Daniverse House Rules

Daniverse House Rules in Effect

For all current campaigns, unless otherwise specified.

Pre-Rolls:: Each Player will record 10 (or more, if called for) unmodified checks on 3d6 prior to the start of the session (preferably the week before), to be used for secret GM checks on the Characters’ behalf. Unused rolls will be carried over to the next session.
Alternative Character Point Usage:: As described in Section II.
Colored Dice:: As described in Section III. Colors (White, Red, Black) shall be used on all pre-rolls (recording the color of the highest and lowest die, ties chosen randomly or arbitrarily), and during the game at the Players’ or GM’s discretion (whenever a little more “color” is called for).
Alignment:: Players may optionally assign their Characters a D&D “Alignment,” treated as a Quirk (for no point gain).
No “Cross-Dressing”:: I normally will not allow a male Player to play a female Character, or vice versa. Too damned confusing.

Miscellaneous GURPS GM Rulings & Precedents

For all current campaigns, unless otherwise specified.

Standard Hit Location #11 does not equal "Groin," but "Torso," except on an exceptional success. (Note: In some playtesting, we discovered that in a randomly-rolled hit location, (for reasons obvious to those who understand probability) 11 came up far too often to be realistic.)
Damage to limbs or other locations is to be tracked separately, and not totalled. Listed effects for HP loss are assessed according to the worst location-based total, @GMD.
An unspecified target is always "Torso."
A miss on a specific body target may hit a "parent" location if the roll would have been good enough to hit the new location. For example, a miss against (torso) Vitals by two is still good enough to have hit the Torso itself, and should be counted as such, @GMD.
Splitting attention between 2 targets is a -4 penalty; Characters with Enhanced Time Sense are not subject to this condition.
Forward Observer Skill may “assist” Guns or Gunner when able to observe the strike of the round(s).
(3e) Bullets doing less than Blow-Through damage remain in the body.

Alternative Character Point Usage

I developed this system after playing Deadlands, which uses poker chips for this purpose. I have had, in the past, the tendency to have nights when I am forsaken by Lady Luck, and I liked the idea of having a backup plan, allowing the use of points/chips/whatever to make up for Lady Luck’s inattention. As a GM, allowing CP usage in this manner also means that the Players will never truly be “stuck” by a situation where their failure, due to die-rolls (or lack of creativity), has left them unable to pick the lock, find the clue, charm the girl, etc. Using this system means that a bad dice night never has to ruin your game.

Use of CPs in this manner represents luck, in a way. In cases where usage changes something that has already happened, it doesn’t actually change the event, but causes a “lucky coincidence” to prevent the effects of that event (i.e., a bullet to the heart is miraculously stopped by a whiskey flask/cigarette case/Bible). Effects are to be described by the affected Player, @GMD.

I developed this system for GURPS 3e. In 4e, the developers have included a similar system as an “official” alternate rule (kudos to them). As such, I have incorporated those rules (B347), with the following additions in keeping with my previous 3e version. These have been playtested over several of my campaigns, and in their current form, work pretty well.

In addition, this system might be replaced entirely by the Action Movie Cards described in the GM Tips & Tools section.

