Combat Masteries
Agile Reflexes
Reaction 4, Cannot wear armor
Price3 talents (CC)
You are quick on your feet and agile. When not wearing armor, you can use your agility instead of your guard for expertise defensive skills. Wearing armor removes this mastery’s benefits.
Ambidextrous
Rank 1
RequirementsAgility 3, Might 3, Offensive combat skill associated with the weapon at novice.
Price3 talents (CC)
Through practice and training, you have learned how to dual wield Short Arms (guns) and single-handed heavy melee weapons. Drawing two single-handed weapons at the same time is now considered a free action.
Rank 2
Requirements|Agility 6, Might 6, Offensive Melee Skill associated with the weapon at adept.
Price3 talents
You can wield a single two-handed melee weapon as if it was a single-handed weapon. Your two-handed skill replaces your one-handed (or off-handed) skill when wielding the two-handed weapon one handed. This does not include two handed polearms unless they have the double weapon special.
Rank 3
RequirementsAgility 8, Might 8, Offensive Melee Skill associated with the weapon at adept tier
Price3 talents
You can freely dual wield two-handed melee weapons as if they are single-handed weapons. Your two-handed skill replaces one of your one-handed or off-hand skills when using two-handed weapons with one hand, not both. This does not include two handed polearms unless they have the double weapon special.
Archery Weapons
Fighting 3, Might 2
Price3 talents (CC)
You have learned the correct technique for using archery equipment. You can use these archery weapons.
Barrage
At the cost of accuracy, you can continuously swing at new targets after each successful hit. Depending on the rank depends on how many other targets you can attack with this mastery. This mastery can only be used on your turn and only with melee weapons.
Rank 1
RequirementsFighting 5, Agility 4, Multiple Engagements
Price5 talents
If you hit your last opponent, you can attack again within your reach without moving. The first extra attack suffers a -1 to your accuracy and increases to -2 for any additional attack after the first. You can continue to attack as many targets as possible within your range until you miss an attack. Once you miss an attack or there are no targets to attack, this ability ends.
Rank 2
RequirementsFighting 7, Agility 7
Price5 talents
You can take a 5ft. step between attacks. You cannot move more than your total available movement for that round.
Berserker’s Wrath
Fighting 5, Guard 5, Mental 5, Weapon specialization
Price4 talents
Cost1+ essence per round
For each essence spent per round, you gain that much additional damage and damage reduction. However, each round, the cost of this mastery doubles based on the previous rounds cost to a maximum of sixteen. If life force (health) is used for the cost, instead of essence, you gain one fatigue each round. So, if you spend three essence to gain +3 damage and damage reduction, the next round’s cost increase to 6 but so does your extra damage and damage reduction. This mastery can only be used with melee weapons, and the damage reduction does not stack with armor.
Bulletproof
Guard 5, Shield skill 7
Price5 talents
Your defense rolls become lucky rolls versus ranged weapons when you are using a shield (excludes buckler).
Charged Attack
Vitality 4, Fighting 4
Price3 talents
Cost1-20 essence
Extra Damage2-40
Using a weapon you are proficient with, you use essence to increase your attacks’ damage based on how much essence is spent. For every essence spent deal two extra damage up to a maximum of twenty essence. Rolling a one when using this ability causes an extra point of durability damage to your weapon.
Counter
Agility 5, Mental 5
Price6 talents
Gain two actions that can only be used as counter actions.
Counterattack
1 counter
Rank 1
RequirementsFighting 4, Agility 3, Proficiency with your weapon, Multiple Engagements
Price3 talents (CC)
Using your knowlede of combat and defense strategy and a counter action, you can make an attack on the target who just attacked you but missed. This can only be done in melee combat.
Rank 2
RequirementsFighting 6, Agility 5, Weapon Specialization
Price3 talents
A ranged weapon can be used in the same way as stated in rank one as long as the target is within 20ft.
Counter Defense
Agility 4, Mental 4
Price5 talents
Cost1 counter action
You can stop any counter action from being used against you. The counter action being used against you automatically has no effect on you unless it is energetic based.
