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[[Image:Arrow_up_16x16.png|baseline|link=ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Contents]] [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Contents|Contents]]
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Advantages are exceptional abilities that a normal sentient ''can'' have, but that most sentients ''do not'' have. The details of each advantage are highly dependent on a character's background, so the player should work with the GM to flesh out these details. Each advantage costs one character point.


==Typical Advantages==
Gifts are exceptional abilities that a normal sentient ''can'' have, but that most sentients ''do not'' have. The details of each gift are highly dependent on a character's background, so the player should work with the GM to flesh out these details. Each gift costs one character point. We suggest spending no more than 5 character points total on [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Esoteric_Orders|esoteric powers]], gifts, and [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Aliens|alien traits]].


This is a list of typical advantages found in a ''ZeroSpace'' game. This list is not exhaustive. A character may well have an advantage not listed here, subject to GM approval. However, any new advantages should be approximately as useful as these advantages, in order to maintain a sense of fairness with other characters.
==Typical Gifts==


Would you like to randomly generate a character's advantages? You can!
This is a list of typical gifts found in a ''ZeroSpace'' game. This list is not exhaustive. A character may well have a gift not listed here, subject to GM approval. However, any new gifts should be approximately as useful as these gifts, in order to maintain a sense of fairness with other characters.


{| cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
===Alteration Resistance===
|+Table: Random archetype, Table 1
|- class="h1row"
! class="aligncenter"|Roll 1d6
! class="alignleft"|Number of advantages
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|1
| class="alignleft"|Roll once on Typical advantages
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|2-5
| class="alignleft"|Roll twice on Typical advantages
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|6
| class="alignleft"|Roll three times on Typical advantages
|}


Count the number of advantages, and subtract that number from your pool of character points.
A character with Alteration Resistance is resistant against alteration attacks: any attack which would damage or drain any of their attributes or powers, or any attack which would physically transform them against their will. A character with Alteration Resistance adds their Power Level to their combat defense rolls when making a defense roll against such attacks.


Alteration Resistance does not need to be activated: it is always active, as long as the character is alert.


{| cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
===Blindfighting===
|+Table: Typical advantages
|- class="h1row"
! class="aligncenter"|Roll 3d6
! class="aligncenter"|Roll 1d6
! class="alignleft"|Advantage
! class="alignleft"|Benefit
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter" rowspan="6" style="vertical-align:middle"|3-8
| class="aligncenter"|1
| class="alignleft"|Animal Empathy
| class="alignleft"|Use Manipulation and Social skills on animals
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|2
| class="alignleft"|Charming
| class="alignleft"|Excel at getting people to do what you want
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|3
| class="alignleft"|Common Sense
| class="alignleft"|Get a warning from the GM before doing something stupid
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|4
| class="alignleft"|Connected
| class="alignleft"|Get a favor from people with influence or authority
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|5
| class="alignleft"|Daredevil
| class="alignleft"|Excel at dangerous physical activities
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|6
| class="alignleft"|Elusive
| class="alignleft"|May base Endurance rolls on Agility rather than Brawn
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter" colspan="4"|
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter" rowspan="6" style="vertical-align:middle"|9-10
| class="aligncenter"|1
| class="alignleft"|Exceptional Beauty
| class="alignleft"|Get attention, and perhaps favors, from admirers
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|2
| class="alignleft"|Famous
| class="alignleft"|Get attention, and perhaps favors, from strangers
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|3
| class="alignleft"|Grifter
| class="alignleft"|Excel at vapid conversation and sleight of hand
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|4
| class="alignleft"|Intuition
| class="alignleft"|Have greater awareness and keener perception
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|5
| class="alignleft"|Lightning Strike
| class="alignleft"|Use Agility for damage in hand-to-hand combat
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|6
| class="alignleft"|Linguist
| class="alignleft"|Learn new languages with minimal effort
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter" colspan="4"|
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter" rowspan="6" style="vertical-align:middle"|11-12
| class="aligncenter"|1
| class="alignleft"|Master Plan
| class="alignleft"|Get a bonus if there is time to prepare for an encounter
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|2
| class="alignleft"|Mental Calculator
| class="alignleft"|Solve complex mathematical operations by thinking about them
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|3
| class="alignleft"|Minions
| class="alignleft"|Minor, mostly nameless lackeys of marginal usefulness
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|4
| class="alignleft"|Perfect Recall
| class="alignleft"|Remember something perfectly with a Reason roll
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|5
| class="alignleft"|Professor
| class="alignleft"|Proficient with scientific and medical endeavors
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|6
| class="alignleft"|Savant
| class="alignleft"|Excel at intellectual pursuits
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter" colspan="4"|
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter" rowspan="6" style="vertical-align:middle"|13-18
| class="aligncenter"|1
| class="alignleft"|Sleuth
| class="alignleft"|Track down leads and get information
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|2
| class="alignleft"|Team Player
| class="alignleft"|Spend plot points for others on the same team
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|3
| class="alignleft"|Tenacious
| class="alignleft"|May base Endurance rolls on Willpower rather than Brawn
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|4
| class="alignleft"|Unsettling
| class="alignleft"|Make people nervous for no real reason
|- class="oddrow"
| class="aligncenter"|5
| class="alignleft"|Wealthy
| class="alignleft"|Solve problems with money
|- class="evenrow"
| class="aligncenter"|6
| class="alignleft"|Wily
| class="alignleft"|Hard to lose and hard to follow
|- class="evenrow"
|}