Non-Combat Success Rolls:: See GURPS Campaigns p347.
Action Success Rolls:: During Combat or Action scenes, 1 point may purchase a re-roll of any undesirable result (if the re-roll is worse, use the better of the two). This may negate a Critical Failure. This may only be used to change the Player’s own roll, and cannot affect another Player or NPC. In addition, effects listed for Non-Combat Success Rolls (B347) may also be purchased at double the listed cost.
Wound Reduction:: 1 point may negate the effects of a Crippling wound (not reducing the actual wound count), return a Character to consciousness, or eliminate ¼HP/FP of lost HP/FP respectively (Crippling effects must be bought-off first before healing a Crippling Wound; AKA “Second Wind”).
Player Guidance:: See GURPS Campaigns p347.
Helping Others:: Players may donate any amount of their Character Points to another Player, for any purpose except character improvement or cash, as long as that Player has no remaining tCPs. Points may also be spent to help important NPCs at any time, @GMD.
Cinematic License:: If the GM declares a campaign or adventure to be “cinematic,” 1 point may be spent to do something normally considered impossible (or at least, insane). Examples include: jumping from or being dragged by fast moving vehicles while taking no damage; leaping to one side while firing two handguns, without injury; “emergency” purchase of skill, allowing the use of a skill not currently possessed (at the 1 point level); “editor’s mistake in your favor.” This use does not assume an automatic success, but will allow an action normally not possible, at a “reasonable” difficulty.
Spending Limit:: Multiple points may be spent on one action, @GMD, including instances such as an automatic success on a purchased re-roll, or automatic success on a cinematic maneuver. Players may spend more points than they currently have, while in play. However, if at the end of the session a player still has a CP deficit, a disadvantage equal or greater to the deficit amount must be taken, as agreed upon by player and GM (leftover Disadvantage points are lost).
Temporary Character Points (tCP):: A number of points will be given per session, amount depending on the “cinematic” level of the campaign, that may be used only for these purposes. These temporary points are lost at the end of a session if they are not used, and may not be used for character improvement. Characters with the Luck Advantage (or related advantages) get a number of extra tCP per session, in addition.
For the GM:: The GM may award CPs to individual Players or the entire group, as awards or compensation, as he sees fit. The GM may veto any CP expenditure by "returning it" if its use threatens the story in any way. The GM may use any number of points, for any reason he deems appropriate (for up-front rolls, anyway); he has no limited pool of CPs to draw from. Rather, when the GM uses a CP in this manner, he will give one to the Players; this tCP is (generally) made available to all Players, to whichever wishes to use it first.

Colored Dice

This concept was introduced to me through an article written by someone else (whom I would credit here, if I could remember who it was). In the absence of that article, I will summarize the idea it presented. Basically, in any situation where one is rolling multiple dice (of any denomination), one could use differing colors to indicate other aspects, saving an extra die roll. For instance, when rolling for damage, one might specify an off-colored die to indicate hit-location. Some game systems already incorporate this concept to a degree (the D6 system’s “wild die” or Feng Shui’s positive/negative dice is an example). This could be taken further, by giving each die its own color and “condition,” to provide more specific details as to what condition influenced success or failure. The following example is the one I use in my games: Dice of three different colors may be used when called for by the GM; normally white, red and black.

White = Mental (IQ, Knowledge, Perception, Vision (PR))
Red = Physical (DX, Skill, Precision, Hearing (PR))
Black = External (Luck, Outside Influences, Coincidence, Taste/Smell (PR))

The die that had the greatest effect on the success or failure of a check is considered to indicate the condition that most influenced the outcome (success is most affected by the color of the lowest die, failure is most affected by the color of the highest die); ties are either arbitrated or re-rolled, @GMD. For example, as a Character attempts to Dodge an attack and fails, and the “Black” die shows a 6 result (the highest), it would be determined that some sort of outside influence or bad luck was the cause of his failure…tripped on a rock, perhaps? If the “Red” die were the highest, indicating that DX or Skill were the cause of his failure, then it could be said that he didn’t react quickly enough to the attack. If the “White” die were the highest, it could be said that he didn’t quite see the attack coming in time. Any of these factors are merely semantic, and have no game effect on success or failure, except to provide a better “description” of what happened.

Checks, and Degrees of Success

General Difficulties:

GURPS 4e introduced its own difficulty definitions (B345-346), so I am currently using them. I have included my old system, here, for the sake of those who may not have access to 4e, or prefer 3e.

Click Here to View the Old 3e Stuff

Exceptional Success (xSucc):: A final success of more than 5 may be considered an exceptional (but not Critical) success at GMs discretion. On an exceptional success on a combat check, the GM may allow the Player to adjust the hit location by one step, add +1 to unmodified damage, or -1 to the defender’s active defenses against that attack.
Marginal Success (mSucc):: A final success of less than 2 may be considered a marginal success at GMs discretion. I don't have any concrete examples of what I might do in this situation—mostly just used for color, I expect.

Marginal Failure (mFail):: A final failure by less than 2 is a marginal failure at GMs discretion. For example, a marginal failure on a PR check might notice something but is quickly dismissed. A Marginal Failure may warrant a second chance (e.g. a catch missed by one “tips” the object in the air, allowing a second catch attempt on the next turn). On a Marginal Failure on a combat check, the shot may strike a random location rather than the intended one.

Exceptional Failure (xFail):: A final failure of more than 5 may be considered an exceptional (but not Critical) failure at GMs discretion. I don't have any concrete examples of what I might do in this situation—mostly just used for color, I expect.

