GURPS - Compendium 1..

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PSIONIC SKILLS Body Sense (Physical/Hard) Seep. 131 under Athletic Skills. Flight (Physical/Average) See p. 131 under Athletic Skills. Defaults to DX-6 or Acrobatics-3 Defaults to DX-4 Mind Block (Mental/Average) Defaults to Will-4 Mind Block is the technique of creating a non-psionic mental block to prevent psis from listening in on thoughts or emotions with Telereceive or Emotion Sense skills (only). It does not require psionic ability. An example of a mental block might be doing complicated mathematical calculations, or repeating poetry over and over again. Anyone can do this for a short time (roll vs. IQ or Will+4), but maintaining a deliberate mental block while doing something else, under stress, or for more than a minute, requires skill. The GM may require a Mind Block roll whenever a question arises about whether someone is or is not thinking about something important. This procedure is useful even for those who don't have the skill - roll against the default value. A new roll may be required each minute that the person does nothing, or each turn in combat or stressful situations (e.g., when someone is trying hard not to think about something that concerns him a lot). SCIENTIFIC SKILLS Abacus (Mental/Average) See p. 153 under Professional Skills. Alchemy/TL (Mental/Very Hard) See p. 148 under Magical Skills. No default No default Artificial Intelligence/TL (Mental/Hard) Defaults to Computer Programming-3 or Teaching-S This skill represents knowledge of the latest AI technology and the ability to train artificially-intelligent machines, including expert systems. To teach an AI, the trainer's skill in the area being taught must be greater than that of the machine. He can work with an expert in the subject area, but the AI's skill in the subject area will never be more than two levels above the trainer's, and will never exceed that of the collaborator. To determine training time, assume the machine's intelligence is equal to its tech level, and each equivalent character point of training takes one month. At the end of each month, the AI trainer must make a successful Artificial Intelligence roll, or no character point is gained. For example, a TL8 expert system is to be trained in the Zoology skill to level 11. Zoology is a Mental/Hard skill, so a skill of 11 (IQ+3) will cost 10 points (see p. B44). Training will take at least ten months, more if any AI rolls are missed. Cartography/TL (Mental/Average) Defaults to IQ-5 or Surveying-5 or Navigation-5 This is the ability to create and interpret maps and charts. At TL7+, it includes knowledge of computer mapping techniques, as well as automatic map generation from sensor information. If this skill is used, roll a Contest of Skills between Mind Block and Telereceive, once per minute. This is separate from any other roll required to make the skill work or to get through a Mind Shield. If the subject wins, the peeper will get nothing but poetry or multiplication tables. If he loses, he is not successfully blocking; a successful Telereceive will discover part or all of whatever he is thinking. If the Mind Block user rolls a critical failure, he thought about it - in detail - right there in the forefront of his mind! If someone is doing nothing but concentrating on blocking, they get a +2. Someone who is mentally or physically stunned rolls at -3. Rolls to hide emotions rather than thoughts are harder, and should be made at -2 or more depending on how strong the GM rules they are. GMs may impose additional penalties for other circumstances, e.g., trying to mind block your emotions while sneaking up on your most hated enemy. Paraphysics/TL (Mental/Very Hard) No default Prerequisites: Physics and Biochemistry at 12+ See p. 157 under Scientific Skills. Psionics/TL (Mental/Very Hard) See p. 158 under Scientific Skills. No default Characters attempting to map a location as they move through it must make a Cartography roll to determine if the map is accurate. Computer Hacking/TL (Mental/Very Hard) Defaults to Computer Operation-8 or Computer Programming-4 This skill is used to "hack" into computer systems or accounts that you don't have legal access to. A successful roll is required each time you wish to gain surreptitious access to a new account or system, or to find or change a given item of information in a computer system. On a critical failure, you not only fail to gain access, but leave some sort of incriminating evidence of your attempt. Very sophisticated computer systems will give a penalty of -1 to -15 to all Hacking rolls. This modifier is assigned by the GM according to the sophistication of the system. Note that no cyberdeck is needed for Hacking - only a regular terminal with access to the system, whether directly or through a communications network. However, the skill can be used in conjunction with a cyberdeck in campaigns where such equipment is available. See Chapter 4 of GURPS Cyberpunk for more details. Conspiracy Theory (Mental/Very Hard) Defaults to History-4 or Occultism-4 This is the study of interlocking networks of conspiracies. A conspiracy theorist can answer questions about the conspiratorial view of history - i.e., the various groups thought to be behind the assassination of President Kennedy, or the French 155