<blockquote>
Normally, if an attacker can't see the defender, the attacker incurs a penalty die, and if a defender can't see the attacker, the defender incurs a penalty die. If an attacker has the Blindfighting gift, they do not incur a penalty die when they are unable to perceive the defender. If a defender has the Blindfighting gift, they do not incur a penalty die when they are unable to perceive their attacker.
====SIDEBAR: No "Veteran"?====


You will notice that none of these advantages give the character a bonus to combat skills. That's intentional. Advantages are primarily intended to make characters distinctive and interesting, not to enhance their combat effectiveness. A character with extraordinary combat competence should increase their Accuracy or Prowess, or perhaps buy expertise with a specific power or combat maneuver.
===Cybernetics===
</blockquote>


===Animal Empathy===
The character has one or more artificial limbs or organs. Under ordinary circumstances, these serve as ordinary replacements for the character's original biological parts. However, the character begins each game with one extra [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Plot_Points|plot point]]. Cybernetics are a particularly good justification for a [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Bonuses_And_Penalties|bonus die]], an attribute [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Surge|surge]], a [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Power_Stunt|power stunt]], or even a [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Retcon|retcon]]. (Who would have suspected that you had thought to store a tracking device in your cybernetic hand?)


The character has a bond with animals, and can use Manipulation and Social skills on them. Normal animals are more likely to be calm around the character, although a dangerous, hostile animal might require a successful Manipulation or Social task roll to keep the animal from attacking. A character's Animal Empathy might be limited to a specific type of animal, such as cats or sea creatures. If this is the case, the character gains a +3 bonus on Manipulation and Social task rolls when interacting with that animal type.
Cybernetics can be obvious, but they do not have to be. The primary purpose of cybernetics is to be a prosthesis, and most people do not want to look like androids -- except, of course, actual androids, who may also buy this gift.


===Charming===
===Connected===


The character is a good listener and a smooth talker. The character gains a +1 bonus on Manipulation and Social task rolls.
"I know a guy." The character has a wide ranging network of friends, rivals, and former associates. From time to time, the character can contact one of these people, and have a reasonable chance of getting a favour from them. When the character wants to get a favour from someone, the player names the NPC and briefly describes how their character knows this contact. When the character meets their contact, they must attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Diplomacy (Presence) roll to see how their contact receives them. The GM may increase the difficulty or grant a bonus die on the player's roll, depending on the situation.


===Common Sense===
===Elusive===


A character with Common Sense possesses sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation, helping them live in a reasonable and safe way. If the character is about to do something which would be considered stupid or self-destructive by a person with normal intelligence and real-life experience, the GM will warn the player that this is so. The player is not required to heed this advice.
A character with the Elusive gift is fast on their feet and good at rolling with the punches. When making a Close Combat defense roll, the character may substitute their Agility for their Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.