Assisted Skill/Attribute Checks:: For multiple Characters working on the same task, one is designated as the “primary” worker. The applicable skills of all assistants are averaged with the Primary, who makes the check against the adjusted skill level; the Primary’s check-skill, so averaged, should be a minimum of +0 for unskilled assistants (using defaults or raw Attributes) (which should still reduce the time requirements for the task, even though they may provide no check-bonus), +1 for trained assistants (having at least ½ point in the applicable skill), or +2 for expert assistants (Skill 16+). These minimums assume “hands-on” assistance, and the ability for the Primary to disregard less helpful suggestions. If assistance is “advisory” only, the minimum bonus is +0, regardless of skill level. The skills used to assist need not match the Primary’s as long as the GM agrees it relates to the task at hand. Situational bonuses or penalties that apply to individuals are factored into the average, but do not affect the minimum bonus level. The maximum number of assistants is limited to the number that can realistically get involved, but “advisory” help is basically unlimited.
Forced Assistance:: If assistance is forced, there is no “minimum” bonus (may become a penalty), unless some way around the situation can be found (e.g. an Acting check to pretend to listen?). This includes situations where someone is helping without the Primary’s knowledge or license, or when a less-skilled or clumsy Character is “trying to be helpful.”
Skill Synergy:: A skill check may be assisted by another skill possessed by the same Character, following the same procedure as above. For these purposes, only one skill may be used to assist. Attributes used to assist are always considered “untrained.” Some situations may be considered forced assistance (e.g. a foreign language skill when interacting with a foreigner who doesn’t speak the Character’s language)
Mass Tasks:: For tasks already requiring a large number of workers to complete, the minimum bonus is +1 per full +50% required work crew.
Leadership:: Leadership (or related) skill may be used to assist a group task. If the leader is also working, the GM may assess a penalty for doing two things at once.
Assistance Checks:: Alternatively, the assistant(s) may roll against their skill. In this case, the check result is averaged instead of the actual skill levels. The same minimum bonus and other conditions apply. Criticals are considered a minimum of ±10, regardless of the actual result.

Taking the Average:

Taken from D&D's “Take 10” mechanic. When not under duress (e.g not a Combat/Action scene), if a Character's Effective Trait Level is 10+, then that Player is allowed to forgo a dice-roll and assume a minimal success. No extra time need be taken for that task, except as Time Spent (B346) is used to boost the Effective Skill to 10. The GM may, at his discretion, call for a “Crit check”; on a roll of 17-18, some kind of mishap may occur.

Taking the Maximum:

Taken from D&D's “Take 20” mechanic. When not under duress (e.g not a Combat/Action scene), if a Character's Effective Trait Level is 20+, then that Player is allowed to forgo a dice-roll and assume a maximal (non-Critical) success. No extra time need be taken for that task, except as Time Spent (B346) is used to boost the Effective Skill to 10. Unless Basic Skill Level is 16+, some degree of failure is assumed during the process, therefore Taking the Maximum is not possible for tasks in which the consequences of failure would render the task impossible to complete. The GM may, at his discretion, call for a “Crit check”; on a roll of 17-18, some kind of mishap may occur.

Abstract Chases, Races and Dogfights

I developed this ruleset for GURPS 3e. Since then, SJG has published GURPS Action 2: Exploits, which contains good rules for exactly this sort of thing, which has rendered this section effectively defunct. I highly recommend you pick up that book if you're using 4e. I have left the old stuff here, just in case.