Deceptive Throwing
Agility 4, Weapon specialization, Throwing at novice
Cost3 talents (CC)
Your throwing abilities have grown to where your off-hand attacks can be performed using your throwing skill instead of your off-hand skill.
Dextrous Fighter
Agility 3, Might 3, Weapon specialization, One-handed at novice
Cost3 talents (CC)
When dual wielding weapons that are not heavy or two-handed, you can use your one-handed skill in place of your off-handed skill.
Dislike of Objects
Might 6, Mental 6
Price3 talents
You can chain durability damage (up to three chains) when specifically targeting inanimate objects (i.e. called shot to equipped equipment or gear).
Distract
Agility 3, Mental 3, Multiple Engagements
Price3 talents (CC)
Cost1 counter action
Allows you to perform a feint attack as a counter action. On an enemy turn, before they would make their attack, you can feint an attack on them in order to distract them. The enemy must be within your weapons’ range and only melee weapons can be used. The target suffers a -2 to that next attack.
Dual Weapon Types
Associated Skill 12, associated weapon mastery (if applicable), mental 6
Price4 talents
Gain one additional weapon type to be affected by the Critical Finesse ability gained when the associated skill reached adept tier. This mastery can be taken multiple times, but a new skill must be selected and cannot be used on the same skill more than once.
Duck & Weave
Perception 6, Multiple Engagements
Price5 talents
You gain the ability to move through enemy spaces without provoking advantage attacks. To use this ability, you must move completely through the enemy’s space before ending your move.
Essence Shot
Channeling 4, Archery or Ranged Tech Weapons
Price4 talents
Cost3 essence
When firing a ranged weapon, you can spend the cost of this mastery to materialize essence as a second attack of the ammo being used. The materialized essence is fired at the same target and deals half the damage of the original attack. Two separate attack rolls are made, one for the weapon’s attack and a second for the essence shot. This cannot be used with melee weapons.
Explosive Expert
Mechanical 4, Automation 6
Price4 talents
You are proficient in the understanding of how explosives work. When using an explosive, it no longer explodes in your hand when a one is rolled.
Fetch
You have learned how to utilize throwing weapons.
General RequirementsWeapon must have the double weapon property.
Rank 1
RequirementsThrowing 6, agility 5, perception 5
Price3 talents
Retrieving a throwing weapon after throwing it is a free action, even if it has become embedded and requires force to remove.
Rank 2
RequirementsAgility 8, throwing 10, one handed or off-hand 8
Price3 talents
After a successful ranged attack with a throwing weapon, you can retrieve it and make another melee attack on the same target with a single action. If melded with a throwing weapon it is a free action and costs one essence to return the weapon to your hand.
Heavily Protected
Guard 8, Heavy Armor 14
Price4 talents
When wearing heavy armor your protection chain increment increases by one to a maximum of 9-10. This mastery can only be taken once.
Heavy Weapon Expert
This mastery can be taken multiple times, but each time it must be a different weapon type and the weapon specialization must be taken for that new weapon type.
Rank 1
RequirementsMight 5, Offensive Melee Skill 7, Weapon Specialization
Price3 talents
You are a master with heavy weapons. If you have weapon specialization in a weapon, you get an extra base damage die for heavy or two-handed weapons. However, the additional die cannot be used for critical strike damage.
Rank 2
RequirementsMight 7, Offensive Melee Skill 10, Perception 8
Price3 talents
Critical strikes with the heavy weapons selected from rank one cause’s a bleeding wound that until treated deals 1d8 bleed damage per round.
Improved Critical Strike
Perception 7, One Offensive Combat skill adept, Weapon Specialization
Price4 talents
You increased your chance of critical hits with certain weapons types. This mastery is specific to the weapon type of your choice. Each time the mastery is taken, it applies to a different weapon type and increases the critical strike range of that weapon type by one increment. This cannot exceed the maximum allowed critical strike range of 7-10.
Improved Critical Called Shot
Mental 10, Reaction and Psyche 12, One Offensive Combat skill master, Improved Critical Strike Rank 1
Price5 talents
The weapon used for Improved Critical Strike’s called shot critical strike range increases to 6-8.
