APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 Morph Bonus Total 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 3 6 30 60 6 30 45 60 1 (2) APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Cryptography COG 60 60 Academics: Linguistics COG 60 60 Blades SOM 45 45 Climbing SOM 55 55 Clubs SOM 45 45 Deception SAV 60 60 Demolitions COG 45 45 Disguise INT 45 45 Fray REF 45 45 Free Fall REF 45 45 Freerunning SOM 45 45 Impersonation SAV 45 45 Infi ltration COO 60 60 Infosec COG 60 60 Interests: Autonomist Groups COG 55 55 Interests: Criminal Groups COG 55 55 Interests: Hypercorp Politics COG 55 55 Kinesics SAV 45 45 Language: Native Spanish INT 85 85 Language: English INT 50 50 Networking: Criminals SAV 40 40 Networking: Ecologists SAV 45 45 Networking: Hypercorps SAV 45 45 Palming COO 45 45 Perception INT 55 55 Profession: Security Systems COG 55 55 Profession: Smuggling Tricks COG 45 45 Profession: Spycraft COG 55 55 Spray Weapons COO 25 25 Unarmed Combat SOM 55 55 TRAITS Ego: Modifi ed Behavior (Blood- thirsty, boosted), Morphing Disorder (Level 1) ■ Morph: Genetic Defect (Heart Disease), Unattractive (Level 1) ■ REP c-rep: 50 e-rep: 30 g-rep: 20 EQUIPMENT Armor: Body Armor (with Ther- mal Dampening) +Second Skin [14/16] ■ Primary Weapon: Heavy Pistol Railgun (100 AP rounds) ■ Starting Credit: 700 ■ Implants: Neurachem (Level 1), ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), 2 Fake Ego IDs, 10 Frag Grenades, Invisibility Cloak, Liquid Thermite, Minia- ture Radio Farcaster, MRDR (1 dose), Oxytocin-A (1 dose), Radio Booster, Por- table QE Communicator with Low-Capacity Qubit Reservoir, 3 Speck Bots, Specs, Tactical Network Software, Wasp Knife, White Noise Machine ■ Background: Original Space Colonist Faction: Jovian Morph: Flat Motivations: -Anarchism +Bioconservativism -Techno-Progressivism “Not so immortal now, are we, frankenfreak scum!” You’re a dedicated soldier to the bioconservative cause, convinced that unrestricted technology is driving the human race to extinc- tion. The Jovian Republic has trained you and modified you to serve their interests, whether that means infiltrating a hypercorp to steal its secrets or sabotag- ing an autonomist habitat. As a skilled professional in service to the republic, you have no qualms about using technologies that you otherwise want restricted or banned, and you appreciate the irony of using the tools of tran- shuman monsters against them. You prefer fl ats, and you consider it a point of pride that you sleeve into a non-genetically-modified body with no cortical stack and still kick transhuman ass. ■ JOVIAN SPY APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 15 20 15 10 10 15 20 Morph Bonus 5 5 5 10 Total 20 20 20 10 15 15 30 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 1 8 (12) 40 (60) 80 (120) 7 35 53 50 (70) 1 (2) APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Neurology COG 55 5 60 Academics: Psychology COG 60 5 65 Art: Dance INT 45 5 50 Art: Painting INT 45 5 50 Beam Weapons COO 60 60 Clubs SOM 45 45 Control WIL 50 10 60 Fray REF 50 50 Freerunning SOM 55 55 Infi ltration COO 50 50 Infosec COG 45 5 50 Interests: Conspiracies COG 55 5 60 Interests: Hypercorp Projects COG 55 5 60 Interests: TITANs COG 60 5 65 Intimidation SAV 20 5 25 Investigation INT 50 5 55 Kinesics SAV 40 5 45 Language: Native English INT 85 5 90 Language: Japanese INT 85 5 90 Language: Hindi INT 25 5 30 Networking: Criminal SAV 30 5 35 Networking: Ecologists SAV 40 5 45 Networking: Hypercorps SAV 50 5 55 Perception INT 40 5 45 Profession: Ego Hunting COG 55 5 60 Profession: Inner System Law COG 45 5 50 Profession: Police Procedures COG 55 5 60 Psi Assault WIL 40 10 50 Research COG 55 5 60 Sense INT 55 5 60 Unarmed Combat SOM 55 55 TRAITS Ego: Mental Disorder (Borderline Personality), Mental Disorder (Obsessive-Compulsive), Psi (Level 2), Social Stigma (Lost), VR Vertigo ■ SLEIGHTS Psi-Chi: Emotional Control, High Pain Threshold, Instinct, Unconscious Lead ■ Psi-Gamma: Deep Scan, Ego Sense, Psychic Stab, Subliminal ■ REP c-rep: 30 e-rep: 10 g-rep: 10 EQUIPMENT Armor: Body Armor (Light) [10/10] ■ Primary Weapon: Agonizer ■ Starting Credit: 2,700 ■ Implants: Adrenal Boost, Basic Biomods, Basic Mesh Inserts, Cortical Stack, Eidetic Memory, Emotional Dampers, Enhanced Hearing, Enhanced Smell, Enhanced Vision, Medichines, Oracles ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), Disabler, Facial/ Image Recognition Software, Fake Ego ID, Muse, Shock Ba- ton, Sniffer Software, Tactical Network Software, Taggant Nanoswarm, Track Software, Tracker Dye (1 dose), Twitch (1 dose) ■ Background: Lost Faction: Lunar Morph: Futura Motivations: +Personal Development +Self-Protection +Vengeance “Hello, doctor, you’re a hard man to fi nd. I have some questions about some children that I’d like to ask you.” You survived your accelerated growth experience as a member of the Lost generation, the col- lapse of the project, and the scan- dal and witchhunts that followed. You’ve immersed yourself in a new life and identity. Now you put your particular skills and talents to use tracking people as a bounty hunter—a daunting task consider- ing that your targets can change not only their faces but their bodies and sometimes even their memo- ries and mannerisms. All the while you viciously hide your own history and out-maneuver those who want to track your kind down. You are not content to be a victim or a mer- cenary for others, however. Slowly but surely you are amassing infor- mation on those responsible for the Lost project—for what they did to you—and some day you will make them pay. ■ LUNAR EGO HUNTER APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 20 10 15 15 20 5 20 Morph Bonus Total 20 10 15 15 20 5 20 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 4 8 40 80 — — — 60 1 (3) APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Anthropology COG 60 60 Academics: Computer Science COG 60 60 Academics: Physics COG 50 50 Art: Digital Art INT 50 50 Deception SAV 40 40 Fray REF 35 35 Free Fall REF 30 30 Gunnery INT 50 50 Impersonation SAV 45 45 Infi ltration COO 50 50 Infosec COG 60 60 Interests: Crime Groups COG 60 60 Interests: Cultural Trends COG 45 45 Interfacing COG 50 50 Investigation INT 60 60 Kinesics SAV 50 50 Language: Native English INT 90 90 Networking: Criminals SAV 50 50 Networking: Firewall SAV 40 40 Networking: Hypercorps SAV 40 40 Perception INT 45 45 Pilot: Aircraft REF 55 55 Pilot: Anthroform REF 55 55 Pilot: Groundcraft REF 30 30 Profession: Forensics COG 60 60 Profession: Police Procedures COG 50 50 Profession: Security Systems COG 45 45 Programming COG 60 60 Research COG 60 60 TRAITS Ego: Real World Naiveté, Social Stigma (AGI) ■ REP c-rep: 20 g-rep: 10 i-rep: 20 EQUIPMENT Armor: None [0/0] ■ Primary Weapon: None ■ Starting Credit: 250 ■ Gear: AR Illusions Software, Backup Insurance (1 month), Covert Ops Tool, Creepy, Exploit Software, Facial/Im- age Recognition Software, 2 Gnat Bots, Guardian Bot, Holographic Projector, Juice Narcoalgorithm, Saucer Bot, Scout Nanoswarm, Servi- tor Bot, Smart Dust, Sniffer Software, 3 Speck Bots, Spoof Software, Tactical Network Software, Tracking Software, 5 XP Clips ■ Background: Infolife Faction: Mercurial Morph: Infomorph Motivations: +AGI Rights +Personal Development +Sousveillance “Oh this is great, I think I found it! What is a ‘red light district?’ Oh, I see.” You are a digital life form, coded to be “friendly” and molded with transhuman mindsets and world views. You resent the backlash against AGIs and criticize resur- gent human tendencies towards technophobia and xenophobia as harmful to the emerging tran- shuman society. You immerse yourself fully in transhuman cul- ture and the data it produces, bathing in its richness. You excel at sifting, sorting, and correlating this data, in fact, selling your ser- vices as a mesh-based investiga- tor. For most of your inquiries, a physical form isn’t necessary, as you acquire data on the physi- cal world through sensors. When physical interaction is called for, however, you can operate or jam a bot or catch a ride in a ghostrider module or, as a last resort, in a meat puppet. ■ MERCURIAL INVESTIGATOR APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 10 20 15 15 10 20 15 Morph Bonus 5 5 5 Total 15 25 20 15 10 20 15 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 5 6 30 60 6 30 45 60 (70) 1 APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Engineering COG 50 5 55 Academics: Materials Science COG 50 5 55 Academics: Physics COG 50 5 55 Art: Ink Painting INT 45 5 50 Climbing SOM 30 30 Demolitions COG 40 5 45 Exotic Ranged: Ink Attack COO 35 5 40 Free Fall REF 45 45 Hardware: Electronics COG 40 5 45 Hardware: Industrial COG 40 5 45 Infi ltration COO 50 5 55 Interests: Post-Fall Earth COG 40 5 45 Interests: Ruined Habitats COG 55 5 60 Interests: Spaceship Models COG 40 5 45 Interfacing COG 30 5 35 Investigation INT 35 5 40 Kinetic Weapons COO 50 5 55 Language: Native Japanese INT 80 5 85 Networking: Autonomists SAV 30 30 Networking: Criminal SAV 40 40 Networking: Ecologists SAV 40 40 Networking: Firewall SAV 30 30 Networking: Hypercorps SAV 30 30 Palming COO 40 5 45 Perception INT 45 5 50 Pilot: Aircraft REF 35 35 Pilot: Spacecraft REF 45 45 Profession: Appraisal COG 40 5 45 Profession: Salvage Ops COG 60 5 65 Scrounging INT 60 5 65 Swimming SOM 50 50 Unarmed Combat SOM 50 50 TRAITS Ego: Ambidextrous (x 2) ■ Morph: Limber (Level 2) ■ REP @-rep: 30 c-rep: 20 e-rep: 40 g-rep: 40 i-rep: 20 EQUIPMENT Armor: Crash Suit [3/4 or 4/6] with Chameleon Coating ■ Primary Weapon: Kinetic Pistol with 100 rounds standard ammo ■ Starting Credit: 400 ■ Implants: Basic Biomods, Basic Mesh Inserts, Chameleon Skin, Cortical Stack, Direction Sense, Echolocation, Electrical Sense, Enhanced Vision, Grip Pads, Medichines, Oracles, Radiation Sense ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), Breadcrumb Posi- tioning System, Disassembly Tools, Mobile Lab, Muse, Nano- detector, Radio Booster, Shel- ter dome, Specimen Container, Superthermite Charge, Tactical Network Software, Vacsuit (Standard), X-Ray Emitter ■ Advantages: 8 Arms, Beak Attack (1d10 DV, use Unarmed Combat skill), Ink Attack (blinding), 360-degree Vision ■ Background: Uplift (Octopus) Faction: Mercurial Morph: Octomorph Motivations: +Exploration +Reclaiming Earth +Uplift Rights “Maybe it’s the kind of trap that would catch a knuckle-dragging monkey, but my superior physiology was able to easily squeeze out of it.” You may be an “uplift,” but you find it hard not to feel sorry for these modified monkeys around you who have to get by with half as many limbs, gaping sensory blind spots, and brittle bones that are