Click Here to View the Old 3e Stuff

Long Turns:: These situations will always take place in Long Turns (LT), the length of which would be set by the GM as appropriate to the situation.
Tactics Skill:: As for Battle Skill in Mass Combat (3e), this skill is the average of situationally-appropriate tactical skill and the “Control Skill” for the “vehicle” being operated, and is used to determine success for each LT. Some alternative tactical skills could include the following: Area Knowledge, Perception vs. Stealth/Shadowing, Profession (Racing, etc.). Each side need not use the same skill, but one must be used, and some may be a better match for their opponents’. Some alternative Operation Skill examples:
Lead:: Lead is an arbitrary unit set by the GM. Some general examples: car chase=car-length, foot chase=arms’ reach. The GM will set the starting Lead at the beginning of the chase, or each participant’s Lead vs. the “leader” at the beginning of a race.
Position:: Position is an abstract condition, representing the optimum placement for attack (or whatever your goal is), and takes into account all range, size and movement modifiers (in most cases, the optimum (unmodified) attacker’s position would be the at the defender’s 6 o’clock, with the defender at the attacker’s 12 o’clock). Position can also be meant as something else entirely, as determined by the GM (for instance, keeping someone in sight, when they are specifically trying not to be seen might be considered a Position-related situation (where the optimum position would be “in clear view”)), but for simplicity’s sake should be limited to one “condition.”
Speed:: Actual speed will usually have no direct effect on the contest. It will generally only affect the distance traveled per LT and the severity of mishaps resulting from failed operation checks.
Taking Risk or Playing it Safe:: This is an abstract condition representing the level of risk at which the participant will be operating. Works like the Survival/Glory check for Mass Combat; Players choose from -½Skill to +½Skill to their Contest check for the “operation” aspect of the contest, and take double the opposite bonus/penalty to the “tactical” aspect. The risk factor takes into account the terrain and conditions, assuming a 0-Risk situation to be whatever is “appropriate” for the conditions present. Note: The “doubling” assumes that both aspects will be determined using the same check, in which case a 1-for-1 exchange would simply nullify itself (a -2 to the Control check would provide a +2 to the Lead result, ending up with the same result as if there had been no adjustment). If separate checks are used (as with Survival/Glory), then a normal 1-for-1 exchange will suffice.
Stunts:: The Risk element abstracts the sort of maneuvering that will be taking place during a given LT, but a participant may wish to specify a particular maneuver or trick that he wishes to perform during the Turn. The GM will assess a difficulty, which will replace the Risk element.
Random Events:: The GM may roll 1d per LT; on a 5-6, an event will occur that affects the overall difficulty of the contest. The GM may roll a positive/negative (closed) roll to determine the bonus/penalty of the event, or he may arbitrate and assign a difficulty. If the participants are at least Lead-2 or closer, the event will likely affect them both; otherwise, the GM may roll for random events separately per participant. The GM may completely ignore this part, or make it up as he goes, depending on the situation.
The Contest:: Each Turn, the participants roll a single QC:Chase/Race/Dogfight Skill. In a “Race/Chase” the side who wins the contest by 5+ adjusts the Lead by one, or two on a cSucc/+10. In a “Dogfight,” the winner puts himself in a position to attack (see Attacking below). Generally speaking, the contest will be either for Position or Lead, but not both. Each participant in the contest must still succeed at his check or suffer some loss of control or other mishap (provoking a Control Roll, per V148-156), regardless of who won the contest. A contest is not required if at least one side is not trying to change or prevent change to Lead/Position; the aggressor is assumed to win at +10. For added detail, the GM may require two QC checks per participant, one for the “Control” aspect and one for “Lead/Position.”
Attacking:: After the contest, any ranged attacks are resolved. The “Position” winner gets one attack from a 5+ result, or two from a crit/+10, and receives a bonus/penalty to his attack check equal to his Result; the defender may also attack, once only, using his result as a penalty which may not exceed 0 (except with rear-facing weapons). The number of attacks vs. results may be modified by the GM, if conditions warrant (e.g. Turns longer than usual). A winner by less than 5 is considered to have been “pressing” for position, but has not fully achieved it, to the extent that it would allow an attack (a “Wild Swing” might be appropriate under these conditions, @GMD). An attack may also consist of a hand-to-hand or melee attack, or an attack with the vehicle itself (with a “Operation Skill”-based attack), if the Lead=0 (or possibly more, in the case of weapons with Reach of more than 1).
Modifiers:

Other Rules Systems

Open Die Rolls:

I mention this here, in the event you (the reader) have not encountered this before, as I use them on occasion in some of my rules. In some systems, they use what is referred to as an “open” roll. This means that when you roll the die (whatever type) and come up with the “top” number, you roll again and add the next result to the total, continuing every time you roll the “top” number again (i.e. on a d6, you re-roll when it comes up a 6...if the next roll comes up a 5, you have rolled a total of 11 on one d6).

