes at it long enough to succeed, or at least
determines the task is impossible at the character's level of ability.

To make a check, roll d20 and add any modifiers for traits (abilities,
skills, or FX) relevant to the check. The higher the total, the better
the outcome.
Check = d20 + modifiers vs. Difficulty Class
Difficulty Class
Some checks are made against a Difficulty Class (DC). The DC is a
number set by the GM which your check must meet or exceed in
order for you to succeed. So for a task with a DC of 15 you must
Condition Modifiers
Some situations make a check easier or harder, resulting in a
bonus or penalty to the modifier for the check or the check’s
Difficulty Class.
The GM can change the odds of success in four ways:
1. Grant a +2 or +5 bonus to represent conditions improving
performance.
2. Impose a –2 or -5 penalty to represent conditions hampering

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
performance.
3. Reduce the DC by 2 or 5 to represent circumstances making
the task easier.
4. Increase the DC by 2 or 5 to represent circumstances making
the task harder.
Bonuses to the check and reduction in the check's DC have the
same result: they create a better chance of success. But they
represent different circumstances, and sometimes that difference is
important. GMs should feel free to take account of very favorable
and unfavorable circumstances with bonuses or penalties or DC
modifications greater than +2 or -2 (as a rule of thumb, from about
+5/-5 up to about a total of +10/-10).
Tools
Some tasks require tools. If tools are needed, the specific items are
mentioned in the description of the task or skill. If you don’t have
the appropriate tools, you can still attempt the task, but at a –5
penalty on your check.
A character may be able to put together impromptu tools to make
the check. If the GM allows this, reduce the penalty to –2 (instead
of –5). It usually takes some time (several minutes to an hour or
more) to collect or create a set of impromptu tools, and it may
require an additional check as well. Characters with the Improvised
Tools feat suffer no penalty for not having the proper tools to
perform a task. They can make do with whatever is at hand.
Checks Without Rolls
A check represents performing a task under a certain amount of
pressure. When the situation is less demanding, you can achieve
more reliable results. Applying these rules can speed up checks
under routine circumstances, cutting down the number of rolls
players need to make.
Taking 1
If your total bonus on a check is equal to or greater than the DC
minus 1, you will succeed regardless of what you roll on the die,
even under pressure. In this case, the GM might not require you to
roll and just assume you succeed, since the task is a trivial effort for
someone of your skill. If the check has varying levels of success,
you’re assumed to achieve the minimum possible (as if you’d rolled
a 1). You can choose to make a roll to achieve a greater level of
success, or the GM may assume a greater level of success,
depending on the circumstances.
Taking 10
When you are not under any pressure to perform a task, you may
choose to take 10. Instead of rolling the check, calculate your result
as if you had rolled a 10. For average (DC 10) tasks, taking 10
allows you to succeed automatically with a modifier of +0 or
greater. You cannot take 10 if distracted or under pressure (such as
in a combat situation). The GM decides when this is the case.
Characters with Skill Mastery can take 10 with some skills even
while under pressure.
Taking 20
When you have plenty of time and the task carries no penalty for
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failure, you can take 20. Instead of rolling the check, calculate your
result as if you had rolled a 20. Taking 20 means you keep trying
until you get it right. Taking 20 takes twenty times longer than a
single check, or about 2 minutes for a task requiring a round or
less. If there are penalties or consequences for failing the check,
such as setting off an alarm or slipping and falling, you cannot take
20 on that check.
Comparison Checks
In cases where a check is a simple test of one character’s ability
against another, with no luck involved, the character with the higher
score wins automatically. Just as you wouldn’t make a “height
check” to see who’s taller, you don’t need to make a Strength check
to see who’s stronger. When two characters arm wrestle, for
example, the stronger character wins. If two flying characters race,
the faster character wins, and so forth. Note this does not include
the use of Hero Dice to temporarily increase a character’s score,
which can affect the outcome of a comparison check. In the case of
identical bonuses or scores, each character has an equal chance of
winning. Roll a die: on a 1–10, the first character wins, on an 11–
20, the second character does.
Aiding Another
Sometimes characters work together and help each other out. In
this case, one character (usually the one with the highest bonus) is
considered the leader of the effort and makes the check normally,
while each helper makes the same check against DC 10 (and can’t
take 10 on this check). Success grants the leader a +2 bonus for
favorable conditions. For every 10 full points the helper’s check
exceeds the DC, increase the bonus by +1, so a result of 20–29
grants a +3 bonus, 30–39 a +4, and so forth. In many cases,
outside help isn’t beneficial, or only a limited number of helpers can
aid someone at once. The GM limits aid as he sees fit for the task
and conditions.
Types of Checks
You use two main traits for checks: skills and FX:
• Skill Checks: A skill check determines what you can
accomplish with a particular skill. It is a roll of d20 + your rank
in the skill and the key ability score of the skill against a
Difficulty Class. Skill checks sometimes have gradations of
success and failure based on how much your total roll is above
or below the DC. For example, if you fail an Athletics check,
you don’t make any progress, and if you fail by 5 or more, you
lose your grip and fall.
• FX Checks: An FX check uses one of your hero's FX as its
modifier. It is a measure of what the hero can accomplish with
that FX. It is a roll of d20 + the FX’s rank, which measures how
strong the FX is, against a Difficulty Class. Some FX do not
require FX checks; they just work automatically, while other FX
have some automatic aspects and others require checks.
Attack Rolls
An attack roll, whether through a Weapon Group skill or an FX
determines whether or not you hit an opponent in combat. It is a
d20 roll + your Weapon Group skill for that weapon. The Difficulty
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Class is your target's Defense, which measures their ability to avoid
attacks. If you equal or exceed your target's Defense, your attack
hits. Otherwise, you miss. A natural 20 on an attack roll (where the
die comes up 20) always hits and may be a critical hit. A natural 1
on an attack roll (where the die comes up 1) always misses.
Resistances
Resistances are efforts to avoid different forms of danger, ranging
from damage and injury to traps, poisons, and various powers. A
resistance is a static DC based on:
10 + the appropriate ability modifier + resistance ranks + any
bonuses for feats or FX
Constitution is the ability modifier for Fortitude, and Charisma is the
ability modifier for Will. Unlike the other resistances, defense and
toughness are not modified by any ability score.
Since Resistances are skill checks, there are sometimes gradations
to a Resistance. For example, a Toughness resistance against
damage results in no damage at all if your opponent's damage roll
fails to beat the your Toughness resistance. But if his damage roll
exceeds your Toughness, results could vary as widely as a glancing
blow, a stunning blow, or an immediate knockout, depending on
how much your Toughness resistance is exceeded by.
Condition Tracks
Your character's status is noted across a small number of condition
tracks. These tracks are separate, but also work in conjunction with
one another, especially those involving FX like Inflict (Condition). As
you are afflicted, injured, or otherwise disabled, or when you begin
to recover and heal, you note these changes on your various
condition tracks.
Injury Condition Track
The injury condition track is used to monitor your character's health.
Taking damage from attacks will tend to lower your character's
status on the injury condition track, while rest and medical care will
improve your character's status on the injury condition track.
Combat Advantage Track
A track to follow what advantages your foes might hold over you in
combat, the combat advantage track shows how vulnerable you are
at any given moment to different sorts of attacks. Enemies with
Combat Advantage over you have an easier time attacking you.
You must often spend an action and make an opposed check to
reclaim combat advantage.
Action Condition Track
In order to track how able your character is to move and fight
normally, the action condition track monitors how many actions your
character is alloted in a given round. Effects which alter the flow of
time or disorient your character might deny him actions, and
recovering from those effects is the only way to regain those normal
actions. It is normally a free action to attempt to recover from such
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a condition each round.
Check Condition Track
Characters often find themselves suffering from conditions which
affect their ability to use their skills normally. The check condition
track monitors how much of a penalty you may be suffering to
certain checks, and which skills are being penalized. It is normally a
free action to attempt to recover from such a condition each round.
Movement Condition Track
Finally, some conditions might affect your character's ability to
move freely. The movement condition track checks to see how
mobile your character is. It is normally a free action to attempt to
recover from such a condition each round.
The Combat Round
When things really start happening in a d20 Advanced game, time
is broken down into six-second segments called rounds. A round
isn’t very much time. Think of it like a panel in a comic book, just
long enough for a hero to do something. During a round you are
entitled to two actions. You can perform as many free actions and
reactions in a round as you wish, although the GM may choose to
limit them to a reasonable number to keep the game moving.
One Action
One action generally involves acting upon something, whether it's
an attack or using an FX to affect something. You can also use one
action to move, or things like drawing weapons, standing up from
being prone, and picking up objects. You can take an action to
move before or after you take your other action, so you can attack
then move, or move then attack. You cannot normally split your
action to move before and after your other action, however.
Two Actions
Two actions occupy all your attention for the round, meaning you
can't do anything else. Full actions include a full-speed charge at
an opponent which ends in an attack, or spending the whole round
moving as quickly as you can. Certain powers or maneuvers
require a full action to perform, as do some skills.
Free Actions
A free action is something so comparatively minor it doesn't take a
significant amount of time. You can perform as many free actions in
a round as the GM considers reasonable. Free actions include
things like talking (heroes and villains always find time to say a lot
during a fight), dropping something, ending the use of a power,
activating some powers, and so forth.
Reactions
A reaction is something you do in response to something else. A
reaction doesn't take any time, like a free action. The difference is
you might react when it's not even your turn, in response to
something else happening during the round.
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Hero Dice
Characters in d20 Advanced have a dice pool of hero dice which
players can spend to improve the characters' abilities in various
ways. You can spend a hero dice to push an ability or FX beyond its
normal capabilities, bounce back from being hurt, and achieve
various other effects. In addition, you can use your hero dice pool
to re-roll any check.
Uses of Hero Dice
Creative Control
A player may, at times, want to provide his own input into a scene.
He may ask for a hint for how to progress, or he might "edit in"
something to a scene.
A player asking for a hint is akin to having a burst of inspiration, a
"eureka!" moment, if you will. The player pays a Hero Die and
receives a hint or a clue as to how to proceed. The GM should try
not to make the help too great so as to completely negate a
challenge (and fun), but should also keep in mind that a player is
giving up a significant resource for this hint, so it should be likewise
significant.
Similarly, a player who wishes to "edit something in" may spend a
Hero Die to do so. Someone might be fighting bandits raiding the
town near a fireplace, and lacking a weapon, yank a red-hot poker
out of the fire. The GM might not have mentioned it before, but by
spending a Hero Die, the option is on-hand for the character.
This use of Hero Dice is intended to allow players input into the
direction the game is taking and a degree of creative control. A GM
should feel free to veto a use of Hero Dice in this way, but should
only do so if such an "edit" would significantly disrupt the game
(such as finding a rocket launcher under the table in a schoolhouse,
or an alien death ray in a fantasy setting). If it's a reasonable
request which doesn't give the player undue advantage or disrupt
the feel of the game overall, then it's probably okay to allow.
Reroll
At any time, you may reroll any check with your Hero Dice Pool.
Roll the entire pool of dice at once and select the highest result.
Use that result in place of your original check. After rerolling in this
way, you lose one Hero Die from your Hero Dice pool.
Reroll and Resistances
You may also use the reroll ability as a reaction to having an
opponent overcome one of your resistances. You may roll your
Hero Dice Pool and select the highest result to add to your Defense
total.
Gain Feat
By spending one Hero Die, you may gain the benefits of any one
feat you don't have (including FX feats, which could allow you to
use an entirely new Alternate FX). You may use this option to gain
any feat except for Fortune feats (which require Hero Dice to
function already).
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Rapid Counter
You may spend a Hero Die to attempt to counter an FX, as if you
had readied an action to do so.
Recover
As a free action, you may spend a Hero Die to gain a free recovery
attempt against a condition. You may make an immediate recovery
check as a free action. If you succeed, you lose the condition as
normal. If you fail, reduce the severity of the condition by one step
on the condition track. If you are injured, spending a Hero Point
allows you an immediate recovery check for two actions. The
condition turns out to be not as bad as it first seemed, and you are
able to act more normally.
Surge
You gain an additional action on your turn. You may use this action
to attack, move, make a skill check, use an FX, or any other activity
which takes one action.
Survive
If a character would be killed, or is at risk of dying from bleeding
out, you may spend a Hero Die to stabilize. You aren't able to rejoin
the fight immediately, but your character is no longer at risk to die
from that condition. Note that subsequent attacks could still kill a
fallen character, requiring another expenditure of Hero Dice.
Earning Hero Dice
All characters start each game session with a single Hero Die.
Characters can earn Hero Dice for any number of things during a
game. For the most part, players should be rewarded Hero Dice
when unforeseen complications arise to make things considerably
more difficult for them.
Setbacks
Setbacks are when things just aren’t going the character’s way.
When a character suffers a significant failure, the player gets a hero
die. Generally, a “significant failure” is a failed skill check or
suffering with the worst possible result of an attack: an Athletics
check where the character falls, a Damage Roll where the
Option: Removing Hero Dice
You may decide that the cinematic edge that Hero Points give
characters is inappropriate for your game. If you choose to
remove Hero Dice from your game, you should understand that
combat will tend to become more random and risky to the PCs, as
a lucky damage roll from their opponents could leave them
unconscious on the first attack very easily. You may consider
increasing the base Toughness resistance from 5 to 10 to help
alleviate the difficulty of being unable to spend a hero die to
temporarily increase a character's Toughness resistance.
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character is knocked out, an effect which successfully mind-
controls the character, and so forth. The GM decides if a particular
failure is significant or not. Generally, routine failures, like missing
an attack roll or suffering some lesser effect from an attack, is not
significant enough to count as a setback and earn a hero die.
A newly acquired hero die cannot be used to eliminate the setback
that granted it. So you can’t suffer a significant failure and then
spend the hero die you get to avoid failing, and you can’t get
knocked out by a tough Damage Roll and spend the hero die
immediately to try and wake up. You can spend hero dice you
already have, but if you overcome a setback by spending a hero die
you don’t gain a hero die for that setback, since it isn’t really a
setback!
Setbacks and Genre
Awarding hero dice for setbacks isn't appropriate (nor should it be
the same) for all genres of play. While it works well for four-color
adventures where heroes are expected to bounce back after facing
hardships to save the day, grimmer adventures might not reward
characters suffering hardship with hero dice, since that's the whole
point of grim and gritty adventures! Or the GM may only grant hero
dice when a setback is particularly terrible (like losing a limb).
Complications
Complications are essentially setbacks players choose for their
characters in advance. If a particular complication causes a
significant setback for a character, it’s worth a hero die award.
Possible complications, and their uses in adventures, include:
• Accident: You cause or suffer some sort of accident. Perhaps
during a battle, you cause significant collateral damage or
injure innocent bystanders. The GM decides the effects of an
accident, but they should be troublesome. Accidents can lead
to further complications; perhaps the character develops a
guilt-complex, obsession, or phobia involving the accident (see
Madness).
• Addiction: You need something, whether for physical or
psychological reasons. You’ll go out of your way to satisfy your
addiction, and being unable to satisfy it may lead to a
temporary weakness drawback. When your addiction causes
you a setback, that’s a complication, and it earns you a Hero
Die.
• Enemy: You have an enemy, or enemies, trying to do you
harm. The GM can have your enemy show up to cause you
trouble, and adventures involving your enemy tend to be more
complicated for you; even personal grudge-matches, if the
enmity goes both ways. When having an enemy causes a
particular problem for you (such as your enemy abducting a
loved on), you get a Hero Die.
• Fame: You’re a public figure, known almost everywhere you
go, hounded by the media, swamped by fans and well-wishers,
and similar problems.
• Hatred: You have an irrational hatred of something, leading
you to actively oppose the object of your dislike in some way,
no matter the consequences.
• Honor: You have a strong personal code of honor. Generally
this means you won’t take unfair advantage of opponents or
use trickery, but you can define the exact terms of your code
with the GM. Honor is only a complication that earns you a
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Hero Die when it puts you in a bind or on the horns of a moral
dilemma.
• Obsession: You’re obsessed with a particular subject and
pursue it to the exclusion of all else, which can create some
complications.
• Phobia: You’re irrationally afraid of something. When
confronted with it you have to fight to control your fear, causing
you to hesitate or act irrationally (and earning a hero die).
• Prejudice: You are part of a minority group subject to the
prejudices of others. Some Gamemasters and gaming groups
may prefer not to deal with issues of prejudice in their games,
in which case the GM is free to ban this complication.
• Reputation: You have a bad reputation, affecting what others
think of you (whether you deserve it or not). Having someone
adopt a bad attitude toward you because of your reputation is a
complication.
• Responsibility: You have various demands on your time and
attention. Responsibilities include family obligations,
professional duties, and similar things. Failing to live up to your
responsibilities can mean loss of relationships, employment,
and other problems.
• Rivalry: You feel a strong sense of competition with a person
or group and have to do your best to outdo your rival at every
opportunity.
• Secret: You have something potentially damaging or
embarrassing you’re hiding from the world. Occasionally,
something (or someone) may threaten to reveal your secret.
• Temper: Certain things just set you off. When you lose your
temper you lash out at whatever provoked you.
You get a hero die for each encounter where a complication comes
into play. The GM decides when a particular complication comes
up, although you can offer suggestions on suitable opportunities.
You should choose one or two regular complications for your
character, and feel free to suggest others to the Gamemaster
during play. The GM decides what complications are appropriate
and can overrule any particular complication, depending on the
needs of the story. Keep in mind the adventure needs to have room
for all the characters’ complications, so individual ones can only
come up so often.
Complications can (and generally should) change over the course
of a campaign: old enemies die or are put away for life, rivalries and
psychological issues are resolved, new romances and relationships
begin, and so forth. Work with the GM to come up with new
complications for your character as old ones are resolved. The
Gamemaster may set limits on how many ongoing complications
your hero can have in play at any given time.
Nature
Often, a character's Nature can cause setbacks for the character. A
hopeful character might be faced with crushing despair, causing
him to crumble, or an overzealous character must come to grips
with other people's differences. When a character acts according to
his nature (and especially when such an action causes the
character a setback), then the character should be given a hero die
award.
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Memorable Moments
There are just some times when a character says something so
perfect or does something so unbelievably awesome that the whole
table starts cheering. When players come together to create
moments that really excite everyone, or just do such a great job at
making the game fun for everyone, they should be rewarded with
hero dice for their hard work. The point of the game is to have fun,
after all, so you should reward players who make the game more
fun!
Fiat
Lastly, players earn hero dice when the Gamemaster “bends” the
rules of the game in favor of the bad guys. The GM essentially gets
to use a hero die on behalf of the villain(s), but the heroes get hero
dice themselves when this happens. Some uses for GM Fiat
include:
• Giving a non-player character the benefit of a hero die.
• Allowing a villain to escape an encounter automatically.
Circumstances conspire to allow the villain to get away scot-
free: debris blocks pursuit, the villain goes missing in an
explosion or falls to a mysterious “death,” and so forth.
• Have a character automatically suffer the worst possible effect
from a particular hazard, like a villain’s trap, to help further the
game.
• Have the characters automatically surprised by an opponent at
the start of an encounter.
• Cause some additional problem for the characters. Essentially,
bringing a complication into play can be seen a use of GM Fiat.
A good rule of thumb with Gamemaster Fiat is any time the GM
effectively grants a non-player character the benefits of a hero die
or the equivalent, the affected character or characters get a hero
die in exchange. This is important, since only the characters have
and earn hero dice. NPCs make use of GM Fiat as the
Gamemaster sees fit.
The Gamemaster should make an effort to use both GM Fiat and
the authority to award hero dice fairly, to make the adventure more
fun and exciting. See Part III: Running the Game for more
information on awarding hero dice and using Gamemaster Fiat.
Character Points
You create your d20 Advanced character by spending character
points on different traits. Each ability, skill, feat, power, and other
trait has a character point cost, while drawbacks give you additional
character points to spend.
Starting Character Points
The campaign’s power level provides a guideline for how many
character points you get to create your character (15 character
points per power level), as shown on the Starting Character Points
table. The GM can vary the starting character points as desired to
suit the campaign. You can find more on this in Chapter X:
Gamemastering.
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Spending Character Points
Each trait costs a certain number of power points. You “spend” or
allocate your power points to give your character different traits.
Once spent, power points cannot be re-allocated without the use of
a particular power or the GM’s permission. The basic costs of
various traits are given on the Basic Trait Costs table, with specific
costs for FX given in Chapter V: FX, and specific values for
drawbacks given at the end of this chapter.
TABLE 1.2: BASIC TRAIT COSTS
Trait Cost in Character Points
Ability Score 2 per ability score point above +0
Skills 1 per 1 skill rank
FX base cost × rank
Drawbacks –1 or more points
Power Level
Power Level is an overall measure of effectiveness and power,
primarily combat ability, but also generally what sort of tasks a
character can be expected to accomplish on a regular basis,
assuming the ability to take 10 and take 20. A higher-level character
is more capable of changing the world around him.
Power level is a value set by the GM for the campaign. It places
certain limits on where and how players can spend points when
creating characters. Power level affects the following things:
• Attack: Your character's total Attack Bonus cannot exceed the
campaign's power level.
• Defense / Toughness Resistance: Your character's total
Defense and Toughness resistance modifiers cannot exceed
the campaign's power level.
• Effect Modifier: Your character's total Effect Modifier cannot
exceed the campaign's power level.
• Defenses: Your hero's total Fortitude and Will resistance
modifiers cannot exceed the campaign's power level +5.
• Ability Scores: Ability scores are limited to a bonus no greater
than the campaign's power level +5. Strength is restricted by
the effect Modifier limit to a bonus no higher than the
campaign's power level, as is Constitution by the maximum
Toughness limit. This means a limit of the campaign's power
level for Strength and Constitution instead of the campaign's
power level +5 for other ability scores. The Strength and
Constitution limits may be raised with an attack/defense trade-
off.
• Skill Rank: A character cannot have more ranks in a skill than
the campaign’s power level +5. So in a PL 10 campaign, a
player character cannot have more than 15 ranks in any one
skill (10 + 5).
Types of Power Level Limits
There are a few different ways to limit different abilities in d20
Advanced based on Power Level. Depending on the style of game
you're going to play, you might chose to limit certain abilities more
than others.
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TABLE 1.3: POWER LEVEL

Max Defense /
Power Character Max Fort / Will Max Skill
Max Atk Toughness Max Effect Modifier
Level Points Resistance Rank
Resistance
1 15 +1 +1 +1 +6 6
2 30 +2 +2 +2 +7 7
3 45 +3 +3 +3 +8 8
4 60 +4 +4 +4 +9 9
5 75 +5 +5 +5 +10 10
6 90 +6 +6 +6 +11 11
7 105 +7 +7 +7 +12 12
8 120 +8 +8 +8 +13 13
9 135 +9 +9 +9 +14 14
10 150 +10 +10 +10 +15 15
11 165 +11 +11 +11 +16 16
12 180 +12 +12 +12 +17 17
13 195 +13 +13 +13 +18 18
14 210 +14 +14 +14 +19 19
15 225 +15 +15 +15 +20 20
16 240 +16 +16 +16 +21 21
17 255 +17 +17 +17 +22 22
18 270 +18 +18 +18 +23 23
19 285 +19 +19 +19 +24 24
20 300 +20 +20 +20 +25 +25

Caps any restricted traits, though you may consider restricting

Caps designate what can modify a trait, and whether those
modifiers count towards the power level limits.
• Hard Cap: A trait that is hard-capped has its total modifier
limited by power level, regardless of where the bonuses come
from. By default, resistances like Fortitude and Will are hard-
capped in d20 Advanced.
• Soft Cap: One the other hand, a trait that is soft-capped only
has its ranks limited by power level, and its other modifiers
(usually just the ability scores.
abilities which you want to be present but reduced in focus or
potency in your game.
• Banned: Traits which are inappropriate for a game might be
banned, with their total modifier set at zero.
• Required: Alternatively, PCs might be required to spend at
least a certain number of points in a given trait. In a wuxia
game for example, all the PCs might be required to have at
least 1 rank in Enhanced Movement (leaping). The GM might
wave the cost for required traits and award them as a bonus to
all PCs.

Limits Combining Caps and Limits

A power level's limits tell you how many ranks you can buy in a
given trait.
• Unlimited: There is no limit to the number of ranks you can
invest in a given trait. By default, FX which don't target a
character's resistances (especially movement FX, like
Enhanced Movement and Speed) are unlimited in d20
Advanced.
• High: High traits have their ranks limited at 5 + the campaign's
power level. Non-combat skills (like Might and Acrobatics) are
high-limit traits by default.
• PL: Normal traits have their ranks limited at a value equal to
the campaign's power level. Combat skills like Defense and
Toughness are PL-limit traits.
• Restricted: Traits with ranks limited to half the campaign's
current power level. By default, d20 Advanced does not have
By combining caps and limits, you can quickly determine just how
many points you can invest in a trait, and determine how high the
bonus can go. For instance, by default, the Acrobatics skill is soft
capped high, which means that the total ranks in the skill are limited
to the campaign's power level + 5, and that your Dexterity score
can improve your skill modifier beyond that. And an Inflict
(Condition) FX is hard capped PL, so you can only have a total
modifier for that FX equal to the campaign's power level.
Attack and Defense Trade-Offs
Although the campaign's power level defines certain limits, there is
some flexibility to them. Players can choose to lower one power
level limit on a character to raise another related limit. You can
adjust power level limits in the following ways:
• Attack & Effect Modifier: You can trade-off an Attack Bonus

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for an Effect Modifier on a one-to-one basis. So a PL 10 hero

could have a +8 Attack Bonus in order to have a +12 Effect
Modifier, for example, or a hero that has chosen to have a +15
Attack Bonus is limited to a +5 Effect Modifier. This
modification does not apply to powers that do not require
attack rolls; they remain limited by the campaign’s normal PL
limit on Effect Modifiers. Strength is considered an "attack" for
purposes of this trade-off, so lowering your Attack Bonus limit
increases your Strength bonus limit.
• Defense & Toughness: You can trade-off defense for
Toughness bonus on a one-to-one basis. So a PL 10 character
with a +7 Defense could have a +13 Toughness. Conversely a
character in the same campaign who has a +15 Defense is
limited to a +5 Toughness.
No limit can be reduced to less than 0 in this way and the GM must
approve all such trade-offs. Attack/defense trade-offs allow for
some variety in combat-related bonuses while maintaining power
level balance among the characters overall. A good rule of thumb is
to limit trade-offs to +5/-5 to keep things at a relatively manageable
level.

Power Level and NPCs

While the GM should keep the power level guidelines and
suggested starting power points of the campaign in mind while
creating villains and members of the supporting cast, such non-
player characters are not restricted by the campaign's power level
and may have as many character points as the GM wants to give
them.
Instead, determine an NPC's power level based on the character's
highest appropriate trait(s). This power level is simply an
approximation to show what level of challenge that NPC offers, and
is not necessarily related to the NPC's character point total, which
may be greater than or less than the recommended starting power
points for that power level. NPCs are often designed to fill a
particular niche in the campaign and do not need to be as well
rounded or balanced as characters.
Likewise, NPCs may have whatever traits the GM wishes to assign
them. In fact, some non-player characters are better treated as plot
devices; giving them game stats may limit them too much! For
example, an omnipotent cosmic entity doesn’t need a
comprehensive list of traits; neither does a mysterious alien artifact
with vast and unknown powers. They serve whatever dramatic
needs the GM wishes. You can find more about creating non-player
characters and plot devices in Chapter X: Gamemastering.
Re-Allocating Character Points
Normally a character's traits are relatively fixed. Once character
points are spent on traits, they remain there. In some cases,
however, the GM may allow players to re-allocate their characters'
points, changing their traits within the limits of the campaign's
power level, perhaps even losing some traits and gaining entirely
new ones. This change may come about as the result of events in
the game, such as a character encountering something that alters
her abilities (intense radiation, mutagenic chemicals, magic energy,
and so forth). It's up to the GM when these character-altering
events occur, but they should be fairly rare unless their effects are
intended to be strictly temporary complications. Very few players
enjoy changes to their characters made without their consent, so
GMs should be very careful when implementing this type of
change.
Power Level and Character
Growth
As the characters earn additional character points through
adventuring, the GM may wish to increase the campaign's power
level, allowing players to spend some of their earned character
points to improve traits already at the campaign's limit. Not raising
the power level forces player characters to diversify, improving their
less powerful or effective traits, and acquiring new ones, but it can
make the players feel constrained and the characters to start
looking the same if it isn't raised occasionally. Increasing power
level by one for every 15 earned character points is a good rule of
thumb, depending on how quickly the GM wants the player
characters to improve in overall power.
Bigger Guns and Power Level
There is one problem with Power Level limits: what do you do when
you want your character to run over and grab the big gun that a
higher-PL NPC enemy just dropped? Is there some magic barrier
which prevents you from using it until you're at a higher PL? Do
they all suddenly malfunction and stop working? Should the GM
even allow the looting of corpses and the like?
It really depends on the genre of the game and the intent of the
players. For fantasy games, where killing things and taking their
stuff is a staple of the genre (and has been literally since the birth of
roleplaying games), this is probably something you want to allow. If,
on the other hand, you're running a four-color superheroes game,
looting a fallen enemy for profit is stealing, something no righteous

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
do-gooder would ever stoop to. You also want to be aware of
whether or not the player is picking up the gear just for one fight
because he needs it to stay alive, or if he wants to add it to his
cache of weapons permanently.
There are a few different, relatively simple ways to handle grabbing
the bigger gun:
• The Recoil is Unbelievable: The piece of gear is unwieldy for
the character, whether because of massive recoil from the
giant gun, or a strange balance on the two-handed sword, or
simply because the character hasn't attuned properly to the
magic in the wand. The character can use the item at full effect,
but in order to do so, the character takes a penalty to attack, as
if using a trade-off to allow for use of the device normally. So if
a PL 6 PC with a +6 attack bonus with guns picks up a gun
which does +8 Damage, then his attack bonus with that
exceptionally heavy gun is only +4 (essentially a +2 Effect
Modifier/-2 Attack trade-off).
• Paying Up-Front: Alternatively, you may want to charge the
player one hero die for each scene the character uses the item
in. It's not easy to wrestle an ancient, cursed sword under your
control instantly, so it takes a little luck and a whole lot of guts
to use it.
• If You Didn't Pay, You Can't Play: Finally, whether for a
specific instance or just in general, the GM might rule that a
particular item is just too advanced or unwieldy or bizarre for a
PC to use effectively, at least until he's spent the character
points to buy it normally (representing training to use the item,
or maybe undergoing a ritual to magically attune oneself to the
mana flowing through it).
Details &
Characteristics
A lot of details go into making your character more than just a
collection of numbers, things like name, gender, age, appearance,
and so forth help to define who he or she is. Take a moment, if you
haven’t already, to consider the following things about your d20
Advanced character.
Name
What is your character's name? You can give your character any
name you like, based on a real-world name, one from fiction, or a
name entirely of your own creation. Appropriate names depend on
the kind of character and the type of story you’re telling, so consult
with your group and your GM.
Gender
Is your character male or female? There's no requirement to play a
character of the same gender as you. In fact, you may find it
interesting to play a character of a different gender, to experience a
little of what life is like from another perspective.
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Age
How old is your character? Characters tend to range from their
teens to middle age, but some characters are older, depending on a
character's background, possibly much older. Consider the effects
of age on the characters. A teenager on her first adventure away
from home isn't likely to have the same views as a mature adult. A
character's age may influence the choice of certain traits. Older
characters are likely to have lower physical ability scores, for
example, while younger characters may have fewer skills (having
had less time to train in them).
Appearance
What does your character look like? Consider things like the
character's race, sex, and other factors in appearance. Is the
character short or tall? What about hair and eye color? Does the
character have any distinguishing marks or unique features? What
sort of wardrobe does the character prefer?
Personality
How would you describe your character's personality? While
characters tend to share a desire to use their powers for good and
uphold the law, they show a diverse range of attitudes. One
character may be dedicated to the ideals of truth, justice, and
equality, while another is willing to break the rules in order to
ensure things get done. Some character are forthright and cheerful
while others are grim and unrelenting. Consider your character's
attitudes and personality traits, particularly in light of the character's
nature.
Nature
All intelligent creatures make moral choices, to live according to
their better nature or to give in to immoral impulses. Many walk a
difficult line between the two. Each character in d20 Advanced has
a particular nature, which is made up of a virtue and a vice.
During character creation, select a virtue and a vice to decide your
character's nature. A list of examples is given below, but you can
make up your own virtues and vices with the GM's permission. The
key is to give your character one good quality (virtue) and one bad
quality (vice).
Changing Nature
Generally speaking, a person's nature is fixed. Virtue and vice are
deep-seated facets of the character's personality; some might say
the halves of the soul. So changing one's true nature is difficult. At
the GM's discretion, certain major events in a character's life can
lead to a change in nature (either virtue or vice or both), but these
events are largely beyond the players' control. The GM shouldn't
allow changes in nature to happen lightly; they're pivotal events in
an individual's life.
Allegiance
Characters' beliefs and motivations are at least as important as
their amazing abilities. These are reflected by their allegiances.
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TABLE 1.4: VICES AND VIRTUES

Vice Virtue Vice Virtue
Cowardly Courageous Reactionary Thoughtful
Indecisive Compromising Overzealous Enthusiastic
Treacherous Stalwart Pugnacious Conciliatory
Agitated Calm Slothful Industrious
Cruel Humble Dour Merry
Pessimistic Optimistic Complacent Competitive
Careless Careful Apprehensive Confident
Stagnant Free-spirited Reckless Adventurous
Despondent Compassionate Sluggish Witty
Cold Dispassionate Domineering Diplomatic
Insensitive Perceptive Obsessive Moderate
Boastful Bold Idle Resolute
Petty Exacting Jaded Curious
Arbitrary Logical Self-righteous Honest
Hysterical Emotional Greedy Generous
Standoffish Affable Narrow-minded Judicious
Inhibited Gregarious Sloppy Meticulous
Apathetic Ambitious Miserly Forward-thinking
Remorseful Hopeful Hopeless Hopeful
Cold Dispassionate Envious Magnanimous
Nostalgic Reflective Impatient Patient
Deluded Practical Mercenary Dedicated
Stubborn Daring Fearful Appreciative
Peevish Carefree Intolerant Open-minded
Depressed Joyful Wasteful Thrifty
Deceptive Expressive Hasty Inquisitive
Manipulative Charismatic Suspicious Nurturing
Capricious Devoted Sneaky Resourceful
A character may have up to three allegiances, listed in order from established authority.
most to least important. These allegiances are indications of what
the character values. A character may have fewer allegiances, no • Nation: This may be the nation of the character's birth or an
allegiances (being either a free spirit or a loner), or may change adopted nation. Patriotic characters typically have an
allegiances over time. Also, just because the character fits into a allegiance to their nation (although not necessarily their
certain category of people doesn't mean that category is nation’s government).
necessarily an allegiance. Allegiances are things toward which a • Belief System: This is usually a particular faith or religion, but
character feels an especially strong devotion. can also be a specific philosophy or school of thought. Belief
If a character acts against an allegiance, the GM may choose to systems also include political beliefs or philosophical outlooks.
strip the character of that allegiance and assign one more suitable • Ethical Philosophy: This describes how one feels about order,
to those actions. as represented by law and chaos. An individual with a lawful
A character's allegiance can take the form of loyalty to a person, outlook tends to tell the truth, keep his or her word, respect
organization, belief system, nation, or an ethical or moral authority, and honor tradition, and expects others to do
philosophy. Having an allegiance implies the ability to make moral likewise. An individual with a chaotic outlook tends to follow
or ethical choices. As a result, characters must have Intelligence instincts and whims, favor new ideas and experiences, and
and Wisdom scores of -4 or higher in order to have allegiances. behave in a subjective and open manner in dealings with
Creatures with lower scores—such as animals— have no others.
allegiances.
• Moral Philosophy: This describes one's attitude toward
Allegiances include, but are not limited to, the following: others, as represented by good and evil. An individual with a
good allegiance tends to protect innocent life. This belief
• Person or Group: This includes a leader or superior, a family, implies altruism, respect for life, and a concern for the dignity of
a team or group, and so forth. other creatures. An evil allegiance shows a willingness to hurt,
• Organization: This may be a company or corporation, a oppress, and kill others, and to debase or destroy innocent life.
gathering of like-minded individuals, a fraternal brotherhood, a A good allegiance is especially common among heroic
secret society, a branch of the armed forces, a local, state, or characters.
national government, a university, an employer, or an otherwise

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Allegiances and Influence
An allegiance can create an empathic bond with others of the same
allegiance. With the GM's permission, the character gains a +2
bonus for positive conditions on interaction skill checks when
dealing with someone of the same allegiance. Similarly, the
character may suffer a –2 penalty when dealing with characters of
an opposing allegiance. The character must have some interaction
with other characters to bring these modifiers into play.
Allegiances could also influence how NPCs view a character's
Reputation.
Allegiances as Descriptors
At the GM's option allegiances can function as descriptors for FX,
allowing character to have an FX affecting only subjects of a
particular allegiance, for example, or the ability to detect characters
with a particular allegiance (see Enhanced Senses). Gamemasters
should be careful when applying power modifiers based on
allegiance. An attack power affecting only "evil" targets, for
example, is useless against inanimate objects, constructs, and
animals (and other creatures or things with Int or Wis below -4). It
also doesn't affect characters without a specific allegiance to evil
(such as selfish mercenaries, violent vigilantes, or despots devoted
solely to order, but not evil per se).
Allegiances in Conflict
Characters with different allegiances may find them in conflict. Such
conflicts provide roleplaying opportunities and complications for
players and story hooks for the Gamemaster. For example, a
character with allegiances to America, Truth, and Justice may
discover a secret government agency acting against the interests of
justice in the world. What is stronger, the hero’s patriotism or the
desire to see the truth known and justice done? Some conflicts and
complications may result in characters abandoning or changing
allegiances, or reordering their priorities (and therefore
allegiances).
Motivation
One of the biggest parts of creating a character is the why. It's the
fell swoop that defines you - whether you're a hero or a villain, good
or bad, and more importantly, why you do what you do. Motivation,
therefore, is something that's well worth contemplating as you
create your character, wondering just who this character is, anyway.
It can change the tone of your character dramatically.
• Acceptance: You're different. Like a teenager going through
puberty, all you want is for somebody to understand you. To
that end, you'll adventure, you'll fight the good fight, and you'll
do whatever it takes...so long as somebody likes you!
• Goodness: You're a boy scout. Never mind the merit badges,
all you want to do is help the weak, heal the sick, and do
whatever it takes to make the bad guys learn their lesson.
Whether you were raised to be a sucker... er, a good guy, or
you have a mentor or inspiration, everyone agrees that there's
nobody as upright as you.
• Greed: Money, cash, credit, gold. Nothing gets people off their
butts like the promise of big bucks. Whether you're hunting
down bad guys with a bounty hunting vengeance or prostrating
yourself before a corporate altar, all you care about is the
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bottom line. Greed is a huge incentive in fantasy games
especially ("Kill it! Loot it!"), but there's no reason a superhero
or modern game couldn't include a hero kneeling in front of big
business, slapping ads on his costume like a walking billboard.
• Justice: Characters motivated by justice walk a thin line
between obsessive judgmental maniac with weapons or
superpowers and heroic knight in shining armor defending the
weak and punishing the guilty. Some campaigns are built
around just such a line - it's up to the characters to decide
where they fall, and Heaven help you, if they fall on the
obsessive side of the line.
• Recognition: "Look at me!" is a pretty obvious cry for
attention, right? Some people want nothing more than the
sweet feeling of the spotlight. Characters motivated by a need
to stand up and be recognized are often shallower than a
puddle, but are nonetheless usually useful members of the
team. Of course, that doesn't mean they're easily-tolerated
members of the team, and a glory-hound can get on the nerves
of the rest of the group pretty quickly.
• Responsibility: Some people feel a deep sense of satisfaction
from using their super-abilities or mastery of magic, swords, or
whatever they might have, responsibly. These poor
foo...er...these fine, upstanding citizens are usually fairly moral
about what they do. However, rare characters who do what
they do because they must also exist - these people are
usually driven by some sort of geas, curse, or mind control or
obligation, rather than a moral urge.
• Thrills: Extreme action! Extreme danger! Extreme adrenaline!
The only call these characters feel is the call to ACTION!
Thrilling adventurers, battles, and dangers to get their hearts
beating, these characters care nothing for the other motivations
- they're in it for the sheer joy of the heart-pumping excitement.
While they might be looked down upon by slightly more
upstanding characters with more moral motives, nobody can
dissuade the thrill-seekers from their cause - to get their blood
boiling like never before!
Goals
Finally, what are your character's goals? All characters want things
like peace and justice to one degree or another, but what other
things does your character want? One character may want to find
his long-lost family while another may want to avenge a terrible
wrong done to her in the past. A monstrous or alien character may
seek acceptance and a new home among humans, while a younger
character may want to live up to the legacy of a mentor or ancestor.
Giving your character a goal beyond simply "doing good" or
"making money: can help give the character more depth and
provide opportunities for roleplaying and complications during the
game. Don't overlook it.
Drawbacks
Drawbacks are weaknesses for characters to overcome. They’re
the flip side of a character’s skills, feats, and FX. Drawbacks serve
two main purposes. First, they provide characters with additional
depth and a degree of vulnerability, which can be important for
character able to move mountains or catch bullets. Second,
drawbacks give you additional character points during character
creation to spend on improving your character’s traits. The
maximum number of points you can get from drawbacks is
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generally equal to the campaign’s power level, as set by the GM.
Drawback Value
A drawback’s character point value is based on two things: its
frequency (how often the drawback affects your character) and its
intensity (how seriously the drawback affects your character). The
more frequent and intense the drawback, the more points it’s worth.
Drawbacks generally range in value from 1 character point for
something that comes up rarely and has little effect to 5 character
points for a drawback that comes up all the time and seriously
weakens the character.
Frequency
Drawbacks have three levels of frequency: uncommon, common,
and very common. Uncommon drawbacks show up about a quarter
of the time, every four adventures or so. Common drawbacks show
up about half the time, and very common drawbacks show up
three-quarters of the time or more. Each level has a frequency
check associated with it, which is a simple d20 roll with no modifiers
against a DC (15, 10, or 5). A GM who wants to randomly check a
drawback makes a frequency check to see if it shows up in the
adventure. Otherwise, the GM can simply choose to bring a
drawback into play based on its frequency.
Note that frequency represents how often the drawback comes up
during the game, not necessarily how common it is in the campaign
setting. Even if holy relics are extraordinarily rare in the setting, if
they show up every other adventure, they’re still common in
frequency.
Intensity
The intensity of a drawback measures how much impact it has on
the character. There are three levels of intensity: minor, moderate,
and major. Minor drawbacks have a slight impact or are not difficult
to overcome. Moderate drawbacks impose some limits, but can be
overcome about half of the time. Major drawbacks impose serious
limits and are quite difficult to overcome.
FX Drawbacks
Some drawbacks are FX Drawbacks, meaning they apply to a
particular FX rather than necessarily to the character. You can think
of FX drawbacks as the reverse of FX feats: minor limits on the FX.
An FX can have a total value in drawbacks equal to 1 point less
than its total cost (so the FX must cost at least 1 character point,
regardless of how many drawbacks it has).
Fitting Drawbacks to the
Campaign
Although suggested values are given for various drawbacks in the
following sections, the value of any drawback is based largely on its
effect. So drawback values can vary from one campaign to another.
For example a common Vulnerability in one setting may be
uncommon in another and non-existent in a third (making it
worthless as a drawback). The Gamemaster must judge the
frequency and intensity—and therefore value—of each drawback
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based on the context of the character and the campaign as a
whole.
One important guideline for Gamemasters is to ensure that
drawbacks actually limit or hinder characters in some way. A
drawback that doesn't do so isn't really a drawback at all and isn't
worth any points. Beware of players trying to create such
drawbacks to give their characters the most points for the least
actual limitation. If need be, you can disallow certain drawbacks
entirely, if they are unsuited to the campaign.
Eliminating Drawbacks
Players can remove a drawback from a character by paying earned
character points equal to the drawback’s value. The GM should
also arrange for suitable events in the story to eliminate the
drawback. So a disabled character might be healed in some way, a
novice learns to better control her abilities (eliminating the Full
Power drawback), a special treatment eliminates the character's
Weakness, and so forth.
Drawback Descriptions
Each entry here describes the drawback's game effect and its
suggested value. Gamemasters should feel free to expand or
modify this list of drawbacks as desired to suit the campaign.
ACTION -1 POINT/STEP
An FX requiring longer than two actions to use is considered a
drawback. Each step up the Time and Value Progression Table is a
1 point drawback. The drawback cannot equal or exceed the value
of the associated FX. So a FX costing 10 points cannot have more
than 9 points in this drawback (and meaning the FX takes three
months to use!).
This drawback can also apply to the time needed to switch between
Alternate FX in an Array: 1 point if a one action is required, 2 points
if two actions are required, each step up the Time and Value
Progression Table thereafter is an additional 1 point drawback. In
this case the drawback’s value cannot equal or exceed the FX’s
total Alternate FX feats, so a FX with three Alternate FX can only
get 2 points out of this drawback (requiring two actions to switch
between them).
DISABILITY -1 TO -5 POINTS
You lack a particular ability most people have. The frequency of the
drawback is based on how often this lack limits you, while the
intensity represents how serious a limitation it is. Some examples
include blindness (very common, major, 5 points), deafness (very
common, moderate, 4 points), one arm (very common, moderate, 4
points), mute (very common, moderate, 4 points), paraplegic
(common, major, 4 points), one eye (–4 with ranged attacks,
common, moderate, 3 points), and illiterate (uncommon, minor, 1
point).
Note characters with certain powers may have this drawback at a
lesser value. Being blind is an uncommon, minor drawback for a
character with Blind Sight, for example, just as being mute is an
uncommon, minor drawback for a character with Mental
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Communication, since the drawback comes into play less often and
is less trouble for the character in general.
FULL POWER -1 POINT
You have less than full control over an FX. FX subject to this
drawback must be used at full rank or intensity, or not at all. This
means you cannot pull punches with an attack, move at less than
full speed, and so forth, depending on the FX to which this
drawback is assigned. You can still turn the FX on and off as you
wish (it is neither Permanent nor Uncontrolled), you just can’t fine-
tune it, it’s either on at full intensity or off entirely. You can’t have the
Precise feat for any FX with this drawback. Full Power is an
uncommon, minor drawback, worth 1 point.
FX LOSS -1 TO -3 POINTS
You lose the use of a FX with this drawback under certain
conditions. Examples include when exposed to a particular
substance, when immersed in water, when unable to speak, and so
forth. You can also suffer FX loss from a failure to do something,
like not recharging a FX, breaking an oath, not taking a pill, and so
forth. FX Loss is minor intensity, with frequency based on how often
you encounter the conditions, giving it a value of 1–3 points. You
regain use of the FX when the condition that triggered the loss no
longer affects you.
The loss of Devices and Equipment is not covered by this
drawback. Losing Device and Equipment powers due to theft is a
part of those traits and factored into their cost. So characters
cannot take FX Loss with the condition “when devices or equipment
are removed.”
-1 TO -6
INVOLUNTARY TRANSFORMATION POINTS
You have two or more forms or identities you sometimes change
between against your will. The value of the drawback is based on
how often you change (frequency) and how difficult it is for you to
resist the change (intensity). If you cannot resist the change, no
matter what, the intensity value is 3 points. If you involuntarily
switch between super-powered and normal human forms, you also
have the Normal Identity drawback.
NORMAL IDENTITY -3 TO -5 POINTS
You have two identities: an empowered one and a normal one. This
is not the same as having a secret identity (although you may have
that, too, especially in games of the superhero genre). The
difference is your normal identity has none of the FX or
extraordinary abilities of your empowered self. So in your normal
identity you might be an average teenager, businessman, or other
everyday person. Characters with Devices may have this
drawback, but not necessarily. For example, a character who wears
a suit of magic armor might have a Normal Identity while he’s out of
the armor, but someone who wields a magic ring doesn’t have a
Normal Identity unless he can’t wear or have the ring with him in his
normal identity for some reason.
To qualify for this drawback there must be some reasonable means
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of preventing you from changing from your normal to your
empowered identity. For example, you might require access to a
Device (which can be stolen or disabled), you might need to speak
a magic word or incantation (blocked by an Auditory Obscure, a
gag, or a simple chokehold), you might need to take a particular pill
or formula, and so forth. The GM decides whether or not a
particular condition qualifies for this drawback. If you can switch
between a normal and empowered identity at will and nothing can
prevent it, you don’t qualify for this drawback. If you can’t always
control switching between identities, you also have the Involuntary
Transformation drawback.
You define the traits of your Normal Identity. Your Normal Identity
cannot have any FX by definition, and the GM may restrict the
application of feats and ability scores above 20. Your Normal
Identity must also be built on fewer points than your super-identity
(how many fewer is up to the GM, but no more than half is a good
rule of thumb). The simplest Normal Identity has the same traits as
your super identity, minus any FX. Your two identities may have
different appearances.
The intensity of this drawback is major (since you lose access to all
your FX). The frequency depends on how difficult it is for you to
assume your super-identity. If it takes a free action, then it's
uncommon (2 points). If it takes a full-round action, it’s common (3
points), and if it takes longer than a full-round action it’s very
common (4 points).
NOTICEABLE -1 POINT
A passive FX with this drawback is noticeable in some way (active
FX are noticeable by default, see Noticing FX). Choose a
noticeable FX of the FX. For example Noticeable Mind Control
might cause the subject’s eyes to glow or skin to change color.
Noticeable Enhanced Toughness may take the form of armored
plates or a tough, leathery-looking hide. Noticeable is an
uncommon, minor drawback, worth 1 point.
ONE-WAY TRANSFORMATION -3 TO -5 POINTS
When you transform through the use of a FX such as Metamorph or
due to the Normal Identity or Involuntary Transformation
drawbacks, it takes some time for you to return to “normal.” This
may be due to a need to “bleed off” excess energy, letting the
transformation lapse slowly, or a requirement to reset certain
mechanical system parameters. Whatever the case, undoing your
transformation is involved.
One-Way Transformation is a very common drawback (less if you
don’t transform every adventure). Its intensity is minor if it takes a
matter of hours for you to return to normal. It’s moderate if it takes
hours plus certain resources (a lab, workshop, special equipment or
components, and so forth). It’s major if it takes a matter of days or
longer.
REDUCED RANGE -1 TO -2 POINTS
This drawback reduces the number of range increments of a
ranged FX, which normally has a maximum range of ten
increments. For –1 point, it reduces the FX to half that, or five
increments (the same as throwing range). For –2 points, it reduces
the FX to two increments. A greater reduction should be handled by
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WEAKNESS -1 TO -6 POINTS

Option: Drawbacks as Complications

Instead of granting a character additional character points, you
can instead choose to treat drawbacks like complications, which
will grant the character bonus Hero Dice instead. If you choose
this option, ignore the frequency value for drawbacks: calculate a
drawback's value only according to its intensity.
When the drawback comes up in play, up to once per encounter,
the drawback provides grants the character a number of bonus
Hero Dice equal to the drawback's intensity. In this way, while the
character is at a disadvantage during an encounter which exploits
his or her drawbacks, but gains a little extra edge in the form of
additional Hero Dice for the fight.
If you use this option, you also have the choice of only granting
those bonus Hero Dice for the length of the encounter itself (that
is, they are lost at the end of the encounter if not used). In this
way, the bonus applies only to the encounter in which the
drawback arises, and does not carry through to other encounters
later in the session. This is another option you can use to
customize your game.
making the FX touch range, possibly with some measure of the
Extended Reach feat, if necessary.
You suffer harm from something normally harmless to others. It
may be a vampire’s weakness to sunlight or holy water or a hero’s
weakness when exposed to glowing meteorites. Alternately it may
be the lack of something, like a vampire’s need for blood, an
addict’s need for a drug, an amphibian’s need for water, and so
forth. Frequency is based on how often you encounter your
weakness. Intensity is based on the effect the weakness has on
you.
• Minor: cumulative –1 on checks, attack bonus, or defense
bonus.
• Moderate: cumulative –1 penalty to all checks, attack
rolls, and Defense, or a –1 cumulative drain on an ability
score.
• Major: cumulative –1 drain on all ability scores.
The base time before a weakness affects you is 20 minutes.
Increase the drawback’s value by 1 for each step up the Time and
Value Progression Table and decrease it by 1 for each step down.
So a weakness that affects you each round is +4 points while one
that only affects you once a day is –3 points. If your weakness is an
Instant rather than a continuing effect, like an attack, it has a time
modifier of +0. If your weakness affects your Constitution score
(and therefore might kill you) add +1 to its value.

WEAK POINT -1 POINT

TEMPORARY DISABILITY -1 TO -4 POINTS
This drawback makes a defense FX that provides a Toughness
You suffer a disability in conjunction with the use of a FX. For resistance vulnerable to critical hits. A critical hit completely
example, if your arms transform into wings in order for you to fly bypasses the FX, ignoring its bonus to Toughness saves when the
(leaving you without the use of your arms and hands while flying) target saves against the attack’s damage. This is in addition to the
then you have the disability of no arms, normally very common and normal FX of a critical hit (+5 damage). Weak Point is a 1-point
major (5 points) but reduced to common in frequency, since the drawback.
disability only applies when you’re flying. If you possessed
prehensile feet (able to use them as substitute hands while flying)
you would have no real disability at all, and thus no drawback.
This drawback doesn’t apply to implied disabilities of an FX: for
example, having an attack FX require the use of one hand when
you use it (to wield a weapon or to strike) isn’t a disability, it’s just
how such FX work. The GM should approve any temporary
disabilities caused by FX to ensure they actually are disabilities and
are appropriate for the campaign.

VULNERABLE -1 TO -6 POINTS

You’re vulnerable to a particular type of attack. Frequency is based

on how often you encounter your vulnerability. Intensity measures
how vulnerable you are; minor vulnerabilities add +1 to effect
modifier DC. Moderate vulnerabilities increase the modifier to the
save DC by 50% (× 1.5, round up). Major vulnerabilities increase
the save DC modifier by 100% (× 2). So, for example, an attack
doing +7 damage normally does +8 damage to someone with a
minor vulnerability (7+1), +11 to someone with a moderate
vulnerability (7 × 1.5 = 10.5, rounded up), and +14 to someone with
a major vulnerability (7 × 2).

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Chapter II: Abilities

Buying Ability Scores Ability Scores Modifying Checks

Each ability score modifies certain tasks associated with it, based
You choose your character's ability scores by spending character
on how above or below average it is. The ability score is added to
points on them. Two character points increase an ability score by 1,
die rolls when your character does something related to that ability.
so putting two character points into Strength, for example, raises it
For example, your Strength score affects the amount of melee
from +0 to +1. Remember a score of +0 is average, +1 to +2 is a
damage you do. Your Intelligence score comes into play when you
fair amount of talent or natural ability, +3 is exceptional, +4 is
roll skills based on Intelligence, and so forth. Sometimes your
extraordinary, and so forth. (See the Ability Benchmarks)
modifier is used to calculate another value, such as when you use
your Dexterity score to help determine how good you are at
reacting quickly (your Reflex).
Reducing Ability Scores
The maximum score you can have with an ability is equal to the
You can also lower one or more of your character's ability scores campaign’s power level +5. A power level 10 character, for
from the starting value of +0. Each point you lower a score gives example, cannot have an ability score greater than +15 modifier.
you two additional character points to spend elsewhere. You cannot Unlike the other ability scores, Strength is affected by the power
lower an ability score below -5. level limits on damage (see Power Level).
If you reduce an ability score to -5 (for -10 points), you lack that
ability entirely (see Nonexistent Ability Scores).
Ability Cost = Base score of 0.
2 character points per +1 to an ability score.
The Abilities
Gain 2 bonus character points per -1 to an ability score.

STRENGTH STR, Physical

Strength measures sheer muscle power and the ability to apply it.
Your Strength modifier applies to Athletics and Might checks. It also
applies to damage dealt by your melee or thrown weapon attacks.

DEXTERITY DEX, Physical

Dexterity is a measure of coordination, agility, speed, manual

dexterity, and balance. It's particularly useful for characters relying
more on speed and agility than sheer strength and toughness. Your
Dexterity modifier applies to Acrobatics, Infiltration, Reflex, and
Vehicles checks.

CONSTITUTION CON, Physical

Constitution is endurance, health, and overall physical resilience.

Constitution is important because it affects a character’s ability to
resist most forms of sickness and toxins. Your Constitution modifier
applies to Endurance, Fortitude, and Recovery.

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INTELLIGENCE INT, Mental
Intelligence covers reasoning ability and learning. It adds to your
Knowledge for all skills. Intelligence is important for characters with
a lot of skills like Academics, Science, and Technology.
WISDOM WIS, Mental
While Intelligence covers reasoning, Wisdom describes awareness,
common sense, intuition, and perception. A character with a high
Intelligence and a low Wisdom may be an “absent-minded
professor” type, smart but not always aware of what’s going on. On
the other hand, a not so bright (low Intelligence) character may
have great common sense (high Wisdom). Your Wisdom modifier
applies to Expertise, Perception, and Survival checks.
CHARISMA CHA, Mental
entirely natural. The key differences between Enhanced Abilities
and normal ability scores are Enhanced Abilities can be nullified
(normal abilities cannot, see Nullify) and Enhanced Abilities can
have FX feats and be used for FX stunts with extra effort (normal
abilities cannot).
Enhanced Abilities and normal abilities have the same cost (2
character points per ability score point). The player decides if a
character’s ability score is normal or enhanced and, if it is
enhanced, how much of it is enhanced. Enhanced Abilities are
noted with the normal ability score in parentheses after them, such
as 20 (3), indicating if the character’s Enhanced Ability is nullified,
the character still has a score of 3 in that ability.
Enhanced physical abilities often represent capabilities that aren’t
quite obvious at first appearance. A person with a small school girl’s
build and musculature, but is able to lift a city bus probably has
Enhanced Strength rather than a high Strength score. Similarly, a
seemingly frail, lanky man who is actually tougher than steel and at
the peak of human health would probably be benefiting from
Enhanced Constitution.

Altering Ability
Charisma is force of personality, persuasiveness, leadership ability
and (to a lesser degree) physical attractiveness. Charisma is useful
for heroes who intend to be leaders as well as those who strike fear
into the hearts of enemies with their presence. Your Charisma
modifier applies to Art, Persuasion, and Will. Scores
Over the course of play, your character's ability scores may change

Ability Benchmarks for the following reasons:

The Ability Benchmarks table (Table 2.1) provides guidelines on
where a given ability score falls relative to the general population.
• Some FX temporarily raise or lower ability scores.
• You can improve your ability scores permanently by spending
earned character points on them, but not above the limits set
by the campaign's power level.

Enhanced Abilities Whenever an ability score changes, all traits associated with the
ability change as well. So if you increase your character's Dexterity
Some ability scores may be acquired as Enhanced Abilities, as and gain a higher bonus, his Dexterity-based skills. Likewise, if the
described in Chapter V: FX. Enhanced Abilities are FX rather than character's Dexterity bonus decreases, his Dexterity-based skills
suffer. An easier way to track these changes is just to apply the
TABLE 2.1: ABILITY SCORE BENCHMARKS bonus from the increased ability score directly to applicable checks.
Ability Score Description A +2 to Dexterity, for instance, is best noted as a +2 bonus to all
-5 Completely inept or disabled Dexterity-related checks.
-4 Weak; infant
-3 Younger child
-2 Child, elderly, impaired Debilitated Ability Scores
-1 Below average; young teenager If one of your character's ability scores drops below -5 for any
+0 Average adult reason, that score is said to be debilitated and the character suffers
+1 Above average more serious effects. Debilitated Strength means the character
collapses, helpless and unable to move. Debilitated Dexterity
+2 Well above average means the character is paralyzed and helpless. Debilitated
+3 Gifted Constitution means the character is dying and cannot stabilize (and
+4 Highly gifted, best in the city suffers a –5 modifier on Recovery checks to avoid death due to the
low score). Debilitated Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma means
+5 Best in a nation the hero is unconscious and incapable of waking until the score is
+6 Best in the world restored to at least -5.
+7 Best ever; peak of human achievement Debilitated ability scores usually result from an FX affecting your
+8 Low superhuman character. An ability score lowered below -5 during character
+9 Moderate superhuman creation is actually nonexistent; characters only suffer the effects of
debilitated abilities if an ability score is lowered to 0 during play.
+10 High superhuman
Abilities scores cannot be lowered below -5. Traits based on ability
+15 Very high superhuman modifiers, such as resistances and skill bonuses, can be lowered to
+20 Cosmic/Divine –5, but no lower.

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TABLE 2.2: FORTITUDE/WILL BENCHMARKS
Resistance
Description
Bonus
0-2 Average pedestrian
3-4 Above average pedestrian
5-6 Low superhuman
7-9 Moderate superhuman
10-12 High superhuman
13-15 Very high superhuman
16+ Cosmic/Divine
TABLE 2.3: TOUGHNESS BENCHMARKS
Resistance
Description
Bonus
0 Average unarmored pedestrian
Above average, light armor or tougher than
1-4
normal
5-7 Low superhuman, moderate armor (Kevlar)
Moderate superhuman, high-end armor
8-10
(Ceramic)
11-13 High superhuman, extreme hi-tech armor
14-16 Very high superhuman, sci-fi power armor
Ultra high superhuman, extreme sci-fi power
17-19
armor
20+ Cosmic/Divine
Nonexistent Ability Scores
Rather than having a score of -5 in a given ability, some things or
creatures in d20 Advanced actually lack an ability score. The effect
of lacking an ability score is as follows:
• Strength: Any creature capable of physically manipulating
other objects has at least a -5 Strength score. A creature with
no Strength score is incapable of exerting any physical force,
possibly because it has no physical form (like an incorporeal
•
ghost). The creature automatically fails Strength checks.
Dexterity: Any creature capable of movement has at least a -5
of Dexterity. A creature with no Dexterity cannot move (like
most plants) and hence cannot make physical attacks. It
automatically fails Dexterity checks.
• Constitution: Any living creature has at least a -5 Constitution
score. A creature with no Constitution has no physical body
(like a ghost) or is not alive (like a robot, zombie or other
construct). The creature always fails Constitution checks. This
includes checks to avoid dying and to recover from injury, so
creatures with no Constitution do not recover from damage
naturally. They must be repaired in some fashion. The same is
true of objects. Creatures with no Constitution are immune to
fatigue but cannot exert extra effort. Creatures with no
Constitution are often—but not necessarily—immune to many
of the things affecting living beings (see Immunity).
• Intelligence: Any creature that can think, learn, or remember
has at least a -5 Intelligence score. A creature with no
Intelligence is an automaton, lacking free will and operating on
simple instinct or programmed instructions. Anything with no
Intelligence is immune to mental effects, interaction skills, and
automatically fails Intelligence checks.
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Option: Ability Checks
By default, d20 Advanced assumes that all checks are covered
between skill or FX checks. However, if you choose, you can also
make use of the raw ability scores themselves for checks. An ability
check is like a skill check, but measures raw ability, without any
skill, like strength, endurance, or intellect. It is a roll of d20 + your
ability modifier against a Difficulty Class. Ability checks tend to be
all or nothing (you can either accomplish the task or you can’t)
although there are sometimes gradations like skill checks.
Attempting a skill without training (in other words, without ranks in
the skill) is an ability check. In general, ability check DCs should be
about 5 or 10 ranks lower than an equivalent skill check (since
ability scores won't have the ranks from skills to add to the check.
• Strength: Breaking a board
• Dexterity: Tying a rope
• Constitution: Holding your breath
• Wisdom: Trusting a gut feeling
• Charisma: Getting noticed in a crowd
• Wisdom: Any creature aware of its environment has at least a
-5 Wisdom score. Anything with no Wisdom also has no
Charisma. It is an inanimate object, not a creature. Objects are
immune to mental effects, interaction skills, and automatically
fail Wisdom checks.
• Charisma: Any creature capable of interacting with other
creatures has at least a -5 Charisma score. Creatures without
Charisma are immune to interaction checks and automatically
fail Charisma checks.
Inanimate objects have no scores other than their Toughness.
Animate, but nonliving, Constructs such as robots or zombies have
Strength and Dexterity, and may have Wisdom and Charisma (if
aware of their environment and capable of interaction). They may
have Intelligence (if capable of thought), but have no Constitution
(since they are not living things).
Movement
The GM moderates the pace of a game session, and determines
when movement is important enough to be worth measuring.
During casual scenes, you usually won’t have to worry about
movement rates. If a character arrives somewhere and takes a
stroll around to get a feel for the place, or is flying around town on
patrol, there’s no need to know exactly how fast the character goes.
Movement Pace
Characters generally move at a normal, accelerated, or all out
pace. A normal person’s base movement speed is 30 feet, meaning
a character can walk 30 feet as one action. The following
movement paces modify your base speed:
• Normal: A normal pace represents unhurried but purposeful
movement at your speed, 30 feet per round for a normal
unencumbered human.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

TABLE 2.5: SIZE

Combat Infiltration Intimidation
Cost Size Might Height Weight Space Reach
Modifier Modifier Modifier
3 in. or
20 Minuscule -5 +12 +15 -10 1 oz. or less 3 in. 0 ft.
less
16 Fine -4 +8 +12 -8 3 in.-6 in. 0.09-0.1 lb. 6 in. 0 ft.
12 Diminutive -3 +4 +9 -6 6 in.-1 ft. 0.25-1 lb. 1 ft. 0 ft.
8 Tiny -2 +2 +6 -4 1-2 ft. 1-8 lbs. 2.5 ft. 0 ft.
4 Small -1 +1 +3 -2 2-4 ft. 8-60 lbs. 5 ft. 5 ft.
0 Medium +0 +0 +0 +0 60-500 lbs. 4-8 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
12 Large +1 –1 -3 +2 8-16 ft. 500-4K lbs. 10 ft. 10 ft.
24 Huge +2 –2 -6 +4 16-32 ft. 4K –32K lbs. 15 ft. 10 ft.
32K –250K
36 Gargantuan +3 –4 -9 +6 32-64 ft. 20 ft. 15 ft.
lbs.
250K- 2 mil
48 Colossal +4 –8 -12 +8 64-128 ft. 30 ft. 15 ft.
lbs.
60 Awesome +5 –12 -15 +10 128 ft.+ 2 mil lbs.+ 40 ft. 20 ft.

• Accelerated: An accelerated pace is twice your speed, 60 feet
per round for a normal unencumbered human. Taking two
actions to move in a round is accelerated movement.
• All Out: Moving four times your speed is an all out pace, the
equivalent of running or sprinting, 120 feet per round for a
normal unencumbered human. All out movement takes two
If more than one condition applies, multiply speed by all appropriate
movement penalty fractions. For instance, a character that normally
could cover 60 feet with an accelerated move covers only 15 feet
moving through thick undergrowth in heavy fog (one-half times one-
half, or one-quarter his accelerated move speed).

Jumping
actions, and you lose your defense bonus, since you can't
easily avoid attacks. However, if you're using a movement FX
you gain a +2 bonus to Defense per rank in that power; so a
character with Enhanced Movement (Flight) 5 moving all out Jumping is a special type of movement, based on your Athletics
gets a +10 Defense bonus for his speed (it's harder to hit a check. A jump is one action. Distance moved by jumping counts as
fast-moving target). part of your normal movement in a round.

You can move all out for one minute. After that you must succeed at
an Endurance check (DC 10) to continue moving all out. You must
check again each minute, and the DC increases by +1 each check.
Characters with movement FX have a normal speed granted by
their rank. Accelerated movement doubles that speed. All out
movement quadruples it.
Hampered Movement
Obstructions, bad surface conditions, and poor visibility hamper
movement. The GM determines the category into which a specific
You can make a running long jump equal in feet to the amount your
Athletics check result beats a DC of 10. A standing long jump
covers half that distance, and a high (vertical) jump of a quarter that
distance. Round all distances down to the nearest foot. Extra effort
doubles your jumping distance for one jump. The Leaping FX
greatly increases the distance you can jump.
If you make a long jump and fail to clear the distance by your height
or less, you can make a Reflex check (DC 15) to grab the far edge
of a gap. You end your movement grasping the far edge. If this
leaves you dangling over a chasm or gap, getting up requires one
action and an Athletics check to climb up (DC 15).

Size
condition falls (see the Hampered Movement Table). When
movement is hampered, multiply movement speed by the penalty
(a fraction). For example, a character that normally could cover 60
feet with an accelerated move can cover only 30 feet while moving While characters come in all sizes and shapes, most are generally
through thick undergrowth. within the human norms of size, ranging between four and eight
feet tall or so (Medium-sized). Some heroes have the ability to alter
their size using the Growth and Shrinking FX. Others are normally a
TABLE 2.4: HAMPERED MOVEMENT different size, either larger or smaller. These characters have ranks
of either Growth or Shrinking with a Permanent duration.
Condition Examples Movement Penalty
Moderate obstruction Undergrowth x¾ A character’s size affects certain qualities. Modifications for size are
shown on the Table 2.5: Size. Permanent size modifiers count
Heavy obstruction Thick undergrowth x½
toward campaign power level limits.
Bad surface Steep slope or mud x½
Very bad surface Deep snow x¼
Poor visibility Darkness or fog x½ Stealth Modifier
Larger characters have a harder time sneaking around, while

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smaller characters have an easier time remaining unseen and
unheard. Apply this modifier to Stealth checks made at this size.
Intimidation Modifier
Larger characters are more imposing, while smaller characters are
less. Apply this modifier to Intimidation checks made at this size.
Like Attack and Defense modifiers, they cancel out against
opponents of the same size.
Reach
A normal (Medium-sized) character has a 5 ft. reach, which means
the character can make a melee attack at any target up to 5 ft.
away. Larger and smaller characters have a longer or shorter
reach, as shown on the Size Table.
Space
A normal (Medium-sized) character is assumed to occupy a roughly
5-ft.-by-5-ft. space. Larger and smaller characters occupy more or
less space, as shown on the Size Table.
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Might
Larger characters can lift and carry more, while smaller characters
can lift and carry less. Larger characters gain a bonus to their ranks
in Might, while smaller characters suffer and effective penalty to it.
In essence, each size category above Medium grants a +1 bonus
to Might. Smaller characters suffer a -1 penalty to Might checks.
Attack Area
If you are three size categories or more larger than your opponent,
you have a chance to hit an opponent even if you miss your attack
roll! If your attack roll misses due to your size modifier, your attack
is considered an area attack filling the fighting space of an
opponent three size categories smaller than you. So a Gargantuan
attacker has a 5-ft area attack against Medium or smaller
opponents. A Medium attacker has a 1-ft. “area” attack against
Diminutive or smaller opponents, and so forth. If you roll a
successful attack, it has the normal effect. If you miss, but would
have hit if not for your size modifier, then the attack still hits, but the
target only suffers half the usual effect (or none, if the target has
Evasion). Other targets in the area of your attack are also hit by a
normal area effect.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Chapter III: Skills
Skill Basics
Skills are learned abilities acquired through a combination of
training (the skill) and natural talent (an ability score). Each skill has
a rank, used as a bonus to the die roll when using the skill. To use a
skill roll:
d20 + skill rank + ability modifier + miscellaneous modifiers
The higher the roll, the better the result. You’re usually looking for a
total that equals or exceeds a particular Difficulty Class (DC) or
another character’s check total.
• Skill Rank: Your rank in a skill is based on the number of
points you have invested in skills. If you have ranks in a skill
you’re considered trained in that skill. You can use skills even if
you don’t have any ranks in them, known as using a skill
untrained.
• Ability Modifier: Each skill has a key ability, the ability modifier
applied to the skill’s checks. Each skill’s key ability is noted in
its description and on the Skills table.
• Miscellaneous Modifiers: Miscellaneous modifiers to skill
checks include situational modifiers for favorable or
unfavorable conditions, bonuses from feats or powers, or
penalties for not having proper tools, among others.
Acquiring Skills
Characters gain skill ranks by spending character points at the cost
of 1 skill rank per character point. Skill ranks do not all need to be
assigned to the same skill. Characters can perform some tasks
without any training, using only raw talent (as defined by their ability
scores), but skilled characters are better at such things. Characters
with the right skills and feats can even hold their own against
opponents wielding supernatural powers.
Skill Cost = 1 character point per skill rank.
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Option: More Skills, Fewer Skills
Abstract Versus Particulate Skills If a GM wishes to stress skills
more than normal in a game, it may be wise to break up the
existing skills. Rather, make each sub-use of a skill an option
during character creation, so that each skill is purchased
individually at 4 skill ranks per character point.
Removing Skills: As still another option, a GM may not wish to use
skills at all. In that case, relying entirely on ability checks may be
the best way to go. The GM is encouraged to apply circumstance
modifiers on these ability checks to represent a situation a
character would be well-trained or highly skilled at, such as a
nimble gymnast attempting to jump between buildings. In this
situation, all characters at character creation should choose a
single ability score as their prime ability score. All checks made
with this ability score are made with a +5 bonus (to represent
training and experience with applications of this ability score).
Characters also gain a bonus equal to one-half their PL, which
lets the GM keep skill check DCs at similar levels to those
described in this chapter.
Skill feats (in Chapter IV: Feats) should also be removed, or re-
worked to account for becoming ability checks. Consider which
skill feats would still fit in the game carefully: some may function
better as a simple ability score check (like Inventor). For specific
areas in which a character is especially talented, the GM should
allow players to choose the Talented feat.
How Skills Work
When you use a skill, make a skill check to see how you do. Based
on the circumstances, your result must match or beat a particular
number to use the skill successfully. The harder the task, the higher
the number you need to roll. (See Checks)
Combat Skills
Unlike other types of skills, Combat skills are not modified by any
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

are aimed at dealing with others through social interaction.

Option: Simple Skill Check DCs
The skill check DCs listed in the different entries of this chapter
are meant to be used as suggestion for setting check DCs in your
game. However, at the GM's option, the following table may be
used in place of those check DCs. This simpler method of
determining skill check DCs helps the game can move more
quickly and less time is spent flipping through the book in search
of the DC to achieve a certain effect with the skill.
Note, however, that this method does rely more heavily on GM
judgment-calls, and puts more of the work-load onto the GM's
shoulders. The GM is encouraged to work with the group to get a
feel for where everyone is most comfortable placing skill check
DCs. Players are encouraged to avoid arguments such as these
with the GM if they feel the DCs are unreasonable, at least until
after the game is over. Also note that the DCs given on this table
are based on skill check DCs given for individual skills later in this
chapter. That is to give GMs a firm baseline for determining where
different skill check DCs should fall.
GMs may also wish to use a mixture of DCs, some based off the
figures from this table, some straight from the DCs given in the
skill entries themselves. This is a perfectly acceptable approach,
so long as the group is comfortable and having fun.
Interaction skills allow you to influence the attitudes of others and
get them to cooperate with you in one way or another. Since
interaction skills are intended for dealing with others socially, they
have certain requirements.
First, you must be able to interact with the subjects of the skill. The
subjects must be aware of you and able to understand you. If you
don’t speak the same language, or they can’t hear you for some
reason, that’s the same as working without the proper tools, a –4
on your skill check. Interaction skills work best on intelligent
subjects, ones with an Int score of 3 or better. You can use them on
creatures with Int -5, but with a –8 penalty; they’re just too dumb to
get the subtleties of your point. You can’t use interaction skills at all
on subjects lacking one or more mental ability scores. (Try
convincing a rock to be your friend—or to be afraid of you—
sometime.) The Immunity FX can also render some characters
immune to interaction skills.
You can use interaction skills on groups of subjects at once, but
only to achieve the same result for all. So you can attempt to use
Persuasion to convince a group of something, but you can’t try to
convince some individuals of one thing and the rest of another, or to
intimidate some people and not others. The GM decides if a
particular use of an interaction skill is effective against a group, and
may apply modifiers depending on the situation. The general rules
for interaction still apply: everyone in the group must be able to
hear and understand you, for example, or you suffer a -4 on your
skill check against them. Mindless subjects are unaffected.

TABLE 3.1: BASIC SKILL CHECK BASE DCs

Task Example DC Knowledge
Simplistic Follow a mob in broad daylight 0
Many skills include the ability to make Knowledge checks to
Easy Climb a knotted rope against a wall 5 remember or know important pieces of information related to that
Average Hear an approaching guard 10 skill. Some skills (like Academics) are applied to a broad swathe of
Challenging Repair an alarm clock 15 potential knowledges, while others (such as Athletics) might only
apply to memorizing a smaller number of things.
Difficult Swim in stormy water 20
Very Use your base ranks in the applicable skill for the check, but
Pick the lock to a house front door 25 instead of using the normal ability score to modify the check, use
Difficult
your Intelligence score. For example, a check to remember who
Formidable Leap across a 30-foot chasm 30 won the 1992 World Series might use Athletics, but instead of using
Heroic Track a ninja across hard ground 35 your Strength score to modify the check, use your Intelligence
Epic Hack the Pentagon mainframe 40 modifier.
Legendary Locate a master spy in a metropolis 45 The DC is 10 for easy questions, 15 for basic questions, and 20 to
Mythical Open the vault at Fort Knox 50 30 for difficult questions. The GM may make a the roll for you, so
Perform open-heart surgery on yourself with a you don’t know whether or not your information is accurate.
Impossible 55+
pen knife in the dark

ability score. The types of Combat Skills are Weapon Group which
governs your attacks, Defense which governs whether you get hit
by an attack or not, and Toughness which governs how much, if
any, damage you receive from an enemy's successful attack. For
more on Combat Skills in general and how they are overcome, see
the Skill Descriptions later in this chapter or Chapter VII: Combat.
Manipulation Skills
Some skills, called manipulation skills, require a degree of fine
physical manipulation. You need prehensile limbs and a Strength
score or some suitable substitute (such as a Precise Move Object
FX) to use manipulation skills effectively. Characters lacking the
ability to use manipulation skills can still have ranks in them and
use them to oversee the work of others (granting an aid bonus).

Interactions
Certain skills, called interaction skills (mostly the Persuasion skill),
Resistances
Generally, when subject to an attack or hazard, your relevant
Resistance is what protects you from falling victim to it. The types
of Resistances are Defense (to dodge out of the way of attacks and
explosions), Fortitude (to resist internal bodily harm, like poisons

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
and diseases), Perception (to notice threats or feints), Toughness
(to avoid external wounds and attacks) and Will. For more on
Resistances in general and how they are overcome, see the Skill
Descriptions in this chapter or Chapter VII: Combat.
Specialty Skills
Some skills, such as Expertise, Survival, or Weapon Group, cover a
wide range of knowledge or techniques. These skills are actually
groups of similar skills, called specialty skills. When putting ranks
into one of these skills, you must choose a specialty, a particular
aspect of the skill your character knows. For example, you might
choose the physical sciences specialty of Knowledge or the
mechanical specialty of Craft. Skill ranks in one specialty of a skill
do not imply training in the skill’s other specialties.
Untrained Skill Checks
Generally, if you attempt a task requiring a skill you don’t have, you
make a skill check as normal. Your skill modifier doesn’t have a skill
rank added in because you don’t have any ranks in the skill. You do
get other modifiers, though, such as the ability modifier for the
skill’s key ability.
Non-Proficient Skill Checks
Alternatively, you might run across a situation where you lack a skill
which your background and other abilities seem to suggest you
should have some proficiency with. For example, in a fantasy
game, a hard-bitten, well-traveled woodsman might have 6 ranks in
Survival, only to realize that he doesn't have any ranks in Athletics
to climb a tree! By all rights, a woodsman who has spent his whole
adult life in the forest should have some idea how to scramble up a
tree at night. In this case, with the GM's permission, he can make a
non-proficient Survival check to climb a tree.
In order to make a non-proficient check, you may use half of your
ranks in the relevant substitute skill check for the purpose of the
check (rounded down). So the woodsman described above can use
3 ranks from Survival (the substitute skill) to make a non-proficient
check to climb. Instead of using the substitute skill's normal ability
modifier (Wisdom for Survival), use the non-proficient skill's ability
(Strength for Athletics).
Non-proficient skill checks are also very appropriate for characters
making attack rolls with weapons which they lack training with,
allowing characters to have great skill with a single type of weapon
without being clueless about other forms of combat.
Extended Skill Checks
With most skill checks, a single die roll immediately determines
whether or not a character succeeds. If a character wants to make
something or recall a specific fact, success or failure is apparent
after a single skill check.
For complicated and time-consuming tasks (such as disabling a
complex device or researching an obscure bit of knowledge), or at
times when the GM wants to build tension and suspense, you can
use the extended skill check variant described here.
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TABLE 3.2: EXTENDED SKILL CHECKS
Successes Complexity Example
2 or 3 Slight Training a horse (Survival)
4 to 6 Ordinary Making a piece of artwork (Art)
Bypassing a fiendishly complex trap
7 to 9 Good
(Infiltration)
Figuring out an alien device
10 or more Amazing
(Technology)
In an extended skill check, a specific number of successful skills
checks must be achieved to complete the task. The complexity of
the task is reflected in the DC of the required check, the number of
successful rolls required to complete the task, and the maximum
number of failed rolls that can occur before the attempt fails. In
most cases, one or two failed rolls do not mean an extended skill
check has failed; however, if three failed rolls occur before the
character makes the required number of successful rolls, the
attempt fails. Although three failures is a common baseline, GMs
are encouraged to change the number if the situation warrants it.
The GM can also apply a penalty to future rolls in the extended
check if the player rolls one or more failures. For instance, an
intricate negotiation requiring an extended Diplomacy check might
assess a –2 penalty on checks for each failed check made as part
of the extended check for poor conditions. The Difficulty Class of an
extended skill check should usually be
5 to 10 less than a standard skill check to allow for the number of
additional successful checks required and the possibility of failure.
So a normally formidable task (DC 25) should only be DC 15–20 for
an extended check.
Trying Again
Extended skill checks can usually be retried. However, like normal
skill checks, some extended skill checks have consequences and
those consequences must be taken into account. For example, a
trap that requires an extended Infiltration check to disarm is
triggered if the attempt fails, just as with a normal trap and a normal
Infiltration check.
Some skills are virtually useless for a particular task once an
attempt has failed, and this includes extended skill checks. The
Extended Skill Use section describes which skills can be used in
extended skill checks and which allow retries after failed attempts.
Like skill checks, ability checks and even FX checks can also be
complex.
Extended skill checks are rarely used in situations calling for
opposed checks.
Interrupting an Extended Check
Most extended skill checks can be interrupted without adversely
affecting the outcome of the check. However, the Gamemaster is
free to decide that an interruption affects the outcome. An
interruption can count as one failed roll in the check's progression
or it can mean the extended check fails altogether.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Option: Under Pressure
If a character is under pressure or stress during an extended skill
check (trying to disarm a bomb as the timer ticks down,
performing a complex magical rite in the midst of a roaring battle,
deciphering the combination to unlock a door before a guard
discovers her, etc.), you can require an Expertise check for the
relevant specialty at each stage of the extended check with the
same DC as the skill check for that stage. If the Expertise check
succeeds, the character can attempt the skill check normally, if the
Expertise check fails, the character suffers a –4 penalty on the
skill check, making it more likely to fail.
Optionally, a certain number of failed Expertise checks (three or
more) may result in failure with the entire extended task, forcing
the character to start over again from the beginning. Conversely, a
higher level of success with the Expertise check might apply a
bonus to the corresponding skill check, like a use of aid (+1 bonus
per 5 points the Expertise check result exceeds the required DC).
To really pile on the pressure, you can also require
Endurance or Will checks during especially stressful
extended checks to avoid suffering fatigue from the effort
involved, with the DC of the save rising as the extended
check progresses.
Aid and Extended Checks
You can aid another as normal with an extended skill check.
Characters aiding the one making the attempt must roll their aid
attempts each time the character makes a new roll as part of the
extended skill check, and only apply the aid bonus to those rolls
they're available to aid. Assisting characters don’t have to aid the
entire extended check unless the GM rules otherwise.
Taking 10 and 20
You can take 10 on any die roll during an extended skill check in
any situation where you could normally take 10 on a check using
that skill.
You can't take 20 when making an extended skill check. Taking 20
represents making the same check repeatedly until you succeed,
but each successful roll in an extended skill check represents only
a portion of the success you must achieve to complete the task.
Combined Effort and Extended
Checks
At the GM's discretion, some extended checks can allow multiple
characters to combine their effects. All the participating characters
make the check and combine their successes toward the
requirements of the extended check. For example, a group of four
characters combine their effort to work on a project requiring six
successful checks. Each makes the necessary check, adding up
the results. The goal is still the same—to accumulate six successful
checks before three failures.
If a group achieves the number of successes it needs at the same
time it gets three or more failures, the extended check is
considered a success.
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Timed Extended Checks
The previous rules for extended checks assume time is not a factor;
the process goes on until the character accumulates enough
successful checks to complete the task or accumulates enough
failed checks to fail. However, some extended checks may also
feature a time-limit, such as disabling a device before it goes off, or
fixing a starship's engines before it crashes into the sun. The GM
can use a time-limit as an additional source of tension for an
extended check.
If the time involved is as long or longer than the required number of
successes plus three, then it isn't relevant, since the character will
either have succeeded or failed before the time runs out. If you
want to stretch this out, remove the automatic failure for three failed
skill checks.
Skill Challenges
Challenges reflect a capable character’s ability to perform some
tasks with superior panache and efficiency. They allow heroes to
achieve greater results by making already difficult checks harder.
To take a challenge, increase a check’s Difficulty Class by 5 or
suffer a –5 penalty to the check result. In return, you gain an extra
benefit in addition to the normal effects of a successful check. If you
fail due to the penalty or increased DC, however, you suffer the
normal results of failure. Note that, if failing by more than a certain
margin imposes a particular outcome, you suffer that outcome as
normal if you fail to meet your newly increased Difficulty Class. So,
for example, a character who misses an Infiltration check to disable
a trap by 10 or more accidentally sets off the device. If the standard
Difficulty is 20 and your challenge increases it to 25, then you
accidentally set off the device with a skill check result of 15 or less,
instead of the usual 10 or less.
You can accept more than on challenge to a check. In some cases,
you can take a challenge more than once to gain its benefits
multiple times. These are noted in the challenge descriptions.
Generally, challenges allow you to gain added benefits when you
face a relatively low DC and have a high modifier. You can also use
challenges to attempt heroic actions, even when faced with a high
DC. In these cases, spending a hero die can help ensure success
with all the added benefits of the successful challenge.
Standard Challenges
The challenges in this section apply to any ability or skill check. The
Gamemaster has final say whether a challenge applies to a specific
situation. Each challenge imposes either a +5 modifier to a check's
DC or a –5 penalty to the check result.
1. Fast Task: You reduce the time needed to complete the check.
If the check is normally a full-round action, it becomes a
standard action. A standard action becomes a move action,
while a move action becomes a free action. For checks
requiring time in rounds, minutes, or longer, reduce the time
needed by 25 percent per challenge. You cannot make a check
as a free action via challenges if it normally requires a standard
action or longer.
2. Calculated Risk: You can take a calculated risk on one check
to make a follow-up check easier. For example, you could use
Disable Device to overcome an initial safeguard to make
disarming the whole trap easier. If you succeed at this
challenge, you gain a bonus on the second check
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

TABLE 3.3: SKILL BENCMARKS

Bonus Skill Level Example
0 Untrained No real background, training or experience. Any degree of success is pretty much luck and luck only. A newbie.
Some training, some experience, or possibly just a glimmer of natural talent. You can perform routine tasks
1-4 Basic
without trouble, and difficult tasks with effort (or luck).
A fair amount of training, experience, or natural talent. You can easily perform routine tasks and even difficult
5-8 Skilled
ones (most of the time).
The character is well-versed in this skill or possesses exceptional natural talent. He performs difficult tasks
9-12 Professional
without great effort and can instruct or manage others in this skill.
Difficult tasks in this skill are performed routinely, and unusual or cutting-edge applications are adapted without
13-16 Master
great effort.
One of the best in the world with this skill, routinely accomplishing tasks that give lesser masters difficulty, and
17-20 Prodigy
developing the cutting edges that others follow.
One of the greatest masters of this skill that has ever lived. You push boundaries, and perform the “impossible”
21-24 Legend
with disturbing regularity.
This person’s ability almost defies rational belief, seeming to appear akin to magic, and regularly cowing even
25+ Godlike experienced masters. This person doesn’t just push boundaries: he redefines them for the entire conception of
the skill.

equal to the total penalty you accepted on the first. The two
checks must be related and the first, penalized, check must
carry some consequence for failure (that is, it cannot be a
check where you can take 20).
3. Simultaneous Tasks: You can accept a challenge in order to
perform two checks simultaneously. To attempt simultaneous
checks, make the challenge check, followed by a second check
using the same or a different trait. Your secondary check
suffers a –10 penalty or a +10 increase in Difficulty. The
combined task requires the same time as the longest normal
task, so if both tasks require a standard action, you accomplish
the simultaneous use in a single standard action rather than
two.
In addition to these standard challenges, various skills have specific
challenges associated with them, described in the following section.
Team Checks
Sometimes an entire team performs a task as a unit and individual
success is irrelevant. In this case, the GM may call for a team
check for the task. A team check works just like a normal check,
except only one character makes the check for the entire team. The
situation at hand determines the character who makes the check,
as follows:
• If only one character must succeed for the entire team to
gain the benefits (e.g., one character can make a
Persuasion check and inform others of what he finds),
the character with the highest relevant bonus makes the
check.
• If every member of the team must succeed to gain the benefits
of the check (e.g., every member of the team must succeed on
an Infiltration check to slip past a sentry), the character with the
lowest relevant bonus makes the check.
In either case, if two or more characters qualify to make the check,
the team can jointly choose which of them makes it. If a character
goes solo, then the character is no longer a part of the team for
purposes of the team check (good reason for the stealthy character
to scout ahead, for example, making Stealth checks independent of
the rest of the team).
The character making the team skill check may spend Hero Dice on
it normally. Also, a character with the Leadership feat can spend a
Hero Die on a team check, even if he is not the character making
the check, so long as he’s a part of the team making the check, and
able to interact with the character making it (to offer direction and
encouragement).
Skill Descriptions
This section describes the skills available to d20 Advanced
characters, including their common uses and modifiers. Characters
may be able to use skills for tasks other than those given here. The
GM sets the DC and decides the results in those cases.
The format for skill descriptions is given here. Not all items apply for
all skills. Items that do not apply are omitted from the skill’s
description. However, if a use for a certain skill arises that is not
covered in these rules, do not hesitate to add it for your own game:
it’s often easier to hijack an existing skill for a new purpose than it is
to create a totally new skill from scratch, especially when you have
a player tapping his foot waiting to find out if he can defuse a bomb
or not!
Note that if a GM chooses not to use the options for Extended Skill
checks or Challenges in the game, those sections may be omitted.
KEY ABILITY, INTERACTION, MANIPULATION,
NAME SPECIALTY, RESISTANCE, REQUIRES TOOLS
The skill name line contains the following information:
• Skill Name: What the skill is called. GMs may feel free to
change the names of some skills to better suit the style of their
game.
• Key Ability: The ability modifier applied to the skill check.
• Interaction: If "Interaction" is included next to the skill's name,
it is an interaction skill.
• Manipulation: If "Manipulation" is included next to the skill's
name, it is a manipulation skill.
• Specialty: If "Specialty" is included next to the skill’s name,
you must choose a specialty for the skill.
• Resistance If "Resistance" is next to the skill's name, you will

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often use this skill passively to resist certain ill effects. You are
assumed to be taking 10 on your resistances.
• Requires Tools: If "Requires Tools" is included next to the
skill's name, you need to have the proper tools to use the skill.
Not having the proper tools results in a –5 penalty to the skill
check. See Chapter VI: Gear for more details on tools.
The skill name line is followed by a brief description of the skill and
four other categories:
• Check: How to make a check for the skill, what the results are,
and the Difficulty Class.
• Try Again: Conditions on retrying a check with the skill. If this
section is omitted, the skill can be retried an unlimited number
of times.
• Action: The number of actions required to use the skill, how
long it takes. As a general rule, if a skill takes a minute or
longer to use, you can halve the time required by taking a –5
penalty on the check.
• Special: Any extra information about the skill or its use.
• Extended: Certain skills might have applications as Extended
Checks with more than one success required to accomplish a
certain task.
• Challenges: Skill Challenges available with this skill.
Strength
ATHLETICS STR
You’re skilled at climbing, swimming, jumping, and performing other
feats of athleticism.
Use
Climb, Jump, Swim.
Climb
With each successful Athletics check, you can move up, down, or
across a slope, wall, or other steep incline (even a ceiling with
handholds). A slope is any incline of less than 60 degrees; a wall is
any incline of 60 degrees or steeper. A failed Athletics check
indicates you make no progress, and failure by 5 or more means
you fall from whatever height you already attained (unless you are
secured with some kind of harness or other equipment). Make a
Climb check to catch yourself (DC equal to wall’s DC + 20). A slope
is easier to catch on (DC equal to slope’s DC + 10). It’s somewhat
easier to catch someone else who falls, assuming they are within
arm’s reach. Make an Athletics check (DC equal to wall’s DC +10)
to do so. A slope is easier (DC equal to the slope’s DC +5). If you
fail the check, you do not catch the other person. If you fail by 5 or
more, you fall as well. The DC of the check depends on the
conditions of the climb. If the climb is less than 10 feet, reduce the
DC by 5.
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TABLE 3.4: CLIMB
DC Example Wall Or Surface Or Task
0 A slope too steep to walk up. A ladder.
5 A knotted rope with a wall to brace against.
A rope with a wall to brace against. A knotted rope. A surface
10 with sizable ledges to hold on to and stand on, such as a
rugged cliff-face.
Any surface with adequate handholds and footholds (natural or
artificial), such as a rough natural rock surface, a tree, or a
15
chain-link fence. An unknotted rope. Pulling yourself up when
dangling by your hands.
An uneven surface with just a few narrow handholds and
20 footholds, such as a coarse masonry wall or a sheer cliff face
with a few crevices and small toeholds.
A rough surface with no real handholds or footholds, such as a
25
brick wall.
25 Overhang or ceiling with handholds but no footholds.
A perfectly smooth, flat, vertical surface can’t be climbed
—
without the Wall-Crawling Enhanced Movement FX.
Climbing inside an air duct, chimney, or other location where
-10 you can brace against two opposite walls (reduces normal DC
by 10).
Climbing a corner where you can brace against perpendicular
-5
walls (reduces normal DC by 5).
+5 Surface is slippery (increases normal DC by 5).
Fighting While Climbing
Since you can’t easily move to avoid an attack, you lose your
dodge bonus while climbing. Any time you take damage while
climbing, make an immediate Climb check against the DC of the
slope or wall. Failure means you fall and sustain the appropriate
falling damage.
Accelerated Movement
You can try to climb faster than normal. You can move your full
speed, but take a –5 penalty on your Climb check. Moving twice
your speed requires two checks at –5, one for each move action.
Jumping
You can make an Athletics check to extend the distance you can
jump by 1 foot per point your check exceeds DC 15.
Swimming
A successful Athletics check allows you to swim one-quarter your
speed as one action or half your speed as two actions. If the check
fails, you make no progress through the water. If the check fails by
5 or more, you go underwater. If you are underwater you must hold
your breath to avoid drowning. The DC for the Athletics check
depends on the condition of the water. Each hour you swim, make
an Athletics check (DC 20). If the check fails, you suffer from
fatigue. Unconscious characters go underwater and immediately
begin to drown.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

TABLE 3.5: SWIMMING

Condition DC MIGHT STR

Calm Water 10
Rough water 15
Stormy Water 20
Your physical prowess is even more formidable than might
otherwise be apparent. You're capable of extreme feats of strength
Rescuing involving sustained application of force, such as lifting, bursting
Rescuing another character who can’t swim (for whatever reason) bonds, or holding something fast.
increases the DC of your Swim check by +5.
Use
Break Through, Burst Bonds, Lifting and Carrying.
Action
Climbing one-half your speed is two actions. Moving half that fast Break Through
(one-fourth your speed) is one action. Accelerated climbing, Sustained force can be used to achieve impressive results in terms
allowing you to climb at full speed, is two actions action. You can of breaking down a stuck door or even bending iron bars. For two
move half that far (one-half your speed) as one action. actions, you may attempt to use Might to damage an inanimate
Swimming is either one or two actions, as described above. object or a helpless creature through the sheer force your muscles
can exert. Essentially, you automatically hit on your attack against
the target and may use your Might check in place of your normal
unarmed damage roll. See Damaging Objects for details on
Special destroying objects.

At the GM’s discretion, certain kinds of climbing attempts might

require tools like ropes, pitons, harness, and so forth. Attempting
such a climb without tools incurs a –4 penalty.
Challenges
The following Challenge is appropriate for Athletics checks:
Burst Bonds
A common trick for extremely strong characters is to simply break
free of the bonds holding them, rather than trying to slip away. You
can use your Might check to recover from any effect which binds
you in place, such as an Inflict FX that reduces you movement with
magic chains.

Accelerated Swim Lifting and Carrying

For a +5 DC increase, you increase your swimming speed by one- Rather than a certain strength enabling you to lift a certain load,
quarter your normal speed. You can take this challenge up to three different objects require a Mighty Check to lift and move.
times to increase your swimming speed up to your normal speed. Essentially, an object’s weight is abstracted to a Might Check DC.
You suffer the normal effects of failing your Swim check. Rolls 1d20 + Might. How easily a character can move an object is
determined by how well he or she rolls. Sample DCs for lifting and
carrying objects is given on Table 3.7. The examples given are
Accelerated Climb most fitting for a modern game, but they serve as good benchmarks
for estimating the weights of objects in future or past games as well
You can try to climb more quickly than normal. By accepting a +5 (as people are inherently more familiar with modern objects, after
DC modifier to your check, you can move half your speed instead all).
of one-quarter your speed while climbing. You can accept this
challenge twice, for a total DC modifier of +10, to move at your
normal speed while climbing. TABLE 3.6: LIFTING AND CARRYING
Might Defense Check All-Out
Load Speed
Check... Penalty Penalty Move
Fighting Climb Succeeds Light load 0 0 Normal x4
By accepting a +5 DC modifier to a Climb check, you can maintain Medium
Fails -2 -2 2/3 x4
your Defense bonus while climbing. load
Fails by 5 or
Heavy load -5 -5 2/3 x2
more
Secured Climb Fails by 10 Extreme Denied
—
5ft
—
or more load Defense Step
If you take a +5 DC modifier to your Climb check, you do not have
to make a Climb check to maintain your position if you take Fails by 15 Cannot be
— — — —
damage. You climb in such a way as to brace yourself for any or more moved
attacks.

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TABLE 3.7: LIFTING AND CARRYING

DC Weight Example DC Weight Example
15 200 Manhole Cover, Adult Male 38 80k Bull dozer, Fire truck
16 300 Small Piano, Heavy Adult 39 95k Fully-Loaded Wide-Load Trailer
Piano, Full drum of oil, Bear, Gorilla, Lion,
17 400 40 110k Tank
Tiger
Empty dumpster, Alligator, Crocodile, Grizzly
18 500 41 170k Crane, Typical water tower 125' tall
Bear
Space shuttle, 200’ Radio Tower, Locomotive Engine, Full
19 700 Racing Motorcycle 42 240k
railroad Boxcar
20 800 Motorcycle 43 360k Empty giant mining dump-truck
21 1000 Telephone pole 44 450k Large plane, Titan II rocket, Statue of Liberty
22 1300 Sailboat 45 800k Hydro-electric generator, Trawler, Full giant mining truck
23 1800 Moving trailer 46 1.3mil Giant crane, Full water tower, 1000' Radio tower
24 2600 Medium missile, Full dumpster 47 1.6mil Giant mining excavator
25 3500 Empty 20' propane tank, Car, Large missile 48 1.7mil Drilling rig
Granite monument, Rhinoceros, Small
26 5000 forklift, Empty 20' metal cargo container, 49 2mil —
Large meteor
27 6000 10' Jersey Barrier 50 3.5mil Small bridge
28 7000 Truck, Limo, Hippopotamus 51 4mil —
29 9000 Empty 40' metal cargo container 52 5.5mil —
Elephant, Small jet, Combat helicopter,
30 13k 53 7mil Military tugboat
School bus, Empty semi trailer
Howitzer, 'Twinkie' Travel trailer, Semi tractor,
31 17k 54 10mil —
Full 20’ propane tanker
32 26k Empty armored car, Jet fighter, Subway car 55 14mil Eiffel tower, Destroyer, Large submarine
33 30k Motor Home RV, Full armored car 56 20mil Battleship
34 40k Mobile home, City bus, Blue whale 57 27.5mil Freighter (unloaded)
Infantry fighting vehicle, Full 20' metal cargo
35 55k 58 30mil Naval Command Ship
container
Empty railroad boxcar, Full 40' metal cargo
36 63k 59 45mil Amphibious Transport Dock Ship
container, Full semi trailer
37 70k Full 7-Axel Semi-Trailer 60 55mil Freighter (loaded), Cruiser, Large bridge
The DC to stop a falling object is +5
The DC to stop a moving object is +1 for every rank of speed it is using
The DC to push or drag an object is reduced by -2, -5 if the object has wheels or rollers

Throwing
Characters can throw any object they can lift, up to a heavy load.
(You cannot throw an extreme load, only drop it adjacent to you.)
Picking up an object is a one action, while throwing it is one action,
so it’s possible to pick up and throw an object in one round.
The distance you can throw an object is based on its weight. You
can throw your heavy load 5 feet without any check. To throw an
object farther, make a ranged attack. Light loads have a range
increment of 20 feet. Medium loads have a range increment of 10
feet. Heavy loads have a range increment of 5 feet. Extreme loads
cannot be thrown. If your ranged attack roll misses, your thrown
object falls short of the target.
Option: Might and Human Characters
The increased ability to lift heavy objects and overpower others is
usually covered well by simply having an improved Strength
score, which adds to Might checks. Might, like Toughness and
Recovery, are really meant to represent strength and durability
which are just beyond normal human capability. For most games,
it is appropriate that ranks in these skills only be available if
bought via the Enhanced (Trait) FX.

Pushing or Dragging Action

If you are only attempting to push or drag an object, you gain a +2 Breaking through takes two actions. Bursting bonds usually takes
bonus to your Might check to move it. one action, though it might vary depending on the effect causing it

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

(see the individual effect for details). It takes one action per attempt
to lift or carry an object, and another, separate action to throw it
(though it takes no action to drop a held object).
Special
fall. Subtract the amount your roll exceeds the DC from the
distance of a fall in feet before determining damage. So an
Acrobatics check of 20 (15 more than the DC) reduces the effective
distance of a fall by 15 feet. A fall reduced to 0 distance does no
damage and you land on your feet. You can reduce knockback
damage in the same way.

By default, you cannot purchase ranks in Might directly. Instead,

character need to purchase ranks in the Enhanced (Trait) FX. Instant Up
You can make an Acrobatics check (DC 20) to stand from a prone
position as a free action rather than a move action.
Dexterity
Performance
ACROBATICS DEX You can use Acrobatics as a Perform skill to impress an audience.

You can flip, dive, roll, tumble, contort, and perform other acrobatic
maneuvers, and you’re also adept at keeping your balance under Escape Artist
difficult circumstances.
You can use Acrobatics to squeeze through tight spaces.
Use TABLE 3.9: RESTRAINTS
Balance, Escape Artist, Falling, Perform, Tumbling.
Maneuver DC
Ropes Opponent's Check +10
Tumble Tight space 30
Make an Acrobatics check (DC 25) to move through a space
occupied by an opponent or obstacle (moving over, under, or
around). A failed roll means you don’t get past the obstacle.
Tight Spaces
For a tight space, a check is only called for if your head fits but your
shoulders don’t. If the space is longer than your height, such as in
Balancing an airshaft, the GM may call for multiple checks. You can’t fit
through a space your head doesn’t fit through. You can also reach
You can walk on a precarious surface. A successful check lets you through a tight space your hand fits through but your arm normally
move at half your speed along the surface as a move action. A does not by making an Acrobatics check.
failure indicates you spend your move action just keeping your
balance and do not move. A failure by 5 or more means you fall.
The difficulty varies with the conditions of the surface. While
balancing, you lose your dodge bonus to Defense unless you have
Avoiding Combat Advantage
5 or more ranks in Acrobatics. If you take damage while balancing, You can make an Acrobatics check as your opposed Maneuver
make an immediate Acrobatics check to avoid falling. check to avoid or escape being grabbed, or to avoid being tripped.
Doing so is one action.

TABLE 3.8: BALANCE

Surface DC Try Again
More than 12 in. wide 5
7-12 in. wide 10 No for most checks. Yes to escape from grapple.
2-6 in. wide 15
Less than 2 in. wide
Uneven or angled
20
+5
Action
Slippery +5 Free. If you actually move as part of your Acrobatics check, then it
counts as part of your move action. Making a check to escape from
ropes or other restraints requires one minute. Escaping a grapple is
Accelerated Movement one action. Escaping a snare takes two actions. Squeezing or
reaching through a tight space takes at least one minute, maybe
You can try to move faster than normal while balancing. You can
longer, depending on the distance.
move your full speed, but take a –5 penalty on your Acrobatics
check. Moving twice your speed requires two checks, one for each
move action.
Special
Falling You can take 10 on an Acrobatics check. You can take 20 if you are
not actively opposed, such as when being grappled.
You can make an Acrobatics check (DC 5) to lessen damage from a

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Extended
A few specific situations might call for an extended Escape Artist
check. An obvious example is a long, narrow passage only wide
enough to let a character wiggle through. In this case, each
successful roll represents navigating a portion of the passage, and
a failed roll means the character is stuck for a moment. Escaping
from involved restraints (such as being bound in a straitjacket and
chains, upside-down in a tank rapidly filling with water) may also be
an extended check.
Challenges
All of the following Challenges are appropriate for Acrobatics:
Accelerated Acrobatics
You can try to cross a precarious surface faster than normal. If you
increase the Difficulty Class by 5, you can move your full speed at
one action. Moving twice your speed in a round requires the penalty
plus two skill checks, one for each move action. You can also
accept this penalty to charge across a precarious surface; this
requires one skill check per multiple of your speed (or fraction
thereof) that you charge.
Conceal Efforts
In exchange for a +5 to the DC, you can conceal your efforts to
escape. Anyone who inspects your bindings must make a
Perception check with a Difficulty Class equal to your Acrobatics
check result. If the Perception check fails, they do not notice your
efforts to escape. So, for example, you could leave your bonds
seemingly intact so a villain doesn’t realize that you’re actually free.
Perfect Balance
In return for increasing the Difficulty Class by 5, you move with
such grace and agility that you maintain your dodge bonus to
defense while balancing.
Perilous Balance
You can shake or disturb the surface on which you are balancing
(e.g., swaying on a tightrope). If your check succeeds after
increasing the Difficulty Class by 5, you keep your balance and
impose a +5 modifier on the Difficulty Classes of all Acrobatics
checks that others must make on the surface until the next round.
INFILTRATION DEX, REQUIRES TOOLS, MANIPULATION
Through combinations of stealth and capabilities for getting locks
open and security disabled, you are skilled at getting into places
where you probably shouldn't be.
Use
Disable Security, Open Lock, Stealth
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Stealth
Your Infiltration check is opposed by the Perception check of
anyone who might detect you. While using Infiltration, you can
move up to half your normal speed at no penalty. At more than half
and up to your full speed, you take a –5 penalty. It’s practically
impossible (–20 penalty) to use Infiltration while attacking, moving
all out, or charging for stealth.
Size Modifiers
Apply the modifier from your size category to your Infiltration
checks to represent the relative ease of noticing smaller and larger
targets.
Hiding
If others have spotted you, you can't use Infiltration to remain
unseen. You can run around a corner so you are out of sight and
then use Infiltration to hide, but others then know which way you
went. You can’t hide at all if you have absolutely no cover or
concealment, since that means you're standing out in plain sight. Of
course, if someone isn't looking directly at you (you're sneaking up
from behind, for example), then you have concealment relative to
that person. Characters with the Hide In Plain Sight feat can make
Infiltration checks without the need for cover or concealment.
Creating a Diversion to Hide
A successful Persuasion check can give you the momentary
diversion needed to make a Infiltration check while people are
aware of you. When others turn their attention from you, you can
make a Infiltration check if you can reach cover or concealment of
some kind. (As a general guideline, any cover has to be within 1
foot for every rank you have in Infiltration.) This check, however, is
at a –5 penalty because you have to move quickly.
Sniping
If you’re successfully hidden at least one Perception range
increment away from a subject (usually 10 feet), then you can make
a ranged attack and immediately hide again, but you suffer a –20
penalty to your Infiltration check.
Tailing
You can use Infiltration to tail someone at your normal speed. This
assumes you have some cover or concealment (crowds of people,
shadows, fog, etc.). If the subject is worried about being followed,
he can make a Perception check (opposed by your Infiltration
check) every time he changes course (goes around a street corner,
exits a building, and so on). If he is unsuspecting, he only gets a
Perception check after each hour of being tailed. If the subject
notices you, you can make a Persuasion check, opposed by
Perception. If you succeed, you manage to pass off your presence
as coincidence and can continue tailing. A failed Persuasion check,
or being noticed a second time, means the subject knows
something is up.
Open Lock
You can pick conventional locks, finesse combination locks, and
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

TABLE 3.10: DISABLE LOCKS

Lock Type Example DC
Action
Cheap Briefcase lock 20 Disabling a simple device takes two action. Intricate or complex
devices require multiple rounds. Reducing a multi-round task to one
Average Home deadbolt 25 round increases the DC by +20. Stealth is one action.
High quality Business deadbolt 30
High security Branch bank vault 40
Ultra-high security Bank headquarters vault 50 Special
You can take 10 when making an Infiltration check to disable a
bypass electronic locks. You must have a lockpick set (for a device. You can take 20 to open a lock or disable a security device,
mechanical lock) or an electronic tool kit (for an electronic lock). unless you are trying to prevent your tampering from being noticed.
The DC depends on the quality of the lock.

Disable Security Device Extended

You can disable a security device, such as an electric fence, motion
sensor, or security camera. You must be able to reach the actual
device. If the device is monitored, your attempt to disable it will
probably be noticed. When disabling a monitored device, you can
prevent your tampering from being noticed. Doing so requires 10
minutes and an electronics tool kit, and increases the DC by +10.
TABLE 3.9: DISABLE SECURITY
Device Type Example
Cheap Home door alarm
Average Store security camera
High quality Art museum motion detector
High security Bank vault alarm
Ultra-high security Motion detector at Fort Knox
Traps and Sabotage
Disabling a simple mechanical device is DC 10. More intricate and
complex devices have higher DCs. You can use Infiltration to
defuse explosives like the Technology skill, but at a -5 non-
proficiency penalty (since Infiltration represents training with
security devices and traps, not explosives specifically). If the check
succeeds, you disable the device. If the check fails by 4 or less, you
have failed but can try again. If you fail by 5 or more, something
goes wrong. If it’s a trap or explosive, you set it off. If it’s some sort
of sabotage, you think the device is disabled, but it still works
normally. When you sabotage simple devices, you can rig them to
work normally for a while and then fail some time later, if you
choose.
Disable Technology
At the GM’s discretion, you can disable any technological device
(see Chapter VI: Gear) with a DC 30 skill check. You can also
disable technological creatures, like androids or robots, with the
same check, but the subject must be helpless for you to make the
check.
Try Again
Yes, though you must be aware you have failed in order to try
again. You may not try again to hide tampering after the fact without
retrying the entire check (see Challenges, below).
Infiltration for stealth doesn’t normally lend itself to extended
checks. However, the GM might call for an extended Infiltration
check to simulate navigating through an area, such as a crowded
urban environment, without being noticed (and without needing to
make opposed checks for every single person the character might
encounter).
Nearly any device can require an extended Infiltration check to
disable rather than a simple one. A device requiring an extended
check may have a lower Difficulty Class (say between 5 and 10
DC lower) to represent the additional work required. Extended
Infiltration checks to disable devices are especially useful for
20
heroes with skill bonuses unable to reach the highest DCs; they
25 trade off time for a better chance of success in the long run.
30
35
40 Challenges
The following Challenges are appropriate for Infiltration checks:
Accelerated Stealth
You can move up to your normal speed in exchange for a –5
penalty to your Infiltration check to use stealth. In return for a –20
penalty to your check, you can move faster than your normal
speed, such as by running or charging.
Hide Tampering
If you add +5 to your Difficulty Class, you can conceal any
tampering with a device. Anyone who inspects the device must
make a Perception check against your Infiltration check result to
notice your tampering. On a failed check, it goes unnoticed.
Slip Between Cover
You can make an Infiltration check at a penalty to quickly cross an
area lacking cover or concealment without automatically revealing
yourself. For every 5 feet of open space you cross, you take a –5
penalty to your Infiltration check. You also take the normal penalties
to your check for moving faster than half your normal speed and
such. For example, you could slip past a 5-foot open doorway
without being seen, or duck from shadow to shadow. Characters
with the Hide In Plain Sight feat don’t need cover or concealment to
hide, so these rules do not apply to them. The same is true for
characters with the Concealment FX, since they’re capable of
making their own concealment.

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Vanishing VEHICLES DEX, MANIPULATION

Stealthy characters in fiction regularly "disappear" when no one is Use this skill to pilot or drive vehicles, such as cars, planes, boats,
watching them. This is essentially a use of Infiltration to hide when and even mounts.
the character has some concealment or a distraction (no one
looking directly at him, essentially). It requires a Infiltration check
with a –5 penalty, and the character must be within a normal move TABLE 3.10: VEHICLE MANUEVERS
action of an exit, or some cover or concealment (a window, skylight, Maneuver Example DC
ventilation duct, etc.). A successful check means the character
seems to disappear; an observer looks only to discover he is gone. Easy Low-speed turn 5
Characters can use Persuasion to gain the momentary distraction Average Sudden reverse, dodging obstacles, full gallop 10
needed to vanish in this way. Characters with the Hide In Plain Difficult Tight turns, use mount as cover 15
Sight feat do not need this challenge.
Loop, barrel roll, bootlegger reverse, mount as at
Challenging 20
no action
High-speed maneuvers, canyon runs, jumping
REFLEX DEX Formidable 25
obstacles

Your ability to react quickly to danger or in response to another

event, or to outrun an equally-fast runner. Use
Drive, Pilot, Ride.
Use Routine tasks, such as ordinary movement, don’t require a skill
Initiative, Movement, React. check. Make a check only when traveling in a dramatic situation
(being chased or attacked, for example, or trying to reach a
The DC to overcome your Reflex is 10 + your ranks in Reflex + destination in time).
your Dexterity score.
While piloting a vehicle, you can attempt simple maneuvers or
stunts.
Initiative
Your initiative in combat is determined by your Reflex check. Try Again
Most Vehicles checks have consequences for failure that make
Movement trying again impossible.

In any sort of foot-race with a character or creature with the same

ranks in the Speed FX as you, you can make an opposed Reflex
check to eek out a little extra speed and outrun your opponent.
React
In any situation where you must react quickly (such as to catch a
falling object, shutting your eyes before a medusa catches you with
her gaze, etc.), you compare your Reflex result to the DC. If your
Reflex check is greater than or equal to the DC, you are quick
enough to react in time.
Action
A vehicles check is one action.
Special
At the Gamemaster’s option, Vehicles may be further broken down
into more detailed categories requiring specialization, such as
airplanes, cars, motorcycles, boats, or mounts.

Try Again Challenges

You cannot retry a Reflex check, as by its very nature, a Reflex The following Challenge is appropriate for Vehicles checks:
check is meant to represent reacting to a situation at a moment's
notice.
One Hand on the Wheel
Action By taking a +5 Difficulty increase to your Vehicles check, you can
perform another action in the same round as your Vehicles check
A Reflex check is made as a reaction. You can spend one hero die with no penalty.
using its result in place of the 10, but you must do so before
learning the results of your Reflex check. If you choose to spend a
hero die this way, you must use its result, even it makes your
Reflex check worse.

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Constitution
ENDURANCE CON
Your stamina and ability to maintain activity for long periods of time.
Use
Brave the Elements, Extreme Activity, Forgo Food and Drink, Forgo
Sleep, Hold Your Breath, Prolonged Activity.
The time frames given in these examples uses are guidelines. The
GM should feel free to adjust the time needed between Endurance
checks to best suit the game and that particular challenge.
Extreme Activity
Each minute you spend engaged in intense activity, like running all-
out or actively swimming, you must make a DC 10 Endurance
check (+2 for each additional minute beyond the first). If you
succeed, you are in good shape to continue. If you fail, you move
one step down the Check Condition Track, suffering a -2 penalty to
future Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail again, or if you
fail by 5 or more, you move down an additional step down the
Check Condition chart, suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and
Constitution checks. If you fail a third time, or if you fail by 10 or
more, you fall unconscious and helpless. It takes an ten minutes of
rest to recovery from any conditions you may have suffered from
extreme activity (DC = 10 + 2 for each minute the activity lasted).
Forgo Food and Drink
Characters must eat and drink every day to stay healthy. If you go
for more than a day without eating or drinking, you must make a DC
10 Endurance check (+5 for each additional day beyond the first). If
you succeed, you are in good shape to continue. If you fail, each of
your physical ability scores is drained by 1 point. Note that if your
Strength or Dexterity are reduced below -5, you are unable to move
under your own power, and if your Constitution drops below -5, you
could die! You can only attempt to recover your drained ability
scores if you have nutritious food and drink. The recovery DC is
equal to 10 + 5 for each day you went without food.
Realistic Thirst
Alternatively, since most creatures need to consume much more
water than they do food, you can track each requirement
separately. For more realistic games, thirst should be checked
about two or three times as often as starvation. For thirst, to be
more realistic, you should check about three times a day. However,
it is up to the GM to determine when and how often to make these
checks.
Forgo Sleep
Characters must sleep for about eight hours every day to stay
fighting fit. If you go for more than a day without sleeping, you must
make a DC 10 Endurance check (+5 for each additional day
beyond the first). If you succeed, you are in good shape to continue
without sleep. If you fail, you move one step down the Check
Condition Track, suffering a -2 penalty to future Strength and
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
Constitution checks. If you fail again, or if you fail by 5 or more, you
move down an additional step down the Check Condition chart,
suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail
a third time, or if you fail by 10 or more, you fall unconscious and
helpless. It takes a good night's sleep (at least 8 hours) to recover
from fatigue due to staying up for prolonged periods (no check
required).
Hold Your Breath
Each round you spend holding your breath beyond your
Constitution score requires a DC 10 Endurance check (+2 for each
additional round beyond the first). If you succeed, you are in good
shape to continue. If you fail, you move one step down the Check
Condition Track, suffering a -2 penalty to future Strength and
Constitution checks. If you fail again, or if you fail by 5 or more, you
move down an additional step down the Check Condition chart,
suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail
a third time, or if you fail by 10 or more, you fall unconscious and
helpless (and you begin breathing normally again, which may be
dangerous if you are surrounded by a dangerous substance or
submerged in water). It takes one action of rest to recover from any
conditions you may have suffered from holding your breath (DC =
10 + 2 for each round you held your breath).
Prolonged Activity
Each hour you spend engaged in prolonged activity (such as a
forced march, treading water, etc.), you must make a DC 10
Endurance check (+2 for each additional hour beyond the first). If
you succeed, you are in good shape to continue. If you fail, you
move one step down the Check Condition Track, suffering a -2
penalty to future Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail again,
or if you fail by 5 or more, you move down an additional step down
the Check Condition chart, suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and
Constitution checks. If you fail a third time, or if you fail by 10 or
more, you fall unconscious and helpless. It takes an hour of rest to
recovery from any conditions you may have suffered from
prolonged activity (DC = 10 + 2 for each hour the activity lasted).
Brave the Elements
If caught in inclement weather (such as extreme heat or cold, or in
particularly heavy rain or wind), you must make a DC 10 Endurance
check (+2 for each additional hour beyond the first). If you succeed,
you are in good shape to continue. If you fail, you move one step
down the Check Condition Track, suffering a -2 penalty to future
Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail again, or if you fail by 5
or more, you move down an additional step down the Check
Condition chart, suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and Constitution
checks. If you fail a third time, or if you fail by 10 or more, you fall
unconscious and helpless. It takes an hour of rest to recovery from
any conditions you may have suffered from inclement weather (DC
= 10 + 2 for each hour you were exposed to the weather).
Action
Endurance checks are generally only required after an extended
period of activity, usually outside of combat. When called for,
Endurance checks don't require any action themselves.
2
 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

FORTITUDE CON, RESISTANCE the check fails, the character can make another in one hour, with a
+1 bonus for each failed check.
Your ability to resist attacks against your vitality and health such as
poison and disease.
Unconscious
Use Once per minute, characters can make a Recovery check (DC 10).
If successful, they erase the Unconscious damage box. If the check
fails, the character can make another in one minute, with a +1
Resistance.
bonus for each failed check. Dying characters must first stabilize
The DC to overcome your Fortitude is 10 + your ranks in Fortitude before they can recover from unconsciousness.
+ your Constitution score.

Try Again
Degrees of Success You cannot retry a failed Recovery check until the specified time
Certain effects might cause additional conditions if they exceed period elapses.
your Fortitude by 5 or more. See the individual effects for further
information.
Action
Try Again A Recovery check is usually made as a free action.

You cannot retry a Fortitude check.

Action
A Fortitude check is made as a reaction. You can spend one hero
die using its result in place of the 10, but you must do so before
learning the results of your Fortitude check. If you choose to spend
a hero die this way, you must use its result, even it makes your
Fortitude check worse.
Special
By default, you cannot purchase ranks in Recovery directly.
Instead, character need to purchase ranks in the Enhanced (Trait)
FX.
Option: Recovery and Human Characters

The increased ability to recover from injury within normal human

RECOVERY CON limits is usually covered well by simply having an improved
Constitution score, which adds to Recovery checks. Recovery, like
Toughness and Might, are really meant to represent strength and
durability which are just beyond normal human capability. For
Your ability to recover from injuries and ailments after succumbing most games, it is appropriate that ranks in these skills only be
to wounds and fatigue. available if bought via the Enhanced (Trait) FX.

Use
Recovery. Intelligence
With rest, characters can make Recovery checks (DC 10) to
recover from their damage conditions. The frequency of the checks ACADEMICS INT, REQUIRES TOOLS
is based on the severity of the condition. The Regeneration FX
speeds up a character's recovery checks. You are well-educated and can use your broad knowledge to
quickly answer questions or to analyze clues.

Injured
Once per hour of rest, characters can make a Recovery check (DC
Use
10). If successful, they erase one injured condition. If the check Investigate, Knowledges.
fails, the character can make another in one hour, with a +1 bonus
for each failed check. All characters recover at least one injured
condition per day. Investigate
You generally use Perception to find clues and Academics to
Staggered analyze them. If you have access to a crime lab, use the
Academics skill to collect and prepare samples for the lab.
Once per hour of rest, characters can make a Recovery check (DC
10). If successful, they erase the Staggered damage condition. If

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TABLE 3.11: INVESTIGATE MODIFIERS

Circumstances Modifier
Every day since event (max modifier +10) +2
Scene is outdoors +5
Scene slightly disturbed +2
Scene moderately disturbed +4
Scene extremely disturbed +6

Analyze Clue
You can make an Academics check to apply forensic knowledge to
a clue. This function of the Academics skill does not give you clues
where none exist. It simply allows you to extract information from a
clue you have found. The base DC to analyze a clue is 15. It is
modified by the time elapsed since the clue was left, and whether
or not the scene was disturbed. Success gives you information
based on the clue (as determined by the GM).

Collect Evidence
You can collect and prepare evidence for a lab. This use of
Academics requires an evidence kit. To collect a piece of evidence,
make an Academics check (DC 15). If the check succeeds, the
evidence is usable by a crime lab. If the check fails, a crime lab
analysis can be done, but the lab takes a –5 penalty on any
necessary check. If the check fails by 5 or more, the lab analysis
simply cannot be done. On the other hand, if the check succeeds
by 10 or more, the lab gains a +2 bonus on its checks to analyze
the material. This function of Academics does not provide you with
evidence. It simply allows you to collect evidence you have already
found in a manner that best aids in its analysis later.
Try Again
Knowledge Generally, analyzing a clue again doesn’t add new insight unless
another clue is introduced. Evidence collected cannot be
Make an Academics check to answer a question in one of the recollected, unless there is more of it to take.
following fields (which are mostly liberal arts):
For Knowledge, you cannot retry an Academics check. The check
• Art: Fine arts and graphic arts, including art history and artistic represents what a character knows, and thinking about a topic a
techniques. Antiques, modern art, photography, and second time doesn’t let you know something you didn’t know
performance art forms such as music and dance, among before. The GM may allow another Academics check if a character
others. gets access to a better source of information. For example, a
character who doesn’t know the answer to a particular question off-
• Business: Business procedures, investment strategies, and hand might get another check with access to a library or online
corporate structures. Bureaucratic procedures and how to database (and could take 10 on that check, depending on the
navigate them. circumstances).
• Civics: Law, legislation, litigation, and legal rights and
obligations. Political and governmental institutions and
processes. Action
• Current Events: Recent happenings in the news, sports,
Analyzing a clue takes two actions. Collecting evidence generally
politics, entertainment, and foreign affairs.
takes at least a minute. Knowledge can be a reaction, but otherwise
• History: Events, personalities, and cultures of the past. requires two actions.
Archeology and antiquities.

• Theology and Philosophy: Liberal arts, ethics, philosophical
concepts, and the study of religious faith, practice, and
experience.
The DC is 10 for easy questions, 15 for basic questions, and 20 to
30 for difficult questions. The GM may make a Academics roll for
you, so you don’t know whether or not your information is accurate.
Special
You can take 10 when making an Academics check for Knowledge.
You can take 20 on Knowledge with rigorous research and access
to the materials and time necessary to search out information in
such a manner.

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SCIENCE INT, REQUIRES TOOLS • Diagnosis (DC 10): You can diagnose injuries and ailments
with an eye toward treatment. At the GM’s discretion, a
successful diagnosis provides a +2 bonus on Medicine checks
You have training in one or more scientific disciplines, and you can
for treatment.
use your knowledge for ends such as inventing or treating the sick
and injured. • Provide Care (DC 15): Providing care means treating a
wounded person for a day or more or providing routine medical
treatment. If successful, the patient adds your Medicine rank to
Use any recovery checks. You can tend up to your skill rank in
patients at one time.
Craft, Knowledges, Medicine.
• Revive (DC 15): You can remove the dazed, stunned, or
unconscious conditions from a character. This check takes two
Craft action. A successful check removes one condition. You can’t
revive a dying character without stabilizing him first.
You can mix chemicals to create acids, drugs, explosives, poisons,
and so forth. To craft something effectively, you must have an • Stabilize (DC 15): For one action, a successful Medicine check
appropriate set of tools. stabilizes a dying character.

The difficulty and time required to make a particular item depends • Treat Disease (DC 15): You can tend a character infected with
on its complexity. If your campaign uses the optional rules for a disease. Every time the diseased character makes a
Wealth and Purchasing Equipment, you will have to make a Wealth recovery check against disease effects (after the initial
Check with a Difficulty Class 10 less than the Craft DC to acquire contamination), you make a Medicine check requiring 10
the necessary materials. If your Craft check succeeds, you have minutes. If your check succeeds, you provide a bonus on the
made the item. If the Craft check fails, you did not produce a usable character’s recovery check equal to your Science rank.
end result, and any materials are wasted. • Treat Poison (DC 15): You can tend a poisoned character.
When a poisoned character makes a recovery check against a
poison’s secondary effect, you make a Medicine check as a
Demolitions standard action. If the check succeeds, you provide a bonus on
Characters can use Science to make explosives. The detonator the character’s recovery check equal to your Science rank.
mechanism, however, requires a Technology check to create. • Surgery (DC 15-30): You can perform surgical operations. The
DC ranges from 15 for routine procedures to 30 or more for
tricky operations like heart or brain surgery.
TABLE 3.12: CRAFT TO CREATE CHEMICALS
Craft
Complexity Time Examples
DC
Aspirin, simple painkillers, simple
Try Again
Simple 15 1 hour
experiments For crafting, you may try again, although it may require new
Moderate 20 12 hours Drugs, complex experiments materials.
Advanced medicines or poisons, For Knowledge, you cannot retry a Science check. The check
Complex 25 24 hours
difficult experiments represents what a character knows, and thinking about a topic a
Cutting-edge chemicals, second time doesn’t let you know something you didn’t know
Advanced 30 60 hours before. The GM may allow another Science check if a character
groundbreaking experiments
gets access to a better source of information. For example, a
character who doesn’t know the answer to a particular question off-
hand might get another check with access to a library or online
Knowledge database (and could take 10 on that check, depending on the
circumstances).
Make a Science check to answer a question in one of the following
fields: For medicine checks to revive dazed, stunned, or unconscious
characters, and stabilizing dying characters, you may try again.
• Behavioral Sciences: Psychology, sociology, and criminology.
• Earth Sciences: Geology, geography, oceanography, and

•
paleontology.
Life Sciences: Biology, botany, genetics, medicine, and
forensics.
• Physical Sciences: Astronomy, chemistry, mathematics,
physics, and engineering.
The DC is 10 for easy questions, 15 for basic questions, and 20 to
30 for difficult questions. The GM may make a Science roll for you,
so you don’t know whether or not your information is accurate.
Action
The time to make something varies according on its complexity.
The Gamemaster may increase or decrease the time for a
particular project as necessary. You can cut the time for making or
repairing an item in half by taking a –5 penalty (see Challenges,
below). Knowledge can be a reaction, but otherwise requires two
actions. Medicine checks take time based on the task, as described
above.

Medicine
The DC and effect depend on the task.

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Special TABLE 3.14: SECURITY MODIFIERS

Modifier Security Difficulty
You can take 10 when crafting, but can’t take 20 since doing so -10 Epic Almost impossible to hack or reprogram
represents multiple attempts, and you use up raw materials with
each attempt. If you don’t have the proper tools, you take a –5 -5 Excellent Very difficult to hack or reprogram
penalty on Craft checks. -2 Very Good Challenging to hack or reprogram
You can take 10 when making an Science check for Knowledge. +0 Good Average difficulty to hack or reprogram
You can take 20 on Knowledge with rigorous research and access +2 Fair Relatively easy to hack or reprogram
to the materials and time necessary to search out information in +5 Poor Easy to hack or reprogram
such a manner.
+10 None Simplistic to hack or reprogram
You can take 10 when making a Science check for Medicine. You
can take 20 only when giving long-term care or attempting to revive
dazed, stunned, or unconscious characters. TECHNOLOGY INT, REQUIRES TOOLS
If you do not have the appropriate medical equipment, you take a –
5 penalty on your Science check for Medicine. You understand technology and electronics, like computers,
machines, and similar complicated devices.
You can use the Science skill on yourself only to diagnose, provide
care, or treat disease or poison with Medicine. You take a –5
penalty on checks when treating yourself.
Use
Computers, Craft, Knowledges.
Extended
Normal use of Science for crafting resembles an extended check in
many ways. If you want, you can replace the standard crafting rules
Computers
with an extended check. In this case, a single failed check doesn’t Most normal computer operations—using software, getting your e-
ruin the project; instead, rolling three failures before achieving the mail—don’t require a Technology check and can be done untrained.
requisite number of successes does. However, searching an unfamiliar network for a particular file,
writing programs, altering existing programs to perform differently,
The GM might require an extended Science skill check to treat a
and breaking computer security all require skill checks (and
particularly virulent disease or similar complex medical condition
training).
with Medicine.

Craft
Challenges
The following Challenge appropriate for Science checks:
TABLE 3.15: CRAFT TO CREATE ITEMS
Craft
Complexity Time Examples
DC
Fast Work Simple 15 1 hour
Electronic timer or detonator,
tripwire trap, bookcase
You may add +5 or +10 to the indicated Difficulty Class to craft Radio direction finder, lock, engine
something. This increase allows you to make the item faster than Moderate 20 12 hours
component, shed, furniture
usual, reducing the time to half or one-quarter normal, respectively.
Cell phone, combustion engine,
Complex 25 24 hours
bunker
Advanced 30 60 hours Computer, jet engine, building
TABLE 3.13: COMPUTER MODIFIERS
Modifier Action Possible Options You can build electronic items or mechanical items. To craft
The device cannot function in this way effectively, you must have an appropriate set of tools.
-10 Difficult
normally (Detonate a security camera) The difficulty and time required to make a particular item depends
The device doesn’t usually work this way. on its complexity. If your campaign uses the optional rules for
-5 Challenging
(Fill a radio with static to deafen the enemy) Wealth and Purchasing Equipment, you will have to make a Wealth
The device can work this way, but not well. Check with a Difficulty Class 10 less than the Craft DC to acquire
+0 Average the necessary materials . If your Technology check succeeds, you
(Hack a network with a PDA)
have made the item. If the Technology check fails, you did not
The device can function fairly well in this
produce a usable end result, and any materials are wasted.
+5 Easy way. (Activate automated guns in the base
to fire on the enemy)
The device is designed to function in exactly Repairing Items
+10 Simplistic this way. (Turn on automatic lights in a You can use the Technology skills to repair damaged electronic or
room) mechanical items. The GM sets the DC. In general, simple repairs
have a DC of 10 to 15 and require no more than a few minutes.

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TABLE 3.16: CRAFT TO REPAIR ITEMS
Craft
Complexity Time Examples
DC
Simple 10 1 minute Tool, simple weapon
Mechanical or electronic
Moderate 15 10 minutes
component
Complex 20 1 hour Mechanical or electronic device
Cutting-edge mechanical or
Advanced 25 10 hours
electronic device
More complex repair work has a DC of 20 or higher and can require
an hour or more.
Jury-Rigging
You can also attempt jury-rigged, or temporary, repairs. Doing this
reduces the DC by 5 from that of a regular repair, and allows you to
make the check for two actions. However, a jury-rigged repair can
only fix a single problem, and the repair only lasts until the end of
the current encounter. The jury-rigged item must be fully repaired
after, and cannot be jury-rigged again until it is fully repaired. You
can also use jury-rigging to hot-wire a car or jump-start an engine
or electronic device. The DC for this is at least 15, and can be
higher depending on the presence of security devices.
Demolitions
Creating the explosive itself is a Science check, but it requires a
Technology check to prepare it for actual detonation.
Setting a simple explosive to blow up at a certain spot doesn’t
require a check, but connecting and setting a detonator does. Also,
placing an explosive for maximum effect against a structure calls
for a check, as does disarming an explosive device. Most
explosives require a detonator to go off (which requires a
Technology check DC 10 to attach)). Failure means the explosive
fails to go off as planned. Failure by 10 or more means the
explosive goes off as the detonator is being installed. You can
make an explosive more difficult to disarm. To do so, choose the
disarm DC before making your check to set the detonator (it must
be higher than 10). Your DC to set the detonator is equal to the
disarm DC. Disarming an explosive requires a Technology check.
The DC is usually 10, unless the person who set the detonator
chose a higher disarm DC. If you fail the check, you do not disarm
the explosive. If you fail by 5 or more, the explosive goes off.
Setting or disarming a detonator is two actions. Carefully placing an
explosive against a fixed structure can maximize the damage by
exploiting vulnerabilities in the construction. This requires at least a
minute and a Technology check. The GM makes the check (so you
don’t know exactly how well you have done until the explosive goes
off). On a result of 15 or higher, the explosive deals +5 damage to
the structure. On a result of 25 or higher, it deals +10 damage. In all
cases, it deals normal damage to all other targets within its blast
radius.
Knowledge
Make a Technology check to answer a question about electronic or
mechanical devices. The DC is 10 for easy questions, 15 for basic
questions, and 20 to 30 for difficult questions. The GM may make a
Technology roll for you, so you don’t know whether or not your
information is accurate.
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Action
Technology requires at least two actions action to work a computer.
The GM may determine some tasks require several rounds, a few
minutes, or longer, as described above.
The time to make something varies according on its complexity.
The Gamemaster may increase or decrease the time for a
particular project as necessary. You can cut the time for making or
repairing an item in half by taking a –5 penalty (see Challenges,
below). Knowledge can be a reaction, but otherwise requires two
actions.
Try Again
So long as you have access to the system, you can (in theory) try
Technology checks for computers again indefinitely. However, many
systems defend against repeated intrusions by increasing security.
Your GM may increase the penalty from security modifiers to
represent this.
For crafting, you may try again, although it may require new
materials.
For Knowledge, you cannot retry a Science check. The check
represents what a character knows, and thinking about a topic a
second time doesn’t let you know something you didn’t know
before. The GM may allow another Science check if a character
gets access to a better source of information. For example, a
character who doesn’t know the answer to a particular question off-
hand might get another check with access to a library or online
database (and could take 10 on that check, depending on the
circumstances).
Extended
The GM might simulate long and involved programming or hacks
for an extended period of time with an extended Technology check.
Normal use of Technology to craft something resembles an
extended check in many ways. If you want, you can replace the
standard craft rules with an extended check. In this case, a single
failed check doesn’t ruin the project; instead, rolling three failures
before achieving the requisite number of successes does.
Special
You can take 10 when using the Technology skill to work with
computers. You can take 20 in some cases, but not those involving
a penalty for failure. (You cannot take 20 to defeat computer
security or defend security, for example.)
You can take 10 when using Technology to craft something, but
can’t take 20 since doing so represents multiple attempts, and you
use up raw materials with each attempt. You can take 10 or 20 on
repair checks. If you don’t have the proper tools, you take a –5
penalty on Technology checks to craft something.
You can take 10 when making an Technology check for Knowledge.
You can take 20 on Knowledge with rigorous research and access
to the materials and time necessary to search out information in
such a manner.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

Challenges TABLE 3.17: CONCENTRATION

Distraction DC
The following Challenge appropriate for Technology checks: Damaged during the action damage
continuous
Taking continuous damage during the action damage last
Fast Work dealt
You may add +5 or +10 to the indicated Difficulty Class to craft Maintain a Concentration FX as one action 10 + FX rank
something. This increase allows you to make the item faster than
Maintain a Sustained FX as a reaction 10 + FX rank
usual, reducing the time to half or one-quarter normal, respectively.
Vigorous motion (bouncy vehicle ride, small boat
in rough water, below decks in a storm-tossed 10

Wisdom
ship, riding a horse)
Violent motion (very rough vehicle ride, small
boat in rapids, on deck of storm-tossed ship, 15
galloping horse)
EXPERTISE WIS, SPECIALIZATION
Extraordinarily violent motion (earthquake) 20
You have some familiarity with things that other people might call Entangled (such as by a snare) 15
“impossible” or “supernatural”, knowledge you most certainly didn’t Bound, grappling, or pinned 20
gain in a traditional school.
Weather is a high wind carrying blinding rain or
5
sleet
Use Weather is wind-driven hail, dust, or debris 10

Concentration, Identify FX, Knowledges.

Expertise is used to identify and analyze FX of a certain relatively
broad descriptor. It is a catch-all term for general experience and
familiarity of a field which really doesn’t exist in a world without
such FX. Some examples include:
• Extra-Terrestrial: Alien technology, species, abilities. You are
familiar with visitors from other planets and their capabilities.
• Magic: Necromancy, enchantment, fae. You are able to
differentiate between types of magic and identify spells, as well
as different magical creatures.
• Martial Arts: Sword-fighting, kung-fu, karate, fencing. You can
identify different moves and styles.
• Occult: Incantations, otherworldly monsters, forbidden lore. You
know the supernatural, and can recognize creatures not of his
world and eldritch secrets man was not meant to know.
• Psionics: Telekinesis, telepathy, clairsentience. You are familiar
with different psychic disciplines and the powers they wield.
Identify FX
On your next turn after another creature utilizes an FX with one of
the above descriptors, you may use Expertise to identify the FX.
You must have been able to perceive the FX in some way (so FX
which have the subtle FX feat require a Perception check to
identify, and FX with two ranks of subtle might require a specialized
sense to be able to perceive. The DC to identify an FX is equal to
10 + the FX’s rank. If you succeed on the check, you can glean
some useful information.
Succeed By 5 or More
If your result exceeds the DC by 5 or more, you can identify how
many ranks the FX has.
Succeed By 10 or More
If your result exceeds the DC by 10 or more, you know the full
capabilities of the FX, including other Extras, Flaws, Drawbacks, or
FX feats it might have.
Informed Combatant
If you have the Informed Combatant feat, you can grant yourself
and your allies bonuses against FX which you have identified.
Concentration
Make an Expertise check to concentrate whenever you might be
distracted (by taking damage, by harsh weather, and so on) while
engaged in some action requiring your full attention, maintaining an
FX with a Concentration or Sustained duration. If the check
succeeds, you may continue with the action. If the check fails, the
action fails. The DC depends on the nature of the distraction. You
may only use Expertise from one specialty to apply to checks
involving that specialty. So a martial artist can use Expertise to
maintain concentration during intense melee combat, or a wizard
with Expertise (magic) can do so to maintain magical FX, but the
martial artist couldn't use Expertise (Martial Arts) to maintain a
magical spell (though he could use the skill for such a purpose non-
proficiently).