con- stantly breaking. Any favors they did by uplifting octopus-kind were rendered moot when they suc- ceeded in despoiling and abandon- ing the home planet you all shared. Nevertheless, you find all the ruins and derelict habitats left behind by transhumanity to be fascinating to explore, so you spend much of your time combing through space- craft hulls and shattered stations, looking for curiosities and lost trea- sures. Such activities tend to take you close to Earth as well, where you support the efforts of those who hope to take the planet back. Your ultimate dream is to someday swim in the oceans of your ancestors. ■ MERCURIAL SCAVENGER APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 10 20 15 20 10 20 10 Morph Bonus 5 5 5 10 5 Total 10 25 20 25 10 30 15 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 5 4 (6) 20 (30) 40 (60) 10 50 75 70 (90) 1 (2) APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Linguistics COG 50 50 Art: Dance INT 55 5 60 Beam Weapons COO 40 5 45 Blades SOM 60 10 70 Climbing SOM 40 10 50 Clubs SOM 50 10 60 Fray REF 70 5 75 Free Fall REF 60 5 65 Hardware: Armorer COG 40 40 Infi ltration COO 50 5 55 Interests: Drug Dealers COG 50 50 Interests: Gambling COG 40 40 Interests: Scum Gangs COG 50 50 Interests: Triad Politics COG 50 50 Intimidation SAV 60 60 Kinesics SAV 40 40 Kinetic Weapons COO 60 5 65 Language: Native Spanish INT 80 5 85 Language: Cantonese INT 55 5 60 Networking: Autonomists SAV 50 50 Networking: Criminals SAV 50 50 Perception INT 45 5 50 Persuasion SAV 20 20 Profession: Bodyguarding COG 40 40 Profession: Protection Rackets COG 50 50 Profession: Security Ops COG 50 50 Scrounging INT 25 5 30 Unarmed Combat SOM 60 10 70 TRAITS Ego: Minor Addiction (Alcohol) ■ REP @-rep: 60 c-rep: 40 EQUIPMENT Armor: Bioweave Armor (Light) + Body Armor (Heavy) with Offensive Armor and Shock Proof mods [15/16] ■ Primary Weapon: Kinetic Pistol (100 rounds regular ammo) ■ Starting Credit: 1,000 ■ Implants: Basic Biomods, Basic Mesh Inserts, Bioweave Armor (Light), Cortical Stack, Cyberclaws, Enhanced Vision, Medichines, Neurachem (Level 1), Toxin Filters ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), Cuffband, Kick (2 doses), Kinetic SMG with 100 rounds regular ammo, Monofi lament Sword, Muse, Nanobandages (5), Shock Gloves, Tactical Network Software, Wasp Knife ■ Background: Scumborn Faction: Scum Morph: Fury Motivations: +Adventure +Hedonism +Morphological Freedom “Oi! Pretty boy! If that’s the best punch you can throw, then you’re never gonna get to see the rest of my mods!” Those jokers in the inner system just don’t get it—the future is about taking life by the enhanced reproductive organs and squeezing every juicy drop out. You live the life you want to live, doing whatever you like to your bodies and mind, and you plan to enjoy the hell out of it until maybe you get to watch the universe end. Right now, you get your kicks with action, either the violent or kinky kind— sometimes both. You thrive as a tough chick who will smack the hell out of anyone who threat- ens your fr iends or cl ients during the day, but the real fun is taking home a different part- ner every night. ■ SCUM ENFORCER APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 15 10 15 10 20 15 20 Morph Bonus 5 5 5 Total 15 15 20 10 25 15 20 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 5 8 40 80 6 30 45 50 (70) 1 APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Anthropology COG 55 55 Animal Handling SAV 45 5 50 Art: Dancing INT 60 5 65 Art: Erotic Entertainment INT 70 5 75 Art: Singing INT 60 5 65 Beam Weapons COO 35 5 40 Deception SAV 50 5 55 Disguise INT 45 5 50 Fray REF 40 40 Impersonation SAV 40 5 45 Infi ltration COO 40 40 Infosec COG 35 5 40 Interests: Art History COG 60 60 Interests: Celebrity Gossip COG 55 55 Interests: Social Cliques COG 65 65 Kinesics SAV 60 5 65 Language: Native French INT 85 85 Language: Mandarin INT 45 50 Language: Japanese INT 45 50 Networking: Autonomists SAV 45 5 50 Networking: Firewall SAV 30 5 35 Networking: Hypercorps SAV 50 5 55 Networking: Media SAV 60 5 65 Palming COO 30 5 35 Perception INT 35 5 40 Persuasion SAV 60 5 65 Profession: Escorting COG 55 55 Protocol SAV 60 5 65 Unarmed Combat SOM 60 60 TRAITS Ego: ‘First Impression ■ Morph: Social Stigma (Pod) ■ REP c-rep: 30 f-rep: 40 g-rep: 20 i-rep: 10 EQUIPMENT Armor: Second Skin [1/3] ■ Primary Weapon: Claws ■ Starting Credit: 8,500 ■ Implants: Basic Biomods, Basic Mesh Inserts, Claws, Clean Metabolism, Cortical Stack, Cyberbrain, Enhanced Hearing, Enhanced Pheromones, Im- planted Nanotoxins (Necrosis), Mnemonic Augmentation, Sex Switch, Skinfl ex ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), Hither (1 dose), Muse, Orbital Hash (2 doses), Servitor Bot, Smart Clothing, Smart Rats (2), XP Clips (5) ■ Background: Hyperelite Faction: Socialite Morph: Pleasure Pod Motivations: +Hedonism +Hypercapitalism +Personal Career “I’m just here to make sure you have the night of your life!” You are immersed in the social cliques and glitterati lifestyle of the inner system elites. You spe- cialize in being the ideal com- panion, offering witty banter and entertainment and providing for all your client’s wishes and desires. You are more than just a pretty face and good time, however, and are capable of offering your client discreet protection from plotting rivals thanks to some judicious bodyguard training and non-standard modifi cations. Given the constantly shifting allegiances and manipulations of the bored and undying rich, you have even on occasion used your skills to get close to a client in order to elimi- nate them for a rival. ■ SOCIALITE ESCORT APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 15 15 20 15 15 20 10 Morph Bonus 5 5 10 5 Total 15 20 20 20 15 30 15 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 4 4 (6) 20 (30) 40 (60) 8 40 60 70 (80) 1 APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Astrosociology COG 60 60 Academics: Astrozoology COG 55 55 Academics: Botany COG 45 45 Academics: Xenolinguistics COG 60 60 Climbing SOM 45 10 55 Fray REF 50 5 55 Free Fall REF 40 5 45 Freerunning SOM 60 10 70 Hardware: Groundcraft COG 45 45 Infi ltration COO 50 5 55 Interests: Gatecrashing COG 60 60 Interests: Sci-Fi Aliens COG 45 45 Investigation INT 35 35 Kinesics SAV 30 30 Kinetic Weapons COO 45 5 50 Language: Native Swedish INT 85 85 Language: English INT 40 40 Medicine: Paramedic COG 40 40 Navigation INT 60 60 Networking: Autonomists SAV 55 55 Networking: Firewall SAV 45 45 Networking: Scientists SAV 55 55 Perception INT 60 60 Pilot: Groundcraft REF 45 5 50 Pilot: Spacecraft REF 35 5 40 Profession: First Contact COG 60 60 Profession: Surveying COG 45 45 Profession: Smuggling Tricks COG 60 60 Protocol SAV 50 50 Scrounging INT 60 60 TRAITS None ■ REP @-rep: 50 i-rep: 20 r-rep: 30 EQUIPMENT Armor: Vacsuit (Standard Smart- fabric with Immunogenic System) [7/7] ■ Primary Weapon: Kinetic Assault Rifl e (100 rounds regular ammo) ■ Starting Credit: 4,150 ■ Implants: Adrenal Boost, Basic Biomods, Basic Mesh Inserts, Cortical Stack, Direction Sense, Enhanced Vision, Medichines, Oxygen Reserve, Temperature Tolerance ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), Breadcrumb Positioning Sys- tem, Diamond Ax, Electrogravit- ics Net, Electronic Rope, Knife, Portable Lidar/Radar Sensor System, Radio Booster, Saucer Bot, Shelter Dome, Specimen Container, Spindle with Spindle Climber, Tactical Network Soft- ware, Traction Pads, Utilitool ■ Background: Drifter Faction: Titanian Morph: Olympian Motivations: +Alien Contact +Exploration +Nano-Ecology “I just fi nished my analysis of the xenolife amino acids and it’s nothing close to what the Boyle-Cross hypothesis suggested it should be.” The gates have opened a new frontier to transhumanity and you are ready to step through and face the challenges such opportunities bring. You are a professional gate- crasher, eager to experience new worlds fi rst-hand, despite the dan- gers—or even because of them. Unlike those who feel that new planets should be protected and preserved, you support colonizing and expanding transhumanity’s presence while maintaining a mini- mal impact on alien ecosystems. You are also trained in First Contact scenarios and are hopeful of fi nd- ing new intelligent life—hopefully without sparking some kind of deadly interstellar incident. ■ TITANIAN EXPLORER APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 10 20 15 20 10 15 15 Morph Bonus 10 5 5 5 10 Total 20 25 15 25 15 25 15 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 3 6 30 60 8 40 60 70 (80) 1 (2) APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Military Science COG 60 10 70 Academics: Philosophy COG 60 10 70 Beam Weapons COO 60 5 65 Climbing SOM 35 10 45 Clubs SOM 50 10 60 Fray REF 65 5 70 Free Fall REF 50 5 55 Freerunning SOM 45 10 55 Gunnery INT 45 45 Hardware: Armorer COG 50 60 Infi ltration COO 50 5 55 Interests: Literature COG 50 10 60 Interests: Military History COG 55 10 65 Intimidation SAV 35 5 40 Kinetic Weapons COO 60 5 65 Language: Native Turkish INT 80 80 Language: English INT 60 60 Language: German INT 45 45 Medicine: Paramedic COG 40 10 50 Networking: Hypercorps SAV 50 5 55 Perception INT 50 50 Pilot: Groundcraft REF 30 5 35 Profession: Military Ops COG 55 10 65 Profession: Security Ops COG 50 10 60 Profession: Squad Logistics COG 55 10 65 Seeker Weapons COO 60 5 65 Spray Weapons COO 35 5 40 Scrounging INT 25 5 30 Throwing Weapons COO 40 5 45 Unarmed Combat SOM 60 10 70 TRAITS Ego: Brave ■ Morph: Uncanny Valley ■ REP c-rep: 50 EQUIPMENT Armor: Body Armor (Heavy) with Refractive Glazing [16/13] ■ Primary Weapon: Railgun SMG (100 rounds regular ammo, 100 rounds AP ammo) ■ Starting Credit: 4,450 ■ Implants: Basic Biomods, Basic Mesh Inserts, Circadian Regula- tion, Clean Metabolism, Cortical Stack, Eidetic Memory, Enhanced Respiration, Enhanced Vision, Hand Laser, Medichines, Neurachem (Level 1), Tem- perature Tolerance, Toxin Filters, T-Ray Emitter ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), HE Grenades (10), Muse, Particle Beam Bolter, Tactical Network Software, Vibroblade ■ Background: Lunar Colonist Faction: Ultimate Morph: Remade Motivations: +Immortality +Individualism +Personal Development “Your beliefs blind you to your true potential.” You are a warrior-philosopher, embracing an ascetic lifestyle for your own personal growth. You decry the hedonism and greed of the inner system and the collec- tivism and anarchy of the autono- mists, but you’re more than willing to take their pay so that they may kill each other. You follow your own path, however, and when you cease to learn from an expe- rience or increase your own per- sonal capabilities you