Kobudo Weapons
Fighting 3, Might 2
Price3 talents (CC)
You have learned the proper way to wield weapons of the Kobudo category. You can use kobudo weapons.
Luck Shot
One Offensive Combat skill 6, Weapon Specialization mastery
Price7 talents
Cost3 essence
Spending the cost of this mastery makes your next called shot a lucky called shot.
Martial Weapons
Fighting 3, Might 2
Price3 talents (CC)
You have learned the proper way to handle weapons of the martial category. You can wield martial weapons.
Melee Tech Weapons
Mental 4, Melee Combat Skill 5
Price3 talents (CC)
You understand how technology-based melee weapons function. You can use all melee steam weapons. When using melee technology weapons, your accuracy depends on the style of the weapon (one handed or two handed).
Mounted Combat Masteries
Before these masteries can be executed, a pilot check with a DR 10 must be made. If the mount is injured, the difficulty rating increases by one for every five health the mount has lost.
General RequirementsSkilled Rider and you must be mounted to use these masteries.
Mounted Channeling
RequirementsMental 5, Pilot 5
Price4 talents
You can channel a spell while riding a moving mount. Channeling while on a stationary mount does not require this mastery.
Ride by Attack
RequirementsAgility 5, Weapon Specialization
Price4 talents
You have learned how to ride past your target and make an attack as you pass. The target cannot make an advantage attack against you. This is for melee weapons only.
Ride by Attack Counter
RequirementsAgility 5, Reaction 6
Price4 talents
You can make an advantage attack against a mounted target that is riding past you and is within your weapons range. This includes if the target is performing a Ride by Attack.
Shot on the Move
RequirementsAgility 4, Weapon Specialization
Price4 talents
You ignore the mounted ranged attack’s penalty when you are shooting a ranged weapon or using a throwing weapon while riding on a mount.
Trample
RequirementsAgility 4, Might 4, Pilot 5
Price4 talents
To trample a target requires complete control of your mount. Using your pilot skill versus the target’s reaction check determines if the trample is successful. The target can avoid the trample by rolling higher than your pilot check. If your pilot check is equal to or higher than their reaction check, they take damage based on the mount’s stats. If the target of the trample is wielding a polearm that deals piercing damage, an attack using the polearm can be made instead of a reaction. The attack is made against the mount, not the rider. If the attack is successful, it stops the trample, and the mount takes the polearm damage.
Multi Arrow
Archery Weapons
You have learned to shoot multiple arrows at a single target. An attack roll must be made for each arrow.
Rank 1
RequirementsAgility 5, Archery 6
Price4 talents
Cost4 essence & 1 action
Additional Arrows1 per attack
Rank 2
RequirementsAgility 7, Archery 8
Price4 talents
Cost8 essence & 1 action
Additional Arrows2 per attack
Rank 3
RequirementsAgility 8, Archery 9
Price4 talents
Cost16 essence & 2 action
Additional Arrows3 per attack
Multiple Engagements
Reaction 5, Perception 5, Proficiency with your weapon.
Price3 talents (CC)
You can be engaged with up to five opponents at a time. This also allows you to attack targets who move past you even if you are not engaged with them. See advantage attack under the combat section of the game rules chapter for more information.
Over Burst
Mechanical 4, Long Arm Gun
Price4 talents
When a Long Arm is used, an additional burst can chain the base damage die automatically once.
Polearm Expert
Rank 1
RequirementsAgility 5, Weapon Specialization with a polearm weapon
Price3 talents
You are a master of your polearm, allowing you to make attacks with the back end of the polearm for one action. Your polearm becomes a dual weapon. Damage for the additional attack is half the normal damage of the polearm.
Rank 2
RequirementsAgility 8, Two Handed 6
Price3 talents
Your extra attack from rank one’s damage is no longer halved. All polearms that you wield have the special weapon properties of Trip and Disarm. If they already have these specials, they do not stack.
Rank 3
RequirementsAgility 10, Two Handed 12
Price3 talents
Critical strikes with polearms cause a wound normally inflicted from called shots. Roll 1d20, if 1-4 left upper limb, 5-8 right upper limb, 9-12 left lower limb, 13-16 right lower limb, and 17-20 torso. Refer to the called shot wounds for details related to the wound.