Long Turns

Sometimes one-second Turns are way too slow. In those instances, I use Long Turns. This is a standard set forth in several existing “abstract” rules-situations in GURPS, such as naval or space combat, expanded for more “mundane” use. I use LTs on any long “task” that could do with a bit more structure, but does not warrant the Combat Turn treatment. A standard Long Turn is ~5min, but will vary from instance to instance. How far a character can walk or run in one Long Turn is normally based on half the Move score over the specified time (considered “long distance”), and only one or two “long” skill attempts are normally possible (more at GMs discretion). If called for, the sequence of action-declaration in Long Turns goes from the lowest IQ score to the highest, giving higher IQ characters more time to think it over (in case of ties, normal combat sequence applies). Anyone declaring that they are taking orders from another character will go directly after that character’s Sequence, regardless of their own IQ. Long Turn Sequence affects only the declaration of action—the action itself is considered simultaneous for all participants. Certain Advantages or Disadvantages may change a character’s Long Turn Sequence (ordered by IQ for multiple instances); some examples include the following:

Characters with Impulsiveness always go first.
Characters with Careful or Common Sense always go last.

If a PC enters combat, or action requiring the use of Combat Turns (hereafter referred to as an Engagement), only the involved parties go to Combat Turns, while others are frozen until either combat is resolved or they become involved (at GMs discretion). The Engagement ends when all combatants either cannot or will not attack, or when the overall action changes (i.e. all combatants are running somewhere that will take several turns to reach, or are hunkered down waiting for another to make a move).

Swinging

This section is rendered defunct for 4e by entries GURPS Martial Arts and GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 2. I highly recommend picking up either or both of those books. I would only make this addition to those rules, that one's speed during the swing will generally be equal to one's Move used going into it (except on really long swings), and will take a logical number of Turns to complete the swing based on that Move. I have left the old 3e rules I worked up here, just in case.

Click Here to View the Old 3e Stuff

I bring this up only due to the “Paterman” stuff in the Dreamland campaign, and some swashbuckling stuff in Fortune Hunters campaign. It came to my attention, then, that there is no definitive rule for the effects of swinging on ropes (or the equivalent) in GURPS (or any other system I can think of). This is not something you’re always going to use—in fact, I’d avoid it at all costs, unless it just becomes really necessary—as it is a lot of math (I hate math). Most of this is guesswork based on simple physics, but here are my thoughts:

One can start a swing no faster than one can run; the number of hexes traveled at the start of the swing determines its initial speed.
Maximum speed is limited to that of a free-fall, unless otherwise propelled.
Acceleration is limited to the lesser of the Swinger’s Move score or half the falling constant (@5yds/sec), as a good deal of energy is expended moving forward.
One can only accelerate up to the halfway point of the swing, at which point one would decelerate at a “symmetrical” rate.
Maximum swing distance can be no more than twice the length of “rope” available (more likely 1x that length, given the momentum it would require to bring it to a 90° angle.
Lowest swing “altitude” can be no lower than the length of the “rope” from the halfway/anchor point.

So, ultimately, determine where the “rope” is anchored, figure the distance from Swinger to anchor point, and he should land (barring obstructions) that same distance opposite the anchor. If his current “run-up” speed (or broad-jump distance) is less than the total distance, the swing will (obviously) take more than one second to complete. If the rope is relatively short, just continue at the initial speed. If the rope is particularly long, the swinger will accelerate as described (compare rope length to “altitude” first, to make sure he won’t hit the ground).
Melee damage from an attack while swinging long-distance would be at +2 (or whatever is listed for fighting from horseback or vehicles), any loss excused by the “awkwardness” of the attacking position. Collisions would be treated as normal, using the swinger’s current lateral velocity at the impact point. A safe “dismount” along the way would require a DX or Jumping check to remain upright, at appropriate penalties if moving faster than normally possible on foot (or consult “Vehicle” rules for bailing from a moving vehicle).

