Reaction 4, Cannot wear armor

3 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.

Rank 1

Agility 3, Might 3, Offensive combat skill associated with the weapon at novice.

3 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

Agility 6, Might 6, Offensive Melee Skill associated with the weapon at adept.

3 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

Agility 8, Might 8, Offensive Melee Skill associated with the weapon at adept tier

3 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.

Fighting 3, Might 2

3 talents (CC)

You have learned the correct technique for using archery equipment. You can use these archery weapons.

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

Fighting 5, Agility 4, Multiple Engagements

5 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

Fighting 7, Agility 7

5 talents

You can take a 5ft. step between attacks. You cannot move more than your total available movement for that round.

Agility 6, Reaction 6, Multiple Engagements

4 talents

10 essence per round

Every battle has a rhythm, a song, a dance that you have attuned to yourself. Using your essence, the music of battle becomes your dance partner through the chaos of combat, intertwining you with its rhythm.

This ability is considered a special ability and requires the actions to activate. At the beginning of your turn, spend the indicated cost of this mastery to keep the following effects active.

• Gain lucky defense rolls (including against advantage attacks)
• +1 to reaction checks
• +1 to attacks with melee weapons
• One extra action each round.

Getting hit while this ability is active requires a self-psyche check to keep your connection to the battle’s rhythm. Failing the check causes this ability to end.

Fighting 5, Guard 5, Mental 5, Weapon specialization

4 talents

1+ 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.

Guard 5, Shield skill 7

5 talents

Your defense rolls become lucky rolls versus ranged weapons when you are using a shield (excludes buckler).

Vitality 4, Fighting 4

3 talents

1-20 essence

2-40

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.

Agility 5, Mental 5

6 talents

Gain two actions that can only be used as counter actions.

1 counter

Rank 1

Fighting 4, Agility 3, Proficiency with your weapon, Multiple Engagements

3 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

Fighting 6, Agility 5, Weapon Specialization

3 talents

A ranged weapon can be used in the same way as stated in rank one as long as the target is within 20ft.

Agility 4, Mental 4

5 talents

1 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.

Agility 4, Weapon specialization, Throwing at novice

3 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.

Agility 3, Might 3, Weapon specialization, One-handed at novice

3 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.

Might 6, Mental 6

3 talents

You can chain durability damage (up to three chains) when specifically targeting inanimate objects (i.e. called shot to equipped equipment or gear).

Agility 3, Mental 3, Multiple Engagements

3 talents (CC)

1 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.

Associated Skill 12, associated weapon mastery (if applicable), mental 6

4 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.

Perception 6, Multiple Engagements

5 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.

Channeling 4, Archery or Ranged Tech Weapons

4 talents

3 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.

Mechanical 4, Automation 6

4 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.

You have learned how to utilize throwing weapons.

Weapon must have the double weapon property.

Rank 1

Throwing 6, agility 5, perception 5

3 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

Agility 8, throwing 10, one handed or off-hand 8

3 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.

Guard 8, Heavy Armor 14

4 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.

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

Might 5, Offensive Melee Skill 7, Weapon Specialization

3 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

Might 7, Offensive Melee Skill 10, Perception 8

3 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.

Perception 7, One Offensive Combat skill adept, Weapon Specialization

4 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.

Mental 10, Reaction and Psyche 12, One Offensive Combat skill master, Improved Critical Strike Rank 1

5 talents

The weapon used for Improved Critical Strike’s called shot critical strike range increases to 6-8.

Fighting 3, Might 2

3 talents (CC)

You have learned the proper way to wield weapons of the Kobudo category. You can use kobudo weapons.

One Offensive Combat skill 6, Weapon Specialization mastery

7 talents

3 essence

Spending the cost of this mastery makes your next called shot a lucky called shot.

Fighting 3, Might 2

3 talents (CC)

You have learned the proper way to handle weapons of the martial category. You can wield martial weapons.

Mental 4, Melee Combat Skill 5

3 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).

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.

Skilled Rider and you must be mounted to use these masteries.

Mounted Channeling

Mental 5, Pilot 5

4 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

Agility 5, Weapon Specialization

4 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

Agility 5, Reaction 6

4 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

Agility 4, Weapon Specialization

4 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

Agility 4, Might 4, Pilot 5

4 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.

Archery Weapons

You have learned to shoot multiple arrows at a single target. An attack roll must be made for each arrow.

Rank 1

Agility 5, Archery 6

4 talents

4 essence & 1 action

1 per attack

Rank 2

Agility 7, Archery 8

4 talents

8 essence & 1 action

2 per attack

Rank 3

Agility 8, Archery 9

4 talents

16 essence & 2 action

3 per attack

Reaction 5, Perception 5, Proficiency with your weapon.

3 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.

Mechanical 4, Long Arm Gun

4 talents

When a Long Arm is used, an additional burst can chain the base damage die automatically once.

Rank 1

Agility 5, Weapon Specialization with a polearm weapon

3 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

Agility 8, Two Handed 6

3 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

Agility 10, Two Handed 12

3 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.

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

Guard 6

3 talents

1 counter action

10ft.

Rank 2

Guard 9

3 talents

1 counter action

20ft.

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.

Mental 4, Gun 5, Perception 5

3 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.

Mechanical 4, Ranged Tech Weapons, Revolver

4 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.

Agility or Guard 5, Might 4

3 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

You’ve discovered how to use a specific type of weapon. These weapons are creatures who are smaller than you.

Rank 1

Might 8, Two Handed 8

5 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

Might 10, Two Handed 10

5 talents

The grapple on the target is no longer released after a successful attack.

Agility 7, Perception 7, Archery Weapons or Ranged Tech Weapons

4 talents

Long Arms and bows you use have its range increased by +100ft.

Fighting 4, Agility 3, One Expertise Combat skill

4 talents (CC)

2-10 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.

Ranged combat skill being used is expertise, Archery or Mechanical 8, Weapon Specialization

4 talents

1 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).

Fighting 3, Might 2

3 talents (CC)

You have learned the proper way to handle throwing weapons. You can use throwing weapons.

Mechanical 7, Automation 4, Melee or Ranged Tech Weapons

4 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.

Fighting 5, Might 4, Mastery for the weapon (if applicable) or martial arts at novice tier

3 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.