Focus #

Focus is what makes a character unique. No two PCs in a group should have the same focus. A focus gives a character benefits when they create their character and each time they ascend to the next tier. It’s the verb of the sentence “I am an adjective noun who verbs.”

This chapter contains nearly a hundred sample foci, such as Bears a Halo of Fire, Would Rather Be Reading, and Pilots Starcraft. These foci can be chosen and used as presented by a player, or by the GM who adds them to a list of available foci for their players in their next campaign.

In addition, the latter half of this chapter provides tools for the GM or an enterprising player to create their own custom foci that perfectly match the needs of a given game or campaign, as presented in Creating New Foci.

Choosing Foci #

Not all foci are appropriate for every genre. The Genre chapter provides guidance, but this section offers some broad generalizations. Obviously, the GM can include whatever foci are available in their setting. Foci end up being an important distinction in this case, because Commands Mental Powers, for example, makes it clear that psychic abilities exist in the setting, just as Howls at the Moon implies the existence of lycanthropes like werewolves, and Pilots Starcraft, of course, requires starships available to pilot.

When a focus is chosen for a character, they get a special connection to one or more of their fellow PCs, a first-tier ability, and perhaps additional starting equipment: one or two pieces of equipment that might be required for the character to use their ability, or that might pair well with the focus. For instance, a character that can build things needs a set of tools. A character that’s constantly on fire needs a set of clothes that are immune to flame. A character that draws runes to cast spells needs writing implements. A character that slays monsters with a sword needs a sword. And so on. That said, many foci don’t require additional equipment.

Each focus also offers one or more suggestions—GM intrusions—for possible effects or consequences of really good or really bad die rolls.

A couple of foci presented in this chapter provide a “type swap option” that allows a player to swap an ability that would otherwise be gained from their type for the indicated ability instead. A player doesn’t have to make the swap; they merely have the option. For instance, the focus Loves the Void provides the option to gain the ability Have Spacesuit, Will Travel instead of a type ability.

As a character progresses to a new tier, a focus grants more abilities. Each tier’s benefit is usually labeled Action or Enabler. If an ability is labeled Action, a character must take an action to use it. If an ability is labeled Enabler, it makes other actions better or gives some other benefit, but it’s not an action. An ability that allows a character to blast foes with lasers is an action. An ability that grants additional damage when an attack is made is an enabler. An enabler is used in the same turn as another action, and often as part of another action.

Each tier’s benefits are independent of and cumulative with benefits from other tiers (unless indicated otherwise). So if a first-tier ability grants +1 to Armor and a fourth-tier ability also grants +1 to Armor, when the character reaches fourth tier, a total of +2 to Armor is granted.

At tier 3 and tier 6, the character is asked to choose one ability from the two options provided.

Finally, you can choose whether you want to expand the story behind the focus (though that’s not mandatory).

Focus Connections #

Choose a connection that goes well with the focus. If you’re a GM choosing (or creating) one or more foci for your players, choose up to four of the following connections.

Pick one other PC. For reasons unknown to you, that character is completely immune to your focus abilities, whether you use them for help or for harm.
Pick one other PC. You knew of that character years ago, but you don’t think they knew you.
Pick one other PC. You’re always trying to impress them, but you’re not sure why.
Pick one other PC. That character has a habit that annoys you, but you’re otherwise quite impressed with their abilities.
Pick one other PC. That character shows potential in appreciating your particular paradigm, fighting style, or other focus-provided attribute. You would like to train them, but you’re not necessarily qualified to teach (that’s up to you), and they might not be interested (that’s up to them).
Pick one other PC. If they are within immediate range when you’re in a fight, sometimes they provide an asset, and sometimes they accidentally hinder your attack rolls (FIFTYPERCENT% chance either way, determined per fight).
Pick one other PC. You once saved their life, and they clearly feel indebted to you. You wish they didn’t; it’s just part of the job.
Pick one other PC. That character recently mocked you in some fashion that really hurt your feelings. How you deal with this (if at all) is up to you.
Pick one other PC. That character knows you have suffered at the hands of robotic entities in the past. Whether you hate robots now is up to you, which may affect your relationship with the character if they are friendly with robots or have robotic parts.
Pick one other PC. That character comes from the same place you do, and you knew each other as children.
Pick one other PC. In the past, they taught you a few tricks to use in a fight.
Pick one other PC. That character doesn’t seem to approve of your methods.
Pick one other PC. Long ago, the two of you were on opposite sides of a fight. You won, though you “cheated” in their eyes (but from your perspective, all’s fair in a fight). They may be ready for a rematch, though that’s up to them.
Pick one other PC. You are always trying to impress that character with your skill, wit, appearance, or bravado. Perhaps they are a rival, perhaps you need their respect, or perhaps you’re romantically interested in them.
Pick one other PC. You fear that character is jealous of your abilities and worry that it might lead to problems.
Pick one other PC. You accidentally caught them in a trap you set, and they had to get free on their own.
Pick one other PC. You were once hired to track down someone who was close to that character.
Pick two PCs (preferably ones who are likely to get in the way of your attacks). When you miss with an attack and the GM rules that you struck someone other than your target, you hit one of these two characters.
Pick one other PC. You’re not sure how or from where, but that character has a line on bottles of rare alcohol and can get them for you for half price.
Pick one other PC. You recently had a possession go missing, and you’re becoming convinced that they took it. Whether or not they did is up to them.
Pick one other PC. They always seem to know where you are, or at least in what direction you are in relation to them.
Pick one other PC. Seeing you use your focus abilities seems to trigger an unpleasant memory in that character. That memory is up to the other PC, although they may not be able to consciously recall it.
Pick one other PC. Something about them interferes with your abilities. When they stand next to you, your focus abilities cost 1 additional point.
Pick one other PC. Something about them complements your abilities. When they stand next to you, the first focus ability you use in any 24-hour period costs 2 fewer points.
Pick one other PC. You have known that character for a while, and they helped you gain control of your focus-related abilities.
Pick one other PC. Sometime in that character’s past, they had a devastating experience while attempting something that you do as a matter of course thanks to your focus. Whether they choose to tell you about it is up to them.
Pick one other PC. Their occasional clumsiness and loud behavior irritate you.
Pick one other PC. In the recent past, while practicing, you accidentally hit them with an attack, wounding them badly. It is up to them to decide whether they resent or forgive you.
Pick one other PC. They owe you a significant amount of money.
Pick one other PC. In the recent past, while escaping a threat, you accidentally left that character to fend for themselves. They survived, but just barely. It is up to the player of that character to decide whether they resent you or have decided to forgive you.
Pick one other PC. Recently, they accidentally (or perhaps intentionally) put you in a position of danger. You’re fine now, but you’re wary around them.
Pick one other PC. From your perspective, they seem nervous around a specific idea, person, or situation. You would like to teach them how to be more comfortable with their fears (if they will let you).
Pick one other PC. They called you a coward once.
Pick one other PC. That character always recognizes you or your handiwork, whether you’re in disguise or are long gone when they arrive on the scene.
Pick one other PC. You inadvertently caused an accident that put them into a sleep so deep they didn’t wake for three days. Whether they forgive you or not is up to them.
Pick one other PC. You are pretty sure you are related in some fashion.
Pick one other PC. You accidentally learned something they were trying to keep a secret.
Pick one other PC. They are especially sensitive to the use of your flashier focus abilities, and occasionally they become dazzled for a few rounds, which hinders their actions.
Pick one other PC. They appear to have a treasured item that was once yours, but that you lost in a game of chance years ago.
Pick one other PC. If it wasn’t for you, that character would have failed a past test of mental achievement.
Pick one other PC. Based on a couple of comments you’ve overheard, you suspect that they don’t hold your area of training or favorite hobby in the highest regard.
Pick one other PC whose focus intertwines with yours. This odd connection affects them in some way. For example, if the character uses a weapon, your focus ability sometimes improves their attack in some fashion.
Pick one other PC. They are deathly afraid of heights. You would like to teach them how to be more comfortable with their feet off the ground. They must decide whether or not to take you up on your offer.
Pick one other PC. They are skeptical of your claims about something momentous that happened in your past. They might even attempt to discredit you or discover the “secret” behind your story, though that’s up to them.
Pick one other PC. They have a knack for being able to recognize where your plans or schemes have a weak spot.
Pick one other PC. That character’s face is so intriguing to you in a way you don’t understand that you sometimes find yourself sketching their likeness in the dirt or using some other medium you have access to.
Pick one other PC. That character has an extra item of regular equipment you gave them, either something you made or an item you just wanted to give them. (They choose the item.)
Pick one other PC. They commissioned you to do a job for them. You’ve already been paid but haven’t yet completed the job.
Pick one other PC. You worked together in the past, and the job ended badly.
Pick one other PC. While they stand next to you and use their action to concentrate on helping you, one of your focus ability’s ranges is doubled.

Story Behind The Focus #

The foci in this book have been purposely stripped down to basics so they have the widest possible application across multiple genres. A single descriptive sentence or two summarizes each one. After you choose a focus, you have the option to expand its presentation by adding more story and description relevant to the world or to the character.

For instance, if you choose Operates Undercover, the summarizing description is “Under the guise of someone else, you seek to find answers the powerful do not want divulged.” If you choose Conducts Weird Science, the summary is “Your preternatural insight and ability make you a scientist capable of amazing feats.” These descriptions provide what you need to know to use the focus.

However, if you wish (and only if you wish; there is no requirement to do so), you can add more to those descriptions in a fashion that’s relevant for your game. For example, if you choose both Operates Undercover and Conducts Weird Science for use in a modern genre such as horror, urban fantasy, espionage, or something similar, you might expand the descriptions as shown in the following examples.

Operates Undercover: Espionage is not something you know anything about. At least, that’s what you want everyone to believe, because in truth, you’ve been trained as a spy or covert agent. You might work for a government or for yourself. You might be a police detective or a criminal. You could even be an investigative reporter.

Regardless, you learn information that others attempt to keep secret. You collect rumors and whispers, stories and hard-won evidence, and you use that knowledge to aid your own endeavors and, if appropriate, provide your employers with the information they desire. Alternatively, you might sell what you have learned to those willing to pay a premium.

You probably wear dark colors—black, charcoal grey, or midnight blue—to help blend into the shadows, unless the cover you’ve chosen requires you to look like someone else.

Conducts Weird Science: You could be a respected scientist, having been published in several peer-reviewed journals. Or you might be considered a crank by your contemporaries, pursuing fringe theories on what others consider to be scant evidence. Truth is, you have a particular gift for sifting the edges of what’s possible. You can find new insights and unlock odd phenomena with your experiments. Where others see a crackpot cornucopia, you sift the conspiracy theories for revelation. Whether you conduct your enquiries as a government contractor, a university researcher, a corporate scientist, or an indulger of curiosity in your own garage lab following your muse, you push the boundaries of what’s possible.

You probably care more about your work than trivialities such as your appearance, polite or proper behavior, or social norms, but then again, an eccentric like you might turn the tables on that stereotype too.

If you want to go even further, you could determine where a character’s focus abilities come from. Depending on the genre, they could derive those abilities from advanced and persistent training, via magical runes, through cybernetic parts, from their genetic heritage, or because of their access to advanced technology. For instance, a character might be able to blast targets with lightning because they got zapped by strange radiation or because they picked up a lightning gun. On the other hand, it might be because their intense training allowed them to learn lightning magic. The possibilities are nearly endless, and up to you to include or forgo. Because however a focus’s abilities were gained, it’s also enough that they just work.

Foci #

The full description for each focus ability listed in this section is found in the Abilities chapter, which has descriptions for type, flavor, and focus abilities in a single vast catalog.

Abides in Stone #

Your flesh is made of hard mineral, making you a hulking, difficult-to-harm humanoid.

Tier 1: Golem Body
Tier 1: Golem Healing
Tier 2: Golem Grip
Tier 3: Trained Basher
Tier 3: Golem Stomp or Weaponization
Tier 4: Deep Reserves
Tier 5: Specialized Basher
Tier 5: Still As a Statue
Tier 6: Ultra Enhancement or Mind Surge

GM Intrusions: Creatures of stone sometimes forget their own strength or weight. A walking statue can terrify common folk.

Absorbs Energy #

You can harness kinetic energy and transform it into other kinds of energy.

Tier 1: Absorb Kinetic Energy
Tier 1: Release Energy
Tier 2: Energize Object
Tier 3: Absorb Pure Energy or Improved Absorb Kinetic Energy
Tier 4: Overcharge Energy
Tier 5: Energize Creature
Tier 6: Energize Crowd or Overcharge Device

GM Intrusions: Energy goes to ground in a destructive way. Some predators feed directly on energy. An unintended item is drained of energy.

Awakens Dreams #

You can pull images from dreams and bring them to life in the waking world.

Tier 1: Dreamcraft
Tier 1: Oneirochemy
Tier 2: Dream Thief
Tier 3: Dream Becomes Reality or Enhanced Intellect
Tier 4: Daydream
Tier 5: Nightmare
Tier 6: Chamber of Dreams or Reactive Field

GM Intrusions: An unexpected sleepwalking episode puts the character into a dangerous situation. A nightmare breaks free of a dream.

