Genni

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

Question: I haven't used metamorphic rock since getting it, can I recycle the unused ability for 2 points to knock rock skin down in cost and i'll add some more points to keep cheapening it.

@knighthawk

I've no problem with people selling back unwanted skills, and would give them 2 points per skill, with an additional point for each upgrade they'd bought for it. If you went to the trouble of spending extra points only to realise the power wasn't as useful as you thought then I have to penalise you somehow, and it's either lowering the refund or using a large, spiky baseball bat on your most tender body parts.

I'll spend 2 points to gain the police armor as a trait like bumblebee did or I was thinking of either taking up the gasmask as a trait,

@knighthawk

It would only cost 1 point to adapt found gear into a trait, since you'd be losing the opportunity to have the gear permanently, but the gear would have to be weaker as a trait as well. I'll offer you the same deal @SimplyJohn got for the Body Armour, which was a +3 Defence for 1 Skill Point.

Be sure to note that this is the Armoured status effect you're getting, not a straightforward stat boost, and because of that there's the potential for some enemies to be able to remove that bonus in certain circumstances. If you're spending a Skill Point on it though you can easily recover the bonus again by spending an action, unlike with equipped gear which would be destroyed when removed by an enemy ability.

Same rule goes for the Gas Mask (1pt for trait upgrade and equipment destroyed), but I wouldn't allow anyone to take Flash Bangs or Smoke Bombs as a trait upgrade, although they could always suggest an ability which could have similar effects.

I was also thinking of acting on his newly revealed firefighter history and taking a 'fireproof' trait of some kind.

@knighthawk

I wouldn't allow a total 'fireproofing' of a character, or any other elemental immunity, but I would allow a reduction to damage of certain types, or absorption under certain circumstances or with some countering vulnerability, such as with Flare's Flame Body trait being weak to cold-based damage.

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So, when do I get to punch someone's face, in the face?

@KabenSaal

Once Deimos is posted up in the Character tab she'll be inbound for the start of the next round. I'll be posting up an introduction after the heroes are finished looting the cops and nicking their wallets.

Oh, and upgrading. They can do that too, if there's time.

After this mission. Which at this point as far as we know consists of defeating two more enemies, and possibly some mind controlled PCs.

@Eklispe

Engagement, after this engagement. With the final battle taking place on the roof and the team using a supersonic transport plane to arrive on the scene there's a perfect opportunity to airdrop any reinforcements into the final confrontation.

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Should I give Heretic demon wings or demonic teleportation?

@GodOfWar

It depends on how often you want to use the ability. If you went for wings Heretic could have a similar ability to Bumblebee's Up, Up and Away! where you'd pay a running Energy cost to remain airborne permanently, while a Teleportation ability would have to be used as a one-shot power, although you could combine it into a teleport attack move if you wanted to.

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Sorry for the delay answering. I was trying to get this...

...to look more like this...

I also gave her a little sister...

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

@KabenSaal Actually, if you could make it:

Kai Lao - Energy Cost 2
Deimos attacks her target for twice her Attack and gains the Awakened status effect for two turns.

...and then we're done. :)

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

Instrument, and banjulu is right out!

@knighthawk

How about a ukulele?

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

However, linking Yamazuki to Kuchiki Daoshi won't work, since Yamazuki only grants Unstable if chained off Kai Lao.

@KabenSaal

In that case you'll need the two powers to read as:

Kai Lao - Energy Cost 2
Deimos attacks her target for twice her Attack and gains the Awakened status effect.

Yamazuki - Energy Cost 4
Deimos delivers two rapid punches to her target with her standard Attack. The first punch inflicts the Exposed status effect, weakening the target's armour by her Attack rating, which the second attack may then take advantage of. If Deimos is currently Awakened the second punch inflicts the Unstable status effect on the target, reducing both their Attack and Defence by 10% (rounded up.)

You could also later add different abilities or traits which would make use of the Awakened status as well, such as something like:

Inner Power
While Awakened Deimos gains an additional +1 Energy each round.

And, anyway, Nena isn't stupid. She would obviously, while fighting winged demons on the top of a skyscraper, kick off the demon after leaping up, so she flipped backwards and landed on solid ground again, if she was to close to the edge.

@KabenSaal

Just as long as you remember that when making your battle posts, otherwise it's GM Fun Time!

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

Question for the group: Fiddle or Banjo?