Succeed
If your result exceeds the DC, you can identify the type of FX
(including all FX components Linked in the FX), including extra
descriptors (if not already obvious). This does not tell you about
how powerful the FX is in terms of how many ranks it has.
Knowledge
Make an Expertise check to answer a question about a descriptor
you’ve specialized in. The DC is 10 for easy questions, 15 for basic
questions, and 20 to 30 for difficult questions. The GM may make
an Expertise roll for you, so you don’t know whether or not your

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
information is accurate.
Try Again
You cannot retry an Expertise check. The check represents what a
character knows, and thinking about a topic a second time doesn’t
let you know something you didn’t know before. The GM may
allowanother Expertise check if a character gets access to a better
source of information, or for Identifying and FX, seeing that FX
used again. For example, a character who doesn’t know what a
particular magic spell is off-hand might get another check after
seeing it cast a few more times, or after being able to study some
more arcane lore.
You may retry your check to Concentrate, although a success
doesn’t cancel the effects of a previous failure, such as the
disruption of an action you were concentrating on.
Action
Identifying an FX takes one action, and can only be used on the
round after an FX was used. Knowledge can be a reaction, but
otherwise requires two actions. Making a check to Concentrate
doesn’t require an action; it is either a reaction (when attempted in
response to a distraction) or a free action (when attempted
actively).
Special
You can take 10 when making an Expertise check for Knowledge,
but not to Identify an FX.
PERCEPTION WIS, RESISTANCE
Use this skill to notice and find things, whether hearing at a great
distance, finding half-buried under a bed, or in the honeyed words
of an enemy.
Use
Notice (Each Sense), Search, Sense Motive.
The DC to overcome your Perception Resistance is 10 + your ranks
in Perception + your Wisdom score.
Notice
Make a skill check to notice something. Perception checks
generally suffer a penalty of –1 per 10 feet between you and the
thing you’re trying to notice. If you’re distracted, you take a –5
penalty on Perception checks. Making out details—such as clearly
hearing conversation or reading text—requires you to exceed the
DC by 10 or more.
Listen (auditory)
Make a check against a DC based on how loud the noise is or
against an opposed Infiltration check. A normal conversation is DC
0, a quiet noise DC 10. Listening through a door is +5 DC, +15 for a
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solid wall. While you’re asleep, hearing something well enough to
wake up is +10 DC.
Spot (visual)
Make a check against a DC based on how visible the object is or
against an opposed Infiltration check. Spot is also used to detect
someone in disguise, or to notice a concealed object.
Other Senses
You can make Perception checks involving other sense types as
well as various special senses (see Enhanced Senses). Noticing
something obvious to a sense is DC 0. Less obvious things are DC
10 or so, hidden things DC 20 or more, and making out details
requires you to exceed the DC by 10 or more.
Search
You must be within 10 feet (one range increment) of the area. You
can examine a 5-foot-by-5-foot area or a volume of goods 5 feet on
a side with a single check.
Search can turn up things like footprints, but does not allow you to
follow tracks (see Tracking).
TABLE 3.18: SEARCH
Task DC
Ransack an area to find a certain object. 10
Notice a secret compartment, a simple trap, or an obscure
20
clue.
Find a well-hidden secret compartment or trap, or an
25+
extremely obscure clue.
Finding Concealed Objects
The DC to search for a concealed object is usually based on the
Stealth or Slight of Hand check of the character who hid it. The GM
can assume characters with the time take 20 on their check to
conceal an object.
Surveillance
You can use Search to set up surveillance of a particular area,
watching from a stationary location. The DC of the subject’s
Infiltration check to evade your notice is equal to the result of your
Search check.
Extended Searches
Certain FX—notably ESP, Quickness, and Enhanced Senses—
greatly extend the area you can search at once. When searching
for something over an extended area, use the following guidelines.
Determine the area’s approximate diameter. For each step up the
Extended Range Table (starting at 10 feet for twice the normal
Search area), move the time required to search the area one step
up the Time and Value Progression Table (starting at one minute,
the interval above a full round). You can reduce the time required
for an extended search by increasing the DC of the Search check:
each step down the Time and Value Progression Table, to a
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
minimum of a full round, is +5 DC. The Quickness FX can also
reduce the time for an extended search. You can take 10 and take
20 on extended searches. Taking 20 requires 20 times the base
time to search the area, and you can’t reduce the time by
increasing the DC if you take 20.
Sense Motive
A successful Sense Motive check allows you to avoid the effects of
some interaction skills. You can also use the skill to tell when
someone is behaving oddly or to assess their trustworthiness.
Evaluate
You can use this skill to make an assessment of a social situation.
With a successful check (DC 20), you can get a feeling when
something is wrong. You can also tell if someone is trustworthy and
honorable (or not) with an opposed Perception and Persuasion
check.
Notice Influence
You can make a Sense Motive check to notice someone acting
under the influence of a mental FX. The DC is 10 + the FX’s rank.
Notice Innuendo
You can use Sense Motive to detect a hidden message transmitted
via the Persuasion skill (DC equal to the check result). If your check
result beats the DC, you understand the secret message. If your
check fails by 5 or more, you misinterpret the message in some
fashion. If you are not the intended recipient of the message, your
DC increases by 5.
Resist Interaction
Make a Sense Motive check to resist or ignore the effects of certain
interaction skills, such as Persuasion. If the result of your check
exceeds your opponent’s check result, you are unaffected.
Try Again
You can make a Notice check every time you have the opportunity
to notice something new. As a move action, you can attempt to
notice something you failed (or believe you failed) to notice
previously.
For Sense Motive, you cannot try again, though you can make a
Perception check for each interaction attempt against you.
Action
A Notice check is either a reaction (if called for by the GM) or one
action (if you take the time to try and notice something).
A Search check takes two actions.
A Sense Motive check may be made as a reaction to notice or
resist something. (When that’s the case, the GM may roll the Sense
Motive check in secret, so you don’t know if there’s something to
notice or not.) Using Sense Motive to evaluate a person or situation
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
takes at least 1 minute.
Special
When several characters try to notice the same thing, the GM can
make a single d20 roll and use it for all the characters’ skill checks.
Various sensory effects provide modifiers on Notice checks (see
Enhanced Senses).
Taking 20 on a Notice check means you spend 1 minute attempting
to notice something that may or may not be there.
Extended
Most uses of Sense Motive are simple checks, but the GM can
allow extended checks in situations similar to those described for
Persuasion.
Certain hidden items might require an extended Search check,
particularly if they are obscured with layers of concealment. An
extended Search can also represent searching a large area for
something.
Challenges
The following Challenges are appropriate for Perception checks:
Accurate
In return for a –5 penalty to your Perception check, you can treat a
normally inaccurate sense (such as hearing) as accurate for one
round. A successful check tells you the exact spot a subject
occupies. A failed check means you don’t notice anything.
Lip Reading
By careful observation of the movements of someone’s mouth and
lips, you can tell what he is saying. Lip reading is a +5 increase to
the DC of your Perception check. You must be within three Notice
range increments of the speaker and be able to accurately see him
speak. You must also be able to understand the speaker’s
language. You have to concentrate on reading lips for a full minute
before making the check, and can’t perform some other action
during this time. You can move at half speed but not any faster, and
must maintain a line of sight to the lips being read. If the check
succeeds, you understand the general content of a minute’s worth
of speech, but may still miss certain details. If the check fails, you
can’t read the speaker’s lips. If the check fails by 5 or more, you
draw some incorrect conclusion about the speech. The GM rolls the
Perception check so you don’t know whether you succeeded or
failed and therefore don’t know whether or not any information you
picked up is accurate. You can spend a hero die to re-roll a lip
reading attempt, but you do so “blind,” not knowing what the
original die roll result was (and therefore whether or not you can do
better). You can retry a failed attempt at lip reading once per
minute.
Read Situation
For every +5 you increase the DC of your Perception check to
Sense Motive, you learn one fact about the situation at hand when
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

evaluating a situation. The GM may tell you things like someone’s TABLE 3.19: NAVIGATION
apparent goal(s), the nature of an interaction, and so forth.
Task DC
Get along in an area. Move up to half your overland speed
SURVIVAL WIS, SPECIALIZATION while hunting and foraging (no food or water supplies needed).
10
You can provide food and water for one other person for every
2 points your check result exceeds 10.
You are experienced in traveling, living, navigating, and generally
surviving in a particular type of environment. Gain a +2 bonus on Fortitude against severe weather while
moving up to half your speed, or a +4 bonus if stationary. You
15
may grant the same bonus to one other character for every
Use point your check result exceeds 15.
Avoid getting lost and avoid hazards, such as quicksand or
Get By, Knowledges, Navigate, Reconnaissance. 20
gangs.
You can get by in a particular environment. You may use Survival in
that type of environment to sustain yourself, and to navigate the
environment. Choose one of the following environments:
• Aquatic: Coastal communities, underwater, ship-board.
• Desert: Areas of excessive heat and little moisture. Reconnaissance
• Forest: Woodlands with thick tree growth. Survival can be used to gather information about an area or a
person/creature in the area. This may include checking for tracks,
• Marsh: Wetlands with growth and decay. watching the weather, bar-hopping to get information, or getting in
• Mountains: High elevations and steep inclines. on the gossip at the hair dresser's.
General information concerns local happenings, rumors, gossip,
• Plains: Long stretches of flat, level land.
and the like. Specific information usually relates to a particular
• Rural: Sparsely populated communities. question. Restricted information isn’t generally known and requires
you to locate someone with access to the information. Protected
• Underground: Sewers, caverns, and catacombs. information is even harder to come by and might involve some
• Urban: Cities and large population centers. danger, either for the one asking the questions or the one providing
the answers. There’s a chance someone takes note of anyone
asking about restricted or protected information. The GM decides
when this is the case. In some situations, opposed Survival checks
Get By are appropriate to see if someone else notices your inquiries (and
Survival can be used to cover a wide number of different checks in you notice theirs). If you accept a –20 modifier on your check total,
an environment. Someone skilled at mountain survival is probably your inquiries avoid any notice.
experienced at climbing, for instance, and someone in who
understands underground survival or spelunking is probably fair as
squeezing through small spaces. Survival is very useful for Finding Subjects
accomplishing tasks normally covered by other skills in your You can use Survival to track down someone or something. Make a
favored environment. However, as described earlier in the section, Survival check to pick up your target’s trail and another for each
these are considered non-proficient skill attempts, so you may use hour you search, or when the trail becomes difficult to follow, such
only half your ranks in these checks. as when it moves to a different area of town. The DC and number
of Survival checks required to find your target depend on the size of
the community, as given on the table. For every 5 points you
Knowledge
Make a Survival check to answer a question about an area you’ve TABLE 3.20: RECONNAISSANCE
specialized in. This may include questions about what food is edible
in the wild, where to sleep in a bad part of town, or legends about Type of Information DC
the haunted house on the hill in suburbia. The DC is 10 for easy General 10
questions, 15 for basic questions, and 20 to 30 for difficult Specific 15
questions. The GM may make a Survival roll for you, so you don’t
know whether or not your information is accurate. Restricted 20
Protected 25
TABLE 3.21: FINDING PEOPLE
Navigate Community Size Checks Required DC
You can use Survival to navigate and avoid hazards. The DC is 10 Village 1 5
if you have the proper tools (a map, a compass, or GPS), 15 if you Town 2 10
have no tools, and 20 if you are also avoiding environmental
hazards (quicksand, gullies, reefs, gangs, etc.). City 3 15
Metropolis 4 20

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exceed the DC, you reduce the required number of checks by one,
to a minimum of one. So a Survival result of 35 allows you to locate
anyone in a vast metropolis in an hour’s time. The DCs on the table
assume the subject isn’t making any special effort to hide. People
trying not to be found add Survival or Infiltration bonus to the DC to
find them so long as they keep a low profile.
Try Again
Each additional Reconnaissance check requires additional time for
each check, and you may draw attention to yourself if you
repeatedly pursue a certain type of information.
For Knowledge, you cannot retry a Survival check. The check
represents what a character knows, and thinking about a topic a
second time doesn’t let you know something you didn’t know
before. The GM may allow another Survival check if a character
clues about the information you seek. If your check fails, you may
be detected as normal, but you still avoid spreading clues about
what you were trying to find.
Gossip
When asking around for some needed information, you are willing
to delve into the not-always-true world of the gossip-hounds. You
may retry a gather information check as a free action (rather than
the normal time) at a -5 penalty to your check. The GM may choose
to roll this for you to keep the result secret. If the check is
successful, you gain the needed information. If it fails, you instead
game some false information. You generally can’t use Sense
Motive to determine whether or not this information is false, since
gossip tends to get unintentionally distorted through each retelling.

Charisma
gets access to a better source of information. For example, a
character who doesn’t know the answer to a particular question off-
hand might get another check with access to a library or online
database (and could take 10 on that check, depending on the
circumstances).
ART CHA

You can create art, whether it be a physical piece like a sculpture or

a painting, or a performance, such as music or acting.
Action
Knowledge can be a reaction, but otherwise requires two actions.
Reconnaissance takes at least an hour, possibly several, at the
Use
GM’s discretion. You can cut the time for a Reconnaissance check Creating Art, Disguise.
in half by taking a –5 penalty.
TABLE 3.22: ARTISTIC WORK
Check
Special Work
Result
Amateur work. Audience appreciates your art, but
You can take 10 when making an Survival check for any use, but 10
isn’t impressed.
you cannot take 20.
Routine work. Audience enjoys your art, but it isn’t
15
exceptional.

Extended Great work. Audience impressed.

Memorable work. Audience enthusiastic.
20
25
Reconnaissance allows characters to get a general impression of Masterful work. Audience awed. 30
the news or find the answer to a specific question. As long as the
character only has a few questions or rumors to follow up on, a
simple skill check should be used. In situations where heroes are Creating Art
following a half dozen or more leads, the GM might want to use one
extended skill check to resolve the information-gathering attempt. In The quality of your work depends on your check result. Your art
this case, the number of successes required equals the number of may include:
leads or questions pursued, and the GM determines the number of • Acting: You can perform drama, comedy, or action-oriented
failures that can ruin the extended check. In an extended Survival roles with some level of skill.
check for Reconnaissance, each die roll represents 2 hours spent
pursuing the investigation. • Comedy: You are a comedian, capable of performing a stand-
up routine for an audience.
An extended Survival check might be required for long-term
survival in a particular climate or terrain. • Drawing: You can use a pen or pencil and paper to create art.
• Dance: You are a dancer, capable of performing rhythmic and
patterned movements to music.
Challenges • Keyboards: You can play keyboard instruments, such as piano,
The following Challenges are appropriate for Survival checks: organ, and synthesizer.
• Oratory: You can deliver effective speeches and monologues.

Discrete Inquiry • Painting: You can use oil and watercolor to create paintings.

While looking for news and information, you keep a low profile. You • Percussion Instruments: You can play percussion instruments,
increase your Survival check DC by +5, but you avoid leaving any such as drums, cymbals, triangle, xylophone, and tambourine.

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•
•
Sculpture: You can shape clay, stone, or wood into works of art.
Singing: You can sing with some level of skill.
Action
An Art check usually requires at least several minutes to an hour or
• Stringed Instruments: You can play stringed instruments, such more.
as banjo, guitar, harp, and violin.
Disguising requires at least 10 minutes of preparation. The GM
• Wind Instruments: You can play wind instruments, such as makes Perception checks for those who encounter you immediately
flute, bugle, trumpet, tuba, bagpipes, and trombone. upon meeting you and again each hour or day thereafter,
depending on circumstances.

Disguise
Many actors and artists are quite skilled at changing their Special
appearance. Your check result determines the effectiveness of the
disguise. It is opposed by others’ Perception check results. Make You can take 10 when making an Art check, but can’t take 20.
one Art check even if several people make Perception checks. The Performances requiring musical instruments are manipulation skills.
GM makes the check secretly so you are not sure how well your If you don’t have an appropriate instrument you automatically fail
disguise will hold up under scrutiny. If you don’t draw any attention any check requiring it. At the GM’s discretion, impromptu
to yourself, others don’t get to make Perception checks. If you instruments may be employed, but you take a –5 penalty on the
come to the attention of people who are suspicious, they get to check.
make a Perception check. (The GM can assume suspicious You can take 10 or take 20 when assuming a disguise. If you don’t
observers take 10 on their Perception checks if they have time to have a disguise kit you take a –5 penalty on the check.
observe you.) The effectiveness of your disguise depends in part on
how much you attempt to change your appearance. You can help someone else create a disguise, treating it as an aid
attempt.
TABLE 3.23: DISGUISE MODIFIERS
Disguise Modifier
Minor details only +5 Challenges
Appropriate uniform or costume +2 The following Challenges are appropriate for Art checks:
Disguised as different sex -2
Disguised as a different race -2
Disguised as different age category -2 Face in the Crowd
With a –5 penalty to your check result, you can craft a disguise that
If you are impersonating a particular individual, those who know the is less likely to draw attention. Only people who specifically single
subject automatically get to make Perception checks. Furthermore, you out and try to notice your deception receive Perception checks
they get a bonus on the check. to do so. Guards and other passive observers take no special
notice of you unless you draw attention to yourself or interact
TABLE 3.24: FAMILIARITY MODIFIERS directly with them.
Familiarity Bonus
Recognizes on sight +4 Quick Change
Friend or associate +6
You can adopt a disguise as a full-round action by taking a –5
Close friend +8
penalty to your check. However, anyone who comes within one
Intimate +10 visual range increment of you (usually 10 feet) automatically sees
through your disguise due to its hurried and makeshift nature.
Usually, an individual makes a Perception check to detect a
disguise immediately upon meeting you and each hour thereafter. If
you casually meet many different people, each for a short time, the
GM checks once per day or hour, using an average Perception PERSUASION CHA
modifier for the group (assuming they take 10). This check includes
convincing others that you are, in fact, the person you say you are,
through acting and performance. However, for actually trying to
persuade other characters, a persuasion check is required.
You know how to convince others to see things your way.

Try Again
You may not for the same artistic work and audience, nor may you
try again on a disguise. You can assume the same disguise again
at a later time. If others saw through the previous disguise, they are
automatically treated as suspicious if you assume the same
disguise again.
Use
Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate.
You can convince an NPC to accept a proposal of yours, depending
on just how beneficial (or detrimental) the proposal is for the NPC
and how the NPC views you to begin with. The better the proposal

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and the better your relationship with the NPC, the more likely the
NPC is to accept your offer. Make a persuasion check opposed by
your opponent’s Perception or Will (whichever is higher). If you
succeed, the NPC accepts your offer.
Diversion
You can use Bluff to help you hide. A successful Persuasion check
gives you the momentary diversion needed to attempt an Infiltration
check while people are aware of you.

TABLE 3.25: PROPOSAL MODIFIERS

Modifier Proposal Possible Actions Trick
There is no way for the NPC to benefit at all You can use Bluff to mislead an opponent in combat so he can't
-10 Horrible from this offer; Outlandish lie (Dust bunny for a avoid your attacks as effectively. If your Persuasion check
car) succeeds, you might be able to Gain Combat Advantage.
Too much risk for too little gain; Hard to
-5 Poor
believe lie (Flirt your way into a secure area)
No real risk or reward; a reasonably believable
Innuendo
+0 Even
bluff (Ask for public knowledge) You can use Bluff to send secret messages while apparently talking
Good reward, tolerable risk; The target wants about other things. The DC for a basic message is 10. Complex
+5 Good to believe your bluff (Offer good money to use messages or messages trying to communicate new information
the employee bathroom) have DCs of 15 or 20, respectively. The recipient of the message
must make a Perception check against the same DC to understand
Great reward, minimal risk; Very reasonable
it. Anyone listening in on a secret message can also attempt a
+10 Fantastic lie backed up by “evidence” (The keys to your
Perception check. If successful, the eavesdropper realizes a secret
sports car for a candy bar)
message is contained in the communication. If the eavesdropper
TABLE 3.26: INTERACTION MODIFIERS beats the DC by 5 or more, he understands the secret message.
Modifier Attitude Possible Actions Whether trying to send or pick up a message, a failure by 5 or more
means the receiver misinterprets the message in some fashion.
Will do anything to hurt you (Fight to the
-10 Nemesis
death or obsess over hurting you)

-5 Hostile
Will take risks to hurt or avoid you (Attack,
interfere, berate, flee)
Wishes you ill (Mislead, gossip, avoid, watch
-2 Unfriendly
suspiciously, insult)
+0 Indifferent Doesn’t much care (Act as socially expected)
Wishes you well (Chat, advise, offer limited
+2 Friendly
help, advocate)
Will take risks to help you (Protect, back up,
+5 Helpful
heal, aid)
Will do anything for you (Fight to the death
+10 Fanatic
under overwhelming odds)
Bluff
Bluff is opposed by the target’s Perception check when trying to con
or mislead. Favorable and unfavorable circumstances weigh
heavily on the outcome of a bluff. Two circumstances can work
against you: the bluff is hard to believe, or the action the bluff
requires goes against the target’s self-interest, nature, personality,
orders, or allegiance.
If it’s important, the GM can distinguish between a bluff that fails
because the target doesn’t believe it and one that fails because it
asks too much. For instance, if the target gets a +10 bonus
because the bluff demands something risky, and the Perception
check succeeds by 10 or less, then the target didn’t so much see
through the bluff as prove reluctant to go along with it. If the target’s
Perception check succeeds by 11 or more, he has seen through the
bluff, and would have succeeded even if it had not placed unusual
demand on him (that is, even without the +10 bonus).
A successful Perception check indicates the target reacts as you
want, at least for a short time (usually 1 round or less), or believes
what you say.
Trick
You can use Bluff to mislead an opponent into taking a potentially
unwise action, such as trying to hit you while you are standing in
front of an electrical junction box or at the edge of a precipice. If
your Bluff check succeeds, your opponent is heedless of the
potential danger and may hit the junction box or lose his balance
and fall, if his attack against you fails. (On the other hand, if the
attack succeeds, it might slam you into the junction box or send you
flying off the edge.)
Intimidate
Make an Intimidate check, opposed by the target’s Perception
check or Will resistance (whichever has the highest bonus). If your
check succeeds, you may treat the target as friendly, but only for
actions taken in your presence. (That is, the target retains his
normal attitude, but will talk, advise, offer limited help, or advocate
on your behalf while intimidated.) The target cooperates, but won’t
necessarily obey your every command or do anything that would
directly endanger him. If you perform some action that makes you
more imposing, you gain a +2 bonus on your Persuasion check. If
your target clearly has a superior position, you suffer a –2 penalty
on your Intimidate check. Fanatics get a +20 bonus on checks to
resist being intimidated. If your Intimidate check fails by 5 or more,
the target may actually do the opposite of what you want.
Demoralizing in Combat
You can use Intimidate in combat to demoralize an opponent,
shaking their confidence. Make an Intimidate check as one action.
If it succeeds, your target is shaken (–2 on all attack rolls and
checks) for one round.

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Interrogation
You can use Intimidate to get people to tell you things. If your check
succeeds, the target spills the information.
Intimidating Groups
You can intimidate a group of people—who can all see and hear
you—with a single check. If the group clearly has you at a
disadvantage, you suffer the usual –2 penalty on your Persuasion
check. Each member of the group rolls separately, although the GM
may choose to roll once for groups of minions. Compare your check
result against each check result from the group. You cannot
demoralize a group.
Try Again
Generally, trying again doesn’t work. Even if the initial check
succeeds, the other character can only be persuaded so far. If the
initial check fails, the other character has probably become more
firmly committed to his position, and trying again is futile. At the
GM’s discretion, you can try again when the situation changes in
some way: you find a new approach to your argument, new
evidence appears, the circumstances change in your favor and so
forth.
When feinting or tricking in combat, you can try again freely, but
targets get a cumulative +1 bonus to resist each time you try to bluff
them in combat after the first. You can Intimidate in combat freely
until you fail, after which the target is no longer intimidated by you.
Each time you demoralize an opponent in combat, he gains a +1
bonus to resist additional attempts in that encounter.
Action
Persuading is usually at least two actions. The GM may determine
some negotiations require longer (perhaps much longer). A bluff
normally takes at least two actions but can take longer if you try
something elaborate. Using Bluff to feint or trick in combat is a
standard action, as is using Bluff to create a diversion to hide. You
can feint, trick, or create a diversion as a move action by taking a –
5 penalty on your check. Intimidate is two actions. Demoralizing in
combat is one action.
Special
You add a +2 bonus to Intimidate for every size category you are
larger than your target. Conversely, you take a –2 penalty to your
check for every size category you are smaller than your target (see
Size).
Extended
The GM might simulate long and involved negotiations for an
extended period of time with an extended Persuade check. Almost
all uses of Bluff require only a single check to indicate success or
failure. However, in certain complex situations, the GM might want
to use an extended Bluff check in place of several simple checks.
For example, a character spends several days undercover trying to
infiltrate a criminal gang. Rather than play out the entire series of
interactions, the GM decides to use an extended Persuade check
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
to bluff, setting the DC at 25 and requiring five successful rolls
before rolling three failures. This is sufficient for the character to
infiltrate the gang, but the GM decides to play out the character's
meeting with the gang leader, since he’s a more important
character.
Challenges
The following Challenges are appropriate for Persuade checks:
Combat Diplomacy
You can make a Diplomacy check in combat as a full-round action
by accepting a +10 modifier to the Difficulty Class. Opponents in
combat with you are considered at least hostile. An unfriendly
opponent doesn’t attack you unless you give him reason to do so.
An indifferent foe stops fighting altogether, while a helpful one
actually joins your side, even turning against former allies.
Conversational Paralysis
In return for a –5 penalty to your Bluff check, a successful check
dazes your target for one round. Your claims are so strange or
outlandish that the target can do nothing but sputter or reel in
confusion. This skill challenge does not work in combat situations
(for that, see the Distract feat). Each additional –5 check penalty
you accept increases the duration of the effect by one round.
Durable Lie
In return for a –5 penalty on your check, your target believes your
bluff longer than usual. The target continues to act as you wish for
an additional round. You can apply another –5 penalty to extend
this to two rounds. This skill challenge does not work with the feint
use of Bluff.
Forceful Intimidation
By taking a –5 penalty on your Intimidate check, you can force your
subject to take an action that is against his interests (but not life-
threatening).
Mass Intimidation
You can attempt to intimidate more than one subject at a time. You
suffer a –2 penalty to your check per opponent beyond the first
(instead of the usual -5 penalty for a skill challenge).
Powerful Intimidation
In return for a –5 penalty to your Intimidate check, you can either
increase the penalty you inflict for demoralizing a foe by –1. You
can take this challenge multiple times to increase the penalty.
WILL CHA, RESISTANCE
Your resistance to mental influence and domination as well as
certain FX.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

Use Combat
Resistance. DEFENSE COM, RESISTANCE
The DC to overcome your Will is 10 + your ranks in Will + your
Charisma score. Your ability to avoid attacks and harm.

Degrees of Success Use

Certain effects might cause additional conditions if they exceed
Resistance.
your Will by 5 or more. See the individual effects for further
information. The DC to overcome your Defense is 10 + your ranks in Defense.

Try Again Defense Bonus

You cannot retry a Will check.
Action
A Will check is made as a reaction. You can spend one hero die
using its result in place of the 10, but you must do so before
learning the results of your Will check. If you choose to spend a
hero die this way, you must use its result, even it makes your Will
check worse.
Your bonus from the Defense skill is lost under certain
circumstances, such as when you are stunned, flat-footed, surprise-
attacked, or otherwise unable to defend yourself normally. Other
circumstances—such as when you are helpless—cause you to lose
your entire defense bonus, and may apply additional penalties to
your defense. Specific circumstances are discussed in Chapter VII:
Combat.
Uncanny Dodge
The Uncanny Dodge feat allows you to retain one point of your
Defense bonus per rank when stunned, flat-footed, or would
otherwise lose your Defense bonus.

TOUGHNESS COM, RESISTANCE

Your ability to resist physical punishment and direct damage.

Use
Resistance.
The DC to overcome your Toughness is 10 + your ranks in
Toughness.

Degrees of Success
If an effect exceeds your Toughness, you may suffer additional
debilitating conditions:

Succeed
If an effect exceeds your Toughness, you are injured, suffering a -1
penalty to his Toughness.

Succeed By 5 or More
If an effect exceeds your Toughness by 5 or more, you are dazed
and injured, losing one action on your next turn.

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Option: Toughness and Human Characters
The increased ability to withstand damage within normal human
limits is usually covered well by taking ranks in the Tough feat
(which is limited by your Constitution score). Toughness, like
Recovery and Might, are really meant to represent strength and
durability which are just beyond normal human capability. For
most games, it is appropriate that ranks in these skills only be
available if bought via the Enhanced (Trait) FX.
Succeed By 10 or More
If an effect exceeds your Toughness by 10 or more, you are
staggered, allowing you only a single action each round. A
character who is staggered is automatically rendered unconscious
if an opponent damages him again.
Succeed By 15 or More
If an effect exceeds your Toughness by 15 or more, you are
unconscious.
Try Again
You cannot retry Toughness checks.
Action
Toughness checks are made as reactions. You can spend one Hero
Dice to use your Hero Dice Pool result in place of the 10, but you
must do so before learning the results of your Toughness check. If
you choose to spend a hero die this way, you must use its result,
even it makes your Toughness check worse.
Special
By default, you cannot purchase ranks in Toughness directly.
Instead, character need to purchase ranks in Enhanced (Trait) or
the Tough feat.
WEAPON GROUP COM , SPECIALIZATION
Your training and skill with a specific type of weapons.
Use
Attack.
Choose a type of weapon from the list below. You may make a
Weapon Group check to attack with weapons from that weapons
group:
• Axes: Hatchets, battleaxes, tomahawks.
• Cudgels: Maces, clubs, staves.
• Bows: Longbows, shortbows, recurve bows.
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• FX: FX with a particular descriptor, such as Electricity, Fire, or
Magic.
• Heavy Blades: Long swords, bastard swords, claymores.
• Heavy Weapons: Machine guns, flame throwers, missile
launchers.
• Light Blades: Daggers, stilettos, throwing knives.
• Longarms: Rifles, sub-machine guns, shotguns.
• Pistols: Pistols, revolvers, machine pistols.
• Polearms: Spears, pikes, halberds.
• Unarmed: Punches, kicks, brass knuckles.
Try Again
You cannot retry a Weapon Group check.
Action
Most attacks require a Weapon Group check as one action. Some
attacks might require two actions.
Special
You may use your ranks in any Weapon Group specialization as a
non-proficient skill check for attack rolls with weapons in other
Weapon Groups.
Creating Skills
While the skills in d20 Advanced cover most situations, you may
wish to add a new skill to the game for different reasons.
First, a new skill may combine tasks normally handled by two or
more different skills under a single heading, allowing characters to
be skilled solely in that aspect without any training or ability in the
other skills. Second, a new skill may be useful with certain rules
options or new systems (including those detailed in this book).
Lastly, a new skill can provide additional detail or may be important
in a particular sub-genre or style of campaign.
When should you create a new skill and when should you create a
new use for an existing skill? It's largely a matter of taste.
Generally, adding a new use to a skill is easier in terms of game
structure and balance; you don't have to worry about adding
another skill to existing characters who ought to have it, or
retroactively redesigning any characters to fit the new skill. Instead,
it just becomes a less-often used aspect of an existing skill. It's
easier to integrate new uses for skills into an ongoing game than it
is to add new skills.
If you want to create a new use for an existing skill, but don't
necessarily want everyone trained in that skill to have access to it,
you can create a feat that grants access. This is a good middle
ground between creating a new skill and a new use for an existing
skill, plus it becomes something characters lacking the feat can still
do occasionally, if they’re willing to spend a hero die to emulate the
feat.
Another middle-ground option is the Skill Challenge system section
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
of this chapter, which allows certain "advanced" uses of skills at a
penalty to the skill check or Difficulty Class. This ties in with the
previously mentioned feat option if there are also feats for
performing certain skill challenges without penalty.
Still, there may be cases when you want to create an entirely new
skill. This is especially so for esoteric or unusual skills that don't
match up with any existing skill and aren't suitable as new aspects
of a skill, even with an enabling feat. You might be setting a game
in an era where existing skills wouldn't be as applicable (such as
the Technology skill in medieval times). In this case, there are a few
things to keep in mind. You should try to keep the number and utility
of each of the skills available to a given ability score roughly in-tact.
Too many skills in one ability makes it too attractive, and too few
makes players more likely to use it as a "dump stat" and avoid
investing points in it.
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Think of ways to translate the utility of an existing skill to a new one
if you mean to replace it. For example, for a fantasy game, the
Science and Technology skills probably aren't as useful or genre-
appropriate. These two skills are knowledge-heavy and have
numerous craft applications. Technology in particular gives you
more options for interacting with technological devices. So to
translate these concepts to a more fantasy game, you might
consider recasting them as Alchemy and Magical Items, with
Alchemy being focused on brewing potions and analyzing spell
components, while Magic Items would allow a character to build
and use magical Devices.
If you choose to create new skills from the ground up, keep in mind
that most skills have about four or five specific applications, and are
generally broad enough to apply to other unforeseen circumstances
too. Apply the skills to an appropriate ability score and you're good
to go.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Chapter IV: Feats
Characters are more than just skilled, they’re capable of amazing
feats, often far beyond the abilities of ordinary people. In d20
Advanced, a feat is a particular special ability. Feats often allow
heroes to “break the rules,” doing things most people cannot. Feats
are not actually classified as FX. Those are covered in Chapter V:
FX.
Acquiring Feats
Feats are rated in ranks and bought with character points, just like
skills and FX. Feats cost 1 character point per rank.
Feat Cost = 1 character point per feat rank
Feat Descriptions
Each feat's description explains the benefit it provides. It also says
if the feat can be acquired in ranks and what the effects are of
doing so. If a feat's description does not specifically say it can be
acquired multiple times, then it can only be taken once by a
character. Ranks in a feat are noted with a number after the feat's
name, such as "Defensive Roll 2" (for a character who has taken
two ranks in the Defensive Roll feat), just like skill and FX ranks.
Types of Feats
Feats are categorized as one of six types:
• Combat feats are useful in combat and often modify how
combat maneuvers are performed. For games where combat is
especially dangerous or deadly, GMs may wish to restrict
access to Combat feats.
• Opportunity feats take advantage of risky moves taken by foes
in battle. In games where tactical movement and attacks of
opportunity are not used, GMs should not allow characters to
select Opportunity feats.
• Reputation feats are used to determine how well-known a
character is. Games which do not use the Reputation rules
should similarly not allow Reputation feats.
• Skill feats offer bonuses or modifications to skill use. Games
which abstract skills or downplay the importance of the skills
might be better with Skill feats restricted or removed.
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• Fortune feats require and enhance the use of hero dice. GMs
running games which do not use hero dice, or who run less
heroic and grittier games may wish to restrict access or ban the
use of Fortune feats.
• General feats provide special abilities or bonuses not covered
by the other categories.
FX Feats are a special seventh type of feat, related to FX and
described in Chapter V: FX.
Feat Descriptions
Each feat is listed by name, type, and if the feat is available in
multiple ranks, followed by a description of the feat’s benefits. The
effects of additional ranks of the feat (if any) are noted in the text of
each feat. In some cases a feat’s description mentions the normal
conditions for characters who do not have the feat for comparison.
NAME FEAT TYPE, RANKED
The feat name line contains the following information:
• Feat Name: What the feat is called. GMs may feel free to
change the names of some skills to better suit e style of their
game.
• Feat Type: What type of feat this feat is.
• Ranked: Whether or not you can buy multiple ranks of the feat.
Below the feat name line is a description of what the feat grants a
character in game-terms.
Combat Feats
ACCURATE ATTACK COMBAT, RANKED
When you make an attack you can take a penalty of up to –2 on the
effect modifier and add the same number (up to +2) to your attack
bonus. Your effect modifier cannot be reduced below +0 and your
attack bonus cannot more than double. The changes to attack and
effect modifier are declared before you make the attack roll and last
until your next round.
Each additional rank you take in this feat allows you increase both
the penalty and the bonus you gain from this feat by 1, to a
maximum of -5/+5.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
ALL-OUT ATTACK COMBAT, RANKED
When you make an attack you can take a penalty of up to –2 on
your defense bonus and add the same number (up to +2) to your
attack bonus. Your defense bonus cannot be reduced below +0 and
your attack bonus cannot more than double. The changes to attack
and defense bonus are declared before you make the attack roll
and last until your next round.
Each additional rank you take in this feat allows you increase both
the penalty and the bonus you gain from this feat by 1, to a
maximum of -5/+5.
ATTACK SPECIALIZATION COMBAT, RANKED
You have a +2 bonus with a specific attack or weapon per rank in
this feat. Choose the attack when you acquire the feat. Your total
attack bonus is limited by the campaign’s power level.
BLIND-FIGHT COMBAT
In melee combat, you suffer a smaller attack penalty due to
concealment. You suffer a -1 penalty to attack foes with partial
concealment and a -2 penalty to attack foes with total concealment.
If you spend a hero die before attacking, you automatically ignore
penalties from concealment that attack. You take only half the usual
penalty to speed for being unable to see; darkness and poor
visibility reduce your speed to three-quarters rather than half.
COMBAT CONCEALMENT COMBAT
Make an Infiltration check against your opponent's Perception
check at one action. If you win, you gain partial concealment from
sight until your next round. If you make the check for two actions,
you gain total concealment. This is based on Concealment (visual)
with the flaws Partial and Action, for a cost of 1 character point per
2 ranks.
COMBAT EXPERT COMBAT, RANKED
You gain a +2 bonus to skill checks to perform special Maneuvers
in combat. Choose which maneuver the bonus applies to. Your total
bonus on checks for Maneuvers is still limited by the campaign's PL
limit on attack bonuses. Each additional rank you take in this feat
allows you apply the bonus either a new maneuver check, or to one
you have already applied this feat to.
CRITICAL STRIKE COMBAT
You can score critical hits normally on favored opponents with
Immunity (critical hits). You must have the Favored Opponent feat
in order to make a critical strike against that type of opponent.
DEFENSIVE ATTACK COMBAT, RANKED
When you make an attack you can take a penalty of up to –2 on
your attack bonus and add the same number (up to +2) as a
defense bonus. Your attack bonus cannot be reduced below +0 and
your defense bonus cannot more than double. The changes to
attack and defense bonus last until your next action.
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
Each additional rank you take in this feat allows you increase both
the penalty and the bonus you gain from this feat by 1, to a
maximum of -5/+5.
DEFENSIVE ROLL COMBAT, RANKED
You can evade damage through agility and "rolling" with an attack.
You receive a +2 bonus to your Toughness resistance for each rank
you take, but lose your Defensive Roll bonus whenever you lose
your defense bonus or unable to take a free action unless you are
able to succeed on a Concentration check (DC based on
circumstances).
DEFENSIVE STRIKE COMBAT
If an opponent attacks you in melee combat and misses, you gain
Combat Advantage over your foe, as if he was vulnerable. You gain
no bonus against opponents who do not attack you or who attack
and hit you successfully (whether or not the attack has any effect).
DEFLECT ARROWS COMBAT, RANKED
You can make block rolls to deflect thrown weapons and projectiles
like arrows with an effective attack bonus of +1 per rank. This is 1
rank of the Deflect FX.
ELUSIVE TARGET COMBAT
While you are fighting an opponent in melee combat, others
attempting to target you with ranged attacks are at a –10 penalty
rather than the usual –5 penalty for shooting into melee combat.
EVASION COMBAT, RANKED
If an attack roll to hit you with an area effect misses, you suffer no
damage. If you have two ranks in this feat, you only take half
damage from an area effect even if you are hit, and no damage if
the attacker misses.
FAVORED ENVIRONMENT COMBAT, RANKED
You have an environment you're especially suited for fighting in.
Examples include in the air, underwater, in space, in extreme heat
or cold, in jungles or woodlands, and so forth. While in your favored
environment, you gain either a +1 bonus to attack or a +1 bonus to
defense. Choose at the start of each round whether your bonus
applies to attack or defense. Your maximum attack and defense
bonus is limited by the campaign's power level.
FAVORED OPPONENT COMBAT, RANKED
You have a particular type of opponent you’ve studied or are
especially effective against. It may be a type of creature (aliens,
animals, constructs, mutants, undead, etc.), a profession (soldiers,
police officers, Yakuza, etc.) or any other category the GM
approves. Especially broad categories like "humans" or "evil
creatures" are not permitted. You gain a +1 bonus on Persuasion,
Perception, and Survival checks dealing with your Favored
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Opponent as well as +1 damage on all attacks against them. You
may take this feat multiple times, either choosing a different
opponent or increasing your existing bonus by +1, to a maximum of
+5. Your maximum damage bonus is limited by the campaign’s
power level.
FIRST STRIKE COMBAT, RANKED
When you make an attack against a flat-footed opponent who
hasn't yet acted in combat (whose initiative is lower than yours),
increase your attack's damage bonus by +2. Opponents immune to
critical hits suffer no additional damage. Additional ranks increase
your First Strike damage bonus by +1, to a maximum of +5. First
Strike damage stacks with the Sneak Attack feat. Your total damage
bonus is limited by the campaign’s power level.
POWER ATTACK COMBAT, RANKED
When you make an attack you can take a penalty of up to –2 on
your attack bonus and add the same number (up to +2) to your
attack’s effect modifier. Your attack bonus cannot be reduced below
+0 and your effect modifier cannot more than double. The changes
to attack and effect modifier are decided before you make your
attack roll and last until your next round. This feat does not apply to
effects requiring no attack roll or allowing no resistance.
Each additional rank you take in this feat allows you increase both
the penalty and the bonus you gain from this feat by 1, to a
maximum of -5/+5.

IMPROVED BLOCK COMBAT, RANKED

You have a +2 bonus on attack rolls to block melee attacks). If you

can block ranged attacks (using the Deflect FX), your Improved
Block bonus does not apply to those block rolls, which are
improved separately by adding FX ranks.

IMPROVED CRITICAL COMBAT, RANKED

Your critical threat range with a particular attack (chosen when you
acquire this feat) is increased, allowing you to score a critical hit on
a roll of 19 or 20. Only a natural 20 is an automatic hit, however,
and an attack that misses is not a critical. Each additional rank
applies to a different attack or increases your threat range with an
existing attack by one more.

IMPROVED INITIATIVE COMBAT, RANKED

You have a +5 bonus to your initiative checks per rank in this feat.

MARTIAL STRIKE COMBAT, RANKED

Your unarmed attacks inflict additional damage: +1 per rank in this

feat. Your maximum damage is still limited by the campaign’s power
level, and the GM may set an additional limit on the number of
ranks you can have in this feat based on things like fighting style
and other campaign limits.

MOVE-BY ACTION COMBAT

When taking an action to move and an action to do something else

(such as attack) you can move both before and after the other
action, provided the total distance isn't greater than your movement
speed.

OATHBOUND COMBAT

Your strong devotion to your allegiance gives you an additional +1

modifier on aid another actions for allies who share your allegiance
(providing a +3 bonus rather than a +2 bonus). You also gain a +1
bonus on attack rolls against opponents with an allegiance opposed
to your own.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
PRECISE SHOT COMBAT, RANKED
When you make ranged attacks on an opponent engaged in melee
with your allies, you reduce the attack roll penalty by 5. This
eliminates the normal –5 penalty, and reduces the penalty for
Elusive Target to –5.
A second rank ignores the defense bonus for anything less than
total cover and the miss chance from anything less than total
concealment. It also completely negates the penalty for the Elusive
Target feat.
PRONE FIGHTING COMBAT
Opponents do not gain Combat Advantage over you while you are
prone or seated. You can crawl at half your speed rather than the
usual 5-feet per action.
QUICK DRAW COMBAT, RANKED
You can draw or load a weapon as a free action, rather than one
action. You can only do one of these things as a free action each
round; the others remain one action as normal. So you could draw
a weapon as a free action, then load it as one action, for example,
but not draw and load it as a free action. Quick Draw 2 allows you
to both draw and load a weapon in the same round as free actions.
RAGE COMBAT, RANKED
You can fly into a berserk rage as a free action, gaining +2
Strength, +2 to your Fortitude and Will resistances, and a –2
penalty to Defense. While raging you can't use skills or FX requiring
concentration (with a duration of Concentration or Sustained), and
you can't take 10 or 20 on checks. Your rage lasts for five rounds,
after which you are fatigued for five rounds, suffering a -2 penalty to
Strength- and Constitution-related checks.
Each additional rank gives you +1 Strength and a +1 Fortitude and
Will resistance bonus to a maximum of +5 Strength and +5 to
resistances total at 4 ranks (the –2 penalty to Defense and other
effects remain the same). Your maximum Strength and resistance
bonuses are limited by the campaign's power level.
Instead of increasing your Rage benefits, a rank in this feat can
extend the duration by 5 rounds. This extends the duration of your
post-rage fatigue by the same amount.
RANGED PIN COMBAT
You can use a ranged weapon to pin an opponent to a nearby
surface. The target must be within 5 feet of a wall, tree, or similar
surface. Make a normal attack roll against the target. If your attack
is successful, the target makes a Reflex check against your attack
roll result. Failure means the target is entangled and immobile. To
break free, the victim must take one action and make a successful
Might or Acrobatics check to slip free (DC 15). A skill bonus greater
than the DC allows the target to escape as a free action.
REDIRECT COMBAT
If you successfully trick an opponent to Gain Combat Advantage
with Persuasion, you can redirect a missed attack against you from
that opponent at another target as a reaction. The new target must
be adjacent to you and within range of the attack. The attacker
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makes a new attack roll with the same modifiers as the first against
the new target.
SET-UP COMBAT
You can transfer the benefits of Combat Advantage to a teammate,
even if your opponent isn't flat-footed. For example, you can feint
and allow your ally to make the Combat Advantage against that
opponent. The Maneuver to Gain Combat Advantage requires its
normal time and skill check.
SNEAK ATTACK COMBAT, RANKED
When you make an attack on a foe you have Combat Advantage
against, increase your attack's damage bonus by +2. You cannot
sneak attack an opponent you cannot accurately perceive (due to
concealment) and opponents immune to critical hits suffer no
additional damage. Additional ranks increase your Sneak Attack
damage bonus by +1, to a maximum of +5. Your total damage
bonus is limited by the campaign's power level.
SPEED OF THOUGHT COMBAT
You can use your Intelligence rather than your Dexterity when
making initiative checks. Other initiative modifiers stack with your
Intelligence normally.
STUNNING ATTACK COMBAT
When you make a damaging melee attack, you can choose not to
inflict normal damage. Instead, target your foe's Fortitude
resistance (at 10 + your target's Fortitude bonus, not 5 + Fortitude,
as if you were damaging your foe). If you overcome your foe's
resistance, your target is dazed and loses one action. Success by 5
or more means the target loses both of his or her actions for the
round, and success by 10 or more means the target is unconscious
and helpless.
SUNDER COMBAT
You have a +2 bonus to attack rolls to hit an object held by another
character.
SWEEPING STRIKE COMBAT
When you make a successful unarmed attack against an opponent,
you can split your damage bonus between damaging your
opponent and a free and immediate trip attack to Gain Combat
Advantage. So, for example, if you have a +4 unarmed damage
bonus, you can inflict +1 damage and make a Maneuver with a +3
bonus in place of your normal maneuver check, or +2 damage and
+2 maneuver, or any such combination. You must assign at least a
+1 bonus each to damage and the maneuver to use Sweeping
Strike.
The maneuver is resolved normally.
TAKEDOWN ATTACK COMBAT, RANKED
If you knock out or disable an opponent with a melee attack, you
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
get an immediate extra attack against another opponent within
range and within 5 feet of where the previous target was when
attacked. You can’t move before making this extra attack. The extra
attack is with the same attack and attack bonus as the first. You can
use this feat once per round, except when fighting minions, where
you can use it an unlimited number of times, until you miss or there
are no more opponents within range of your attack or your last
target.
You can take this feat a second time, allowing you to move up to 5
feet between each attack you make, but you still cannot move more
than your total speed, regardless of the number of attacks you
make.
THROWING MASTERY COMBAT, RANKED
You have a +1 damage bonus with thrown weapons per rank in this
feat. You can also throw normally harmless objects—playing cards,
pens, paper clips, and so forth—as weapons with a damage bonus
equal to your rank, a range increment of 10 feet, and a maximum
range of 50 feet. Your maximum damage bonus with this feat is
limited by power level.
UNCANNY DODGE COMBAT, RANKED
For each rank in this feat, you retain one 1 point of your Defense
when stunned, flat-footed, or are otherwise denied it. Your total
Defense is limited by the campaign's power level. Uncanny Dodge
must belong to a particular sense type. Opponents with total
concealment from that sense type can surprise attack you normally.
You can apply additional ranks of Uncanny Dodge to different
sense types, if you wish (making it harder to overcome, but less
potent overall).
WEAPON BIND COMBAT
If you successfully block an armed melee attack, you can make a
disarm attempt immediately as a free action. The disarm attempt is
carried out normally.
WEAPON BREAK COMBAT
If you successfully block an armed melee attack, you can make an
attack against the blocked weapon immediately as a free action.
This requires an attack roll and inflicts normal damage to the
weapon if it hits.
Fortune Feats
ABLE LEARNER FORTUNE
You are very well-educated and highly trained, allowing you to soak
up information and knowledge more quickly than most, and giving
you an edge when you try to apply that knowledge. You may spend
Hero Dice in your Intelligence Dice Pool (if you have ranks in the
Capable feat for that ability) for checks involving any non-combat,
non-resistance skill.
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
BEGINNER’S LUCK FORTUNE
By spending a hero die, you gain 5 ranks in any skill in which you
currently have 4 or fewer ranks, including skills you have no ranks
in, even if they can’t be used untrained. These temporary skill ranks
last for the duration of the encounter and grant you their normal
benefits.
CAPABLE FORTUNE, RANKED
You are even more able than your ability scores alone might
suggest. Choose any one ability score. You gain one additional
Hero Die at the start of every adventure for use only with actions,
checks or stunts associated with that ability. Any Hero Dice can be
added to your normal Hero Dice Pool for rolls involving that ability.
If you use these bonus Hero Dice in this way for an activity related
to your chosen ability score, they are subtracted before your normal
Hero Dice are. For example,
You may purchase this feat multiple times. Each time you take it,
you gain an additional bonus Hero Die in your Dice Pool for checks
with the chosen ability, up to a maximum number equal to that
ability score. Note that this means that a character with an ability
score of 0 or less cannot gain bonus Hero Dice in this way.
Alternatively, rather than increasing an existing Hero Dice pool
associated with one ability, you may assign a new Hero Dice pool
to a new ability in which you are especially capable. One rank adds
one Hero Die, and further ranks function normally, allowing you to
add Hero Dice up to the normal maximum of your associated ability
score value. Dice in this pool cannot be combined with another
ability score's associated dice pool, since they only grant their
benefits to activities associated with their assigned ability score.
INFORMED COMBATANT FORTUNE
Your expertise in a particular area may pay off by allowing you to
spot weaknesses your enemies present. If you have ranks in the
appropriate Expertise specialty, you may attempt to study a foe an
find weaknesses. Make an Expertise check, opposed by your
opponent's Will resistance, appropriate Expertise skill, or
appropriate Weapon Group skill (whichever is highest).
If you succeed on this check, you may spend an action to direct
others, granting your ally an additional hero die for Combat Skills
on his next turn. Alternatively, you may spend your own Hero Dice
in your Wisdom dice pool (if you have the Capable feat for that
ability) on Combat skills for one round. Doing so requires you shift
your tactics, spending one action doing so.
INSPIRE FORTUNE, RANKED
You can inspire your allies to greatness. You must be able to
interact and you can affect a number of allies equal to your
Charisma bonus. By taking two actions and spending a hero die,
your allies gain a +1 bonus on all attack rolls, resistances, and
checks for the following round. Each additional time you take this
feat increases the bonus by +1, to a maximum of +5. You do not
gain the inspiration bonus, only your allies do. The inspiration
bonus can exceed power level limits, like other uses of hero dice.
Multiple uses of inspiration do not stack, only the highest bonus
applies.
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LEADERSHIP FORTUNE
Your presence can reassure and lend courage to allies. For one
action, you can spend a hero die to move an ally with whom you
can interact one step up on a condition track. The condition must
be the result of a descriptor which the character can be talked out
of (such as emotional or fear effects) or one which the character
can be guided out of (such as avoiding being out-flanked and
granting an enemy Combat Advantage). Your Leadership cannot
remove damage (although it may alleviate some of its effects) nor
can it remove other conditions, including unconsciousness.
SEIZE INITIATIVE FORTUNE
You can spend a hero die to go first in the initiative order, without
having to roll for initiative. You may only do so when you would
normally roll initiative. If more than one character uses this feat,
they roll for initiative normally and act in order of their initiative
result, followed by all the other characters involved in the combat.
ULTIMATE EFFORT FORTUNE, RANKED
When spending a hero die on a particular task, you treat the roll as
a 20 (meaning you don’t need to roll the die at all, just apply a result
of 20 to your modifier). This is not a natural 20, but is treated as a
roll of 20 in all other respects. You choose the particular action the
feat applies to when you acquire it and the GM must approve it. You
can take Ultimate Effort multiple times, each time, it applies to a
different action.
Sample Ultimate Efforts
The following are potential Ultimate Efforts. The GM is free to add
any others suitable to the campaign.
• Ultimate Resistance: You can spend a hero die to apply a 20
result to a resistance roll with one type of resistance
(Toughness, Fortitude, Reflex, or Will).
• Ultimate Skill: You can spend a hero die to apply a 20 result to
checks with a particular skill.
General Feats
ALLY GENERAL, RANKED
You have another character serving as your partner and aide.
Create your ally as an independent character with (rank × 5)
character points, and subject to the campaign's power level limits.
An ally's character point total must be less than yours. Your ally is
an NPC, but automatically fanatically loyal to you (provided you
treat your ally fairly and well).
Gamemasters should generally allow you to control your sidekick,
although allies remain NPCs and the GM has final say in their
actions. Allies do not earn character points. Instead, you must
spend earned character points to increase your rank in Ally to
improve the ally's character point total and traits; each point you
spend to increase your rank in Ally grants the ally 5 additional
character points. Ally also do not have hero dice, but you can spend
your own hero dice on the ally's behalf with the usual benefits.
Allies are not minions, but full-fledged characters, so they are not
subject to the minion rules.
Rather than increasing the character points available to create your
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
ally, a rank in this feat can move your total number of allies of the
same point total one step up the Time and Value Progression Table,
so one additional rank gives you two allies, two additional ranks
give you five, and so forth. The GM may limit the number of allies a
character can have to keep things from becoming unmanageable
during play.
AMBIDEXTERITY GENERAL
You are equally adept at using either hand. You ignore off-hand
penalties to checks and attack rolls. Without this feat, characters
suffer a –5 penalty when using their off-hand. Note this does not
give you any additional attacks, it merely allows you to use either
hand equally well. If you have more than two hands, this feat
applies to all of them.
ASSESSMENT GENERAL
You're able to size up someone's combat capabilities. For one
action, choose a target you can accurately perceive and make an
Expertise check opposed by the target's Persuasion check result. If
you succeed, the GM tells you the target's Attack and Defense
relative to yours (lower, higher, or equal). You don't know the
target's exact bonus unless it equals your own, only a rough
estimate of relative ability. In cases of a 5-point or greater
difference, the GM may choose to tell you the target's bonus is
considerably more or less than yours. If you lose the opposed roll,
the GM should over- or under-estimate the target's bonus.
BENEFIT GENERAL, RANKED
You have some significant perquisite or fringe benefit. The exact
nature of the benefit is for you and the Gamemaster to determine.
As a rule of thumb it should not exceed the benefits of any other
feat, or an FX costing 1 point. It should also be significant enough
to cost at least 1 point. An example is Diplomatic Immunity (see
Sample Benefits). A license to practice law or medicine, on the
other hand, should not be considered a benefit; it’s simply a part of
having enough ranks in the appropriate Profession skill and has no
significant game effect. Benefits may come in ranks for improved
levels of the same benefit. The GM is the final arbiter as to what
does and does not constitute a Benefit in the campaign. Keep in
mind some qualities may constitute Benefits in some campaigns,
but not in others, depending on whether or not they have any real
impact on the game.
Sample Benefits
The following are some potential Benefits. The GM is free to
choose any suitable Benefit for the campaign.
• Alternate Identity: You have an alternate identity, complete with
legal paperwork (driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.). This is
different from a costumed identity, which doesn’t necessarily
have any legal status.
• Diplomatic Immunity: By dint of your diplomatic status, you
cannot be prosecuted for crimes in nations other than your
own. All another nation can do is deport you to your home
nation.
• Security Clearance: You have access to classified government
information, installations, and maybe equipment or personnel.
• Wealth: You have greater than average wealth or resources.
Increase your Wealth bonus by +4 per rank.
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CHALLENGE GENERAL, RANKED
Choose a specific Challenge. You can pick a standard challenge or
a particular skill challenge. For standard challenges, the challenge
only applies to a specific task. So, for example, if you choose the
Fast Task challenge, you need to specify a task, such as the feint
application of Persuasion, or making an item with Technology. If you
take Calculated Risk, you need to specify the two checks (and the
skills used for them) and if you take Simultaneous Tasks, you need
to specify the two tasks. Once specified, these things do not
change.
You can perform the challenge chosen under this feat with a 5-
point lesser modifier than usual. So, for challenges with a –5
penalty or a +5 DC, you perform them like normal checks. For
challenges with a greater modifier, reduce the modifier accordingly.
So a hero with Fast Feint, for example, can feint in combat as a
move action with no Bluff check modifier (since the normal modifier
is –5).
You can take this feat multiple times. Each time, it applies to a
different challenge or reduces the penalty with an existing
challenge by 5 more.
DEDICATION GENERAL
Your dedication to your allegiance makes it very difficult to sway
you. You receive a +5 bonus on Will resistance and Perception
checks for any effect causing you to act against your allegiance.
Your total ranks in these skills may not exceed the campaign's
power level limits.
DIEHARD GENERAL
When your condition is reduced to dying you automatically stabilize
on the following round without any need for a Recovery check,
although further damage can still kill you.
DIRECTION SENSE GENERAL
You have an innate sense of direction. You always know which way
is north and can retrace your steps through any place you’ve been
(1 rank of Enhanced Senses).
EAGLE EYES GENERAL
Exceptionally sharp-eyed, your visual Perception checks have a
range increment of 100 feet rather than 10 feet. This is 1 rank of
Enhanced Senses (extended vision).
EIDETIC MEMORY GENERAL
You have perfect recall of everything you’ve experienced. You have
a +5 bonus on checks to remember things, including resistances
against effects that alter or erase memories. You can make any
Knowledge skill check untrained, meaning you can answer
questions involving difficult or obscure knowledge without ranks in
the skill.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTATION GENERAL
You’re adapted to a particular environment, such as underwater,
zero gravity, and so forth. You suffer none of the normal die roll or
movement penalties associated with that environment, moving and
acting normally. You are still affected by environmental hazards like
suffocation, exposure, and so forth. You need Immunity for
resistance to these effects.
EQUIPMENT GENERAL, RANKED
You have 5 points to spend on equipment per rank in this feat. See
Chapter VI: Gear for details on Equipment.
EXTRA LIMB GENERAL
You have an additional limb, like a prehensile tail. This feat is likely
only available at character creation (1 point of the Additional Limbs
FX).
FEARLESS GENERAL
You are immune to fear effects of all sorts. You automatically
succeed on any resistances against a fear effect. This is the
equivalent of the FX Immunity 1 (fear effects).
FEARSOME PRESENCE GENERAL, RANKED
You can inspire fear in others. Take one action to strike a suitably
fearsome pose or utter an intimidating threat; anyone within (feat
rank × 5) feet able to interact with you. Make a check with your
ranks in Fearsome Presence against your target's Will resistance. If
you succeed, the subject suffers a -2 penalty to all attacks and non-
combat, non-resistance checks. If you succeed by 5 or more, the
penalties increase to -5. If you succeed by 10 or more, the subject
feints or cowers in terror, falling helpless. Your Fearsome Presence
rank cannot exceed your bonus to Persuasion for Intimidation.
IMMUNITY TO DISEASE GENERAL
You are unaffected by diseases and pathogens. Other 1-point
Immunities (such as aging, fatigue, fear, or poison) may also be
suitable as feats.
INSTANT UP GENERAL
You can stand up from a prone position as a free action.
INTERPOSE GENERAL
Once per round, when an ally adjacent to you is targeted by an
attack, you can choose to trade places with that ally as a reaction,
making you the target of the attack instead. If the attack hits, you
suffer the effects normally. If the attack misses you, it also misses
your ally. You must declare your intention to trade places with an
ally before the attack roll is made. You cannot use Interpose if you
lost both of your actions, are flat-footed, or otherwise incapable of
taking free actions.
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LIGHT SLEEPER GENERAL
You do not suffer the +10 DC modifier to Perception checks for
being asleep. This means you’re much less likely to be caught by
surprise while sleeping. You can also act immediately upon waking.
LIGHTNING CALCULATOR GENERAL
You can perform mathematical functions in your head ten times
faster than normal, like a human calculator. This feat is 3 ranks of
Quickness, limited to doing calculations (a –2 modifier) for a total
cost of 1 point for 3 ranks using the guidelines for fractional costs
under FX Modifiers. You can use it as the basis for similar feats
allowing for quick performance of certain routine tasks.
LOW-LIGHT VISION GENERAL
You can see twice as far in low-light conditions as normal (1 rank of
Enhanced Senses).
MASTER PLAN GENERAL
If you have the opportunity to prepare for an encounter you can
formulate a plan. This requires at least a few minutes, longer at the
Gamemaster's discretion. Make an Expertise check (DC 20). If
successful, you and your allies gain a bonus on all skill checks and
attack rolls in the encounter depending on the result of your roll: +1
for a roll of 20-24, +2 for 25-30, and +3 for 30 or higher. This bonus
is not subject to power level limits. You choose when during the
encounter to initiate your master plan. The bonus lasts for 3 rounds,
then begins decreasing at a rate of 1 per round until it is gone. You
can only use this feat when you have the opportunity to prepare for
an encounter in advance, not when dealing with sudden or
unexpected encounters.
MINIONS GENERAL, RANKED
You have a follower or minion. This minion is an independent
character with a character point total of (rank × 15). Minions are
subject to the normal power level limits, and cannot have minions
themselves. Your minions automatically have a helpful attitude
toward you. If you double the cost of this feat (2 points per rank)
your minions are fanatical. They are subject to the normal rules for
minions.
Rather than increasing the character points available to create your
minion, a rank in this feat can move your total number of minions of
the same type one step up the Time and Value Progression Table.
So Minions 5 can give you one 75-point minion, or two 60-point
minions, or five 45-point minions, or ten 30-point minions, and so
forth. Your minions don’t have to be identical, but should be
generally of the same type (human agents, infernal demons,
zombies, etc.).
Any lost minions are replaced in between adventures with other
followers with similar abilities at the Gamemaster's discretion.
QUICK CHANGE GENERAL, RANKED
You can change clothes—such as changing into your costume or
your secret identity—as a free action. Normally, changing clothes
requires at least a minute (10 rounds). If you take this feat a second
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
time, you can change into any outfit at will. This allows you to use
the Art skill to disguise yourself as one action rather than taking the
usual time.
RAPID HEALING GENERAL
Your body possesses amazing powers of physical recovery. You
make a check to recover from being disabled once every 5 hours
rather than once a day (1 rank of Regeneration).
SECOND CHANCE GENERAL, RANKED
Choose a particular hazard, such as falling, being tripped, triggering
traps, being mind controlled (or affected by another specific power,
such as Blast with the fire descriptor) or a particular skill with
consequences for failure. If your resistance against that hazard or a
check fails, you can make another roll immediately and use the
better of the two results. Unlike Hero Dice, you do not roll a dice
pool. You only get one second chance for any given effect or task,
and the GM decides if a particular hazard or skill is an appropriate
focus for this feat.
Each additional rank in this feat applies to a different hazard or skill.
SPEAK WITH (ANIMAL) GENERAL
You can speak and understand the language of a particular type of
animal, such as birds, cetaceans, equines, and so forth. This is a 1-
point version of the Comprehend FX.
TEAMWORK GENERAL, RANKED
You’re more effective at helping out friends. When you use the aid
action, you grant a bonus 1 higher than usual for each rank in this
feat, up to a maximum of 3 ranks (for an additional +3 bonus).
TIME SENSE GENERAL
You always know what time it is and have an accurate idea of the
passage of time (1 rank of Enhanced Senses).
TOUGH GENERAL, RANKED
You have a +1 bonus on your Toughness resistance per rank in this
feat. This is the same as 1 rank of the Enhanced (Toughness) FX.
You may not have more ranks in this feat than you have points in
your Constitution score.
TRANCE GENERAL
Through breathing and bodily control, you can slip into a deep
trance. It takes a minute of uninterrupted meditation and a DC 15
Expertise check in an appropriate mysticism or arcane discipline to
concentrate. While in the trance you add your Expertise instead of
Endurance to determine how long you can hold your breath and
you make Expertise checks rather than Endurance checks to avoid
suffocation. Poison and disease effects are suspended for the
duration of the trance. It requires a Perception check with a DC
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Option: Opportunity Feats and Combat Advantage
If you like the flavor and option that some of these feats provide,
but do not want to make use of Attacks of Opportunity in your
game, you can still make use of them without using attacks of
opportunity. If a feat says that it counts towards your allotment of
attacks of opportunity in a round, use of this feat will instead grant
your opponent Combat Advantage over you if your attempt fails
(leaving you vulnerable for one round).
equal to your Expertise check result to determine you're not dead.
You are aware of your surroundings while in trance and can come
out of the trance at any time at will. You cannot take any actions
while in the trance.
Opportunity Feats
COMBAT REFLEXES OPPORTUNITY, RANKED
The maximum number of Attacks of Opportunity you can make
each round is increased by your rank in this feat. You can still only
make one attack of opportunity against a single opponent. You can
also make attacks of opportunity when flat-footed. A character
without this feat can make only one attack of opportunity per round
and can’t make attacks of opportunity while flat-footed.
COUNTERATTACK OPPORTUNITY
If an opponent attacks you in melee combat and misses, you get an
immediate melee attack against that opponent as a free action at
your full attack bonus. This counts toward your Attacks of
Opportunity for that round.
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DEFENSIVE THROW OPPORTUNITY
If an opponent attacks you in melee combat and misses, you can
make an immediate Maneuver check against them as a free action
to Gain Combat Advantage. This counts towards your Attacks of
Opportunity for that round.
FOLLOW-UP STRIKE OPPORTUNITY
If you score a critical hit with a melee attack, you can make an
additional melee attack against the same opponent immediately as
a free action, with the same attack bonus as the attack that scored
the critical hit. This counts towards your normal allotment of Attacks
of Opportunity for the round.
GRAPPLING BLOCK OPPORTUNITY
When you successfully block a melee attack while unarmed you
can make an immediate Maneuver check to Gain Combat
Advantage against your attacker as a free action, grabbing and
holding your foe. This counts towards your normal allotment of
Attacks of Opportunity for the round.
IMPROVED OPPORTUNITY OPPORTUNITY
When you make an attack of opportunity, you receive a +2 bonus
on your attack roll. This bonus only applies to attacks of
opportunity; it doesn't count for other attacks such as surprise
attacks or situations where your opponent is flat-footed.
MOBILITY OPPORTUNITY
You get a +5 bonus to defense against Attacks of Opportunity
provoked when you move at full speed through an opponent's
threatened space.
OPPORTUNIST OPPORTUNITY
When an ally successfully attacks an opponent in an area you
threaten, you get an immediate attack of opportunity against that
opponent. This counts against your normal attacks of opportunity
for the round. A successful attack is one that hits and which
overcomes the target's resistance. (Thus a successful Inflict
(Condition) or Drain attack would count for purposes of this feat.)
SIDESTEP OPPORTUNITY
When you are eligible to take an attack of opportunity, you can
instead choose to take a 5-foot step without provoking an attack of
opportunity. This counts toward your attacks of opportunity for the
round.
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Reputation Feats
LOW-PROFILE REPUTATION, RANKED
You’re less well known than your capabilities would suggest. Lower
your reputation bonus by 3 for each rank in this feat.
RENOWN REPUTATION, RANKED
Your reputation precedes you. For each rank in this feat, increase
your reputation bonus by +3.
Skill Feats
ANIMAL EMPATHY SKILL
You have a special connection with animals. You can use the
Survival skill like Persuasion to change the attitude of an animal by
interacting with it. Unlike a normal use of Persuasion, you do not
have to speak a language the animal understands, and Animal
Empathy affects creatures with an Intelligence of -5. You don't
actually need to speak to the animals; you communicate your intent
through gestures and body language and learn things by studying
animal behavior.
The GM may allow other forms of this feat for interacting with other
unusual creatures, such as Machine Empathy, Plant Empathy, Spirit
Empathy, Undead Empathy, etc. The specifics of using interaction
skills with any unusual subjects are left up to the Gamemaster.
ARTIFICER SKILL
You can use the Expertise (in an appropriate mystical discipline)
and Art skills to create temporary magical devices. See Chapter VI:
Gear, for details.
ATTRACTIVE SKILL, RANKED
You’re particularly attractive, giving you a +5 bonus per rank on
Persuasion checks to deceive, seduce, or change the attitude of
anyone who might find you appealing. This bonus cannot increase
your total effective skill rank higher than the campaign's power level
limit.
CONNECTED SKILL
You know people who can help you out from time to time. You can
call in favors by making a Persuasion check. It might be advice,
information, help with a legal matter, or access to resources. The
GM sets the DC of the Persuasion check, based on the aid
required. A simple favor is DC 10, ranging up to DC 25 or higher for
especially difficult, dangerous, or expensive favors. You can spend
a hero die to automatically secure the favor. The GM has the right
to veto any request if it is too involved or likely to spoil the plot of
the adventure. Use of this feat always requires at least a few
minutes (and often much longer) and the means to contact your
allies.
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CONTACTS SKILL
You have such extensive and well-informed contacts you can make
a Survival check for reconnaissance (in the appropriate area,
usually urban or suburban) in only one minute, assuming you have
some means of getting in touch with your contacts. You can take 10
or take 20 on this check (taking 20 requires 20 minutes rather than
1). Further checks on the same subject require the normal length of
time.
DISTRACT SKILL, RANKED
You can make a Persuasion check to cause an opponent to
hesitate in combat. Take one action and make a skill check against
your target's opposing check (the same skill, Perception, or Will,
whichever has the highest bonus). If you succeed, your target loses
one action. Targets gain a +1 bonus on checks to resist Distract per
attempt against them in the same encounter.
FASCINATE SKILL, RANKED
One of your interaction skills is so effective you can capture and
hold someone's attention with it. Choose Persuasion or Art when
you acquire this feat. You are subject to the normal guidelines for
interaction skills, and combat or other immediate danger makes this
feat ineffective.
Take one action and make your skill check against your target's
opposing check (the same skill, Perception, or Will resistance,
whichever has the highest bonus). If you succeed, the target
becomes fascinated and suffers a -2 penalty to all Wisdom and
Intelligence-related checks. If you succeed by 5 or more, your
opponent's penalty increases to -5. You can maintain the effect
(requiring one action each round). The fascination ends when you
stop or the target overcomes it. You may take this feat more than
once. Each time, it applies to a different interaction skill. Like all
interaction skills, you can use Fascinate on a group, but you must
affect everyone in the group equally.
HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT SKILL
You can make Infiltration checks to hide even while being observed
and even if you do not have cover or concealment. Characters
normally must have cover or concealment to hide and cannot make
Infiltration checks while being observed.
IMPROVISED TOOLS SKILL
You ignore the –5 penalty for using skills without proper tools, since
you can improvise sufficient tools with whatever is at hand.
INVENTOR SKILL
You can use the Technology and Science skills to create inventions
and temporary devices. See inventing (Chapter VI: Gear) for
details.
PROFESSION SKILL, RANKED
You gain a +5 bonus per rank to any checks involved with your
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work in a given field. This bonus also applies to checks to increase

your wealth score if you are using the optional Wealth rules. This
bonus cannot increase your total effective skill rank higher than the
campaign's power level limit.
RITUALIST SKILL
You can use the Expertise skill in the appropriate mystic specialty to
create and cast arcane rituals (see Chapter VI: Gear for details).
Option: Talented and Granular Skills
At the GM's option, you may be allowed to distribute the +5 bonus
from Talented among different skills. This gives you the ability to
customize your character's skills even more than usual. This is a
fair half-way point for GMs who don't want to use a more granular
skill system with skills costing fractions of a point each.

SKILL MASTERY SKILL, RANKED TRACK SKILL

You can use the Survival skill to visually follow tracks like the
Choose four skills. When making checks with those skills, you can
Tracking enhanced sense.
take 10 even when distracted or under pressure. This feat does not
allow you to take 10 with skills that do not normally allow you to do
so. Each additional rank applies Skill Mastery to four more skills.
WELL-INFORMED SKILL

SLEIGHT OF HAND SKILL You are exceptionally well-informed. When encountering an

individual, group, or organization for the first time, you can make an
immediate Survival check for reconnaissance as a reaction to see if
When you select this feat, choose Acrobatics, Infiltration, or
your character has heard something about the subject. This takes
Perform. You gain a new use of that skill: the ability to pick pockets
the place of a normal knowledge check (if any). Use the guidelines
or to make small objects vanish. A check against DC 10 lets you
for reconnaissance checks to determine the level of information you
palm a coin-sized object. Minor feats of sleight of hand, such as
gain, and the guidelines for Knowledge checks for the sorts of
making a coin disappear, also have a DC of 10 unless an observer
questions you can answer. You receive only one check per subject,
is concentrating on noticing what you are doing. When you perform
although the GM may allow another upon encountering the subject
this skill under close observation, your check is opposed by the
again once significant time has passed.
observer’s Perception check. The observer’s check doesn’t prevent
you from performing the action, just from doing it unnoticed.
To try to take something from another person, your opponent
makes a Perception check. To obtain an object, you must get a
result of 20 or higher, regardless of the opponent’s check result.
Fighting Styles
The opponent notices the attempt if his check result beats yours, d20 Advanced, like other games, presents the idea of using various
whether you take the object or not. You can also use this feat to collections of feats to duplicate different fighting styles, including
plant an object on a target, with the same difficulty (you need a various styles of martial arts. This section expands upon that idea
result of at least 20 to plant it, regardless of the opponent's check and offers some suggestions for creating your own fighting styles.
result).
Using sleight of hand takes one action.
Unarmed vs. Weapon
STATUS SKILL, RANKED Styles
You are a member in high standing of a certain group. This may Some fighting styles focus on fighting unarmed, others with a
make you a public official, an officer in a military group, or some particular weapon or weapons, and a few with both. The distinction
form of titled noble. You gain a +5 bonus on Persuasion checks to between unarmed and armed fighting styles is largely one of flavor
intimidate and Survival checks for reconnaissance when interacting and description. Combat feats work the same whether you’re using
with people you outrank. You may also gain other benefits fitting them unarmed, armed, or with super-human powers. The GM may
your status. choose to apply certain situational modifiers based on a style’s
usual weapons as needed.
Additional ranks may be purchased to make the group of people
you can "pull rank" on broader, usually by increasing your status.

Skills and Styles

Alternatively, additional ranks may be purchased which grant you
an additional +5 bonus on your skill checks.
TALENTED SKILL
You are especially adept at a certain type of activity. You have a +5
bonus with one use of a non-combat, non-resistance skill. This
bonus cannot increase your total effective skill rank higher than the
campaign’s power level limit.
You cannot use Talented to improve one use of a skill with only one
use (such as the Recovery skill) in this way.
Some fighting styles teach particular skills in addition to feats. A
true expert in the style is likely to have at least some training in
these associated skills although, like the style’s feats, you can
choose how many points (if any) to invest in them.
The most common skills for fighting styles are Acrobatics,
Persuasion (primarily aimed at feinting and demoralizing an enemy
in combat), and Perception (primarily aimed at detecting and
avoiding the previous two effects). Some styles also make use of
Might and Reflex as well, and most styles can benefit from
appropriate ranks in Expertise (such as martial arts).

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Attack and Defense Styles
Note that none of the fighting styles in this section have any specific
bonuses to attack or defense other than those granted by their
feats. You might also decide that a particular fighting style calls for
the Attack Specialization feat for a particular type of attack
associated with the style. Like other ranked feats associated with a
fighting style, these feats are available in multiple ranks, up to the
campaign’s normal power level limit.
Creating Fighting Styles
Creating a fighting style is a simple matter of building a list of the
style’s feats, plus any associated skills and weapon elements (if
that option is in use). Characters trained in a style invest power
points into its traits. They don’t have to take all of them at once;
indeed, most students do not gain complete mastery of a fighting
style all at once.
Generally speaking, a complete style should consist of between a
half dozen and a dozen or so feats; fewer usually isn’t enough to
constitute a coherent style, while more tends to represent
branching out to master multiple styles of combat, unless you want
to create a “master style” or secret martial art for your game
encompassing every combat feat (true masters of such a style
should be rare indeed!).
Option: Weapon Elements
If you want a more detailed way of defining what weapons or
attacks are usable with what fighting styles, you can use the
following guidelines.
Each fighting style gets one "weapon element," an attack it’s
intended to work with, automatically at no cost. So an unarmed
style works automatically with unarmed attacks. An armed style
must choose a particular weapon (or narrow category of weapons,
like blades, at the GM's discretion). Adding another weapon
element to the style is a feat (called Weapon Element), allowing
you to use that style with an additional type of attack.
Example: The kung fu style is defined as unarmed, so all of its
feats are usable with unarmed attacks automatically. However,
various types of kung fu also teach the use of weapons,
including nunchaku, swords, and staves. Each of these types of
weapons is considered a Weapon Element feat for the style. A
character must have the feat in order to use the style’s combat
feats in conjunction with those weapons.
Note that characters can spend a hero die to emulate the Weapon
Element feat like any other feat, granting a one-time use of a
different attack in conjunction with a particular fighting style when
the character doesn’t have that attack as a standard weapon
element.
This option is best for fairly realistic games where it's important to
differentiate between otherwise similar martial artists. For more
general settings, it's probably more detail than the setting or
characters require.
Sample Fighting Styles
A number of sample fighting styles are presented here. You can use
them in your game as-is, modify them to suit your own view of the
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style, and use them as models for creating new fighting styles of
your own.
A note to real-world students of these and other martial arts: the
material here isn’t intended for a detailed simulation of martial arts
combat, but a general set of fighting styles usable in an RPG. Feel
free to modify these styles as you like and to create your own, but
keep in mind they’re intended to provide a useful shorthand for
collections of fighting feats.
AIKIDO FIGHTING STYLE, 7 CP
Aikido is a Japanese martial art school founded by Sensei Morihei
Uyeshiba in the 1920s. It is the epitome of a "soft" martial arts style,
strongly focusing on "flowing" with an attack and using the
attacker's momentum against him. Aikido emphasizes throws and
evading attacks, along with a few holds for "guiding" an attacker to
the ground.
Feats: Attack Specialization (Unarmed), Defensive Attack, Combat
Expert (Gain Combat Advantage [Grab]), Evasion, Grappling Block,
Improved Block, Uncanny Dodge
BOXING FIGHTING STYLE, 9 CP
Called "the sweet science" by some, modern boxing is a fairly
brutal and direct fighting style involving powerful punches and
evasive footwork, usually close in with an opponent. Feinting is a
common skill, used to get an opponent to lower his guard for a
devastating attack.
Skills: Persuasion 1, Perception 1
Feats: All-Out Attack, Attack Specialization (unarmed), Defensive
Attack, Elusive Target, Improved Block, Power Attack, Takedown
Attack
CAPOEIRA FIGHTING STYLE, 7 CP
The national martial art of Brazil, capoeira originated with ritual
dancing among African slaves. When these slaves rebelled, they
developed an unarmed fighting style and disguised it as folk
dancing. Capoeira involves many handstand moves, allowing
practitioners to use it while their hands were bound or chained. It’s
usually practiced to music like a dance form.
Skills: Acrobatics 1
Feats: Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage [Trip]), Instant Up,
Power Attack, Prone Fighting, Talented, Uncanny Dodge (Sight)
ESCRIMA FIGHTING STYLE, 7 CP
This Philippine stick-fighting style typically uses a pair of short
batons, but is also practiced with a balisong knife or unarmed (and
may include either as a weapon element at the GM’s discretion). It
focuses on deflecting or blocking attacks and fast strikes to the
body.
Feats: Accurate Attack, Combat Expert (Disarm), Defensive Attack,
Improved Block, Power Attack, Quick Draw, Stunning Attack
FENCING FIGHTING STYLE, 7 CP
"Fencing" is used here to describe western sword-fighting styles in
general. Traditional fencing uses a slim, slight sword like a foil, but
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
characters in d20A can fence with whatever sort of sword the GM
approves. Fencing focuses on speed, with a combination of
defensive blocks and offensive strikes and thrusts, along with feints
to fake-out your opponent. The more "swashbuckling" style of
fencing also involves Acrobatics.
Feats: Accurate Attack, Attack Specialization (rapier), Combat
Expert 2 (Disarm, Gain Combat Advantage [Feint]), Defensive
Attack, Improved Block, Improved Initiative, Power Attack
JUJUTSU (JUDO) FIGHTING STYLE, 6 CP
This style, also known as judo, grew out of a number of Japanese
fighting styles over hundreds of years, and spread to the western
world in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its primary techniques focus
on throws and holds to put an opponent on the ground and keep
him there. There are hundreds of modern sub-styles teaching
variant feats in it.
Feats: Accurate Attack, Attack Specialization (Unarmed), Combat
Expert 2 (Disarm, Gain Combat Advantage [Grab]), Defensive
Attack, Stunning Attack
KARATE FIGHTING STYLE, 6 CP
Karate originated on the Okinawa Islands. When Japanese
conquerors forbade the natives from carrying weapons, they
focused on this style of unarmed combat. Karate incorporated
various farming tools that could be discretely carried as weapons,
including the staff, nunchaku (threshing flail), kama (sickle), rope or
chain, and tonfa (mill-wheel handle). Modern karate tends to focus
on unarmed techniques.
It spread widely to the west after American soldiers learned it in
Japan after World War II. Karate is a “hard” style focusing on
powerful punches and kicks. A karate teacher is called sensei and
the practice hall or school is a dojo.
Feats: All-out Attack, Combat Expert (Disarm), Improved Block,
Instant Up, Power Attack, Stunning Attack
KRAV MAGA FIGHTING STYLE, 6 CP
Krav Maga developed about 40 years ago for use by the Israeli
Defense Forces (and later Israeli police and Mossad intelligence
agents). It's a highly practical style borrowing moves from many
different fighting styles and focused entirely on quickly and
efficiently disabling an opponent. It lacks the "forms" of other
fighting styles, since it's intended solely for fighting, not for show.
This fighting style can be used for other modern, constructed styles
taught to commandos and military personnel.
Feats: All-Out Attack, Combat Expert 2 (Disarm, Gain Combat
Advantage [Grab]), Improved Block, Power Attack, Uncanny Dodge
(Sight)
KUNG FU FIGHTING STYLE, 9 CP
Kung fu means, essentially, "hard work" or "great skill." It is the
common name of an ancient Chinese style of martial arts dating
back a thousand years or more. It's most famously associated with
the Shaolin Temple, where it was taught beginning in the sixth
century AD. It spread to the west with Chinese immigration in the
1800s, but did not become popular among westerners until the
mid-1900s. There are hundreds of kung fu variants and styles,
many based on the movements of animals (Crane, Dragon,
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Leopard, Mantis, Monkey, Snake, and Tiger, to name some). A
kung fu teacher is called a sifu and the practice hall is called a
kwoon.
Skills: Expertise (Martial Arts) 1
Feats: Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage [Trip]), Defensive
Attack, Improved Block, Improved Critical, Instant Up, Power
Attack, Sunder, Talented (Persuasion [Intimidate])
MUAY THAI FIGHTING STYLE, 6 CP
Also known as Thai kickboxing, Muay Thai is a brutal fighting style
of kicks, knee- and elbow-strikes, and punches. It relies on blocks
for defense and has no holds or throws, the intention being to beat
an opponent to a pulp as quickly as possible.
Feats: All-out Attack, Improved Block, Improved Critical, Power
Attack, Stunning Attack, Takedown Attack
NINJUTSU FIGHTING STYLE, 10 CP
Not a "fighting style" per se, ninjutsu is associated with Japanese
ninja and similar stealthy assassins. The ninja fighting style is
technically called taijutsu, but the style here assumes the broad
range of "ninja" training. It does not include whatever superhuman
capabilities the GM wishes to grant ninja; those are better acquired
as powers.
Skills: Acrobatics 1, Infiltration 1
Feats: Blind-Fight, Evasion, Hide In Plain Sight, Sneak Attack,
Stunning Attack, Takedown Attack, Talented (Persuasion
[Intimidate]), Uncanny Dodge (Sight)
SUMO FIGHTING STYLE, 4 CP
Sumo wrestling is a Japanese martial art, usually practiced by
large, heavy fighters. The object of a match is to push the opponent
out of the fighting ring or pin him down within the ring. Sumo
matches tend to be short, but involve a great deal of lengthy ritual.
Unlike most Asian martial arts, sumo focuses heavily on strength
and size.
Skills: Might 1
Feats: Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage [Grab]), Power
Attack, Stunning Attack
TAE KWAN DO FIGHTING STYLE, 5 CP
The name of this Korean martial art means “the way of kicking and
punching.” It’s a forceful fighting style, widely taught in schools
throughout the world. As its name implies, tae kwan do relies on
both powerful strikes and various types of kicks, including side and
flying kicks.
Feats: All-out Attack, Defensive Roll, Improved Block, Power
Attack, Takedown Attack
TAIDO FIGHTING STYLE, 7 CP
Taido was derived fro Okinawan Karate to focus heavily on
acrobatics and quick movement, spinning on a different axis of the
body to achieve a different effect. It relies on speed, balance, and
coordination in order to devastate enemies, and to shift instantly
from a defensive motion to an offensive one.
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Skills: Acrobatics 1
Feats: All-out Attack, Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage
[Acrobatic Feint]), Defensive Roll, Defensive Attack, Power Attack,
Sneak Attack
Creating Feats
Players and Gamemasters may want to expand the list of feats in
d20 Advanced by coming up with their own. Some general
guidelines for new feats include:
• A feat improving common die rolls should only add a +2 bonus.
• A feat improving a narrowly defined or uncommon die roll can
add up to a +5 bonus.
• A feat improving a single skill should generally add +5, while
feats improving two skills should add +2 to each. Such skill
•
bonuses count against the power level limit on skill ranks.
A feat cannot apply a bonus to a roll more than once for any
given roll.
• A feat can negate up to a –5 penalty from an action. This
includes things like the various challenges.
• A feat can allow a character to ignore some of the restrictions
on an action (such as Blind-Fight).
• A feat can allow a character a bonus action by succeeding at
some other action (such as downing an opponent with
Takedown Attack). The bonus action should be specified rather
than an open-ended "free" action.
• A feat can allow a character to substitute one skill check for
another in certain circumstances.
• A fortune feat allows characters to spend Hero Dice in different
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ways (as with Seize Initiative and Ultimate Effort).
Some of the things new feats should not (or need not) do include:
• Provide a general bonus to an ability score, skill, attack bonus,
defense bonus, or resistance. Characters can already acquire
these by spending additional character points on those traits.
• Provide a variable bonus based on another trait, such as
adding the character's Intelligence bonus to attack rolls or
Wisdom bonus to Defense. This grants a potentially huge
bonus to some for a bargain price (1 point). (A feat where one
trait substitutes for another is more acceptable, provided the
two traits are roughly equivalent.)
• Grant a benefit greater than another similar trait for less cost.
As always, the Gamemaster has the final say whether or not a
particular feat is suitable, and may veto any proposed feat, or
request the player modify it to make it acceptable.
FX as Feats
At the GM's discretion, an FX with a final cost of 1 character point
can be made into a feat. The difference is primarily stylistic, since it
doesn't affect the trait's cost or usage whether it's called a feat or a
power. The key difference is the new feat cannot be nullified, but
also can't be used in conjunction with extra effort; it's a permanent
capability—a feat and not an actual "FX." It also has different
descriptors, which can affect interaction with other traits.
Players and Gamemasters can use various minor FX to create new
feats, particularly if the GM has decided to restrict the availability of
FX in the campaign. In fact, for a low-powered action-hero game of
d20 Advanced, the Gamemaster may choose to allow only 1-point
FX, treating them all as feats (some of which characters may be
able to acquire in ranks) and disallowing all other FX.
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Chapter V: FX
Just about anything that could be called magical, supernatural,
super high-tech, or otherwise beyond normal human capability falls
into a catch-all category of abilities referred to as FX. FX can be
used individually to represent a special ability, or can be combined
to create a single, unified whole. This chapter looks at the various
types of FX available in d20 Advanced. These effects are the basic
“building blocks” of all unusual abilities in the game; with them, you
can create virtually any power, magical spell, or anything else.
FX Components
FX in d20A are made up of certain basic components: each power
includes one or more effects and one or more descriptors of those
effects and their source. A power may also include one or more
modifiers—FX extras or flaws—that change how the basic effect
works, one or more FX feats, particular stunts available to the FX,
and one or more FX drawbacks, specific limitations or restrictions
on the FX. All these components are assembled in a particular
structure to create the FX.
FX
The basic component of a supernatural ability is what the FX
actually does. FX are defined in game terms with little or no regard
for the actual cause of the effect, what it looks like, or how it is
described. The actual mechanics—what the effect does in the
game—is the important thing. This means one game-system FX
may encompass a wide number of "actual" effects. For example,
the Damage FX is used for anything that causes damage, which
includes a tremendous variety of damaging attacks, from more
powerful unarmed strikes to melee weapons, physical projectiles,
harmful energy emissions, chemicals, and so forth.
Modifiers
Modifiers, much as you might expect, change the way basic FX
work. They customize an FX, retaining most of how it works and
adjusting a few things to suit a particular idea. For example, a
modifier might change an FX’s default range, either improving it
(allowing a normally touch range FX to work at a distance) or
limiting it (forcing a ranged FX to only work by touch). Modifiers that
enhance FX are called extras and increase an FX’s cost along with
its capabilities. Modifiers that limit effects are called flaws and
decrease the FX’s cost as well as its capabilities. Modifiers are
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permanent changes to an FX, essentially creating an all-new effect
out of the base FX. So a FX that needs an FX both with and without
a modifier has to pay for two different FX rather than just one.
Feats
Just as characters can have particular feats so can FX have FX
feats; stunts or special capabilities of a particular FX. FX feats work
much like regular feats in that they are optional, things an FX can
do, but which the user can choose to use or not, as desired. FX
feats tend to be less comprehensive and sweeping than modifiers,
since they don’t entirely change how the FX works. Instead, they
provide more options or small benefits that aren’t significant enough
to qualify as modifiers, or that are optional and better handled as
feats or “stunts” of an FX. FX feats are also significant because
characters can use extra effort to acquire them temporarily as FX
stunts.
Drawbacks
Also just as characters may have drawbacks, some FX have
drawbacks of their own. These are minor limitations on an FX,
usually things that aren’t always a concern. Like FX feats, FX
drawbacks tend to be things that aren’t significant enough to qualify
as modifiers but still affect the FX’s use. A drawback reduces an
FX’s cost by a particular amount, but usually not as much as a flaw.
Structure
An FX’s components are put together in a particular structure, a
way of assembling them to “build” a FX. The normal FX structure is
simple: add up the value of the FX’s components and extras,
subtract the value of its flaws to arrive at its cost per rank. Multiply
by the desired rank. Add the cost of its power feats, and subtract
the value of its power drawbacks to arrive at the final cost:
FX cost = (base cost per rank + extras – flaws) x rank + (feats –
drawbacks)
The normal FX structure is used for most FX in d20A to one degree
or another. However, the game also offers other FX structures that
provide more flexibility, particularly the ability to reconfigure a FX
during play, at the expense of certain disadvantages, additional
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character point cost, or both:
Array structures have a common “pool” of character points that are
shared among a number of different FX the user can switch
between from round to round. Essentially, the FX has a number of
distinct “settings” that can be used one at a time. Arrays provide a
way to build FX with a great deal of flexibility without a huge
increase in cost.
Container structures group a number of FX together into a single
FX and affect how flaws and other overall modifiers apply to them.
They’re best suited for lots of FX grouped into a single FX and
usable (or at least accessible) all at once.
Variable structures provide a “pool” of points much like Arrays,
except those points can apply to any FX of a particular descriptor,
but with a greater cost than a comparable Array. Variable structures
provide the ultimate in versatility with a commensurate cost, useful
for building FX with highly variable effects (often dependent on
circumstances).
FX Descriptors
The rules in this chapter explain what the various FX do, that is,
what their game effects are, but it is left up to the player and
Gamemaster to apply descriptors to define exactly what a FX is and
what it looks (and sounds, and feels) like to observers.
An FX's descriptors are primarily for color. It’s more interesting to
say a character has a “Flame Blast” or “Lightning Bolt” FX than a
generic “Blast.” “Flame” and “lightning” are descriptors of the Blast
FX.
Descriptors do have some impact on the game since some FX work
only on or with FX of a particular descriptor. A character may be
immune to fire and heat, for example, so any effect with the “fire” or
“heat” descriptor doesn’t affect that character. The different sense
types are descriptors pertaining to sensory and concealment FX.
Different allegiances may also be descriptors.
Generally speaking, a descriptor is part of what a FX is called
beyond its game system name. For example, a weather-controlling
witch has the following FX: Damage, Environmental Control, and
Obscure. Her Damage is the ability to throw lightning bolts, so it
has the descriptor "lightning." If a foe can absorb electricity, then his
FX works against the witch's damage (since lightning is electrical in
nature).
Her Environmental Control is the power to control the weather,
giving it the descriptor "weather." Obscure creates thick banks of
fog, giving it the "fog" or "mist" descriptor. If an opponent transforms
into mist, with the ability to regenerate in clouds or fog, he can
regenerate inside the witch's Obscure area. If the witch’s power
comes from a pact with demons, it may also have the descriptor
"infernal" or "magical." On the other hand, if it comes from her
mutant genetic structure, then it has the descriptor "mutant."
The number of FX descriptors is virtually limitless. The players and
Gamemaster should cooperate to apply the appropriate descriptors
to characters’ FX and use common sense when dealing with how
the different descriptors interact. Just because one character
throws “lightning” and an opponent can absorb “electricity” doesn’t
mean the villain’s absorption doesn’t work because it’s not the
exact same descriptor. Lightning is a form of electricity. A certain
amount of flexibility is built into descriptors, allowing them to cover
the full range of possible FX. As in all things, the GM is the final
arbitrator and should be consistent when ruling on whether or not a
particular descriptor is appropriate and how all FX and descriptors
interact in the campaign. The FX in this chapter provide additional
examples of descriptors. Feel free to create as many of your own
as desired.
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Sample Descriptors
• Allegiances: Anarchy, Chaos, Evil, Good, Justice, Law,
Liberty, Tyranny
• Elements: Air, Earth, Fire, Plant, Water, Weather
• Energy: Acid, Chemical, Cold, Cosmic, Darkness, Electricity,
Gravity, Heat, Kinetic, Light, Magnetic, Radiation, Sonic,
Vibration
• Phenomena: Colors, Dimensions, Dreams, Entropy, Ideas,
Luck, Memes, Mind, Quantum Forces, Space, Thought, Time
• Sources: Alien, Biological, Chi, Divine, Magic, Mystic, Mutant,
Preternatural, Psionic, Psychic, Skill, Technology, Training
Types of Descriptors
Descriptors come in many different forms. The breakdown in this
section is inexact, and deliberately so; some descriptors fall into
more than one category, while others might not fall into any of these
categories, being unique to that particular character or power. Still,
the following are the major types of descriptors suited to d20
Advanced FX, and things to consider when creating or choosing FX
for a character.
Origin
A descriptor may relate to the origin of an FX, where it comes from
or what granted it to the character. For example, did he gain Speed
in a scientific accident or from years of focused meditation at a
secret temple to the God of Speed? An FX's origin may determine
how it interacts with other FX. Some FX with the same origin might
be better suited to counter each other, for example, or to work in
conjunction, combining their benefits. Examples of origin
descriptors include:
• Accidental FX are the result of random chance or accident:
being struck by lightning, doused in chemicals, exposed to
exotic radiation, and so forth. The circumstances of an
accidental origin may or may not be something others can
duplicate (although some are sure to try).
• Bestowed FX are granted by an outside agency of some sort,
such as a deity, a technology, an alien race, or another
superhuman. The process that bestows the FX can be as
transitive as a Boost effect or the Empowerment power or
effectively permanent, barring some sort of plot device or GM-
created setback.
• Invented FX are designed and created by someone, either the
inventor of a particular piece of technology or the designer of a
technique or technology for bestowing FX on others.
• Mutant FX are inborn, but not natural to the character’s race or
species. They are the result of a genetic mutation of some sort,
possibly due to environmental influences like chemical
mutagens or radiation. Since they involve a change in the
subject’s DNA, mutant FX—or at least the potential for them—
are inheritable.
• Training FX are gained from study and practice. While many
training FX are “super-skills” or esoteric abilities learned from
trained masters, this origin covers any power that is learned
rather than acquired in another way. It’s not necessarily limited
to “skill-based” FX or feat-like traits. For example, a Magic FX
might be acquired through training and study.
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Source
An FX's source differs from its origin in that the origin is where the
potential or ability to use the power comes from (where the
character got the FX in the first place), while source is where the
FX’s effect comes from, or where the FX draws its energy.
Comic book style superpowers answer this question with vague
descriptors, since the kind of real-world energy required for many
FX is staggering, requiring all super-humans to be living fusion
reactors! While this may well be the case in your own setting, the
assumption is that FX source is just another descriptor in most d20
Advanced games.
Source descriptors influence the effects of certain FX, such as
Nullify Magic FX, which can counter FX with a magical source,
whether or not their effects are magical. Examples of FX sources
include:
• Biological FX come from the user’s own physiology, drawing
power from stores of bio-chemical energy or perhaps from
specialized organs or biological functions, like a squid’s ink or a
skunk’s musk, which are generated biologically.
• Cosmic FX draw upon the fabric of the universe itself or
“cosmic” power sources like quasars, white holes, or the
background radiation of the Big Bang. Cosmic FX are close to
divine in many respects (see the following) in that they
transcend earthly sources of power.
• Divine FX come from a higher being, essentially a god or
gods. Divine power is generally limited to the god(s) areas of
influence and may be morally aligned, available only to
wielders with an allegiance to that divinity.
• Extradimensional FX originate outside the home dimension of
the setting, from other planes or dimensions of existence.
Some extradimensional FX are scientific while others are
downright mystical, or even beyond into realms “man was not
meant to know.”
• Magical FX draw upon magical energies, however they might
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be defined in the setting. Typically, there is some sort of
“magical energy” in existence that magicians and magical
creatures draw upon for their FX and effects. Note that FX with
a magical source are not necessarily “spells,” although they
might be; a dragon’s breath might use magic to power it, or it
might be biological, depending on the descriptors applied to it
(in other words, how it’s defined in terms of the setting).
• Moral FX come from an abstract morality or ideal, essentially
from an allegiance to that ideal. Whether or not the moral FX is
aware and capable of interaction is up to the GM and the
specifications of the setting; it’s the character’s belief in that
ideal that matters so far as the FX is concerned. “Good” and
“evil” are common abstract moral sources of FX, but others
may include chaos, law, anarchy, order, justice, balance,
neutrality, reason, and so forth.
• Psionic FX are effects of the mind, coming from the psyche of
the wielder (or perhaps from the Collective Unconscious, which
acts as a “wellspring” of psionic power). This source is
associated with classic “mental” FX like Telepathy and
Telekinesis, although those FX can also come from other
sources.
• Technological FX are the result of technology, machines and
technological devices. Although technological power sources
often involve Devices or Equipment, they don’t necessary have
to; a technological FX may be a permanent implant, for
example, without the limitations of a Device, but still
technological (and affected by things keyed to the technological
descriptor).
Medium
An FX’s medium is what the FX uses to accomplish its effect(s).
Often, an FX’s source and medium are one and the same: a psionic
FX uses psionic energy to power and accomplish its effects,
likewise, a divine FX often uses divine energy to power and
accomplish its effects.
In some cases, however, source and medium may differ and the
distinction may be significant. For example, the ability to throw
fireballs granted by the God of Fire is a bestowed origin, divine
source, and uses fire as the medium to cause its Damage effect.
Medium descriptors generally fall into either material or energy:
material mediums are substances, ranging from things like air (or
other gases), water (or other liquids), and earth (soil, rock, sand,
etc.) through to biological materials like acids, blood, and so forth.
Energy mediums are different forms of energy, from
electromagnetic (electricity, light, radio, radiation, etc.) to gravity,
kinetic energy, or an exotic source like divine, magical, or psionic
energy (given under Origin descriptors).
Result
Lastly, an FX’s result is what occurs when the FX is used beyond
just the game mechanics of its effect. For example, the rules of a
Snare effect describe the penalties suffered by the entangled or
helpless target, but they don’t describe the result, the nature of the
snare itself. Is it glowing bonds of energy, chains of ice, the target
sinking into rapidly hardening quicksand, or any number of other
things?
Result descriptors tend to be fairly broad, given the potential range
of results available to effects in the game. Some FX may not have
or need result descriptors; after all, “Mind Control” is a pretty clear
description of a result. However, “an induced trance where the
human brain becomes capable of accepting neurolinguistic
programming inputs” is also a valid result for that same effect.
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Like medium descriptors, result descriptors may or may not match
others the FX already has. Take a taser-like weapon able to stun
the nervous system of its target: it has an invented origin (someone
designed and built it), a technological source (it’s a technological
device with a battery), uses a energy medium (an electrical shock),
and results in an electrical overload of the target’s nervous system
(the result descriptor for its Stun effect). This tells us a lot about that
particular FX and reasonable ways it might interact with other
effects.
Applying Descriptors
Applying descriptors to a FX is as simple as describing what the FX
is and how it works: “The divinely-granted ability to heal through a
laying-on of hands,” for example, “or the mutant power to control
magnetic fields to move ferrous metal objects.” Considerably more
evocative and descriptive than “Healing effect” or “Move Object,
Limited to Ferrous Metals,” aren’t they?
Generally, you should feel free to apply whatever descriptors seem
appropriate and necessary to describe your character’s FX, so long
as they don’t significantly change how they work in game terms.
This is the key element. While descriptors may imply certain
interactions or minor benefits or drawbacks, they shouldn’t
significantly change how an effect works, that’s the role of FX feats,
modifiers, and drawbacks. So, for example, “area” is not a
descriptor, it is an extra you apply to allow an FX to affect an area
rather than a single target.
Applying Descriptors in Play
While descriptors are generally applied to FX when those FX are
acquired (that is, when a character is created), in some cases,
certain descriptors may be left unspecified, to be defined during
play. This can either be because nobody thought to define the
descriptor in advance, or it was deliberately left vague, to be filled-
in later.
So, for example, a particular character might not know the origin or
source of her FX, and her player doesn’t want to know, leaving
them a mystery for later development in the game. The GM agrees
and so the character's FX have no origin or source descriptors.
Instead, the GM chooses them, which isn’t known until the
character is subject to an anti-magical field and discovers her FX
don’t work! The GM awards the player a hero die for the
unexpected setback and now the source of the character's FX is
known, although their origin still remains a mystery...
Applying descriptors in play gives you a lot of flexibility, letting you
handle certain things “on the fly” rather than having to describe
every aspect of a character in excruciating detail beforehand. The
key tool for handling the application of descriptors in play is the use
of hero dice. If applying a new descriptor is a setback for the
character, then award the player a hero die, just like any other
setback. If the new descriptor is chosen by the player and gives the
character a minor advantage, you might ask the player to pay a
hero die for the privilege, although you can balance this with an
immediate hero die award for the clever idea, if you want (making
the hero die a token expenditure). If it’s neither, then there’s no hero
dice cost, just apply the descriptor.
Changing Descriptors in Play
On some occasions, you or a player may wish to change a
particular descriptor during the course of the game, removing an
existing descriptor and possibly replacing it with another one.
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Sometimes this takes the form of discovering that a descriptor the
character thought applied actually does not, such as a character
discovering his “magical” FX are actually the mutant ability to
manipulate reality in certain ways. So long as the change doesn’t
contradict any previously introduced information, this is no different
than applying a descriptor in play, and should be handled in the
same way. On the other hand, if other effects previously worked on
the character as if his FX were magical, then some sort of
explanation is required. The Gamemaster may wish to limit or ban
“discovering” a descriptor that has already been established,
although it might still be changed.
Changing descriptors is best handled as a plot device, much like re-
allocating character points and redesigning characters. If exposure
to strange magical forces changes a character’s FX source from
biological to magical, for example, that’s something for the GM to
decide in the context of the game. Like with defining descriptors in
play, if a change in descriptors through GM Fiat constitutes a
setback, the GM should award the player a hero die. Changes that
provide an advantage don’t cost, however, since the GM chooses
when and where they occur.
Temporarily changing a descriptor can be a use of extra effort, like
any other FX stunt. For example, a character might change the
result of an electrical Damage effect to a magnetic Move Object
effect for one use. This is like any other FX stunt and the changed
or additional descriptors are an important part of the stunt.
Sometimes an FX stunt may change nothing but an effect’s
descriptor(s), such as changing a Damage effect from laser-light to
a gamma-ray “graser” or from heat to cold. The GM decides what
constitutes a reasonable change in descriptors for an FX stunt,
based on the FX’s existing descriptors and effects.
Required Descriptors
In some campaign settings, the Gamemaster may require certain
descriptors for all FX. Usually, a required descriptor reflects some
common element of the campaign. For example, if all characters
with FX are mutants, then all FX have the “mutant” descriptor,
unless the player comes up with a good explanation why they
shouldn’t. If all superhumans are psychic mutants, then all FX have
both the “psychic” and “mutant” descriptors.
Likewise, if all FX derive from quantum forces in some way,
“quantum” might be a required descriptor. The GM sets the rules as
far as what descriptors are required (or restricted) in the campaign.
“Natural” FX
FX in d20A refer to all extraordinary traits other than ability scores,
skills, and feats. Whether a character with FX is “super-human” or
not is largely a matter of opinion. For example, there are lots of
fictional characters with superhuman traits still considered “normal”
humans. Their amazing FX come from talent, training, self-
discipline, devices, or some similar source, with appropriate
descriptors. They’re still FX in game terms, but they don’t
necessarily mean the character is something other than human.
Ultimately it’s up to the GM to decide if having certain effects makes
a character something “other than human,” (and what, if anything,
that means) depending on the nature of FX in the campaign setting.
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FX Types
FX fall into certain categories or types. FX of the same type follow
similar rules This section discusses the different FX types and the
rules governing them.
Alteration
Alteration FX change or transform in some way. Most alteration FX
work on their user, but can be modified to work on others as well.
Alteration FX targeting others require a standard action and an
attack roll as a default and always offer a resistance.
Attack
Attack FX are used offensively in combat. They generally require an
attack roll and can damage, hinder, or otherwise harm their target in
some way. Attack FX require a standard action by default and
always offer a resistance. Their duration is usually instant although
their results—whether damage or hindrance—may linger until the
target recovers from them.
Defense
Defense FX protect in various ways, typically offering a bonus to
resistances, or granting immunity (automatic success on a
resistance) against particular FX or conditions. Most defense FX
work only on the user. Defense FX tend to be passive in nature,
functioning at all times.
General
General FX don’t fit into any other particular category. They’re not
governed by any special rules other than those given in the FX’s
description.
Movement
Movement FX allow characters to get around in various ways.
There are three types of movement: normal move, accelerated
move, and all out movement. A normal move is one action and
allows you to move your speed. An accelerated move takes two
actions) and doubles your speed. All out movement is also two
actions and quadruples your speed. You lose your dodge bonus
while moving all out but gain a Defense bonus based on your
speed. Movement FX always require at least a move action to use,
but the move action is counted as part of the character’s normal
movement.
Sensory
Sensory FX enhance, alter, or work via the senses. Some sensory
FX improve the user’s senses while others grant new senses or
influence the senses in some way. Sensory FX that improve the
user’s senses are typically passive and continuous or permanent in
duration, requiring no action to use apart from that required to make
the necessary skill checks (usually Perception). Sensory FX that
work on unwilling subjects are active, require a standard action as a
default, and allow a resistance.
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Sense Types
Senses are grouped into sense types, descriptors for how different
sensory effects work. The different sense types, and the senses
included in them, are:
• Visual: normal sight, darkvision, detect, infravision, low-light
vision, microscopic vision, ultravision, X-Ray vision
•
•
Auditory: normal hearing, detect, sonar, ultrasonic hearing
Olfactory: normal smell and taste, detect, scent
• Tactile: normal touch, blindsight (vibration), detect,
tremorsense
• Radio: detect, microwaves, radar, radio
• Mental: detect, mental awareness, Mind Reading,
Precognition, Postcognition
Mental FX
Mental senses are a special case for sensory FX that work on
unwilling subjects: the subject must have an Intelligence score of at
least -5 in order for the effect to work. Non-intelligent subjects are
mindless and therefore unaffected. These sensory FX are noted as
“(mental)” after their type.
Trait
Trait effects influence a target’s traits: abilities, resistances, skills,
powers, and so forth. Most trait effects are touch range, require one
action, and allow a resistance. Trait effects don’t work on traits with
the Innate FX feat, since they cannot be altered.
Trait Types
Traits are grouped into trait types, descriptors for how different trait
effects work. The different trait types, and the traits included in
them, are:
• Abilities: all ability scores and resistances
• Skills: all skills, attack bonus, and defense bonus (including
limited, but permanent, skill, attack, and defense bonuses)
• Feats: all feats
• FX: each FX type is considered a separate trait type.
Alternately, all FX of a particular descriptor (regardless of type)
may be considered a single trait type, such as all magical
effects or all fire effects.
Using FX
The whole point of having amazing superhuman abilities is using
them. While the previous section looked at the basic components of
FX, this section discusses how to use those FX in play.
For many FX, which have only one component, this is the same
thing, for others, it can make a difference since a FX’s various
components can have different requirements in terms of action,
duration, result, and so forth. For example, a laser light FX might be
scattered by prisms or thick banks of fog or mist. This isn’t a FX
drawback per se, simply a consequence of the FX’s descriptors.
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Active and Passive FX
FX can be defined as active or passive: active FX require an action
to use, and often an attack roll or check. Active abilities normally
only work when the user wishes them to do so, unless they are out
of the user’s control. Active FX are noticeable by default, having
some kind of display associated with them. Examples of active
abilities include attack effects (Damage, Inflict (Condition), etc.),
movement FX (Speed, etc.), and some sensory FX (Concealment,
Illusion, Obscure, etc.).
Passive FX do not require an action to use or maintain: this means
they must have an action of reaction or none, and continuous or
permanent duration. They work automatically (whether the user
wants them to or not, if they’re permanent). Passive FX are
unnoticeable by default, having no particular outward display unless
otherwise dictated by the power’s descriptor in which case, the
Noticeable FX drawback applies. Examples of passive abilities
include most defense FX (Immovable, Immunity, etc.) and some
sensory FX (like Enhanced Senses).
Activating and
Deactivating FX
Activating or deactivating an FX takes a particular amount of time,
with the type of action determined by the effect: none, reaction,
free, one, or two actions:
None
The FX does not require an action to use; it is always in operation.
Effects like this are always passive and have either a continuous or
permanent duration.
Reaction
The FX operates automatically in response to some other
circumstance, such as an attack. This is much like a ready action
except it requires no effort on the character’s part and does not
count as an action (meaning a reaction is possible even if the
character is stunned or otherwise unable to take actions). The
circumstance that activates a reaction FX should be defined when
the FX is acquired and must be approved by the GM. A reaction
can occur outside of a character’s normal place in the initiative
order, and does not affect the initiative order.
Free
The FX requires a free action to use or activate. Once an FX is
activated or deactivated, it remains so until your next round. As with
all free actions, the GM may limit the total number of FX a character
can turn on or off in a single round.
One Action
The FX requires a standard one action to use. Since characters are
limited to two actions per round, this generally means you can only
use one FX per round if you also wish to move, but if you choose to
stand your ground and fight, you can generally mange two one
action FX in a round.
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Two Actions
The FX requires a full-round of two actions to use. Some FX require
even longer than two actions to use, as given in their descriptions,
although generally this is only the case for FX modified with flaws
and FX drawbacks. FX modifiers may change the action a FX
requires. If you’re unable to take the required two actions, then you
cannot activate the FX. You can activate a two action FX by taking
one action at the end of one round and another action at the start of
the following round, but the second action must be your first action
that round, or else the activation fails.
Generally, so long as you’re able to take the required action
unhindered, the FX activates. In some circumstances, the GM may
require an Expertise check to concentration to successfully activate
an FX, but this is usually reserved for maintaining an FX under
difficult circumstances.
Note that you can only activate or deactivate an FX in a round, not
both. This is an important consideration for a variety of tricks,
including deactivating a defensive FX like Insubstantial (free
action), making an attack (one action), and becoming insubstantial
again (free action), not normally an option.
Multiple Activations
Activating FX is limited by your available actions, which usually
means you can only activate two one-action FX or one two-action
FX in a round, along with as many free action FX as you wish (and
the GM sees fit to allow).
A set of Linked FX may all be activated as a single FX with a single
action (indeed, they must be activated this way). Container
structures can also be activated all at once, although their FX can
also be used individually.
The additional action granted by a surge use of a hero die can also
be used to activate an FX, up to and including using it in
conjunction with your normal action to activate a two action FX in
the same round as another action.
FX Checks
In some cases, you may be required to make an FX check to
determine how well an FX works. An FX check is just like any other
check: d20, plus the FX’s rank, plus any applicable modifiers,
against a Difficulty Class set by the Gamemaster. Unlike skill
checks, ability modifiers are not added to FX checks. The results of
various FX checks are described in this chapter.
Power Check = d20 + power rank + modifiers vs. Difficulty Class
Taking 10 or 20 on FX Checks
You can take 10 on an FX check if you are not under pressure, the
same as with a skill check. You can take 20 on an FX check if you
are not under pressure, there is no penalty for failure, and you can
take approximately twenty times the normal time required, also the
same as a skill check. If an FX requires extra effort to retry (see the
following), and imposes a penalty for failure, you cannot take 20
with checks involving that FX.
Retrying FX Checks
Retrying an FX check is sometimes more difficult than just retrying
an ability or skill check. Some FX require extra effort in order to
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retry them against the same target in the same encounter or scene.
This does not usually apply to FX checks in response to something
else, such as the opposed FX check to avoid having an FX
countered or nullified. Specific instances of retrying FX checks are
detailed in the various effect descriptions.
When you have failed to successfully use an FX that requires extra
effort to retry, you must either expend the necessary fatigue
(possibly using a hero die to offset it) or you have to wait until the
conditions change before trying again. Generally, this means until
the current scene is over, however long that might be. The GM
decides the exact amount of time that must pass in order to retry an
FX without extra effort, according to the circumstances of the scene
and the adventure.
FX checks for passive FX (if any) are never subject to extra effort
for trying again. Likewise, rolls and checks other than FX checks
are not subject to fatigue from trying again, such as attack rolls with
a particular FX, or skill checks involving an enhanced skill (which is
also usually a passive FX, and already exempt).
Opposed FX Checks
In some cases, usually when one FX is used directly against
another, an opposed FX check is called for. If a contest is entirely a
matter of whose FX is greater, a comparison check may apply: the
character with the higher FX rank wins automatically.
For a particular use of opposed FX checks, see Countering FX later
in this section.
FX Checks vs. Resistance
Some FX require compare the result of an FX check against the
result of the target’s resistance to determine the result of the FX.
The opposed check is made immediately when the FX is used.
FX vs. Skill Checks
On occasion an FX may be opposed by a skill or vice versa. This is
a normal opposed check, comparing the FX’s check result against
the skill’s check result.
Range
Each FX has a default range at which it functions, that can be
changed using modifiers. FX ranges are: personal, touch, touch-
perception, ranged, and perception.
Personal
A personal range FX works only on you, the user. Personal FX are
therefore usually beneficial in nature. For a personal range FX that
works on others, apply the Affects Others extra to the base FX.
Touch
A touch range FX works on anyone or anything you can touch
(which usually includes yourself). Touching an unwilling subject
within reach requires a melee attack roll against the subject’s
Defense, like an unarmed attack. Successfully touching the target
allows the FX to occur, although a normal resistance against the FX
is permitted (if there is one).
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Touch-Perception
A touch-perception range power lets you automatically use an FX
on any target within arm’s reach. You can’t actually target a foe
father away than you could with a touch range FX, but you do not
need an attack roll to use the FX successfully.
Ranged
A ranged FX works at a distance with a range increment of (rank x
10 feet) and a maximum range of (rank x 100 feet), normally ten
increments. So a ranged rank 10 effect has a range increment of
100 feet and a maximum range of 1,000 feet. A ranged FX suffers a
–2 penalty to attack rolls for every range increment past the first, to
–18 at maximum range.
The Progression FX feat can increase an FX’s maximum range,
while the Improved Range FX feat can increase its range
increment. So one Progression (range) FX feat moves the FX’s
maximum range from 10 increments to 25 increments (then 50,
100, etc.). One Improved Range feat moves range increment from
10 feet to 25 feet, then 50, 100, and so forth on the Time and Value
Progression Table. For FX without increased maximum range, this
reduces the total number of increments the FX has; if range
increment and maximum range are the same (the effect has only
one range increment) then it takes no penalties for range out to its
maximum distance.
Perception
A perception range FX works on any target you can perceive with
an accurate sense—usually sight—without any need for an attack
roll. If the target has total cover or concealment from all your
accurate senses, your perception range FX cannot affect it. The
GM may require a Notice check to determine if you can perceive
the target accurately enough to affect it. Since perception range FX
do not require attack rolls, they cannot score critical hits, nor benefit
from traits that modify attack rolls, such as Power Attack.
Duration
Each FX lasts for a particular amount of time, which may be
changed by power modifiers. FX durations are instant,
concentration, sustained, continuous, and permanent.
Instant
An instant FX occurs and ends instantly, although its results may
linger. Most attack FX are instant; the attack happens immediately,
although it may take time for the target to recover from it.
Concentration
A concentration FX lasts as long as you concentrate on maintaining
it. Concentration takes one action and distractions may cause your
concentration to lapse. If your concentration lapses, the FX stops.
Failing to take the necessary action to concentrate means your
concentration lapses automatically. Make a Concentration check
(DC 10 + power rank) each round you maintain the FX. A failed
check means the FX lapses.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Sustained
A sustained FX lasts as long as you take a free action each round
to maintain it. Since you are capable of taking as many free actions
as you wish, you can generally maintain any number of sustained
FX, limited only by the Gamemaster’s judgment. If you are
incapable of taking free actions (stunned or unconscious, for
example) then the FX lapses. You can maintain a sustained FX as
a reaction (allowing you to attempt to maintain it if you are stunned,
for example) for one round with a Concentration check (DC 10 +
power rank). Make the resistance each round you maintain the FX
as a reaction. A failed check means the FX lapses.
Continuous
A continuous FX lasts as long as you wish, without any effort on
your part. Once activated, it stays that way until you choose to
deactivate it, even if you are stunned or unconscious. Continuous
FX can still generally be countered or nullified to stop them from
working.
Permanent
A permanent FX is always active and cannot be turned off, even if
you want to. Permanent FX can only counter other FX at the GM’s
discretion, although they may sometimes be countered and can be
nullified unless they also have the Innate FX feat.
Involuntarily Deactivation
There are a number of ways in which characters may lose the
ability to maintain an FX: damage, distraction, or interference of
some kind or another. If conditions cause involuntary deactivation
of an FX, it occurs immediately, not on the user’s next action. So,
for example, if you’re stunned by an opponent’s attack (and don’t
successfully make an Expertise check to conentrate), then any
concentration or sustained FX immediately stop working. Lasting
FX remain, but they’re no longer under your control.
Once an active FX is deactivated (voluntarily or not) it must be
reactivated normally once you’re capable of doing so. This is trivial
for a free action FX, but can be significant for FX requiring longer
actions, particularly ones with flaws adding other activation
requirements.
Losing Control
In addition to losing the ability to maintain an FX, it’s possible to
lose the ability to control it, which is not necessarily the same thing.
An out of control FX may deactivate, but could do other things as
well.
A subject under Mind Control can be ordered to activate,
deactivate, or use any FX under his control. So you can order a
mind-controlled thrall to lower his Force Field, for example, or stop
maintaining any other FX. Targets may be strongly opposed to
certain FX-related actions: turning off your Force Field is one thing,
shutting off your Enhanced Movement (Flight) FX while high in the
air is another!
You can’t use Mind Control to command a target to do something
he can’t normally do, like turn off Enhanced (Trait) (or any other
permanent effect) or exert active control over a passive FX.
Likewise, Mind Control doesn’t abrogate any modifiers on the
target’s FX: if they don’t work at night, for example, then your
control isn’t going to change that.
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An FX with the Uncontrolled flaw is never under your control!
Although it may sometimes do something useful, an Uncontrolled
FX is always under the Gamemaster’s control and is considered a
passive FX. Among other things, this means someone usurping
control of your FX doesn’t gain any more control over it than you
have. It also means the FX may operate even when you’re normally
incapable of using other FX, if the GM sees fit.
An Unreliable FX, on the other hand, just doesn’t work sometimes.
When you fail a reliability check, treat it as an involuntary
deactivation of the FX: it stops working immediately (if it was active)
and can’t be reactivated until you recover the FX in some way.
Resistance Against FX
Active FX that work on other characters must overcome that
character's resistance against the FX. The type of resistance
(Toughness, Fortitude, or Will) depends on the FX and its modifiers.
The DC to overcome a resistance is 10 + resistance modifier. Add
your FX's rank to a d20 roll to see if you overcome the resistance.
So the DC to overcome a character's +9 Fortitude resistance is 19
(10 + 9). Toughness resistances have a DC of 5 + the character's
Toughness modifier. If you succeed in overcoming the target's
resistance, the FX works.
Difficulty Class to Overcome a Resistance = 10 + Resistance rank
(5 + rank for Toughness)
Harmless FX
Some FX are listed as "(harmless)" after the resistance type,
meaning the FX is usually beneficial, but recipients may resist it, if
they wish. Successfully resisting against a harmless FX means the
FX doesn’t work. This particularly comes into play with passive
resistance bonuses, like Immunity.
Staged FX
Some FX are listed as "(staged)" after the resistance type, meaning
the amount by which the check to overcome the character's
resistance determines the outcome of the FX. The exact results of
the success are given in the FX’s description.
Forgoing Resistance
Willing characters can forgo their resistance against an FX, if they
wish. The player declares the intention to do so before the FX is
used. This includes characters that think they’re receiving the
benefit of a harmless FX, even if they’re not! You can’t forgo
Toughness resistance and there’s no such thing as a “harmless”
Toughness FX.
Immunity
The Immunity FX allows characters to automatically resist certain
FX. Moreover, since Immunity is normally permanent, the character
cannot choose to forgo resistance, even if the FX is harmless.
Characters with continuous or sustained Immunity can choose to
turn the FX off in order to forgo their resistance and receive the
benefit of harmless FX, if desired. Even in those cases, you can’t
forgo the resistance while Immunity is active, and it requires a free
action to voluntarily lower your Immunity.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

TABLE 5.1: TIME AND VALUE PROGRESSION

Mundane Mundane Cinematic Epic
Rank Cinematic Time Epic Time Range Area
Time Value Value Value
3 seconds (1 3 seconds (1 3 seconds (1
1 1 1 1 10 feet 5 ft. radius
action) action) action)
6 seconds (1 6 seconds (1 6 seconds (1
2 2 2 5 100 feet 10 ft. radius
round) round) round)
30 seconds (5 1 minute (10 1 minute (10
3 3 5 10 1,000 feet 25 ft. radius
rounds) rounds) rounds)
1 minute (10
4 5 minutes 10 minutes 5 10 50 1 mile 50 ft. radius
rounds)
5 5 minutes 30 minutes 1 hour 10 25 100 5 miles 100 ft. radius
6 10 minutes 1 hour 6 hours 15 50 500 20 miles 250 ft. radius
7 30 minutes 6 hours 12 hours 20 100 1,000 200 miles 500 ft. radius
8 1 hour 1 day 1 week 30 250 5,000 2,000 miles 1,000 ft. radius
9 6 hours 1 week 1 month 40 500 10,000 20,000 miles 2,500 ft. radius
10 12 hours 1 month 1 year 60 1,000 50,000 200,000 miles 1 mile radius
11 1 day 3 months 10 years 100 2,500 100,000 2 million miles 2 mile radius
20 million
12 3 days 1 year 50 years 150 5,000 500,000 5 mile radius
miles
200 million
13 1 week 5 years 500 years 200 10,000 1 million 10 mile radius
miles
10 years 1,000 years
14 1 month 300 25,000 5 million 42 billion miles 25 mile radius
(decade) (millennium)
Same solar
15 3 months 50 years 10,000 years 500 50,000 10 million 50 mile radius
system
100 years Nearby star 100 mile
16 6 months 50,000 years 750 100,000 50 million
(century) systems radius
Distant star 250 mile
17 1 year 500 years 100,000 years 1,000 250,000 100 million
systems radius
1,000 years 500 mile
18 2 years 1 million years 1,500 500,000 500 million Same galaxy
(millennium) radius
Nearby 1,000 mile
19 5 years 5,000 years 1 billion years 2,500 1 million 1 billion
galaxies radius
10 years 5 billion years (age Anywhere in
20 10,000 years 3,500 2.5 million 5 billion 2,500 mile
(decade) of the earth) the universe

Result
creation or can move mountains.

The result of any given FX is given in the FX’s description, but FX
results share certain common terms and systems, described here.
Progression
Many FX are measured in time, distance, area, mass affected, and
so forth. The Time and Value Progression Table handles these
measurements for effects in d20 Advanced. Uses of the table are
referenced in the individual FX and modifier descriptions in this
chapter. The table includes value progressions for different
playstyles, from lower-powered games to epic games.
• Mundane Value: For games where FX are less potent, such
as in more street-level or true-to-life settings, use the Realistic
value column.
• Cinematic Value: For more cinematic games where the FX a
character wields are more powerful and more potent, the
heroic value column is an appropriate choice.
• Epic Value: In games where characters might be wielding
godlike or cosmic power able to stretch across the whole of
Using the Time and Value
Progression Table
An effect’s description will generally say something like, “the FX
begins at a value of X and each rank moves it one step up the
Progression Table,” where X is the starting value of the FX’s result.
So, for example, the Enhanced Movement FX for Flight starts out
with a speed of 10 miles per hour (100 feet per move action) at
rank 1. Each rank moves speed one step up the Progression Table.
Since the value after 10 on the table is 25, 2 is 25 MPH, 3 is 50
MPH, and so forth.
Note that not all FX start their progression at the rank 1 on the
table; many start off with a higher base value and progress from
there. If necessary, you can extend the Progression Table by
following the same progression.
Extended Range or Area
An extended range FX works at a particular distance (or over a

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
particular area) determined by its rank, as shown on the Extended
Range Table. Because the FX’s range or area is determined by
rank, it cannot be changed using Range or Area modifiers. To alter
range or area, increase or decrease the effect’s rank instead. If an
FX does not have area based on rank, it uses the Area extra to
work over an area.
Technically, extended range FX are personal, in that they affect the
user, but their “reach” is given on the Extended Range Table. So,
for example, ESP is a personal FX, in that it only modifies the
user’s senses, but the distance you can displace your point of
perception with it is based on the Extended Range Table. Likewise,
Teleport is a personal FX—it allows you to move instantly from
place to place—but the distance covered is based on its rank and
the Extended Range Table.
Extended area FX are generally not personal, the FX covering a
particular area, either radiating from you (if the FX is touch range)
or that you can center on a point within range (if the FX is ranged).
Lasting Results
An FX with “(lasting)” listed after its duration means the target must
recover from the FX by making additional recovery checks, with a
cumulative +1 bonus per previous check. A successful check
eliminates the lingering FX (and the need for further check).
An instant duration lasting FX allows a new recovery check each
round on the initiative count when the FX occurred. So an instant
lasting FX that takes place on initiative count 12 of a round offers a
new recovery check at initiative count 12 on the following round,
even if the FX-user or the target’s place in the initiative order
changes.
A concentration duration lasting FX allows a new check for each
interval on the Time Table, starting one minute after the FX occurs
(then 5 minutes, 20 minutes, and so on). The FX lasts until the
target successfully recovers or the user stops concentrating
whichever comes first. If you stop concentrating, the subject gains a
new check every round (like an instant lasting FX), with a +1 bonus
per check, until the FX is eliminated. Once you stop concentrating
on the FX, you can’t start again without an entirely new use of the
FX.
A sustained duration lasting FX allows a new check for each
interval on the Time Table, the same as with concentration duration,
but does not require an action to maintain; its FX continue until the
target successfully recovers. If you concentrate during an entire
time interval (taking a standard action each round), the subject
does not gain the cumulative +1 check bonus for that interval. Once
you stop concentrating on a sustained lasting FX, you cannot start
concentrating on it again without an entirely new use of the FX.
A continuous duration lasting FX does not allow new checks at all; if
the initial effect succeeds, the FX lasts until countered or reversed
in some way. The GM should carefully regulate sustained and
continuous lasting FX in the game. Generally, there should be
some reasonable way to reverse a continuous lasting FX other than
countering or nullifying it, such as a medical treatment, folk remedy,
other FX, or the like. The GM decides what’s reasonable for any
given FX.
It should be noted that there is no such thing as a “permanent
lasting” FX; continuous is as close as it gets, and the Permanent
flaw does not apply to the duration of lasting FX. No FX in d20A
should be completely irreversible unless it is a plot device
controlled by the GM, and even then Gamemasters should consider
carefully whether or not such an absolute effect is fair.
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Noticing FX
The ability to notice FX follows certain basic guidelines:
• Active FX are noticeable in some way: a visible display, an
audible noise, a powerful vibration, and so forth. The exact
display associated with the FX depends on the descriptors,
approved by the GM.
• Passive FX are unnoticeable, although they can be noticeable,
if you wish (with the application of the Noticeable FX
drawback).
• If a passive FX’s duration is changed, it becomes noticeable,
unless the Subtle FX feat is applied. This includes passive FX
added to an active Container structure. Active FX remain
noticeable, even if their duration is changed, unless the Subtle
FX feat is applied to them.
• Sensory FX are by definition noticeable to the sense(s) they
affect. So a sight-dependent FX is noticeable visually, and so
forth. This means mental sensory FX are noticeable only to
mental senses. The Subtle FX feat can conceal the source of a
sensory effect, but not its actual effect on the senses. A Subtle
Visual Dazzle, for example, might use an undetectable medium
to cause temporary blindness, but victims of the effect still
know they’re unable to see. Likewise, the Concealment effect
is “noticeable” in that concealed subjects actually “disappear”
from the affected sense, but they do not otherwise call attention
to themselves.
Noticeable FX
Noticeable FX are automatically detected by whatever senses are
appropriate, depending on their descriptors. Normally, no
Perception check is required, but the GM can ask for one if the
circumstances wouldn’t allow observers to take 10. The DC of the
Perception check is 10 (since observers can normally take 10 to
automatically succeed).
Sensory FX
Sensory FX like Illusion and Obscure can conceal other effects just
as they do anything else. So the flash of an energy blast is
concealed by a Visual Obscure FX just like an ordinary flashbulb
would be. Concealment hides personal range FX, but not others, so
an invisible character’s force field cannot be seen, but his force
blast can, unless it’s Subtle.
Mental FX
Mental sensory FX are noticeable only to those directly affected by
them (who sense them automatically) and to observers with a
ranged mental sense, such as Mental Awareness. Unnoticeable FX
become noticeable with an application of the Noticeable FX
drawback.
Subtle FX
Subtle FX are either noticeable only with a Perception check (DC
20) or automatically with a specialized sense other than the
standard visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, and mental senses. This
usually means Enhanced Senses based in a different sense type.
For example, an FX based on invisible radiation is noticeable to a
detect radiation sense (or perhaps to infravision or ultravision, if it’s
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

Instant Countering
the right wavelength), but unnoticeable to other senses. Noticeable
FX can be made subtle with the application of one rank of the
Subtle FX feat.
You can spend a hero die to counter another FX as a reaction using
an FX that normally requires one or fewer actions without the need
Unnoticeable FX to ready an action to do so.

FX Descriptions
Unnoticeable FX are truly undetectable by any sense, although
their consequences may still be noticeable. So, for example, a
protection effect (which is permanent) is normally unnoticeable: you
can’t tell by looking at or even touching someone with protection This section describes various FX available in d20 Advanced. Here
whether or not they have an increased Toughness resistance. is the format for FX descriptions.
However, you can certainly see (or at least surmise) that someone
has Impervious Toughness when you see bullets bouncing off
them! Likewise, although a Subtle Mental Damage may be FX NAME
completely undetectable, the FX’s victim still knows he’s hurt (if the
attack damaged him), as do others if the attack does enough Action: The action required to
damage to visibly daze the target or worse (although neither will use the FX. Passive FX have
necessarily know the cause of the damage). Type: The FX’s type. “(passive)” listed after their
action, while active FX have
Noticeable FX can be made unnoticeable with the application of
“(active)” listed after it.
two ranks of the Subtle FX feat.
Duration: The FX’s duration. FX
with lasting results have
Range: The FX’s range.
Countering FX
“(lasting)” listed after their
duration.
Resistance: The resistance the
In some circumstances one FX may counter another, negating it. FX targets. Harmless FX have Cost: How many character
Generally for two FX to counter each other they must have “(harmless)” listed after the points the FX costs (per rank, if it
opposed descriptors. For example, light and darkness FX can resistance type. Staged FX have is available in ranks).
counter each other as can heat and cold, water and fire, and so “(staged)” listed after.
forth. In some cases FX of the same descriptor can also counter
each other. The GM is the final arbiter as to whether or not an FX of
a particular descriptor can counter another. The Nullify FX can
counter any FX of a particular descriptor (or even any FX at all)
Extras
depending on how it is configured. This section describes extras relevant to the FX.

How Countering Works Flaws

To counter an FX, take a ready action. In doing so, you wait to This section describes flaws relevant to the FX.
complete your action until your opponent tries to use an FX. You
may still take another action, since ready is only one action.
You must be able to use the countering FX as one or fewer actions
to ready it. FX usable as a reaction do not require a ready action;
you can use them to counter at any time. FX requiring two actions
or longer cannot counter another FX in combat, although they may
potentially counter ongoing FX.
If an opponent attempts to use an FX you are able to counter, use
your countering FX as your readied action. You and the opposing
character make FX checks (d20 + FX rank). If you win, your two FX
cancel each other out and there is no FX from either. If the
opposing character wins, your attempt to counter is unsuccessful.
The opposing FX works normally.

Countering Ongoing FX
You can also counter a maintained or lasting FX, or the lingering
results of an instant FX (like flames ignited by fiery Damage). This
requires a normal use of the countering FX and an opposed FX
check, as above. If you are successful, you negate the FX
(although the opposing character can re-establish it normally).
If countering a lingering FX no longer under the user’s control, the
countering character makes an FX check as usual, but the DC is
simply 10 plus the rank of the FX, since there’s no opposition.