Battles Robots #

You excel in battling robots, automatons, and machine entities.

Tier 1: Machine Vulnerabilities
Tier 1: Tech Skills
Tier 2: Defense Against Robots
Tier 2: Machine Hunting
Tier 3: Disable Mechanisms or Surprise Attack
Tier 4: Robot Fighter
Tier 5: Drain Power
Tier 6: Deactivate Mechanisms or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: The robot explodes upon defeat. Other robots come after the character for revenge.

Bears a Halo of Fire #

You can sheath your body in flames, which protects you and harms your foes.

Tier 1: Shroud of Flame
Tier 2: Hurl Flame
Tier 3: Wings of Fire or Fiery Hand of Doom
Tier 4: Flameblade
Tier 5: Fire Tendrils
Tier 6: Fire Servant or Inferno Trail

GM Intrusions: Fire burns flammable material. Fire spreads out of control. Primitive creatures fear fire and often attack what they fear.

Blazes With Radiance #

You can create light, sculpt it, bend it away from you, or gather it to use as a weapon.

Tier 1: Enlightened
Tier 1: Illuminating Touch
Tier 2: Dazzling Sunburst
Tier 3: Burning Light or Skill With Defense
Tier 4: Sunlight
Tier 5: Disappear
Tier 6: Living Light or Defensive Field

GM Intrusions: Allies are accidentally dazzled or blinded. Bright flashes draw guards.

Brandishes an Exotic Shield #

You deploy an amazing shield of pure force that provides protection and some offensive options.

Tier 1: Force Field Shield
Tier 1: Force Bash
Tier 2: Enveloping Shield
Tier 3: Healing Pulse or Throw Force Shield
Tier 4: Energized Shield
Tier 5: Force Wall
Tier 6: Bouncing Shield or Shield Burst

GM Intrusions: The shield is temporarily lost. A foe temporarily ends up with the shield.

Builds Robots #

Your robotic creations do as they are commanded.

The word “robot” is used in this focus, though the robot you create might look very different from one created by someone else, depending on the genre. Steampunk robots, organic robots, or even magical golems are all feasible “robots.”

Tier 1: Robot Assistant
Tier 1: Robot Builder
Tier 2: Robot Control
Tier 3: Expert Follower or Skill With Defense
Tier 4: Robot Upgrade
Tier 5: Robot Fleet
Tier 6: Robot Evolution or Robot Upgrade

GM Intrusions: The robot is hacked, gains a mind of its own, or unexpectedly detonates.

Calculates the Incalculable #

Awesome mathematical ability allows you to model the world in real time, giving you an edge over everyone.

Tier 1: Predictive Equation
Tier 1: Higher Mathematics
Tier 2: Predictive Model
Tier 3: Subconscious Defense or Enhanced Intellect
Tier 4: Cognizant Offense
Tier 5: Greater Enhanced Intellect
Tier 5: Further Mathematics
Tier 6: Knowing the Unknown or Greater Enhanced Intellect

GM Intrusions: Too many predicted results threaten to overwhelm and stun the character. A result points to imminent disaster.

Channels Divine Blessings #

A devout follower of a divine being, you channel some of your deity’s power to achieve wonders.

Tier 1: Blessing of the Gods
Tier 2: Enhanced Intellect
Tier 3: Divine Radiance or Fire Bloom
Tier 4: Overawe
Tier 5: Divine Intervention
Tier 6: Divine Symbol or Summon Demon

GM Intrusions: A demon investigates divine magic use. A rival cult has issues with the character’s teachings.

Commands Mental Powers #

You have honed the power of your mind to perform amazing psychic deeds.

Tier 1: Telepathic
Tier 2: Mind Reading
Tier 3: Psychic Burst or Psychic Suggestion
Tier 4: Use Senses of Others
Tier 5: Precognition
Tier 6: Mind Control or Telepathic Network

GM Intrusions: Something glimpsed in the target’s mind is horrifying. A feedback loop allows the target to read the character’s mind.

Conducts Weird Science #

Your preternatural insight and ability make you a scientist capable of amazing feats.

Tier 1: Lab Analysis
Tier 1: Knowledge Skills
Tier 2: Modify Device
Tier 3: Better Living Through Chemistry or Incredible Health
Tier 4: Knowledge Skills
Tier 4: Just a Bit Mad
Tier 5: Weird Science Breakthrough
Tier 6: Incredible Feat of Science
Tier 6: Inventor or Defensive Field

GM Intrusions: Creations get out of control. Side effects cannot always be predicted. Weird science terrifies people and can draw the media. When a device created or modified by weird science is depleted, it detonates.

Consorts With the Dead #

The dead answer your questions, and their reanimated corpses serve you.

Tier 1: Speaker for the Dead
Tier 2: Necromancy
Tier 3: Reading the Room or Repair Flesh
Tier 4: Greater Necromancy
Tier 5: Terrifying Gaze
Tier 6: True Necromancy or Word of Death

GM Intrusions: The character’s necromantic reputation precedes them. A corpse seeks revenge for being reanimated.

Controls Beasts #

Your ability to communicate and lead beasts is uncanny.

Tier 1: Beast Companion
Tier 2: Soothe the Savage
Tier 2: Communication
Tier 3: Mount or Stronger Together
Tier 4: Beast Eyes
Tier 4: Improved Companion
Tier 5: Beast Call
Tier 6: As If One Creature or Control the Savage

GM Intrusions: The community is reluctant to welcome dangerous animals. Out-of-control beasts become a real hazard.

Controls Gravity #

You can sway the attraction of gravity itself.

Type Swap Option: Weighty

Tier 1: Hover
Tier 2: Enhanced Speed Edge
Tier 3: Define Down or Gravity Cleave
Tier 4: Field of Gravity
Tier 5: Flight
Tier 6: Improved Gravity Cleave or Weight of the World

GM Intrusions: Onlookers react with unreasoning fear. A weird interaction sends an ally or object careening into the sky.

Copies Superpowers #

You can copy others’ skills, abilities, and superpowers.

Tier 1: Flex Skill
Tier 1: Flex Skill
Tier 2: Copy Power
Tier 3: Steal Power or Wildcard Powers
Tier 4: Improved Copying
Tier 5: Power Memory
Tier 6: Amazing Copying or Multiple

Copying GM Intrusions: A copied power ends unexpectedly or goes out of control. A copied power doesn’t bring secondary powers with it (like gaining superspeed without protection from air friction, or not being immune to the heat from your own fire bolts).

Crafts Illusions #

You fashion images from light that are so perfect they seem real.

Tier 1: Minor Illusion
Tier 2: Illusory Disguise
Tier 3: Cast Illusion or Major Illusion
Tier 4: Illusory Selves
Tier 5: Terrifying Image
Tier 6: Grandiose Illusion or Permanent Illusion

GM Intrusions: The illusion isn’t believable. The illusion is pierced at just the wrong moment.

Crafts Unique Objects #

You’re an inventor of strange and useful objects.

Tier 1: Crafter
Tier 1: Master Identifier
Tier 2: Artifact Tinkerer
Tier 2: Quick Work
Tier 3: Master Crafter or Built-In Weaponry
Tier 4: Cyphersmith
Tier 5: Innovator
Tier 6: Inventor or Fusion Armor

GM Intrusions: The object malfunctions, breaks, or suffers catastrophic or unexpected failure.

Cyphersmith works only in a setting where the cyphers are physical objects. If this isn’t the case, this ability should probably be replaced with something akin to Weird Science Breakthrough from the Conducts Weird Science focus.

Dances With Dark Matter #

You can manipulate shadow and “dark” matter.

Tier 1: Ribbons of Dark Matter
Tier 2: Void Wings
Tier 3: Dark Matter Shroud or Dark Matter Strike
Tier 4: Dark Matter Shell
Tier 5: Windwracked Traveler
Tier 6: Dark Matter Structure or Embrace the Night

GM Intrusions: Dark matter skulks away as if possessed by a mind of its own.

Defends the Gate #

Everyone wants you on their side when it comes to a fight because nothing gets by you.

Tier 1: Fortified Position
Tier 1: Rally to Me
Tier 2: Mind for Might
Tier 3: Fortification Builder or Divert Attacks
Tier 4: Greater Enhanced Might
Tier 5: Reinforcing Field
Tier 6: Generate Force Field or Stun Attack

GM Intrusions: A strategically important structure collapses. The enemy attacks from an unexpected direction.

Defends the Weak #

You stand up for the helpless, the weak, and the unprotected.

Tier 1: Courageous
Tier 1: Warding Shield
Tier 2: Devoted Defender
Tier 2: Insight
Tier 3: Dual Wards or True Guardian
Tier 4: Combat Challenge
Tier 5: Willing Sacrifice
Tier 6: Resuscitate or True Defender

GM Intrusions: A character focused on protecting others may periodically leave themselves vulnerable to attacks.

Descends From Nobility #

A descendent of wealth and power, you carry a noble title and the abilities granted by a privileged upbringing.

Type Swap Option: Retinue

Tier 1: Privileged Nobility
Tier 2: Trained Interlocutor
Tier 3: Advanced Command or Noble’s Courage
Tier 4: Expert Follower
Tier 5: Asserting Your Privilege
Tier 6: Able Assistance or Mind of a Leader

GM Intrusions: Debts incurred by a family are owed by the character. A long-lost sibling seeks to disinherit rivals. An assassin finds the character.

Doesn’t Do Much #

You’re a slacker, but you know a little about a lot of things.

Tier 1: Life Lessons
Tier 2: Totally Chill
Tier 3: Skill With Attacks or Improvise
Tier 4: Life Lessons
Tier 4: Greater Skill With Defense
Tier 5: Greater Enhanced Potential
Tier 6 Drawing on Life’s Experiences or Quick Wits

GM Intrusions: New situations are confounding and stressful. Past actions (or inactions) come back to haunt the character.

Drives Like A Maniac #

Whether balancing on two wheels, jumping another vehicle, or driving head-on toward an oncoming enemy car, you don’t think about the risks when you’re behind the wheel.

(Someone who Drives Like a Maniac needs access to a vehicle.)

Tier 1: Driver
Tier 1: Driving on the Edge
Tier 2: Car Surfer
Tier 2: Stare Them Down
Tier 3: Expert Driver or Enhanced Speed Edge
Tier 4: Sharp-Eyed
Tier 4: Enhanced Speed
Tier 5: Something in the Road
Tier 6: Trick Driver or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: The engine develops a knock. The bridge on the road ahead is out. The windshield shatters. Someone unexpectedly runs in front of the vehicle.

Emerged From the Obelisk #

Your body, hard as crystal, gives you a suite of unique abilities, gained after an interaction with a floating crystalline obelisk.

Tier 1: Crystalline Body
Tier 2: Hover
Tier 3: Inhabit Crystal or Immovable
Tier 4: Crystal Lens
Tier 5: Resonant Frequency
Tier 6: Resonant Quake or Return to the Obelisk

GM Intrusions: Cyphers and artifacts react unexpectedly in the character’s hands.

Employs Magnetism #

You command metal and the power of magnetism.

Tier 1: Move Metal
Tier 2: Repel Metal
Tier 3: Destroy Metal or Guide Bolt
Tier 4: Magnetic Field
Tier 5: Command Metal
Tier 6: Diamagnetism or Iron Punch

GM Intrusions: The metal twists, bends, or produces shrapnel. A lapse in concentration might cause something to slip or drop at just the wrong time.

Entertains #

You perform, mostly for the benefit of others.

Tier 1: Levity
Tier 2: Inspiring Ease
Tier 3: Knowledge Skills or Greater Enhanced Potential
Tier 4: Calm
Tier 5: Able Assistance
Tier 6: Master Entertainer or Vindictive Performance

GM Intrusions: The audience is annoyed or offended. Musical instruments break. Paints dry in their pots. The words to a poem or song are forgotten.

Exists in Two Places at Once #

You exist in two places at once.

Tier 1: Duplicate
Tier 2: Share Senses
Tier 3: Superior Duplicate or Resilient Duplicate
Tier 4: Damage Transference
Tier 5: Coordinated Effort
Tier 6: Multiplicity or Resilient Duplicate

GM Intrusions: Perceiving the world from two different places disorients the character, causing momentary vertigo, nausea, or confusion.

Exists Partially Out of Phase #

A bit translucent, you’re slightly out of phase and can move through solid objects.

Tier 1: Walk Through Walls
Tier 2: Defensive Phasing
Tier 3: Phased Attack or Phase Door
Tier 4: Ghost
Tier 5: Untouchable
Tier 6: Enhanced Phased Attack or Phase Foe

GM Intrusions: The character is sent phasing into an unexpected dimension. The character becomes lost in a large solid.

Explores Dark Places #

You’re the archetypal treasure hunter, scavenger, and finder of lost things.

Tier 1: Superb Explorer
Tier 2: Superb Infiltrator
Tier 2: Eyes Adjusted
Tier 3: Nightstrike or Slippery Customer
Tier 4: Hard-Won Resilience
Tier 5: Dark Explorer
Tier 6: Blinding Attack or Embraced by Darkness

GM Intrusions: Possessions fall out of pockets or bags in the dark; maps get lost; information gained fails to include an important detail.