===Connected===
===Famous===
 
The character is on a first-name basis with people who have influence or authority. For example, perhaps the character is a college buddy of a regional Commissary's and is a childhood friend of a major player in an organized crime syndicate. From time to time, the character can ask these people for favors and have a reasonable chance of having the favor granted. The likelihood of having the favor granted will be much greater if the character does favors in return from time to time. On the other hand, having friends in high places may mean that the character attracts the attention of the friends' enemies.
 
===Daredevil===


A character with the Daredevil advantage is more adept at extreme sports and dangerous stunts. The character gains a +1 bonus on Athletics and Piloting task rolls.
The character's name and likeness are widely known, perhaps due to their exploits, or possibly because they are from a notorious family. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because paparazzi are often nearby. People who are impressed by celebrity may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favors from strangers. If this is the case, the character gains a bonus die on relevant Presence rolls.


===Elusive===
===Fascinating===


The character is fast on their feet and good at rolling with the punches. The character may base their Endurance rolls on their Agility rather than on their Brawn (the player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis). Note that most armor provides a bonus only to the character's Brawn when the character is making an Endurance roll.
A character with the Fascinating gift is naturally, effortlessly compelling. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because they will be the focus of attention in nearly any circumstances. People who are swayed by their instinctive responses may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favors from admirers. If this is the case, the character gains a bonus die on relevant Presence rolls.


===Exceptional Beauty===
If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Aliens#Fascinating|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.


The character is naturally, effortlessly attractive. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because they will be the focus of attention in nearly any circumstances. People who are swayed by appearance may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favors from admirers. If this is the case, the character gains a +1 bonus on relevant Manipulation and Social task rolls.
===Hard Target===


If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace:Aliens#Exceptional_Beauty|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this advantage: the benefits do not stack.
When making a Ranged Combat defense roll, the character may substitute their Brawn for their Agility. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.  


===Famous===
===Headquarters===


The character's name and likeness are widely known, perhaps due to their exploits or achievements, or possibly because they are from a noble or notorious family. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because paparazzi are often nearby. People who are impressed by celebrity may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favors from strangers. If this is the case, the character gains a +1 bonus on relevant Manipulation and Social task rolls.
The character has one or more bases of operation, equipped with supplies and equipment reasonable for the character's background and skills. If the character is a member of a team, the base(s) might be shared with the other team members, at the player's discretion. A headquarters is primarily a convenience for the GM and a fun asset for the character. It is not generally useful in combat, and is mainly used for flavor and a setting for roleplaying. For example, a high-tech base might have an air-tight security system, complete with laser turrets and knockout gas, but this won't keep the base from being broken into by pirates or taken over by a sentient computer virus.


===Grifter===
===Indefatigable===


A character with the Grifter advantage is more adept at making vapid conversation and moving their hands while others' eyes are looking elsewhere. The character gains a +1 bonus on Culture and Legerdemain task rolls.
Normally, a character who has been reduced to 1 Endurance can speak and take roleplaying actions, but any other action, including combat, incurs a penalty die. A character with Indefatigable is just as close to defeat, but they do not incur a penalty die for this condition.


===Intuition===
===Leadership===


A character with the Intuition advantage is more aware of their surroundings. A character with the Intuition advantage gains a +1 bonus with Survival skills and when attempting to resist Deception skills.
A character with the Leadership gift excels at bringing out the best in others, and other people are more effective with the character than they are alone. A character with Leadership can spend their own plot points on behalf of their teammates and allies. For example, this could be to help an ally do something the character with Leadership is not in a position to do, or to provide support for a teammate who is in trouble.


===Lightning Strike===
===Lightning Strike===


A character with Lightning Strike can deal devastating blows using speed and finesse rather than brute force. When in hand-to-hand combat, the character may substitute their rank in Agility for their rank in Brawn when determining the damage they inflict on their opponent. This can reflect the character's advanced advanced martial arts training, their superhuman speed, the harnessing of the character's chi, or some other effect, depending on the specifics of the character's archetype and abilities.
A character with Lightning Strike can deal devastating blows using speed and finesse rather than brute force. When making a Close Combat attack roll, the character may substitute their Agility for their Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis. This can reflect the character's advanced advanced martial arts training, their superhuman speed, the harnessing of the character's chi, or some other effect.