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Drawbacks
This section describes power drawbacks relevant to the FX.
Associated Effects
This section describes other FX commonly associated with the FZ
and how they may work together.
If any of these later entries do not apply, they are omitted. So if an
FX has no particular extras associated with it, for example, the
Extras entry is omitted. In various parts of an FX’s description,
certain circumstances may require multiplying the effect’s normal
rank by a fraction (one- half, two-thirds, and so forth). Unless
specified otherwise, round the results of all such fractions down to
the nearest whole number.
FX Descriptions
ADDITIONAL LIMBS
Type: Alteration Action: None (passive)
Range: Personal Duration: Permanent
Resistance: None Cost: 2 points per rank
You have one or more additional limbs, such as arms, legs,
tentacles, or a prehensile tail (among others). You have one extra
limb at rank 1. Each additional rank moves your number of extra
limbs one step up the Time and Value Progression Table: two at
rank 2, five at rank 3, and so forth. In-between numbers of
additional limbs should be considered the nearest higher rank. So
four extra limbs, for example, is considered rank 3.
Additional Limbs do not allow you to take extra actions in a round.
All additional limbs except your dominant limb are considered your
"off-hand." If you have the Ambidexterity feat, you have no off-hand
penalties with any of your limbs.
If you apply all of your Additional Limbs to an opposed Maneuver
check with Might (rather than leave some of them free), you gain a
+1 bonus per rank in Additional Limbs (though this bonus is still
capped by the campaign's power level.
FX Feats
• Extended Reach: Since Additional Limbs is a personal range
effect this FX feat does not affect it. To extend the reach of your
limbs (additional or otherwise), use the Elongation FX.
• Innate: Additional Limbs are often innate qualities of a
character or creature’s physiology, making this FX feat
appropriate.
• Split Attack: While Additional Limbs do not grant any
additional attacks, applying this FX feat to the character’s
unarmed attacks can reflect the ability of multiple limbs to strike
at different targets.
• Subtle: The "effect" of Additional Limbs—namely having
additional limbs—is not Subtle, an exception to the normal
guidelines on passive effects. At the GM’s discretion, this FX
feat can give a character “invisible” Additional Limbs,
detectable only by certain unusual senses (rank 1) or not at all
(rank 2). This works well in conjunction with the Projection
extra (see the following) and may make the Additional Limbs
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capable of surprise attacks.
Extras
In general, FX modifiers affecting attacks (e.g. Affects Corporeal,
Area, Penetrating, etc.) should apply to the Strength of a character
with Additional Limbs rather than to the Additional Limbs effect
itself. Such modifiers applied to Strength affect all of the character’s
limbs.
• Duration: Additional Limbs can be made sustained in duration
for a net +0 modifier. This reflects the type of FX a character
can turn on or off (growing or forming the additional limbs and
then making them disappear just as easily). This is also the
case for Additional Limbs made continuous (a +1 modifier)
except the extra limbs remain until you choose to eliminate
them, even if you are stunned or unconscious.
• Projection (+1): Your Additional Limbs are merely a projection
of your power rather than an extension of you. Therefore, they
are not vulnerable to attack on their own; any attacks
specifically against your Additional Limb(s) have no effect. So,
for example, one of your additional limbs could reach into a
container of acid to pull out an object without any risk of harm.
The GM may require Additional Limbs with this extra to modify
their duration to continuous or sustained, but this is not
essential. It’s likely that Additional Limbs with this extra are not
eligible for the Innate FX feat.
• Range: Like the Extended Reach feat, this modifier does not
improve the “reach” of the Additional Limbs themselves. For
that, use the Elongation FX.
Flaws
• Distracting (–1): Coordinating the actions of multiple limbs
may be distracting indeed, applying this flaw to the Additional
Limbs effect results in the character losing any defense bonus
while applying any extra limbs to an action. This flaw should
generally not apply to any creature that has Innate Additional
Limbs, especially if they are part of its natural physiology.
Drawbacks
Noticeable: As noted under Subtle, Additional Limbs are
•
noticeable by default and probably shouldn’t have this
drawback unless they’re a Projection or something truly
unusual.
Associated FX
Additional Limbs assumes the limbs are usable as arms or legs (or
both). Other sorts of limbs—wings, for example—are better handled
by other traits, such as Enhanced Movement. Common FX
associated with Additional Limbs include:
• Elongation: Additional Limbs often take the form of tentacles,
pseudopods, or prehensile hair with unusual stretching
properties, making Elongation an appropriate additional effect.
It is often Limited solely to the Additional Limbs, the rest of the
character’s body unable to elongate.
• Enhanced Strength: Additional Limbs may come with
Enhanced Strength, particularly mechanical or grafted-on
limbs. As with Elongation, these effects may be Limited solely
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
to the Additional Limbs.
• Damage: A character’s Additional Limbs might have natural
weapons such as claws or simply greater striking power,
providing this bonus to melee damage. Note that Limited to
Additional Limbs is generally not a suitable flaw for Damage,
although the GM may approve an FX Loss drawback for
Damage if the characters extra limbs are easier to restrain or
avoid than normal limbs.
ANATOMIC SEPARATION
Type: Alteration Action: One (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Continuous
Resistance: None Cost: 2 points per rank
You can split off parts of your body and keep all of them functioning
(relatively) normally. The process of separation causes you no
harm, although it can be disconcerting to watch. You can split off a
number of segments equal to your power rank; so rank 1 might
allow you to detach a hand, arm, or foot (or even your head). Rank
5 could allow you to detach all your limbs (including your head),
and so forth. You choose how you separate when you acquire the
effect and it cannot be changed. Separating or reassembling your
segments requires a move action.
Your separate parts remain fully functional, so you can see out of a
separated eye, manipulate things with a separated hand, and so
forth. Separated parts are limited to whatever movement their form
allows, so a hand can crawl and a leg can hop, for example, an
eyeball can even roll, but a separated head or torso isn’t capable of
much movement. You can use movement FX (such as Enhanced
Movement) in conjunction with your separated parts. Separate
parts have modifiers based on their size and retain your FX, so long
as they’re related to that body part.
Each segment gets a one action each round, but you can only take
one other action among them, regardless of how many segments
you break into. You may use up to two of those actions to attack
(with an attack of Maneuver check), leaving other actions restricted
to non-combat skill uses or movement. The GM assesses any
suitable modifiers to your actions based on your current state of
disassembly.
Separated parts have your normal Toughness resistance, but any
successful damaging attack leaves a separated part staggered. A
second successful attack leaves the separate part immobile. When
the damaged part is reattached, remove its damage and add an
injured condition to your character’s damage track. Your recover
from this damage normally.
Extras
• Affects Others: With this modifier, you can use this FX on
others, separating the body parts of another willing character.
To affect an unwilling subject, you need the Attack modifier
(see the following).
• Attack: An Anatomic Separation Attack allows you to forcibly
remove someone’s body parts! However, the target retains
control of any separated body parts, like a normal use of the
Anatomic Separation effect. Although you control which part(s)
separate, the target still controls them. For the ability to control
body parts you separate from the target, increase the extra to
+1 to represent the addition of a Linked Mind Control effect,
Limited to the target’s separated body parts. This control has a
concentration duration, independent from the Anatomic
Separation Attack, which can be increased normally with the
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Duration extra.
• Range: An Anatomic Separation Attack can have this extra,
allowing it to work at normal range. A +2 extra extends it to
perception range.
• Variable Split (+1): You can choose how you separate when
you use the effect. So at rank 1, you can choose to detach any
individual body part.
Flaws
• Action: With this flaw, separating your parts takes longer than
a one action.
• Permanent: If applied to Anatomic Separation, the Permanent
flaw means you cannot re-combine your body into a whole; you
are always separated into a number of segments equal to the
FX’s rank. You cannot have the Variable Split extra, and
maintaining any sort of secret identity is difficult, to say the
least.
Drawbacks
• Involuntary Transformation: If you have circumstances
where you lose control of your Anatomic Separation and
literally “go to pieces,” apply this drawback.
• One-Way Transformation: If you can freely separate your
segments, but reattaching or reuniting them is more involved,
requiring special tools or extra time, for example, apply this
drawback.
BOOST
Type: Trait Action: One (active)
Range: Touch Duration: Instant
Resistance: Fortitude
Cost: 1-5 points per rank
(harmless)
You can improve a trait or traits temporarily. You can boost yourself
or others by touch.
Take one action to use Boost. Each rank improves the targeted trait
by 1 character point. These temporary points fade at a rate of 1 per
round until they are gone and the trait returns to its normal value
(this rate can be slowed using the Slow Fade FX feat). Temporary
character points that restore a trait back to its normal starting value
do not fade.
You can boost the trait again before the temporary character points
have faded, but you cannot add more than your Boost rank in
character points to a trait. Boosts are not cumulative; only the
highest-ranked one applies to any given trait at any given time. So
combining Boost 3 and Boost 8 results in an increase of 8 character
points, not 11, and applying Boost 10 to a trait after 5 character
points have faded raises the temporary character points back to 10,
not 15.
The cost per rank determines the effect of Boost:
• 1 point: Boost improves a single trait, chosen when the effect
is acquired (such as Strength, the Damage FX, etc.). If the
subject does not have the targeted trait they may gain it
temporarily, at the GM’s discretion. To affect a list of specific
traits, one at a time, acquire different Boosts as Alternate FX
feats.
• 2 points: Boost can affect any trait suiting your descriptors,
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one at a time. If the subject does not have the targeted trait
they may gain it temporarily, at the GM’s discretion.
• 3 points: Boost affects all of a group of traits at once (ability
scores, skills, feats, or FX of a particular type or descriptor).
Each affected trait gains the benefits of the Boost. The subject
must have the targeted trait(s).
• 4 points: Boost affects all of the subject’s FX at once.
• 5 points: Boost affects all of the subject’s traits at once.
You cannot Boost permanent or innate FX. Boosted traits must
generally remain within the campaign’s power level limits, although
the GM should feel free to waive or modify this requirement as best
suits the needs of the game.
FX Feats
• Slow Fade: This FX feat reduces the rate at which boosted
traits fade. The GM may set a limit on ranks in Slow Fade to
prevent abuse (such as boosts that take days or even longer to
fade).
• Subtle: Boost is not Subtle by default and requires this FX feat
for its effects to go unnoticed.
• Triggered: This FX feat allows you to set a trigger for Boost
under a particular circumstance. Note that a Triggered Boost is
only good for one use before the trigger must be reset. For a
triggered type Boost usable over and over when circumstances
recur, change the FX’s action to a reaction with the Action
modifier (see the following).
Extras
• Action: Boost usable as a reaction can occur automatically in
response to a particular circumstance, such as when you
become angry or suffer damage, for example. Choose the
circumstance when you apply the modifier.
• Affects Others: Boost Affects Others by default. If it only
Affects Others, then it has a flaw (see Flaws, following).
• Alternate Resistance: You can change Boost’s resistance to
Will to reflect a more mental-based effect.
• Duration: Boost’s duration can only be changed with the Slow
Fade FX feat and the Total Fade extra. For long-lasting
enhancements to traits, see the Enhanced (Trait) FX.
• Range: Boost is normally touch range. A +1 extra enhances it
to ranged, while a +2 extra makes it perception range.
Personal range Boost has a flaw.
• Selective Attack: An Area Boost can have his extra, which is
quite useful in ensuring only the user’s allies receive the
benefits of the Boost.
• Total Fade: A Boost FX with this modifier does not fade slowly,
but all at once when its normal duration is up. This is useful for
"binary" Boosts that are on/off rather than fading slowly; one
moment the Boost is full-strength, then it’s gone.
Flaws
• Emotional (–1): Your Boost is limited to either when you are
feeling a particular strong emotion or when others around you
are, such as only when you as particularly angry, or only when
you are surrounded by love, fear, or such. Among other things,
this means your Boost effect may be countered (or enabled) by
FX which alter mood. If your Boost activates automatically in
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response to an emotion, apply the Action extra to reduce it to a
reaction instead; this flaw does not apply (since reactions are
already limited by circumstance).
• Fades: This flaw is already a part of the Boost FX and cannot
be applied to it (or removed from it).
• Others Only (–1): You can Boost other characters, but not
yourself.
• Permanent: Since Boost’s duration cannot be altered this flaw
cannot apply to it.
• Personal (–1): Your Boost is personal range and affects only
you.
• Restorative (–1): A Boost effect with this flaw only improves
traits up to their normal (purchased) values and is therefore
only good for restoring character points lost to some other
effect, like Drain. Traits restored to their normal value do not
fade, just as with a normal use of Boost.
• Tiring: A Boost may represent some sort of superhuman effort.
In this case, the Tiring flaw is appropriate.
Note: Boost can be disruptive to the game when bought to
high ranks (boosting all traits at once) when combined with the
Total Fade extra and/or multiple ranks in the Slow Fade feat. For
the cost of 6 points per rank or less, you can essentially bring all
of your relevant traits up to the Power Level cap for the extent of
an entire encounter for a fraction of the usual cost.
While a player might suggest that this sort of FX would be useful
to represent a character who needs to focus his power to access
his powers, and otherwise walks around like a relatively ordinary
(or at least weaker) person. For a character who is not always
combat-ready, the Normal Identity drawback or have ability
associated with a Container structure.
COMMUNICATION
Type: Sensory Action: One (active)
Range: Extended Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank
You can communicate over a distance using a medium other than
your normal voice. Choose a sense type as the medium for your
communication (see the list of examples). You may also use a
special sense type (neutrinos, gravitons, magical sendings, and so
forth) noticeable only to an appropriate form of the detect Enhanced
Senses.
The following are some types of communication associated with
particular sense types. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and
the Gamemaster is free to allow other sorts of Communication, as
best suits the character and the setting.
• Visual: laser or fiber optic link.
• Auditory: ultrasonic or infrasonic beam, “ventriloquism.”
• Olfactory: pheromones or chemical markers.
• Tactile: vibratory carrier wave.
• Radio: AM, FM, and short-wave radio bands, microwaves.
• Mental: telepathic transmission, psychic link, mystical sending.
Base range for Communication is 10 feet at rank 1. Each additional
rank increases range as shown on the Extended Range Table.
Communication is instantaneous with any subject within your
range.
The recipient of your communication must be within range and
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have a means of receiving your transmission (enhanced sense, or
a receiver of some sort; a score of 1 or more in all mental abilities is
all that’s needed to “receive” Mental Communication). You can
receive Communication of the same medium as your own.
Receivers can choose to ignore your Communication, if they wish.
Communication is language-dependent; you and the subject must
share a common language (see Comprehend to communicate
across language barriers). Your Communication is point-to-point
(sent to a single receiver within your range).
Activating your Communication effect is a free action.
Communicating, however, takes the normal amount of time. You
can apply the Rapid FX feat to speed things up, provided your
recipient is capable of receiving communication at that speed.
Others with an acute sense able to detect your Communication
medium can “tap into” your transmissions with a Perception check
(DC 15 + your Communication rank). The eavesdropper must be
within normal sensory range of you or the receiver. Your
Communication can be blocked or “jammed” by sensory effects
such as Dazzle or Obscure affecting your transmission medium.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: As a sensory effect, Communication
does not need this power feat for insubstantial subjects to
•
perceive it.
Dimensional: Communication with this power feat can bridge
dimensional barriers, reaching into other dimensions and
planes of existence. The Communication effect still has its
proximate range, and the GM may rule certain subjects “out of
range” of the effect, depending on their relative position in the
other dimension.
• Rapid: Your communication occurs 10 times faster than normal
speech. Each additional rank of this feat increases
communication speed by a factor of 10. This is useful for high-
speed computer links, “deep sharing” psychic rapports, and so
forth.
• Selective: If you have the Area extra, you can choose which
receiver(s) within range get your Communication, excluding
everyone else. This allows you to go from a single receiver
(point-to-point) to all potential receivers in range (omni-
directional) or anywhere in between.
• Subtle: Your Communication cannot be “overheard” (it is
encrypted, scrambled, or otherwise protected). If you apply the
feat twice, your Communication cannot even be detected (that
is, no one can even tell you are transmitting, much less what
you’re saying).
Extras
• Area: You can broadcast omni-directionally to every receiver
within your maximum Communication range at once. Note this
extra is only strictly necessary to communicate with everyone
over a wide area at once; since using and maintaining
Communication are free actions, the GM may allow a
communicator to establish and maintain contact with multiple
discrete receivers—such as the members of the same team—
all in the same round.
Flaws
• Duration: As a default, Communication requires only a
modicum of attention to maintain, making it sustained. Some
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Communication effects may require greater focus, making
them concentration duration (and essentially limiting the user to
move and free actions while communicating).
• Distracting: Communication use may be distracting,
particularly if it requires a degree of concentration to maintain
(see Duration, previously).
• Limited: Communication may be limited to only members of a
particular group, such as a species, family, members of an
organization, and so forth. This is in addition to limitations
imposed by medium (that is, requiring subjects to have a
means of picking up on the Communication). Particularly
limited groups may qualify for a greater flaw (–2 or more) as
the GM sees fit.
• Sense-Dependent: Communication itself is already sense-
dependent (in that the subject(s) must be able to sense your
communication medium to pick up your transmissions) and so
cannot have this flaw. However, other perception range effects
can be Communication-Dependent, meaning you must be in
communication with your subject for them to work (using your
Communication medium as a “carrier” for the other effect). If
your Communication is blocked in any way, the other effect
doesn’t work. An example is a mental FX that is Mental
Communication Dependent.
Associated FX
• Comprehend: Since Communication isn’t much use if the
person on the other end can’t understand you, or you can’t
understand them, Comprehend Languages is a common effect
associated with Communication.
• ESP: Communication is often Linked with ESP, allowing for
“two-way” reception: the user can both send messages and
perceive the subject’s replies (assuming the subject does not
also have Communication). Communication may also be linked
to ESP to allow the user to both perceive a distant area and
communicate with those present there.
COMPREHEND
Type: Sensory Action: None (passive)
Range: Personal Duration: Continuous
Resistance: None Cost: 2 points per rank
You can comprehend different forms of communication; even
communicate with subjects normally incapable of doing so. Each
rank allows you to choose one of the following options:
• Animals: You can either speak to or comprehend animals
(creatures with Int -5). You can ask questions and receive
answers, although animals are not any more friendly or
cooperative than normal. Furthermore, wary and cunning
animals are likely to be terse and evasive, while especially
stupid ones tend to make inane comments. If an animal is
friendly toward you, it may do some favor or service for you.
For two ranks you can both speak to and understand animals.
• Codes: You can decode various codes or ciphers
automatically, understanding them as if they were written or
spoken in your native language.
• Electronics: You can verbally communicate with electronic
devices. Most are limited by their programming and peripherals
in terms of what they “know,” and may not be able to answer
some inquiries. Machines tend to be cold and mechanical, and
may not be cooperative. At the GM’s discretion, you can use
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the Technology skill in place of Persuasion when speaking with
machines. For two ranks you can both speak to machines and
understand their replies.
• Languages: For one rank you can either speak or understand
the language of any intelligent creature. You can speak only
one language at a time, although you can understand several
languages at once. For two ranks anyone able to hear you can
understand what you’re saying, regardless of language (you
can effectively “speak” multiple languages at once). For three
ranks you can both speak and understand all languages at
once. Being able to read any language requires one more rank.
This effect does not enable you to communicate with creatures
that don’t possess a language; see the other Comprehend
effects for that.
• Objects: You can communicate with inanimate objects (other
than plants and electronics), granting them the ability to speak
to you or simply “reading” impressions from them. This requires
two Comprehend ranks. Objects only “know” about events
directly affecting them or occurring in their immediate area.
Gamemasters can apply the guidelines for Postcognition to this
effect.
• Plants: You can either comprehend or communicate with
plants, both normal plants and plant creatures. You can ask
questions of and receive answers from plants. A plant’s sense
of its surroundings is limited, so it won’t be able to give (or
recognize) detailed descriptions or answer questions about
events outside its immediate vicinity. For two ranks you can
both speak to and understand plants.
• Spirits: You can communicate with incorporeal and normally
invisible and inaudible spirit beings, such as ghosts or certain
extradimensional entities, depending on what beings exist in
the context of the setting. One rank essentially allows you to
function as a “medium” of sorts, speaking to spirits and
comprehending their replies. However, you do not gain any
ability to summon or compel spirits. At the GM’s discretion, this
effect may extend to undead creatures, demons, or other
supernatural entities, depending on the setting.
Extras
• Affects Others: Comprehend only includes the ability to speak
or understand the languages of others. If you wish to grant
others the ability to do the same (speak and understand your
language, for example, or give two others the ability to
understand each other without you acting as a translator) then
apply this modifier, usually at the +1 level to apply to yourself
and others.
• Area: Comprehend that Affects Others can have this modifier
to grant its benefits to everyone in the affected area. Area
Comprehend can also have the Selective FX feat to allow you
to “filter out” who does and does not gain its benefits.
Flaws
• Distracting: Since the use of Comprehend in combat may not
be particularly important, the GM may wish to disallow this flaw,
as appropriate for the setting.
• Duration: Comprehend is normally continuous. If it requires at
least a modicum of focus to maintain, it may be sustained, if it
requires considerable focus or effort to maintain, its duration
may be lowered to concentration. The GM can require
Concentration checks to maintain Comprehend under difficult
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circumstances if its duration is reduced, such as when dealing
with a babble of conversation all at once.
• Limited: You can only comprehend a broad type of subject
(only elves, canines, avians, or sea creatures, for example) as
a –1 flaw. You can only comprehend a narrow type of subject
(dogs, falcons, or dolphins, for example) as a –2 flaw.
• Permanent: Permanent duration is not considered a flaw for
Comprehend, given its effects. It does not apply.
• Unreliable: At the GM’s discretion, an Unreliable Comprehend
effect may provide an incorrect or misleading translation on a
failed roll rather than simply not working at all.
CONCEALMENT
Type: Sensory Action: Free (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 2 points per rank
Using this effect, you gain total concealment from a particular
sense—usually sight or hearing—although you are still detectable
to other senses (even other senses of the same sense type). Each
additional rank gives you concealment from another sense; two
ranks give you concealment for an entire sense type.
Concealment from visual senses costs double (2 ranks for one
visual sense, 4 ranks for all visual senses). You cannot have
concealment from tactile senses, since that requires being
incorporeal. So at rank 5, you can have total concealment from all
visual senses (4 ranks) and normal hearing (1 rank), for example.
At rank 10 Concealment you have total concealment from all sense
types other than tactile.
While concealed, you gain Combat Advantage over targets
unaware of your presence. Attackers take a -5 penalty to attack
rolls made against you, assuming they know where to attack at all!
Attackers able to perceive you with an accurate sense suffer no
penalties, and combat is resolved normally.
Someone can sense the presence of a concealed character within
three Perception range increments with an acute sense (see
Enhanced Senses for details) and a DC 20 Perception check, such
as using hearing to detect a character concealed from sight. The
observer gains a hunch that "something’s there" but can’t
accurately perceive it (suffering the normal miss chance, for
example). A concealed character holding still is harder to notice
(DC 30). A concealed inanimate object or completely immobile
creature is very hard to notice at close range (DC 40). It’s
practically impossible (+20 DC) to accurately pinpoint a concealed
character’s location using an acute sense.
FX Feats
• Close Range: The "close range" where someone can sense
your presence with an acute sense is adjacent (5 feet) rather
than three perception range increments.
• Innate: This FX feat is appropriate for subjects with innate or
natural concealment qualities that cannot be nullified.
• Selective: You can vary your Concealment at will (a free
action): going from total to partial to no concealment,
concealing some parts of you and not others, or anywhere in-
between. If your Concealment affects multiple senses, you can
choose to affect some and not others with this feat as well.
Concealment is normally all-or-nothing: either you are
concealed or you’re not.
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• Subtle: Concealment is Subtle by nature and does not require
this power feat, since going unnoticed is part of its effect. It
may also conceal the display of your personal range effects
(see Noticing FX).
Extras
• Affects Others: The +1 level of this modifier allows others to
benefit from your Concealment effect while you are touching
them.
• Area: Concealment with Affects Others (previously) or Attack
(immediately following) may have this extra, affecting all
subjects in the area. To conceal an entire area, see the
Obscure FX.
• Attack: Use this extra for a Concealment effect you can
impose on others (whether they want to be concealed or not).
An invisibility ray, for example, is a Visual Concealment Attack.
A Concealment Attack allows a resistance, usually Will.
Flaws
• Blending (–1): You "blend" into the background. Your
Concealment only functions as long as you move no faster
than your normal pace, since your blending can’t adapt faster
than that.
• Limited: Your Concealment only works under certain
conditions, such as in fog, shadows, or in urban locales.
• Limited to Machines (–1): Your Concealment is Limited only
to senses with a technological descriptor. This includes
ordinary things like cameras and microphones as well as
intelligent robots (if such things exist in the setting).
• Partial (–1): Your effect provides partial rather than total
concealment. Characters attacking you suffer a -2 penalty to
attack rolls made against you.
• Passive (–1): Your Concealment only lasts until you make an
attack—defined as any action allowing resistance—at which
point it stops working until you reactivate it, which you may do
on the round after you attack.
• Phantasm (–1): Your Concealment is Limited to creatures with
Intelligence 1 or greater; unintelligent creatures and machines
(cameras, microphones, etc.) perceive you as if you were not
concealed at all. This usually indicates Concealment that is
some sort of mental or hallucinatory effect. This flaw does not
apply to Mental Concealment (which is already so limited by
definition).
• Sense Dependent: Concealment is already sense-dependent
and cannot have this flaw.
• Resistance (–1): Your Concealment must penetrate a target's
Resistance (Fortitude or Will, chosen when the flaw is applied)
for anyone aware of your presence and actively looking for
you. You must make a new FX check for each interval on the
Time Table that passes. This flaw is often combined with
Phantasm.
CONFUSE
Type: Sensory (mental) Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged
Resistance: Will
Duration: Instant (lasting)
Cost: 1 point per rank
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The target of this effect becomes confused, unable to
independently determine his or her actions. If you overcome the
target’s Will resistance, roll on the Confused Behavior Table at the
beginning of the subject's first action each round to see what the
subject does with that action. If you succeed by 5 or more, roll for
both of the character's actions in the round. If you succeed by 10 or
more, the target is so confused that he becomes totally helpless.
TABLE 5.4: CONFUSED BEHAVIOR TABLE
d20 Roll Behavior
1-2 Attack the user of the Confuse FX.
3-5 Act normally.
6-10 Do nothing but babble incoherently.
11-14 Flee at top possible speed.
15-20 Attack the nearest creature.
A confused character unable to carry out the indicated action does
nothing (like a result of 6-10 on the table). Attackers are not at any
special advantage when attacking a confused character. Any con-
fused character who is attacked automatically attacks its attacker
on its next turn, as long as it is still confused. The target gets a new
Will check each round to shake off the Confuse effect, with a +1
bonus each round.
Customized Confuse
Gamemasters may allow substitutions on the Confused Behavior
Table to customize the effect, such as changing “Do nothing but
babble incoherently” to “Sing and dance Broadway show-tunes” or
making “Flee at top possible speed” into “Close eyes and mutter ‘go
away, go away, go away,’” or the like. As a general rule of thumb, a
1–2 result should always be something detrimental to the FX- user,
and 3–5 should remain “Act normally” but otherwise feel free to
modify (or expand) the Confused Behavior Table as desired.
FX Feats
• Incurable: At the GM’s discretion, this power feat can simulate
a Confuse effect that cannot be countered by other FX, only by
time and the victim making a successful recovery check. It may
be suitable for Confuse effects that are particularly powerful or
unusual in nature.
• Reversible: You can reverse your Confuse FX at will as a free
action.
Extras
• Alternate Resistance: Confuse may be based on Fortitude
rather than Will to reflect a biochemical effect, such as a drug
or pathogen. Such forms of Confuse are also often touch range
and may also have the Disease or Poison modifiers.
• Contagious: A Contagious Confuse effect might represent
some sort of “plague of madness” or “telepathic virus” that
spreads from subject to subject.
Flaws
• Sense-Dependent: This flaw may reflect a Confuse FX
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requiring eye contact or based on flashing lights, maddening
music, or an inhaled psycho-chemical, for example, rather than
affecting a target automatically. These version of Confuse must
be Perception range.
CREATE OBJECTS
Type: General Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged Duration: Sustained
Resistance: See description Cost: 2 points per rank
You can form solid objects essentially out of nowhere. They may be
made of solidified energy, “hard” water or air, transmuted bulk
matter, ice, stone, or something else entirely, depending on the
FX’s descriptors.
You can form any simple geometric shape or common object (such
as a cube, sphere, dome, hammer, lens, disk, etc.). The GM has
final say on whether or not a particular object is too complex for this
effect. Generally, your objects can’t have any moving parts more
complex than a hinge. They can be solid or hollow, opaque or
transparent, as you choose when you use the effect.
You can create an object up to one 5-foot cube in size per power
rank with Toughness up to your power rank. Created objects can be
damaged or broken like ordinary objects. They also vanish if you
stop maintaining them. You can repair any damage to a created
object at will by using your effect again (essentially “re-creating” the
object).
Created Objects, Cover,
and Concealment
Created objects can provide cover or concealment (if the object is
opaque) just like normal objects. Cover provided by a created
object can block incoming attacks, but blocks outgoing attacks as
well. Attacks hitting the covering object damage it normally. Indirect
FX can bypass the cover a created object provides just like any
other cover. Selective Create Object allows you to vary the cover
and concealment the objects provide.
Trapping With Objects
You can trap a target inside a large enough hollow object (a cage or
bubble, for example). You must succeed at two attack rolls to trap a
target: one to successfully target the creature, and a second to
overcome his Defense resistance and trap him before he can react.
A trapped character can break out of the object normally. Limiting
the target’s mobility in addition to trapping them requires an Inflict
(Condition) FX rather than Create Object. You may wish to place a
Inflict in an Array with Create Object.
Dropping Objects
Dropping a created object on a target is treated like an area attack
based on the object’s size. The object inflicts damage equal to its
Toughness. A successful resistance results in no damage (rather
than the usual half damage). While a created object can potentially
be wielded as an improvised weapon, the Create Objects effect
cannot otherwise create attacks or other effects; you must acquire
these separately (as Linked FX or Alternate FX in an Array, for
example).
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Supporting Weight
If a created object needs to support weight—created as a bridge or
support a weakened structure, for example—treat the object’s
effective Might as (Create Object rank x 5). More than a heavy load
causes the object to collapse. You can “shore up” a created object
by taking a two actions and concentrating, allowing it to support an
extreme load for one round.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: Created Objects with this FX feat are
also solid to insubstantial beings; half their normal Toughness
for one rank, full normal Toughness for two. This allows a
created object to block or entrap an incorporeal character, for
example.
• Innate: Create Object with this feat makes objects that cannot
be nullified, they’re essentially “real” objects for all intents and
purposes (although the user can “unmake” them at will unless
the effect is permanent).
• Precise: You can create more precise and detailed objects.
The exact parameters of Precise Create Object are up to the
GM, but generally, you can create objects with moving parts,
and considerable detail. An Art skill check may be required in
some cases to create an object properly, but this feat grants a
+5 bonus on the check.
• Progression: Each time you apply this FX feat, the base size
of your objects per FX rank increases one step on the Time
and Value Progression Table (10-foot cube per rank, then 25-
feet, etc). Other attributes based on rank (such as Toughness
and effect modifier) do not change.
• Selective: This feat allows you to make your created objects
selectively “transparent” to attacks, blocking some while
allowing others (yours and your allies’, for example) to pass
through them harmlessly. You can also selectively make your
objects solid to some creatures and incorporeal to others, such
as allowing one person to walk through a created wall, while
blocking another. It takes a free action to change the selective
nature of an object; permanent created objects cannot have
their selectivity changed once they are created.
• Stationary: Your created objects can hang immobile in the air.
They resist being moved with a Strength bonus equal to your
power rank. Unless you have the Tether feat or the Movable
extra, you cannot move a stationary created object once it’s
placed any more than anyone else can.
• Subtle: The Subtle feat either makes created objects not
noticeable as such for 1 rank (they look just like real objects) or
not noticeable at all for 2 ranks (such as objects composed of
invisible force).
• Tether: Your created objects can move along with you at your
normal movement speed, maintaining their position relative to
yours.
Extras
• Area: The size and area of created objects is improved by
power rank and the Progression feat. This extra therefore does
not apply to Create Object.
• Duration: Continuous Create Object makes objects that
remain until they are destroyed, nullified, or you choose to
dismiss them.
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• Impervious: Applied to Create Object, this extra makes the
objects’ Toughness Impervious. As with Enhanced (Trait) and
related effects, the GM may choose to limit Impervious
Toughness to no greater than the campaign’s power level.
• Movable (+1): You can move your created objects around with
a Move Object FX at your Create Object rank.
Flaws
• Feedback: You may suffer damage when your created objects
are damaged.
• Permanent: Permanent created objects last until destroyed or
nullified. Unlike continuous Create Object, you cannot choose
to dismiss such objects; they are truly permanent. You cannot
repair permanent created objects or otherwise alter then once
they’re created.
DAMAGE
Type: Attack Action: One (active)
Range: Touch Duration: Instant
Resistance: Toughness
Cost: 1 point per rank
(staged)
You have a damaging attack. Make an attack roll to hit the target.
The attack’s damage bonus equals your rank. Damage is a basic
damaging effect, but has many possible variations using different
power feats and modifiers.
Damage and Range
The basic Damage effect is touch range, usable as a melee attack.
It does not take the user’s Strength modifier into account unless the
effect has the Mighty FX feat (see FX Feats, following), in which
case the user’s Strength adds to the damage bonus. A ranged
Damage effect is usable at either melee or normal (rank x 100 feet)
range. A perception range Damage effect works at any range,
without the need for an attack roll, so long as the user can
accurately perceive the target. So a Damage effect usable at melee
and normal range that adds the user’s Strength is a Mighty Ranged
Damage effect. See the following power feats and modifiers for
more information.
FX Feats
• Accurate: This FX feat is functionally the same as the Attack
Specialization feat, except it is a quality of the FX itself rather
than a measure of the character’s skill or talent in using it.
• Affects Insubstantial: Depending on the descriptors, this FX
feat can represent Damage attuned to a particular wavelength,
dimensional phase, radiation band, or supernatural source,
allowing it to affect insubstantial targets.
• Mighty: Damage FX with this FX feat stack with your normal
Strength damage, allowing you to apply your muscle-power to
enhance the FX. One rank of the Mighty feat is sufficient for a
touch range Damage effect to stack with Strength (which is
also touch range). For a normal range Damage FX, each rank
of Mighty allows 1 point of Strength damage bonus to stack
with the FX. So a character with +4 unarmed damage needs
Mighty 4 to add his entire Str bonus to his ranged Damage FX.
For perception range Damage FX, every 2 ranks of Mighty
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allow 1 point of Strength damage bonus to stack. Strength over
the amount allowed by the Mighty power feat rank doesn’t
stack and doesn’t apply to the FX. The GM should decide on a
case-by-case basis if ranged or perception Mighty feats are
appropriate.
• Precise: A Damage FX with this feat may be capable of
precision cutting, etching, welding, or the like, depending on its
descriptors. Ranged Precise Damage FX also gain the benefits
of the Precise Shot feat: ignoring the –5 penalty for allies in
melee with a target.
• Split Attack: This FX feat is commonly used with Damage FX
to represent the ability to make a single “focused” attack or
multiple smaller attacks against different targets and may suit
characters with multiple clawed limbs, two- (or more) handed
fighting styles, dual weapons, and so forth.
• Subtle: Damage with this FX feat may involve a medium that’s
harder to notice: a near-invisible gas, for example, or an attack
that occurs too quickly for the eye to follow. A Subtle Damage
FX may be suitable for making surprise attacks under the right
circumstances. To be most effective, Subtle Damage FX need
to be normal or better range, since it’s considerably easier to
know the source of touch range Damage (although, if the
Damage is delayed in some way, perhaps not even then).
• Thrown: You can “throw” your Damage FX to hit a target at a
distance, with a range increment of (Thrown feat rank x 10)
feet and a maximum range of five increments (Thrown feat
rank x 50 feet). This feat may represent a throwing weapon or
the ability to “throw” a natural melee attack like quills or claws.
If you have a Mighty Thrown Damage FX, you can add your
Strength bonus to the damage, but no more than the rank of
the Damage FX or the Mighty feat, whichever is greater. Once
you have used Thrown with a Damage FX, you cannot use it
again until you recover it. This may involve picking up a thrown
weapon, re-growing a natural weapon, building up a sufficient
charge, or the like. The exact circumstances are up to the GM,
but it should usually be something you can do automatically at
the end of a combat. For a “throwing attack” you can use every
round, either because of unlimited ammunition or a weapon
that automatically returns to you after it hits, apply the Range
extra to make your Damage FX normal or perception range,
possibly with the Reduced Range drawback.
Extras
• Action: It’s recommended the GM not allow free action
Damage FX, due to their potential to allow characters to make
an overwhelming number of multiple attacks. Reaction
Damage FX are best handled by the Aura extra although the
GM may find other suitable applications of Reaction Damage
FX, provided the circumstance doesn’t create an FX so useful
as to be unbalancing.
• Alternate FX: Since Damage requires a Toughness resistance,
this extra is a +1 modifier when changing that resistance to
Fortitude or Will. A Fortitude Damage FX may involve direct
damage to a target’s physiology, bypass normal physical
protection, perhaps even an insidious physical degradation.
Will Damage bypasses the body altogether to strike at the mind
or even soul. In either case, the result of the resistance is the
same, it’s just a different resistance that’s used, and damage is
applied in the same manner, regardless of its source;
characters don’t have separate tracks for “physical” and
“mental” damage, for example.
• Area: This is a common extra for Damage involving explosions
or spreading or engulfing attacks like gases, fiery clouds, and
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
so forth.
• Aura: Damage is a common basic FX for an Aura. It may
represent a damaging energy surrounding you or some sort of
automatic or reflexive counterattack against anyone who
attacks you.
• Autofire: This extra is common for Damage FX, particularly
Ranged Damage like an automatic weapon.
• Contagious: Contagious Damage remains so until the target
recovers from it (including if the damage is treated with Healing
or Regeneration). It may represent a damaging medium like a
chemical agent coating the target. Depending on the FX and its
descriptors, the GM may also allow certain other FX to counter
a Contagious source of damage.
• Duration: Damage with a duration longer than instant
continues to affect its target on succeeding rounds on the
attacker’s initiative. This usually represents an ongoing
damaging FX of some sort. This sort of Damage should have
some reasonable means by which it can be countered, such as
dousing or smothering fiery ongoing Damage.
• Penetrating: This extra allows Damage to overcome the
effects of Impervious Toughness, especially appropriate for
keen or super-sharp weapons.
• Range: The standard Damage FX is touch range. One
application of this extra creates a damaging FX usable at
normal range (although still useful at melee range as well),
while a +2 extra gets you a perception range Damage FX.
Flaws
• Action: A two action Damage FX suits an attack requiring
some preparation or additional “build-up.” For example, a
“haymaker” punch might be a Two Action Mighty Damage FX.
Generally speaking, Damage FX requiring longer than a full-
round action are not useful in combat and tend to be better
suited as plot devices, wherein a villain’s death-ray needs to
charge up for a minute or two, for example, giving the heroes
time to stop it before it’s too late.
• Distracting: A Distracting Damage FX is a bit of a trade-off in
combat, requiring some risk. It’s good for things like attacks
that need bracing (such as certain weapons) or require extra
concentration (taking attention away from potential threats).
• Limited: Damage can be Limited in a number of ways. The
most common include only certain targets (living creatures,
machines, or supernatural beings, for example), or a reduced
effectiveness against some targets. For the latter, apply the
Limited flaw only to some of the FX’s ranks, such as Damage
with half effect against targets wearing armor (meaning half its
ranks have the Limited to Unarmored Targets flaw).
• Range: Reducing the range of a Damage FX to personal is
more than just a flaw: it converts the effect into more of a
drawback, since the only one you can damage is yourself! For
characters with some sort of inherent or automatic ability to
damage themselves, consider an appropriate drawback
instead. For example, minions that automatically self-destruct
when they’re captured have a fairly severe Weakness, worth
about 10 character points. Of course, for non-player
characters, you can choose to just treat such things as plot
devices and not worry about their point-values.
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Drawbacks
• Full Power: You can only use your Damage FX at its full
damage bonus, meaning you can’t “pull” your attacks and use
it at a lower rank to inflict lesser damage and you’re likely to
cause more property damage or collateral effects. The GM
decides when, and if, this drawback is truly a drawback for a
Damage FX.
• Minimum Range: Your Ranged Damage FX cannot be used at
close range. This is a 1-point drawback if you must use the FX
at one-quarter its maximum range and 2 points for one-half
maximum range. A Ranged Damage FX only usable at its
maximum range has a Limited flaw.
DAZZLE
Type: Sensory Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged Duration: Instant (lasting)
Resistance: Fortitude Cost: 1-4 points per rank
You can overload a target's senses of a particular type—usually
visual or auditory—rendering them temporarily useless. Make a
ranged attack roll against the target. If you overcome the target's
Fortitude resistance, that sense type is rendered useless.
Each round thereafter the target makes a Fortitude check to
recover from the Dazzle attack. The target gains a +1 bonus to the
check each round after the first. A successful check allows the
target to use the dazzled sense(s) again, but at –1 on all rolls
involving them. The following round, the target's senses return to
normal. Targets immune to Fortitude effects cannot be dazzled. You
are immune to your own Dazzle FX.
Dazzle costs 1 point per rank if it affects one sense type, 2 points
per rank if it affects two sense types, 3 points per rank if it affects
three sense types, and 4 points per rank if it affects all sense types.
Visual senses count as two sense types, so a 3-point per rank
Dazzle FX could affect visual and one other sense type, for
example.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: As a sensory FX, Dazzle already works
on insubstantial targets normally and doesn’t need this FX feat.
• Incurable: A Dazzle FX with this FX feat cannot have its
effects countered by another FX (such as Healing) without the
Persistent FX feat.
• Reversible: You can remove the lingering effect of your Dazzle
from a victim at will as a free action.
• Ricochet: Depending on the descriptors of your Dazzle FX,
you may be able to use this feat to ricochet it off a different sort
of surface, such as reflective surfaces for light-based dazzles,
or resonant or echoing surfaces for sonic dazzles.
• Subtle: This FX feat helps to obscure the source of the Dazzle
FX. Obviously, a dazzled character is aware of the loss of a
sense, but victims of Subtle Dazzle effects (and those
witnessing the attack) are less likely to notice what caused it.
This may be due to the FX using an unusual frequency or
particularly subtle medium, for example.
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Extras
• Alternate Resistance: Dazzle’s resistance may be changed to
an alternate resistance. The resistance may be changed to Will
to represent mental or spiritual effects. The FX's resistance
cannot be changed to Toughness.
• Area: Different types of area extras can reflect Dazzle FX that
spread out or otherwise affect everyone in a given area. In
particular, Burst (omni-directional bursts of light or other
dazzling FX), Cone (for a cone of blinding light or deafening
sound), Explosion (similar to a Burst, but weakening with
distance), and Line (for a broad dazzling “beam”). Cone and
Line FX effects may be touch range so the area originates with
the user. The same may be true of Burst or Explosion Dazzle
FX that radiate out from the user (e.g., the character becomes
blindingly bright).
• Linked: Dazzle FX are often Linked to other FX to duplicate
the side FX of certain attacks, such as a damaging laser that’s
also blindingly bright, or a lightning bolt that’s immediately
followed by a clap of deafening thunder.
• Selective Attack: This extra allows an Area Dazzle to affect
only those targets you wish, excluding others in the area.
Flaws
• Sense-Dependent: Dazzle is already sense-dependent and so
cannot apply this flaw.
• Side Effect: A possible side effect of Dazzle might be to dazzle
yourself if you fail the attack roll (or your target successfully
resists, for perception range Dazzle FX).
DEFLECT
Type: Defense Action: One (active)
Range: Touch Duration: Instant
Resistance: None Cost: 1-3 points per rank
You can block ranged attacks as well as melee attacks. This is like
a melee block using your Deflect rank in place of your normal
attack bonus. You can attempt to deflect any number of attacks in a
round, but each attempt after the first imposes a cumulative –2
modifier on the block roll. If you take two actions to block, you take
no penalty for deflecting multiple attacks. Once you fail a block roll
you cannot deflect again until your next turn.
Deflect rank is limited to the same value as your defense bonus by
the campaign’s power level limits and your trade-offs. So if your
Defense bonus limit is +12, for example, then you cannot have
more than 12 ranks of Deflect.
Attack Types
The types of attacks you can deflect determine the effect’s cost per
rank. For 1 point per rank you can choose one of the following: slow
projectiles (including thrown weapons and arrows), fast projectiles
(like bullets), and energy attacks (like lasers and lightning bolts).
For 2 points per rank, you can deflect any two. For 3 points per
rank, you can deflect all ranged attacks. Deflect does not work
against attacks that do not require an attack roll, such as perception
range and area attacks. See the Nullify effect for a means of
blocking such things.
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Melee Attacks
You can use any level of deflect in place of your normal melee
block if your Deflect rank exceeds your normal melee attack bonus.
Otherwise, there’s little reason to do so unless you have Deflect
extras that make it more useful than your normal melee block.
Catching Weapons
By taking a –5 penalty on your block roll you can catch an incoming
physical weapon, including a projectile, when you successfully
deflect it. You can wield a caught throwing weapon normally, up to
and including throwing it back at your attacker with the normal
required attack action.
FX Feats
• Accurate: This FX feat does not apply to Deflect and does not
grant a bonus on block rolls with Deflect, since that bonus is
defined by the FX’s rank.
• Extended Reach: Like other touch range FX, you can use this
FX feat to extend the range at which you can deflect. It may
involve a tool or weapon that extends your reach or the ability
to move or contort in a way that does so, depending on your
descriptors.
• Homing: This FX feat does not normally apply to Deflect,
however, the GM may allow it to apply to reflected or redirected
attacks if applied to the Deflect FX as a whole. Also note that
successfully deflecting a Homing attack is considered a “miss,”
meaning the attack gets another chance on the next round. A
reflected or redirected Homing attack that hits a different target
is a “hit” and ends the attack.
• Interpose: This feat may be acquired as an FX feat of Deflect,
allowing you to interpose yourself between an adjacent
character and an attack in order to deflect it.
• Precise: Deflect with this feat allows you to “catch” physical
weapons without a penalty on your block roll; use your normal
Deflect bonus instead. You do not gain the Precise Shot benefit
when reflecting attacks; to do so, acquire Precise Shot
separately.
• Ricochet: Applied to Deflect, this feat allows you to ricochet
reflected and redirected attacks as the GM allows (depending
on the attack and its descriptors).
• Subtle: Deflect with this FX feat may not be immediately
apparent. While it is clear that attacks miss, it may be
attributable to chance, near misses, and similar circumstances
rather than any action on your part.
• Triggered: This FX feat lets you set up a single use of Deflect
in advance, usually enough to protect you from a one-shot
surprise attack or the like. For an “automatic” Deflect effect
usable an unlimited number of times, change the effect’s action
to reaction.
Extras
• Action: You can reduce the action needed to block attacks. If
you take an action one “step” higher than required to block that
round, you take no penalty for blocking multiple attacks,
otherwise you have the normal penalty. If you can use Deflect
as a reaction you take no penalty for blocking multiple attacks
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and you can continue to deflect even if you miss a block roll.
• Area: With this extra you can make a single block roll for all
potential targets in the affected area. The roll result essentially
becomes the subjects’ new Defense, if higher than their normal
Defense (of 10 + defense bonus). This lasts for one attack per
target. You can make additional block rolls, with the usual
penalty for multiple rolls in a round.
• Automatic (+1): You can deflect even surprise attacks, but you
must still be able to take the normal action required to use your
Deflect FX.
• Range: Ranged Deflect works against attacks made against
any target within (power rank x 100 feet) range. You suffer a –2
penalty on your block roll per range increment of (rank x 10
feet) between you and the target. Perception range Deflect
works against any attack you can accurately perceive. You
must still make a successful block roll, however.
• Reflection (+1): You can reflect a blocked attack back at the
attacker as a reaction. Make a normal attack roll to hit with the
reflected attack.
• Redirection (+1): You can redirect a blocked attack at any
target within the attack’s normal range, as Reflection, above.
You must have the Reflection extra to take Redirection.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: A character with Density may be able to
apply this FX feat to Strength at the GM’s discretion as a
reflection of increased density impeding the passage of
insubstantial or incorporeal forms.
• Buoyant: Your Density is such that you can still swim with
Density activated. You do not automatically fail Athletics skill
checks to swim, although additional Strength from your Density
still does not add to your Swim bonus.
• Innate: This FX feat is appropriate for beings that are
inherently denser, making their Density part of their physical
makeup. It should generally be coupled with the Permanent
modifier on Continuous Density.
• Subtle: Note that as an active effect Density is not Subtle by
default; the character is assumed to take on some other form
or outward manifestation of increased density (bulking up or
transforming to a dense material like stone, for example).
Density with the Subtle feat is less noticeable while 2 ranks of
the feat allow you to maintain an outwardly normal appearance
regardless of your relative density.

Extras
Flaws
• Attack: A Density Attack grants all of the FX’s benefits along
• Action: Successfully deflecting may take up all your attention with increased mass, and “Limited to Increasing Mass” is not a
for the round, requiring two actions. In this case, you lose the viable flaw for a Density Attack (since it actually makes it a
ability to take two actions to deflect and overcome penalties for more effective attack, not less).
deflecting multiple attacks. • Reflective: At the GM’s discretion, you can apply the
• Distracting: Since Deflect essentially substitutes for Defense, Reflective extra of Enhanced (Toughness) to the
it’s up to the GM whether or not this flaw can apply. For Deflect ImperviousToughness gained from Density, representing
requiring at least a one action (and therefore limited in how extreme hardness or toughness and costing 1 power point per
often it can be used in a round), it should still constitute a flaw, 3 Density ranks.
but for Deflect usable as a free action or faster, it does not.
TABLE 5.5: DENSITY EFFECTS
• Duration: Deflect is an instant FX and its duration cannot be
changed. For longer “lasting” versions of Deflect, improve the Rank Str Tough Immovable Might Mass
FX’s action. 1 +1 +0 — — x1.25
• Range: Deflect’s range cannot be decreased; this flaw does 2 +2 +1 — — x1.5
not apply. 3 +3 +1 1 +1 x2
4 +4 +2 1 +1 x3
DENSITY 5 +5 +2 1 +1 x4
Type: Alteration Action: Free (active) 6 +6 +3 2 +2 x5
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained 7 +7 +3 2 +2 x6
Resistance: None Cost: 3 points per rank 8 +8 +4 2 +2 x8
9 +9 +4 3 +3 x10
You can increase your mass, and therefore your Strength and 10 +10 +5 3 +3 x12
Toughness. Every rank of Density active gives you +1 Strength. 11 +11 +5 3 +3 x18
Every two ranks give you +1 Toughness with the Impervious extra
12 +12 +6 4 +4 x25
(see Impervious under Enhanced (Trait)). Every three ranks give
you a rank of Immovable and Might and move your mass one step 13 +13 +6 4 +4 x30
up the Time and Value Progression Table: x2 at rank 3, x5 at rank 14 +14 +7 4 +4 x40
6, x10 at rank 9, and so forth. Additional Strength from Density 15 +15 +7 5 +5 x50
does not improve your Strength-based skills or the distance you
can jump, since your mass also increases. In fact, you 16 +16 +8 5 +5 x60
automatically fail Athletics checks to swim while Density is active at 17 +17 +8 5 +5 x80
3 ranks or more, because of your negative buoyancy. 18 +18 +9 6 +6 x100
19 +19 +9 6 +6 x125
20 +20 +10 6 +6 x150

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Flaws
• Distracting: Since it’s reasonable for increased mass to make
a character somewhat less quick and graceful, this flaw may
apply to Density, causing you to lose your dodge bonus while
at an increased level of mass. If it only applies to a certain level
of Density (such as only after activating 6 ranks), apply the flaw
only to the higher ranks.
• Immobile (–1): When using Density, you are unable to move
from where you stand when you activate the FX, although you
can still take actions, so long as they don’t involve movement.
If you are completely immobile (and helpless) while using
Density, increase the flaw’s value to –3.
• Permanent: Continuous Density may have this flaw, usually to
reflect a character that’s always more dense and massive than
normal. Permanent Density often has the Innate FX feat as
well.
Associated FX
• Damage: Denser fists may be able to strike harder blows than
even a dense character’s enhanced Strength, in which case
Damage with the Mighty FX feat is an appropriate additional
FX.
• Insubstantial: This effect may be based on the ability to
decrease mass and density, becoming less substantial. A
character may have both Density and Insubstantial as Alternate
FX in an Array structure.
• Shrinking: For characters who become more dense without
additional mass, essentially reducing the space between their
existing molecules and therefore their overall size.
DRAIN (TRAIT)
Type: Trait Action: One (active)
Range: Touch Duration: Instant
Resistance: Fortitude (staged) Cost: 1-5 points per rank
You can temporarily lower one of a target’s traits: an ability, skill,
feat, or FX, chosen when you acquire this FX. You must touch the
target, making a normal melee attack roll, and roll to overcome the
target's Fortitude resistance. If the roll succeeds, the target loses 1
character point from the affected trait(s) for each point you
overcame the DC, up to a maximum of the Drain rank. Lost
character points return at a rate of 1 per round, except for
inanimate objects, which do not recover drained Toughness; they
must be repaired.
Drain’s cost per rank determines the affected trait(s):
• 1 point: Drain affects a single trait (such as Strength score or
Will resistance bonus), chosen when the effect is acquired. (To
affect a list of traits, one at a time, use an Array of different 1-
point Drains, see the Array structure in this chapter.)
• 2 points: Drain affects any one trait suited to its descriptors,
one at a time, such as any one ability score, skill, or feat at a
time, or any one sensory effect, fire effect, or mental effect at a
time.
• 3 points: Drain affects all traits of a single type (ability scores,
skills, feats, one type of FX, or all FX of a particular type or
descriptor) all at once (subtracting its rank in character points
from each).
• 4 points: Drain reduces all FX at once.
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• 5 points: Drain reduces all traits at once. Gamemasters should
carefully control, and may wish to limit access to, the 4- and 5-
point versions of Drain, since they are especially powerful.
Drain and Objects
Drain normally has no effect on inanimate objects, only creatures.
Drain with the Affects Objects extra can work on inanimate objects,
and Drain can couple this with the Limited to Objects flaw to work
only on inanimate objects as a +0 modifier. As a general rule, most
inanimate objects have only one trait (their Toughness) and Drain
Toughness can weaken the Toughness (and therefore structure) of
objects.
Objects do not get resistances against Drain; it has its full effect on
the targeted object. At the GM’s discretion, held or carried objects
may gain a Reflex check from their wielder to reduce the Drain’s
effect, representing pulling the object out of harm’s way at the last
moment. Devices must have their resistances overcome to be
affected.
Drain and Devices
Drain with the right descriptor(s) can lower the traits provided by a
Device. For example, a Drain that affects all magical FX could
potentially drain the FX of a magical device as well. Likewise a
Drain affecting electrically powered equipment could drain an
electrical device, and so on. This also applies to equipment,
although it tends to have fewer traits to drain, and the GM should
feel free to disallow any Device or equipment Drains that don’t suit
the campaign or the FX concept. For example, just because a Drain
Damage FX is possible doesn’t mean a character should be able to
cause guns to do less damage; this sort of thing is better handled
by an all-or-nothing FX like Nullify.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: Drain with this modifier can affect
insubstantial targets, even if the user can’t normally touch
them.
• Extended Reach: A touch range Drain can benefit from the
effects of this feat.
• Incurable: Drain with this FX feat cannot have its effects
countered by another FX (such as Boost, Healing, or other FX)
without the Persistent FX feat; the target must recover from the
Drain normally.
• Reversible: You can restore character points you have drained
from a subject at will as a free action rather than having to wait
for them to recover over time.
• Selective: A Drain FX capable of reducing more than one trait
at once can have this FX feat, allowing you to choose which
traits are affected, while not affecting others. Note this differs
from the Selective Attack extra, which allows you to choose
which subjects an Area Drain affects.
• Slow Fade: This FX feat extends the time it takes for lost
character points to return, one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table per rank: 1 point per minute, 1 point per five
minutes, and so forth.
• Subtle: Drain FX with this FX feat are more difficult to detect.
Since Drain is normally a touch range FX, and the actual FX
(loss of character points) are usually apparent, a Drain
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generally has to be normal or perception range to gain much
benefit from being Subtle.
Extras
• Affects Corporeal: An incorporeal being needs this extra to
use a Drain FX—like a "life-draining" Drain Constitution for a
ghost—on a corporeal target.
• Affects Objects: Drain with this modifier works on inanimate
objects, although the effect can still only drain traits the objects
possess. This is most often applied to Drain Toughness for an
effect that can weaken both creatures and objects. As a +0
modifier, the FX only works on objects (things with no
Constitution), and not creatures with a Constitution score.
• Alternate Resistance: Certain Drains, particularly those
affecting mental traits, may have Will as their resistance rather
than Fortitude. This might also be the case for Drain FX
designed as mental or mystic powers.
• Aura: As a touch range FX, Drain can apply this extra, suitable
for a character whose touch automatically causes a particular
Drain FX.
• Contagious: This modifier suits a Drain FX based on a
disease or similar contagion, or something like a draining
substance that covers targets and can potentially affect anyone
touching them as well. It’s often used in conjunction with the
Disease modifier.
• Disease: Drain is the FX most commonly used for diseases,
which typically weaken a victim’s abilities, and may affect other
traits. A Disease Drain works like the guidelines given in
Chapter VIII: Environments. Disease Drains are often
comparatively low-ranked, the FX building up over time.
• Poison: Like Disease, Poison is a common modifier for Drain,
which is the basic FX of most toxins. Poison Drains tend to
affect ability scores: Strength for weakness poisons, Dexterity
for paralytic poisons, Constitution for lethal toxins, and mental
ability scores for intoxicants, depressants, and similar
neurochemicals. Poison Drains tend to be higher rank than
Disease Drains simply because they act faster and take effect
only twice.
• Selective Attack: This extra can be applied to an Area Drain
so it only affects some targets and not others. It can be
combined with the Selective FX feat (previously), allowing you
to use an Area Drain to selectively drain certain traits only from
certain targets.
• Total Fade: Traits reduced by a Total Fade Drain do not
recover gradually. Instead, they remain at their reduced
character point value until the entire trait would have normally
recovered, at which point the trait returns to its normal value.
So, for example, if a Total Fade Drain reduces a trait by 5
character points, the trait would normally recover 1 point per
round until it returned to its normal value but instead remains at
the lowered value for five rounds, then regains all 5 lost
character points at once.
Flaws
• Limited to Objects: Drain with Affects Objects and this flaw
works only on inanimate objects with no Constitution score.
• Requires Combat Advantage: You must Gain Combat
Advantage over a target grab them in order to Drain them. The
Drain FX can work once you have Combat Advantage, but not
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until then.
• Side Effect: This flaw may represent a kind of Drain FX that
“overloads” or even “feeds” on the user if it fails to drain the
target! The side effect might be straightforward Damage, or a
similar Drain FX against the attacker.
ELONGATION
Type: Alteration Action: One (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank
You can elongate your body and limbs to extend your reach. You
can elongate 5 feet at rank 1; each additional rank moves your
maximum range (in feet) one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table: 10 feet, 25 feet, 50 feet, and so on. Past rank 6,
you can’t elongate your entire distance in a single action. You can
elongate up to (rank x 50 feet) per action, up to your maximum
distance. So at rank 10, for example, you can elongate 500 feet per
action to a maximum of 5,000 feet, so it takes ten actions to reach
your maximum extension. “Snapping back” to your normal shape is
a free action, unless you elongate past rank 6, in which case
retracting completely requires the same amount of time as
elongating that distance.
You can use Elongation to make melee attacks at a greater
distance by elongating your limbs. It requires two actions to both
elongate (one action) and attack (one action). Once elongated, you
can make melee attacks within your new reach as a standard
action.
Your elongated attacks have a “range increment” of (FX rank x 10
feet), each increment beyond the first applies a –2 penalty to your
attack rolls and checks, since it’s harder for you to coordinate your
limbs at a distance. If you can’t accurately sense your target at all
(around a corner, for example), apply the rules for concealment.
The range increment is based on the distance between your target
and your head (or wherever your accurate senses originate), so if
you elongate your neck so your head is within one increment of
your target, you suffer no range penalties, although you’ll be less
aware of what’s going on around the rest of your body!
You gain a bonus to Defense against attacks on your elongated
limbs as if you were one size category smaller than usual. So the
elongated limb of a medium character has a +1 Defense bonus
(like a small character).
Elongation gives you a bonus on Acrobatics checks to escape from
bonds or grapples or to squeeze through tight spaces equal to your
FX rank due to your greater flexibility and reach.
At rank 3 or higher, you can move more quickly than normal by
stretching out to a spot as one action and pulling the rest of your
body in after you, or extending your limbs to give you a longer
stride. The maximum distance you can move in this way is the
amount you can elongate in a single action. You can take two
actions to double the distance but you can’t move “all out” with
Elongation.
FX Feats
• Extended Reach: This feat does not apply to Elongation,
which provides its own means of extending your reach.
• Improved Range: This feat can improve the range increment
of your elongated attacks.
• Indirect: At the GM’s discretion, this FX feat can indicate a
form of Elongation that “bypasses” normal spatial relationships
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

or barriers, such as using the ability to generate spatial whatever you like.
“wormholes” or fold space to extend reach. This may allow you
to reach “through” walls (Indirect 1), punch someone standing
behind you (Indirect 2), or hit someone standing in front of you
in the back of the head (Indirect 3), good for surprise attacks.
FX Feats
• Mind Blank: Targets don’t remember time under your Emotion
Control; their memory of that time is blank.
Extras • Subtle: Subtle Emotion Control is tailor-made for true
manipulators, leaving victims wondering why they are suffering
• Projection (+1): Your elongated limb(s) are a projection of your such uncharacteristic bouts of emotion. Combined with a
FX rather than an actual extension of your body. Therefore, degree of finesse in choosing the right feelings to impose, the
they are not vulnerable to attack on their own; any attacks controller can escape notice altogether.
specifically against your elongated segments have no effect.
So, for example, an elongated “psychic hand” could reach into
a container of acid to pull out an object without any risk of
harm. This extra does not provide you with any additional
Extras
protection for your normal body parts. • Alternate Resistance: Emotion Control may be based on
Fortitude to reflect a biochemical FX, such as a drug or control
over various hormones.
Flaws • Contagious: Contagious Emotion Control could be a
contagious disease or toxin or some sort or a contagious
• Permanent: A character with a Permanent Elongation FX is psychic FX passed from one person to another.
stuck at maximum extension for the FX’s rank, so someone
with Permanent Elongation 4, for example, has a 50-foot reach
and can cover 50 feet with a single action.
Flaws
Drawbacks • Limited to One Direction: You can only shift attitudes either
up or down, causing targets to become more or less friendly.
You can still control who the target feels these emotions for,
• Full Power: You can only Elongate out to your maximum though.
extension or return to your normal shape; you can’t stop at any
point in between. This is only a drawback for more than one • Limited to One Subject: You can only shift the attitudes of
rank of Elongation, and the GM should consider its value others regarding one subject, either yourself or others (but not
before allowing it. both), chosen when you take this flaw.
• Sense-Dependent: Your Emotion Control works through a
target’s senses rather than as a strictly mental FX. Examples
Associated FX include eye contact (visual), voice or music (auditory), or
pheromones (olfactory).
• Enhanced Movement: The ability to elongate may provide
certain Enhanced Movement traits, particularly swinging (by
elongating your arms) or slithering (elongating your body like a
snake).
• Immunity: Elongation—and an elastic body—may also provide
things like Immunity to falling damage (5 ranks).
• Insubstantial: Elongation often implies or includes the ability
to reshape your body in other ways. A truly elastic character
should also have the first rank of Insubstantial, able to flow like
a fluid.
• Morph: Characters able to reshape their physical forms
beyond just elongating their body and limbs should acquire the
Morph effect at the appropriate level.

EMOTION CONTROL
Type: Sensory (mental) Action: One (active)
Range: Perception Duration: Sustained (lasting)
Resistance: Will (staged) Cost: 2 points per rank

You can instill different emotions in a target whose Will resistance

you overcome. If you succeed, you can shift a target's attitude
regarding anyone up one or down one steps (from indifferent to
friendly or unfriendly, for example). If you succeed by 5 or more,
you can shift a target's attitude up or down by two steps. If you
succeed by 10 or more, you can change the target's attitude to

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Drawbacks
• Noticeable: Your Emotion Control FX has some noticeable
element: your eyes or head glow, your subjects’ skin changes
color, a particular scent fills the air (perhaps differing according
to the emotion), and so forth. This drawback often occurs in
conjunction with the Sense-Dependent flaw.
Associated FX
• Inflict (Condition): The ability to affect emotions may also
involve the ability to affect someone’s sense of drive or cause
disorientation, suited to the Inflict (Condition) FX.
• Mind Reading: Mind Reading (possibly Limited to a subject’s
emotional state) can be a useful ability to have when you
intend to manipulate someone’s emotions.
ENHANCED (TRAIT)
Type: Trait Action: None (passive)
Range: Personal Duration: Continuous
Resistance: None Cost: Varies (see description)
You have an enhancement to a non-FX trait, such as an ability
(including resistances) or skill (including attack or defense bonus).
The Enhanced Trait has the same cost at the trait’s normal cost. Its
“rank” is considered equal to the trait’s bonus or modifier. So 10
points of Enhanced Strength costs 20 points (since ability scores
cost 2 characters point per ability score point) and is considered a
rank 10 FX.
Enhanced Traits can be nullified like other FX (and unlike normal
traits), but you can also spend Hero Dice to them and include them
in arrays, Devices, and so forth (also unlike normal traits). The GM
approves any extra effort use in conjunction with your Enhanced
Traits. Enhanced Traits also have appropriate descriptors,
differentiating them from normal traits.
You can freely mix normal and Enhanced Traits, and their benefits
stack up to the limits of the campaign’s power level. So a character
can have Dexterity 2 and Enhanced Dexterity 5 for a total Dexterity
score of 7, so long as the total Dex score is within the power level
limits. If the character’s Enhanced Dexterity is nullified, he drops
down to a 2 Dex.
FX Feats
• Alternate FX: Unlike normal traits, an Enhanced Trait may be
placed into an Array as a base or Alternate FX. The benefits of
the Enhanced Trait only apply so long as that Alternate FX of
the Array is active.
• Innate: Enhanced Traits may be Innate, in which case they are
unaffected by trait FX, including Nullify. Note, however, that
enhancing FX like Boost also do not affect Innate traits.
• Subtle: As a continuous FX, Enhanced Trait is subtle by
default and does not require this FX feat. Enhanced Traits with
noticeable FX can have the Noticeable FX drawback.
Extras
• Absorption (+3): In addition to helping you resist damage,
your Enhanced Toughness actually "absorbs" some of the
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incoming energy of the attack, which you can use to improve
your own traits! Applied to Impervious Toughness, this extra
essentially gives you a Linked 1-point Boost that operates
automatically when your Toughness stops damage.
• Affects Others: This changes the Enhanced Trait's range from
personal to touch, allowing you to bestow the FX on someone
else. As usual, the +0 version of this modifier means you can
only grant the Enhanced Trait to others, the +1 version means
you can grant it to someone else while still using it yourself. An
Enhanced Trait that Affects Others generally cannot improve
traits beyond power level limits, although the GM may modify
this as desired.
• Impervious (+1): Your Enhanced Toughness stops some
damage cold. If an attack has a damage bonus less than your
Toughness rank, it inflicts no damage (you automatically resist
as with the Immunity FX). Penetrating damage ignores this
modifier; you must resist it normally.
• Reflective (+1/+2): Applied to Impervious Toughness, this
extra "bounces" any damage blocked by your Impervious extra
back at the attacker. This occurs automatically when the attack
happens and the reflected damage automatically hits the
attacker, who resists it normally. If the attacker has sufficient
Impervious Toughness himself, the attack has no FX (and is
not further reflected, if the attacker also has Reflective
Toughness). As a +1 modifier, Reflective works against a
limited group of damaging effects, either melee or ranged or a
reasonably common descriptor (such as heat, light, or
radiation, for example), as a +2 modifier, it applies to all
damaging effects.
Flaws
• Duration: An Enhanced Trait can have a sustained duration as
a –1 flaw, meaning the trait must be activated and maintained
as a free action, and stops working if you are unable to
maintain it. Enhanced Traits cannot have an instant duration,
nor may they apply the Permanent flaw.
• Fades: For an Enhanced Trait that requires activation and
fades over time, use the Boost FX rather than this flaw. An
Enhanced Toughness ablates and chips away with successive
attacks.
• Limited (–1): Your Protection applies to only one of a broad
type of damage (physical or energy). If your Protection applies
to only one of a narrow type of damage (edged weapons, blunt
weapons, electricity, fire, magic, etc.) it has a –3 modifier.
• Permanent: The Permanent flaw does not apply to Enhanced
Trait, because permanent Enhanced Traits aren’t sufficiently
limited by it, and because normal permanent versions of the
traits are already defined in game terms.
Drawbacks
• Noticeable: Your Enhanced Trait has some noticeable quality
to it, such as a physical change (unusually large muscles or an
enlarged head or brain, for example) or an effect
accompanying use of the trait, such as glowing whenever you
use your Enhanced Strength. The quality must be such that it
gives some indication of what the Enhanced Trait is: merely
looking odd doesn’t necessarily qualify for this drawback (it’s
more of a social complication). Note that sustained duration
Enhanced Traits cannot have this drawback, as sustained FX
are already noticeable by default.
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ENHANCED MOVEMENT
Type: Movement Action: One (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 2 points per rank
You have a special form of movement. For each rank in this FX,
choose one of the following:
• Burrowing: You can burrow through the through soil and sand
at one-half your normal ground speed, leaving a tunnel behind
if you choose. You burrow at your normal speed. Burrowing
through hard clay and packed earth requires two ranks.
Burrowing through harder materials requires the Penetrating
extra applied to your ranks in the Speed FX for burrowing (see
below). The tunnel you leave behind is either permanent or
collapses behind you immediately (your choice when you begin
burrowing each new tunnel).
• Dimensional Movement: You can move from one dimension
to another. Dimensional Movement is instant duration. For one
rank, you can move between your home dimension and one
other. For two ranks you can move between any of a related
group of dimensions (mystical dimensions, alien dimensions,
etc). For three ranks you can travel to any dimension. You can
carry up to 100 lbs. with you when you move. Each
Progression FX feat moves this amount one step up the Time
and Value Progression Table (250 lbs., 500 lbs., etc.). Since
this effect can be extremely useful in some situations, the GM
should carefully regulate its use, possibly requiring modifiers
like Limited or Unreliable or even disallowing it for player
characters altogether.
• Leaping: You can make prodigious leaps. For one rank, your
jumping distances are doubled. Unlike other special forms of
movement, the FX Speed doesn't actually make you leap
faster, but instead allows you to leap greater distances,
multiplying your jumping distances by speed's value at that
rank. So Jumping with Speed rank 2 allows you to jump
twenty-five times your normal distance. At Speed rank 4 (50
times normal distance), you are in the air for at least a full
round before you land. Each additional rank adds another full
round in the air. So a rank 9 leap (x1,000 your normal distance)
lasts for six full rounds before you land. You can act normally
during this time, as if you were flying, but you can’t change
your speed or direction without using some other effect.
• Flight: You can soar through the air as easily as most people
walk on the ground. Your flight is clumsy or may require a
platform which carries you. If you suffer any knockback while
flying or you are grappled by someone standing on the ground,
you’re knocked off or pulled down and cannot fly. You can
regain the use of your flying platform by reactivating your Flight
FX (which may require a Expertise check to Concentrate,
depending on circumstances). For one rank, you can fly at half
your normal ground speed. For two ranks, you can fly at your
full normal ground speed. You may buy an additional rank to fly
with agility and not risk being knocked or pulled out of the sky.
• Gliding: You're able to float, if not quite fly as if you were self-
propelled. For one rank, you can move through the air at your
normal speed, but you lose altitude equal to half the distance
you travel, meaning the maximum distance you can glide is
twice the height you start from. While gliding, you cannot gain
altitude without outside help, like updrafts and thermals (at the
GM’s discretion). GMs may wish to limit your maximum ranks
in the Speed FX for Gliding to 4, since gliders tend to lack self-
propulsion.
• Levitation: You're able to hover, but you cannot fly beyond
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raising and lowering yourself. For one rank, you can move
upwards or downwards through the air at your normal speed.
GMs may wish to limit your maximum ranks in the Speed FX
for levitation to 4, to represent the limitations levitation
presents.
• Permeate: You can pass through solid objects as if they
weren’t there. For one rank, you can move at one-quarter your
speed through any physical object as a move action and half
your speed as a full action. For two ranks, you can move at half
your speed as a move action and your full speed as a full
action. For three ranks, you can move at your normal speed
through obstacles. You cannot breathe while inside a solid
object, so you need Immunity to Suffocation or you have to
hold your breath. You may also need Enhanced Senses (such
as X-Ray Vision) to see where you’re going. Permeate is often
Limited to a particular substance (like earth, ice, or metal, for
example) as a –1 modifier (reducing base cost to 1 point per
rank). Permeate provides no protection against attacks, even
against materials you can pass through, although you do gain
total cover while inside an object.
• Slithering: You can move along the ground at your normal
speed while prone instead of crawling at a rate of 5 feet per
move action. You suffer no penalties for making attacks while
prone.
• Slow Fall: As long as you are capable of action, you can fall
any distance without harm. You can also stop your fall at any
point so long as there is a handhold or projection for you to
grab (such as a ledge, flagpole, branch, etc.). If you have the
Wall-Crawling FX (see following), then any surface provides
you with a handhold. Slow Fall assumes you are capable of
reacting to your circumstances; for the ability to fall any
distance without harm whether you are capable of action or
not, take Immunity to Falling Damage for 5 points.
• Space Flight: For one rank, you're able to propel yourself
through the vacuum of space at your normal ground speed,
though you aren't protected against the hazards of space
travel. For that, see the Immunity FX.
• Swinging: You can swing through the air at your normal
ground movement speed, using a swing-line you provide or
available lines and projections (tree limbs, flagpoles, vines,
telephone- and power-lines, etc.).
• Swimming: You can move through the water or similar liquid
with tremendous ease. You have a water speed equal to your
normal ground speed with one rank.
• Sure-Footed: You’re better able to deal with obstacles and
obstructions to movement. Reduce the speed penalty for
hampered movement by one-quarter for each application of
this effect. So heavy obstructions or a bad surface only reduce
your speed by one-quarter rather than one-half, for example. If
you reduce the movement penalty to 0 or less, you are
unaffected by that condition and move at full normal speed.
• Temporal Movement: You can move through time. Temporal
Movement is instant duration. For one rank, you can move
between the present and another fixed point in time (such as
100 years into the past, or 1,000 years into the future). For two
ranks you can move to any point in either the past or any point
in the future. For three ranks, you can travel to any point in
time. You can carry up to 100 lbs. with you when you move.
Each Progression FX feat moves this amount one step up the
Time and Value Progression Table (250 lbs., 500 lbs., etc.).
Temporal mechanics and the effects of time travel are left up to
the GM. Since this is an extremely powerful ability, the GM
should carefully regulate its use, possibly requiring modifiers
like Limited or Unreliable or even disallowing it for player
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characters altogether.
• Trackless: You leave no trail and cannot be tracked using
visual senses (although you can still be tracked using scent or
other means). You step so lightly you can walk across the
surface of soft sand or even snow without leaving tracks and
you have total concealment from tremorsense (see Enhanced
Senses). This FX may be Limited to particular types of terrain.
• Wall-Crawling: You can climb walls and ceilings at half your
normal speed with no chance of falling and no need for an
Athletics skill check. You still lose your dodge bonus while
climbing unless you have 5 or more ranks of Climb. An
additional rank of Enhanced Movement applied to this effect
means you climb at your full speed and retain your dodge
bonus while climbing. A third rank in Wall-Crawling allows you
to “stick” to surfaces with any part of your body, rather than just
your hands and feet (so you could, for example, hang from a
ceiling by the top of your head, or stick your back to a wall to
leave your arms and legs free). Wall-Crawling may be Limited
to particular kinds of surfaces (metal, stone, wood, etc.) as a –
1 flaw. It may also be Limited to only while moving.
• Water Walking: You can move or stand on the surface of
water, quicksand, and other liquids without sinking. Water
Walking may be Limited to only while moving (making it more
“Water Running”).
Increasing Enhanced
Movement Speed
The default movement speed of most Enhanced Movement options
is a character's "normal ground speed." To move at a speed greater
than that, you must apply the Speed FX to your chosen form of
movement. You must be able to to move at a speed at least equal
to your normal ground speed to apply additional ranks of Speed to
a form of Enhanced Movement (which for some forms of Enhanced
movement might require more than one rank).
At the GM's option, increasing you normal ground speed with the
Speed FX also affects Enhanced Movement modes like Permeate,
Slithering, Swinging, Wall-Crawling, and Water Walking just as it
does normal ground movement. If this proves unbalancing, or in a
setting where differentiated movement is more important, the GM
may wish to have Speed apply separately to each form of
movement; so a character would have ranks of Speed for normal
ground movement and separate ranks for Enhanced Movement
traits like Wall-Crawling and Water Walking.
Extras
When applying modifiers to Enhanced Movement, you can apply
the modifier(s) to just one rank of the FX, some of them, or all of
them, depending on which movement mode(s) you want to modify.
So it’s possible, for example, to make Dimensional Movement
Unreliable while having Permeate Affect Others and applying no
modifiers to Sure-Footed. The GM should approve any distribution
of modifiers to Enhanced Movement. As usual, the total cost of the
FX cannot be reduced below 1 character point.
• Affects Others: This extra, applied to one or more of your
movement modes, allows you to take "passengers" along with
you, granting them the benefits of your movement mode(s) so
long as they are in close-contact with you (or within range, if
you add the Range extra to the FX as well). This extra is
particularly common for Dimensional and Temporal Movement
(often Affects Others and Area).
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• Attack: Dimensional and Temporal Movement can apply this
modifier, allowing you to send an unwilling target into another
dimension or time! Since both options have relatively fixed
costs, the GM may allow additional ranks in Dimensional or
Temporal Attack to increase the FX’s resistance DC: 2
character points per additional rank. Like other FX with the
Attack extra, these Attacks are touch range by default, making
them ranged is a +1 extra and perception range is a +2 extra.
• Duration: Continuous duration Enhanced Movement operates
even when the character is stunned, unconscious, or otherwise
unable to sustain it (once it has been activated, of course). The
user may remaining hanging in space, or safely inside of an
object she is permeating, or hanging from something he was
swinging from. Alternatively, the character might be slowly and
safely deposited on a surface capable of supporting him.
• Penetrating: Some super-hard materials may be considered
Impervious to Burrowing, in which case this extra allows you to
dig through them, provided your Penetrating rank reduces the
material’s Impervious Toughness to equal to your less than
your Burrowing rank or your ranks in the Speed FX (whichever
you choose to apply Penetrating to).
Flaws
• Distracting: A clumsy or uncertain form of movement might
suffer from this flaw, losing dodge bonus at all times while
moving rather than just when moving all-out.
• Duration: Concentration duration Enhanced Movement can
represent an effect requiring additional focus or effort on the
character’s part; you can fly or pass through matter, but can’t
do much else at the same time. Since concentration requires a
one action each round, it also means you can’t move a
accelerated or all-out speeds, just the normal pace. A useful
Enhanced Movement FX cannot have a duration less than
concentration.
Drawbacks
• Forward Only: You cannot back up while using your Enhanced
Movement; you can only move straight ahead.
• Low Ceiling: If your movement enables you to leave the
ground, you cannot gain much altitude, remaining fairly close to
the ground. A ceiling (maximum altitude) of 30 feet is a 1-point
drawback, 15 feet is worth 2 points, and 5 feet is worth 3
points. This drawback is suitable for "hovercraft" type flight and
similar effects.
• Minimum Speed: You must move no less than half your
maximum speed or you "stall" and begin falling or get stuck.
You can restart your Movement for one action unless
circumstances prevent it (including other drawbacks). You can’t
hover while in flight.
• FX Loss: If your Movement is dependent on being able to flap
your wings, a grappling swing-line which can jam, and so forth,
you can apply this drawback to reflect conditions where your
Enhanced Movement FX may not function. If your movement
has limitations that render it inoperative about half the time, it
should have the Limited flaw instead. Note that this differs from
having your Movement countered in that you lose it
automatically when your FX Loss occurs, with no opposed
check.
• Reduced Load: If you cannot carry more than a medium load
while moving, you have a 1-point FX drawback. If you cannot
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carry more than a light load, you have a 2-point power
drawback.
• Runway Required: Some flying effects might require a level
runway to take off and land. You can’t take off or land vertically
or hover.
• Wide Turns: You cannot execute a greater than 45 degree turn
per action while flying, although you can slow your flying speed
while turning in order to make tighter turns, if you wish. A
combination of Minimum Speed and Wide Turns means you
can only bank widely at best.
ENHANCED SENSES
Type: Sensory Action: None (passive)
Range: Personal Duration: Continuous
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank
One or more of your senses are enhanced, or you have additional
sensory abilities beyond the normal five senses. Allocate ranks in
Enhanced Senses to the following FX. Some options require more
than one rank, noted in their descriptions. Like all sensory FX,
Enhanced Senses uses the sense types described in sense types.
Enhanced Senses
The following effects enhance or improve existing senses, whether
one of the five normal senses or the additional senses listed in the
following section.
• Accurate (2 or 4 ranks): An accurate sense can pinpoint
something’s exact location. You can use an accurate sense to
target something in combat. Visual and tactile senses are
normally accurate for humans. Cost is 2 ranks for one sense, 4
for an entire sense type.
• Acute (1–2 ranks): You can sense fine details about anything
you can detect with a particular sense, allowing you to
distinguish between and identify different subjects. Visual,
auditory, and tactile senses are normally acute for humans.
Cost is 1 rank for one sense, 2 for an entire sense type.
• Analytical (1–2 ranks): Beyond even acute, you can perceive
specific details about anything you can detect with an analytical
sense, such as chemical composition, exact dimensions or
mass, frequency of sounds and energy wavelengths, and so
forth. You can only apply this effect to an acute sense. Normal
senses are not analytical. Cost is 1 rank for one sense, 2 for an
entire sense type.
• Counters Concealment (2 ranks): A sense type with this trait
ignores the Concealment effect; you sense the subject of the
effect normally, as if the Concealment wasn’t even there. So if
you have vision that Counters Concealment, for example, then
invisible beings are visible to you. Concealed subjects seem
slightly “off” to you, enough to know they are concealed to
others. This trait does not affect other sources of concealment,
such as obstacles or other effects (like Obscure).
• Counters Illusion (2 ranks): A sense type with this trait
ignores the Illusion effect; you automatically succeed on your
saving throw against the illusion if it affects your sense type,
realizing that it isn’t real.
• Counters Obscure (2 or 5 ranks): For 2 ranks, a sense type
with this trait ignores the Obscure effect of a particular
descriptor, such as darkness, fog/mist, or smoke, for visual
Obscure. For 5 ranks, the sense type ignores all Obscure
effects, regardless of descriptor.
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• Extended (1 rank): You have a sense that operates at greater
than normal range. Your range increment with the sense is
increased by a factor of 10. Each additional time you apply this
option, your range increment increases by an additional factor
of 10, so one increase makes the range increment 100, two
makes it 1,000, and so on.
• Penetrates Concealment (4 ranks): A sense with this trait is
unaffected by concealment from obstacles (but not effects like
Concealment, Illusion, or Obscure). So vision that Penetrates
Concealment can see right through opaque objects, for
example, and hearing that Penetrates Concealment is
unaffected by sound-proofing or muffling materials, and so
forth.
• Radius (1–2 ranks): You can make Perception checks with a
sense against any point around you. Subjects behind you
cannot use Infiltration to hide from you without some other
concealment. Auditory, olfactory, and tactile senses are
normally radius for humans. Cost is 1 rank for use with one
sense, 2 ranks for one sense type.
• Ranged (1 rank): You can use a sense that normally has no
range (taste or touch in humans) to make Perception checks at
a normal range increment (-1 per 10 feet). This can be
enhanced with the Extended effect.
• Rapid (1 rank): You can read or take in information from a
sense faster than normal: each rank increases your perception
speed by a factor of 10 (x10, x100, etc.) with a single sense,
double cost for an entire sense type. You can use rapid vision
to speed-read, pick up on rapid flickering between frames of a
film, watch video replays in fast-forward speeds, and such,
rapid hearing to listen to time-compressed audio “blips,” and so
forth. If your sense is rapid enough, the GM may allow you to
take 20 with Perception checks using it as a full action or even
faster. See Quickness for guidelines on this. (Rapid Sense is,
in fact, essentially a version of Quickness limited to one or
more of your senses.)
• Tracking (1 rank): You can follow trails and track using a
particular sense. Basic DC to follow a trail is 10, modified by
circumstances, as the GM sees fit. You only move at half
normal speed while tracking. For 2 ranks, you can move at full
normal speed while tracking. For 3 ranks, you can move all-out
while tracking.
Additional Senses
The FX here grant additional sensory capabilities or senses beyond
the normal five senses.
• Communication Link (1 rank): You have a link with a
particular individual chosen when you acquire this option, who
must also have this ability. The two of you can communicate
over any distance like a use of the Communication FX. Choose
a sense type as a communication medium when you select this
option; mental is common for psychic or empathic links. If you
apply the Dimensional FX feat to your Communication Link, it
extends to other dimensions as well.
• Danger Sense (1 rank): When you would normally be
surprised in combat, make a Perception check (DC 15).
Success means you are not surprised and may act during the
surprise round (if any). Failure means you are surprised
(although, if you have Uncanny Dodge, you retain your
Defense bonus). The GM may raise the DC of the Danger
Sense check in some circumstances. Choose a sense type for
your Danger Sense. Sensory effects targeting that sense also
affect your Danger Sense ability and may “blind” it.
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• (Descriptor) Awareness (1 rank): You can sense the use of
effects of a particular descriptor with a successful Perception
check (DC 10, –1 per 10 feet range). Examples include Cosmic
Awareness, Divine Awareness, Magical Awareness, Mental
Awareness, and so forth. You can apply enhanced sense traits
to your Awareness to modify it. Choose the sense type for your
Awareness; it is often a mental sense, but doesn’t have to be.
Awareness counts as an “exotic sense” for noticing effects with
the first rank of the Subtle FX feat.
• Detect (1–2 ranks): You can sense a particular item or effect
by touch with a Perception check. Detect has no range and
only indicates the presence or absence of something (being
neither acute nor accurate). Choose what sense type your
Detect falls under (often mental). For 2 ranks you can detect
things at a normal range increment (–1 per 10 feet).
• Direction Sense (1 rank): You always know what direction
north lies in and can retrace your steps through any place
you’ve been.
• Distance Sense (1 rank): You can accurately and
automatically judge distances.
• (FX) Awareness (1 rank): This works like Descriptor
Awareness (previously) but applies only to one FX regardless
of descriptor(s). Examples include Concealment Awareness,
Mind Control Awareness, Teleport Awareness, and so forth.
• Infravision (1 rank): You can see in the infrared portion of the
spectrum, allowing you to see heat patterns. Darkness does
not provide concealment for objects differing in temperature
from their surroundings. If you have the Track ability, you can
track warm creatures by the faint heat trails they leave behind.
• Microscopic Vision (1–4 ranks): You can view extremely
small things. You can make Perception checks to see tiny
things in your own area. Cost is 1 rank for dust-sized objects, 2
ranks for cellular-sized, 3 ranks for DNA and complex
molecules, 4 ranks for atomic- sized. The GM may require a
knowledge skill check, particularly Science to interpret what
you see.
• Postcognition (4 ranks): Your senses extend into the past,
allowing you to perceive events that took place previously. You
can make Perception checks to pick up on past information in
an area or from a subject. The Gamemaster sets the DC for
these checks based on how obscure and distant in the past the
information is, from DC 15 (for a vague vision that may or may
not be accurate) to DC 30 (for near complete knowledge of a
particular past event as if you were actually present). Your
normal (present-day) senses don’t work while you’re using
Postcognition; your awareness is focused on the past. Your
postcogntive visions last for as long as you concentrate.
Postcognition does not apply to mental effects like Mind
Reading or any other ability requiring interaction with the past.
Postcognition may be Limited to past events connected to your
own “past lives” or ancestors, reducing cost to 2 ranks.
• Precognition (4 ranks): Your senses extend into the future,
allowing you to perceive events that may happen. Your
precognitive visions represent possible futures. If
circumstances change, then the vision may not come to pass.
When you use this ability, the Gamemaster chooses what
information to impart. Your visions may be obscure and cryptic,
open to interpretation. The Gamemaster may require
appropriate Perception skill checks for you to pick up on
particularly detailed information, with a DC ranging from 15 to
30 or more. The GM can also activate your Precognition to
impart specific information to you as an adventure hook or plot
device. Your normal (present-day) senses don’t work while
you’re using Precognition; your awareness is focused on the
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future. Your precognitive visions last as long as you
concentrate. Precognition does not apply to mental effects like
Mind Reading or any other ability requiring interaction with the
future.
• Radio (1 rank): You can “hear” radio frequencies including AM,
FM, television, cellular, police bands, and so forth. This allows
you to pick up on Radio Communication. This is the base
sense of the radio sense type. It’s ranged, radius, and accurate
by default.
• Time Sense (1 rank): You always know what time it is and can
time events as if you had an accurate stopwatch.
• Ultra-Hearing (1 rank): You can hear very high and low
frequency sounds, like dog whistles or ultrasonic signals.
• Ultravision (1 rank): You can see ultraviolet light, allowing you
to see normally at night by the light of the stars or other UV
light sources.
• Uncanny Dodge (1 rank): This feat may also be a feature of
Enhanced Senses rather than training or talent. Choose a
sense type for your Uncanny Dodge; sensory FX of that type
may overcome it.
Sample Enhanced Senses
Listed here are some examples of Enhanced Senses using the
enhanced and additional senses listed previously. Players should
feel free to take these pre-fabricated examples as abilities of
Enhanced Senses and to use them as models for creating their
own unique Enhanced Senses.
• Aura Reading (5 ranks): You can “read” the invisible psychic
auras that surround all creatures, showing their mood, physical
condition, and any outside psychic influences affecting them.
Aura Reading is a mental sense, although the information (the
auras) is perceived as visual. Detect Mood and Physical
Condition (both ranged), Psychic Awareness.
• Cosmic Awareness (2 ranks): You are innately “plugged in” to
cosmic forces, able to sense them at work in the universe. You
sense cosmic effects in your local area, plus you may pick up
on universe-affecting forces at a much greater distance (at the
GM’s discretion). Apply the Extended option to expand this
sense’s range. Additionally, you can spend a character die to
ask “the Universe” (the Gamemaster) a direct question and get
an answer (essentially a specialized use of the inspiration
aspect of spending character points). Cosmic Awareness and
Benefit (directed inspiration).
• Darkvision (2 ranks): You can see normally in the dark, even
darkness created by an Obscure FX (although other Obscure
descriptors, such as fog or blinding light, affect you normally).
Vision Counters Obscure (darkness).
• Detect Magic (2 ranks): You can make Perception checks to
detect the presence of magical effects, creatures, and items,
with a normal modifier of –1 per 10 feet distance. Mental
Detect (magic), Ranged.
• Detect Weakness (4 ranks): You can pick up on any potential
weaknesses a target may have. A successful Perception check
(opposed by Persuasion, Perception, Infiltration (for stealth), or
a trait of the GM’s choice) gives you insight into the subject’s
drawbacks, flaws, and similar weaknesses. The Assessment
feat may be added to Detect Weakness for an additional rank.
Detect Weaknesses, Ranged, Acute, Analyze.
• Ladar (3 ranks): By emitting infrared lasers that bounce off
solid surfaces, you can build an accurate picture of your
surroundings, even when you cannot normally see them.
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Vision Counters Obscure (darkness), Radius.
• Low-Light Vision (1 rank): You can see twice as far in low-
light conditions as normal. Vision Counters Obscure
(darkness), Limited.
• Radar (4 ranks): By sending out radiowave emissions that
bounce off solid surfaces, you can build an accurate picture of
your surroundings. Accurate, Radius, Ranged Radio Sense.
• Scent (1 rank): You can differentiate and identify individuals by
scent alone, although you cannot determine things like exact
location (since your sense of smell is not necessarily accurate).
Acute Scent.
• See Invisible (2 ranks): You can see anything hidden by a
Concealment FX as it were not concealed. Vision Counters
Concealment.
• Sonar (3 ranks): By sending out ultrasonic emissions that
bounce off solid surfaces, you can build an accurate picture of
your surroundings. Accurate Ultrasonic Hearing.
• Spatial Awareness (4 points): You are mentally aware of your
surroundings, even when you cannot see them. Accurate,
Radius, Ranged Mental Sense.
• Trace Teleport (1 rank): You can “track” another teleporter,
provided your Teleport range is at least equal to theirs. Make a
Perception check, DC 10, +1 per round since the target
teleported (+10 DC per minute) and –1 to your check result per
10 feet between you and the departure point (no modifier if you
are on the same spot). If the check succeeds you teleport to
the place where your target went (or the closest open space, if
that point is occupied). If the check fails, you don’t go
anywhere; you can’t get an accurate “lock.” You only get one
attempt to track a particular teleport, and you can’t take 10 or
20 on the Perception check. Track Teleport.
• Tremorsense (3 ranks): You can accurately feel the location
of moving objects in contact with the same surface as you
(such as the ground). If used underwater, you can feel objects
moving through the water all around you, like a normal radius
sense. Accurate Ranged Touch.
• True Sight (10 ranks): You automatically see through any
Concealment, Illusion, or Obscure FX, see the true form of any
disguised creature (including traits that grant a bonus to Art
checks to disguise, like Morph), and see any deliberately
hidden or concealed item (secret door, hidden panel, etc.),
although the GM may require a Perception check to detect the
latter. Vision Counters Concealment, Counters Illusion,
Counters Obscure (all), Detect Hidden.
• X-Ray Vision (4 ranks): You can see through solid objects as
if they weren’t there (such objects provide no concealment to
you). You have to define one reasonably common substance
you can’t see through, such as lead, gold, iron, wood, or such.
A subject with no concealment relative to you cannot use
Concealment to hide from you without a feat like Hide In Plain
Sight or an FX like Concealment. X-Ray Vision may be Limited
to particular substances (natural earth, for example), reducing
cost to 2 ranks. It is a commonly associated effect of the
Permeate ability of Enhanced Movement, allowing you to see
where you’re going as you pass through a solid object. Vision
Penetrates Concealment.
FX Feats
• Alternate FX: At the Gamemaster’s discretion, a “sensory
array” is an option if all the senses included are sustained or
continuous in duration, allowing the character to switch
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between them as desired. Note that this may represent a cost
savings for a wide range of Enhanced Senses, but those
senses will not all be available at the same time, so the
character may miss certain things or not have the right
sense(s) active at the right time to avoid a particular hazard or
pick up on an important piece of information.
• Dimensional: This FX feat allows you to extend your senses
into other dimensions. It’s assumed to apply to all your senses,
allowing you to sense your proximate location in the other
dimension(s). For a more extended range, use ESP with this
feat.
• Extended Reach: This FX feat does not apply to Enhanced
Senses; they have their own options (notably the Extended
feature) for enhancing their “reach.”
• Improved Range: Likewise, this FX feat does not apply to
Enhanced Senses; use options like Extended instead.
• Innate: The Enhanced Sense abilities of many creatures,
particularly aliens or constructs like robots, may be Innate,
although this does not prevent sensory effects like Dazzle or
Obscure from disabling them (which is different from countering
or nullifying them).
• Subtle: As passive FX, Enhanced Senses are Subtle by
default and do not require this FX feat.
Extras
Enhanced Senses often take advantage of the partial modifiers rule
when applying extras and flaws so they affect only particular ranks
(and therefore senses). See the information under Enhanced-
Movement on applying modifiers to individual ranks of the FX.
• Affects Others: With this extra, you can grant the benefits of
one or more Enhanced Senses to another character. Apply
Affects Others only to the ranks of the chosen sense(s).
• Attack: This extra does not apply to Enhanced Senses. For
sense-affecting attacks, use other sensory FX like Dazzle,
Illusion, and Obscure.
• Area: The Area modifier only applies to Enhanced Senses
which affect others, and only to extend their benefits to
everyone in an area. Apply the Selective FX feat for the ability
to choose who in your area does and does not benefit from the
Enhanced Senses. To affect the area of a sense, use the
Extended and Radius traits of the Enhanced Senses FX.
• Range: Likewise, the Range extra only applies to Enhanced
Senses that affect others, extending the range at which you
can grant their benefits. To extend a sense’s range, use the
Extended, Radius, and Ranged traits of the Enhanced Senses
effect.
Flaws
• Distracting: Using some Enhanced Senses may prove
distracting compared to one’s normal senses, in which case
this modifier applies. It is best reserved for Enhanced Senses
intended to be used outside of combat, and shouldn’t apply to
senses that help users avoid surprise or overcome
concealment, since it takes away much of their utility (robbing
the user of dodge bonus as surely as those conditions).
• Duration: The duration of Enhanced Senses cannot be
changed, although the action required to use them may be, at
the GM’s discretion (see the Action drawback in the following
section for details).
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• Limited: Some Enhanced Senses may be Limited to only
sensing certain things or only under certain circumstances. As
usual, the sense must lose about half its utility to qualify for this
flaw, less than that is more likely a particular descriptor
associated with the sense and may constitute a complication at
the GM’s discretion when it comes up in play.
• Permanent: This flaw does not apply to Enhanced Senses; the
inability to turn them on and off is generally a complication at
best rather than an actual flaw in the FX.
• Sense-Dependent: Enhanced Senses are, naturally, already
sense-dependent and so cannot have this flaw.
• Unreliable: Some Enhanced Senses may be unreliable; the
GM makes checks for reliability when the sense is used. Two
variations of this flaw may apply: in the first, the Enhanced
Senses effect is unreliable, when it doesn’t work, the character
perceives nothing with that sense. In the second, the
character’s perceptions are unreliable, the sense appears to
work, but the should make all reliability checks for Enhanced
Senses in secret, just informing the player of what the
character does (or does not) notice.
Drawbacks
• Action: Enhanced Senses normally don’t require an action
apart from that of the normal Perception check. However, this
FX drawback makes using Enhanced Senses more of an effort.
The value of the drawback depends on the action required: 1
point for one action, and 2 points for two actions. Further time
requirements move one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table per point, although the GM should decide of
such constitutes a desirable drawback (Enhanced Senses
taking a minute or more aren’t particularly useful in most
settings). As with all drawbacks, this one must have a point
value less than the total cost of the Enhanced Senses FX.
• Disability: Some comic book characters with Enhanced
Senses also lack one of their normal senses, such as blind
characters with “radar sense” or deaf-mute characters with
Mental Communication. Keep in mind that the value of the
Disability drawback—like all other drawbacks—is situational
and based on how much of a drawback it is for that particular
character; A drawback that doesn’t inconvenience a character
isn’t much of a drawback. Thus blindness is less of a drawback
for a character with another accurate sense (and a radius one,
at that), worth only a point or two at most for the hindrance it
imposes.
• Noticeable: Enhanced Senses with this drawback are
particularly noticeable in some way: your eyes may glow, for
example, or you may emit a noticeable sound, vibration,
energy, or the like for use as a sensor.
• Vulnerable: Characters with Enhanced Senses may be
vulnerable to certain sensory effects, making resistance
against things like Dazzle FX more difficult, for example. The
default assumption is that Enhanced Senses carry no
automatic vulnerability to such FX, but in realistic setting they
make sense unless the character has some specific ability to
“filter out” unwanted or dangerous sensory input.
• Weakness: Likewise, Enhanced Senses may imply a
weakness caused by increased sensitivity. A character with
darkvision might be dazzled or blinded by bright light, for
example, while a character with super-sensitive hearing could
be deafened or stunned by the noise of a crowded city at rush-
hour. This type of Weakness could be in conjunction with a
Vulnerable to Dazzle FX drawback.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Type: General Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged Duration: Sustained
Resistance: See description Cost: 1-2 points per rank
You can change the environmental conditions in an area: altering
the temperature, creating light, causing rain, and so forth.
Each of the following is a separate Environmental Control FX. If you
have one you can acquire others as Alternate FX in an Array, but
you can then only use and maintain one at a time. To use or
maintain multiple Environmental Control FX simultaneously, add
their costs together for the FX’s total cost per rank (or see the Mix-
and-Match Environments option, following).
• Cold: You can lower the temperature in the area. For 1 point
per rank, you create intense cold; for 2 points per rank, you
create extreme cold.
• Distraction: You can create conditions to distract anyone
attempting to concentrate with an Expertise check, such as
driving rain, hail, dust storms, and so forth. For 1 point per rank
the distraction is DC 5, for 2 points per rank it’s DC 10, and for
3 points per rank it’s DC 15.
• Gravity: For 2 points per rank, you can create a low-gravity or
high-gravity environment. You can acquire the other effect as
an Alternate FX. The attack roll penalty for low-gravity does not
affect characters with a three-dimensional movement effect like
Enhanced Movement (air walking, wall-crawling, etc.). The
attack penalty for high-gravity does not affect characters with
effective Strength scores greater than 10.
• Hamper Movement: You can hamper movement through the
area with high winds, icy or wet surfaces, or similar effects. For
1 point per rank, you halve movement speed through the area;
for 2 points per rank, you reduce it to one-quarter.
• Heat: You can raise the temperature in the area. For 1 point
per rank, you create intense heat, for 2 points per rank; you
create extreme heat.
• Light: You can raise the light level in the area, countering the
concealment of darkness, but not other forms of concealment.
For 1 point per rank, you can shed enough light to reduce total
concealment to partial and partial concealment to none. For 2
points per rank, you can shed light as bright as a sunlit day,
eliminating all concealment provided by natural darkness.
Obscure effects with the darkness descriptor may be countered
with a successful power check.
• Radiation: You can irradiate an area, exposing everyone to
harmful levels of radiation. For 1 point per rank you can lightly
irradiate. For 2 points, you can moderately irradiate an area.
• Visibility: You can reduce visibility in the affected area,
imposing a –5 modifier on Perception checks. For more
significant obscuring of senses (via darkness, fog, etc.) use the
Obscure effect. Your Environmental Control has a 5-foot radius
at rank 1. Each additional rank moves the maximum radius one
step up the Progression Table (with a radius of approximately
2,000 miles at rank 20, sufficient to alter the environment of an
entire continent!).
FX Feats
• Slow Fade: Environmental Control with the Fades modifier
(see the following) may have this FX feat to extend the time
interval before the FX fades, although the GM should carefully
consider any such extensions.
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Option: Mix-and-Match Environments
For especially broad Environmental Control FX, like the power to
command the weather, the GM may wish to apply the following
optional rule. Rather than having a set list of FX the user can
create, Environmental Control divides its cost for any given use
among FX with appropriate descriptors, making it a limited sort of
Variable structure.
So, for example, an Environmental Control FX costing 4 points per
rank can distribute those 4 points among different FX as the user
sees fit. So one use it might be intense cold (1 point), a DC 10
distraction (2 points), and hamper movement to one-half speed (1
point) for a blizzard. The next use could be extreme heat (2
points) and hampering movement to one-quarter (2 points) for
desert-like heat, and so forth.
Extras
• Area: As Environmental Control already affects an area, it
cannot have (nor does it require) this extra.
• Independent: Environmental Control can use this modifier
where the FX’s area diminishes once it is established, the FX
no longer under the control of the user. So, for example, a
character might have Environmental Control where a change is
made and then diminishes over time until it is gone or the effect
is countered (by the original user or someone else).
• Selective Attack: Since hostile environments may provoke
resistances or otherwise hinder targets, Environmental Control
is considered an “attack” for purposes of modifiers. With this
extra you can vary the environment within your affected area,
affecting some while not affecting others, or even mixing and
matching different environments (making part of the area cold
and another hot, for example).
ESP
Type: Sensory Action: One (active)
Range: Extended Duration: Concentration
Resistance: None Cost: 1-4 points per rank
You can displace one or more of your senses over a distance,
perceiving as if you were at that location, up to 10 feet away. Each
additional rank increases your range, as shown on the Extended
Range Table. ESP overrides your normal sense(s) while you are
using it. Subjects observed via ESP can sense it with a Perception
check (DC 10 + rank).
You can make Perception checks normally using your displaced
senses. To search a large area for someone or something, use the
extended search guidelines given in the description of the
Perception skill.
ESP costs 1 point per rank for one sense type, 2 points per rank for
two sense types, 3 points per rank for three, and 4 points per rank
for all of your senses. Visual senses count as two sense types (so
visual ESP is 2 points per rank). You can use perception range
sensory effects via ESP if your ESP applies to their sense type and
an accurate sense (usually sight). Sensory FX targeted on the spot
where you have displaced your senses affect you normally.
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
FX Feats
• Dimensional: This FX feat allows you to extend your ESP into
other dimensions with range proximate to your location in that
dimension. One rank of Dimensional allows you to sense into a
single other dimension, two for a group of related dimensions,
and three for any dimension in the setting suitable to your
ESP’s descriptors. Dimensional ESP for an accurate sense is
especially useful for targeting other Dimension FX.
• Subtle: ESP already has a degree of subtlety. Applying one
rank of Subtle to ESP increases the DC to notice the FX to 20
+ rank or makes it noticeable only to a particular unusual sense
(with the usual DC 10 + rank notice check). Two ranks of
Subtle make ESP completely unnoticeable, as usual.
Extras
• No Conduit (+1): You are not affected by sensory FX targeted
where you have displaced your senses, but neither can you
use perception range FX via your ESP. Despite the built-in
limitation, this is an extra, since it allows you to use your ESP
to observe subjects in relative safety.
• Simultaneous (+1): You can use both ESP and your normal
senses at the same time, perceiving two locales like
“translucent” overlays of each other. This means you’re more
capable of taking physical action while also using your ESP,
although the FX still requires its normal duration to maintain.
The GM may occasionally require a Perception skill check to
sort out the layered sensory information you receive.
Flaws
• Distracting: Since it overrides your normal senses, ESP
already has aspects of this flaw, so it cannot be applied. If you
normally retain an accurate sense of your surroundings while
using ESP (for example, your ESP pertains to hearing and
doesn’t override your vision), then the Distracting flaw may be
allowed with GM permission. This flaw may also be appropriate
if your ESP has the Simultaneous extra (see previous).
• Feedback: With this flaw, damaging attacks directed at where
you displaced your senses can affect you. Your sensory-point
is considered to have partial concealment from attacks (with
the usual 20% miss chance) and you use your ESP rank as
your Toughness resistance bonus against any successful
attack. The feedback may be psychosomatic in nature or due
to some sort of disruption caused by an assault on the point
where you have redirected your senses. Note that sensory FX
already work on you via ESP and this flaw doesn’t apply to
them.
• Medium: You require a medium for your ESP, such as
shadows, flames, mirrors, open water, television screens, and
so forth. You can only perceive locations where your chosen
medium exists.
• Sense-Dependent: ESP is already Sense-Dependent and
cannot apply this flaw. At the GM’s option another FX can have
the flaw ESP-Dependent, working only through the “link” of
ESP, regardless of the sense(s) involved. Since Sense-
Dependent FX already work on ESP users displacing the FX’s
targeted sense(s), the modifier is of limited use, but may apply
to some unusual mental or magical FX aimed specifically at
remote viewers.
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Drawbacks
• Noticeable: ESP with this drawback has an easily noticeable
display, like a glowing set of eyes or a phantom image of your
face, head, or body at the location you are observing. This
manifestation cannot be used for communication, however.
Associated FX
• Concealment: At the Gamemaster’s discretion, the
Concealment FX can treat ESP as a “sense” regardless of
what sense(s) ESP affects. So Concealment 1 can be
configured as “Concealment from ESP,” preventing someone
using ESP from perceiving the user, without affecting other
senses. This suits certain sorts of magical “spells to ward
against scrying” or mental shields that block out the questing
minds of other psychics. Likewise, the GM can allow Dazzle,
Obscure, and other sensory FX to treat ESP as a single sense,
allowing for FX that temporarily “blind” or block out the effect.
Sensory FX that work against a particular sense also affect that
sense displaced by ESP. So a Visual Dazzle, for example, can
blind a Visual ESP user.
• Communication: ESP is the power to sense things going on in
a distant location. To send information, you need the
Communication FX, often associated or linked with ESP. This
allows two-way interchanges between distant points, where the
FX user can sense what is going on some distance away and
also relay information to those present able to receive
Communication.
FEATURES
Type: General Action: None (passive)
Duration: Permanent (see
Range: Personal
description)
Resistance: None (see
Cost: 1 point per rank
description)
You have one or more minor features or effects that grant you an
occasionally useful ability worth about 1 character point. This effect
is essentially a version of the Benefit feat but an FX rather than a
virtue of skill, talent, or social background. For example, diplomatic
immunity or wealth are Benefits; fur, the ability to mimic any sound,
or a hidden compartment in your hollow leg, are Features.
It’s up to the GM what capabilities qualify as Features; generally if
something has no real game effect, it’s just a descriptor. If it has an
actual game benefit, it may be a feature. There’s no need to define
every possible feature a character may have down to the last detail.
Sample Features
Some examples of possible Features include the following:
• Environmental Adaptation: This feat may also be a Feature
for some characters, depending on its descriptors and origin.
• Insulating Fur: You have a layer of fur that protects you from
sunburn and cold, giving you immunity to those environments.
• Internal Compartment: You can carry a objects inside you
body! You have a pouch or compartment of some sort, able to
hold objects no larger than about one-fifth your own size and
weighing no more than your light load.
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• Iron Stomach: You can eat anything that’s not toxic without ill
effects: spoiled or unpleasant food, for example. You get a +5
bonus on Survival checks involving feeding yourself.
• Mimicry: You can imitate almost any sound you’ve heard,
giving you a +10 bonus to Persuasion or Art checks to
convince others your mimicked sounds are real.
• Special Effect: You have some special effect, like a gust of
wind at the right dramatic moment, or ideal spotlighting, or
personal theme music. The GM may give you a +2 bonus for
favorable circumstances when your special effect is likely to
impress people or otherwise aid you.
• Temporal Inertia: You are somehow uniquely “anchored” in
the space-time continuum, making you immune to changes in
history. You recall the “true” version of historical events, even if
no one else does.
Flaws
• Duration: Some Features may be sustained duration rather
than permanent with no change in cost. This suits active
Features a character has to use and maintain rather than
having them as passive traits requiring no effort whatsoever.
GROWTH
Type: Alteration Action: Free (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 3 points per rank
You can increase your size, and therefore your strength and
durability. Every rank of Growth activated increases your Strength
by +1. Every other rank increases your Toughness by +1. The
additional Strength does not improve your Athletics checks,
however, since your mass also increases.
Every four ranks of Growth active increase your size category by
one full level. So a medium creature with Growth at 4 ranks is large,
at 8 ranks is huge, at 12 ranks is gargantuan, at 16 ranks is
colossal, and at 20 ranks is awesome-sized. You gain all the
benefits and drawbacks of your new size category. Your base
movement speed increases by 5 feet per size category you
enlarge.
Intermediate ranks of Growth also increase size, but not
necessarily size category. See the Increased Size Table for a
character’s approximate size at any given rank of Growth.
FX Feats
• Alternate FX: If you have Growth, you can acquire Shrinking
•
as an Alternate FX feat.
Growth Strike: You can add the momentum of increasing in
size to your melee attacks, literally enlarging under an
opponent’s jaw, for example. This gives you a +1 damage
bonus per size category you enlarge until you reach your
opponent’s size and only works on opponents at least one size
category larger than you. So growing from medium to
awesome size as part of an attack does +5 damage, for
example.
• Innate: Your size, or ability to change size, are an innate part
of your nature and cannot be countered or nullified. Innate is
particularly common for permanent Growth that reflects the
natural size of larger creatures.
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TABLE 5.7: INCREASED SIZE

Growth Combat Infiltration Intimidation
Size Might Str Tough Height Weight Space Reach
Rank Modifier Modifier Modifier
60-500
0 Medium +0 +0 +0 +0 +0 +0 6 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
lbs.
1 — — +1 +0 — — — 6 1/2 ft. — — —
2 — — +2 +1 — — — 7 ft. — — —
3 — — +3 +1 — — — 7 1/2 ft. — — —
500-4K
4 Large +1 +4 +2 –1 –3 +2 8 ft. 10 ft. 10 ft.
lbs.
5 — — +5 +2 — — — 10 ft. — — —
6 — — +6 +3 — — — 12 ft. — — —
7 — — +7 +3 — — — 14 ft. — — —
4K–32K
8 Huge +2 +8 +4 –2 –6 +4 16 ft. 15 ft. 10 ft.
lbs.
9 — — +9 +4 — — — 20 ft. — — —
10 — — +10 +5 — — — 24 ft. — — —
11 — — +11 +5 — — — 28 ft. — — —
32K–250K
12 Gargantuan +3 +12 +6 –4 –9 +6 32 ft. 20 ft. 15 ft.
lbs.
13 — — +13 +6 — — — 40 ft. — — —
14 — — +14 +7 — — — 48 ft. — — —
15 — — +15 +7 — — — 56 ft. — — —
250K-2 mil
16 Colossal +4 +16 +8 –8 –12 +8 64 ft. 30 ft. 15 ft.
lbs.
17 — — +17 +8 — — — 80 ft. — — —
18 — — +18 +9 — — — 96 ft. — — —
19 — — +19 +9 — — — 112 ft. — — —
20 Awesome +5 +20 +10 –12 –15 +10 128 ft.+ 2 mil lbs.+ 40 ft. 20 ft.

• Macroverse: If you have Growth 20, you can enlarge past

awesome size, to the point where you cross a dimensional
barrier and enter a “macroverse” (which may or may not really
exist at the superatomic level, where our universe exists within
a single atom). Entering or leaving a macroverse is one action.
In the macroverse, you lose your Growth effect, but gain
Shrinking equal to your Growth rank (and when you shrink
smaller than minuscule size, you leave the macroverse and
return to the normal universe at awesome size, where your
powers return to normal). This feat is only available if the GM
determines a macroverse exists in the setting.
Extras
• Affects Others: You can grant the benefits of Growth to
someone else by touch, enlarging them up to your maximum
rank. As a +1 extra, both you and one other you are touching
can increase in size.
• Attack: A Growth Attack increases the size of an unwilling
target. While this grants the target all the benefits of increased
size, it also imposes all the drawbacks; being 30 feet tall can
be very inconvenient, especially if you have a secret identity to
maintain!
• Duration: Continuous Growth allows you to remain at
whatever size you set for yourself until you choose to change it
or your effect is countered.
Flaws
• Action: This flaw does not apply to Growth; it is a power
drawback instead (see the following section).
• Dispersal (–2): You increase in size by dispersing your bodily
mass in some fashion over a larger area. You do not gain the
increased weight, Strength, Toughness, or Might associated
with Growth or the increased resistance to knockback (since
your mass doesn’t increase), although you do gain the other
effects of your increased size. This flaw is most often
associated with growing characters that also become
Insubstantial, turning into mist, for example, in which case
Growth may be Linked to that effect, although it is not required.
• Permanent: You are permanently at the maximum size for
your Growth rank. You gain all the benefits and drawbacks of
your size, but cannot turn off your Growth to achieve a smaller
size. Permanent Growth is often also Innate to reflect the
natural size of larger creatures.
Drawbacks
• Action: Generally, requiring longer than a free action to
change your size is a drawback rather than an Action flaw,
simply because it doesn’t limit the use of Growth much once
you’ve assumed a particular size. Taking one action to grow is
a 1-point drawback and two actions is 2 points, with each
additional step on the Time and Value Progression Table

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adding 1 point to the drawback (if the GM allows a longer
Action drawback).
• Full Power: A character with this drawback can only grow to
maximum size permitted by Growth rank and return to normal
size. You cannot “stop” at any intermediate size or size
category. This may limit the benefits of Growth in enclosed
spaces or other situations where attaining full size would be
problematic. It should only be applied to Growth greater than 4
ranks, since anything less doesn’t result in any significant
disadvantage.
HEALING
Type: Alteration Action: Two (active)
Range: Touch Duration: Instant
Resistance: Fortitude
Cost: 2 points per rank
(harmless)
You can heal damage conditions by touch. With two actions, you
can do any one of the following:
• Grant a character an immediate recovery check for the
subject’s worst damage condition, with a bonus on the check
equal to your Healing rank (instead of the target's normal
bonus to Recovery). Injured conditional heal automatically with
no check required.
• Grant a bonus on resistances equal to your Healing rank
against FX with disease or poison descriptors (or, in most
cases, the Disease or Poison extras). The bonus applies to the
subject’s next check against the FX.
• Stabilize a dying character with a DC 10 Healing check.
If the FX check fails, you must wait the normal recovery time for
that condition or spend a hero die in order to try again. If it is
successful, you can use Healing again normally. You must maintain
contact with the target for the entire action required for the Healing
effect to occur. The subject must take two actions to recover, like
using a hero die to recover. The subject must also fail the
resistance against the FX. Willing and unconscious subjects are
assumed to do both automatically.
You can use Healing on yourself. You can’t cure your own dazed,
staggered, or unconscious conditions or stabilize yourself (since
you have to be able to take two actions to use your Healing FX).
Your own recover action is part of the two actions required to use
Healing. If the recovery check is successful, you suffer no ill effects.
If it is not, however, your condition worsens to dying. If you can use
Healing as a reaction, it can cure any of your conditions and its use
is not considered strenuous.
Since Healing allows Fortitude resistance, it does not work on
subjects Immune to Fortitude effects since they are assumed to
resist, and your attempt automatically fails. It also doesn’t work on
subjects with no Constitution score, since they are, by definition,
not living.
FX Feats
• Stabilize: If you have this FX feat, you don’t need to make a
Healing FX check to stabilize a dying character, your Healing
FX does so automatically, although it still requires the normal
action to use. You still cannot stabilize yourself unless your
Healing is usable as a reaction.
• Persistent: You can heal Incurable damage.
• Regrowth: When healing a disabled condition, you cause any
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lost or destroyed organs and limbs to regenerate as well.
• Reversible: Note that this FX feat does not apply to Healing,
since it restores subjects rather than imposing a condition from
which they can recover.
Extras
• Action: This extra reduces the action required for you to use
Healing, but does not affect the recovery action required of the
subject. You cannot use Healing more than once per round
regardless. To heal multiple subjects at once, apply the Area
modifier.
• Affects Objects (+1): Your Healing can also “heal” damage to
non-living subjects without a Constitution score or Immune to
Fortitude effects. The recovery check is made normally, using
your Healing rank as the bonus, since the subject has no Con
score. If you are limited solely to repairing objects, this is a +0
modifier. If you can heal or repair as needed, it is a +1 modifier.
• Area: Healing with this extra grants the same benefit to all
subjects in the affected area. Area Empathic Healing is an
unwise combination, as the healer takes on all of the damage
conditions of the affected subjects!
• Contagious: Since Healing is an instant effect that removes
conditions (restoring subjects to the normal condition) rather
than imposing them, it cannot be Contagious.
• Duration: Healing’s duration cannot be changed from instant.
For a more long-term or “perpetual” Healing effect lower the
action required for Healing or use Regeneration.
• Range: Healing with this extra can affect subjects at normal
range, requiring a ranged attack roll to successfully “touch” the
subject with the Healing effect. The GM may waive the required
attack roll for a willing subject holding completely still (or a
helpless subject unable to move), but the subject is also
treated as helpless against other attacks that round, making it
an unwise decision in the midst of combat. Healing with two
applications of this extra is usable at perception range and
does not require an attack roll to “touch” the subject.
• Remove Affliction (+1): Your Healing FX can help a subject
recover from afflictions caused by the Inflict (Condition) FX.
The subject you touch gains an additional check to recover
from the condition, as a free action, using your ranks in Healing
as the bonus to the recovery check.
• Restoration (+1): Your Healing FX can restore character
points lost to traits from effects like Drain with the appropriate
descriptors, such as injury, disease, or poison. You restore 1
character point per Healing rank to the affected trait(s). If you
can only restore ability points, this is a +0 modifier.
• Resurrection (+1): You can restore life to the dead! If the
subject has been dead for fewer minutes than your FX rank,
the subject makes a DC 20 Con check with a bonus equal to
your FX rank. If successful, the patient’s condition becomes
disabled and unconscious. If the check fails, you can’t try
again. If you apply the Progression feat, move the maximum
amount of time a subject can be dead one step up the Time
and Value Progression Table (from FX rank minutes to FX rank
x 5 minutes, then FX rank x 20 minutes, FX rank hours, and so
forth).
• Selective Attack: Area Healing may have this extra, allowing
you to choose who in the area does and does not gain the FX’s
benefits.
• Total (+1): You can heal multiple damage conditions with one
use of Healing. For every 5 points the recovery check
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
(including your Healing bonus) exceeds DC 10, the subject’s
next worst damage condition heals as well. For example, with a
DC 40 Healing check result, the subject would heal from six
damage conditions, from most to least severe. This would allow
a dying subject to stabilize and completely recover from any
and all damage conditions.
Flaws
• Empathic (–1): When you successfully cure someone else of a
condition, you acquire the condition yourself and must recover
from it normally. You can use Healing and Regeneration to cure
conditions you acquire in this way. You can have the
Resurrection modifier for Healing, but if you successfully use it,
you die! This may not be as bad as it seems if you have
Regeneration ranks applied to Resurrection, allowing you to
return to life.
• Faith (–1): You can only use Healing on subjects with the
same allegiance as your own. This may represent a Healing FX
limited to those of the same faith or beliefs, such as one
bestowed by a patron deity. If your Healing works on everyone
but those of an opposing allegiance, this is a 1-point FX Loss
drawback (if that, depending on the GM’s judgment).
• Limited to Others (–1): You can only use Healing on others,
not yourself.
• Personal (–1): You can only use Healing on yourself and not
others. Your Healing is reduced to personal range.
• Restorative: Healing is by nature restorative and therefore
cannot apply this flaw.
• Temporary (–1): The benefits of your Healing are temporary,
lasting for a short time, after which the subject’s damage
returns. The Healing benefits last for one hour, then the subject
regains any damage conditions you healed. These conditions
stack with any others the subject acquired since the initial
healing, which may result in more severe injuries or even
death. If your Healing is even more temporary than an hour,
apply a 1-point FX drawback for each step down the Time
Table (20 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute, etc.) to a minimum of a
full round, keeping in mind the effect must have a final cost of
at least 1 character point.
• Tiring: The effects of this flaw are in addition to the Energizing
and Empathic modifiers. So using Tiring Energizing Healing to
restore fatigue is doubly fatiguing for you.
ILLUSION
Type: Sensory Action: One (active)
Duration: Concentration (see
Range: Perception
description)
Resistance: Perception, see
Cost: 1-4 points per rank
text
You can create false sensory impressions. This ranges from visual
images to phantom sounds, smells, or even radar or mental
images. For 1 point per rank, you can create an illusion affecting a
single sense type. For 2 points per rank, you can affect two sense
types. For three points per rank, you can affect three sense types.
At 4 points per rank, you can affect all sense types. Visual senses
count as two sense types. Your rank determines how convincing
your illusion is, including the DC for the Perception check (10 +
rank).
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Illusion Area
Your illusion occupies an area 5 feet in radius by default. To
increase the size of the illusion you can create, apply the
Progression FX feat).
Illusionary Effects
Illusions have no substance and cannot have any real-world effect.
So illusions cannot provide illumination, nutrition, warmth, or the
like (although they can provide the sensations of these things).
Likewise, an illusory wall only prevents people from moving through
an area so long as they believe it’s real, and an illusory bridge or
floor is revealed as false as soon as someone tries to walk across
it, and falls through it!
Disbelieving Illusions
Characters encountering an illusion do not resist it or recognize it
as illusory until they interact with it in some fashion. A character
must make a successful Perception check (DC 10 + ranks in
Illusion) against an illusion to reveal it as false. A failed check
means the character fails to notice anything amiss. A character
faced with clear proof an illusion isn’t real needs no check (such as
falling into a pit covered by an illusory floor). Enhanced Senses with
the Counters Illusion trait automatically detect illusions as well. If
any viewer successfully uncovers an illusion and communicates
this fact to others, they gain another Perception check with a +5
bonus. Circumstances may grant additional modifiers to the
Perception check to uncover an illusion, depending on how
convincing it is.
Maintaining Illusions
Maintaining an active illusion (such as a fighting creature) requires
concentration, but maintaining a static illusion (one that doesn’t
move or interact) is only a free action, effectively a sustained
duration.
FX Feats
• Progression: Each time you apply this FX feat, your Illusion’s
area moves one step up the Time and Value Progression Table
(10-ft. radius, 25 feet, 50 feet, and so forth). You can create a
smaller illusion than your maximum area, as usual.
• Subtle: Illusion is a Subtle effect by default, since it wouldn’t be
much use otherwise. Therefore, Illusion doesn’t require—and
cannot apply—this FX feat.
Extras
• Damaging (+3): Your Illusion is so realistic it can actually inflict
psychosomatic harm on anyone fooled by it. Your illusions are
capable of making attacks, which automatically hit (since your
illusions are as “skilled” as you choose to imagine) and inflict
damage up to your Illusion rank, or the damage normally
inflicted by whatever you’re creating an illusion of, whichever is
less. Anyone who successfully overcomes your illusion cannot
be harmed by it and immediately recovers any damage inflicted
by it. This extra is essentially the same as a Linked Damage
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

effect with perception range, so the GM may allow you to apply
other modifiers directly to the Damaging extra like an
independent effect.
• Duration (+1): Reducing Illusion’s duration affects the type of
action required to maintain an active illusion. Sustained Illusion
allows you to maintain an active illusion as a free action each
round. Continuous Illusion allows you to create illusions that
continue to exist (even interacting) until you choose to dismiss
them.
• Selective Attack (+1): With this extra, you choose who
perceives your Illusion and who doesn’t.
Flaws
including the damage from a slam attack, allowing you to slam
Immovable opponents for more damage than usual. You can-
not reduce an opponent’s effective Immovable rank below 0.
Flaws
• Action: Changing the action to use Immovable can create an
effect that requires some preparation: you have to “brace”
yourself, at least initially. This makes Immovable somewhat
less useful against surprise attacks or unexpected
circumstances.
• Duration: Immovable’s duration cannot be changed; to change
the effort it requires, change its required action instead.

• Feedback (–1): Although Illusion does not have a physical

“manifestation” per se, it can apply this flaw, in which case a IMMUNITY
successful damaging attack on one of your illusions causes Type: Defense Action: None (passive)
you to suffer damage, using the guidelines given in the Range: Personal Duration: Permanent
description of the Feedback flaw.
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank
• Limited to One Subject (–1): Only a single subject at a time
can perceive your Illusion.
You are immune to certain effects, automatically succeeding on any
• Phantasm (–1): Only creatures with Int 1 or more can perceive resistance or check against them. You assign ranks of Immunity to
your Illusions, making them a mental sensory FX. They are various effects to gain immunity to them (with more extensive
undetectable to machines like cameras and microphones. This effects requiring more ranks). These assignments are permanent:
flaw is commonly combined with Selective Attack, making your
phantasms detectable only to those intelligent beings you
choose.
• Range: It is left to the GM’s discretion whether or not Illusion’s
range can be reduced at all, since being able to perceive the
affected area is important in creating and directing the illusion.
If Illusion is touch range, the character is only able to alter the
appearance of subjects in physical contact. In order to solely
alter your own appearance, see the Morph FX, possibly with
the Phantasm flaw.
• Sense-Dependent: Illusion is already sense-dependent and so
cannot have this flaw.

IMMOVABLE
Type: Defense Action: Reaction (passive)
Range: Personal Duration: Permanent
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank

You’re especially resistant to being moved by attacks. You gain a

+2 bonus per rank to Might against all attempts to Gain Combat
Advantage over you by pushing you, tripping you, throwing you, or
otherwise moving you. You also reduce the distance you are
knocked back by an attack, reducing the damage modifier of an
attack by your immovable rank for the purposes of calculating
knockback.
To gain the benefits of this effect, you cannot move more than your
normal speed in a round. If you move at accelerated speed (two
actions), your Immovable rank is halved. If you move all out, you
lose the benefit of Immovable for the round.

Extras
• Unstoppable (+1): Your speed has no effect on your
immovability; you can move all out while retaining your full
effect rank. You also subtract your Immovable rank from an
opponent’s Immovable rank before determining its effect,

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
• 1 rank: aging, disease, poison, one environmental condition
(cold, heat, high pressure, radiation, or vacuum), one type of
suffocation (breathe normally underwater or in an alien
atmosphere, for example), starvation and thirst, need for sleep,
or a rare FX descriptor (such as your own FX, a close sibling’s
FX, etc.).
• 2 ranks: critical hits, suffocation effects (no need to breathe at
all), or an uncommon FX descriptor (such as chemical, gravitic,
necromantic, etc.).
• 5 ranks: alteration effects, dazzle effects, emotion effects,
entrapment (grappling, snares, or bonds), fatigue effects,
interaction skills, trait effects, or a particular Damage descriptor
(such as bullets, cold, electricity, falling, fire, magic, radiation,
sonic, etc.)
• 9 ranks: life support (includes immunity to disease, poison, all
environmental conditions, and suffocation)
• 10 ranks: a common FX descriptor (such as all effects with
cold, electricity, fire, radiation, or weather descriptors, for
example).
• 20 ranks: a very common power descriptor.
• 30 ranks: Any effect targeting a particular resistance—
Fortitude or Will—regardless of descriptors.
• 40 ranks: All physical damage, all energy damage.
So for example at Immunity 11, you could have life support (9
ranks) plus Immunity to critical hits (2 more ranks), or life support
plus Immunity to aging (1 rank) and a rare power descriptor (1
rank), or any other combination adding up to 11 ranks.
Degrees of Immunity
Some Immunity FX are a matter of degree. For example, “immunity
to cold” can range from the environmental effects of cold to cold
damage, to complete immunity to all effects with the “cold”
descriptor. The first requires only 1 rank, and provides no
resistance to other sorts of cold effects. The second requires 5
ranks and only provides immunity to cold Damage effects (even
those with resisted by resistances other than Toughness). The third
requires 10 ranks and provides complete immunity to all effects
with the “cold” descriptor—whether Damage, Inflict (Condition),
Drain, or what have you.
FX Feats
• Selective: This feat gives you the ability to “lower” your
Immunity and allow harmless effects you’d normally resist
automatically to work on you. If you have the Affects Others
and Area modifiers, you can use this feat to choose who
benefits from your Immunity and who does not.
Extras
• Affects Others (+1): This extra allows you to grant the benefits
of your Immunity to others by touch. It’s most commonly used
with life support, such as for projected force fields or constructs
able to maintain a safe environment.
• Area: This extra is most commonly used in conjunction with
Affects Others, allowing you to spread your Immunity among
those in the affected area. For example, Area Immunity 9 (life
support) Affects Others, provides normal life support in a 45-
foot radius around you.
• Duration: Sustained duration Immunity may be suitable for
certain types of powers, particularly force fields or similar
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protective abilities requiring a modicum of concentration. It is a
net +0 modifier from Immunity’s base permanent duration.
• Range: Immunity that Affects Others may have this extra,
allowing it to grant its benefits at normal or perception range.
Flaws
• Limited (–1): You suffer half the normal effect rather than
being entirely immune to it. For environmental effects, you only
make checks half as often. For other effects, halve the effect’s
rank before the roll is made to overcome your resistance.
Alternately, if your immunity is to an effect causing lethal
damage, it can cause non-lethal damage instead.
INFLICT (CONDITION)
Type: Attack Action: One (active)
Range: Touch Duration: Instant (lasting)
Resistance: See Below (staged) Cost: 1 point per rank
You can inflict a harmful condition on a target. Choose one of the
following types of affliction, and which resistance your opponent
uses to resist (Fortitude or Will; if Defense resists, see "Flaws"
below). You cannot change the condition you inflict once you select
this FX:
• All Attacks.
Any one Resistance (Defense, Fortitude, Toughness, Will).
•
• All Non-Combat, Non-Resistance Skill checks.
• Any one Ability Score (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution,
Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma).
• All forms of Movement.
• One allowed action each round.
On a successful attack with this FX, you inflict a -2 penalty to all
checks involving that attribute. If you selected Movement as one of
the attributes targeted, the target moves at half of his normal
speed. If you selected Action as one of the attributes targeted, the
target loses one action each round.
If you exceed your target's resistance by 5 or more, you inflict a -5
penalty to all checks involving the affected attributes. If you
selected Movement as one of the attributes targeted, the target is
completely immobilized and cannot move from that spot (though he
can still defend himself normally). If you selected Action as one of
the attributes targeted, the target loses both of his actions each
round.
If you exceed your target's resistance by 10 or more, the target is
rendered helpless. This may be because the target is held
completely still, or has fallen on the ground screaming in terror, or is
simply unconscious now.
The target gets a check each round to recover from a condition with
the same resistance skill used to resist the initial FX, with a +1
bonus per previous check. The DC to recover is equal to 10 + your
ranks in Inflict (Condition).
For suggestions as to how you can use this FX to create different,
distinct conditions, see conditions for inspiration.
FX Feats
• Progression: If your Inflict Condition FX has a duration of
Continuous, each rank of this FX feat which you take increases
the duration of the FX by one step on the Time and Value
Progression Table.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
• Reversible: You can reverse the effect of your Inflict Condition
FX at will, removing any conditions caused by it.
• Sedation: Once you have rendered someone unconscious,
you can keep them unconscious.
Extras
• Additional Affliction (+1): Each time you select this extra,
your Inflict (Condition) FX targets one additional Attribute. The
resistance does not change.
• Duration: A target cannot make recovery checks to recover
from a Concentration duration FX until you allow your
concentration to lapse (by failing to take an action to maintain
the FX). If your FX is sustained duration, you can deny the
target a recovery check indefinitely so long as you're able to
take a free action. If your FX is Continuous in duration, then the
target is unable to make a recovery check ever unless you
allow it!
• Gain Combat Advantage (+1): If your game uses the
Combat Advantage option, your Inflict FX allows you to gain
combat advantage over your foe. If you overcome your target's
resistance, in addition to the normal penalties your FX inflicts,
he is off-balance. If you overcome your target's resistance by 5
or more, he is vulnerable. If you overcome your target's
resistance by 10 or more, he is flat-footed.
• Sleep: This +0 modifier leaves targets rendered unconscious
by your FX in a deep sleep instead, well suited for "sleep
enchantments" or certain psychic FX.
• Wracking (+1): Your affliction is especially painful or harmful.
Each round beyond the first that the victim fails to recover, your
affliction deals half of its ranks in damage (rounded down). This
could represent a burning, agonizing poison or a snare that
constricts and tightens around the target.
Flaws
• Defense Resists (-1): Your Inflict (Condition) FX is resisted
with a Defense Resistance instead of a Fortitude or Will
Resistance.
• Instantaneous (-1): Your Inflict (Condition) FX is not a lasting
condition, and the target automatically recovers after one turn
(suffering the effects for only a single round).
• Minimal (–1): Your Inflict (Condition) FX cannot inflict more
than the minimal result.
• Permanent: Permanent is not an appropriate flaw for Inflict
(Condition). For conditions which can linger for an extended
period of time, use the Progression FX feat.
INSUBSTANTIAL
Type: Alteration Action: Free (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 5 points per rank
You can assume a less solid form, with each Insubstantial rank
becoming progressively less solid. You do not gain the ability to
assume lower-ranked Insubstantial forms, but you can acquire a
lower-ranked form as an Alternate Power of a higher-ranked one
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
(see the Array structure in this chapter). You can switch between
normal and Insubstantial form at will as a free action once per
round.
• Rank 1: You become fluid. You can flow through any sort of
opening, under (or around) doors, through keyholes and pipes,
and so forth. You cannot pass through watertight seals. You
can automatically flow out of any restraint—such as a snare or
grapple—that is not watertight. You automatically succeed on
Acrobatics checks to escape from bonds or tight spaces. So
you cannot flow out of a bubble completely enclosing you, for
example, but anything less cannot hold you. You can exert your
normal Strength and can still carry objects, although your
manual dexterity may be limited (at the GM’s discretion). A fluid
character may attempt to catch a falling person or object,
cushioning the fall with the character’s flexible form. This
requires one action, and reduces the falling damage by the
cushioning character’s Toughness bonus (representing
flexibility in this case). Both characters suffer any remaining
damage. Higher rank insubstantial forms—lacking physical
Strength—cannot attempt this.
• Rank 2: You become a cloud of gas or fine particles. You have
no effective Strength in gaseous form, but you are immune to
physical damage. Energy and area attacks still affect you
normally. You can flow through any opening that is not airtight.
You can use your various other effects normally.
• Rank 3: You become coherent energy. You have no effective
Strength, but you are immune to physical damage. Energy
attacks (other than the energy making up your form) damage
you normally. You can pass through solid objects permeable to
your type of energy, but energy resistant barriers, like heavy
shielding or force fields, block your movement.
• Rank 4: You become incorporeal. You can pass through solid
matter at your normal speed and you are unaffected by
physical and energy attacks. Sensory effects still work on you,
as do effects with the Affects Insubstantial FX feat. Choose one
other reasonably common effect that works on you while you
are incorporeal. You have no Strength and cannot affect the
physical world with other effects unless you apply the Affects
Corporeal modifier. Your sensory effects work normally.
Unless you have Immunity to suffocation, you must hold your
breath while passing through a solid object, and you can suffocate
normally. If you revert to solid form while inside a solid object for
any reason, you suffer Fortitude-based lethal damage equal to the
object’s Toughness. If you are not knocked unconscious by the
damage, you’re immediately ejected from the object into the
nearest open space. If you are knocked unconscious, you’re
trapped inside the object and your condition worsens to dying on
the following round.
FX Feats
• Innate: Use this feat if your character's form is naturally or
innately Insubstantial, particularly if the FX is permanent in
duration.
• Selective: This feat allows you to selectively make some
portions of your body insubstantial while keeping others
substantial (or vice versa). This allows you to do things like
reach through a wall, solidify your hand to pick up an object or
tap someone on the shoulder (or punch them in the face), and
become incorporeal again to withdraw it on the following round.
• Subtle: This feat makes your Insubstantial nature less
noticeable to observers. One rank requires a Perception check
(DC 20) to detect that you are Insubstantial, while two ranks
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
mean you look entirely normal in Insubstantial form (which may
cause opponents to waste effort on you, not knowing that
you’re immune to their attacks, for example).
Extras
• Action: Becoming Insubstantial is normally a free action,
meaning you can’t switch to an Insubstantial form when
surprised, beaten on initiative, or otherwise unable to take
action. At the GM’s option, applying the Action extra to use
Insubstantial as a reaction allows you to switch forms
“reflexively” in response to such hazards, even if it is not your
turn, so long as you are still capable of taking action.
• Affects Corporeal: This extra is required for any FX that works
on corporeal targets while you are insubstantial at rank 2 or
greater.
• Affects Others: This modifier allows you to extend your
Insubstantial FX to another character by touch, taking them
Insubstantial with you. If you ever withdraw the FX while
someone is inside a solid object, see the FX’s description for
the unpleasant results.
• Attack: Applied to Insubstantial, this extra makes it into a touch
range FX able to turn targets Insubstantial. This is most
effective for ranks 2 through 4, since the victim loses some or
all ability to interact with the physical world. You need to grab a
target in order to drag them inside a solid object unless the
target is already helpless.
• Duration: Extending the FX’s duration to continuous allows
you to remain Insubstantial until you choose to return to your
corporeal form.
• Progressive (+0): You can assume lower ranked forms of
Insubstantial, but you must progress through them in order to
reach higher-ranked ones. For example if you have
Progressive Insubstantial 3, you can assume fluid, gaseous, or
energy forms, but to assume energy form, you must first
progress through fluid and gaseous, becoming less and less
substantial. Since you can only activate the FX once per round,
it takes you three rounds of activating your FX to achieve.
Flaws
• No Effective Strength (–1): This flaw applies only to rank 1
Insubstantial and removes your effective Strength while in that
form, leaving you with limited ability to affect the physical world
like the higher ranks of the effect.
• Permanent (–1): This flaw locks you in your insubstantial form;
you cannot assume solid form. At the GM’s discretion, you can
apply a +1 extra allowing you to revert to solid form as a free
action and a sustained duration. If you’re unable to take the
free action required, you automatically revert to your
insubstantial form.
Associated FX
The following are some FX commonly associated
Insubstantial.
• Damage Aura: An energy form may have a Damage Aura
effect with the appropriate descriptor: electricity, fire, radiation,
and so forth. A liquid or gaseous form might also be corrosive
or poisonous, giving it a Damage Aura or another FX (like
Drain) with the Aura modifier.
Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
• Dispersal: Liquid and gaseous forms might have Growth with
the Dispersal flaw.
• Disruption Attack: A common book trick of incorporeal
characters is the ability to pass an incorporeal hand or limb
through a target and partially solidify, creating a painful
molecular disruption. This is an Affects Corporeal Penetrating
Damage FX. It costs 3 power points per rank.
• Drain: Some insubstantial forms have an Affects Corporeal
Drain attack, like the life-draining touch of a ghost or toxin
carried in a liquid or gaseous form.
• Enhanced Movement: Gaseous, energy, and incorporeal
forms are often lighter than air, allowing the character to move
three-dimensionally. Flight effects associated with gaseous
forms tend to be slow (low-ranked). Incorporeal forms may
slowly float or fly at great speed.
• Immunity: An insubstantial form may grant Immunity to certain
effects or conditions. In particular, life support is a common
effect of an insubstantial (and essentially non-human) form.
• Nullify Electronics: The passage of some incorporeal or
energy forms disrupts electronics. This is an Affects Corporeal
Nullify Electronics FX with the Touch range flaw.
LUCK CONTROL
Type: General Action: Reaction (passive)
Range: Perception Duration: Instant
Resistance: None Cost: 3 points per rank
You can use Hero Dice to affect others in various ways. For each
rank you have in the FX, choose one of the following capabilities:
• You can spend a hero die on another character’s behalf, with
the normal benefits.
• You can bestow your hero dice on others. You can grant only
one hero die to any given character in a round, but the
recipient may use the bestowed hero die normally.
• You can spend one of your hero dice to negate someone else’s
use of a hero die or a use of Gamemaster fiat. This also
eliminates the setback of the fiat, so no hero dice are awarded
for it.
• You can spend a hero die to force someone else to re-roll a die
roll and take the worse of the two rolls. The target of this last
effect may spend a hero die to avoid having to re-roll. GM fiat
may do the same (earning you a hero die).
• You gain an additional hero die at the start of each game.
These are not hero dice which are tied to a given ability, such
as with the Capable feat, but are instead free to be used for
any purpose. You may take this option multiple times, but the
maximum number of bonus hero dice you can gain from this
option is equal to half the campaign's power level.
Extras
• Area: Your Luck Control FX works equally on all targets in the
affected area. You spend only one hero die, although the
with
subjects are each affected individually. You must apply the
same FX to all subjects at once.
• Duration: Luck Control’s duration cannot be changed from
instant, since none of its effects last more than an instant
regardless.
• Selective Attack: This extra, applied to Area Luck Control,
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allows you to choose who in the area of affect is or is not
affected by it.
Flaws
• Action: If the action required for Luck Control is increased
beyond a reaction, it is only usable during your turn each
round, which limits its usefulness in responding to the actions
of others.
• Range: Luck Control normally requires no attack roll; if
reduced below perception range, it does, either ranged or a
•
melee attack for touch range Luck Control.
Resistance (–1): Targets of your Luck Control get a resistance
—usually Will—to avoid its effects. The Progression feat can
increase the effect modifier by +1 per rank.
• Side Effect: As a particular side effect of Luck Control, if your
effort to alter luck fails, you suffer a setback without earning a
hero die. Effectively the GM gains a “free” use of GM Fiat
against you.
MIND CONTROL
Type: Sensory (mental) Action: One (active)
Duration: Concentration
Range: Perception
(lasting)
Resistance: Will Cost: 2 points per rank
You can control another character’s mind, and therefore actions. To
use Mind Control, make an FX check against the target’s Will
resistance. If you succeed, you control the actions of the subject, or
"thrall", as long as you maintain the FX. If you fail, there is no effect.
You can try again, but the target gets a cumulative +1 bonus to Will
resistance against Mind Control for each successive attempt in the
same encounter.
The thrall's consciousness is largely suppressed while controlled,
meaning the subject cannot say or do anything without direction,
and has no memory of being controlled when the effect ends.
Issuing Commands
Issuing a command is one action—separate from the action needed
to establish control (so doing both takes up a full round). If the thrall
has no means of understanding you, you can only issue simple
commands that can be conveyed with gestures (like “come here” or
“stop”).
Roll a new opposed check of Mind Control vs. Will resistance for
each interval on the Time and Value Progression Table that passes,
starting at one minute, with the thrall getting a cumulative +1 bonus
per check. A thrall can also use a hero die at any time to gain a new
opposed check to try and break free. Thralls commanded to carry
out an action strongly against their nature get a new opposed check
immediately, with a +1 to +5 bonus on top of the cumulative bonus,
depending on the type of command. Success breaks your control.
These opposed checks do not require additional effort from you.
Obviously self-destructive commands are automatically ignored, but
do not break your control. Potentially self-destructive commands,
however, are not, although they may entail a new opposed check.
So, for example, you cannot simply command a thrall to walk off a
cliff, but you could walk him into a deathtrap or other potentially (but
not obviously) dangerous situation.
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
Multiple Thralls
You can establish control over as many thralls as the action and
duration of your Mind Control allow. At the default of one action and
concentration, this is only one thrall (or two if you choose not to
move). If your Mind Control is sustained, you can establish control
over one thrall, then attempt to control another on the following
round, and so forth. The GM may set a limit on the number of
thralls you can control at once (just like the limit on the number of
free actions you can perform during a round).
Noticing Mind Control
As a mental FX Mind Control has a degree of subtlety; noticing that
someone is under its influence requires a Perception check (DC 10
+ Mind Control rank).
FX Feats
• Mental Link: You can give commands to your thralls mentally
over any distance (with no need to speak). Issuing a command
is still one action, however.
• Subtle: Mind Control already has a degree of subtlety: only
targets of the effect and those with the appropriate sense (such
as Mental Awareness) detect its use. A rank of Subtle makes it
a DC 20 Perception check for either to detect a use of Mind
Control, while two ranks make the effect completely
undetectable.
Extras
• Area: You can control everyone in the affected area: make a
single Mind Control check, opposed by the Will resistances of
all potential targets. Compare the results individually against
each Will resistance to determine the effect. In the case of
minions or large groups of relatively undifferentiated subjects
(random crowds, etc.) the GM may choose to make a single
Will resistance for the entire group and compare it against your
Mind Control check result. Issuing commands to a group of
thralls still takes a one action per command, so it’s easier to
give a group of thralls the same command (“attack!”) than it is
to issue specific commands to each one.
• Conscious (+1): Your thralls are conscious and aware, but
completely obedient, effectively fanatically loyal. This means
the subject can be commanded to relate knowledge or use
skills based on mental abilities. Thralls are aware of being
controlled once the Mind Control ends, unless the effect is
Subtle, in which case subjects have no explanation for their
unusual behavior or simply no memory of it (your choice when
you end the control).
• Effortless (+1): Additional Mind Control attempts against the
same subject in the same scene or encounter do not require
extra effort for you; you can try again as often as you like.
• Instant Command (+1): You can issue commands to your
thralls as a free action. You must have the Mental Link feat to
apply this extra, since verbal commands cannot be issued this
quickly.
• Sensory Link (+1): You can perceive everything one of your
thralls does, like an ESP FX. Your own senses are inactive
while using your sensory link and you can only perceive
through the senses of one thrall at a time.
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Flaws
• Distracting: Mind Control may well be distracting for the user,
imposing this flaw while you are controlling one or more thralls.
• Limited to One Command (–1): You can give targets only one
command, like “sing and dance” or “live out your repressed
desires.” This command is chosen when you acquire the FX
and can’t be changed.
• Sense-Dependent: Your Mind Control works through a target’s
senses to reach the mind. Examples include eye contact
(Sight-Dependent), hypnotic music (Hearing-Dependent), and
pheromones (Scent-Dependent), etc.
Drawbacks
• Noticeable: The FX of your Mind Control are noticeable by
means other than Awareness and Perception: perhaps your
thralls’ eyes glow, their skin changes color, or an unusual scent
like flowers or brimstone hangs in the air around them.
Associated FX
• Mental Transform: For long-term mental conditioning or
brainwashing, see the Transform FX, particularly the mental
version of it.
• Mind Reading: The ability to control minds often goes with the
ability to read minds and vice versa.
two actions and roll your Mind Reading against the target's Will
resistance. If you win, you can essentially ask any one question
and receive the answer from the target’s mind. If the target doesn’t
know the answer, then you know that. Especially personal or
guarded information grants the target a +1 to +5 bonus on the Will
resistance, while information the subject doesn’t consciously know
(subconscious or forgotten due to amnesia, for example) grants a
+5 to +10 bonus on the Will resistance and the target can’t choose
to forego the resistance.
You can continue to ask questions, one per round, for as long as
you maintain your mind probe, requiring two actions each round.
The target gets an additional opposed Will check to break free for
each interval that passes on the Time and Value Progression Table,
with a cumulative +1 bonus per check.
If you fail your FX check, you cannot probe the target’s mind. You
can try again the following round, but the renewed attempt grants
the target a cumulative +1 bonus on his Will resistance per attempt.
FX Feats
• Subtle: As a mental sensory effect, Mind Reading has a
degree of subtlety, only noticeable to the subject or to
characters with an appropriate enhanced sense, such as
Mental Awareness. Subtle Mind Reading is less detectable,
requiring a DC 20 Perception check for either type of character
to sense it, while two ranks of the Subtle FX feat makes Mind
Reading completely undetectable.

MIND READING
Type: Sensory (mental) Action: One/Two (active)
Duration: Concentration
Range: Perception
(lasting)
Resistance: Will Cost: 1 point per rank
You can read another character’s thoughts. To use Mind Reading,
make an FX check against the target’s Will resistance.
If successful, you can read the target’s surface thoughts (meaning
whatever the target is presently thinking). Mind Reading transcends
language; you comprehend the target’s thoughts whether or not
you share a common language. The target gets a Will check (DC
10 + Mind Reading rank) for each interval that passes on the Time
and Value Progression Table, with a cumulative +1 bonus per
check.
If you fail your attempt, you cannot read the target’s thoughts. You
can try again the following round, but the renewed attempt grants
the target a cumulative +1 bonus on the Will checks per attempt in
that encounter.

Bluff and Mind Reading

If you can interact with your subject, a successful Persuasion check
against the target’s Perception check result causes the subject to
think about a particular piece of information you’re looking for, such
as a password or name, allowing you to pluck it from the subject’s
surface thoughts.