Fights Dirty #

You’ll do anything to win a fight: bite, scratch, kick, trick, and worse.

Tier 1: Tracker
Tier 1: Stalker
Tier 2: Sneak
Tier 2: Quarry
Tier 3: Betrayal or Surprise Attack
Tier 4: Mind Games
Tier 4: Capable Warrior
Tier 5: Using the Environment
Tier 6: Twisting the Knife or Murderer

GM Intrusions: People look poorly upon those who cheat or fight without honor. Sometimes a dirty trick backfires.

Fights With Panache #

You’re a swashbuckling daredevil who fights with flamboyant style that’s entertaining to watch.

Tier 1: Attack Flourish
Tier 2: Quick Block
Tier 3: Acrobatic Attack or Flamboyant Boast
Tier 4: Block for Another
Tier 4: Fast Kill
Tier 5: Using the Environment
Tier 6: Agile Wit or Return to Sender

GM Intrusions: The display comes off looking silly, clumsy, or unattractive.

Flies Faster Than a Bullet #

You can fly, and you’re superstrong, hard to hurt, and fast too. Is there anything you can’t do?

Tier 1: Hover
Tier 2: Greater Enhanced Potential
Tier 3: Hidden Reserves or See Through Matter
Tier 4: Blink of an Eye
Tier 4: Up to Speed
Tier 5: Not Dead Yet
Tier 6: Burning Light or Ignore Affliction

GM Intrusions: A nemesis finds the character. A strange material is found to nullify the character’s abilities.

Focuses Mind Over Matter #

You can telekinetically move objects with your mind without physically touching them.

Tier 1: Divert Attacks
Tier 2: Telekinesis
Tier 3: Cloak of Opportunity or Enhance Strength
Tier 4: Apportation
Tier 5: Psychokinetic Attack
Tier 6: Improved Apportation or Reshape

GM Intrusions: One mental slip, and moving objects drop or fragile objects break. Sometimes the wrong item moves, falls, or breaks.

Fuses Flesh and Steel #

Your body is part machine.

Tier 1: Enhanced Body
Tier 2: Interface
Tier 3: Sensing Package or Weaponization
Tier 4: Fusion
Tier 5: Deep Reserves
Tier 6: Mind Surge or Ultra Enhancement

GM Intrusions: People in most societies are afraid of someone who is revealed to have mechanical parts.

Fuses Mind and Machine #

Electronic aids implanted in your brain make you a mental powerhouse.

Tier 1: Enhanced Intellect
Tier 1: Knowledge Skills
Tier 2: Network Tap
Tier 3: Action Processor or Machine Telepathy
Tier 4: Greater Enhanced Intellect
Tier 4: Knowledge Skills
Tier 5: See the Future
Tier 6: Machine Enhancement or Mind Surge

GM Intrusions: Machines malfunction and shut down. Powerful machine intelligences can take control of lesser thinking machines. Some people don’t trust a person who isn’t fully organic.

Grows to Towering Heights #

For brief periods, you can grow larger and, with enough experience, to towering heights.

Tier 1: Enlarge
Tier 1: Freakishly Large
Tier 2: Bigger
Tier 2: Advantages of Being Big
Tier 3: Huge or Throw
Tier 4: Grab
Tier 5: Gargantuan
Tier 6: Colossal or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: Rapid growth knocks over furnishings or smashes through ceilings or hanging lights. An enlarged character breaks through the floor.

Has A Thousand Faces #

You can change your appearance to look like anyone else.

Tier 1: Face Morph
Tier 1: Interaction Skills
Tier 2: Body Morph
Tier 2: War Flesh
Tier 3: Disguise Other or Resilience
Tier 4: Ageless
Tier 4: Think Your Way Out
Tier 5: Memory Becomes Action
Tier 6: Divide Your Mind or Infer Thoughts

GM Intrusions: Part of the disguise slips. An NPC thinks the disguised character is someone they know very well.

Helps Their Friends #

You love your friends and help them out of any difficulty, no matter what.

Type Swap Option: Advice From a Friend

Tier 1: Friendly Help
Tier 1: Courageous
Tier 2: Weather the Vicissitudes
Tier 3: Buddy System or Skill With Attacks
Tier 4: In Harm’s Way
Tier 4: Enhanced Physique
Tier 5: Inspire Action
Tier 6: Deep Consideration or Skill With Defense

GM Intrusions: Others sometimes have ulterior motives. The law takes an undue interest. Even when everything goes right, repercussions follow.

Howls at the Moon #

For brief periods, you become a fearsome and powerful creature with control issues.

Tier 1: Beast Form
Tier 2: Controlled Change
Tier 3: Bigger Beast Form or Greater Beast Form
Tier 4: Greater Controlled Change
Tier 5: Enhanced Beast Form
Tier 6: Lethal Damage or Perfect Control

GM Intrusions: The change happens in an uncontrolled fashion. People are terrified of monsters.

Hunts #

You are a stalking hunter who excels at bringing down your selected quarry.

Tier 1: Attack Flourish
Tier 1: Tracker
Tier 2: Quarry
Tier 2: Sneak
Tier 3: Horde Fighting or Sprint and Grab
Tier 4: Surprise Attack
Tier 5: Hunter’s Drive
Tier 6: Greater Skill With Attacks or Multiple Quarry

GM Intrusions: The quarry notices the character. The quarry isn’t as vulnerable as it seemed.

Ignores Physical Distance #

You can teleport from one place to another by briefly passing through a parallel dimension.

Tier 1: Dimensional Squeeze
Tier 2: Opportunist
Tier 3: Defensive Blinking or Teleportation Burst
Tier 4: Short Teleportation
Tier 5: Medium Teleportation
Tier 6: Teleportation or Teleportive Wound

GM Intrusions: A teleport goes awry, landing the character in a dangerous place. Inertia (such as from falling) continues through the teleport, injuring the character.

Infiltrates #

Subtlety, guile, and stealth allow you to get in where others can’t.

Tier 1: Stealth Skills
Tier 1: Sense Attitudes
Tier 2: Impersonate
Tier 2: Flight Not Fight
Tier 3: Awareness or Skill With Attacks
Tier 4: Invisibility
Tier 5: Evasion
Tier 6: Brainwashing or Spring Away

GM Intrusions: Spies are treated harshly when caught. Allies disavow infiltrators who get caught. Some secrets are better left unknown.

Interprets the Law #

You excel at winning others over to your views.

Tier 1: Opening Statement
Tier 1: Knowledge of the Law
Tier 2: Debate
Tier 3: Able Assistance or Enhanced Intellect Edge
Tier 4: Castigate
Tier 5: No One Knows Better
Tier 6: Greater Enhanced Potential or Legal Intern

GM Intrusions: Onlookers react badly to a know-it-all. A distraction or interruption throws the character’s argument off the rails.

Is Idolized by Millions #

You’re a celebrity and most people adore you.

Tier 1: Entourage
Tier 1: Celebrity Talent
Tier 2: Perks of Stardom
Tier 3: Incredible Health or Skill With Attacks
Tier 4: Captivate With Starshine
Tier 4: Expert Follower
Tier 5: Do You Know Who I Am?
Tier 6: Transcend the Script or Improved Companion

GM Intrusions: Fans are endangered or hurt on your behalf. Someone in your entourage betrays you. Your show, tour, contract, or other event is canceled. The media posts photos of you in an embarrassing situation.

Is Licensed to Carry #

You carry a gun and you know how to use it in a fight.

Although Is Licensed to Carry is designed with modern firearms in mind, it could apply to flintlock weapons, futuristic laser blasters, or other ranged weapons.

Tier 1: Gunner
Tier 1: Practiced With Guns
Tier 2: Careful Shot
Tier 3: Trained Gunner or Damage Dealer
Tier 4: Snap Shot
Tier 5: Arc Spray
Tier 6: Special Shot or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: Misfire or jam! The attack fails and the action is lost, plus an additional action is needed to fix the problem.

Is Wanted by the Law #

“WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE” posters (or their equivalent) have appeared featuring your face. It’s up to you whether it’s a mistake that snowballed out of control or you actually would kill someone just for looking at you.

Tier 1: Enhanced Speed
Tier 1: Danger Sense
Tier 2: Surprise Attack
Tier 3: Outlaw Reputation or Successive Attack
Tier 4: Fast Kill
Tier 5: Band of Desperados
Tier 6: Not Dead Yet or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: Most people do not take well to discovering a wanted outlaw in their midst.

Keeps a Magic Ally #

An allied magic creature bound to an object (such as a minor djinn in a lamp, or a ghost in a pipe) is your friend, protector, and weapon.

Tier 1: Bound Magic Creature
Tier 2: Object Bond
Tier 2: Hidden Closet
Tier 3: Minor Wish or Mount
Tier 4: Improved Object Bond
Tier 5: Moderate Wish
Tier 6: Object Bond Mastery or Trust to Luck

GM Intrusions: The creature unexpectedly disappears into its bound object. The bound object cracks. The creature disagrees and doesn’t do as asked. The creature says it’s leaving unless a task is performed for it.

Leads #

Your natural leadership capability allows you to command others, including a loyal band of followers.

Tier 1: Natural Charisma
Tier 1: Good Advice
Tier 2: Enhanced Potential
Tier 2: Basic Follower
Tier 3: Advanced Command or Expert Follower
Tier 4: Captivate or Inspire
Tier 5: Greater Enhanced Potential
Tier 6: Band of Followers or Mind of a Leader

GM Intrusions: Followers fail, betray, lie, become corrupted, get kidnapped, or die.

Learns Quickly #

You deal with bad situations as they arise, learning new lessons each time.

Tier 1: Enhanced Intellect
Tier 1: There’s Your Problem
Tier 2: Quick Study
Tier 3: Hard to Distract
Tier 3: Enhanced Intellect Edge or Flex Skill
Tier 4: Pay It Forward
Tier 5: Enhanced Intellect
Tier 5: Learned a Few Things
Tier 6: Two Things at Once or Skill With Defense

GM Intrusions: Accidents and mistakes are great teachers.

Lives in the Wilderness #

You can survive in badlands where others perish.

Tier 1: Wilderness Life
Tier 1: Enhanced Might
Tier 2: Living Off the Land
Tier 2: Wilderness Explorer
Tier 3: Animal Senses and Sensibilities or Wilderness Encouragement
Tier 4: Wilderness Awareness
Tier 5: The Wild Is on Your Side
Tier 6: One With the Wild or Wild Camouflage

GM Intrusions: People in cities and towns sometimes disparage those who look (and smell) like they live in the wilds, as if they were ignorant or barbaric.

Looks for Trouble #

You’re a scrapper and love a good fight.

Tier 1: Fists of Fury
Tier 1: Wound Tender
Tier 2: Protector
Tier 2: Straightforward
Tier 3: Skill With Attacks or Greater Enhanced Potential
Tier 4: Knock Out
Tier 5: Mastery With Attacks
Tier 6: Greater Enhanced Might or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: Weapons break or fly from even the strongest grip. Brawlers trip and fall. Even the battlefield can work against you with things falling or collapsing.

Loves the Void #

When it’s just you, your spacesuit, and the panorama of stars wheeling out forever and always, you are at peace.

Type Swap Option: Have Spacesuit, Will Travel

Tier 1: Vacuum Skilled
Tier 1: Microgravity Adept
Tier 2: Enhanced Speed Edge
Tier 2: Enhanced Physique
Tier 3: Space Fighting or Fusion Armor
Tier 4: Silent As Space
Tier 4: Push Off and Throw
Tier 5: Microgravity Avoidance
Tier 6: Weightless Shot or Reactive Field

GM Intrusions: Spacesuits develop glitches. Air refill cartridges sometimes misreport capacity. Micrometeorites are common in space.

Masters Defense #

You use protective equipment and practiced techniques to avoid becoming hurt in a fight.

Tier 1: Shield Master
Tier 2: Sturdy
Tier 2: Practiced in Armor
Tier 3: Dodge and Resist or Dodge and Respond
Tier 4: Tower of Will
Tier 4: Experienced in Armor
Tier 5: Nothing but Defend
Tier 6: Defense Master or Wear It Well

GM Intrusions: Shields break when hit, as do weapons used to parry. Armor straps break.

Masters Spells #

By specializing in spellcasting and keeping a spellbook, you can quickly cast spells of arcing lightning, rolling fire, creeping shadow, and summoning.

Tier 1: Arcane Flare
Tier 2: Ray of Confusion
Tier 3: Fire Bloom or Summon Giant Spider
Tier 4: Soul Interrogation
Tier 5: Granite Wall
Tier 6: Summon Demon or Word of Death

GM Intrusions: The spell goes wrong. The summoned creature turns on the caster. A rival spellcaster is drawn to the magic use.

Masters the Swarm #

Insects. Rats. Bats. Even birds. You master one type of small creature that obeys you.

Tier 1: Influence Swarm
Tier 2: Control Swarm
Tier 3: Living Armor or Skill With Attacks
Tier 4: Call Swarm
Tier 5: Gain Unusual Companion
Tier 6: Deadly Swarm or Skill With Defense

GM Intrusions: A command is misunderstood. Control is erratic or is lost. Bites and stings are not uncommon for masters of the swarm.

Masters Weaponry #

You are a master user of a particular type of weapon, be it a sword, whip, dagger, gun, or something else.