will move on to the next. You mostly find employment in the inner system, where various social cliques and hypercorps favor ultimates like yourself, knowing they are less likely to be tempted or subverted by rivals. In the end it doesn’t matter who pays the credit; you’ll take from them, learn from them, and be here long after they’ve destroyed themselves with their petty intrigues and flawed ideolo- gies. ■ ULTIMATE MERC APTITUDES SKILLS STATS COG COO INT REF SAV SOM WIL Base 15 15 15 10 20 15 15 Morph Bonus 5 10 5 Total 15 20 15 10 30 15 20 MOX TT LUC IR WT DUR DR INIT SPD 5 6 (8) 30 (40) 60 (80) 7 35 53 50 1 APT BASE MORPH BONUS TOTAL Academics: Memetics COG 70 70 Academics: Psychology COG 60 60 Academics: Sociology COG 60 60 Art: Rhetoric INT 55 55 Art: Speech INT 60 60 Deception SAV 60 10 70 Fray REF 25 25 Interests: Cultural Memes COG 60 60 Interests: Hypercorps COG 50 50 Interests: Inner System Politics COG 60 60 Intimidation SAV 50 10 60 Investigation INT 55 55 Kinesics SAV 70 10 80 Language: Native Arabic INT 85 85 Networking: Firewall SAV 50 10 60 Networking: Hypercorps SAV 50 10 60 Networking: Media SAV 60 10 70 Perception INT 45 45 Persuasion SAV 50 10 60 Pilot: Aircraft REF 20 20 Pilot: Groundcraft REF 20 20 Profession: Culture Jamming COG 50 50 Profession: Media Ops COG 60 60 Profession: Spin Control COG 55 55 Protocol SAV 60 10 70 Psychosurgery COG 45 45 Research COG 45 45 TRAITS Ego: Common Sense ■ Morph: Striking Looks (Level 1) ■ REP c-rep: 80 f-rep: 60 i-rep: 60 EQUIPMENT Armor: Armor Clothing [3/4] ■ Primary Weapon: None ■ Starting Credit: 5,700 ■ Implants: Basic Biomods, Basic Mesh Inserts, Clean Metabolism, Cortical Stack, Endocrine Control, Enhanced Pheromones, Medichines, Mnemonic Augmentation, Nanophages ■ Gear: Backup Insurance (1 month), Facial/Image Recognition Software, 4 Gnat Bots, Muse, Servitor Bot, Specs, Tracking Software ■ Background: Reinstantiated Faction: Venusian Morph: Sylph Motivations: +Fame +Personal Career +Venusian Sovereignty “It’s time we discussed these rumors of Planetary Consortium interference in Morningstar’s affairs.” You are known as a communica- tor and deal-maker, but you are perhaps best described as a social engineer. In an age of mimetic skirmishes, you excel in shaping policy and public opinion. A night- mare combination of marketing agent and political offi cer, you are adept at media relations, spin con- trol, suppressing dangerous ideas, psychological warfare, ideological purity, and whipping a crowd into a frenzy. Your social manipulation skills work even better face-to- face, where you can run rhetori- cal circles around opponents and scan body language and microex- pressions to spot the slightest hint of untruthfulness or deception. You excel at fostering dissension and fragmenting loyalties, ultimately getting others to do exactly what you want while convincing them it’s in their own best interests. ■ VENUSIAN NEGOTIATOR 6 APTITUDES These are ingrained abilities that every character has, to varying degrees. ■ p. 172 LEARNED SKILLS The most important part of a character, these represent acquired knowledge that is carried with them, even if they switch morphs. ■ p. 172 (You’ll need the Psi Trait to use Psi skills!) Knowledge Skills: Things that you know. ■ p. 172 Active Skills: Things that you know how to do. ■ p. 172 Combat Mental Physical Social Technical Vehicle Psi SKILLS SKILL LIST AND NECESSARY SKILLS Every character will want a few key skills, and there’s a list of every skill to reference, as well. ■ p. 176 APTITUDE-ONLY TESTS In rare cases, a test may be called for in which no particular skill applies. In this case, one or more aptitudes are used instead. ■ p. 174 LANGUAGES Many languages are spoken throughout the solar system. The mesh makes instant translations easy, but despite this, many people are still versed in two or more languages. ■ p. 181 In a setting where physical looks and capabilities are easily changed at the push of a button, who you are and what you know is more important than any inborn abil- ity. Skills represent the knowledge your character has, the accumulated set of experience, education, and in- herent know-how possessed by each and every sentient transhuman in Eclipse Phase. They are what allow you to sneak into a hypercorp station, disable the security systems, hack the mesh hub, and then impersonate secu- rity personnel to make your escape. Your skills represent the one thing you have no matter what you look like or where you  nd yourself. When your characters explore what they can do, their skills, or lack thereof, often de- termine the margin between success and failure. Having a well-rounded set of skills is vital to survival and success in Eclipse Phase. The skills below encompass a wide selection of talents, enough so that each character can be unique in their abilities and knowledge. SKILLS OVERVIEW Skills are divided into aptitudes and learned skills (see Character Skills, p. 123). Most (but not all) learned skills are built on and linked to an aptitude. If a character lacks the speci c skill needed in a situation, they may default to the linked aptitude. You may also choose to specialize in certain skills (see Specializa- tions, p. 123), re ecting an enhanced knowledge of a particular aspect of a certain skill. CORE SKILLS: APTITUDES Aptitudes represent inherent skills and abilities acquired at birth or during the course of growing up. Aptitudes are sometimes used for tests, but their primary use is determining the starting point at which learned skills are developed. Aptitudes determine the starting value of their linked skills. For example, a character with Somatics aptitude 10 who wishes to purchase points in the Freerunning skill (which is linked to Somatics) would start with a Freerunning rank of 10 and then buy additionally points in that skill. Aptitudes are also used when a character doesn’t posses knowledge of a needed skill (see Defaulting, p. 116). Aptitudes represent the basic knowledge that a character has acquired regarding rudimentary use of that skill. They may not have ever received any formal train- ing with the skill, but they can still attempt to use it. Aptitudes range in value from 1 to 30, with 10 being the unaugmented human average and 15 representing the average of most genetically modi ed transhumans. Since aptitudes represent untrained ability, they are capped at a maximum rating of 30. There are seven different aptitudes that all players possess. These aptitudes are purchased during charac- ter creation (p. 128), but depending on the morph the character is currently inhabiting, they may  nd their ap- titudes capped by the quality of the morph (see p. 124). LEARNED SKILLS A player’s learned skills are the most important part of their character, representing the acquired knowledge they carry with them from morph to morph, knowl- edge that plays a fundamental role in helping de ne the person’s ego. Learned skills encompass nearly any skill that you might need to use in Eclipse Phase, and they range in value from 0 to 99. All learned skills have a linked aptitude that is used to calculate their initial value, and which is also defaulted to if the player does not have that particular skill. SKILL CATEGORIES Each learned skill is classi ed as either an Active skill or a Knowledge skill. Active skills represent skills that typically require physical actions and are used in action scenes within game play. Knowledge skills are more knowledge-based and intellectual, representing ideas and facts. Knowledge skills may play a less dra- matic role in certain action-oriented game play mo- ments, but they  esh out the character’s background and interests and are integral to roleplaying interac- tions. Active and Knowledge skills are purchased separately during character creation. Active skills are further divided into Combat, Mental, Physical, Psi, Social, Technical, and Vehicle skills. Certain traits and abilities may apply to speci c categories. FIELD SKILLS Some learned skills are  eld skills, meaning that when this skill is chosen a particular  eld of emphasis must also be selected. For example, the skill of Academics requires the character to specify a speci c academic discipline in which they are knowledgeable, such as Biology, Chemistry, or Xenosociology. Field skills are written as “[skill]: [ eld];” for example: “Art: Paint- ing.” Field skills can be taken multiple times, choosing a different area of emphasis each time, re ecting skills in different  elds; that is to say, each  eld is a separate skill. Several suggested  elds are listed for each  eld skill, but gamemasters and players may also cooperate to create others that  t their games. Field skills may also have specializations; for exam- ple, Professional: Accounting (Money Laundering). PSI SKILLS Psi refers to the ability to perceive and manipulate biological minds via psi waves and/or other inexpli- cable phenomena. Due to the uniqueness of this ability, characters that wish to wield psi must acquire the Psi SKILLS KILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS■SKILLS 6 172 REFERENCE RUNNING THE GAME GEAR ACCELERATED FUTURE THE MESH MIND HACKS ACTION AND COMBAT SKILLS CHARACTER CREATION GAME MECHANICS A TIME OF ECLIPSE WELCOME TO FIREWALL SYNOPSIS DEFAULTING TO FIELD SKILLS In some cases, a character may not possess the par- ticular  eld skill that a test calls for, but they may be skilled in another related  eld. For example, a test to conduct an alien autopsy might call for an Academics: Xenobiology roll, but a character who doesn’t have that skill may be allowed to default to Academics: Biology instead. The gamemaster decides if and when to allow this, perhaps applying a modi er to the test based on the difference between  elds. DEFAULTING TO RELATED SKILLS If the gamemaster allows it, characters may default to a related skill that also has some relevance to the test at hand. For example, a character skilled in Kinetic Weapons might not be trained in the use of a laser, but they know enough to point at the target and pull the trigger. Likewise, a character might not be skilled in Investigation, but the gamemaster could still allow them to use their Perception skill instead in order to realize that a body had been moved from the place where it had been shot. In situations like this, when the gamemaster allows defaulting to a related skill, a –30 modi er should be applied to the test. Srit is wandering through a black market souk on Mars, trying to fi nd a particular piece of sensory equipment. The gamemaster calls for a Scrounging Test, but Srit does not have that skill. She could default her INT of 22, but instead she asks the gamemaster if