@knighthawk

Are we talking the instrument of the God of Hand Puppets?

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

The team engage the SWAT Officers guarding the rooftop stairwell.

The SWAT Officers steadfastly keep their cool even as their armour burns around them.

SWAT Officer 2 is currently Mind Controlled! (4/20)
SWAT Officer 2 is currently Armoured! - +5 Defence
SWAT Officer 2 is currently Bleeding!
SWAT Officer 2 is currently Burning!
SWAT Officer 2 hit with heat-based damage for 3 Attack, 6 Defence, 0 Health loss.
SWAT Officer 3 is currently Mind Controlled! (4/20)
SWAT Officer 3 is currently Armoured! - +5 Defence
SWAT Officer 3 is currently Crippled! - -2 Attack, -2 Defence
SWAT Officer 3 is currently Burning!
SWAT Officer 3 hit with heat-based damage for 3 Attack, 4 Defence, 0 Health loss.

Brick empties his pistol into the SWAT Officers and tosses the empty gun to Flare

Brick recovers +1 Energy
Brick is currently Weaponized! (3/3) - +5 Attack
Brick is currently Armed! - Base Attack = 4, all hostile targeted abilities disabled
Brick is no longer Disorientated!
Brick uses Full Auto:

SWAT Officer 2 is hit by Full Auto for 4 Attack, 6 Defence, 0 Health loss.
SWAT Officer 3 is hit by Full Auto for 4 Attack, 4 Defence, 0 Health loss. SWAT Officer 3 is now Staggered! - -4 Defence
Brick is now Out of Ammo! - May not attack again until he reloads.

Brick tosses the empty gun to Flare

Brick is no longer Armed!
Flare is now Armed! - +2 Attack

Protector: bonus 1 XP!

Bumblebee slams into SWAT Officer 3 at full speed and tosses him down the stairwell.

Bumblebee recovers +1 Energy
Float Like A Butterfly: -1 Energy; Bumblebee is Levitating! - Immune to ground-based attacks and effects
Bumblebee is currently Armoured! - +3 Defence
Bumblebee is no longer Disorientated!
Bumblebee is currently Mach 1! - next attack uses combined Attack and Defence
Bumblebee picks up SWAT Officer 3 - SWAT Officer 3 is now Speeding! - +5 Attack
Bumblebee drops SWAT Officer 3 down stairwell
SWAT Officer 3 hit by Stairwell's melee attack for 16 Attack, 0 Defence, 13 Health loss.
Bumblebee gains 13 XP!
Target incapacitated: bonus 10 XP!

Rocksmith plays a mighty riff, demolishing the stairwell under the SWAT Officers.

Rocksmith is no longer Disorientated!
SWAT Officer 2 hit by Rocksmith's ground-based ranged attack for 4 Attack, 6 Defence, 0 Health loss. SWAT Officer 2 is now Ranged! - May only use ranged attacks and abilities on the opponents. Opponents gain +5 Defence against ranged attack and abilities.
SWAT Officer 3 missed by Rocksmith's ground-based ranged attack: Already KO'd!
Rock Hard: bonus 5 XP!

Heretic leaps down the collapsed stairwell, grabs SWAT Officer 2's SMG and opens fire with it.

Heretic recovers +1 Energy
Heretic is currently Weaponized! (2/2) - +1 Attack and attacks cause Bleeding
Heretic grabs SWAT Officer 2's SMG - SWAT Officer 2 now Attack = 1, Heretic now Base Attack = 6 and all hostile targeted abilities disabled
Heretic shoots SWAT Officer 2 with SMG
SWAT Officer 2 hit by Heretic's ranged attack for 7 Attack, 6 Defence, 1 Health loss.
Heretic gains 1 XP!

Flare shoots his 'Firearm' at SWAT Officer 3

Flare is currently Weaponized! (1/1) - +1 Attack
Flare is currently Armed! (1/2) - +2 Attack
Flare is no longer Disorientated!
SWAT Officer 3 missed by Flare's fire-based ranged attack: Already KO'd!
Bullets ricochet off SWAT Officer 3's Gas Mask, hitting SWAT Officer 2 in the back!
SWAT Officer 2 hit by SWAT Officer 3's ranged attack for 9 Attack, 6 Defence, 2 Health loss.
Flare gains 2 XP!
Target incapacitated: bonus 10 XP!