===Linguist===
===Linguist===


Universe, an artifical language created thousands of years ago, is the official language of the Imperium. Every civilized being understands Universe, although not every species is physically capable of speaking it. Additionally, every alien species has one or more languages which they speak among themselves: some civilizations have hundreds of indigenous languages. No one but a robot will even attempt to learn more than a dozen of the most common languages.
Universe, an artifical language created thousands of years ago, is the official language of the Imperium. Every civilized being understands Universe, although not every species is physically capable of speaking it. Additionally, every alien species has one or more languages which they speak among themselves: some civilizations have hundreds of indigenous languages. No one but an android will even attempt to learn more than a dozen of the most common languages.


Barring unusual circumstances, characters are assumed to be fluent in Universe, as well as any other languages they could reasonably be expected to know. A character with the Linguist advantage is fluent in over six million forms of communication, and is capable of quickly deciphering new forms of communication when they encounter them.
Barring unusual circumstances, characters are assumed to be fluent in Universe, as well as any other languages they could reasonably be expected to know. A character with the Linguist gift is fluent in over six million forms of communication, and is capable of quickly deciphering new forms of communication when they encounter them.


If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace:Aliens#Linguist|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this advantage: the benefits do not stack.
If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Aliens#Linguist|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.


===Master Plan===
===Master Plan===


With sufficient time and preparation beforehand, a character with the Master Plan advantage is able to gain a tactical benefit during an encounter at a time chosen by the player. The form this takes can vary, and should be negotiated between the player and the GM, but a relatively typical use of a Master Plan would be similar to the use of a plot point. The amount of time needed to formulate a Master Plan should be long enough to be believable, but not so long that it renders the advantage useless. Generally speaking, a character should only be permitted to concoct one Master Plan per game session, unless the GM makes an exception.
With sufficient time and preparation beforehand, a character with the Master Plan gift is able to gain a tactical benefit during an encounter at a time chosen by the player. The form this takes can vary, and should be negotiated between the player and the GM, but a relatively typical use of a Master Plan would be similar to the use of a plot point. The amount of time needed to formulate a Master Plan should be long enough to be believable, but not so long that it renders the gift useless. Generally speaking, a character should only be permitted to concoct one Master Plan per game session, unless the GM makes an exception.


===Mental Calculator===
===Mental Calculator===


The character can perform complex mathematical calculations in their head in the same amount of time that a skilled mathematician could perform the same calculations on a powerful scientific calculator. Also, the character has an intuitive understanding of higher mathematics, and is able to comprehend and remember intricate formulae and equations after examining them briefly.
The character can perform complex mathematical calculations in their head in the same amount of time that a skilled mathematician could perform the same calculations on a powerful computer. Also, the character has an intuitive understanding of higher mathematics, and is able to comprehend and remember intricate formulae and equations after examining them briefly.


If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace:Aliens#Mental_Calculator|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this advantage: the benefits do not stack.
If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Aliens#Mental_Calculator|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.
 
===Mental Resistance===
 
A character with Mental Resistance is resistant to mental attacks and unnatural coercion. A character with Mental Resistance adds their Power Level to their Mental Combat defense rolls.
 
Mental Resistance does not need to be activated: it is always active, as long as the character is alert.
 
If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Aliens#Mental Resistance|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.


===Minions===
===Minions===


The character has one or more minor, mostly nameless lackeys of marginal usefulness. Such minions might be mooks, agents, armed guards, administrative staff, or technicians to keep the character's equipment in proper working order. There is no set limit to the number of minions a character might have, subject to the GM's approval, but the more minions there are, the less competent they are. For example, if a character has just three minions -- an administrative assistant, a chauffeur/auto mechanic, and a computer expert, for example -- they might be reasonably competent at their respective assignments (rank 5 in their pertinent attributes). If the character has dozens of minions, however, the best among them would be rank 3, and none of them would have any general skills requiring advanced education or technical expertise.
The character has one or more minor, mostly nameless lackeys of marginal usefulness. Such minions might be mooks, agents, armed guards, administrative staff, or technicians to keep the character's equipment in proper working order. There is no set limit to the number of minions a character might have, subject to the GM's approval, but the more minions there are, the less competent they are. For example, if a character has just three minions -- an administrative assistant, a chauffeur/auto mechanic, and a computer expert -- they might be reasonably competent at their respective assignments (3 in their most relevant attributes, with relevant skills). If the character has dozens of minions, however, the best among them would have 2 in their relevant attributes, and none of them would have any skills requiring advanced education or technical aptitude.