she can default to the related skill of Perception, which she has at 82. The gamemas- ter agrees, and so Srit rolls against a target number of 52 (82 – 30). EXAMPLECOMPLEMENTARY SKILLS Sometimes more than one skill may apply to a particu- lar test, or knowledge in one area can aid your skill in another. In this case, the gamemaster may apply a modi er to the skill test based on the strength of the complementing skill, as noted on the Complementary Skill Bonus table. Dav is hoping to persuade a brinker pilot to take him to an isolated habitat that doesn’t welcome visitors. To impress upon the pilot that he is a friend of these particular isolates, he calls on his knowledge of their particular cultural practices (Interests: Religious Cults skill at 45). The gamemaster allows this and applies a +20 modifi er to Dav’s Persuasion Test. EXAMPLEtrait (p. 147). Psi use also requires a number of special- ized skills (Control, Psi Assault, and Sense) that re ect special training characters acquire to tap into their psi powers. Psi skills may not be defaulted on; the only way to use a psi skill is to possess the trait along with training in that skill. For more details, see Psi, p. 220. SPECIALIZATIONS Any character may opt to specialize in a given skill (see Specializations, p. 123). This specialization re ects increased knowledge in one particular aspect of the skill. Many of the skills offered below include sample specializations. Gamemasters and players are encour- aged to develop other specialization ideas together for their campaigns. Specialization provides a +10 modifier when using that skill in a situation appropriate to that specialization. USING SKILLS Whenever a character wants to do something using a skill, they must succeed at a skill test (see Making Tests, p. 115). The dif culty of the action is applied as a modi er, as are any other extenuating circum- stances that may affect the test (see Dif culty and Modi ers, p. 115). As with other types of tests, all skill tests are successful when the character rolls less than or equal to the test’s target number after any modi-  ers have been applied. In the case of skill tests, the target number is the character’s skill rating with that particular skill. Modi ers representing dif culty and other factors are applied directly to the target number (see Dif culty and Modi ers, p. 115). A roll of a 00 is always a success, regardless of modi ers, and a result of 99 is always a failure, again despite any modi ers that may increase a character’s target number over 100. Standard critical success and failure rules apply to skill tests (see Criticals: Rolling Doubles, p. 116), so any time a character rolls a double (i.e. 00, 11, 22, 33, etc.) they score a critical success or failure. DEFAULTING Sometimes you lack the skill needed in a certain situ- ation. In these instances, characters may default their skill test to the linked aptitude. This re ects the fact that most learned skills are developed from some sort of baseline physical ability. Even though you may not know how to do something, you’ve likely seen how it’s done at some point or have some idea of how to do it, or can at least take a shot at it. Naturally, you’re not as good as someone who has training in that skill, but it still allows you to make an attempt. Not all skills can be defaulted. Some skills are simply too complex or obscure, or demand special knowledge or ability, for someone to attempt their use untrained. For example, brain surgery or most psi skills are simply beyond anyone who doesn’t have that ability or the knowledge of what they’re attempting. COMPLEMENTARY SKILL BONUS SKILL RATING MODIFIER 01–30 +10 31–60 +20 61+ +30 EXAMPLE66666666666666666 666 6666666 SKILLS173 the test is more dif cult, the gamemaster may simply use an aptitude x 2, or just the straight aptitude rating. In some cases, more than one aptitude may be rel- evant to the test, and so they may be added together to derive the target number. What follows are a few examples where an aptitude- only test might be appropriate. Gamemasters may call for similar tests in other situations, but learned skills should be used whenever possible. SKILL RANGES What is the difference between being a clumsy neo- phyte wobbling in zero gravity and being a veteran gliding effortlessly through space as though you were dancing? The answer is training and skill. The greater your skill, the more likely you are to not only succeed at what you want to do, but succeed well. Aptitudes in Eclipse Phase range from 1 to 30, while learned skills range from 0 to 99. These num- bers are an abstraction of the range of transhuman abilities and traits. The Aptitude Range table provides a breakdown of different aptitude levels and how they relate to each other. Likewise, the Learned Skill Range table provides an interpretation for the capabilities at different skill levels. APTITUDES There are 7 aptitudes in Eclipse Phase, described on p. 123. Each character has these aptitudes at a minimum rating of 1. APTITUDE-ONLY TESTS In rare cases, a test may call for using an aptitude only, rather than a learned skill. This should only occur when no learned skills are appropriate to the test, and these circumstances are usually noted in the rules. Aptitude-only tests must be handled carefully, as the range of aptitude ratings (1–30) is typically much smaller than the rating of learned skills (0–99). For this reason, most aptitude tests should use a target number equal to the aptitude x 3. In rare cases where APTITUDE RANGE RATING ASSESSMENT SOMATICS COORDINATION REFLEXES COGNITION INTUITION SAVVY WILLPOWER 1–5 child average inept clumsy slow limited aware awkward distracted 6–10 adult average weak able paced intelligent perceptive personable controlled 11–15 transhuman average fi t coordinated swift bright sharp charismatic focused 16–20 enhanced enhanced agile fast learned uncanny dazzling resolute 21–25 superhuman gifted nimble lightning brilliant prescient mesmerizing unwavering 26-30 posthuman elite unerring synaptic genius near omniscient hypnotic unshakable LEARNED SKILL RANGES SKILL EQUIVALENCE 00 No exposure or familiarity, completely unskilled 10 Very rudimentary knowledge 20 Basic operator’s profi ciency (driver’s license, gun permit, high school diploma) 30 Hands-on experience, some professional training 40 Basic professional certifi cation (police driving, army rifl e certifi ed, college diploma) 50 Experience from professional-level work, some advanced training 60 Expert competence (competitive driver, marksman, PhD) 70 Experience from expert-level work, has had unique in- novations or insights 80 Worthy of being a system-renowned authority on the subject 90 Nobel/Olympic/grandmaster 99 Pinnacle of current understanding and innovation 174 REFERENCE RUNNING THE GAME GEAR ACCELERATED FUTURE THE MESH MIND HACKS ACTION AND COMBAT SKILLS CHARACTER CREATION GAME MECHANICS A TIME OF ECLIPSE WELCOME TO FIREWALL SYNOPSIS APTITUDE COMPARISON: FLATS VS. SPLICERS AND EXALTS Compared to humans in the early 21st Century, the average transhuman in the world of Eclipse Phase is faster, smarter, stronger, and healthier than their unaugmented predecessors. Normal unaugmented humans, called fl ats (p. 139), most closely approximate the type of person that was born in our time. The majority of people, however, inhabit bodies that are known as splicers (p. 139) or exalts (p. 139) (well, those with biological bodies anyway). Splicers are genefi xed to avoid genetic defects and optimized for certain characteristics, while exalts are tweaked to make them superior across the board: they are more attractive, more athletic, have greater cognitive capacity, and are more attuned to the world around them than their unaugmented kin. ■ BRUTE STRENGTH Any test that involves simple brute strength can be handled as an SOM x 3 Test. Use this when smashing down a door, breaking an item in half, engaging in a tug-of-war, or lifting and carrying a heavy item. CATCHING THROWN OBJECTS Use REF + (COO x 2) any time you need to catch a thrown or dropped object, such as catching a baseball, saving a priceless vase from shattering, or throwing back a grenade (see p. 200). COMPOSURE AND RESOLVE Various game situations may frighten your character, turn their stomach, horrify them, or rattle them to the core of their being. Use WIL x 3 to determine if your character can hold their ground, keep it down, and pull themselves together. ESCAPE ARTIST If a character wants to slip free of physical bonds (such as ropes or handcuffs) or otherwise contort themselves (such as wriggling out from under a collapsed wall or an overturned vehicle), an Escape Artist Test may be called for using the character’s COO + SOM. Apply modi ers appropriate to the dif culty of the situation. At the gamemaster’s discretion, escaping from some restraining situations may be considered a Task Action with an appropriate timeframe. HAVING AN IDEA Sometimes the players miss the obvious, or their per- sonal mindset or biases cause them to misinterpret a situation or understand events in a way different from how the actual character would. In cases like this, the gamemaster can call for an INT x 3 or COG x 3 roll (whichever is more appropriate) to determine if the character gets an idea that will help them along. This test should be used sparingly, and only for assessing the character’s interpretation of obvious and known facts and details. MEMORIZING AND REMEMBERING Memories are what egos use to maintain continuity of self from morph to morph, but humans are notorious for remembering things incorrectly. Whenever char- acters attempt to recall a memory or memorize some piece of information, use COG x 3 to determine how well they succeed. Note that characters with eidetic memory (p. 146 or 301) or mnemonic augmentation (p. 307) have perfect memory, so no test is required. 