(Someone who Masters Weaponry might have additional equipment, including a high- quality weapon.)

Tier 1: Weapon Master
Tier 1: Weapon Crafter
Tier 2: Weapon Defense
Tier 3: Rapid Attack or Disarming Strike
Tier 4: Never Fumble
Tier 5: Extreme Mastery
Tier 6: Murderer or Deadly Strike

GM Intrusions: Weapons break. Weapons can be stolen. Weapons can be dropped or forced out of your hand.

Metes Out Justice #

You right wrongs, protect the innocent, and punish the guilty.

Tier 1: Make Judgment
Tier 1: Designation
Tier 2: Defend the Innocent
Tier 2: Improved Designation
Tier 3: Defend All the Innocent or Punish the Guilty
Tier 4: Find the Guilty
Tier 4: Greater Designation
Tier 5: Punish All the Guilty
Tier 6: Damn the Guilty or Inspire the Innocent

GM Intrusions: Guilt or innocence can be complicated. Some people resent the presumption of a self-appointed judge. Passing judgment makes enemies.

Moves Like a Cat #

Lithe, flexible, and graceful, you move quickly and smoothly, and never seem to be where danger is.

Tier 1: Greater Enhanced Speed
Tier 1: Balance
Tier 2: Movement Skills
Tier 2: Safe Fall
Tier 3: Hard to Hit
Tier 3: Enhanced Speed Edge or Greater Enhanced Speed
Tier 4: Quick Strike
Tier 5: Slippery
Tier 6: Perfect Speed Burst or Greater Enhanced Speed

GM Intrusions: Even a cat can be clumsy. A jump isn’t quite as easy as it looks. An escape move is so overzealous that it sends the character right into harm’s way.

Moves Like the Wind #

You can move so fast that you become a blur.

Tier 1: Greater Enhanced Speed
Tier 1: Fleet of Foot
Tier 2: Hard to Hit
Tier 3: Speed Burst or Greater Enhanced Speed
Tier 4: Blink of an Eye
Tier 5: Hard to See
Tier 6: Perfect Speed Burst or Incredible Running Speed

GM Intrusions: Surfaces can be slick or offer hidden obstacles. The movement of other creatures can be unpredictable, and the character might run into them.

Murders #

You’re an assassin, whether by trade, by inclination, or because it was that or be killed yourself. (Someone who Murders might have additional equipment, including three doses of a level 2 blade poison that inflicts 5 points of damage.)

Tier 1: Surprise Attack
Tier 1: Assassin Skills
Tier 2: Quick Death
Tier 2: Infiltrator
Tier 3: Awareness or Poison Crafter
Tier 4: Better Surprise Attack
Tier 5: Damage Dealer
Tier 6: Escape Plan or Murderer

GM Intrusions: Most people do not react well to a professional killer.

Needs No Weapon #

Powerful punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and full body movements are all the weapons you need.

Tier 1: Fists of Fury
Tier 1: Flesh of Stone
Tier 2: Advantage to Disadvantage
Tier 2: Unarmed Fighting Style
Tier 3: Moving Like Water or Greater Enhanced Potential
Tier 4: Divert Attacks
Tier 5: Stun Attack
Tier 6: Master of Unarmed Fighting Style or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: Striking certain foes hurts you as much as it hurts them. Opponents with weapons have greater reach. Complicated martial arts moves can knock you off balance.

Never Says Die #

You never quit, can shrug off a beating, and always come back for more.

Tier 1: Improved Recovery
Tier 1: Push on Through
Tier 2: Ignore the Pain
Tier 3: Blood Fever or Hidden Reserves
Tier 4: Increasing Determination or Outlast the Foe
Tier 5: Not Dead Yet
Tier 6: Final Defiance or Ignore Affliction

GM Intrusions: Sometimes, it’s equipment or weapons that give out.

Operates Undercover #

Under the guise of someone else, you seek to find answers the powerful do not want divulged.

(Someone who Operates Undercover might have additional equipment that includes a disguise kit.)

Tier 1: Investigate
Tier 2: Disguise
Tier 3: Agent Provocateur or Run and Fight
Tier 4: Pull a Fast One
Tier 5: Using What’s Available
Tier 6: Trust to Luck or Deadly Strike

GM Intrusions: Bad luck can ruin the best plans. Disguises fail. Allies are revealed to be agents, too.

Performs Feats of Strength #

A muscled prodigy, you can haul incredible weight, hurl your body through the air, and punch through doors.

Tier 1: Athlete
Tier 1: Enhanced Might Edge
Tier 2: Feat of Strength
Tier 3: Iron Fist or Throw
Tier 4: Greater Enhanced Might
Tier 5: Brute Strike
Tier 6: Greater Enhanced Might or Jump Attack

GM Intrusions: It’s easy to break delicate things or hurt someone accidentally.

Pilots Starcraft #

You’re a crack starship pilot.

Tier 1: Pilot
Tier 1: Flex Lore
Tier 2: Salvage and Comfort
Tier 2: Mentally Tough
Tier 3: Expert Pilot
Tier 3: Ship Footing or Machine Companion
Tier 4: Sensor Array
Tier 4: Enhanced Speed
Tier 5: Like the Back of Your Hand
Tier 6: Incomparable Pilot
Tier 6: Remote Control or Skill With Attacks

GM Intrusions: Starcraft get lost, break down, and are attacked in space. An alien stowaway is found.

Plays Too Many Games #

Lessons, reflexes, and strategies you’ve learned by playing too many games have applications in the real world, where people who don’t play enough toil and live their dreary lives.

Tier 1: Game Lessons
Tier 1: Gamer
Tier 2: Zero Dark Eyes
Tier 2: Resist Tricks
Tier 3: Sniper’s Aim or Enhanced Speed Edge
Tier 4: Mind Games
Tier 4: Enhanced Intellect
Tier 5: Gamer’s Fortitude
Tier 6: Mind Surge or Gaming God

GM Intrusions: Missed attacks strike the wrong target. Equipment breaks. Sometimes people react negatively to someone who has lived most of their life in imaginary game worlds.

Rages #

When you go berserk, everyone fears you.

Tier 1: Frenzy
Tier 2: Greater Enhanced Might
Tier 2: Movement Skills
Tier 3: Power Strike or Unarmored Fighter
Tier 4: Greater Frenzy
Tier 5: Attack and Attack Again
Tier 6: Greater Enhanced Potential or Lethal Damage

GM Intrusions: It’s easy for a berserker to lose control and attack friend as well as foe.

Rides the Lightning #

You create and discharge electrical power.

Tier 1: Shock
Tier 1: Charge
Tier 2: Bolt Rider
Tier 3: Electric Armor or Drain Charge
Tier 4: Bolts of Power
Tier 5: Electrical Flight
Tier 6: Flash Across the Miles or Wall of Lightning

GM Intrusions: Targets other than those intended are shocked. Objects explode.

Runs Away #

Your first instinct is to run from danger, and you’ve gotten very good at it.

Tier 1: Go Defensive
Tier 2: Enhanced Speed
Tier 2: Quick to Flee
Tier 3: Incredible Running Speed or Greater Enhanced Speed
Tier 4: Increasing Determination
Tier 4: Quick Wits
Tier 5: Go to Ground
Tier 6: Burst of Escape or Skill With Defense

GM Intrusions: Quick movements sometimes lead to dropped items, slipping on uneven ground, or going the wrong way by accident.

Sailed Beneath the Jolly Roger #

You sailed with a crew of dread pirates, but you’ve decided to end your days as a pirate and join some other cause. The question is, will your past let you go so easily?

Tier 1: Ignore the Pain
Tier 1: Sailor
Tier 2: Taking Advantage
Tier 2: Fearsome Reputation
Tier 3: Skill With Attacks or Skill With Defense
Tier 4: Sea Legs
Tier 4: Movement Skills
Tier 5: Lost in the Chaos
Tier 6: Duel to the Death or Successive Attack

GM Intrusions: The dangers of the high seas are many, including severe storms and disease. Other pirates sometimes get ahead through betrayal. A pirate tracks down former sailing mates to find hidden treasure.

Scavenges #

When not running and hiding, you sift the ruins of civilization for useful remnants to ensure your survival.

Tier 1: Post-Apocalyptic Survivor
Tier 1: Ruin Lore
Tier 2: Junkmonger
Tier 3: Taking Advantage or Incredible Health
Tier 4: Know Where to Look
Tier 5: Recycled Cyphers
Tier 6: Artifact Scavenger or Reactive Field

GM Intrusions: An item made with recycled junk breaks. Someone shows up claiming that the useful item or piece of junk scavenged belongs to them. A recycled cypher explodes.

Sculpts Hard Light #

You create physical objects out of hard light that you can use for offense and defense.

Tier 1: Automatic Glow
Tier 1: Temporary Light
Tier 2: Entangling Force
Tier 3: Harder Light or Sculpt Light
Tier 4: Greater Enhanced Intellect
Tier 5: Improved Sculpt Light
Tier 6: Defensive Field or Flight

GM Intrusions: A hard light object disappears early. A hard light object cannot affect a certain creature or color.

Sees Beyond #

You have a psychic sense that allows you to see what others cannot.

Tier 1: See the Unseen
Tier 2: See Through Matter
Tier 3: Find the Hidden or Sensor
Tier 4: Remote Viewing
Tier 5: See Through Time
Tier 6: Mental Projection or Total Awareness

GM Intrusions: Some secrets are too terrible to know.

Separates Mind From Body #

You can project your mind out of your body to see faraway places and learn secrets that would otherwise remain hidden.

Tier 1: Third Eye
Tier 2: Open Mind
Tier 2: Sharp Senses
Tier 3: Roaming Third Eye or Find the Hidden
Tier 4: Sensor
Tier 5: Psychic Passenger
Tier 6: Mental Projection or Improved Sensor

GM Intrusions: Reuniting mind and body can sometimes be disorienting and require a character to spend a few moments to get their bearings.

Shepherds the Community #

You keep the place where you live safe from all danger.

Tier 1: Community Knowledge
Tier 1: Community Activist
Tier 2: Skill With Attacks
Tier 3: Shepherd’s Fury or Skill With Defense
Tier 4: Greater Enhanced Potential
Tier 5: Evasion
Tier 6: Greater Skill With Attacks or Protective Wall

GM Intrusions: People in the community misunderstand the character’s motives. Rivals try to oust the character.

Shepherds Spirits #

Wandering souls, nature spirits, and elemental beings aid and support you.

(In some settings, the Shepherds Spirits focus applies to only one kind of spirit, such as spirits of the deceased, nature spirits, and so on.)

Tier 1: Question the Spirits
Tier 2: Spirit Accomplice
Tier 3: Command Spirit or Preternatural Senses
Tier 4: Wraith Cloak
Tier 5: Call Dead Spirit
Tier 6: Call Otherworldly Spirit or Infuse Spirit

GM Intrusions: Some people don’t trust those who deal with spirits. The dead sometimes don’t want shepherding.

Shreds the Walls of the World #

Speed plus phasing gives you a unique ability to evade danger and simultaneously inflict damage.

Tier 1: Phase Sprint
Tier 1: Disrupting Touch
Tier 2: Scratch Existence
Tier 3: Invisible Phasing or Walk Through Walls
Tier 4: Phase Detonation
Tier 5: Very Long Sprinting
Tier 6: Shred Existence or Untouchable While Moving

GM Intrusions: Moving so quickly while sprinting sometimes leads to stumbles on unexpected, exotic obstacles.

Shrinks To Minute Size #

You can shrink down to the size of a bug and, with enough experience, even smaller.

Tier 1: Shrink
Tier 1: Beneath Notice
Tier 2: Smaller
Tier 2: Advantages of Being Small
Tier 3: Enlarge or Quick Switch
Tier 4: Small Flight
Tier 5: Shrink Others
Tier 6: Bigger or Tiny

GM Intrusions: A creature thinks the small character is potential food. The small character gets trapped in a tiny space or under a falling object.

A character who Shrinks to Minute Size who chooses to learn abilities like Enlarge will never be quite as big as one who Grows to Towering Heights, but they can enjoy the advantages of being big or small as needed.

Siphons Power #

You suck power out of machines and creatures alike in order to empower yourself.

Robots and other living machines should be treated as creatures, not machines, for the purposes of siphoning power from them.

Tier 1: Drain Machine
Tier 2: Drain Creature
Tier 3: Drain at a Distance or Unraveling Consumption
Tier 4: Store Energy
Tier 5: Share the Power
Tier 6: Explosive Release or Sun Siphon

GM Intrusions: Drained power also transmits something unwanted—compulsions, afflictions, or alien thoughts. Siphoned power can overload the character, causing feedback.

Slays Monsters #

You kill monsters.

Although wielding a sword in a setting where people usually do not carry such weapons is fine, you can change the Slays Monsters sword-related abilities to use a different weapon, such as a gun with silver bullets.

Tier 1: Practiced With Swords
Tier 1: Monster Bane
Tier 1: Monster Lore
Tier 2: Will of Legend
Tier 3: Trained Slayer
Tier 3: Improved Monster Bane or Misdirect
Tier 4: Fight On
Tier 5: Greater Skill With Attacks (swords)
Tier 6: Murderer or Heroic Monster Bane

GM Intrusions: The monster laid a trap or set an ambush. The monster has previously undisclosed abilities. The monster’s mother vows revenge.