Mind Probe
You can also mentally probe a target’s mind for information. Take

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Extras
• Action: Applying this extra to Mind Reading lowers the action
required for both reading surface thoughts and mental probes,
so a +1 Action extra moves those actions down to free and
one, respectively.
• Area: With this extra, you can read the surface thoughts of
anyone within the affected area; make a single Mind Reading
FX check and compare the result to the Will resistances of all
potential subjects in the area. Retries and further opposed FX
checks are the same as for reading a single subject. You can
only use the mind probe aspect of Mind Reading on a single
•
subject at a time; the Area modifier does not apply to it.
Sensory Link (+1): You can “tap into” the senses of your
subjects, perceiving what they perceive while reading their
minds like an ESP FX. Your own senses are inactive while you
are using your sensory link and you can only perceive through
the senses of one subject at a time.
Flaws
• Feedback: You suffer Feedback if a subject you are reading is
harmed, using your Mind Reading rank as the resistance
bonus against the non-lethal damage. Additionally, you may
suffer Feedback at the GM’s discretion from reading or
experiencing particularly traumatic or emotionally-charged
thoughts of memories from the subject (a kind of Side Effect
flaw).
• Limited by Language (–1): You can only understand the
subject’s thoughts or memories if you share a common
•
language.
Limited to Emotions (–1): You can only read or probe for
emotions and emotional associations, not coherent surface
thoughts or memories.
• Limited to Mind Probe (–1): You can only perform mind
probes (taking the usual two actions) and cannot read surface
thoughts.
• Limited to Sensory Link (–1): If you have the Sensory Link
extra and this flaw, you can only tap into a subject’s senses,
you cannot read their thoughts or probe their memories.
• Limited to Surface Thoughts (–1): You can only read surface
thoughts and cannot probe for information.
• Range: Ranged Mind Reading FX require a ranged attack roll
in addition to the effect’s normal resistance. Mind Reading
limited to touch range requires a melee attack roll against an
unwilling target and physical contact throughout the FX’s
duration; breaking contact ends the FX.
• Sense-Dependent: Your Mind Reading is dependent on a
sense other than just having to accurately sense the target,
such as needing to see his expressions (Sight-Dependent),
hear him speak (Hearing-Dependent), smell his changes in
biochemistry (Scent-Dependent), and so forth. Alternately, it
may be dependent on being in Mental Communication with the
target (see Communication).
MORPH
Type: Alteration Action: Free (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 1-3 points per rank
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
You can alter your appearance to that of other creatures or even
objects of the same mass. Your traits do not change; your new form
is merely a cosmetic change. You gain a +5 bonus to Art checks to
disguise yourself per rank when using Morph to assume a different
form. For 1 point per rank you can assume a single other
appearance. For 2 points per rank you can assume any form from a
broad group like humanoids, animals, machines, and so forth. For 3
points per rank you can assume any form of the same mass.
For the ability to change size as well as appearance see the
Growth and Shrinking FX. To take on the other traits of forms you
assume, see the Metamorph FX feat in the following section.
FX Feats
• Metamorph: Morph only changes your appearance; you have
all the traits of your normal form. This feat allows you to have
an alternate set of traits, essentially a complete alternate
character you change into. You can switch between sets of
traits at will, once per round, as a free action. Your other
form(s) must have the same point total as you and are subject
to the same power level limits. They must also have traits
suitable to your Morph FX. For example, if you can only Morph
into humanoid forms, then your alternate forms have to be
humanoid. All of your forms must have your Morph FX and
Metamorph feat(s). The GM may require certain additional
common traits for all of your forms. Each additional rank of this
feat gives you another set of traits you can change into.
Metamorph is best suited to characters with a defined list of
alternate traits. For a character able to transform into
numerous forms with various traits, see the Variable structure.
Extras
• Attack: A Morph Attack imposes a different appearance on the
target creature. Unlike a Transform FX, a Morph Attack is
entirely cosmetic: you can’t change the target’s actual traits.
Flaws
• Phantasm (–1): Your Morph FX is a mental illusion; only
intelligent (Int 1+) creatures perceive it. It cannot fool machines
like cameras or non-intelligent robots.
• Resistance (–1): Observers who have reason to believe your
assumed form is not real can make a Will check to penetrate
your disguise (DC 10 + Morph rank). A successful check
reveals your assumed form as false, and anyone who
communicates that information to others gives them a +5
bonus on their Will check or Perception check.
Associated FX
• Polymorph: For a “polymorph,” able to assume a wide range
of forms with different traits (poly = many, morph = shape) see
the Variable structure in this chapter.
MOVE OBJECT
Type: General Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 2 points per rank
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You can move objects at a distance without touching them. Move
Object has no action/reaction; a moving object cannot drag the
character “holding on” to it, for example. This effect is also not
considered “physical contact” or “touch” for effects requiring it.
Your effective Might for lifting and moving objects with this FX is
equal to your FX rank. By taking two actions and concentrating you
can increase this to two times your FX rank for as long as you
concentrate, taking one action each round to do so.
This FX can move objects, but cannot perform tasks of fine
manipulation (like untying knots, typing, or manipulating controls)
without the Precise FX feat. Objects equaling a heavy load or more
move at a rate of 5 feet per round. Lighter objects move a distance
each round like they were thrown with your effective Strength.
Objects thrown as attacks base their damage off your FX rank as if
it were your Strength bonus.
Move Object cannot inflict damage directly; you can’t “punch” or
“crush” objects with it. You can use it to make disarm and trip
attacks to Gain Combat Advantage. Using Move Object to “grab” a
creature is an attack similar to a grapple with a Might bonus equal
to your FX rank. The target cannot grapple you and you cannot
inflict damage, only pin and hold the target immobile. You can move
a pinned target like you would any other object, so long as the
target remains pinned. Using Move Object to grapple requires one
action. You can throw a pinned target as one action.
FX Feats
• Subtle: Note that Move Object is not Subtle by default (as
some forms of telekinesis or psychokinesis are). The standard
version of this FX involves some noticeable manifestation like a
“tractor beam,” a glow around your head or hands (along with a
corresponding glow around the affected object), big glowing
hands, blazing “energy talons,” or the like. Apply the Subtle feat
for a less noticeable Move Object FX.
Extras
• Damaging (+1): Your Move Object FX can inflict damage, like
an application of normal Strength with a Strength bonus equal
to its rank (not its lifting Strength of rank x 5). This includes
damaging targets in grapples and making ranged “strike”
attacks.
• Duration: Move Object generally cannot have a continuous
duration, since it is an active FX and requires at least a
modicum of attention to maintain. The GM may allow
Continuous Move Object as a variation that is not disrupted
when you are stunned, but that still requires your conscious
attention (still an active FX). There’s no change in the cost of
the Duration extra, this is just a limitation of the Move Object
FX.
• Range: Perception range Move Object can affect any object
you can accurately perceive, with no need for an attack roll.
Flaws
• Distracting: Move Object may require sufficient focus that you
are distracted from other things, imposing this modifier. This
makes the FX less useful in combat situations.
• Duration: Concentration duration Move Object requires more
of your attention to maintain. You cannot concentrate to double
your lifting capacity with Move Object that requires
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
concentration. Move Object with an instant duration is only
useful for throwing objects with a single burst of force, not
holding or moving them.
• Limited Direction (–1): You can only move objects in a
particular direction or path, such as only up and down (towards
and away from the ground), only directly towards or away from
you (attraction and repulsion), and so forth.
• Limited Material (–1): You can only move a particular type of
object or material, such as only metals, water, rock, plants, and
so forth. The GM may allow a –2 flaw for a particularly limited
type of material (such as only precious metals or sand).
• Range: Since the Move Object FX works on things at a
distance by definition, it cannot generally be reduced to touch
range. At the GM’s discretion, a touch range Move Object FX
may represent “tactile telekinesis” or a supernatural influence
over objects you are able to touch, but such things are usually
better represented by the Enhanced Strength FX and the Might
skill.
NULLIFY
Type: Trait Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged Duration: Instant
Resistance: Will Cost: 1-3 points per rank
Nullify can counter particular FX, or perhaps even any FX . You
can’t nullify innate FX.
Make a ranged attack roll to hit the target. If you overcome the
target's Will resistance or the FX’s rank +10 (whichever is higher),
you successfully nullify the FX. If you are targeting the subject of an
effect rather than the effect’s user, make your check against the
FX's rank + 10, not the user's Will. If you win, the targeted FX turns
off, although the user can re-activate it normally. If you fail, you do
not Nullify the FX and trying again against the same subject
increases the target's resistance by +1 per attempt. The cost per
rank determines what you can counter:
• 1 point: Counter any one FX of a particular descriptor at a time
(fire FX, magical FX, mental FX, etc.) or a single FX of any
descriptor (Mind Control, Snare, Teleport, etc.). Choose the
affected descriptor or FX when you acquire the FX.
• 2 points: Counter all FX of a particular descriptor (such as fire
or magic) or type (like attack or sensory FX) at once. Choose
the affected descriptor or type when you acquire the FX.
• 3 points: Counter all FX at once. This level of Nullify is
available only with the Gamemaster’s permission and may
depend on the nature of FX in the setting.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: Nullify does not require this FX feat to
affect insubstantial targets, or the Insubstantial FX itself. You
can attempt to nullify the FX of insubstantial targets normally.
• Selective: If you can Nullify multiple FX at once, this FX feat
allows you to choose which are nullified and which are not.
Extras
• Alternate Resistance: Nullify may require a Fortitude rather
than a Will resistance to represent an effect resisted by the
subject’s physical fortitude rather than strength of will.
• Area: An Area Nullify effect works on all targets in the area.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
Make a single FX check and compare the result against the
opposed FX checks or Will resistances of the targets. Targets
lacking any FX you can nullify are, naturally, unaffected.
• Duration: If Nullify’s duration is increased above instant, any
countered FX is suppressed and cannot be re-activated until
the duration expires. The user of the countered FX may spend
a hero die to gain a Will check to recover use of the ability. If
successful, the FX can be re-activated.
• Effortless (+1): Trying again does not grant your opponent a
bonus to subsequent attempts. You can retry a Nullify attempt
an unlimited number of times.
• No Resistance: You automatically Nullify FX with a rank equal
to or less than your Nullify rank with no opposed check.
• Nullifying Field (+0): Rather than targeting a specific
individual, you can Nullify FX in a radius of (rank x 5) feet
around you as one action. This is a combination of the Touch
range (–1) and Burst Area (+1) modifiers. Some characters
have a Nullifying Field as an Alternate FX of Nullify. Some
Nullifying Fields also have the Duration extra.
• Randomize (+0): Rather than being countered, the effect(s)
targeted by your Nullify acquire the Uncontrolled flaw and go
out of control (as dictated by the GM).
• Selective Attack: If you have an Area Nullify effect, this extra
allows you to choose who in the area is and is not affected by
it, nullifying some targets and not others.
Flaws
• Side Effect: If you fail to nullify an FX, you might suffer some
kind of “backlash” or similar side effect.
OBSCURE
Type: Sensory Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 1-4 points per rank
You can create total concealment in an area. Obscure costs 1 point
per rank if it affects one sense type, 2 points per rank if it affects
two sense types, 3 points per rank if it affects three sense types,
and 4 points per rank if it affects all sense types. Visual senses
count as two sense types, so a 3-points per rank Obscure FX could
affect visual and one other sense type, for example.
An Obscure FX can be centered on you or created at a distance as
one action. It does not move once created, although you can
reposition an existing Obscure FX as one action. Characters suffer
the effects of total concealment when unable to perceive an
opponent and may suffer other hindrances as the GM sees fit. Your
Obscure covers an area 5 feet in radius at rank 1. Each additional
rank moves the radius one step up the Time and Value Progression
Table.
Obscuring Sensory FX
At the Gamemaster's discretion, you can have an Obscure that
works against a particular sensory FX, such as ESP or Mind
Reading, suitable for certain psionic or magical abilities that block
out those FX. You can't have a general "Obscure enhanced
senses" FX, since various Enhanced Senses are assigned to
particular sense types.
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Obscure Examples
• Visual: darkness, fog, smoke, blinding light, clouds of small
particles (dust, sand, insects).
• Auditory: counter vibration, sound-dampening field, ultra
“white noise,” ultrasonics.
• Olfactory: chemical neutralizer, odor-absorbing mist,
overpowering (but not nauseating) smell.
• Mental: mental “null field,” psionic static, ward against scrying.
• Sensory FX: scrying ward vs. ESP, detect, or another specific
sensory FX.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: As a sensory FX, Obscure already
affects insubstantial subjects with no need for this FX feat.
• Subtle: Obscure by definition cannot be Subtle for those
subject to its FX; they’re automatically aware of the obscuring
of their affected sense(s). However, Obscure may be Subtle for
those outside its FX, such as a Visual Obscure effect that
leaves everyone in the area blind, but makes it appear to
anyone outside the area that there’s simply “nothing there,”
obscuring the true area and its contents, but not obviously so.
The GM should adjudicate any applications of Subtle to
Obscure FX.
Extras
• Duration: Continuous Obscure FX remain in place until they
are countered in some fashion.
• Independent: The Obscure effect requires no maintenance
from you, but fades by 1 character point of effectiveness per
round until it is gone. You cannot turn off an Independent
Obscure effect yourself unless you have the Reversible FX
feat.
• Selective Attack: You can choose who is and is not affected
by your Obscure FX. Those unaffected perceive normally, as if
the Obscure were not in FX.
Flaws
• Limited to One Sense (–1): Obscure normally works against
an entire sense type, Obscure with this flaw works only against
a particular sense of that type, leaving the others unaffected.
This is most common for Obscure that only affects normal
vision but not other visual senses.
• Partial (–1): Your Obscure FX provides only partial rather than
total concealment.
• Phantasm: Your Obscure FX is mental in nature; only
creatures with Intelligence -4 or greater are affected. Machines
•
and other non-intelligent entities or devices are immune.
Resistance (+1): You must roll an FX check against the
resistance (usually Will) of characters in the area of your
obscure to affect them. They gain a Will check to shake off the
obscure for each step up the Time and Value Progression
Table, starting at one minute.
• Sense-Dependent: Obscure is already Sense-Dependent by
nature and cannot have this flaw.
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PROBABILITY CONTROL
Type: Alteration Action: Reaction (passive)
Range: Personal Duration: Instant
Resistance: None Cost: 4 points per rank
You have some control over the otherwise random whims of
chance. Each round, you can make your Probability Control rank
the minimum result of any one die roll you make. If the die comes
up with a lower result, use your FX rank instead. So if you have
Probability Control 12, you can choose a die roll and be ensured a
minimum result of 12 on the die, treating any roll of less than a 12
as a 12. A 20 on the die roll acquired through Probability Control is
not considered a “natural 20.”
At rank 1, Probability Control only ensures a natural 1 on an attack
roll is not an automatic miss, if the total attack roll would still hit the
target’s Defense. Higher ranks increasingly ensure reliably good
outcomes (or at least a degree of immunity to poor ones) while the
highest ranks ensure the character can regularly accomplish
amazing things. Probability Control’s maximum rank is the
campaign’s power level or 20 (whichever is less).
Split Probability Control
At the Gamemaster’s discretion, you can split your Probability
Control among multiple die rolls in the same round, having a lesser
effect. So, for example, you could split Probability Control 12 into
two minimum die rolls of 6, for example, or any other combination
adding up to 12. In this case, the GM may wish to allow Probability
Control ranks greater than 20, but with no more than 20 ranks
assigned to any particular die roll in a round. The GM may wish to
require the Split Attack FX feat for this rather than making it a
default capability of Probability Control.
Alternate FX
Probability Control may become the base FX for an Array of
probability influencing FX. Generally, such effects should be
perception range, affecting anyone the user can accurately target.
Also note the Probability Control base FX is not available while an
Alternate Power is in use. To be able to use both, acquire the
Probability Array separately. The following are some examples of
suitable Alternate FX:
• Damage: As one action, you can cause a damaging “accident”
to befall someone: a load of bricks falls on them, they’re hit by
a car, or by a bolt of lightning out of the blue; anything you can
reasonably justify to the GM as possible (if highly improbable).
This is a Perception Range Penetrating Damage FX with a
rank equal to your Probability Control.
• Deflect: Attacks just seem to miss you. This is Deflect (all
attacks), Free Action, with a rank equal to your Probability
Control.
• Move Object: The forces of chance help you out from time to
time, moving things out of your way (or into someone else’s
way), creating a Perception Range Move Object FX at your
Probability Control rank. This FX is useful for making trip
attacks, among other things.
Extras
• Area: You can extend your Fortune or Jinx extras (see the
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following extras) to affect an area. Everyone in the area is
affected equally and you must apply the same effect of
Probability Control to everyone, so you can’t provide Fortune
for some while Jinxing others, for example. You’ll most likely
also want the Selective Attack extra, allowing you to exclude
your foes from Fortune FX and your allies from a Jinx.
• Fortune (+1): You can grant the benefits of your Probability
Control to someone else by touch. This is the Affects Others
extra for Probability Control.
• Jinx (+1): You can afflict someone else with bad luck by touch
(requiring a successful melee attack roll for an unwilling
subject). The target gets a Will resistance to avoid the FX. If it
fails, on one of the subject’s die rolls for the next round (chosen
by you), a roll equal to or less than your Probability Control
rank is treated as a 1, or any other number up to your FX rank
(so having 6 ranks would allow you to declare any roll of
between 1 and 6). A 1 on the die roll caused by Probability
Control is not a “natural 1.”
• Range (+1): You can use Fortune and/or Jinx at normal range
as a +1 extra. For a +2 extra, you can use either at perception
range. You must have the Fortune or Jinx extra(s) to benefit
from this extra.
Flaws
• Limited to Fortune (–1): You can only use the Fortune ability
of Probability Control; the FX doesn’t benefit you. You must
have the Fortune extra to take this flaw.
• Limited to Jinx (–1): You can only use the Jinx ability of
Probability Control; the FX doesn’t affect you. You must have
the Jinx extra to take this flaw.
• Side Effect: If an outcome you’re trying to alter occurs in spite
of your Probability Control, you suffer the FX of a Jinx on your
next action! Alternately, for a –2 flaw, every time you grant a
Fortune effect (including to yourself) you or an ally suffer a Jinx
FX on the following round as the scales of fortune try to
balance themselves.
QUICKNESS
Type: General Action: Free (passive)
Range: Personal Duration: Continuous
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank
You can perform routine tasks quickly. For purposes of this effect a
“routine task” is one where you can take 20 on the check. At rank 1
you perform such tasks at twice normal speed (x2). Each additional
rank moves your speed one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table (x5, x10, x25, and so forth). At rank 20, you
perform routine tasks at 5 million times normal speed! Tasks where
you cannot take 20 (including combat actions) are unaffected by
Quickness, nor is movement speed.
You can take 10 and take 20 normally using Quickness and, if your
FX rank is high enough, you may be able to take 20 on a task in a
single action (3 seconds) or less. If you can perform a task in less
than a second, the GM may choose to treat that task as a free
action for you (although the GM can still limit the number of free
actions you can accomplish in a round as usual). Among other
things, this allows you to do things like take 20 on an Infiltration
check to disable a lock check by trying all possible combinations of
a lock at great speed, or take 20 on a knowledge check by reading
all available research materials in an instant.
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Extras
Total Regeneration—the ability to make a damage recovery check,
including resurrection, every round without taking recover actions—
requires 25 ranks, not including ranks allocated to recovery check
• Affects Others: You can give someone else the benefits of bonus. If you also recover 1 point of ability damage per round,
your Quickness by touch. For a +1 extra, both you and one increase cost to 33 ranks.
other can benefit from the F at the same time. This is useful for
helping an ally “keep up” with your quick handling of certain
tasks. Use the Progression feat to increase the number of TABLE 5.8: REGENERATION RECOVERY
subjects you can affect at once.
RATES
Injured/
Rank Unconscious Ability Resurrection
Flaws 1 1 round
Staggered
30 minutes 5 hours 1 week
• One Type (–1): Your Quickness applies to only physical or 2 one action 5 minutes 1 hour 1 day
mental tasks, not both.
20
• One Task (–2): Your Quickness applies to only one particular 3 no action 1 minute 6 hours
minutes
task, such as reading, mathematical calculations, and so forth.
4 — 1 round 5 minutes 1 hour
5 — one action 1 minutes 30 minutes
REGENERATION 6 — no action 1 round 5 minutes
Type: Alteration Action: None (passive) 7 — — one action 1 minute
Range: Personal Duration: Permanent 8 — — no action 1 round
Resistance: Fortitude 9 — — — one action
Cost: 1 point per rank
(harmless)
10 — — — no action

You make Recovery checks to recover from a particular damage

condition faster than normal. Each rank moves the rest time
required to make a recovery check for that condition one step down
the Time and Value Progression Table. So, for example, characters
normally get one check per hour of rest to recover from being
staggered. One Regeneration rank reduces that time to 30 minutes,
two to 5 minutes, three to 1 minute, and so forth. If the time is
brought below one action (3 seconds), the character gets a
recovery check for that condition once per round with no need for a
recover action. Each damage condition (Injured, Unconscious, and
Staggered) requires a separate application of Regeneration ranks,
as follows:
• Injured: One rank allows a recovery check once per 30
minutes, two ranks per 5 minutes, three ranks per minute, and
four ranks per round, five ranks per standard action, and six
ranks per round with no recover action.
• Unconscious: One rank allows a recovery check after one
round, two ranks per action, three ranks once per round with
no recover action.
• Staggered: One rank allows a recovery check once per 30
minutes, two ranks per 5 minutes, three ranks per minute, and
four ranks per round, five ranks per standard action, and six
ranks per round with no recover action.
• Ability Damage: One Regeneration rank allows you to recover
a point of ability damage per 6 hours, two ranks per hour, three
ranks per 30 minutes, four ranks per 5 minutes, five ranks per
minute, six ranks per round, seven ranks one action, and eight
ranks per round without a recover action.
• Resurrection: You can recover from death! If you die, make a
DC 10 recovery check a week later. If successful, your
condition becomes unconscious and disabled (from which you
recover normally). You must specify a reasonably common
effect (or set of uncommon effects) that keeps you from
recovering from death, such as beheading, cremation, a stake
through the heart, and so forth. You can increase the rate you
make recovery checks from death with additional ranks,
separately from your normal recovery rate. At nine ranks you
can check to recover from death each round. At ten ranks, you
get a recovery check instantly whenever your condition
becomes dead. If successful, you don’t die.
Regeneration and No
Constitution
Characters lacking a Constitution score automatically fail recovery
checks and cannot recover from damage (as they are nonliving
beings). The Affects Objects extra allows such characters to make
Recovery checks, starting at –5. If you want a better chance of
recovering, you need to invest points in the Recovery skill.
FX Feats
• Diehard: When your condition becomes dying you
automatically stabilize on the following round, your condition
shifting to disabled and unconscious, from which you can
recover (and regenerate) normally. This is the same as the
Diehard feat only as an FX feat.
• Persistent: You can regenerate Incurable damage (see the
Incurable FX feat).
• Regrowth: When you recover from being disabled (whether
normally or at an accelerated rate), you re-grow any severed or
crippled limbs and organs as well.
• Reincarnation: You must have Regeneration ranks applied to
Resurrection to take this FX feat. When you make a successful
check to recover from death, you can “return” in a completely
different form! Re-allocate your characters points to different
traits as you see fit, limited only by your descriptors, the
campaign’s power level limits, and the GM’s approval. The new
form doesn’t even have to be “human,” but choose carefully,
since once you return to life, your new form’s traits are fixed,
unless you die again!
Extras
• Action: Regeneration does not require an action, so its action
cannot be changed through modifiers. The Action modifier can

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change the one action required for Affects Others
Regeneration, at the GM’s discretion.
• Affects Objects (+1): Your Affects Others Regeneration can
repair (regenerate) non-living subjects with no Constitution
score. Reduce the normal recovery bonus granted by your FX
by 5; the subject makes recovery checks normally. If your
Regeneration only affects objects, this is a +0 modifier.
• Affects Others (+1): You grant another character the ability to
regenerate by touch as a one action. The FX occurs at your
normal regeneration recovery rate, so it can be quite slow
unless you have a lot of ranks of Regeneration. Regeneration
that Affects Others does not work on subjects with no
Constitution score unless the Affects Objects extra is also
applied. For “regeneration” that only affects others, see the
Healing FX instead.
• Area (+1): Affects Others Regeneration can have this extra,
allowing it to affect everyone in a given area. Use the Selective
FX feat for the ability to choose who does and does not benefit
from the FX.
• True Resurrection (+1): When this extra is applied to your
Resurrection ranks of Regeneration (and only those ranks) you
do not have to specify a circumstance that prevents your
Resurrection; so long as your body is not suffering further
damage, you can continue making checks to recover from
death. Continuous damage—such as at the bottom of the
ocean or in a live volcano—prevents you from recovering fully,
since you are damaged as fast as you can recover, unless you
are immune to that source of damage.
Flaws
• Duration: Regeneration’s duration cannot be modified, since
the allocation of its ranks determines how fast it operates.
• Source (–1): Your Regeneration only works when you have
access to a particular source, such as blood, electricity, natural
earth, scrap metal, sunlight, and so forth. Without this source,
your effect doesn’t work and you recover at normal speed. At
the GM’s discretion, a weaker form of the source means you
recover slower (your effective Regeneration rank is lower, in
other words, generally at least halved).
• Uncontrolled Reincarnation (–1): This works like the
Reincarnation FX feat except you don’t get to decide the traits
of your new form, the Gamemaster does! Again, the GM is
limited by your descriptors and the campaign’s power level
limits, and your new form must be built on the same number of
character points as your old one. Otherwise, the GM is free to
tinker with things like appearance, traits, and so forth, although
personality and memories remain intact. You must have
Resurrection to have this flaw, which applies only to
Regeneration ranks assigned to Resurrection. It is often
coupled with True Resurrection (or “True Reincarnation” in this
case).
Drawbacks
• FX Loss: If there’s a form of damage you can’t regenerate, that
may be considered an FX loss drawback, with the value based
on how common the damage is. If damage is common enough
to make your Regeneration only about half as useful (you don’t
regenerate bludgeoning damage, for example) it may
constitute a Limited flaw, at the GM’s discretion.
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SHRINKING
Type: Alteration Action: Free (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank
You can reduce your size. Every other rank of Shrinking reduces
your Strength by 1 (to a minimum of Str -5). Additionally, every four
ranks reduce your size category and Toughness by one. So a
medium-sized creature is small and –1 Toughness at rank 4, tiny
and –2 Toughness at rank 8, diminutive and –3 Toughness at rank
12, fine and –4 Toughness at rank 16, and minuscule and –5
Toughness at rank 20.
You gain all the benefits and drawbacks of your new size. Multiply
your movement rates by the carrying capacity multiplier shown on
the Reduced Size table.
FX Feats
• Alternate FX: If you have Shrinking, you can acquire Growth
as an Alternate FX feat.
• Atomic Size: If you have Shrinking 20, you can shrink down
past minuscule size to the atomic scale, allowing you to pass
through solid objects by slipping between their atoms. You’re
effectively immune to attacks at a higher scale, although the
GM decides the effect of any given attack or hazard while you
are at atomic size.
• Growth Strike: You can add the momentum of increasing size
to your melee attacks, literally enlarging under an opponent’s
jaw, for example. This gives you a +1 damage bonus per size
category you enlarge until you reach your opponent’s size
against opponents larger than you. So growing from minuscule
to medium size as part of an attack does +5 damage.
• Innate: This FX feat suits creatures and characters that are
naturally smaller than medium-sized when applied to
permanent Shrinking of the appropriate rank.
• Microverse: If you have Shrinking 20, you can shrink down
past minuscule size, to the point where you cross a
dimensional barrier and enter a “microverse” (which may or
may not really exist at the subatomic level, GM's option).
Entering or leaving a microverse is a move action. In the
microverse, you lose your Shrinking, but gain Growth equal to
your Shrinking rank (and when you grow larger than awesome
size, you leave the microverse and return to the normal
universe where your powers return to normal).
Extras
• Compression (+3): You must have the Normal Strength and
Normal Toughness extras (see both, following) to apply this
extra. You shrink by compressing your mass into a smaller
form, causing you to become stronger and tougher rather than
more delicate. You have Density as a Linked FX of your
Shrinking: each rank of Shrinking also applies a rank of Density
to your traits: your weight and carrying capacity modifier
remain the same regardless of size, but you gain Strength and
Constitution from your increased density.
• Normal Abilities (+3): You retain your normal Strength and
Toughness scores and your normal movement speed when
you shrink, regardless of your size category. This extra
includes all three of the following modifiers, which can also be
applied individually.
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TABLE 5.9: REDUCED SIZE

Combat Infiltration Intimidation
Rank Size Might Height Weight Space Reach
Modifier Modifier Modifier
60-500
0 Medium +0 +0 +0 +0 4-8 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
lbs.
1 Small -1 +1 +3 -2 2-4 ft. 8-60 lbs. 5 ft. 5 ft.
2 Tiny -2 +2 +6 -4 1-2 ft. 1-8 lbs. 2.5 ft. 0 ft.
3 Diminutive -3 +4 +9 -6 6 in.-1 ft. 0.25-1 lb. 1 ft. 0 ft.
0.09-0.1
4 Fine -4 +8 +12 -8 3 in.-6 in. 6 in. 0 ft.
lb.
3 in. or 1 oz. or
5 Minuscule -5 +12 +15 -10 3 in. 0 ft.
less less

• Normal Movement (+1): You retain your normal movement
speed when you shrink.
• Normal Strength (+1): You suffer no reduction in Strength or
carrying capacity when you shrink.
• Normal Toughness (+1): You suffer no reduction in Toughness
when you shrink.
Flaws
• Permanent: Your Shrinking effect cannot be turned off and you
are permanently “stuck” at your smallest size (for your
Shrinking rank), so Permanent Shrinking 12 means you’re
permanently diminutive (between six inches and a foot tall).
You can have any power feats or modifiers associated with
Shrinking, so long as they don’t depend on the ability to
change your size (such as Growth Strike).
Drawbacks
• Full Power: You can only shrink down to minimum size for
your rank and return to normal size, unable to assume any of
the size categories in between. This drawback does not apply
to characters with 4 or fewer ranks of shrinking, as there is no
significant disadvantage associated with it.
Associated FX
The following FX may be associated with Shrinking:
• Gliding: Given their reduced weight at smaller sizes, shrinking
characters may be able to glide along wind currents, acquiring
through wires to their destination. This is a Teleport FX with the
Medium (telephone wires) flaw. Although it technically requires
the ability to shrink at the same time, the GM may allow it as an
Alternate FX feat of Shrinking so long as the character starts
and ends the trip at normal size, the “shrinking” in between
being nothing more than a descriptor of the Teleport FX. If the
character wants to enter or emerge from a transmission at less
than full size, however, the Transmit power should be acquired
separately.
SPEED
Type: Movement Action: One
Range: Personal Duration: Sustained
Resistance: None Cost: 1 point per rank
You can move faster than normal. One form of movement you
already possess (walking/running for most creatures, but some
other creatures might be natural swimmers or fliers) has a base
speed of 10 MPH (about 100 feet per round) at rank 1. Each
additional rank moves your speed one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table. At rank 19, you can reach anywhere on Earth in
a single action. At rank 20, you can accelerate to near the speed of
light! Speed per rank is shown on the Speed Movement table.
You can carry up to a light load with no reduction in speed. A
medium or heavy load reduces your speed to two-thirds normal
while a heavy load also reduces your all-out speed to half normal.
You cannot use Speed while carrying more than a heavy load.
Speed increases how quickly you can move with any form of
movement. However, Flight requires the Fast Flight extra (see
below).

•
ranks in Enhanced Movement.
Internal Attack: A shrinking character with the Atomic Size FX
feat can potentially pass into another character, then enlarge,
causing a damaging molecular disruption while ejecting from
the target’s body. This is a touch range Penetrating Damage
FX (since it bypasses Impervious Toughness) and usually
requires one action to reach your target, unless you start out in
close contact when you make the attack.
• Leaping: Smaller characters with the Normal Strength extra
may not only be able to leap their normal distance, but even
greater distances, propelling their reduced weight with their
proportionately greater strength, acquiring ranks in Leaping
Linked to Shrinking.
• Transmit: A particular trick of shrinking characters with the
Atomic Size FX feat is to “ride” telephone transmissions
Extras
• Affects Others: You can share your Speed with another
character you are touching, allowing them to travel at the same
speed as you. Note this isn’t the same as simply carrying
someone along with you while you move using your Speed, it
is granting them the same Speed movement as yours.
• Attack: This extra does not apply to Speed. For a “momentum
attack” that flings targets into things at high speed, use Move
Object with the Knockback extra instead.
• Duration: Speed generally cannot be continuous duration,
given the limitations on using it: a stunned or unconscious
character can’t move, quickly or otherwise.
• Fast Flight (+1): With this extra, you can increase the speed of
your Flight movement.

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Flaws
appears in the nearest open space beside you. You always have
the same minion unless you apply power modifiers allowing you to
summon different minions. Your minion automatically has a helpful
• Action: Like other movement FX, Speed cannot have its action attitude and does its best to aid you and obey your commands.
reduced below one, since it requires a one action to use the
Unconscious and dead minions disappear. Defeated minions
FX.
recover normally except they recover from death as if they were
• Duration: Concentration duration Speed can represent an FX disabled. You cannot summon a defeated minion until it has
requiring additional focus or effort on your part; you can move completely recovered. Your summoned minions also vanish if your
at high speeds, but can’t do much else at the same time. Since FX is turned off, countered, or nullified.
concentration requires a standard action each round, it also
means you can’t move at accelerated or all-out speeds, just the
normal pace of your Speed rank.
FX Feats
• Mental Link: You have a mental link with your minions,
TABLE 5.10: SPEED MOVEMENT allowing you to communicate with them over any distance.
Rank Speed • Mob: Rather than gaining a set number of minions, this feat
1 10 MPH allows you to summon a huge mob of minions, who taken
2 25 MPH together count as a single, massive creature. This feat grants
your mob a bonus to Attack Rolls, Might, and Toughness.
3 50 MPH
Further, you treat all attacks you make as having one rank in
4 100 MPH the Autofire extra. You must have the Additional Minion (at least
5 250 MPH one iteration) Extras and Horde Extras to take this feat. One
6 500 MPH rank in Mob adds the mob bonuses to your own character. Two
ranks allows you to treat the Mob as a separate creature,
7 1,000 MPH attacking and acting on its own, separately from you. If you
8 2,500 MPH choose to use this feat, you can only summon a single mob
9 5,000 MPH regardless of how many minions you can summon normally.
See Chapter VII: Combat for information on mobs.
10 10,000 MPH
11 25,000 MPH • Sacrifice: When you are hit with an FX requiring a resistance,
you can spend a hero die to shift it to one of your minions
12 50,000 MPH instead. The minion must be within range of the attack and a
13 100,000 MPH viable target. Needless to say, this is not a particularly heroic
14 250,000 MPH feat. The Gamemaster may wish to restrict it to villains or non-
player characters (in which case a hero earns a hero die when
15 500,000 MPH a villain uses this feat to avoid an effect by sacrificing a
16 1,000,000 MPH minion).
17 2,500,000 MPH

Extras
18 5,000,000 MPH
19 10,000,000 MPH
20 Near light-speed • Additional Minion (+1): Each time you apply this extra, move
your total number of minions one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table (2, 5, 10, etc.). Each minion is created with
Associated FX (rank x 15) character points. You can still only summon one
minion per action.
• Quickness: While the Speed FX covers moving quickly, the
• Fanatical (+1): Your summoned minions have a fanatical
Quickness FX handles performing tasks faster, and the two
attitude and devotion to you.
often go together.
• Heroic (+1): Creatures you summon are not subject to the
• Enhanced Movement: The ability to move at high speeds may
minion rules, but treated like normal non-player characters.
also provide some Enhanced Movement FX, particularly Water
Gamemasters should be particularly cautious about allowing
Walking or Wall-Crawling, Limited to only while moving at high
this extra for Summon FX used by player characters, especially
speed.
ones summoning more than one minion.
• Horde (+1): You can summon up to your maximum number of
SUMMON (MINION) minions with one standard action. You must have Progression
(see this effect’s power feats) to take this extra.
Type: General Action: One (active)
• Type (+1/+2): Minions are normally identical in terms of traits.
Range: Touch Duration: Sustained
It’s a +1 modifier to summon minions of a general type
Resistance: None Cost: 2 points per rank (elementals, birds, fish, etc.), +2 to summon minions of a broad
type (animals, demons, humanoids, etc.).
You can call upon another creature—a minion—to aid you. This
creature is created as an independent character with (Summon
rank x 15) character points. Summoned minions are subject to the
normal power level limits, and cannot have minions themselves.
Flaws
You can summon your minion to you automatically as one action; it • Attitude (–1): Your summoned minions are less than

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
cooperative. For a –1 modifier, they are indifferent. They are
unfriendly for a –2 modifier, and hostile for a –3 modifier.
TELEPORT
Type: Movement Action: One (active)
Range: Personal Duration: Instant
Resistance: Reflex (harmless) Cost: 2 points per rank
You can move instantly from place to place without crossing the
distance in between. You can teleport yourself and carry up to 100
lbs. of additional mass a distance of (power rank x 100) feet as a
move action.
At rank 3 and above, you can also take two actions and teleport the
distance shown on the Extended Range Table instead, but you lose
your defense bonus for one round after you arrive at your
destination due to disorientation. You can only teleport to places
you can accurately sense or know especially well (in the GM’s
judgment). You retain your facing and relative velocity when you
teleport. So if you are falling, for example, when you teleport, you
are still falling at the same speed when you arrive at your
destination.
FX Feats
• Change Direction: You can change your direction or
orientation after a teleport.
• Change Velocity: You can teleport “at rest” to your destination.
Among other things, this means you can teleport out of a fall
and suffer no damage.
• Easy: You are not disoriented when making two action
teleports; you retain your dodge bonus after doing so.
• Progression: You increase the mass you can carry with you
when you teleport. Each additional time you take this stunt, it
moves your maximum “cargo” one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table (x 2, x 5, x 10, etc.).
• Turnabout: You can teleport, take one action, and teleport
again as a two actions, so long as the total distance doesn’t
exceed your short Teleport range (rank x 100 feet). This is
Teleport’s version of the Move-By Action feat.
Extras
• Accurate (+1): You don’t need to accurately sense your
destination to teleport there, just be able to generally describe
it, such as “inside the capitol building lobby” or “atop the
Goodman Building’s roof.” If you can’t accurately describe your
destination or have no idea where it is, you still can’t teleport
there. At the GM’s discretion, Dazzle and Obscure (Accurate
Teleport) can temporarily block this extra like any other mental
sense. This allows, among other things, for sites “shielded”
against Accurate teleporters.
• Affects Others: This extra allows you to grant a subject the
ability to teleport—either with you or alone—by touch. Note that
Affects Others is voluntary, so anyone not wishing to be
teleported is unaffected. To teleport unwilling targets see the
Attack extra.
• Area: Applied to Affects Others Teleport, this extra allows you
to teleport everyone in the affected area. Apply the Selective
FX feat if you can choose who is and is not taken along on the
jaunt, otherwise, you automatically teleport everyone in the
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area. You can choose to leave behind physical objects not in
anyone’s possession whether or not you have Selective (so
you don’t automatically teleport all the assorted junk in the
area).
• Attack: A Teleport Attack is one action and only teleports the
target the effect’s normal, rather than extended, range. You
must overcome the target's Will resistance to successfully
teleport them, assuming the attack hits. At the GM’s option, you
may be able to make an “extended” Teleport Attack; this
requires two actions and you lose your dodge bonus for one
round after making the attack. The target is transported up to
the FX’s extended range and disoriented (no dodge bonus) for
one round after arrival. Gamemasters should view Teleport
Attacks with caution, due to their ability to quickly remove
opponents from an encounter.
• Castling (+0): You and a willing subject within your Teleport
range must “trade places” for you to teleport. You appear in the
subject’s location and the subject appears in yours. The subject
of a Castling attempt is basically aware of who you are (if
they’re familiar with you), where you are (roughly), and of your
desire to trade places. If they agree (as a reaction) the FX
occurs. If they refuse, nothing happens. This means you
cannot castle with unconscious subjects. Castling often has
some type of Communication, possibly Limited only to potential
Teleport subjects, as an associated FX. If you can castle with
unwilling subjects, you have a Teleport Attack Linked to your
Teleport instead.
• Portal (+2): You open a portal or gateway between two points
as a free action. The portal is 5 feet-by-5 feet in size. Anyone
stepping through (one action) is transported. The portal
remains open as long as you concentrate. You can apply
Progression feats to increase the size of your portal.
• Selective Attack: An Area Teleport Attack with this extra can
teleport some targets without affecting others, as you choose.
Flaws
• Anchor (–1): You are limited to teleporting either to a single
specific place or to the location of a single specific object,
either of which is considered “known especially well” to you.
Choose one option when you apply this flaw. You can change
the location of your anchor-point either by physically visiting
and attuning yourself to a new site for one minute or by moving
your anchor object to a new location. If you have an anchor
object and it’s moved without your knowledge, you still teleport
to its location (which can potentially cause problems if your
foes discover your anchor and move it).
• Long-Range (–1): You can only teleport up to extended range
distance as two actions. You can’t make short-range teleports
as one action and you can’t have the Easy or Turnabout FX
feats.
• Medium (–1): You require a medium for your teleportation,
such as electrical or telephone wires, root structures,
waterways, doorways, shadows, flames, mirrors, and so forth.
You can only teleport from and to locations where your medium
exists.
• Short-Range (–1): You can’t make extended range teleports,
only short-range teleports as a one action.
Associated FX
• ESP: The ability to perceive distant locations is quite useful in
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allowing a character to teleport there, particularly since ESP
and long range Teleport have the same range.
Inflict (Condition): Teleportation often has disorienting side
•
effects on passengers other than those of extended range
teleports, allowing teleporters to, for example, grab an
opponent and “jaunt,” inflicting disorientation or nausea. This is
a Linked Inflict (Condition) FX and requires two actions to grab
the opponent and make the jump to inflict the FX. Note that if
you can choose not to inflict this effect on your passengers, the
Linked modifier is +1 rather than +0.
• Nullify Teleport: “Teleport nullifiers” of one sort or another are
fairly common in the comics, from mystic wards blocking the
passage of spells of teleportation to super-science force fields.
This is usually a Nullifying Field, preventing anyone from
teleporting into or out of the affected area, although things like
Nullifying Devices applied directly (headbands, collars,
manacles, etc.) are also common.
• Rend: You can grab a target and teleport away with just part of
them, inflicting damage! This is a touch range Penetrating
Damage FX Linked to Teleport as a +1 modifier (since you
presumably have the ability not to rend a passenger teleporting
with you).
• Teleport Awareness: Characters with Teleport or related
powers may acquire the Awareness Enhanced Sense, attuned
to detecting uses of Teleport by picking up on “spatial
distortions” or similar effects when someone arrives or departs
via a Teleport effect. Also note that descriptor-based forms of
Awareness can detect teleports involving that descriptor
(Mental Awareness sensing the arrival of a psionic teleporter,
for example).
TRANSFORM
Type: Alteration Action: One (active)
Range: Ranged Duration: Sustained (lasting)
Resistance: Fortitude Cost: 3-6 points per rank
You can change a target into something else. Make an attack roll to
hit your target, and then roll against your target's Fortitude
resistance. If the check succeeds, the target transforms. Inanimate
targets transform automatically, so long as you can affect their
mass. Roll to overcome the target's Fortitude for any worn or held
object. You can transform 1 pound of inanimate mass at rank 1.
Each additional rank moves this one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table. The transformation lasts as long as you
continue sustaining it. When you stop, the target reverts to normal.
What you can transform affects cost per rank:
• 3 points: Transform one thing into one other thing (flesh into
stone, people into frogs, metal into wood, broken objects into
repaired ones, etc.).
• 4 points: Transform a narrow group of targets into one of a
narrow group of results (animals into humanoids, or vice versa,
one type of metal into any other, etc.). Transform targets of a
broad group into one result or a single target into any of a
broad group.
• 5 points: Transform targets of a broad group into one of a
broad group of results (inanimate objects or living creatures).
• 6 points: Transform anything into anything else. You can
change around a transformed target’s physical traits, so long
as their point total remains the same or less.
Adding new traits (such as giving a target wings) can be paid for by
adding drawbacks or reducing other traits to compensate (or by
Linking an Affects Others Variable structure to Transform, allowing
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you to add traits to the subject).
Transforming Devices and
Equipment
Transforming someone’s devices or equipment requires targeting
them first, as given under attacking objects: a held object has a
Defense of the holder’s Defense + the object’s size modifier + 5,
while a worn or carried object has a Defense of the holder’s
Defense + the object’s size modifier. So transforming a held
weapon like a gun requires an attack roll against the holder’s
Defense + 9 (+5 base +4 for a diminutive-sized object), targeting a
worn suit of armor is an attack against the holder’s Defense (with
no modifier for a medium-sized object).
Equipment is transformed automatically so long as the FX has
sufficient rank to encompass its entire mass. The holder or wearer
of a Device uses his or her Fortitude resistance to avoid having the
gear transformed; a successful check means it is transformed.
Transform is merely another way of “removing” a Device or
equipment, considered a part of the discount that they offer,
although transformed Devices should eventually be restored or
replaced.
Mental Transform
Transformed targets normally retain their mental traits and
personality, although animate targets made inanimate are
effectively rendered unconscious. A Transform FX with the Will
resistance modifier can change targets mentally as well as
physically. A mental transformation is considered a separate FX;
apply modifiers and FX stunts to it separately. To transform a target
both mentally and physically at once, link the two Transforms
together. The type of mental transformation determines cost per
rank:
• 2 point: Change the target’s memories or recollections, making
the target forget something, or remember things differently.
• 3 point: Change around the target’s mental traits.
• 4 points: Completely alter the target’s mind, effectively
creating an entirely new personality. You can change around
their mental traits as desired, so long as their point value
remains the same or less.
FX Feats
• Affects Insubstantial: Transform needs this FX feat to affect
incorporeal targets, but works normally on subjects with lower
ranks of Insubstantial.
• Reversible: Transform FX are generally reversible and do not
require this feat.
• Subtle: While a Transform FX is not itself Subtle in that the
target is clearly transformed, this FX feat can help conceal the
source of the FX, making it less noticeable or not noticeable at
all.
Extras
• Alternate Resistance: Transform based on Will is a Mental
Transform FX.
• Area: An Area Transform FX changes all of the targets in the
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area in the same way. Each target makes its own resistance,
although the GM may choose to make a single check for a
group of minions or other undifferentiated characters.
• Duration: Continuous transformations last until you choose to
reverse them (or they are nullified). The GM can require that a
Continuous Transform FX have some other reasonable way of
undoing it, from a kiss from royalty to soaking in water,
depending on the FX’s descriptors.
• Selective Attack: An Area Transform with this extra can
transform only those subjects you choose, excluding others.
Flaws
• Duration: Transform with a duration of concentration requires
constant attention (and one action each round) to maintain.
Transform cannot have an instant duration.
• Limited: Transform FX limited to particular subjects or results
should have their base cost adjusted as given in the FX’s
description rather than applying this flaw. Transform effects
limited in other ways may still have the Limited flaw.
• Permanent: This flaw does not apply to Transform, since
permanent transformations are generally more of an
advantage, and Continuous Transform is as close to
permanent as the FX gets.
• Range: Touch range Transform requires a successful melee
attack roll to touch the subject. Transform cannot be personal
range and does not work on you; to transform yourself in
various ways see Morph and the Variable FX structure.
FX Feats
FX feats expand an effect’s utility in various ways. Acquiring an FX
feat costs 1 character point, just like a normal feat, and characters
can use extra effort to temporarily acquire an FX feat they don’t
already have. FX feats are options for an FX; you can generally
decide to use them or not when you use the FX itself.
ACCURATE FX, RANKED
An FX with this feat is especially accurate; you get +2 on attack
rolls made with it. This FX feat can be applied multiple times, each
time it grants an additional +2 on attack rolls. The campaign’s
power level limits maximum attack bonus with any given FX. The
GM may choose to waive this limit for Accurate feats acquired via
Hero Dice expenditure (given their temporary nature).
AFFECTS INSUBSTANTIAL FX, RANKED
An FX with this feat works on insubstantial targets, in addition to
having its normal effect on corporeal targets. One application of
Affects Insubstantial allows the FX to work at half its normal rank
against insubstantial targets; two applications allow it to function at
its full rank against them. Sensory FX do not require this feat, since
they already affect insubstantial targets.
ALTERNATE FX FX
This feat provides an additional Alternate FX for an Array, a different
way in which it can be used. Alternate FX is also usable via Hero
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Dice expenditure, temporarily reconfiguring an existing FX.
DIMENSIONAL FX, RANKED
This feat allows an FX to work on targets in another dimension (if
any exist in the campaign). You affect your proximate location in the
other dimension as if you were actually there, figuring range
modifiers from that point.
You can take this feat multiple times. If you take it a second time,
your FX can reach into any of a related group of dimensions
(mythic dimensions, mystic dimensions, fiendish planes, and so
forth). If you take it a third time, it can reach into any other
dimension in the setting.
For many FX, you may need a Dimensional ESP FX to target them.
Otherwise, targets have total concealment from you, and any attack
has a 50% miss chance, assuming it’s targeted in the right area at
all.
EXTENDED REACH FX, RANKED
Each time you apply this feat to a touch or perception-touch range
FX, you extend the power’s reach by 5 feet. This may represent a
short-ranged attack or an FX with a somewhat greater reach, like a
whip or similar weapon.
FAST ESCALATION FX, RANKED
An FX which Escalates with each activation or round of use does
so faster with this FX feat. Each application of this feat improves
the rate by 1 character point. Note that this FX feat also decreases
the time it takes for an FX to “burn out.”
HOMING FX, RANKED
This feat grants an FX an additional opportunity to hit. If an attack
roll with a Homing FX fails, it attempts to hit again on the following
round on your initiative, requiring only a free action to maintain and
leaving you free to take other actions, including making another
attack.
The Homing FX uses the same accurate sense as the original
attack, so concealment effective against that sense may confuse
the Homing attack and cause it to miss. If a Homing attack misses
due to concealment, it has lost its “lock” on the target and does not
get any further chances to hit. You can buy Enhanced Senses
Linked to the Homing FX, if desired (to create things like radar-
guided or heat-seeking missiles, for example). If a Homing attack is
countered before it hits, it loses any remaining chances to hit.
You can apply this feat multiple times, each time moves the number
of additional chances to hit one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table, but the FX still only gets one attack roll per
round.
IMPROVED RANGE FX, RANKED
This feat improves the range increment of a ranged FX, moving the
base increment (FX rank x 10 feet) one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table. So Improved Range 1 makes a ranged FX’s
increment (rank x 25) feet, then (rank x 50), and so forth. This does
not increase the FX’s maximum range.
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INCURABLE FX
The damage caused by an FX with this feat cannot be healed by
FX such as Healing and Regeneration; the target must recover at
the normal rate. FX with the Persistent feat can heal Incurable
damage.
INDIRECT FX, RANKED
An FX with this feat can originate from a point other than the user,
ignoring cover between the user and the target, such as walls and
other intervening barriers, so long as they do not provide cover
between the FX’s origin point and the target. The range modifier is
based on the distance from the attacker to the target, regardless of
where the FX originates. An Indirect FX normally originates from a
fixed point directed away from you. In some cases, an Indirect FX
may count as a surprise attack.
If you apply this feat a second time, the power’s FX can come from
any point directed away from you, including behind you. If you
apply it three times, the effect can also be directed toward you
(hitting a target in front of you from behind, for example).
INNATE FX
An FX with this feat is an innate part of your nature. Trait FX, such
as Boost, Drain, or Nullify, cannot alter it. Gamemasters should
exercise caution in allowing the application of this feat; the FX must
be a truly innate trait, such as an elephant’s size or a ghost’s
incorporeal nature. If the FX is not something normal to the
character’s species or type, it probably isn’t innate. Unlike other FX
feats, the use of innate is not optional: you cannot choose not to
apply the feat’s benefits.
Since Innate is essentially the same as a very limited Immunity to
Trait FX applied to a particular FX, and complete Immunity to Trait
FX is 5 ranks of Immunity, the Gamemaster may choose to allow
characters requiring 4 or more instances of the Innate feat to simply
take 4 ranks of it and apply to as many of the character’s FX as
desired.
KNOCKBACK FX, RANKED
Applied to an FX that causes knockback, this ranked power feat
adds +1 per rank to the FX’s rank when determining knockback. So
a rank 5 Damage FX with rank 3 Knockback is treated as Damage
8 for determining its knockback FX. Generally, this feat is limited to
no more ranks than the rank of the FX, but the GM may modify this
as desired.
MOVING FEINT FX
You can substitute twice the FX rank of a movement FX with this
FX feat for your Persuasion check modifier when making a check to
feint in combat. You must use the FX to move during the round in
which you feint, making the attempt two actions (one action to
move plus another action for the feint check).
PRECISE FX
FX with this feat are especially precise. You can use a Precise FX
to perform tasks requiring delicacy and fine control, such as using
Precise Ranged Damage to spot-weld or carve your initials, Precise
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Move Object to type or pick a lock, Precise Environmental Control
to match a particular temperature exactly, and so forth. The GM has
final say as to what tasks can be performed with a Precise FX and
may require an FX, skill, or ability check to determine the degree of
precision with any given task. A ranged attack FX with the Precise
modifier gains the benefits of the Precise Shot feat, which is
essentially the same thing.
PROGRESSION FX, RANKED
Each time you apply this feat, move the area, range, mass,
subjects, or other trait of the FX one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table. See the FX and modifier descriptions for details
on specific applications of Progression.
REVERSIBLE FX
You can remove the lingering results of an FX with this feat at will
as a free action, so long as the subject is within the FX’s range.
Examples include removing the damage conditions from a Damage
FX, repairing damage done by Drain Toughness, or removing a
Dazzle or Inflict (Condition) FX instantly. Normally, you have no
control over the lingering results of such FX.
RICOCHET FX
You can ricochet, or bounce, an attack FX with this feat off of a
solid surface once to change its direction. This allows you to attack
around corners, overcome cover and possibly gain a surprise
attack against an opponent. It does not allow you to affect multiple
targets. The “bounce” has no effect apart from changing the
attack’s direction. You must be able to define a clear path for your
attack, which must follow a straight line between each ricochet. You
can take this feat multiple times; each time allows you to ricochet
the attack an additional time before it hits. In some cases, a
Ricochet FX may count as a surprise attack.
SEDATION FX
An FX able to cause unconsciousness can, with this feat, keep an
unconscious subject from regaining consciousness as a sustained
lasting FX. The subject gets a recovery check from
unconsciousness for each interval on the Time and Value
Progression Table rather than each minute, starting at one minute.
If you concentrate during the time interval, the subject gains no
bonus to the resistance to recover from that interval (as with a
normal sustained lasting FX).
SELECTIVE FX, RANKED
An FX with this feat is discriminating, allowing you to decide what is
and is not affected. This is most useful for area attacks. You must
be able to accurately perceive a target in order to decide whether or
not to affect it. If the FX requires an attack roll or allows a
resistance, then Selective is an extra instead of an FX feat.
SLOW FADE FX, RANKED
An FX that fades over time—such as a trait FX or an FX with the
Fades modifier—does so slower with this FX feat. Each application
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moves the time interval one step down the Time and Value
Progression Table: from one round to five rounds to one minute (10
rounds), and so forth.
SPLIT ATTACK FX, RANKED
With this feat, an FX normally affecting one target can split its FX
between two targets. The attacker chooses how many ranks to
apply to each target up to the FX’s total rank. So a rank 10 power
could be split 5/5, 4/6, 2/8, or any other total adding up to 10 (whole
numbers only). If an attack roll is required, the attacker makes one
roll, comparing the results against each target. The FX affects the
target normally at its reduced rank.
Each additional application of this feat allows the FX to split an
additional time, so two applications of this feat allows an effect to
split among three targets, then four, and so forth. An FX cannot split
to less than one rank per target, and cannot apply more than one
split to the same target.
SUBTLE FX, RANKED
Subtle FX are not as noticeable. A subtle FX may be used to catch
a target unaware and may in some cases qualify for surprise attack.
One application of this feat makes an FX difficult to notice; a DC 20
Perception check is required, or the FX is noticeable only to certain
exotic senses (at the GM’s discretion). A second application makes
the FX completely undetectable.
TRIGGERED FX, RANKED
An instant duration FX with this feat can be “set” to activate under
particular circumstances, such as in response to a particular
danger, after a set amount of time has passed, in response to a
particular event, and so forth. The circumstances must be
detectable by your senses. You can acquire Enhanced Senses
Limited to Triggered FX, if desired. Setting the FX requires the
same action as using it normally. Any necessary rolls are made
when you set the FX’s trigger. Setting the FX requires the same
action as using it normally.
A Triggered FX lying in wait may be detected with a Perception
check (DC 10 + FX rank) and in some cases disarmed with a
successful Infiltration check or appropriate FX check (such as
Nullify or another countering FX) with a DC of (10 + FX rank).
A Triggered FX is good for one use, an instant duration. You can
apply the Duration modifier to the FX as a whole to extend the
trigger’s duration, allowing the FX to go off multiple times, so long
as its duration lasts (this usually requires a continuous duration).
This does not affect the normal duration of the triggered FX itself.
If you apply this feat a second time, you can change the trigger
condition each time you set it.
VARIABLE DESCRIPTOR FX, RANKED
You can change the descriptors of an FX with this FX feat, varying
them as a free action once per round. For one rank with this feat,
you can apply any of a closely related group of descriptors, such as
weather, electromagnetic, so forth. For two ranks, you can apply
any of a broad group of descriptors, such as any mental, magical,
or technological descriptor. The GM decides if any given descriptor
is appropriate for use with a particular FX and this feat.
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FX Modifiers
FX modifiers enhance or weaken FX in various ways, sometimes
significantly changing how they work.
Applying Modifiers
Modifiers are permanent changes to how FX work. Positive
modifiers, called extras, increase an FX’s cost per rank by 1.
Negative modifiers, called flaws, reduce an FX’s cost per rank by 1.
To determine the final cost, add the FX’s base cost per rank, plus
the total positive modifiers, minus the total negative modifiers. If the
result is a positive number, that’s the FX’s new cost per rank. So an
FX costing 2 points per rank with modifiers of +3 and –1 has a final
cost per rank of 4 points (2 + 3 – 1 = 4).
Fractional FX Cost
If modifiers reduce an FX’s cost to less than 1 power point per rank,
each additional –1 modifier beyond that adds to the number of
ranks you get by spending 1 character point on a 1-to-1 basis. So
1-point FX with a –1 modifier, rather than dropping to a cost of 0
points per rank instead gets 2 ranks for 1 character point.
An FX’s cost can be expressed as the ratio of character points per
rank (PP:R). So an FX costing 3 character points per rank is 3:1. If
that FX has a total of –2 in modifiers, it costs 1:1, or 1 character
point per rank. Applying another –1 modifier adds to the second
part of the ratio, making it 1:2, or 1 character point per two ranks,
and so forth.
Continue the progression for further reductions. Gamemasters may
wish to limit the final modified cost ratio of any FX in the campaign
(to 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, or whatever figure is appropriate). As a general
rule, 1:5 (five FX ranks per power point) should be the lowest
modified cost for an FX in d20 Advanced, but the GM sets the limit
(if any).
Partial Modifiers
You can apply a modifier to only some of an FX’s ranks and not
others in order to fine-tune the FX. A modifier must apply to at least
one rank, and may apply to as many ranks as the FX has. The
change in cost and FX applies only to the ranks with the modifier;
the unmodified ranks have their normal cost and FX.
Extras
Unless specified otherwise, the following extras increase an FX’s
cost per rank by 1 point per application of the extra.
ACTION +1 MODIFIER/STEP
Using an FX requires one of the following types of actions: reaction,
free, one, or two actions. Reducing the action required to use an FX
is a +1 modifier per step (two actions to one action, for example).
An FX’s required action cannot be reduced to none unless the FX is
permanent (in which case it is generally automatic). Gamemasters
should be cautious about allowing this extra for attack FX.
Movement FX cannot take this extra, since the one action required
to use a movement FX is part of the character’s normal movement.
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AFFECTS OBJECTS +0/+1 MODIFIER
A Fortitude FX with this modifier works on non-living objects (those
with no Constitution score). Generally, this extra applies to FX that
heal or weaken living creatures, such as Boost, Drain, Healing, and
Regeneration, allowing them to work on objects in the same way. If
the FX works only on objects, and not living creatures, this is a +0
modifier.
AFFECTS OTHERS +0/+1 MODIFIER
This extra allows you to give someone else use of a personal FX.
You must touch the subject as one action, and they have control
over their use of the FX, although you can withdraw it when you
wish.
If you are unable to maintain the FX, it stops working, even if
someone else is using it. Both you and your subject(s) can use the
FX simultaneously. If the FX only affects others, and not you,
there’s no change in cost (a +0 modifier), essentially a combination
of Affects Others and Limited (only others). You can increase the
number of characters you can grant the FX to simultaneously with
the Progression FX feat.
ALTERNATE RESISTANCE +0/+1 MODIFIER
An FX with this modifier targets a different resistance than usual.
The FX and modifier remain the same, only the resistance differs.
This is particularly important for Toughness resistance FX, which
have a base resistance of 5 + rank, rather than 10 + rank. If you
change an FX with a Toughness resistance to another resistance,
its resistance remains 5 + rank.
When applied to FX requiring a Toughness resistance, Alternate
Resistance is a +1 modifier and can only make the FX's resistance
Fortitude or Will. Fortitude generally represents a toxic FX like a
poison, while Will represents a mental or spiritual attack. In either
case the FX only works on targets with the appropriate resistance:
Fortitude only affects living targets with a Constitution score. Will
only affects creatures with all three mental ability scores. Neither
works on inanimate objects.
Applied to FX requiring some other resistance, this modifier does
not change an FX's cost (it is a +0 modifier). The GM may choose
to add a modifier if the alternate resistance grants a significant
advantage in the campaign, but usually the differences in utility
against various targets even out.
AREA +1 MODIFIER
This extra allows an FX that normally works on a single target to
affect an entire area. Area FX are defined as targeted or general,
by their shape, and by their interaction with FX range and duration.
FX that already affect a given area cannot apply this modifier; their
area is defined by the FX’s rank and the use of the Progression FX
feat.
Area FX Shape
Choose one of the following options:
• Burst: The FX fills a sphere with a 5-foot radius per rank.
Bursts on level surfaces (like the ground) create hemispheres
(rank x 5 feet) in radius and height.
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• Cloud: The FX fills a sphere 5-feet in diameter (not radius) per
rank and lingers in that area for one round after its duration
expires (affecting any targets in the area normally during the
additional round). Clouds on level surfaces (like the ground)
create hemispheres (rank x 5 feet) in diameter and half that
distance in height.
• Cone: The FX fills a cone with a final length, width, and height
of 10 feet per rank, spreading out from the FX’s starting point.
Cones on a level surface halve their final height.
• Cylinder: The FX fills a cylinder with a total radius and height
of 5 feet per rank. So, for example, a rank 10 Cylinder Area
could have a 20-foot radius and a height of 30 feet, a 10-foot
radius and a height of 40 feet, or any other combination adding
up to 50 feet (10 ranks x 5 feet).
• Line: The FX fills a path 5 feet wide and 10 feet per rank long
in a straight line.
• Perception: The FX works on anyone able to perceive the
target point with a particular sense, chosen when you apply
this extra, like a Sense-Dependent FX (see the Sense-
Dependent modifier). Targets get a Reflex resistance, as usual,
but if the resistance is successful suffer no effect (rather than
half). Concealment that prevents a target from perceiving the
FX also blocks it. Perception Area FX must be General, and
cannot be Targeted. This modifier includes the Sense-
Dependent flaw so it cannot be applied again. If it is applied to
an already Sense-Dependent FX, it is a +2 extra rather than
+1.
• Shapeable: The FX fills a 5-foot square cube per rank, and
you may arrange the area’s volume in any shape you wish, so
long as all of the cubes are touching. Each application of the
Progression FX feat increases the number of cubes per rank
(2, 5, 10, and so forth).
• Trail: The FX fills a line up to 10 feet per rank behind you as
you move, affecting anyone in the area you’ve moved through.
Note the action required to use the FX does not change unless
you also apply an Action modifier. So as a default, you have to
take one action each round to use a Trail Area attack FX.
Enlarging and Reducing
Area
You may affect a smaller area than your maximum by lowering the
FX’s rank (reducing its effectiveness as well). So a rank 8 burst
area has a radius of 40 feet (8 x 5 feet). If you lower the FX’s rank
to 4, you reduce the radius to 20 feet. FX with the Full Power
drawback cannot adjust their area, since you cannot voluntarily
lower the FX’s rank.
The Progression FX feat increases the size of an Area effect,
moving its base distance one step up the Time and Value
Progression Table. Since FX feat use is optional, you can choose
not to use extra area provided by Progression without lowering the
FX’s rank.
The Progression feat can also reduce the size of an Area FX: each
feat acquired for this purpose lowers the FX’s effective rank by one
to a minimum of one rank. This is a separate application of
Progression and is likewise optional, you choose how much to
reduce the area’s size, or if you reduce it at all.
Area and Range
The Area modifier interacts with different ranges as follows:
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• Touch: An FX must be at least touch range in order to apply
the Area extra (personal range effects work only on the user by
definition). A Touch Area FX originates from the user and fills
the affected area; the user is not affected by it. So, for
example, a touch range Burst Area Damage FX does not
damage the user. This immunity does not extend to anyone
else: for that, apply the Selective Attack extra.
• Ranged: A ranged Area FX’s area can be placed anywhere
within the FX’s range, extending to fill the area’s volume.
• Perception: A perception range area FX can be placed
anywhere the user can accurately perceive. Neither General
nor Targeted Perception Area FX require an attack roll to
reduce their effects, although targets still get a normal
resistance against the FX. General Perception Areas are
blocked by concealment: if the attacker can’t accurately
perceive a target in the area, it is unaffected. Thus even heavy
smoke or darkness can block a General Perception Area effect.
Cover that does not provide concealment does not block a
General Perception Area FX. Targeted Perception Area FX are
blocked by cover, much like conventional explosions: solid
barriers can interfere with the FX, even if they are transparent,
and the FX ignores concealment like darkness, shadows, or
smoke. Only targets behind complete cover are unaffected.
Area and Duration
If the Area effect has a duration longer than instant, choose one of
the following options (with no change in cost):
• Stationary: A stationary Area FX remains where it is placed for
as long as the FX lasts. Anyone in the area (or entering the
area) is affected for as long as they remain. Anyone leaving the
area is no longer affected.
• Attached: An attached Area effect remains with the targets it
initially affects for as long as the FX lasts, even if those targets
leave the initial area. Others who enter the area after the initial
FX are not affected by it, only the initial targets.
ATTACK +0 MODIFIER
This extra applies to personal range FX, making them into attack
FX. Examples include Shrinking and Teleport, creating attacks that
cause a target to shrink or teleport away. Unlike most extras, the
FX’s cost does not change, although it does work differently.
The FX no longer works on you, so a Teleport Attack can’t be used
to teleport yourself. It affects one creature of any size or 100 lbs. of
inanimate mass. You can increase affected mass with the
Progression FX feat. The FX has touch range and requires one
action and a melee attack roll to touch the subject. Its ranged can
be improved with the Range extra. Its required action can be
changed with the Action modifier. The attack must overcome the
character's resistances, determined when the FX is purchased.
Generally Will resistance is the most appropriate.
You must define reasonably common defenses that negate an
Attack FX entirely, such as force fields or the ability to teleport
blocking a Teleport Attack. You control the FX, and maintain it, if it
has a duration longer than instant.
If you want both versions of an Attack FX, such as being able to
Teleport yourself and Teleport others as an attack, take both as
configurations of an Array structure. For the ability to use both
options simultaneously—to teleport a target and yourself at the
same time, for example—apply a +1 modifier.
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AURA +1 MODIFIER
A touch range sustained duration FX with this extra automatically
affects anyone touching you, including anyone who strikes or
grapples you unarmed, as well as anyone you touch or grapple.
To apply this extra, first modify the FX’s range and duration, if they
are not already touch and sustained, then apply the Aura modifier.
So a Damage FX (which is touch range and instant duration) would
need a +2 Duration modifier along with the +1 Aura modifier.
You can turn your aura on or off as a free action and it is sustained
in duration (the FX itself has its normal duration, so an Inflict
(Condition) Aura’s effect is still instant in duration and lasting). You
can change your aura FX’s duration with Duration modifiers. You
can apply the Selective feat to change what parts of your body the
aura covers as a free action; it normally surrounds you completely.
Any attacker who makes a successful unarmed attack or a
successful attack roll to begin a grapple is automatically affected by
your Aura. This includes those attacks which you successfully block
in such a manner that the attacker comes into contact with your
Aura. The attacker gets a normal resistance against the Aura’s FX.
An attacker using a melee weapon does not come into direct
contact with your Aura and therefore is generally not affected by it,
although the Aura may affect the weapon itself. Descriptors can
also affect this; for example, an Electrical Damage Aura could
conduct through a metal weapon, affecting the wielder, while
leaving the weapon itself largely undamaged. The Gamemaster
should adjudicate these on a case-by-case basis.
If you make an unarmed attack while your Aura is active, a Damage
Aura stacks with your melee damage, while targets resist other
Aura FX separately. The total damage modifier may not exceed the
campaign's power level.
You can also inflict your Aura effect on anyone you successfully
touch (including many attempts to Gain Combat Advantage; you
only need to make a successful attack roll to touch someone. The
FX occurs whether or not you win the opposed Maneuver check.
The maneuver must still involve you directly touching your target. It
occurs again each round on your action so long as you hold the
target, which is likely to encourage your opponent to escape as
soon as possible.
If you activate your Aura while being held, it affects anyone
grabbing you automatically (and, again, will likely encourage them
to let go). An Aura FX does not provide any protection against
attacks (beyond dissuading opponents from attacking you
unarmed); use an appropriate defense FX like Endurance for that.
Mental Aura
Optionally, an Aura may be set up as a Mental Aura, “surrounding”
your mind rather than your body. This has the same cost and
requirements as a regular Aura FX. In this case, the Aura affects
anyone “touching” your mind with an FX like Mind Reading or Mind
Control. Otherwise, it works essentially the same: you immediately
damage the aggressor during the Mental Aura FX and must do so
again on each of your actions so long as mental contact is
maintained.
BARRAGE +1 MODIFIER
One of your attacks is unleashed in a fusillade, a dangerous
onslaught that can score many hits in quick succession, dealing
heavy damage. A barrage allows you to build up a dice pool which
is used to roll for the attack's effect. If you hit a target with an attack
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which has this extra, make an attack roll again. If that second attack
roll hits, add one die to the dice pool, and then roll to attack again.
You can build up a dice pool of up to two bonus dice using this
extra. Roll your attack's effect with your normal one die plus this
dice pool, and take the highest result for determining the attack's
effect.
You can take this extra a second time to represent an even more
furious attack. Your dice pool can reach up to five dice instead of
just two.
CONTAGIOUS +1 MODIFIER
Contagious FX work on both the target and anyone coming into
contact with the target. New targets resist the FX normally. They
also become contagious, and the FX lingers until all traces have
been eliminated. A Contagious FX is also eliminated if you stop
maintaining it, although Continuous Contagious FX remain without
need for maintenance. Examples of FX with this extra include
“sticky” snares trapping anyone touching them, Contagious Disease
Drains, or even a Nullify FX spreading from one victim to another.
DISEASE +2 MODIFIER
This extra causes an instant duration FX to work like a disease. If
you overcome the target's resistance, the target is infected, but the
Disease FX does not work immediately. Instead, on the following
day, the target makes a check with the same resistance. If that
check fails, the FX occurs. If the check succeeds, there is no FX
that day. The target makes another check each day. Two successful
checks in a row eliminate the Disease FX from the target’s system;
otherwise it continues to occur each day. The target cannot recover
from the Disease FX until it is cured. A Healing FX can counter a
Disease effect with a (DC 10 + FX rank) check.
DURATION +1 MODIFIER/STEP
An FX has one of the following durations: Instant, Concentration,
Sustained, or Continuous. Increasing duration one step (from
instant to concentration, for example) is a +1 modifier. Permanent
duration is a flaw applied to Continuous FX.
EXPLOSION +1 MODIFIER
The FX with this modifier radiates out 10 feet per rank from a center
point, much like a Burst Area, except it loses one rank of
effectiveness per 10 feet after the first (having its full effect in the
first 10-foot radius, then minus 1 rank, minus 2, and so forth). You
are affected by the FX if you’re within it’s area, unless it’s a touch
range or you have Immunity to the FX.
IMPERVIOUS +1 MODIFIER
A resistance with this modifier is especially resistant. Any FX with
an effect modifier less than the Impervious resistance's bonus is
resisted automatically (that is, the resistance automatically
succeeds). So, for example, Impervious Toughness 8 automatically
resists any Damage with a bonus of +7 or less. Penetrating FX can
overcome some or all of an Impervious resistance.
Impervious is primarily intended for Toughness resistances, to
handle characters immune to a certain threshold of damage, but it
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can be applied to other resistances with the GM’s permission, to
reflect characters with certain reliable capabilities in terms of
resisting particular FX or hazards.
INDEPENDENT +0 MODIFIER
Applied to a sustained FX, this modifier makes its duration
independent of the user and based instead on the number of
character points in the FX. The FX occurs normally and then fades
at a rate of 1 character point of effectiveness per round until it is
gone. While it lasts, it requires no attention or maintenance from the
user, like a continuous duration FX, although it can still be
countered or nullified (also like a continuous FX). This is like a
combination of the Duration (continuous) and Fades modifiers. An
Independent Alternate FX continues to function even when the
Array is switched to a different configuration. If an effect is not
sustained, modify its duration before applying this modifier.
Independent is useful for FX like Create Objects (for objects that
fade or melt away), Environmental Control (for changes to the
environment that slowly return to normal), or Obscure (for obscured
areas that slowly shrink and disappear, like the FX of a smoke or
gas grenade). The Slow Fade FX feat can modify the rate at which
the Independent FX fades, and the Total Fade modifier can keep it
at full strength until its duration runs out, although the GM should
approve any increases in the fade duration as best suits the FX and
the game.
INSIDIOUS +1 MODIFIER
This modifier is similar to the Subtle FX feat, except Insidious
makes the result of an FX harder to detect rather than the FX itself.
For example, a target suffering from Insidious Damage isn’t even
aware he’s been damaged, someone affected by an Insidious Drain
feels fine until some deficiency becomes obvious, and so forth. A
target of an Insidious FX may remain unaware of any danger until
it’s too late!
An Insidious FX is detectable either by a DC 20 skill check (usually
Perception, although skills like Knowledge, or Science may apply in
other cases as the GM sees fit) or a particular unusual sense, such
as an Insidious magical FX noticeable by detect magic or magical
awareness.
Note that Insidious does not make the FX itself harder to notice;
apply the Subtle FX feat for that. So it is possible for an active
Insidious FX to be noticeable: the target can perceive the FX, but
not its results: for example, the FX appears “harmless” or doesn’t
seem to “do anything” since the target cannot detect the results.
KNOCKBACK +1 MODIFIER
When applied to a non-Damage FX, this extra causes it to inflict
knockback like a Damage FX. This is best suited to attack FX,
naturally, although the GM should adjudicate applications of the
modifier.
LINKED +0 MODIFIER
This modifier applies to two or more FX, linking them together so
they only work in conjunction as a single FX.
The Linked FX must have the same range (modify their ranges so
they match). The action required to use the combined FX is the
longest of its components and they use a single attack roll (if one is
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required) and roll to overcome effect resistance (if both FX use the
same type of resistance). If the FX use different resistances, roll to
overcome the target's resistances with each separately. Different
Alternate FX in an Array cannot be Linked to each other, since they
can’t be used at the same time, although they can be Linked to
other FX outside the Array structure. Generally the same FX cannot
be Linked to itself to “multiply” the results of a failed resistance
(such as two Linked Damage FX causing “double damage” on a
successful attack).
This modifier does not change the cost of the component FX;
simply add their costs together to get the new FX’s cost. If you can
use the Linked FX either separately or together, increase the cost
of all but the most expensive power by +1 per rank (if the FX all
have the same cost, choose one), or acquire non-Linked versions
as Alternate FX in an Array.
MAGICAL +1 MODIFIER
When applied to the base FX of an Array of Alternate FX, this
modifier provides an additional 2 character points per FX rank to
distribute among the FX of the array, which represent a mystical
energy source you can channel, such as mana, magical essence,
raw magic, and so on. No FX can have more character points
allocated to it than the base FX’s total cost without the Magical
modifier, but points can be shared among the Dynamic Alternate FX
of the array. You can apply Magical as a partial modifier to fine-tune
the number of additional character points it grants.
Unlike other Arrays, a character must make a Will check (DC 10 +
number of ranks of the Magical Extra the player wishes to use)
while re-allocating his Array points. On a failed Will check, the
attempt to change the Array fails, and depending on how much the
check fails by, the character may suffer progressively worse
conditions (see the condition table below).
MAGICAL STRAIN CONDITION
(STAGED)
-2 to future Will checks to use
Fail Strained
a Magical FX
Fail by 5 Strained + Dazed -1 actions
Strained + Dazed +
Fail by 10 Helpless
Unconscious
Recovery Recovery 10 minutes check
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All Magical FX with a Sustained duration have the Independent
modifier applied to them at no cost.
Note that at any given time, you are not required to “tap” into all or
even any of the bonus power points provided by the Magical extra.
If you choose to use none of the bonus character points granted by
this extra, no Will check is needed, and if you choose to use fewer
than the total ranks in Magical, your Will check DC is similarly
lowered.
Option: With GM permission, you may be permitted to
substitute an alternate resistance or even skill check in place of
the required Will check to represent other types of magic. For
instance, different skill checks might be appropriate for different
types or schools of magic.
MENTAL +0 MODIFIER
Applied to a perception range FX with a Will resistance, this
modifier makes it a mental sensory FX. If necessary, first modify the
FX’s range and resistance before apply this modifier. It is similar to
the Sense-Dependent flaw but is a +0 modifier because, unlike
Sense-Dependent, a Mental FX is less limited. Mental FX are
noticeable only to the subject and those observers with the
appropriate mental senses. They only work on creatures with
mental ability scores. Other sensory FX may interfere with or block
mental sensory FX.
NO RESISTANCE +2 MODIFIER
An FX that normally needs to overcome a target's resistances does
not do so with the application of this modifier. Essentially, the target
is assumed to automatically fail to resist the FX. If applied to a
staged effect, the user must roll to overcome resistance as normal,
but the FX has its minimum possible effect (that of succeeding by
1) even if the roll would normally fail.
Immunity (and any other FX where a character automatically
resists) trumps this modifier; targets immune to an FX are equally
immune to No Resistance versions of that FX.
Note: No Resistance can be potentially unbalancing when
used by players, as it allows them to automatically overcome the
resistances of even the most potent enemies. It is strongly
recommended that No Resistance be used sparingly, even for
NPCs.
PENETRATING +1 MODIFIER
This extra allows an attack FX to overcome the resistance afforded
by the Impervious modifiers. Reduce the ranks of the Impervious
modifier by the ranks of Penetrating FX. So Penetrating Damage 7
reduces the Imperviousness of a target’s Toughness by 7. So
Impervious Toughness 11 would be treated as +11 Toughness with
only 4 ranks of Impervious (11 – 7). Any remaining Impervious
Toughness is applied normally against the attack, so if the
Penetrating modifier does not reduce the Impervious modifier below
the attack’s damage bonus, the attack still has no effect.
Like Impervious, Penetrating is primarily intended for a Damage FX
to overcome Impervious Toughness resistance, to handle
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characters immune to a certain threshold of damage, but it can be
applied to other attacks with the GM’s permission, to reflect
characters able to break through even the hardiest resistances.
POISON +1 MODIFIER
This extra, when applied to an FX allowing a resistance, causes it
to work like a toxin. If the attack succeeds, the FX occurs. One
minute later, roll to overcome the target's resistances again. If you
succeed again, the target suffers the FX a second time. Then the
FX stops. A Healing FX can counter a Poison FX with a (DC 10 +
FX rank) check.
RANGE +1 MODIFIER/STEP
An FX has a range of touch, touch-perception, ranged, or
perception. Increasing range one step (from touch to ranged, for
example) is a +1 modifier. Going from touch or ranged to touch-
perception or perception is also a +1 modifier. Going from personal
to touch range requires the Affects Others or Attack extras, not this
extra. Extended range FX cannot have this modifier; their range
determined by FX rank. To change the FX’s range, increase or
decrease its rank.
SECONDARY EFFECT +1 MODIFIER
An instant FX with this modifier affects the target once immediately
(when the FX is used) and then affects the target again on the
following round, on the same initiative count as the initial attack.
Roll to overcome the target's resistance with the secondary effect,
which is treated as lasting, meaning it occurs without any effort on
the part of the attacker, even if the attacker is incapacitated or
switches to a different Alternate FX or Variable FX configuration.
Secondary Effects don’t stack, so if you attack a target with your
Secondary Effect on the round after a successful hit, it doesn’t
affect the target twice; it simply delays the second FX for a round.
You can attack the target with a different FX, however. So, for
example, if you hit a target with a Secondary Effect Damage then,
on the following round, hit with an Inflict (Condition) attack, the
target suffers both the Inflict and the Secondary Effect of the
Damage.
SELECTIVE ATTACK +1 MODIFIER
An attack FX with this extra is discriminating, allowing you to decide
who is and is not affected. This is most useful for Area FX. You
must be able to accurately perceive a target in order to decide
whether or not to affect it. This modifier is for FX which would
normally allow resistance. For other area FX, use the Selective FX
feat.
SLEEP +0 MODIFIER
When this modifier is applied to an FX that causes
unconsciousness (such as Damage or Inflict (Condition)), the FX
puts targets into a deep sleep whenever it would normally render
them unconscious. The target makes a recovery check to wake up
only once per hour rather than once per minute, but may be
awoken by loud noise (make a Perception check for the subject
with a –10 modifier, a successful check means the subject wakes
up). Someone taking an aid action can awaken a sleeping
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character automatically. A sleeping character that takes damage
automatically wakes up.
TOTAL FADE +1 MODIFIER
FX with this extra don’t fade gradually, at the normal at a rate of 1
character point per round. Instead, when the total fade time is up,
the trait returns to its normal level. For example, an ability score
receives an adjustment of 10 points. This would normally fade in a
minute, or ten rounds (at a rate of 1 point per round). With total
fade, the ability score retains the 10-point adjustment for one
minute, and then loses the entire amount at once, back to its
original value.
Note: Gamemasters should be cautious about allowing this
modifier in conjunction with more than one or two ranks of the
Slow Fade FX feat; it can be an easy way to create long-lasting
FX requiring no effort from the user.
VAMPIRIC +1 MODIFIER
When you successfully damage a target with an attack FX with this
extra, you can make an immediate recovery check for the same
damage condition you inflict (or a lesser condition, if you wish). You
get a bonus on the check equal to your attack’s damage bonus. So,
if you inflict a staggered result on a target with a vampiric attack,
you can make an immediate recovery check if you are staggered. If
you are not staggered, only injured, you can still make the check.
That would not be the case if you inflicted an injured result with a
vampiric attack and were staggered; an injured condition is less
than a staggered condition, so you don’t get a check to recover
from it.
WIDE +1 MODIFIER
When applied to the base FX of an Array of Alternate FX, this
modifier provides an additional 2 character points per FX rank to
distribute among the FX of the array. No FX can have more
character points allocated to it than the base FX’s total cost without
the Wide modifier, but points can be shared among the Dynamic
Alternate FX of the array. You can apply the Wide modifier multiple
times; each time, it increases the number of character points
available to the array by 2 per rank in the base FX. You can apply
Wide as a partial modifier to fine-tune the number of additional
character points it grants.
Note: Wide used by itself is a potentially unbalancing ability
that can essentially grant a character tremendous number of
"free" character points for a dynamic array. Be wary of players
attempting to find point breaks with this ability. You may wish to
encourage them to use the Magical extra, which uses a similar
concept with some additional restrictions to help even the benefit
out more.
Flaws
Unless specified otherwise, the following flaws reduce an effect’s
cost per rank by 1 point per application. A good rule of thumb for
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deciding whether a particular limitation on an FX should suffer a
flaw or only a drawback is to look at how often the limitation will
come into play. If a limitation cuts the utility to power of an FX by
half, then it qualifies as a flaw. If it hampers an FX by less than that,
it probably only qualifies for a drawback.
ACTION -1 MODIFIER/STEP
Using an FX requires one of the following types of actions: reaction,
free, one, or two actions. Increasing the required action one step
(one to two actions, for example) is a –1 modifier. After two actions,
each step up the Time and Value Progression Table (two actions to
one minute, then five minutes, etc.) is a 1-character FX drawback.
ADDITIONAL RESISTANCE -1 MODIFIER
An FX with this flaw must overcome two resistances rather than just
one, if either resistance succeeds, then the target avoids the FX. It
only applies to FX that targets a resistance. The additional
resistance can be the same type as the first or a different
resistance; choose when the modifier is applied.
The resistances are assumed to occur simultaneously. For
example, a Damage Aura FX might involve whirling blades an
attacker can avoid with good Reflexes, preventing the Damage
from ever having a chance to pierce his toughness.
CHECK REQUIRED -1 MODIFIER
An FX with this flaw requires a check of some sort (usually a skill
check) with a Difficulty of (15 + FX rank) in order to work normally. If
the check fails, the FX doesn’t work, although the action required to
use it is expended (so attempting to activate an FX that takes one
action takes one action whether the check is successful or not).
The check occurs as part of the action to use the FX and provides
no benefit other than helping to activate it. Normal modifiers apply
to the check, however, and if you are unable to make the required
check for any reason, then the FX doesn’t work.
This check must be in addition to any check(s) normally required for
the FX. So, for example, the normal Perception check made in
conjunction with a sensory FX does not count as an application of
this flaw, and applying it means an additional check is required
before the FX’s normally required check(s).
Check Examples
Skill checks an FX may require include:
• Acrobatics: Suitable for FX requiring a measure of
coordination, athletics, or complex maneuvering.
• Art: Good for FX requiring a Will resistance, including sensory
and alteration FX like Morph, Illusion, and Mind Control.
• Infiltration: Best suited to sensory FX, particularly
Concealment.
• Knowledge: A Knowledge skill check might represent having
to know something about the subject of the FX (such as a
sciences Knowledge) or having to know something about the
FX itself (such as arcane lore or technology). Operating a
complex device may also require a Knowledge check.
• Persuasion: Good for FX intended to deceive, particularly
sensory FX like Concealment or Illusion.
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• Science: Works well for biological FX like Healing or others
requiring a Fortitude resistance or involving the body and
medicine.
Note: The GM is encouraged to set the check difficulty high
enough that a character still has an reasonable chance of failure
(around 50%), especially characters with very high skill check
modifiers. Generally speaking, the player shouldn't be getting
more points back for taking the Check Required flaw and still
automatically succeeding on the check than the player spends on
improving the appropriate skill. Keep in mind the broad utility of
skills, and that taking high ranks in skills is often to the benefit of
characters even without this flaw.
DISTRACTING -1 MODIFIER
Using a Distracting FX requires more concentration than usual,
causing you to lose your Defense bonus on any round the FX is
used or maintained. Traits allowing you to retain your Defense
bonus (such as the Uncanny Dodge feat) do not apply to
Distracting FX.
DURATION -1 MODIFIER/STEP
An FX has one of the following durations: instant, concentration,
sustained, or continuous. Reducing duration one step (sustained to
concentration, for example) is a –1 modifier. An FX’s duration
cannot be decreased below instant, and many FX become virtually
useless if their duration is decreased below concentration.
ESCALATES -1 MODIFIER/STEP
FX to which the Fades flaw can be applied may instead escalate to
represent a “ramping up” FX. Each round or use of the FX adds 1
character point, starting at 1 character point. Once the FX reaches
its maximum number of character points, it “burns out,” and needs
to be recovered in the same fashion as a faded FX.
FADES -1 MODIFIER
Each time you use an FX with this flaw, it loses 1 character point
(not rank) and a commensurate amount of effectiveness. For FX
with a duration longer than instant, each round is considered “one
use.” Once the FX reaches 0 points (or below the minimum cost for
one rank), it stops working. A faded FX can be “recovered” in some
fashion, such as recharging, rest, repair, reloading, and so forth.
The GM decides when and how a faded FX recovers, but it should
generally occur outside of combat and take at least an hour’s time.
The GM may allow a character to recover a faded FX immediately
and completely by spending a hero die. The Slow Fade extra
reduces the rate at which an FX fades.
FEEDBACK -1 MODIFIER
You suffer pain when a manifestation of your FX is damaged. This
flaw only applies to FX with physical (or apparently physical)
manifestations, such as Create Objects, Illusion, or Summon
(Minion), for example. If your FX’s manifestation is damaged, the
attacker rolls to overcome your resistance, using the
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manifestation’s Toughness resistance bonus or FX rank in place of
your own. For example, if you create a Toughness 12 object and it
is attacked for +15 damage, your opponent rolls a damage check
with a +15 modifier against a Toughness resistance of 22 (the
object’s Toughness in place of your normal Toughness resistance).
LIMITED -1 MODIFIER
An FX with this flaw is not effective all the time. Limited FX
generally break down into two types: those usable only in certain
situations and those usable only on certain things. For example
Only Usable While Singing Loudly, Only Usable While Flying, Only
Usable on Men (or Women), Only Usable Against Fire, Not Usable
on Yellow Things, and so forth. As a general rule, the FX must lose
about half its usefulness to qualify for this modifier.
A great many other modifiers can be seen as variations on the
Limited flaw (such as Unreliable, which also makes an FX
ineffective about half the time), a number of examples are provided
throughout these rules, but players and GMs should feel free to
come up with their own.
Partially Limited
If your FX is only somewhat effective in particular circumstances,
then apply the flaw to only some of its ranks. For example, an
attack FX that does half damage against targets with Enhanced
Toughness (to represent a diminished ability to penetrate armor, for
example) applies the Limited flaw to only half of its ranks.
PERMANENT -1 MODIFIER
A continuous FX with this flaw cannot be turned off; it is always on
by default. If some outside force turns it off—usually a Nullify FX—it
turns back on automatically as a reaction at the earliest opportunity.
Additionally, you cannot improve a Permanent FX using Hero Dice.
This includes adding temporary FX feats. Permanent FX may be
rather inconvenient at times (including things like being
permanently incorporeal or 30 feet tall); this is included in the value
of the Permanent flaw. Permanent FX that are not inconvenient in
any way generally don’t qualify for this flaw, and the Gamemaster
should control the application of the Permanent flaw to ensure it is
actually a flaw.
PHANTASM -1 MODIFIER
This flaw applies to FX like Concealment, Illusion, Morph, Obscure,
and others that alter how things appear. A phantasmal FX controls
how others perceive things rather than creating an actual, physical,
FX. A phantasm has no effect on a mindless subject (like most
machines) and must overcome a target's Will resistance to have
effect if an observer has any reason to believe it isn't what it
appears (just like detecting an illusion). Phantasm includes a
measure of the Resistance Allowed flaw, so it doesn’t apply,
although Additional Resistance may.
RANGE -1 MODIFIER/STEP
An FX has a range of touch, touch-perception, ranged, or
perception. Decreasing an FX’s range by one step (from ranged to
touch, for example) is a –1 modifier. Decreasing a perception or
touch-perception to ranged or touch is also a -1 modifier. Extended
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range FX have their range determined by FX rank. To change the
FX’s range, increase or decrease its rank; this flaw does not apply.
Touch range FX cannot usually decrease their range, since it limits
the FX to the user, which generally makes the FX more of a
drawback than anything. In cases where it’s allowed, moving a
touch range FX to personal is also a –1 flaw.
REQUIRES COMBAT ADVANTAGE -1 MODIFIER
An FX with this flaw is a surprise attack, which requires you to have
Combat Advantage against a target before using the FX. This
generally applies to an FX that is usable against others, since you
can only use it against a foe who is more vulnerable than normal. If
you do not gain combat advantage, you cannot use the FX.
RESISTANCE ALLOWED -1 MODIFIER
When applied to an FX that doesn’t normally allow resistance, this
flaw gives allows one, generally Fortitude or Will. If an FX already
allows resistance (even if the FX is harmless), this flaw does not
apply. Instead, use the Additional Resistance flaw. Since FX that
work on others allow resistance by definition, this flaw nearly
always applies to personal FX that allow someone interacting with
them to circumvent the FX with a successful resistance.
For example, an Enhanced Defense FX might reflect a
subconscious psychic broadcast that makes it difficult for
opponents to attack you. However, it may allow Will resistance to
avoid the FX, denying you the Defense bonus against that
opponent (and applying this flaw to the FX). Likewise, your
Concealment FX might be illusory, permitting a Will resistance for
someone to deny it.
RESTORATIVE -1 MODIFIER
A trait FX with this flaw only restores traits to their normal values
and cannot raise or lower them above or below that level. Traits
restored to their normal values do not fade, as normal.
SENSE-DEPENDENT -1 MODIFIER
A perception range FX with this flaw works through the target's
senses rather yours. So a Sight-Dependent FX requires the target
to see you, Hearing-Dependent to hear you, and so forth.
Opponents aware of a Sense-Dependent FX can also deliberately
block the targeted sense: looking away, covering ears, etc. as a
free action on their turns. This gives you partial concealment from
that sense but your Sense-Dependent FX has a -5 penalty to its
effect modifier for the purpose of targeting that opponent. An
opponent unable to sense you at all (blind, deaf, etc.) is immune to
the FX. Opponents can do this by closing their eyes, wearing ear-
or nose-plugs, or using another FX like Obscure or a Concealment
Attack on you. This gives you total concealment from that sense.
Note a Sense-Dependent FX based on the sense of touch is
essentially the same as touch range, since you still need to touch
the target. This modifier isn’t required; reduce the FX’s range to
touch instead. Ranged Touch-Dependent FX aren’t allowed.
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SIDE EFFECT -1/-2 MODIFIER
Failing to successfully use an FX with this flaw causes some
problematic side effect. Failure includes missing an attack roll, or
failing to overcome the target's resistance. If the side effect always
occurs when you use the FX, it is a –2 modifier. The exact nature of
the side effect is for you and the Gamemaster to determine.
As a general guideline, it should be an FX about the same in value
as the FX with this flaw, not including the cost reduction for the flaw.
So an FX with a cost of 20 points should have a 20-point side
effect. Typical side effects include Damage, Drain, and Inflict
(Condition), or the same FX as the FX (it essentially rebounds and
affects you). The Side Effect does not require an attack roll and
only affects you, although the GM may permit some Side Effects
with the Area modifier on a case-by-case basis.
Some “side effects” of FX may actually be Temporary Disabilities.
TIRING -1 MODIFIER
An FX with this flaw causes you to suffer a level of fatigue when
you use it. If you use such an FX once, you suffer a -2 penalty to all
Strength- and Constitution-related checks. If you use it a second
time, you suffer a -5 penalty to Strength- and Constitution-related
checks. If you use it a third time, you fall unconscious. You recover
from this fatigue normally, and can use Hero Dice to overcome it.
UNCONTROLLED -1 MODIFIER
You have no control over an FX with this flaw. Instead, the
Gamemaster decides when and how the FX works. This flaw is
best suited for mysterious FX out of the characters’ direct control or
FX the GM feels more comfortable having under direct, rather than
player, control.
UNRELIABLE -1 MODIFIER
An Unreliable FX doesn’t work all the time. Roll a die each round
before you use or maintain the FX. On a roll of 10 or less, it doesn't
work this turn, but you’ve still used the action the FX requires. You
can check again on the following round to see if it works, although
you must take the normal action needed to activate the FX again.
Spending a hero die on your reliability roll allows you to succeed
automatically (since the roll is then at least an 11).
Alternately, instead of having a reliability roll, you can choose to
have five uses where your FX works normally, then it stops working
until you can “recover” it in some way (see the Fades flaw for more
on this). The GM may allow you to spend a hero die to
automatically recover a spent Unreliable FX.
FX that are only occasionally unreliable (less than about 50% of the
time) are better handled as complications.
FX Drawbacks
Some drawbacks are FX drawbacks, meaning they apply to a
particular FX rather than necessarily to the character. You can think
of FX drawbacks as the reverse of FX feats: minor limits on the FX.
An FX can have a total value in drawbacks equal to 1 point less
than its total cost (so the FX must cost at least 1 character point,
regardless of how many drawbacks it has).
FX drawbacks decrease the actual cost and value of a FX. This is
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important for things like Array and Variable structures, which are
limited by the number of character points they have to allocate. So
an FX with 20 points worth of FX (including modifications from
extras and flaws), an FX feat, and a –2 point FX drawback has a
total cost of 19 points (20 + 1 – 2), meaning, among other things, it
fits “inside” a 20-point Array or Container.
Rule of Thumb: A good rule of thumb for deciding whether a
particular limitation on an FX should suffer a flaw or only a
drawback is to look at how often the limitation will come into play.
If a limitation cuts the utility to power of an FX by half, then it
qualifies as a flaw. If it hampers an FX by less than that, it
probably only qualifies for a drawback.
Drawback Value
A drawback’s power point value is based on two things: its
frequency (how often the drawback affects your character) and its
intensity (how seriously the drawback affects your character). The
more frequent and intense the drawback, the more points it’s worth.
Drawbacks generally range in value from 1 character point for
something that comes up rarely and has little effect to 5 character
points for a drawback that comes up all the time and seriously
weakens the character.
Frequency
Drawbacks have three levels of frequency: uncommon, common,
and very common. Uncommon drawbacks show up about a quarter
of the time, every four adventures or so. Common drawbacks show
up about half the time, and very common drawbacks show up
three-quarters of the time or more.
Each level has a frequency check associated with it, which is a
simple d20 roll with no modifiers against a DC (15, 10, or 5). A GM
who wants to randomly check a drawback makes a frequency
Option: Drawbacks as Complications
As introduced in Chapter I: The Basics, Drawbacks don't
necessarily need to grant a character additional character points.
Instead of granting a character additional character points, you
can instead choose to treat drawbacks like complications, which
will grant the character bonus Hero Dice instead. If you choose
this option, ignore the frequency value for drawbacks: calculate a
drawback's value only according to its intensity.
When the drawback comes up in play, up to once per encounter,
the drawback provides grants the character a number of bonus
Hero Dice equal to the drawback's intensity. In this way, while the
character is at a disadvantage during an encounter which exploits
his or her drawbacks, but gains a little extra edge in the form of
additional Hero Dice for the fight.
If you use this option, you also have the choice of only granting
those bonus Hero Dice for the length of the encounter itself (that
is, they are lost at the end of the encounter if not used). In this
way, the bonus applies only to the encounter in which the
drawback arises, and does not carry through to other encounters
later in the session. This is another option you can use to
customize your game.
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TABLE 5.13: DRAWBACK VALUE FULL POWER -1 POINT

Value Frequency: How Often Does The Drawback Come Up?
+0 Uncommon (every few adventures. DC 15)
+1 Common (every other adventure, DC 10)
+2 Very Common (once per adventure, DC 5)
Intensity: How Seriously Does The Drawback Affect
Value
You?
Minor: DC 5 to overcome, less capable than the character,
+1
or slight limitation.
Moderate: DC 10 to overcome, as capable as character, or
+2
modest limitation
Major: DC 15 to overcome, more capable than the
+3
character, or major limitation
check to see if it shows up in the adventure. Otherwise, the GM can
simply choose to bring a drawback into play based on its frequency.
Note that frequency represents how often the drawback comes up
during the game, not necessarily how common it is in the campaign
setting. Even if glowing meteors are extraordinarily rare in the
setting, if they show up every other adventure, they’re still common
in frequency.
Intensity
The intensity of a drawback measures how much impact it has on
the character. There are three levels of intensity: minor, moderate,
and major. Minor drawbacks have a slight impact or are not difficult
to overcome. Moderate drawbacks impose some limits, but can be
overcome about half of the time. Major drawbacks impose serious
limits and are quite difficult to overcome.
You have less than full control over an FX. FX subject to this
drawback must be used at full rank or intensity, or not at all. This
means you cannot pull punches with an attack, move at less than
full speed, and so forth, depending on the FX to which this
drawback is assigned. You can still turn the FX on and off as you
wish (it is neither Permanent nor Uncontrolled), you just can’t fine-
tune it, it’s either on at full intensity or off entirely. You can’t have the
Precise feat for any FX with this drawback. Full Power is an
uncommon, minor drawback, worth 1 point.
FX LOSS -1 TO -3 POINTS
You lose the use of a FX with this drawback under certain
conditions. Examples include when exposed to a particular
substance, when immersed in water, when unable to speak, and so
forth. You can also suffer FX loss from a failure to do something,
like not recharging a FX, breaking an oath, not taking a pill, and so
forth. FX Loss is minor intensity, with frequency based on how often
you encounter the conditions, giving it a value of 1–3 points. You
regain use of the FX when the condition that triggered the loss no
longer affects you.
The loss of Devices and Equipment is not covered by this
drawback. Losing Device and Equipment powers due to theft is a
part of those traits and factored into their cost. So characters
cannot take FX Loss with the condition “when devices or equipment
are removed.”
-1 TO -6
INVOLUNTARY TRANSFORMATION POINTS

You have two or more forms or identities you sometimes change

Drawback between against your will. The value of the drawback is based on
how often you change (frequency) and how difficult it is for you to
resist the change (intensity). If you cannot resist the change, no

Descriptions matter what, the intensity value is 3 points. If you involuntarily

switch between powered and normal forms, you also have the
Normal Identity drawback.
Each entry here describes the drawback’s game effect and its
suggested value(s). Gamemasters should feel free to expand or
modify this list of drawbacks to suit the campaign, using the existing
examples as guidelines in terms of mechanics and point values.

ACTION -1 POINT/STEP

An FX requiring longer than two actions to use is considered a

drawback. Each step up the Time and Value Progression Table is a
1 point drawback. The drawback cannot equal or exceed the value
of the associated FX. So a FX costing 10 points cannot have more
than 9 points in this drawback (and meaning the FX takes three
months to use!).
This drawback can also apply to the time needed to switch between
Alternate FX in an Array: 1 point if a one action is required, 2 points
if two actions are required, each step up the Time and Value
Progression Table thereafter is an additional 1 point drawback. In
this case the drawback’s value cannot equal or exceed the FX’s
total Alternate FX feats, so a FX with three Alternate FX can only
get 2 points out of this drawback (requiring two actions to switch
between them).

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NORMAL IDENTITY -3 TO -5 POINTS hours plus certain resources (a lab, workshop, special equipment or
components, and so forth). It’s major if it takes a matter of days or
longer.
You have two identities: an empowered one and a normal one. This
is not the same as having a secret identity (although you may have
that, too, especially in games of the superhero genre). The REDUCED RANGE -1 TO -2 POINTS
difference is your normal identity has none of the FX or
extraordinary abilities of your empowered self. So in your normal
This drawback reduces the number of range increments of a
identity you might be an average teenager, businessman, or other
ranged FX, which normally has a maximum range of ten
everyday person. Characters with Devices may have this
increments. For –1 point, it reduces the FX to half that, or five
drawback, but not necessarily. For example, a character who wears
increments (the same as throwing range). For –2 points, it reduces
a suit of magic armor might have a Normal Identity while he’s out of
the FX to two increments. A greater reduction should be handled by
the armor, but someone who wields a magic ring doesn’t have a
making the FX touch range, possibly with some measure of the
Normal Identity unless he can’t wear or have the ring with him in his
Extended Reach feat, if necessary.
normal identity for some reason.
To qualify for this drawback there must be some reasonable means
of preventing you from changing from your normal to your TEMPORARY DISABILITY -1 TO -4 POINTS
empowered identity. For example, you might require access to a
Device (which can be stolen or disabled), you might need to speak
You suffer a disability in conjunction with the use of a FX. For
a magic word or incantation (blocked by an Auditory Obscure, a
example, if your arms transform into wings in order for you to fly
gag, or a simple chokehold), you might need to take a particular pill
(leaving you without the use of your arms and hands while flying)
or formula, and so forth. The GM decides whether or not a
then you have the disability of no arms, normally very common and
particular condition qualifies for this drawback. If you can switch
major (5 points) but reduced to common in frequency, since the
between a normal and empowered identity at will and nothing can
disability only applies when you’re flying. If you possessed
prevent it, you don’t qualify for this drawback. If you can’t always
prehensile feet (able to use them as substitute hands while flying)
control switching between identities, you also have the Involuntary
you would have no real disability at all, and thus no drawback.
Transformation drawback.
This drawback doesn’t apply to implied disabilities of an FX: for
You define the traits of your Normal Identity. Your Normal Identity
example, having an attack FX require the use of one hand when
cannot have any FX by definition, and the GM may restrict the
you use it (to wield a weapon or to strike) isn’t a disability, it’s just
application of feats and ability scores above 20. Your Normal
how such FX work. The GM should approve any temporary
Identity must also be built on fewer points than your super-identity
disabilities caused by FX to ensure they actually are disabilities and
(how many fewer is up to the GM, but no more than half is a good
are appropriate for the campaign.
rule of thumb). The simplest Normal Identity has the same traits as
your super identity, minus any FX. Your two identities may have
different appearances. WEAK POINT -1 POINT
The intensity of this drawback is major (since you lose access to all
your FX). The frequency depends on how difficult it is for you to This drawback makes a defense FX that provides a Toughness
assume your super-identity. If it takes a free action, then it's resistance vulnerable to critical hits. A critical hit completely
uncommon (2 points). If it takes a full-round action, it’s common (3 bypasses the FX, ignoring its bonus to Toughness resistances
points), and if it takes longer than a full-round action it’s very when the target resistances against the attack’s damage. This is in
common (4 points). addition to the normal FX of a critical hit (+5 damage). Weak Point
is a 1-point drawback.
NOTICEABLE -1 POINT

A passive FX with this drawback is noticeable in some way (active

FX are noticeable by default, see Noticing FX). Choose a
noticeable FX of the FX. For example Noticeable Mind Control
might cause the subject’s eyes to glow or skin to change color.
Noticeable Enhanced Toughness may take the form of armored
plates or a tough, leathery-looking hide. Noticeable is an
uncommon, minor drawback, worth 1 point.
ONE-WAY TRANSFORMATION -3 TO -5 POINTS
When you transform through the use of a FX such as Metamorph or
due to the Normal Identity or Involuntary Transformation
drawbacks, it takes some time for you to return to “normal.” This
may be due to a need to “bleed off” excess energy, letting the
transformation lapse slowly, or a requirement to reset certain
mechanical system parameters. Whatever the case, undoing your
transformation is involved.
One-Way Transformation is a very common drawback (less if you
don’t transform every adventure). Its intensity is minor if it takes a
matter of hours for you to return to normal. It’s moderate if it takes
FX Structures
A structure is how a supernatural ability is put together from a
combination of FX, modifiers, feats, and possibly drawbacks. The
normal FX structure described in the Introduction is:
FX cost = (components + extras – flaws) x rank + (feats –
drawbacks)
The minimum FX cost for this and all other structures is 1 character
point (although in some cases, 1 character point may provide more
than one FX rank, see Fractional FX Costs.)
ARRAY FX STRUCTURE
You have a collection or Array of (Array rank x 2) character points
you can use to duplicate other FX, which share the descriptors and
the points available to the Array. You can allocate your Array points
once per round as a free action to any of the FX of your Array. Your

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Array also has one “default” FX where it can apply its points;
choose this when you create the structure. Essentially, an Array is a
collection of FX, each structured in the standard way, but sharing
the same “pool” of character points. Each possible “setting” or
configuration of an Array is called an Alternate FX.
A particular Alternate FX includes all FX, FX feats, modifiers, and
drawbacks included in that particular FX. So if your Array gives you
20 character points to allocate, and you have an Alternate FX that
is a 4 points per rank FX with two FX feats, then you have 4 ranks
in that FX (for 16 character points) plus the two feats for a total cost
of 18 points. Any “leftover” Array points not allocated to an Alternate
FX don’t do anything.
Each Alternate FX of your Array requires an Alternate FX feat. So
being able to apply your Array points to the Damage FX is one FX
feat. To apply them to Damage with the Area extra is another FX
feat, to apply them to Enhanced Senses is a third feat, and so forth.
Alternate FX Power Level
Limits
Alternate FX are subject to the normal power level limits on FX. So,
even if you have sufficient Array points to acquire a rank 20
Damage FX, for example, you’re still limited to whatever the
campaign’s power level limit is on damage. This may result in
“wasted points” for some Alternate FX, as previously described, but
is generally more than compensated for by the flexibility an Array
provides. Non-player characters are limited in the same way to
whatever power level the GM sets for them.
Using Alternate FX
Each Alternate FX available to your Array is usable individually.
While one Alternate FX is in use, none of the others are available.
So if you have an Array with Damage, Dazzle, Enhanced (Trait),
and Enhanced Movement Alternate FX, for example, you can only
use one of these each round, the others don’t work and aren’t
considered in FX. The Dynamic FX feat (see Array’s FX feats,
following) changes this, allowing you to “mix-and-match” Alternate
FX.
Multiple FX in an Alternate
FX
An Alternate FX can contain more than one FX and you can use all
the FX of that Alternate FX normally, requiring their usual actions.
FX in the same Alternate FX need not be Linked, although they can
be. For example, a rank 10 Array with 20 character points can have
an Alternate FX that has Enhanced Movement 5 (10 points) and
Enhanced Toughness 10 (10 points), both usable at the same time.
Indeed, FX in the same Alternate FX must have points allocated to
them at the same time and in the same proportion in order to use
them at all, although they don’t have to be activated at the same
time unless they are Linked.
FX Feats
FX feats within a particular Alternate FX are considered part of it
and not feats of the Array itself. Thus points for the Array must be
assigned to those feats in order to make that Alternate FX active,
whether the feats are in use or not.
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Some FX feats apply to the Array structure itself rather than to any
of its Alternate FX. These feats are “outside” and apply equally to
all Alternate FX. The GM should carefully scrutinize any such
overall feats, ensuring they do in fact apply to the Array as a whole.
Array points do not need to be applied to these FX feats. way, but
sharing the same “pool” of character points. Each possible “setting”
or configuration of an Array is called an Alternate FX. Array points
do not need to be applied to these FX feats.
• Accurate: This FX feat can be applied to the Array as a whole,
granting its benefits to all of the Array’s FX requiring attack
rolls, since the Array can be considered a single FX (albeit one
with multiple applications).
• Alternate FX: This feat adds an additional Alternate FX to the
Array, another way in which its character points may be
applied, subject to the normal guidelines for Alternate FX, given
in the FX’s description.
• Dynamic: Applied to one of the Array’s Alternate FX, this feat
makes that Alternate FX dynamic, allowing it to share Array
character points with other Dynamic Alternate FX. Making the
default FX of an Array dynamic also requires an application of
this feat. Usually, an Array needs at least two Dynamic
configurations for this feat to be useful, although it can also be
handy for Arrays where one Alternate FX requires fewer points
than the Array provides (allowing those “wasted” points to be
applied elsewhere). The total point value of Dynamic Alternate
FX in use still cannot exceed the Array’s available character
points and the Array’s configuration can still only change once
per round.
Extras
Generally, extras are applied to the various FX in an Array’s
Alternate FX rather than to the Array itself. If a particular extra
applies to all of an Array’s Alternate FX equally, the GM may wish to
note it as applying to the Array itself for simplicity. The extra “floats,”
applying to whatever Alternate FX is in use at the time.
Example: An Array of gas cloud attacks might all have the
Cloud Area extra, in which case you can increase the cost
of the Array from 2 points to 3 points per rank and apply 2
character points per rank to each Alternate FX without the
need to apply points to the Cloud Area extra each time; it
applies to all of the Alternate FX at no “cost” (since the cost
•
is already covered by the increased cost of the Array).
Action: Note that the free action required to change an Array’s
configuration may only be reduced to a reaction at the GM’s
discretion to suit a particular concept (an Array that changes
automatically as a reaction to a particular circumstance). Even
in this case, the Gamemaster should be wary of allowing an
Array to reconfigure more than once per round.
• Affects Others: An Array may have this modifier, allowing you
to grant the use of the Array and its Alternate FX to someone
else. The subject granted the use of the Array controls its
configuration from round to round (although you retain the
ability to withdraw use of the Array altogether when you wish).
• Linked: FX in the same Alternate FX are not linked by default,
but may have this modifier, if they’re intended solely for use
simultaneously. So, for example, an Alternate FX can have two
independent FX (such as Enhanced Movement and
Concealment), but they are not Linked, and must be activated
separately unless the Linked modifier is applied to them.
• Range: An Array with the Affects Others modifier may have the
Range extra to improve the range at which you can grant the
Array to another. This does not alter the ranges of the Array’s
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various Alternate FX. To do so, apply the Range modifier to the
FX(s) within a particular Alternate FX.
Flaws
Alternate FX can have their own individual flaws, which reduce the
cost of the Alternate FX (and the number of Array character points
that must be allocated to it) normally. If a particular flaw applies to
all the configurations of an Array, then it may apply to the Array as a
whole, the same as with extras.
• Action: Modifying the action required to change an Array’s
configuration is a drawback rather than a flaw.
• Duration: Note that an Array has a “special” duration, which
cannot be modified. The Alternate FX of the Array use their
individual durations while in use. Switching Alternate FX counts
as no longer maintaining that Alternate FX FX(s). Lasting FX
persist even when they’re not maintained, however. This
remains the case if those lasting FX are part of an Array.
Option: Toning Down Array Versatility
For some games, Alternate FX might provide too much versatility
for too little price. While they are meant to represent different
settings of the same FX, they can indeed be problematic for
certain styles of gameplay. You might also simply want to
represent different levels of mastery or capability with FX (so that
not all new abilities in an array start of immediately as powerful as
the base FX).
You have a few options in this area which can help you to better
tune Alternate FX and arrays to your liking for your game. In both
cases, it is recommended that the GM allow players to use the
normal Alternate FX feat when using Hero Dice to stunt a novel
application of an FX, as there is very incentive in spending a hero
die to use a significantly weaker ability. The downside to using
these options is that players will tend to stick to their more
powerful abilities in combat anyway favoring the more powerful,
restricted set of abilities than the weaker, more versatile ones.
Half-Power
Each iteration of the Alternate FX feat allows an FX only half the
pool of character points that the base FX has (so it costs two
character points to use the full pool of base character points for an
alternate FX, three to make it dynamic). This works especially well
for games with very distinct levels of mastery of different abilities,
particularly games with spellcasters, where the first application of
Alternate FX buys the "apprentice"-level "spell", the second
makes it a "journeyman"-level, and the third makes it truly the
"master"-level spell. This option tends to make versatility
nominally more expensive, and gives the GM the option to veto
increases to arrays which threaten to grow too unwieldy.
Five-For-One
Alternatively, you can arrange it so that each application of the
Alternate FX feat buys only five character points worth of the base
FX back. Under this option, it would take four applications of the
Alternate FX feat to buy a new FX in an array It still encourages
characters to stick to stay with similar abilities, offering a five-fold
decrease in price, but it forces characters to work much harder
and be much more selective about how they build up their
versatility.
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• Distracting: An Array that is distracting to reconfigure is a
drawback rather than a flaw. The Array’s individual Alternate FX
may also be distracting to use, in which case the flaw is applied
individually to them, rather than the Array as a whole. If all the
Alternate FX of the Array are distracting, then the flaw may
apply to the entire Array structure but then does not apply to its
Alternate FX when figuring their cost.
Uncontrolled: If this flaw is applied to the Array structure
(rather than one or more of its Alternate FX) then the
Gamemaster controls when the Array’s configuration changes
and which one it changes to when it does. If the Array has
Dynamic Alternate FX, the GM also decides where its
character points are allocated. Uncontrolled applied to a
particular Alternate FX has its normal FX when that Alternate
FX is in use.
• Unreliable: If this flaw is applied to the Array as a whole
(rather than one or more of its Alternate FX), then changing the
Array’s configuration becomes Unreliable. The player must roll
a die when changing the Array, on a 10 or less the Array is
“stuck” on its current Alternate FX and doesn’t change.
Drawbacks
As noted previously, drawbacks applying to particular Alternate FX
of an Array are considered part of that Alternate FX and not the
Array structure as a whole.
Some drawbacks may apply to the Array structure overall, in which
case they also apply equally to all of the Array’s Alternate FX.
• Action: An Action drawback applied to an Array increases the
time required to change its configuration: each point of the
Action drawback increases the time one step on the Time and
Value Progression Table, from a free to one action, then two
actions, one minute, and so forth. This can represent an Array
requiring “recalibration” or some other involved effort to
reconfigure. As usual, the drawback cannot have a value
greater than or equal to the total value of the Array.
• Distracting: If changing the Array’s configuration is distracting
—causing you to lose your dodge bonus during the round you
reconfigure—this is a 2-point FX drawback for the Array.
• FX Loss: An Array may have circumstances where it is
ineffective or stops functioning, in which case all of the Array’s
FX become unavailable. Otherwise, the FX Loss drawback
applies to Array like any other FX.
CONTAINER FX STRUCTURE
A Container places a group of FX, modifiers, feats, and drawbacks
sharing common descriptors together in a structure that can be
modified as a whole FX by “outside” modifiers and feats affecting
the accessibility and use of the Container’s traits.
A Container costs 5 points per rank and grants a pool of (rank x 5)
character points you can use to acquire certain traits that are all
part of a common “meta-trait” or overall FX, an example of this is
the Alternate Form FX; a group of traits all connected to assuming a
different form. While the form’s FX may have their own individual
modifiers, durations, and so forth, the Alternate Form also has its
own qualities. Activating the Container structure brings all of its FX
“on-line” at once and likewise deactivating the structure makes all
of its FX “off-line” or inactive.
As you can see, at the default level, a Container has the same cost
as acquiring the traits independently (5 points per rank providing 5
character points per rank to spend on traits). The difference comes
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into play when modifiers are applied to the Container itself, and
when the Container’s own action and duration are considered.
Action
A Container as a whole is considered either active or passive, just
like an FX and this determines, and is determined by, the
Container’s action and duration:
An active Container requires a free action to make the Container’s
FX usable. This free action can also activate any FX in the
Container that also requires a free action or less to use at the same
time. An example is Alternate Form: a free action shifts the
character into the other form and activates any of its free action FX.
A passive Container does not require an action (it has an action of
none). Its FX are always available, although not necessarily always
active and it may require different actions to activate them
individually. An example is a Device, an item that contains various
FX. The Device is a passive Container for those FX, which are
always available, so long as the wielder has the Device, although
they may require activation on their own.
The Container’s required action does not affect the required actions
of its FX: they remain the same unless modified with extras or
flaws. So a Container that holds a Damage, Enhanced Movement,
and Enhanced (Trait) FX, for example, has an action of free or
none, by its FX still require one, one, and none actions,
respectively, to use.
You can change a Container’s action with extras and flaws like an
FX. This modifies the cost of the Container structure itself: so
changing an active Container’s action from free to one, for example
(a –1 modifier), changes the structure’s cost from 5 points per rank
to 4 points per rank (but the Container still grants 5 character points
per rank to apply to its FX).
Duration
An active Container has a default duration of sustained: the
Container’s FX remain accessible so long as you maintain the
Container’s activation each round as a free action. If you’re unable
to maintain the Container, you also lose access to its FX. If a
character in an alternate form is unable to maintain that FX, he
reverts to normal form.
A passive Container has a default duration of permanent: the
Container’s FX are always available and, in fact, cannot be made
unavailable unless some other modifier comes into play. Take a suit
of armor as a Device: it is a real, permanent item with certain traits
that don’t go away unless you take off the armor, which is a
particular flaw of Devices.
Like action, a Container’s duration does not affect the durations of
the FX it contains, with one exception: permanent duration FX in a
sustained or continuous duration Container do stop working if the
Container is deactivated. While active, these FX still have the
limitations of being permanent (no using Hero Dice to improve it, no
countering other FX) and you can’t switch them off selectively; you
have to deactivate the entire Container.
So, for example, a character who turns into solid stone has an
active Container with (among other things) the Enhanced
Toughness FX to reflect his rock-hard skin. Enhanced Toughness is
a permanent FX, meaning the character can’t improve it using Hero
Dice. He also can’t just choose to turn off his Toughness to allow a
hypodermic to penetrate his skin, for example. He needs to turn off
his entire Alternate Form Container, along with all its other FX. In
some cases, the GM may decide a permanent duration doesn’t
constitute a significant flaw when applied to an FX in a Container
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you can turn on and off, in which case the FX may have to have its
duration modified.
You can change a Container’s default duration with extras and
flaws just like an FX, which modifies the cost of the Container
structure: so changing an active Container’s default duration to
continuous (a +1 modifier), changes the cost of the structure from 5
points per rank to 6 points per rank (although the Container still
grants 5 character points per rank to apply to its FX).
Containers and Modifiers
In addition to the Action and Duration modifiers, certain other
modifiers may apply to a Container structure at the Gamemaster’s
discretion. As a general rule, a modifier must affect the ability to
activate, access, or maintain a Container in order to apply to it
rather than to its individual FX. The following are some guidelines
on applying other modifiers to Container structures:
• Action: An active Container can apply an Action flaw to take
longer to than a free action to activate.
• Affects Others: You can bestow a Container with this extra on
someone else. With the +0 version, you can only grant the
Container and its FX to others; with the +1 version, you can
grant the Container’s FX while also using them your- self. Note
that you can only grant all of a Container or none of it. The GM
may allow selective granting of FX for an additional +1 extra
(like the Selective Attack extra).
• Duration: A Container can apply a Duration flaw to change its
default duration.
• Limited: Certain Limited flaws—concerned with activation or
maintenance—may apply to Containers, such as only being
able to activate a Container at night. The flaws applied to the
Device structure are essentially particular Limited flaws.
• Range: Container structures are personal range by default and
cannot apply this extra unless they first have Affects Others
(which makes a Container touch range). One application allows
you to grant a Container’s FX at range, while two allow you to
grant them at perception range.
• Side Effect: This flaw can apply to Containers with Unreliable
or similar conditions that make their activation uncertain, in
which case the Side-Effect applies when the activation fails. If
the Side-Effect always applies, then no roll is required.
• Tiring: If activating an active Container causes fatigue, this
flaw can apply. It does not mean using the Container’s FX are
tiring, only activating the Container itself.
• Unreliable: If applied to an active Container, it means it
doesn’t always activate when you want it to. You need to make
a reliability roll each time, with the Container activating on a roll
of 11 or higher.
VARIABLE FX STRUCTURE
A Variable structure contains every trait of an appropriate type or
descriptor! Variable structures approach the level of plot devices
and are about as close as the Gamemaster should let player
characters get to those sorts of FX. Variable structures are
generally used for creating FX with highly situational or
indeterminate FX, where a set list of FX just won’t cover everything
the FX is supposed to be able to do. However, they come with their
own drawbacks, including both complexity and cost.
With a Variable structure, you have a pool of (rank x 5) character
points you can use to acquire certain other traits. No trait can have
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a rank or bonus greater than your Variable structure rank. The cost
per rank determines what types of traits you can acquire:
• 4 points: One trait of a particular type (ability scores, skills,
feats, or FX of a particular type or descriptor) at a time. Thus
you could acquire any one skill at a time, for example, or any
one FX.
• 5 points: Any one trait at a time.
• 6 points: Multiple traits of a particular type (ability scores,
skills, feats, or FX of a particular type or descriptor), so long as
the total traits do not add up to more than (rank x 5) character
points.
• 7 points: Multiple FX of any type or descriptor at once, so long
as the total traits do not add up to more than (rank x 5)
character points.
• 8 points: Any combination of traits adding up to (rank x 5) total
character points.
It takes one action to change the configuration of your Variable
structure’s points. The allocation of those points is sustained, so if
you stop maintaining your Variable structure for any reason (failing
a Expertise check to concentrate, for example), your allocated
points “reset” to a “null” value: you lose any acquired traits and you
must take the action to reconfigure your Variable points again to
regain them.
Any Variable points you are unable to spend due to your FX’s
limitations are “wasted” and not usable. So, for example, a
character with Variable 1 (any one skill, 4 points/rank) can acquire 1
rank in any one skill at a time (since the trait is limited to the FX’s
rank). This costs only a fourth of a character point, but the
remaining points can’t be allocated to anything, since the FX is
limited to one skill at a time. The same is true with feats and some
low-cost FX. Variable structures simply pay a premium for them.
You must also place a particular descriptor on your Variable
structure, limiting its scope to traits suited to that descriptor. For
example, a Variable structure that mimics other’s traits is limited to
the traits its subject(s) possess, a Variable structure providing
adaptations is limited to the stimulus to which it adapts, and so
forth. This descriptor does not reduce the cost of a Variable
structure unless it’s particularly narrow, and the GM is the final
arbiter of what constitutes a suitable Variable descriptor and what
descriptors are narrow enough to be considered flaws.
FX Feats
FX feats within a particular Variable structure configuration are
considered part of it and not feats of the FX itself. Thus character
points from the Variable structure must be assigned to those feats.
Some FX feats apply to the Variable structure rather than any of its
configurations. These feats are “outside” the FX’s character point
pool and apply equally to all of its configurations. The GM should
carefully scrutinize any such overall feats, ensuring they do in fact
apply to the Variable structure as a whole. The FX’s character
points do not need to be applied to these FX feats.
• Accurate: The GM may permit this FX feat to apply to a
Variable structure as a whole, granting its benefits to all of the
FX requiring attack rolls for its various configurations, since the
FX can be considered a single FX (albeit one with a wide range
of applications). However, the GM may choose to limit this feat
to suitably focused Variable structures.
• Alternate FX: A Variable structure essentially contains all
possible Alternate FX for its point value and descriptors, so it
does not require this FX feat to add new configurations, just the
permission of the Gamemaster.
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• Dynamic: Likewise, a Variable structure is already dynamic in
the allocation of its character points and does not need this FX
feat.
• Innate: A Variable structure may be Innate at the GM’s
discretion, in which case all of its configurations are Innate as
well. Individual configurations cannot be Innate; the entire
Variable structure must be Innate. Gamemasters should be
cautious about allowing Innate Variable structures.
Extras
Generally, extras are applied to the various FX in a Variable
structure’s configurations rather than to the FX itself. If a particular
extra applies to all of a Variable structure’s configurations equally,
the GM may wish to note it as applying to the FX itself for simplicity.
This should be limited solely to extras that always apply; given how
this is rarely the case with any set of FX, it shouldn’t be often.
Some FX extras also apply specifically to the Variable structure
itself, rather than any of its configurations:
• Action: You can change the configuration of your Variable
structure more quickly, although it still cannot change more
often than once per round. Gamemasters should exercise
caution with Variable structures that can be reconfigured as a
free action or reaction: they not only grant tremendous
flexibility, they can also slow down game play as the player
considers virtually infinite possibilities for each action using the
Variable structure.
• Affects Others: While individual configurations may have this
modifier, a Variable structure can also Affect Others as a whole,
allowing you to grant the use of the FX and its configurations to
someone else. The subject granted the use of the Variable
structure controls its configuration from round to round
(although you retain the ability to withdraw use of the FX
altogether whenever you wish).
• Duration: A Continuous Variable structure holds its current
configuration until you choose to change it, even if you are
stunned, knocked out, or the FX is nullified.
• Linked: FX in the same configuration of a Variable structure
are not linked by default, but may have this modifier, if they’re
intended solely for use simultaneously.
• Range: A Variable structure with Affects Others may have the
Range extra to improve the range at which you can grant the
FX to another. This does not alter the ranges of the FX’s
various configurations. To do so, apply the Range modifier to
the FX(s) within a particular configuration.
Flaws
Variable configurations can have their own individual flaws, which
reduce the cost of the configuration (and the number of character
points that must be allocated to it from the Variable structure’s pool)
normally. If a particular flaw applies to all of a Variable structure’s
configurations, the GM may allow it to reduce the cost of the
Variable structure rather than the points applied to a particular
configuration.
• Action: A Variable structure that requires a two actions to
reconfigure has a –1 flaw. Further increases in configuration
time apply the Action FX drawback.
• Duration: A concentration duration Variable structure only
maintains its configuration as long as you concentrate. This
significantly limits the FX’s usefulness, since you have to make
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Expertise check to concentrate checks to use any configuration
requiring more than a move action, juggling both the Variable
structure and any others you wish to use. A Variable structure
cannot have an instant duration.
• Distracting: A Variable structure that is distracting to
reconfigure is a drawback rather than a flaw. The FX’s
individual configurations may also be Distracting, in which case
the flaw is applied individually to them, rather than the Array as
a whole. If all the configurations of a Variable structure are
distracting, then the flaw may apply to the entire Variable
structure and does reduce the cost of its configurations.
• Uncontrolled: If this flaw is applied to a Variable structure
(rather than one or more of its configurations) then the
Gamemaster either controls when the FX’s configuration
changes and what it changes to, or all of the FX’s
configurations are considered Uncontrolled (but the user gets
to choose how the FX is configured). Uncontrolled applied to a
particular configuration has its normal FX when that
configuration is in use.
• Unreliable: If this flaw is applied to the Variable structure as a
whole, then changing its configuration becomes Unreliable.
The player must roll a die when changing the Variable
structure, on a 10 or less it remains “stuck” on its current
configuration and doesn’t change.
Drawbacks
• Action: A Variable structure that takes longer than two actions
to reconfigure has this FX drawback. Each step up the Time
and Value Progression Table is a –1 point drawback; one
minute, five minutes, thirty minute, etc. The GM may set any
reasonable limit on the Action drawback for Variable structures
(beyond the standard limit of 1 point less than the FX’s total
cost).
• Distracting: If it is distracting to reconfigure a Variable
structure (rather than using any FX derived from it), then the
FX has a 2-point FX drawback.
Creating FX
The components in this chapter allow you to create a tremendous
range of FX. This section looks at a few guidelines to keep in mind
when coming up with new FX for your d20A game.
FX Creation Checklist
Whether you’re the Gamemaster creating a new FX for your d20A
game, or you’re approving a player-designed FX, consider the
following items:
• Theme: First, is the theme of the FX appropriate for the
setting? A FX like Radiation Control might be just fine in a post-
nuclear era setting, but not necessarily in campaigns set before
the atom was split, much less a medieval fantasy world! Does
the FX’s theme overwhelm those of other FX? An “Energy
Control” FX that combines everything every “Control” FX in this
book can do is a bit over-effective for a player character trait,
for example. Encourage players to choose appropriate themes
for their characters' FX and stick with them.
• Source: Make sure the FX’s source fits the setting. Decide in
advance whether or not certain FX sources are available,
limited solely to NPCs, or banned altogether. So, if magic isn’t
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a viable source in your campaign, make sure the players know
this up-front before they start designing magicians, spirits, or
enchanted golem heroes. Likewise, make sure the FX’s source
suits its theme and effects and vice versa. See the following
section, Available Power Sources, for details.
• Structure: Consider the FX’s structure: most FX have a
standard structure of one or more basic effects, but some FX
call for something more involved like an Array, Container, or
Variable structure. If a different structure suits the FX, consider
what effects it should include. Try to limit the use of Container
and Variable structures solely to FX that really call for them and
carefully scrutinize player-designed FX using them. Ask
yourself: does the FX really need this structure, or is it just a
means of making the FX more effective in the game for less
cost?
• FX: What effects should the FX include? While most FX only
have one or two effects, other structures call for more, perhaps
many more. Arrays can have a list of suitable Alternate FX,
Containers a list of suitable effects they may contain, and
Variables lists of effects to which they can apply their points.
Keep in mind to always limit Variable structures to a particular
range of effects rather than any effect (or any random group of
effects a player happens to want). Effects should suit the
theme and source of the FX. Also consider what effects the FX
can include, if you’ve chosen to limit access to some FX, or
ban them altogether, in your game.
• Modifiers: Look at the FX’s modifiers—both extras and flaws—
as well as any FX feats and drawbacks (either applied or
potential). Make sure modifiers are applied correctly to all of a
FX’s effects according to the guidelines for its structure.
Beware of the application of “spurious” flaws intended solely to
lower a FX’s cost without really reducing its capabilities, and of
frivolous extras applied solely for an in-game advantage or to
use up “free” character points available to an Alternate FX,
whether the extra is appropriate or not.
• Influence: Lastly, consider the FX’s influence on your game. Is
it potentially problematic? Will it require special
countermeasures or capabilities on the parts of NPCs to deal
with it? Does it have too great a scope for the setting you have
in mind? For example, if you’re planning to restrict your
campaign to Earth, never venturing out into space, then
interplanetary ranges are too big, effects like Space Travel are
effectively worthless, and you’re better off telling your players
not to create FX with them. If a FX looks likely to have an
unwanted influence on your game, scale it back, working with
the player to do so, if necessary.
Available Sources
What sources are available for FX, both in the setting, and to the
characters? You can have a single source, multiple sources, or any
of the sources given in this book (and perhaps others of your own
creation). Each approach has its pros and cons.
Available sources influence the availability of various FX, and their
improvement, in a campaign.
One Source
A single source lends a degree of predictability to the nature of FX
in the setting. It doesn’t mean all FX are the same, just that they
derive from the same source. It also doesn’t mean everyone has
the same origin or acquires FX the same way, but their FX are
similar on a fundamental level.
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One immediate effect of having one source is it becomes easier to
counter or nullify FX. Any countermeasures associated with source
descriptor work on all FX in the setting. For example, if the setting’s
only source is magical, then nobody’s FX work in a Nullify Magic
area, magical counter-spells affect everyone’s FX equally. Similar
things occur in other settings where FX all come from one source.
This has advantages and disadvantages; you can more easily set
up countermeasures against others’ FX, but they can more easily
counter yours as well. Since countermeasures for other sources
may be limited in such a setting, anyone with another source–such
as a psionic in a setting where all other FX are magical–has a
significant advantage (and may need to have one or more ranks of
the Benefit feat, at the GM’s discretion).
One source for FX may also limit the availability of things like
origins and FX, depending on the source. For example, psionic FX
tend to be very broad, but if divine is the only source, then the
availability of FX is entirely dictated by the gods, and certain FX
may be restricted to certain divine patrons depending on their
portfolios.
One source settings are the most consistent, if not the most
realistic, simply because FX all have a single, consistent source.
Therefore, one source tends to be best for more realistic settings.
Multiple Sources
Multiple sources may co-exist in the same setting. This can be
anywhere from two (possibly opposed) sources to as many as all of
them.
Multiple sources allow for more variety in terms of FX and origins,
but also require more in terms of planning, preparation, and overall
effects on the setting. For example, if anti-magical defenses have
no effect on the divine FX wielded by the gods’ champions, or the
psionic FX of a race of mysterious psychics, then it is difficult to
create a complete defense against all FX. Likewise, no source has
a “monopoly” in the setting: if the magically gifted become a
problem, the divinely empowered can help keep them in line (and
vice versa).
FX of different sources can oppose one another to a degree, just
not directly. So the magically empowered are not helpless against
psionics, who are not helpless against those wielding mutant FX,
and so forth.
While multiple sources allow for variety in character creation, you
should consider the possibility of individuals wielding more than one
type of FX. Can someone have both magical and mutant FX, for
example? Are divine and psionic FX compatible?
If the GM decides certain sources are mutually exclusive, this does
not count as a flaw or drawback; it is merely a feature of the setting.
The assumption is the character simply trades access to one power
source for another.
Any Source
Finally, some settings allow FX from any source. Comic book
settings in particular tend to allow virtually any source, and
individuals may even have more than one. For example, a psionic
mutant may have cybernetic implants and use sorcery, or an alien
chosen as a champion by divine cosmic forces may wield certain
elemental FX.
The primary challenge of any source settings is their
unpredictability. With all the power sources in play, it becomes
almost impossible to plan and prepare for them all. Only the highest
level of Nullify has the ability to counter or overcome any other FX;
most other countermeasures are only partially effective.
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Any source settings also tend to be the least realistic by definition,
but they are the most similar to four-color comics. After all, they are
worlds where cosmic, divine, magical, psionic, and super-science
abilities all coexist! Still, the four-color comics aren’t particularly
noted for their realism, so this may not be an issue for some groups
playing in this genre.
From FX to Cause
The most commonly heard question about new FX in d20
Advanced starts off with, “How do I...” and ends with every- thing
from, “...create an indestructible magical throwing weapon” to
“...make a character who can do anything he can imagine?” The
answer to those (and many other) questions about creating FX
depends on the ability to go from the FX’s effects (what it does) to
its cause (what the FX is or is called).
As you can see in this chapter, FX in d20 Advanced are “effects-
based,” that is, the game system deals with what the FX actually
does, the effect that it has, and leaves the details of what it looks
like, what it’s called, and where it comes from to descriptors, which
can vary from one FX to another. It’s how d20A can encompass the
near-limitless range of amazing abilities in a single set of rules: a
great many diverse FX actually have very similar effects. The FX to
magnetically move metals isn’t actually all that different from the FX
to mystically move stone, or to telekinetically move objects; it’s all
moving things, the differences are largely in how they’re described
and what (if anything) they’re limited to moving. All of the previous
FX are based on the Move Object FX, even though they are
different and distinct traits.
So the first step in creating a new FX in the game is asking
yourself: What does this FX do? In some cases, it will be fairly
obvious, in others, it may be somewhat complicated, and may
involve a list of many different things the FX can do (which may
suggest a FX structure like an Array).
PC vs. NPC FX
Not all FX are created equal. In fact, some FX can be quite
problematic simply because they are extremely useful in
overcoming certain challenges, challenges you as Gamemaster
might want to put in the characters' path!
Some FX in fictional sources sometimes don’t translate well to a
roleplaying game because characters in a comic, novel, or film
always do exactly what the writer wants, never using their FX to
circumvent an interesting scene. Characters in RPGs, on the other
hand, virtually always use their FX in the most efficient manner
possible, which can cause real headaches for the GM, who doesn’t
have the same creative control as an author.
While GM Fiat is one means of dealing with this it is sometimes not
enough. You may wish to restrict access to certain problematic FX
to non-player characters, banning them for the players’ characters.
While this may not seem fair on the face of it, non-player characters
already have an “advantage” in that they can have whatever
capabilities are required for the story, up to and including plot
devices, which are already reserved only for them. The idea is to
keep the characters on a relatively even playing field and ensure
there are sufficient challenges for them.
For example, you might decide that Precognition is just too
potentially problematic to allow any player character hero to have it.
So you decide to restrict it solely to NPCs. This means you can
have a precognitive supporting character show up from time to time
to offer the character cryptic hints about the future, but you control
exactly what information they receive and can always have the
NPC precog mutter something about how the timelines are
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unusually muddled or the like whenever you prefer to keep certain

information out of the characters’ hands.
It’s up to the GM whether or not there is an in-game reason why
such FX are prohibited. It can be as simple as saying “these effects
or FX are unavailable to player characters,” but some may prefer to
have another reason behind it. Perhaps certain effects are
connected to certain origins or sources unavailable to PCs. For
example, Mind Control is an FX granted only by certain evil
supernatural being, but not their good counterparts (who provide
the Healing FX the evil ones cannot). Maybe some FX require (or
cause) particular drawbacks, discouraging players from taking
them. The optional Taint rules are a useful tool in making certain
effects less attractive.
The same guideline goes for FX modifiers, feats, drawbacks, and
even FX structures. If any of these are too much of a hassle to deal
with you can ban them from your game entirely or just limit them to
non-player characters. The GM may choose to restrict some extras
to NPCs, or require the PCs to labor under certain flaws NPCs do
not have.
A middle ground between allowing all effects and restricting some
to NPCs is to require the Uncontrolled flaw on certain problematic
FX, placing them under the GM’s control. This ensures they remain
under control while still being available to players who want them
(and at a discount, since they aren’t getting the effect’s full utility). In
the previous example, the GM may decide Precognition is just fine
for PCs, so long as it is Uncontrolled and the GM decides when and
how the character receives precognitive visions.
Give some thought to what traits may be restricted in your game
well in advance. With options like FX stunts and variable FX
structures, d20 Advanced characters all have a potentially wide
range of FX. Even if it isn’t on a character's sheet, that doesn’t
mean the player won’t give it a try eventually! If the ground rules
are clearly established from the beginning, there’s likely to be less
disagreement when the situation arises in play.
Strict Power Level
One solution to the problem of buffing FX improving characters
beyond the power level limits is to strictly enforce the limits in play:
so while Force Field Lass’ FX may grant her a +10 Impervious
Toughness bonus, it does nothing for her teammate Rock-Man,
who is already at the campaign’s power level limit for Toughness.
While this sometimes makes sense, it often does not—why
shouldn’t one character’s super-weapon do the same damage in
someone else’s hands, after all? While it may enforce game-
balance, it won’t necessarily do anything for the players’
suspension of disbelief.
Unlimited FX Buffing
Alternately, you can ignore the power level limits for situational
bonuses like these, applying them as best suits the situation. This
allows buffing FX to work as they should: improving traits equally
across the board. However, it generally requires an agreement
between the GM and the players not to abuse the privilege by
creating buffing characters focused solely on boosting their
teammates or relying too heavily on trait-boosting tactics, which
may require players to forgo some obvious avenues of success in
favor of sticking with the spirit of the game.

Buffing FX
One type of FX the d20A power level system can only cover to a
degree is the “buffing” FX, that is, a FX that augments or improves
the traits of another character. These FX can be problematic in play
and the GM should give special attention to them. Examples of
buffing FX include Boost, along with many effects with the Affects
Others extra, allowing characters to “lend” FX to their allies.
The problem with buffing FX is twofold: first, they can easily exceed
the power level limits of the campaign. For example, a character
with Strength 0 and Boost Strength 5 is no problem in a power level
10 game: the character's maximum Strength is 10, which is right at
the campaign limit. However, when the character uses the same
Boost FX on a teammate with Str 13 (thanks to a trade-off), you get
a character with a 23 Strength! The same is true for effects like an
Affects Others Enhanced Toughness "Force Field"", which, stacked
on top of an ally’s already high Toughness, can make him nigh-
invulnerable, especially if both defenses are Impervious.
The problem is compounded when players create “buffing”
characters or use tactics where one or more character exist
primarily to enhance the traits of their teammates while remaining
out of harm’s way and letting their boosted allies do the heavy
lifting. If all Force Field Lass does is grant her teammates huge
Toughness bonuses and make Expertise checks to concentrate to
maintain them, letting the other characters roll right over the
opposition, there’s a problem.