66666666666666666 666 6666666 SKILLS175 COMPLETE SKILL LIST This section details all of the learned skills avail- able in Eclipse Phase. Gamemasters and players may, of course, agree to add additional skills to this list as appropriate to their campaign. ACADEMICS: [FIELD] Type: Field, Knowledge Linked Aptitude: COG What it is: Academics covers any sort of spe- cialized non-applied knowledge you can only get through intensive education. Most theoretical and applied sciences, social sciences, transhumanities, etc. are covered by this skill. Most of the other skills listed in this chapter could also be taken as an Academics  eld, re ecting a working theoretical knowledge of the skill—for example, Academics: Armorer or Academics: Interrogation. When you use it: Academics is used when a character wishes to call upon a speci c body of knowledge. For example, Academics: Chemistry could be used to identify a particular substance, understand an unusual chemical reaction, or deter- mine what elements are needed to nanofabricate something that requires exotic materials. At the gamemaster’s discretion, some Academics-related tests might not be defaultable, given that only someone who has been educated in that subject is likely to be able to tackle it. Sample Fields: Archeology, Astrobiology, As- tronomy, Astrophysics, Astrosociology, Bio- chemistry, Biology, Botany, Computer Science, SKILL LIST SKILL LINKED APTITUDE CATEGORY Academics: [Field] COG Knowledge Animal Handling SAV Active, Social Art: [Field] INT Knowledge Beam Weapons COO Active, Combat Blades SOM Active, Combat Climbing SOM Active, Physical Clubs SOM Active, Combat Control WIL (no defaulting) Active, Mental, Psi Deception SAV Active, Social Demolitions COG (no defaulting) Active, Technical Disguise INT Active, Physical Exotic Melee Weapon: [Field] SOM Active, Combat Exotic Ranged Weapon: [Field] COO Active, Combat Flight SOM Active, Physical Fray REF Active, Combat Free Fall REF Active, Physical Freerunning SOM Active, Physical Gunnery INT Active, Combat Hardware: [Field] COG Active, Technical Impersonation SAV Active, Social Infi ltration COO Active, Physical Infosec COG (no defaulting) Active, Technical Interest: [Field] COG Knowledge Interfacing COG Active, Technical Intimidation SAV Active, Social Investigation INT Active, Mental Kinesics SAV Active, Social Kinetic Weapons COO Active, Combat Language: [Field] INT Knowledge Medicine: [Field] COG Active, Technical Navigation INT Active, Mental Networking: [Field] SAV Active, Social Palming COO Active, Physical Perception INT Active, Mental Persuasion SAV Active, Social Pilot: [Field] REF Active, Vehicle Profession: [Field] COG Knowledge Programming COG (no defaulting) Active, Technical Protocol SAV Active, Social Psi Assault WIL (no defaulting) Active, Mental, Psi Psychosurgery INT Active, Technical Research COG Active, Technical Scrounging INT Active, Mental Seeker Weapons COO Active, Combat Sense INT (no defaulting) Active, Mental, Psi Spray Weapons COO Active, Combat Swimming SOM Active, Physical Throwing Weapons COO Active, Combat Unarmed Combat SOM Active, Combat 176 REFERENCE RUNNING THE GAME GEAR ACCELERATED FUTURE THE MESH MIND HACKS ACTION AND COMBAT SKILLS CHARACTER CREATION GAME MECHANICS A TIME OF ECLIPSE WELCOME TO FIREWALL SYNOPSIS NECESSARY SKILLS While characters will need a mix of skills to succeed in the varied tasks they encounter in Eclipse Phase, some skills are crucial for any character. If a character lacks these, they will have a diffi cult time getting by, so it is impor- tant for players and gamemasters to know these particular skills. Fray: Fray is the primary skill you use to avoid getting hit in combat. Even if you plan to avoid combat, being able to get out of the way when necessary is a handy survival skill to have. Networking: Unless you live in total isolation, you need a Networking skill—preferably several. Networking is how you interact with people in a particular social circle to obtain information, spread rumors, call in favors, and so on. Perception: Perception Tests get called for quite often, so if you want your character to know what’s going on around them, make sure to get this skill. Investigation and Scrounging are also good, but Perception is king. ■ When you use it: The Art skill can be used to either create a new work of art or to duplicate an existing piece of art in the hopes of passing it off as your own. The skill can also determine the approximate value of a piece of art either on the open market, for monetary exchange systems, or in terms of reputation for the artist. Sample Fields: Architecture, Criticism, Dance, Drama, Drawing, Painting, Performance, Sculpture, Simul- space Design, Singing, Speech, Writing Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld BEAM WEAPONS Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: The Beam Weapons skill covers the usage and maintenance of standard coherent beam energy weapons such as lasers, particle beam weapons, plasma ri es, and microwave weapons (p. 338). When you use it: A player uses their Beam Weap- ons skill whenever attacking with a beam weapon in combat (p. 191). Beam Weapons may also be used for tests involving maintenance of the weapon, but not for repairing or modifying the weapon (that would be Hardware: Armorer skill). Specializations: Lasers, Microwave Weapons, Particle Beam Weapons, Plasma Ri es BLADES Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: The Blades skill covers the usage and maintenance of standard bladed weapons (p. 334). When you use it: A player uses their Blades skill whenever attacking with a blade weapon in melee combat (p. 191). Blades may also be used for tests involving maintenance of the weapon, but not for repairing or modifying the weapon (that would be Hardware: Armorer skill). This skill is used for blade weapons implanted in the body at the end of an ap- pendage (hands, forearms, feet, octomorph arms, etc.), but the Exotic Melee Weapon skill is used for blades implanted in other parts of the body. Specializations: Axes, Implant Blades, Knives, Swords CLIMBING Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: Climbing is the skill of ascending and descending sheer surfaces with or without the aid of specialized equipment. When you use it: This skill is used whenever a char- acter wishes to scale a climbable surface. For heights greater than one story, climbing is handled as a Task Action with a timeframe equivalent to one meter per Action Phase. For rappelling, the timeframe for de- scent is 50 meters per Action Turn. Climbing gear (p. 332-333) provides appropriate modi ers. Specializations: Assisted, Freehand, Rappelling Cryptography, Economics, Engineering, Genetics, Geology, Linguistics, Mathematics, Memetics, Nanotechnology, Old Earth History, Physics, Politi- cal Science, Psychology, Sociology, Xeno-archeology, Xenolinguistics, Zoology Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld ANIMAL HANDLING Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Skilled animal handlers are able to train and control a wide variety of natural and trans- genic animals, including partial uplifts. Though many animal species went extinct during the Fall, a few “ark” and zoo habitats keep some species alive, and many others can be resurrected from genetic samples. Exotic animals are considered a sign of prestige among the hypercorp elites, and guard animals are occasionally used to protect high-security installations. Likewise, many habitats and settlements employ small armies of partially uplifted, genetically modi ed, and behavior-controlled creatures for sanitation or other purposes. Many new and strange breeds of animal are created daily to serve a variety of roles. When you use it: Animal Handling is used whenever you are trying to manipulate an animal, whether your intent is to calm it down, keep it from attacking, in- timidate it, acquire its trust, or goad it into attacking. Your Margin of Success determines how effective you are at convincing the creature. At the gamemaster’s discretion, modi ers may be applied to the test. Like- wise, winning an animal over may sometimes take time, and so could be handled as a Task Action with a timeframe of  ve minutes or more. Specializations: Per animal species (dogs, horses, smart rats, etc.) TRAINING ANIMALS Training animals is a time-consuming task requiring repeated efforts and rewards to reinforce the trained behavior. Treat this as a Task Action with a timeframe of one day to one month, depending on the complex- ity of the action. Apply modi ers to this test based on the relative intelligence of the animal being trained, how domestic it is, and the complexity of the task. Once an animal has been trained, commanding it is treated as a Simple Success Test (p. 118) except for unusual or stressful situations, in which case the trainer receives a +30 modi er on their Animal Han- dling Tests when convincing the animal to complete the trained action. ART: [FIELD] Type: Field, Knowledge Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Art confers the ability to create and eval- uate artistic endeavors. This is a particularly useful skill in Eclipse Phase, especially in the post-scarcity economies where creativity and vision can be a key component to a character’s reputation. 6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6 .6.6.6 .6.6.6 SKILLS177 skin pigments) and the altering of subtle physical characteristics (gait, posture, poise). When you use it: Use Disguise to fool someone into thinking you’re someone you’re not. This can be used to hide your identity or to make yourself look like someone in particular. When used against someone who knows your true look or the appearance of the person you are imitating, this is handled as an Op- posed Test against Perception or Investigation. Specializations: Cosmetic, Theatrical EXOTIC MELEE WEAPON: [FIELD] Type: Field, Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: The Exotic Melee Weapon skill covers the use and maintenance of all melee weapons not covered by the Clubs or Blades skills (see p. 334). When you use it: Use the Exotic Melee Weapon skill when attacking someone with an exotic melee weapon in melee combat (p. 191). Sample Fields: Morning Star, Spear, Whip Specializations: N/A EXOTIC RANGED WEAPON: [FIELD] Type: Field, Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: Exotic Ranged Weapon skill includes the use and maintenance of all ranged weapons not covered by the Beam, Flechette, Kinetic, Sonic, or Throwing Weapons skills. When you use it: Use this skill whenever attacking with an exotic ranged weapon in ranged combat (p. 191). Sample Fields: Blowgun, Crossbow, Flamethrower, Slingshot Specializations: N/A FLIGHT Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: Flight is the skill of using your body to  y. This skill is used when sleeved in or jamming a winged or otherwise  ight-capable morph (manual and remote-control  ight are handled using Pilot skill). When you use it: Use this skill whenever you need to make an aerial maneuver, land in dif cult conditions, maintain your course in steep winds, or otherwise keep from crashing or falling. Specializations: Diving, Landing, Takeoff, speci c maneuvers FRAY Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: REF What it is: Fray is the ability to get out of the way of incoming attacks, debris, or inconvenient passers-by. Characters that have a high Fray score are able to react quicker than others when dodging or