Soars On Amazing Wings #

Many superheroes can fly, and some even have wings. You can use your wings for movement, attacks, and defense.

Tier 1: Hover
Tier 1: Flight Exertion
Tier 2: Wing Weapons
Tier 3: Acrobatic Attack or Flying Companion
Tier 4: Hard to Hit
Tier 5: Up to Speed
Tier 6: Hard Target or Defense Master

GM Intrusions: A wing gets hurt or restrained, causing the character to fall. Flying high makes the character an obvious target for an unexpected foe.

Solves Mysteries #

You’re a master of deduction, using evidence to find the answer.

Tier 1: Investigator
Tier 1: Sleuth
Tier 2: Out of Harm’s Way
Tier 3: You Studied or Skill With Attacks
Tier 4: Draw Conclusion
Tier 5: Defuse Situation
Tier 6: Seize the Initiative or Greater Skill With Defense

GM Intrusions: Evidence disappears, red herrings confuse, and witnesses lie. Initial research can be faulty.

Speaks for the Land #

Your spiritual connection to nature and the environment grants you mystical abilities.

Tier 1: Seeds of Fury
Tier 1: Wilderness Lore
Tier 2: Grasping Foliage
Tier 3: Soothe the Savage or Communication
Tier 4: Moon Shape
Tier 5: Insect Eruption
Tier 6: Call the Storm or Earthquake

GM Intrusions: An injured natural (but dangerous) creature is discovered. Someone’s poaching wildlife for their skins, leaving the carcasses to rot. A tree falls in the forest, one of the last elder trees.

Stands Like a Bastion #

Your armor, along with your size, strength, incredible training, or machine enhancement, makes you difficult to move or hurt.

Some characters who Stand Like a Bastion might already be experts in armor. They can choose a different tier 1 ability instead of Practiced in Armor.

Tier 1: Practiced in Armor
Tier 1: Experienced Defender
Tier 2: Resist the Elements
Tier 3: Unmovable
Tier 3: Greater Enhanced Might or Practiced With All Weapons
Tier 4: Living Wall
Tier 5: Hardiness
Tier 5: Mastery in Armor
Tier 6: Lethal Damage or Shield Training

GM Intrusions: Armor is damaged. Small foes conspire in ingenious ways.

Stretches #

Your body is elastic and rubbery, able to stretch to great lengths and compress when struck.

Tier 1: Contortionist
Tier 1: Far Step
Tier 2: Elastic Grip
Tier 2: Safe Fall
Tier 3: Bypass Barrier or Misdirect
Tier 4: Resilience
Tier 5: Free to Move
Tier 6:Break the Ranks or Not Dead Yet

GM Intrusions: An attack or effect interferes with the character’s elasticity. A stretched limb becomes overstressed and weak.

Takes Animal Shape #

You can transform yourself into an animal.

Tier 1: Animal Shape
Tier 2: Communication
Tier 2: Soothe the Savage
Tier 3: Bigger Animal Shape or Greater Beast Form
Tier 4: Animal Scrying
Tier 5: Hard to Kill
Tier 6: Blurring Speed or Lend Animal Shape

GM Intrusions: The character unexpectedly changes form. An NPC is frightened by or aggressive toward the shapeshifter. The transformation takes longer than expected.

Greater Beast Form applies to using Animal Shape.

Talks to Machines #

You use your organic brain like a computer, interfacing “wirelessly” with any electronic device. You can control and influence them in ways that others can’t.

Tier 1: Machine Affinity
Tier 1: Distant Interface
Tier 2: Coaxing Power
Tier 2: Charm Machine
Tier 3: Intelligent Interface or Command Machine
Tier 4: Machine Companion
Tier 4: Robot Fighter
Tier 5: Information Gathering
Tier 6: Control Machine or Improved Machine Companion

GM Intrusions: The machine malfunctions or acts unpredictably.

Throws With Deadly Accuracy #

Everything that leaves your hand goes exactly where you’d like it to go and at the range and speed to make the perfect impact.

Tier 1: Precision
Tier 2: Careful Aim
Tier 3: Quick Throw or Skill With Defense
Tier 4: Everything Is a Weapon
Tier 4: Specialized Throwing
Tier 5: Whirlwind of Throws
Tier 6: Lethal Damage or Mastery With Defense

GM Intrusions: Missed attacks strike the wrong target. Ricochets can be dangerous. Improvised weapons break.

Thunders #

You emit destructive sound and manipulate soundscapes.

Tier 1: Thunder Beam
Tier 2: Sound Conversion Barrier
Tier 3: Nullify Sound or Echolocation
Tier 4: Shattering Shout
Tier 5: Subsonic Rumble
Tier 5: Amplify Sounds
Tier 6: Earthquake or Lethal Vibration

GM Intrusions: Loud noises attract attention.

Touches The Sky #

You can summon storms or break them apart.

Tier 1: Hover
Tier 2: Wind Armor
Tier 3: Bolts of Power or Storm Seed
Tier 4: Windrider
Tier 5: Cold Burst
Tier 6: Control Weather or Wind Chariot

GM Intrusions: An ally is accidentally struck by a fork of lightning. An unexpected grounding effect inflicts damage. The weather is seeded by a much smaller effect, and a storm grows out of control.

Travels Through Time #

You can see through time, try to reach through it, and eventually even travel through it.

Although all character choices are subject to GM approval, Travels Through Time is a focus that the GM and player should probably have a long conversation about ahead of time, so the player knows the rules of time travel (if any) that exist in the GM’s setting. A character with this focus can drastically alter a setting, if the rules of time travel allow it.

Tier 1: Anticipation
Tier 2: See History
Tier 3: Temporal Acceleration or Time Loop
Tier 4: Temporal Dislocation
Tier 5: Time Doppelganger
Tier 6: Call Through Time or Time Travel

GM Intrusions: Paradoxes are created. Others remember past events differently.

Uses Wild Magic #

Spellcaster who learns a variety of spells instead of focusing on just one kind of magic.

Tier 1: Magical Repertoire
Tier 1: Cypher Casting
Tier 2: Expanded Repertoire
Tier 3: Cypher Surge or Faster Wild Magic
Tier 4: Expanded Repertoire
Tier 5: Magical Training
Tier 6: Maximize Cypher or Wild Insight

GM Intrusions: A spell performs erratically or rebounds upon the caster. Something interferes with preparing spells. Spellcasting attracts the attention of a powerful creature or potential rival. The cypher spell being cast is replaced with that of a random cypher.

Walks The Wild Woods #

An adherent of nature magic who draws on the power and strength of trees.

Tier 1: Wilderness Life
Tier 1: Patient Recovery
Tier 2: Wooden Body
Tier 3: Tree Companion or Wilderness Awareness
Tier 4: Tree Travel
Tier 5: Great Tree
Tier 6: Dreadwood or Restorative Bloom

GM Intrusions: A wooden character catches fire. A wild swing from a tree branch hits or trips an ally. Some trees have evil hearts and hate all walking things.

Was Foretold #

You are the “chosen one,” and prophecy, prediction, prognostication, or some other method of determination expects great things of you one day.

Tier 1: Interaction Skills
Tier 1: Knowing
Tier 2: Destined for Greatness
Tier 3: Overcome All Obstacles or Hard-Won Resilience
Tier 4: Center of Attention
Tier 5: Show Them the Way
Tier 6: As Foretold in Prophecy or Greater Enhanced Potential

GM Intrusions: An enemy described in prophecy appears. Unbelievers threaten to ruin the moment. The character gains a reputation in outside circles as a fraud.

Wears a Sheen of Ice #

You command the wintery power of cold and ice.

Tier 1: Ice Armor
Tier 2: Frost Touch
Tier 3: Freezing Touch or Ice Creation
Tier 4: Resilient Ice Armor
Tier 5: Cold Burst
Tier 6: Ice Storm or Winter Gauntlets

GM Intrusions: Ice makes surfaces slippery. Extreme cold causes objects to crack and break.

Wears Power Armor #

Tier 1: Powered Armor
Tier 1: Enhanced Might
Tier 2: Heads-Up Display
Tier 3: Fusion Armor or Incredible Health
Tier 4: Force Blast
Tier 5: Field-Reinforced Armor
Tier 6: Masterful Armor Modification (Jet Assisted Flight) or Masterful Armor Modification (Cypher Pod)

GM Intrusions: The armor won’t come off. The armor acts under its own power. The armor suffers a momentary power loss. NPCs are scared by the power armor.

Wields An Enchanted Weapon #

You have a weapon with strange abilities, and your knowledge of its powers has allowed you to create a unique style of combat with it.

Tier 1: Enchanted Weapon
Tier 1: Innate Power
Tier 1: Charge Weapon
Tier 2: Power Crash
Tier 3: Rapid Attack or Throw Enchanted Weapon
Tier 4: Defending Weapon
Tier 5: Enchanted Movement
Tier 6: Deadly Strike or Spin Attack

GM Intrusions: A weapon breaks or is dropped. The character loses their connection to the weapon until they use an action to reestablish the attunement. The weapon’s energy discharges in an unexpected way.

Wields Invisible Force #

You bend light and manipulate beams of force for offense and defense.

Tier 1: Vanish
Tier 2: Entangling Force
Tier 2: Sharp Senses
Tier 3: Force Field Barrier or Multi-Vanish
Tier 4: Invisibility
Tier 5: Defensive Field
Tier 6: Concussion or Generate Force Field

GM Intrusions: Invisibility partially fades, revealing the character’s presence. A force field is pierced by an unusual or unexpected attack.

Wields Two Weapons at Once #

You bear steel with both hands, ready to take on any foe.

Tier 1: Dual Light Wield
Tier 2: Double Strike
Tier 2: Infiltrator
Tier 3: Dual Medium Wield or Precise Cut
Tier 4: Dual Defense
Tier 5: Dual Distraction
Tier 6: Disarming Attack or Spin Attack

GM Intrusions: A blade snaps in two or a weapon flies loose from its bearer’s grip.

Works for a Living #

You take great satisfaction in a job well done, whether it’s coding, building houses, or mining asteroids.

Tier 1: Handy
Tier 2: Muscles of Iron
Tier 3: Eye for Detail or Improvise
Tier 4: Enhanced Might
Tier 4: Tough It Out
Tier 5: Expert Skill
Tier 6: Greater Enhanced Potential or Hard-Won Resilience

GM Intrusions: Repairs sometimes fail. Wiring can be tricky to decipher and still carry an electrical charge. Some people are rude to those who work for a living.

Works Miracles #

You can heal others with a touch, alter time to help others, and are generally beloved by everyone.

Tier 1: Healing Touch
Tier 2: Alleviate
Tier 3: Font of Healing or Miraculous Health
Tier 4: Inspire Action
Tier 5: Undo
Tier 6: Greater Healing Touch or Restore Life

GM Intrusions: Attempts to heal might cause harm instead. A community or individual needs a healer so desperately that they hold one against their will.

Works the Back Alleys #

You make your way unseen, stealing from the wealthy to achieve your ends.

Tier 1: Stealth Skills
Tier 2: Underworld Contacts
Tier 3: Pull a Fast One or Guild Training
Tier 4: Master Thief
Tier 5: Dirty Fighter
Tier 6: Alley Rat or All-Out Con

GM Intrusions: Thieves are thrown in jail. Powerful enemies are made.

Works the System #

You can exploit flaws in artificial systems, including but not limited to computer code.

Tier 1: Hack the Impossible
Tier 1: Computer Programming
Tier 2: Connected
Tier 3: Confidence Artist or Skill With Attacks
Tier 4: Confuse Enemy
Tier 5: Work the Friendship
Tier 6: Call in Favor or Greater Enhanced Potential

GM Intrusions: Contacts sometimes have ulterior motives. Devices sometimes have failsafes or even traps.

Would Rather Be Reading #

Books are your friends. What’s more important than knowledge? Nothing.

Tier 1: Knowledge Is Power
Tier 2: Greater Enhanced Intellect
Tier 3: Applying Your Knowledge or Flex Skill
Tier 4: Knowledge Is Power
Tier 4: Knowing the Unknown
Tier 5: Greater Enhanced Intellect
Tier 6: Knowledge Is Power
Tier 6: Tower of Intellect or Read the Signs

GM Intrusions: Books burn, get wet, or get lost. Computers break or lose power. Glasses break.

Creating New Foci #

This section provides everything you need to create your own foci.

Every focus has an overarching style, whether that’s exploration, energy manipulation, or simply dealing a lot of damage in combat. These broad classifications are called focus categories.

Each focus category has an overarching theme, followed by selection guidelines that describe how to choose abilities for each tier from the Abilities chapter, from tier 1 to tier 6.

The newly created focus should be named in the form of a verb, like Controls Beasts or Abides in Stone. For instance, a fire-using focus created by following the guidelines in the energy manipulation focus category might be called Bears a Halo of Fire (one of the sample foci in this chapter). Alternatively, a new fire-using focus should get an all-new name like Stokes the Flames of the Apocalypse or Lights Fires With a Thought.