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FX Buffing Premium
An option in between strict enforcement of the power level limits
and free use of buffing effects is to require the expenditure of a
hero die for a buffing FX to improve a trait beyond the campaign’s
power level limits. This allows for the occasional “FX buff” to reach
truly impressive levels, but applies a premium to the cost so players
can’t rely on them too heavily or use them too often.
Limited FX Buffing
Another option between strict enforcement and unlimited buffing is
to allowing buffing FX to improve traits past the power level limit,
but to reduce their effectiveness when doing so. For example, a
buffing FX can improve traits up to the campaign’s power level
limits as normal, but past that limit applies only half its usual
benefit. So, for example, a character at the PL limit receiving a
Boost to that trait gains only half the usual increase because the
trait goes over the limit.
You can extend this idea to “pro-rate” a FX buff in relation to the
power level limit, such as: over the limit is half effect, more than
150% of the limit is one-quarter effect, and 200% of the limit is the
maximum, with no further effect beyond that. This helps keep
buffing FX under control but is a bit more complex as the effect will
vary from subject to subject and require some calculation on the fly
to figure out.
Improving and
Adding FX
An FX’s origin not only affects when and how it is acquired but may
also affect efforts to improve the FX later on. Power source may
come into play here, too, particularly if the FX comes from an
outside source. In such cases, improving the FX may depend
heavily on the wielder’s relationship with its source!
Methods of Improvement
Consider the following methods of FX improvement and which are
appropriate to which FX your game. Along with the methods of
improving FX, consider the different types of improvements
available: to existing FX, adding new effects to existing FX, adding
or removing modifiers, and acquiring entirely new FX.
Improvement Through Adventure
The GM decides what FX (if any) can be improved simply by
spending earned character points on them. This may include
existing FX, adding extras, removing flaws, or adding entirely new
effects or FX. Some or all of these improvements may have certain
requirements. For example, characters may need training in order
to improve their existing FX, and the GM might ban adding entirely
new effects or FX without some sort of special training or even
transformation first.
Players can spend earned characters points on whatever
improvements the GM allows, so long as any prerequisites are met.
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Improvement Through Study
Study and practice with an FX may improve the ability to use it and
might also improve the FX’s effectiveness over time. If an FX is
based wholly or partially on the user’s knowledge or understanding,
then study may help to improve it. If the FX’s effectiveness is based
primarily on use, then practice can help improve the FX.
The GM should decide what areas of improvement are possible
through study and practice. For some, only the ranks of an FX
improve, representing greater skill with the FX. In other cases, the
GM may allow practicing an FX to improve the FX’s other traits:
adding extras, removing flaws, and so forth.
Having a teacher may be helpful in learning to improve some FX,
although only in particular areas. A teacher may be able to help a
student overcome an FX’s flaws, removing flaws, or adding extras.
A particular area where improvement through study or practice may
apply is in regard to FX feats, which are often learned applications
of a particular FX. The GM can require, for example, a certain
amount of practice in order for a character to acquire the Precise
feat with an FX (with a number of failed attempts along the way!).
Likewise, you can require a character use a new FX feat a certain
number of times through Hero Dice expenditure before spending
character points to acquire it permanently.
Transformation
FX are sometimes improved through transformation: character are
exposed to conditions similar to an origin, granting new levels of
power or new FX altogether! Some transformations may be brought
about through training, or by stressful situations. For example, a
character pushes his FX to the limit in an adventure. The GM and
player agree this triggers a transformation, allowing the player to
spend accumulated character points to improve the character’s FX.
Some transformations are subtle and gradual, others quite
dramatic. In the latter case, the GM may even allow players to
completely redesign their characters, provided they keep the same
point total.
Types of Improvement
FX can improve in a number of different ways: you can add ranks to
existing FX or entirely new FX, add extras, remove flaws, add FX
feats, remove drawbacks, or even add entirely new FX. Some or all
of these improvements may be limited according to the setting and
the nature of FX in that setting.
Improving FX
FX available in ranks can be improved. The GM may wish to set
limits on the maximum ranks in certain FX beyond just the normal
power level limits. Gamemasters should also consider whether or
not to occasionally raise the campaign’s power level limit to allow
for improvement in FX and other traits already at the limit.
Adding Effects to an FX
A common improvement is to add new effects to an FX, expanding
its scope. These FX may initially be FX stunts mastered over time
so the wielder can use them at will. Alternately, they might be
entirely new facets of the FX the user has “discovered” or
developed. New FX may require instruction (from a teacher with the
FX) or even transformation, opening up the potential for the ability.
The GM can require the player to have enough character points to
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pay for the entire new FX before the character can use it, or can
allow the player to pay in “installments,” devoting earned character
points to paying off the new FX’s cost (this is useful for FX acquired
during adventures). As another type of “installment plan,” the new
FX can initially have flaws that reduce its cost. The player can then
devote earned points to removing these flaws, eventually granting
full and unrestricted use of the FX.
Adding Extras
Like new FX, players can add extras to existing FX. Extras are
added separately to each effect in an FX; so if you want the Area
extra on your Damage FX, for example, you have to apply the Area
extra again if you want it to apply to your Inflict (Condition) FX or to
an entirely different effect of the FX. At the GM’s discretion, extras
may be easier to add to extras than entirely new FX, since they use
existing FX in different ways. Note that extras, once applied, are
always in effect; a Damage FX that acquires the Area extra always
affects an area, for example. For adding alternative versions of an
FX, use the Alternate FX feat instead.
Removing Flaws
Training and experience may help overcome certain flaws on FX,
particularly flaws representing inexperience or lack of control. The
GM decides what, if any, flaws can be removed and how it is done.
Some flaws require nothing but time and effort (and the appropriate
expenditure of character points). Other flaws may need the
assistance of a qualified instructor or some sort of “breakthrough”
experience to allow the character to overcome them. Finally, some
flaws may be permanent, barring a dramatic transformation, and
perhaps not even then, if the flaw is simply part of the nature of FX
in the setting.
Adding New FX
It may be possible to acquire entirely new FX during a game. It’s up
to the GM to decide not only if this is possible, but under what
conditions. Can you gain new FX solely by training and experience,
such as a telepath learning ESP or a mage with fire control learning
to command cold as well? Sometimes closely related FX may be
learned, although you should distinguish between adding effects to
an existing FX and developing a completely new FX.
In other settings, acquiring new FX takes instruction, or even some
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sort of transformation. For example, supers often acquire new
effects or extras for their existing FX, but entirely new FX require
some major event, equivalent to a new origin. A character might be
exposed to a mutagen, encounter a new power source, invent a
new device, or even die and return to life with an entirely new FX!
The GM can choose to restrict new FX solely to transformations.
Players can request a new FX, but it’s up to the Game Master when
and how they occur.
Regardless of how they are acquired, new FX should follow the
guidelines set down for FX in general in the campaign, unless the
GM specifically chooses to bend the rules for some reason.
Availability of
Improvement
How and when can FX be improved, and to what degree?
Improvement through adventure and study place control over FX
improvement largely in the hands of the players, although in the
latter case the GM can limit access to teachers for some things.
Improvement via transformation generally limits control over
improvement to the Gamemaster, who decides where and when
transformations occur. This is particularly appropriate for FX gained
from an outside agency such as a deity or cosmic patron, who
decides if and when the wielder is worthy of additional FX.
Different types of FX may have different methods of improvement.
For example, perhaps magical FX can be improved through study
while divine FX are only improved through transformation (granted
by the divine). Generally speaking, if any FX can be improved
through adventuring (with earned character points), then they all
should be, or some players get an unfair advantage.
Likewise consider the types of FX improvement available. Again,
this may vary from one FX to another. Some FX might allow only
the improvement of existing FX, others may permit the adding of
new FX. The GM decides whether or not characters can acquire
entirely new FX during play, as opposed to simply adding new
effects and modifiers to existing FX.
Finally, you can regulate certain combinations of methods and
types of improvement. For example, anyone can improve FX ranks
or add FX feats through study and training, but it requires a teacher
to add extras and new FX or remove flaws, and entirely new FX are
available only through transformation (ie, by GM fiat), allowing the
GM to control the introduction of these FX into the game.
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Chapter VI: Gear
The gear a character carries is (usually) more than just a fashion
statement. Gear can provide many abilities and advantages to a
character, whether it’s a sword that helps a character injure
enemies, armor that keeps a character safe during a fight, or a
toolbox that helps a character do his job. Gear covers everything
from the simplest wooden club from the Stone Age to the
impossibly advanced anti-gravity force field belts of the distant
future. Gear need not be the focus for a character, but no matter
what genre of gameplay or era your game falls in, equipment is
going to be available to characters.
Equipment
Characters often make use of various pieces of mundane
equipment—ordinary things found in the real world—ranging from a
simple set of tools to cell phones, laptop computers, and even
common appliances. These items are called equipment. Tools allow
a character to use a particular skill properly.
Equipment Cost
Equipment is acquired with points from the Equipment. Each piece
of equipment has a cost in points. The character pays the item’s
cost out of the points from the Equipment feat and it becomes part
of the character’s regular equipment.
Equipment FX and
Features
An item’s equipment cost is based on its FX and features. FX cost
the same as corresponding FX, so a ranged weapon costs the
same as a ranged Damage FX. Features are particular minor things
equipment can do, similar to feats. Generally, each feature costs 1
equipment point, although some features are more expensive (or
actually involve multiple features). Various equipment features are
described in this chapter.
On-Hand Items
Characters may not necessarily carry all their equipment with them
at all times. The GM may allow players to spend a hero die in order
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to have a particular item of equipment “on-hand” at a particular
time. This is essentially a one-time use of the item for one
encounter, and the Gamemaster rules whether or not having a
particular item on-hand is possible. For example, a hero out for an
evening in his secret identity might have something like a
concealed weapon or other small item on-hand, but it’s unlikely the
character is carrying a large weapon or item unless he has some
means of concealing it.
Restricted Equipment
The Gamemaster may rule some equipment is simply not available
to characters or they must pay for an additional feature (or more) in
order to have it. This may include certain kinds of weapons,
vehicles, and anything else the GM feels should be limited in the
campaign.
Masterwork Equipment
Some items are especially well-made, custom-built, or otherwise
superior to normal equipment. These masterwork items grant a
bonus greater than a normal item, usually a +1 with an attack roll or
+2 with a check made with the item. Masterwork quality is
considered an additional feature for the item of equipment. At the
GM’s discretion, superior masterwork items may grant higher
bonuses for additional features.
Concealed Items
Characters may attempt to conceal items on their person. It’s
assumed the character is wearing clothing offering places to
conceal things. To conceal a weapon or other object, make an
Infiltration check. If you conceal an object before heading out into
public you can usually take 10 unless you are rushed, trying to
conceal it when others might see, or under other unusual
constraints.
Equipment with the Subtle feat is automatically difficult to notice for
what it is. You might have a delicate fan that is actually a powerful
weapon, or a sword hidden in your cane, or an undercover camera
that looks like a hat. It takes a DC 20 Perception check to realize
that your seemingly innocuous piece of equipment is actually
something else.
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TABLE 6.1: CONCEALING WEAPONS AND it each time it is damaged. These penalties are eliminated once the
item is repaired.
OBJECTS
Infiltration
Condition
Modifier Repairing and Replacing
Size of Weapon or Object Equipment
Minuscule +16
Repairing an item requires a skill check (often Science or
Fine +12 Technology. You can also affect jury-rigged repairs to temporarily
Diminutive +8 restore the item to normal. Replacing damaged or destroyed
Tiny +4 equipment requires only time, although the GM has the final say as
to how much time. It’s easy to replace a lost item when the store is
Small +0
right around the corner, harder when it’s the middle of the night or
Medium-size –4 you’re out in the middle of nowhere. Gamemasters can allow
Large –8 players to spend a hero die to have a replacement for a piece of
Huge or larger can’t conceal equipment as an on-hand item.
Clothing is tight or small (such as a skintight
–4
costume)
Clothing is especially loose or bulky +2
The Limits of Equipment
Clothing is specifically modified for concealing While equipment is useful it does have its limits, particularly when
+2 compared to powers or devices. Equipment is less expensive—it’s
object
Weapon in a concealed holster +4 cheaper to have a handgun than a ranged Damage FX or even a
super-science blaster weapon—but equipment is also more limited.
Weapon can be drawn normally –2 Keep the following limitations of equipment in mind.
Weapon can be drawn as free action with Quick
–4
Draw feat
Technological Limits
Size and Concealment Equipment includes only items and technology commonly available
in the campaign setting. The GM decides what is “commonly
The object’s size affects the check result, as shown on the available,” but as a rule of thumb assume equipment only includes
Concealing Weapons and Objects Table. The type of holster used things from the real world, not battlesuits, anti-gravity devices,
or clothing worn, and any attempt to make a weapon easier to shrink rays, and so forth. Those are all Devices.
draw, can also affect the check.

Noticing Concealed Objects
Detecting a concealed weapon or other object requires a
Perception check. The DC varies: If the target made a roll when
concealing an object, the DC of the check is the target’s Infiltration
check total. An observer attempting to Notice a concealed object
receives a –1 penalty for every 10 feet distance to the target, and a
–5 penalty if distracted.
Patting someone down for a concealed object requires a similar
check. The searcher gets a +5 bonus for the hands-on act of
frisking the target. Searchers typically take 10 or take 20 for pat-
down searches. Some equipment may also offer bonuses under
certain circumstances (a metal detector offers a bonus to
Perception checks to find metal objects, for example).
Noticing Concealed Armor
Concealable armor can be worn under clothing if the wearer wants
it to go unnoticed. Don’t use the modifiers from the Concealing
Weapons and Objects Table when wearing concealable armor.
Instead, anyone attempting to notice the armor must make a
Perception check (DC 20).
Availability
Ownership of some equipment is restricted and the GM decides
what equipment is available to characters in the campaign. For
example, guns may require permits, licenses, waiting periods, and
so forth. Also, equipment can be bulky and difficult to carry around.
Gamemasters are encouraged to enforce the limitations of carrying
a lot of equipment at once. Players who want to have an unusual
item of equipment on-hand must either remember to bring it along
or use the guidelines for on-hand items. Devices are not so limited
and characters are assumed to have an easy means of carrying
and transporting them.
Damage and Loss
Equipment is vulnerable to damage, malfunctions, and loss,
moreso than devices. One use of a FX like Drain or Transform can
turn a character’s equipment to dust, for example, and equipment
tends to be delicate when it comes to super-powered attacks.
Equipment may be lost or taken away from the character with
impunity, and the GM may sometimes arrange circumstances to
separate characters from their equipment as a GM fiat or setback.

Damaging Equipment
Most equipment can be damaged like other objects, based on its
Toughness. Equipment suffering damage loses some effectiveness.
The item loses 1 feature or suffers a –1 penalty on checks involving
Cost (Optional)
Finally, equipment may have a monetary cost to acquire, maintain,
and replace, if the campaign uses the optional Wealth rules.

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Electronics
General Equipment Computers and electronics are common in the modern world.
Equipment is described by a number of statistics, as shown on the Gamemasters should note most of these devices are fairly delicate
General Equipment Table. (Toughness 5 or less) and vulnerable to electricity, radiation, and
powerful magnetic fields, which can short them out entirely.
• Camera: A digital or film camera for taking still images. Most
TABLE 6.2: GENERAL EQUIPMENT cameras have a capacity of 24 or 36 images and you can use
Item Size Cost one in conjunction with the Art skill.
Electronics • Cell Phone: A small hand-held or headset unit for
Camera Tiny 1 communication. The battery lasts for approximately 24 hours
before it needs to be recharged.
Cell Phone Diminutive 1
• Commlink: A tiny button-sized device for radio communication
Commlink Minuscule 1 with an effective range of about a mile (longer if patched into
Computer the cellular network or a similar network). Many teams use
Desktop Large 1 commlinks.
Laptop Med 1 • Computer: A computer includes keyboard, mouse, monitor,
PDA Tiny 1 CD drive, printer, modem, and other standard peripherals, and
may include things like a scanner at the GM’s discretion. You
Digital Audio Recorder Tiny 1 need a computer to make Technology skill checks and do
Video Camera Small 2 things like searching the Internet (to take 20 on a Knowledge
Criminal Gear skill check). Masterwork computers represent upgrade
packages with faster processors, better software, and so forth.
Caltrops Small 1
• Digital Audio Recorder: These tiny recorders (about the size
Handcuffs Tiny 1
of a deck of playing cards) can record up to eight hours of
Lock release gun Tiny 1 audio and can be connected to a computer to download the
Surveillance Gear digital recording. Digital audio recorders don’t have extremely
Binoculars Small 1 sensitive microphones; they only pick up sounds within 10 feet.
Concealable Microphone Minuscule 1 • PDA: Personal digital assistants or “palmtops” are handy tools
for storing data. They can be linked to a notebook or desktop
Mini-Tracer Minuscule 1 computer to move files back and forth, but can’t be used for
Night Vision Goggles Small 1 Technology or Knowledge checks.
Parabolic Microphone Small 1 • Video Camera: A hand-held camera that records video and
Survival Gear audio on tape or digitally, with a capacity of about 6 hours of
Camo Clothing Medium 1 footage.
Flash Goggles Tiny 1
Flashlight Tiny 1 Criminal Gear
Gas Mask Small 1 This equipment is most often used by criminals or to catch
GPS Receiver Tiny 1 criminals.
Multi-tool Tiny 1 • Caltrops: Caltrops are four-pronged metal spikes designed so
Rebreather Tiny 1 one prong points up when the caltrop rests on a surface. You
SCUBA Gear Large 1 can scatter caltrops on the ground to injure opponents, or at
least slow them down. One bag of twenty-five caltrops covers
up to a 5-ft.-by-5 ft. area. Each time someone moves through
Size an area containing caltrops at any rate greater than half speed,
or each round someone spends fighting in such an area, the
The size of a piece of equipment helps to determine how easy it is caltrops make an attack roll (attack bonus +0). If hit, they deal
to conceal, and also indicates whether using the object requires +0 damage to the character. Any injury forces the character to
one hand or two. In general, a character needs only one hand to move at half speed on foot until the damage is eliminated.
use any objects of his size category or smaller. • Handcuffs: Handcuffs are restraints designed to lock two limbs
—normally the wrists—of a prisoner together. They fit any
Medium or Small humanoid. Handcuffs can only be placed on
Equipment Cost a pinned, helpless, or unresisting target. Steel cuffs have
Toughness 10 and require an Infiltration check (DC 25) or
This is the number of equipment points the item costs. Masterwork Acrobatics check (DC 35) to remove without the key.
equipment of the same type has an increased cost. • Lock release gun: This small, pistol-like device automatically
disables cheap and average mechanical locks operated by
standard keys (no Infiltration check necessary). It does not
1 Character Point = 5 Equipment Points
affect other locks.

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Surveillance Gear
Characters often use surveillance gear to keep tabs on enemies
and their activities.
• Binoculars: Standard binoculars reduce the range penalty for
visual Perception checks to –1 for every 50 feet (instead of –1
for every 10 feet). Using binoculars for Perception checks
takes five times as long as making the check unaided.
• Concealable Microphone: A tiny receiver usable as a listening
device. It has a broadcast range of about a mile. It requires a
Perception check against the results of the Infiltration check
used to conceal the microphone to find it (assume the hiding
character took 20 on the check under most circumstances).
• Mini-Tracer: A tiny radio transmitter with an adhesive backing.
It requires a successful attack roll to plant a tracer on a target
(or an Infiltration check to plant it without the target’s
knowledge). Noticing the tracer is a DC 20 Perception check
(or the results of the character’s Infiltration check, whichever is
higher). The tracer has a transmission range of about 2 miles.
• Night Vision Goggles: Night vision goggles use passive light
gathering to improve vision in near-dark conditions. They grant
the user darkvision—but because of the restricted field of view
and lack of depth perception these goggles provide, they
impose a –5 penalty on all Perception checks made while
wearing them. Night vision goggles must have at least a little
light to operate. A cloudy night provides sufficient ambient light,
but a pitch-black cave or a sealed room doesn’t. For situations
of total darkness, the goggles come with an infrared illuminator
that, when switched on, operates like a flashlight visible only to
the wearer (or anyone else with IR vision).
• Parabolic Microphone: This apparatus has a gun-like
microphone with an attached set of headphones. A parabolic
mike reduces the range penalty for Perception checks to –1 for
every 50 feet (instead of –1 for every 10 feet). Using a
parabolic microphone for Perception checks takes five times as
long as making the check unaided.
Survival Gear
• Camo Clothing: Clothing in the right camouflage pattern for
the environment grants a +5 bonus on Infiltration checks to
hide in that environment. Patterns include foliage, desert,
urban, and arctic.
• Flash Goggles: These tinted eye-coverings provide protection
against blinding light, granting a +5 save bonus against visual
Dazzle attacks involving bright light.
• Flashlight: Flashlights negate penalties for darkness within
their illuminated areas. The standard flashlight projects a beam
30 feet long and 15 feet across at its end.
• Fire Extinguisher: This portable apparatus uses a chemical
spray to extinguish small fires. The typical fire extinguisher
ejects enough extinguishing chemicals to put out a fire in a 10-
by-10-foot area as a move action. It contains enough material
for two such uses.
• Gas Mask: This apparatus covers the face and connects to a
chemical air filter canister to protect the lungs and eyes from
toxic gases. It provides total immunity to eye and lung irritants.
The filter canister lasts for 12 hours of use. Changing the filter
is a one action.
• GPS Receiver: Global positioning system receivers use
signals from GPS satellites to determine the receiver’s location
to within a few dozen feet. A GPS receiver grants its user a +5
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equipment bonus on Survival checks to navigate, but because
the receiver must be able to pick up satellite signals, it only
works outdoors.
• Multi-tool: This device contains several different screwdrivers,
a knife blade or two, can opener, bottle opener, file, short ruler,
scissors, tweezers, and wire cutters. The whole thing unfolds
into a handy pair of pliers. A multi-tool can lessen the penalty
for making Technology checks to craft without appropriate tools
to –2 instead of the normal –5. The tool is useful for certain
tasks, as determined by the GM, but may not be useful in all
situations.
• Rebreather: A small cylinder that fits over the mouth and
provides two minutes (20 rounds) of oxygen, during which the
character does not need to make Endurance checks to hold his
breath.
• SCUBA Gear: A back-mounted oxygen cylinder and facemask,
used for diving. SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing
Apparatus) gear provides two hours of oxygen, and characters
using it do not need to make checks for suffocation unless the
gear is damaged or disabled.
Tools
Various skills require tools. Infiltration to open locks and disable
security requires lockpicking and electronics tools, for example,
while Science for medical purposes requires a first aid or medical
kit. Characters attempting a task without the proper tools have a –5
penalty on their skill check. The Gamemaster can generally
assume characters have the right tools for skills requiring them—at
no cost in equipment points—unless circumstances dictate
otherwise (such as they’ve been captured and stripped of their
equipment by a foe). Masterwork tools cost 1 equipment point and
provide a +2 bonus on skill checks using them. In all other ways,
tools are like ordinary equipment.
Utility Belt
A common piece of equipment for costumed adventurers and
espionage agents is the utility belt (or bag, pouch, backpack, etc.):
a collection of useful tools and equipment in a compact carrying
case. A utility belt is an array of Alternate FX bought as equipment
(and with all the usual limitations of equipment). Some characters
may have an array of devices instead, allowing for more unusual
effects than run-of-the-mill equipment.
Note that equipment with a cost of 1 equipment point doesn’t need
to be acquired as an Alternate FX feat, since there’s no change in
cost (an Alternate FX must cost at least 1 point).
By spending Hero Dice you can temporarily add an Alternate FX
feat to your utility belt, for those one-time pieces of equipment you
may need in a pinch.
Sample Utility Belt
Feel free to modify this example (adding or omitting items, for
example) to create your own customized utility belts.
• Bolos: 1 point.
• Boomerangs: 1 point.
• Explosives: Equivalent to dynamite. 15 points.
• Cutting Torch: Ranged Damage 1, Drain Toughness 1. 1
point.
• Pepper Spray: 1 point.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I
• Power Knuckles: Damage 4 (Mighty). 1 point.
• Sleep Gas Pellets: 1 point.
• Smoke Pellets: 1 point.
• Stun Pellets: 1 point.
• Tear Gas Pellets: Lower rank to 3. 1 point.
• Throwing Blades: Ranged Damage 2. 1 point.
The explosives, as the most expensive effect, have their full cost.
The other Alternate FX feats cost 1 point each, making the total
equipment point cost of the utility belt 25 equipment points, or 5
character points.
Weapons
Weapons of various sorts are common for characters in almost any
genre of gameplay. They range from melee weapons to ranged
weapons like guns and bows and devices like shrink-rays, mind-
control helmets and more. Characters who don’t have any offensive
FX often rely on weapons to get the job done.
Note that the traits presented for these weapons are just
suggestions: if the group believes that the weapons should be more
or less powerful, then they should be allowed to construct the
devices as they feel is most appropriate for their game.
Constructing a weapon is just like constructing an FX, only that it is
done with equipment points instead of character points.
Melee Weapons
Melee weapons work like the Damage FX adding the wielder’s
Strength bonus to the damage. Ordinary melee weapons are
limited by their Toughness in terms of the amount of Strength bonus
they can add. If a wielder’s Strength bonus exceeds the weapon’s
Toughness (4 for wooden weapons, 7 or 8 for metal weapons), the
weapon breaks when it is used. Melee weapons have the following
traits:
• Category: Melee weapons are categorized as simple, archaic,
and exotic.
• Damage Bonus: The weapon’s damage bonus on a
successful hit. Melee weapons add the wielder’s Strength
score to their damage (the Mighty FX feat), costing a base 1
point. Each point of damage bonus costs 1 point.
• Critical: The threat range for a critical hit with the weapon.
Some weapons have a larger threat range than others.
Increasing a weapon’s threat range by 1 costs 1 point.
• Damage Descriptor: Melee weapon damage is classified as
bludgeoning (weapons with a blunt striking surface, like a club),
piercing (weapons with a sharp point), and slashing (weapons
with a sharp edge). Some characters may be resistant or
immune to some types of damage.
• Range Increment: Melee weapons designed for throwing can
also be used to make ranged attacks. This costs 1 point.
Thrown weapons have a range increment just as other ranged
weapons do—but the maximum range for a thrown weapon is
five range increments. Any attack at less than the given range
increment is not penalized for range. However, each full range
increment causes a cumulative –2 penalty on the attack roll.
• Size: Size categories for weapons and other objects are
defined differently from the size categories for creatures. The
relationship between a weapon’s size and its wielder’s size
defines whether it can be used one-handed, if it requires two
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Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
hands, and if it’s a light weapon. A Medium or smaller weapon
can be used one-handed or two-handed. A Large weapon
requires two hands.
• Equipment Cost: This is the weapon’s cost in points.
Characters pay this cost from their equipment points to have a
weapon of this type as part of their regular equipment.
Simple Melee Weapons
• Brass knuckles: Pieces of molded metal fitting over the
fingers, brass knuckles allow you to do +1 damage with your
unarmed strikes. They include similar items like armored
gauntlets.
• Club: Any of a number of blunt weapons used to strike,
including nightsticks, batons, light maces, and similar
bludgeoning weapons.
• Knife: A bladed weapon with a length less than 18 inches or
so. This includes daggers, stilettos, sais, switchblades, bowie
knives, and hunting knives, among others.
• Pepper spray: A liquid sprayed in a target’s face at close
range to blind them. Pepper spray combines a visual Dazzle
FX with an Inflict (Action) FX. If the attack roll hits, roll to
overcome the target's Fortitude resistance. Success means the
target is blinded. A blinded target makes a Fortitude save (DC
15) each round to recover, with a +1 bonus per save. A target
blinded by pepper spray may lose one or more actions. On a
success, the target loses one action each round. If you
succeed by 5 or more, the target loses both of his actions in a
round. If you succeed by 10 or more, the target is helpless. The
Fortitude check to recover from being blinded is also used to
recover from the stun FX.
• Quarterstaff: A fighting staff between four and six feet long,
including the bo staff used in martial arts.
• Sap: A bludgeoning weapon intended to knock out targets
without permanently injuring them.
• Stun gun: A stun gun hits its target with a powerful charge of
electricity, requiring a Fortitude save (DC 17) to avoid an Inflict
(Action) FX.
• Tonfa: Police officers often carry and use a tonfa to subdue
criminals. It’s also a common martial arts weapon.
Archaic Melee Weapons
• Battleaxe: A heavy-bladed axe that can be used with one or
two hands.
• Sword: A blade between 18 and 30 or more inches in length,
single or double-edged. It includes longswords, katanas,
sabers, scimitars, and similar weapons.
• Spear: A bladed pole-arm. Most spears can also be thrown.
• Warhammer: A heavy hammer or mace that can be wielded
with one or two hands. Warhammers can also be thrown.
Exotic Melee Weapons
Chain: You can wield a weighted chain to strike a target up to
10 ft. away. You can use it to make trip attacks and to disarm
opponents with a +2 bonus, like the Combat Expert (Gain
Combat Advantage [Trip]) and Combat Expert (Disarm) feats
(and its benefits stack if you already have those feats).
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TABLE 6.3: MELEE WEAPONS

Weapon Damage Bonus Critical Damage Descriptor Range Increment Size Equipment Cost
Simple Weapons
Brass knuckles +1 20 Bludgeoning — Tiny 2
Club +2 20 Bludgeoning 10 ft. Med 4
Knife +1 19-20 Piercing 10 ft. Tiny 3
Pepper spray Dazzle + Inflict (Action) 5 — Chemical — Tiny 15
Quarterstaff +2 20 Bludgeoning 10 ft. Large 4
Sap +2 20 Bludgeoning — Small 3
Stun gun Inflict (Action) 7 — Electricity — Tiny 14
Tonfa +1 20 Bludgeoning — Med 2
Archaic Weapons
Battleaxe +3 20 Slashing — Med 4
Sword +3 19-20 Slashing — Med 5
Spear +3 19-20 Piercing 20 ft. Large 7
Warhammer +3 20 Bludgeoning 10 ft. Med 5
Exotic Weapons
Chain +2 20 Bludgeoning 10 ft. Large 7
Chainsaw +6 20 Slashing — Large 6
Nunchaku +2 20 Bludgeoning — Small 3
Whip +0 20 Bludgeoning 15 ft. Small 5

TABLE 6.4: RANGED WEAPONS

Weapon Damage Bonus Critical Damage Descriptor Range Increment Size Equipment Cost
Projectile Weapons (Firearms)
Hold-out pistol +2 20 Ballistic 20 ft. Tiny 4
Light pistol +3 20 Ballistic 30 ft. Small 6
Heavy pistol +4 20 Ballistic 40 ft. Medium 8
Machine pistol +3 20 Ballistic, Autofire 30 ft. Medium 9
Submachine gun +4 20 Ballistic, Autofire 40 ft. Medium 12
Shotgun +5/+6* 20 Ballistic 40 ft. Large 11
Assault rifle +5 20 Ballistic, Autofire 50 ft. Large 16
Sniper rifle +5 19-20 Ballistic 250 ft. Large 13
Energy Weapons (Firearms)
Blaster pistol +5 20 Energy 50 ft. Small 10
Blaster rifle +8 20 Energy 80 ft. Large 16
Heavy Weapons (Exotic)
Flamethrower +6 — Fire — Large 18
Grenade launcher +5 — Explosive 70 ft. Large 15*
Rocket launcher* +10 — Explosive 150 ft. Large 30
Other Ranged Weapons
Bolos Inflict (Movement) 4 — — 40 ft. Small 8
Boomerang +2 20 Bludgeoning 20 ft. Small 6
Bow (Archaic) +3* 20 Piercing 40 ft. Large 9
Crossbow (Simple) +3 19-20 Piercing 40 ft. Medium 7
Javelin (Simple)* +2 20 Piercing 30 ft. Medium 6
Shuriken (Archaic) +1* 20 Piercing, Autofire 10 ft. Tiny 3
Taser (Simple) Inflict (Action) 5 — Electricity 5 ft. Small 12

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• Light pistol: A common handgun, found in the hands of police

officers and criminals alike.
• Heavy pistol: A high-caliber handgun, usually used by those
who want a lot of stopping power.
• Machine pistol: A small automatic weapon, usable in one
hand. Machine pistols are Autofire weapons.
• Submachine gun: Compact automatic weapons that fire pistol
ammunition, submachine guns are common military weapons,
also used by criminals with access to more serious firepower.
Submachine guns are Autofire weapons.
• Shotgun: A shotgun can fire shot, which does +5 damage with
a +2 bonus to hit due to the spread, but it does only +3
damage against targets with any increase in their natural
Toughness save bonus. It can also load solid slugs, which
inflict +6 damage.
• Assault rifle: Rifles designed for military-use with both single-
fire and autofire options.
• Sniper rifle: Rifles designed for long-range use, typically in
conjunction with a powerful scope or targeting system.

• Chainsaw: A tool that sometimes sees use as a weapon,
particularly against zombies and other slasher-flick monsters.
You do not add your Strength bonus to a chainsaw’s damage.
Energy Weapon
• Blaster pistol: A pistol that fires a coherent bolt of energy.
• Blaster rifle: A larger rifle-sized weapon that fires a more
powerful bolt of energy.

• Nunchaku: A popular martial arts weapon, made of two

wooden shafts connected by a short length or rope or chain.
• Whip: A whip can strike targets up to 15 ft. away. You can use
it to make trip attacks and to disarm opponents with a +2
bonus, like the Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage [Trip])
and Combat Expert (Disarm) feats (and its benefits stack if you
already have those feats).
Ranged Weapons
Ranged weapons include both thrown and projectile weapons.
Thrown weapons add the wielder’s Strength bonus to their damage.
A thrown weapon has a maximum range of five increments.
Projectile weapons include bows, crossbows, and guns as well as
energy weapons like lasers and blasters.
Projectile Weapons
Heavy Weapons
• Flame-thrower: A flame-thrower shoots a stream of fire 5 feet
wide and 25 feet long in front of the attacker as an area attack.
• Grenade launcher: A grenade launcher fires various types of
grenades, generally fragmentation grenades. Increase cost by
+1 for each additional type of grenade carried.
Rocket launcher: A rocket-launcher is generally an anti-tank
•
weapon, although they also make useful anti-superhero
weapons as well. It has the Explosion extra. Most rocket
launchers can fire only one or two shots before they must be
reloaded for two actions.
Other Ranged Weapons
• Bolos: A set of weighted cords intended to entangle an
opponent like an Inflict (Movement).

• Holdout pistol: A low-caliber, easily concealed pistol, typically • Boomerang: A common throwing weapon for heroes, a thrown
used as a back-up or secondary weapon. boomerang returns to the thrower’s hand, ready to be thrown
again on the next round. Boomerang wielders often acquire the
TABLE 6.5: GRENADES AND EXPLOSIVES
Weapon Effect Radius Reflex DC Size Equipment Cost
Grenades
Fragmentation Damage Explosion 5 50 ft. 15 Tiny 15
Smoke Obscure (visual) 10 ft. — Small 4
Flash-bang Dazzle Burst 4 20 ft. 14 Tiny 16
Sleep gas Inflict (Strength and Constitution) Explosion 4 40 ft. 14 Tiny 12
Tear gas Dazzle 4 + Inflict (Attack and Action) Explosion 4 40 ft. 14 Small 18
Explosives
Dynamite Damage Explosion 5* 50 ft. 15 Tiny 15
Plastic explosive Damage Explosion 10* 100 ft. 20 Small 30

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Armor
Ricochet feat, allowing them to throw their weapon so it hits the
target on the return arc as a surprise attack.
• Bow: Although outdated, some characters favor the bow as a
weapon and it can be quite effective in the right hands. Bows With so many weapons and powerful attacks around, characters
add the wielder’s Strength bonus to their damage (although may need armor to protect them. Some characters are innately
most bows are only designed to add up to a +5 Str bonus at tough enough to stand up to a lot of punishment, while others rely
best). A bowwielding character may have various “trick” arrows on their high Defense. Others choose to wear armor, ranging from
with different powers; such bows and arrows should be treated ancient metal armors to modern composites or ultra-modern
as Devices. battlesuits.
• Crossbow: Similar to a bow, and used for the same reasons. A All armor is based on the Enhanced (Toughness) FX, providing a
crossbow does not add the user’s Strength to its damage. bonus to your Toughness resistance. It stacks with bonuses from
• Javelin: Light, flexible spears intended to be thrown. Javelins your feats (like the Tough feat) and FX like Enhanced (Toughness).
can also be used in melee combat.
• Shuriken: Flat metal stars or spikes for throwing. Shuriken can
be thrown in groups. Although they are thrown weapons, Archaic Armor
shuriken do not add the thrower’s Strength bonus to damage. Depending on your setting, ancient or archaic armor might be
• Taser: A compressed-air weapon firing a pair of darts. On common for characters. If you want realistic archaic armor, halve
impact they release a powerful electrical charge, causing the the armor’s Toughness bonus against modern weapons (especially
Inflict (Action) FX on the target (+5 effect modifier to overcome firearms) and ignore it altogether for futuristic weapons like lasers
Fortitude resistance. or blaster bolts.
• Leather: Heavy leather plates covering the torso and other
vital areas.
Weapon Accessories
• Chain-mail: A shirt of heavy metal chain, often with a hauberk
The following accessories can be added to the projectile weapons (hood) to cover the wearer’s head.
in this section. Each is considered a feature, which costs 1
• Plate-mail: This is chain-mail augmented with a metal
equipment point.
breastplate, greaves (leg-guards) and arm-guards.
• Laser Sight: A laser sight projects a non-damaging laser beam
• Full plate: A full (and heavy!) suit of articulated metal plates,
showing where the weapon is aimed. This grants a +1 bonus
like that worn by medieval knights.
on attack rolls with that weapon.
• Stun Ammo: Ballistic weapons can fire rubber bullets while
bows can fire blunt-tipped arrows or quarrels. This ammunition TABLE 6.6: ARMOR AND SHIELDS
is intended to inflict nonlethal rather than lethal damage. Toughness Equipment
Switching between ammo types is a one action (or a free Armor Other Traits
Bonus Cost
action for a character with the Quick Draw feat).
Archaic Armor
• Suppressor: A suppressor muffles the noise of a ballistic
weapon, giving it the Subtle FX feat and making it difficult for Leather +1 — 1
normal hearing to detect it. Chain-mail +3 — 3
• Fragmentation grenade: A common military grenade that Plate-mail +5 — 5
sprays shrapnel in all directions. Full plate +6 — 6
• Smoke grenade: A smoke grenade fills an area with thick Modern Armor
smoke (colored as desired) providing total concealment to all Leather jacket +1 — 1
visual senses except for X-ray vision.
Undercover
• Flash-bang grenade: A flash-bang grenade gives off a bright +2 Subtle 3
shirt
flash and a loud bang that can render targets temporarily blind
and deaf (roll to overcome the targets' Fortitude resistance with Undercover
+3 Subtle 4
a Dazzle 4 FX). vest
Tactical vest +4 — 4
• Sleep gas grenade: This grenade fills a 40-ft. area with a
Inflict (Strength and Constitution) FX (+4 effect modifier to Armored
+3 — 3
overcome the targets' Fortitude Resistance). jumpsuit
• Tear gas grenade: This type of grenade releases a cloud of Equipment
Shield Defense Deflect
gas that irritates the eyes and lungs, causing temporarily Cost
blindness and nausea (visual Dazzle plus Inflict (Attack and +1 on block
Small +1 2
Action), Fortitude resists, effect modifier +4). rolls
• Dynamite: A common explosive. The damage on the table is +2 on block
Medium +2 4
for a single stick of dynamite. Each increase of the amount of rolls
explosive on the Time and Value Progression Table increases +4 on block
damage by +1. Large +3 7
rolls
• Plastic explosive: Another common explosive, which can be Wood or metal — slow projectiles —
worked into different shapes. The damage listed is for a 1-lb
Composite — fast projectiles +1/2/4
block. Each increase of the amount of explosive on the Time
and Value Progression Table increases damage by +1.

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Shields TABLE 6.8: VEHICLE SIZE CATEGORIES

Vehicle
Shields provide a dodge bonus to Defense, much like the bonus Modifier Size Examples Str Toughness Defense
Size
provided by cover, since shields are basically mobile forms of
128-25
cover. Additionally, shields provide some measure of the Deflect Awesome –12
0 ft.
Space transport 25 15 -2
FX, allowing the wielder to block ranged attacks. The dodge bonus
64-128
is based on the size of the shield, while the Deflect FX is based on Colossal –8 Passenger jet 20 13 2
ft.
the shield’s size and material composition (what sort of attacks it
can resist, and therefore deflect). 32-64 Semi, yacht,
Gargantuan –4 15 11 6
ft. fighter jet
16-32 Stretch limo,
Huge –2 10 9 8

Vehicles
ft. SUV, tank
Large –1 8-16 ft. Car, truck 5 7 9

Sometimes characters make use of various vehicles to get around. costs 1 power point for +1 Toughness. Each increase in size
Vehicles are used primarily for transportation, although they may category also increases a vehicle’s Toughness by +2 at no cost.
come with additional capabilities—including weapons—making
them useful in other situations as well. Vehicles are considered
equipment and purchased with equipment points. The vehicle
tables list two costs; the one before the slash is the equipment point
cost and the one after the slash is the vehicle’s power point cost.
Size
A vehicle’s size is measured like that of a character, as shown on
“Vehicles” with limbs, manipulative capabilities, and other humanoid the Vehicle Size Categories Table. Vehicle’s start out at Medium
characteristics (such as giant, piloted robots) should be created as size and each increase in size category costs 1 power point.
constructs rather than vehicles.

Strength Features
Certain features are considered “standard” on any vehicle. These
A vehicle’s Strength, much like a character’s, determines its include seating, headlights, safety harnesses or seat belts, air
carrying capacity. Vehicles have a base Strength of +0 and buy up bags, heating and air-conditioning, radio receiver, and similar
their Strength in increments of 2 for 1 character point each. A things. The following features are “optional extras” for vehicles and
vehicle can move at normal speed carrying up to its medium load, cost 1 point each. The GM can determine if other features are
2/3 speed with a heavy load. It can also pull up to five times included in the vehicle or cost points. Some “features” are actually
itsheavy load at 1/2 speed (up to ten times, if equipped with the FX, described in the following section.
proper hauling equipment and given an unobstructed area in which
• Alarm: The vehicle has an alarm system that goes off when an
to move). Each increase in size category increases a vehicle’s
unauthorized access or activation attempt is made. An
Strength by +0 at no additional cost.
Infiltration check (DC 20) overcomes the alarm. For each
additional equipment point, the DC increases by 5.
TABLE 6.7: VEHICLE TRAIT COST • Caltrops: A vehicle may be equipped with a dispenser for
Starting Value Equipment Cost caltrops. Activating the dispenser is one action. Caltrops
automatically blow the tires of ordinary vehicles that run over
Strength +0 1 point per +2 Strength them (consider such vehicles “minions”). Heroic characters can
Speed 0 movement FX cost make Toughness saving throws for their vehicles; tires are
Toughness 5 1 point per +5 Toughness Toughness 3, and the caltrops' effect modifier is +0. An injured
result halves the vehicle’s movement while a staggered result
Size Medium 1 point per size category brings the vehicle to a stop.
Features — 1 point per feature
• Hidden Compartments: The vehicle has hidden
FX — base cost times rank compartments or cargo areas holding up to a tenth of the
vehicle’s medium load in cargo. A Perception check (DC 20)

Speed
A vehicle buys the appropriate movement power(s) for its
movement speed, paying the normal cost. Vehicles with multiple
modes of movement (air, ground, and water, for example) can pay
full cost for one and acquire the others as Alternate FX.
Defense
A vehicle’s Defense is 10 + its size modifier.
Toughness
This is the vehicle’s Toughness rating, which starts out at 5 and
allows the searcher to find the hidden compartment. For each
additional equipment point, the DC increases by 5.
• Navigation System: The vehicle has the equivalent of the
direction sense Enhanced Sense, granting a +5 bonus on all
skill checks related to navigation. This can be increased by +5
per additional equipment point to a maximum of +20.
• Oil Slick: The vehicle can release an oil slick, covering a 20-ft.
by 20-ft. area and forcing the driver of a pursuing vehicle to
make a Vehicles check (DC 15) to retain control of the vehicle.
Releasing the oil slick is a one action.
• Remote Control: The vehicle’s owner can operate it remotely
using a transmitter and control device. Remotely controlling a
vehicle requires the same kind of action (usually one action) as
if you were actually behind the wheel of the vehicle.
• Smokescreen: The vehicle can generate a smoke screen,

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visually obscuring an area behind it 10 feet wide and up to 50- Tanks are heavily armed and armored vehicles. The standard tank
feet long. Activating the smoke cloud is one action. comes equipped with a cannon (Damage 10, Ranged Explosion)
and a heavy machine gun (Damage 6, Ranged Autofire). It takes a
full-round action to get into or out of a tank, and another full-round
FX action to start it up. Half of a tank’s Toughness (or 6) is Impervious.
APCs or Armored Personnel Carriers, are designed for carrying
A vehicle can have various FX of its own, usually reflecting the troops. They come with a smaller cannon (Damage 6, Ranged
vehicle’s systems. Attack effects are suitable for vehicle-mounted Explosion), and are set up so soldiers on board can fire their
weapons, while defense effects protect the vehicle (and often the personal weapons from behind the cover of the APC’s armor. One-
passengers) from harm. Vehicle powers have their normal power third of an APCs Toughness (or 4) is Impervious.
point cost for the vehicle (meaning they cost one-fifth the normal
amount for the vehicle’s owner, since the effects are incorporated
into the vehicle and not always available).
• Armor: Armor provides Toughness for a vehicle in addition to
Water Vehicles
its normal Toughness, possibly including Impervious Protection. Water vehicles range from small boats and outboards to massive
Ablative armor (Enhanced (Toughness) with the Fades seagoing ships.
modifier) is also common for vehicles. • Cutters are used by the Coast Guard and the Navy. They’re
• Cloaking Device: A vehicle may have a “cloaking device” often equipped with light machine guns (Ranged Damage 6,
granting Concealment from visual senses. Some vehicles may Autofire).
also have Concealment from auditory senses or things such as • Destroyers are main naval ships, carrying heavy guns
radar, giving them a “stealth mode.” (Ranged Damage 10, Explosion).
• Immunity: While vehicles are immune to many environmental • Battleships have massive gun batteries (Ranged Damage
conditions, they may also provide immunity to their 13, Explosion) and heavy armor.
passengers. Immunity (life support) is necessary for vehicles
that travel in space or underwater. • Submarines are equipped with torpedoes (Ranged Damage
8, Explosion) and often ballistic missiles (Ranged Damage 15,
• Weapons: Vehicle weapons are based on attack FX, Explosion, higher if the missile has a nuclear warhead).
particularly Damage with various modifiers. Vehicles may
mount versions of some of the weapons listed in this chapter.
TABLE 6.10: WATER VEHICLES
Ground Vehicles Vehicle Strength
Water
Speed
Defense Toughness Size
EP
Cost
Jet-Ski 3 4 10 5 Medium 5
Most cars include such standard features as air conditioning, air
bags, antilock brakes, cruise control, keyless entry, and an AM/FM Speedboat 13 5 8 9 Huge 8
radio with CD player. Luxury (masterwork) vehicles often also Yacht 20 4 6 11 Gargantuan 7
include extras such as leather upholstery and a sunroof. Cutter* 25 4 6 12 Gargantuan 26
Destroyer* 33 4 2 15 Colossal 45
Battleship* 45 3 -2 18 Awesome 58
TABLE 6.9: GROUND VEHICLES Submarine* 30 3 2 13 Colossal 42
EP
Vehicle Strength Speed Defense Toughness Size * = See individual descriptions for more information
Cost
Motorcycle 3 5 10 8 Medium 9
Compact
Car
10 5 9 8 Large 9 Air Vehicles
Midsize Car 10 5 8 9 Huge 7 Air vehicles are all capable of flight, some of them at very high
Full-size Car 13 5 8 9 Huge 8 speeds.
Sports Car 8 5 9 8 Large 8 Military helicopters are equipped with machine guns (Ranged
Limousine 13 5 8 9 Huge 8 Damage 6, Autofire) and rockets (Ranged Damage 9, Explosion).
Pickup Fighter jets have machine guns (Ranged Damage 6, Autofire) and
15 5 8 9 Huge 9
Truck air-to-air missiles (Ranged Damage 11, Explosion, Homing).
SUV 13 5 8 9 Huge 8
Van 13 5 8 9 Huge 8
Small Truck 15 5 8 9 Huge 9
TABLE 6.11: AIR VEHICLES
Fight EP
Bus 18 4 6 11 Gargantuan 8 Vehicle Strength Defense Toughness Size
Speed Cost
Semi 18 4 6 11 Gargantuan 8
Helicopter 10 5 6 9 Huge 12
Armored
13 5 8 12 Huge 11 Military
Car 15 7 6 11 Gargantuan 32
helicopter*
Police
10 5 8 9 Huge 7 Private Jet 15 7 6 11 Gargantuan 17
Cruiser
Jumbo-jet 23 6 5 13 Colossal 17
Tank* 20 3 8 12 Huge 64
Fighter Jet* 20 9 6 11 Gargantuan 78
APC* 18 4 8 12 Huge 32
Bomber* 28 8 2 13 Colossal 59
* = See individual descriptions for more information
* = See individual descriptions for more information

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TABLE 6.12: SPACE VEHICLES especially large vehicle may serve as a kind of mobile
headquarters, and the GM may allow characters to install some
Space headquarters features into vehicles of Gargantuan or greater size.
EP
Vehicle Strength Fight Defense Toughness Size
Cost A character can even have multiple bases of operation. This is
Speed
Space more common for villains, who have back-up plans and secret
30 10 2 13 Colossal 28 bases they can retreat to when their plans are defeated. If a
Shuttle
Space
character’s headquarters is destroyed, the character can choose to
20 12 6 11 Gargantuan 49 rebuild it or build a new headquarters with different features. Villains
Fighter*
often go through a succession of different headquarters. At the
Space
Cruiser*
45 12 2 15 Colossal 89 Gamemaster’s option, characters can have additional headquarters
as “Alternate FX” feats of the first, since they aren’t likely to be used
Space
70 14 -2 18 Awesome 115 all at once.
Battleship*
* = See individual descriptions for more information

TABLE 6.13: SPECIAL VEHICLES Headquarters Traits

EP
Vehicle Strength Speed Defense Toughness Size Headquarters have two main traits—Toughness and size—and a
Cost
4 number of possible features. Each of these costs equipment points
Mole to improve.
25 (burrow 6 13 Gargantuan 13
Machine
)
Time
Machine*
— — 9 8 Large 3 TABLE 6.14: HEADQUARTERS TRAIT COST
Dimension Starting Value Equipment Cost
— — 9 8 Large 3
Hopper* Toughness 5 1 point per +5 Toughness
* = See individual descriptions for more information
Size Small 1 point per size category
Bombers may have machine guns and missiles, but also have
powerful bombs (Ranged Damage 12 or higher, Explosion) they Features — 1 point per feature
can drop on targets. Bombers are also capable of carrying nuclear
weapons and similar payloads.
Toughness
A headquarters’ Toughness indicates the strength of its structural
Space Vehicles materials, particularly its outer structure (walls, ceiling, etc.).
Toughness 5 is typical for most wooden structures, Toughness 10
Space vehicles are intended for use outside the atmosphere, some for steel-reinforced or concrete structures, and Toughness 15 or
of them for interplanetary or even interstellar travel. Generally more for special alloys or armored structures. A structure’s
space vehicles are found in the possession of alien civilizations, Toughness may be higher if its walls are especially thick. See
although the GM may choose to allow some organizations and Damaging Objects for more information. A structure starts out with
individuals on Earth to have space vehicles. Toughness 5 for 0 points. +5 Toughness costs 1 equipment point.
Space fighters are armed with blaster cannons (Ranged Damage
10).
Space cruisers have larger beam weapons (Ranged Damage 12)
TABLE 6.15: STRUCTURE SIZE CATEGORIES
and often energy torpedoes (Ranged Damage 12, Explosion, Structure Character
Size Examples
Homing). Size Size
Space battleships have the biggest weapons: blaster cannons Awesome — 5,000+ ft. Small town
(Ranged Damage 15) and high-energy torpedoes (Ranged 2,000-5,000 City block, private
Damage 15, Explosion, Homing). Colossal —
ft. estate
1,000-2,000
Gargantuan — Skyscraper
ft.
Special Vehicles Huge — 500-1,000 ft. Castle
Mansion, cave
Large — 250-500 ft.
These are unique vehicles, most likely found in the possession of complex
extradimensional warlords, aliens, or eccentric inventors. Medium Awesome 128-250 ft. Warehouse
Small Colossal 64-128 ft. House
Tiny Gargantuan 32-64 ft. Townhouse
Structures Diminutive
Fine
Huge
Large
16-32 ft.
8-16 ft.
Apartment
Loft
Whether it’s an underground cave, the top floors of a skyscraper, a Minuscule Medium 4-8 ft. Room
satellite in orbit, or a base on the Moon, many heroes and villains
maintain their own secret (or not so secret) headquarters. Teams of
characters also may even pool their equipment points to have a Size
headquarters they share, with the Gamemaster’s approval.
A headquarters is unlike other “equipment” in that it is fixed and A structure’s size is measured similar to that of a character or
serves as a home base, not something normally carried around. An vehicle, and gives a general idea of the overall space it occupies

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and how much space is available inside it. Structures are measured
on a different scale, however. See the Structure Size Categories
Table for guidelines. A headquarters starts out at Small size for 0
points. Each increase in size category costs 1 point, each decrease
in size category gives you an additional point to spend elsewhere
on your headquarters.
Features
A headquarters may have a number of features, chosen from the
list below. A headquarters automatically has the basic structural
amenities like doors and windows, power outlets, utilities, and so
forth at no cost. Each feature costs 1 equipment point.
Combat Simulator
A combat simulator or “danger room” is a special room equipped
with various devices intended to test characters’ powers and skills
and allow them to train in realistic combat situations. Generally, a
combat simulator has a suite of devices that can simulate any
appropriate attack effect at a rank up to equal to the campaign’s
power level. A combat simulator normally has safety interlocks so
its attacks are always nonlethal damage, but these can be
disengaged so the simulator’s attacks do lethal damage. For an
additional feature, the combat simulator also can project realistic
illusions, allowing it to recreate or simulate almost any environment.
Combat simulators are useful for training and short “war games”
(pitting the characters against each other or simulated opponents).
Clever characters also can try to lure intruders into the combat
simulator or an intruder might override the simulator’s control
systems and trap the characters in it, turning it into a deathtrap.
Communications
A communications system allows the headquarters to receive and
transmit on a wide range of radio and TV bands, monitor police and
emergency channels, coordinate communications between
members of a team, and so forth. It includes communications
equipment, consoles, and monitors. The system’s access to
restricted communication bands depends on the clearance and
skills of the user. Heroes often have access to special government
channels, while a successful Technology skill check (DC 25) can
grant a user illegal access to restricted systems.
Computer
A state-of-the-art computer system serving the entire headquarters
(a mainframe or mini-frame system). This allows characters to
make full use of the Computers skill and the computer can be
programmed to handle routine base functions (including monitoring
communications channels and controlling defensive systems). For
an artificially intelligent computer system, see Constructs.
Concealed
The headquarters is hidden from the outside world in some way. It
may be camouflaged behind a false façade, buried underground,
and so forth. Note this is in addition to the Isolated Location feature,
if any. An isolated headquarters is difficult to reach, while a
concealed headquarters is difficult to find in the first place. Skill
checks to locate the headquarters (Perception, Knowledge, etc.)
have their DC increased by +10. Each additional feature applied to
this increases the DC +5.
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Defense System
A defense system consists of various weapon emplacements
defending the exterior and interior of the headquarters. A defense
system can have any attack effect with a rank no greater than the
campaign’s power level. These attack devices try to disable or
restrain anyone approaching or invading the headquarters. Their
attack bonus is equal to the campaign’s power level.
Dock
A dock houses water vehicles and includes access to a nearby
waterway, an airlock or lock system for moving vehicles in and out
of the dock, and dry-dock facilities for repairing and maintaining
water vehicles. The GM may require the headquarters be located
within reasonable distance of a body of water in order to have this
feature.
Fire Prevention System
The headquarters is equipped with an automatic system for
detecting and extinguishing fires. Any large open flame sets the
system off (beware, fire using characters!). It functions like the
Nullify FX at rank 5 against fire. A computer-controlled fire
prevention system can be programmed to ignore certain sources of
fire or the system can be placed on manual control (requiring
someone to throw a switch in order to activate it).
FX
A headquarters can be given any appropriate FX as a feature with
the Gamemaster’s approval. The FX cannot have a total cost
greater than twice the campaign’s power level or a rank greater
than the power level. FX are assumed to affect either the
headquarters itself or its occupants, if they do both, they count as
two features.
Garage
A garage houses ground vehicles and includes a ramp or other
access to move vehicles in and out, facilities for repairing and
maintaining vehicles, and a sliding access door.
Gym
A gym consists of weight-training and other exercise machines,
space for working out, stretching, and similar exercises, and all the
necessary amenities (lockers, showers, etc.). Some HQs may
incorporate the gym feature into the combat simulator, for a multi-
purpose training room.
Hangar
A hangar houses air and space vehicles. It includes a hatch and/or
runway for the vehicles to launch and facilities for repairing and
maintaining flying vehicles. For some HQs the launch facilities of
the hangar may require a long tunnel or other access to the
outside.
Holding Cells
These are cells for holding prisoners, usually temporarily, although
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some headquarters might have more permanent holding facilities.
The cells are equipped with Nullify devices (ranked at the
campaign’s power level) or their basic Toughness is increased by
50%, which option should be agreed upon by both player and GM
(both options for two features).
Infirmary
An infirmary consists of hospital beds and equipment for the full use
of the Science skill for medical care. An infirmary can provide
treatment for a number of characters equal to the base’s power
level at one time and it can be assumed to have the necessary
facilities to handle any unusual physiology of the base’s owner(s).
Isolated
Headquarters with this feature are situated somewhere out of the
way like the Antarctic, the bottom of the ocean, on top of a lonely
mountain peak, even in orbit or on the Moon. The base’s owner
doesn’t have to worry about things like door-to-door salesmen or
other unwanted visitors but the headquarters is also far from
civilization (which can be limiting for heroes unable to travel fast).
The headquarters is assumed to provide all the necessary life-
support for its location, but it doesn’t provide characters with the
means to get to the base or travel back. They need the appropriate
powers or a vehicle.
Laboratory
A laboratory is a facility for the use of Knowledge skills in
performing scientific tests or experiments. It contains all the
necessary scientific equipment, including dedicated computers, if
the headquarters doesn’t have its own computer system.
Characters can use the laboratory to perform research, study
unusual phenomena, and so forth.
Library
A library allows for use of various Knowledge skills and research. A
library may consist of printed matter (books and periodicals),
microfilm, computer databases, or a combination of all three. A
library allows characters to take 20 on most Knowledge skill checks
unless the information they’re looking for is particularly obscure (in
the GM’s judgment).
Living Space
The headquarters includes all the necessary amenities for people
to live there full-time. This is usually a number of people equal to
the HQ’s power level (possibly more, at the GM’s discretion). It
includes bedrooms or private suites, kitchen facilities, dining area,
and common living areas. Characters can live in a headquarters
lacking this feature short-term, but they’re not likely to be very
comfortable.
Pool
The headquarters has a large heated pool, which may be part of a
gym area. At the owner’s discretion, the pool can provide access to
an outside body of water (connected to a lake, river, or even to the
ocean), to the base’s dock, or both at no additional cost.
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Power System
A power system makes the headquarters completely independent
of outside power. It has its own generators (which may be solar,
geothermal, nuclear, or anything else the designer wants). They
provide for all the base’s power needs. The headquarters also has
emergency back-up power should the generators fail. This
generally lasts for a number of hours equal to the HQ’s power level.
Security System
Various locks and alarms protect the headquarters from
unauthorized access. An Infiltration check (DC 20) overcomes
these systems. Each additional feature increases the DC by +5.
The security system may be tied into a defense system (if the
headquarters is equipped with that feature), so triggering an alarm
activates the defense system to disable or restrain the intruder(s).
Workshop
A workshop has all the facilities for use of various Science and
Technology skills. It includes tools, workbenches, supplies, and so
forth. The Gamemaster may rule certain Craft skills cannot be used
in a workshop, or require a workshop of their own (which is an
additional feature). For example, a workshop can easily handle
woodworking, metalworking, and machining, but might not be
suitable for creating magical inventions, which require a separate
dedicated workshop.
Devices
A device is an item that provides a particular FX (see the Container
FX Structure). If the character doesn’t have the device, he doesn’t
have access to those powers. The cost for devices is given below:
Device Cost = 3 cp/rank (easy to lose); 4 cp/rank (hard to lose)
While devices are typically creations of advanced science, they
don’t have to be. Many characters have magical devices such as
enchanted weapons and armor, magical talismans, wands and
staves of power, and so forth. Some devices are products of alien
technology so advanced they might as well be magical, or focuses
of cosmic power beyond the understanding of both magic and
science. All devices work the same way in game terms, regardless
of their origin or descriptors.
Just like other FX, devices cost character points. Characters who
want to have and use a device on a regular basis have to pay
power points to have it, just like having any other power. The device
becomes a part of the character’s abilities. If the device is lost,
stolen, or destroyed, the character can replace it, given time, since
the device is considered a permanent part of the character. Only a
re-allocation of character points will change this, and Gamemasters
should allow characters to re-allocate character points spent on a
Device if it is somehow permanently lost.
In other cases, characters may make temporary use of a device.
Most devices are usable by anyone able to operate them, in which
case characters may loan devices to each other, or may pick up
and use someone else’s device (or even steal a device away from
someone in order to use it against them). The key concept here is
the use of the device is temporary, something that happens during
a single encounter or, at most, a single adventure. If the character
wants to continue using the device beyond that, he must pay
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character points to make the device part of his regular abilities.

Otherwise the GM can simply rule that the device is lost, reclaimed
by its owner, runs out of power, breaks down, or whatever, and is
therefore no longer accessible. Characters with the Inventor and
Artificer feats can also create temporary devices for use in an
adventure.
Gamemasters may require characters to spend a hero die to make
temporary use of a device that doesn’t belong to them. This helps
to limit the loaning and temporary use of devices.

Types of Devices
Battlesuits
A common staple of comic books is the battlesuit, also known as
power armor. It is an advanced suit of technological armor, giving
the wearer FX.
Battlesuits commonly grant the following FX:
• Enhanced (Toughness): This is the foundation power for a
battlesuit. Whether it is armor plating, metallic mesh, flexible
ballistic material, or some combination of these and other
cutting-edge technology, a battlesuit protects its wearer from
damage. Some battlesuits provide a Force Field, either in place
of or in addition to their Protection.
• Immunity: A part of the protection a battlesuit offers is a sealed
environment, offering Immunity to various conditions. Many
battlesuits provide Immunity (life support). Some might have
more extensive or specialized forms of Immunity.
• Attacks: Battlesuits are typically equipped with some kind of
weapon or weapons, based around various attack FX,
particularly Ranged Damage. A battlesuit with an array of Weapons
weapons may have a primary attack FX and several others as
Alternate FX. Weapons are common devices, ranging from super-powered
versions of ordinary weapons like swords, bows, or guns to more
• Might: A battlesuit might have servomotors or other exotic weapons like magic wands or alien power rings. A weapon
mechanisms to magnify the wearer’s Strength. This is typically device usually has one or more attack FX but may have virtually
done with the Damage and Might allowing a normal-Strength any FX the player wants to include. Weapon devices often have
wearer to strike for increased damage and lift tremendous several different attacks as Alternate FX. One example is a set of
weights. A battlesuit may also simply provide Enhanced magic rings, each with its own FX, but only usable one at a time.
(Strength), or some combination of the two options.
• Movement: After defense and offense, battlesuits typically
allow the wearer to get around, whether it’s hydraulic-assisted Other Devices
Leaping, bootjets or anti-gravity repulsion for Flight, turbines for
The full range of devices d20 Advanced characters can create and
Swimming, or some other movement effect.
use is limited solely by your imagination. Essentially any item with a
• Sensors: Finally, battlesuits often come equipped with a suite power is considered a device. Players and GMs may well come up
of sensors providing Enhanced Senses. Blindsight (radar or with additional devices beyond those described here. Use the
sonar), darkvision, direction sense (possibly from a GPS), guidelines in this chapter and in Chapter V: FX to handle any new
infrared vision, radio, time sense (from a chronometer), and devices and their capabilities.
ultra-hearing are all common battlesuit sensors.

Enhanced Equipment
Some devices are otherwise normal equipment with special
properties. Magical items, normal equipment imbued with magical
properties, are examples. Magical weapons may have greater
damage bonuses or grant attack roll bonuses while magical armor
has no armor check penalties and provides greater protection.
Such enchantments move archaic weapons and armor from the
realm of mundane equipment to devices. The same is true of
super-alloys, bulletproof cloth, and other wonders of super-science.
Plot Devices
A plot device is an item or even character whose function is
important to the story, but is not a part of a character’s regular
abilities. Therefore the actual character point cost or sometimes
even game statistics of a plot device are irrelevant, so long as the
device fulfills its role in the story. Technically, nearly any character
or device the character don’t directly interact with can be seen as a
plot device, freeing the GM up from having to assign game stats to
every single thing in the game world.
For example, part of an adventure is planned to take place on
board a vast alien city-ship. While the GM may want to know things
like the Toughness of the city-ship’s walls or the game stats of the

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alien soldiers the characters may fight, it’s not important to assign
game statistics to the city-ship’s engines or it’s planet-busting main
gun. They’re plot devices. It’s also not necessary to determine how
much the ship costs in character points, unless the player
characters are going to use it as their regular vehicle or base of
operations. It’s sufficient to know the city-ship can get where it
needs to go and its main gun will shatter any planet it’s fired at
unless the heroes manage to stop it in time. Likewise, consider a
cosmic device able to reshape reality at will. This is far beyond any
of the FX in Chapter V: FX, so it’s best to simply treat it as a plot
device: the wielder of the object can make anything happen, as
called for in the adventure.
Plot devices are best kept in the hands of the Gamemaster, since
unlimited power in the hands of the players can quickly spoil
everyone’s fun. If the characters aren’t wise enough to reject
absolute power, the GM can come up with any number of reasons
why a plot device no longer works once the characters get their
hands on it. It may run out of power, be attuned only to particular
users, or perhaps cosmic beings reclaim it. It’s fine to allow a
characters to use a plot device occasionally, such as the character
who takes the Cosmic Crown from a villain and uses it to undo all
the damage the villain has done before casting the Crown into the
heart of the sun (or something similar). But long-term use (and
abuse) of plot devices can ruin a game, and the GM would be wise
to have the Cosmic Crown disappear or have powerful entities
reclaim it before characters to abuse its power.
Inventing
Characters with the necessary Knowledge, Science and
Technology skills and the Inventor feat can create inventions,
temporary devices. To create an invention, the inventor defines its
traits and its total cost in character points. This cost is used for the
necessary skill checks, and determines the time required to create
the invention. Inventions are subject to the same power level limits
as other powers in the campaign.
Design Check
First, the inventor must design the invention. This is a Technology
or Science skill check. The DC is 10 + the invention’s character
point cost. It requires an hour’s work per character point of the
invention’s cost. The character can take 10 or 20 on the check. In
the latter case, the design process takes 20 times longer (20 hours
per character point). You can halve the design time by taking a –5
on the check.
Design Check = DC 10 + invention’s point cost
If the check is successful, you have a design for the invention. If the
check fails, the design is flawed and you must start over. If the
check fails by 10 or more, the character is not aware of the design
flaw; the design seems correct, but the invention won’t function (or
at least won’t function properly) when it’s used. For this reason, the
GM should make the design check secretly and only inform the
player whether or not the character appears to have succeeded.
Construction Check
Once the design is in-hand, the character can construct the
invention. This requires four hours work per character point of the
invention’s cost, so an invention costing 10 points takes 40 hours
(about a week’s work normally, or working two days straight without
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rest) to construct. When the construction time is complete, make a
Technology or Science skill check, using the Craft specialty
appropriate to the invention (generally chemical, electronic, or
mechanical). The DC is 10 + the invention’s power point cost. You
can’t take 20 on this check, but you can take 10. You can halve the
construction time by taking a –5 on the check.
Construction Check = DC 10 + invention’s point cost
Success means the invention is complete and functional. Failure
means the invention doesn’t work. Failure by 10 or more may result
in a mishap, at the GM’s discretion.
Using the Invention
Once the invention is complete, it is good for use in one encounter,
after which it breaks down or runs out of power. If the character
wishes to use the invention again, there are two options. The first is
to spend the necessary character points to acquire the Device for
the price described at the beginning of this chapter and make the
invention a part of the character’s regular traits; in this case, the
new device can be used like any other. The other option is to spend
a hero die to get another one-encounter use out of the invention.
Each use costs an additional hero die, but doesn’t require any
further skill checks.
Although it’s possible to prepare certain one-use devices in
advance, the GM should carefully enforce the guidelines for having
items on-hand. If an inventor wants to have a particular previously-
constructed invention on-hand during an adventure, the GM should
require the player to spend a hero die.
Jury-Rigging Device
An inventor can choose to spend a hero die to jury-rig a device and
have it ready in a hurry. When jury-rigging a device, skip the design
check and reduce the time of the construction check to one round
per character point of the device’s cost, but increases the DC of the
check by +5. The inventor makes the Craft check and, if successful,
has use of the device for one encounter before it burns out, falls
apart, blows up, or otherwise fails. You can’t take 10 or take 20
when jury-rigging an invention, nor can you speed up the process
any further by taking a skill check penalty. You can jury-rig an
invention again by spending another hero die.
Mishaps
At the GM’s discretion, failure by 10 or more, or a natural roll of 1,
on any required inventing skill check may result in some
unexpected side-effect or mishap. Exactly what depends heavily on
the invention. Inventing mishaps can become a source of adventure
ideas and put the characters in some difficult situations. They may
also be setbacks, suitable for hero die awards.
Magical Rituals
Characters with the Ritualist feat and the Expertise (magic) skill can
perform magical rituals. They are similar to inventions: one-time FX
requiring some time and effort to set up.
For rituals, substitute the Expertise (magic) skill for both the design
and construction checks. The design portion of the ritual takes 4
hours per character point of the ritual’s cost (pouring over ancient
scrolls and grimoires, drawing diagrams, casting horoscopes,
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meditating, and so forth). The performance of the actual ritual takes
10 minutes per point of the ritual’s cost. So a ritual costing 10
character points takes 40 hours to research and 100 minutes to
perform. As with inventing, the ritual is good for one encounter.
Failing the research check means the ritual isn’t usable and failure
by 10 or more results in a mishap (at the GM’s discretion).
“Jury-rigging” a magical ritual has the same effects as mentioned
previously. This allows the ritualist to skip the design check and
perform the ritual in a number of rounds equal to its cost. An
Expertise (magic) check against a DC equal of (15 + the ritual’s
cost) is needed to successfully perform the ritual.
Magical Inventions
For magical inventions, use the normal inventing rules, but use the
Expertise (magic) skill for the design check and the Art skill for the
construction check.
Constructs
Armored robots, humanlike androids, even magically-animated
golems or zombies are all examples of constructs, non-living things
capable of acting on their own to one degree or another, carrying
out pre-programmed instructions, or even possessing real thought.
Since they are capable of action on their own (rather than just
improving their owner’s abilities), constructs are considered minions
rather than devices or equipment and are acquired using the
Minions feat. The Summon (Minion) FX can summon constructs to
serve a character. Constructs are subject to the same power level
limits as other characters and the Gamemaster should require
constructs controlled by the players to observe these limits.
TABLE 6.16: CONSTRUCT TRAIT COST
Trait Cost
Ability Score 2 points per +1
Resistances 1 point per +1
Attack Bonus 2 points per +1
Defense Bonus 2 points per +1
Skill Ranks 1 point per 4 skill ranks
Feats
FX
1 point per feat
base cost × rank
Ability Scores
Constructs have ability scores like characters do. They lack certain
basic abilities, however. Constructs have no Constitution score,
because they are not living beings. Constructs always fail
Constitution checks. Constructs do not recover from damage; they
must be repaired instead. Constructs are immune to effects
targeting Fortitude resistances unless the effect works on inanimate
objects. Constructs also have either no Intelligence and Charisma
scores or no Strength and Dexterity scores.
These qualities of constructs: lacking three ability scores (–30
points) and Immunity to effects requiring Fortitude resistances (30
points) average out to 0 points.
Constructs without Intelligence and Charisma are automatons,
operating on simple instinct or programmed instructions. They are
immune to mental effects and interaction skills and automatically
fail Intelligence and Charisma checks.
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Constructs without Strength and Dexterity scores are immobile
intellects, like an artificially intelligent computer or a sentient magic
item. They cannot undertake physical actions on their own,
although they may be able to control others. They cannot move or
exert force, and automatically fail Strength and Dexterity checks.
A construct can buy up one of its nonexistent ability scores from -5
by spending character points; +1 ability score point per 2 character
points. This gives the construct the normal use of that ability. Note a
construct with Intelligence but no Charisma is intelligent but non-
sentient (not self-aware) and a construct needs at least a -5 in both
Strength and Dexterity to be able to move and act physically.
Constructs cannot buy Constitution, since creatures with
Constitution are by definition living beings and not constructs.
Toughness
Like inanimate objects, constructs have a Toughness score, which
measures their ability to resist damage. A construct starts out at
Toughness 0 and can increase its score by +1 for 1 character point.
Skills
Constructs can have skills just like characters at the same cost (1
character point per rank). However, constructs cannot have skills
based on abilities they lack. A construct with no Intelligence cannot
have skills like Science or Technology. A construct with no Dexterity
cannot have skills like Acrobatics or Vehicles, and so forth.
Feats
Constructs can have feats at the same cost as other characters (1
character point per feat rank). Some feats are less useful or even
useless to constructs.
FX
Constructs can have various FX, just like characters do. Some FX
are less useful or even useless to constructs. The GM has final say
as to whether or not a particular FX can be assigned to a construct.
Size
Constructs larger or smaller than Medium must pay power points
for Permanent Growth or Shrinking, as shown on the Size Table.
Larger constructs gain +2 Toughness per increase in size category
above Medium (but do not gain the additional Constitution from
Growth).
Commanding Constructs
A construct’s owner can give it orders verbally or through any other
means the construct understands. Commanding a construct is one
action. Constructs follow orders to the best of their ability. Non-
intelligent constructs do exactly as they’re told, without creativity or
initiative, while intelligent constructs have the ability to interpret and
improvise based on their Int score. An owner can also give a
construct a series of basic orders for it to fulfill, such as “stay and
guard this place and attack anyone who comes here other than
me.” In the absence of new orders, constructs follow the last order
they were given.
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Damaging and Repairing

Constructs
Constructs suffer damage like inanimate objects. Constructs do not
heal or otherwise recover from damage. Instead, they must be
repaired using the craft skills, such as Technology. Repairing the
construct requires the same amount of time as a recovery check for
its damage condition, and a skill check in place of the recovery
check. A failed check means no progress. Attempting repairs
without the proper tools is at the usual –5 penalty, and the GM may
require special materials or facilities to repair a construct.
A constructs with the Regeneration FX are self-repairing and can
make recovery checks.
DC. As a general guideline, the equipment purchase DC equals 10
+ the equipment’s point cost. The GM sets the Wealth check DC for
any particular purchase.
The Wealth Check
A Wealth check is a d20 roll plus your current Wealth bonus plus
the size of your Wealth Pool. Wealth bonus is static, but your
Wealth Pool is fluid; it increases as you gain Wealth and decreases
as you make purchases. If you succeed on the Wealth check, you
purchase the item. If you fail, you can’t afford the item at this time. If
your current Wealth bonus is equal to or greater than the DC, you
automatically succeed.
If you wish, you may use your Wealth Pool to reroll a failed Wealth
check, taking the highest result of the pool, but you lose a Wealth
die after the roll is made. This represents taking a worse deal or

Wealth having to accept a bad offer to get something that you really need.

Every character has a Wealth bonus which reflects buying power—
a composite of income, credit rating, and savings. A character’s
Wealth bonus serves as the basis for a wealth check, used to
purchase equipment and services.
Try Again
You can try again if you fail a Wealth check, but not until the
character has spent an additional number of hours shopping equal
to the purchase DC of the object or service.

Wealth Bonus Taking 10 and Taking 20

A character’s base Wealth bonus is +8. The Benefit feat provides a You can take 10 or take 20 when making a Wealth check. Taking 20
+4 Wealth bonus per rank. The Profession feat grants a bonus to requires 20 times as long as normal. (You’re shopping around for
Wealth, +2 per rank. Decreases to base Wealth grant character the best price.)
points, like decreasing an ability score: 1 point for a Wealth bonus
of +4, 2 points for a Wealth bonus of +0.
Shopping and Time
Wealth Pool Buying less common items generally takes a number of hours
equal to the purchase DC of the item, reflecting the time needed to
Over the course of play, your Wealth bonus increases and locate the item and close the deal. Getting a license or buying a
decreases as you make and spend money. This is represented by legally restricted item also increase the time needed to make
your wealth pool. You gain bonus wealth dice as rewards, such as purchases.
finding an ancient treasure, winning the lottery, or maybe just
getting a big bonus from work.
Whenever you gain such a windfall, you are rewarded with wealth
TABLE 6.18: SAMPLE PURCHASE
dice. This represents a pool of disposable, fluid capital that you are DIFFICULTIES
able to mobilize and spend quickly. The downside is that it Item Purchase DC
decreases when used just as quickly (see The Wealth Check). Flashlight 4
Restaurant meal 4
TABLE 6.17: WEALTH BONUS Common household item 4-5
Wealth Bonus Financial Condition Casual clothing 8
+0 Impoverished Cell phone 9
+1 to +4 Struggling Professional services 10 + skill rank
+5 to +10 Middle class Weapon 10 + point cost
+11 to +15 Affluent Expensive clothing 12-15
+16 to +20 Wealthy Tool kit 13
+21 to +30 Rich Plane ticket 14
+31 or higher Filthy rich New computer 22
New automobile 28

Making Purchases House

Mansion
30
36
Wealth bonus reflects your buying power. Every item and service
has a purchase Difficulty Class based on how expensive it is. To
purchase something, make a Wealth check against the purchase

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part I

Financial Aid Wealth and Inventing

You can make an aid attempt (DC 10) to help someone else
Gamemasters may wish to add a Wealth check to the inventing
purchase an item. If the attempt is successful, you provide the
process. Once the inventor has come up with a design for the
purchaser with a +2 bonus on the Wealth check. If you aid a Wealth
device, make a Wealth check to obtain the necessary components
check for an item with a purchase DC higher than your current
(DC = device’s point cost). A failed check means you can’t afford
Wealth bonus, it decreases as normal.
the materials. Spending a hero die to jury-rig the device out of
materials at hand allows you to skip the Wealth check.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II
Part II: Action
Once you’ve got the characters together, you’ve got your actors.
But without conflict, you don’t yet have a story. Part II of d20A
details all the rules you need to create action-packed adventures. It
includes the rules for combat and how to use environmental
challenges to confound the characters, as well as systems for
adjudicating other dramatic scenes, from car chases to
interrogation to social duels.
To the Players
Beginning players don’t need to worry too much about Part II. Part I
gives beginners all the information they need to know about their
character and what their character is capable of. More experienced
players might want to familiarize themselves with the rules for
combat and dramatic interactions in Chapter VII: Combat and
Chapter IX: Dramatic Interactions, respectively, to make game play
smoother.
To the GM
While Part I was more directed to the players, Part II is more useful
to the GM. Since part of the role of the GM is to create challenges
for the players and adjudicate rules during game play, it is important
for a GM to be familiar with the rules in these chapters. Chapter
VIII: Environments is particularly useful for its rules on tracking
conditions, and Chapter IX: Dramatic Interactions includes the rules
needed to run many different dramatic interactions. Chapter IX also
includes many different options for different games, including
systems for reputation and taint.
What's in This Part
Part II details all the rules you need to create and overcome
challenges in-game, from characters engaged in delicate political
struggles to overt battles with steel clashing against steel to
struggles with Nature itself.
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Chapter VII: Combat
In Chapter VII, the basics of combat are detailed, including
Damage, Saves, Movement, Attacking, and Actions. The Combat
chapter also includes rules for more advanced Maneuvers, as well
as an optional system for Attacks of Opportunity. This section is
important for GMs to understand, but players who want game play
to move more quickly might want to familiarize themselves with this
chapter as well.
Chapter VIII: Environments
While Chapter VII dealt with fighting other enemies, Chapter VIII
deals with the hazards (and boons) the environment can contain. It
details how GMs can create Zones in battlefields in much the same
way that they design NPCs, as well as summaries of different
environmental types and the different Conditions that are essential
to d20A game play. GMs might find this whole chapter very useful,
and players in particular might want to read the section on
Conditions.
Chapter IX: Dramatic
Interactions
The action rules that round out game play, dramatic interactions in
Chapter IX detail a method for resolving almost any kind of conflict
or contest, including (but not limited) to chases, seduction,
interrogation, and social duels. Chapter IX also details optional
systems that may or may not be appropriate for different games,
like Reputation, Mental Strain, and different examples of Taint.
Players might want to read the section on Dramatic Interactions,
and GMs should understand those rules and they should browse
this chapter to decide if any of the optional rules are good fits for
their games. A four-color superheroes game has no need for a
Madness system, for instance.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II
Chapter VII: Combat
There are times when the best way to resolve a problem is simply
by bashing an antagonist over and over with a hard metal object
until your antagonist is either dead or dying. For that, you need to
enter combat. In d20 Advanced, the rules for combat attempt to
strike a balance between creating exciting and interesting battles
with lots of options for players to use to perform different
maneuvers while still keeping the rules simple and fast-paced and
(most important of all) fun.
Combat Sequence
Combat in d20 Advanced is cyclical. Everybody acts in turn in a
regular cycle called a round. Generally, combat runs like this:
1. Each combatant starts the battle Flat-Footed. Once a
combatant acts, he or she is no longer flat-footed.
2. The GM determines which characters are aware of their
opponents at the start of the battle. If some but not all
combatants are aware of their opponents, a surprise round
happens before regular rounds begin. The combatants aware
of their opponents can act in the surprise round, so they roll for
initiative. In initiative order (highest to lowest), combatants who
started the battle aware of their opponents each take a
standard or move action—not both—during the surprise round.
Unaware combatants do not get to act in the surprise round. If
no one or everyone starts the battle aware, there is no surprise
round.
3. Any remaining combatants roll initiative. All combatants are
now ready to begin their first regular round.
4. Combatants act in initiative order, taking their normal allotment
of actions.
5. When everyone has had a turn, the combatant with the highest
initiative total acts again, and steps 4 and 5 repeat until the
combat ends.
Combat Statistics
Several traits determine how well you do in combat: primarily your
attack bonus, defense bonus, damage bonus, and saving throws.
This section summarizes these traits and how to use them.
Attack
An attack roll represents the attempt to strike a target with an
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attack. When you make an attack roll, roll d20 and add your attack
bonus. If your result equals or exceeds the target’s Defense, you hit
and may deal damage. Various modifiers affect the attack roll, such
as a –1 modifier if you are dazzled or a +1 modifier if you are on
higher ground than your target. More modifiers are discussed in this
chapter.
Automatic Hits and Misses
A natural 1 (the d20 comes up 1) on the attack roll is always a miss.
A natural 20 (the d20 comes up 20) is always a hit, regardless of
the opponent’s Defense. A natural 20 is also a threat—a possible
critical hit.
Attack Bonus
Your attack bonus for an attack is:
Weapon Group bonus + size modifier + miscellaneous modifiers –
range penalty
Size Modifier
The smaller you are, the bigger other opponents are relative to you.
A human is a big target to an ant, just as an elephant is a big target
to a human. Since the same size modifier applies to Defense, two
opponents of the same size strike each other normally, regardless
of size.
Miscellaneous Modifiers
The circumstances of your attack may involve a modifier to your
attack bonus.
Range Penalty
The range penalty with a ranged attack depends on the attack
you’re using and the distance to the target. All ranged attacks have
a range increment. This is typically (FX rank × 10 feet). Any attack
at a distance up to one range increment carries no penalty for
range, so ranged Damage 5 (range increment 50 feet) can strike at
enemies up to 50 feet away with no penalty. However, each full
range increment causes a cumulative –2 penalty to the attack roll.
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TABLE 7.1: SIZE MODIFIERS TO ATTACK Melee Damage Bonus = Strength modifier + weapon damage
FX Damage Bonus = FX rank
BONUS AND DEFENSE
Size Modifier
Strength Modifier
Awesome –12
Your Strength measures how hard you can hit, so your Strength
Colossal –8 modifier applies when you attack unarmed or with a melee or
Gargantuan –4 thrown weapon.

Huge –2
Large –1 Weapon Damage
Medium 0 Weapons have a damage modifier, showing how much damage
Small +1 they inflict. Ranged weapons have a fixed damage bonus. Melee
and thrown weapons add the wielder’s Strength modifier to their
Tiny +2 damage.
Diminutive +4
Fine +8
FX Rank
Minuscule +12
Your FX’s rank measures how much damage it inflicts, so it serves
as the FX’s damage bonus. Individual FX descriptions provide more
For example, a character firing the same attack at a target 120 feet information on how much damage a particular FX inflicts.
away suffers a –4 attack penalty (because 120 feet is at least two
range increments, but less than three increments).
Critical Hits
Defense When you make an attack roll and get a natural 20 (the d20 actually
shows 20), you hit regardless of your target’s Defense, and you
score a threat. The hit might be a critical hit (sometimes called a
Your Defense represents how hard it is for opponents to hit you, the “crit”). To find out whether it’s a critical hit, determine if the attack
Difficulty Class of an opponent’s attack roll. Your Defense is: roll total would have normally hit your opponent’s Defense. If so,
10 + defense bonus + size modifier + miscellaneous modifiers then it is a critical hit. If not, the attack still hits, but as a normal
attack, not a critical.
A critical hit increases the attack’s damage bonus by 5. A critical hit
Defense Bonus against a minion allows no saving throw; the minion is automatically
knocked out or killed.
Your defense bonus represents your passive ability to avoid
attacks. Your Defense bonus represents your ability to actively
avoid attacks. If you can’t react to an attack, you can’t use your Increased Threat Range
defense bonus. For example, you lose your defense bonus if you’re
bound up in a snare, or when you’re caught flat-footed at the Characters with the Improved Critical feat can score a threat on a
beginning of combat. natural result less than 20, although they still automatically hit only
on a natural 20. Any attack roll that doesn’t result in a hit is not a
threat.
Size Modifiers
The bigger a target, the easier it is to hit. The smaller it is, the
harder it is to hit. Since this same modifier applies to attack rolls, Resistances
opponents of the same size have no modifier to hit each other. So When you’re subjected to a potentially harmful effect, the attack
an ant (or an ant-sized person) rolls normally to hit another ant. must beat the DC established by your defense or resistance.

Miscellaneous Modifiers Resistance Types

The circumstances may also apply miscellaneous modifiers to your The resistances are:
Attack or Defense. See the Combat Modifiers Table for details.
• Defense: Your ability to avoid attacks and harm. The DC to
overcome your Defense is 10 + your ranks in Defense.

Damage
When you hit with an attack, you may deal damage. Each attack
has a damage bonus. For melee attacks, the damage bonus is your
Strength bonus, plus any modifiers for powers like Strike. For
ranged attacks the damage bonus is usually based on the attack’s
FX rank.
• Fortitude: Your ability to resist attacks against your vitality and
health such as poison and disease. The DC to overcome your
Fortitude is 10 + your ranks in Fortitude + your Constitution
score.
• Toughness: Your ability to resist physical punishment and
direct damage. The DC to overcome your Toughness is 10 +
your ranks in Toughness.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II
• Will: Your resistance to mental influence and domination as
well as certain FX. The DC to overcome your Will is 10 + your
ranks in Will + your Charisma score.
The following skills also have some function as resistances:
• Perception: Your ability to spot danger or hidden threats. The
DC to overcome your Perception is 10 + your ranks in
Perception + your Wisdom score.
• Reflex: Your ability to react quickly to danger or in response to
another event. The DC to overcome your Reflex is 10 + your
ranks in Reflex + your Dexterity score.
Initiative
Every round, each combatant gets to do something. The
combatants’ initiative checks determine the order in which they act,
from highest to lowest.
Initiative Checks
At the start of a battle, each combatant makes an initiative check
with their Reflex skills. The GM rolls for the villains while the players
each roll for their characters. Your initiative in combat is determined
by your Reflex score, including modifiers like the Improved Initiative
feat. The GM finds out in what order characters act, counting down
from highest total to lowest. Each character acts in turn for all
rounds of the combat unless a character takes an action to change
initiative. Usually, the GM writes the names of the characters down
in initiative order so he can move quickly from one character to the
next each round. If two combatants have the same initiative check
result, they act in order of highest Dexterity first. If there is still a tie,
roll a die, with the highest roll going first.
Flat-Footed
At the start of a battle, before you have had a chance to act
(specifically, before your first turn in the initiative order), you are
flat-footed. You can’t use your dodge bonus while flat-footed. The
Uncanny Dodge feat allows you to retain your dodge bonus to
Defense while flat-footed.
Surprise Attacks
An attack may come from an unexpected quarter, especially when
dealing with powerful opponents. An attack that catches the target
off-guard in some way is called a surprise attack.
To make a surprise attack, you must catch your target unawares.
You can make a surprise attack in the following situations:
• When you gain Combat Advantage over your enemy.
• When you surprise a target at the beginning of combat.
• When you do something unexpected (in the GM’s judgment).
The target of a surprise attack loses any Defense bonus against the
attack (except for ranks shored up with the Uncanny Dodge feat)
and suffers an additional –2 Defense penalty.
Opponent Initiative
Typically, the GM makes a single initiative check for opponents.
That way, each player gets a turn each round and the GM also gets
one turn. At the GM’s option, however, he can make separate
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initiative checks for different groups of opponents or even for
individual foes. For instance, the GM may make one initiative check
for an evil overlord and another check for all of the villain’s minions.
Joining a Fight
If characters enter a fight after it’s begun, they roll initiative and act
whenever their turn comes up in the existing order.
Surprise
When a combat starts, if you are not aware of your enemies but
they are aware of you, you’re surprised. If you know about your
opponents but they don’t know about you, you surprise them.
Determining Awareness
Sometimes all combatants on a side are aware of their enemies;
other times none are; and other times only some of them are.
Sometimes a few combatants on either side are aware and other
combatants are unaware.
The GM determines who is aware of whom at the start of a battle.
The GM may call for Perception checks, or other checks to see how
aware the characters are of their opponents. Some examples:
• The characters enter a seedy bar and immediately spot
members of a notorious gang. The gang members notice the
characters at the same time. Both sides are aware; neither is
surprised. The characters and the gang-members make
initiative checks, and the battle begins.
• The characters are tracking a mysterious shape-shifting
monster, which has fled down a dark alley. They follow,
unaware the alien has assumed the form of an old crate,
hidden among several others. When the monster springs out to
attack, the characters are surprised and do not get to act in the
surprise round.
• The characters infiltrate a criminal mastermind’s headquarters
wearing the uniforms of his men. When they reveal themselves
and attack to prevent the mastermind from triggering his
doomsday device, they surprise their opponents. The
characters act during the surprise round, but the villains do not.
The Surprise Round
If some, but not all, of the combatants are aware of their opponents,
a surprise round happens before regular rounds begin. The
combatants aware of their opponents can act in the surprise round,
so they roll for initiative. In initiative order (highest to lowest),
combatants who started the battle aware of their opponents each
take a standard or move action, not both. If no one or everyone is
surprised, a surprise round doesn’t occur.
Unaware Combatants
Combatants unaware at the start of battle do not get to act in the
surprise round. Unaware combatants are flat-footed because they
have not acted yet. Because of this, they lose any bonus to
Defense.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II
Minions
Minions are minor characters subject to special rules in combat,
and generally easier to defeat than normal characters. The
following rules apply to minions:
• Minions cannot score critical hits against non-minions.
• Non-minions can take 10 on attack rolls against minions
(attackers normally cannot take 10 on attack rolls).
• If a minion fails a Toughness saving throw, the minion is
dropped. Attackers can choose a lesser effect, if desired.
• The Impossible Toughness Save rule (see at right) does not
apply to minions.
• Certain traits (like Takedown Attack) are more effective against
minions.
Mobs
Mobs are groups of minor characters like minions who act as a
single unit. A mob is treated as a single heroic character. The
number of creatures in a mob determines its overall capabilities
relative to the base creature. Compare the number of creatures in
the mob to the progression value on the Time and Value
Progression Table to determine the Mob Modifier.
• Mobs add their Mob Modifier to their Attacks, Might, and
Toughness.
• Mobs treat all their attacks as having 1 rank in the Autofire
extra.
• Depending on the descriptors of the creatures making up the
mobs, they are not affected by especially subtle, single-target
FX, such as Mind Control or Inflict (Condition). At the GM's
option, targeting important individuals within a mob (such as
officers in a military unit) can affect the whole mob, but the mob
gains a bonus on resistances to the FX ranging from +2 to +5.
• Area attacks which target a mob have a +2 bonus to their
effect modifiers.
Damage conditions affect a mob normally, though the descriptions
might change. An injured mob might see some of its members fall,
and a dazed mob might be disrupted and unable to coordinate its
attacks as well. A staggered mob might see many of its numbers
fall, teetering on the edge of total chaos, and an unconscious mob
might dissolve as its members are either debilitated or fleeing for
their lives. Descriptor-wise, single-target attacks against a mob are
usually resolved as a series of attacks of the same type, such as a
fierce unarmed onslaught that tears through the mob, sending
dozens of creatures flying, or a barrage of gunfire. These types of
attacks gain no special bonuses or penalties, and are assumed to
be just as effective as usual.
Actions
The things characters can do during combat are broken down into
actions, described in this section.
The Combat Round
Each round represents about 6 seconds of time in the game world.
In the real world, a round is an opportunity for each character to
take an action. Anything a person could reasonably do in 6
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seconds, your character can do in 1 round.
Each round begins with the character with the highest initiative
result and then proceeds, in descending order, from there. Each
round uses the same initiative order. When a character’s turn
comes up in the initiative order, that character performs his entire
round’s worth of actions.
For almost all purposes, there is no relevance to the end of a round
or the beginning of a round. The term “round” works like the word
“week.” A week can mean either a calendar week or a span of time
from a day in one week to the same day the next week. In the same
way, a round can be a segment of game time starting with the first
character to act and ending with the last, but it usually means a
span of time from one round to the same initiative number (initiative
count) in the next round. Effects lasting a certain number of rounds
end just before the same initiative number where they began.
one round = span of time from one initiative count to the same
initiative count in the next round
Types of Actions
The three types of actions are one, free, and reaction. In a normal
round, you can perform two actions. You can also perform as many
free and reactions actions as your GM allows.
In some situations (such as in the surprise round) you may be
limited to taking only one action.
One Action
One action allows you to do something. You can make an attack,
use a skill, feat, or FX (unless it requires a two actions to perform;
see below), move up to your speed, climb one-quarter of your
speed, draw or stow a weapon or other object, stand up, pick up an
object or perform other similar actions. During a combat round, you
can take two actions total.
If you move no actual distance in a round, you can take a 5-foot
“step” before, during, or after the action. For example, you can
stand up (one action), take a 5-foot step, and attack (one action).
Two Actions (Full-Round Action)
Actions which require two actions require all your attention during a
round. The only movement you can take during such an action is a
5-foot step before, during, or after the action. Some full-round
actions do not allow you to take a 5-foot step. You can also perform
free actions (see below) as the GM allows.
Free Actions/No Actions
Free actions consume very little time and, over the span of the
round, their impact is so minor they are considered to take no real
time at all. You can perform one or more free actions while taking
another action. However, the GM puts reasonable limits on what
you can do for free. A good rule of thumb is your Dexterity or
Intelligence bonus +1 in free actions per round, with a minimum of
one. For instance, dropping an object, dropping to a prone position,
speaking a sentence or two, and ceasing to concentrate on
maintaining a power are all free actions.
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Reaction
A reaction is something that happens in response to something
else, like a reflex. Like free actions, reactions take so little time
they’re considered free. The difference between the two is a free
action is a conscious choice made on the character’s turn to act. A
reaction is a reflex or automatic response that can occur even when
it’s not your turn to act. Characters can react even while unable to
take normal actions, such as while stunned. A resistance is an
example of a reaction, something you instinctively do to avoid
danger. Some resistance and other traits are usable as reactions.
Action Descriptions
The most common actions are described below.
ATTACK ONE ACTION
With one action, you can make an attack against any opponent
within the attack's range.
Ranged Attacks Into Melee
If you make a ranged attack against an opponent engaged in melee
with an ally, you take a –5 penalty on your attack roll because you
have to aim carefully to avoid hitting your ally. Two characters are
engaged in melee if they are opponents and adjacent to one
another. (An unconscious or otherwise immobilized character is not
considered engaged unless he or she is actually being attacked.)
If the target is two or more size categories larger than any allies in
melee, you ignore the –5 penalty.
Area Attacks
Area attacks work similarly to single-target attacks. You make one
attack roll with the area attack against all targets in the area and
compare the result to the defense resistances of all the characters
in the area of effect. All characters with a defense lower than your
area attack's attack roll are affected. All characters with a defense
higher than your attack roll take only half damage. Creatures with
Evasion might not take any damage at all.
Attacking Objects
Objects are harder or easier to hit depending on several factors:
• Held Objects: An object held by a character has a base
Defense equal the holder’s Defense + 5 + the object’s size
modifier.
• Carried or Worn Objects: Objects carried or worn by a
character have a base Defense equal the character’s Defense
+ the object’s size modifier.
• Immobile Objects: Immobile objects have a Defense of 5 +
the object’s size modifier. Adjacent attacks get a +4 bonus to
hit immobile objects. (If you take an extra action to aim, you get
an automatic hit with an adjacent attack, or a +5 bonus with a
ranged attack.)
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AVOID RISK ONE ACTION
During a round in which you attempt an action which draws an
attack of opportunity or one which would grant an enemy Combat
Advantage, you may spend your other action to perform that action
defensively. By spending this additional action, your other action
does not grant your foe an attack of opportunity or combat
advantage.
BEGIN/COMPLETE ACTION ONE ACTION
This action lets you start an action which costs two actions at the
end of your turn, or complete a full action by using a standard
action at the beginning of your turn the round after starting the
action.
If you start a full action at the end of your turn, the next action you
take must be to complete it.
BLOCK ONE ACTION
Instead of attacking, you can choose to actively defend yourself
against incoming melee attacks for the round. To block an attack,
make an attack roll against your opponent’s attack roll. If your
attack roll is higher, you block or deflect the attack. Each additional
attack you block after the first in a round applies a cumulative –2
penalty on your attack roll.
Blocking Weapon Attacks
Unarmed
The default assumption is characters can block any sort of melee
attack, whether armed with a weapon or not. Gamemasters wanting
a greater level of realism may restrict unarmed characters from
blocking armed attacks (it’s more difficult to block a sword blow with
your bare hands than it is with a weapon or shield). Characters with
a high enough Toughness save (say equal to the weapon’s damage
bonus) may be able to block weapon attacks unarmed, at the GM’s
discretion.
Blocking Ranged Attacks
Characters with the Deflect FX can block certain types of ranged
attacks; this includes Deflect granted by shields. Otherwise,
characters cannot block ranged attacks.
COMMAND ONE ACTION
Issuing a command to a minion or a character under the influence
of Mind Control requires one action. If you want to issue different
commands to different groups of minions, each one requires
another action (so you can issue two commands per round).
DROP AN ITEM NO ACTION
Dropping a held item is a free action (although dropping or throwing
an item with the intention of accurately hitting something is one
action).
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FEAT VARIABLE
Certain feats allow you to take special actions in combat. Other
feats are not actions in themselves, but grant a bonus when
attempting something you can already do. Some feats aren’t meant
to be used within the framework of combat. The individual feat
descriptions tell you the action needed to use them.
FX VARIABLE
The description of an FX provides the type of action required to use
it.
MANIPULATE OBJECT ONE ACTION
In most cases, moving or manipulating an object is on action. This
includes drawing or holstering a weapon, retrieving or putting away
a stored object, picking up an object, moving a heavy object, and
opening a door.
MANEUVER VARIABLE
Different combat maneuvers require different actions to complete,
usually one or two actions.
MOVE ONE ACTION
You may move your speed in one action. Many nonstandard modes
of movement are also covered under this category, including
climbing and swimming (up to one-quarter the character’s speed),
crawling (up to 5 feet), and entering or exiting a vehicle. Various FX
grant additional movement abilities, with speed determined by the
FX’s rank.
MOVE ALL-OUT TWO ACTIONS
You can move all-out for two actions. When you do so, you move
up to four times your speed in a fairly straight line.
You lose your Defense bonus while moving all-out, since you can’t
easily avoid attacks. However, if you’re using a movement FX you
gain a +2 bonus to Defense per rank in that FX; so a character with
Speed 5 moving all out gets a +10 Defense bonus for his speed (it’s
harder to hit a fast-moving target).
Each minute you spend engaged in intense activity, like running all-
out or actively swimming, you must make a DC 10 Endurance
check (+2 for each additional minute beyond the first). If you
succeed, you are in good shape to continue. If you fail, you move
one step down the Check Condition Track, suffering a -2 penalty to
future Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail again, or if you
fail by 5 or more, you move down an additional step down the
Check Condition chart, suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and
Constitution checks. If you fail a third time, or if you fail by 10 or
more, you fall unconscious and helpless. It takes ten minutes of
rest to recover from any conditions you may have suffered from
extreme activity (DC = 10 + 2 for each minute the activity lasted).
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READY ONE ACTION
Readying lets you prepare to take an action later, after you would
normally act on your initiative, but before your initiative on your next
turn. Readying is one action, so you can take another action as well
in the round you readied.
You can ready one action. To do so, specify the action you will take
and the circumstances under which you will take it. Then, any time
before your next action, you may take the readied action as a
reaction to those circumstances. For the rest of the fight, your
initiative result is the count on which you took the readied action.
Your initiative result becomes the count on which you took the
readied action. If you come to your next action and have not yet
performed your readied action, you don’t get to take the readied
action (though you can ready the same action again).
RECOVER VARIABLE
The time required to recover from a given condition depends on the
nature of the condition itself. See the description of the effect which
bestowed the condition to determine the action it takes to recover
from the condition. You can spend Hero Dice at a cost of two
actions to recover from damage in combat.
REFOCUS TWO ACTIONS
Refocus takes two actions during which you cannot move. You do
nothing that round except refocus your attention and appraise the
situation. On the following round, you move up in the initiative order
and are positioned as though you rolled a 20 on your initiative
check. The usual modifiers to Initiative checks apply to your new
initiative total.
SKILL VARIABLE
Most uses of skills in a combat situation take one action, but some
might be two or more actions. The description of a skill provides the
time required to use it.
SPEAK NO ACTION
In general, speaking is a free action. Some GMs may limit the
amount you can say during your turn, although characters can
generally say quite a bit in the midst of combat in different genres
(such as supervillains monologuing during a fight). Issuing orders to
followers or minions in combat is one action.
STAND UP ONE ACTION
Standing up from a prone, seated, or kneeling position requires one
action.
SWITCH ARRAY NO ACTION
You can switch between Alternate FX in an array, or reallocate
points among dynamic Alternate FX, at no action once per round.
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TURN OFF FX NO ACTION Injured

You can deactivate an FX at no action cost. However, you can’t
activate and deactivate the same FX in the same turn; the FX’s
activation lasts until your next turn, when you can then deactivate it,
if you choose. You can’t turn off Permanent FX.
Injured means the character has been battered and bruised and is
in less than top condition. Each injured condition imposes a –1
penalty to your Toughness score against nonlethal damage, putting
the character closer to being taken out of the fight.

Dazed
Damage & Injury If your Toughness score is exceeded by 5 or more, in addition to
the normal effects of the condition, the character is dazed, losing
Combat usually results in damage to one or both parties. The
one action on his next turn. A character who suffers two or more
potential damage of an attack is represented by its damage bonus,
dazed results loses both of his actions for the next turn and cannot
with the target’s resistance to the damage represented by his
act. This lasts until just before the attacker’s turn in the initiative
Toughness skill. An overcome Toughness skill results in some
order on the following round.
amount of damage.

Staggered
Toughness A staggered character has been badly beaten, barely holding on to
An attacker who scores a successful hit on a target then rolls his consciousness. He can only take a single action each round until
damage and checks his result against his target's Toughness skill he recovers.
score. Consult the Toughness skill's Degrees of Success to
determine the results of a damaging attack. See Damage
Conditions below for more. Unconscious
TABLE 7.2: INJURED (STAGED) CONDITION An unconscious character is knocked out and helpless. What
befalls an unconscious character depends on the attack's
–1 on future Toughness descriptor and the tone of the game.
Succeed Injured
checks (ranked)
lose one action on your next
Succeed by 5 Dazed
turn
Option: Descriptor-Based Damage
one action only, knocked The default assumption in d20 Advanced is that characters who
Succeed by 10 Staggered unconscious if damaged fall unconscious in battle are just that: unconscious. It's somewhat
again unrealistic, but it's appropriate for cinematic battles where the
Succeed by 15 Unconscious knocked out, no defense heroes survive impossible odds. Different attacks should do
different kinds of damage. While a blow from a quarterstaff might
1 hour check (injured, only leave a character unconscious, dropping a foe with a slash
Recovery Recovery staggered) / 1 minute check from a sword could very well kill them. The only time when this
(unconscious) matters is when a character is dropped. Check the descriptor of
the attack: if the attack is believed to be a definitively lethal one,
then the blow leaves the character bleeding and dying.

Pulling Your Punches Lethal Damage, Death, and Dying

Attackers can choose to use less than their maximum damage
bonus with an attack. The attacker chooses how much of the
damage bonus applies before making the attack roll. Attackers with
the Full Power drawback cannot pull punches with that attack or
power.
Critical Hits
A critical hit increases an attack’s damage bonus by 5. A critical hit
against a minion automatically knocks out or kills the minion, no
Toughness resistance allowed.
Damage Conditions
One or more of the following damage conditions apply to a
damaged character.
Characters who are dropped by a lethal attack are dying, and
"bleed" for one point of Constitution drain every round. When a
character’s Constitution dips below -5, then he is dead. It takes a
DC 15 Science check for Medicine to stabilize a dying character.
Each round, the character may attempt a Recovery check (DC 15)
to stabilize as a free action (even if unconscious). A player may
also spend a Hero Die to stabilize automatically (with no roll
needed).
Maiming, or "I'm Not Dead Yet!"
Rather than killing a character off, you may want to keep them
around. A character whose condition becomes dead may instead,
at the player’s option (if this variant is available), become maimed
instead, suffering a lasting injury in the form of a drawback (often
variants of the Disability drawback). Depending on how bad the
injury was, or the attack that did the lethal damage, the injury may
be worth anywhere from 1 to 5 character points. It's up to the GM
whether or not the character actually receives these bonus
character points (as denying the points could represent a sort of
"penalty" for the character almost dying).

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Recovery
With rest, characters can make Recovery checks (DC 10) to
recover from their damage conditions. The frequency of the checks
is based on the severity of the condition. The Regeneration FX
speeds up a character's recovery checks.
Injured
Once per hour of rest, characters can make a Recovery check (DC
10). If successful, they erase one injured condition. If the check
fails, the character can make another in one hour, with a +1 bonus
for each failed check. All characters recover at least one injured
condition per day.
Staggered
Once per hour of rest, characters can make a Recovery check (DC
10). If successful, they erase the Staggered damage condition. If
the check fails, the character can make another in one hour, with a
+1 bonus for each failed check.
Unconscious
Once per minute, characters can make a Recovery check (DC 10).
If successful, they erase the Unconscious damage box. If the check
fails, the character can make another in one minute, with a +1
bonus for each failed check. Dying characters must first stabilize
before they can recover from unconsciousness.
Knockback
Powerful attacks can send opponents flying. A character who is
dazed (or worse) by an attack may be knocked back. The distance
is based on the power of the attack. A character is knocked back a
number of five-foot squares equal to the damage modifier of the
attack he was struck with (minimum five feet). A character whose
Toughness resistance is overcome by 10 or more (being
Staggered, as above) is knocked back ten feet for every point of the
damage modifier he was struck with instead of the normal 5.
Characters with the immovable FX reduce an attacker's effective
Damage modifier for each rank they have in immovability. FX with
the knockback feat are treated as having a higher effective damage
modifier for the purpose of determining knockback.
A character knocked back into an obstacle (or another character)
suffers damage equal to the Toughness of the obstacle or the
Damage modifier of the attack that knocked him back (whichever is
lower). The character deals damage to the obstacle equal to the
Damage modifier of the attack. If this damage is enough to destroy
the obstacle (or knock another character struck by the careening
victim back), the character continues to move out to the maximum
distance and then falls prone.
Ability Damage
Certain FX cause a temporary loss of ability score points. FX such
as Drain specify how quickly characters recover from this loss,
usually 1 point per round, modified by things like Slow Fade.
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Option: To Knockback or Not to Knockback
Whether your use knockback in your game or not really is a
matter of personal style and preference, and one which largely
depends on genre. For more mundane games, knockback tends
to be pretty over-the-top, when an ordinary punch from a relatively
strong but decidedly human Strength of 3 can knock somebody
back fifteen feet! Knockback works best for more epic games,
where the characters are truly powerful and can really send one
another flying with attacks. It also works best when you are
tracking movement tactically. You have a few options concerning
how (or how not!) to use knockback in your games:
• Mundane Knockback: A character who suffers knockback is
moved 5 feet backwards, and no more. All attacks are
considered to have a Damage modifier of 1 for the purpose of
knockback. This modifier can be increased for truly powerful
attacks like explosions with the knockback feat.
• Epic Knockback: For games where titans often clash,
knockback can send people flying for hundreds if not
thousands of feet! Rather than each point of a character's
Damage modifier knocking someone back 5 feet, each point
moves the distance a target is knocked back one step up the
Time and Value Progression Table. If the character is
staggered or worse by the attack, improve your knockback
modifier by +2.
• Loosey-Goosey: Characters suffer knockback only in truly
exciting fights when the knockback matters, when the
additional difficulty of tracking the movement is more worth it.
Note that under this option, characters with the Immovable or
Density FX might feel short-changed if they are unable to use
their abilities as much.
• The Bigger They Are...: Only characters who are larger than
their targets can cause knockback. This is especially fitting in
fantasy games where the characters must occasionally do
battle with giants or huge dragon or the like, when the sheer
difference in size becomes a major factor.
Cases where characters lose ability score points due to things like
environmental conditions, illness, or similar effects is called ability
damage. Ability damage is temporary; once the condition causing it
is removed, the character recovers lost ability score points at a rate
of 1 per day. The Healing FX can speed this recovery, as can ranks
in Regeneration. If an ability score is lowered below -5, it is
considered debilitated.
Damaging Objects
Nonliving objects are affected by damage somewhat differently
than characters. Each object has a Toughness score representing
how well it resists damage. An object’s Toughness works like a
character’s Toughness resistance bonus. To determine how much
damage an object takes from an attack, roll against its Toughness
resistance as normal.
Damage to Objects
An “injured” object is damaged and suffers the normal –1 penalty
per condition further Toughness resistances.
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TABLE 7.3: SUBSTANCE TOUGHNESS Damaging Devices

Substance Toughness Devices have a Toughness of 10 + the device’s rank for damage
Paper 0 purposes.

Soil 0
Glass 1 Breaking Objects
Ice 1 If you want to attack an object that you have in-hand or that no one
Rope 1 is preventing you from attacking, such as smashing down a door,
bending a metal bar, snapping bonds, or cutting through a wall with
Wood 3 a Damage FX, you can apply force more effectively. This requires
Stone 5 two actions. Instead of rolling, assume the object’s Toughness save
result is equal to (5 + Toughness). Might adds +1 per rank to your
Iron 8 normal Strength bonus for damaging objects in this way (and only
Steel 10 in this way). If your damage bonus is equal to the object’s
Toughness, you break it, 5 or more than the object’s Toughness,
Titanium 15 you destroy it automatically.
Super-Alloys 20+

A “staggered” object is badly damaged. Staggered equipment and

devices no longer function, while staggered barriers have holes
Condition Tracks
punched through them, and other disabled objects may be bent, Your character's status is noted across a small number of condition
deformed, or otherwise damaged. tracks. These tracks are separate, but also work in conjunction with
An “unconscious” object is destroyed. one another, especially those involving FX like Inflict (Condition).
Your injuries are monitored on one such track, as described above.
Damaged objects can be repaired. It’s up to the GM whether or not Your other condition tracks are as follows:
a destroyed object is repairable; if it is, the difficulty of the check is
the same as creating an entirely new item.
Combat Advantage Track
Ineffective Attacks A track to follow what advantages your foes might hold over you in
combat, the combat advantage track shows how vulnerable you are
The GM may decide certain attacks just can’t effectively damage at any given moment to different sorts of attacks. Enemies with
certain objects. For example, it’s very difficult breaking down an iron Combat Advantage over you have an easier time attacking you.
door with a knife, or cutting a cable with a club. In these cases the You must often spend an action and make an opposed check to
GM may rule an attack inflicts no damage to the object at all (the reclaim combat advantage.
object effectively has Immunity to that form of damage).
COMBAT ADVANTAGE CONDITION
-2 Defense against your attacks,
Effective Attacks Succeed Off-Balance Susceptible to Your Surprise
The GM may likewise rule certain attacks are especially effective Attacks
against some objects. For example, it’s easy to light a curtain on Lose Defense Bonus against your
fire or rip a piece of cloth. In these cases the GM may increase your Succeed by 5 Vulnerable attacks, Susceptible to Your
damage bonus against the object or simply say the object is Surprise Attacks
automatically destroyed by a successful attack (the object
effectively has a Vulnerability to that form of damage). Lose Defense Bonus against all
Succeed by
Flat-Footed attacks, Susceptible to everyone's
10
Surprise Attacks
Heavy Objects Recovery Automatic 1 round
The Toughness scores given on the Substance Toughness Table
are for approximately one inch of the material. Heavier objects For details on how you gain and lose combat advantage, see
lower their thresholds on the Toughness Resistance Table by 1 per Combat Advantage.
increase in thickness on the Time and Value Progression Table. So
one level of increase means the object is “disabled” if the check
overcomes their resistance by 11 or more and destroyed if the
check succeeds by 16 or more. So a foot-thick stone wall has
Action Condition Track
Toughness 8, but the attack must succeed on a Toughness In order to track how able your character is to move and fight
resistance by 13 or more to disable the object, 18 or more to be normally, the action condition track monitors how many actions your
destroyed. This means heavy objects can generally suffer more hits character is allotted in a given round. Effects which alter the flow of
and heavier damage before they’re disabled or destroyed. time or disorient your character might deny him actions, and
recovering from those effects is the only way to regain those normal
actions. It is normally a free action to attempt to recover from such
a condition each round.

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INFLICT (ACTION)
Succeed -1 Action
CONDITION
Tactical Movement
Succeed by 5
Succeed by 10
-2 Actions
Helpless
and Options
Recovery Same resistance, +1 cumulative Sometimes a character in melee lets her guard down. In this case,
combatants near her can take advantage of her lapse in defense to
gain an advantage. This may come in the form of a free Attack of
For more on this condition track, see Inflict (Condition). Opportunity or in the form of gaining Combat Advantage, or
possibly both! This section presents tactical options for your game,
if you are looking to make combat more tactically engaging and in-
Check Condition Track depth.

Characters often find themselves suffering from conditions which

affect their ability to use their skills normally. The check condition
track monitors how much of a penalty you may be suffering to Battle Maps
certain checks, and which skills are being penalized. It is normally a For many groups, combat is the center of the game, and it
free action to attempt to recover from such a condition each round. deserves the lion's share of the attention, with use of miniatures or
tokens to represent characters and enemies on a battle map of
INFLICT (CHECK) CONDITION some sort, where players will be able to move their characters
Succeed -2 Penalty to Check precisely across the battlefield and take control of strategic
positions to win the day. Roleplaying games in general are derived
Succeed by 5 -5 Penalty to Check from the older hobby of tabletop wargames, where players would
Succeed by 10 Helpless maneuver whole squads of soldiers and warriors across tabletop
battlefields, resolving attacks with dice and tables, to win the day
Recovery Same resistance, +1 cumulative (indeed, this hobby still has a healthy following).
Battle maps are an option which you can use to take advantage of
For more on this condition track, see Inflict (Condition). to grant combat and tactical movement that increased focus which
it may deserve in your games. There are many different types of
battle maps, and depending on your game and your preferences,
Movement Condition Track you might choose different types of battle maps.

Finally, some conditions might affect your character's ability to

move freely. The movement condition track checks to see how
mobile your character is. It is normally a free action to attempt to Threatened Area
recover from such a condition each round.
You threaten all spaces into which you can make a melee attack,
even when it is not your action. Generally, that means everything in
INFLICT (MOVEMENT) CONDITION
all spaces adjacent to your space (including diagonally).
Succeed 1/2 Movement Speed Threatened spaces are treated as difficult terrain, only allowing you
to move at half-speed through them (as you are hampered keeping
Succeed by 5 Immobile
your defenses up to protect yourself from your opponent).
Succeed by 10 Helpless
Note that a flat-footed combatant does not threaten any spaces.
Recovery Same resistance, +1 cumulative
If an opponent tries to move through your threatened spaces at full-
speed, or attempts other risky actions, you may be able to take
For more on this condition track, see Inflict (Condition). advantage of this.

Reach Attacks
Option: Tactical Movement If your attack has an Extended Reach, you threaten any spaces
that you can normally attack with the attack's reach.
This section represents a swathe of combat options which you
may want to take advantage of in your game. They are intended
to make combat more tactical, encouraging players to plan their
movements and actions strategically. However, this sort of combat Ranged Attacks
is not for everyone. Each of the following sections will have Option
If the range for an attack you have is Ranged or Perception, it does
Boxes to discuss the implications of using these options or culling
not count towards your threatened area. Only a weapon or FX with
them from your game. The modularity of d20 Advanced will allow
a range of Touch counts towards your threatened area.
you to remove these options from your game without any major or
far-reaching mechanical complications, but understanding what
each option represents and what a game will look like with or
without that option is important to deciding what is best for your
particular game.

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Square Grid
A square grid uses a scale of 1 inch squares arranged in a grid,
like a chess or checker board. At the typical scale, each 1"
square is equal to 5 feet, and most medium-sized characters
threaten all squares adjacent to then (eight squares in total). In
the above example, Syphon's threatened area is depicted in
blue. He can threaten the two rightmost cyborgs, but the leftmost
one is too far away to threaten. He'll need to move if he wants to
attack that cyborg.

Movement on a Square Grid

Movement through a square is the equivalent of moving 5 feet.
Moving on a diagonal costs 10 feet. Squares which count as
difficult terrain cost 10 feet to move through (20 feet for a
diagonal).

Attacking on a Square Grid

Most characters threaten (and can make touch-range attacks
into) squares immediately adjacent to the character (including
immediately adjacent diagonal squares). Characters whose
reach is greater than 5 feet can make touch-range attacks into a
wider area.

Area Effects on a Square Grid

Calculating Ranges on a Square
Grid
On a square grid, you can determine if a target is within range for a
Ranged attack by using the same method to calculate movement.
Area effects affect creatures in all the five-foot squares which fall
completely in the radius of the attack.
Uses of a Square Grid
Battle maps using square grids are extremely useful for indoor
encounters with straight walls, where walls can easily line up along
the edges of squares. However, in open or irregular areas, other
grids which allow for more accurate calculation of movement might
be a better choice.

Hex Grid
A hex grid uses a scale of 1"-diameter hexagons arranged in a grid,
as shown above. At the typical scale, each 1" hex is equal to 5 feet,
and most medium-sized characters threaten all hexes adjacent to
then (six hexes in total). In the above example, Syphon's
threatened area is depicted in blue. He can threaten the two
rightmost cyborgs, but the leftmost one is too far away to threaten.
He'll need to move if he wants to attack that cyborg.

Movement on a Hex Grid

Movement through a hex is the equivalent of moving 5 feet. There
is no penalty for moving in diagonal lines, as the distance on a
hexagon doesn't change radically from straight to diagonal lines.
Hexes which count as difficult terrain cost 10 feet to move through.

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Attacking on a Hex Grid Calculating Ranges on a Gridless

Most characters threaten (and can make touch-range attacks into) Battle map
hexes immediately adjacent to the character. Characters whose
reach is greater than 5 feet can make touch-range attacks into a On a gridless battle map, you can determine if a target is within
wider area. range for a Ranged attack by using the same method to calculate
movement.

Calculating Ranges on a Hex Grid Area Effects on a Gridless Battle

On a hex grid, you can determine if a target is within range for a
Ranged attack by using the same method to calculate movement.
Area Effects on a Hex Grid
Area effects affect creatures in all the hexes which fall completely in
the radius of the attack.
Uses of a Hex Grid
Hexes make it difficult to draw straight lines on, which can make it
troublesome to create indoor maps with straight walls. For outdoor
areas, or for games with little exploration of mazes or the like,
hexes are likely the better choice for a battle map.
map
Area effects affect creatures who fall at least half within the radius
of the attack.
Uses for Gridless Battle maps
Gridless battle maps have the advantage of never being restricted
in drawing any kind of terrain onto the map, and for movement
being absolutely clear and straight-forward (measure and then
move). On the downside, it's often difficult to determine threatened
areas quickly and easily during combat, making attacks of
opportunity very hard to resolve, and can make it more difficult to
determine movement-based combat advantage.

Gridless Flight on a Battle map

A gridlesss battle map relies on rulers or range-finders, where 1" is
equivalent to 5 feet at the typical scale. Most medium-sized
characters threaten an area 1" around them. In the above example,
Syphon's threatened area is depicted in blue. He can threaten the
two rightmost cyborgs, but the leftmost one is too far away to
threaten. He'll need to move if he wants to attack that cyborg.
While it might be difficult to resolve conceptually, a useful visual aid
for denoting flight for a character would be to place a spare die next
to that character's miniature or token and turning it to note how
many spaces "above the board" he or she is. So on a square grid
map, a character who is flying fifty feet above the ground would be
10 squares overhead, with a "10" showing on the die next to the
character's miniature.

Movement on a
Miniatures &
Gridless
Battlemap Tokens
Moving 1" is the equivalent of To represent a character on a
moving 5 feet. Use a measuring battle map, you have numerous
tape, ruler, or range-finder to options. At the most basic, you
measure how far your character need a token to represent the
can move. Difficult terrain costs characters present, and can make
double the normal movement do with something as simple as
distance to move through it. names taped to pennies. Some
suggestions are limited below:
• Candy/Snacks: With
Attacking on a something as common as
candy or snacks, you can
Gridless Battle represent characters on a
map battle map. Pretzels
(particularly the mini pretzels)
Most characters threaten (and are particularly good for this,
can make touch-range attacks as you can always bite off a
into) the 1" area immediately piece of a pretzel to quickly
adjacent to the character. distinguish different shapes
Characters whose reach is for different characters. The
greater than 5 feet can make difficulty of using
touch-range attacks into a wider candy/snacks is that players
area. will almost invariably eat their
pieces. And other people's

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pieces. And the monster.

• Cut-Outs: Often available very cheaply, paper or card-stock
cut-outs are another easy solution. You can usually purchase Combat Advantage
large packs of them with lots of options (making it easier for
Combat advantage is designed so that it can be of use in games
you to find one that will fit your character). Cut-outs also are
with and without battlemaps. Since there are maneuvers which
made to stand upright, giving you many of the advantages of
can allow a character to gain combat advantage over enemies, it
minis, though they aren't as durable as metal miniatures.
provides a very convenient means to abstract what would all be
• Miniatures: Whether metal or plastic, miniatures are the different conditions with different modifiers to track. Combat
classic solution for representing characters on a battle map. advantage, on the other hand, allows you to resolve any
While there are countless options out there (both metal and interesting maneuver your players might come up with, and they
plastic, pre-painted and not), it can be hard to find a mini that would be resolved in similar ways (if with different descriptions).
fits your character perfectly (especially for the GM who
constantly needs to introduce new NPCs and monsters). But

because miniatures stand up and are designed to fit on the
battle map, they provide a durable and very easy means of
quickly identifying characters in the fight.
• Poker Chips: Simple and widely available in large quantities,
poker chips are easy to use and are usually a good size for
most battle maps. By doing something as easy as taping a
name to a poker chip (or a coin, or a glass bead), you can
create a quick and relatively durable way to represent
characters. It's also easy on the GM, who can use the different
colors of even blank chips or beads to represent enemies.
• Printed Tokens: For the more artistic-minded gamers, you can
create your own tokens by shrinking down character portraits
Combat Advantage
Combat Advantage is a catch-all term for holding an advantage
over your foe in some way, whether because he left himself open to
your attacks or because you took the initiative to seize the high
ground or out-flank your enemy. The bigger your combat
advantage, the more difficult it is for your enemy to defend himself
successfully against your attacks.
While you hold combat advantage over a foe, you might be able to
make use of certain abilities which requires combat advantage.

and printing them out. To add durability to your tokens, you can
usually paste them pretty easily to poker chips, like described
above. Printed tokens are slightly harder to use than simple
poker chips, but they make it easier to tell at a glance who is
where, and it helps you personalize your game even more.
• Toys: Last but not least, you always have the option of using
old plastic favorites from childhood. Most full-sized dolls and
action-figures are too big to use on a battle map, but can be
used in a pinch to show relative positions. However, the figures
that come with plastic building bricks usually come with a wide
variety of possibly accessories and are almost a perfect size,
making them an excellent and easy-to-obtain solution for your
game.
Combat Advantage
Condition
If you succeed in a maneuver to Gain Combat Advantage by a wide
margin, or if you are able to gain combat advantage from numerous
sources at once (such as having high ground while your enemy
moves through your threatened area at full-speed), your foe might
be more vulnerable than usual.
Off-Balance
If you succeed on an opposed maneuver check, or if you gain
combat advantage against a foe once, your foe is off-balance,
taking a -2 penalty to Defense against your attacks. In addition, you

Option: Using or Removing Battle maps

Battle maps are presented as an option to allow for greater tactical precision in game play, as there is no question as to where characters
are positioned during a fight. Movement and area of effect are very clear. And there's also something to be said for the tactile and visual
sensation of holding your character's miniature.
However, d20 Advanced does not require battle maps for game play, and indeed, battle maps might not work well for all genres. Game
play still functions well if the battlefield is abstracted and left to the imaginations of the GM and players. If you decide to forgo battle maps,
it's important to be very clear in your descriptions of the battlefield, making sure that the players are aware of everything going on around
them. A battle map can take care of these concerns for you, with no worry about the ambiguity of whether or not someone is close
enough to attack. However, there are two types of movement which battle maps in general do not handle well: extremely high speeds
(such as in superhero games, where speedsters are common and able to run faster than cars) and three-dimensional movement (such as
when creatures with flight are common enough that fights often take to the sky).
Extreme speed is difficult because it largely makes the battle map itself inconsequential for the fast character, as that character can easily
weave past any threatened areas and move around with impunity. Three-dimensional movement is also difficult to represent on a battle
map, but can be accounted for (as shown above).
If these issues are unlikely in your game, and if you wish to make combat an important part of your game, battle maps are a good choice.
Battle maps are also very important if you wish to make use of attacks of opportunity, since precise movement tracking is needed to
understand threatened spaces. If you wish to resolve combat more quickly or are content to leave a battlefield to your imagination, battle
maps might not be necessary for your game. Combat advantage can still function well without a battle map, though it may be easier to
simply not track threatened spaces for gaining combat advantage and only allow it through maneuvers or through positional advantage.

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Gaining Combat
may use Surprise Attacks against a foe you have combat
advantage against which you couldn't otherwise use.

COMBAT ADVANTAGE CONDITION Advantage

-2 Defense against your You can gain combat advantage over your foe in one of the
Succeed Off-Balance attacks, Susceptible to Your following ways:
Surprise Attacks
Lose Defense Bonus against
Succeed by 5 Vulnerable your attacks, Susceptible to Option: Removing Combat Advantage
Your Surprise Attacks In the middle-ground of tactical complexity between basic d20
Lose Defense Bonus against Advanced combat and attacks of opportunity, combat advantage
Succeed by 10 Flat-Footed all attacks, Susceptible to provides a simple way to describe who has the upper-hand in
everyone's Surprise Attacks battle, and how you can gain that edge through smart play (or lose
it by making poor choices). Combat advantage is meant to provide
Recovery Automatic 1 round a quick, easy-to-remember way to measure just how much of an
edge you have over an opponent and unify the myriad of combat
Vulnerable statuses into a simple, but robust system.
However, the system may still put too much focus on tactical
If you succeed by 5 or more on an opposed maneuver check, or if concerns for some groups or types of games. To that end, there
you gain combat advantage against a foe who you already hold are ways to trim down the complexity of combat advantage into
combat advantage over from another source, your opponent is something more palatable.
vulnerable, denying him his Defense bonus against attacks you
make. Removing Triggers
Removing these two triggers might seem necessary if a group
Flat-Footed chooses to play without a battle map of some kind, but it isn't
necessarily true. Granting combat advantage over an enemy who
If you succeed by 10 or more on a maneuver check, your opponent charges past characters is meant to discourage the tactic of
is flat-footed, denying him his Defense bonus against all attacks running past the tougher characters up front (the "tanks") to attack
made against him, even from combatants other than yourself. A the more vulnerable characters in the back. You can keep this
character can only be treated as flat-footed if another combatant trigger without a battle map if you choose, but it will require
succeeds by 10 or more on a maneuver check. additional GM judgment calls.
The "Risky Actions" trigger is actually much easier to keep. If
someone tries something other than a melee attack while in your
Recovery melee range, they grant combat advantage. You don't need a
battle map to know when someone is in melee with you.
Recovery From a Maneuver Check Removing these options works best when presented with a game
where character types present make these triggers unreasonable.
If you are rendered off-balance or worse by an opposed maneuver For example, in many anime/manga-themed games, using
check, you automatically recover after one round. "magic" in melee combat is a very normal and very expected part
of the game. In superheroes games, speedsters and flying
If your opponent takes a -5 penalty to his maneuver check, he or
characters make threatened areas almost irrelevant.
she maintains combat advantage over you until you succeed at an
opposed maneuver check. If you choose to remove these two triggers, understand that you
will make it easier for characters to "run past" defenders with
impunity (and you should encourage characters who are setting
Recovery From Positional Advantage against a charge to ready their attack actions). You should also
understand that this will allow characters to do things like root
If your opponent has combat advantage from a positional around in their backpacks for a turn without fear of reprisal for
advantage, such as flanking you or holding the high ground, he losing focus on the battle. The other Combat Advantage triggers
automatically loses combat advantage over you if you move out of will still work absolutely fine without these two triggers.
his threatened area, or if he loses the high ground or the flank
(such as by moving away or by climbing onto high ground yourself).
Removing Combat Advantage Completely
If you simply do not wish to deal with the complexity of combat
Recovery From Movement or From a Risky Action advantage, and wish instead to rule that smart tactics, taking the
If your opponent has combat advantage over you due to your high ground, or striking a foe who takes a risky action can be
moving through a threatened area at full-speed, or taking another abstracted to the result of the attack roll itself, this is perfectly fine.
risky action, that combat advantage lasts only until the start of your You might also simply grant characters a bonus to attacks which
next turn. you feel are especially effective or interesting (such as with a +2
to hit). Be sure to extend this ruling to conditions like
Concealment, which logically should be more difficult for a foe to
defend against. Also be sure to remove the Requires Combat
Advantage FX flaw and the Sneak Attack feat, both of which
depend on combat advantage for resolution.

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Gain Combat Advantage
Maneuver
If you succeed at the Gain Combat Advantage maneuver, you will
have combat advantage over your foe.
Positional Advantage
If you manage to take a position on the battlefield which is
advantageous over your foe, you can gain combat advantage so
long as you can maintain that position. While there could be
countless types of terrain or positions relative to your enemy which
could be considered advantageous, the most common ones are
listed below.
Concealment
If your foe cannot see you because you have concealment, you are
treated as having combat advantage over that foe.
Flanking
If you and another ally both threaten a common enemy, and you
are on opposite sides of that enemy, you both gain combat
advantage over that foe.
High-Ground
If you are on higher ground than your enemy (usually at least 3
feet, such as a few steps up a staircase, or atop a table), then you
have combat advantage over all foes within your threatened area
who are on lower ground.
Moving Through Threatened Area
Threatened squares are treated as difficult terrain, only allowing
you to move at half-speed through them (as you are hampered
keeping your defenses up to protect yourself from your opponent).
You can, however, choose to move at your normal speed through
threatened areas. If you choose to move at full-speed through a
threatened area, you grant your foe combat advantage over you
until the start of your next turn. In most cases, you can move into
one threatened square or hex before provoking an attack. If you are
fast, you might be able to pass an enemy safely. If you move
through multiple creatures' threatened areas, your movement might
grant multiple opponents combat advantage.
Risky Action
FX with a range of touch (even if it has an Extended Reach) and
combat maneuvers made with a range of touch count as melee
attacks and do not grant combat advantage to the target. All other
actions made within a threatened area grant that opponent combat
advantage until the start of your next turn.
Reaction Attacks
As an additional option when using combat advantage and Hero
Dice, a character who gains combat advantage over an enemy
during that enemy's turn may spend one Hero Die to take an
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immediate action against that enemy (with the bonuses for combat
advantage), as if you had readied an action against that enemy's
action, but without actually needing to declare it. Resolve the
reaction attack before your enemy's action is resolved (so if your
foe tried to run past you to attack one of your allies and granted you
combat advantage, you may spend a Hero Die to take an
immediate attack against your enemy before he leaves your
threatened area, which might stop him from ever reaching your
ally).
Attacks of
Opportunity
Attacks of opportunity are meant to resolve combat tactics in a
more tactile and immediate way: poor decisions on the part of a
character can grant nearby enemies additional immediate attacks.
This option, though simpler on paper, is slightly more complex in
actual play, as it allows characters to take more actions than
otherwise possible. It is also slightly more realistic, in that it allows a
character to immediately take advantage of an opening.
Provoking Attacks of
Opportunity
Two kinds of actions can provoke attacks of opportunity: moving
more than half speed in a threatened area or taking an action other
than a melee attack in a threatened area. Any other action or
excess movement requires you to drop your guard, thus provoking
an attack of opportunity.
Attack
FX with a range of touch (even if it has an Extended Reach) and
combat maneuvers made with a range of touch count as melee
attacks. All other actions provoke attacks of opportunity.
Moving
Threatened squares are treated as difficult terrain, only allowing
you to move at half-speed through them (as you are hampered
keeping your defenses up to protect yourself from your opponent).
You can, however, choose to move at your normal speed through
threatened squares. If you choose to move at full-speed through a
threatened square, you provoke an attack of opportunity. In most
cases, you can move into one threatened square before provoking
an attack. If you are fast, you might be able to pass an enemy
safely. If you move through multiple creatures’ threatened areas,
your movement might provoke an attack from one opponent but not
the other.
Making Attacks of
Opportunity
An attack of opportunity is a single melee attack, and you can make
only one per round. You don’t have to make an attack of opportunity
if you don’t want to. When you attack, you use the standard attack
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Option: Removing Attacks of Opportunity
Attacks of opportunity are presented as an option for groups who
enjoy the tactical options available in combat, and a more realistic
approach where a character can’t simply run through a line of
enemies. However, in certain games, this additional consideration
for realism or for the sake of tactical combat isn’t desired. Attacks
of opportunity can be completely excised for such games.
If you wish to remove attacks of opportunity from the game, you
should also remove the Opportunity feats as a player option from
Chapter IV: Feats. Combat advantage, especially when using the
Reaction Attacks option, can fill the tactical role of attacks of
opportunity quite nicely, without the additional complexity and
while covering a wider range of conditions than attacks of
opportunity do.
action described above (but you don’t actually use up one action for
the round; the attack of opportunity is treated as a reaction).
You cannot use special attack maneuver, such as trips or disarms,
as these require more time and focus than you normally have when
making an attack of opportunity.
An attack of opportunity “interrupts” the normal flow of actions in the
round. If an attack of opportunity is provoked, immediately resolve
it, then continue with the next character’s turn (or complete the
current turn, if the attack of opportunity was provoked in the midst
of a character’s turn). For example, a character may attempt to use
a ranged FX, thereby provoking an attack of opportunity. If your
attack stuns or knocks him unconscious, he would not be able to
finish his action and activate the power.
Additional Attacks of Opportunity
Some feats grant you bonus attacks of opportunity each round.
These abilities generally do not let you make more than one attack
for a given opportunity, but if the same opponent provokes two
attacks of opportunity from you, you could make two separate ones
(since each one represents a different opening). Each square a
creature moves beyond one-half of its speed in your threatened
area represents an additional opportunity against that opponent. All
these attacks are at your full normal melee attack bonus.
Maneuvers
A maneuver is an action in combat that falls outside the normal
bounds of the rules. These rules are a tool to help you come up
with imaginative, clever, and exciting actions in combat. If you can
imagine it, the maneuver rules allow you to attempt it. You might
throw a fistful of sand in an opponent’s face to blind him, run along
the narrow top of a wall to maneuver around a foe, or crack open a
keg of beer to send a stream of liquid into an opponent’s face.
Maneuvers reward you for coming up with interesting and visually
engaging actions in combat.
Maneuver Mechanics
The mechanics behind a maneuver are relatively simple. When you
attempt a maneuver, first you pick out the effect you want to create.
The following sections list several different possible results for a
maneuver, broken down into two categories: trade-off maneuvers,
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and condition maneuvers.
Next you describe the maneuver. How do you attempt it? Do you
use the terrain and combat situation to your advantage? What do
you expect to happen if the maneuver succeeds? Think of the
game as if it were a movie, and describe the scene as you put the
maneuver into action. As part of this step, you must choose the
mechanical effect you want to gain from the maneuver.
Then choose which skill you wish to use to make the check with.
You make this "maneuver check" opposed by your opponent’s
maneuver check. If the maneuver check succeeds, you gain its
benefits or your foe suffers its effects.
Maneuvers and Actions
Listed next to the name of each maneuver is the action required to
complete it. Most maneuvers require one action to complete, which
means you can use the maneuver with one action and attack with
the other.
Fast Maneuver
You might want to use a maneuver while both moving and attacking
in a round. In this case, you can attempt a maneuver as a free
action. You suffer a -5 penalty to your opposed maneuver check.
Alternatively, if you are using Attack of Opportunity or Combat
Advantage rules, you may instead provoke an Attack of Opportunity
or grant Combat Advantage, in which case you do not suffer a -5
penalty to your opposed maneuver check.
Combining Maneuvers
If you wish, you may attempt to combine multiple maneuvers into a
single check. For instance, you might combine an Affect Area
maneuver with a Gain Combat Advantage maneuver to represent
ripping the rug out from under a group of enemies and tripping
them up. In this case, each component maneuver still has its
normal action cost, but you only make one opposed maneuver
check for all of the attempted maneuvers. If you attempt those
maneuvers as fast maneuvers, you can attempt to combine more
than two, but each maneuver imposes an additional -2 penalty on
your opposed check.
Maneuvers and Skills
You may choose the skill you use to complete a maneuver, but the
GM chooses the ability your opponent uses to oppose it. The GM
may rule if a particular skill is inappropriate for a given maneuver.
Maneuvers or Zones?
If you are using the rules for environmental Zones described in
Chapter VIII: Environments, it may seem like some of these
maneuvers step on the toes of those rules, allowing players to
designate Zones in combat on the fly, making the two systems
incompatible. This is not the case.
Some maneuvers allow players to create effects similar to Zones
on the fly during a fight. This helps to keep combat dynamic without
requiring the GM to detail every last inch of a battlefield. By
allowing the players the ability to interact with the environment on
the fly in this way, it removes some of the burden for creating
colorful combats from the GM and spreads it around to the whole
group, so everyone can help make combat more exciting.
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However, it should also be noted that both Maneuvers and Zones
are capable of being used independently of one another. For GMs
with less prep time, relying more heavily on the players to describe
and interact with the environment using Maneuvers exclusively
might be beneficial. Alternatively, for GMs who would really rather
make designing battlefields and environments their exclusive
domain, using Zones to the exclusion of Maneuvers (or at least
certain Maneuvers) is a good way to accomplish this.
Maneuver Descriptions
There are seven types of maneuvers. Some allow you to trade an
action or a bonus in one area to gain a bonus or additional action
elsewhere, and others allow you to gain an advantage over your
foe more directly. All of them count as one action.
AFFECT AREA ONE ACTION
You go all-out in an attempt to affect a larger number of foes than
usual with your attack. You might perform a wild, sweeping strike
backed by raw muscle power to cut through multiple enemies, or
you might yank a rug out from under a group of guards to trip them.
Make an opposed check, with a -1 penalty for each foe you wish to
affect. Any of your opponents who fail fall into your affected area.
Your next attack or maneuver affects all opponents who failed their
opposed check against this maneuver. You must have a reasonable
means of attacking multiple foes, such as all being within your
reach, or positioned in such a way that a single attack could
conceivably strike all of them in some other way.
Failure: If all of your opponents win their opposed check, you don’t
affect any of them. However, even if only one of them fails their
check, that opponent falls into your affected area.
Examples: Use Might to cleave through four enemies with a single
mighty blow. Use Acrobatics to perform a daring spin-move and
slash at four enemies at once. Use Expertise (Tactics) to position
your enemies just right on a staircase so sending one tumbling will
knock all of them down. Use Persuasion] to cow your enemies into
falling back and bunching together so you can drop a chandelier on
them.
AID ONE ACTION
You attempt to help an ally during battle. You might shove an
enemy off-balance for a second, or disrupt his attack with a
carefully-timed feint.
Make an opposed check. If your opponent fails, you grant your ally
a +2 bonus on attacks against the target, or a +2 bonus on
opposed maneuver checks against that target. Alternatively, you
may grant your ally a +2 bonus on Defense against attacks from
the target. These bonuses last for one round, until the start of your
next turn.
Failure: If this maneuver fails, your ally does not gain the bonus.
Examples: Use Might to knock a foe off-balance while your ally
attacks. Use Acrobatics to nimbly draw a foe’s attention with attacks
while your ally gets a better position. Use Expertise (Tactics) to time
your attacks with an ally’s to maximize effect. Use Persuasion to
trick your foe while he’s attempting to attack your ally.

Option: Other Maneuver Resolutions

There are different ways to resolve maneuvers than the use of opposed skill checks presented above. You could, for example, just use
ability scores to resolve the checks (such as using Strength vs. Dexterity to resolve being tripped, or Wisdom vs. Charisma to avoid a
feint). You could also make all the maneuvers resolve exclusively off of opposed Weapon Group checks. And of course, if none of them
are a good fit for your group, maneuvers are easily removed, with many of their effects still available through Zones if the GM likes to
have tighter control over what options are on a given battlefield (see Chapter VIII: Environments for details).

Ability Maneuvers
Rather than using simply using skills, you may wish to have all Maneuver checks resolved as opposed ability checks. Understand that
under this option, Dexterity and Strength can be used to justify most types of maneuvers, and might become more potent relative to the
other maneuvers. Also be careful if someone tries to use the same attribute for every check (because there's only so many times that
using Charisma to represent "Disarming Wit" works before you want to strangle the player for such a terrible pun).

Combat Maneuvers
Alternatively, you might view combat maneuvers as simple extensions of how good you are in a fight. Under this option, all maneuvers are
resolved as opposed attack rolls with whichever attack you choose to perform the maneuver. This allows some flexibility, as a character
can use his Weapon Group skill with a melee weapon for an up-close trip, and then later use a ranged Weapon Group to try to disarm an
enemy from across the room. This lack of variety will, however, remove one means by which to encourage characters to invest in non-
combat skills.
Under this option, perception ranged attacks can be used, but they do not automatically succeed. A melee or ranged attack roll is still
required.

