Attributes, Talents, and Special Abilities
In
Infinite Frontiers,
Attributes,
Talents, and
Special Abilities are fundamental elements that define a character's innate capabilities, resilience, and versatility. These components work in harmony to shape how characters interact with the game world, perform actions, and overcome challenges. This section provides a comprehensive guide to designing and utilizing Attributes, Talents, and Special Abilities, ensuring a cohesive and engaging experience for both players and Game Masters (GMs).
Note: This foundational framework is tailored specifically for
Wargame Mode, emphasizing combat-relevant Talents and Specializations. Additional Talents and Specializations for
Adventure and
Roleplaying modes are acknowledged and can be explored in subsequent sections.
Table of Contents
Core Attributes
Attributes represent the fundamental characteristics that define a character's innate abilities and potential. In
Infinite Frontiers, there are three Core Attributes:
| Attribute | Description |
|---|
| Mind (MND) | Cognitive abilities including intelligence, reasoning, perception, and knowledge. |
| Body (BOD) | Physical strength, endurance, agility, and overall physical prowess. |
| Spirit (SPI) | Willpower, charisma, intuition, and connection to metaphysical forces. |
Each attribute ranges from
1 (below average) to
5 (exceptional) at character creation, with the potential to increase through experience and advancement.
Mind (MND)
Mind encompasses a character's cognitive abilities, including intelligence, reasoning, perception, and knowledge. It influences how effectively a character can solve problems, recall information, and perceive their surroundings.
Primary Uses:
- Talent Checks: Researching, deciphering codes, recalling lore.
- Resistance: Resisting mental attacks or illusions.
- Perception: Detecting hidden objects or noticing subtle changes in the environment.
Body (BOD)
Body represents a character's physical strength, endurance, agility, and overall physical prowess. It determines how effectively a character can perform physical tasks, withstand physical damage, and execute agile maneuvers.
Primary Uses:
- Talent Checks: Lifting heavy objects, climbing, swimming.
- Combat: Melee attacks, dodging, physical resilience.
- Movement: Speed, agility-based actions, evasion.
Spirit (SPI)
Spirit reflects a character's willpower, charisma, intuition, and connection to metaphysical forces. It affects a character's ability to influence others, maintain focus under pressure, and harness spiritual or technological energies.
Primary Uses:
- Talent Checks: Persuasion, intimidation, performing rituals.
- Resistance: Resisting spiritual or technological influences.
- Magical Abilities: Casting spells, channeling energy.
Talents
Talents represent a character's proficiency and expertise in various areas, building upon their Core Attributes. They allow for specialization and customization, enabling characters to excel in specific domains relevant to combat scenarios.
Talent Structure
| Element | Description |
|---|
| Talent Levels | Each Talent has a rating from 0 (untrained) to 5 (mastery). |
| Dice Pool Composition | The dice pool consists of Base Dice, Talent Dice, Specialization Ranks, and Modifiers. |
| Specialization Ranks | Each rank in a Specialization adds +1 die to the dice pool. |
Generic Talents
Each Core Attribute encompasses a set of generic Talents that cover a wide range of combat-related actions and skills. Below are the generic Talents under each attribute:
Mind Talents
Mind Talents
| Talent Name | Description |
|---|
| Knowledge | General education, tactical understanding, and subject matter expertise. |
| Perception | Awareness of surroundings, spotting hidden threats. |
| Logic | Problem-solving, strategic planning, and technical analysis. |
| Crafting | Creating or repairing equipment and devices. |
| Medicine | Healing practices and understanding of biological systems. |
|
Body Talents
Body Talents
| Talent Name | Description |
|---|
| Athletics | Physical activities like running, jumping, and climbing. |
| Combat | Proficiency with weapons and unarmed fighting techniques. |
| Stealth | Moving silently and remaining unseen. |
| Endurance | Stamina, resistance to fatigue, and physical hardship. |
| Acrobatics | Balance, flexibility, and precise physical movements. |
|
Spirit Talents
Spirit Talents
| Talent Name | Description |
|---|
| Influence | Persuasion, leadership, and command abilities. |
| Willpower | Mental resilience and resistance to manipulation. |
| Insight | Reading emotions, intentions, and social cues. |
| Performance | Coordinating group actions and boosting morale. |
| Intimidation | Projecting authority or fear to influence others. |
|
Specializations
Specializations allow characters to focus their Talents on specific niches, providing unique advantages and enhancing their effectiveness in particular combat scenarios.