Choosing Abilities By Relative Power #

The ability selection guidelines invite you to choose an ability from one of three ranges: low tier, mid tier, and high tier. These ranges correspond with the power “grades” given for every ability. These abilities are further sorted into ability categories based on the kinds of things they do—abilities that improve physical attacks are in the attack skill category, abilities that assist allies are in the support category, and so on. Look for the grades and categories in the Ability Categories and Relative Power section of the Abilities chapter.

Low-tier abilities are best suited for focus options at tiers 1 and 2. Mid-tier abilities are best suited for focus options at tiers 3 and 4. High-tier abilities are best suited for focus options at tiers 5 and 6.

That said, sometimes you’ll find it appropriate to assign a low-tier ability at tier 3 or 4, or maybe a mid-tier ability at tier 1 or 2. Do so sparingly, but don’t rule it out. It might be the only way to get all the abilities you want for the focus you’re building. Higher-tier abilities usually cost more Pool points to use. So if a mid-tier ability is made available at tier 1 or 2, or a high-tier ability is made available at tier 3 or 4, the higher cost will be a balancing factor.

Balancing Abilities #

The guidelines within each category go a long way toward ensuring that the focus you build will be balanced. Sometimes it might be appropriate to grant a low-power ability along with a regular ability at a given tier, depending on the needs of the focus. A “low-power ability” is deliberately open for GM interpretation, but generally speaking, should be no more potent than a low-tier ability (that is, an ability that is normally available at tier 1 or 2).

For instance, someone who uses cold might be able to create small snow sculptures in addition to emitting a cold ray. Someone who uses electricity might be able to charge a depleted artifact or have an asset for dealing with electrical systems. And so on.

Often, the focus guidelines note this as a possibility. However, you have great leeway in deciding if a focus needs an additional ability, even if the guidelines for that tier don’t indicate one. If you do add an ability, or there is a
higher-power ability at a tier that normally shouldn’t have it, it might mean that the choice given at the next tier, or the previous tier, isn’t quite as good. Balancing a focus is a bit of an art. Resist the urge to overpower the focus, but don’t underpower it, either.

Ability Guidelines Are Not Perscriptive #

Each focus category provides a guideline for what kind of ability you should select at every tier. But don’t regard the guidelines as something that you can’t vary. They’re not prescriptive; they’re just a place to start. You might want to vary the kind of ability at a particular tier that isn’t indicated in the guidelines. As long as the chosen ability falls within the expected power curve for that tier, it’s fine. The guideline isn’t meant to be a straitjacket.

For example, if you’re building a cold-using focus for a game set in a fantasy genre, you may decide that an ability that calls up a demon is a better choice at a particular tier than an ability that does damage in an area, which is what the tier 5 guideline for energy manipulation calls for. Making the change is probably especially valid if you call your new focus something like Channels the Ninth Circle.

Ability Swap #

If you’re creating a focus and you think it should provide a suite of abilities at first tier that would mechanically overload it, you have the option to add one as a “swap” ability. Doing so is as easy as allowing a character to swap out one of their type abilities for an indicated low-tier focus ability. The ability is gained instead of one of the abilities normally granted by the character’s type.

Concept And Category #

Choosing to create a focus that uses a particular concept—say, creating illusions—doesn’t lock you into creating a focus within a particular category—in this case, environment manipulation. A focus can be constructed in a variety of ways using a particular energy, tool, or concept, each ultimately leading to a focus that provides different results. It all depends on your ends. In this case, creating illusions might be used to sway others, which argues for a focus built using the influence category guidelines.

In the same way, if a focus grants a character the ability to call some kind of force or energy, that doesn’t mean the focus should automatically be built using the energy manipulation category guidelines (though of course it could, if attacking and protecting yourself with that energy is the point). But a focus could be built that grants abilities to call energy or force that is primarily focused on durability, suggesting a tank combat focus (someone who can take a lot of punishment in a fight); or blasting away with a main concern for maximizing damage, thus suggesting a striker combat focus; or creating a follower composed of that energy or force, suggesting an ally use focus (that is, someone who uses helping creatures, NPCs, or even duplicate versions of themselves to give them a leg up).

Here’s another example: the focus Controls Gravity could conceivably be an environment manipulation focus or an energy manipulation focus. It depends on whether the focus is more concerned with crushing and holding things in place (environment manipulation) or on blasting things and protecting yourself with gravity (energy manipulation).

The same malleability of concept holds true in other realms. For instance, if someone is able to call up and mold raw earth, they might use it to transform themselves into a being of stone (tank combat), to batter foes (striker combat), or to create walls, barricades, and shields to protect their allies (support).

If you’re looking for an ability and can’t seem to find the right one in the vast catalog in the Abilities chapter, consider reskinning one to make it seem new (and to accomplish what you need). Reskinning means that you use the underlying mechanics of an ability as written but change the flavor in some fashion. For instance, maybe you’re creating a new earth-moving focus but can’t find enough earth-related abilities to meet your need. It’s easy enough to change up other abilities so they use earth instead of fire, cold, or magnetism. For instance, Wings of Fire might become Wings of Earth, Ice Armor could become Earth Armor, and so on. These alterations change nothing except the type of damage and any knock-on effects (for instance, Wings of Earth might generate clouds of dust in their wake).

Abilities That Reference Other Abilities #

Some abilities in the Abilities chapter reference other abilities. If you select an ability for your focus or type that refers to or modifies a lower-tier ability, also include that lower-tier ability in your type or focus as a selection a PC can make at a lower tier.

Creating Brand-New Abilities #

You can go further than reskinning and create one or more brand-new abilities. When doing this, try to find something as close as possible to the effect you want, then use it as a template. In any case, deciding how much an ability should cost when it comes to a character’s Pool is one of the most important aspects of getting an ability right.

You may notice that higher-tier abilities are more expensive. This is partly because they do more, but it’s also because higher-tier characters have more Edge than lower-tier characters, which means they pay fewer points from their relevant Pools. A third-tier character with 3 Edge in a relevant Pool pays no cost for abilities that cost 3 or fewer points. That’s great for lower-tier abilities, but you’ll usually want a character to think a little bit about how often to use their most powerful abilities. That means they should cost at least 1 point more than the Edge the character is likely to have at that tier. (Often, a character will have an Edge in their relevant Pool equal to their tier.)

As a good rule of thumb, a typical ability should cost points equal to its tier.

Choose GM Intrusions #

Think about the kinds of things that might surprise, alarm, or go catastrophically wrong for someone with the new focus being created, and assign it as a GM intrusion for that focus. Of course, this often is done on the fly during the game. But giving the topic some thought while the focus is being constructed and the ideas are fresh in your head is likely to yield some particularly devilish options.

Focus Categories #

Ally Use #

Foci that prioritize providing NPC followers to the character are ally use foci. The followers give aid to the PC in a variety of ways, but at base they usually provide an asset to the character’s actions.

Multiple potential themes exist within the ally use category, from abilities that allow a character to summon or craft allies to those that allow them to attract allies through fame, magic, or essential authority or charisma.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary for the character to keep an ally. For instance, someone with a focus that uses super-science to create robot allies would require tools to build and repair those allies. Some foci in this category don’t require anything to gain or retain their benefits.

Minor Effect Suggestions: The NPC ally’s tasks are eased on its next turn.

Major Effect Suggestions: The NPC ally gains an immediate extra action.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Builds Robots
Consorts With the Dead
Controls Beasts
Exists in Two Places at Once
Leads
Masters the Swarm
Shepherds Spirits

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that grants a level 2 NPC follower to the character, or gives a similar benefit provided by an NPC. Alternatively, lay the groundwork for gaining such NPC allies at higher tiers by choosing an ability that gives the character influence over others. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. Often, this is an ability that grants skill training in a related area of knowledge or a related skill. For instance, training in a skill related to the kind of NPC follower the character gains would be appropriate.

Tier 2: Choose a low-tier ability that grants influence over similar kinds of NPCs as the follower gained at the previous tier. If no follower was gained at the previous tier, this ability should provide that benefit now. Sometimes a secondary ability might be appropriate in addition to the ability provided above, perhaps a low-power ability that grants 2 or 3 points to a Pool.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should be a mid-tier ability that improves the NPC follower previously provided (usually from level 2 to level 3) or grants an additional follower.

The other option should be something that benefits the character—perhaps an offensive or defensive ability, or something that broadens their influence over their followers (or potential followers).

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that gives the character an offensive or defensive capability if they haven’t previously gained one, preferably within the theme of the focus. For instance, if the character gains followers because of their charisma, this ability might let them command foes for brief periods. If the character gains followers by building or calling them, this ability might let them affect entities of the same type that are not already their followers. Alternatively, this ability might further improve a previously gained follower from level 3 to level 4, or grant an additional follower.

Tier 5: Choose an ability that improves the character by providing a defense, an improved stat Pool, or another kind of protection. Alternatively, this ability could open a new front in influencing and calling NPC allies related to the focus’s theme. For instance, someone who keeps beast allies might gain an ability to call a horde of lesser beasts. Someone who builds robots might gain an ability to build several lesser robot helpers. And so on.

Finally, this ability might improve a previously gained follower to level 5.

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One of the abilities should improve a previously gained follower to level 5, if that wasn’t already provided at tier 5. If that’s the case, this ability might be provided in addition to two other related abilities.

Another high-tier option could provide a handful of level 3 followers to the character.

The last high-tier ability could open a new front in influencing and calling NPC allies related to the focus’s theme. For instance, someone who gains followers through high charisma and training might gain an ability to learn otherwise impossible-to-glean information.

Basic #

Foci that rely mostly on providing skill training, assets to tasks, and bumps to stat Pools and Edge in order to improve a character fall within the basic category. An overarching theme is also included, as with most of the other categories, that makes sense of the various basic abilities provided.

In addition, because the benefits provided by such foci are mostly straightforward (usually with a few exceptions), most basic foci would also be appropriate for non-fantastic campaigns where magic, super-science, or psychic abilities normally don’t come into play. That said, just because the abilities granted by basic foci are straightforward doesn’t mean they are not potent when combined with the abilities granted by type, descriptor, cyphers, and other character aspects.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to fulfill the overarching theme of the focus. For instance, a focus called Would Rather Be Reading should grant a handful of books to the character. A focus called Works for a Living should provide a set of tools.

Minor Effect Suggestions: Next action is eased.

Major Effect Suggestions: Make a free, no-action recovery roll that doesn’t count against daily recovery rolls.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Doesn’t Do Much
Interprets the Law
Learns Quickly
Works for a Living
Would Rather Be Reading

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose an ability that grants training or an asset to skills associated with the focus’s theme, or that grants 5 or 6 points to a particular Pool. Alternatively, choose an ability that grants only 2 or 3 points to a particular Pool and an ability that provides training or an asset to just one task.

Tier 2: Choose whichever kind of ability wasn’t chosen at tier 1.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should be a non-fantastic ability that improves the character’s abilities within the focus’s theme. For instance, if the theme involves paying attention in some fashion, an information-gathering ability might be appropriate.

The other option should be something that either improves the character’s Edge in an appropriate stat or provides the character with some kind of defense.

Tier 4: Choose another ability that grants additional training or an asset to skills associated with the focus’s theme, or that grants 5 or 6 points to a particular Pool best suited to the focus. Or choose two abilities that provide only 2 or 3 points plus another tier 4 ability that improves a single task or skill. Alternatively, provide a branch-out ability suggested at tier 5.

Finally, if the focus has yet to grant some kind of defense, a defensive ability could be provided here.

Tier 5: Choose an ability that allows the character to branch out slightly—perhaps one like Expert Skill that allows them to automatically succeed on a task they’re trained in. Alternatively, if a nonstandard benefit was provided at tier 4, provide the benefits suggested at tier 4 here.

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should be an ability that provides another 5 or 6 points to a particular Pool best suited to the focus, or that the character can divide up as they wish. Alternatively, training in offense or defense would also be appropriate.

The other tier 6 option should give the character a brand-new ability within their theme, but not one that strays into the realm of the fantastic. For instance, an ability that allows a character to take two actions instead of one would be reasonable. Granting additional training, assets, or Edge would also be fine.

Energy Manipulation #

Energy manipulation foci offer abilities that can call fire, electricity, force, magnetism, or nonstandard forms of energy such as cold, stone, or something stranger like “void” or “shadow.” These abilities usually give a character a way to achieve something of a balance between attacking enemies and granting themselves or allies additional protection. The focus usually also offers abilities that provide other ways to use specific energy for things like transportation, creating large concentrations of energy that can affect multiple targets, or creating a temporary object or barrier of energy.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: One or more pieces of equipment immune to the energy manipulated, which might be a set of clothes. Alternatively, something related to the energy being generated. Some foci in this category don’t require additional equipment.

Energy Abilities: If a character type grants special abilities that normally use some other kind of energy, they now produce the kind used by this focus. For example, if a character uses this focus to manipulate electricity, their force blasts become blasts of electricity. These alterations change nothing except the type of damage and any knock-on effects (for instance, electricity might temporarily short out electronic systems).

Minor Effect Suggestions: The target or something near the target is hindered because of residual energy.