With the hostiles eliminated Sigma takes the time to activate his automatic heat sinks, cooling his weapons ready for use.

Sigma recovers +1 Energy
Sigma is currently Overheated! - may not attack with guns until weapons Cooled.
Sigma uses Cooled - Overheated cleared!

With all hostiles down Nightingale quickly moves around, patching up the team's injuries before taking a moment to make sure her medical supplies have all been replenished.

Nightingale recovers +2 Energy
Combat Triage: -5 Energy

Nightingale heals herself for 0 Health
Nightingale heals Flare for 0 Health
Nightingale heals Rocksmith for 0 Health
Nightingale heals Bumblebee for 0 Health
Nightingale heals Brick for 0 Health
Nightingale heals Heretic for 4 Health

Action: Recuperate - restores all Energy

All Hostiles Eliminated: 50 XP Bonus to all heroes!

<ENGAGEMENT COMPLETE - REST PERIOD STARTED FOR TWO TURNS>

XP Awarded:

• Rocksmith: 118 XP - LEVEL UP! Rocksmith is now Level 3! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 4: 150
• Bumblebee: 139 XP - LEVEL UP! Bumblebee is now Level 3! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 4: 150
• Flare: 135 XP - LEVEL UP! Flare is now Level 3! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 4: 150
• Brick: 157 XP - LEVEL UP! Brick is now Level 4! 10 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 5: 200
• Heretic: 125 XP - LEVEL UP! Heretic is now Level 3! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 4: 150
• Sigma: 127 XP - LEVEL UP! Sigma is now Level 3! 5 Skill Points awarded. XP required for level 4: 150

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Callsign: SWAT Officer
Role: Blitzer
Power Origin: Tech
Power Set: SMG
Abilities:

• Flash Bang
  ^{The SWAT Officer is equipped with Flash Bang grenades for incapacitating targets. When SWAT Officer throws a Flash Bang it inflicts 2 Health loss on all opponents, which may not be blocked or dodged, and the Disorientated status effect which reduces Attack and Defence by 2 on everyone, even themselves. This status effect lasts for two turns before targets recover.}
• Full Auto:
  ^{The SWAT Officer opens fire with everything he has, emptying his clip into the crowd. All enemy targets suffer an attack at 2/₃ the SWAT Officer's Attack rating which can be defended against as normal, but inflicts the Out of Ammo status effect, forcing him to reload on the following turn.}

Traits:

• Mind Controlled
  ^{The SWAT Officer has been mentally dominated by the Gungirls in some way and is being forced to fight against his will. Gunman gains Mind Controlled status effect for 20 rounds at the start of the engagement.}
• Armoured
  ^{The SWAT Officer is equipped with police-issue Body Armour, gaining the Armoured status effect - +5 Defence.}
• Gas Mask
  ^{The SWAT Officer is equipped with a police-issue Gas Mask, making them immune to the Disorientated! status effect.}

SWAT Officer 1 SWAT Officer 2
Stats: 0 / 6 / 6 Stats: 0 / 6 / 6
Energy: ? Energy: ?

SWAT Officer 3
Stats: 0 / 6 / 6
Energy: ?

Bumblebee, Rocksmith, Nightingale, Sigma, Brick and Flare are on the edge of a balcony overlooking the main hall of the bank. One of the SWAT Officers wearing his Body Armour and Gas Mask and still gripping his SMG tightly lays unconscious on the floor, the flames from Sigma's incendiary rounds beginning to die around him. His unused Flash Bang grenade is still clipped to his belt.

Heretic is in the collapsed stairwell, standing over the bodies of the other two unconscious SWAT Officers.

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Madison 'Nightingale' Johannson - [LINK]
Energy: 5/10 XP: 1
20 / 3 / 5

Action: Rest: +2 Energy

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@rush99999 Rocksmith
@SimplyJohn Bumblebee
@Eklispe Flare
@knighthawk Brick
@GodOfWar Heretic
@Behemoth542 Sigma

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

Kai Lao is an immidiate 2x attack, but also allows Yamazuki to be used directly after, in the same turn, with the right trait ('Martial Prowess') and with enough energy. It can just be used on it's own though.

@KabenSaal

Since the4 chaining effect doesn't actually come from either of the attacks it might be easier to simply write Kai Lao as:

Kai Lao - Energy Cost 2
Deimos attacks her target for twice her Attack.