Minions are primarily a fun asset for the character. They are not generally useful in combat, and are mainly used for flavor and as a foil for roleplaying. Minions never have expertise, and they should never steal the limelight from a player character.
Minions are primarily a fun asset for the character. They are not generally useful in combat, and are mainly used for flavor and as a foil for roleplaying. Minions should never steal the limelight from a player character.


===Perfect Recall===
===Perfect Recall===
Line 223: Line 98:
The character may perfectly remember any event, document, recording, or picture which the character has taken the effort to study and memorize. The character does not need to understand the items to be memorized, because the information memorized is not stored as text; it is in the character's memory as a picture. As such, the information is not subject to instantaneous retrieval, but the character may mentally "scroll down" or "fast forward" looking for a specific bit of data.
The character may perfectly remember any event, document, recording, or picture which the character has taken the effort to study and memorize. The character does not need to understand the items to be memorized, because the information memorized is not stored as text; it is in the character's memory as a picture. As such, the information is not subject to instantaneous retrieval, but the character may mentally "scroll down" or "fast forward" looking for a specific bit of data.


If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace:Aliens#Perfect_Recall|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this advantage: the benefits do not stack.
If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Aliens#Perfect_Recall|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.


===Professor===
===Pro From Dover===


A character with the Professor advantage is particularly proficient with scientific and medical endeavors. The character gains a +1 bonus on Medicine and Science task rolls.
The character is the best in their field, whatever that field is. They may or may not be [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Gifts#Famous|famous]] for it -- if not, then they have either taken some effort to conceal their extraordinary knowledge, or perhaps there is a conspiracy to deny them the acclaim that they deserve. A character with the Pro From Dover gift may choose a specific, narrowly-defined professional, scholarly, or technical field in which they are the undisputed expert. When answering a question or performing research related to their specialty, they gain a bonus die.


===Savant===
A character may only be the Pro From Dover in a single narrowly defined noncombat specialty, and each player character with the Pro From Dover gift must choose a different specialty.


A character with the Savant advantage is more adept at intellectual pursuits. The character gains a +1 bonus on Computing and Engineering task rolls.
===Secret Identity===


===Sleuth===
The character has a second, completely legitimate identity. The character's second identity is completely documented and will withstand even the most focused scrutiny. Alternately, at the player's choice, the character has no documented identity at all: any and all records of their existence have been erased from every database, everywhere.


A character with the Sleuth advantage is more adept at tracking down clues and getting information. The character gains a +1 bonus on Investigation and Manipulation task rolls.
===Sharpshooter===
 
With the Sharpshooter gift, the effective range of weapons, traits, and powers is doubled. Short range (10 m) weapons, traits, and powers have an effective range of 20 meters, medium range (100 m) weapons, traits, and powers have an effective range of 200 meters, and long range (1,000 m) weapons, traits, powers have an effective range of 2,000 meters.


===Team Player===
===Team Player===


A character with the Team Player advantage excels at working with others, and other people are more effective with the character than they are alone. A Team Player can spend their own plot points on behalf of their teammates and allies. For example, this could be to help an ally do something the Team Player is not in a position to do, or to provide support for a teammate who is in trouble.
A character with the Team Player gift excels at working with others, and is more effective with others than they are alone. A Team Player gains a bonus die when [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Combining_Effort|combining their effort]] with others as part of a task or in combat.


===Tenacious===
===Tenacious===


The character refuses to admit defeat when others would fall by the wayside. The character may base their Endurance rolls on their Willpower rather than on their Brawn (the player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis). Note that most armor provides a bonus only to the character's Brawn when the character is making an Endurance roll.
The character refuses to admit defeat when others would fall by the wayside. When making a close combat or ranged combat defense roll, the character may substitute their Presence for their Agility or Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.  
 