Major Effect Suggestions: An important item on the target’s person is destroyed.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Absorbs Energy
Bears a Halo of Fire
Dances With Dark Matter
Rides the Lightning
Thunders
Wears a Sheen of Ice

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that either inflicts damage or provides protection using the appropriate energy type in some fashion. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the energy type. For instance, a focus that manipulates cold might grant an ability to create snow sculptures. A focus that manipulates electricity might grant an ability to charge a depleted artifact or have an asset for dealing with electrical systems. A focus that absorbs energy might grant an ability to release it as a basic attack. And so on.

Tier 2: Choose whichever kind of ability wasn’t chosen at tier 1.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should be an ability that inflicts damage using the appropriate energy type (and possibly a related effect).

The other should grant enhanced movement by use of the appropriate energy type, give additional protection provided by the preferred energy, or use the energy in a completely new way, such as by draining the energy from a machine (if using electricity), entombing a victim in a layer of ice (if using cold), creating perfect silence (if using sound), creating a dazzling blast of illumination (if using light), and so on.

Tier 4: Choose whichever kind of ability wasn’t chosen at tier 3.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier ability that inflicts damage (and possibly a related effect) that can affect more than one target using the appropriate energy type, or an ability that uses the energy in some fashion not previously used, as described in tiers 3 and 6.

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One of the high-tier abilities should use the preferred energy to inflict a lot of damage to a single target or to several.

The other option should use the appropriate energy type to accomplish a task not previously provided by lower-tier abilities, such as fashioning a fiery follower (if using fire), teleporting a great distance as a blast of lightning (if using electricity), creating solid objects out of the energy, and so on.

Environment Manipulation #

Foci that allow a character to move objects, affect gravity, create objects (or illusions of objects), and so on are environment manipulation foci. Given that, in many cases, energy is used as part of this process, this category and energy manipulation overlap to some extent. Environment manipulation foci prioritize abilities that indirectly affect enemies and allies via objects, forces, and alterations of the surroundings; energy manipulation foci prioritize directly damaging targets with the chosen energy or force.

For example, rather than blasting a foe with a gravity pulse that does damage, a character using an environment manipulation focus based on gravity is more likely to have abilities that hold a target in place, use gravity to throw heavy objects as an attack, or lower gravity in a particular area or even on a particular object.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to manipulate the surrounding environment. For instance, someone with a focus that grants the ability to craft objects would require basic tools. Some foci in this category don’t require anything to gain or retain their benefits.

Environment Manipulation Abilities: Foci themes that involve imagery or visible energies can affect the look of your type abilities. Such alterations, if any, do nothing but change the appearance of effects. If gravity is manipulated, perhaps a telltale bluish glow permeates all ability uses, including type abilities. If illusion is generated, perhaps flamboyant visual and auditory qualities accompany type abilities, such as the appearance of a tentacled beast holding a target in place when Stasis is used. And so on.

Minor Effect Suggestions: The target gets turned around, and its next attack is hindered.

Major Effect Suggestions: The character is refreshed and recovers 4 points to one Pool.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Awakens Dreams
Blazes With Radiance
Calculates the Incalculable
Controls Gravity
Crafts Illusions
Crafts Unique Objects
Employs Magnetism
Focuses Mind Over Matter

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that grants a basic use of an ability that alters the environment (or predicts it) using the focus’s theme. For instance, a gravity-affecting focus might provide an ability that makes a target lighter or heavier. An illusion-crafting focus might grant an ability that allows the creation of an image. An object-making focus might grant a basic proficiency in creating a particular kind of object. A predictive focus might calculate outcomes and provide the character with the benefits of that foreknowledge. And so on.

Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. Often, this is an ability that grants skill training in a related area of knowledge.

Tier 2: Choose a low-tier ability that provides a new defensive or offensive capability related to the focus’s theme. Alternatively, this ability might provide an additional or brand-new capability to manipulate the environment related to the focus’s theme.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should be a mid-tier ability related to the focus’s theme that provides an additional environment manipulation capacity or further improves the basic environment manipulation ability previously granted. This ability isn’t directly offensive or defensive, but provides either an all-new ability related to the basic ability, or one that increases the strength, range, or some other extension of the previously unlocked basic ability.

The other mid-tier option should provide an offensive or defensive ability related to the specific form of movement the focus provides, if possible.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that is either an offensive or a defensive use of the ability, whichever one wasn’t chosen as an option in the previous tier.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier penultimate use of the environment-manipulation ability. For instance, if the focus-granted manipulation is illusory, this ability might haunt a target with terrifying images. If the focus is gravity based, it might unlock flight. If magnetic, it might allow the user to reshape metal. If the focus grants telekinetic powers, this ability could allow a character to hurl massive objects at foes. And so on.

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One of the abilities should provide either an offensive or a defensive ability, opposite the ability provided at tier 4 (though high tier rather than mid tier).

The other option should be something that further explores the use of the basic environment manipulation capability. If the tier 5 choice was the penultimate ability, this might be an even better ultimate ability related to the kind of manipulation offered, or a different way of using that ability to unlock an as-yet-unexplored facet of the ability.

Exploration #

Foci that allow a character to gather information, survive in unfamiliar environments, and find their way to new locations or track down particular creatures and foes are exploration foci. Surviving in unfamiliar environments requires a reasonable selection of defensive options; however, abilities that allow a character to find and learn are prioritized.

Exploration foci rely on a variety of methods, though training and expertise are the mainstays. Some methods require specific tools (such as a vehicle) to grant the benefits provided, while others might rely on the supernatural or
super-science to learn new things and explore strange places from afar.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to explore. For instance, starting maps and/or
a compass would be basic equipment, while someone who uses psychic abilities might require a mirror or crystal sphere to gaze into. Equipment might also include access to a vehicle required for exploration, as previously noted.

Minor Effect Suggestions: You have an asset on any action that involves using your senses, such as perceiving or attacking, until the end of the next round.

Major Effect Suggestions: Your Intellect Edge increases by 1 until the end of the next round.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Explores Dark Places
Infiltrates
Operates Undercover
Pilots Starcraft
Sees Beyond
Separates Mind From Body

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that grants the character basic exploratory, survival, or information-gathering capabilities within the focus’s theme. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. Often, this is an ability that grants skill training in a related area of knowledge or a related skill (though this may already be covered in the main ability). Alternatively, it might offer a simple bonus of 2 or 3 points to the Might Pool.

Tier 2: Choose another low-tier ability that grants an additional capability related to exploration, survival, or information gathering. For instance, a focus dedicated to surviving savage conditions might offer an ability (or two) that makes it easier to avoid natural hazards, poisons, difficult terrain, and so on. A focus dedicated to exploration of a particular area might grant abilities to gain access to that area, or a capability that others normally lack (like the ability to see in the dark).

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should further improve the basic exploration ability granted, or give a new exploratory, survival, or information-gathering ability.

The other option should be something that benefits the character, either an offensive or defensive ability (especially if this focus hasn’t already granted that) or something that further broadens the character’s ability to explore in the focus’s chosen realm.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier offensive or defensive ability (whichever wasn’t offered at tier 3) that benefits the character. Alternatively, if offensive and defensive abilities are already well represented, choose a different mid-tier ability that broadens the character’s ability to explore, survive, or gather information.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier ability that alleviates some of the penalties for exploring, surviving, or gathering information in a normally inhospitable place.

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should further improve the basic exploration-themed ability previously granted, or give a brand-new exploratory, survival, or information-gathering ability.

The other option should be something that benefits the character, either an offensive or defensive ability, or yet another ability that further broadens their capacity to explore in the focus’s chosen realm.

Influence #

Foci that prioritize authority and influence—whether that’s to make people or machines do as commanded, to help others, or to rise to some other prestigious and significant position—fall within the influence category.

These foci grant influence through training and persuasion, by direct mental manipulation, by using fame to get people’s attention and influence their actions, or simply by knowing and learning things that affect later decisions. In this sense, the concept of influence is broad.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to achieve the influence suggested should be granted as additional equipment. Some influence foci don’t require anything to gain or retain their benefits.

Minor Effect Suggestions: The range or duration of the influencing ability is doubled.

Major Effect Suggestions: An ally or indicated target can take an additional action.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Commands Mental Powers
Conducts Weird Science
Fuses Mind and Machine
Is Idolized by Millions
Solves Mysteries
Talks to Machines
Works the System

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that allows the character to learn something significant enough that they can choose a smart course of action (or use that knowledge to persuade or intimidate). How the character learns the information varies by the specifics of the focus. One character might do experiments to learn answers, another might open a telepathic link with others to trade information secretly and quickly, and still another might simply be trained in interaction tasks. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. Often, this is an ability that grants skill training in a related area of knowledge.

Tier 2: Choose a low-tier ability that improves the character’s ability to apply influence. This might open an additional front on the focus’s basic theme or simply further enhance the basic ability already provided. For instance, this tier 2 ability could ease influence-related tasks by a few steps, allow a telepath to read the minds of others who have secrets they’d otherwise not reveal, or grant influence over physical objects (either to improve them or to learn more about them). And so on.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should provide an offensive or defensive capability related to the focus’s specific kind of influence, if possible. For instance, an inventor might create a serum that gives them increased abilities (which could be used for offense or defense), a telepath might have some method of blasting foes with mental energy, and someone with only the basic skills of debate and influence through fame might have to rely on weapon training or their entourage.

The other mid-tier option should provide an additional ability to influence in the theme of the focus, or further improve the basic influence ability previously granted. This option isn’t directly offensive or defensive, but provides either an all-new ability related to the basic ability, or increases the strength, range, or some other extension of the previously unlocked basic ability. For instance, a telepath might have a psychic suggestion ability.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that is either an offensive or a defensive use of the influence ability, whichever one wasn’t chosen as an option in the previous tier. Alternatively, this ability could grant an additional capability related to the kind of influence the focus provides.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier penultimate use of the specific influence ability granted at lower tiers. Alternatively, choose an ability not previously gained at a lower tier, one that opens a new front on the particular influence capability. For instance, if the focus-granted influence is telepathic, the tier 5 ability might allow a character to see into the future to gain assets for dealing with enemies (and allies).

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One of the options should provide either an offensive or a defensive ability, opposite the ability provided at tier 4 (though high tier rather than mid tier).

The other option should be something that further explores the use of the basic influence ability provided by the focus. If the tier 5 choice was the penultimate ability, this might be an even better ultimate ability related to the kind of influence used, or a different way of using that ability to unlock an as-yet-unexplored facet of the ability.

Irregular #

Most foci have a basic theme, a “character story” that logically leads to a series of related abilities. However, certain foci themes are so wide that they don’t fit into any other category except an irregular one of their own.

Irregular foci provide a basket of disparate abilities. Usually that’s because the overarching theme is one that demands variability and access to several different kinds of abilities. Often, these foci are found in genres that suggest additional rule tweaks to leverage their use even further, such as power shifts in the superhero genre and spellcasting in the fantasy genre. However, other irregular foci are possible.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to the focus’s theme. For instance, a
superhero-themed focus might grant a superhero costume.

Minor Effect Suggestions: The target is also dazed for one round, during which time all of its tasks are hindered.

Major Effect Suggestions: The target is stunned and loses its next turn.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Channels Divine Blessings
Descends From Nobility
Emerged From the Obelisk
Flies Faster Than a Bullet
Masters Spells
Speaks for the Land

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that grants one of the benefits the focus theme promises, one that a first-tier character should have. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. Often, this is an ability that grants skill training in a related area of knowledge or a related skill. Alternatively, it might offer a simple bonus of 2 or 3 points to a Pool.

Tier 2: Choose a low-tier ability that grants one of the benefits the focus theme promises, one that’s presumably not immediately related to the one provided at tier 1. That said, if a defense wasn’t provided at tier 1, tier 2 is a good place to add it.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should provide one of the benefits the focus theme promises, one that may not be immediately related to those provided at earlier tiers.

The other option should include a method of attack if none has previously been granted. Alternatively, if the lower-tier abilities don’t quite get the character where they need to be, this option might further increase a capability unlocked at a lower tier.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that grants one of the benefits the focus theme promises, one that may not be immediately related to those provided at earlier tiers.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier ability that grants one of the benefits the focus theme promises, one that may not be immediately related to those provided at earlier tiers.

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should grant one of the benefits the focus theme promises, one that may not be immediately related to those provided at earlier tiers. However, this ability might also provide an ultimate version of a lower-tier ability if a mid-tier or low-tier option wasn’t quite sufficient.

The other option should provide an alternate method to round out the character in a way that doesn’t replicate the first tier 6 option. For instance, if the first option provided some kind of attack, this one might be an interaction, information-gathering, or healing ability, depending on the focus’s overarching theme.

Movement Expertise #

Foci that prioritize novel forms of movement—in order to excel in combat, escape situations most others can’t, move with stealth for purposes of theft or escape, or move into locations normally inaccessible—fall within the movement expertise category. These foci usually have methods of granting either offense or defense through movement, though they may provide some means of doing both.

The classic movement expertise focus is one that relies on speed to make more attacks and avoid being hit, though general agility might also provide the same benefit. Other foci in this category might fall within the theme by granting a character the ability to become immaterial, to change their form into something like water or air, or to instantly move via teleportation.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to achieve great speeds, change state, or otherwise gain the benefit of the focus should be granted as additional equipment. Some foci in this category don’t require anything to gain or retain their benefits.