Unless you're wanting Kai Lao to cause some sort of status effect as well as the double strength hit there's no need for it to be so expensive. I've knocked down the cost to 2 Energy for now unless you'd like to add anything to it.

Since everything in this game is based off of status effects unless it's a direct attack, Kuchiki Daoshi would be better written as:

Kuchiki Daoshi - Energy Cost 2, target must be Unstable
Hits the target for Deimos's Attack, and inflicts the Stunned status effect for one turn and removes the Unstable status effect. Stunned opponents may not act during their next turn.

As it stand Yamazuki is too powerful, being able to totally nullify an opponent's Defence. There's certain enemies you may be facing (Tanks, Bunkers, falling buildings, etc.) which will have very high Defence as part of the plot, and being able to simply punch straight through them would ruin the gameplay. Instead I'd suggest Yamazuki would work like this:

Yamazuki - Energy Cost 4
Deimos delivers two rapid punches to her target with her standard Attack. The first punch inflicts the Exposed status effect, weakening the target's armour by her Attack rating, which the second attack may then take advantage of. The second punch inflicts the Unstable status effect on the target, reducing both their Attack and Defence by 10% (rounded up.)

Deimos would still get to weaken the armour, and in the case of most opponents would inflict a negative Defence (which would actually increase the amount of damage they'd take when hit) but wouldn't be able to bash through heavily armoured targets (Bosses) quite as easily. I've also added a scaling effect to the Unstable effect, to make it work better as Deimos levels up and faces tougher opponents.

With Martial Prowess you might want to change it so that Deimos could link any two special moves in the same turn, as long as she has the Energy to do so. This would give you the option of either punching hard with Kai Lao and following up with Yamazuki, or the other way around, or hitting with Yamazuki and following with Kuchiki Daoshi. Since all these abilities only affect a single target, I'd be happy with Deimos potentially leaving herself exposed to counterattacks from other enemies while ripping a single target apart.

I added that Trait because I thought just being able to punch flying things and knee faceless creatures in the face would be a bit op to just, assume.

@KabenSaal

I never said attacks would automatically hit, just that Deiomos could try.

It's mostly up to how you write the narrative and how I interpret the events in the round summery which has the effect. If I think Deimos is trying something too OP as part of the action then I'll just cause something adverse to happen to her afterwards. For instance, if Deimos was fighting winged demons on the top of a skyscraper and decided to leap into the air and kick one of them in the head, she might not find herself being able to land back on the roof again, starting the next round plummeting down the side of the building.

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

Nice to have a no-nonsense scrapper on the team, but I do have a few concerns, comments and a query about the design.

Role: Blitzer (physically offensive)/Flanker (Power-based offensive)

@KabenSaal

She'd have to be one or the other, and since Deimos sounds like a melee specialist I'd recommend Blitzer, since Flankers tend to be ranged combatants.

Level: 1
XP: 0 / 50

@KabenSaal

I'll be allowing the latecomers to start at level 2, so the XP limit should be increased to 100 and you'll have an extra 5 Skill Points to spend. Speaking of which, with 1 Ability, 1 Trait and 6 Attack Deimos has only spent 9 SKill Points so far.

Kai Lao: Hit's the target for 2x attack damage. Allows for Yamazuki (when learned, and with the right traits) immidiately after. 4 Energy Cost

@KabenSaal

Is this an immediate double damage attack, spending 4 Energy for the hit, or a charging ability which increases all following attacks?

Traits: Screw Physics!: Nena can trip up flying opponents, and cause them to topple to the ground, while still on the ground. Similarly, she can use skills like Kai Lao and Yamazuki on monsters that would otherwise lack the physiology to be affected. (such as being kneed in the face, when they don't have a face)

@KabenSaal

This sounds more like a general statement of her abilities than a specific trait. I'd have no problem with Deimos simply performing 'miraculous' feats as part of the narrative whenever she's making a standard attack and there wouldn't be a need to make it into a Trait unless she's going to be gaining a specific status effect, immunity or stat bonus because of it.

Codename: Prometheus (a super human rp)

You didn't send Jacob and laugh at him getting burnt?

R.A.T.S. - Rapid Assault Tactical Squad - 1 Slot Open

How did you get the red lights to flash like that?

@rush99999

Red light and black light layer set for .5 sec delay and then saved as a gif animation.