Revolution. It does not automatically impart knowledge about how any given conspiracy works today, however. Conspiracy theorists can sometimes determine whether a certain strange occurrence is truly a coincidence or a result of a given conspiracy. There may be a penalty of -1 to -5 depending on circumstances (GM's option). Only a critical success will give insight about what group caused the occurrence, or why. Remember that even without Conspiracy Theory skill, one may sometimes detect the workings of a conspiracy. Depending on the situation, the skills of Criminology, Forensics, Occultism or any of the sciences might be as good as Conspiracy Theory to let you realize that something is wrong here. See History: Esoteric, p. 157. Cryptanalysis/TL (Mental/Hard) Special default; see below This is the ability to break codes and to recognize, analyze and break into encryption systems. It may be used in wartime, in espionage, or simply in high-stakes business dealings. It can involve anything from state-of-the-art tactical encryption sys tems to unsophisticated substitution ciphers. There is no default when dealing with modern, high-tech encryption. However, pre-20th-century ciphers were much simpler, and even in present-day and futuristic campaigns, simple ciphers can be encountered - terrorists seldom have access to good encoding equipment, and professional spies often lack the equipment and training of modern cryptographers. Thus, agents may encounter the same symbol codes, substitution ciphers and other basic deceptions used throughout history. When attempting to crack these simple codes, characters may attempt a default roll at Mathematics-3, IQ-5, Cryptography-5 or Cryptology-5. Alternatively, the GM can actually hand out coded messages and let the players try to solve them. Those with access to a computer gain a bonus of +1 to +5 when using Cryptanalysis. A home computer confers +1, a minicomputer confers +2, a mainframe confers +3 or +4 and a supercomputer offers a +5. One must have a trained programmer, or a Computer Operation skill of 15+, to effectively use a computer in Cryptanalysis. Appropriate software is also required. When decoding, a sample of the code (with translation) gives a +5. If the message to be decoded is shorter than 25 words, roll at - 5. Anyone with a Mathematical Ability advantage gets +3 to Cryptanalysis rolls. Note that some codes will be effectively unbreakable; the NSA has had Cray supercomputers working full-time for years on some high-level diplomatic systems, without success. Cryptanalytical training requires a Top Secret/Special Compartmentalized Intelligence Clearance in the U.S., and similar clearance in other nations (see Security Clearance, p. 29). Therefore, those whose disadvantages pose a security risk may not learn this skill through normal channels. Furthermore, agents with this skill become targets for enemy spies, and superiors may be quite reluctant to let a trained cryptanalyst go on risky missions. Spies and criminals may find their way around such restrictions ... An intelligence agency with powerful connections might arrange to have some of its members trained through unofficial channels. Foreign cryptanalysts may find themselves forced into spying by defection. Cryptography/TL (Mental/Hard) Special default; see below This skill allows one to encode information. It is the exact opposite of Cryptanalysis (above), and like that skill, covers the use of all varieties of encryption systems, codes and ciphers. The difficulty modifier for encryption should be based on the complexity of the procedure and how commonly known it is. Cryptographers may also devise codes and ciphers of their own. When they create a hasty cipher, note the amount by which they succeed on their Cryptography roll. This equals the penalty applied to rolls by enemy cryptanalysts trying to read the message. By rolling at -2, one can try to devise a code that appears to be innocent conversation, thereby avoiding attention from eavesdroppers. Anyone can attempt to devise a trivial code or cipher on an IQ-5 roll, but such schemes never have any Cryptanalysis penalty, no matter what the roll. To create a more effective code requires 3d days of work, plus an additional day for each failed roll. The penalty to break such a code is equal to twice the amount by which the Cryptography roll was made. This means that a master cryptographer (skill of 20-25) can easily create codes which can only be solved at -20 to -30! If the penalty to solve the code reduces the effective Cryptanalysis skill of the code-breaker to less than 3, then that code is considered completely unsolvable by the analyst, even with a critical success. Cryptographers are subject to the same security measures and career restrictions as cryptanalysts. Previous GURPS supplements have confused this skill with Cryptanalysis (above) and Cryptology (below), but they are not the same thing. In a campaign where all three skills are being used, Cryptography defaults to either of these other skills (and vice versa) at -5. Cryptology/TL (Mental/Hard) Special default; see below This is the scientific study of codes and ciphers. A cryptologist has a theoretical understanding of encryption schemes, including how they change with TL and why some schemes are more effective than others. He can try to apply his knowledge practically, to create or break codes, but this not his forte - he is a scientist, not a technician, and such attempts should always be made at -5 or worse. Previous GURPS supplements have confused this skill with Cryptanalysis and Cryptography (above), but they are not the same thing. In a campaign where all three skills are being used, Cryptology defaults to either of these other skills (and vice versa) at -5. Cyphering (Mental/Easy) Defaults to IQ-2 This is the ability to do simple mathematical manipulations - add, subtract, multiply and divide. In any society where illiteracy is the norm, this skill must be specifically learned. It is necessary to any but the most primitive merchant or administrator, and is a prerequisite to Accounting and Mathematics. One who has Mathematics skill need not roll against Cyphering. Most peasants never need this skill, and many others - even nobles - never bothered to learn their cyphering. Default use of this skill is "counting on fingers," feasible only for adding and subtracting numbers below 20. Mathematical Ability adds directly to Cyphering skill. The Lightning Calculator ability makes this skill unnecessary. Herbalist (Mental/Hard) Defaults to Naturalist-6 See p. 150 under Medical Skills. Herbary (Mental/Average) See p. 150 under Medical Skills. No default Prerequisite: Botany-12+ 156