Take Your Pick

This option combines one or more of the above options in any way you like. So you might allow characters to use their attack bonus or
attributes, but not skills; or just skills and attack bonus but not attributes; or attributes and skills but not attack bonus. Pick and choose
which are most appropriate for the game.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II
CALLED SHOT ONE ACTION
You swing high and try to drive your sword into your enemy's heart.
You put the bead of your sniper rifle right between the eyes of your
target.
You gain a +2 bonus to your attack's critical threat range and a -2
on your attack roll. The adjustments apply to your next attack and
last for a full round. This represents aiming at a smaller but more
vulnerable area, like a foe's eyes or throat. You can take up to a -5
penalty on your attack roll for a total +5 bonus to your critical threat
range.
Make an opposed maneuver check. If you succeed, you take the
trade-off successfully.
On a successful critical hit, you may choose to instead inflict one of
the following FX rather than deal +5 damage. Your attack still does
normal damage in addition to the added FX. You must, however,
declare which option you'd like to use in advance:
• Dazzle (Visual) 5: Attack the eyes. You strike at a foe's eyes
and might be able to blind him.
• Drain (Constitution) 10: Stab the heart. You sever a major
artery, causing massive bleeding and severely weakening your
enemy.
• Drain (Dexterity) 10: Knee shot. You smash at a foe's legs,
making it difficult for him to move.
• Drain (Strength) 10: Sever muscle. You cut at a joint, making
it harder for your foe to bring to bare the full weight of his
strength against you.
• Inflict (Attack and Fortitude) 5: Sucker punch. You hit a foe
in the stomach, inflicting little damage but wracking pain.
• Inflict (Defense and Actions) 5: Head shot. You swing at your
foe's head and literally knock him senseless.
Failure: If this maneuver fails, you do not gain the bonus, but you
still suffer the penalty.
Examples: Use Might to deliver a painful sucker punch. Use
Dexterity to place your knife right in your foe's heart. Use Science
to use medical knowledge to stab at pressure points and strike for
higher Damage.
COMBINED ATTACK ONE ACTION
Multiple attackers can attempt to combine their attacks to
overwhelm an opponent’s defenses, with a hail of gunfire or a
convergence of mystic power.
The attackers must all delay to the same point in the initiative order
(that of the slowest character). Each attacker makes a normal
attack roll against the target. Take the largest save DC modifier of
the attacks that hit, and for each other attack within 5 points of that
attack's bonus that hits, add +2. The attacks must all target the
same type of resistance in order to combine, for example attacks
doing damage (targeting Toughness) can combine, but not with a
Damage FX that targets a Will instead or an Inflict (Condition) FX
calling for a Fortitude, which do not call for Toughness saves.
Failure: If a character misses this attack roll, then that character
does not add to the damage bonus of the combined attack.
Special: Note that a combined attack does not require any
maneuver check by default. At the GM's option and depending on
the genre of the game, the GM may require a check such as
Expertise to represent having the know-how to combine
supernatural energies, or how to position troops to maximize
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damage and minimize cross-fire. This may only be required for the
"leader" of the combined attack, or for all the characters.
Although a combined attack is similar to aiding someone, it is not
the same, and bonuses applying to aid do not apply to combined
attacks.
Examples: A team of mutants converge their various energy-
projecting powers on a single nigh-invincible foe in hopes of taking
him down. A squad of soldiers wait until everyone is in position to
lay coordinated gunfire down on the incoming armored jeep. The
flight of starship pilots swoop in together and concentrate their fire
on a small area to punch through the alien mothership's shields.
COVER ONE ACTION
You hold a gun drawn on an opponent, or press a knife against
their back, ready to strike in an instant.
Make the attack roll normally, however, the attack does not go off.
Instead, the attacker chooses to withhold the attack and “cover” the
target. This is like someone with a gun pointing it at a target and
shouting “freeze!” If the initial attack roll is successful, the attacker
may use the readied attack at any time against the target with the
normal result from the initial attack roll. If the initial attack roll was a
critical hit, then the covering attack is also a critical hit, if it is made.
If your opponent attempts an action, he must succeed at an
opposed check to break the cover or the attack will go off.
Failure: If this maneuver fails, your attack does not go off, or
misses your opponent instead of hitting.
Examples: Use Might to break away from a foe holding a knife to
your throat. Use Infiltration to slip out of a sniper’s sights. Use
Expertise (Tactics) to dodge behind moving cover at the perfect
moment. Use Persuasion to trick an enemy into lowering his guard.
Special: A Persuasion check to intimidate check made while
covered suffers a –2 penalty (since the attacker is clearly in a
superior position).
DISARM ONE ACTION
You slam an opponent’s sword out of his hand, or blast an enemy’s
gun away.
Make an opposed maneuver check. If you succeed, you disarm a
character of an easy to lose device or piece of equipment, dropping
it to the floor.
Failure: If this maneuver fails, the target holds onto his weapon.
Examples: Use Might to smash a weapon out of your opponent’s
hand, or use Acrobatics to grab someone's weapon and twist it
away with a spin-move.
GAIN COMBAT ADVANTAGE ONE ACTION
You grab your foe and pull him into a headlock, or fling a handful of
sand at his eyes to temporarily blind him. With a wide sweep-kick,
you knock your foe to the ground. These are just examples of how
you can gain combat advantage over your foe.
Make an opposed maneuver check. If you succeed, your foe is off-
balance, taking a -2 penalty to Defense against your attacks. In
addition, you may take certain actions against a foe you have
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combat advantage against which you couldn't otherwise use. Examples: Use Might to grab a foe and pin him against the wall.
Use Acrobatics to somersault over your enemy and stab him from
If you succeed by 5 or more, your opponent is vulnerable, denying
behind. Use Persuasion to trick your enemy and catch him with a
him his Defense bonus against attacks you make.
feint.
If you succeed by 10 or more, your opponent is flat-footed, denying
him his Defense bonus against all attacks made against him.
TRADE-OFF ONE ACTION
COMBAT ADVANTAGE CONDITION
-2 Defense against your You attempt a maneuver which trades-off your abilities in one area
Succeed Off-Balance attacks, Susceptible to Your for another, bracing yourself for an attack, readying to dodge, or
Surprise Attacks really leaning into an attack to deliver the most damage possible.
Take a +2 on one of the following: Attack, Defense, Effect Modifier,
Lose Defense Bonus against
or one of your Resistances and a -2 on one of the others. The
Succeed by 5 Vulnerable your attacks, Susceptible to
adjustments apply to your next attack and last for a full round.
Your Surprise Attacks
Make an opposed maneuver check. If you succeed, you take the
Lose Defense Bonus against
trade-off successfully.
Succeed by 10 Flat-Footed all attacks, Susceptible to
everyone's Surprise Attacks Failure: If this maneuver fails, you do not gain the bonus, but you
Recovery Automatic 1 round still suffer the penalty.
Examples: Use Might to punch an energy beam away before it can
hurt you, gaining a bonus to Toughness at a penalty to Defense.
Failure: If your opponent wins the opposed check, you do not gain Use Acrobatics to spring aside and gain a bonus to your Defense
any sort of combat advantage over that enemy. save at a penalty to your Toughness save when a grenade is
Special: If you take a -5 penalty to your opposed maneuver check, tossed your way. Use Science and medical knowledge to stab at
your opponent can only escape your combat advantage with a pressure points and strike for higher Damage. Use Perception to
successful opposed check at the cost of one action. This can be see through an opponent’s attack routine, taking a penalty to your
used to represent pinning a foe with a grapple. Toughness to gain a bonus to Defense.

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Chapter VIII: Environments
Not all of the hazards characters face comes from their enemies.
Sometimes the environment itself can be a danger, particularly
when foes try to use it to their advantage. Characters end up in a
lot of dangerous places and deal with less than ideal conditions.
This section details some of the hazards characters may face out in
the world, how to create the different sorts of zones that characters
might come across in their adventures.
Zones
Zones are presented as an option for GMs to put extra tactical
considerations into encounters for their players. These rules allow a
GM to define in advance the various abilities and options which
aspects of a battlefield characters might be able to take advantage
of (or fall victim to). Swinging from a chandelier in a tavern to get
across the room during a bar fight or tearing down power lines
during a superhero brawl to electrocute an enemy are examples of
zones.
Designing a Zone
The easiest way to design zones is to treat the entire battlefield
environment as a single creature. For the most part, the
environment is neutral, able to be used to the advantage of almost
any characters fighting there. Admittedly, environments often
"favor" NPC enemies, who are more likely to be able to choose the
battlefields than the more reactive PC adventurers.
A good rule of thumb is to make environments two full power levels
weaker than the PCs. Use trade-offs to vary the effects of the
different zones in an environments. A huge boulder might hit hard,
but it moves so slowly and is so large that it is easy to dodge. On
the other hand, a set of light, automated guns might have
sophisticated targeting programs, but don't do much damage. More
dangerous environments might only be one PL lower than the PCs,
and particularly deadly environments might be at or above the PCs'
PL.
Zones are built using Equipment Points, like Structures. Indeed,
many of the zones described in this chapter can be used to define
the area and defenses of a headquarters or base of operations, and
can be bought as such. Larger environments tend to have more
zones, and thus have a higher EP cost. Like other NPCs, the GM
should not feel beholden to maintain environments below a certain
cost.
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Three Types of Zones
There are three types of zones: condition zones, event zones, and
action zones. A condition zone describes a specific ongoing effect
in a given area of the battlefield. Characters who fight in the middle
of the desert, for example, are likely to suffer from the heat
continuously.
An event zone, on the other hand, only takes effect when it has
been activated. An event zone might occur without characters
needing to do anything (such as a ruptured steam pipe that blasts
out a searing cloud of steam every three rounds), or they might be
a response to the characters' actions (such as stepping on a trap
that unleashes a fusillade of darts).
Action zones describe how characters can interact with the
environment. These options are similar to Maneuvers (see Chapter
VII: Combat for details), but use predefined aspects of the
environment and not simply the characters' abilities. Most action
zones offer benefits that are greater than or different from those
offered in d20 Advanced’s maneuver rules. For example, a massive
boulder perched at the edge of a steep slope might inflict more
damage against a greater number of targets than the typical area
attack maneuver.
All types of zones use the same rules. In many cases, they draw on
existing rules, such as the rules for weather, or the rules for various
FX you’re already familiar with. The altar that blasts the characters
with eldritch energy simply makes an attack roll to see if it strikes a
character with the power of dark forces.
Condition Zones
Condition zones use the following stat block:
NAME CONDITION ZONE, EP COST
FX rank (Extras: Burst Area, Concentration Duration)
Designing Condition Zones
Building a condition zone requires careful balance. They effect
everyone in the area constantly, round after round, and if made too
powerful, they can make it impossible for characters to participate
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in the actual encounter itself! That's why it's recommended that Class. For higher DCs, you might want to decrease the damage
condition zones, even moreso than other zones, be built at a lower slightly, following the trade-off rules normally.
power level than the PCs. A condition zone should be used to wear
This assumes that the characters suffer half damage on a
a character down or make things difficult, but not to be a major
successful resistance, as if it were an area attack. If they suffer no
source of injury, so reduce the effective power level of the zone to
damage on a resistance (such as if they have the Evasion feat),
at least 2 or 3 below the party's PL.
you can increase the effect modifier of the zone. But be careful of
Condition zones often need some sort of skill check every round to trying to tailor your condition zone to the most competent member
avoid falling to the zones' effects, such as using Acrobatics to of the group in one area, as you can very quickly find yourself
remained balanced on a storm-tossed ship or using Expertise to overwhelming the other characters in the group.
concentrate in spite of a massive swarm of biting insects.
Characters make these checks at the start of their turns to see if
they suffer the zones' effects each round. Other FX
You can use almost any FX imaginable with a condition zone, as
long as it makes sense within the context of the game. A volcanic
Condition Zone Effects tremor might knock the characters prone, while gouts of hot steam
Condition zones can do just about anything, from something as could cause temporary blindness. The table below lists some
simple as damaging a character to knocking them prone to making common FX and sources that could deliver them.
them violently ill. Try to consider how an encounter will unfold with
this effect taking place, and work backwards towards the actual FX
you'll employ to achieve the effect. To describe powerful waves TABLE 8.1: ZONE FX
which threaten to send characters flying across the deck of a ship, Zone FX Sample Source
you might use Move Object. For a dangerous poison gas leak,
maybe you'll use the Inflict Condition FX to affect Attacks and Dense fog, steam, flashing lights,
Dazzle (Blindness)
Fortitude resistance. Luckily, these FX already detail what happens illusions
depending on how badly a character succumbs to them. Loud noises, a piercing shriek,
Dazzle (Deafness)
other FX
Resistances and Skill Check DCs Inflict (Strength and Intense heat, a life-draining
Constitution) magical effect
Unlike attacks from enemies, condition zones tend to be constant,
and benefit from active skill checks to avoid them (which make the Inflict (Attack and Fortitude) Noxious gas, a magical effect
players feel more in-control). Rather than attacking a specific Strange plant creatures, thick
resistance, you might simply want to add 10 to the effect's modifier Inflict (Attack and Movement)
mud
and make it into the DC to resist the effect. If an FX describes what
happens if the attack succeeds by 5 or 10, you should use those Move Object A powerful wind
results if the character fails the skill check by 5 or 10, respectively. Inflict (Movement and Combat Tremors, any effect that causes
Advantage) the ground to move
You can also make liberal use of the Alternate Resistance extra,
enabling you to use other skills to resist the target besides the
typical Defense, Fortitude, and Will. Acrobatics works well for Try to avoid FX, such as Inflict (Action), that leave a character
effects that make the environment itself move, such as earthquake unable to act. Unlucky character, or those who have a particularly
tremors. These are especially good for zones which will be weak resistance, might find themselves unable to even take part in
constant. the encounter! A good condition zone is a challenge to overcome,
Traditional resistances, on the other hand, are more appropriate for but not one that will destroy the team. As a guideline, condition
zones which more directly "attack" characters. A storm-tossed ship zones should have mild (but appreciable) effects, and not be so
is a general, widespread chance to knock combatants off-balance, dangerous that they turn a winnable encounter into an unwinnable
but bursts of lava are usually more limited and could severely one.
incapacitate a character. You can also treat normally active skills as The list of FX is by no means comprehensive, but it should give you
Resistances for the purpose of condition zones if you wish to speed some ideas of how to use condition zones for things other than
up game play, where the zone must roll its effect modifier against damage.
10 + the skill modifier for the characters in the zone.

Attack Event Zones

A zone which uses an attack that a character could dodge away
from or deflect with a shield or something similar likely uses an
attack bonus. This also covers zones which a character can leap
behind cover from. The attack bonus for the zone depends on its
power level, just as the other effects do.
Event zones can be timed, which means they're activated on a
certain schedule or just by chance, or triggered, and activated by
actions which the characters take. Here are sample stat blocks for
a timed event zone and a triggered event zone.

Damage HOWLING IDOL TIMED EVENT ZONE, 16 EP

A condition zone’s damage is tied to its power level. This damage

assumes that you use the typical resistance or skill check Difficulty Inflict (Attack and Will) 6 (Extras: Burst Area, Perception Range;
Flaws: Action; Drawbacks: Action 2 (5 rounds))

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II
SPEAR TRAP TRIGGERED EVENT ZONE, 9 EP
Damage 8 (Extras: Burst Area; Flaws: Unreliable 2 (One Use); FX
Feats: Accurate 4, Triggered (when a character steps on a pressure
plate in the corridor))
Event zones have their names, types, and cost included at the top,
followed by a description of the FX they use.
Triggered or Timed
The stat block notes the zone’s type next to its name. If you're
using a battlemap (see Chapter VII), you should note the zone's
area on the map for yourself.
Effect Modifier
Unlike condition zones, the one-off nature of event zones often
means that they directly attack a character's resistances, especially
for triggered zones. These zones will have an attack bonus for their
effects. Timed zones are more likely allow characters a skill check
to avoid the effect, since they are more constant and impersonal.
FX
Event zones inflict damage or other special states on the
characters or cause other effects that require explanation. A
bursting dam unleashes water which pushes the party along each
round, while a rolling boulder crushes everything in its path. Pick
FX which appropriately represent the effects.
Area
An event zone affects an area or a single target. If it affects an
area, the stat block notes the radius or otherwise describes how it
targets the characters. Perception-range effects do not require any
sort of attack roll, and instead either subject everyone in the zone to
a skill check or target a given resistance.
Designing Event Zones
Event zones can be triggered events or timed events. Triggered
events activate in response to an action, such as a character
pushing a button, and have the Triggered FX feat. Timed events
happen on a schedule or in response to an event that the
characters don’t control. These events are usually separated by an
increased action (usually multiple rounds) with the Action drawback.
A triggered event zone is basically a trap in the way it functions in
the game. When a character enters the area with a trap’s trigger,
the trap activates and either attacks him, such as by firing a laser
blast at him, or causes an effect that needs to be resisted, such by
as releasing tear gas or even a toxic nerve gas into the room.
Event zones are similar. When a character ventures into the zone’s
area, the zone activates and attacks or causes an effect. A timed
event zone activates according to a schedule (or by random
chance, if you prefer). For example, every few rounds, another
section of the levy breaks and another area of the battlefield
becomes flooded. An earthquake in the heart of the city might
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cause damaged buildings to topple, sending debris plummeting
down to crush anyone nearby. These event zones occur
independently of the character’s actions.
Picture the zone and its effect. How does the zone interact with the
characters? If the characters' actions can set off the zones, then
treat them as triggered zones with the Triggered FX feat.
Otherwise, it’s a timed event zone, and you should use the Action
flaw and drawback or the Unreliable flaw to design the zone.
Event Zone Effects
An event zone can do just about anything that a condition zone can
do. The key difference is that event zones are far more limited in
the number of times they'll hit a given character. Triggered zones,
for instance, will probably only have one shot at a character. This
means you can feel free to make them more dangerous and use
more potent FX to build them then you might be comfortable doing
with condition zones.
Resistance and Skill DCs
As described above, event zones don't affect characters as often as
condition zones do, so the skill DC to avoid them, or the modifier
they'll use to overcome a character's resistances, can be higher. In
general, the more often you expect an event zone to “go off”, the
lower you should make its skill check DCs or effect modifiers.
Attacks
Generally speaking, attacks which a character can block or dodge
should make use of attack rolls rather than just a resistance or skill
check. A zone’s attack bonus depends on its power level. You can
trade-off the bonus up or down for a deadlier or less threatening
zone. Note that the attack bonus for an event zone will usually be
higher than that for a condition zone. Because an event zone
usually has fewer chances to strike a character, it needs a better
bonus to ensure that its attack poses a threat.
Skills
Almost any skill might prove useful in avoiding an event zone. A
Survival check allows an Army Ranger to notice that a patch of
bushes has sharp, poisoned thorns. A Perception check lets a
character uncover the ancient stone pressure plate before he steps
on it and activates a mechanism that launches poison darts at him.
When you create an event zone, determine whether a skill check
replaces a resistance for avoiding its effects, or if a check allows a
character to spot the danger before he stumbles into it. Perception
fills this role in most cases, as they cover a character’s
environmental awareness. Knowledge with a particular skill or
Survival can also prove useful, as they indicate that a character has
the training needed to realize he’s near an event zone. Zones
which allow an “extra” skill check to avoid often have the Additional
Resistance flaw.
Feel free to add the Subtle FX feat to a zone which allows a skill
check to avoid the zone, increasing the DC for Perception checks
to 20, or possibly even requiring a specialized sense (such as a
magical sense to realize that an oddly-shaped idol is actually
cursed and ready to unleash a maddening scream).
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Damage
Just like with other effects, the more often an event zone activates,
the lower its Damage rank should be.
Other Effects
The advice for designing condition zones covers a few effects other
than damage that you can hit the characters with. In addition, event
zones can Drain characters' ability scores or use Inflict Condition to
penalize Actions. These sorts of effects are usually too
overwhelming to use constantly in a condition zone, but as part of a
more-rarely-occurring event zone, they're much more appropriate.
Area
When you design an event zone, you must decide on its area of
effect. In general, scale down the effect modifier for a zone which
can affect a large number of people (especially if those targeted
aren't the ones who triggered it). You don't need to scale it down
very far: just by 1 or 2 ranks is often enough for larger areas.
Traps
A form of event zones which have been used since the beginning of
RPGs, traps force characters to move cautiously and carefully while
encouraging creative thinking for avoiding their often-deadly effects.
Smart players have been using traps to their advantage for years.
Some have even learned how to trick the enemy into falling victim
to the traps, killing two birds with one stone!
Generally a trap is a good addition to an encounter if the group's
power level is 2 or more levels higher than the trap’s. Otherwise,
the trap might be too dangerous to include in the encounter. If
there's a trap door in the floor which dumps unsuspecting
characters into a pit, not only are you damaging characters with the
fall, but you're also removing an ally for the PCs as well. While the
trapped character tries to climb out, the rest of the group might be
overwhelmed by the enemies who remain.
Action Zones
Action zones encourage GMs to design interesting battle sites.
Rather than simply running a fight in a tavern where the tables,
chairs, bar, and beer kegs block movement, you can create zones
around each of those features that define how the player characters
(and their enemies) can use them.
When a character enters an action zone, she gains an ability which
can only be used in that particular location. Think of an action zone
as an object waiting for some combatant to run up and use it. A
good example of this would be a nice rug in the parlor of a fancy
house. Most of the time, it sits there uneventfully. But when a clever
character decides to rip it out from under an enemy, it provides
them with an opportunity to knock the enemy prone!
TIMBER! ACTION ZONE, 1 EP
Damage 4 (Extras: Cone Area; Flaws: Might Check Required,
Unreliable 2 (One Use))
With a Might check, you can send a big tree crashing down on top
of your enemies. Make a Might check. If you miss your attack roll
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against a creature in the area, that creature suffers only half
damage.
An action zone’s stat block covers the following attributes:
Name
The action zone’s name should be something descriptive, like
“falling tree” or “chandelier swing”.
Reusable or Nonreusable
Some action zones can be used only once, and then they're gone
forever. In a superhero showdown, someone might hurl an empty
car at the supervillain, but once it's been thrown, the car is wrecked
and destroyed, no longer useful.
On the other hand, characters might upend a table in a bar to take
cover behind during a tavern brawl. Doing so doesn't destroy the
table, so even if it's righted later during the fight, someone else can
just tip it over again. Indeed, even if the characters abandon their
cover to join the fight, someone else can just hop in later and take
their hiding place.
Actions
The stat block lists different actions available in the zone. Often
times, a character must make a skill check (at the cost of one or
more actions) to activate and make use of the zone.
Designing Action Zones
Action zones are easy to create because you just need to come up
with the effects the zone offers (often in the form of an FX or the
temporary use of a feat or the like). But they're also difficult to
design because they’re more free-form in nature. But because you
can easily use them for more than injuring or incapacitating an
enemy, you also have slightly less to worry about in terms of
balance.
Well-designed actions zones need to offer options to characters
which they don't normally have. For instance, if the characters are
all armed with guns, don't expect them to be excited for the
opportunity to use an automatic ball pitcher from the batting cages
against their enemies (since they already have potent ranged
attacks). But if those same characters find themselves unable to
successfully combat an ancient fire demon, they'll be extremely
happy to learn that they can smash fire hydrants to soak and
extinguish the demon.
Action zones are also a nice way to help introduce your players to
the concept of maneuvers, if they feel uncomfortable using those
rules for themselves. If you set up specific opportunities using
action zones, with concrete effects for the results, you can help
them feel more comfortable with the idea of using the battlefield
creatively to win fights.
Just like when creating event or condition zones, start with the end
result you want to see in play, then work backwards to the FX you'll
use to realize this picture. Find FX in Chapter V that closely model
the results and use them to guide you.
The description should specify the area of effect the zone uses.
This area should correspond to the area that the object could
physically cover (using a rough approximation, of course). A
toppling tree is roughly cone-shaped, while a rolling boulder affects
a line of targets.
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If an action zone requires an attack of any sort, you need to hit your
targets before the action has any sort of effect on them. In many
cases, a touch-range attack works best for thrown objects and
other large, bulky items. Use these rules of thumb:
• An item small enough to wield as a normal weapon requires a
normal attack roll.
• An item larger than the character wielding it is unwieldy,
granting a bonus to damage but a penalty to attack.
Beyond just making attacks, action zones offer characters the
ability to move around the battlefield in interesting ways, or even to
completely change the face of the battlefield. Maybe if the PCs
break the levy, they can flood an area and make it difficult terrain,
slowing anyone who tries to move through it.
Especially when you first start using zones, get in the habit of
explaining to your players in advance what zones are going to be
available or active during a particular encounter, and letting them
know what the zones will allow them to do. Since you want the
players to use them, you also want to make sure that they know
that they're there to use at all! As players learn more about them
and know where to look for them during a fight, you might not need
to prompt them as much or explain everything up-front.
Terrain Effects
This section presents a variety of basic terrain types, such as
desert and forest, along with some sample zones that correspond
to the terrain types.
Use this section as an encounter area toolbox. It provides dressing
that you can use to spice up your game and make encounters more
fun than two mobs of warriors lining up and smashing each other
with their weapons.
Aquatic Terrain
Any character can wade in relatively calm water that isn’t over her
head, with no check required. Similarly, swimming in calm water
only requires Athletics skill checks with a Difficulty Class of 10.
Rough water requires a DC 15 Athletics check, while stormy water
requires a DC 20 Athletics check.
Underwater Combat
Land-based creatures can have considerable difficulty when
fighting in water. Water affects a creature's defense, attack rolls,
damage, and movement. In some cases, a creature's opponents
may get a bonus on attacks.
These modifiers apply whenever a character is swimming, walking
in chest-deep water, or walking along the bottom of a body of water.
• Ranged Attacks Underwater: Thrown weapons prove
ineffective underwater, even when launched from land. Attacks
with other ranged weapons are made against characters in
their threatened area as if they had partial cover. Attacks with
other ranged weapons made against character in deep water
(10+ feet), or who are outside of the normal reach of the
attacker, are made as if the swimmer had improved cover.
• Attacks From Land: Characters swimming, floating, treading
water on the surface, or wading in water at least chest deep
have improved cover, imposing a -5 penalty on attack rolls
from opponents on land. FX are unaffected except for those
that require attack rolls (which are treated like any other
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attacks) and fire FX.
• Fire: Mundane fire does not burn underwater. FX with the fire
descriptor are ineffective underwater unless the character
makes a successful power check (DC 20). If the check
succeeds, the FX creates a bubble of steam instead of its
usual fiery effect, but otherwise the FX works as described.
The surface of a body of water blocks line of effect for any fire
FX. If the caster has made a power check to render the fire FX
usable underwater, the surface still blocks the FX's line of
effect.
Flowing Water
Large, placid rivers move at only a few miles per hour, so they
function as still water as far as the rules for the game are
concerned. But some rivers and streams move faster.
SWEPT AWAY EVENT ZONE, 5 EP
Move Object 5 (Flaws: Athletics check opposes)
Characters swept away by a fast-moving river must make Athletics
checks (DC 20) every round to avoid going under. If a character
gets a check result of 5 or more over the minimum result
necessary, he stops his motion by catching a rock, tree limb, or
bottom snag, and he's no longer being carried along by the flow of
the water. Escaping the rapids by reaching the bank requires three
Athletics checks (DC 20) in a row. Characters arrested by a rock,
limb, or snag can't escape under their own power unless they strike
out into the water and attempt to swim their way clear. Other
characters can rescue them as if they were trapped in quicksand.
WATER DROWNING CONDITION ZONE, 4 EP
Drain 1 (Physical Ability Scores; Extras: No Resistance)
It is possible to drown in substances other than water, such as
sand, quicksand, fine dust, and silos full of grain.
Arctic Terrain
Adventures to the arctic, winters in the north, of journeys to worlds
of perpetual cold can force characters to endure difficult terrain.
Ice Sheet
Ice sheets count as difficult terrain, costing double the normal
movement to move through. If a character fails any Strength- or
Dexterity-based skill check, or any attack rolls while on an ice
sheet, that character must make an Acrobatics check (DC 10) or fall
off-balance, granting foes combat advantage.
To represent a frozen-over lake with ice potentially too thin to
support a character, use the following event zone:
THIN ICE EVENT ZONE, 9 EP
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Damage 2 (Extras: Alternate Resistance (Fortitude), Linked (Drain),
Sustained Duration; Flaws: Additional Resistance (Reflex); Power
Feats: Triggered (when a character steps on a square of thin ice));
Drain 1 (Physical Ability Scores; Extras: Linked, No Resistance)
On a failed save Reflex check, the character creates a hole in the
ice big enough to cover his space. In addition to the normal effects
of attempting to swim and drowning, a character in freezing water
suffers the above damage and penalties to his physical ability
scores. It takes a DC 10 Perception check to find the hole in the
ice, and a DC 15 Athletics check to swim back out.
Snow
A foot of snow or more counts as difficult terrain, and it costs double
the normal amount of movement to move through squares with
such snow. Especially deep snow can slow characters even further.
DEEP SNOW EVENT ZONE, 5 EP
Inflict 5 (Movement; Extras: Alternate Resistance (Athletics))
On a failed Athletics check (DC 15), a character is unable to move
easily through the thigh-high snow, and his movement rate is
halved (in addition to the snow counting as difficult terrain). If the
character fails by 5 or more, he's unable to move that turn, as the
snow is just too deep. If the character fails by 10 or more, he falls
and is helpless for one round.
Smaller characters have an even more difficult time making their
way through deep snow. They suffer a cumulative -2 penalty to their
Athletics checks for every size category they are smaller than
medium. Similarly, larger characters have an easier time as well.
They gain a cumulative +2 bonus to their Athletics checks for every
size category larger than medium they are.
Industrial Terrain
This category covers some of the stranger and more dangerous
hazards seen in modern industrial centers.
ACID VAT CONDITION ZONE, 36 EP
Damage 10 (Extras: Concentration Duration, Linked Drain; Flaws:
Limited (Submerged Characters, 9 ranks)); Drain 10 (Extras:
Concentration Duration, Linked Damage; Flaws: Limited
(Submerged Characters, 9 ranks))
Inflict (Condition) 2 (Penalize Attacks, Penalize Fortitude; Fortitude
Resists; Extras: Touch Perception Range, Additional Affliction)
Corrosive acid deals 1 acid damage per round of exposure except
in the case of total immersion (such as into a vat of acid), which
deals 10 damage per round. The acid also eats away at a
character's defenses, draining their toughness if the acid
overcomes their Fortitude. The fumes from most acids are toxic if
inhaled, which can sicken anyone adjacent to the acid pool.
Creatures with any sort of acid resistance or immunity ignore this
effect. Creatures immune to acid's caustic properties might still
drown in it if totally immersed.
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BOILING WATER CONDITION ZONE, 6 EP
Damage 5 (Extras: Concentration Duration; Flaws: Limited
(Submerged Characters, 4 ranks))
Boiling water deals 1 fire damage per round of exposure, unless the
character is fully immersed, in which case it deals 5 damage per
round of exposure.
MOLTEN STEEL CONDITION ZONE, 21 EP
Damage 14 (Extras: Concentration Duration, Secondary FX (Half
Ranks); Flaws: Limited (Submerged Characters, 10 ranks))
Molten metal or magma deals 5 fire damage per round of exposure,
except in the case of total immersion (such as when a character
falls into the crater of an active volcano), which deals 15 damage
per round. Damage from magma continues for an additional round
after exposure ceases, but this additional damage is only half of
that dealt during actual contact or submersion. An immunity or
resistance to fire serves as an immunity or resistance to lava or
magma, too. However, a creature immune to fire might still drown if
completely immersed in lava.
CHOKING SMOKE CONDITION ZONE, 15 EP
Drain 5 (Physical Ability Scores; Extras: Linked (Obscure))
Obscure 5 (Olfactory, Visual Senses; Extras: Linked (Drain);
Flaws: Partial Concealment, Touch Range)
Choking clouds of smoke make it difficult to see. Further,
characters suffering from smoke inhalation can suffocate, leaving
them sick and weak.
Forest Terrain
Many of the terrain features found in the forest also transfer well to
other environments.
Trees
A creature standing in the same square as a tree gains a +5 bonus
to defense due to cover. The presence of a tree doesn't otherwise
affect a creature's fighting space, because it’s assumed that the
creature is using the tree to its advantage when it can. The trunk of
a typical tree has Toughness 7. An Athletics check (DC 15) is
sufficient to climb a tree. Medium and dense forests have massive
trees as well. These trees take up an entire square and provide
cover to anyone behind them. They have Toughness 12. As with
their smaller counterparts, it takes an Athletics check (DC 15) to
climb them.
TIMBER! ACTION ZONE, 1 EP
Damage 4 (Extras: Cone Area; Flaws: Might Check Required,
Unreliable 2 (One Use))
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II
With a Might check, you can send a big dying, dead, or otherwise
unsteady tree crashing down on top of your enemies. Make a Might
check. If you miss your attack roll against a creature in the area,
that creature suffers only half damage.
Undergrowth
Vines, roots, and short bushes cover much of the ground in a
forest. A space covered with light undergrowth costs two spaces of
movement to move into, and it provides partial concealment with a
-2 percent to attacks made against creatures in the space.
Undergrowth increases the Difficulty Class of Acrobatics and
Infiltration checks by 2 as leaves and branches get in the way.
Heavy undergrowth increases the Difficulty Class of Acrobatics and
Infiltration checks by 5. Running and charging are impossible.
Spaces with undergrowth are often clustered together. Undergrowth
and trees aren't mutually exclusive; it’s common for a 5-foot space
to have both a tree and undergrowth.
Desert Terrain
Intense heat can roast characters where they stand, and stand
provides poor footing for combat. Sand dunes created by the wind
can create slopes that make it difficult to navigate the battlefield
and provide opportunities for gaining combat advantage by holding
the high ground. One of the worst threats of a sandy desert are
dangerous sandstorms.
CONDITION ZONE, 11
RELENTLESS SANDSTORM EP
Damage 1; Obscure 5 (Visual)
Driving sand creeps penetrates all but the most secure seals and
seams, chafing skin and contaminating gear.
Jungle Terrain
Steamy jungles and marshlands provide danger at every turn,
whether from dangerous enemies or just from the treacherous
terrain and diseases that brew there.
SWARM OF FLIES CONDITION ZONE, 10 EP
Inflict (Condition) 5 (Penalize Attacks, penalize Fortitude; Extras:
Additional Affliction)
This condition zone represents a large swarm of mosquitoes and
other biting insects. These bugs are too small to inflict damage on a
character, but their relentless bites prove distracting. The penalty
represents the bugs' itching and painful bites. More serious
conditions could represent catching a fast-acting disease from the
insects.
Bogs
If a square is part of a shallow bog, it has deep mud or standing
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water of about 1 foot in depth. It costs double the normal movement
to move into a space with a shallow bog, and the Difficulty Class of
Acrobatics checks in such a space increases by 2. A space that is
part of a deep bog has roughly 4 feet of standing water. It costs
Medium or larger creatures quadruple the normal movement to
move into a space with a deep bog, or they can swim if they wish.
Small or smaller creatures must swim to move through a deep bog.
Acrobatics check DCs increase by 5 in a deep bog,
The water in a deep bog provides cover for Medium or larger
creatures. Smaller creatures gain improved cover. Medium or larger
creatures can crouch for one action to gain this improved cover.
Creatures with such improved cover take a –5 penalty on attacks
against creatures that aren’t underwater.
Both shallow and deep bogs impose a –2 penalty on all Infiltration
checks, thanks to the loud, sloshing water and thick mud.
QUICKSAND CONDITION ZONE, 30 EP
Inflict (Condition) 5 (Penalize Strength, Penalize Constitution;
Extras: Concentration Duration, Linked to Drain; Flaws: Limited to
creatures attempting Athletics checks); Drain 2 (Physical Ability
Scores; Extras: Linked, No Resistance)
Patches of quicksand present a deceptively solid appearance
(looking like undergrowth or open land) that may trap unwary
explorers. A character approaching a patch of quicksand at a
normal pace is entitled to a Survival (Jungle) check (DC 10) to spot
the danger before stepping in. Charging or running characters are
not as lucky, and are not entitled a check prior to blundering into a
patch of quicksand. A character's momentum can usually carry him
about 5 feet into a pit of quicksand, which can be around 20 feet in
diameter.
Characters in quicksand must make an Athletics check (DC 10)
every round to simply tread in place, or a DC 15 check to move 5
feet in whatever direction they desire. On a failure, the character is
unable to move. A trapped character who fails this check by 5 or
more sinks below the surface and begins to drown. Characters
below the surface of quicksand may swim back up with a
successful Athletics check (DC 15).
Rescue: It takes a successful Might check (DC 15) to pull a
character out of the quicksand, and usually requires finding a long
and sturdy branch or using rope. If the rescuer fails by 5 or more,
the branch could be dropped in the quicksand. If he fails by 10 or
more, he's pulled in with the character he was trying to rescue!
Mountain and Hill Terrain
Mountains long marked the edge of civilization. Treacherous to
cross and rife with dangers all their own, one long step in the
mountains could send an unlucky traveler plunging to their doom.
Scree
A field of loose rock and gravel, scree doesn't affect speed the way
rubble would, but it can be treacherous in its own right. The
Difficulty Class of Acrobatics checks increases by 2 for scree on a
gradual slope and by 5 for scree on a steep slope, as footing
becomes unsteady. Loose scree on a slope can also foil a
character's attempts at stealth, imposing a -2 penalty on Infiltration
checks. Daring characters may attempt to move quickly down a
slope in a controlled fall using scree:
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REUSABLE ACTION
RIDING THE SCREE ZONE, 1 EP

Enhanced (Trait) 2 (All-Out Attack, Power Attack; Flaws: Side

Effect (Grant enemy Combat Advantage on a failed Acrobatics
check)

LIKE A ROLLING STONE ACTION ZONE, 5 EP

Damage 8 (Extras: Line Area; Flaws: Might Check Required,

Unreliable 2 (One Use); Power Feats: Mighty)
With a Might check (DC 18), you can send a boulder rolling down a
slope to smash into your enemies. Make a Might check. If
successful, you may make an attack roll targeting all creatures
within a line 5 feet wide. Creatures your attack misses suffer half
damage.

Steep Slope
A steep slope is defined as sharper than 30 degrees but shallow
enough that characters don’t need to use the Athletics check to
ascend. A character higher on a steep slope than an enemy gains
Combat Advantage. Characters moving uphill (to an adjacent space
with higher elevation) must spend double the normal movement to
enter each space of steep slope, treating it as difficult terrain.
Characters running or charging downhill (moving to an adjacent
space of lower elevation) must succeed at an Acrobatics check (DC
10) upon entering the first steep slope space. Mounted characters
make a Vehicles check (DC 10) instead. Characters who fail this
check stumble and must end their movement 1 space later, but
suffer no other penalty. Characters who fail by 5 or more stumble
off-balance in the space where they end their movement, granting
any foe in melee range Combat Advantage. A steep slope
increases the Difficulty Class of Acrobatics checks by 2. characters fight near an occupied building. Old masonry, garbage,
and other materials could pose a threat.

Urban and Interior Terrain NOT-SO QUIET RIOT CONDITION ZONE, 6 EP

Even in the relative safety of a city or town, the characters must
watch out for more human (but no less dangerous) threats. Some
enemies are at home when hidden among the vast mass of
humanity. Urban zones cover some of the unique features that the
characters must cope with in a city.
CRUSHING CROWD CONDITION ZONE, 2 EP
Inflict (Condition) 4 (Penalize Movement, Might Resists; Extras:
Concentration Duration; Flaws: Minimal Effect, Touch Range)
This condition zone represents a large crowd, such as an audience
gathered to hear a speech or watch a concert. A crowd counts as
difficult terrain that blocks line of sight. While in a crowd, you can
attack only adjacent opponents. The crowd does not block line of
effect (only line of sight).
FALLING OBJECTS TIMED EVENT ZONE, 4 EP
Damage 2 (Flaws: Unreliable; Power Feats: Accurate 3)
Falling objects are a potential hazard in a city, especially if the
Inflict (Condition) 6 (Penalize Movement, Might Resists; Extras:
Concentration Duration, Wracking; Flaws: Minimal Effect, Touch
Range)
This condition zone represents a general state of violence, rioting,
and chaos in the streets. It simulates a packed crowd of panicked
people who move and swarm along the streets seemingly at
random. If caught up in the riot, you risk being mobbed and
possibly trampled. You must make a Reflex Check and a Might
Check to move while in a riot. Moving in the same direction as the
riot adds a +5 bonus to the check. If the check succeeds, you can
take your move action as normal.
Furnishings and Other Objects
Plenty of action can take place indoors, where the opportunity to
use everyday household furnishings in new and destructive ways
abound. A banister can become a quick shortcut downstairs, a table
a handy instant wall, and the possibilities for priceless chandeliers
or ancient tapestries are simply endless. While hardly a
comprehensive list, the following entries might serve to provide you
with ideas for your own zones.

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BANISTER SLIDE REUSABLE ACTION ZONE, 1 EP
Enhanced (Trait) 2 (All-Out Attack, Power Attack; Flaws: Side
Effect (Combat Advantage on a failed Acrobatics check))
A convenient shortcut down the stairs, and one that gives you
plenty of momentum to boot!
TRASH CAN ROLL REUSABLE ACTION ZONE, 3 EP
Damage 4 (Extras: Line Area; Flaws: Full-Round Action, Might
Check Required; Power Feats: Mighty)
You can kick a trash can or barrel onto its side and roll it toward
your opponents, knocking them to the ground as the barrel careens
over them. The can lands at the end of the line.
A trash can fills the space it occupies. You can step on top of one
with an Acrobatics check (DC 5) to gain high ground and combat
advantage over a foe. You can use this quick way to gain high
ground to represent jumping on a table or bar or similar feat.
REUSABLE ACTION
CHANDELIER SWINGIN' ZONE, 1 EP
Enhanced Movement 2 (Swinging; Flaws: Acrobatics Check
Required; Power Feats: All-Out Attack, Power Attack)
You leap through the air with a DC 12 Acrobatics check, then grab
onto the chandelier, enabling you to swing across the room. The
swing also affords you certain advantages for attacking a foe in
melee as you lunge with some added momentum at your enemy.
Additionally, a Chandelier Crash makes a good "alternate FX" for a
Chandelier Swing.
NONREUSABLE ACTION
CHANDELIER CRASHIN' ZONE, 1 EP
Damage 8 (Extras: Burst Area; Flaws: Check Required (Break
Chain (Toughness 5, Defense 10), Unreliable 2 (One Use))
The squares hit by a chandelier crash count as difficult terrain,
littered with broken bits of glass and metal or wood. Obviously,
once you destroy the chandelier, it's useless for any further
swinging. The noise it makes when it lands is worth it, though.
UPENDED TABLE REUSABLE ACTION ZONE, 3 EP
Create Objects 1 (Extras: Continuous Duration; Flaws: Might
Check Required)
With a Might check (DC 11) and one action, you flip a table over.
The table covers the same spaces as before, but one side of that
space now counts as a low wall, granting cover if you're standing or
improved cover if you choose to crouch. You can switch the side
that the wall runs along with another Might check (DC 11) as one
action.
Additionally, a Bench Toss makes a good "alternate FX" for a Table
as Cover.
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BENCH TOSS REUSABLE ACTION ZONE, 3 EP
Damage 2 (Flaws: Might Check Required; Power Feats: Mighty,
Thrown)
You can pick up and throw a bench with a successful Might check
(DC 12). This attack has a range of 10 feet. Make a melee attack
roll for a thrown attack.
Mobile Terrain
Mobile terrain adds unexpected twists to an encounter as it
changes to the positions of the characters or their opponents
constantly. If the characters don’t know where they'll wind up
between the end of their turn and the beginning of their next, they
could wind up in deep trouble. And some unlucky enemy might
suddenly find himself and his bow and arrow with only ten feet
separating him from the enemy.
Mobile Terrain in Combat
The most important thing to consider when using mobile terrain
during a battle is timing. Everyone is assumed to act almost
simultaneously during a round in combat, but if a piece of mobile
terrain moves on every character's turn, then some very strange
actions can take place.
Should a platform move whenever a character steps on it? If so,
does that mean that the first person to jump on can move dozens of
times if everyone else in the battle later steps on it? On the other
hand, if the platform only moves once per round, does that mean
that it is otherwise static terrain that anyone can just stroll across?
The best way to represent this is to treat an area of mobile terrain
like an action zone that might be able to change positions on the
battlefield. If a character is careful and quick enough, she can use
the mobile terrain to his advantage and move farther than normal or
reach a normally unreachable area. When you enter moving terrain,
make an Acrobatics check with a Difficulty Class determined by the
terrain’s speed (a good rule of thumb would be a base DC of 10,
with a +2 DC for every square the mobile terrain will move).
Characters who fail this check risk falling (and granting any nearby
enemy Combat Advantage).
If you succeed, you can continue your movement. Treat the mobile
terrain as filling all the space it's movement takes it along. So if the
mobile terrain is a mine cart rolling down the rails, and it'll move 10
spaces this turn, your character can jump in and enter the cart
along any of those 10 spaces, and then jump out again at any of
those other spaces which are left down the rail in the cart's
movement. If you fail your Acrobatics check to enter the moving
terrain by 5 or more, you wind up vulnerable in a random square
along the mobile terrain's path, losing your defense bonus against
attacks from an enemy you land adjacent to.
Mobile terrain also has the advantage of making you more difficult
to hit. While you're riding on mobile terrain (and you don't simply
hop right off on the same turn), you gain the benefits of partial
concealment, with enemies suffering a -2 penalty on attacks
against you. You also gain combat advantage against foes who you
try to attack from mobile terrain (thanks to your increased speed),
but you don't gain the ability to hide as you normally would from
concealment.
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Climate Effects
What follows are suggestions for how to handle different climate
effects in the game. These are only suggestions for ways that the
GM can handle these effects: if the GM chooses to use something
like Drain to represent oxygen deprivation from thin atmosphere
instead of an Inflict (Condition) FX, this is not a violation of the rules
in any sense. Rather, that is how the GM felt was most thematically
appropriate to handle the effect in a particular situation.
Weather Effects
Weather offers just as many opportunities for interesting encounters
as terrain does, and can vary widely depending on climate or
region.
Precipitation
THICK MIST CONDITION ZONE, 5 EP
Obscure 5 (Visual; Flaws: Partial)
Fog, light rain or snow, or other similar gentle precipitation can
make it difficult for characters to see clearly, granting everyone in
the area partial concealment.
Heavier precipitation or hail might be loud enough to penalize
Perception checks to listen (-2 or -5). Particularly dousing rain or
snow could act as a Nullify 2, while heavy sleet could even be
represented with Nullify 5 effect against unprotected fires.
Wind
Something as simple as wind can be a minor inconvenience or a
dangerous challenge, depending on its intensity. Severe winds or
greater can actually blow characters away, which could grant their
enemies Combat Advantage over them.
MODERATE WIND CONDITION ZONE, 2 EP
Nullify 2 (Fire)
Moderately strong gusts of wind threaten to extinguish small,
unprotected flames.
STRONG WIND CONDITION ZONE, 9 EP
Nullify 5 (Fire; Extras: Linked (Inflict))
Inflict 1 (Attack and Non-Combat Skills; Extras: No Resistance;
Flaws: Ranged Attacks and Perception Only)
More powerful gusts of wind can extinguish even large flames, and
impose a -2 penalty to ranged attacks and Perception checks to
listen.
Even more powerful winds could increase the penalties to ranged
attacks and Perception checks to -5.
Especially powerful wind storms could make ranged attacks all but
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impossible with a -10 penalty to ranged attacks and Perception
checks to listen. Such winds are powerful enough to knock a
character off-balance on a failed Might check (DC 12). Hurricane-
force winds increase the Might check DC to 15, and tornadoes
increase the DC to 20.
Temperature
A simple way to remind the player characters of their environment
is to make it much colder or hotter than is comfortable. This section
also covers the rules for catching on fire.
Extreme Heat and Cold
Intense heat and cold wear down characters, while prolonged
exposure to the elements can be extremely dangerous.
If caught in inclement weather (such as extreme heat or cold, or in
particularly heavy rain or wind), you must make a DC 10 Endurance
check (+2 for each additional hour beyond the first). If you succeed,
you are in good shape to continue. If you fail, you move one step
down the Check Condition Track, suffering a -2 penalty to future
Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail again, or if you fail by 5
or more, you move down an additional step down the Check
Condition chart, suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and Constitution
checks. If you fail a third time, or if you fail by 10 or more, you fall
unconscious and helpless. It takes an hour of rest to recovery from
any conditions you may have suffered from inclement weather (DC
= 10 + 2 for each hour you were exposed to the weather).
Wearing the proper clothing (with immunity to environmental heat
or environmental cold, respectively), negates the need for such
Endurance checks by the characters.
Combat in Darkness
Darkness presents a major challenge for many characters who lack
special senses. In the darkness, their ability to fight and react is
greatly reduced, and insignificant challenges become quite serious
indeed. A character who is unable to use an accurate sense
because it has been Obscured or Dazzled (see Chapter V: FX)
uses the rules below.
Finding and Attacking Targets
Creatures unable to see lose the ability to gain combat advantage
over a foe. All opponents have total concealment from a blinded
creature, so the blinded creature has a -5 penalty to attacks in
combat.
A blinded character needs to pinpoint the location of an opponent if
he wants to have any chance of hitting the enemy. If the blinded
character attacks without pinpointing its foe, it attacks a random
square within range. For ranged attacks against a foe whose
location is not pinpointed, roll randomly to determine which
adjacent space the blinded character is facing; it attacks the
nearest target in that direction.
If an unseen foe strikes a blinded creature, the blinded character
pinpoints the location of the creature that struck him (until the
unseen creature moves, of course). The only exception is if the
unseen creature has a reach greater than 5 feet (in which case the
blinded character knows the location of the unseen opponent, but
has not pinpointed him) or uses a ranged attack (in which case the
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part II

blinded character knows the general direction of the foe, but not his
location).
A blinded creature loses its Defense bonus. It suffers a –5 penalty
on Perception checks and most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill
checks, including any with an armor check penalty. A creature
blinded by darkness automatically fails any skill check relying on
vision. Creatures blinded by darkness cannot use gaze attacks and
are immune to them.

Locating Without an Accurate Sense

A character who is forced to rely on senses that aren't accurate in
combat have a difficult ordeal. A character may use a sense which
is only acute (such as hearing for human characters) to pinpoint an
enemy. This is more difficult than simply using an accurate sense.
During a fight, a character relying on such an acute sense must
make a Perception check as a free action to locate an enemy. The
base DC is 10, or the enemy's Infiltration check (if the enemy is
actively attempting to be stealthy). If a character succeeds on this
check, they are able to determine the general direction of the
enemy (in front, behind, to the left, to the right), as well as if the
target is close or far away. If the character succeeds by 10 or more
on the Perception check (DC 20 for most fights), then he's able to
pinpoint the enemy's space. The enemy still has total cover, but the
character can attack (albeit at a -5 penalty). You suffer the normal
penalties to your check based on the enemy's distance (-1 per 10
feet).
Note that using a sense without range normally (such as groping Normal Gravity
blindly to find an enemy by touch) only succeeds if the enemy is
within touch range. If the character reaches into the correct square, The force gravity exerts on a person determines their ability to
this is essentially an attack roll which deals no damage but perform certain actions. In addition, gravity affects the amount of
pinpoints the enemy if the attack hits (counting in the -5 penalty for damage a character takes from falling. Gravity may vary
being blind). considerably from one environment to the next. For ease of play
these rules present four simplified gravity environments: normal
gravity, low gravity, high gravity, and zero gravity (0 G). The
following sections summarize the game effects for each type of
Moving in the Dark environment.
Characters who are unable to see treat all terrain as difficult terrain, "Normal gravity" equates to gravity on Earth. Environments with
and move at half-speed through it. When moving, blinded normal gravity impose no special modifiers on a character’s ability
characters might veer off in the wrong direction. A successful scores, attack rolls, or skill checks. Likewise, normal gravity does
Perception check (DC 15) lets the character move along the not modify a creature’s speed, carrying capacity, or the amount of
desired path. With a failed check, the character veers off in one damage it takes from a fall.
direction or another as the GM sees fit (randomly turning either left
or right). The character continues in that direction until it uses its
intended movement up or until it runs into an obstacle, immediately Low-Gravity
ending the character's movement.
In a low-gravity environment, the pull of gravity is significantly less
Characters fumbling about blindly are treated as flat-footed, than we experience on Earth. Although an object’s mass doesn’t
granting all enemies combat advantage over them. For example, a change, it becomes effectively lighter. This means creatures
blinded character could stumble into a pit that is normally easy to bounce when they walk. It becomes easier to move and lift heavy
spot. objects as well as perform Strength-related tasks. In addition,
creatures take less damage from falling.
These rules apply for any character who has lost access to its
normally accurate senses (such as a bat losing its accurate • Speed: A creature’s speed increases by +5 feet in a low-gravity
hearing). environment. This bonus applies to all of the creature’s modes
of movement.
• Checks: All creatures are treated as if their strength was 5
Combat in Outer Space points higher than usual for all skill checks.
• Movement: Creatures in a low-gravity environment gain an
It’s entirely possible that some games may take characters beyond effective +10 bonus to acrobatics checks for jumping.
the bounds of Earth, out into the great beyond. The following rules
• Attack Roll Penalty: Creatures take a –2 penalty on attack
are useful for adjudicating different atmospheres and gravity
rolls in a low-gravity environment unless they are native to that
conditions that could exist on other worlds.
environment or have the Environmental Adaptation feat.
• Damage from Falling: Creatures do not fall as quickly in a
low-gravity environment as they do in a normal- or high-gravity

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environment. Falling damage is halved.
• Long-Term Effects: Long-term exposure to low-gravity
conditions can cause serious problems when returning to
normal gravity. A creature that spends 120 hours or more in a
low-gravity environment takes 1 point of temporary Strength
damage upon returning to normal gravity, which recovers at a
rate of 1 point per day.
High-Gravity
In a high-gravity environment, the pull of gravity is significantly
greater than we experience on Earth. Although an object’s mass
doesn’t change, it becomes effectively heavier. It becomes harder
to move and carry heavy objects as well as perform Strength-
related tasks. In addition, creatures take more damage from falling.
Even the simple task of walking or lifting one’s arms feels more
laborious.
• Speed: A creature's speed is halved in a high-gravity
environment. This penalty applies to all of the creature's modes
of movement.
• Checks: Characters suffer a -5 penalty to Strength-related
checks in a high-gravity environment.
• Movement: Creatures in a high-gravity environment take a –5
penalty to acrobatics for jumping.
• Attack Roll Penalty: Creatures take a –2 penalty on attack
rolls in a high-gravity environment unless they are native to
that environment or have the Environmental Adaptation feat.
• Damage from Falling: Creatures fall more quickly in a high-
gravity environment than they do in a normal- or low-gravity
environment. Falling damage is increased 50% in a high-
gravity environment.
• Long-Term Effects: Long-term exposure to high-gravity
conditions can cause serious problems when returning to
normal gravity. A creature that spends 120 hours or more in a
heavy-gravity environment takes 1 points of temporary
Dexterity damage upon returning to normal gravity, which
recovers at a rate of 1 point per day.
Zero Gravity
Creatures in a zero gravity environment can move enormously
heavy objects. As movement in zero gravity requires only the ability
to grab onto or push away from larger objects, climbing and
jumping no longer apply. Most creatures find zero gravity
environments disorienting, taking penalties on their attack rolls and
suffering the effects of Space Adaptation Syndrome (space
sickness). In addition, creatures in zero gravity are easier to rush
than in other gravity environments.
• Space Adaptation Syndrome: A creature exposed to
weightlessness must make an Endurance check (DC 15) to
avoid the effects of space sickness. Those who fail the check
suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls and all non-combat, non-
resistance skill checks. Those who fail the check by 5 or more
suffer a -5 penalty to attacks and all non-combat, non-
resistance skill checks. The effects persist for 8 hours. A new
check is required every 8 hours the creature remains in a zero-
g environment. Creatures with the Environmental Adaptation
feat do not suffer the effects of space sickness.
• Speed: While in a zero-gravity environment, a creature gains a
"flying" speed equal to its base land speed, or it retains its
normal flying speed (whichever is greater). However, this
"flying" movement is limited to straight lines only; a creature
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can change course only by pushing away from larger objects.
• Checks: Creatures gain a +10 bonus to Strength checks in a
zero gravity environment.
• Attack Roll Penalty: Creatures take a –5 penalty on attack
rolls and skill checks while operating in a zero-gravity
environment unless they are native to that environment or have
the Environmental Adaptation feat.
• Knockback: All attacks which deal damage in zero gravity will
knock characters back.
• Long-Term Effects: Long-term exposure to zero gravity
conditions can cause serious problems when returning to
normal gravity. A creature that spends 120 hours or more in a
zero gravity environment takes 4 points of temporary Strength
damage upon returning to normal gravity, which recovers at a
rate of 1 point per day.
Atmospheric Conditions
As with variants in gravity, a change in atmospheric conditions can
cause problems for characters. Unfortunately, not every planet has
the same atmospheric density or chemical composition as Earth,
meaning worlds otherwise hospitable to human life may not be
ideal for humans born and raised on Earth. Various atmospheric
conditions (and their effects) are presented here.
Corrosive Atmosphere
Some atmospheres (breathable or not) contain corrosive chemicals
and gases. Corrosive atmospheres slowly eat away at foreign
equipment and can cause significant equipment failure. The
corrosion can be particularly troublesome in atmospheres that
demand special survival gear, as any breach in a protective
environmental suit renders it useless. Unprotected equipment
exposed to a corrosive atmosphere loses 1 point of Toughness per
hour of exposure. Creatures not wearing protective gear in a
corrosive atmosphere suffer +1 lethal damage with the Poison
modifier per round of exposure.
Thin Atmosphere
Planets with thin atmospheres have less oxygen than the standard
Earth atmosphere. Many thin atmospheres are the equivalent of
being at a high elevation on Earth, such as on top of a mountain or
in the upper atmosphere. When dealing with thin atmosphere
conditions, the character must make an Endurance check to see if
he suffers any ill effects. Being under such conditions can be
disorienting and can cause a character to become sluggish, slowly
whittling the character down as the brain is deprived of normal
levels of oxygen. Characters suffering from oxygen deprivation take
a -2 penalty to attacks and all non-combat, non-resistance skills.
Thick Atmosphere
Thick atmospheres are those containing a more dense
concentration of certain elements, like nitrogen, oxygen, or even
carbon dioxide, than the standard Earth atmosphere. These dense
atmospheres sometimes contain a different balance of elements,
while others simply contain a higher number of gas particles in
each breath. Regardless of the form, a thick atmosphere can be
just as dangerous as a thin atmosphere over a long period of time.
Though atmospheres that are slightly thicker than normal do not
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have as significant an effect as slightly thinner atmospheres,
remaining in a thicker atmosphere causes the same drain on the
body.
Toxic Atmosphere
Some atmospheres (breathable or not) contain toxic gases that are
debilitating or lethal to some or all forms of life. The atmosphere is
treated as always containing a type of inhaled poison.
Vacuum
The primary hazards of the vacuum of space are lack of air and
exposure to unfiltered ionizing radiation. On the third round of
exposure to vacuum, a creature must succeed on an Endurance
check (DC 25) each round or suffer from aeroembolism ("the
bends"). A failed save means excruciating pain as small air bubbles
form in the creature's bloodstream; the creature is dazed and loses
one action each round. If the character fails by 5 or more, the
character is unable to take any actions, and remains stunned until
returned to normal atmospheric pressure. A failure by 10 or more
also causes unconsciousness.
Unfiltered radiation bombards any character trapped in the vacuum
of space without protective gear. A creature exposed to this ionizing
radiation suffers from the effects of radiation exposure.
VACUUM CONDITION ZONE, 20 EP
Drain 5 (Physical Ability Scores; Extras: Linked, No Resistance)
Hard vacuum can cause a character to begin suffocating almost
instantly.
Miscellaneous Climate and
Environmental Effects
Falling Damage
Characters may suffer damage from falls of 10 feet or more.
Characters with the Acrobatics skill can fall greater distances
without risk of damage (see Chapter III: Skills). Falls have a
damage bonus of +1 per 10 feet fallen. So the Toughness save
against a fall of 50 feet would be DC 20 (15 + 1 per 10 feet fallen).
The maximum damage bonus of a fall is +20 (at 200 feet) for a DC
of 35. After that point the character reaches terminal velocity and
doesn't fall any faster. Falling into or onto a dangerous surface may
cause additional damage, at the GM's discretion.
Catching a falling person or object requires a Reflex check (DC 10).
Taking 10 on the check ensures success for most characters. If you
successfully catch a falling object, subtract your Might modifier (if
any) from the falling damage. Both you and the object suffer any
remaining falling damage. So if a character with Might +6 catches
someone falling 120 feet (a +12 damage bonus), subtract 6 from
12, and both characters suffer +6 damage. If the catcher is using a
FX—such as Flight or Move Object to catch the falling object, the
FX's rank can be substituted for Strength bonus at the GM's
discretion.
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Falling Into Water
Falls into water are handled somewhat differently. If the water is at
least 10 feet deep, the first 20 feet of falling deal no damage. The
next 20 feet together deal only +1 damage. Beyond that, falling
damage is treated normally.
Characters who deliberately dive into water take no damage on a
successful Athletics check (DC 15) or Acrobatics check (DC 15), as
long as the water is at least 10 feet deep for every 30 feet fallen.
However, the Difficulty Class of the check increases by 5 for every
50 feet of the dive.
Falling Objects
Just as characters take damage when they fall more than 10 feet,
so too do they take damage when falling objects hit them. Objects
that fall on characters deal damage based on their weight and the
distance fallen. Use your discretion as the GM for situations not
covered by the following rules.
For each 200 lbs. of an object's weight, the object deals +1
damage, provided it falls at least 10 feet. Distance also comes into
play, adding an extra +1 damage for every 10-foot increment it falls
beyond the first (to a maximum of +20 points of damage).
Objects smaller than 200 lbs. also deal damage when dropped, but
they must fall farther to deal the same damage. Use the table below
to see how far an object of a given weight must drop to deal +1
points of damage. For each additional increment an object falls, it
deals an extra +1 damage.
Objects weighing less than 1 lb. deal no damage to those they land
upon, no matter how far they have fallen.
TABLE 8.2: FALLING OBJECTS
Object Weight Falling Distance
1–5 lbs. 70 feet
6–10 lbs. 60 feet
11–30 lbs. 50 feet
31–50 lbs. 40 feet
51–100 lbs. 30 feet
101–200 lbs. 20 feet
Starvation and Thirst
Characters must eat and drink every day to stay healthy. If you go
for more than a day without eating or drinking, you must make a DC
10 Endurance check (+5 for each additional day beyond the first). If
you succeed, you are in good shape to continue. If you fail, each of
your physical ability scores is drained by 1 point. Note that if your
Strength or Dexterity are reduced below -5, you are unable to move
under your own power, and if your Constitution drops below -5, you
could die! You can only attempt to recover your drained ability
scores if you have nutritious food and drink. The recovery DC is
equal to 10 + 5 for each day you went without food. Characters with
Immunity to Starvation can go an unlimited time without food or
water.
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Sleep
Characters must sleep for about eight hours every day to stay
fighting fit. If you go for more than a day without sleeping, you must
make a DC 10 Endurance check (+5 for each additional day
beyond the first). If you succeed, you are in good shape to continue
without sleep. If you fail, you move one step down the Check
Condition Track, suffering a -2 penalty to future Strength and
Constitution checks. If you fail again, or if you fail by 5 or more, you
move down an additional step down the Check Condition chart,
suffering a -5 penalty to Strength and Constitution checks. If you fail
a third time, or if you fail by 10 or more, you fall unconscious and
helpless. It takes a good night's sleep (at least 8 hours) to recover
from fatigue due to staying up for prolonged periods (no check
required).
Poison
A deadly toxin introduced through a scratch, or even in the air, may
be able to fell the strongest hero. Poisons generally have one of
several FX: Damage, Drain, or Inflict (Condition). Some poisons
may have multiple linked FX. A poison FX has the Poison modifier.
Heroes with the Immunity to Poison feat are completely unaffected
by poisons. A Science skill check for medicine can substitute for a
saving throw against poison if the skill check result is higher.
Disease
When heroes come into contact with a disease they must make a
Fortitude saving throw against 10 + the disease's rank to avoid
becoming infected. The method of infection depends on the
disease: some are airborne while others require physical contact.
Diseases generally have one of several effects: Damage, Drain, or
Inflict (Condition). Some diseases may have multiple linked FX. A
disease FX has the Disease modifier. Characters with Immunity to
Disease automatically succeed on saving throws against disease. A
Science skill check for medicine can substitute for a saving throw
against disease.
Radiation
Radiation in fiction often causes mutations or triggers latent powers
in those exposed to it rather than simply causing radiation sickness.
Exposure to radiation (especially exotic or alien radiation) may be
an opportunity for a complication. Otherwise the Gamemaster can
treat radiation exposure like a disease. The environment uses the
radiation’s intensity rank to overcome the character's Fortitude
resistance. If successful, radiation drains all of an afflicted
character's ability scores. At the GM's discretion, radiation exposure
can lead to other effects, such as damage to a character's FX ranks
(causing a temporary decrease in powers).
Conditions
Generally speaking, any situational modifier created by the
attacker’s position or tactics applies to the attack roll, while any
situational modifier created by the defender’s position, state, or
tactics applies to the defender’s Defense. The GM judges what
bonuses and penalties apply, using the Combat Modifiers Table as
a guideline.
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Chosen Conditions
Chosen Conditions are usually brought about by the choice of the
character in those conditions, whether by picking a specific position
on the battlefield or changing how the character is working with
teammates. They are usually positive conditions, or conditions
which impart more beneficial bonuses than penalties.
Position & Teamwork
Many simple advantages a character can gain on the battlefield,
whether through strategic positioning or teamwork, can be easily
represented by Combat Advantage.
Concealment
Concealment includes circumstances where nothing physically
blocks an attack, but something interferes with the attacker’s
accuracy. Typically, concealment is provided by things like fog,
smoke, shadows, darkness, foliage, and so forth.
CONCEALMENT CONDITION
-2 penalty to attack rolls against
Partial concealed character, can hide,
Combat Advantage
-5 penalty to attack rolls against
Total concealed character, can hide,
Combat Advantage
• Concealment Attack Penalty: Partial concealment imposes a
-2 penalty on attack rolls made against a concealed character.
Multiple concealment conditions do not stack.
• Concealment and Infiltration Checks: You can use
concealment to make an Infiltration check to avoid being seen.
Without concealment, you usually need cover to make an
Infiltration check.
• Combat Advantage: If you have concealment and your
opponent is unable to perceive you clearly, you gain Combat
Advantage over that opponent.
• Total Concealment: A target you cannot perceive with any of
your accurate senses has total concealment from you. You
can't directly attack an opponent with total concealment,
though you can attack into the area you think he occupies. Any
Option: Percent Miss Chance
If you prefer, it is possible to replicate the difficulty of attacking a
concealed foe with a flat percent chance to miss on a given attack
rather than suffering a penalty to attack rolls. While the outcomes
for these systems are mathematically very similar, this system
includes an extra "blind" roll which does tend to help the feeling of
"stumbling around in the dark" more than the above streamlined
rules. You cannot use hero dice to reroll a miss chance.
• Partial Concealment: 20% miss chance (roll a 4 or lower on
miss chance), can hide, Combat Advantage
• Total Concealment: 50% miss chance (roll a 10 or lower on
miss chance), can hide, Combat Advantage
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attack made against a character’s space with total
concealment is made at a -5 penalty.
• Concealment and Area Attacks: The attack penalty
concealment imposes on attackers does not apply to their area
attacks, which are made at no penalty.
• Ignoring Concealment: Concealment isn't always effective. A
shadowy area or darkness doesn’t provide concealment
against an opponent with darkvision. Smoke provides no
concealment against a character with X-ray vision, and so
forth. Characters with low-light vision can see clearly for a
greater distance with the same light source than other
characters. See Enhanced Senses for more information.
Cover
COVER CONDITION
Light Cover (Bush, Fence, -2 penalty to attack rolls against
Weak Barrier) covered character, can hide
Heavy Cover (Stone Walls, -5 penalty to attack rolls against
Large Tree, Heavy Machinery) concealed character, can hide
Taking cover behind a wall, tree, or other obstacle provides some of
the benefits of concealment (making you more difficult to hit by
imposing a -2 penalty on attack rolls against you), but does not
grant you Combat Advantage (though if you use cover to hide, you
can gain combat advantage over foes who can't perceive you).
Further, the penalty to attack cover imposes on your opponents
applies to both normal and area attacks (since cover can shield you
from explosions very well). Cover is measured relative to the
attacker. For example, hiding behind a low wall provides no cover
against an opponent hovering above you, but does provide cover
against an opponent on the other side of the wall.
• Cover and Infiltration Checks: You can use cover to make an
Infiltration check to avoid being seen. Without cover, you need
concealment to make an Infiltration check to hide.
• Total Cover: If you cannot draw a line between you and a
target without intersecting cover, the target has total cover. You
can’t make an attack against a target with total cover without
using a Ricochet attack or an Indirect FX.
• Varying Degrees of Cover: In some cases, cover may impose
a greater penalty on attack rolls. In such situations, characters
attacking you suffer a -5 penalty to attack rolls.
• Striking Cover: If it ever becomes important to know whether
the cover was actually hit by an incoming attack, the GM
should determine if the attack roll would have hit the protected
target without the cover. If the attack roll falls within a range
low enough to miss the target with cover but high enough to hit
the target if there had been no cover, the cover is hit. This can
be particularly important to know in cases when a character
uses another character as cover. In such a case, if the cover is
struck and the attack roll exceeds the Defense of the covering
character, the covering character takes the damage intended
for the target. If the attack roll is lower than the Defense of the
covering character, but higher than the Defense of the covered
character, the original target is hit instead. The covering
character avoided the attack and didn't provide cover after all!
Covering characters can voluntarily lower defense bonus to
ensure they provide cover.
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Inflicted Conditions
Inflicted conditions tend to be conditions which a character did not
choose. The different conditions the environment may inflict on
characters, or that other characters might inflict on one another with
their FX are all based off of the inflict FX. These conditions inflict
penalties on different sorts of actions you might take. These could
include penalties to checks, a reduction in your movement speed,
or a loss of actions.
Penalties to Checks
Penalties to checks are categorized by what sort of attributes they
penalize.
INFLICT (CHECK) CONDITION
Succeed -2 Penalty to Check
Succeed by 5 -5 Penalty to Check
Succeed by 10 Helpless
Recovery Same resistance, +1 cumulative
• All Attacks: Characters with their attacks penalized suffer this
penalty to all checks involving their weapon group skill rolls,
including attack rolls and (if the option is being used) opposed
maneuver checks. This penalty is appropriate for combat
inflictions which hamper your ability to swing or aim a weapon
well, perhaps because of dizziness or a snare holding a
character's arms.
• Any one Resistance: Includes Defense, Fortitude,
Toughness, or Will. Characters suffer a penalty to these
resistances, making it much easier for your opponents to
successfully affect characters whose resistances have been
penalized in this way. A penalty to Defense might be the result
of being held and unable to react quickly to threats, while a
penalty to Toughness could represent having something like a
corrosive acid eating away at armor and flesh. A penalty to
Fortitude could be a poison or disease which weakens the
character's immune systems, and a penalty to Will could
represent confusion.
• All Non-Combat, Non-Resistance Skill Checks:
Representing being shaken and unable to focus in general,
and being unable to perform activities as well as would
normally be possible. You suffer this penalty to the active uses
of all non-combat skills (including the active uses of skills like
Perception, which have both active uses and passive
resistances). This effect is useful for representing distracting
conditions, such as itching sensations or strong winds.
• Any One Ability Score: Allows for any one of Strength,
Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma to
suffer penalties. This is similar to the above option to affect all
non-combat and non-resistance distracting conditions, but it is
more focused on penalizing a more related group of options.
For an ability score like Charisma, for example, this option
allows you to penalize both non-combat skills such as
Persuasion as well as resistances like Will, representing
something like a mystical doldrums that weaken the spirits of
those who enter.
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Movement Penalties sample conditions constructed from the Inflict (Condition) FX are
described below.
Conditions can also hamper a character's movement. If such a
condition overcomes a character's resistance, that character is
reduced to moving at half speed with all forms of movement. If the Damage
condition overcomes the character's resistance by 5 or more, the
character is instead immobile and cannot take any move actions.
This could represent something as simple as sticky glue making it
INJURED (STAGED) CONDITION
difficult for the character to move to something as fantastic as time –1 on future Toughness
itself being slowed down or stopped. Succeed Injured
checks (ranked)

lose one action on your next

INFLICT (MOVEMENT) CONDITION Succeed by 5 Dazed
turn
Succeed 1/2 Movement Speed one action only, knocked
Succeed by 5 Immobile Succeed by 10 Staggered unconscious if damaged
again
Succeed by 10 Helpless
Recovery Same resistance, +1 cumulative Succeed by 15 Unconscious knocked out, no defense

1 hour check (injured,

Action Penalties Recovery Recovery staggered) / 1 minute check
(unconscious)
Conditions can even work to deny a character his or her normal
allotment of actions in a round. Such conditions deny a character
one action if the condition overcomes the character's resistance, or One or more of the following damage conditions apply to a
denies the character two actions if it overcomes the character's damaged character.
resistance by 5 or more. Conditions which deny a character actions
are usually ones that represent a character being too disoriented to
act coherently, or time slowing to prevent a character two actions. Injured
Injured means the character has been battered and bruised and is
in less than top condition. Each injured condition imposes a –1
INFLICT (ACTION) CONDITION penalty to your Toughness score against nonlethal damage, putting
the character closer to being taken out of the fight.
Succeed -1 Action
Succeed by 5 -2 Actions
Succeed by 10 Helpless
Dazed
Recovery Same resistance, +1 cumulative If your Toughness score is exceeded by 5 or more, in addition to
the normal effects of the condition, the character is dazed, losing
one action on his next turn. A character who suffers two or more
Combat Advantage dazed results loses both of his actions for the next turn and cannot
act. This lasts until just before the attacker’s turn in the initiative
order on the following round.
COMBAT ADVANTAGE CONDITION
-2 Defense against your attacks,
Succeed Off-Balance Susceptible to Your Surprise Staggered
Attacks
A staggered character has been badly beaten, barely holding on to
Lose Defense Bonus against your consciousness. He can only take a single action each round until
Succeed by 5 Vulnerable attacks, Susceptible to Your he recovers.
Surprise Attacks
Lose Defense Bonus against all
Succeed by
Flat-Footed attacks, Susceptible to everyone's Unconscious
10
Surprise Attacks An unconscious character is knocked out and helpless. What
Recovery Automatic 1 round befalls an unconscious character depends on the attack's
descriptor and the tone of the game.

For details, see Combat Advantage.

Conditions in d20
Advanced
Some conditions are already defined in d20 Advanced, such as
damage, which is critical to the health and injury system. Other
Recovery
With rest, characters can make Recovery checks (DC 10) to
recover from their damage conditions. The frequency of the checks
is based on the severity of the condition. The Regeneration FX
speeds up a character’s recovery checks.

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Injured
Once per hour of rest, characters can make a Recovery check (DC
10). If successful, they erase one injured condition. If the check
fails, the character can make another in one hour, with a +1 bonus
for each failed check. All characters recover at least one injured
condition per 10 hours.
Staggered
Once per hour of rest, characters can make a Recovery check (DC
10). If successful, they erase the Staggered damage box. If the
check fails, the character can make another in one hour, with a +1
bonus for each failed check.
Unconscious
Once per minute, characters can make a Recovery check (DC 10).
If successful, they erase the Unconscious damage box. If the check
fails, the character can make another in one minute, with a +1
bonus for each failed check.
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Other Sample Conditions
• Fear: A character stricken with fear suffers a breakdown of
reason and judgment, suffering a penalty to all attacks and all
non-combat, non-resistance checks.
• Nausea: A nauseated character is sick and vulnerable,
suffering a penalty to all attacks and his Fortitude resistance.
• Snare: A snare represents some physical object or force
holding a character fast, penalizing a character's attack,
defense, and mobility.
• Slow: Slow represents some sort of force that causes a
character to move and act more slowly in battle, penalizing a
character's actions and mobility.
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Chapter IX: Dramatic

Interactions

A dark-hearted villain, twisted and corrupted by the hatred and vice

that have saturated every fiber of his being, fills the head of a noble
young hero with promises of power and glory if he forsakes his
friends and his family and joins the enemies of freedom. The hero
steels his heart against the painful accusations that his friends have
Beginning a Dramatic
betrayed him, that it is only right that he hate them. Each lash of the
villain’s tongue is like the blow of a sword against the hero’s very
Interaction
soul, but he must endure lest he fall his own demons. Depending on the dramatic interaction in question, different checks
Somewhere in the heart of a medieval city, a nimble young gypsy is are appropriate to determine the order of action in the subsequent
running for his life from the guards. He ducks into an alleyway in an rounds of dramatic interaction. Below is a short list of appropriate
attempt to lose his pursuers, but before he can scurry over a low checks for various types of dramatic interaction:
wall, they catch up to him, only to watch him slip onto the roof of • Chases and similar physical dramatic interactions are best
one of the buildings along the waterfront. Soon the chase is started with an opposed initiative check, exactly like combat.
resumed, this time with guards following the gypsy thief from • Social encounters of wit or battles of knowledge are best
rooftop to rooftop, daring death with each leap. The gypsy tries his initiated with opposed sense motive checks.
best to lose his tormentors by overturning boxes and crates in their
• Temptations and interrogations should almost always give the
way, but they are still closing. How could filching one loaf of bread
tempter/interrogator the first action, since the tempted/suspect
cause so many problems?
almost by definition is entirely reactive in this type of dramatic
Within the dimly-lit halls of the finest night club in the city, the rich interaction.
and influential drink and dance in time to the thunderous bass of DJ
The party with the highest check acts first in all subsequent rounds,
Doc, save a small knot of pretty young women more interested in
and parties with lower results act in descending order from the
two handsome young men. With laughs and jovial tones, they
highest result.
exchange witticisms and wise-cracks back and forth. To the
untrained eye, it would seem that they are good friends, able to
laugh so at their own expense, but a wiser audience would see that
their back-and-forth jabs of wit are actually a delicate struggle for
Favorable or Unfavorable Starting
supremacy. The winner will enjoy the company of some beautiful Conditions
ladies, while the loser will go home alone with a bruised ego.
At the start of a particular dramatic interaction, the GM may decide
All of these encounters are dramatic interactions. Non-combat but
that circumstances significantly favor one party or the other, and
high-tension situations are filled with action and excitement, if not
award that party bonus edge dice. Favorable circumstances might
swords clashing and laser blasts sizzling through the air. The
include having a higher land speed in a dramatic chase interaction,
dramatic interaction system is designed as a sort of “virtual” combat
engaging in a dramatic social interaction in a setting more friendly
system to abstract the entire concept of a somewhat extended
to one party than the other, and so on. Someone acting under
contest between two or more individuals. Dramatic interaction uses
favorable circumstances might gain additional Edge dice, or a
dice pools as a measure of who has the edge, or advantage in a
circumstance bonus to checks during a dramatic interaction
given encounter. Whoever has the edge has more options, and is
(usually +2 or +4).
closer to coming out victorious in the interaction.

Rounds
Dramatic interaction is something like combat in that it is divided
into rounds. The rounds are not particularly well defined in terms of

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length. The separation into rounds is a purely mechanical division

to bring order to dramatic interaction. Each character may act once
in each round. Unlike the well-defined actions in combat, an action
during a dramatic interaction might take only a few seconds, or it
might take several minutes. Thus a “round” in a dramatic interaction
is nothing more than how long it takes all interested parties to finish
reacting to one set of actions from one another.

Edge
The advantage which one party may have over another in dramatic
interaction of any sort is represented by dice pool of edge dice. The
more edge dice a character has, the more options he has open to
him. Characters may gain or lose edge dice as they and their
opponent act during a dramatic interaction. Generally speaking, at
the start of a dramatic interaction, each party involved gains five
edge dice apiece, and the interaction ends when one party has all
ten dice and the other party has none, though this could change
depending on circumstances.
Each dramatic interaction has different sorts of actions a character
can take, depending on exactly what sort of dramatic interaction the
characters are engaged in. In general, characters gain and lose the
edge by “wagering” dice based on how big a risk they’re taking with
their declared action.

Wagering Edge Dice

Each round, the parties involved in the dramatic encounter
announce actions in the order of initiative. The party with the
highest initiative declares her action and which party she wishes to
target (if there are multiple parties involved in the dramatic
interaction, see below). Depending on the nature of the action, the
GM decides which skill is most appropriate, and the player chooses
how many dice to wager (more dice signifies a riskier, but
potentially more rewarding, action). The opposing party makes his
or her own wager, and then the player then makes an opposed
check with the other party. A character may wager and roll any
number of edge dice on a single action. The winner of this check
takes both parties’ wagers. In the event of a tie, neither party gains
or loses any edge dice: wagers are void.
A party can always choose not to wager and take no proactive
action on a given round, if they don’t see a way to take an
advantage, or don’t want to risk losing more edge dice. However, if
the other party makes a wager, then that wager must be opposed
(even if only with one edge die).
As a dice pool, there is a certain numerical advantage to rolling
more dice than fewer. However, unlike other dice pools, a character
risks losing all of his or her dice if the other parties roll well, so it’s
riskier too. But having the edge in this way, with more dice than an
enemy, enables a character to be more liberal with his or her
actions, taking more chances and making riskier moves.
Just as with any other skill checks, circumstances might modify skill
checks in dramatic interactions. Favorable or unfavorable
circumstances to individual types of checks might grant characters
attempting to use those skills a bonus or penalty for that specific
check, as circumstance dictates. For example, if during a chase,
the thief being chased by the guards announces he wants to
attempt to run across a sloped tile roof after a rain storm, both he
and his pursuers suffer normal penalties to their Acrobatics checks
for trying to cross such a precarious surface.
Outside Factors
At points during the interaction, the GM might interject requests for
different checks from the parties involved, representing factors
outside of the control of the parties’ control. In a foot chase, for
example, a GM might request an Endurance check from the parties
after a certain number of rounds to see if either party is slowing
down because of simple fatigue, while in a social interaction, the
parties might have to contend with an audience member blurting
something embarrassing out. These outside factors usually do not
require the parties to wager Edge Dice, but might impose penalties
on future checks. These outside factors need not affect both
parties: it might only require a check from one of the involved
parties.
Large Parties
If one particular group in a particular dramatic interaction is made
up of multiple parties (such as a mob of local citizen with flashlights
and hunting rifles chasing an escaped criminal, or a noble and his
sycophants hurling insults in the king’s court), have one member of
that group be the leader (usually the one with the most ranks in
appropriate skills). This character makes all the checks, while the
rest of the party attempts to use that skill check to “aid another”,
granting the leader a cumulative +2 bonus on his check for each
other member of the group who succeeds on a DC 10 check in the
appropriate skill. In these situations, track edge dice for the group
as a whole.
As a shortcut, GMs may wish to have characters who are classified
as minions simply make one roll, with a +1 bonus to the roll for
each member of the group of minions (assuming about half of the
minions will succeed on the DC 10 check to aid the leader).

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Multiple Parties
Particularly in dramatic social interactions, there might be multiple
sides to any given dramatic interaction. All parties involved track
their edge dice individually, but must choose individual targets for
each of their actions. Only that target must make a counter-wager
and opposed check each round.
Alternatively, the GM may allow one party to target multiple parties
at once. In this case, all involved parties wager and make their
opposed roll. If the party who initiated the action against one or
more targets is victorious, that party collects all the wagered edge
dice. If the other parties are instead successful, they split the loser’s
wagered edge dice between one another (in the case of an uneven
split, the party with the highest result gets the extra edge die). If
one targeted party loses, but another succeeds in the opposed
check, wagers are still exchanged. The parties that lost surrender
their edge dice to the party who defeated them.
For instance, in a social interaction, a young socialite may attempt
to flirt with two other characters’ girlfriends. In the opposed check,
he wagers three edge dice, and his opponents each wager one on
opposed Persuasion checks. The flirt manages to best one of the
boyfriends, but fails to defeat the other. In this situation, the
boyfriend who lost the opposed check surrenders one edge die to
the flirt, while the flirt loses three edge dice to the boyfriend who
succeeded.
Passive Parties
In the case of passive "opponents" in a dramatic interaction (such
as searching out bombs hidden around a building), that party
doesn't take any actions or make any active wagers. These types of
opponents will only react to the characters' checks, making their
counter-wager (usually just one die) with a smaller set of opposed
checks (usually even just one skill).
Winning a Dramatic
Interaction
The dramatic interaction lasts until one character runs out of edge
dice, in which case she “loses” the dramatic interaction. If it is a
chase, her pursuers might corner her and force combat. In a social
battle, she might be laughed out of the room. If it is a test against
temptation, she might give in to her vice and succumb to her
tempter’s will.
On the other hand, if the character manages to force her opponent
to run out of tokens, she prevails in the encounter. In the example
of the chase dramatic interaction, for example, the character
escapes from her pursuers. In a social battle, it is her opponent
who leaves, flustered and disgraced. If it is a matter of temptation,
the villain’s attempt to assert her will over the character is utterly
thwarted.
Note that there is always the option for one party to simply hand
over his or her edge tokens and surrender.
Walking Away
There is also a chance in some interactions, especially in social
interactions, for one party to simply walk away before any one party
has all the edge dice. In a social interaction, this is the equivalent of
leaving gracefully before anyone’s dignity is in tatters. It is up to the
GM to decide if this is an acceptable end to the interaction.
In this situation, the party with the most edge dice is declared to be
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the winner, but it’s not a total victory, and the results of the
interaction are less certain.
Interaction Types
What follows are examples of how to use the Dramatic Interaction
rules for various different types of interactions, ranging from
physical challenges like chases to emotional ones like interrogation
to long-running interactions like weeks-long heist capers. These are
intended to be suggestions and inspirations, and should not limit
you from applying the Dramatic Interaction rules to other potential
uses.
Each entry includes suggestions for what sorts of outside factors
might come into play, which skills might be most helpful in such an
interaction, and how the GM can make the most of the interaction.
Most interactions use the regular Dramatic Interaction rules, and
are limited to the scope of a single encounter. These three sample
Dramatic Interactions are intended to resolve a single challenge.
Chases
A source of great excitement in an adventure, chases are a
relatively simple Dramatic Interaction. One party is pursued, and
the others are pursuing him or her. The interaction ends when the
pursued character is either caught or cornered (provoking a combat
encounter) or the pursued character escapes and gets away.
Faster parties tend to have major advantages in chases. The more
ranks of Speed a character has, the greater the edge he or she
has. If one party has more ranks in the Speed FX than the other
party, then the faster party gains a bonus Edge die. If the faster
party has more than two extra ranks in speed (or their vehicle does,
especially if the pursued character is faster), playing out a chase
Dramatic Interaction usually isn't necessary.
Outside Factors
After ten rounds of a foot chase (about 1 minute of game-time),
fatigue can start to affect the characters involved in the chase. The
GM can call for an Endurance check (DC 10, +2 for each additional
check beyond the first) or risk suffering fatigue for all parties
involved.
Skill Use
• Athletics: Being able to climb over a wall or swim across a
narrow river in a hurry could mean the difference between the
pursued getting away and getting caught.
• Might: It's common for characters in chases to knock heavy
objects in the way of their opponents to slow them down or
block off paths.
• Acrobatics: Running across uneven or perilous surfaces can
allow you to gain ground.
• Infiltration: Sometimes the best way to escape a chase is just
to hide from your pursuers.
• Vehicles: Absolutely critical in mounted and car chases that
involve a lot of maneuvering in obstacle-laden paths.
• Perception: If you can spot trouble down the road (like a snarl
of slow-moving traffic or something else blocking the road) and
prepare accordingly, you can be ready and react more quickly
than your opponent.
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• Survival (Local): Avoiding dangerous pitfalls or knowing where
the shortcuts are in the area can help you to navigate and
make better route choices than your foe.
• Persuasion: While actually negotiating on the run is likely
difficult, you might be able to use it to feint your opponent and
make him zig when he should have zagged.
• Weapon Group (Firearms): A common trope in car chases is
to try to "shoot his tires out", and even if you only cause your
enemy to swerve, you might be able to gain the edge from that.
Suggestions for the GM
When the time comes to start running a chase, you need to work
with the players to make the environment exciting and dynamic.
Working with your players here means encouraging them to ask
questions like, "Do I know any short-cuts around here I could use to
head him off?" or "Is there any traffic up ahead that could slow
someone down if they weren't ready for it?" You should also try to
provide opportunities for them to try daring stunts to end the
encounter in one fell swoop (such as hitting a ramp to jump their
car from the surface streets up to the freeway, or leaping down onto
a moving train before the bad guys can grab them). Encourage
players to be creative, and be sure to give them lots of flavor and
details about their surroundings so that they have a lot to work with.
Interrogations/Torture
One of the more emotionally brutal Dramatic Interactions,
interrogation or torture is an attempt to get a victim to reveal
information. While some interrogations might be relatively calm and
humane questionings, others might devolve into truly brutal,
medieval torture sessions. If the victim wins, he holds out under
pressure and refuses to divulge information. If the interrogator wins,
the victim reveals the information that he desired.
Outside Factors
Most of the time, interrogation takes place under controlled
conditions, and most outside factors (like a commanding officer or
lawyer calling in to interfere with the interrogation) will occur as the
end of the encounter, not as something which will just disrupt it.
Skill Use
• Might: For the interrogator, knowing how to literally twist
someone's arm can be useful.
• Endurance: Interrogation is both physically and emotionally
draining for both the interrogator and the victim.
• Fortitude: Being able to resist drugs and poisons can be
critical to surviving an interrogation session.
• Science: Some interrogators like to be able to make their own
drugs to loosen their victims' lips.
• Expertise (Torture): A good torturer knows how to cause pain
and apply pressure (physical and emotional) to a victim to get
what he wants.
• Perception: When both interrogator and victim are bluffing and
trying to deceive one another, being able to see through the
deception becomes important.
• Persuasion: As noted above, knowing how to deceive the
other party, and prevent them from calling your bluff, is critical
to both parties.
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• Will: Resisting the affects of mind-altering drugs or even
supernatural abilities could mean the difference between
spilling the information and staying tight-lipped for a character
being questioned.
• Toughness: When interrogation becomes brutal torture, being
able to stand up to damage and injury for the victim is
important.
Suggestions for the GM
You need to tread carefully with interrogations. These are brutal
interactions which are meant to pummel characters emotionally, but
while you need to make this clear to the players, you don't want to
torture them! Help your players understand what their characters
are going through (whether they're doing the interrogation or they're
on the receiving end), and make it descriptive, but not so much that
your players aren't still engaged in the game.
Social Combat
Humans are social animals, and social fights hold great sway in our
lives. Social combat could involve jokes, bluster, displays of smarts
and know-how, and just about anything else which could impress
the crowd. Unlike other Dramatic Interactions, Social Combat
almost invariably involves an audience which you are attempting to
win over. You might just be trying to trash-talk a rival, or you might
be trying to be the one to win the audience's favor for your own
gain (such as seducing some companionship for the night before
your rival does).
Engaging in social combat with a "friendly audience" (such as a
politician debating her rival in her campaign headquarters) gives
the character an edge, warranting a bonus edge die.
Outside Factors
Hecklers are often problematic in social situations, throwing out
comments or questions which could disrupt the flow of the
interaction. The heckler might direct his or her comments to one or
both parties, and that party needs to react well or risk losing edge
dice.
Skill Use
• Knowledge: Being able to show off your smarts and
knowledge could help you bolster your position in an argument.
• Perception: Being able to see through someone's rhetoric to
their true motives can be important in winning in the social
arena.
• Art (Perform): A skilled performer might be able to wow an
audience with a stunning orration or just earn applause with a
song.
• Persuasion: The heart of any social combat is persuasion,
whether you're trying to convince your audience or your rival.
• Will: Being able to resist baiting or keep your cool is important
to maintaining control in social situations.
Suggestions for the GM
As discussed with Interaction Skills, you need to decide how
roleplaying and the results of die rolls will come together in an
encounter. Your players' words and roleplaying should matter, but
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so too should their characters' capabilities. Find a balance that
works for your game.
Reputation
This system models how well known a character is and how that
reputation affects interaction with others. A good reputation can be
a useful advantage, but a bad one can be a troublesome hindrance.
Reputation affects non-combat interaction checks between
characters by providing a modifier. Fame makes others more likely
to favor and help the character, while infamy makes the character’s
social entreaties less effective.
Reputation Bonus
All characters have a reputation bonus, which essentially makes it
easier for other characters to recognize them. More charismatic
character are more likely to be well-known. A character’s reputation
bonus is:
Reputation Bonus = Reputation Dice + Charisma + Feats
Chapter IV: Feats describes two reputation feats. Renown makes it
more likely that a character will be recognized, while Low-Profile
makes it less likely that a character is going to be recognized.
Reputation Dice
When characters begin to gain public attention, they gain reputation
dice. These dice are a rough measure of how well-known a
character is, and how much clout he has.
Reputation dice serve two purposes. First, like other dice pools,
reputation dice can be used to reroll certain checks, in this case,
interaction skills. At any time, a player who isn’t satisfied with the
result of a Persuasion check may reroll the check with his
reputation dice pool, selecting the best result and then surrendering
one die from the dice pool. However, unlike other dice pools, a
reputation dice pool can only be used if an NPC successfully
recognized a character. By using your reputation dice in this way,
you are, in effect, reminding the person you’re interacting with just
who you are and getting them to rethink their response in light of
this information.
In addition to this use, your reputation dice pool serves as a bonus
to your reputation bonus. The ebb and flow of your reputation dice
over the course of a game represent the fickle attention span of the
public.
Reputation and Secret Identities
Characters with secret identities effectively have two separate
reputation bonuses: one for the costumed identity and another for
the secret identity. The character should use whichever bonus is
appropriate. One reason many heroes maintain secret identities is
to leave their Reputation (and the recognition that comes with it)
behind for a while to live a “normal” life.
The “public” identity maintains the “public” reputation, while the
“private” identity maintains the “private” reputation. If the public
identity has the Renown reputation feat, it might be appropriate that
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the private identity not benefit from it. Further, if the GM decides it’s
appropriate, the public identity might benefit from the Renown
reputation feat while the private identity instead has the Low-Profile
feat.
Reputation Checks
Most of the time, the character doesn’t decide to use reputation;
instead, the GM decides when your reputation is relevant to the
scene or encounter. When it becomes relevant, the GM makes a
reputation check for an NPC that might be influenced in some
fashion by your character’s notoriety.
Reputation check = d20 + reputation bonus + the NPC’s
Knowledge Modifier
The area in which the PC is well-known determines which skill's
Knowledge to use. A magician, for example, might be recognized
by a Knowledge check with Expertise (Mysticism), while a character
who has made his reputation in the underworld as a second-story
burglar might be known among thieves with the Infiltration skill.
The standard DC for a reputation check is 30. If the NPC succeeds
on the check, he recognizes the character. That recognition grants
a bonus or penalty on subsequent interaction skill checks based on
the NPC’s reaction. A character with a Reputation bonus of +29 or
more is instantly recognizable and known to virtually everyone.
Depending on the result, a character may be more or less easily
recognized by an NPC. The table below shows the result of
reputation checks:
REPUTATION
Succeed Recognized on sight
Fail Recognized by name
Fail by 5 Recognized with some prompting
Fail by 10 Not recognized
On a successful reputation check, you are recognized on sight,
which means that the NPC or NPCs need only see you to
immediately recognize you.
If the reputation check fails, then you are only recognized by name.
This means that an NPC will only recognize you if he or she hears
your name (or at least the name you use in public).
If the reputation check fails by five or more, then you are only
recognized with some prompting. After being reminded of who you
are (by maybe mentioning some of your achievements), the NPC
will recognize your character.
If the reputation check fails by 10 or more, then your character is
simply not recognized, which may be a good thing or a bad thing.
Skill Checks
When an NPC with an Intelligence of -3 or higher has a positive
opinion of your reputation, you may use your reputation dice pool to
reroll Persuasion, Survival for reconnaissance, and Art checks for
performances. As with other dice pools, you select the highest
result from your rolls, and then lose one reputation die. This
represents a character spending some of that hard-earned clout to
really sway the opinion of someone, and as a result, having to earn
that clout and popularity again through hard work.
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When an NPC with an Intelligence of -3 or higher has a negative
opinion of your reputation, you must roll all of your Persuasion,
Survival for reconnaissance, and Art checks for performances with
your dice pool. Instead of selecting the highest result, you must
accept the lowest result you rolled. However, your reputation pool
does not shrink with each use: interacting with people with poor
opinions of you does not cause your reputation to decrease.
Note that when dealing with NPCs who have a negative opinion of
your reputation, you may still use your reputation dice pool in a
positive way for Persuasion checks to intimidate a target.
The bonus or penalty only applies when you are interacting outside
of combat with an NPC who recognizes you and is therefore aware
of your reputation. Those unaware of your reputation are unaffected
by it either way.
NPC Reputations
Players decide how their characters act. Sometimes, however, it’s
appropriate for the GM to call for a skill check using an interaction
skill affected by reputation. For example, an NPC might use
Persuasion to lie to the characters, who, in turn, use Perception to
detect the lie. If an NPC tries to intimidate a character, the GM can
use the NPC's Persuasion check result to determine which
characters see the NPC as intimidating and which don’t.
Players may also want to know if their characters recognize a
particular NPC. Reputation checks can be useful in these
situations.
The GM should make a reputation check in secret to see if players’
characters recognize an NPC. This prevents the players from using
the results of reputation checks as a means of measuring the
importance of every NPC they encounter.
Modify the results of the NPC’s interaction skill checks by their
reputation bonuses when they interact with characters who
recognize them. Since NPCs generally don’t have any dice pools, a
good rule of thumb is to give NPCs a reputation bonus equal to
their Charisma modifier + reputation feats + ½ their Power Level,
using modifiers of +2 for increasingly famous NPCs or penalties of
-2 for more obscure NPCs.
Reputation Limits
In general, a character cannot have more reputation dice than his
Power Level total. So a PL 10 character’s pool of reputation dice
cannot exceed 10.
The GM may wish to vary starting reputation dice based on the
needs of the game. For most games where the characters are
starting from obscurity with no other real adventures to their names,
then starting with no reputation dice is appropriate. However, if the
characters are established in the setting with previous careers
before the game began, for example, they may have greater
reputations, perhaps 2 or 3 reputation dice apiece. If they are
covert agents or otherwise out of the public eye, you may want to
forego reputation altogether.
Each rank in the Renown feat increases a character’s reputation by
+3. Each rank in the Low-Profile feat reduced a character’s
reputation by –3.
Event-Based Reputation
Reputation also changes based on the things characters do... at
least, the things other people know about. When a character
performs some important action, the Gamemaster can award the
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character one or more reputation die. This can range from 1
reputation die for acts of local fame (saving the city, rescuing a local
celebrity, etc.) to 4 reputation dice or more for things like saving (or
trying to take over) the world. Keep in mind that the Reputation
bonus only measures how well known a character is, not how
people feel.
Losing Reputation
The GM can likewise decrease a character’s reputation dice pool
for staying out of the limelight, lying low, and otherwise not
attracting attention for a while. People move on and forget about
old headlines. Still, a character with a significant Reputation usually
has to be out of circulation for years before most people forget. A
good rule of thumb is that it takes a number of weeks out of the
spotlight equal to a character’s reputation modifier to lose one
reputation die. So a character with 3 reputation dice and a +2
Charisma (and no Renown or Low-Profile feats) will take 5 weeks
of obscurity to lose one reputation die. After that, it will take 4
weeks to lose another die, and 3 more weeks to lose the last
reputation die, for a total of 12 weeks to lose all three reputation
die.
Mental Strain
Mental strain represents the psychological damage caused by
terrible experiences: horror, violence, and trauma. When confronted
by these things, some people collapse under the strain. This variant
is most appropriate for very realistic settings where characters are
expected to deal with terrible situations and their consequences.
When confronted with a particularly stressful situation, characters
make Will checks. The DC of the check depends on the
circumstances.
TABLE 9.1: MENTAL STRAIN
DC Situation
10 Witness a friend killed. Kill an enemy in the heat of battle.
15 Witness a gruesome death or torture. Suffer torture.
Witness a friend or loved one killed in a terrible manner.
20
Commit murder.
Commit cold-blooded murder. Witness death and destruction
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on a vast scale.
30 Encounter a terrible horror of cosmic proportions.
Option: How To Use Mental Strain
Mental strain and the options for Madness may seem very similar.
Mental strain is meant to provide a very simple means of tracking
strain for more realistic games, not a robust system where
tracking your mental health becomes one of the key indicators for
your character's wellbeing. This is a simple way to tell how much a
given experience has shaken a character up. While mental strain
does serve as a good initial way to determine whether or not an
experience is maddening, and it does work well as part of the
madness rules, mental strain by itself is likely not enough to truly
invoke the feeling a horror game should be able to.
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If you succeed on the Will check, nothing happens; you manage to
deal with the circumstances and move on. If you fail the check, then
your character momentarily loses control. You, the player, have
three choices:
• The character becomes panicked and attempts to flee as
quickly as possible. If unable to do so, the character cowers,
helpless.
• The character becomes helpless, cowering, curled up in the
fetal position, or just standing dumbstruck and unaware.
• You spend a hero die and the character is dazed for one round,
losing both of his actions, but defending normally. The
character then shakes off the horror of the situation and acts
normally.
The first two effects last for the duration of the encounter (more or
less at the GM’s discretion). Spending a hero die at any time during
either effect allows the character to shake it off immediately.
Mental Strain and
Complications
If desired, mental strain can have a long term impact as well as a
short-term one. When a character fails a Will check, in addition to
the normal effects, the character may develop a number of
psychological complications equal to the check’s DC/10. So, a
failed Will check vs. a DC of 20 results in two complications. The
character suffers the effects of these complications but does not
gain hero dice for them. The complications are permanent,
although the GM can allow characters to eliminate them with time
and psychological treatment; a minimum of one month per
complication is recommended.
The player and Gamemaster should cooperate to come up with
complications suited to the nature of the mental strain that caused
them.
Mental Strain and Taint
If you’re using the Taint rules, a failed mental strain save can cause
psychological (or even other forms) of taint (especially Madness).
Taint
Some characters in fiction suffer from progressive problems, from
some sort of taint, whether it’s the corruption of pure evil,
uncontrolled mutation, chaos energy, insanity, or some sort of
progressive disease.
The optional rules in this section look at ways to model these and
other kinds of taint in a d20A game.
Types of Taint
“Taint” is just a general term for some imbalance or progressive
problem a character faces. It can come in many different forms and
it’s up to the Gamemaster which, if any, forms of taint exist in the
campaign setting. Some possible types of taint include (but are not
limited to) the following:
• Biological taint is some sort of mutation or transformation of the
victim’s body. It can be anything from a rampant disease to a
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kind of “mutation” toward some other form, something other
than human.
• Moral taint is sometimes referred to as corruption. It is
essentially the taint of evil on the character’s mind, heart, or
soul (or all three). It represents an erosion of the character’s
morals; moral taint paves the path to wickedness and villainy,
whether willingly or unwittingly.
• Psychological taint is the touch of madness, a creeping lunacy
intruding on the character’s psyche. The more it progresses,
the more the individual’s grip on reality weakens, sliding down
the slope toward complete and utter insanity.
Causes of Taint
Any number of things can cause taint, but ultimately, taint in the
game should be caused by the character’s choices in some way for
it to be anything other than an arbitrary punishment. That is, taint
should be a side-effect of a choice the player makes on behalf of
the character. This makes taint into a mechanism to give that
choice a definite consequence.
So, for example, moral taint may result from the moral choices
someone makes. If you choose to do evil, then you risk becoming
tainted by that choice. Likewise, if someone does something
psychologically scarring, then psychological taint may result. Even
biological taint can occur as the result of a choice to use certain
devices or abilities with mutational or toxic side-effects, or to go into
an area filled with dangerous energies, for example. Of course, the
choice to avoid taint isn’t always easy—characters may need to use
those dangerous devices, go into that forbidden area, or bargain
with evil forces—but it should still be a choice, in order to be
meaningful.
The only real occasion when taint should be imposed from without
is in a horror-themed game, where a slow and inevitable
progression into corruption and madness are important elements of
the genre.
There, taint can be used to emphasize feelings of helplessness and
unfairness. In most d20A games, however, it’s best restricted to a
matter of choice.
Acquiring Taint
Taint is measured, like most dice pools in d20A, in terms of dice.
How do characters acquire taint dice?
Once you’ve decided on the cause of a particular kind of taint, it
may just happen. That is, if you make a choice that causes taint,
you get a taint die automatically. This makes the consequences of
that choice certain (at least in terms of taint). This may make some
players especially cautious, however. If they know they’ll get taint
from doing something, they can (and likely will) just avoid doing it.
Alternately, doing something that causes taint may only lead to a
possibility of acquiring a taint die. The best mechanic for this is a
skill check (usually using a resistance): if the check succeeds, the
character acquires no taint; if it fails the character acquires 1 (or
more) taint die. The type of save—and the difficulty class—depends
on the type of taint, and often the cause.
Fortitude checks are best suited to biological taint affecting the
character’s body and health. Will checks are better for taint that’s
moral, psychological, or spiritual in nature, and can also be suited
for biological taint caused by willful actions (such as the psychic
feedback from a device causing biological taint). Other skills and
resistances are generally less suited for taint.
The Difficulty Class of the check is based on the cause of the taint.
Did the character commit a minor infraction or a terrible, mortal,
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sin? Was it a small dose of mutagenic energy or a massive one?

Was the action disturbing or sanity-shattering? As a general
guideline, the DC for a taint check should be 10 + half the
campaign’s power level on average, giving most characters a fair
chance of success.
Another good way for characters to acquire taint is through extra
effort normally covered by spending Hero Dice. Some or all of the
uses of extra effort, particularly those involving FX, may cause taint.
So, for example, rather than spend a hero die to perform a power
stunt or enhance a power, you may instead voluntarily incur taint.
Players have a choice of spending a hero die or gaining a taint die.
This keeps hero dice useful, but gives the edge to those willing to
suffer taint.

Effects of Taint
So what do taint points do once you’ve acquired them? Generally,
taint imposes some sort of disadvantage (or, again, there would be
no reason to avoid it). Taint may also provide some benefit,
although it’s usually outweighed by the drawbacks.

Drawbacks
The most common effect of taint is the imposition of drawbacks.
These drawbacks may include things normally considered
complications, like personality quirks, unusual appearance,
addictions, and so forth.
As a general rule, the drawbacks imposed by taint should have a
character point value equal to the total taint dice. So a character
with 3 dice in his taint pool has 3 character points’ worth of
drawbacks. Note that characters don’t get any additional character
points for these drawbacks, nor do they count as complications for
awarding hero dice; they’re the price the character pays for having
taint.
It’s up to the GM whether or not characters have to acquire taint-
related drawbacks immediately, or if they can “defer” some taint
and not acquire a drawback until their taint reaches a certain total.
A good guideline is to allow the player to choose, but to require a
drawback when taint reaches a total of 5 dice and to require the
drawback to have a value equal to the unallocated taint dice. So,
the longer you put off acquiring a taint-related drawback, the worse
it becomes, going from an uncommon, minor (1-point) drawback to
a very common, major (5-point) drawback.
Gamemasters can also create particular structures for taint-related
drawbacks, such as a “pyramid” structure, where the first drawback
can be as little as 1 point, but each successive drawback must be
worth 1 point more. So the second taint drawback must be 2 points,
then 3 points, and so forth. The time between acquiring drawbacks
increases, but so does their severity.
The GM also decides what kinds of drawbacks are appropriate and
may allow players to choose them, or impose them directly. Certain
kinds of drawbacks suit particular kinds of taint, as shown in the
Examples of Taint section.
Ability Loss
A particular drawback of taint may be loss of ability score points.
For example, a character may lose a point of Charisma (or some
other ability) for every taint die acquired. This loss affects the
character normally, and if a score is debilitated, the effects become
more severe. This effect is best for taint representing a kind of
disease or other slow erosion of the character’s physical or mental
health.
Benefits
Taint may also have some beneficial side-effects, although the
drawbacks should generally outweigh them. The most common
benefit, apart from the benefits encouraging characters to risk taint
in the first place, is to make taint points a prerequisite for acquiring
certain traits.
For example, if you want to make magic a “forbidden power” if your
campaign (perhaps including some other troublesome FX like Mind
Control and Summon (Minion)), you can decide a character must
have a certain level of moral or psychological taint before being
able to invest character points in magical FX. This makes all
sorcerers tainted by their arts, whatever their original intentions for
learning magic might have been.
This kind of “taint prerequisite” is an effective tool for controlling
access to certain traits and creating the right feel for certain kinds of
settings, particularly those where power (or certain kinds of power)
comes at a price.
Taint Limits
The Gamemaster should decide if there’s a limit to how much taint
you can accumulate and, if so, what it is and what happens when
you reach the limit.
The effects of taint may create an inherent limit. For example, if
each taint die results in the loss of a point of Constitution, then
victims die when their Constitution scores drop below -5, so they
can’t have more taint than their Constitution score, plus 6. On the
other hand, some taint effects don’t have built-in limits.
Theoretically, a character could continue accumulating taint-related
drawbacks indefinitely, for example.
It can be useful to set a maximum taint limit for two reasons. The
first is to keep taint undesirable and give players reasons to avoid
it. The other is to provide some dramatic tension as characters

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draw closer to an ultimate effect of accumulating taint.
Whatever the exact effect of reaching the taint limit, the game
system effect is the character is taken out of the player’s hands,
becoming a non-player character. This can be due to permanent
insanity, irredeemable corruption, total physical (or psychological)
transformation, or even death.
Where to set the taint limit depends on how soon you want
characters to get there, but a limit of between 10 and 20 taint dice
is a good guideline. A lower limit (around 10 dice) is best for
settings where any taint is a serious concern and tainted characters
often hover close to the limit. A higher limit is better for those
campaigns where taint is a problem, but rarely gets so out of hand
that a character succumbs to it completely.
Eliminating Taint
Once you have taint, can you get rid of it and, if so, how? Generally,
getting rid of taint should be possible, but difficult, and it should
again be a choice made by players to do what’s necessary to rid
their characters of their taint.
The process of eliminating taint should be difficult enough for taint
to remain a significant risk. If it were easy to get rid of, everyone
would do it. Some possible means of eliminating taint include the
following.
• Abstinence: The character must abstain from some activity to
get rid of the taint, usually whatever caused the taint in the first
place. For example, if using certain FX causes taint, then the
character has to abstain from using those FX for a time (which
may be an inconvenience). A minimum of a week per taint die
is recommended, although it could be longer.
• Penance: The character has to take some action to address
the cause of the taint in order to get rid of it. For example, taint
caused by wrongdoing might require the character redress
those wrongs and seek forgiveness to remove the taint, while
taint reflecting a character out of tune with his nature might
require actions more in tune with the character’s true self to
eliminate the problem.
• Treatment: There is some treatment able to remove taint.
Generally, it should be time-consuming, difficult, expensive, or
all three. Physical taint might be treatable using medicine, and
characters could remove psychological taint through therapy.
The Gamemaster should decide the course of treatment, any
check(s) required, and how much taint each treatment
removes.
Examples of Taint
Here are three examples of how taint can work. These are by no
means the only ones, and Gamemasters should feel free to come
up with their own variations. Any or all of these examples could
coexist in a setting, providing multiple forms of taint that characters
can incur!
Corruption
In this application of taint, good and evil are more than just abstract
moral concepts—or at least evil is, anyway. Those who do
especially wicked deeds have a stain upon their souls. This
darkness can eat away at the spirit, until there’s nothing left inside
but emptiness and corruption.
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Acquiring Corruption
Characters acquire corruption by doing evil deeds. The exact
definition of “evil” is left up to the Gamemaster, but generally means
any deliberately harmful action undertaken for reasons other than
the defense of one’s self or others. In some cases, you may want to
limit the list of potential “sins.” For example, perhaps murder and
torture are corrupting, while simple theft is not.
Effects of Corruption
Corruption dice impose mental drawbacks associated with
sociopathic or even psychopathic behavior. The more corruption
the character accumulates, the worse (or more numerous) the
drawbacks become, and the more likely the character is to acquire
further corruption, continuing the cycle. A corrupt character also
loses the ability to use FX with a holy or good descriptor; the
character is simply too tainted. On the other hand, a corrupt
character may gain the ability to use unholy or evil FX.
Eliminating Corruption
Corruption is removed not only by refraining from doing evil deeds,
but also by actively doing good deeds in an effort of redemption.
A truly good and noble act removes a corruption die. Of course, any
corruption-induced drawbacks will make it more difficult to stay on
the straight and narrow; the player may need to spend hero points
to allow the character to overcome the drawback long enough to do
the right thing.
Madness
The mind can only stand so much pressure before it breaks. There
are things no one was meant to see, or do, or know, and they can
bring on a creeping madness, leading to total insanity.
Acquiring Madness
Characters suffer madness from exposure to traumatic events.
These events require a Will check with the Difficulty Class of the
save set by the intensity of the trauma, ranging from DC 10
(suffering a painful injury or receiving a sudden shock) to DC 30 or
more (prolonged torture or witnessing Things Man Was Not Meant
to Know).
In a game where the supernatural is rare and utterly horrifying,
most or all supernatural beings should have ranks in the Induce
Madness FX in addition to their other abilities.
A failed check results in a madness die or any number of other
maladies. A successful check means there’s no effect this time.
TABLE 9.2: MADNESS DC
DC Situation
10 Witness a friend killed. Kill an enemy in the heat of battle.
15 Witness a gruesome death or torture. Suffer torture.
Witness a friend or loved one killed in a terrible manner.
20
Commit murder.
Commit cold-blooded murder. Witness death and destruction
25
on a vast scale.
30 Encounter a terrible horror of cosmic proportions.
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MADNESS CONDITION TABLE 9.4: DERANGEMENTS

Fail -1 Action + Madness die Mild Derangements (2 Madness Dice Drawbacks)
Fail by 5 -2 Actions + Madness die Avoidance Mania
Fail 10 Helpless + Madness die Depression Narcissism
Fixation Phobia
After acquiring your first madness die, you must make Will check Inferiority Complex Suspicion
against Madness using your madness dice pool. However, unlike
Irrationality Vocalization
other dice pools, you do not lose madness dice from rolling your
madness pool, and you take the lowest result when you roll your Moderate Derangements (4 Madness Dice Drawbacks)
madness dice pool, not the highest. This represents a character’s Anxiety Melancholia
slipping grip on sanity. Hysteria Obsessive Compulsion
Megalomania Paranoia
Derangements Severe Derangements (6 Madness Dice Drawbacks)
Catatonia Multiple Personality
Accumulated madness dice result in mental drawbacks with a point
value equal to the total madness dice called derangements. The Fugue Schizophrenia
player and GM should choose these drawbacks to reflect the
effects of the trauma(s) causing the madness: being attacked by a
swarm of spiders may cause arachnophobia, for example. As DEPRESSION MILD DERANGEMENT
madness dice accumulate, the character may acquire new
drawbacks, or existing ones may become more severe. If you fail to accomplish some important goal, like passing an
Derangements are triggered by different situations, and more important exam or succeeding on a mission, or if you suffer a
stressful, important situations can be harder to resist than other critical failure on a check, there is a chance that you might fall into
such situations. depression for the remainder of the encounter.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed check,
you immediately lose a Hero Die, and are unable to use Hero Dice
TABLE 9.3: DERANGEMENT DRAWBACK to make any rerolls during that scene.
SAVE DC
DC Situation FIXATION MILD DERANGEMENT
10 Easily avoided, low stress, minor importance
15 Not easily avoided, mild stress, some importance After completing an important task (whether a success or a failure),
20 Tough to avoid, moderate stress, definite importance you may become fixated on the action to the level of an unhealthy
25 Difficult to avoid, high stress, great importance obsession.
30 Impossible to avoid, extreme stress, tremendous importance Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. If you fail, you
remain fixated on the action or a person, place, or object
associated with the action, for a number of scenes equal to your
Sample Derrangements madness dice pool. You obsess over what caused you to fail or
what allowed you to succeed, and the distraction causes you to
Below are a set of example derangements. This should not be suffer a -2 penalty to checks not associated with the fixation until
considered a comprehensive list, and GMs and players should feel the obsession has passed.
free to add or modify derangements as suits their individual games
or their characters.
INFERIORITY COMPLEX MILD DERANGEMENT

Mild Derangements
AVOIDANCE MILD DERANGEMENT
When brought to face a character or situation that you associate
with trauma or bad feelings (an ex-lover, a long-standing rival, and
area where you were mugged), you try to avoid the situation
however possible.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed check,
you do everything in your power to avoid the situation, though you
can still avoid harming yourself or others (sneaking away in
disguise, walking the other way, or fleeing with great haste). If you
are forced to confront (or cannot otherwise escape from) the
situation, any checks made suffer a -5 penalty.
In situations of high tension where everything comes down to the
result of a single check (such as while attempting to defuse a
bomb, or while in delicate negotiations where one check will decide
the outcome of the talks), you may begin to feel worthless or
incapable.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. If your roll fails,
you are beset with self-doubt and insecurity, unable to perform to
the best of your abilities. Once in this state, any checks made for
the remainder of the encounter (including the stress-inducing check
itself) suffer a -2 penalty. You are unable to use Hero Dice to make
any rerolls during the encounter.
IRRATIONALITY MILD DERANGEMENT

When threatened in some way or another (such as with a lawsuit,

to have your secret identity exposed, or with a demand to know

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why you’re in a secure area), you might respond in a completely
irrational way.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed check,
the GM determines how you react. You might begin to sing show
tunes, or bark like a dog, or beat your chest constantly. You will not
start a fight with the character threatening you, but you are able to
react if you’re attacked. At the end of the encounter, or when the
threatening character leaves or retreats, your behavior returns to
normal.
MANIA MILD DERANGEMENT
You are prone to extreme fits of hyperactivity, which are sometimes
bound by good sense. In this respect, it is similar to Irrationality, in
that your behavior isn’t always logical. In a high-stress situation, or
during a traumatic experience, you may experience a manic
upswing, in which you become extremely extroverted and
hyperactive, sometimes against better judgment.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed roll,
you become more impulsive and have a greater difficulty resisting
compulsions. You suffer a -2 penalty to Will checks while in a manic
fit, and suffer a -5 penalty to Perception checks to sense another
character's motive, as you are easily convinced to do things which
you might avoid while of sound mind.
NARCISSISM MILD DERANGEMENT
If you succeed at a difficult goal, such as diffusing a bomb or
besting a strong foe in combat, you might be smitten with vanity.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed check,
you are unable to use the Aid action to help other characters with
their actions or attacks. You also suffer a -5 to all Persuasion
checks (as nobody wants to deal with an egotistical half-wit).
PHOBIA MILD DERANGEMENT
You suffer an irrational fear of some person, object, situation, or
environment (such as spiders, heights, or tight spaces). When
exposed to the object of fear, make a Will check with your madness
dice pool.
On a failed check, you are shaken, suffering a -2 penalty on
attacks, defense, checks, and resistances. You also avoid the
object of fear if at all possible, not approaching it if reasonable.
SUSPICION MILD DERANGEMENT
If you fail an important task because of the actions of another
character, you might become suspicious of the motives of everyone
around you (even if the other character was trying to help you).
Combat doesn’t necessarily cause a character to become
suspicious, unless this is the means which another character is
preventing you from achieving your goal.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. If you fail this
check, you suffer a -5 penalty to Persuasion, as you are constantly
questioning everyone else’s motives. However, you gain no special
bonus to Perception checks to sense someone's motive to see
through real deception.
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VOCALIZATION MILD DERANGEMENT
When faced with a difficult decision, you tend to vocalize your
internal thought process. If faced with the choice between saving a
bystander or attacking your hated enemy, you might debate the two
choices aloud, or you may agonize loudly about which way to go in
a maze.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed check,
you begin vocalizing your internal thought process. If another
character points this out your vocalization, you can refrain from for
only a few turns before you start vocalizing again. You suffer a -2
penalty to Persuasion checks with characters who witness your
vocalization.
Moderate Derangements
ANXIETY MODERATE DERANGEMENT
As Inferiority Complex, but your general anxiety plagues your every
day life to such an extent that you suffer a -2 penalty on all attacks,
defense, checks, and resistances for the remainder of the scene,
and you are unable to use Hero Dice to make any rerolls during the
scene.
HYSTERIA MODERATE DERANGEMENT
This condition functions much like phobia, except that on a failed
Will check with your madness dice pool, you are frightened enough
that you flee from the source of the fear as fast as possible, though
not in a way that otherwise endangers yourself or others. You will
not, for example, jump off a high cliff to escape a spider.
MEGALOMANIA MODERATE DERANGEMENT
An extreme form of Narcissism. Any time you fail at an opposed roll
or in any form of contest or competition, you must make a Will
check with your madness dice pool to avoid demanding a rematch
(under more favorable conditions). You will not work with or aid
(using the aid action) anyone who bested you for the remainder of
the scene or encounter. You suffer a -10 penalty to Persuasion
checks, and lose one hero die out of self-loathing and depression.
MELANCHOLIA MODERATE DERANGEMENT
A very severe form of Depression. In addition to the aforementioned
effects of a failed Will check made with your madness dice pool, all
attacks, defense, checks, and resistances you make suffer a -5
penalty.
MODERATE
OBSESSIVE COMPULSION DERANGEMENT
You become completely obsessed with repeating a certain action
over and over again to the exclusion of everything else. This might
include constantly cleaning something, rearranging books on shelf
over and over, or trying to keep an area “clean” by refusing to allow
certain (or any) individuals into it.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. If you fail, you
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obsess about your compulsion to the point of simply ignoring
everything else around you for the scene. You must succeed at the
check to voluntarily break this obsession for an encounter. If forcibly
prevented from obsessing, you might not be able to distinguish
between friend and foe and attack indiscriminately.
PARANOIA MODERATE DERANGEMENT
You believe that all your misfortune is not coincidence, but the
malicious will of some person or group. You often obsess over
conspiracies (real or imagined), and might attack anyone who you
perceive to be a threat.
You suffer a constant -5 penalty to Persuasion check, as your
disturbed nature tends to make others uneasy around you. When
faced with a suspicious individual, make a Will check with your
madness dice pool. On a failed check, you either attack that
individual (if you believe the character to be weaker than you are)
or become frightened and flee as fast as possible.
Severe Derangements
CATATONIA SEVERE DERANGEMENT
When entering a potentially traumatic situation, you risk simply
going unresponsive and inert.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed roll,
you immediately fall unconscious and helpless. It might take
minutes or even hours for you to return to normal (at the GM’s
discretion).
FUGUE SEVERE DERANGEMENT
When presented with a potential source of trauma, you can
potentially black out and act as if on “autopilot”, and you seem to
“sleep-walk” through an avoidance behavior.
Make a Will check with your madness dice pool. On a failed check,
you act as an NPC along a simple avoidance behavior under the
control of the GM. You “wake up” after the encounter is complete,
with no recollection of what happened after being introduced to the
potential source of trauma. Unlike Multiple Personality, you don’t
develop new personas: you merely act on a more instinctual level
and black out the memories of those actions.
MULTIPLE PERSONALITY SEVERE DERANGEMENT
After suffering severe trauma, you create different personalities to
deal with (or escape from) the pain. An abused character might
create a dominating, powerful personality, or possibly a
psychopathic one willing to kill potentially threatening characters.
The different personalities are rarely aware of one another.
When presented with a potential source of trauma, make a Will
check with your madness dice pool. On a failed check, your
character becomes an NPC under the control of the GM, who may
or may not act against your best interests. It might take some time
for you to return to normal (at the GM’s discretion).
SCHIZOPHRENIA SEVERE DERANGEMENT
You hear voices, suffer from inexplicable feelings, and believe
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Examining the Mechanics: Madness
Note that unlike other offensive effects, Induce Madness does not
have the maddening creature roll its effect modifier. Rather, it has
the affected targets roll a check to preserve their own sanity. This
essentially "reverses" their Will resistance and puts them in
control of their own minds, so to speak. It also keeps the effects of
this FX in line with the other events which could cause madness,
so that the players always follow the same rules when sanity is at
stake. This style of effect resolution is a good model to use if you
want the players to really feel as if it's their character's ability, that
is essential to see them through safely. You could use a similar
mechanic for fighter pilots rolling their Defense check to evade
incoming attacks. It's a little slower to resolve than the usual
method, but it can add more emphasis as desired.
The Induce Madness FX is built as a combination of the Immunity
FX and a Triggered Inflict (Condition) FX with a Benefit that lets
you use your ranks in this FX in place of a Madness Dice Pool for
other FX.
INDUCE MADNESS
Type: Sensory Action: One (triggered)
Range: Perception (Burst area) Duration: Instant
Resistance: Will (madness, see Cost: 5 points + 4 points per
below) rank
Your very presence is anathema to mortal minds, and your
existence flies in the face of the very laws of reality itself. When
you first appear to other characters, this effect triggers, forcing
them to make a Will check against Madness (DC 10 + your ranks
in this FX). If any creatures in an area of effect (rank x 5 feet)
have a madness dice pool, they must check using that pool
instead of a normal roll.
You may also take one action to strike a suitably horrific pose or
take a terrifying action to attempt to madden targets further.
On a failed check, the target loses one action, unable to fully react
to the unspeakable horror which it now perceives, and gains a
madness die. If the target fails by five or more, in addition to
gaining a madness die, the target loses both of his actions,
completely unable to process the affront to logic your very being
represents. If the target fails by 10 or more, in addition to gaining
a madness die, the target is rendered unconscious, so overcome
by the madness your visage brings that they feint.
In addition, you are immune to madness, and never need to make
a madness save. You may treat your ranks in your Induce
Madness FX towards the madness dice totals needed to use
certain FX with the Madness Required drawback.
-1 TO -10 POINTS
MADNESS REQUIRED
This FX is derived from knowledge or power that mortal minds
were not meant to wield. You must have at least one madness die
in your madness pool to use this FX. Each additional rank you
take in this drawback increases the number of madness dice
required by one (so an FX which requires a character have 5
madness dice has this drawback at -5 points). If you lack sufficient
madness dice, then you are unable to activate or use an FX with
this drawback.
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yourself to be things which you aren’t (such as the Emperor of

Antarctica). You are far removed from reality, and have difficulty
connecting to it, even on a good day.
You suffer a -5 penalty to all Persuasion checks. Further, on a failed
Will check with your madness dice pool, you randomly attack or flee
from any other character who brings potentially unpleasant news or
begins making unwanted demands or requests of you.
Madness and FX
In settings where madness is linked to certain FX (particularly
psychic or magical FX) madness dice may increase a character’s
level of power. For example, perhaps magical FX in the setting are
only available to characters with madness dice and any individual
FX can’t have a rank or point cost greater than the character’s
madness dice total (or total times some multiplier like x2 or x5). In
such games, FX with this limitation might have the Madness
Required drawback.
Further, in settings where the supernatural is terrifying and
unnerving, many (if not all) supernatural creatures have ranks in the
Induce Madness FX, which allows them to actively and passively
drive mortal men insane.
Eliminating Madness
Acquiring Mutation
Characters usually acquire mutation dice from exposure to
mutagens like radiation or certain chemicals. In some settings
exposure to things like “chaos energy” or certain FX may also
cause mutations. Characters usually get a Fortitude check to avoid
accumulating mutation dice, with the DC determined by the
intensity of the mutagen: DC 10 for a fairly mild to 30 or more for
especially intense mutagenic sources.
Effects of Mutation
Mutations generally cause physical drawbacks equal in value to the
accumulated mutation dice. Note that multiple mutations affecting
appearance don’t count separately but are treated as a single more
intense version of the same mutation (so long as their sole effect is
the reaction others have to the character’s unusual appearance).
Mutations might also grant new or additional FX, depending on their
nature, although the character doesn’t usually get much say in the
nature of these FX; they may come with certain flaws or FX
Drawbacks like Side Effect, Uncontrolled, or Full Power.
Exposure to mutagens can be the origin for a character’s abilities
without necessarily accumulating any mutation dice. This is a plot
device rather than an application of taint.

Eliminating madness points takes time, rest, and usually some form
of psychotherapy or psychological treatment. The Gamemaster can Eliminating Mutation
set an amount of time or treatment for characters to eliminate
Mutation dice are difficult to eliminate, since they are permanent
accumulated madness points, such as a month’s quiet rest, or a
changes in the character’s physical makeup. Short of the character
week (or more) of therapy. Depending on the style of the game,
getting an entirely new body, the only means of removing mutation
these times could be even longer, like months of therapy per
dice may be extensive (and complex) gene therapy or the use of
madness point, with rest alone having no real effect. Any occasion
certain FX. Perhaps Healing with the Regrowth feat (or a
where the patient has to make a Will check against madness again
customized FX feat or extra) can remove mutation dice on a 1-for-1
means no progress during that time.
basis. In some settings there may be no way of eliminating
mutation dice!

Mutation
Life is impossibly complex, a galaxy of countless cells. It takes so
little: just a small change in a DNA strand for things to alter. Such
changes can spread, transforming an ordinary person into
something … else. Something unnatural.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III
Part III: Running the Game
So you know how to create characters and you know how to
resolve all the action you could throw at them. But the question
remains: how do you actually run the game? There’s an awful lot of
time to fill between rolls of the dice, and it’s up to the GM to not just
fill that time, but to help the players make it fun too. Part III seeks to
help GMs create the game that ties all of the rules of d20 Advanced
together.
For the Player
This part of the book details information that is largely unimportant
for players, so it can be safely overlooked. However, if you're
interested in how the game is put together, or perhaps in running a
game of your own some day, then by all means browse Part III for
advice on putting a game together! This part will also outline some
guidelines and benchmarks the GM might use in helping to build
your character.
For the GM
Part III was written with the GM in mind. It details how you actually
run the game, how to adjudicate rules disputes, and how to keep
things moving. It also provides guidance for combining the
elements and options in d20A to create the game you want for your
group, and extra tools that a GM might find useful for helping to
keep the game running.
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What's in this Part
Part III is rules-light, and is instead focused on providing tools to
GMs to help them run their games. It provides guidance and advice
rather than hard-and-fast rules.
Chapter X: Gamemastering
Sometimes an art, sometimes a science, sometimes a major
headache, Gamemastering is both challenging and rewarding all at
once. Chapter X details how you can go about running a game for
your group, what you need to consider, how to adjudicate player
actions, and so on and so forth.
Chapter XI: Campaign Building
The plethora of options in d20A can be intimidating, but Chapter XI
is designed to help GMs sort through these options quickly and
efficiently when starting a new game. It gives a GM all the tools he
needs to create a game for nearly any genre with the d20A rules.
Chapter XII: Stock Characters
In Chapter XII, a huge plethora of stock characters are presented,
giving the GM some help in quickly populating his world and
encounters with interesting and challenging enemies (or helpful and
capable allies). This chapter helps to take some of the burden of
creating large numbers of NPCs off of the shoulders of GMs.
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Chapter X: Gamemastering
Running a game is an art and a science. It's a tough job and a
rewarding joy. A good GM must be part story-teller, part tactician,
part stage-magician, and part referee with a dash of improvisational
musician sprinkled on top. A GM needs to be everyone's friend and
an impartial arbitrator all at once.
Gamemastering means taking a book full of rules and numbers and
breathing life into them, using those rules to create a vibrant,
exciting world full of adventure for the players. It means making
tough calls in the interest of keeping the game moving and making
it fun for everyone involved. Running a game is a big responsibility,
but it's also a rewarding one. It's the chance to show your players a
fantastic world and to challenge them head-to-head. It's one-half a
game of chess against a whole team of opponents and one-half
improvisational storytelling with a group who can come up with
some fantastic characters for that story.
The Three
Commandments of
Gamemastering
The first step to being a good GM it to understand the very basics
of running a game. You need to learn how to walk a fine line
between running a dictatorship and total anarchy . The best way to
learn it is by doing it, but before tossing you to the sharks, this
chapter will start by giving you some advice on how to do the job.
It's Your Show (By Their
Whim)
When players and the GM sit down at the table, they enter into a
sort of unspoken social contract. The GM runs things, arbitrates
rules questions, and creates the world. At the end of any argument,
the GM's word is final. If there's ever indecision or uncertainty at the
table, it's up to the GM to resolve it. In d20 Advanced, the GM's job
in this respect is even more essential. As a toolbox system, d20A
relies heavily on a GM making smart judgment calls based on
descriptors, how an action will be performed, or just a general idea
about how a character usually acts.
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Learning to Say "No"
Starting with character creation and continuing on throughout
gameplay itself, a good GM needs to know how to say "no". As a
toolbox game, where the rules are meant to represent concepts
and ideas from countless genres, you as the GM must be prepared
to tell someone when an idea they have threatens to disrupt the
game.
When it comes to character creation, understand that there are
many character concepts which are completely legal according to
the rules, but which have absolutely no place at a sane group's
table. You need to learn how to inspect a character sheet and
decide whether or not it will be problematic for you to run that
character or if that character might not fit well with the other
characters in the group. You don't want someone to bring a super-
cyborg gun-bunny to a game set in an ancient, magical world of
swords and sorcery just like you don't want someone using a
potentially overpowered character at the table either. More on this
to follow under Overseeing Character Creation.
Further, a good GM needs to know how to tell somebody that a
certain action in game is not an acceptable option. Sometimes
stunting a particular FX just isn't appropriate for the game (such as
a fire-mage in a fantasy game trying to create nuclear reaction by
splitting the trace amounts of helium with a flame spell).
Rule of Thumb: If a player is trying to sell you a Rube
Goldberg Machine explanation for an idea, it's probably time to
say "no". Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist who designed comically
convoluted machines for handling various common household
tasks, often involving countless inefficient steps arranged like a
bizarre set of dominoes. Players sometimes like to use the
descriptors on their FX with similar levels of convoluted mental
gymnastics to justify their actions. The rule of thumb to keep in
mind here is to question any idea which requires more than three
"and then I can..."s, or any idea which requires knowledge which
really isn't possible for the character to have (such as the
infamous fantasy wizard "accidentally" inventing gunpowder by
"accidentally" knocking all the ingredients together in the correct
ratios and then "accidentally" testing it). But be careful: you don't
want to penalize players for smart play. Learn to distinguish
between good tactics and Rube Goldberg explanations, and you'll
be well on your way to being a great GM.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III

The Player's Eye vs. the GM's Eye

One of the most important things for the GM to remember is that
almost by default, the GM has a very different view of the game
than the players do. Players are generally fixed in their view to their
own characters, or at best, the group of characters itself. The GM,
on the other hand, holds more of an "overhead" view of the entire
situation, remaining perfectly aware of things hidden to the players
and their characters.
Sometimes, especially if you haven't been a player in a long time,
it's easy to forget how limited the players' point of view can be.
What's obvious to the GM could be all but impossible for the
players to even perceive. Try to get a feel for what the minimum
threshold your players need to perceive something. Sometimes
players are exceptionally sharp and will put things together even
more quickly than you do. Other times, the clues and hints you
provide just don't seem to be enough. When faced with this, you
need to try to blind yourself to your own perspective and look at it
from the players' point of view. Can they reasonably draw the
conclusions you expect them to from the hints you've given them?
Could you spot the pattern given the same information that they
have?
The other important point to remember is that when it comes to
gaming, everyone wants a chance to shine. If they feel like their
characters aren't getting the spotlight enough, the players are likely
to be unhappy. As the GM, you have to remember that from the The Players
players' point of view, their characters are their favorite parts of the
game. Everyone remembers the cool moments when their The players come to the game with their characters and their
characters stole the scene and had everyone cheering. Players characters only. They agree to come up with interesting and
want a chance to show off, to be the heroes of the story. A good GM balanced characters to bring to the game. They agree to acquiesce
needs to know how to give everyone a chance to enjoy the to the GM's rulings during the game, and agree to wait until after
spotlight, how to create exciting moments for the characters to the game to discuss rules disagreements. The players are also
really shine. agreeing to give up control over aspects of the world beyond their
characters and granting that control to the GM in the interest of
creating an adventure. However, it is understood that the players
reserve the right to remove a GM who is unsuccessful in upholding
Depth is an Illusion his or her end of the contract.
As far as your players are concerned, all that exists in the world
you're showing them is what is in front of their eyes. This is related
to the above point about player viewpoint versus GM viewpoint. For The Gamemaster
example, if you design a dozen cities for your group to explore, but
By virtue of his or her duties, the GM holds proportionally more
they only ever adventure in one of them, then the other eleven
power in-game than the players do, but the GM agrees not to use
might as well not exist.
this power unfairly against the players' characters. Further, the GM
Just like a movie set or a theater stage, the background of your agrees to provide for the players an exciting and appropriate
world need only be realistic and detailed from the point of view of adventure for their characters. The GM is entitled to make rules
the audience (the characters). If the players only ever see one side decisions and use GM Fiat when necessary to make the game
of a four-sided building, you could really care less about detailing more fun. The GM also agrees that if s/he is unable to provide the
the other three sides (only so long as your players think that the game that the players with a good game, that s/he step down and
other three sides are just as well detailed as the first one). The turn over the reins to someone else. The GM's power only comes
lesson is not to spend time detailing something which may well from this agreement with the players.
never come up.
Similarly, you need to be able to think on your feet and be able to
quickly fill in the gaps when your players start peeking around the Use the Rules, Don't Let
corners into areas you hadn't detailed. Learn to get a feel for what
your players consider important, so you know where to focus your Them Use You
attention in designing your adventures. Once you get the game
rolling, learn to show the players enough that they believe their The rules for d20A exist to provide a common ground for the
characters are adventuring in a fully fleshed-out, dynamic world, players and the GM, a sort of skeleton for how the shared
and your game will be better for it. imaginary space which the characters and NPCs inhabit will
behave. To a certain extent, the world will always behave in certain
ways. Objects always fall downwards. Fire is always hot. Injury
The Social Contract always affects the body in certain ways.
For a roleplaying game, the rules exist to provide two things:
As described above, players and the gamemaster enter into an
agreement when they sit down to game.