maneuvering. When you use it: Whenever a character is physically attacked by an opponent in melee combat, roll Fray to avoid getting hit (see p. 191). Fray may also be used CLUBS Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: The Clubs skill covers the usage and maintenance of standard blunt melee weapons such as batons or sticks (see p. 334). When you use it: Players use their Clubs skill when- ever they want to attack with a blunt weapon in melee combat (p. 191). The Clubs skill may also be used for tests involving maintenance of the weapon, but not for repairing or modifying the weapon (that would be Hardware: Armorer skill). Specializations: Batons, Hammers, Staffs CONTROL Type: Active, Mental, Psi Linked Aptitude: WIL What it is: Control is the use of psi to manipulate individuals or actively penetrate their mental pro- cesses. This skill is only available to characters with the Psi trait (p. 147). When you use it: Use Control when taking a psionic tour through a foreign ego—messing around included. See Psi, p. 220. Specializations: By sleight DECEPTION Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Deception is your ability to act, bluff, con, fast talk, lie, misrepresent, and pretend. Accom- plished users of deception are able to convince anyone of nearly anything. This skill does not include using a physical disguise to appear to be another person (the Impersonate skill covers that area). When you use it: Use this skill whenever you want to deceive someone with words or gestures. A success- ful skill test means that you have passed off your de- ception convincingly. At the gamemaster’s discretion, someone who is actively alert for signs of deception may make an Opposed Test using the Kinesics skill. Specializations: Acting, Bluf ng, Fast Talk DEMOLITIONS Type: Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: COG (no defaulting) What it is: Demolitions covers the use of controlled explosives. When you use it: Use it when making, placing, and disarming explosives and explosive devices. See De- molitions, p. 197. Specializations: Commercial Explosives, Disarming, Improvised Explosives DISGUISE Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Disguise is the art of physically altering your appearance so that you look like someone else. This includes both the use of props (wigs, contacts, 178 REFERENCE RUNNING THE GAME GEAR ACCELERATED FUTURE THE MESH MIND HACKS ACTION AND COMBAT SKILLS CHARACTER CREATION GAME MECHANICS A TIME OF ECLIPSE WELCOME TO FIREWALL SYNOPSIS to dodge other events that may harm the character, such as avoiding a charging vehicle or jumping out of the way of a collapsing stack of crates. Specializations: Blades, Clubs, Full Defense, Unarmed FREE FALL Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: REF What it is: Free Fall is about moving in free-fall and microgravity environments. When you use it: Use whenever you need to maneu- ver in a zero-g situation, such as propelling yourself across a large open space or making sure you don’t accidentally send yourself spinning off into space. Free Fall is also used when moving with spacesuit maneuvering jets and when parachuting. Specializations: Microgravity, Parachuting, Vacsuits FREERUNNING Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: Freerunning is part running, part gymnas- tics. It is about moving fast, maneuvering over/under/ around/through obstacles, and placing your body where it needs to go. Freerunning/parkour is a popular pastime in habitats where open space is limited. When you use it: Use Freerunning whenever you need to overcome an obstacle via movement, such as hurdling a railing, rolling across the hood of a car, jumping across a pit, or swinging around a pole. Freerunning is also used for sprinting (p. 191) and full defense against attacks (p. 198). Specializations: Balance, Gymnastics, Jumping, Running GUNNERY Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Gunnery skill covers the use and main- tenance of large, vehicular, or non-portable weapons systems. Firing these weapons is more like playing a video game than  ring a gun. When you use it: Use Gunnery when attacking with a vehicle-mounted weapon or weapon emplacement in ranged combat (p. 191). Specializations: Artillery, Missiles HARDWARE: [FIELD] Type: Field, Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: COG What it is: This skill encompasses the ability to build, repair, physically hack, and upgrade equipment of a speci c type. When you use it: Hardware is primarily used to repair devices, vehicles, habitat systems, or synthetic morphs. See Building, Repairing, and Modifying below. Sample Fields: Aerospace (all air and space vehicles), Armorer (armor and weapons), Electronics (all computerized devices), Groundcraft, Implants, In- dustrial (habitat, factory, and life support systems), Nautical (watercraft and submarines), Robotics (synthetic morphs) Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld BUILDING Creating an item from scratch is handled as a Task Action with a timeframe determined by the gamemas- ter. The timeframe should be set according to the com- plexity of the object and could range from an hour (constructing a set of shelves) to days (assembling a robot from spare parts) to even months (building a house). Numerous factors may apply modi ers to the test, such as the use of entoptic blueprints/help manuals (+20) or poor working conditions (–10 to –30). Tools are also a factor, perhaps making the job easier (superior tools +10 to +30), more dif cult (poor or inadequate tools, –10 to –30), or even impossible (lack of required tools). REPAIRING Damaged items may be repaired in a similar manner. See the rules for Synthmorph and Object Repair, p. 209. MODIFYING Altering an object’s design and function follows the same basic rules as build and repair, above. The time- frame is determined by the gamemaster as appropriate to the modi cation. 6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6 .6.6.6 .6.6.6 SKILLS179 another skill. This includes hobbies, obsessions, causes, pastimes, and other recreational pursuits. When you use it: Use the Interest skill whenever you need to recall or use knowledge related to the particular interest in question. Field Examples: Ancient Sports, Celebrity Gossip, Conspiracies, Factor Trivia, Gambling, Hypercorp Politics, Lunar Habitats, Martian Beers, Old Earth Nation-States, Reclaimer Blogs, Science Fiction, Scum Drug Dealers, Spaceship Models, Triad Economics, Underground XP Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld INTERFACING Type: Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: COG What it is: Interfacing is about using computerized electronic devices and software. When you use it: Use Interfacing to understand an electronic device you are not familiar with, use a pro- gram according to its normal operating parameters, manipulate electronic  les of various types (including images, video, XP, and audio  les), scan for wireless devices, and otherwise interact with and command your ecto, muse, and other computerized devices. Some Interfacing actions may be Task Actions, with a timeframe determined by the gamemaster. For more detail, see the Mesh chapter, p. 234. Specializations: Forgery, Scanning, Stealthing, by program INTIMIDATION Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Intimidation is convincing someone to do what you want based on direct threats (implied or actual) or sheer force of personality. When you use it: Use Intimidation to scare someone into submission, browbeat them into getting your way, command them to follow your orders, or berate them into giving up information. In uence is handled as an Opposed Test, pitted against the target’s WIL + WIL + SAV. Specializations: Interrogation, Physical, Verbal INVESTIGATION Type: Active, Mental Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Investigation is the art of analyzing evidence, piecing together clues, solving mysteries, and making logical deductions from groups of facts. Investigation differs from Perception in that it is the conscious search for clues or pieces of a puzzle. When you use it: Use Investigation to draw conclu- sions from assorted details. For example, Investiga- tion could be used to determine the likely sequence of events at a crime scene, determine a possible social connection between two people, or deduce how an enemy made their escape. Investigation is a great way IMPERSONATION Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Impersonation is the skill of trying to pass yourself off as someone else in social situations, including virtual ones. This includes copying manner- isms and speech patterns and using accumulated in- formation to convince others that you are that person. In a universe where appearance is highly variable, the question of identity is largely one of both trust and picking up on behavioral quirks and verbal cues to recognize a given individual. When you use it: Sometimes it’s fun to pretend you’re someone else, and sometimes it’s pro table or lifesaving. Use this skill whenever you attempt to convince someone that you are actually someone else through some sort of social or online interaction. Forks use this skill when passing themselves off as their alpha ego. Impersonate is handled as an Op- posed Test against the Kinesics skill. Specializations: Avatar, Face-to-Face, Verbal INFILTRATION Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: Infiltration is the art of escaping detection. When you use it: Use In ltration whenever you need to physically hide or move with stealth to avoid someone sensing you, whether you are hiding behind a tree, sneaking past a guard, or blending into a crowd. In ltration can also be used to follow people (shadowing) without them detecting you. In ltration is an Opposed Test against the Perception of whom- ever you are hiding from. The gamemaster may wish to roll such tests in secret so the player does not know whether they have succeeded or failed. Specializations: Blending In, Hiding, Shadowing, Sneaking INFOSEC Type: Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: COG (no defaulting) What it is: Infosec is short for “information secu- rity.” It encompasses training in electronic intrusion and counterintrusion techniques, as well as encryption and decryption. When you use it: Infosec is used both for hacking into electronic devices and mesh networks and for protecting them. See the Mesh chapter, p. 234, for more details. Specializations: Brute-Force Hacking, Decryption, Probing, Security, Snif ng, Spoo ng INTEREST: [FIELD] Type: Field, Knowledge Linked Aptitude: COG What it is: Interest includes just about any topic that captures