Minor Effect Suggestions: The target is dazed, and their next action is hindered.

Major Effect Suggestions: The target is stunned and loses their next action.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Exists Partially Out of Phase
Moves Like a Cat
Moves Like the Wind
Runs Away
Shreds the Walls of the World
Travels Through Time
Works the Back Alleys

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that grants the basic benefit of the specific movement style, whether that’s enhanced speed, agility, immateriality, and so on. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. If the basic benefit of the movement demands some kind of additional understanding or training, this ability could be that. Alternatively, if the movement provided seems like it should also unlock a basic offensive or defensive benefit (relying on the use of the initial basic ability), append it as well.

Tier 2: Choose a low-tier ability that provides a new offensive or defensive capability related to the focus’s theme. Alternatively, this ability might provide some additional capability related to the form of movement that grants useful information to the character that would normally be inaccessible to someone without the focus.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should provide an additional movement capacity or further improve the basic movement capacity, related to the focus’s theme. This isn’t directly offensive or defensive, but provides the character with a new level of ability or an all-new ability related to their basic movement ability.

The other option should provide either an offensive or a defensive capability related to the specific form of movement the focus provides.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that further enhances the advantages provided by focus’s movement-enhancing paradigm. This could provide a new or better form of defense (directly, or indirectly if moving to a location or time where danger doesn’t threaten), or a new or better form of offense.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier penultimate use of the movement-related ability. For instance, if the focus-provided movement is temporal, this ability might allow actual (if brief) jaunts of time travel. If the focus enhances speed, this ability might allow the character to move up to a very long distance with one action. And so on. Alternatively, unlock an as-yet-unexplored related ability that could derive from the basic movement power provided by the focus.

The other option should be something that further explores the use of the basic
movement ability. If the tier 5 choice was the penultimate ability, this might be an even better ultimate ability related to the movement.

Striker Combat #

Striker combat foci prioritize dealing damage in battle over other concerns. Foci in this category offer defensive abilities as well, but they emphasize abilities that provide ways to spike damage to heights that other foci normally don’t reach.

To achieve this end, a striker combat focus might offer mastery of a particular style of martial combat, which could be training with a particular weapon or martial art, or the use of a unique tool (or even a kind of energy). A style might be something as singular as being the best at fighting a particular kind of enemy, or something much broader, such as adopting a particularly vicious or unsporting style. A striker combatant might use fire, force, or magnetism as their preferred method of spiking damage.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: The weapon, tool, or other special item or substance (if any) required to engage in the particular style of combat. For instance, a dose of level 5 poison for Fights Dirty or Murders, a trophy from a previously defeated foe for Battles Robots, or stylish clothes for Fights With Panache.

Minor Effect Suggestions: The target is so dazzled by your expertise that it is dazed for one round, hindering all of its tasks.

Major Effect Suggestions: Make an immediate additional attack using an attack provided by the focus as part of your turn.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Battles Robots
Fights Dirty
Fights With Panache
Hunts
Is Licensed to Carry
Looks for Trouble
Masters Weaponry
Murders
Needs No Weapon
Performs Feats of Strength
Rages
Slays Monsters
Throws With Deadly Accuracy
Wields Two Weapons at Once

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that inflicts additional damage when a character attacks using the focus’s particular fighting style, energy, or attitude, or when used against a chosen enemy. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. For instance, a focus that grants proficiency in a special weapon might offer training in crafting tasks associated with that weapon. A focus that grants increased damage against a particular kind of foe might offer training in skills to recognize, locate, or just have general knowledge about that foe. A fighting style that involves fighting in a vicious or dirty manner might provide training in intimidation. And so on.

If the focus is about fighting a particular enemy, additional secondary powers (more than might otherwise be offered) may be appropriate. Those either further enhance effectiveness against the chosen enemy, or offer broader but related abilities that give the character who takes the focus some functionality even when not fighting that enemy.

Tier 2: Choose a low-tier ability that provides some form of defense using the weapon, weapon style, or chosen energy. If the weapon style is being especially good at fighting a certain kind of foe, the ability should be a defense against that kind of foe. Alternatively, the focus might offer another method for increasing damage within the chosen paradigm. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate at tier 2. If so, choose whichever
low-power ability wasn’t gained at tier 1.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should inflict additional damage when using the focus’s fighting style, energy, or attitude, or when used against a chosen enemy. That could be as simple as an ability that offers an additional attack of that kind.

The other option should provide a method to temporarily neutralize a foe by disarming them, dazing or stunning them, slowing or holding them, or otherwise discombobulating them by using the focus’s fighting style, energy, or attitude, or when used against a chosen enemy.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that further enhances the advantages provided by the focus’s paradigm. Often, this includes training in a particular kind of attack. Alternatively, the ability might increase the advantages provided by achieving a certain combat status, such as gaining surprise.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier ability that inflicts damage. Alternatively, if focused on fighting a particular kind of foe, this ability might give the character a chance to completely neutralize, destroy, blind, or kill a singular target of up to level 3 (or higher, if the focus is on a singular foe).

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One of the options should use the focus paradigm to inflict an exceptional amount of damage.

The other option could be a different way of inflicting damage, either using the focus paradigm or just dealing lots of damage in general (and relying on previous focus tier abilities to improve targeting). This could be against multiple targets if the first option was for a single target, to outright kill or neutralize a target (starting with level 4, but with guidance for using Effort to increase the level of the target), or to select yet another foe, make another attack, or get away in order to fight another day.

Support #

Foci that allow a character to help others succeed, defend others, heal others who are hurt, and so on are support foci. Of course, most foci abilities are often used in aid of others, but support foci (such as Siphons Power) prioritize aiding, healing, and improving the character who takes the focus.

Support foci rely on a variety of methods to provide their help, including martial training used in defense, supernatural or sci-fi means of providing healing, or simply easing the cares of others through entertainment.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to provide support. For instance, someone with a focus that uses entertainment to help others would require an instrument or similar object in aid of their craft. Some foci in this category don’t require anything to gain or retain their benefits.

Minor Effect Suggestions: You can draw an attack without having to use an action at any point before the end of the next round.

Major Effect Suggestions: You can take an extra action in aid of an ally.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Defends the Weak
Entertains
Helps Their Friends
Metes Out Justice
Shepherds the Community
Siphons Power
Works Miracles

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that provides some form of defense, aid or entertainment, benefit to recovery or healing, or protection. That defense or protection could be to the PC and not to an ally, as one cannot protect another without first being able to protect themselves (and sometimes protecting themselves is the entire point). Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. Often, this is an ability that grants skill training in a related area of knowledge or a related skill, but it might be something that works with the initial ability that, by itself, wouldn’t do much.

Tier 2: Choose a low-tier ability that follows up on the support style opened in the previous tier. If the previous tier’s ability provided a means of protection only for the focus taker, this tier 2 ability should specifically provide aid to another. If the previous tier specifically provided aid to another, this tier 2 ability could defend the focus taker or provide an offensive capability grounded, if possible, in the focus’s theme.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should work within the focus’s theme to aid, heal, protect, or otherwise help another.

The other option should be something that benefits the character, either an offensive or defensive ability, or something that broadens their expertise in some fashion. Alternatively, it could be another, different method of helping someone else.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that gives an ally a direct boon or provides the character with a way to help another. It could also be an ability that harms or nullifies a foe, as removing foes certainly helps allies.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier ability that provides an offensive or defensive option for the character, if none have been provided yet. If this need has been previously addressed or is deemed unnecessary, choose a high-tier ability that provides some form of defense, aid or entertainment, benefit to recovery or healing, or protection to another. For example, a tier 5 ability might grant an ally an additional free action or allow them to repeat a failed action.

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One of the options should provide an ultimate method of helping another in the theme of the focus.

The other option could provide an alternative ultimate method of helping another; many foci in this category do. However, an option that provides high-tier offense or defense is also completely reasonable.

Tank Combat #

Foci that prioritize being able to take a lot of punishment and soak up excess damage from foes fall within the tank combat category. These foci provide offensive abilities too, as well as additional abilities related to the particular method by which improved protection is achieved, but defensive abilities are most pronounced.

Some tank combat foci involve a physical transformation that grants additional protection, and others rely on specialized training, use tools like shields or heavy armor, or provide the ability to heal incredibly fast. The kinds of physical transformation that a tank focus provides, if any, vary widely. A focus might turn a character’s skin to stone, reinforce their body with metal, turn them into a monstrous being, make them so big it becomes harder to hurt them, and so on.

Connection: Choose four relevant connections from the Focus Connections list.

Additional Equipment: Any object necessary to maintain a physical transformation (such as a tool for repair if partly robotic, a shield or other defensive tool used if skilled, or possibly some kind of amulet or serum). Some tank combat foci don’t require anything to gain or retain their benefits.

Minor Effect Suggestions: +2 to Armor for a few rounds.

Major Effect Suggestions: Regain 2 points to Might Pool.

The following are examples and not meant to provide a complete list of all possible foci in this category.

Abides in Stone
Brandishes an Exotic Shield
Defends the Gate
Fuses Flesh and Steel
Grows to Towering Heights
Howls at the Moon
Lives in the Wilderness
Masters Defense
Never Says Die
Stands Like a Bastion

Ability Selection Guidelines

Tier 1: Choose a low-tier ability that provides defense within the focus’s theme. If the theme is simply intense training or the use of a defensive tool, the ability might be as simple as a bonus to Armor. If protection comes from physical transformation, this ability provides the base form effects, benefits, and in some cases drawbacks for making the transformation. A low-tier enhanced healing ability would also be appropriate at first tier. Sometimes an additional low-power ability is appropriate, depending on the focus. If the character transforms, this ability may provide a knock-on effect, though in the case of some transformations, it might be a description of how someone with an abnormal physiognomy can fully heal. Other times, the secondary power may simply be training in a related skill, or it may unlock the ability to use a particular armor or shield without penalty.

Tier 2: If the theme of the focus isn’t physical transformation, choose a low-tier ability that provides an additional method of defending, healing damage, or avoiding attacks. If the theme of the focus is physical transformation, choose a low-tier ability that unlocks a new capability related to the form the character takes. That might mean gaining better control of the transformation, unlocking a robotic interface, or otherwise more fully unlocking that form. This ability is not necessarily defensive, though it could be.

Tier 3: Choose two mid-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should provide an additional form of protection in keeping with the focus’s theme, such as more defensive capabilities unlocked from a transformation (which might also come with additional offensive capabilities) or a simple physical enhancement if defense is gained by skills or enhanced healing.

The other option should provide an offensive
capability, especially if creating a non-transformation
focus that doesn’t already have offensive benefits. That capability could be an enhanced attack or provide some other benefit useful in combat, such as quickly evading or (on the other end of the continuum) becoming immovable.

Tier 4: Choose a mid-tier ability that further enhances the advantages provided by the focus’s damage-soaking paradigm. Often, this includes training in a particular kind of defense. Alternatively, it might increase the advantages provided by previously unlocked defensive abilities, whether that means gaining greater control over a transformation, gaining additional chances to avoid damage or retry tasks related to enhanced determination, and so on. If the focus is lacking in offensive options, this is a good place to include one.

Tier 5: Choose a high-tier ability that provides protection, possibly in the form of shrugging off a debilitating condition (including death). If the focus offers a physical transformation, this ability might further unlock an additional related ability, whether offensive, defensive, or something related to exploration or interaction (such as flight if the form is winged, intimidation if the form is fearsome, and so on).

Tier 6: Choose two high-tier abilities. Give both of them as options for the focus; a PC will choose one or the other. One option should use the focus paradigm to increase the defense, protection, or ability to shrug off damage.

The other option could be a different way of being defensive. In some cases, the best defense is a good offense, so this option could provide a high-tier offensive ability in keeping with the focus’s theme, whether that’s a straight-up damage boost on attacks or better control of an unstable physical transformation.

Superhero Foci #

Customizing Foci #

Sometimes not everything about a focus is right for a character’s concept, or perhaps the GM needs additional guidelines for creating a new focus. Either way, the solution lies in looking at foci abilities at their most basic default levels.

At any tier, a player can select one of the following abilities in place of the ability granted by the tier. Many of these replacement abilities, particularly at the higher tiers, might involve body modification, integration with high-tech
devices, learning powerful magic spells, uncovering forbidden secrets, or something similar appropriate to the genre.

Tier 1 #

Combat Prowess
Enhanced Potential

Tier 2 #

Lower-tier ability: choose any tier 1 replacement ability, above.
Skill With Defense
Practiced With All Weapons
Skill With Attacks

Tier 3 #

Lower-tier ability: choose any tier 1 or 2 replacement ability, above.
Incredible Health
Fusion Armor

Tier 4 #

Lower-tier ability: choose any tier 1, 2, or 3 replacement ability, above.
Poison Resistance
Built-in Weaponry

Tier 5 #

Lower-tier ability: choose any tier 1, 2, 3, or 4 replacement ability, above.
Adaptation
Defensive Field

Tier 6 #

Lower-tier ability: choose any tier 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 replacement ability, above.
Reactive Field
Abilities