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III
1. A means with which to create different types of characters with
varied capabilities
2. A means by which those characters can interact with the world
around them by resolving challenges (both from the world itself
and from the people and objects within that world)
Beyond that, everything else is the responsibility of the players and
the GM. The rules exist to facilitate creating the adventure, and
they should never inhibit it. And no matter how well-designed a
gaming system is, it can still cause problems and confusion. As the
GM, it's your responsibility to know when to use the rules, and
when to use your own judgment.
Guidelines
The rules exist as guidelines to speed play. They're an aid, not a
straight-jacket. In general, the rules are meant to follow common
sense and allow for quick arbitration. If a player wants to resolve a
task, it usually isn't too hard to decide which skill the player will
need to roll, or what feat or FX the character needs.
However, even if a specific use of a skill or FX isn't described in the
rules, it's generally not a problem to decide that this particular
application is acceptable. For example, the rules don't specifically
state that you can use the Technology skill to recover data from a
damaged DVD, but according to common sense, it works fine.
The trick is to use the existing framework to guide your decision-
making. To recover the data off that damaged DVD, you might tell
the player to roll a number of four-sided dice equal to her ranks in
the Technology skill, and count up the number of 4s she rolled, and
that's how you'll determine success or failure.
The problem is that the rules already provide a good framework for
determining success or failure: roll a d20 and compare it to the DC
for the task. The Technology skill even provides a more precise
framework for determining the DC, based on what you want to do
and how the system is designed.
As they are written, the rules serve not only to answer questions
directly, but also indirectly by providing a uniform set of guidelines
for resolving questions.
Rule of Thumb: In general, you can use these guidelines to
decide how to resolve a given action in-game:
• If the task is mundane, or at the very least, not-supernatural,
and could conceivably be accomplished by a trained
individual in the real world, then it requires a skill check. Tasks
which are dependent on your physical capabilities should use
a Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution skill; those which are
more mental should use Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
• If the task is directly dependent on the strength of
supernatural abilities, it requires an FX check. (Note that you
may use Expertise if you choose to represent skill and finesse
with FX).
• If the task is an extended contest between two or more
competing parties (such as a chase or an interrogation), then
this is a dramatic interaction, and will be resolved through a
series of opposed checks. Use this option especially when
the task is a point of special interest in the adventure and
requires additional focus.
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Ruleslawyers
There are players out there who are going to want to play things
right by the book, and who are uncomfortable with judgment calls
and deviating from the rules as written. They prefer it when the
game sticks to the rules they already know and are familiar with.
In spite of the less-than-flattering name they are often branded with
("ruleslawyers"), these types of players can be a very good
presence at the game table. They often have an excellent
understanding of how the rules work, or at least are very quick at
locating relevant rules in the book. Learn to use these sorts of
players as a resource at the table to quickly and efficiently find rules
you don't know off-hand, and let the player know that you
appreciate his or her help.
However, ruleslawyers can be disruptive to the game when they
become argumentative and unwilling to accept your judgment as
GM. The best way to overcome this is by developing trust with your
players. Try to roll dice in the open along with the players (since
you need to use GM Fiat to re-roll dice just as the players need to
use Hero Dice). Try to discuss with your players (after the game, if
they wish) how different NPCs you created were built, and how
their abilities works. Also try to explain your reasoning for your
judgment calls, especially in light of the other rules of the game. Do
this after the game, or at least after the action during down-time.
You're trying to establish with your players that you are a fair GM
who is not looking to take advantage of the power the rules give
you. This will go a long way towards easing the concerns of regular
players and ruleslawyers alike, making them more comfortable with
accepting your judgment calls.
Arbitrating, Not Ruling
The GM is a referee and a judge, not a despot. As GM, you have a
lot of power which is very easy to abuse. It's very easy to get into a
"me versus them" mindset, which is a no-win situation. Within the
context of the game itself, the GM is just infinitely more powerful
than the players are, since you can simply create and introduce
unbeatable foes and crush the players. That, however, can wreck a
gaming group and drive the members apart.
As the GM, it's your job to be the impartial, objective arbitrator of
the rules, not the monarch passing judgment by whim. Your goal in
all rules discussions is to be fair and to keep the game fun and
exciting. That means that while you ideally want to keep rules
discussions short (and preferably separate from actual game-time
itself), you also don't want your players to think that their own input
is inconsequential.
But keep in mind that rules by committee are, in general, a bad
idea. A good way to handle it is to ask your players when you're
making a rules decision if they're okay with it. If most of the players
are, you'll not only know their opinion on the matter and have
backing from them with your decision, but it also shows that you
value their opinions and want them to continue helping you.
That's not to say that there aren't times when being heavy-handed
is necessary. Sometimes, for the sake of moving the game along,
you need to fudge the rules with GM Fiat. In these situations, you
do what you need to do, but be sure to hand the players Hero Dice
for their troubles.
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III
"Arbitration" Doesn't Mean
"Arbitrary"
The rules are meant to be helpful guidelines, so discarding them
whole-hog can lead to problems as well. If you rip the metaphorical
rug out from under your players, leaving them stranded and blind
as to how the world around them works. In such a situation, the
game becomes one of "GM-May-I?" where the rules are
inconsequential, and only the GM's whim matters. Rather than
using dice to resolve a situation, the player essentially has to ask
the GM's permission to resolve it. While some groups enjoy this
style of gameplay, it's popularity isn't great, and for many players,
it's frustrating for the GM to break the social contract by rendering
their character's abilities inconsequential. Ideally, you don't want
your game to devolve into "GM-May-I?", but you also don't want the
rules to become detrimental to your game either. You have to find
the balance that works best for you and your group.
It's All Fun and Games (Or
It's a Waste of Time)
The most important thing to remember: d20 Advanced is a game,
and it should be fun for everyone involved. Keep this in mind any
time you're considering a rules discussion. If a rule is giving your
group headaches, or is taking too much time, or is just making the
game less fun, then you as the GM have an important role to play.
It's your job to take that rule, toss it to the curb, and figure out a rule
that works better for your group and your game.
Watching the Clock
Set a mental time-limit for yourself if a rules-discussion gets started
at your table and threaten to slow the game down. Learn what sort
of tolerance your group has for delays like this and be sure to step
in and keep the game moving when it's necessary. When it doubt,
use the guidelines described above to come up with a quick way to
resolve the issue.
On the other hand, if your group is laughing and enjoying
themselves because one of your players just cracked a hilarious
one-liner, or everyone wants to take a break to watch a favorite
television show, you need to know when to sit back and let the
game come second. If your players are having a good time, then
you're doing your job right. There's a time and a place to cut down
on frivolous chatter, and you need to learn what it is to keep the
game moving. But you also need to know when it's time to join in
the belly-laughter with the rest of the group because, hey, that was
pretty funny.
When to Pass the Torch
A roleplaying game is still a game, and if you or your players aren't
having fun, then you need to reconsider your approach to GMing.
Reassess how you run the game. Ask the players for feedback, and
whether or not they'd change anything about how the game plays.
It's not an open call to hand out goodies to their characters, but
rather a chance to get honest feedback and opinions on how you
can make the game better.
You also need to learn how to sit back and let the players do their
thing. As the GM, you might be in charge of the world around them,
but the players still have control over their characters. When they're
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enjoying some down-time chatting with one another, or when
they're planning out their upcoming attack, you need to know when
to sit back and let them do their job without you. If they need some
help or want to talk to an NPC, they'll let you know.
And the last thing to keep in mind: no matter how hard you try,
sometimes you're just not going to be able to run a good game. It
might just be a bad night, or the game might simply have run its
course, and it's time to close up shop, make way for something
new. Be willing to let other members of the group give GMing a go.
Sometimes, switching things up and trying a new game is just what
you need. Some time as a player might give you the opportunity to
get some perspective on how you run games (plus it's a nice way to
recharge your batteries and avoid GM burn-out). Don't take it as an
insult if the players suggest a change of pace. It might just be what
you need.
Overseeing
Character Creation
With a system as open as d20 Advanced, the role of the GM in
ensuring that all the characters players bring to the table are
appropriate for the game. Even characters built according to the
rules could be unbalanced, and it's up to you to make sure that
everyone's on a level playing field.
Unfortunately, there aren't any hard-and-fast rules that will tell you
precisely whether or not someone's character is too strong or too
weak. This section also isn't a list of things you shouldn't allow a
character to have. Rather, this section presents a series of
guidelines to help you identify when a character's abilities might
prove problematic for your playstyle.
Boosting Past PL Caps
Boost is generally designed to let characters whose abilities are
generally weak temporarily increase in power. Some players,
however, might try to use it to break PL caps. In general, this should
not be allowed. Note that there are some character concepts for
which boosting beyond PL caps might be very acceptable, and
which will not be abusing this sort of power.
Generally speaking, any attempt to bring a character's bonuses
above the campaign's PL without appropriate trade-offs should be
met with skepticism.
Ignoring Ability Scores
Especially in superheroes games, it's easy to design characters
who have little or no use for the base ability scores and who simply
invest most or all of their points into FX to represent their powers.
Sometimes it is indeed appropriate for a character to be otherwise
average in every way, but for the most part, a character with
nothing but 0s in his or her ability scores is likely to be intentionally
designed with mediocrity to shave points and boost up what the
player sees as "more important" for gameplay (often powerful
attack FX or unbeatable resistances). If you see signs of characters
skimping on "essentials" like ability scores and skills, it should raise
your suspicions about their other abilities.
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Extreme Trade-Offs
Sometimes players will approach you requesting very high trade-
offs for their characters. While they are becoming more effective in
one area at the expense of competence in another, you should be
aware that this is a way in which players can create "unbeatable"
attacks or resistances. In the interest of still keeping them within the
realm of power of the campaign, you usually want to limit trade-offs
to no more than plus or minus half the campaign's power level. That
means that a PL 6 game shouldn't see trade-offs of more than +3/-3
and PL 10 games should be limited to trade-offs of +5/-5.
Massive Arrays
FX arrays are meant to represent different "settings" for a
supernatural ability, like a superhero who can manipulate fire
creating fireballs or walls of flame. The cheap flexibility which
arrays represent can be abused in two ways:
Fat Base FX
Some players like to invest heavily in the base FX for an array,
slapping on countless extraneous extras and feats just in the
interest of being able to afford lots of powerful alternate FX. If the
cost of the base FX for an array is above 5x the campaign's PL, it's
possible that the player is attempting to "fatten up" the array.
Scrutinize the base power for unnecessary feats and extras (like
penetrating on damaging FX or the like). Make sure players have a
good justification for the modifiers on their FX before you allow
them.
Sprawling Alternate FX
Players also can get a little overzealous with the number of times
they take the alternate FX feat. They might be stretching the
bounds of what truly constitutes an "alternate setting" for a
particular FX (such as including in a water-controlling array an FX
which lets the user create tornadoes by virtue of the water vapor in
the air), or simply including far too many alternate FX. If a player
has more than five alternate FX, you might want to look over them
again to make sure that the character isn't being made so versatile
that he or she will intrude on the other characters' niches. And
during play and the process of improving characters, you might
want to limit players to only taking alternate FX for their characters
which they've already stunted in the past.
Overly-Broad Descriptors
Good descriptors for FX are essential, but some players may
request descriptors which are just too broad for you to be able to
work with them effectively, because those descriptors can just do
too much. That's not to say that you can't allow characters with
potentially wide descriptors, but that you should be careful to work
with such players to ensure that their descriptors don't allow them
to intrude on the niches of other characters.
• "Atomic Control": Control over atomic structure; power over
matter at the atomic level. This can essentially allow a
character to transform any material into anything else at will,
allowing careless players to run rough-shod over your game as
enemies are turned into frogs and bullets into steam. This sort
of power can work well in the hands of a moral character who
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won't abuse it, and really benefits from having some illogical
but appropriate limits (such as being unable to affect organic
matter).
• "Cosmic Power": The fundamental energy of creation; the
power over all the cosmos; the ability to control the essential
whoozits of everything. This is just a fancy soft-sci-fi way of
saying "magic". While it's a staple of cosmic-level comic books,
you should be careful to come up with appropriate limits for any
such "do-anything" descriptor (such as limiting the character to
folding space, or reshaping matter, or wielding star-fire).
• "Divine Power": Power of the gods; demonic power. Unless
you agree upon a specific and limited divine patron (such as a
god of war or a shadow demon), godlike power can be
overwhelming for the GM, especially when miracles of all sorts
can do almost anything. Limiting such characters to specific
aspects of nature is a good way to start, as are moral or ethical
codes for more loosely-defined divine powers.
• "Magic": Sorcery; witchcraft; spellslicing; arcanum. There's a
reason why a common excuse for continuity errors in fantasy is
"a wizard did it". So long as it doesn't tread too far into the
realm of science, magic is another one of those descriptors
which can, in theory, justify almost anything, from turning
invisible to shooting magical missiles of force to turning into a
dragon to causing one's foes to dance uncontrollably. Magic
especially benefits from deciding in advance on a specific type
of magic and trying to stick to the tropes of that type of magic
as best as possible. Some suggestions for types of magic
include (but are by no means limited to) Elemental Magic
(earth, fire, air, water), Enchantment (charms and suggestions),
Necromancy (control over life and death energies), Nature
Magic (controlling plants and animals), and Spirit Magic
(controlling spirits of nature or the dead).
• "Psionics": Psychic powers; mental powers; mind tricks.
Individual psychic disciplines, like mind-reading (telepathy) and
moving objects (telekinesis) are perfectly fine and acceptable
in most games, and even creating multiple arrays to include
different types of psionic powers can be okay. But watch out for
players who also want to add something like "telekinetically
vibrating the water in their blood to cause heat-death" or
"psychically re-arranging matter at the atomic level to change
anything into anything".
• "Super Science": Advanced technology; super high-tech;
alien technology. Arthur C. Clark noted that "Any sufficiently
advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Technology is a great descriptor for explaining many different
kinds of FX, but be sure to work with players interested in using
technology for their FX to arrive at a unified theme for what
technology lets them do. Technology might be specialized for
hunting or controlling electricity or perhaps just boosting
strength and toughness. Follow the same guidelines you would
with magic.
• "Time/Space Continuum": Warping time and space; time
control; time/space distortion. Being able to control the flow of
time can lead to many annoying paradoxes, and tends towards
characters who can do no wrong, because they've already
seen/lived through mistakes and can go back in time and
correct them automatically. This is another example of a
potentially great, flavorful descriptor for a character's abilities,
but can result in a character not necessarily being able to do
too much, but to be very disruptive to a game by virtue of the
nature of his or her abilities. Time travel paradoxes are
headaches for science-fiction writers the world over, and if
you're not ready for them at your table, you might want to
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III

approach these sorts of descriptors with caution. with a single action or attack, it might be time to question the
validity of such an FX. Generally speaking, two FX linked together
is still quite acceptable, but beyond two linked FX, things start to
Progression Overkill get tricky. Again, this is entirely a matter of your preferences and
your group's play style, but be careful to make sure that players
aren't Damaging and Inflicting and Draining and Transforming and
The Progression FX feat is really cheap for the benefit it provides.
Dazzling an opponent with all one attack if you think that is
It's not quite good enough to be an extra (especially at lower
inappropriate for your game.
ranks), and at higher ranks (when the numbers are increasing by
greater and greater multiples), it's almost too good as an FX feat.
Especially when applied to area of effect FX (such as fireballs or
exploding bombs), you can quickly cover gigantic areas with the
Progression feat. You should be careful to scrutinize any FX which
Variable FX
has more than 3 applications of the Progression feat. Multiple The Variable FX structure is included for versatile odds-and-ends
applications of the feat can literally allow characters to destroy which just aren't covered by the rest of the system. Some groups,
cities or move mountains. for instance, might use the Variable structure to represent magic,
and GMs often enjoy having an FX which is just perfect for enemies
with very weird abilities that will allow them to adapt on the fly to the
Summoning an Army PCs. And while d20 Advanced does allow for great versatility, the
Variable structure further allows for unpredictability. An array also
allows for versatility relatively cheap, but it is also predictable: the
The Summon (Minion) FX is potentially dangerous in that it allows
player still only has a set list of options, and can't come up with
players to essentially gain additional actions from their minions.
something new for every encounter. Certainly Variable structures
While it is expensive to buy multiple minions (thanks to it taking an
are useful, especially for characters such as shapeshifters or
extra to get additional minions), more than five minions can be
changelings, or even wizards or spellcasters, but you should be
extremely disruptive, taking up a lot of time at the game as one
careful to make sure that these FX have definite limits, so you at
player has to decide each round precisely what to do. This problem
least have some idea of what the players can cook up. For
is only made worse if the player also has minions of a broad type,
example, a shapeshifter might only be able to change into natural
so each creature could have vastly different abilities. In general, the
animals (like lions and birds), or a magician might always have to
Summon FX is meant to represent someone able to conjure up a
cast spells involving fire. These limits are up to you to decide upon
very small number of powerful minions or to create a horde of
with the player.
weaker minions (which are easily dispatched). Be careful of players
trying to use Summoning to buy huge numbers of minions or to buy
a vastly more powerful "second character" at a discount (for
example, a player's "main character" being a squire who has the
"real character", the mighty knight, as a summon). Minions should
When a Flaw Isn't a Flaw
generally be weaker than the character. If not, you need to ask why A flaw is a good flaw when it limits the usefulness of an FX by about
the minion isn't the master. 50%. For example, being limited to only affecting men (or
alternately, only women) with an FX is a valid flaw for most games.
But if you're playing a game following a gendercide which wipes out
Tricky Transformations all of the men on Earth, then it's not nearly as limiting as it could be
in other games, and thus isn't a valid flaw (indeed, this is, at best, a
complication). Similarly, an FX which is only used out-of-combat
The Transform FX is left open-ended to fill in a lot of odds-and-ends
(such as a non-combat ability to open locked doors with a touch),
associated with various genres of gameplay. Some simple levels
and thus the number of actions it consumes is trivial, is unlikely to
really are appropriate for most games (such as replicating a
be balanced with an application of the Action flaw, increasing the
medusa with Transform (Flesh to Stone) or the Midas Touch with
number of actions it takes to use the FX to 2 actions each round.
Transform (Anything to Gold)). But the extreme end of Transform
This doesn't make it any harder to use the FX in most cases.
(anything to anything at 6 CP/Rank) can be difficult to deal with,
Instead, flaws such as these might instead be priced as Drawbacks
when it becomes extremely difficult to predict what a player could
rather than flaws, to keep things more balanced. A flaw which
do in any given round. Turning a door into steam so he can escape
doesn't limit the FX enough just isn't a flaw, and shouldn't give the
from jail? Turning the floor into lava to kill all the monsters in the
point-benefit of one.
room? Turning the air in the big bad evil guy's lungs into chlorine
gas to instantly poison him? That's where things start breaking
down. Be cautious in allowing character such a broad ability to
manipulate the environment. As always, this doesn't mean that you
should never allow it. In the hands of a good player with the right Running the Game
character, it could make the game better for everyone. But if you
have reservations about this sort of flexibility, Transform is an Once you understand the basics of keeping order and making sure
important FX to keep an eye on. that your players aren't going to try to pull a fast one on you with
invincible or unbelievably powerful characters, you still need to
know what to actually do when you start the game to make sure
that it runs smoothly for everyone involved.
Too Many Linked FX
Most FX require two rolls to be successful, and take one action
apiece. You need to overcome Defense to hit the enemy, and then
you need to roll to overcome Fortitude or Will or Toughness for your
FX to take effect. If a player is getting the benefit of too many FX

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III
Making the Dice Work for
You
There are ways to very quickly and easily make the game your
own, even on the fly while running an adventure.
Determining Base Check DCs
In general, the check DCs for almost all skills are given in multiples
of 5, if for no other reason that it's easier to remember "5, 10, 15,
20..." than it is to remember "6, 13, 18, 27". Your goal when setting
a check DC is both to keep it consistent with the world which you
are presenting your players (i.e., Fort Knox might have DC 40
locks, but an average suburban home likely won't) while also
making it an appropriate challenge for your players.
Modifiers to Checks
Once you arrive at (or just look up) the base DC for a given check,
you can further adjust this target DC by applying a simple modifier
to the DC. The value of the modifier will depend on the
circumstances surrounding the check. Worse conditions call for a
higher DC, while better conditions will only need a lower DC to
succeed.
Taking 10 and 20
Another option you as the GM tend to have control over when it
comes to many checks is when players are able to take 10 or take
20. To use a real-world example, anyone who has ever watched a
Rule of Thumb: One important guideline to keep in mind for
setting skill DCs is that they're essentially a measure of how likely
the characters are to succeed at the check. If a character needs to
roll a 10 to succeed on the check, then the character will succeed
on the check 50% of the time. If the character needs to roll more
than a 10, then his chances of success drop below 50%. If the
character needs only to roll below a 10, the character's chance of
success increases above 50%. Further, each point you increase
the check's DC by decreases the character's chances of success
by 5%. If you know the character's bonus to a given check, you
can very quickly estimate what the character's chance for success
is.
Rule of Thumb: A simple way to handle modifiers is to
make the values of most modifiers equal to 2, 5, and 10. A
modifier of +2 might mean that the circumstances are slightly
more challenging than usual (such as trying to climb a cliff slick
with rainwater). A +5 modifier is even more difficult (such as trying
to translate an ancient parchment which is badly burned and
damaged in places). A +10 modifier represents making a check
under almost impossible circumstances (like trying to hack a
computer after the monitor has been destroyed and doing it
entirely "by feel"). These modifiers can also be reversed to
represent good, great, and terrific conditions respectively, though
good, quiet conditions in which to work can also be represented
by allowing a character to Take 10 or 20 (see below).
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trivia game show has seen the phenomenon where a seemingly
bright person becomes overwhelmingly, mind-numbingly stupid
enough to fail to answer a simple question, such as identifying the
Moon as bigger than an elephant. When under stress, even a
competent person can seriously botch things up, and in d20
Advanced, this is often represented as a critical failure on a die roll.
However, under calm, controlled circumstances, a character can
avoid this chance for failure by taking 10 on any task in which he or
she has skill ranks. It's important to remember that circumstances
under which the characters are actually able to take 10 are going to
be rare in many games, where action is the norm. You as the GM
always have the final say over whether or not a situation is calm
and controlled enough for a character to take 10.
Taking 20, on the other hand, generally requires at least 2 minutes
uninterrupted for even the simplest tasks, relegating taking 20 to
almost exclusively non-combat scenarios (except for characters
with FX like Quickness). The character attempting to take 20 must
have the required amount of time to try the check 20 times, and the
check in question must not have penalties for failure (such as
setting off an alarm or falling while attempting to scale a wall).
It's up to you as the GM to decide when it's appropriate or not for
characters to use these options. They're meant to help you quickly
resolve trivial or time-consuming tasks, and should be used as
such.
Fudging
Sometimes, the dice are just uncooperative, and instead of
producing an interesting and exciting story, they only result in an
anticlimactic let-down. The NPCs keep rolling poorly on their
attacks, and can't even hit the PCs, much less damage them (or
alternatively, a mook threatening to completely wipe out your party
with a lucky roll). While you need to be sparing in fudging results
with GM Fiat, you shouldn't let the dice dictate to you a resolution
which, quite simply, is no good for your game.
Interaction
Especially since d20 Advanced describes rules for resolving social
interactions with interaction skills like Persuasion, it's very important
for you as the GM to find a good balance between how much the
dice count for and how much the player's words count for when it
comes to social interaction. Some groups prefer it when it all comes
down to roleplaying and eloquence on the part of the player (since
it's a roleplaying game, after all), while other groups are happier
when the dice matter more (as not every player out there is going to
be as gifted a diplomat as his or her character with 5 Charisma and
10 ranks of Persuasion is). Is it better that everyone be able to play
Rule of Thumb: In general, if you are using fiat to benefit
the players' enemies, then you owe them Hero Dice for it. The
social contract which Hero Dice embody says that the GM can
fudge things, but then the players gain the right to fudge them
right back later. You want to award the Hero Dice only to the
players most affected by the fiat (such as the warrior whose might
blow was just negated by a fiated Toughness resistance roll). But
if you're fudging things to benefit the players, then you certainly
don't owe them Hero Dice for that, and you don't want to force
them to "pay" for it with their own Hero Dice either.
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a silver-tongued swashbuckler at the price that masterful
roleplaying can go unrewarded because of a poor die roll, or is it
better that the players' roleplaying always comes first with the
understanding that this makes interaction skills largely worthless?
You need to make sure that you find a method of resolving this
question that works well for your group. There are a few good
compromises to help get you started:
• Dice as the Cue: Before you start roleplaying out the
interaction, you make your appropriate skill check. If you roll
poorly, you should roleplay that result accordingly. For
example, should you roll a natural 1 on your Persuasion check
to talk your way out of arrest, you might accidentally commit a
social taboo, or just stutter unconvincingly. The dice determine
how you'll play out the scene, but they don't bar the opportunity
to roleplay. They're just a cue, much in the way that hitting or
missing on an attack would be in combat.
• Roleplaying as the Modifier: Another option is to use the
player's roleplaying of the situation to provide a circumstance
bonus or penalty to his or her roll. In this situation, you roleplay
out the interaction first. If it's a good job, you might give the
character a bonus to the check (with the modifier depending on
just how good of a job the player did, ranging from +2 for a
fairly convincing argument to a +10 for a near-perfect
proposal). Similarly, you might assign a small -2 penalty for a
poor argument, or a large -10 penalty for an attempt which
consists entirely of "I lie to the guard".
• We Don't Need No Steenking Social Skills!: You might also
decide that you'd rather not have the dice impact in social
interactions at all. In that case, your group may simply want to
remove the persuasion skill from the game. Or, going to an
even greater extreme, you might even want to remove the
whole Charisma ability, and instead assign the Art skill to
Intelligence and the Will resistance to Wisdom. In this style of
gameplay, the results of an interaction are entirely dependent
on how well the GM judges a player's roleplaying of an
argument to be. There remains a danger of the social aspects
of the game becoming "GM-May-I?", so be cautious in such an
extreme approach unless it's the direction your group prefers.
Common Mistakes
GMs can and will make mistakes. There's nothing mystic about
your title which makes you immune to human nature and fallibility.
However, a little preparation and forewarning can help you to avoid
making some of the more common mistakes which GMs can make.
The GM's Character (GMPC)
Although the wise, powerful guide is a common trope in fiction, it's
not often a fun one in practice. Players like being the heroes of the
story, and it's not fun when they have someone there to show them
up at every opportunity. Yes, the GM has the ability to always make
characters more powerful and more capable than the players do.
There's no challenge to it, and it threatens to steal the spotlight
from the players, whose characters are supposed to be the
protagonists anyway.
While it's certainly likely that the players won't be the most powerful
people in their particular world, or even the most powerful people
on their side, it's important to make sure that they're the ones who
get the spotlight. Having a pet character of your own might sound
like a fun idea, but it can all too easily become nothing but an
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annoyance for your players. You can still have powerful NPC allies
for your players, but be sure to always reaffirm who gets the
spotlight. Powerful NPCs might provide cover for the PCs to
accomplish their mission, or might just be unsuited to a task (while
the PCs are better suited for it). Or perhaps it's up to the PCs to
rescue the more powerful NPC!
So long as you keep it clear that the players' characters are the
focus of the game, then you won't have to worry about an NPC
becoming a GMPC.
Monty Haul Games
Named for the host of the long-running gameshow Let's Make a
Deal, a Monty Haul game is one of instant gratification, where the
players can get whatever they want with little or no work. For
example, every villain is an easy foe to triumph over, the heroes
never suffer any risk at real injury or defeat, and all their rewards
are far too big for the almost non-existent challenge.
The danger in this sort of game is that the players will quickly
become bored with a game in which they have no challenge, or in
which they get whatever they want without needing to work for it.
Half of the fun of the game is being able to cheer when
accomplishing something great for the first time, or overcoming a
real challenge even after taking some hard licks.
While you don't want to make it impossible for your players to
achieve anything, you also don't want to make it too easy either.
You've got to find that special balance between too hard and too
difficult which your group will keep coming back to the table for.
The Price of Failure
It's also important to have an understanding with your players as to
what might befall their characters should they be defeated. In some
genres of gameplay, such as Horror or Swords & Sorcery face the
very real threat of dying in any given encounter. In others, such as
a more light-hearted Comedy game or a Four-Color Comic Book
game, the only consequence of defeat might be getting knocked
out (or at worst, captured).
You need to be sure that you and your players know what's at stake
when they go into battle. If you expect to be able to run a scenario
where the characters are captured and the players think that every
fight is a battle to the death, then you're very likely to be out of luck.
Similarly, you need to be certain that the player's actions have
consequences. If they go around attacking the local authorities,
they're going to face reprisals. If they blow up a building filled with
innocent people, then they're likely to be outlaws (or even worse)
very soon. Players should have the freedom to do what they want,
but they also should be prepared to face the consequences of their
actions and choices.
Different Benchmarks
One of the more easily-avoidable disruptions to your game is when
the people at the table interpret the numbers on the character
sheets to mean entirely different things. For example, does a 5 in
Strength mean that a character is the strongest human in town?
The strongest in the country? The world?
You need to establish benchmarks with your players, so they know
what it means when someone has eight ranks in a skill or a five in
an ability score. The rules provide a few benchmarks throughout to
help you with this task, but if you need more, or if they don't fit your
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vision of what these benchmarks should be in your world, then you too-powerful item or character discovers that the source of that
need to establish ones that work for you. Sharing them with your power is evil and dangerous, and it needs to be purged or
players will help them understand how to fit their ideas into the destroyed for the good of all. This literally turns ridding the
framework of the world they'll be a part of without jarring world of the unbalancing aspect into a success for the
suspension of disbelief for anyone in the game. characters, and one they may even cheer when successful.
Being straight-forward with your players about your reasons for
using any of these methods for retroactively fixing a mistake is still
Fixing Mistakes the key, since it is the best way to get cooperation from the players
One of the most important lessons to learn about avoiding mistakes on fixing the mistake. And working together to make a game into a
is learning that no matter what, you will not be able to avoid all of great adventure is exactly what roleplaying games are all about.
them. Even the best GMs still do things which they'll regret, and
would like to take back if they could.
The first thing to do when you make a mistake is to own up to it. Tell Rewards
your players that giving them the all-powerful soul-sucking sword of
So your players have been great, and their characters have some
doom at PL 4 was a mistake, and that you want to correct is so that
awesome accomplishments under their belts. They've saved the
the game can be better for them. This is part of establishing trust
day, the world, the city, and just for good measure, the neighbor's
with your players, getting them to understand that in the end, you're
cat too. Now they've really earned a reward or two.
going to strive for fairness with them.
The question is, when should you reward them? After every
There are a few ways to go back and fix mistakes once they've
encounter? Every night? After the latest adventure has run its
been made:
course?
• A Wizard Did It: A fancy way of saying "I'm changing it for no There is no one right answer to this, just as there is no one type of
reason other than to keep the game moving" with a minimum of reward. Each individual type of reward needs its own take, and its
in-game justification. A magic reward the players had simply own approach. You need to find what works best.
vanishes into thin air. An ally who they had been fighting
alongside disappears in a puff of smoke. Rather than
investigate these strange happenings, the characters shrug,
write it off as "a wizard did it", and then continue on with the
game as if nothing happened.
• My Home Planet Needs Me: A slightly less-shaky way to
remove a disruptive element (usually a character or NPC) from
the game. The character suddenly announces a henceforth
unknown responsibility (such as rescuing his home planet,
even if nobody ever knew before that he was an alien) and
then runs off and vanishes, never to be seen again. For
disruptive items, this could also be something like "my rightful
owner needs me". This is slightly more in-character than simply
vanishing because "a wizard did it", but also probably not the
best way to go about doing it.
• The Retcon: Short for "retroactive continuity", a retcon refers
to something which has been going on (presumably for some
time) of which nobody had any knowledge, either in-character
or out-of-character. A retcon is also sometimes known as "Wait,
wait! I actually have an explanation this time!" In a way, "my
home planet needs me" is a painfully simple retcon. Most other
retcons go to greater lengths to make it seem as though the
retcon had been planned that way from the beginning. An
unbalanced magic sword is suddenly revealed to be the key
ingredient for a ritual the characters must complete to save the
day, and thus must be destroyed. A character who is too
powerful discovers that one of his problematic abilities is
starting to fade.
• Smash and Kill: Alternately, "Steal and Maim". A problematic
piece of gear is destroyed in the normal course of battle, or an
unbalanced character is slain, letting the dice fix the problem
neatly. If it happens during the course of battle, and the dice
designate it as the correct outcome, it seems less jarring to
many players (even if they're quite familiar with this tactic for
editing out mistakes themselves from other games). An
alternative to this, especially for gear, is to have a thief make
off with the troublesome item, which could even spark a whole
new adventure by itself.
• You Must Right this Wrong: A more-robust retcon, the far-

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Hero Dice
Probably the most common sort of reward, you can hand out hero
dice quite often. This is an important area for you to control the flow
of gameplay, by making the game easier or harder for the players
to control. The more hero dice you hand out, the easier the game
will be for the players, as their characters can use more stunts and
recover more quickly (or just more easily avoid) injuries. In short,
the more hero dice you award players, the more heroic and capable
they'll be. If you hand out fewer hero dice (or simply excise them
from your game altogether), then the game will be grittier, with the
players having fewer options during gameplay, and fewer chances
as well.
When it comes to hero dice, the players will provide you with ideas
and hooks for when it's appropriate to award hero dice. They'll
suggest complications for their characters, describe their natures,
and their backgrounds in general. You'll never be in short supply for
ideas, but it will still be up to you as to when you will bring those
complications up in-game for the players to earn their awards. This
is how you can control the number of hero dice which the players
will have access to.
For most games, you want to provide enough opportunities
throughout the game so that players are earning about one hero die
for each encounter throughout the adventure, which will give them
a healthy pool of hero points by the time the adventure's climax
arrives. You also want to make sure that, just as every character
should get roughly equal spotlight time, so too should their chances
to earn hero dice (especially through complications).
Character Points
How and when to award character points is another important
question. How you do it will determine in what ways characters will
grow. If you award a small number (one or two) at the end of each
session, then players are more likely to invest in lower-priced
abilities, such as feats or skill. If, on the other hand, you tend to
award more points at the end of a longer adventure arc (over the
course of multiple smaller adventures), then characters are more
likely to spend that bulk of points on more slowly-growing but
expensive abilities, like FX.
Players may choose to spend their character points as soon as
they get them, or save them up to increase their abilities later on
down the line. Both are absolutely fine. However, it's up to you as
the GM to award the character points in the first place, and you
should do so with the understanding that awarding more character
points is going to increase the versatility of each character more
and more. This isn't a bad thing, but it's something for which you
must be prepared.
At your option, you may also choose not to award character points
for a particular adventure. Maybe the characters failed at their
mission, or they decided to do something which conflicted with the
game's genre (such as superheroes acting more like supervillains).
You may also decide that they did particularly well, and thus
deserve a bigger character point award. If you decide to do this, it's
up to you to make sure the players understand why they received a
different award than normal. The better they understand how they'll
be rewarded, the better the players will understand what you as the
GM see as appropriate for the game as a whole.
Increasing Power Level
You also always have the option of increasing the game's power
level. As Chapter XI: Campaign Building explains in more detail,
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character points represent experience and versatility, while power
level represents overall potency and capability.
By increasing power level, you're allowing players to approach new
heights of potency and power. They'll be tougher, stronger, and
their abilities will be more all-around amazing. They'll be further
removed from threats and challenges which might be troublesome
for lower power level characters. At lower level, a thug with a gun
might be a serious threat to a character's very life. As a character
rises in power level, that thug with a gun will be less and less of a
threat, to the point where even the gun pointed right at a character
will be rightly scoffed at.
These rules suggest that the difference between different power
levels are about 15 character points. This is a fair guideline for most
games, but you don't need to follow it. It's perfectly valid for your
game to remain at the same power level all the way through, or to
only grow by two or three levels over the course of two years and
hundreds of character points worth of gameplay. You can keep the
game in your comfort zone indefinitely if you like. That's the beauty
of having two distinct type of character-building rewards: you can
pick and choose how to reward characters based on your view of
their growth, what they've earned, and what you're more
comfortable with running.
Other Rewards
But beyond awards which your players can use directly to improve
their characters, you're also able to reward them with benefits
which they will able to enjoy purely in-game.
Wealth
A classic reason for characters to go adventuring is for fabulous
riches. Treasure hunters of all sorts have long gone on great
adventures in search of wealth, from sunken ships to ancient
tombs. It's also still a huge motivation for characters in crime and
heist stories. Even truly good heroes might adventure to gain
wealth, if only so that they can use it for good or just donate it. And
it's a very easy reward for almost all players around the table to
understand. If you are using the optional Wealth rules, it's easy to
throw in the promise of a few more wealth dice for the players at
the end of an adventure if they manage to complete the job.
Especially after getting a wealth reward, it might be appropriate for
players to invest some of their character point reward into the
Benefit feat, to represent carefully investing their wealth, or just
learning to be better with money so that it isn't so "easy come, easy
go" and instead represents a more stable pool of capital which the
player can draw on in later adventures.
Gear
In fantasy games especially, a common interest for players is to be
constantly looking for the next powerful weapon or suit of magical
armor. In these games, while you should still require the players to
invest character points in these areas normally, the actual
acquisition of the new gear primarily comes when you decide it
does, and is often a reward for defeating a foe or reaching the
treasure room in a great maze.
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This is less true in modern or future games, where most gear is
technological, and thus is harder to justify being in the middle of a
maze or only available after killing a monster and taking it's stuff.
Sure, you might be able to rationalize it as a one-of-a-kind super-
science item, or a master-craft precision instrument, but it's much
harder to do than it is in fantasy games.
Fame and Honors
For some character, renown and popularity are the biggest
rewards. Indeed, in some genres of gameplay (especially games
involving high school-aged characters or celebrities), it may be the
most important reward. People will recognize the characters more
on the street, and the public will really come to look up to them.
For games which use Reputation, fame and honors are easily
tracked. Simply reward characters who grow in fame with additional
reputation dice. This allows them to use their newfound fame to
their advantage, and gives them the additional task of knowing
when they need to call in favors or use their reputations to further
their goals.
Creating the
Adventure
So you've got the players together, their characters are all ready for
the game, you know how to run the game, and every thing's going
great. Now it's time to actually get an adventure together for your
players.
Continuity
Even in the most episodic genres, there is still a certain amount of
continuity between adventures, even if that continuity exists only
thanks to the periodic growth of the characters' abilities. How much
continuity and flow of story matters for your game depends entirely
on how much your group likes to focus on the tale that's unfolding.
When you get ready to create a new adventure, you need to look at
where the players' characters are in relation to other possible
challenges in your world, and not just in terms of distance ("Oh,
there's the Cavern of the Wraith Lord just a mile away from them!
That'll do!"). Look at the flow of time too, and consider how other
events might be moving forward. Maybe the ambitious prince they
met months ago has made his move and is now king, so he's ready
to send the royal guardsmen after the meddling adventurers who
foiled his plans before. Or maybe the characters will be stuck out in
the wilderness on the night of the full moon, leaving them at the
mercy of some forsaken beast.
Things to consider while in this stage of planning:
• Where Are They?: What part of the world did the last
adventure leave the characters in? On a mystic island they just
saved from a fierce dragon? In a hidden city beneath the
surface of the moon? Still safely in their hometown? Think
about what could happen to them next in their current location,
or where they could go from there.
• Who Else is Near?: What allies or enemies (or new potential
friends and foes) are in the area? What are those NPCs
planning? Will the Godwin Gang risk crossing the Rio Grande
to help the characters as promised, or will the Rangers be
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enough of a threat that they'll break their word and leave the
PCs to rob the train on their own? Is the voodoo priest who
warned the PCs not to venture into the swamp be waiting for
them when they venture back out with his black magic? Did the
alien menace lurking in the belly of the ship really perish in the
fire? Consider who might come to help (or come to maim) the
characters next, what those friends and foes are working
towards themselves, or what they want, and how the
characters might fit into their plans.
• What Time is It?: Not just morning, noon, or night. Is it winter?
If so, maybe the characters will find themselves held up at the
airport as snow is dumped on the runway, leaving them
stranded with a terrorist who's threatened to blow up the whole
terminal. Or is it approaching the summer solstice, and the
characters have only three days before the dread serpent witch
sacrifices the blacksmith's apprentice to her dark gods? Or
maybe it's election time, and the heroes need to be on guard
against assassins seeking to kill a candidate who is unpopular
with the megacorporations? Think about what events are
coming up in your world which might catch the interest of the
players. Even something light and simple, like a Christmas
adventure or a beach trip, can be appropriate and fun for the
group.
You also want to consider what recent types of adventures you've
run. If it's been awhile since you've had a good chase, maybe it's
time for an exciting race through the twisting, narrow city streets. Or
if you just wrapped up your second murder mystery in a month,
maybe it's time to let the players just go splatter zombies for the
night. Then again, if the players are clamoring for yet another
mystery to solve, then so long as you can hack it, you shouldn't
hesitate to run your third (jinkies!).
Starting a New Adventure
So now you've got ideas percolating from where you left your
players last time. How do you get the adventure rolling?
The Recap
"Last time...". "Previously...". "When we last left our heroes...".
Sum things up for the group. Help them remember what they did
last time, and cue them as to what the mood was before everyone
left the table after the last game. This is a good way to help hint at
things that were important in previous games, which they should
focus on and remember for this one. It's also a good time to help
the players get into character by praising their accomplishments or
reminding them of their failures.
Keep this part of the game short, but be willing to answer
questions. This is the time when players are likely to ask last-
minute "Before we get started" questions, such as ideas for
spending character points or clarifications as to who a certain NPC
is.
Setting the Stage
The gameworld as it is before the adventure starts. The players
need to know where their characters are, and what NPCs are
around who they can interact with. In certain genres (especially
classic High Fantasy), it might be a time for the characters to go
shopping and buy new gear. Regardless, this is the first glimpse at
the world the PCs get in a given game session, so it's an excellent
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opportunity to set the stage for the adventure.
The Hook
Once the characters are immersed in the world, it's time to get
things rolling. Bring in the hook to draw your group into the
adventure you have planned.
Designing a good hook, though, is easier said than done. It has to
appeal not just to the players, but to their characters as well. The
promise of gold in a nearby cavern might not excite a hermit wizard,
but ancient tomes of knowledge might. And a group of ruthless
space pirates are unlikely to be moved by the plight of a stranded
ship of colonists who need to replace a part of their engine.
With that in mind, you should be willing to come up with alternative
hooks to get the characters interested. Know which characters (and
which players!) you can motivate with promises of gold or loot, and
which ones will be motivated to do it out of concern for others. Try
to get a feel for how much of a hook you'll need for certain kinds of
adventures. Your players might not need to know much more than
one of their favorite NPCs is in trouble to go charging off to the
rescue, but you might need to dangle a nice gold reward in front of
the party to get them interested in order to convince them to do
something they're less thrilled about.
The New Challenge
While or shortly after introducing the hook, you'll be exposing your
characters to the latest challenge they must face. In general, there
are two kinds of challenges: the kind which come seeking the
characters out, and the kind which the characters must venture out
to find.
The Menace
The first kind of adventure, where danger comes to them, is a
staple of more modern or futuristic genres, especially superheroes
(where some villain threatens the city every week) and space opera
(where alien invaders threaten the ship/homeworld often), though it
exists in all genres of gameplay (a rampaging goblin warband in a
fantasy game, a covert attack on headquarters in a military game, a
new gang riding into town in a western game, etc.). The characters
don't need to do anything themselves: so long as they remain in
position, the new menace will show up and cause problems for
them, problems which they'll naturally need to fix if they want to
maintain the status quo.
Since the menace is often intruding, the menace will rarely bring
with it an adventure site. Rather, the menace and the characters
will be on roughly equal footing (except when the menace tries to
attack the characters' base of operations, in which case the players'
characters likely have the advantage). Keep this in mind when
building battlefield zones and try to leave the battlefield open
enough that both sides can take relatively equal advantage of zone
areas if they try.
The other thing to keep in mind with the menace is that victory is
almost more likely to be achieved by driving off the menace than it
is to wipe the menace out. Most intelligent menaces will retreat if
they find more resistance than they expected, and even bestial
menaces will run from unexpected pain. This may indeed lead to
the characters chasing down the menace as part of a brand new
quest (see below) to end its threat once and for all.
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The Quest
In the second kind of adventure, the characters go out to seek
danger (whether to defeat that danger or for potential reward). For
years, this all but defined most fantasy genres, where the heroes
ventured forth into dark dungeons in search of riches, and is still
very much a staple of that genre. It is still seen in practically every
genre too (including soldiers being sent to another country on a
search and destroy mission, a spaceship's crew landing on an
uncharted planet to see if it's suitable for colonization, or occult
investigators going globe-hoping in search of some ancient artifact
to prevent the coming doom). In this scenario, unless the
characters are motivated to venture forth and complete the
adventure, the adventure may well never happen (though its
consequences might).
With the quest, it'll most often be the characters who are intruding,
and will encounter foes more likely than not to be in their element,
and thus even more of a threat. Traps and security systems are
common features of this genre, especially when quests include
infiltrating ancient temples or inhabited military complexes. It will
likely be the enemy who has the environmental advantage, using
zones against the characters to great effect (though you shouldn't
expect the characters to ignore the environment either).
Unlike menaces who come seeking out trouble, foes who the
heroes will encounter on a quest are likely to be in their home, or at
least their base of operations, and may fight fiercely to defend it
from intruders. Wiping the enemy out (or at least capturing them)
becomes more important and likely in this type of adventure. Some
foes might flee (whether just down the hall to hide and recover from
injuries, or to blast off in an escape pod to live to fight another day),
but not as often as a wandering menace might.
The Flow of the Adventure
Once the adventure is under way and the players have taken the
hook, the rest of the adventure will call into practice all of the GMing
skills you've developed so far. You need to arrange encounters in
such a way that players will have plenty of room to exercise their
discretion and planning to proceed through the adventure in the
way they want to, without feeling like they're locked on a railroad for
the duration of the adventure.
It's a tough balance. You don't want to go in with no idea of how the
adventure will progress, but you also don't want to force the heroes
to follow one pre-determined path.
Usually the best compromise is to allow for multiple different paths
to reach any given encounter, and to accept that some of the
encounters might never come up, depending on which path the
characters take. Also consider making encounters in which the
location is less important fluid enough that they can happen in
multiple different areas. For example, if the characters in a horror
game are exploring an old farm house where the family
mysteriously went missing, you might have plans for an encounter
where all the tools in the barn suddenly come to life to attack the
heroes. But if the heroes avoid the barn and go to the kitchen
instead, maybe the kitchen utensils can come to life instead! Same
encounter, different environment.
The Encounters
Generally speaking, there are three reasons for including a given
encounter in an adventure:
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1. The encounter furthers the adventure's plot, providing an

opportunity for the characters to learn more about their
challenge and to move closer to overcoming it.
2. The encounter serves to flesh out the world itself, whether by
providing insight into some outside NPC, event, or group, or by
giving the characters themselves some time in the spotlight.
3. The encounter is what the game needs to be fun.
Naturally, the best encounters incorporate all three elements to
varying degrees. A great encounter will let the players have a good
time, learn more about the world they're adventuring in, more about
one another's characters, and move closer to completing the
current adventure.
Guidelines for creating individual encounters can be found in
Chapter XII: Stock Characters. Within the context of the adventure
itself, though, it's up to you. How will the adventure progress? Will
the characters encounter greater and greater threats until they fight
a final climactic battle with the enemy leader? Or will they be dealt
a crushing blow right from the start and forced to spend the rest of
the adventure catching up with the enemy?
Regardless of your choice, there are a few basic tropes to keep in
mind when laying out encounters:

New Enemies Are Stronger Than Old

Enemies
Put another way, an enemy (or a type of enemy) that you've never
fought before is more likely to be a threat than one you've fought
before a half-dozen times. To that end, an easy trick which a GM
can use is to use creatures which would normally be minions in the
adventure as normal NPC enemies the first time the players
encounter them. New enemies should be big and bad and scary,
even if later in the adventure, the PCs are going to be splattering
them left and right.

Encounter Difficulty Increases as the

Adventure Progresses
While the individual enemies may not be any stronger in
subsequent encounters (especially the ones who have been
relegated to minion status after their first appearance), the overall
difficulty of encounters generally increases steadily as the
adventure goes on. That's not to say that there won't be outliers in
difficulty in the game (such as an encounter with a lone hit-man late
in an adventure). The idea is to build towards a big climax in the
final encounter of the adventure, making each encounter more and
more trying, and each one more and more exciting.
Unfold the Plot Slowly
The players don't get to learn the whole story behind the adventure
right away. However, each encounter and each scene, the
characters should find out a little more about what's going on. They
might learn another piece of the villain's plot to destroy the city, or
the reason the orcs are raiding villages in the valley, or why the
alien temple was really built in the first place. Let them learn it bit by
bit, step by step. And most importantly, listen to their speculations
and thoughts on the story so far. Who knows? They might come up
with something even better than what you had planned, and you
can steal it for yourself and claim that you had been planning it all
along!
Connecting the Encounters
While each encounter you create might be exciting, you also need
to be sure that the encounters connect to each other logically. One
encounter needs to flow into the next, providing a way for the
characters to know how to progress.
One good way to decide on how to connect different encounters is
to look at it through the eyes of the enemy, and the enemy's plan.
How will the enemy have things arranged? What's the goal? And
more importantly, how will the characters try to disrupt it. Figure this
out, and you'll have a good idea for how to lay out and connect the
different encounters of the adventure.
Another good way to look at it is from the layout of the adventure
area. Especially for site-based quests, the characters might need to
explore an entire maze, going from room to room, before they can
finish the adventure, so the adventure site itself literally connects
the encounters for you. Indeed, there's a reason that the first
roleplaying games used labyrinthine dungeons and caverns as their
primary (if not exclusive) adventuring sites!
The Climax
As you approach the end of the adventure, you want the

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encounters to lead to an exciting climax, in which the players finally
finish the adventure and learn the whole story behind it, often while
fighting the most exciting battle in the adventure. This might be the
fight with the mastermind behind the adventure, the dragon in the
depths of the cavern, or the showdown with the king of space
pirates. The climax has to be big, and it has to be enough of a
challenge to make the players sweat. This will likely be the one
where the biggest opponent of all is accompanied by a squad of
elite warriors and a few teams of weaker minions. The environment
will probably be at its most important in this fight, and things will
likely get hairy pretty quickly for the characters if they're not careful.
This is the time when the PCs' actions will decide the difference
between victory and defeat, if the bad guys will win, or if the
characters will save the day. Be sure to emphasize this to the
players by reiterating that everything comes down to this encounter,
and that they need to be on the top of their game to win.
The Finishing Touches
When the climax is complete, and the adventure is coming to a
close, it's time to give the characters their well-earned rewards.
Start with the in-game ones, especially any loot they might find after
the climax (such as the dragon's hoard of gold). Give the players a
little bit of time to rest on their laurels and enjoy their victory.
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This is also the time to start preparing things for the next adventure,
dropping hints or clues as to what's coming. You might have
characters find an ancient, crinkled map in the pocket of the villain,
or overhear the codename to some insidious operation that's
coming. Whatever it is, it lets them know that while this adventure is
over, there's still more to come.
And of course, you want to use this time to tie up any other loose
ends. The bad guys who the characters didn't defeat might have
run away, or the medicine they recovered will be what's needed to
heal their sick friend. This is when the characters get a little bit of
extra incentive, whether from new adventure hooks, or from the
pride of seeing their important mission accomplished.
The Cliffhanger
And if you really want to make sure that the players come back
hungry for more, you want to learn how to end the adventure on a
high note, with a reveal that gets everyone excited for the next
game. A good cliffhanger gives the players a glimpse at something
awesome and shocking, a scene which they're eager to take part
in. It gets them really pumped up for the next adventure, and helps
give them something really memorable to keep in mind until the
next game session.
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Chapter XI: Campaign

Building

"What makes a world?"
It's a deceptively simple question, and the answer is different for
every game and every group and every GM out there. For some, a
world is nothing more than the rooms of a quickly-sketched
dungeon. For others, it's a single mighty city, beyond which lies
boredom. For others, it could be a vast and richly-detailed planet.
And for still others, it could be countless worlds of adventure, tied
together by starships or warp portals or any other fantastic form of
transportation.
Campaign Era
What time period you set your game in (or which time period's
stylings you drape your game in) will tell you a lot about what sort of
life characters will lead, and what sort of technology the characters
will have access to. A game set during Medieval times will have
some serious differences than one set in the Industrial Age, for
example.

In its purest form, a world in an RPG is an imaginary location (or

Stone Age
series of locations, which may or may not have actual analogues in
real life) controlled by the GM with which the players' characters
can interact. The series of interactions which the players'
characters have within this world is known as a campaign (a term The stone age was the beginning of humanity's use of technology
which dates back to the early days of roleplaying, when concepts and tools for the first time. While tool use has appeared in other
were still being modified from the wargames of the time into the animals (especially among the great apes), the widespread use of
playstyle we know today). tools (including bone needles for sewing, simple stone blades for
cutting meat and hide, and weapons for hunting) defines the
But what makes for a good world, and a good campaign? And what beginning of the stone age for mankind. Anatomically modern
makes a merely good world into a great one? That's the question humans were dominant during the stone age, having out-competed
which this chapter seeks to answer. You'll be guided step-by-step other hominids and successfully migrated out of Africa and across
through the process of building a world, and how to use that world the planet. Thanks to the development of a bipedal posture in their
to play host to all the fantastic adventures in your campaign. You'll evolutionary history, humans freed up their hands, only to fill them
have all the tools you need to build exactly what you want. once again with tools during the stone age.
Tools during the stone age were very simple and fragile, relying on
constant honing to maintain an edge on a simple stone hand-axe,
TABLE 11.1: CAMPAIGN ERA for example. The tools were most often carefully-shaped rocks,
Technology Level Time Period relying on chiseling to achieve the desired shape. Stone weapons
and tools helped greatly in humanity's early role in hunter-gatherer
Past Stone Age 10,000 BC - 3,500 BC
societies, where the ability to successfully hunt and kill large game
Classical 3,500 BC - 500 AD helped increase the protein intake of early humans, further
Medieval 500 AD - 1400 AD promoting health and brain development. This wasn't humanity's
Renaissance 1400 AD - 1800 AD only source of tools, though, as they often used animal hide (for
clothing, etc.), bones, and ligaments. However, not all tools were
Industrial Age 1800 AD - 1950 AD difficult to shape: pottery was coming into widespread use, shaping
Modern Information Age 1950 AD - 2050 AD and then baking clay to produce vessels of a desired size and
Fusion Age 2050 AD - 2200 AD shape.
Gravity Age 2200 AD - 2500 AD The next great leap forward was the move of humanity from a
Energy Age 2500 AD - 3000 AD nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a settled, farming lifestyle,
made possible by the advents of farming and domestication.
Future Cosmic Age 3000 AD - Beyond Essentially, by taking the prey that humans once hunted and the
flora they once gathered and learning how to raise them, human
beings were able to abandon the nomadic lifestyle and build the

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first cities. Further, the ability for a few farmers to create a food-
base for an entire society spurred further advances by freeing up
many members of the society to pursue other tasks (essentially
allowing for specialization unheard of before the advent of farming).
This opened the doors for the development of trade later.
Art began to arise during this era as well, as the first humans began
painting on walls and creating jewelery. Humans began to concern
themselves with not just the utility of objects, but also their aesthetic
qualities. Further, humans began to consider abstract concepts,
such as religion, in an attempt to explain their activities. Ancient
human epics (including the ur-story of Gilgamesh) tend to personify
natural phenomenon to give them motive, which early humans
could understand (such as blaming a poor growing season on a
malevolent spirit or deity). The concept of an afterlife began very,
very early in the stone age, as evidenced by prepared burials (also
seen among Neanderthals).
A game set during the stone age will likely be concerned with
simple tasks, like survival. Characters will have a very rustic
lifestyle, and acquiring goods will often be very challenging,
requiring a huge effort and teamwork from the party to accomplish
something as simple as getting a meal. Establishing and
maintaining territory against rival humans or even wild beasts is
essential in these games.
A stone age era also is appropriate for post-apocalyptic games,
where society has mostly broken down, and technology starts to
fail. In such a variant, technology might still exist (such as old
internal combustion engines or forges still working), but
understanding of the technology may have faded. No new
technology is being created, and being able to repair old technology
is far beyond the capabilities of remaining humans. This type of
setting might be more accurately referred to as "going back to the
stone age".
Key Developments
• Domestication & Farming
• Pottery
• Tools
Classical Age
The Classical Age was the time of the first great empires, which
were made possible by the development of strong metal tools
thanks to the development of bronze-working (and later iron-
working). Armed with stronger weapons and armor, bronze axes
and curved bronze swords were the superweapons of their day,
allowing an army equipped with such weapons a considerable
advantage over under-equipped armies. But beyond their utility as
weapons, bronze (and later iron) tools were simply better suited to
farming, allowing greater concentrations of people to exist together
in a small area, which led to the advent of urbanization (and the
city-states themselves made for tempting targets for would-be
warlords armed with bronze and later iron weapons). PCs during
this age are likely to find their first instances of iron and bronze
weapons (which can be represented as their steel counterparts with
a -1 and -2 penalty to toughness, respectively). Iron and bronze
armor will similarly be limited in effectiveness.
The concentration of society into cities began to spur the
development of a more organized and sophisticated set of trade
routes, especially in the burgeoning societies around the Aegean
Sea. In the near east, the earliest forms of writing began as what
amounted to an invoice from one tradesman to another. With the
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first instances of writing during the Bronze Age came written
historical records. This serves as the dividing line between "history"
and what is colloquially known as "prehistory". Literacy, especially
among the lower classes in these societies, was extremely rare.
You might consider having PCs during such an era need to spend
character points to become literate, but from an ease of play
perspective, having illiterate characters leads to frustration when
the group is used to modern assumptions (such as being able to
read a map or a note).
The growth of trade in the Aegean (and later the Mediterranean as
a whole) helped to cultivate some of the world's first great powers,
such as the Persian Empire, the Greek City-States (unified briefly
by Alexander of Macedonia), and later Rome. These powers went
on to establish trade routes and build roads that would be used two
thousand years later. The Roman aqueducts and sewers served for
the explosive growth of their cities, as large concentrations could
still obtain clean water and clear their waste away safely and
quickly. Continuing improvement in technology and expansion of
trade routes led to steadily-increasing standards of living. Men and
women in wealthier cities could find luxuries like hot and cold
running water. For the first time, PCs can be expected to travel from
one city to another along roads, and to find a reasonably
comfortable life at either end in the cities. They'll also be able to
purchase goods with coins, not barter, and will be able to sail to
lands explored almost exclusively because of the explosive growth
of trade.
Key Developments
• Metalworking & Metallurgy
• Trade
• Writing
Medieval Age
Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Western Europe began to
reorganize itself, first around empires like the one built by the
Carolingians, and then in the smaller feudal states, and later in the
first period of true urbanization in the northern parts of Europe.
Much of the knowledge from the Classical Age was preserved in
the Byzantine Empire and in the expanding Muslim territories in the
Middle East and North Africa. It was essentially a time when secular
leaders and church leaders struggled for power in the post-Roman
Europe, and while secular heads of state made important gains
during this era, the power of the church would remain strong,
though nascent nation-states began to develop across Europe.
With the loss of many Roman roads to disrepair and banditry, travel
once again became a very difficult and dangerous notion. Under
feudalism, most serfs never left their homes (or at least never went
very far if they did). People tended to live sedentary lives, bound to
their land by their feudal obligations to their lords. Even at home,
people lived with the threat of attack from bandits, or for coastal
communities, Vikings. Their lives also tended to be slightly worse
off than their counterparts during the Classical Era, as many of the
technologies of convenience available in Rome failed to find their
way to many areas of Northern Europe during the Medieval Age.
Disease was also common (including the Black Plague), due in
large part to lack of proper sanitation. In fact, one of the reasons
beer, wine and liquor became so important across Europe during
the Medieval Age: since clean water was largely unavailable,
alcohol (which had been boiled as a part of fermentation) would be
much safer to drink.
The urbanization of Europe, fueled by the trade routes opened by
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the Crusades (see below), was crowned with towering cathedrals
and castles built in the Romanesque and later Gothic styles. The
Gothic style in particular made use of great vaulted ceilings to open
up the inside of structures and make the walls thinner than possible
(also supported by flying buttresses). Some of the most beautiful
and magnificent structures in Europe were built during this time,
including Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
Militarily, the Medieval Age was defined by the consolidation of
power of kings and of nation-states, as more and more powerful
lords began to use their growing wealth to hire professional armies.
European armies also found themselves thrown east into five
Crusades. Although the Crusaders were unsuccessful in
conquering Jerusalem, they did succeed in revitalizing trade
throughout Europe and with the east. The trade routes across the
Mediterranean (made possible thanks to improvements in
navigation including the astrolabe and the compass) brought to
Europe technology and classical knowledge which would change
the course of Western history, including gunpowder and luxury
goods from China and the preserved texts of classical scholars like
Aristotle and Plato from the Middle East. This was the time of
knights on horseback wearing chainmail and wielding broadswords,
common tropes for fantasy games.
Key Developments
• Architecture (Romanesque, Gothic)
• Nation-States
• Navigation (Astrolabe, Compass)
Renaissance
Following the influx of trade from the east after the Crusades,
Southern Europe (and later Northern Europe) saw a cultural revival.
The growing middle-class in Europe's new towns and cities with the
disposable income and time invested in studying Classical scholarly
pieces. Art inspired by by classical styles became increasingly
popular, especially in the Italian Renaissance, where artists like
Michaelangelo created some of the finest art of all times.
The knowledge of the Renaissance was propagated thanks to the
invention of the printing press in Germany. Coupled with the
movement within the Protestant Reformation to translate the Bible
into regional languages and the humanist leanings of the Northern
Renaissance, literacy began to spread more rapidly throughout
Europe during this era. It was during this spread of knowledge and
literacy that major steps forward were taking in science. The
scientific method was first formalized during this time, and modern
physics was born with increasingly-accurate studies of the
movement of the planets.
Splits within the monolithic base of the Church in Europe helped to
further spur the development of strong, independent nation-states
with individual nationalist identities. The luxuries of everyday life
from the Classical Age began to return to common people, thanks
in large part to the humanistic pushes of the Northern Renaissance.
Peoples' lives began improving, and soon they began to think of
themselves in nationalistic terms. And these nationalistic leanings
encouraged the further growth of trade and exploration, and later
the colonization of new lands.
Plate armor rose to prominence during this era, and fell out of favor
on the battlefield with the rise of gunpowder weapons. Firearms
began to see widespread use during this era for the first time, and
were in many ways crucial to colonization efforts during the age, as
guns and steel gave Europeans a serious edge over the indigenous
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peoples of the Americas and other lands. Trade routes began to
circle the world, with Europe at the center, and the main beneficiary,
as the European states arose as the superpowers of the world,
dominating first the Mediterranean and soon much of the world.
These colonization attempts made under the mercantile system
would pave the way for the imperialism which was so important
during the Industrial Age.
Key Developments
• Firearms
• Printing Press
• Scientific Method
Industrial Age
As technology pressed forward, techniques learned during
Medieval and Renaissance eras in water- and wind-mills for the
processing of grain were put to use on greater and greater scales
for manufacturing purposes. Raw materials were coming in from
materials all over the world, and the first attempt to make full use of
them was in the textile manufacturing sector, as great looms
worked by dozens of women allowed businessmen to produce far
greater quantities of linen than ever before. It was a time of great
wealth and great plenty, at least for those in the markets served by
the growing industrial base. Manufacturing jobs became the norm
for low-class families, which at the height of the Industrial Age
employed men, women, and children alike. This base of unskilled
labor was often taken advantage of by the wealthier owners of the
manufacturing base, and it was these laborers who became the
basis of the labor movement at the end of the Industrial Age.
Firearm technology advanced rapidly during this time, fueled by
upheaval after upheaval and war after war. From single shot
muskets and rifles to breach-loading rifles and six-shooters to full-
fledged automatic weapons, firearms quickly became not just the
mainstay of battlefields, but also the dominant force by far. Artillery
developed to the point where bombardments were essential to
battle by World War I. Weapons technology advanced by leaps and
bounds throughout the era, to the point where the close of the era
left the world with the predecessors of truly modern firearms. This
was also the era when mankind began using steam power to travel
the world in river ships, railroads, and soon ocean steamships and
even planes and zeppelins.
These transportation technologies served to help "shrink" the world,
by allowing people to travel more quickly and reliably than ever
before, making possible the intertwining trade routes and military
supply lines that were essential to the imperialism of the day. The
need to find new colonies as sources of raw materials, strategic
bases against other world powers, and even as markets for excess
goods (though mercantilism had fallen out of favor by the time the
Industrial Age was in full-swing). Armies sailed around the world to
stake their claims, creating worldwide empires that would last
throughout the age.
By the close of the Industrial Age, manufacturing was turned
heavily towards the production of consumer goods, vastly
improving the quality of life of ordinary men and women during this
era. Families began to push out to comfortable homes, and their
growing wealth served to further fuel the growth of a consumer-
oriented manufacturing base. Characters during this era are finally
able to start to buy mass-manufactured luxury items, including early
electronics like phonographs and radios.
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Key Developments
• Flight
• Manufacturing
• Steam Power
Information Age
By the Information Age, the comforts and standard of living first
seen during the Industrial Age have improved, but the key
difference has been in the speed with which information travels. All
people have the ability to broadcast information from just about
anywhere, as telephones (and later on, mobile phones). This is also
the age in which the Internet becomes ubiquitous, and the media
becomes highly decentralized, and anyone can access (or transmit)
information about almost everything from everywhere.
Telecommunications are instantaneous, and the only limiting factor
becomes the ability to physically transport goods and people.
Barriers begin to come down, and the ability to digitize everything
from books to music to video places new value on data. Traditional
services, such as shopping and banking, began to move into the
digital world.
For adventurers, this instant communication is a huge boon. Rapid
access to data and information on ever-smaller computing
platforms. The earliest Internet-capable computers available to the
average consumer were full-size desktop personal computers.
Since then, the technology to access the Internet shrunk to the
point where almost all mobile phones were web-capable, enabling
adventurers instant-access to features like GPS anywhere in the
world.
In terms of weaponry, firearms remain similar to those which arose
at the end of the Industrial Age, though the perfection of automatic
fire weapons has enabled automatic weapons such as submachine
guns and assault rifles to become the weapons of choice for
military groups. Ground warfare has come to benefit from
information-gathering devices and imaging technology, but the
largest improvements have come in the form of "smart" weaponry,
missiles and bombs which can literally be shot down a chimney.
Because of the huge cost of such improvements, warfare becomes
increasingly lopsided, as advanced weaponry forces smaller and
less-funded forces to go underground and resort to guerrilla warfare
and terrorism to combat a vastly superior military force. While such
powerful weapons rarely fall into the hands of private citizens (and
indeed are heavily restricted in most countries), they could prove
extremely useful for any adventuring characters who could get their
hands on them.
The first early flight from the Industrial Age progresses at the
beginning of the Information Age to exploratory space flight (usually
unmanned) of the solar system. It also opens the doors for the
satellites which allow for the near-instant worldwide
telecommunications of the Information Age. Energy and propulsion
systems are still too primitive to allow for truly commercial or wide-
scale ventures into space.
Science continues to push forward, and it is during this time that the
human genome is first sequenced. The success of pharmaceutical
companies in finding and manufacturing treatments for countless
diseases and conditions has helped to extend the life-expectancy of
people all over the world (combating increasingly-sedentary
populations susceptible to obesity). Increasing understanding of
human genetics and development leads to novel treatments for
previously debilitating diseases by literally allowing doctors to grow
new tissue for their patients, which are complimented by ever-
improving artificial organs. And while environmentalism arises
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during this era, the affects of human activity on the planet prove to
be a challenge for humans for many years.
Towards the end of the Information Age, humanity is forced to find
alternatives to the fossil fuels which fed the Industrial revolution,
encouraging scientists to look into new fuel models which helps
move the world into the next great era.
Key Developments
• Early Genetic Manipulation and Artificial Organs
• Smart Weaponry
• World-Wide Telecommunications
Fusion Age
With the dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, humanity is forced to
look elsewhere for its energy needs. Early pushes in this direction
during the late Information Age came in the form of expansion into
bio-fuels, including plant- and algal-derived fuel sources. Advances
in engineering make it possible for the first time to rely on nuclear
fusion (as opposed to nuclear fission) as a sustainable source of
clean energy. These cleaner energies allow for the continued
development and mobilization of electronics which was sparked in
the Information Age with reduced environmental impact.
Decentralization of data and programs, moving them from individual
computers into "the cloud" forces traditional telecommunications
companies to switch gears from providing the service directly to
supporting the service as content providers, joining forces with the
media moguls of old to maintain their viability in the new market.
These advances in computing allow for ever-more impressive feats
in the fields of science, including the development of truly practical
proteonomic algorithms, which allow doctors to literally tailor a
medication to a patient to absolutely minimize side-affects. Coupled
with the ever-improving tissue therapies from the Information Age,
these medical advances push the average human lifespan up ever
higher each and every year. It is during the Fusion Age that the
average human lifespan reaches over 100 years, and that the
elderly enjoy lives with minimized consequences of aging.
Advances in nanotechnology further not just human health, but also
unprecedented flexibility and freedom in mobilization of computing
technology.
But the most impressive feats in science and technology come in
the form of the first near-Earth sustainable communities, propelled
into space on ever-more advanced and commercially-viable
spacecraft. The first such communities during this age are almost
exclusively orbital space stations designed to act as highly-
specialized orbiting manufacturing plants, which take advantage of
the zero gravity environment to produce some of the more delicate
and advanced materials needed to sustain the Fusion Age's
growth, including the more advanced nanotechnology impossible to
build in environments with gravitational pull. While near-Earth
space-flight is increasingly viable, it is still more economical for
workers in zero-gravity sectors to live full-time on the stations
(where simple centrifugal forces are used to simulate gravity
outside of the zero-gravity manufacturing areas). The sustainability
of manufacturing becomes even more attractive to companies with
high-efficiency solar panels (highly effective in space with no
atmosphere to disrupt the harvest of sunlight) which can render
space stations energy-independent almost instantly.
In the area of warfare, the trend in most weaponry on conventional
battlefields continues to be towards unmanned weapons systems,
such as remote-controlled planes and rovers which can enter
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hostile areas and neutralize targets with minimal risk to the human
operator. Improvements in unmanned weapons systems are fueled
by ever-increasing sophistication of decision-making in artificial
intelligence systems. Traditional firearms continue to be the
weapon of choice for sheer practicality, though mounted weapon
systems (made possible by ever-improving power sources) begin to
utilize first high-energy kinetic weapons (such as railguns) and later
beam weapons, allowing for previously-unheard of degrees of
accuracy. Miniaturization and power restraints still prevent such
weapons from being practical for man-sized weapons, but the first
powered exo-armor moves from utility purposes to battlefield
purposes, making the prospect almost viable by the end of the age.
Key Developments
• Fusion Energy
• Nanotechnology
• Near-Earth Habitation
Gravity Age
The Gravity Age is heralded by unprecedented advances in field
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and quantum physics. The first firm understandings of how gravity
behaves at quantum levels confirms the existence of gravitons,
which can be generated by accelerating masses to relativistic
speeds. For the first time in human history, control of gravity is
possible. The earliest gravity pumps are huge particle accelerators
which divert the generated gravitons in a desired direction to cause
fluctuations in time-space. Miniaturization allows for gravatic pumps
to become gravatic induction drives in spacecraft, allowing for
powerful bursts of acceleration by projecting gravitons forward as
the spacecraft "slides" down the induced gravity well. As
miniaturization of the technology improves, gravity pumps find use
in escaping gravity in planetary environments and for generating it
in extraplanetary ones. Gravity pumps become essential in
overcoming the engineering limitations of building space ships
reliant on centrifugal forces to maintain artificial gravity for
passengers.
Most importantly, gravatic induction drives allow for truly
interplanetary travel, making colonization of near-Earth bodies
(such as the Moon and Mars) feasible. The moon shares many of
the advantages that orbital space stations do in terms of energy
capture from solar sources coupled with the availability of materials
for construction which could be harvested from beneath the surface
of the Moon and Mars. Initial colonization of the Moon in particular
is only viable thanks to gravity pumps, which enable colonists some
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degree of protection from meteor bombardment.
While gravatic induction drives allow for effective travel throughout
the solar system, interstellar travel is still impossible, and travel
beyond the asteroid belt simply doesn't seem practical, as
colonization and harvesting of the bodies of the outer solar system
is still unattractive.
The miniaturization of power sources that allows for smaller and
smaller gravity pumps also allows beam weapons systems
previously restricted to being mounted on vehicles to be moved
onto the now-common powered armor systems issued to soldiers.
Projectiles have fallen out of favor, instead replaced by energy
weapons which promise increased accuracy from the loss of recoil
and the near-instant delivery of the beam's energy to the target.
Early beam weapons require bulky power packs, but more
advanced models only require such packs for periodic recharging.
Key Developments
• Beam weaponry
• Extra-Earth Colonization
• Gravity Pumps
Energy Age
As gravity pumps became ubiquitous, a new energy source to
supplement (and later replace) fusion technology arises from
advanced understanding of piezoelectricity and zero-point energy.
Piezoelectric principles allow for the mechanical distortion of matter
(like quartz crystal) to generate an electric field. By the advent of
the energy age, nano-level manufacturing is finally sophisticated
enough to literally weave piezoelectric fibers into materials
everywhere. Mankind becomes capable of generating energy with
every step they take, and every surface becomes an energy
generator, capturing power from footsteps, sound vibrations, and
even the infinitesimal distortion of a surface being impacted by
photons. This further improves the efficiency of gravity pumps,
allowing the distortions of matter caused by graviton projections to
be harvested. Energy waste and loss is reduced to almost nothing.
This newfound and previously impossible energy efficiency is made
all the more potent thanks to the ability to harness zero-point
energy, letting humans literally produce energy from nothing. No
longer is humanity limited by concerns of energy. Without such
energy constraints, computing efficiency and power finally becomes
high enough to allow truly sentient artificial intelligence. These
systems are able to help push science even further.
One such beneficiary of this enhanced computing is in advanced
biology. Now able to literally design proteins and DNA sequences
with exacting precision, humanity is able to custom-design entirely
novel organisms for just about any environment. Using such
technology, humans are able to begin the terraforming of worlds,
making them suitable for human life outside of enclosed colonies.
The Moon and Mars are the first such areas to be terraformed into
habitable worlds, but soon moons of the gas giants in the outer
solar system are made habitable. Thanks to the near-limitless
supply of energy available in this age, even worlds distant from the
sun can be heated to habitable temperatures. By the end of the
Energy Age, most of the solar system has been colonized by
human beings. The first spaceflight at relativistic speeds allows
humans their first travel across interstellar distances, though
sublight travel is still too slow to be suitable for much more than
small expeditions. It will take another leap forward to allow for
humanity to expand beyond the solar system in earnest.
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Beam weapons become even more ubiquitous during this era, with
the energy to generate more and more powerful blasts becoming
even more readily available. These improvements in power also
allow for concussive melee weaponry, which uses incredibly small
gravity pumps to multiply the force of impact manifold. Armor and
energy fields which are increasingly resistant to beam weaponry
remains vulnerable to high-impact concussive weapons.
Key Developments
• Terraforming
• Sentient Artificial Intelligence
• Zero-Point Energy
Cosmic Age
The ability to transverse interstellar distances with ease propels
humanity out of the solar system and into the universe at large. In
just a thousand years, humans went from simple wood-and-canvas
planes with wooden propellers to being able to travel to distant
corners of the galaxy with ease. The secret to humanity's
emergence into interstellar travel lay in the answer to the unified
field equations, allowing human spacecraft to generate worm holes
in space and travel far faster than the speed of light. The earliest
wormholes are created by linked series of rings in space between
the planets within the solar system, allowing for near-instant
transportation between two worlds within the solar system. Later
expeditions to other star systems were made to construct new
gates of this type, rapidly opening up new star systems to
terraforming and colonization.
Once humanity is able to build ring gates linked by wormholes, they
become capable of slowly (but surely) spreading out across the
galaxy, using construction crews sent at relativistic speeds to
nearby star systems as an advanced party to build new ring gates
to link to settled systems. The next great leap forward comes when
humanity is able to generate wormholes in space between two
points with the use of ring gates, allowing instant transportation
between distant star systems with ease. Now an entire galaxy lies
open to human exploration and inquiry, and without conventional
limitations on energy or travel, all that remains is the ability to
harvest resources from new worlds, which a rapidly-expanding
human race has always proven skilled at.
During this age, technology becomes advanced enough that it is
nearly magical, allowing nearly anything. With the development of
molecular assembly from advances in nanotechnology, humankind
has the ability to create the first "Santa Claus Machines", which are
able to break matter down to its constituent subatomic particles,
and them reassemble them into just about any chemical structure
desired. More advanced models can also assemble the created
materials into just about anything on the spot. Anything the owner
desires can be created. The Cosmic Age is marked by plenty.
Key Developments
• Molecular assembly
• Ring gates
Campaign Feel
Not quite the same thing as Realism, a campaign's feel determines
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just how pleasant (or unpleasant!) day-to-day life is for a world's
inhabitants. Do characters get up in the morning, see a bright blue
sky with birds singing and all the inhabitants of their hometown
tipping their hats and saying, "howdy, neighbor"? Or do they pull
themselves out of the gutter under an overcast sky and spend the
day dodging bullets while digging around for breakfast?
A campaign's feel informs you on what sort of encounters the
players' characters will have, what sort of lives they will lead, and
what sort of direction their world is going in.
Utopian
A Utopian setting is an idealistic, relentlessly-perfect world where
conflict and danger are rare. The term was first used by Sir Thomas
Moore to describe a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean with what
Moore conceived to be the ideal socio-politico-economic system,
but it has since become synonymous with an ideal society. The PCs
will at best be worshiped a great heroes and at worst be regarded
as useless in their perfect society.
In a Utopian setting, crime and threats are rare. Everything is as
perfect (or as near-perfect as you can get), so threats really only
arise from outsiders or from the occasional twisted madman within
the society itself. Even more-so than in Four Color games, the PCs
are going to be admired as heroes, and nothing can go wrong for
them. At the end of the adventure, they'll still be living perfect lives
and they'll be shining examples of all the best the world has to offer.
Needless to say, Utopian settings often don't always make the best
of campaign settings, other than Utopian societies on the brink of
collapse or in danger from an outside force. If there's no conflict,
there's no story! But it is one end of the spectrum, and one that can
be very interesting for the players to explore.
Four-Color
Also affectionately referred to as "Saturday Morning Cartoon" feel,
Four-Color refers to the means by which old comic books of the
Silver Age were printed, where things can be a little goofy at times,
but are usually brightly-colored, relatively friendly (other than the
villains), and where heroes where heroic twenty four hours a day,
seven days a week. Heroes didn't struggle with the moral question
of whether or not it's right to kill a madman bent on ending the
world, and they didn't have drug addictions to sort through.
Certainly, the characters' world wasn't always perfect: it seemed to
get itself in peril about once a month, usually thanks to the
diabolical machinations of some fiendish villain. Most crime came in
the form of one-off burglaries or heists. Organized crime tended to
be very rare, and violent crime even rarer (except against the
heroes).
But the one thing you could count on Four-Color Feel for: at the end
of the adventure, everything would be back where it started. None
of the heroes were going to die, the major villains would be around
to start trouble again the next time (even if they were captured).
Characters had a certain amount of title protection, and the stories
were all about the action heroes, not the secret identities.
A Four-Color feel is most appropriate for games where danger is
present, but it's assumed that the heroes are going to triumph, and
that morality is going to be black and white, where the heroes are
unambiguously heroes and the villains are clearly (but not too
sinisterly) villains. The villains even seem to follow rules which
prevent them from hurting helpless characters (especially children
or pets). If you want it to be clear that, yes, this game will have
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adventure, but you don't want to deal with thorny social or moral or
ethical issues, and that you don't want people to take everything in
the game so seriously, then this is the feel you want for your game.
Typical
A game with a Typical feel be best exemplified by the phrase "The
World Outside Your Window". It's very similar in many ways to the
world we live in, where the good comes with the bad, where people
can be wonderful and they can be jerks, and the world can be a
great and horrible place all at once. The key with games at this
level of feel is that neither one is overwhelming the other. The PCs
won't have endless misery, just as they won't have endless joy.
They'll have low-points and high-points, but nothing lasts forever.
In a Typical world, crime is common, if rarely spectacular (most
crime will likely be subtle and almost expected, like low-level
corruption in government, scoff-laws, and the like). Violent crime
becomes important for the first time in Typical worlds, and the big
criminal events are often organized. People aren't always friendly,
and while they might make an attempt to help one another, they're
usually looking out for themselves and their close friends and family
first. Disasters like train wrecks, mine collapses, hurricanes, and
forest fires are common enough that people won't be surprised
when they turn on the news and see these events.
Most importantly, a game with a Typical feel is, in many ways,
meant to provide a "realistic" feel, to make characters of all sorts
behave the way they would in real life. Trouble happens, and
heroes aren't always shining symbols: they're people too. They
have to pay the rent and study for classes and come home to
remember that they forgot to go grocery shopping, so it's Chinese
take-out once again. Characters are expected to develop
relationships (good and bad) with one another, and quite often, it's
these relationships which propel the game forward. Characters can
expect their complications to come up relatively often, and many of
their complications will be logical outgrowths of who they are, not
just their responsibility to saving the day. The PCs are people first.
Yes, they're often the heroes too, but you can't neglect the person
either.
Gritty
In a game with a Gritty feel, life for the PCs can be nasty, brutish,
and (if not approached intelligently) short. They'll have to suffer
some unpleasantness that is often left unsaid in many adventure
stories, such as contracting illnesses, struggling to find food, or
having to deal with tragedy befalling their friends and loved-ones
regularly. Everyone with half a brain has a means of self defense,
whether that be a knife in your boot, a gun tucked into the back of
your pants, a few rough-looking associates, or some supernatural
capabilities. Those who don't take measures to protect themselves
are going to wind up victims of crime (often violent crime) as
everyone is struggling to make ends meet.
These are literally the dark ages, where an inglorious end awaits
everyone. Only those smart enough are going to have a home and
food and a future, and only the truly cunning are ever going to
escape their tenuous existence and achieve anything truly good in
their lives. In a Gritty game, while characters might question the
morality of certain actions, they're likely only going to do it after
they've managed to save themselves and their enemy is already
dead or dying. In these worlds, there's no time to philosophize
when the only thing between you and the grave is doing something
about the guy with a knife pointed at you and doing it right now.
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TABLE 11.2: CAMPAIGN FEEL
Public
Feel Personal Conditions
Attitude
Characters revered and generally
Utopian Helpful
considered to be the authorities
Four-Color Friendly Personal Troubles Rare
Typical Indifferent Personal trouble occasional
Gritty Unfriendly Personal trouble common
Against All Characters considered villains,
Hostile
Odds though may still retain supporters
Rock-bottom. Characters
Hopeless N/A considered a stain on history. Utter
failure.
One of the hallmarks of Gritty games is social commentary, where
the worst of societies ills are put on display for all to see. The
darkness looms high over the game at all times, often seeming all-
consuming or inescapable. Tragedy and disasters can happen at
any time, and they happen often. And whatever great power the
PCs might have, they still find that they can't ever fix the world
around them. They can't cure it: all they can do is treat the
symptoms.
And that's assuming they even aspire to such lofty ideals.
Especially in mercenary or dark swords & sorcery games, it's
equally likely that they're just trying to carve out a place for
themselves in the world, and find a way to put bread on the table.
There's no good and evil. People do what they have to do to
survive first and foremost, and if they decide to do that at the
expense of the PCs, then they shouldn't be surprised when the PCs
retaliate to punish them. After all, they'd do the same thing if the
PCs tried it on them.
Against All Odds
Sometimes, the PCs aren't going to be the heroes: they'll be the
villains! As far as the world around them is concerned in an Against
All Odds campaign, they're the enemy. They might legitimately be
villains or evil-doers, or they might just be part of a rebellion or
resistance against the true villain, who currently is the one running
the show. The end result is still the same: if the PCs show
themselves in public, they're very likely to find themselves in grave
danger.
Danger literally lurks around every corner for the PCs. The
omnipresent enemy could come smashing in at any time to destroy
them, whether in the form of a police raid or the true heroes of the
world coming in to stop the nefarious PCs. Any one of the people
they must trust could betray them and drag them out of the
shadows to their doom. The end for the PCs draws closer and
closer every day, and every morning brings new disasters for their
cause. Things aren't sliding towards oblivion: they're spiraling wildly
out of control towards total disaster. No punches are pulled and no
mercy is shown, because any hesitation on anyone's part
(especially on the PCs' side) could mean game over.
Safe havens are safe in name only, because no matter how many
precautions the PCs take, their enemies need only get wind of their
latest hideout to bring it crashing down on their heads. And as
much as the PCs might want to take the fight right to their enemies,
they do so at their own peril. Their enemy might be vastly more
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Social Conditions Global Conditions
Crime rare; Organized Crime
Disasters rare
Occasional
Crime occasional; Organized Crime
Disasters occasional
rare
Crime common; Organized Crime
Disasters common
occasional
Crime daily; Organized Crime
Disasters daily
common
Crime constant; Organized Crime Disasters constant.
daily Apocalypse imminent.
Complete anarchy and the breakdown
Disasters constant. World in
of the system. Back to caveman
ruins or completely destroyed.
times.
powerful than they are, or their enemy might simply have the might
of an entire city, or country, or world, or galaxy to throw against the
PCs.
If the PCs want to be successful, they'll need to be extraordinarily
careful, and likely more than a little ruthless too. They have all the
trouble and pain that characters in a Gritty game might suffer in
addition to being forced to exist outside of society as public enemy
number one.
Hopeless
The world as we know it does not exist, and all that does exist is
horrible dog-eat-dog land of madness. The tiny handful of people
who cling to life in this world do so at the expense of one another,
willing to kill for the slightest advantage. Humanity is practically
feral at this point, vicious and remorseless. They might have been
driven to this point in the wake of a world-wide apocalypse or after
being trapped behind the lines of a ruthless and inhuman enemy
who salted the earth and left nothing standing. Whatever the
reason, the few remaining people must now put their lives on the
line every day in order to hold onto what little they have.
And as the human race speeds towards the abyss, its own actions
help it along more than anything else. Those who remain are more
than willing to slit one another's throats in a vain attempt to cling to
life. The world in ruins as it is, there is nothing to rise above,
nothing to achieve. All that the PCs can hope to achieve is survival,
and perhaps dominance over some territory or other people.
There's so little left that there is almost nothing worth aspiring to.
These sorts of Hopeless games are an extreme which are hard to
create adventures for, especially when the overarching theme for
the game is just "survive to the next session". Part of the
excitement of roleplaying games is seeing how the PCs grow in
power and ability, and with nothing to strive towards in Hopeless
games, players can become understandably frustrated. To that end,
it's common in this sort of game for the GM to dangle a thin ray of
hope before the PCs, to compel them to strive for something and to
risk what little they have in the name of something greater.
Realism
Just how far from real-world physics and ability is your game? Do
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explosions send characters flying through the air to land miles
away? Does magic allow its wielder to reshape mountains, or just
move molehills? Can an ordinary human being take a direct hit from
a Sherman tank and keep coming, or does a tank shell promise a
swift and messy end?
These are questions of realism, which address just how extreme an
effect characters can have on the world around them and on one
another. Note, however, that it doesn't address whether strange
things can happen (as magic and other FX are independent of this
notion of realism), but how fantastic those FX can be.
FX in Your Game
FX represent supernatural abilities of one flavor or another. They
could represent magic, mutant powers, psionic potential, divine
power, or the products of super-science. The fundamental point is
that they allow characters to do things which ordinary people simply
cannot.
How FX fit into your game is, in some way, a statement on the
realism of your game. Can any character have fantastic powers in
your game, or are FX more limited to only a few members of the
group based on their choice of role in the world? Or are PCs all but
banned from using the FX which enemies and monsters might use
against them, relying entirely on equipment to provide abilities they
wouldn't normally have? In answering this question, you'll be
addressing just how much influence the supernatural or the
fantastic has on your game, and how much of it is in the hands of
the PCs.
High-FX
In High-FX games, supernatural abilities are common enough that
every PC is assumed to be able to use them (and indeed, the ones
who can't are the ones who stand out). Most of their important
enemies will have wide access to potent FX as well, and many of
these characters will be quite dependent on these FX to contribute
(and often just survive!) in combat.
High-FX games can be explained in numerous ways. One of the
most common is for superheroes-style gaming, where the heroes
and villains of note all have access to superpowers of some form or
another. But this is also possible in fantasy games where magic is
something that anyone can learn, and every adventurer knows at
least some magic to help them in their chosen role. This also works
for games where supernatural abilities themselves aren't
widespread or well-known in the world (such as urban fantasy or
modern supernatural, where creatures like vampires or werewolves
might lurk in the shadows of our cities, or in "black-ops" games
featuring government-engineered psychics doing battle with other
government-engineered psychics). Descriptors for FX are likely to
be very varied, but can be limited as well, if the GM decides that it
would be more appropriate for the game.
Moderate-FX
Moderate-FX games are ones in which supernatural FX might
exist, but their role will be largely secondary to the characters'
mundane gear and FX. Some characters will indeed still focus on
supernatural FX, but these characters will be fewer and far
between. In a group of PCs, maybe half of the characters would
have access to varying degrees of supernatural FX. The others
might be able to use FX, but only through special gear, like super
high-tech guns or magical swords.
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In moderate-FX games, FX are usually limited to a single main type
of "source" for the descriptors (such as "magic", "psioncs",
"cybernetics", etc.). FX are still likely to be in the hands of enemies
(especially supernatural ones), and they are likely to be more
powerful than the FX which the PCs have access to. FX are not
common at all, and they certainly aren't something which would be
prevalent in society. Those who have access to supernatural FX are
more likely to distance themselves from the public, whether for
safety (of the public or themselves or possibly both) or for privacy
away from curious onlookers or just out of needs which normal
society simply can no longer fulfill.
Restricted-FX
In a game with a Restricted-FX world, supernatural FX are
relegated entirely to a secondary importance for the PCs by the
rules themselves. Under this option, the power level limits for FX
are cut in half, so FX are almost always going to be a less-potent
option for the PCs than using their on whits and physical prowess
and good old fashioned steel.
The intent of such a restricted-FX game is to make FX available as
a secondary ability, a sort of back-up, but not necessarily an
especially attractive one, especially during battle. For utility
purposes, FX can be extremely useful (usually less-showy ones,
like ESP or Concealment), but they're likely only relegated to that.
FX become a useful extra that very special characters like the PCs
might have limited access to, but they still aren't a good substitute
for mundane abilities. FX become a tool, not a crutch.
Gear-FX Only
When FX simply are not available to the PCs, and the closest they
can get to FX is what comes in the form of gear. This option is
common for realistic games, such as those in the war or action
movie genres, where characters may be larger than life, but they
aren't outside of the realm of human possibility. A Gear-FX Only
game is meant to still allow characters to make use of equipment
without necessarily giving them strange powers too.
In such a game, this doesn't mean that the NPCs are similarly
barred from having FX. This is especially true in many types of
swords & sorcery games, where the PCs might be simple thieves or
warriors who must do battle against wielders of dark forces beyond
and mere human comprehension. It's also quite true for occult
Lovecraftian-horror games, where the PCs often take the role of
investigators who are learning about terrible monsters of pure
insanity and That Which Man Was Not Meant to Know. It leads to a
feeling of desperation when the PCs are faced with someone doing
the impossible and they are just ordinary people (who might have
some extraordinary talent, of course), which is something games of
these genres attempt to recreate.
Excising Specific FX
And of course, the GM always has the option of simply saying that
certain FX just aren't accessible for a given world. For example, in a
fantasy world where trafficking in and dealing with summoned
creatures is the most common means for magic, the GM might
decide that these summons are also what mages use for spying
(replacing the ESP FX) and for attempts at deception (allowing him
to remove the Illusion FX too). You can remove FX for balance
reasons as well as world-specific reasons. Just be sure to let your
players know.
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Realism Level Mundane Might, Recovery &

Realism can be assigned to three rough levels: mundane,
cinematic, and epic, with each level moving further and further from
"real" towards the fantastic. Each entry includes a way to handle
some of the more reality-bending abilities abilities available to
characters to help make the game just as realistic as the group
wants.
Power Level Suggestions
What power level range the a game at this realism level will best
function in.
Might, Recovery & Toughness
How to handle skills which enable the characters to move
mountains or survive blasts from tanks.
Toughness
Since mundane games involve PCs who are definitely not
superhuman, might, recovery and toughness can become
problematic skills. After all, it will start to raise eyebrows when the
heroes are regularly taking hits from sawed-off shotguns and then
jumping right back up into the fray. To that end, it's suggested that
these two skills in particular be limited in mundane games. Might
should probably be restricted to a number of ranks equal to a
character's strength score, and really should only be taken by
characters who really are supposed to be big, strong bruisers.
Similarly, Toughness should be limited to a character's ranks in
Constitution (though unlike Might, shouldn't be as intensely-
monitored for appropriate levels). Emphasize that most characters
will probably be getting their Toughness resistance from armor, not
from their skill itself (which will serve to help them conserve
character points for their other abilities while simultaneously making
the game more genre-appropriate). Recovery should really only be
available through Enhanced (Trait).

Time & Value Progression Mundane Hero Dice

How potent certain FX will be in the game. Hero Dice in mundane things present a curious option. On one
hand, large numbers of hero dice allow for gameplay where the
ordinary protagonists can bungle through an adventure and survive
Hero Dice entirely thanks to blind, dumb luck. On the other hand, you can run
into the problem conceptually of seemingly unskilled PCs at lower
Just how much control over the narrative the PCs should enjoy. power levels who begin to dominate in combat or in difficult
situations thanks entirely to their large hero dice pools, which make
their low skill ranks almost irrelevant. You have two main options
Mundane when it comes to hero dice with mundane games:

At a mundane level of realism, there isn't much to separate the

PCs from the ordinary people you might know. They might be a little TABLE 11.3: MUNDAE TIME AND VALUE
more capable and skilled than you or I (especially in areas of
combat, if that's where their expertise lies), and they might have PROGRESSION
more amazing stories to tell than the rest of us (thanks to being the Rank Mundane Time Mundane Value
protagonists in a story). Certainly mundane PCs are capable 1 3 seconds (1 action) 1
enough to have some adventures, but they aren't action heroes.
Mundane PCs are mostly ordinary joes who get into extraordinary 2 6 seconds (1 round) 2
situations (whether by choice or circumstance). 3 30 seconds (5 rounds) 3
4 1 minute (10 rounds) 5
5 5 minutes 10
Mundane Power Level 6 10 minutes 15
Suggestions 7 30 minutes 20
Mundane games tend to take place around the lower tiers of power 8 1 hour 30
level, usually ranging from about PL 3 to PL 8. Below PL 3, you 9 6 hours 40
tend to get characters who simply don't have the points they need 10 12 hours 60
to distinguish themselves well without sacrificing capabilities in
areas which could be critical to the game (such as combat skills if 11 1 day 100
the game is going to feature fighting in any significant amount). 12 3 days 150
Above PL 8, you start moving away from the street-level and 13 1 week 200
towards the truly superhuman levels. PL 8 is appropriate for highly-
14 1 month 300
skilled (but still realistically-talented) mundane professionals (such
as decorated veteran special-ops soldiers or world-famous martial 15 3 months 500
artists). If you plan to increase PL as the game goes on, you should 16 6 months 750
consider starting the game around PL 4 or 5, as that allows a fair 17 1 year 1,000
amount of room for growth.
18 2 years 1,500
19 5 years 2,500
20 10 years (decade) 3,500

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Blind, Dumb Luck

Appropriate for more light-hearted games, hero dice represent TABLE 11.4: CINEMATIC TIME AND VALUE
especially lucky heroes, not especially crafty or capable ones. The PROGRESSION
PCs enjoy a little extra luck, enabling them to survive even when
facing more capable foes or dangerous situations. Make sure to Rank Cinematic Time Cinematic Value
describe uses of hero dice along the lines of "slipping at the last 1 3 seconds (1 action) 1
second under the sword-stroke" or "the clumsy shot ricocheting off 2 6 seconds (1 round) 2
a rock and into the villain's chest". These aren't skilled characters,
so more often than not, a good result is thanks to being extremely 3 1 minute (10 rounds) 5
lucky. 4 5 minutes 10
5 30 minutes 25
6 1 hour 50
No Remorse
7 6 hours 100
On the other end of the scale, where the characters are supposed 8 1 day 250
to feel helpless and vulnerable, hero dice represent a control over
the narrative that might not be appropriate for the players to have. 9 1 week 500
An unlucky roll could mean death for a PC, but in grim, mundane 10 1 month 1,000
games, death isn't an uncommon thing. If you do choose to allow 11 3 months 2,500
hero dice in such a game, keep hero dice in short enough supply
12 1 year 5,000
that the players aren't going to use them on something trivial. When
they do spend hero dice, be sure to emphasize that they succeed 13 5 years 10,000
by only a hair's breadth, sweaty and terrified and always right on 14 10 years (decade) 25,000
the edge of oblivion. If the PCs think that hero dice are the only 15 50 years 50,000
thing allowing them to cling to life, they'll be very judicious in their
use of the resource. 16 100 years (century) 100,000
17 500 years 250,000
18 1,000 years (millennium) 500,000
Cinematic 19 5,000 years 1 million
20 10,000 years 2.5 million
Moving up a notch, cinematic realism tries to keep one foot
planted in recognizable reality, but has no problem stretching the
definition of "real" to make it more "cool". Sure, real people might decidedly superhuman areas, using Might to represent super-
not be able to fight their way through a building full of terrorists with strength and toughness to represent superhuman durability is
nothing but a pistol and a hunting knife, but cinematic action heroes practically a no-brainer. Further, recovery is useful for representing
do it all the time. And they do it in such a way that only bends super-regeneration. To that end, it is recommended that you stick to
expectations about "reality" in minor enough ways that we still the guidelines given under mundane realism, where purely human
believe that all of this is possible. Explosions are bigger, the fights characters have their toughness and might capped at their
are wilder, and the action is more intense. The goal behind this Constitution and Strength scores, respectively. Allow superhuman
level of realism is to encourage the PCs to do cool things, to be characters to purchase additional ranks, perhaps only through the
larger than life but not so much so that they no longer seem to be a Enhanced (Trait) FX. In this way, you can ensure that ordinary
part of the world. people have limits to just how much punishment they can take
while simultaneously encouraging high-power level "regular" PCs to
improve their defense higher than their toughness to capture the
Cinematic Power Level cinematic trope of heroes being really mobile and good at dodging.

Suggestions Alternatively, you might simply allow everyone to improve their

Most cinematic games have a power level range from about 5 to
14. Within this range, you start to move towards the superhuman
levels of play at the middle of the scale, with the bottom of the scale
tending towards "pretty good ordinary human" and the top of the
scale tending towards "one of the most powerful creatures on
Earth". This is a good scale as well for high-action games,
especially traditional fantasy games where the heroes rise from
"average" nobodies to renown champions over the course of the
game. It's also an idea range for superhero games, with less
powerful supers fitting in around PL 7-8 and really powerful ones
topping out around PL 14.
Cinematic Might, Recovery &
Toughness
Once you start getting into cinematic realism, how to handle these
skills becomes troublesome. On one hand, when you start getting
toughness skill normally, to keep with the notion of how health
scales with level in other sorts of games (especially if your players
are more comfortable with this notion, having experience with those
other games already).
Cinematic Hero Dice
The standard rules and guidelines given for Hero Dice underscore
how cinematic characters work and interact with their world quite
nicely. The players will tend to earn more hero dice as the
adventure goes on, and by the end of the adventure, they'll
probably have the dice on hand that they need to really turn the
tables on a tough enemy, even when they seem outmatched. In this
way, hero dice can build normally and help bring the adventure to
an exciting climax.

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cooler. One man swinging his sword and sending a dozen lesser
men flying with each stroke? Epic. A metahuman champion lifting
up a planet and hurling it at another one? Epic. A space pilot with
lasers blasting full-bore flies straight through the heart of a battle
cruiser, blasting his way through bulkheads with absolutely zero
room for error? Epic. Supernatural FX are going to be huge and
earth-shattering, able to reach billions of years and miles through
time and space.

Epic Power Level Suggestions

When you're talking about epic gameplay, you're really looking at
the top half of the power scale. PCs are likely to scale from about
PL 10 to PL 18 or so. They're the best of the best, and they're only
going to fight the best of the best. They're going to be able to do
almost anything, so they're going to be very high power level with
lots of Character Points to spend on abilities. These heroes are on
the levels of mythic heroes like Gilgamesh, Hercules, and Achilles:
only someone on their level is going to even come close to being a
match for them. Lesser enemies might as well be fleas.

Epic Might, Recovery &

Toughness
Once you reach epic levels of realism, the line between human and
superhuman is so blurred that there is no real need for a difference
Epic between human and superhuman. Can your epic PCs survive being
slashed with a dozen sword strokes or a hail of gunfire from a
Once you reach the level of epic realism, you've decided that machine gun and keep on coming? Perfect! That's what you should
there's nothing wrong with tossing reality out of the window and expect from epic PCs. They're going to be able to wrestle lions to
letting the dog bury it in the yard if it means that things will be the ground and be crushed under trucks without missing a beat. At
epic realism levels, you can just go ahead and let the players put
points directly into their toughness, recovery and might skills.
TABLE 11.5: EPIC TIME AND VALUE
PROGRESSION
Rank Epic Time Epic Value Epic Hero Dice
1 3 seconds (1 action) 1 At epic levels of realism, Hero Dice are going to be plentiful. Epic
2 6 seconds (1 round) 5 PCs can do nearly anything, with tremendous control over the world
around them. As such, the players will likely want (and will be
3 1 minute (10 rounds) 10
using) lots of hero dice, especially in huge battles against their
4 10 minutes 50 equally-epic foes. Of course, their complications are going to be
5 1 hour 100 just as epic as they are, often involving whole countries or planets
6 6 hours 500 at a time. The scale at epic level is absolutely cosmic, so be sure to
keep it that way when you're running things if you want to keep the
7 12 hours 1,000 game suitably epic.
8 1 week 5,000
9 1 month 10,000
10
11
1 year
10 years
50,000
100,000
Power Level &
12
13
50 years
500 years
500,000
1 million Character Points
14 1,000 years (millennium) 5 million The sections thus far have touched on what power level and
15 10,000 years 10 million character point totals are appropriate for different styles of
16 50,000 years 50 million gameplay. This section will delve further into it to allow you as the
GM to decide what PL to start your game at, and how you would
17 100,000 years 100 million like it to progress.
18 1 million years 500 million
19 1 billion years 1 billion
20 5 billion years (age of the earth) 5 billion

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TABLE 11.6: POWER LEVEL EXAMPLES

PL Description Example
0 Helpless / Change Nothing Child, Infirm Individual, Handicapped Individual
1-3 Bystander / Change a Family Average Pedestrian, Poorly-Trained Professional
4-6 Trained Professional / Change a Block Average Police, Doctor, Experienced Thug
7-8 Influential Expert / Change a Neighborhood Well-Trained Soldier, Politician, Experienced Criminal
9-10 Street-Level / Change a City Young Superhuman, Expert-Trained Professional
11-12 Low Super-Level / Change a Country Average Superhuman, Master-Trained Professional
13-15 High Super-Level / Change a World Powerful Superhuman, Legendary-Trained Professional
16-18 Cosmic-Level / Change a Galaxy Cosmic Superhuman, Forces of Nature, Greek/Norse Gods
19-20 Divine-Level / Change a Universe Abstract Beings, Fundamental Forces of the Universe

What Power Level Means

Probably one of the most important steps to picking a game's
power level is understanding what power level means.
Fundamentally, power level is a measure of how effective a
character is at changing the game world. The higher power level
your characters are, the greater impact they'll have on the world.
Below is a chart of examples of what characters at different power
levels will be like.
But is there a level where versatility becomes problematic? Yes. To
be specific, there are two points at which versatility becomes
problematic. If a PC becomes so versatile that he starts to
encroach on the niche/role of another character, that is problematic.
It is also problematic if a PC becomes so versatile that the PC
essentially removes all of his or her weaknesses, so that the
character is equally capable in any given encounter. At these levels,
a character is likely becoming too versatile.

Choosing a Starting Point

What Character Points Once you have an idea for how the different power levels and
character point totals are represented in your world, you're ready to
Mean decide where your PCs are going to start their adventuring careers.

Unlike power level, character points are not directly tied to a

character's overall power, but rather the character's versatility.
Character points more closely represent a character's experience
Low Power Level
or level of training. More experienced characters tend to be more Starting at lower power levels means that the PCs are going to start
versatile. Since all of a character's abilities are limited by a power out seeming more like normal humans. They have lots of room to
level cap, it really doesn't matter how many abilities a character grow, but players might have a great deal of difficulty realizing their
has, especially when they are all limited to the same level of character's abilities until much later on in the game.
effectiveness. All the PCs in the group have the same power level
cap anyway, and they all have the same access to the same level
versatility if they choose to build their characters that way (since
versatility is generally quite cheap).
Medium Power Level
At more medium power levels, your players should have an easier
time creating their characters early in the game. And at medium
power levels, you don't need to allow for growth (either in power
TABLE 11.7: CHARACTER POINT EXAMPLES level or character point totals) as greatly as you would at a lower
CP Description Example power level.
>45 below PL Inept Bumbling Newbie
31-45 below
PL
Unprepared Complete Newbie High Power Level
16-30 below At higher power levels, there's very little room for growth of
Inexperienced Rookie
PL characters, as they're already likely near the top of their range,
Young Character with Some limiting how far you might be willing (or capable) of taking the PCs.
1-15 below PL Developing
Experience Further, high power level PCs are expensive, and they might be
at PL Experienced Character with Fair Experience more difficult for players to put together.
1-15 above PL Seasoned Character with Good Experience
16-30 above
PL
Veteran Character with Lots of Experience High Power Level, Low Character
30-45 above Points
Champion Character with Tons of Experience
PL Since character points and power level can be independent of one
Character with Unequaled another, you also have the option of starting characters out at high
>45 above PL Legend
Experience power levels but low character points. This is appropriate for games

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where ordinary people wake up one day with strange abilities far
beyond anything they could imagine. Their powers might be great,
but they're still only human, and it will really have lots of time to
"grow" to reach their full potential.
Note that if you wish to represent great potential, it's not necessary
to use this option. You can simply use GM-fiat to show FX that have
vast potential exploding out beyond the characters' control from
time to time.
Plotting Out Growth
The final question to consider is how much you're comfortable with
letting the characters grow. Is there a certain power level beyond
which you'd rather not take the PCs, since it will tend to change the
feel of the game too much? Are PCs at a certain character point
total just too versatile to design encounters for? You don't need to
know this when you start designing your game, but as you get close
to the limits of your comfort level, be aware of ways in which you
can influence character growth.
Rate of Advancement
How often do you want to hand out awards? Do you want to give
the players character points after every session? At the end of each
adventure or story arc? Once on the first Saturday of every month?
After each encounter? You need to decide how often to hand out
these awards. Understand that character points are such a great
reward to hand out at the end of the session, because improving a
character is something the players can do and enjoy away from the
table, to "bring the fun home with them", so to speak. Players might
get frustrated if they go too long without such an award, feeling
restricted. Be sure to find a balance that gives them a chance to
enjoy growing their characters' abilities but to also keep it
manageable for you.
Increasing Power Level
While increasing power level will tend to change the influence the
PCs can have on the world, increasing power level will also
generally encourage players to increase their combat abilities first
and bring those up to the new power level cap, rather than
increasing the versatility of their characters. They might wind up
eventually crossing over to fight more and more dangerous
enemies, and go on more high-powered adventures, but if you're
okay with the style of the game changing a little, then this is a
perfectly fine option.
Increasing Character Points
On the other hand, if you choose to increase the characters'
character points, you can keep them filling a similar role in the
world for a longer time, as their power levels remain more or less
static. They'll become more experienced and versatile, but so long
as they don't intrude on one another's niches or roles within the
party, and so long as you're comfortable making encounters for
their remaining strengths and weaknesses, this is still a fine option.
You might eventually still want to raise power level anyway.
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Genre
There are countless different genres of gameplay possible out
there. Which type you want to run depends entirely on your tastes.
d20 Advanced is built to be genre-neutral, allowing you to use it to
play any sort of game you want with it. From fantasy games with
knights fighting dragons to future games with lasers and starfighters
to horror games with werewolves and vampires.
Animated/Comedy
A little-explored genre in roleplaying games, animated and comedy
games share some characteristics, but are quite different in others.
The slapstick comedy popular throughout the 20th century had its
roots stretching back centuries to ancient Greece. Many of the
genre conventions crystallized in Vaudeville, the traditions of which
were heavily adopted by the characters in Looney Tunes
(especially Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck), including pratfalls. The
tradition was also explored by the physical comedy of teams such
as Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, and The Three Stooges,
all of which made heavy use of physical action as part of their
comedic appeal.
Playing the Genre
Slapstick games of this genre are often as episodic as their source
material, and the characters are just as wacky. All that matters is
getting a quick laugh, and players who manage to get a good one-
liner in deserve Hero Dice for their efforts. The PL for these games
are usually relatively low, but the characters are usually quite
durable (as they can survive getting pianos and anvils dropped on
them). Characters can generally use FX, but only for gags. Combat
tends to be minimal, and the ability to get laughs is the most
important thing. This genre of gameplay lends itself best to shorter,
less-serious games which can work well for breaks from longer or
more serious games.
Breaking the Fourth Wall
More than in other genres, characters in animated or comedy
games are likely to be aware that they're in a game. As such, at the
cost of one hero die, a player can "break the fourth wall" and have
their characters directly plead with the GM. This genre convention
is illustrated masterfully in the Looney Tunes short Duck Amuck
(1953), where Daffy Duck winds up in a sort of artistic and verbal
sparring match with the animator, demanding all sorts of things and
changes as things he didn't like in the short. You might use
"breaking the fourth wall" as your descriptor for how hero dice work.
Rather than just taking your reroll, your character might look at the
GM, clear his throat, point to the anvil crushing his head, and say,
"How about a little help here, Rembrandt?"
Genre Examples
• Abbott and Costello
• Looney Tunes
• The Three Stooges
• Tom & Jerry
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Crime/Caper
Games where the crooks are the heroes (or at least the
protagonists) of the story can be extremely fun. Daring rebels who
take what they want and who outsmart the law day in and day out
excite audiences, who come to admire how they use their wits to
survive. Beyond that, criminals who fail in their crimes and are
captured or killed (or even better: a hapless rube getting what he
has coming thanks to his own greed or hubris) is a satisfying turn of
events. The former is often the case in more romanticized mafia
movies (such as The Godfather or Goodfellas), while seeing the
antagonist get his comeuppance is more popular in caper or heist
films (especially The Sting or Ocean's 11).
Playing the Genre
This genre tends to have very few (if any) FX, and the characters,
while quite skilled, are rather mundane otherwise. A bullet from an
ordinary gun is life-threatening, so avoiding combat (or at least
ending it quickly) becomes important to characters in these games.
If characters need a particular FX, they might need to steal a device
that can do the job. Reputations and planning become very
important, and this is reflected by keeping the PL of the game
relatively low, so that the bonus from feats like Master Plan become
critical in succeeding in particular jobs. And since the underworld is
so dangerous a place where your image and your deeds might
speak louder than your words, characters must often maintain good
reputations to get what they need (or possibly just to stay alive).
Genre Examples
• The Godfather
• Ocean's 11
• The Sopranos
• The Sting
Cyberpunk
A (usually dystopian) genre which was a response to the
implications of ubiquitous information and data. Cyberpunk
explores the implications of computers becoming common to the
point of omnipresence, to the point where the difference between
man and machine becomes blurred. Protagonists in cyberpunk are
often rebels or social outsiders who become masters of not
necessarily the physical world, but the digital world, thanks to their
world-class hacking skills. Monolithic towers, the headquarters of
megacorporations, loom over squalid, dirty city skylines. It's a fight
for freedom and for individuality against cold, impersonal, greedy
megacorporations and their puppets in the government.
Playing the Genre
While characters might be helpless or weak in their physical bodies,
they're often very powerful in cyberspace. These hacker-type
characters will usually have something like the Normal Identity
drawback, where their physical body will be built on half the
character points that their cyberspace avatar will be. More
physically powerful individuals often make use of cybernetic
implants to enhance themselves with otherwise-unavailable FX.
Android constructs are common, both as PCs and as NPCs.
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Cyberspace Avatars
If all of the PCs are capable of entering and functioning in
cyberspace, and you intend to make cyberspace adventure a major
part of the game, it might be a good idea to require all your players
to build their characters as per the Normal Identity drawback, so
they all have relatively normal (and weak) physical forms, but they
become very powerful and potent in cyberspace. Check Required
(Technology) is a common flaw for cyberspace avatar FX, but be
certain to set the DC to activate an ability high enough to
accommodate high Technology skill modifiers for the hacker
characters (usually 15~20 + Skill Ranks).
Genre Examples
• Bladerunner
• Ghost in the Shell
• The Matrix
• Neuromancer
Gaslamp/Steampunk
A more recent genre in the vein of Cyberpunk, though instead of
focusing on the dehumanization of mankind through the expansion
of computers and the online world, Gaslamp/Steampunk stories
tend to replace "computers" with the emerging 19th- and very early
20th-century industrialization. Gritty streets are still gritty, though
thanks not to pollution from cars and disregard, but from the
smokestacks of Victorian mills and factories. Steam power was the
cutting-edge technology of the day, and Steampunk tends to take
this technology far beyond its real limits to create impossible steam-
driven technology (such as the fantastic mechanical vehicles seen
in the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, early science fiction
writers). Even devices impossible with modern electronics are a
part of the steam-and-clockwork world of Steampunk. The
protagonists of Gaslamp or Steampunk games tend to populate a
Victorian setting filled with weird science and usually a dash of
supernatural monsters.
Playing the Genre
Steampunk and Gaslamp games in particular lend themselves to
accents, especially Cockney British accents. However, from a
mechanical point of view, characters are often brilliant inventors or
engineers, and the Inventor feat and Technology and Science skills
are both very common for PCs. The ability to create a brilliant
invention to save the day, or to repair and/or jury-rig a piece of
captured technology is an important one, and a staple of the genre.
Like in Cyberpunk, characters who understand the new technology,
and who represent the geniuses of the "next generation" are
common protagonists.
Genre Examples
• Girl Genius
• Last Exile
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
• The Works of Jules Verne
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High Fantasy
A genre of epic conflicts between the forces of good and evil, high
fantasy trends towards the fantastic where its close cousin sword &
sorcery trends towards the gritty and the weird. Popular ever since
the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were first released, high
fantasy is the convention that many fantasy roleplaying games
favor, with powerful protagonists fighting the forces of evil. High
fantasy stories tend to put more magic in the hands of the
protagonists, and they are usually able to stand toe-to-toe with the
worst the forces of evil can muster (or at least have a fighting
chance). Characters might be human or some other fantastic race,
but usually very close in appearance and mannerisms to human.
The entire world has a faux-medieval or -renaissance dressing to it,
with knights in shining armor, dragons, and wizards populating the
land.
Playing the Genre
FX in high fantasy are almost always magical in nature, whether
they come from wizards' spells, the blessings of the gods, or
ancient magical artifacts. PCs can be expected to have and use
such FX in some way or another to remain active and influential in
the game-world. In this genre especially, you should work out some
racial packages for your PCs to use which help to establish the
different common humanoid races they might choose from.
Looting
While not as true in high fantasy literature or cinema, one of the
hallmarks of fantasy roleplaying games is killing things and taking
their stuff. For the most part, using the optional wealth system
works well. Simply add a staged use of the Perception skill (or
perhaps the Academics skill) as a way to determine how much loot
(in the form of bonus Wealth Dice) the PCs can find after a given
fight. For special magical items that enemies drop, there are a few
ways you can handle it. A good idea is to require that characters
train with new magical equipment before they can unlock all of its
abilities.
Genre Examples
•
•
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Lord of the Rings
• Record of Lodoss War
• The Wheel of Time
Horror/Occult
In a horror game, the protagonists are usually innocent bystanders,
or at best mundane investigators with an interest in the weird. They
rarely have any supernatural abilities, or if they do, their abilities are
minor at best. Danger lurks in the shadows, against which the
protagonists are likely to be more or less helpless. They rely on
their wits to see them through, not power. If their horrific enemies
capture them, it's the end, so they need to be ever-careful and
ever-vigilant less the terror find them and destroy them.
Playing the Genre
In the horror genre, helplessness and hopelessness are essential
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feelings, but in a roleplaying game, the PCs need to be able to do
something to make enough progress to give their efforts meaning.
So while the PCs might not be able to fight the Horror From Beyond
Reality, they might be able to fight Its cultists. And maybe the
zombie horde is unstoppable, but individual zombies can be killed,
and maybe the horde can be slowed or delayed. The PCs need
some victories, however small, to give them something to hang
their hats on, to give them something to keep struggling on for. The
rules for Mental Strain are appropriate for most horror games, and
for more deeply psychological games, the Madness rules work
even better.
Genre Examples
• Alien
• Psycho
• The Works of HP Lovecraft
• The X-Files
Mechs
While their origins reach back to the earliest science fiction, the
genre of giant humanoid robots got its start in earnest in Japanese
anime and manga. In these stories, young men and women climb
into the cockpits of their mecha and do battle with other giant robots
(or occasionally, giant monsters). The pilots in many ways
represent a blend between modern fighter pilots and medieval
armored knights. The pilots out of their mechs might be capable
soldiers, but it's only in their mechs where they truly rise above.
Playing the Genre
Similar to hackers in a cyberpunk game, mecha pilots are generally
best built with the Normal Identity drawback. Their non-powered
identities represent the pilots themselves outside of the cockpit, and
their powered identities represent the mecha themselves (since
pilots tend to have customized mecha). It's also a good choice for
players to roll their defense themselves as an opposed check
against enemy attacks, which makes it feel more like the mecha's
ability to evade attacks depends on the pilot's skill.
Genre Examples
• Gundam
• Macross
• Mechwarrior
• Neon Genesis Evangelion
Pulp Action/Film Noir
The cheap adventure magazines that predated comic books, pulp
action comics were filled with mystery, action, excitement, and
fantastic worlds. Pulp heroes are usually less powerful than modern
heroes, relying on very human levels of skill and cunning to make
their way through the world. Many of the old pulp heroes were
explorers or detectives, who were often good brawlers to boot, had
few if any powers (though some knew a few magic spells from time
to time). This style of hardboiled detective found its way onto the
big screen in the crime stories of film noir during the 1940s and
50s.
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Playing the Genre
The pulp genre is first and foremost about exciting action in
fantastic places, usually with morally ambiguous undertones. PCs
in such a genre are often at a lower power level (usually 5-8), but
are quite potent for that power level. Globe-trotting adventuring is a
very common plot-element in exploration pulp stories, so it should
never be too difficult for PCs to travel from one adventure site to the
next. "Random encounters" en route are extremely rare.
Genre Examples
• The Adventures of Indiana Jones
• Casablanca
• The Maltese Falcon
• Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Space Opera
Adventures set entirely in space, usually in a future distant enough
that it ventures far from what could be called "hard" science fiction.
The characters usually wield fantastic technology (at least enough
that they can battle easily in and travel almost effortless through
space) and often have amazing abilities (usually psychic in nature).
Alien species and robots do often exist in such stories, even if
humans seem to be the center of the story. In many ways, space
operas tend to be similar to High Fantasy set in space.
Playing the Genre
Space opera heroes tend to be similar in power spread to high
fantasy. However, the key difference is that in space operas, the
steed of choice for battles between noble warriors is the starfighter.
As such, you might consider using rules for characters and their
starfighters similar to the rules for mecha pilots and their mecha, so
pilots need to make opposed checks to avoid shots during dog
fights.
Genre Examples
• Battlestar Galactica
• Firefly
• Star Trek
• Star Wars
Suburban Fantasy
A smaller genre that explores the adventures of relatively ordinary
children through worlds of imagination parallel to their ordinary
lives. Most examples of this genre are rather whimsical and
idealistic, hearkening back to seemingly simpler times. Suburban
fantasy tries to explore the subjective nature of reality, where the
imaginative perception of one group (the children) in stark contrast
to the mundane world the adults occupy. A favorite toy might just be
a doll to an adult, but a best friend to a child. An exception to this is
the subgenre of a darker sort, where the escapism of imagination
becomes conflated with madness (such as in Pan's Labyrinth).
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Playing the Genre
Suburban fantasy is all about exploration and bringing a child's
sense of wonder and imagination to a hum-drum world. In this way,
Hero Dice represent a child's implacable sense of imagination, and
their FX (if they have any, which usually come from Devices of
various sorts) are usually only limited to when they're away from
jaded adults. Children tend to be very low power level, with low
physical ability scores, relying on their mental ability scores and
skill to weasel their way out of trouble with their parents (as often
the biggest danger in suburban fantasy isn't getting killed, but
getting grounded).
Genre Examples
• Calvin & Hobbes
• The Goonies
• Pan's Labyrinth
• The Sandlot
Superheroes
The Golden Age of comics began with the publishing of Action
Comics #1 featuring Superman, and colorfully-costumed comic
book superheroes have been fighting for truth and justice ever
since. Superheroes are just that: people with extraordinary powers
who choose to don masks and fight crime and supervillains. In
general, superheroes don't kill, and supervillains escape time and
time again to threaten the heroes on and on forever. Even
characters who have died frequently wind up coming back from the
dead. Superheroes games tend to have examples of both solo
heroes (like Superman or Spider-Man, who do have occasional
team-ups) and teams of heroes (like the X-Men or the Avengers).
Playing the Genre
The FX rules give you just about everything you need to make
superheroes (usually making liberal use of the Enhanced (Trait) FX
for superhuman strength and toughness). Using the knockback
rules is also highly recommended, since superhero fights tend to
involve a lot of bodies going flying from high-powered punches and
explosions. Make use of the cinematic or epic Time and Value
Progression Tables, depending on whether you want a more
Modern or Silver Age feel for your game.
Genre Examples
• Heroes
• The Incredibles
• Superman
• X-Men
Sword & Sorcery
The slightly-grittier cousin of high fantasy, sword & sorcery fantasy
is less about epic battles between good and evil and the struggle of
a few relatively ordinary people (often with extremely good fighting-
skills, admittedly) against their own demons. Once again, the world
takes on a pseudo-medieval style, and tends to be more medieval
than high fantasy (as their worlds tend to be darker and more
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dangerous). While high fantasy tends to tell stories about great
wizards or knights, sword & sorcery tends to tell stories about
thieves and mercenaries and cursed souls who fight not necessarily
for high ideals, but often just for survival (and they'd often just as
soon run away and escape the fight altogether!).
Playing the Genre
While the characters in sword & sorcery adventures tend to be
lower power level than high fantasy heroes, and they tend to grow
more slowly in power, the big differences between the two genres
are how likely the PCs are to have FX and the use of taint rules.
Sword & sorcery characters tend to have fewer (if any) FX than
their high fantasy counterparts, and very few are spellcasters
themselves (magic tends to be something in the hands of villains).
If FX are in the hands of PCs, they often come at a very high price
(like taint), or are in the form of cursed objects (like demon-
possessed swords). Also consider making use of the Mental Strain
rules, as sword & sorcery characters, while often quite jaded and
hard-bitten, tend to encounter horrors much more frequently than
their high fantasy counterparts.
Genre Examples
• The Black Company
• Conan the Barbarian
• Elric
• Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser
Urban Fantasy
Where suburban fantasy is about journeying into imagination and
contrasting perceptions, urban fantasy is about how the fantastic
hides amongst us. Ordinary people with ordinary lives unknowingly
brush elbows with supernatural creatures or aliens. They might hide
themselves away from the world in secret hideaways or just in the
apartment next door. Characters in an urban fantasy are either
already members of a fantastic secret world who hide among us or
ordinary people who are slowly drawn into that hidden world, where
they often learn that many of the legends from the past are secretly
true, and that the strange world that they are just discovering is the
true explanation. Urban fantasy can be as light-hearted as fun as
Men in Black or as dark and tormented as parts of The Vampire
Chronicles.
Playing the Genre
In urban fantasy, hiding one's true nature becomes a key facet of
gameplay. The characters need to pretend to be ordinary people
when in public, and they must master their supernatural abilities
while dealing with other members of their secret circle. As such,
interactions are very important, and fending off the queries of the
curious or posturing with other members of the social group might
require dramatic interactions. To make certain that characters face
a serious concern about hiding their abilities, you might consider
making Subtle into an extra rather than a feat, so as to put a
premium on being able to use FX covertly even in public.
Genre Examples
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
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• Harry Potter
• Men in Black
• The Vampire Chronicles
War
Mankind is all at once repulsed and fascinated by war. While we
tend to admire the heroes who rise above and who achieve
greatness, risking their lives for their brothers in arms, and the ones
who come into oppressed lands as great liberators and
humanitarians, we are just as horrified by the sheer violence
soldiers willingly throw themselves into. War stories tend to explore
this dichotomy, all at once jarring us with the gore and the horror
(and in films like Full Metal Jacket, using the emphasizing the
senselessness of war) and showing examples of truly great
humanity rising because of (or sometimes in spite of) the violence
around them. The war genre tends to focus most heavily in recent
years on World War II and the Vietnam War in the west.
Playing the Genre
PCs in the war genre are weak enough that the horrors of the
battlefield are indeed horrors: gunfire can be lethal to PCs at power
levels between 4 and 7 or so, and the GM will often choose to use
mundane-level realism to limit the PCs' to very human (and very
vulnerable) levels of toughness. The PCs might be more potent in a
tank or other vehicle, but on foot, the sight of a Panzer rolling their
way should strike fear into their hearts: without a teamwork to set
up the squad member with the bazooka, they whole squad might
very well be killed. Teamwork and caution and careful play are the
only way that the PCs will see the end of their tour of duty.
Genre Examples
• A Bridge Too Far
• Band of Brothers
• Full Metal Jacket
• Saving Private Ryan
Western
The wild west has always held a certain romantic quality to it, when
people had to step up and defend those who had no law to protect
them otherwise. It was a time of pioneers, no-good thieves and
robbers, heroes who came as law or just acted by their own
consciences. The west was a place where you could go to start
over, to take something raw and wild and forge it into a future for
yourself. The promise of something fantastic coupled with the
excitement of the unknown and untamed were embodied in the old
west, and that is no doubt what keeps drawing us back to it.
Playing the Genre
The west was all about chases, gunfights, and talking tough with
the muscle to back up the names they made for themselves.
Having a strong reputation with plenty of legendary deeds could win
you fights without ever needing to draw your gun, as no smart man
would ever draw on someone who's killed a dozen men already.
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The Gunslingers' Showdown
One of the quintessential elements of westerns is the showdown
between two highly skilled gunslingers. In the old west (or so the
myths would have us believe) the law was pretty forgiving on
shooting a man in self-defense, which meant that if you shot
someone who went for their gun, you were in the clear. For such
tests of nerves and speed, it can be appropriate to resolve Initiative
in combat with a dramatic interaction, with Persuasion against
Perception and Will to try to psych the other gunslinger out and
gain the edge. It's also a particularly fitting way to represent the
stare-down of two gunslingers in the street.
Genre Examples
• The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
• The Magnificent Seven
• Unforgiven
• The Wild Wild West
Wuxia
Stories of martial artists of unparalleled skill from ancient China,
wuxia is a genre which focuses on mastery above all else.
Characters in wuxia stories display excellent martial arts skills with
ordinary weapons (like the sword and spear) and unusual ones (like
needles and musical instruments). The protagonists seek to master
their art and do good for their land with their abilities. They don't
necessarily bow their heads to the authorities, but they seek to use
their martial arts skills to help those around them however they can.
Combining these superhuman levels of skill in martial arts with
qīnggōng (which allows users to seemingly defy gravity and walk on
water), nèijìn to control the mystical internal qi energy to perform
impossible feats of strength or endurance, and diǎnxué to strike at
pressure points to produce amazing effects on a subject. All of this
is greatly exaggerated in wuxia stories, but they're strongly
associated with the genre in popular fiction.
Playing the Genre
In wuxia, the kung fu skills (and often weapon skills) are as
ubiquitous among characters as qīnggōng "wire-fu" is, well-
represented by giving characters at least a few ranks in the
Enhanced Movement (Leaping) FX. The most common descriptor
for FX will usually be "Training", and some of the more mystic ones
might add "qi" as a descriptor as well. Hero Dice represent not luck
or good fortune, but simply fantastic to the point of the unreal levels
of skill and ability.
Genre Examples
• Curse of the Golden Flower
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
• Hero
• House of Flying Daggers
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Creating PC
Templates
For many games, there are often prevalent or over-arcing abilities
which can cover an entire profession, or even a whole race of
creatures! And for other games, your players just may just prefer a
more class-like system for creating characters than a point-buy
one. This section offers help and guidelines for creating PC
templates, which will go a long way to cutting down the workload for
players trying to create characters which fit into your game's world.
Racial Packages
Racial Packages are meant to represent what would be classified
as "races" in other roleplaying games. Racial templates are useful
in games where different kinds of non-human races are common,
especially fantasy games (where elves, dwarves, and similar
creatures might coexist with humans) and space opera games
(where dozens of alien species could exist).
How Expensive Should a Racial
Package Be?
How pricey to make a template depends on how many special
abilities a race might have and how important you want those
abilities to be relative to the rest of the character's abilities. For
creatures similar in ability overall to humans, a 5-10 character point
racial package is relatively fair. More powerful creatures will have
increasingly more powerful racial packages, to the point where a
character of that race might have few abilities other than his or her
racial abilities.
How to Balance Racial Packages
Racial packages can be relatively easily balanced by comparing the
creatures to "average" humans. Are they more dexterous, or
tougher, or less charismatic? Is their eyesight better or are they
blind?
You have the option of "building in" drawbacks and negatives to
racial packages to help balance them. For example, a race of elves
might be nimble but frail (with a +1 bonus to Dexterity but a -1
penalty to Constitution, for a net cost of 0 character points), or a
particularly bizarre-looking alien species might stick out enough in a
crowd of mostly humanoid creatures that is warrants the Noticeable
drawback (reducing the cost of the racial package by 1 character
point).
So long as you keep in mind that the average human on the street
with 0s in all of his ability scores is the baseline average for d20
Advanced conceptually, you won't have a hard time creating racial
packages.
Sample Racial Packages
Below are two sample racial packages for popular fantasy races.
Note that they are both relatively inexpensive packages, and are
appropriate for characters even at low power levels.
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DWARF RACIAL PACKAGE, 6 CP
• Ability Scores: +1 Constitution, -1 Charisma (0 cp)
• Skills: Endurance +1, Survival (Mountains) +1, Weapon
Group (Axes) +1 (3 cp)
• Feats: Profession (Miner) (1 cp)
• FX: Enhanced Senses (Vision Counters Obscure
(Darkness)) (2 cp)
ELF RACIAL PACKAGE, 6 CP
• Ability Scores: +1 Dexterity, -1 Constitution (0 cp)
• Skills: Perception +1, Survival (Forest) +1, Weapon Group
(Bows) +1 (3 cp)
• FX: Comprehend 1 (Animals), Enhanced Senses 1 (Vision
Counters Obscure (Darkness), Limited (Half)) (3 cp)
Roles
Whereas racial packages would represent where a character
started (his race, species, whatever), roles more represent what a
character's place within the game-world is. For some games, this
might be something like the character's profession (such as soldier,
spy, knight, wizard, or reporter). More generally, it might just be the
generic niche the character fits within the party (such as controller,
defender, leader, or striker), and is largely genre-independent.
Roles as Professions
Almost all genres include some fairly archetypal roles. Fantasy in
particular has the traditional three-man group of the Warrior, the
Thief, and the Mage. When trying to construct roles for your game
in this way, it's important to decide just which roles are important to
your setting, and which are relatively unimportant. Do you want to
create a role for any of the dozens of possible profession
adventure-seekers in your game might have, or would you prefer
only a few generic-but-customizable professions the players can
choose from?
You may base your answer on how much or how little your players
enjoy customization of their characters. If they'd rather just play a
simple archetype, it might be best to have a wider number of
options for the players to choose from for their roles. If you think
they'd be happier with a little more customization, then going for
more generic roles is probably your better bet. (Then again, if you
don't feel strongly about enforcing archetypes and your players are
eager to customize, then feel free to let them loose on the standard
character creation system!)
Roles as Party Niches
If you're playing a game where "adventuring roles" are less easily
defined, or something you'd rather not enforce setting-specific roles
within your game, you may instead offer your players the chance to
use more generic roles that define how they act in the party, instead
of how they fit into the world as a whole. In this way, these roles
become applicable across many different genres, and can be used
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across multiple games with minimal conversion.
Roles Instead of Point-Buy?
Should you use roles as a starting-point from which your players
can jump off to develop their characters as they see fit? Or should
roles become the default by which character increase in ability
("leveling up" in their roles with each successive power level)?
Which is a better fit for your group?
The answer to this question lies again in how much your group likes
customizing their characters, and how much your players enjoy
improving their characters. Especially if coming from a game with
levels and classes, restricting character development to only
"leveling up" in roles is probably going to be well within your group's
comfort level.
Alternatively, you can provide the characters roles only to start, and
allow them to spend character points normally from that point
forward to improve their characters with the standard point-buy
method. In this way, you can provide a solid starting-point for
players (especially those new to character creation in d20
Advanced) from which they can explore the character creation
system and get more comfortable with it. They might not be ready
to use the more open, flexible point-buy system right from the get-
go, but with a little bit more experience with the game, they might
be willing to try for the second game, or when it comes time to
make a new character for an existing game.
Constructing Roles
Roles are actually relatively simple to construct. All that you really
need to do is to provide enough structure that the roles are clearly
defined while still allowing enough "wiggle room" for the players to
make the roles their own. Ideally, for each power level you have in
the role, you will spend 15 character points on abilities. The only
exception to this is that at power level 1, those 15 points should go
almost exclusively towards "background" things for the character,
like racial package, ability scores, background feats, starting
equipment, etc.
The brief walk-through below will give the example of creating a
woodsman or ranger role for a fantasy game.
Step 1: Trained Skills
Each power level in a role will increase certain skills which are
considered "trained" for that role. This includes both combat skills
(such as a skill point in a specific weapon group, defense),
resistances (like will and fortitude), and other non-combat skills.
Which skills you select depend on the role itself.
For the ranger, we probably want to make sure that the role has
access to clearly "woodsman-y" skills, so we'll make the role trained
in "Survival (Forest)", "Reflex" and "Athletics". We should also
represent combat training with "Defense" and "Weapon Group
(Bows)". For resistances, rangers are often supposed to be eagle-
eyed and hardy, so adding training in "Fortitude" and "Perception"
are appropriate. This has already taken 7 of our 15 alloted points
for any given power level.
Step 2: Proficient Skills
If there are skills which a role should have training in, but isn't
necessarily a defining feature in the role, you should consider
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making some skills only "proficient", which implies that the role is
good with the skill, but not great. Proficient skills increase most (but
not all) levels. Ever four level, you skip increasing ranks in a
proficient skill (and it is often at these power levels that the role gets
other special abilities, see below).
When considering our ranger, it might be fair to add "Endurance" as
a proficient skill. Rangers won't be as good with endurance as
hardier roles might be, but they're also quite good at it, overall. This
means we've spent 8 of our alloted 15 character points (with one
spot open every four levels).
Step 3: FX, Feats, and Special Abilities
You should also decide if there are any special abilities which the
role you are creating calls for. These would include consistently-
increasing or periodically-increasing ranks in ranked feats or FX.
You need not improve these abilities at every level, and it's okay to
"underspend" at one power level in the role's progression to afford
something at a later level.
For our ranger, the first thing that comes to mind is some sort of
loyal animal, which would be well-represented by gaining a rank in
Ally every level. We have also been neglecting our ranger's
woodsy-side. This might be a good time to grant our ranger a little
bit of extra bite. One option would be to grant our ranger a rank in
Favored Opponent every other level. This would increase the cost
of our ranger to 10 character points every other level (and 9 at
every even level). Opposite Favored Opponent at even levels, we
could make our ranger more magical ranger and allow him to
entangle an enemy with Inflict (Condition) (movement and attack,
Defense resists) to represent undergrowth springing up to snare an
enemy the ranger touches. This will not be the ranger's most
powerful attack, but it will still be an option for him. Then, every four
power levels, we can grant our ranger an Alternate FX for his snare
as a small array of "nature magic" spell (perhaps including
Concealment and Enhanced Senses). The cost for our ranger is
now 10 character points per level.
Step 4: Feat Packages
Since most feats are one-off abilities, it's generally a good idea to
leave about 1/3 of a role's alloted character points "free" for the
player to invest at each power level as he sees fit, such as dabbling
in a skill which the role otherwise won't have ranks in. You should
also consider listing feats which are a good thematic fit for the role
but aren't granted automatically to the role. You might also want to
recommend some additional skills which could make a good choice
for the role.
For our ranger, some good potential matches include (but are by no
means limited to) Animal Empathy, Critical Strike, Favored
Environment, Move-By Action, Precise Shot, Hide In Plain Sight,
Ambidexterity, Direction Sense, and Track. In general, you want the
feat package to include about two or three feats for every power
level you plan on running the character through, to leave lots of
choices.
Step 5: The Finishing Touches
Once you've decided on a progression for the role, now you need
to clarify on how that role fits into your world. What kinds of people
fill that role? What are they like? Why do people of this role go
adventuring? How do they approach combat, or other important
conflicts in your game? What is their purpose in your world?
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For our ranger, we can describe the role as one of an ancient,
distant organization dedicated to hunting and purging the woods on
the fringes of civilization of monsters that would threaten innocent
people. They've learned a little bit of nature magic over the years
from their time as students of elven mages, but still mostly rely on
their trusty bows to see them through fights. They're efficient and
dangerous woodsmen, who are often unable to find a happy life
within society but who still seek to protect the people of that society.
So instead they live on the fringes and frontiers, helping to clear the
way for the cities and towns and farmers they left behind, and
patrolling the borders to keep them all safe.
Special Packages
In addition to these options, you have another way in which you can
help to control and provide guidance for the players in creating their
characters which are more self-contained and work better with the
standard point-buy system. Special packages allow you to
supplement most approaches to character creation (including roles)
with slightly more standardized abilities for players. This can be
helpful in giving your players a starting point for creating their
characters, or provide them with paths to follow in improving
existing characters (which grant you additional balance oversight
since you were the one who created these packages in the first
place).
Packages are built around specific themes (almost always tied to
one or more features) using different numbers of character points to
build them. Minor special packages are usually below 30 character
points and don't constitute a major part of the characters' abilities.
Moderate special packages are generally between 30-60 character
points, are can be a significant part of the characters' overall
abilities. Major special packages are going to be the focus of the
character, or barring that, one of the single most important abilities
the character has.
Selecting Options
Now you've learned how to help your players create characters, got
some ideas for your world, and run the game. You've been given a
whole toolbox of possibilities with these rules. But are you actually
expected to use the whole darn book? Not at all. In fact, this section
will help you fine-tune the options in your game to make it play just
the way you want, and how to make sure that your game's rules
won't trip your players up along the way.
Your World
The first thing you need to decide is what sort of game you want to
run for your group. What kind of world is it? How would you "sell" it
to your group? What makes it exciting to play in, and what makes it
different from other worlds they could be adventuring in?
Campaign Era
Decide which era your game belongs in. If you're using an alternate
world or alternate history, don't worry if the dates don't line up
exactly. The goal with selecting a campaign era is to give your
players an understanding for just what they can expect to come
across in your game in terms of available technology and the
lifestyle they'll be expected to live.
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•
•
Stone Age
Classical Age
PC Templates
• Medieval Age Are PC Templates available? Are they the only option, or can
• Renaissance players use the normal point-buy method if they'd rather do that?
• Industrial Age Will characters advance using templates or point-buy?
• Information Age
• Fusion Age
• Gravity Age Abilities
• Energy Age
This is a good time to make sure that players are clear on what are
• Cosmic Age appropriate benchmarks for their character's abilities. For most
games, a 10 Intelligence score does not mean "the smart kid in
high-school", it means "a genius attributable only to supernatural
Campaign Feel ability".
You should also select your campaign's feel to help your players
better know what sort of game they're going to be playing. If they
show up expecting something four-color and you want to run Skills
something gritty, you could have problems in terms of expectations Are you adding any new skills to the game? Are there any particular
and what sorts of characters they'll bring, so it's important to clear specializations for skills like Survival or Expertise which the players
this up early as well. should know about? How about skills like Toughness and Might?
• Utopian Are you removing skills from your game in favor of another option?
• Four-Color
• Typical
• Gritty Feats
• Against All Odds Are new feats available to your players? Are there any groups of
• Hopeless feats which you're disallowing for your game?

Realism FX
Deciding just how realistic your game will be is also useful in How are you going to allow FX in your game? Are you going to pre-
helping your players understand what sorts of characters they'll be construct FX templates for your players to buy? Are there any FX
able to bring to it, though it isn't as essential as the other you're removing from the game? How many points should players
considerations in this section. It is necessary for some calculations be allowed to spend on their FX?
they might need in character creation and during gameplay, though.
• High-FX
• Mundane • Moderate-FX
• Cinematic • Restricted-FX
• Epic • Gear-FX Only
• Excising Specific FX

Genre
As a final bit of help in guiding your players' decisions, you want to Gear
make it clear what sort of genre your game is going to be. After all,
Depending on what level technology has advanced to in your
you don't want a bunch of knights and wizards showing up for a
game, different levels of gear might be available. Are players
futuristic space opera or a few plucky explorers for a spandex-and-
allowed to make use of Devices or just Equipment? Can players
capes superheroes games.
purchase Vehicles or Structures? Will the optional Wealth rules be
used in your game?

Character Creation
You'll have to be clear with your players from the get-go exactly Action
what sorts of options are available to their characters. As a rule,
Finally, you need to decide how you'll be handling the action in your
players like to run wild and scrounge up every option they can find
games. How are players expected (and allowed) to deal with the
in the rules for their characters. It's up to you to decide what is and
challenges they'll face? What rules should they be expected to
what isn't appropriate for the game.
know?

Power Level & Character Points Combat

Probably the first thing on your players' minds will be how many
Are you going to be making use of tactical options? Will you use a
character points they start with, and what the game's starting power
battlemat? Are you going to use the standard Combat Advantage,
level will be. Set a starting number which you're comfortable with
or do you prefer Attacks of Opportunity? Will you let characters
and decide how you want to allow for advancement.
make use of Maneuvers?