===Underwater Combat===
 
Unless the character has the Underwater Combat gift, engaging in combat underwater imposes an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Bonuses_And_Penalties|attack penalty]]. With this gift, the character does not incur a penalty for that circumstance.


===Unsettling===
===Unsettling===


The character puts off a disturbing vibe that makes people nervous for no discernible reason. Strangers will find themselves disliking the character without knowing why, and normal animals will avoid the character unless forced to approach by a trainer or some other circumstance. On the other hand, the character may find it easier to intimidate others, providing a +3 bonus to relevant Manipulation task rolls.
The character is able to put off a disturbing vibe that makes people nervous for no discernible reason. Strangers will find themselves disliking the character without knowing why, and normal animals will avoid the character unless forced to approach by a trainer or some other circumstance. On the other hand, the character may find it easier to intimidate others, providing a bonus die to relevant Presence rolls.


If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace:Aliens#Unsettling|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this advantage: the benefits do not stack.
If the character already has this as an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Aliens#Unsettling|alien trait]], there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.


===Wealthy===
===Wealthy===


If a problem can be solved by throwing money at it, a character with the Wealth advantage can probably solve that problem. Food, clothing, and shelter cease to be concerns for a character with Wealth, but they are still plagued by the same interpersonal issues that are behind the serious problems most people face. In addition, sometimes wealth itself can be a source of problems. The character may have responsibilities related to their source of income, or they might need to fend off attempts to deprive them of their inheritance.
If a problem can be solved by throwing money at it, a character with the Wealth gift can probably solve that problem. Food, clothing, and shelter cease to be concerns for a character with Wealth, but they are still plagued by the same interpersonal issues that are behind the serious problems most people face. In addition, sometimes wealth itself can be a source of problems. The character may have responsibilities related to their source of income, or they might need to fend off attempts to deprive them of their inheritance.


===Wily===
===Zero-G Combat===


A character with the Wily advantage is more adept at sneaking, following, and surviving on their own. The character gains a +1 bonus on Stealth and Survival task rolls.
Unless the character has the Zero-G Combat gift, engaging in combat while weightless imposes an [[ZeroSpace_3e_EN:Actions#Bonuses_And_Penalties|attack penalty]]. With this gift, the character does not incur a penalty for that circumstance.




[[Category:Advantages]]
[[Category:Gifts]]
[[Category:ZeroSpace]]
[[Category:ZeroSpace]]
[[Category:English]]

Revision as of 11:12, 24 November 2019

Arrow up 16x16.png Contents

Gifts are exceptional abilities that a normal sentient can have, but that most sentients do not have. The details of each gift are highly dependent on a character's background, so the player should work with the GM to flesh out these details. Each gift costs one character point. We suggest spending no more than 5 character points total on esoteric powers, gifts, and alien traits.

Typical Gifts

This is a list of typical gifts found in a ZeroSpace game. This list is not exhaustive. A character may well have a gift not listed here, subject to GM approval. However, any new gifts should be approximately as useful as these gifts, in order to maintain a sense of fairness with other characters.

Alteration Resistance

A character with Alteration Resistance is resistant against alteration attacks: any attack which would damage or drain any of their attributes or powers, or any attack which would physically transform them against their will. A character with Alteration Resistance adds their Power Level to their combat defense rolls when making a defense roll against such attacks.

Alteration Resistance does not need to be activated: it is always active, as long as the character is alert.

Blindfighting

Normally, if an attacker can't see the defender, the attacker incurs a penalty die, and if a defender can't see the attacker, the defender incurs a penalty die. If an attacker has the Blindfighting gift, they do not incur a penalty die when they are unable to perceive the defender. If a defender has the Blindfighting gift, they do not incur a penalty die when they are unable to perceive their attacker.

Cybernetics

The character has one or more artificial limbs or organs. Under ordinary circumstances, these serve as ordinary replacements for the character's original biological parts. However, the character begins each game with one extra plot point. Cybernetics are a particularly good justification for a bonus die, an attribute surge, a power stunt, or even a retcon. (Who would have suspected that you had thought to store a tracking device in your cybernetic hand?)

Cybernetics can be obvious, but they do not have to be. The primary purpose of cybernetics is to be a prosthesis, and most people do not want to look like androids -- except, of course, actual androids, who may also buy this gift.