Protector
Agility 5, Defense skill 7
You can move in the way of a friendly target who is being attacked. The protector makes a defensive roll instead of the original target. The one you are protecting is physically moved five feet and you replace their spot. This can also push an ally out of the way from area of effects. The indicated distance is how far you can move in order to get to your ally.
Rank 1
RequirementsGuard 6
Price3 talents
Cost1 counter action
Distance10ft.
Rank 2
RequirementsGuard 9
Price3 talents
Cost1 counter action
Distance20ft.
You can use this mastery a second time in the same round, without paying the cost, if your initial counter action was used for this mastery.
Ranged Tech Weapons
Mental 4, Gun 5, Perception 5
Price3 talents (CC)
You understand how technology based ranged weapons function. You can use all guns. When using ranged technology weapons, your Gun skill is used for accuracy.
Rapid Steam Shot
Mechanical 4, Ranged Tech Weapons, Revolver
Price4 talents
You can unload your revolver’s cylinder in a one turn attack, but each bullet after the first has a -1 to accuracy. This requires a full turn to perform.
Skillful Disengage
Agility or Guard 5, Might 4
Price3 talents
You have learned how to quickly yet safely withdrawal from your target in combat. This mastery can be taken multiple times to decrease the action type used.
This mastery starts with allowing you to use one action, and finally a free action to disengage. Each time this mastery is taken, its requirements increase by one. Its price remains the same every time it is purchased.
Rank 1
Disengage using one action.
Rank 2
Disengaging using a free action
Small Time Weapons
You’ve discovered how to use a specific type of weapon. These weapons are creatures who are smaller than you.
Rank 1
RequirementsMight 8, Two Handed 8
Price5 talents
After grappling a target that is at least two size categories smaller than you, they can be used as an improvised club with a -2 to the attack. The damage applies to both the creature being struck and the target being used as the club. This includes critical strike damage. A successful attack releases the grapple on the target but leaves them dazed for one round.
Rank 2
RequirementsMight 10, Two Handed 10
Price5 talents
The grapple on the target is no longer released after a successful attack.
Sniper
Agility 7, Perception 7, Archery Weapons or Ranged Tech Weapons
Price4 talents
Long Arms and bows you use have its range increased by +100ft.
Steady Strike
Fighting 4, Agility 3, One Expertise Combat skill
Price4 talents (CC)
Cost2-10 essence
Extra Accuracy: +1-5
As a free action, using a weapon that you are proficient with, you steady your attack in order to increase your accuracy based on the amount of essence spent. A maximum of ten essence can be spent, resulting in a maximum of +5 to a single attack.
Take Aim
Ranged combat skill being used is expertise, Archery or Mechanical 8, Weapon Specialization
Price4 talents
Cost1 turn
Spend one complete turn studying your target to increase your critical strike chance by one increment with your next called shot (max. 5-8). On your next turn, you must start with making a called shot on the target you studied last turn. However, because of your intense focus on your target, you have unlucky defense rolls (Multiple Engagements has no effect).
Throwing Weapons
Fighting 3, Might 2
Price3 talents (CC)
You have learned the proper way to handle throwing weapons. You can use throwing weapons.
Volatile Can Chucker
Mechanical 7, Automation 4, Melee or Ranged Tech Weapons
Price4 talents
You know, the ins and outs of steam canisters. This knowledge gives you the ability to know when they are going to explode. Whenever a steam canister that is within your reach is about to explode, you can make an Automation check to grab it (DR 12) and throw it as an explosive. You know, the weak spots in the canisters allowing you to make called shots on them (equivalent to a called shot to the hand). Hitting them causes them to take 1d4 durability damage.
Weapon Specialization
Fighting 5, Might 4, Mastery for the weapon (if applicable) or martial arts at novice tier
Price3 talents
You have trained with a specific weapon type (or martial arts) long enough to become one with those weapons. When using the specific weapon of your choosing that is connected to this mastery, you gain +1 to your attack. This mastery can be taken multiple times, but each time it must be connected to a new weapon type. This mastery can only be taken once per weapon type.