Role of Specializations
- Customization: Tailor Talents to fit a character's combat role, profession, or tactical preferences.
- Genre Flexibility: Adaptable to any setting, whether sci-fi, fantasy, modern, or historical.
- Enhanced Proficiency: Grant bonus dice and unlock unique abilities related to the specialization.
Placeholder: [Advanced Specializations for Roleplay and Adventure Modes](#)
Hitpoints (HP)
Hitpoints (HP) quantify a character's overall resilience and ability to endure various forms of damage. In
Infinite Frontiers, HP is linked to a character's Core Attributes, providing a multifaceted representation of their physical, mental, and spiritual fortitude.
Calculating Hitpoints
At character creation, a character's
Total Hitpoints (HP) are calculated by summing their three Core Attributes:
Total HP = Mind (MND) + Body (BOD) + Spirit (SPI)
Example:
Mind (MND): 3
Body (BOD): 4
Spirit (SPI): 3
Total HP: 3 + 4 + 3 =
10 HP
Abilities from Gear and Training
Gear and Training provide additional layers of depth and strategy, enhancing a character's Talents and Attributes.
| Effect Type | Description |
|---|
| Static Bonuses | Add extra dice to relevant Talent checks. |
| Conditional Bonuses | Provide advantages under specific circumstances. |
| Unique Abilities | Grant access to actions not otherwise available. |
Placeholder: [Detailed Gear Mechanics and Examples](#)
Recommendations
- Focus on Combat-Relevant Talents: When designing units for wargame play, prioritize Talents that enhance combat effectiveness, such as Combat, Stealth, and Athletics.
- Simplify Specializations: For streamlined wargame sessions, limit Specializations to those that directly impact combat and tactical maneuvers.
- Utilize Gear Strategically: Equip units with gear that complements their Talents and enhances their combat roles.
- Maintain Balance: Ensure that all units have balanced Attributes and Talents to promote fair and engaging gameplay.
- Future Expansion: Refer to additional sections for more complex Talents and Specializations suited for Roleplay and Adventure modes.
Comprehensive List of Genre-Neutral Specializations for Each Talent
Note: This section is streamlined for wargame use. Expanded lists and additional Specializations for Roleplay and Adventure modes can be found in [Advanced Specializations for Roleplay and Adventure Modes](#).
Attribute: Body
Talent: Combat
Specializations:
- Melee Combat: Expertise in close-quarters fighting with melee weapons.
- Ranged Combat: Proficiency with firearms and other ranged weapons.
- Defensive Tactics: Skills in blocking, parrying, and mitigating damage.
- Tactical Assault: Advanced offensive maneuvers and coordinated attacks.
- Weapon Mastery: Specialized knowledge of specific weapon types (e.g., rifles, grenades).
Attribute: Mind
Talent: Perception
Specializations:
- Enhanced Vision: Ability to see in low-light or through obstructions.
- Eagle Eye: Increased accuracy in targeting and spotting distant threats.
- Radar Detection: Detecting hidden or cloaked enemies.
- Trap Detection: Identifying and disarming traps and hazards.
- Situational Awareness: Maintaining awareness of the battlefield and unit positions.
Attribute: Spirit
Talent: Willpower
Specializations:
- Leadership: Boosting squad morale and coordinating group actions.
- Mental Fortitude: Resisting psychological warfare and maintaining focus under pressure.
- Inspiring Presence: Enhancing the combat effectiveness of nearby allies.
- Tactical Command: Issuing orders that provide strategic advantages during combat.
- Resilience: Recovering quickly from setbacks and maintaining combat readiness.
Summary
This streamlined section focuses on the essential elements of
Attributes,
Talents, and
Special Abilities necessary for a combat-focused wargame experience in
Infinite Frontiers. By prioritizing combat-relevant skills and simplifying the specialization process, players can quickly create and deploy effective units on the battlefield. For those interested in deeper roleplay and adventure elements, additional Talents and Specializations are available in supplementary sections.
Embrace the tactical depth and strategic opportunities that Infinite Frontiers offers, and lead your forces to victory across the cosmos!
Placeholder Sections
To facilitate future expansion and deeper exploration of complex subjects, the following sections are included as placeholders. These can be developed into comprehensive guides or chapters as the game evolves.
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