Connected

"I know a guy." The character has a wide ranging network of friends, rivals, and former associates. From time to time, the character can contact one of these people, and have a reasonable chance of getting a favour from them. When the character wants to get a favour from someone, the player names the NPC and briefly describes how their character knows this contact. When the character meets their contact, they must attempt a moderately difficult (DV 3) Diplomacy (Presence) roll to see how their contact receives them. The GM may increase the difficulty or grant a bonus die on the player's roll, depending on the situation.

Elusive

A character with the Elusive gift is fast on their feet and good at rolling with the punches. When making a Close Combat defense roll, the character may substitute their Agility for their Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.

Famous

The character's name and likeness are widely known, perhaps due to their exploits, or possibly because they are from a notorious family. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because paparazzi are often nearby. People who are impressed by celebrity may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favors from strangers. If this is the case, the character gains a bonus die on relevant Presence rolls.

Fascinating

A character with the Fascinating gift is naturally, effortlessly compelling. It is difficult for the character to pass unnoticed, because they will be the focus of attention in nearly any circumstances. People who are swayed by their instinctive responses may be more likely to cooperate with the character, and the character can sometimes gain favors from admirers. If this is the case, the character gains a bonus die on relevant Presence rolls.

If the character already has this as an alien trait, there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.

Hard Target

When making a Ranged Combat defense roll, the character may substitute their Brawn for their Agility. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.

Headquarters

The character has one or more bases of operation, equipped with supplies and equipment reasonable for the character's background and skills. If the character is a member of a team, the base(s) might be shared with the other team members, at the player's discretion. A headquarters is primarily a convenience for the GM and a fun asset for the character. It is not generally useful in combat, and is mainly used for flavor and a setting for roleplaying. For example, a high-tech base might have an air-tight security system, complete with laser turrets and knockout gas, but this won't keep the base from being broken into by pirates or taken over by a sentient computer virus.

Indefatigable

Normally, a character who has been reduced to 1 Endurance can speak and take roleplaying actions, but any other action, including combat, incurs a penalty die. A character with Indefatigable is just as close to defeat, but they do not incur a penalty die for this condition.

Leadership

A character with the Leadership gift excels at bringing out the best in others, and other people are more effective with the character than they are alone. A character with Leadership can spend their own plot points on behalf of their teammates and allies. For example, this could be to help an ally do something the character with Leadership is not in a position to do, or to provide support for a teammate who is in trouble.

Lightning Strike

A character with Lightning Strike can deal devastating blows using speed and finesse rather than brute force. When making a Close Combat attack roll, the character may substitute their Agility for their Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis. This can reflect the character's advanced advanced martial arts training, their superhuman speed, the harnessing of the character's chi, or some other effect.

Linguist

Universe, an artifical language created thousands of years ago, is the official language of the Imperium. Every civilized being understands Universe, although not every species is physically capable of speaking it. Additionally, every alien species has one or more languages which they speak among themselves: some civilizations have hundreds of indigenous languages. No one but an android will even attempt to learn more than a dozen of the most common languages.

Barring unusual circumstances, characters are assumed to be fluent in Universe, as well as any other languages they could reasonably be expected to know. A character with the Linguist gift is fluent in over six million forms of communication, and is capable of quickly deciphering new forms of communication when they encounter them.

If the character already has this as an alien trait, there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.

Master Plan

With sufficient time and preparation beforehand, a character with the Master Plan gift is able to gain a tactical benefit during an encounter at a time chosen by the player. The form this takes can vary, and should be negotiated between the player and the GM, but a relatively typical use of a Master Plan would be similar to the use of a plot point. The amount of time needed to formulate a Master Plan should be long enough to be believable, but not so long that it renders the gift useless. Generally speaking, a character should only be permitted to concoct one Master Plan per game session, unless the GM makes an exception.

Mental Calculator

The character can perform complex mathematical calculations in their head in the same amount of time that a skilled mathematician could perform the same calculations on a powerful computer. Also, the character has an intuitive understanding of higher mathematics, and is able to comprehend and remember intricate formulae and equations after examining them briefly.