Gambling and Gaming

The point of these rules is to simplify “Vegas-style” gaming to some relatively-simple dice contests, for use within a campaign or adventure. In general, use one “Game” check and Gambling check (if req.) per LT. Min payoff on Gambling Succ=bankroll x1; max payoff on Fail=bankroll x1; min payoff on Fail=lose bankroll; no minimum on cFail (can go negative). Crit=min ±10 result, UOS. Unfamiliar games check at -2, or -1 if the game is similar to a familiar game (i.e. in same “group”). Some specific games:

Bingo:: No Gambling check req. GM and Player rolls 5d, roll wins if PC’s roll matches GM’s. Payoff: bankroll x3d(open); more than 3d for larger “pot”, @GMD.
Blackjack/Baccarat:: Player and GM roll 2d, +1d for a hit, to a total of 12 (boxcars=blackjack); over 12 loses, closest to 12 wins, and exactly 12 wins automatically. Payoff: Succ=bankroll x1, xSucc=bankroll x2, cSucc=bankroll x3. Alternatively, you could play one hand of Blackjack with real playing cards to determine the winner.
Craps:: Bet “win”, “lose”, or on a specific result; Player rolls 2d; 7/11 or result-match wins, 2/3/12 loses. Payoff: Succ=bankroll x1; for number bets, payoff=bankroll x Succ (x1 for 4-6/8-10, x1.5 for 7, x2 for 3/11, or x3 for 2/12)
Lottery/Keno:: No Gambling check req. Player chooses 6 dice numbers; GM rolls 6d(one at a time, for dramatic effect), result-match wins. Payoff: bankroll x3d(open); more than 3d for larger “pot”, @GMD.
Roulette:: Bet on specific number, range of numbers, or odd/even total; Player rolls 3d, match wins. Payoff: bankroll x10-[total range size]±Succ (multiplied further by xSucc=1.5, or cSucc=2.5).
Slots/Video Poker:: No Gambling check req. Player rolls 3d, 3-of-a-kind or consecutive-number runs win, 3x6’s=jackpot. Payoff: bankroll x[middle die#]; jackpot=bankroll x3d(open); more than 3d for larger “pot”, @GMD.
Sports Book:: Bet on one team/participant or tie; GM rolls 1d per team/participant, highest roll wins, ties re-rolled once only (considered a “draw” if second roll ties). Payoff: bankroll x1; xSucc/tie-bet=bankroll x2; cSucc=bankroll x[winning die#]. Gambling check may be replaced or assisted by related Sports/Trivia Skill.
Poker:: I have yet to determine a good “die” system—you could use the Blackjack system, if necessary. Payoff: Succ=bankroll x1, xSucc=bankroll x2, cSucc=bankroll x3. Alternatively, you could play one hand of Poker with real playing cards to determine the winner.
Game Tournaments:: Works for RPG or computer game contests; use CoS:Performance (RPGs)/Hobby ([X]Games)/Games (RPG) vs. (Opponents avg. Skill or individual Skill @GMD), winner gets [pre-determined prizes]; cheating (via Sleight of Hand)/bribery (via Reaction check) may be possible, adding Skill check result as a bonus to the overall Contest, failure getting offender thrown out of the tournament and/or blacklisted.

Multiple Ranged Attackers

This rule is to simplify and speed up combats where the PCs face a large number of gun-toting opponents (and could be used in other situations, I’m sure). Treat all gun-toting foes targeting each individual PC (or other Character) as a single opponent with an automatic weapon. Determine total number of shots targeted at an individual PC or NPC, then make a single skill check at [involved BGs average skill]±average mods, using the normal Autofire rules to determine the number of hits. Each shot that hits is dodged separately, as normal, or in the case of multiple-shot groups, the entire group is dodged. In GURPS 4e, I think it would be “fair” to assess the usual Skill bonus for Autofire as described in the rules. Works best when all BGs are using similar weapons; otherwise, use the average of the weapons’ Skill-affecting stats (for recoil, accuracy, etc.).

Grammaton Clerics, and the Gun Kata

This should be considered a totally cinematic style, so only a single, cinematic Style cost is given. It was also designed for GURPS 3e, and as such, would need some modification to be usable with 4e. This style was based only on what I could glean or extrapolate from the movie, and not from any sort of “research” into the matter.