your attention that isn’t covered by 180 REFERENCE RUNNING THE GAME GEAR ACCELERATED FUTURE THE MESH MIND HACKS ACTION AND COMBAT SKILLS CHARACTER CREATION GAME MECHANICS A TIME OF ECLIPSE WELCOME TO FIREWALL SYNOPSIS LANGUAGE: [FIELD] Type: Field, Knowledge Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Language covers the speaking and reading of languages other than the player’s native tongue. A speaker is considered  uent at a skill level of 50; anything above this indicates further re ne- ment in technical vocabulary, accents, and knowl- edge of dialects. When you use it: Use the Language skill whenever you want to speak, understand, or read something in a language at which you are skilled. Most speaking and reading comprehension tests can be considered Simple Success Tests if your skill is over 50, unless the gamemaster rules the subject is suf ciently complex that a non-native speaker would have trouble under- standing it. Sample Fields: Arabic, Cantonese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld, represent- ing dialects, technical jargon, and subcultural slang to provide clues to players, especially when the subject matter is something their character might know well but the player does not. Specializations: Evidence Analysis, Logical Deductions, Physical Investigation, Physical Tracking KINESICS Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Kinesics is the art of empathy and non- vocal communication. When you use it: Use Kinesics to read body language, tells, social cues, and other subconscious indicators. It can also be used to emote more effectively. Kinesics is used defensively whenever someone is trying to de- ceive you; make an Opposed Test against that person’s Deception or Impersonation skill. Though synthetic morphs are also designed to emote, reading them is not as easy. Apply a –30 modi-  er when judging a synthetic morph inhabited by a character or AGI. Likewise, standard AIs are also dif-  cult to read; apply a –60 modi er when judging a synthetic morph or pod operated by an AI. Specializations: Judge Intent, Nonvocal Communication JUDGING EMOTIONS AND INTENTIONS Transhumans are empathic beings, and so you can attempt to gauge the demeanor and/or intent of someone you are dealing with by rolling a Kinesics Test. This attempt to read someone is far from exact, however, and it is easy to misjudge. The gamemaster should make this test in secret and only allow a hint if successful—it is not possible to read someone with absolute certainty. If the person being judged is inten- tionally trying to deceive the character, this should be an Opposed Test against their Deception skill. NONVOCAL COMMUNICATION Experts in Kinesics can effectively communicate with each other simply by posture, stances, gestures, demeanors, and looks. Such communication is nec- essarily limited in the amount of information it can convey, but feelings, attitudes, af rmation/negation, and simple concepts may be passed. To effectively communicate complex concepts, the gamemaster may require successful Kinesics Tests from both parties, ap- plying modi ers as appropriate. KINETIC WEAPONS Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: Kinetic Weapons covers the use and maintenance of standard kinetic projectile weapons like  rearms and railguns (p. 335). When you use it: Use this skill whenever attacking with a kinetic weapon in ranged combat (p. 191). Specializations: Assault Ri es, Machine Guns, Pistols, Sniper Ri es, Submachine Guns 6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6 .6.6.6 .6.6.6 SKILLS181 LANGUAGES IN ECLIPSE PHASE With the Fall of Earth, the languages that remain most prominent in the solar system are those that were extensively carried into space by countries and hypercorps with aggressive space programs or by the large populations of poor laborers and infomorph refugees that followed. No single language dominated the realm of space expansion, and multilingual- ism was common. Many habitats and (sub) cultural groupings cling to specifi c languages as a method of retaining cultural identity. De- spite the availability of instant translation via the mesh, many people remain versed in two or more languages. The ten most common languages in the solar system by speaking populations are: Arabic, Cantonese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Other languages that remain strong include Bengali, Dutch, Farsi, German, Italian, Javanese, Korean, Polish, Punjabi, Swedish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Wu. Some languages were effectively lost during the Fall, especially those in some undeveloped regions, as their speaking populations did not migrate into space pre-Fall and were not privileged enough to sur- vive in large numbers as infomorph refugees. ■ Sample Fields: Autonomists (@-rep), Criminals (g-rep), Ecologists (e-rep), Firewall (i-rep), Hypercorps (c- rep), Media (f-rep), Scientists (r-rep). At the game- master’s discretion, this list can be expanded to other (sub)cultural groupings. Specializations: As appropriate to each  eld PALMING Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: Palming is the skill of handling items quick- ly and nimbly without others noticing. Palming is not only about dexterous manipulation of objects but also relies heavily on obfuscation, timing, and misdirection. When you use it: Use Palming any time you are trying to conceal an item on your person, shoplift, pick a pocket, surreptitiously discard something, or perform a magic trick. Palming is an Opposed Test against the Perception of any onlookers. The game- master may wish to make this roll secretly. Specializations: Pickpocketing, Shoplifting, Tricks PERCEPTION Type: Active, Mental Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Perception is the use of your physical senses (including cybernetic) and awareness of the physical world around you. Perception differs from Investigation in that it is noticing things by chance, rather than actively searching for something. When you use it: Use Perception whenever you wanted to take a detailed account of your surround- ings (see Detailed Perception, p. 190). Perception can also be considered an Automatic Action (see Basic Perception, p. 190) and so the gamemaster may call for a Perception Test to determine if you notice something; it is recommended that such tests be rolled secretly by the gamemaster. Perception is also used as an Opposed Test whenever someone around you is trying to be sneaky with In ltration or Palming. Specializations: Aural, Olfactory, Tactile, Taste, Visual MEDICINE: [FIELD] Type: Field, Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: COG What it is: Medicine is the applied care and mainte- nance of biological beings and life. When you use it: Use Medicine whenever you need to apply medical care beyond the immediate help provided by  rst responders. This includes conduct- ing physical exams, diagnosing ailments, treating problems and illnesses, surgery, using biotech and nanotech medical tools, and long-term care. See Heal- ing and Repair, p. 208. Sample Fields: Biosculpting, Exotic Biomorphs, Gene Therapy, General Practice, Implant Surgery, Nanomedicine, Mercurials (by type), Paramedic, Pods, Psychiatry, Remote Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Veterinary Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld NAVIGATION Type: Active, Mental Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Navigation is the art of  nding your way, whether using AR maps, a compass, the stars, or an astrogation AI. When you use it: Use Navigation whenever you need to plot out a course, determine a direction, or otherwise keep from getting lost. Specializations: Astrogation, Map Making, Map Reading NETWORKING: [FIELD] Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Networking is your skill at working your contacts, trading favors, and keeping your  nger on the pulse of a particular faction or cultural grouping. When you use it: Use Networking to gather infor- mation or call on services using your Reputation (see Reputation and Social Networks, p. 285). 182 REFERENCE RUNNING THE GAME GEAR ACCELERATED FUTURE THE MESH MIND HACKS ACTION AND COMBAT SKILLS CHARACTER CREATION GAME MECHANICS A TIME OF ECLIPSE WELCOME TO FIREWALL SYNOPSIS PROGRAMMING Type: Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: COG (no defaulting) What it is: Programming is your talent at writing and modifying software code. When you use it: Use Programming to write new programs, modify or patch existing software, break copy protection,  nd or introduce exploitable  aws, write virii or worms, design virtual settings, and so on. See the Mesh chapter, p. 234. Programming is also applied when using nanofabrication devices. Specializations: AI Code, Malware, Nanofabrication, Piracy, Simulspace Code NANOFABRICATION Nanofabrication is use of Programming skill to create objects using a cornucopia machine, fabber, or maker (p. 327). If you have appropriate blueprints and raw materials, most uses of a nanofabricator can be treated as a Simple Success Test (p. 118). If you wish to create an item for which you do not have blueprints or the proper raw materials, however, or you wish to alter an item’s design, then a Nanofabrication Test is called for. See Nanofabrication, p. 284. Specializations: Art, Clothing, Electronics, Food, Forg- ery, Weapons PROTOCOL Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Protocol is the art of making a good impression in social settings. This includes keeping up with the latest memes, trends, gossip, interests and habits of various (sub)cultural group. When you use it: Use Protocol whenever you need to choose your words carefully, determine who is the appropriate person to speak to, impress someone with your grasp of customs, or otherwise  t into a speci c social/cultural grouping. Part etiquette, part streetwise, Protocol allows you to navigate treacherous social waters and put people at ease. If the character is deal- ing with a suspicious or hostile audience, make this an Opposed Test against the target’s WIL + WIL + SAV. Specializations: Anarchist, Brinker, Criminal, Factor, Hypercorp, Infomorph, Mercurial, Reclaimer, Pres- ervationist, Scum, Ultimate NEGATING SOCIAL GAFFES Sometimes a player will make a mistake that their character never would, whether that’s failing to stand in the presence of hypercorp royalty, confusing a gang leader for a peon, or accidentally insulting someone’s heritage. In cases like this, the player may make a Pro- tocol Test for the appropriate  eld in order to negate the gaffe. If successful, the character never actually screwed up, or at least managed to cover their tracks