If the character already has this as an alien trait, there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.

Mental Resistance

A character with Mental Resistance is resistant to mental attacks and unnatural coercion. A character with Mental Resistance adds their Power Level to their Mental Combat defense rolls.

Mental Resistance does not need to be activated: it is always active, as long as the character is alert.

If the character already has this as an alien trait, there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.

Minions

The character has one or more minor, mostly nameless lackeys of marginal usefulness. Such minions might be mooks, agents, armed guards, administrative staff, or technicians to keep the character's equipment in proper working order. There is no set limit to the number of minions a character might have, subject to the GM's approval, but the more minions there are, the less competent they are. For example, if a character has just three minions -- an administrative assistant, a chauffeur/auto mechanic, and a computer expert -- they might be reasonably competent at their respective assignments (3 in their most relevant attributes, with relevant skills). If the character has dozens of minions, however, the best among them would have 2 in their relevant attributes, and none of them would have any skills requiring advanced education or technical aptitude.

Minions are primarily a fun asset for the character. They are not generally useful in combat, and are mainly used for flavor and as a foil for roleplaying. Minions should never steal the limelight from a player character.

Perfect Recall

The character may perfectly remember any event, document, recording, or picture which the character has taken the effort to study and memorize. The character does not need to understand the items to be memorized, because the information memorized is not stored as text; it is in the character's memory as a picture. As such, the information is not subject to instantaneous retrieval, but the character may mentally "scroll down" or "fast forward" looking for a specific bit of data.

If the character already has this as an alien trait, there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.

Pro From Dover

The character is the best in their field, whatever that field is. They may or may not be famous for it -- if not, then they have either taken some effort to conceal their extraordinary knowledge, or perhaps there is a conspiracy to deny them the acclaim that they deserve. A character with the Pro From Dover gift may choose a specific, narrowly-defined professional, scholarly, or technical field in which they are the undisputed expert. When answering a question or performing research related to their specialty, they gain a bonus die.

A character may only be the Pro From Dover in a single narrowly defined noncombat specialty, and each player character with the Pro From Dover gift must choose a different specialty.

Secret Identity

The character has a second, completely legitimate identity. The character's second identity is completely documented and will withstand even the most focused scrutiny. Alternately, at the player's choice, the character has no documented identity at all: any and all records of their existence have been erased from every database, everywhere.

Sharpshooter

With the Sharpshooter gift, the effective range of weapons, traits, and powers is doubled. Short range (10 m) weapons, traits, and powers have an effective range of 20 meters, medium range (100 m) weapons, traits, and powers have an effective range of 200 meters, and long range (1,000 m) weapons, traits, powers have an effective range of 2,000 meters.

Team Player

A character with the Team Player gift excels at working with others, and is more effective with others than they are alone. A Team Player gains a bonus die when combining their effort with others as part of a task or in combat.

Tenacious

The character refuses to admit defeat when others would fall by the wayside. When making a close combat or ranged combat defense roll, the character may substitute their Presence for their Agility or Brawn. The player may choose which attribute to use on a case by case basis.

Underwater Combat

Unless the character has the Underwater Combat gift, engaging in combat underwater imposes an attack penalty. With this gift, the character does not incur a penalty for that circumstance.

Unsettling

The character is able to put off a disturbing vibe that makes people nervous for no discernible reason. Strangers will find themselves disliking the character without knowing why, and normal animals will avoid the character unless forced to approach by a trainer or some other circumstance. On the other hand, the character may find it easier to intimidate others, providing a bonus die to relevant Presence rolls.

If the character already has this as an alien trait, there is no benefit to purchasing this gift: the benefits do not stack.

Wealthy

If a problem can be solved by throwing money at it, a character with the Wealth gift can probably solve that problem. Food, clothing, and shelter cease to be concerns for a character with Wealth, but they are still plagued by the same interpersonal issues that are behind the serious problems most people face. In addition, sometimes wealth itself can be a source of problems. The character may have responsibilities related to their source of income, or they might need to fend off attempts to deprive them of their inheritance.

Zero-G Combat

Unless the character has the Zero-G Combat gift, engaging in combat while weightless imposes an attack penalty. With this gift, the character does not incur a penalty for that circumstance.