Grammaton Training, Fourth Class (Basic), 36pts

Required Advantages:: Ambidexterity, Combat Reflexes
Primary Skills:: Acrobatics; Battlemind[2]; Body Language; Guns (Machine Pistol)[2]; Guns (Pistol)[2]; Judo (Grammaton); Karate (Grammaton); Meditation; Philosophy (Grammaton)
Secondary Skills:: Axe/Mace (pistol/rifle butt); Criminology; Fast-Draw (Magazine); Fast-Draw (Dual Pistols); Fast-Draw (Pistol); Law Enforcement; Psychology; Speed Load (Magazine); Tactics
Optional Skills:: Grammaton Clerics don’t have options.
Maneuvers:: Acrobatic Shot; Arm/Wrist Lock; Close Combat (Pistol); Disarm; Dual-Weapon Attack (Axe/Mace); Dual-Weapon Attack (Machine Pistol); Dual-Weapon Attack (Pistol); Elbow Strike; Group Gun Kata: Mobile (Machine Pistol); Group Gun Kata: Mobile (Pistol); Gun Kata: Mobile (Axe/Mace); Gun Kata: Mobile (Machine Pistol); Gun Kata: Mobile (Pistol); Gun Kata: Static (Axe/Mace); Gun Kata: Static (Machine Pistol); Gun Kata: Static (Pistol); Handcuffing; Hit Location (Axe/Mace); Hit Location (Guns); Retain Weapon; Riposte; Spinning Shot; Standing Pick-Up; Knee Strike

Grammaton Training, Third Class

Primary Skills:: Average primary Skills at a minimum level of 16.
Secondary Skills:: Add Guns (Rifle); Guns (Light Auto); Short Staff; Tonfa
Maneuvers:: Dual-Weapon Attack (new weapons); Group Gun Kata: Mobile (new Guns); Group Gun Kata: Static (new Guns); Gun Kata: Mobile (new weapons); Gun Kata: Static (new weapons); Hit Location (new weapons). At least 2 points in all Fourth Class maneuvers.

Grammaton Training, Second Class

Primary Skills:: Average primary Skills at a minimum level of 18.
Secondary Skills:: Add Fast-Draw (Katana); Guns (Shotgun); Katana; Speed Load (Shells).
Maneuvers:: Dual-Weapon Attack (new weapons); Group Gun Kata: Mobile (new Guns); Group Gun Kata: Static (new Guns); Gun Kata: Mobile (new weapons); Gun Kata: Static (new weapons); Hit Location (new weapons). At least 2 points in all Third Class maneuvers.

Grammaton Training, First Class

Primary Skills:: Average primary Skills at a minimum level of 20.
Secondary Skills:: Average secondary Skills at a minimum level of 16.
Maneuvers:: At least 2 points in all Second Class maneuvers.

New Skills:

Battlemind, M/VH
No default: Also known as The Void. Takes 1 second to activate, with a Concentrate maneuver. Modifiers for initial activation include +4 when alone or undistracted, or -4 in the middle of combat. Activating before combat, or maintaining activation after combat starts is at no penalty. On a cSucc, the effect will not terminate until the fight is over; on a cFail, no further activation attempts may be made until the fight is over. Once activated, the character gains temporary use of the Unfazeable, Combat Reflexes, and Single-Minded (CI30) Advantages for Skill-seconds (w/ex). Single-Minded bonuses apply to all combat-related actions, including maneuvering, attack and defense, but includes associated penalties as well. At the end of the effect’s duration, or any time the character is wounded or otherwise distracted (@GMD), a maintenance check is required, at a penalty equal to damage taken (or other appropriate penalty, @GMD) if applicable.

New Maneuvers:

Gun Parry (Special)
Defaults to Hand Parry-4; Cannot be improved: Only usable in Close Combat, this maneuver allows the defender to guide the weapon out of effective firing position. The increased difficulty is due to the attacker’s trigger finger being much faster that the defender’s hand, so he must anticipate the shot and act quickly. A cSucc may disarm the attacker (requiring a Retain Weapon contest). If the defender wins the contest by less than 2, the guns goes off anyway (wasting a shot and possibly hitting bystanders); the gun never gets into good position to fire, if the defender reacts well enough.
Riposte (Revised): Works as decribed, except that a Pistol (or equivalent) may be used, only when in Close Combat.
Spinning Shot (Hard)
Defaults to Guns (Any)-4; PRQ: Guns (Any); Cannot exceed base skill level: Just like Spinning Punch/Kick, using ranged weapons. The user may choose to apply the bonus/penalty result to his own Passive Defense instead of the foe’s attack, declared before the check is made.
Standing Pick-Up (Hard)
Defaults to DX-4; Cannot exceed DX+4: Allows the character to flip a weapon from the ground and into his hands, using his feet. Some weapons are easier or harder to do this with. For instance, a staff or similar weapon might be at +2 (it’s relatively easy to pop a rounded stick onto the top of your foot and toss it up to your hands), and a rifle or similar weapon might be at -4 (maybe less, with proper leverage or leaning against something). A Fail drops the weapon, while a cFail hits the user with it. At the GM’s discretion, an xSucc makes the weapon immediately readied.