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III
Environment
Are you going to be making use of Zones during the game?
Dramatic Interactions
Are you going to make use of dramatic interactions How about
Reputation? Will you use options like Mental Strain or Taint?
Designing Worlds
of Adventure
Building a World or a
Place for Adventure?
Just how big of a world do you need for players to have an
adventure? Do you need to detail every city and town around the
world, and know just what every NPC there is out there is going to
be doing at any given time? If it's an alternate world and not simply
set on Earth, do you also need to establish things like seasons,
calendars, populate the world with flora and fauna and-
Short answer: no with a "but".
When you settle in to actually put meat on the bones this chapter
has been helping you construct, think like director arranging a set
for a movie or play, or even a magician. The world only needs the
illusion of depth for the players to believe that it is indeed deep and
real. That means that the only perspective that the world needs to
be deep from is the one your players will have.
To that end, your job in creating your world becomes significantly
easier. You're not going to need to worry what the inside of a
grocery store looks like in your world if you don't think the PCs will
be going grocery shopping any time soon. You're also not going to
need to worry about land taxes if your medieval PCs are a band of
wandering adventurers. And you're certainly not going to need to
worry about what the engineering and chemical principles are
behind the refinement process that makes mid-grade starship fuel
in your space opera.
What matters is that the players believe that the fictional space
you've put their characters in feels real to them. And depending on
the scope of your game, that fictional space might not need to be
very big to create the illusion of a vast, deep, and exciting world.
Designing an Adventure Site
At the end of the day, your job is to give your players places for
their characters to go on adventures. To that end, all your world
needs to contain are numerous possible sites for those adventures.
Everything in between is just window-dressing (which many of us
happen to greatly like, to be sure, but not strictly necessary for all
games out there).
An adventure site needs to be exciting, either on its own merits
(such as a rickety bridge over a pit of lava, or an ancient catacomb
which descends into a bizarre subterranean world) or by virtue of
what happens there (such as a climactic battle against some
ancient evil, or the beginning of a race around the world to recover
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a long-forgotten treasure). It needs to frame the encounter and
support it, to give it foundation and to help the encounter be more
significant.
Designing a World
At its most basic level a world need only be similar to the old pulp
adventure stories where the only thing connecting two exciting sites
was a red line on a map. So long as it provides a way for the PCs
to get from one adventure site to another, you have a world
sufficient for an adventure game.
To create more robust and engaging worlds, you need to provide
more than sites of adventure: you must provide places where the
characters can interact peacefully and calmly with NPCs, where
they can stretch their legs and soak in the flavor of the world. You
need to give them the ability to stroll through marketplaces and
saunter into bars and taverns. You need to give your players a
reason to fall in love with your world, to make them invest in it so
that they care when it's in peril. Give the PCs time to spend with
their loved ones, or have parties, or just laugh and enjoy
themselves. If the players invest emotionally in your world and in
the NPCs you introduce them to, and they'll find the experience all
the richer for it.
If you choose to take this next step, you need to find not just a way
to give your players adventures, but for your world to be a place for
the NPCs too. They need places to live and work, places that
define them and give the players an understanding for who they
are. Religious NPCs need temples and churches, farmers need
crops to grow, sailors need oceans to sail, and reporters need
media to broadcast their stories.
When you design your world, if you start small, you need to ask
yourself with every NPC you introduce, "Who is this person? Where
do they belong in this world?" In a way, these characters become a
reason for you to expand your world, to create places for them that
fit into your setting. The first time the PCs might venture to a new
town or city could be to meet a new NPC.
As you grow more comfortable with world-building, you might start
asking the bigger questions about your setting, like what the
presence of supernatural abilities might change the way the world
works. How will "ordinary" NPCs react if there are many people in
the world with the strength and capabilities of the PCs? Just how
well do the PCs really fit into the world? As your world grows, these
are questions which the players will ask, and which you will have to
answer. When these questions come, you'll have the opportunity to
expand your world in wonderful ways, to draw your players' interest
in and to make them excited enough to come back next time
hungry to learn and explore more.
How Much Like the World
We Know?
The basic assumption when creating a world, whether for a game
or for fiction, is that it is in some way like the world that we
ourselves live in. That is the common ground which allows all the
participants of the game to share the imaginary space in which their
character exist. But these assumptions are only the foundation, and
from there you must decide just how different your world is from this
one.
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The World Outside Our Windows
The first (and easiest) option is to simply set your game in our own
Earth, starting with everything being exactly the same as it is today
(or seemingly so, if characters in your game have supernatural
abilities). Politics, languages, cities, and everything else are just like
you and your players know them. The only differences are the
characters who you introduce.
This is the presumption of many works of fiction, though some GMs
find that working with a world their players know too intimately
constrains them, as they lose the ability to change it as easily.
Certainly the GM is still able to replace figures with characters of
his own creation, or present his own take on public figures, but in
doing so, he runs the risk of disrupting his players' suspension of
disbelief.
Like Earth, Except for Metropolis
A common concession in fiction is to add or change cities from real
ones to fictional ones, so there's more room for you to stretch
without interfering with real-world facts. For example, there might
not be a slum that was once a grand experiment in a self-sustaining
metahuman living called Highgarden in New York, but it could exist
in a city of your creation called Arcadia City.
Under this method of world design, an existing city or place on our
Earth is nudged aside for a fictional one in which the GM has
greater freedom from pre-existing facts and history. This is
especially common in superhero or urban fantasy games, where an
alternate history needs to exist that allows for at least one such city
over which the GM has complete creative control.
Alternate History Earth
Like so many stories, an alternate history Earth is just like ours,
except that there was a key moment in history where things took a
different course. Maybe the Japanese never bombed Pearl Harbor,
so World War II turned out much differently, or the Roman Empire
never fell and is still strong today. The world might be a very
different place, even if it still looks like our own Earth from space.
This is a common tool in fiction dealing with alternate universes or
parallel worlds, as well as "What If?" stories.
Earth-Like World
Under this option, the world a game takes place on isn't Earth: it
has different landmasses, a different calendar, a different history,
different stars overhead, and a different name. However, in spite of
this, the world is very Earth-like. Leaves still fall in autumn, the sun
still rises in the east, humans still populate the world, and waves
still crash on beaches. In this scenario, the fundamentals of the
world are still familiar to the players, but the history and details of
the world are unique.
Fantasy stories in particular often make use of Earth-like worlds
with a different landscape. This offers the GM plenty of flexibility to
create a unique world while leaving it familiar enough for his players
to be able to get by and make realistic presumptions about how the
world works.
Fantastic Worlds
Worlds that are rather unlike our Earth in some overt way, or
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emphasize a particular aspect of Earth and make it global, are
referred to as fantastic worlds. These worlds might be built entirely
in the clouds, or be vast expanses of desert, or possibly even
beneath the surface of a world. But beyond this strangeness, the
world still follows Earth-like laws of physics and nature.
Fantastic worlds like these are common in science fiction, where
different planets the characters travel to are differentiated from one
another by their over-arcing appearance and theme. They are also
less commonly used in fantasy, where their strange features allow
them to stand out from the norm.
Bizarre Worlds
The further you get from the world we know, the more you choose
to deviate from known natural laws. Bizarre worlds start to break
from what would be common knowledge about how planets look or
how they behave. These might lead to the creation of ringworlds, or
places where the natural flora and fauna are so startlingly different
from Earth that their very presence is jarring and unsettling. It
becomes almost impossible to justify the nature of such worlds
using common sense or our own natural laws.
These sorts of bizarre worlds are sometimes used in fantasy and
science fiction as brief stop-overs in an adventure, though
occasionally they become the main setting themselves.
Nightmare Worlds
And the far-end of world design are nightmare worlds, where the
basic presumptions about reality, natural law, and causality are
thrown out the window as you see fit. On such worlds, reality might
be governed by thought or belief, or the entire world could be an
endless flame out into infinity.
Nightmare worlds are sometimes used in fantasy as dreamscapes
or mindscapes. They are also sometimes used to represent
abstract ideas or elemental planes. Some horror genres also used
concepts such as this to describe non-Euclidean places of
madness and insanity.
Populating the World
Once you have an idea for what your world is going to be like, you
need to populate it. The more like Earth it is, the easier your job will
be. You need to decide what sorts of creatures and people inhabit
your world, where they live, and what they're like. And most
importantly, you need to decide how available they are to your
players.
Races
Especially in fantasy and space opera games, it is common for non-
human but sentient species to co-exist alongside human beings.
These might be alien species or fantasy races, but they are often
very human-like (possibly even just "humans with funny ears"), or
at least recognizably humanoid (with a head, torso, and limbs in a
human template).
You need to decide just how much these races are like humans,
and how they're different from humans. They need to be different
enough from humans and from one another to justify their
existence, both mechanically and flavor-wise. And most importantly,
they need a place in the world. Decide where these creatures hail
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from, and how they fit in with the rest of the world and other races.
Are they friendly? Violent? Isolated? How will the PCs meet them,
or if one of the PCs is of this race, how will that PC meet the other
characters?
If you choose to make racial packages for these races, you need to
be sure to price them so that the ones which are appropriate for
PCs are available to them with their starting character points in
mind, and the ones which are inappropriate for PCs are either
designed to be mechanically unappealing or are simply too
expensive. Of course, as the GM, which races are available to the
PCs is a question that is up to you in the end, but you can make
your job much easier by making certain options more or less
attractive to your players.
Roles
If you choose to make use of roles, you should decide which ones
are common to your world (and more specifically, the segment of
the world your game focuses on). Pilots might be more common in
a world built in clouds, and in a game focused on organized crime,
enforcers and fixers and face-men might be more common for the
game than machine gunners and snipers and tank drivers. And if
you choose to use these tools, be sure to use them to your
advantage as well in designing NPCs.
NPCs
Finally, once you've painted out the broad strokes of potential
alternate races and archetypal roles for your world, you need to
populate it with interesting NPCs. Again, focus on NPCs who the
characters will interact with, whether they'll be friends or
adversaries. Make them interesting enough that the players will be
interested in investing their attention in. For help in designing
NPCs, see Chapter XII: Stock Characters.
Informing the Players
And now that you have your world all ready to go, you need to
know how you'll inform your players about it. What do they need to
know about the world to play in it? Should they come in completely
blind, or should you tell them about some of it beforehand? Most
importantly, how will you tell them?
In-Game Exposition
By far the simplest and most common method is in-game
exposition, by which NPCs (or possibly even the PCs themselves,
with successful knowledge check. In this way, the GM tells the
players what they need to know when it's relevant, or when the
players ask about it. In this way, you limit yourself to only needing
to give out information when it's relevant. This approach has two
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advantages. It limits your workload at any given time, and it allows
you to have the flexibility at any given time to come up with the best
possible answer for that given situation.
On the other hand, limiting yourself exclusively to this strategy can
be problematic in terms of consistency (especially if you don't keep
good notes about what you show in exposition). It also means that
the players don't know about the world until they are motivated to
find out about it, and when they are motivated, they might catch you
off-guard and leave you scrambling for an answer to something you
never considered.
World Primer
Another tool you can make use of is a world primer, a short one- or
two-page document you can give to your players to pain in broad
strokes what your world is like. You can give them key points of
common knowledge that everyone would know (such as the name
of the current ruler, some important current or recent events, or
some information on important locations in the world). It doesn't
spell out everything in the world, but it gives players a basic idea of
what the world is like.
Under this method, you'll still need to be able to answer additional
questions through exposition (as above), but your players will have
an idea of what the world is like thanks to your primers.
Maps
Especially useful when the game is set in a fictional land or city, a
map can help players feel more like they're a part of the world, and
that they know what it's like and where they're going in the area,
rather that traveling blindly through the area. Players like being able
to look at a map and determine where they are and where they
need to go. It allows them to make informed decisions about travel
and movement as if they were actually familiar with the world, and it
makes them feel as though their characters better belong in that
world.
Campaign Guidebook
Finally, for the truly dedicated GMs, you can create an entire
guidebook to your campaign world, outlining everything in advance
for your players (other than a few world-secrets). You let them know
well in advance what they need to know about the world, and if they
read through the entire thing (which is indeed unlikely for many
players), they'll be able to answer many of the questions you might
need to turn to exposition for either. This has the advantage of
helping to ensure more consistency in the future.
d20 Advanced was designed with campaign builders in mind, to
give them all the tools needed to build exactly the game they want.
It provides options to choose from in building your world, and
building the player options and rules for your world.
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Chapter XII: Stock
Characters
NPC Guidelines
So just what is an NPC? Yes, yes, I'm sure by now you know that
"NPC" stands for "Non-Player Character". But within the context of
your game, just what does that mean? What do NPCs do for your
game that can't be accomplished otherwise? And more importantly,
how do you use them? While the theme of Man Against Nature has
been a truly timeless one, retold from the earliest ur-stories through
to modern disaster movies, where the environment itself is the only
true threat the heroes will ever face, they're not the norm for RPGs.
For most games, especially longer-running games, NPCs are
absolutely essential to flesh out the world and to give players a
chance to really immerse themselves in the world.
NPCs Interact with PCs
First and foremost, NPCs are there to challenge and assist the PCs
in a wide variety of different ways. They're the ones the PCs go to
to for information, or for a mission, or have to fight off when the
battle starts. These are the most fundamental elements of how
NPCs will help the PCs directly with their mission, a starting point
for understanding how you can use different NPCs to accomplish
different tasks.
The Artisan
A mechanic. A smithy. A fearless sea captain. A snot-nosed kid with
uncanny skills in hacking. A colleague at the university specialized
in ancient linguistics. When you need help that requires more than
just information, help that requires actual skill and training and
expertise, you need an artisan. Artisans are less common than
informants (who can literally be anyone) as artisans are often
exceptionally skilled enough in their trade to have drawn the
attention of the PCs to help fill a service. Some aren't always great
helps (such as the drunk stagecoach driver who just so happens to
be the only coach going to California for the next three weeks), but
they're often the best the PCs can get with their current resources
to resolve a certain challenge which they themselves lack a key
skill for.
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Artisans can be located with some reconnaissance, though less-
than-friendly artisans might require payment or persuasion to be
convinced to help the PCs out. Artisans are the most-frequently
bypassed NPC archetype, as the skill system allows the PCs to
hammer out their own fortes in non-combat areas too. When the
PCs do go to them for help, artisans are usually only useful for their
narrow range of skill, not being much good at combat.
In terms of their attitude, most informants will be Indifferent, but
they frequently fall within the range of Unfriendly to Helpful.
The Informant
A gossip. A keen-eared barkeep. A shady dock-side information
broker. A para-military intelligence network. A wise old mountain
sage. An internet connection and a search engine. When you need
information about a mission, an area, or a particular person, and
you don't know it yourself, it's probably time to look for a good
informant. In theory, just about anyone can become an informant,
able to provide the players with exposition without breaking the flow
of the game too much. Any local who knows the story about the
Haunted House on Greenbriar Hill can become a good informant,
but to find out just what the extremist Brotherhood of Oblivion
terrorist organization is up to, you'll probably need to find a better
informant. Some artisans who are less skilled in a given area than a
PC often fall into the realm of the informant, able to just provide a
convenient means of exposition for the GM when the sometimes-
artisan's trade skills they can provide aren't needed.
Informants can usually be accessed through two mechanical
channels. More generic and widely-known information, such as
local rumors or general current events, can be accessed with
successful reconnaissance. These informants are probably very
poorly defined and don't exist for the players as anything more than
the rumor itself and no longer than it takes to deliver that piece of
information. The other method of accessing an informant would be
to seek out a specific NPC directly and attempt to persuade that
NPC to divulge the relevant information. More helpful informants
might give the information freely, but self-serving or antagonistic
ones are likely to take some convincing. Informants can be
bypassed as necessities when the PCs are suitably knowledgeable
in a certain area (such as a PC passing a knowledge check to
recall an actor's name before everyone has to go tramping around
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town asking around).
Like artisans, most informants will be Indifferent in attitude, but they
frequently fall within the range of Unfriendly to Helpful.
The Questgiver
A very important subset of informants are called "questgivers".
These NPCs are the ones who bring to the PCs information that
spurs on a new adventure or mission. They really are absolutely
essential to most genres of gameplay. All but the most character-
driven games need these NPCs to give the game direction by
providing the PCs with the first hints of what the coming adventure
will be. Questgivers, like informants, can be nearly anyone:
• The Commanding Officer: Especially suitable for military
games where an NPC assigns the PCs to different missions or
assignments.
• The Petitioner: An NPC who comes seeking out the PCs with
a specific request for help, sometimes offering payment or
other rewards.
• The Rumor Mill: Sometimes the questgiver is nothing more
than an average informant who just so happens to know a
rumor that can spur on an adventure. These questgivers are
especially common in fantasy games where they often relay
legends that just so happen to be true.
• The Signal in the Sky: Certain NPCs, especially in modern
games, might have a very blatant and very obvious means of
summoning or communicating with the PCs, sometimes literally
with a signal in the sky or a trouble-alert system.
• "While You're Here...": There are also NPCs who do little
more than to sit around and wait until PCs show up to ask for a
hand with something. The PCs just happen upon them, and the
NPCs ask them to complete side-quests for them.
The Foe
Unlike the other NPCs, the role of the foe is exclusively to bring
harm to the PCs. Foes often do this directly by engaging them in
whatever arena the PCs are currently engaged in. For most games,
this means foes will try to start combat with the PCs with the hope
of killing, capturing, or at least defeating the PCs enough to hamper
them. In more political or intrigue-focused games, the foe might
spread rumors or engaging in social sparring-matches with the
PCs. Sometimes, it will be the PCs who have to seek out a foe and
take the fight to the enemy!
Finding a foe often comes in the form of reconnaissance in an area
where the foe is believed to be, but more often than not, the foe will
either seek the PCs out, or the PCs will just stumble upon their new
foe and a battle will be joined. Once that happens, the combat skills
are what take priority over everything else.
While foes will vary from region to region and game to game, a
majority of foes who the PCs encounter are disposable enough that
they're considered expendable after use in a single encounter. And
since they're the ones who are supposed to be doing actual harm
to the PCs, their attitudes usually starts at Hostile and can range
from Nemesis at worst to Unfriendly at best.
The Nemesis
A special sort of foe is the nemesis, an NPC who becomes a long-
lasting foe for the party, often directing or manipulating lesser foes
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and even friendlier NPCs in a coordinated effort against the PCs.
Unlike lesser foes, a nemesis will likely be as capable or more
powerful than the PCs, and will be skilled enough to survive (and
often escape from) numerous encounters with the PCs. A nemesis
will also likely be more intelligent than the more garden-variety
foes. While you can build an encounter or even an adventure
around a foe, you can build an entire campaign around a nemesis.
A foe might be the vampire commanding a squad of zombies and
skeletons, but the nemesis would be the dread necromancer who
seeks nothing less than total world domination.
The Stalwart
A noble squire. A rifleman assigned to the squad at the last minute.
A sidekick who follows his hero into battle. A swordsman willing to
put his life on the line to repay his debt to the heroes. While PCs
seek out Artisans for their technical skill and talent and informants
for bits of information, they turn to the Stalwart when they need a
hand in a fight. Stalwarts might not even be as powerful as the
PCs, but they're willing to march off to battle with them and put their
lives on the line to help the cause the PCs are fighting for. Stalwarts
sometimes provide that little extra "oomph" for the heroes to tackle
an especially challenging battle.
Stalwarts are usually Friendly or Helpful enough that they'll be
willing to fight along side the PCs, risking life and limb. They're also
usually skilled enough in combat to meet the caps for their power
level. PCs rarely need to seek them out, though in a game where
reputation rules are being used, stalwarts might seek out more
famous or well-known PCs first.
NPCs Are the Supporting
Cast
There is a fine line between NPCs being interesting and engaging,
and NPCs being overshadowing and annoying. Always remember
that NPCs are expected to be there for the PCs. It's the PCs' show:
they're the protagonists of the story, and the game should focus on
them. An NPC should be intriguing enough that the PCs are willing
to invest their attention and imagination into fully realizing them, but
not so overbearing that they cross over into the land of “the GM's
character” (or “GMPC”). NPCs set the scene and provide the
supporting cast, but don't steal the show.
NPCs Populate the World
Often at-odds with the above pieces of advice, you must remember
that NPCs also serve to give the PCs perspective as to how the
world around them works, and what their place is within that world.
Thugs off the street are unlikely to be packing high-end military
hardware (unless someone crooked is flooding the streets with this
stuff for some reason), and there might be NPCs out there who are
just plain stronger than the PCs. When the PCs meet a new NPC,
in addition to getting some help or a new challenge, you also want
to try to give them insight into the world that exists around the
characters. These NPCs might act as examples for how characters
behave or what characters are expected to do within the confines of
the gameworld. For example, if every NPC the characters meet
greets them with, "Good day, fine lords and ladies," you suggest a
much different world than you would if most NPCs greeted the PCs
with, "Yo, 'sup, dawg?"
When you introduce an NPC, no matter how minor, try to consider
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where that NPC came from, and why the PCs are encountering
him. Is he a part of a new gang entering the ongoing turf war in
their home town? Or maybe he's a professional hitman who's been
hired to whack one of the more troublesome PCs? Perhaps he's
just a kid out of his element who really needs a helping hand and a
kind word instead of a punch in the gut.
This will also help you to decide just how strong to make a given
type of NPC. If it's just a random gang of kids, their power levels will
likely be relatively low. If, on the other hand, they're part of an elite
special ops team sent by the Joint Chiefs, they might have quite
high power levels!
Each time the PCs meet a new NPC, they should not just be
moving the game forward, but furthering their understanding and
perception of the gameworld.
use a myriad of different types of NPCs, who will be different sorts
of threats and challenges to the PCs, without much issue.
Template
NPC Templates, like the archetypes, serve to provide quick
guidelines for customizing NPCs. Unlike archetypes, however, the
templates serve more as the icing on the cake, or the flesh to stick
onto those skeletal archetypes. They provide additional mechanical
modifiers to help you further define your NPCs without taking a
great deal of time on your part as the GM. If archetypes are NPC
classes, then templates serve as NPC races.

What Makes a Good NPC?
So with all of that in mind, just what does it take to make a good
NPC? The rest of this chapter will go into depth on how to quickly
create useful and interesting NPCs. Consider the below to be a
primer.
Concept
First, try to consider what the NPCs' role will be within the world,
and how they'll serve to interact with the PCs. Are they friends?
Enemies? Frightening monsters? Ordinary people? Well-equipped?
Are they there for bloodshed? For fun? For a challenge? To steal
something? To ask for help? Knowing just who the PCs are meeting
will help to guide the rest of the creation process.
Challenge Rank
When creating an encounter, you'll need to decide just how
powerful a given NPC is. The more powerful and capable an NPC
is, the more of a threat he'll be to the party, and the less likely it will
be that the PCs will be able to defeat that NPC.
Creating an
Encounter
While you might want to design each and every NPC your players
come up against from the ground up, sometimes you simply don't
have the time, or the players do something so unexpected that you
need to come up with a brand new encounter right now. Look no
further than the stock NPCs. Just follow these steps to build up an
appropriate (and fun) encounter for your players to face.
Note that these are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules. At any point
that you feel comfortable stepping away from these guidelines to
create an NPC following the normal rules which PCs follow, then by
all means do so! The additional detail can be extremely useful for
creating a more exciting opponent for your players, but for less
important encounters, it's not always needed. These steps can help
you to very quickly assemble NPCs for an encounter, but you can
always design an NPC with more detail.
Step 1: How Dangerous?
Encounters in d20 Advanced are rated by how dangerous they are,
or how difficult it will be for the players to overcome them (see Table
12:1: Encounter Danger Rank).

Archetype Step 2: Challenge Rank

NPC Archetypes serve to provide a base from which an NPC can Next, you need to figure out just how many NPCs to challenge your
be built. It provides a simple skeleton, one that's immediately party with (and just how powerful to make them). Depending on
usable in play (especially for combat encounters) with the essential how challenging you wish to make the encounter (see Step 1), you
mechanical details already in place. The archetypes allow for you to can have more or fewer NPCs of higher or lower power level. To

TABLE 12.1: ENCOUNTER DANGER RANK

Danger Rank Description
No Danger; there is almost no possible way that the PCs could suffer injury, much less defeat
Minimal Danger; the PCs have almost no chance of being defeated
Modest Danger; the PCs stand to suffer some injuries if they're not careful
Significant Danger; the PCs are likely to win the fight, but it will require smart play to come out on top
Serious Danger; the PCs are going up against a real threat and could just as easily win as they could lose, and will need
to play smart to win
Severe Danger; the PCs are going to be severely outmatched and without very clever gameplay and teamwork, the PCs
could be defeated
Overwhelming Danger; the PCs are very likely to lose the encounter, and only tremendous luck or playing at the top of
their game can see them through

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determine this, you need to determine the total Challenge Rank for TABLE 12.3: MINION POWER LEVEL
the encounter:
Minions' Power Level Number of Minions
Encounter Challenge Rank = Danger Rank x Number of Party Party's PL - 1 or higher 1 Minion
Members
Party's PL - 2 2 Minions
Party's PL - 3 3 Minions
So if a group of four PCs is going to face an encounter of Serious
Party's PL - 4 4 Minions
Danger ( ), then the encounter will have a total
Party's PL - 5 6 Minions
Challenge Rank of 16.
Party's PL - 6 8 Minions
Party PL - 7 12 Minions
Step 3: How Many NPCs? Party's PL - 8 16 Minions
Party's PL – 9 or Lower 20 Minions
How Strong?
The total Challenge Rank of an encounter can be distributed in any Another thing to keep in mind is how capable the PCs are of taking
way you like among the enemies the PCs will face. You can divide down large numbers of minions in a single round. If the characters
the Challenge Ranks to many NPCs, or only a few. Depending on have access to a large number of area attacks FX or feats like
how many ranks you assign each enemy, it will change what Power Takedown Attack, you may want to add additional minions (2 – 4
Level that NPC is. depending on how potent those area attacks are).
As a general rule for keeping encounters balanced (and for the
TABLE 12.2: NPC POWER LEVEL sake of your sanity as the GM!), you don't want to field so many
NPC's Challenge Rank NPC's Power Level minions that keeping track of them becomes a burden. While the
Challenge Rank 1 Party's PL -4 or lower minion rules are very convenient for handling large numbers of
weaker enemies, in large numbers even minions can become
Challenge Rank 2 Party's PL -2 or -3
unwieldy. The significant challenge of an encounter shouldn't come
Challenge Rank 3 Party's PL -1 from minions: rather, it should come from normal NPCs. Minions
Challenge Rank 4 Party's PL should be used as “glass cannons”, who present a threat to the
Challenge Rank 5-7 Party's PL + 1 PCs in large numbers, but who will likely be destroyed quickly.
Challenge Rank 8-10 Party's PL + 2
Challenge Rank 11-14 Party's PL + 3
Challenge Rank 15-21 Party's PL + 4
Challenge Rank 22+ Party's PL + 5

So long as the total Challenge Ranks of all of the enemies put

together are equal to the Danger Rank x the number of PCs in the
party, you'll still have an appropriate encounter for that Danger
Rank. A Challenge Rank 16 encounter for a party of four PL 10 PCs
could consist of four PL 10 enemies, or two PL 12 enemies, or one
PL 14 enemy, or two PL 10 enemies and one PL 12 enemy, or eight
PL 7 enemies, or just about any other combination you want.

Simplifying
A helpful aid for this stage, especially if you're trying it for the first
time, is to put a stack of poker chips or pennies in front of you for
each enemy's Challenge rank. As you add or subtract enemies, or
increase or decrease their power level, you can track it easily with
the tokens.

Step 4: Minions
Minions follow slightly different rules, because of their frailties, and
are usually fielded in greater numbers. Weaker minions can be
fielded for a fraction of the normal cost for an NPC. Individual
groups of minions always have a value of just 1 Challenge Rank,
and depending on their power level relative to the party's, you may
field more minions in a given group for only one Challenge Rank.

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Step 5: Environment
You can also include environmental effects in place of an enemy.
The whole environment counts as a single opponent, and has the
same PL as the NPC the environmental effects are replacing.
Environmental effects are bought as equipment (costing equipment
points) as if they were part of a structure.
Step 6: Apply Archetypes
As a further shortcut, you can use the NPC Archetypes to very
quickly determine the capabilities of the NPC for a given PL.
Choose the archetype and note the combat skills and other special
abilities that archetype provides at the desired power level.
Step 7: Apply Templates
If you are making use of racial or similar templates, apply their
modifiers and abilities after selecting an archetype. An NPC
template will often show not just modifiers appropriate for all
archetypes, but special options you can select for archetypes.
Step 8: Finishing Touches
Now for the final step in creating an NPC: making any finishing
touches you need to make sure than the NPC does just what you
want it to. If you need a particular NPC to be able to fly, for
example, make sure you take ranks in the Enhanced Movement
FX.
NPC Archetypes
• Name: The name of the NPC Archetype.
• (Trade-Offs): The trade-offs (if any) an archetype uses. If really
pressed for time, you can use this trade-off applied to the
normal ability caps for that power level as a quick-and-dirty
way to stat out an NPC.
• Key Ability Score: The ability score listed here is the most
important to this archetype. Treat this ability score as equal to
half the NPC's power level as a rough rule of thumb. Other
ability scores are unlikely to be increased, or may only increase
by up to half this value (or one-quarter power level).
• Power Level: The power level of the NPC.
• Attack: The attack bonus for the NPC's main attack. Usually
equal to PL (barring trade-offs). Other attacks can be made at
half this value (treated as non-proficient with the attack).
• Effect Modifier: The bonus the NPC uses for its attacks to
overcome a target's Toughness, Fortitude, and Will
Resistances. Usually equal to PL (barring trade-offs).
• Defense: The bonus the NPC gains to its Defense Resistance.
This bonus is lost while flat-footed unless otherwise noted.
Usually equal to PL (barring trade-offs).
• Toughness: The bonus the NPC gains to its Toughness
Resistance. Usually equal to PL (barring trade-offs).
• Fortitude: The bonus the NPC gains to its Fortitude
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Resistance. This is typically at full PL for exceptionally hearty
NPCs and at half PL for weaker NPCs.
• Will: The bonus the NPC gains to its Will Resistance. This is
typically at full PL for more willful NPCs and at half PL for
weak-willed NPCs.
• Reflex: The bonus the NPC gains to its Reflex skill. This is
typically at full PL for quick NPCs and at half-PL for slower
NPCs.
• Special: Any extra skills, feats, or FX that an archetype gains.
Grunt
Peon. Cannon-fodder. Foot-slogger. Grunt. The simplest type of
opponent you can throw out to fight against your PCs, there's
nothing really special about grunts. They're the basic enemies
representative of their particular type. In battle, they reach their
caps in all the most basic combat areas, and you could say they're
well-rounded, but they're mostly rounded around such a low power
level anyway that it really isn't something to write home about.
Often a grunt's biggest advantage isn't in the individual grunt, but
rather in the sheer number of them which you can use at any given
time. Grunts are usually sprinkled liberally into a fight, and while
they can do little individually, they do tend to work well as a team.
Ideally, you want to have them use options like Combined Attack to
bring their damage up to a level that actually threatens the
characters.
In a fight, grunts are there to hold the line and take hits that would
otherwise be damaging more important allies, especially
dangerous-but-vulnerable allies like a Mastermind or Artillery.
They'll be the first to go down, and they'll go down in droves, but in
the meantime, they'll make the heroes look cool, and make their
more powerful and potent allies really stand out and seem more
special (and more dangerous). The grunts are going to go down
even faster against opponents who can target their Fortitude or Will
resistances, both of which are quite poor.
Grunts are the most basic of any type of opponent, and they'll likely
be the most numerous. They'll have the most basic armaments for
their team, and likely the most basic protections. But they can
become incredibly dangerous when backed up by an Enchanter, a
Mastermind, or a Support ally, who can multiply their capabilities by
impressive factors. In such situations, grunts are very dangerous.
Also, all the other NPC charts are variations of the grunt's. All the
NPCs which follow the same basic guidelines: hitting their caps at
each PL in the combat skills (after trade-offs) who may or may not
be more capable in other areas (like Fortitude and Will resistances,
or their Reflex to determine initiative order in combat).
And unlike other NPCs, grunts don't have a key ability which is
higher than their others. Instead, they tend to be all-around
mediocre and more representative of their different groups.
Artillery
The artillery is above and beyond there to lay on the hurt from a
range with a big, deadly weapon. Whether that weapon is a
powerful gun or a deadly spell or just a massive rock. Sure, other
minions in the fight might have ranged weapons of their own,
whether bows and arrows or simple guns or even a little magic, the
artillery is the one who really unleashes the hurt!
Artillery often also make use of the All-Out Attack feat, which allows
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TABLE12.4: GRUNT N/A

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 +0 +0
2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 +1 +1
3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +1 +1 +1
4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +2 +2 +2
5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +2 +2 +2
6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +3 +3 +3
7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +3 +3 +3
8 +8 +8 +8 +8 +4 +4 +4
9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +4 +4 +4
10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +5 +5 +5
11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +5 +5 +5
12 +12 +12 +12 +12 +6 +6 +6
13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +6 +6 +6
14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +7 +7 +7
15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +7 +7 +7
16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +8 +8 +8
17 +17 +17 +17 +17 +8 +8 +8
18 +18 +18 +18 +18 +9 +9 +9
19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +9 +9 +9
20 +20 +20 +20 +20 +10 +10 +10

TABLE 12.5: ARTILLERY (+5 EFFECT MODIFIER / -5 ATTACK) DEX

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +0 +2 +1 +1 +0 +0 +0 All-Out Attack
2 +1 +3 +2 +2 +1 +1 +1 All-Out Attack
3 +2 +4 +3 +3 +1 +1 +1 All-Out Attack
4 +3 +5 +4 +4 +2 +2 +2 All-Out Attack
5 +3 +7 +5 +5 +2 +2 +2 All-Out Attack
6 +4 +8 +6 +6 +3 +3 +3 All-Out Attack
7 +5 +9 +7 +7 +3 +3 +3 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 1
8 +6 +10 +8 +8 +4 +4 +4 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 1
9 +6 +12 +9 +9 +4 +4 +4 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 1
10 +7 +13 +10 +10 +5 +5 +5 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 1
11 +8 +14 +11 +11 +5 +5 +5 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 1
12 +9 +15 +12 +12 +6 +6 +6 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 1
13 +9 +17 +13 +13 +6 +6 +6 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 1
14 +10 +18 +14 +14 +7 +7 +7 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 2
15 +11 +19 +15 +15 +7 +7 +7 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 2
16 +12 +20 +16 +16 +8 +8 +8 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 2
17 +12 +22 +17 +17 +8 +8 +8 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 2
18 +13 +23 +18 +18 +9 +9 +9 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 2
19 +14 +24 +19 +19 +9 +9 +9 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 2
20 +15 +25 +20 +20 +10 +10 +10 All-Out Attack, Improved Range 2

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them to even further drop their defenses to partially overcome their
trade-off (which normally leaves them with poor aim). Their
penetrating damage means they'll be a threat even to characters
with lots of Impervious Toughness.
Unfortunately, artillery often suffers from being a glass cannon, as
wielding such a dangerous weapon means that it must often lower
its defenses to attack. But that's why it's a ranged weapon: it can
attack from range and do more serious damage while avoiding the
drawback of losing its Defense Bonus for a round when it does so.
And with Improved Range, the artillery can do just that from even
further away, avoiding retaliation.
When using artillery in a fight, keep in mind that every time they
take a shoot, they'll be painting a huge bullseye on themselves, as
smart PCs will quickly realize that they're a big threat and they'll
move to neutralize that threat. Expect artillery to come under heavy
fire after their first attack, when they'll likely be exposed from using
their heavier weapons. Since they have great range, keep artillery
behind melee-types or grunts, so that the PCs will have to work to
reach them.
Common FX/Gear
Damage (PL) (Extras: Ranged, Penetrating; Flaws: Distracting) (2
x PL cp)
Sample Artillery
• Medieval hand-cannoneers
•
•
Giants hurling boulders
Soldiers with modern shoulder-mounted rocket-launchers
• Futuristic warriors with powerful laser cannons
• A monster with fire breath which can only be used infrequently
and takes time to “charge”
Brute
Big, strong, brutish thugs are a common occurrence in many types
of fiction. They don't need the biggest gun because they only need
to get close to you to really start causing some serious pain.
Further, they're just so big and tough that they can take blows
which would leave a lesser creature on the ground writhing in pain.
They might come into the fray with a big weapon, like a huge sword
or even just a massive club, or they just might need to get their big,
grubby hands (or claws, or teeth) on you to deal their damage.
Brutes are also wonderfully straight-forward in a fight: they move
into melee range and start clobbering the enemy as hard as
possible. They're tough enough to stick it out in melee against foes
even more powerful than they are (which the heroes might very well
be). Many brutes, especially monsters or animals, or just enemies
who prefer to fight unarmed, will often try to initiate a grapple
maneuver with an enemy, taking advantage of their high strength
and lack of reliance on weapons or fancy FX to deal damage,
instead using something a little simpler.
But where the brute suffers is in accuracy and in defense. It's pretty
easy to hit a brute, and a nimble character can be hard for a brute
to fight on even terms. Brutes hit hard and can take punishment,
but a lower defense means that their foes will have more chances
to overcome their toughness resistance. Further, most brutes tend
to have a very poor will resistance, meaning that a character who
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can regularly target their will resistances can probably take brutes
out fairly quickly. This “glass jaw” in their will resistance means that
brutes will probably want to keep enemies who can target their will
resistances busy somehow, whether by going and smacking them
around first, or by having an ally to draw their fire.
In a fight, brutes tend to target “softer” enemies who may be
capable of greater damage, since they can take the punishment
and are capable of really affecting those with with poor toughness
resistances quickly. Plus, those sorts of characters are also the
most vulnerable to being grappled, which again plays to the brute's
strengths. Since he's an up-close melee-type, the brute is best
supported by weaker allies who can deal damage from a range (like
the artillery) or an ally who can help him overcome his weaker
attack bonus (like a flanker).
Common FX/Gear
Damage (PL/2) (FX Feats: Mighty) (PL/2 + 1 cp)
Sample Brutes
• Hulking armored knights with huge swords
• Surly mafia enforcers with baseball bats
• Monstrous, clawed, towering animals or monsters
• Huge, strong alien species who specialize in melee combat
• The biggest marine in a unit who wrestles the gun away from
his enemy
Champion
If there's an enemy who really stands out above the rest, who can
essentially do it all and who never backs down, it's the champion.
Champions are the best of the best, with no real weaknesses. They
are, in a sense, the anti-grunts, capable at many things without
being specialized, and lacking any true vulnerabilities. No trade-offs
to reduce attacks, damage, defense, or toughness, high fortitude
and will defenses, and the added bonus of being totally fearless
means that the champion is a potent threat on the battlefield.
Like the grunt, the champion also doesn't specialize in anything off
the bat. Rather, the champion serves as an effective “base” from
which to build the boss of an encounter, the Big Bad Evil Guy who
will be the biggest threat to the PCs. Champions only really shine
when they're customized further with additional FX, feats, or gear.
But because of their excellent resistances, champions are par-none
the best front-liners, able to mix it up with just about any PCs and
remain relatively durable and safe while remaining a respectable
threat. Some sample champions with different special abilities (and
key ability scores) are suggested below.
Sample Champion Progressions
The Juggernaut (STR)
Unrivaled in physical strength, the juggernaut can simply plow
through the enemy, dashing lesser foes aside with each blow. The
juggernaut's incredible melee prowess comes through massive,
imposing physical strength. The juggernaut gains Capable
(Strength) at PL 4, and improves his rank by 1 every four levels
thereafter.
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TABLE 12.6: BRUTE (+2 EFFECT MODIFIER / -2 ATTACK; +2 TOUGHNESS / - 2 DEFENSE) STR
Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +0 +1 +0 +1 +1 +0 +0
2 +1 +3 +1 +3 +2 +1 +1 Endurance 1
3 +1 +5 +1 +5 +3 +1 +1 Endurance 1
4 +2 +6 +2 +6 +4 +2 +2 Endurance 2
5 +3 +7 +3 +7 +5 +2 +2 Endurance 2
6 +4 +8 +4 +8 +6 +3 +3 Endurance 3
7 +5 +9 +5 +9 +7 +3 +3 Endurance 3
8 +6 +10 +6 +10 +8 +4 +4 Endurance 4
9 +7 +11 +7 +11 +9 +4 +4 Endurance 4
10 +8 +12 +8 +12 +10 +5 +5 Endurance 5
11 +9 +13 +9 +13 +11 +5 +5 Endurance 5
12 +10 +14 +10 +14 +12 +6 +6 Endurance 6
13 +11 +15 +11 +15 +13 +6 +6 Endurance 6
14 +12 +16 +12 +16 +14 +7 +7 Endurance 7
15 +13 +17 +13 +17 +15 +7 +7 Endurance 7
16 +14 +18 +14 +18 +16 +8 +8 Endurance 8
17 +15 +19 +15 +19 +17 +8 +8 Endurance 8
18 +16 +20 +16 +20 +18 +9 +9 Endurance 9
19 +17 +21 +17 +21 +19 +9 +9 Endurance 9
20 +18 +22 +18 +22 +20 +10 +10 Endurance 10

TABLE 12.7: CHAMPION ANY

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 Fearless, Special
2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 Fearless, Special
3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +1 Fearless, Special
4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +2 Fearless, Special
5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +2 Fearless, Special
6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +3 Fearless, Special
7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +3 Fearless, Special
8 +8 +8 +8 +8 +8 +8 +4 Fearless, Special
9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +4 Fearless, Special
10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +5 Fearless, Special
11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +5 Fearless, Special
12 +12 +12 +12 +12 +12 +12 +6 Fearless, Special
13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +6 Fearless, Special
14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +7 Fearless, Special
15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +7 Fearless, Special
16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +8 Fearless, Special
17 +17 +17 +17 +17 +17 +17 +8 Fearless, Special
18 +18 +18 +18 +18 +18 +18 +9 Fearless, Special
19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +9 Fearless, Special
20 +20 +20 +20 +20 +20 +20 +10 Fearless, Special

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The Master Swordsman (DEX)
Quick and daring, the master swordsman can slay you six times
before you hit the ground. Few have ever mastered a sword (or
knife, or martial arts, etc.) to the degree that the master swordsman
has. The master swordsman starts out with Acrobatic Bluff at PL 1
and has a +2 Attack/-2 Effect Modifier trade-off and a +2 Defense/-2
Toughness trade-off. The master swordsman also adds the Barrage
extra to his main attack.
The Warrior-General (INT)
A brilliant, determined leader of men with fantastic knowledge of
tactics and warfare. And for all his mastery and genius, the warrior-
general refuses to wait in the rear, choosing instead to charge
fearlessly into the fray. The warrior-general gains Master Plan at PL
1, Leadership at PL 5, and Informed Combatant at PL 10. He also
gains a bonus rank in Expertise at each even-numbered PL.
The Shining Knight (CHA)
The greatest warrior of a land, the shining knight (or master
samurai, or supreme soldier, etc.) is a fantastically capable warrior
who can lead from the front. The shining knight's battle-cry can
inspire greatness in his allies, spurring them on to true heroism.
The shining knight gains Inspire at PL 4, and improves his rank by 1
every four levels thereafter.
Defender
Be it a bodyguard, a tank, or a meat-shield, a defender is a
common accomplice to many potent-but-vulnerable enemies
heroes might face. Defenders are likely to be among among the
most physically durable enemies on a battlefield, and they're the
ones who put it to the best use. Unlike other NPC archetypes, the
defender is more than capable of leaping to the rescue and taking a
hit that might fell another ally. They tend to enhance the durability of
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another associated NPC by taking blows that would otherwise
debilitate them.
Defenders are usually second-line warriors, despite their great
toughness, because they need to stay close to more vulnerable
(and usually more important) NPCs. They essentially give “softer”
targets like artillery, enchanters, and masterminds an extra shield,
allowing the “big guns” a measure of safety with which to act.
Having someone like a defender around can drastically increase
the life-expectancy of other NPCs in a fight, so long as the defender
stays close to the NPC he's supposed to be guarding! What's more,
while defenders have low Will resistances, having Second Chance
(Mind Control) gives them the another opportunity to avoid a
compulsion which might compromise his devotion. Thus most
defenders have slightly better Will resistances against such things
than you might otherwise expect.
In a fight, a defender usually takes advantage of weapons with
increased reach or ranged weapons, so that the defender can
remain behind the front lines and protect his charge while still
contributing to the fight in some way. Against more mobile PCs, the
defender will more likely be carrying a melee weapon and will
attempt to swat away anyone who gets too close to his charge,
relying on his Interpose feat to protect his charge.
A defender's biggest obvious weakness is an otherwise low will
Resistance, which puts him at risk from other mind-affecting
abilities. Beyond that, realize that a defender is going to be hit
many more times than most other NPCs, and will be subject to
more damage than others. In spite of a defender's high toughness,
he'll simply be struck by attacks so many times that defenders
rarely will remain standing for very long in a battle. Their loss won't
lead to instant ruin for the NPCs, since defenders contribute little
offensively, but it will open the “softer” NPCs to attacks that they'd
likely prefer to avoid.
Common FX/Gear
Damage (PL) (FX Feats: Extended Reach, Mighty) (PL + 2 cp)
Sample Defenders
• Secret service agents
• The corrupt sorcerer's loyal thrall
• A mad scientist's mechanical bodyguard
• The extremely devoted second-in-command for the platoon
Enchanter
While many warriors use raw power to blast their enemies from the
battlefield, sometimes tricks and guile are all you really need. The
enchanter relies almost exclusively on the latter, specializing in
taking the enemy's attention and drawing it away while the
enchanter's allies deal the heavier damage.
An enchanter can represent many different types of enemy. Being
skill-based, it's very easy to cast the enchanter as a non-magical
distraction, someone who is capable of just drawing the attention of
those around through pure skill. However, it works just as well for a
more magical approach, as the fantasy name associated with this
archetype suggests. Rather than just “distracting” or “inspiring”, the
enchanter weaves spells to steal away someone's focus or to
empower allies.
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TABLE 12.8: DEFENDER (+2 TOUGHNESS / -2 DEFENSE) CON

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 -1 +3 +1 +0 +0 Interpose

2 +2 +2 +0 +4 +2 +1 +1 Interpose

3 +3 +3 +1 +5 +3 +1 +1 Interpose

4 +4 +4 +2 +6 +4 +2 +2 Interpose

5 +5 +5 +3 +7 +5 +2 +2 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

6 +6 +6 +4 +8 +6 +3 +3 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

7 +7 +7 +5 +9 +7 +3 +3 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

8 +8 +8 +6 +10 +8 +4 +4 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

9 +9 +9 +7 +11 +9 +4 +4 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

10 +10 +10 +8 +12 +10 +5 +5 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

11 +11 +11 +9 +13 +11 +5 +5 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

12 +12 +12 +10 +14 +12 +6 +6 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

13 +13 +13 +11 +15 +13 +6 +6 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

14 +14 +14 +12 +16 +14 +7 +7 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

15 +15 +15 +13 +17 +15 +7 +7 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

16 +16 +16 +14 +18 +16 +8 +8 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

17 +17 +17 +15 +19 +17 +8 +8 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

18 +18 +18 +16 +20 +18 +9 +9 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

19 +19 +19 +17 +21 +19 +9 +9 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

20 +20 +20 +18 +22 +20 +10 +10 Interpose, Second Chance (Mind Control)

TABLE 12.9: ENCHANTER (+2 DEFENSE / -2 TOUGHNESS) CHA

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 +3 -1 +0 +1 +0 Distract
2 +2 +2 +4 +0 +1 +2 +1 Distract, Bluff 1
3 +3 +3 +5 +1 +1 +3 +1 Distract, Bluff 1
4 +4 +4 +6 +2 +2 +4 +2 Distract, Bluff 2, Inspire 1
5 +5 +5 +7 +3 +2 +5 +2 Distract, Bluff 2, Inspire 1
6 +6 +6 +8 +4 +3 +6 +3 Distract, Bluff 3, Inspire 1
7 +7 +7 +9 +5 +3 +7 +3 Distract, Bluff 3, Inspire 1
8 +8 +8 +10 +6 +4 +8 +4 Distract, Bluff 4, Inspire 2
9 +9 +9 +11 +7 +4 +9 +4 Distract, Bluff 4, Inspire 2
10 +10 +10 +12 +8 +5 +10 +5 Distract, Bluff 5, Inspire 2
11 +11 +11 +13 +9 +5 +11 +5 Distract, Bluff 5, Inspire 2
12 +12 +12 +14 +10 +6 +12 +6 Distract, Bluff 6, Inspire 3
13 +13 +13 +15 +11 +6 +13 +6 Distract, Bluff 6, Inspire 3
14 +14 +14 +16 +12 +7 +14 +7 Distract, Bluff 7, Inspire 3
15 +15 +15 +17 +13 +7 +15 +7 Distract, Bluff 7, Inspire 3
16 +16 +16 +18 +14 +8 +16 +8 Distract, Bluff 8, Inspire 4
17 +17 +17 +19 +15 +8 +17 +8 Distract, Bluff 8, Inspire 4
18 +18 +18 +20 +16 +9 +18 +9 Distract, Bluff 9, Inspire 4
19 +19 +19 +21 +17 +9 +19 +9 Distract, Bluff 9, Inspire 4
20 +20 +20 +22 +18 +10 +20 +10 Distract, Bluff 10, Inspire 5

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During a fight, the enchanter is a very surgical archetype, which
can be used to neutralize enemies with weak will resistances (who
are often the enemies which pose the greatest immediate threat
damage-wise), or leave them open with feints and distractions.
Enchanters will also be careful to utilize their Inspire ability at the
correct time to maximize benefit, and at lower PLs, when their
Charisma scores are lower, to inspire the right allies (usually the
ones whose resistances badly need bolstering, or who are having a
difficult time striking an enemy due to a lower attack skill. Used
properly, enchanters can turn the tide in a fight by systematically
empowering allies and surgically weakening enemies to achieve
victory.
However, enchanters are usually somewhat fragile. They will be
harder than normal to hit (thanks to being agile dancers, cunning
flim-flam artists, spellcasters with magic defenses, etc.), but they
remain vulnerable to direct hits, especially those which target their
Fortitude resistance. Enchanters are not made to take blows:
they're meant to keep at bay enemies who would otherwise be
striking their allies through cunning use of their abilities. Enchanters
work best when they are supported by enemies who can absorb the
brunt of an attack for them (like brutes, defenders, or even grunts).
When an enchanter is free to work its magic, its allies will benefit
enormously from the disruption its abilities can wreak.
Common FX/Gear
Inflict (PL) (Attack, Defense) (PL x 2 cp)
Sample Enchanters
• The colorfully-dressed bard with near-magical songs
• An alluring nymph with otherworldly beauty
•
•
A psychic able to bend the will of enemies
The monster who secretes mind-altering chemicals into the air
• A lithe and beautiful dancer whose movements are hypnotic
Flanker
Often the best way to contribute to a fight is not by directly attacking
the enemy, but by using tactics carefully to give an ally the upper-
hand. This is the flanker's approach to battle: find an enemy who
needs to be taken care of and help an ally bring that enemy down.
Flankers tend to be more lightly-equipped than their allies,
preferring more agile weapons for pin-point accurate feints.
Besides, their role isn't to damage the enemy. Instead, they're
responsible for getting the enemy into tough tactical positions and
holding them there for the hammer blow from a more powerful ally.
Flankers are especially useful thanks to their Set-Up feat. They'll
move into position and harass an enemy, granting one of their allies
combat advantage against a flat-footed foe (usually setting up a
heavy-hitter like the brute or the artillery). Flankers also work
wonderfully in melee to help an ally successfully hit a high-defense
enemy with the Teamwork feat. This works especially well for
enemies who have a high damage but low attack who benefit
greatly from the much-improved bonus to attack.
But as useful as they are, flankers by themselves are not much of a
threat. Their attacks tend to be less damaging, meaning that more
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powerful characters often have little to fear directly from flankers
themselves. Further, they suffer from poor Fortitude and Will
resistances, making them prime targets for exotic attacks which
target those two resistances. They are excellent support troops, but
flankers are terrible front-liners. If they are not supported by more
powerful and durable allies, they tend to be rather ineffective.
Flankers really shine when they come into a fight-in-progress.
While the enemy is tied up with other concerns, flankers can move
into position and turn the tide of the fight with their unique skills,
helping to threaten key enemies and help their most potent allies
make the most of their abilities. They make a great “second wave”
in this respect. However, one should keep their vulnerabilities in
mind when deploying the flankers, since even light blows threaten
to take them out of the fight. Flankers are not a solid line of
defense, and neither are they a reliable source of damage. Rather,
flankers are a convenient way to improve the capabilities of their
allies. They can lend a hand, but don't expect them to carry the
brunt of the load on their shoulders.
Common FX/Gear
Damage (PL - 2) (FX Feats: Mighty) (PL - 1 cp)
Sample Flankers
• Swift-footed footsoldiers who disrupt enemy formations
• Light fighters who specialize in knocking away others' shields
• Distracting smaller monsters who interfere with attacks
• An expert martial artist who specializes in foot sweeps and
throwing enemies off-balance
Hoser
In worlds where supernatural FX exist, the ability to counter or
neutralize those abilities is essential to achieving victory. Enter the
hoser: someone dedicated to nullifying key capabilities of the
enemy. They could be sorcerers specialized in counterspelling in a
world of magic, troops armed with anti-psionic weapons in a fight
against mutant psychics, or even just footsoldiers for a supervillain
carrying flame-retardant foam as part of a diabolical plan to
neutralize a fire-projecting hero.
More often than not, hosers are simply ordinary troops with special
weapons, often tailored specifically to help disrupt the abilities of
the enemy. Because of this, hosers are really only used after the
PCs have established themselves, and potential enemies have
learned about their capabilities, and what is needed to counter
them. Hosers are almost never used immediately out of the gate,
since it's hard to find a counter for an ability which you don't even
know about.
In a fight, hosers are relatively durable, but their main (and
sometimes their only) threat is their Nullify ability. Against a team
with like descriptors, hosers can be devastating. They are less
frightening when set against a team with diverse abilities, but are
still extremely important for their ability to quickly and easily
neutralize the abilities of key players in a fight. Knowing how to
draw an enemy out and then instantly strip the enemy of all of its
defenses is a key strategy which you need to truly maximize the
effectiveness of hosers.
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TABLE 12.10: FLANKER (+2 ATTACK / -2 EFFECT MODIFIER) DEX

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +3 -1 +1 +1 +0 +0 +1 Set-Up
2 +4 +0 +2 +2 +1 +1 +2 Set-Up
3 +5 +1 +3 +3 +1 +1 +3 Set-Up
4 +6 +2 +4 +4 +2 +2 +4 Set-Up
5 +7 +3 +5 +5 +2 +2 +5 Set-Up, Teamwork 1
6 +8 +4 +6 +6 +3 +3 +6 Set-Up, Teamwork 1
7 +9 +5 +7 +7 +3 +3 +7 Set-Up, Teamwork 1
8 +10 +6 +8 +8 +4 +4 +8 Set-Up, Teamwork 1
9 +11 +7 +9 +9 +4 +4 +9 Set-Up, Teamwork 1
10 +12 +8 +10 +10 +5 +5 +10 Set-Up, Teamwork 2
11 +13 +9 +11 +11 +5 +5 +11 Set-Up, Teamwork 2
12 +14 +10 +12 +12 +6 +6 +12 Set-Up, Teamwork 2
13 +15 +11 +13 +13 +6 +6 +13 Set-Up, Teamwork 2
14 +16 +12 +14 +14 +7 +7 +14 Set-Up, Teamwork 2
15 +17 +13 +15 +15 +7 +7 +15 Set-Up, Teamwork 3
16 +18 +14 +16 +16 +8 +8 +16 Set-Up, Teamwork 3
17 +19 +15 +17 +17 +8 +8 +17 Set-Up, Teamwork 3
18 +20 +16 +18 +18 +9 +9 +18 Set-Up, Teamwork 3
19 +21 +17 +19 +19 +9 +9 +19 Set-Up, Teamwork 3
20 +22 +18 +20 +20 +10 +10 +20 Set-Up, Teamwork 3

TABLE 12.11: HOSER WIS

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 +1 +0 Nullify (One Effect Type) 1
2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 +2 +1 Nullify (One Effect Type) 2
3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +1 +3 +1 Nullify (One Effect Type) 3
4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +2 +4 +2 Nullify (One Effect Type) 4
5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +2 +5 +2 Nullify (One Effect Type) 5
6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +3 +6 +3 Nullify (One Effect Type) 6
7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +3 +7 +3 Nullify (One Effect Type) 7
8 +8 +8 +8 +8 +4 +8 +4 Nullify (One Effect Type) 8
9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +4 +9 +4 Nullify (One Effect Type) 9
10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +5 +10 +5 Nullify (One Effect Type) 10
11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +5 +11 +5 Nullify (One Effect Type) 11
12 +12 +12 +12 +12 +6 +12 +6 Nullify (One Effect Type) 12
13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +6 +13 +6 Nullify (One Effect Type) 13
14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +7 +14 +7 Nullify (One Effect Type) 14
15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +7 +15 +7 Nullify (One Effect Type) 15
16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +8 +16 +8 Nullify (One Effect Type) 16
17 +17 +17 +17 +17 +8 +17 +8 Nullify (One Effect Type) 17
18 +18 +18 +18 +18 +9 +18 +9 Nullify (One Effect Type) 18
19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +9 +19 +9 Nullify (One Effect Type) 19
20 +20 +20 +20 +20 +10 +20 +10 Nullify (One Effect Type) 20

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lurkers are poor at holding the line or providing a defensive front,

Note: The hoser really is an archetype which benefits most
from judicious use. Half of the fun of having special powers is
being able to use them, and if constantly forced to face hosers,
players might understandably be upset at losing those abilities. If
used occasionally, they help to create exciting encounters. If used
too often, they serve only to frustrate players at best, and infuriate
them at worst.
In general, hosers could stand to be protected, but not to the extent
that more fragile archetypes need be. They benefit greatly from
additional protection, and work best to selectively neutralize specific
enemies and remove them very efficiently from a fight, either by
stripping them of their offensive capabilities or by completely
nullifying their defenses.
Common FX/Gear
Nullify (PL) (One Effect Type) (PL cp)
but especially if paired with the likes of the flanker, lurkers can be
especially terrifying and potent to an unprepared group. Expect
heroes to target lurkers as targets of opportunity early on, but
further realize that attacks which destroy these potentially
dangerous NPCs are not ones which are striking more consistently
dangerous troops, such as artillery, the hoser, and the mastermind.
Common FX/Gear
Damage (PL x ¾) (FX Feats: Mighty) (¾ x PL + 1 cp)
Sample Lurkers
• A stealthy ninja assassin who strikes from the shadows
• A deadly marine sniper with a light rifle
Savage orc archers and hunters
•
• Alien shadowdwellers capable of seeing even in pitch black
Ruthless cut-throats who rely on the ambush to succeed

Sample Hosers
• Mages specialized in counterspelling
• Psion hunters with weapons that drain psychic energy
• Troopers armed with flame-retardant foam
• A monster which blots out magic in the area around it
• A holy warrior who can drain away unholy supernatural abilities

Lurker
One of the biggest advantages which a force can enjoy is the
element of surprise, and lurkers specialize in surprising foes. A
lurker is designed to appear suddenly and strike for devastating
damage, striking where the enemy is weak. Lurkers are usually less
armored than most archetypes, so they usually need to be used
with greater care than others. Further, they're very reliant on hitting
unprepared foes in order to achieve their full damage: against foes
who are aware of their presence, they are far less capable NPCs,
both offensively and defensively.
In a battle, lurkers can serve as priority targets for the enemy: they
strike for impressive damage, but can be eliminated relatively easily
once struck with a solid blow. Out of their element, lurkers are weak
and vulnerable, but when they have the advantage, lurkers can be
quite dangerous, especially with their ranks in Sneak Attack.
And lurkers are quite capable of putting that sneak attack to good
use. With ranks in Infiltration, lurkers excel at stealth and getting
into secure areas, so they're able to strike from angles which might
otherwise not be predicted by the enemy. Especially when in an
environment which compliments stealth (such as a night-fight or
combat in heavy cover or overgrowth), lurkers can be extremely
dangerous foes. However, perceptive enemies are likely to expose
and quickly eliminate lurkers and their dangerous damage potential.
Lurkers are excellent support, but once exposed, they lose much of
their bite. Without their sneak attack, the damage output lurkers are
capable of drops off dramatically. Further, if a solid blow connects,
lurkers just lack the toughness, fortitude, and will defenses to stay
in the fight for long. They really shine when covered by tougher
allies, or at least more numerous and obvious allies. On their own,

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TABLE 12.12: LURKER (+2 DEFENSE / -2 TOUGHNESS) DEX

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 +3 -1 +0 +0 +1
2 +2 +2 +4 +0 +1 +1 +2 Infiltrate 1
3 +3 +3 +5 +1 +1 +1 +3 Infiltrate 1
4 +4 +4 +6 +2 +2 +2 +4 Infiltrate 2
5 +5 +5 +7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Infiltrate 2, Sneak Attack 1
6 +6 +6 +8 +4 +3 +3 +6 Infiltrate 3, Sneak Attack 1
7 +7 +7 +9 +5 +3 +3 +7 Infiltrate 3, Sneak Attack 1
8 +8 +8 +10 +6 +4 +4 +8 Infiltrate 4, Sneak Attack 1
9 +9 +9 +11 +7 +4 +4 +9 Infiltrate 4, Sneak Attack 2
10 +10 +10 +12 +8 +5 +5 +10 Infiltrate 5, Sneak Attack 2
11 +11 +11 +13 +9 +5 +5 +11 Infiltrate 5, Sneak Attack 2
12 +12 +12 +14 +10 +6 +6 +12 Infiltrate 6, Sneak Attack 2
13 +13 +13 +15 +11 +6 +6 +13 Infiltrate 6, Sneak Attack 3
14 +14 +14 +16 +12 +7 +7 +14 Infiltrate 7, Sneak Attack 3
15 +15 +15 +17 +13 +7 +7 +15 Infiltrate 7, Sneak Attack 3
16 +16 +16 +18 +14 +8 +8 +16 Infiltrate 8, Sneak Attack 3
17 +17 +17 +19 +15 +8 +8 +17 Infiltrate 8, Sneak Attack 4
18 +18 +18 +20 +16 +9 +9 +18 Infiltrate 9, Sneak Attack 4
19 +19 +19 +21 +17 +9 +9 +19 Infiltrate 9, Sneak Attack 4
20 +20 +20 +22 +18 +10 +10 +20 Infiltrate 10, Sneak Attack 4

TABLE 12.13: MASTERMIND (+5 DEFENSE / -5 TOUGHNESS) INT

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 +2 +0 +0 +1 +0 Master Plan
2 +2 +2 +3 +1 +1 +2 +1 Master Plan
3 +3 +3 +4 +2 +1 +3 +1 Master Plan
4 +4 +4 +5 +3 +2 +4 +2 Inspire 1, Master Plan
5 +5 +5 +7 +3 +2 +5 +2 Inspire 1, Master Plan, Leadership
6 +6 +6 +8 +4 +3 +6 +3 Inspire 1, Master Plan, Leadership
7 +7 +7 +9 +5 +3 +7 +3 Inspire 1, Master Plan, Leadership
8 +8 +8 +10 +6 +4 +8 +4 Inspire 2, Master Plan, Leadership
9 +9 +9 +12 +6 +4 +9 +4 Inspire 2, Master Plan, Leadership
10 +10 +10 +13 +7 +5 +10 +5 Inspire 2, Master Plan, Leadership
11 +11 +11 +14 +8 +5 +11 +5 Inspire 2, Master Plan, Leadership
12 +12 +12 +15 +9 +6 +12 +6 Inspire 3, Master Plan, Leadership
13 +13 +13 +17 +9 +6 +13 +6 Inspire 3, Master Plan, Leadership
14 +14 +14 +18 +10 +7 +14 +7 Inspire 3, Master Plan, Leadership
15 +15 +15 +19 +11 +7 +15 +7 Inspire 3, Master Plan, Leadership
16 +16 +16 +20 +12 +8 +16 +8 Inspire 4, Master Plan, Leadership
17 +17 +17 +22 +12 +8 +17 +8 Inspire 4, Master Plan, Leadership
18 +18 +18 +23 +13 +9 +18 +9 Inspire 4, Master Plan, Leadership
19 +19 +19 +24 +14 +9 +19 +9 Inspire 4, Master Plan, Leadership
20 +20 +20 +25 +15 +10 +20 +10 Inspire 5, Master Plan, Leadership

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Mastermind
In spite of wisdom about “the best-laid plans of mice and men”, the
mastermind is a staple of many types of fiction. The mastermind
carefully arranges things beforehand so that a battle goes to his
favor. A much more cerebral archetype, the mastermind relies on
strategy and planning well in advance of a fight. They're likely to
select battlefields which offer the best environment for their allies
(and thus often make use of advantageous zones in the area).
Most of a mastermind's contribution comes from before the fight
with a Master Plan, often set up hours or even days in advance.
However, the mastermind must still know when it's best to trigger
the Master Plan so as to maximize its effect on the battle. During
the battle-proper, though, the mastermind still has the ability to
direct the troops, using Inspire to create strategies on-the-spot
which can help to turn the tide. The ability to almost double the
effectiveness of some allies during a fight can really change the
face of a battle in the blink of an eye.
However, the mastermind is supremely fragile on the battlefield.
While often a capable enough fighter, masterminds simply are not
very resilient physically, and will quickly crumble if a solid attack
connects (especially one which targets their Toughness or Fortitude
resistances). They almost invariably make use of underlings who
can protect them during a fight, especially archetypes like the
Defender or the Brute, which are capable of taking the hits that the
mastermind can't. The mastermind also functions best when there
are offensive allies to be bolstered. A mastermind is doing the most
when the mastermind can significantly boost the chances for an
artillery or other archetype to hit and deal high damage to the
enemy.
On the battlefield itself, the mastermind really functions best when
he's able to stay out of the way of the fight, avoiding attacks without
having to rely on a higher (possibly magically- or technologically-
enhanced) defense. A mastermind who can't avoid attacks is likely
to be a mastermind whose career ends quite early. Instead, a wise
mastermind will remove himself from a fight (often using a ranged
weapon), positioning himself strategically to affect his allies with a
well-timed inspire but still remaining back far enough to avoid
actually getting hit himself.
Common FX/Gear
Damage (PL) (Extras: Ranged; FX Feats: Mighty) (2 x PL + 1 cp)
Sample Masterminds
• The wizened old battlefield general
• The mob overboss
• A cunning, brilliant, but wholly alien intellect
• A sentient and highly-upgraded robotic AI
• The relentless, almost legendary bandit king
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Skirmisher
Fast and light, skirmishers are very capable warriors offensively-
speaking. The skirmisher benefits from mobility, getting into range
and out-maneuvering the enemy to repeatedly deal fair damage. In
many respects, skirmishers are similar to lurkers, in that they
depend on catching an enemy off-guard to be most effective in
battle. But unlike the lurkers, skirmishers are more reliable, able to
actively and effectively strike for Sneak Attack damage.
Skirmishers rely on their Acrobatics skill to twist and out-maneuver
enemies, opening them up for sneak attacks. Unlike flankers,
though, skirmishers are far worse team-players, unable to pass this
benefit on to their allies. They do, however, benefit greatly from
fighting alongside flankers who can set them up to strike for sneak
attack damage. Skirmishers are usually melee warriors, and thus
serve double-duty holding the line and striking for impressive
damage. Even when unable to use Acrobatics to get the drop on
their enemies, skirmishers are still somewhat passable, even if their
offensive threat drops by about two PLs when they aren't making
use of sneak attack. They go from great warriors to fair warriors in
such occasions, but still have the defensive abilities to stay in
melee with dangerous foes.
But beyond their decent defense, skirmishers are definitely on the
fragile side. They suffer from low Fortitude and Will resistances, as
well as a reduced toughnesses. Skirmishers, while somewhat
capable defensively, just lack the staying power in a prolonged
fight, so they really benefit from having tougher allies like brutes in
the fight and support troops who can bolster their weak saves.
masterminds and enchanters are also extremely useful in this role
of maximizing the survivability (and thus overall damage output) of
the skirmishers.
Skirmishers are best used at the front line, but not alone. They're at
their best when used to compliment other allies, adding their often
impressive damage to the mix, or in the worst-case scenario (when
unable to feint an opponent), acting as ever-so-slightly better grunts
to just hold the line as long as possible.
Common FX/Gear
Damage (PL x ¾) (FX Feats: Mighty) (PL/2 + 1 cp)
Sample Skirmishers
• A nimble swordsman armed with a rapier
• A wily street-fighter who fights dirty
• Futuristic warriors with powerful energy swords
• Fast and light monsters with amazing leaping ability
• A martial artist specialized in quick and accurate blows
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TABLE 12.14: SKIRMISHER (-2 ATTACK / +2 EFFECT MODIFIER, +2 DEFENSE/-2 TOUGHNESS) DEX
Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 -1 +3 +3 -1 +0 +0 +1
2 +0 +4 +4 +0 +1 +1 +2 Acrobatics 1
3 +1 +5 +5 +1 +1 +1 +3 Acrobatics 1
4 +2 +6 +6 +2 +2 +2 +4 Acrobatics 2, Sneak Attack 1
5 +3 +7 +7 +3 +2 +2 +5 Acrobatics 2, Sneak Attack 1
6 +4 +8 +8 +4 +3 +3 +6 Acrobatics 3, Sneak Attack 1
7 +5 +9 +9 +5 +3 +3 +7 Acrobatics 3, Sneak Attack 1
8 +6 +10 +10 +6 +4 +4 +8 Acrobatics 4, Sneak Attack 2
9 +7 +11 +11 +7 +4 +4 +9 Acrobatics 4, Sneak Attack 2
10 +8 +12 +12 +8 +5 +5 +10 Acrobatics 5, Sneak Attack 2
11 +9 +13 +13 +9 +5 +5 +11 Acrobatics 5, Sneak Attack 2
12 +10 +14 +14 +10 +6 +6 +12 Acrobatics 6, Sneak Attack 3
13 +11 +15 +15 +11 +6 +6 +13 Acrobatics 6, Sneak Attack 3
14 +12 +16 +16 +12 +7 +7 +14 Acrobatics 7, Sneak Attack 3
15 +13 +17 +17 +13 +7 +7 +15 Acrobatics 7, Sneak Attack 3
16 +14 +18 +18 +14 +8 +8 +16 Acrobatics 8, Sneak Attack 4
17 +15 +19 +19 +15 +8 +8 +17 Acrobatics 8, Sneak Attack 4
18 +16 +20 +20 +16 +9 +9 +18 Acrobatics 9, Sneak Attack 4
19 +17 +21 +21 +17 +9 +9 +19 Acrobatics 9, Sneak Attack 4
20 +18 +22 +22 +18 +10 +10 +20 Acrobatics 10, Sneak Attack 4

TABLE 12.15: SUPPORT WIS

Power Effect
Attack Defense Toughness Fortitude Will Reflex Special
Level Modifier
1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +0 +1 +0 Leadership
2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +1 +2 +1 Leadership, Healing 1
3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +1 +3 +1 Leadership, Healing l 1
4 +4 +4 +4 +4 +2 +4 +2 Leadership, Healing 2, Inspire 1
5 +5 +5 +5 +5 +2 +5 +2 Leadership, Healing 2, Inspire 1
6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +3 +6 +3 Leadership, Healing 3, Inspire 1
7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +3 +7 +3 Leadership, Healing 3, Inspire 1
8 +8 +8 +8 +8 +4 +8 +4 Leadership, Healing 4, Inspire 2
9 +9 +9 +9 +9 +4 +9 +4 Leadership, Healing 4, Inspire 2
10 +10 +10 +10 +10 +5 +10 +5 Leadership, Healing 5,Inspire 2
11 +11 +11 +11 +11 +5 +11 +5 Leadership, Healing 5, Inspire 2
12 +12 +12 +12 +12 +6 +12 +6 Leadership, Healing 6, Inspire 3
13 +13 +13 +13 +13 +6 +13 +6 Leadership, Healing 6, Inspire 3
14 +14 +14 +14 +14 +7 +14 +7 Leadership, Healing 7, Inspire 3
15 +15 +15 +15 +15 +7 +15 +7 Leadership, Healing 7, Inspire 3
16 +16 +16 +16 +16 +8 +16 +8 Leadership, Healing 8, Inspire 4
17 +17 +17 +17 +17 +8 +17 +8 Leadership, Healing 8, Inspire 4
18 +18 +18 +18 +18 +9 +18 +9 Leadership, Healing 9, Inspire 4
19 +19 +19 +19 +19 +9 +19 +9 Leadership, Healing 9, Inspire 4
20 +20 +20 +20 +20 +10 +20 +10 Leadership, Healing 10, Inspire 5

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Support
Everybody needs some help sometimes. Among the archetypes,
nobody helps better than the support. Offensively, support is almost
always lacking, with absolutely minimal attack options. However,
the support more than makes up for it with the wide variety of
options to buff up allies and to really extend their lifespan on the
battlefield.
The support has options seen with other archetypes (like the
mastermind and the enchanter), but the support uses feats like
leadership and inspire somewhat differently. They more represent
propping up the weary and the wounded than improving the healthy
and fighting-fit. Coupled with healing, the support can make even
fragile archetypes last much longer than would otherwise be
possible.
Support are also fairly tough, with few real weaknesses (other than
a poor fortitude resistance), meaning that they aren't easy targets
at all. However, considering just how much support does and thus
how big of a target it might become, protecting support from the
sheer volume of hits they might otherwise draw is important to
ensuring their long-term survival in a fight, and thus the long-term
survival of all the other NPCs present.
The most important thing with support is to make the descriptors for
their feats and FX fitting with their theme. For example, an army
medic is unlikely to be using magic healing touches, but bandages
represented by the Healing FX and using doses of morphine to
treat allies stunned by blows as the description for his Leadership
feat are quite appropriate. On the other hand, a fantasy priest might
use healing prayers while uplifting his allies' hearts with inspiring
prayers. You can use support to represent many, many different
types of NPCs, and all of them will be quite effective at aiding their
allies on the battlefield.
Common FX/Gear
Healing (PL/2) (PL/2 cp)
Sample Support
• A fantasy priest who calls upon the gods for healing magic
• The crooked crime doctor whose treatments include
questionable drugs
• Small helper-drones which can repair damage to a larger
warrior robot
• A mystic who can manipulate life energy itself
• The combat medic for a unit of soldiers.
Note: Like the hoser, support can be frustrating for players.
The healing ability in particular can really annoy them when they
watch the injury they finally dealt the big bad villain after several
very hard-fought rounds just disappear when the support walks
over. Be careful in not overusing support like this. Used sparingly,
support makes for a great addition to fights.
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NPC Archetypes
The design of the NPC archetypes deserves special attention.
Each archetype is meant to fill a very specific role in a group, and
each role is meant to be unique enough that each will stand out in
how it's used in battle, and to call for potentially different
approaches in how they PCs fight them. And while they're generic,
the archetypes are also complete enough to be usable right out of
the book with no need to attach templates or modify them to use.
All you need to do is alter the descriptors on the archetypes'
abilities and you'll have what feels to the players like a brand new
type of enemy who will even be an appropriate level of challenge
for them.
Since the NPC archetypes are already robust and complete as
they are, it might seem at first blush that they'd be difficult to
modify without throwing off their appropriate power levels,
especially when adding on templates to represent different types
of enemies. However, the NPC archetypes only define the final
numbers, not how they are arrived at. So if you wanted to create
an encounter against machines with great Strength and high
Might checks, but you also don't want the machines to do extra
damage, rather than giving them FX or gear which have ranks
equal to their PL, simply reduce the ranks in their damaging FX by
their (newly-improved) Strength modifier and add the Mighty FX
feat. This will keep the NPCs' effect modifiers within the power
level limits you have decided on for them while giving you the
customization you need to make them capable of exactly what
you want.
You also shouldn't hesitate to give these sorts of NPCs new
abilities which aren't otherwise covered by the archetypes
themselves or other templates. If you need an encounter with
NPCs who can fly, then give them Enhanced Movement, even if
the archetypes themselves don't already have them.
If you want to go about designing new archetypes, it's a pretty
simple process. Start out by setting all of their bonuses Attack,
Effect Modifier, Defense, and Toughness equal to the NPCs'
power level, and their Fortitude, Will, and Reflex set at half of the
NPCs' power level. Then decide if the archetype needs any trade-
offs to be effective. Lighter archetypes which rely on dodging and
parrying tend to have higher Defenses and lower Toughness, and
also sometimes have lower effect modifiers and higher attack
bonuses (though that isn't universal). Heavier archetypes are
usually just the opposite.
The archetypes you design should be universal enough that you
can think of ways to apply them across lots of different
encounters, and one which can't be easily replicated by existing
archetypes. For example, an archetype like “air support”, to
describe aerial versions of NPCs, could be very useful if you make
lots of use of NPCs who can fly while their comrades can't. On the
other hand, an archetype like “radiation blaster” is probably less
useful (since it's unlikely that radiation blasters are going to be
common across many types of encounters) and the concept can
be covered relatively easily with the artillery archetype, or possibly
even just the grunt.
As you use the archetypes more, you'll become more comfortable
with them, how to use them, and what new ones you might need
to help create the encounters you want.
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NPC Templates
NAME (CP COST)
• Abilities: Modifiers to be applied to the template's normal
ability scores.
• Skills: Bonus skill points you can apply to an NPC, raising
them above and beyond the normal skills it would have.
• Feats: Any extra feats that a template has access to.
• Gear: If a template uses an FX thanks to devices or other gear,
they are listed here.
• FX: If a template has the ability to use any specific FX (which
generally include natural weapons or supernatural abilities to
meet the Effect Modifier caps for damage and the like), they
are listed here.
• Drawbacks: Templates which suffer any drawbacks are noted
here.
• Template Variants: If a template has a particular take on
different archetypes, whether with additional feats, FX,
equipment, or skills, they will be listed here.
Note that the cp cost is included for your convenience only: NPCs
are not limited to any set number of character points. You may find
the costs useful in learning how to create characters yourself,
hence their inclusion.
NPC Templates
AGENT (7 + 3 X PL CP)
Men in black suits with black ties and black sunglasses who do
their jobs in secret. Agents usually work for the government (or for
the shadow government) or as the secret enforcers for
megacorporations.
• Abilities: +1 Constitution (2 cp)
• Skills: Reflex 2, Perception 2 (4 cp)
• Feats: Defensive Roll (PL/2 cp)
• Gear: Twin Heavy Pistols (Damage (PL/2) (Extras: Barrage,
Ranged, FX Feats: Split Attack); Body Armor (Enhanced
(Toughness) (PL/2)) (1 + 2.5 x PL cp)
ALIEN INVADER (3 + 9 X PL CP, 9 + 5 X PL EP)
Gray-skinned, big-headed, ray-gun-totting invaders bent on
destroying all humans, these aliens usually descend from flying
saucers to complete their nefarious plans.
• Abilities: +1 Intelligence, -1 Strength (0 cp)
• Skills: Expertise (Outer Space) 2 (2 cp)
• Gear: Death Ray (Damage (PL) (Extras: Ranged, Linked
(Drain)), Drain (Toughness) (PL) (Extras: Ranged, Linked
(Damage)); Armored Space Suit (Immunity (Life Support),
Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (9 + 5 x PL ep)
• FX: Psychic blast (Damage (PL) (Extras: Perception Range,
Alternate Resistance (Will))
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• AFX: Mind Reading (PL)
(1 + 4 x PL cp)
CARNIVOROUS PLANT (27 + PL CP)
A giant, hungry, toothed mantrap rooted into the ground of some
primeval jungle. It grabs at those who stumble too close with thick
vines and pulls them in to be devoured.
• Abilities: Strength +8 (Growth), Dexterity -4, Intelligence --,
Charisma -- (+28 cp)
• Skills: Might +1 (Growth), Toughness +4 (Growth) (0 cp)
• Feats: Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage (Grab)) (1 cp)
• FX: Concealment 2 (Normal Vision; Flaws: Passive); Enhanced
(Toughness) (PL); Growth 8 (Extras: Continuous; Flaws:
Permanent); Immunity 30 (Will Resistances) (56 + PL cp)
• Drawbacks: Disability (rooted, immobile) (+4 cp)
CULTIST (5 + 3 X PL CP)
Adepts of occult mysteries who worship dead gods and want to
bring about the end of the world always have to go and muck things
up with dark magic.
•
•
Abilities: +1 Charisma (2 cp)
Skills: Expertise (Magic) 2 (2 cp)
• Feats: Fearless (1 cp)
• FX: Occult Shield (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL) LINKED
Enhanced (Defense) (PL); Sustained Duration), Occult Magic
(PL) (3x PL) (Choose one):
• Damage (PL) (Extras: Cone Area)
• Damage (PL) (Extras: Ranged)
• Inflict (Attacks and Will) (PL) (Will Resists)
• Inflict (Defense and Movement) (PL) (Defense Resists)
DEMON (10 + 3 X PL CP)
A horrible creature born from the depths of hell
• Abilities: +4 Strength (Growth), +2 Constitution (Growth) (0
cp)
• Skills: Persuasion +2 (2 cp)
• FX: Damage (PL - 4) (Claws; Extras: Penetrating; FX Feats:
Mighty); Damage (PL) (Hellfire; Extras: Ranged); Growth 4 (8 +
3 x PL cp)
Special Demon Variants
• Artillery: Add Area (Burst) to Damage (Hellfire) (+PL cp)
• Enchanter: Add Enhanced Movement (Flight; Wings) 2 (+4 cp)
• Mastermind: Add Transform (PL) (Anything to Anything;
"Infernal Contract"; Flaws: Willing Targets Only) (+ 4 x PL cp)
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DINOSAUR (TYRANOSAURUS) (25 + PL CP) Special Variants

A huge, hungry carnivore straight out of the Cretaceous Period, • Artillery: Add Handcannon (Damage PL (Extras: Range
stomping forward on two legs with spindly forelimbs and a maw full (Ranged)) (2 x PL ep).
of razor-sharp teeth. • Brute: Add Rage 2 (2 cp).
• Abilities: Strength +8 (Growth; Extras: Penetrating (Teeth)), • Mastermind & Support: Add Stone Shaping (Create Objects
Intelligence -4 (0 cp) (PL)) (2 x PL cp).
• Skills: Might +1 (Growth), Survival (Prehistory) +2, Toughness
+4 (Growth) (2 cp)
• Feats: Fearsome Presence 5, Talented (Persuasion: ELF (6 CP, 3 X PL EP)
Intimidate) (6 cp)
• FX: Damage (PL - 8) (FX Feats: Mighty), Growth 8 (Extras: A lithe and graceful, almost otherworldly humanoid with pointed
Duration (Continuous); Flaws: Permanent; FX Feats: Innate) ears glides out of the woods, bow drawn.
(17 + PL cp) • Ability Scores: +1 Dexterity, -1 Constitution (0 cp)
• Skills: Perception +1, Survival (Forest) +1, Weapon Group
Special Variants (Bows) +1 (3 cp)

• Brute (Sauropod): Increase Growth to 12 ranks, lose • Gear: Longbow (Damage (PL) (Extras: Range (Ranged));
penetrating on Strength (+4 cp). Studded Leather (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (3 x PL ep)

• Defender (Ankylosaurus): Add Density, lose penetrating on • FX: Comprehend 1 (Animals), Enhanced Senses 1 (Vision
Strength (+3 x PL - 8 cp). Counters Obscure (Darkness), Limited (Half)) (3 cp)

• Skirmisher (Raptor): Reduce Growth to 4 ranks (-8 cp).

GARGOYLE (3 + 2 X PL CP)

DRAGON (24 + 2 X PL CP) One moment, it's a statue with its face pulled into a hideous scowl.
The next it's a winged monster, all teeth and fangs lunging at you.
A huge, winged, reptilian fire-breathing beast. For other "colors" of
dragons (who breathe lightning or acid), simply change the • Abilities: Strength +PL (Density) (0 cp)
descriptor on the dragon's breath. • Feats: Hide In Plain Sight, Talented (Infiltration, Hide) (2 cp)
• Abilities: +8 Strength (Growth, Extras: Penetrating (Bite)) (8 • FX: Density (PL) (3 x PL + 1 cp)
cp)
• AFX: Organic Container
• Skills: Might +1 (Growth), Toughness +4 (Growth) (0 cp)
• Damage (PL) (Claws; FX Feats: Mighty)
• Feats: Favored Environment (Airborne), Power Attack (2 cp)
• Enhanced Movement (Flight) 2
• FX: Damage (PL) (Fire Breath; Extras: Area (Cone));
Enhanced Movement 2 (Flight, Winged); Growth 8 (Extras:
Continuous; Flaws: Permanent) (13 + 2 x PL cp)
GHOST (41 + 5 X PL CP)

DWARF (6 CP, 2 X PL EP)
Squat, bearded little men who tunnel beneath mountains, dwarves
are stalwart warriors who usually come to battle brandishing axes
and warhammers.
• Ability Scores: +1 Constitution, -1 Charisma (0 cp)
• Skills: Endurance +1, Survival (Mountains) +1, Weapon Group
(Axes) +1 (3 cp)
• Feats: Profession (Miner) (1 cp)
• Gear: Battleaxe (Damage (PL) (FX Feats: Mighty)); Chainmail
(Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (2 x PL ep)
• FX: Enhanced Senses (Vision Counters Obscure (Darkness))
(2 cp)
A dark apparition which hungers for life energy and the warmth of
the living. It grasps with spectral fingers and pulls away strands of
energy and life from its victims.
• Abilities: Strength --, Constitution -- (-20 cp)
• FX: Damage (PL) (Extras: Affects Corporeal, Vampiric); Drain
(Strength) (PL) (Extras: Affects Corporeal); Enhanced
Movement (Flight) 1; Immunity 39 (Fortitude Resistances, Life
Support); Insubstantial 4 (Vulnerable to Magic) (61 + 2 x PL cp)
GIANT (14 + 2 X PL CP)
A lumbering brute carrying a massive club with scraggly hair,
stomping across the land with the intent of using their sheer size to
take what they want from smaller creatures.
• Abilities: Strength +8 (Growth), Constitution +2, Intelligence
-1, Wisdom -1, Charisma -1 (-2 cp)

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III
• Skills: Might +2 (Growth), Toughness +4 (Growth) (0 cp)
• Feats: All-Out Attack (1 cp)
• Gear: Club (Damage (PL - 8) (FX Feats: Mighty)); Hide Armor
(Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (2 x PL - 8 ep)
• FX: Growth 8 (Extras: Continuous; Flaws: Permanent) (24 cp)
Special Variants
• Artillery: Add boulder (Damage (PL - 8) (FX Feats: Mighty,
Thrown 5) (PL - 2 ep)
GOBLIN (9 + 2 x PL CP)
Scampering, crafty little green-skinned, big-nosed monsters who
make up what they lack in size with numbers.
• Abilities: Strength -2 (Shrinking), Dexterity +1, Charisma -1 (0
cp)
• Skills: Infiltration +1, Might -1 (Shrinking) (1 cp)
• Feats: Sneak Attack (1 cp)
• Gear: Shortspear (Damage (PL) (FX Feats: Mighty, Thrown
2)); Leather Armor (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (2 x PL + 3
cp)
• FX: Shrinking 4 (Extras: Continuous; Flaws: Permanent) (4 cp)
Special Variants
• Enchanter, Mastermind: Add Confuse (PL) (PL cp).
GOLEM (48 + PL CP)
A tromping automaton made from clay, stone, iron, or sometimes
even flesh, golems are terrifyingly resilient and relentless foes. The
Golem template can also be used for constructs such as robots.
• Abilities: Strength +10 (Density, Growth), Constitution --,
Dexterity -1, Intelligence --, Charisma -- (-32 cp)
• Skills: Might +3 (Density, Growth), Toughness +5 (3 ranks
Impervious, Density, Growth) (0 cp)
• FX: Damage (PL - 10) (Hardened Fists; FX Feats: Mighty);
Density 6 (Extras: Continuous; Flaws: Permanent); Growth 4
(Extras: Continuous; Flaws: Permanent); Immunity 60
(Fortitude and Will resistances) (80 + PL cp)
• Trade-Offs: Golems always have a +5 Toughness / -5 Defense
Trade-off, regardless of archetype.
HALFLING (15 + PL CP)
Short, nimble people of great courage and cheerful disposition,
halflings are common in fantasy games as one of the classic
humanoid races.
• Abilities: Strength -2 (Shrinking), Dexterity +1 (2 cp)
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• Skills: Infiltration +1 (1 cp)
• Feats: Throwing Mastery 2 (2 cp)
• Gear: Throwing Knife (Damage (PL) (FX Feats: Mighty,
Thrown 5) (PL + 6 ep)
• FX: Shrinking 4 (Extras: Duration (Continuous); Flaws:
Permanent) (4 cp)
LIZARDMAN (4 + 2 X PL CP)
Scaly humanoids that lurk in swamps and jungles, lizardmen are
brutal and cold-blooded monsters who have few qualms with
butchering their enemies.
• Abilities: Strength +2, Dexterity -1, Constitution +2, Charisma
-2 (2 cp)
• Skills: Survival (Marshlands) +1 (1 cp)
• Gear: Battleaxe (Damage (PL - 2) (FX Feats: Mighty) (PL - 1
cp)
• FX: Additional Limbs 1 (Tail; Extras: Continuous; Flaws:
Permanent); Enhanced Senses 1 (Accurate Scent); Enhanced
(Toughness) (PL) (Scaly hide) (2 + PL cp)
Special Variants
• Enchanter, Mastermind, Support: Add Inflict (Fear) (PL) (Will
Resists; Penalize Attacks, Penalize Non-Combat, Non-
Resistance checks) (2 x PL cp).
MOBSTER (9 CP)
Tough men involved in organized crime who are the ones to
enforce their boss' plans. Cracking knuckles, extorting money, and
beating the bejezus out of anyone who refuses to pay are their
specialties.
• Skills: Survival (Underworld) 2 (2 cp)
• Feats: Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage (Grab),
Talented (Persuasion: Intimidate) (2 cp)
• Equipment: Heavy Pistol (Damage (PL) (Extras: Ranged)),
Baseball Bat (Damage (PL) (FX Feats: Mighty)) (2 x PL ep)
MONSTROUS VERMIN (5 X PL - 11 CP)
Skittering giant rats, huge venomous insects, or monstrous spiders
the size of large dogs, all quite dangerous, and all quite toxic.
• Abilities: Intelligence -4, Charisma -4 (+16 cp)
• FX: Damage (PL) (Extras: Secondary Effect, Linked (Inflict
(Disease)); Inflict (Disease) (PL) (Fortitude Resists, Penalize
Attacks, Penalize Fortitude; Extras: Poison) (5 x PL cp)
NINJA (5 + 2 X PL CP)
Black-clad assassins and spies who strike from the shadows swiftly
and without mercy. According to popular myth, if you can see a
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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III

ninja, then you're already dead. • Damage (PL + 1) (Extras: Ranged)

• Abilities: Dexterity +1 (2 cp)
• Skills: Acrobatics +1, Infiltration +2 (3 cp)
• Feats: Hide In Plain Sight, Sneak Attack (2 cp)
• Gear: Ninja-to (Damage (PL - 2) (FX Feats: Mighty)); Poisoned
Needles (Inflict (Poison) (PL) (Fortitude Resists, Penalize
Strength, Penalize Constitution; Extras: Poison)) (2 x PL - 2 ep)
• Inflict Fear (PL + 1) (Will Resists; Attack, Will)
• Inflict Doubt (PL + 1) (Will Resists; Defense, Will)
• Dazzle (PL) (Visual)
• Orc Lurker: Add Shortspear (Damage (PL) (FX Feats: Mighty,
Thrown)) (+2 cp)

POLICE (2 CP, 3 X PL EP)

Special Variants
Enforcers of law and order, men and women who serve as the thin
• Enchanter, Mastermind, Support: Add Obscure 5 (Visual,
blue line between criminals and honest citizens. Most beat cops
Shadow) (2 x PL cp).
carry a service pistol.
• Skills: Perception +1 (1 cp)
OOZE (16 + PL CP)
• Feats: Status (1 cp)
Gelatinous masses of goo which slither blindly in search of their • Gear: Pistol (Damage (PL) (Extras: Range (Ranged))); Kevlar
next meals. They dissolve organic matter with deadly, corrosive Vest (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (3 x PL ep)
acid once they've grabbed their prey.
Abilities: Intelligence --, Charisma -- (-20 cp)
•
Special Variants
• Feats: Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage, (Grab)) (1 cp)
• Artillery (SWAT Sniper): Add one rank of Infiltration and change
• FX: Corrosive Acid (Drain (PL) (Constitution) (Extras: Linked pistol to Sniper Rifle (Damage (PL) (Extras: Range (Ranged);
(Drain); Flaws: Requires Combat Advantage); Drain (PL) FX Feats: Improved Critical 2, Improved Range 2) (4 cp)
(Toughness) (Extras: Linked (Drain); Flaws: Requires Combat
Advantage))); Enhanced Movement 1 (Slithering); Immunity 30 • Mastermind (Chief): Add two ranks of Status (2 cp).
(Will Resistances); Insubstantial 1 (PL + 37 cp)

SEA MONSTER (33 CP)

ORC (10 CP, 1 + 3 X PL EP)
A horrible marine beast large enough to threaten an entire sailing
Fierce and savage humanoids with porcine faces and green skin, ship with ease. The leviathan is a terror to mariners the world over.
orcs have been a staple of fantasy gaming since its inception. • Abilities: Strength +16 (Growth), Constitution +8, Intelligence
• Abilities: Strength +1, Constitution +1, Intelligence -1, -2 (12 cp)
Charisma -1 (0 pp) • Skills: Athletics +1 (1 cp)
• Skills: Athletics 1, Survival (Homeland) 1 (3 cp) • Feats: Environmental Adaptation (Aquatic), Favored
• Feats: Fearsome Presence 2, Talented (Persuasion: Environment (Aquatic) 1 (2 cp)
Intimidate) 1 (3 cp) • FX: Enhanced Movement 1 (Swimming), Growth 16 (Extras:
• FX: Enhanced Senses (Low-Light Vision, Scent) (2 cp) Duration (Continuous); Flaws: Permanent) (18 cp)

• Gear: Battleaxe (Damage (PL) (Extras: Penetrating; FX Feats:

Mighty)), Hide Armor (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (1 + 3 x PL
ep)
Special Variants
• Brute (Kraken): Add 1 rank of Combat Expert (Gain Combat
• Trade-Offs: +1 Effect Modifier/-1 Attack
Advantage (Grab)) and 3 ranks of Additional Limbs with the
Permanent flaw (4 cp).

Special Variants
• Orc Artillery: Add Perception 1 and Recurved Longbow SOLDIER, MEDIEVAL (1 CP, 2 X PL EP)
(Damage (PL) (Extras: Ranged; FX Feats: Improved Range,
Mighty) (+1 cp, 2 + 2 x PL ep) A conscript in chain armor carrying a spear strides across the
battlefield, a bloody bandage tied around his forehead to staunch
• Orc Brute: Add Rage (+1 cp) the bleeding.
• Orc Enchanter: Add Shaman Staff (Damage (PL) (FX Feats: • Feats: Teamwork (1 cp)
Mighty, Split Attack)), Shaman Magic (PL) (+1 + 2 x PL cp PL +
2 ep) (Choose two of the following): • Gear: Spear (Damage (PL) (FX Feats: Extended Reach,
Mighty)); Chainmail (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL)) (2 x PL + 2
• Damage (PL + 1) (Extras: Cone Area) ep)

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 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game: Part III

Special Variants
• Artillery: Replace Longspear with Crossbow (Damage (PL)
(Extras: Range (Ranged); FX Feats: Improved Range, Mighty))
(+ PL ep).

SOLDIER, MODERN (2 + 4 X PL CP)

A soldier wearing body armor beneath modern fatigues and

sporting an automatic rifle, usually operating as part of a unified
strike force. A modern soldier can also be used to represent
heavily-armed police forces, like a SWAT officer.
• Skills: Athletics +1 (1 cp)
• Feats: All-Out Attack, Teamwork (2 cp)
• Gear: Assault Rifle (Damage (PL-2) (Extras: Barrage, Range
(Ranged))); Body Armor (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL); Night-
Vision Goggles (Enhanced Senses 1 (Low-Light Vision)) (4 x
PL - 1 ep)

• Emotion Control (PL); Immunity 31 (Aging, Fortitude

TERRORIST (2 + 5 X PL CP) Resistances) (31 + 4 x PL cp)

A man in civilian clothing with an automatic rifle, fighting for what he • Drawbacks: Weakness (Sunlight; Every Round, Major); Weak
believes in, and willing to target combatants and civilians Point (Heart) (+7 cp)
indiscriminately. If it comes to it, a terrorist is willing to blow himself
up to make his point.
WEREWOLF (9 + 4 X PL CP)
• Skills: Infiltration +1 (1 cp)
• Feats: Benefit (Second Identity) (1 cp) What was once a man is now a scraggly, snarling beast with a
lupine face, vicious teeth and claws, slavering as it stalks closer,
• Gear: AK-47 (Damage (PL - 2) (Extras: Barrage, Range hungry for the kill.
(Ranged))); Body Armor (Enhanced (Toughness) (PL));
Explosives Vest (Damage (PL) (Extras: Area (Burst), • Abilities: Strength +5, Dexterity +4, Constitution +5,
Penetrating; Flaws: Side Effect (Always Damage Self, -2); FX Intelligence -1, Charisma -2 (22 cp)
Feats: Subtle, Triggered (On Death))) (5 x PL ep)
• Skills: Recovery +2 (2 cp)
• FX: Damage (PL - 5) (Damage (FX Feats: Mighty)); Enhanced
THIEF (6 CP, 1 + 2 X PL EP) (Toughness) (PL) (Extras: Impervious; Drawbacks: Vulnerable
(Major, Uncommon (Silvered Weapons)); Regeneration 6
A crafty rogue who knows a thing or two about getting into places (Injured 6 (No Action; Drawbacks: FX Loss (Damage from
he shouldn't be able to and taking what doesn't belong to him. Silvered Weapons)) (3 + 3 x PL cp)

• Abilities: Dexterity +1 (2 cp) • Drawbacks: Involuntary Transformation (Full-Moon,

irresistible); Normal Identity (+7)
• Skills: Acrobatics 1, Infiltration 2, Perception 1 (4 cp)
• Gear: Masterwork Thief Tools, Twin Knives (Damage (PL - 2)
(Extras: Barrage; FX Feats: Mighty, Split Attack) (1 + 2 x PL ep) ZOMBIE (29 + 5 X PL CP)

A shambling undead corpse staggered forward, mouth opened in a

VAMPIRE (31 + 4 X PL CP)
An almost human, but more entrancing, more hypnotic creature,
whose pallor and cold skin are all but unnoticeable at first brush.
• Abilities: Strength +2, Dexterity +2, Constitution --, Intelligence
+1, Charisma +2 (4 cp)
• Skills: Persuasion 2 (2 cp)
• Feats: Combat Expert (Gain Combat Advantage (Grab)) (1 cp)
• FX: Bite (Drain (PL) (Constitution; Extras: Insidious, Flaws:
Requires Combat Advantage)); Enhanced (Toughness) (PL);
perpetual, wordless moan as its dead, glassy eyes fix directly on
the nearest warm flesh in the air.
• Abilities: Constitution --, Intelligence --, Charisma -- (-30 cp)
• FX: Bite ((Drain (PL) (Constitution; Extras: Linked (Damage);
Flaws: Requires Combat Advantage)), (Damage (PL) (Extras:
Linked (Drain); Flaws: (Requires Combat Advantage)));
Enhanced (Toughness) (PL) (Extras: Impervious); Zombie
Plague (Transform (PL/2) (Living Human into Zombie; Extras:
Disease; FX Feats: Triggered (On a Bite that would reduce
target below -5 Constitution)); Immunity 60 (Fortitude and Will
Resistances) (60 + 5 x PL cp)
• Drawbacks: Weak Point (Head Shot) (+1 cp)

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Appendix I: Creating a
Character
The d20 Advanced point-buy system for creating characters is
incredibly flexible, but can be very intimidating to first-time players.
This section is meant to provide a guide for character creation.
These are not hard-and-fast rules, and every character needs to be
approached a little differently, and every player should find the way
that's most comfortable to work with. You should decide what works
best for you.
Step 1: Concept
Come up with a concept for your character. What sort of character
do you want to play? Try to describe your character in a short
phrase, like “gun-toting Amazon” or “cybernetic swordsman from
the future” or “telepathic detective”. Start with something that
conjures up exciting and has you wanting to play. Don't worry about
starting generic either: you might just want a knight in shining
armor, or a flying super-strong superhero, or a space pilot. Great!
Start with the concept you want, and use the time you spend
creating your character to move beyond your simple starting
concept, so that you can create a character that's truly your own.
Where did your character come from? What sorts of abilities does
your character have? How will this character approach various
tasks in-game, like combat? How does your character talk? What
would your character do if he or she found a criminal in the act, or
was asked to rescue someone from a burning building? When not
on adventures, what does your character do? Does your character
have a job, friends, or a family?
Step 2: Key Traits
In general, you want to start building your character around the
abilities which you consider to be the most essential. For a mage or
a superhero or another character with lots of supernatural powers,
you might want to start with your character's most important FX. For
a more skill-oriented character, you'll obviously want to start with
your character's essential skills. Since this is likely the place where
you'll spend most of your character points, this is where you want to
start (to make sure you have the points to spend in the first place).
Step 3: Combat Skills
Next, you want to bring your character up to the game's power level
caps for his or her combat skills. This is also the time to decide on
trade-offs for your character. If your character is especially quick or
tough, or hits especially hard, you should take the appropriate
trade-offs (as described in Chapter I: The Basics).
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How you reach your caps in these skills is another way you can
define your character. If your character isn't trained in defending
him or herself, maybe your character uses an FX like Enhanced
Trait (Defense) to represent a shield of a preternatural awareness
that makes your character nigh-untouchable. Your character's
toughness might come from super-hard skin with Enhanced Trait,
or it might be from armor, or just from natural toughness like the
Tough feat, or possibly a combination of all three. How you reach
your caps in different skills is what defines your character.
Step 4: Ability Scores
Once you've established the essentials for your character, you
need to start building up ability scores, which form the foundation to
all of your character's non-combat skills. Decide how strong, how
quick, how smart, and how charming your character is. Use the
benchmarks for ability scores given in Chapter II to decide just how
high to buy your character's scores. These scores will help you
determine how much you need to invest in non-combat skills.
Step 5: Non-Combat Skills
Now you need to decide on what non-combat skills your character
needs, and at what levels. Unlike combat skills, you definitely don't
need to buy these abilities up to cap. Rather, you should use the
benchmarks in Chapter III: Skills to decide where you want to peg
your character's various skills. You'll probably want to invest at least
a few ranks in resistances like Fortitude, Will, and Notice (but don't
feel like you need to max all of them out either: if your character
doesn't have any weaknesses, the game can get very boring very
quickly).
Most other skills are optional and really should only be purchased if
your character has some training in them. But if your character
does have the training and experience, then definitely buy them up
to an appropriate level. A general rule of thumb would be to keep
ranks in skills that are secondary and aren't a focus for your
character at or below half the campaign's power level, while more
important skills should be near the campaign's power level. Truly
important skills (such as a hacker's Technology skill) are the only
ones which should really be maxed out.
Step 6: Feats
Now that you've really started fleshing your character out, it's time
to decide what else your character can do. Feat are useful for
further customize your character. Combat feats are useful for
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describing how your character fights, while skill feats give you new
options or additional bonuses while using different types of skills.
Fortune feats present new ways to gain and use Hero Dice. If your
game is using the optional rules for reputation or tactical movement
options, you might also take advantage of the Reputation or
Opportunity feats. General feats are also useful to provide more
options for your character which aren't necessarily skill- or combat-
based.
Step 7: FX, Gear, and
Other Abilities
As you approach the home stretch, you might find yourself with
extra character points left over. What other traits or gear might your
character have? Maybe your character has an apartment, or a pet,
or a side-job as a short-order cook. Or maybe in addition to your
character's ability to fly and breathe fire, your character can teleport
between fireplaces or bonfires. What other abilities or gear might be
appropriate for your character? What else can someone with your
character's capabilities potentially do? What is it that makes your
cybernetic swordsman from the future different than the other
cyborgs with swords?
Step 8: Details and
Characteristics
Once you've spent your allotment of character points, you an still
work to develop your character further. Chapter I: The Basics has
an entire section suggesting ways to customize your character,
such as motivations, description of appearance and personality,
and causes or beliefs to which your character pledges allegiance.
You can define your character's very nature and outlook and
history. It's with this step that you take your unique concept from
numbers on a character sheet and bring them to life in the form of a
fully-realized character.
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Step 9: GM Approval
Finally, you need to bring to your GM a copy of your character to
make certain that the final product is one that the GM is
comfortable running adventures for. If it is, you're ready to go! If not,
you and your GM will work together to address and problems and
to create a character that best fits both the game and your concept
for the character.
What About Converting
Characters?
So do you want to convert a favorite character over from another
game system? The principle for conversion is largely the same as
the way you'd normally create a brand-new character: start with the
concept and then work forward from there. The approach is a little
bit different (as you'll likely already have abilities in-mind that fit for
your character), but you'll still want to follow the steps outlined
above, as well as these guidelines.
General Guidelines
When converting a character or creature, you should understand
that your goal shouldn't be to make a perfect copy, but to stay true
to the spirit and concept of what you're converting. If the character
or creature you're converting does a lot of damage for its level, or is
especially hard to hit in another system, then give it a trade-off to
reflect that. Special abilities should be covered with reasonable
accuracy as FX or feats or a combination of both.
The harder question is what power level to place a converted
creature or character at. Again, use your judgment. In many cases,
especially when converting a character, the GM will have already
picked out an appropriate power level for the game. It's a little
trickier for monsters and NPCs, but all the GM really needs to
decide is just how much stronger (or weaker) than the PCs the
creatures need to be. Chapter XII: Stock Characters is useful for
determining just how powerful a creature needs to be to be a
certain kind of threat to your characters.
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Appendix II: Sample Session
Below is a sample session of d20 Advanced, focused mainly
around a single encounter (an attempt by the heroes to infiltrate a
warehouse and capture the criminals using it as a base).
The Heroes
Todd- GM
Pete- Singularity, gravity manipulator
Christine- Deadeye, tactician and gunslinger
Eric- Titan, powerhouse
Anna- Fae, faerie envoy from court of Oberon
Infiltrating
“Okay, guys,” Todd says once everyone is seated. “Last time, you
tracked down the gang behind the armored car heist to a
warehouse off the interstate. The one you're looking for sits fourth
in a row of six warehouses, labeled 'A' through 'F'. There's a large
rolling garage-style door at the front of the pre-fab warehouse, as
well as a lot of small, broken windows about forty feet up ringing
most of the structure. From the outside, it looks pretty quiet.”
“Well, hopefully that means they didn't see us pull up,” Christine
muses. “Okay. We should fan out and look for other entrances.”
Eric sighs. “Let's just have Titan lift up the door and everyone run
inside and start beating them down.”
“You know, not everyone can take a machinegun to the face like
Titan can,” Pete reminds him as he rolls a die around in the palm of
his hand.
Titan, a PL 8 character, has Enhanced Toughness 12 with the
Impervious extra (thanks to a trade-off with Defense). His
Defense is only 4, but it takes a lot to hurt him.
“Well, what if we tried to pretend we're the people they're waiting
for?” Anna suggests. “Fae's pretty good at that kind of thing.”
Fae is another PL 8 character. She has 8 ranks in Art, 4 ranks in
Persuasion, a +4 Charisma, and a rank in Attractive, meaning
she'd have a +12 bonus to checks to disguise herself and to lie to
targets who find her attractive, which Anna is hoping includes the
gang members inside.
“I don't think that's such a good idea,” Christine says. “They
probably know what their contacts look like, so it'd be really hard for
us to trick them that way. What about those windows up there? If
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Singularity can fly up there, he can drop a rope down to the rest of
us.”
Singularity is a PL 8 character with a rank of Enhanced Movement
(Flight) to represent his ability to lower his own gravity.
“Well, I don't exactly have any rope,” Pete says.
“And can Titan fit through the windows?” Eric asks Todd, who
shakes his head “no”.
Anna runs her finger down her character sheet. “Well, can Fae try
making a rope if there's plants around?
Fae can use Create Objects, but only when she has plants to
manipulate (essentially the Create Objects FX with the Limited
flaw).
“Sure,” Todd says. “Fae can do that. There's plenty of grass and
weeds growing next to the paved driveway.”
“And then we can have Titan break through the wall on the far
side,” Christine says with a nod to Eric. “That way we'll have the
gang in a pincer formation.”
In addition to being nearly bulletproof, Titan is also massively
strong, with lots of Enhanced Strength and Enhanced Might.
“Sounds good to me,” Eric says, cracking his knuckles.
“And Fae is going to go make that rope.” Anna then begins to
describe Fae using her abilities. “She uses her magic to make the
grass grow impossibly fast and weaves it around to make a nice,
strong rope as she presents it to Singularity.”
“So Singularity's going to fly up to the window, hopefully without the
gang noticing him,” Pete says.
“Okay. Give me an Infiltration check,” Todd says.
Pete rolls his die.
Singularity has some experience with breaking and entering, as
he used to be a burglar. He has 3 ranks in Infiltration and +2
Dexterity, for a +5 bonus to his roll total.
“I got a 16 on my roll, so that's a 21,” he reports to Todd.
Todd double-checks the Perception bonuses for the gang
members inside. The highest bonus is the gang leader's +10,
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which gives him a 20 for his Perception resistance, and it's not
enough to notice Singularity flying up.
“Okay,” Todd says after a few seconds of checking his notes.
“Singularity manages to fly up there and lower the rope down for
Fae and Deadeye. And Titan is heading around to the other side of
the warehouse?”
“Yeah,” Eric confirms.
“Can you guys give me Athletics checks to climb up?”
“Singularity's flying,” Pete points out.
Anne looks up. “And Fae's going to fly too. I keep almost forgetting
her wings aren't just for show.”
“So I just need the Athletics check from Deadeye,” Todd says,
looking over at Christine.
Deadeye isn't terribly strong (Strength +1), but she went through
basic military training in her background. She has 4 ranks in
Athletics, giving her a +5 bonus to her Athletics check. Climbing a
rope with a wall to brace against is a fairly easy DC 10 check, so
Christine only needs to roll a 5 to climb up successfully.
“I got an 8,” she reports after rolling. “Is a 13 enough?”
“Yeah,” Todd tells her. “You've got a rope and a wall to brace
against, so a 13's fine. From the window, Fae, Deadeye, and
Singularity can see the gang. It looks like there are eight of them,
and they all have the shotguns they had used during the hijacking
of the armored car, which is parked in the middle of the warehouse,
among stacks and stacks of crates. One of them is a big guy, not
quite as big as Titan, of course, but still pretty big and imposing.”
He looks over the group. “You can take Perception checks to see
whether or not you can make out what the gang members are
saying. It's going to be hard, between the echo of the big
warehouse and the way he's talking quietly, but you might be able
to make something out.”
The players roll.
The characters suffer a -5 circumstance penalty to their
Perception checks due to poor conditions and the gang leader
talking quietly, and Todd sets the check DC at 10. The players roll,
and Todd mentally tacks on the -5 penalty to their results. Todd
can also just set the DC at 15 instead of 10 to make it simpler, or
he can tell the players what the circumstance penalty to their
checks are going to be.
“Okay, so Deadeye can make it out,” Todd says after he's looked
over the results. “It sounds like the gang leader is annoyed at their
demolitions guy for tripping the alarm that clued you guys in. You
can't make out their names.”
“Do they know we tracked them down?” Christine asks.
Todd shakes his head. “You can't tell. They're not talking about it.”
“So now we attack, right?” Pete asks. “I'm gonna turn the gravity up
on them and crush them so-”
“No no!” Christine says. “Not yet! We're still hanging from the
outside of the building! We're sitting ducks!”
“We've still got the rope,” Anna offers. “We can swing it around to
the other side and climb back down.”
“You can do that,” Todd confirms.
“Okay, so Deadeye will start pulling the rope up,” Christine reports.
“And Singularity is going to get ready to attack if the gang tries
anything,” Pete adds.
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“Can Titan charge through the wall when he hears the fight start?”
Eric asks.
Todd nods. “You can take a Perception check to hear when the fight
starts.”
“Are we on the floor yet?” Christine asks.
“You need to make Infiltration checks to get in without them
noticing,” Todd says, “and then Christine, Deadeye needs another
Athletics check to climb down safely.”
Deadeye has +4 Dexterity and 6 ranks in Infiltration, thanks to her
training in the Green Berets, giving her a +10 bonus on Infiltration
checks. Fae has +3 Dexterity, but no ranks in Infiltrate.
“24 for Singularity!” Pete cheers at his good luck so far.
“Deadeye has a 26 for the Infiltration,” Christine reports.
Anna frowns. “Um... Fae got a 4.”
Todd grins.
“Uh oh,” Pete says. “I know that look. That means something bad's
about to happen!”
“The last time he smiled like that he dropped a yatch on us,” Eric
says.
“I guess that means they noticed us?” Christine asks.
“Thanks to the flutter of faerie wings, yep, they heard you guys,”
Todd says. “The gang's leader cries out, 'They followed us! Get
them!' The gang raises their weapons and level them at the heroes
as they squeeze through the window.”
“We're buying mufflers for Fae's wings after this,” Pete mutters to
Anna, who sticks her tongue out at him.
The Fight
“Okay, everyone, both sides are aware of each other, so both of
you are going to need Reflex checks for initiative,” Todd says.
Singularity has 4 ranks in Reflex with his +2 Dexterity. Deadeye
has 8 ranks in Reflex with a +4 Dexterity. Fae has 2 ranks in
Reflex and +3 Dexterity. Titan has no ranks in Reflex and a +0
Dexterity
The six basic gang members have 3 ranks in Reflex and +0
Dexterity. The gang's leader has 4 ranks in Reflex and +0
Dexterity, while the brute of the gang also has 4 ranks in Reflex
and +0 Dexterity. Todd decides to save time and have all of the
basic gang members, who are minions, act on the same initiative
count.
After sorting out their results, Todd announces the initiative order.
“Deadeye has a 24. The six regular gang members have a 17. Fae
got a 16, the gang's leader has a 14 and Titan has a 10. Singularity
has an 8, and last up is going to be the big gang member. So
Deadeye is leading us off.”
“Right,” Christine says. “Is Deadeye still on the rope?”
“Yeah,” Todd confirms. “She's dangling 30 feet up in the window,
but since she's moving down the rope, she can take a full move
down with one action if you take a -10 penalty on the Athletics
check, which will let her reach the floor.”
“If I take a -5, can I make it halfway down with one action?”
Christine asks.
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Normally a character can only move ¼ his or her speed while
climbing with Athletics in one action, but rappelling can be
simulated using the Fast Climb challenge at a -5 penalty to move
half speed, or full speed at -10 feet.
Todd nods.
“Well, I really don't want to be flat-footed when the gang starts
shooting at me,” Christine reasons, “and since they're flat-footed at
the start of the round, I'll get sneak attack against them.”
The sneak attack feat grants characters a bonus to damage
against foes who they have combat advantage against, such as
those who are flat-footed at the start of combat.
“So what are you going to do?” Todd asks her.
“Deadeye is going to take a shot at one of the gang members with
one action and then rappel down with the other. She can let go and
fall for free. Falling 15 feet isn't too much damage.”
“Since they're minions, you're going to hit the gang members,” Todd
says, “so go ahead and roll for damage and then you'll need an
Athletics check to climb down.”
“Great! Deadeye's gun does +4 damage by itself, and since they're
flat-footed, she'll get her sneak attack damage.” Christine rolls the
die.
Deadeye has 10 ranks in Weapon Group (Pistols). As a PL 8
character, she needed to take a trade-off with her Damage on her
pistols. Since the basic gang members are minions, Deadeye can
take 10 on attack rolls against them, and since they're flat-footed
(they haven't acted yet in combat), that means that Deadeye will
automatically hit them.
To determine damage, Deadeye rolls using her weapon's damage
bonus (+4 from the gun, +2 from sneak attack) and tries to
overcome the target's Toughness resistance. The DC to
overcome Toughness is 5 + the target's Toughness bonus. As
minions, a result of Injured is enough to remove the minion from
combat. The gang member has 6 ranks of Toughness from a
bulletproof vest and the Tough feat (note that for most NPCs, it's
not that important to stat out where every bonus comes from).
With the minion's Toughness resistance of 6 and Deadeye's
damage modifier of +6 total on this attack, she only needs a 5 to
injure the minion (and take him out of the fight).
“8, but with the +6, that's 14 for damage,” she reports.
“That's enough to get him,” Ted tells her. “He's a minion, so he goes
down. Now I need your Athletics check to climb down.”
Christine rolls. “13, and with the -5 penalty that cancels out my
Athletics bonus, it's just 13. Is that enough?”
“That'll get you down half-way,” Todd tells her.
“And it's Acrobatics to break your fall, right?” Christine rolls the die
again.
The DC to fall safely with Acrobatics is 5 + the distance a
character needs to fall in feet. Deadeye has a +4 Dexterity and 6
ranks in Acrobatics, for a total bonus of +10 on this check.
“6,” she reports, “so a 16.”
“That means you can soak up eleven feet of the fall, and you only
count four of them, but that's not enough to do damage.”
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“Awesome!” Christine says. “Okay, so Deadeye goes rappelling
down the rope, firing her handgun at one of the gang members.
She drops after the last shot, tucks, and rolls, raising her gun
immediately as she finds her feet.”
“And now the gang members start their counter-attack,” Todd says.
“Two are firing at Deadeye, two at Singularity, and one at Fae.”
Todd rolls for the gang members.
The minions have an attack bonus of +6 with their guns. Deadeye
has 10 ranks in Defense (thanks to a trade-off with Toughness),
while Singularity and Fae both have 8 ranks. However, Singularity
and Fae haven't acted yet, so they're flat-footed and denied their
Defense modifiers at the start of combat. Fae has two ranks of
Uncanny Dodge, though, which means she retains 2 ranks of her
Defense when caught flat-footed. This means that the minions
need a 20 to hit Deadeye, a 12 to his Fae, and a 10 to hit
Singularity.
“Okay, we have one hit on Deadeye with a 24, one hit on Fae with a
13, and one hit on Singularity with a 19,” he announces as he rolls
for damage.
The minions have an damage bonus of +6 with their shotguns.
Deadeye has a Toughness resistance of 6 between her armor and
her Defensive Roll feat. Singularity and Fae have Toughness
Resistances of 8 (Singularity's comes from his armored costume
while Fae has natural faerie resistance to damage and a
protective ward in place).
Todd points at Christine. “Deadeye is taking 15 damage.”
She checks her sheet. “Okay, so that's 4 more than 11, which
means that Deadeye is only Injured.” Christine notes this on her
sheet.
An Injured character suffers a -1 penalty to Toughness resistance.
He says to Anna, “And Fae is taking 11.”
“So Fae's not even Injured by the shot,” she says with a smile.
“Guess that faerie spell stopped it!”
“And Singularity,” Todd finishes, “is getting hit for 19.”
“19?” Pete sighs. “Man, that means that Singularity is Injured and
Dazed.”
An attack which overcomes a character's toughness by 5 or more
both Injured and Dazed, taking a -1 penalty to Toughness and
losing an action on his or her next turn.
“Now it's Fae's turn,” Todd tells Anna.
“Okay,” she says, looking over her character sheet. “How about Fae
flies over them and uses a little faerie magic to give these guys
vertigo?”
“Does that FX have the Area extra?” Todd asks her.
Anna cracks her knuckles. “It's faerie dust. Of course it has an
area.”
“You'll be able to attack all of the regular gang members, the ones
who just opened fire,” Todd tells her. “You need to make an attack
roll against them.”
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One of Fae's FX is Inflict (Condition) with the Area Extra. Her
Inflict targets Fortitude and the disorientation it causes targets
within 80 feet to suffer a penalty to attacks. As an area attack, Fae
needs to make a single attack roll against all targets in the area.
Those who are hit suffer the full effects of the attack; those who
aren't hit suffer the effect at half-modifier.
She rolls her die. “Okay, so a 4 plus 8... that's only a twelve.”
“So the gang members are only taking half of the faerie dust,” he
responds.
“Alright.” She rolls the die. “15 plus 4 gives me a 19.”
“You beat their Fortitude by 5, so they're taking a -5 penalty to their
attack rolls until they recover,” Todd says.
“Ha!” Pete says. “Suck on pixie dust!”
“Faerie dust,” Anna corrects him.
“And now the gang leader's up. He starts yelling to the other
members of the gang, 'Get up! Take them out! Get to the truck!' He
draws his gun, but doesn't fire.” Gesturing to the group, he says,
“Since he's using Inspire this round, he pays for it by giving each of
you guys a Hero Die.”
The gang leader has 2 ranks in the Inspire feat, has a Charisma
of +2, so he can grant two of his allies a +2 bonus to all attack
rolls, resistances, and skill checks for one round. Normally, this
requires an expenditure of a Hero Die, but since NPCs don't get
Hero Dice, they instead grant the PCs Hero Dice, as if the GM
were using GM Fiat.
The players let out a little cheer and collect their dice, adding the
dice to their pools of Hero dice. “And now,” Todd says, “it's Titan. I
need that Perception check to make sure that he could hear the
fight starting.”
Eric says, “It's about time,” as he rolls.
Titan has 2 ranks in Perception and +0 Wisdom, so he only has
+2 to his Perception check. However, to hear gunfire and shouting
through a prefabricated wall is only DC 5.
“6,” he says. “That's an 8 total on Perception.”
“Titan can hear the gunfire and shouting inside the warehouse,”
Todd tells Eric.
“Awesome. Titan's gonna bust through that wall, then,” Eric says.
“Can he break in and then run into the fight?”
A character may use Might to break through an inanimate object
for two actions. The GM may allow the player to use a skill
challenge, taking a -5 penalty on the check to perform the action
in half the usual time (one action instead of two). Since Titan's
player wants Titan to both break through the wall and move, the
GM can offer this option to the player.
Todd nods. “But if you want to do both, your Might check is going to
be at -5.”
“That's fine,” Eric says as he rolls. “I'm pretty sure that Titan's
strong enough for that. I mean, it's just sheet metal, right?”
“Yeah,” Todd confirms. “Go ahead and roll.”
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Titan has a +8 bonus to Strength and 5 ranks in Might, for a total
bonus of +13. Steel has 10 ranks in toughness per inch, but the
prefabricated walls are much thinner than an inch, so Todd
decides that they have half that bonus (5 ranks in Toughness).
He'll need to at least stagger the wall to break through it in one try,
and that will take a damage result of at least 20.
“18,” Eric says. “Plus 13 from Might, minus 5 penalty. 26.”
“That's enough to shred the wall,” Todd tells him, “and for Titan to
take a normal move too. That'll mean he can attack next round, and
that he's close to the gang after his movement.”
“Then once he's done crashing through, he's going to say, 'Sorry for
crashing the party'.” Everyone groans at Eric's joke.
Pete picks up his die. “Okay, Singularity's up now, right? I want to
crush the guys who Fae pixie-dusted last round.”
“Faerie dusted,” Anna corrects him again.
“Whatever. Since Singularity only gets one action this round, he's
gonna just drop a gravity-crush on the gang. Let's crank up the g-
forces and smash some bad guys.” Pete rolls.
Singularity has a Damage 8 FX with the Range and Area extras.
“Alright, a 17 total should hit them all.” He rolls again after Todd's
confirmation. “And for damage, that's a 12. That should do it!”
“Four of the gang members are going down,” Todd tells him, but
remember that the gang's leader used Inspire last turn? 12 isn't
quite enough to take down the last one of them.”
“I still took down the most so far,” Pete reminds everyone quickly.
“And the big gang member is going to cover his boss and hold his
actions until next turn,” Todd says.
The big gang member is readying both of his actions, so he can
take them later. He's readying one action to follow the gang
leader, and another to attack anyone who comes into his melee
range.
“So at the top of the round, Deadeye's up, right?” Christine asks.
“Okay, so we've got one regular gang-member left, the gang's
leader, and the big guy. And the leader said something about
getting out of there, so... hmm. How about Deadeye uses
Quickdraw to pull out her second pistol, and then opens fire at the
minion and then on the gang leader with her second action?”
Since characters get two actions each round, they may choose to
make two attacks.
Deadeye represents fighting with two pistols with the Barrage
extra on their attacks, meaning that if she hits a target, she gets to
roll again to try to build up a Dice Pool for damage. She can earn
two extra bonus damage dice in this dice pool in this way.
“Sure,” Todd tells her. “Go ahead and make your attack rolls.”
Christine rolls. “Okay. 21 against the regular gang member.”
“That hits,” Todd tells her, “so you get to roll again for the barrage.”
Christine does so, rolling to hit two more times, her grin growing
wider with each success. “And now for the damage,” she says as
she rolls her pool of three dice. “The 18 is the highest, so Deadeye
is dealing 22 damage to this guy.”
Todd nods. “Got him. He's down. And for the gang's leader?”
She rolls once more. “Ugh. 14.”
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“That's not going to hit, unfortunately,” Todd tells her.
The gang leader's has a defense of 20, thanks to a trade-off with
Toughness.
“Since the gang members are all down, Fae gets to go, right?”
Anna asks, picking up her die. “How about she tries to distract the
gang's leader and get Combat Advantage? Can she taunt him a
little with Persuasion?”
“Give it a shot,” Todd tells her. “He's going to be resisting with
Perception.”
Both of them roll.
Fae is attempting a Maneuver to Gain Combat Advantage. She
rolls her Persuasion (4 ranks + 4 Charisma + 4 bonus from
Attractive for a +12 bonus overall), while the gang's leader rolls
Perception (for which he has +12). If the gang leader succeeds,
he is unaffected. If Fae succeeds, she'll gain Combat Advantage
and her foe becomes Off-Balance, suffering a -2 penalty to
defense against Fae's attacks. If Fae succeeds by 5 or more, he'll
be Vulnerable, losing his Defense bonus against her attacks. If
she succeeds by 10 or more, he'll be treated as flat-footed against
everyone's attacks.
“23,” Anna says.
“And he's only got a 17, so he's Vulnerable.”
Anna smiles. “Alright! Fae flutters around taunting him, going, 'You
guys left a trail a mile wide, and now we're taking you down!', and
when he's distracted, she's going to hit him with some a magic
blast.”
Fae's magic blast is Damage 8 with the Ranged extra. Since she
has combat advantage over the gang's leader this round, she's
very likely to hit.
“And that's a 12... that still hits him while he's Vulnerable this round,
I think.”
“You got it,” Todd says. “Roll for damage for me.”
Anna does so. “Oh come on! A natural 1, so that's only a 9.”
Todd blinks. “Wow. He actually resists the damage, so no injury.
And he's up, and the big guy is acting with him. They're going to
make a run to get cover behind the armored car.”
Characters with hard cover impose a -5 penalty on attack rolls
made against them.
“Once they've got cover, the leader is lobbing a grenade,” Todd
says as he rolls the die. “It's only going to be able to target
Singularity, Deadeye, and Fae, since he can't hit Titan too.”
The grenade contains a special tear gas that the gang leader
synthesized himself. The grenade has the Area extra, and against
targets it hits, the gas will attempt to overcome the targets'
Fortitude to Dazzle them and Inflict a penalty to their attacks and
actions, both at rank 8 (twice as potent as regular tear gas).
“And the gang leader gets a 22 on his attack roll, so I think that gets
all three of you.” Todd rolls for the effect. “And he's hitting for 19.”
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None of the players look very pleased. “That beats Deadeye's by
3,” Christine sighs, “so she's blind, taking a -2 to attacks, and loses
an action?”
“Yeah, he beat Singularity by 1, so same thing,” Pete reports. “I'm
never going to get a full round of actions, am I?”
“Um, I got a 10,” Anna says.
“Blind, -5 to attacks, and you lose both your actions this round,”
Todd tells her. “You'll get Fortitude checks on the next round to start
trying to shake the gas off.”
“Don't worry,” Eric says. “Titan's going to get these guys. I want to
run at the gang's leader and then grab him and pound him.”
“He'll resist with Acrobatics to try to slip away. You'll have to take
your Might check at -5,” Todd warns Eric.
“It worked for me last round,” Eric tells him as the two of them roll.
Moving is one action, and attacking is another. A player can
attempt to do both while still using a maneuver if the player takes
a -5 penalty to the opposed Maneuver check.
The gang's leader is not exactly an acrobat, with a +2 Dexterity
and 2 ranks in Acrobatics for a total of +4.
“I got a natural 1,” Eric groans. “Can I spend a Hero Die to reroll
that?”
“Sure,” Todd says. “You're going to have to beat a 15.”
Titan has two Hero Dice, one from the start of the adventure, and
one from the gang's leader using Inspire last round. He gets to roll
two dice and then pick the best result to count for his opposed
maneuver check.
“6 and 11, so with the 11 that's a 19,” Eric says.
“You've got him Off-Balance with the grab,” Todd tells him, “so his
Defense is at -2 this round against your attack.”
“Then I'll pound him.” Eric rolls again. “Natural 20! That's a critical
hit!”
A character scores a Critical Hit on a natural 20, gaining a +5
bonus to the modifier of the effect he or she is attacking with. In
this case, Titan gains a +5 bonus to his damage. Thanks to his
trade-off, the gang leader's toughness is only 6, so he's in trouble.
“And for Damage... that's 8 from Strength plus 5 from the critical hit
so that's a 19 for damage.” Eric looks pleased with himself.
“He's Injured, Dazed, and Staggered,” Todd reports.
A staggered character is barely holding on, and only gets one
action each round. Since he's also dazed, the gang leader doesn't
get to act next turn, and the next time he's injured at all, he'll be
knocked out.
“So Titan grabs him and slams him against the truck. Boom!” Eric
flexes. “You're not going anywhere, buddy.”
Todd starts rolling again. “Wait, what's going on?” Christine asks,
starting to get worried.
“The big guy readied an action to attack if anyone came in melee
range,” Todd tells her, “so he's taking a swing at Titan. But since he
rolled a 2, that's a miss, even on Titan.”
“He can't hit the broad side of anything,” Pete laughs.
2
 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game
“But Singularity's up, and he's still blind,” Todd tells him.
Pete sighs. “Fine. Singularity is going to land so he doesn't crash or
anything. And he probably wouldn't hit the big guy with him having
cover even if he could see.”
“And the big guy's up now,” Todd says. “He scowls at Titan and
says, 'I ain't getting paid enough to deal with you people.' He
reaches over, grabs the gang's leader, and then dives into the
truck. You guys are all taking a Hero Die because they're escaping
as he floors it and goes barreling out through the big rolling door at
the main truck entrance to the warehouse.”
“He's lucky he ran,” Eric says, pounding his fist into his palm. “Titan
would've beat him into the ground.”
“How long are we going to be blind?” Christine asks. “We need to
start following them.”
“We should look for clues about where they went,” Anna says.
“I say we interrogate one of the guys who got left behind,” Pete
says. “They might know something.”
Interrogation
“Once you guys are recovered, after about a minute, you can find
one of the gang members who's coming around,” Todd says.
Rather than force the players to roll until they overcome a
condition with a duration that makes it only really relevant in
combat with short rounds, the GM simply chooses to hand-wave
over the recovery and just assume that after 10 rounds, all of the
characters are recovered from the effects of the gas.
“Okay, I'm thinking that Titan should be the bad cop, and Fae
should be the good cop,” Christine says.
“That sounds good,” Eric says, cracking his knuckles. “Titan's better
at intimidating anyway.”
Titan has 2 ranks in Talented (Persuasion (Intimidate)), giving him
a +10 bonus to Persuasion checks to Intimidate. This will be
helpful in his role in the Dramatic Interaction.
“And Singularity can help Titan seem scary,” Pete volunteers.
“Deadeye and her heavy pistols can give a hand too,” Christine
offers.
Singularity and Deadeye are going to Aid Titan with his
Persuasion checks to Intimidate. If they can succeed on DC 10
Persuasion checks themselves, they'll grant Titan a +2 bonus on
his check.
“Then let's start the interrogation,” Todd says. “Your side has 5
edge dice to start and so does the gang member. If he wins, he's
not going to talk. If you guys win, he'll tell you where the gang is
going. We'll start with you guys first.”
“Got it,” Eric says. “Titan's going to walk over to the guy, crouch in
front of him, and say, 'So it looks like it's just you and us, pal. Now
where are your little buddies going?' while he cracks his knuckles.”
“And Singularity is going to lean over Titan's shoulder and say, 'We
can do this the easy way or the hard way,'” Pete pipes up.
Christine extends a finger, as if pointing a gun. “Deadeye'll start
polishing her gun next to Titan, glancing at the guy.”
“Go ahead and roll your Persuasion checks to Intimidate, Pete and
279
Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
Christine. Eric, how many edge dice do you want to wager?” Todd
asks.
“Um, I guess let's start with two,” Eric says as the other two players
roll.
“11 from Deadeye,” Christine says.
“And 4 from Singularity,” Pete says.
“So +2 total to Titan's check,” Todd tells him. “And the gang
member is going to match your wager of two dice and he'll be
resisting with Perception, to see if he can notice you guys wavering
in your promises to hurt him.”
The player making the check for the Dramatic Interaction rolls the
wagered dice against the GM. The winner of the opposed check
takes all the wagered edge dice.
“10 from Talented plus 2 from Deadeye, so that's a 17,” Eric says,
brushing aside two dice, one showing a 3 and one showing a 5.
“And he's only got a 13, so you guys win this first round,” Todd tells
him, sliding the players the wager. “The guy swallows hard. 'I don't
know! The boss never told us where we were going!' he swears.”
“I bet he's lying,” Anna says.
“We should oppose with Perception to see if he's telling the truth,”
Christine says. “I think Deadeye has the highest sense motive. Can
they try to Aid Deadeye?”
Todd shakes his head. “No, it's kind of hard for you guys to sit down
and discuss with one another why you think he's lying.” He picks up
one die. “He's only going to risk wagering one die on this one.”
“Alright,” Christine says. “I'll match that.”
They roll the dice. “Uh-oh,” Christine says. “That's only an 11.”
“And he managed a 14 on that,” Todd says, collecting the wager.
“He's got 4, you guys have 6, and it's your turn.”
“Can Fae play 'good cop' now?” Anna asks.
“Go for it,” Eric says, pushing the dice over to her. “Okay. How
about Fae says, 'You know, they abandoned you. And if you help
us, we'll make sure the police and the district attorney know. We're
pretty good friends with the D.A., so we might even be able to get
you a real nice plea bargain.' She gives him her sweetest smile.”
Anna picks up two dice again.
“It's a pretty tempting offer,” Todd admits, picking up only one die,
“so he's going to oppose this one with Will to avoid giving in.”
After a roll, Todd passes the wager to Anna. “He had a pretty bad
Will anyway,” the GM admits. “Now you guys have 7 and he has 3.
This time, the gang member looks over his fallen allies. 'How do I
know you won't just leave me hanging when the police come?' he
challenges them.”
Anna says, “Fae is going to tell him, 'Would you rather we ask one
of them to roll over on you?' as she points to the other unconscious
gang members.”
“So you're going to try Persuasion again while he's trying to gauge
you with Perception?” Todd asks, picking up another die.
Anna nods. “Yeah, so he trusts us,” she says, grabbing one die
herself. The two of them roll, and Anna grins when she succeeds
again.
“He's starting to trust you,” Todd reports as he gives the players
both wagered dice.
“And now it's our turn?” Christine asks. “How about... can Deadeye
use some of her Expertise in the criminal underworld to convince
the guy that they know enough to put him away for a long time, and
that they're his only chance?”
“I'll let you use Expertise non-proficiently for Persuasion,” Todd tells
2
 d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game
her. “And he'll resist with Will again.”
He grabs two dice this time, and Christine grabs three. “I just hope
one of them rolls high,” she says.
Deadeye has 8 ranks in Expertise (Underworld) and +2 Wisdom,
giving her a +10 bonus. However, since she's using Expertise
non-proficiently to replicate Persuasion, she only gets to use half
of the ranks (4) and her Charisma bonus instead of her Wisdom
(+0).
Two of Christine's dice roll low, but the third one rolls a natural 20.
The group lets out a cheer. “24!” Christine says.
“That got him,” Todd says. “And just barely, with the way he rolled.”
He hands the players the last of the edge dice. “The guy shuts his
eyes. 'Alright, alright. I'll talk,' the gang member says.”
“Oh, I can't wait to track down that guy and give him a little gravity
blast,” Pete says.
280
Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
Todd continues, “He tells you guys about how the gang's leader
supposedly has a safe-house upstate, where he's probably running
to. And next time, you guys get to work on tracking him down
again.”
“And pounding him again,” Eric adds.
“Yeah,” Todd laughs. “Next time, after you track down and deal with
these guys, you'll be able to get your character point rewards,
okay?”
The GM decides that the players haven't quite earned bonus
character points yet, and they just got some recently, so he wants
to wait until the end of the adventure to give the players their
reward.
“Sounds good,” Christine agrees. “So when are we getting the next
game in?”
2

A Boost ..........................................79
Abilities ........................................19
___Altering ..................................20
Able Learner ...............................57
Academics ..................................37
Accurate ....................................120
Accurate Attack ...........................53
Acrobatics ...................................37
Action
___Descriptions ........................161
___Drawback ............................131
___Extra ....................................123
___Flaw ....................................128
___In Combat ...........................165
Additional Limbs ..........................78
Additional Resistance ..............128
Affect Area ................................177
Affects Insubstantial ..................120
Affects Objects ..........................123
Affects Others ...........................123
Agent .........................................267
Aid .............................................177
Aikido ..........................................64
Alien Invader .............................267
All-Out Attack ..............................54
Ally ..............................................58
Alternate FX ..............................120
Alternate Resistance .................113
Ambidexterity ..............................58
Anatomic Separation ...................79
Animal Empathy ..........................62
Anxiety ......................................207
Area
___Attacks ................................165
___Extra ....................................123
Armor ........................................149
Array .........................................133
Art ...............................................46
Artificer ........................................62
Artillery ......................................254
Assessment ................................58
Athletics ......................................29
Attack ........................................161
___Bonus ..................................161
___Extra ....................................124
___Attack Specialization .............53
Attacks of Opportunity ...............175
Attractive .....................................60
Aura ..........................................124
Avoid Risk .................................164
Avoidance .................................206
B FX ...........................................85
Basics ...........................................3
Barrage .....................................125
Begin/Complete Action ..............165
Beginner’s Luck ..........................57
Benefit .........................................58
Blind-Fight ...................................54
Block .........................................165
Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game
Index
Boxing .........................................64
Brute .........................................256
C Details & Characteristics .............13
Called Shot ...............................178
Campaign Era ...........................225
Campaign Feel ..........................230
Capable .......................................57
Capoeira .....................................64
Carnivorous Plant .....................267
Catatonia ...................................208
Challenge ....................................59
Champion ..................................256
Character Points .........................10
Check Required ........................128
Climate Effects ..........................189
Combat Advantage ...................173
Combat Concealment .................54
Combat Expert ............................54
Combat Reflexes ........................61
Combat Statistics ......................161
Combined Attack .......................178
Command .................................165
Communication ...........................80
Comprehend ...............................81
Concealment
___Condition .............................193
___FX .........................................82
Conditions .................................193
Confuse .......................................83
Connected ...................................62
Constructs .................................157
Contacts ......................................62
Contagious ................................125
Container ..................................135
Counterattack ..............................61
Cover
___Condition .............................194
___Maneuver ............................178
Create Objects ............................84
Creating an Encounter ..............252
Creating the Adventure .............221
Critical Strike ...............................54
Critical Hit ..................................162
Cultist ........................................267
D Expertise .....................................42
Damage
and Injury .............................167
Dazzle .........................................86
Dedication ...................................59
Defender ...................................258
Defense .......................................50
Defensive Attack .........................54
Defensive Roll .............................54
Defensive Strike ..........................54
Defensive Throw .........................61
281
Deflect .........................................87
Deflect Arrows .............................54
Demon ......................................267
Density ........................................88
Depression ................................206
Devices .....................................155
Diehard .......................................59
Dimensional ..............................120
Dinosaur ....................................268
Direction Sense ...........................59
Disability ......................................16
Disarm .......................................178
Disease .....................................125
Distract ........................................59
Distracting .................................128
Dragon ......................................268
Drain ...........................................89
Drawbacks ..................................15
___Descriptions ..........................16
Drop An Item .............................165
Duration
___Extra ....................................125
___Flaw ....................................128
Dwarf .........................................268
E ___Modifiers ............................122
Eagle Eyes ..................................59
Eidetic Memory ...........................59
Elf ..............................................268
Elongation ...................................90
Elusive Target .............................54
Emotion Control ..........................91
Enchanter .................................258
Endurance ...................................36
Enhanced
___Movement .............................93
___Senses ..................................95
___Trait .......................................92
Environmental Adaptation ...........59
Environmental Control ................98
Equipment .................................148
___Feat .......................................59
Escalates ..................................129
Escrima .......................................64
ESP .............................................99
Evasion .......................................54
Examples of Taint ......................205
Explosion ..................................125
Extended Range Table ................75
Extended Reach ......................120
Extra Limb ...................................59
Extras ........................................123
F Hoser ........................................206
Fades ........................................129
Fascinate ....................................62
Fast Escalation .........................120
Favored Environment ..................54
Favored Opponent ......................54
Fearless ......................................59
Fearsome Presence ....................59
Feat .............................................53
___Creating ................................66
___Descriptions ..........................53
Features ....................................100
Feedback ..................................129
Fencing .......................................65
Fighting Styles ............................63
First Strike ...................................55
Fixation .....................................206
Flanker ......................................260
Flaws .........................................128
Follow-Up Strike ..........................61
Fortitude ......................................37
Fugue ........................................208
Full Power ...................................17
FX ...............................................67
___Countering ............................77
___Creating ..............................133
___Descriptions ..........................77
___Drawbacks ..........................127
___Feats ...................................120
___Improving and Adding .........140
___Loss (Drawback) .................131
___Noticing .................................76
___Structures ............................133
___Types ....................................71
___Using .....................................71
G
Gain Combat Advantage ...........178
Gameplay ......................................5
Gargoyle ...................................268
General Equipment ...................144
Genre ........................................238
Ghost ........................................268
Giant .........................................268
GM Fiat ......................................10
Goblin ........................................269
Golem .......................................269
Grappling Block ...........................61
Growth ......................................100
Grunt .........................................254
H
Halfling ......................................269
Healing ......................................102
Hero Dice ......................................8
Hide In Plain Sight ......................62
Homing ......................................120
Hysteria .....................................207
2

I Mental .......................................126
Illusion .......................................103
Immovable ................................104
Immunity ...................................104
___To Disease ............................59
Impervious ................................125
Improved Block ...........................55
Improved Critical .........................55
Improved Initiative .......................55
Improved Opportunity .................61
Improved Range .......................121
Improvised Tools .........................62
Incurable ...................................121
Independent ..............................125
Indirect ......................................121
Inferiority Complex ....................206
Infiltration ....................................33
Inflict (Condition) .......................105
Informed Combatant ...................56
Innate ........................................121
Insidious ....................................125
Inspire .........................................57
Instant Up ....................................59
Insubstantial ..............................106
Interaction Types .......................199
Interpose .....................................58
Inventor .......................................62
Involuntary Transformation .........17
Irrationality ................................206
J Normal Identity ............................17
Jujutsu (Judo) .............................65
K O
Karate .........................................65
Knockback ................................168
___Extra ....................................126
___FX Feat ...............................121
Knowledge ..................................25
Krav Maga ...................................65
Kung Fu ......................................65
L P
Leadership ..................................57
Light Sleeper ...............................60
Lightning Calculator ....................60
Limited ......................................129
Linked .......................................126
Lizardman .................................269
Low-Light Vision ..........................60
Low-Profile ..................................62
Luck Control ..............................107
Lurker ........................................262
M Precise ......................................121
Madness ...................................205
Magical ......................................126
Maneuvers ................................176
Mania ........................................207
Manipulate Object .....................166
Martial Strike ...............................55
Master Plan .................................60
Mastermind ...............................264
Megalomania ............................207
Melancholia ...............................207
Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game
Mental Strain .............................202
Might ...........................................30
Mind Control ..............................108
Mind Reading ............................109
Minions ......................................164
___Feat .......................................60
Mob ...........................................164
Mobility ........................................61
Mobster .....................................269
Monstrous Vermin .....................269
Morph ........................................110
Move-By Action ...........................55
Move Object ..............................111
Movement ...................................21
___Action ..................................166
___All-Out .................................166
Moving Feint .............................121
Muay Thai ...................................65
Multiple Personality ...................208
N Requires Combat Advantage ....129
NPC Archetypes ........................254
NPC Guidelines ........................250
NPC Templates .........................267
Narcissism ................................207
Ninja ..........................................270
Ninjutsu .......................................65
No Resistance ...........................126
Non-Proficient .............................26
Noticeable ...................................17
Nullify .........................................111
Oathbound ..................................55
Obscure .....................................112
Obsessive Compulsion .............207
One-Way Transformation ............17
Ooze .........................................270
Opportunist .................................61
Orc ............................................270
Paranoia ....................................208
PC Templates ............................243
Penetrating ................................127
Perception ...................................43
Permanent ................................129
Persuasion ..................................47
Phantasm ..................................129
Phobia .......................................207
Poison .......................................127
Police ........................................270
Power Attack ...............................55
Power Level ................................10
Precipitation ..............................189
Precise Shot ................................56
Probability Control .....................113
Profession ...................................62
Progression ...............................121
Prone Fighting .............................56
Q Split Attack ................................122
Quick Change .............................60
282
Quick Draw .................................56
Quickness .................................113
R Sumo ...........................................65
Rage ...........................................56
Range .........................................73
___Extra ....................................127
___Flaw ....................................129
Ranged Pin .................................56
Rapid Healing .............................60
Ready ........................................166
Realism .....................................232
Recovery .....................................37
Redirect .......................................56
Reduced Range ........................132
Reflex ..........................................35
Refocus .....................................166
Regeneration .............................114
Renown .......................................62
Reputation .................................201
Resistance Allowed ...................129
Resistances ................................25
Restorative ................................129
Reversible .................................121
Ricochet ....................................121
Ritualist .......................................63
S Time and Value Progression
Schizophrenia ...........................208
Science .......................................39
Sea Monster ..............................270
Second Chance ..........................60
Secondary Effect .......................127
Sedation ....................................122
Seize Initiative .............................56
Selecting Options ......................245
Selective ...................................122
Selective Attack .........................127
Sense-Dependent .....................130
Set-Up .........................................56
Shrinking ...................................115
Side Effect .................................130
Sidestep ......................................61
Size .............................................21
Skill .............................................24
___Challenges ............................27
___Combat .................................24
___Creating ................................51
___Descriptions ..........................28
___Extended ...............................26
___How Skills Work ....................24
___Non-Proficient Use ................26
___Team .....................................28
Skill Mastery ................................63
Skirmisher .................................264
Sleep .........................................127
Sleight of Hand ...........................63
Slow Fade .................................122
Sneak Attack ...............................56
Soldier
___Medieval ..............................270
___Modern ................................270
Speak ........................................166
Speak With (Animal) ...................60
Speed ........................................116
Speed Of Thought .......................56
Stand Up ...................................166
Status ..........................................63
Structures ..................................152
Stunning Attack ...........................56
Subtle ........................................122
Summon (Minion) ......................117
Sunder ........................................56
Support .....................................266
Survival .......................................45
Suspicion ..................................207
Sweeping Strike ..........................56
Switch Array ..............................166
T
Tactical Movement ....................170
Tae Kwan Do ...............................65
Taido ...........................................66
Taint ..........................................203
Takedown Attack .........................56
Talented ......................................63
Teamwork ....................................60
Technology ..................................40
Teleport .....................................118
Temperature ..............................189
Temporary Disability ..................129
Terrain Effects ...........................184
Terrorist .....................................271
Thief ..........................................271
Throwing Mastery .......................57
Time Sense .................................60
___Table .....................................75
Tiring .........................................130
Tools ..........................................145
Total Fade .................................127
Tough ..........................................60
Toughness ...................................50
Track ...........................................63
Trade-Off .....................................11
Trance .........................................60
Transform ..................................119
Triggered ...................................122
Turn Off FX ...............................167
U
Ultimate Effort .............................58
Uncanny Dodge ..........................57
Uncontrolled ..............................130
Unreliable ..................................130
V
Vampire .....................................271
Vampiric ....................................127
Variable .....................................136
Variable Descriptor ....................122
Vehicles .....................................150
___Skill .......................................35
Vocalization ...............................207
Vulnerable ...................................18
W
Weak Point ..................................18
Weakness ...................................18
Wealth .......................................158
Weapons ...................................146
___Weapon Bind ........................57
___Weapon Break ......................57
2

___Weapon Group .....................51
Well-Informed .............................63
Werewolf ...................................271
Wide .........................................128
Will ..............................................49
Wind .........................................189
Z enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means
Zombie ......................................271
Zones ........................................180
Alfredo Sendin (order #1048782)
d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game
Open Game License
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7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as
expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to
indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open
Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered
Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product
Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that product
Identity.
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing
are Open Game Content.
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized
version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.
10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless
You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.
12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the
Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so
affected.
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within
30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.
14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent
necessary to make it enforceable.
15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
System Reference Document, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc., Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams,
based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Modern System Reference Document, Copyright 2002-2004, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Bill Slavicsek, Jeff Grubb, Rich
Redman, Charles Ryan, Eric Cagle, David Noonan, Stan!, Christopher Perkins, Rodney Thompson, and JD Wiker, based on material
by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, Richard Baker, Peter Adkison, Bruce R. Cordell, John Tynes, Andy Collins, and JD
Wiker.
Mutants & Masterminds, Copyright 2002, Green Ronin Publishing; Author Steve Kenson. Advanced Player’s Manual, Copyright
2005, Green Ronin Publishing: Author Skip Williams.
Silver Age Sentinels d20, Copyright 2002, Guardians of Order, Inc.; Authors Stephen Kenson, Mark C. Mackinnon, Jeff Mackintosh,
Jesse Scoble.
Mutants & Masterminds, Second Edition, Copyright 2005, Green Ronin Publishing; Author Steve Kenson.
Mastermind's Manual, Copyright 2006, Green Ronin Publishing; Author Steve Kenson.
Ultimate Power, Copyright 2006, Green Ronin Publishing; Author Steve Kenson.
d20 Advanced Adventure Roleplaying Game, Copyright 2008, Jackelope Crossing Games; Author John Pennisi.
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