without ruf ing any feathers. PERSUASION Type: Active, Social Linked Aptitude: SAV What it is: Persuasion is the art of convincing someone to do what you want through the use of words and gestures. This does not include persuasion through threats or force (that is covered by Intimida- tion) or by lying (covered by Deception). When you use it: Use Persuasion any time you are trying to bargain with, convince, or manipulate some- one. This can include motivating your subordinates or peers to take action, seducing a companion, winning a political debate, or negotiating a contract, among other things. Persuasion is handled as an Opposed Test against the target’s WIL + WIL + SAV when one person is simply trying to win over another. If both parties are trying to convince each other, make it an Opposed Test between Persuasion skills. Specializations: Diplomacy, Morale Boosting, Negoti- ating, Seduction PILOT: [FIELD] Type: Field, Active, Vehicle Linked Aptitude: REF What it is: Pilot is your skill at driving/ ying a ve- hicle of a particular type. When you use it: You use Pilot skill whenever you need to maneuver, control, or avoid crashing a vehicle, whether you are in the pilot’s seat, remote controlling a robot, or directly jamming a vehicle with VR. Each vehicle has a Handling modi er that applies to this test, along with other situational modi ers (see Bots, Synthmorphs, and Vehicles, p. 195). Sample Fields: Aircraft, Anthroform (walkers), Exotic Vehicle, Groundcraft (wheeled or tracked), Space- craft, Watercraft Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld PROFESSION: [FIELD] Type: Field, Knowledge Linked Aptitude: COG What it is: Profession skills indicate training in a profession practiced in Eclipse Phase. This can indi- cate either formal training or informal, on-the-job type training, and includes both legal and extralegal trades. When you use it: Use Profession to perform work- related tasks for a speci c trade (i.e. mining, balancing accounts, designing a security system, etc.) or to refer- ence specialized knowledge that someone trained in that profession might have. Sample Fields: Accounting, Appraisal, Asteroid Pros- pecting, Banking, Cool Hunting, Con Schemes, Distribution, Forensics, Lab Technician, Mining, Police Procedures, Psychotherapy, Security Ops, Smuggling Tricks, Social Engineering, Squad Tactics, Viral Marketing, XP Production Specializations: As appropriate to the  eld 6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6 .6.6.6 .6.6.6 SKILLS183 SEEKER WEAPONS Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: Seeker Weapons covers the use and maintenance of seeker launchers (p. 339) and seeker missiles (p. 340). When you use it: Use this skill when attacking with a seeker in ranged combat (p. 191). Specializations: Armband, Pistol, Ri e, Underbarrel SENSE Type: Active, Mental, Psi Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Sense is the use of psi to scan egos. Only characters with the Psi trait (p. 147) may purchase this skill. What it does: See Psi, p. 220. Specializations: By sleight SPRAY WEAPONS Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: The Spray Weapons skill covers the use and maintenance of cone-effect ranged weapons (see Spray Weapons, p. 340). When you use it: A player uses their Sonic Weapons skill whenever they are attacking with a spray weapon in ranged combat (p. 191). Specializations: Buzzer, Freezer, Shard, Shredder, Torch SWIMMING Type: Active, Physical Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: Swimming is the art of moving and not drowning within  uids. It includes  oating, surface swimming, snorkeling, diving, and related equipment use. When you use it: Use Swimming whenever you need to move and survive in water or another liquid environment. Swimming in a non-threatening en- vironment can be handled as a Simple Success Test. Swimming over a long distance could be handled as a Task Action. Diving off a cliff into a lake, prevent- ing yourself from being swept away in a raging river current, or making sure you’ve set a proper gas mix for a deep-sea dive, among other things, requires a Success Test. Specializations: Diving, Freestyle, Underwater Diving THROWING WEAPONS Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: COO What it is: Throwing Weapons skill covers the use and maintenance of standard throwing weapons, like grenades (p. 340). When you use it: Use Throwing Weapons skill whenever you are attacking with a throwing weapon in ranged combat (p. 191). Specializations: Grenades, Knives, Rocks PSI ASSAULT Type: Active, Mental, Psi Linked Aptitude: WIL What it is: Psi Assault is the skill of damaging an- other ego’s mind. It can only be purchased by charac- ters with the Psi trait (p. 147). What it does: Use Psi Assault when attacking an- other ego’s mind in psi combat. Specializations: By sleight PSYCHOSURGERY Type: Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Psychosurgery is the use of machine- aided psychological techniques to repair, damage, or manipulate the psyche. When you use it: Use Psychosurgery to attempt the tricky process of editing someone’s mind (see Psycho- surgery, p. 229). Psychosurgery can be used bene - cially to help patients who remember their deaths, feel disconnected after remorphing, or have experienced other sorts of mental traumas. This skill may also be used to interrogate, torture, or otherwise mess with captive minds in a VR environment. Specializations: Memory Manipulation, Personality Editing, Psychotherapy RESEARCH Type: Active, Technical Linked Aptitude: COG What it is: Research is the skill for looking up infor- mation on the Mesh: searching, sifting, mining, and interpreting data. This includes knowing where to look, what links to follow, and how to optimize your queries. When you use it: Use the Research skill whenever you need to look up the answer to a question,  nd databases, search archives, or track down anything online. Research is typically a Task Action with the timeframe and dif culty modi er determined by the gamemaster. See the Online Research, p. 249. Specializations: Tracking, by information type SCROUNGING Type: Active, Mental Linked Aptitude: INT What it is: Scrounging is your ability to  nd things, particularly things of use or value that are concealed, buried, or hard to  nd. This includes knowing where to look and what to look for. Scrounging differs from both Perception and Investigation in that it is about  nding items hidden among others, and in most cases about  nding something in particular (food, valu- ables, etc.). When you use it: Use Scrounging to dumpster-dive a meal, search ruins for relics,  nd bargains at a bazaar, forage berries in the forest, locate a spacesuit in an abandoned ship, etc. Scrounging is typically handled as a Task Action with a timeframe and dif culty modi er determined by the gamemaster. Specializations: Bazaars, Forests, Habitats, Ruins 184 REFERENCE RUNNING THE GAME GEAR ACCELERATED FUTURE THE MESH MIND HACKS ACTION AND COMBAT SKILLS CHARACTER CREATION GAME MECHANICS A TIME OF ECLIPSE WELCOME TO FIREWALL SYNOPSIS UNARMED COMBAT Type: Active, Combat Linked Aptitude: SOM What it is: Unarmed Combat is your ability to attack and defend without using weapons. When you use it: Use Unarmed Combat whenever you want to attack someone with your  sts, feet, elbows, knees, or other body parts in melee combat (p. 191). Specializations: Implant Weaponry, Kick, Punch, Subdual SPECIAL SKILLS While the preceding list represents the skills most commonly used in Eclipse Phase, there may be certain skills called for in a campaign that are not found in this book. In this case, the game- master may work with the players to create a new skill to  ll this void. This option should be used sparingly to prevent skill bloat, and all skills are subject to approval by the gamemaster If you choose to create a new skill, keep in mind that it needs to be linked to an existing aptitude and should be a skill that is available to all characters, not just speci c to one character. 6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6.6 .6.6.6 .6.6.6 SKILLS185 USING KNOWLEDGE SKILLS At fi rst glance, it may seem that Knowledge skills have fewer in-game applications than Active skills. To some degree this is the case. The importance of Knowledge skills, however, should not be underestimated. While they play a role in analyzing clues and solving myster- ies, the real value of Knowledge skills is in helping the characters—and the players—understand the world of Eclipse Phase. In particular these skills can be used to make plans, assess a situation, identify strengths and weaknesses, evaluate worth, make comparisons, forecast probable outcomes, or understand the applicable science, socio-economic factors, or cultural or historical context. For example, a group of characters looking to break into a facility could use Profession: Security Procedures to evaluate the defenses, Academic: Architecture to identify covert points of entry, Interests: Sports to plan their infi ltration at a time when the guards are likely to be distracted, Interests: Triads to identify a local crime group that can sell them breaking and entering gear, and Art: Sculpture when picking a valuable art piece with which to bribe an insider. When used appropriately, these skills can be just as benefi cial as the Active skills used to break inside, if not more so because the plan is more likely to succeed as a result of this preparation. It is largely up to the gamemaster to enforce how useful Knowledge skills are in their game. The easiest way to reinforce their relevance is to penalize charac- ters who don’t take advantage of them. For example, characters who didn’t use their Profession: Security Procedures in the example above might end up being surprised when they run across a security system they are not prepared to deal with, forcing them to impro- vise or even abandon their plans. ■ 7 COMBAT SUMMARY • Combat is handled as an Opposed Test. • Attacker rolls attack skill +/– modifi ers. • Melee: Defender rolls Fray or melee combat skill +/– modifi ers. • Ranged: Defender rolls (Fray skill ÷ 2, round down) +/– modifi ers. • If attacker succeeds and rolls higher than the target, the attack hits. • Critical hits are armor- defeating. • An Excellent Success increases the damage by +5 (MoS 30+) or +10 (MoS 60+). • Armor is reduced by the attack’s Armor Penetration value (AP). • The weapon’s damage is reduced by the target’s modifi ed Armor rating (unless the attack is armor-defeating). • If damage exceeds Wound Threshold, a wound is also scored. (Multiple wounds apply if the damage exceeds Wound Threshold by multiple factors.)