New Cinematic Maneuvers:

Acrobatic Dodge (Cinematic)

Adds an adjustment to Active Defense equal to ½ the check result (min ±1), rather than simply +1

Acrobatic Shot (Hard)

Defaults to Acrobatics-4; PRQ: Acrobatics and Guns (Any); Cannot exceed Guns skill level-4

Gun attack made while jumping or flipping about. Works as for Acrobatic Kick. The user may choose to apply the bonus/penalty result to his own Passive Defense instead of the foe’s attack, declared before the check is made.

Gun Kata, Static (Hard)

Defaults to lowest PRQ skill-4; PRQ: Battlemind, weapon skill, Karate

Gun Kata, Mobile (Hard)

Defaults to lowest PRQ skill-4; PRQ: Acrobatics, Battlemind, weapon skill, Karate

Group Gun Kata, Static (Hard)

Defaults to lowest PRQ skill-4; PRQ: Battlemind, weapon skill, Karate

Group Gun Kata, Mobile (Hard)

Defaults to lowest PRQ skill-4; PRQ: Acrobatics, Battlemind, weapon skill, Karate

The Gun Kata is a special form of Whirlwind Attack, primarily designed for use with ranged weapons. Each weapon skill-type is considered a separate maneuver. Any skill checks associated with this maneuver are made using the lowest of the prerequisite Skill levels possessed, and Battlemind must be activated to use it. A Gun Kata cannot be combined with any other maneuver, except in the case of similar Gun Kata maneuvers (i.e. Katana plus Short Staff, or Pistol plus Machine Pistol).

A Gun Kata is an All-Out Attack, but rather than choosing one of the standard AOA options, the attacker remains in his hex, attacking the nearest target in the direction of each hex-facing once, indiscriminately. Each attack is checked against the Gun Kata maneuver rather than weapon skill, and suffers from no penalties except penalties arising from conditions that interfere with the attacker’s ability to perform the Gun Kata (such as bad footing); darkness, vision conditions or target concealment, speed or position do not apply. Hit location is determined randomly for each foe, using the Upper Body table, and foes may defend normally. DR of cover will still count, if a location currently behind cover is hit. The Gun Kata is designed to be used when surrounded by foes, so any shots to hex-facings where there are no targets present are lost. Weapons capable of automatic or burst fire attack with a single burst per target. Any cFail during the performance of the Gun Kata will automatically interrupt the process, in addition to any other random effects, as per Basic rules.

At the end of the attack, the attacker may choose to be facing in any direction. If there are any foes left standing, it may be wise not to put one’s back to them. As a result of the AOA, the attacker gets no Active Defense. However, as a result of the Gun Kata’s design, keeping the attacker in the “statistically” safest position, he gains a Passive Defense equal to his full Gun Kata maneuver rating, plus any armor-related bonuses.

All Gun Kata include re-loading as part of the Kata, replacing two of the maneuver’s attacks with the reloading maneuver, providing the necessary Cleric equipment is available and functioning (without which, the Cleric will have to stop the maneuver to reload). Static Gun Kata allows no movement. Mobile Gun Kata allow movement of up to ½ Move in a (relatively) straight line, and includes some acrobatic stunts as part of the Kata, and still allows any facing at the end of the maneuver. Normal Gun Kata will attack even friendly targets in the affected area, but Group Gun Kata allow up to three additional Grammaton Clerics to act in concert, providing they are also performing the same Group Kata. A cFail in this case may get a Cleric shot by his comrade.

In the case of Gun Kata using long arms or unbalanced submachine guns, the attacker gets only three shooting attacks, but may also make Axe/Mace (butt-stroke) attacks on targets within range. Gun Kata featuring melee weapons work in the same manner as above, except that possible targets must (obviously) be within the reach of the weapon being used.

Alternatively, if using the Multiple Attack rules, the Gun Kata could also benefit from extra attacks at the usual rate.

Grammaton Cleric’s Automatic Pistol

5.7mmC, 30 shots; controlled-burst capable; retractable studs in base of magazine give +1 crushing damage in melee.

Daniverse House Rules