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CHARACTER CREATION COVER BY JEFF KO
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5. SKILLS .........................
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ATTRIBUTE LEVELS AND THEIR MEANINGS
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The Much-Maligned Will: Optional Wi
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The Much-Maligned Will: Optional Wi
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Extra Effort Lifting with High ST T
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Optional Rule: Treating Figured Qua
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Fine-Tune Once you have taken exist
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NEW ADVANTAGES The following are al
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This advantage is useful to shamans
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Frequency of Assistance Frequency r
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Favor Variable You saved someone's
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A character with the Iron Hand will
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Pious 5 points Some people have an
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Tenure 5 points This social advanta
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OCCULT AND PARANORMAL ADVANTAGES Th
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Clerical Magic Variable In some wor
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Familiar Variable Familiars are sma
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Karmic Ties Variable Some people ar
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Medium 10 points You possess the na
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failure, you will believe your ance
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Snatcher Variable This is the power
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Drift: The Jumper does not arrive i
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RACIAL AND SUPER ADVANTAGES These a
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Body of Stone 8 points/level Your b
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the presence of the odor and for 30
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one-handed task (e.g., swinging a s
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You must buy the ST to support your
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No Vitals 5 points You have no part
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Type of Drone Mindless: -10 points.
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Passive Defense 25 points/level up
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Special limitation: One class of da
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Claws 15/25/40/55 points The charac
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d) The transformation is not instan
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Note: Modifiers for multiple limita
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"wrong" with the image (not necessa
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Doing Away With Disadvantages By Bi
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The base value of an Evil Twin is m
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Obnoxious Drunk -1 point As you dri
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than that (in fact, he is more like
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Scalped -5 points You have survived
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MENTAL DISADVANTAGES Mental disadva
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Compulsive Gambling -5/-10/-15 poin
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Edgy -5 points This is a mild form
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Low Self-Image -10 points You lack
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Self-Centered -10 points Like Self
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OCCULT AND PARANORMAL DISADVANTAGES
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Jinxed -20/-40/-60 points This disa
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Unliving -50 points You are not tru
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Lost Speed and DX are regained at a
Page 105 and 106: Reprogrammable Duty -25 points You
Page 107 and 108: Unhealing -20/-30 points You do not
Page 109 and 110: Turning Enhancements On and Off Eac
Page 111 and 112: LIMITATIONS Limitations reduce the
Page 113 and 114: Reduced Range -5% Each time this li
Page 115 and 116: Mastery High Skill vs. Diversity Ha
Page 117 and 118: Extraordinary Diligence to Maintain
Page 119 and 120: USING SKILLS Two sets of skills nor
Page 121 and 122: Firearms Specialization and Familia
Page 123 and 124: Firearms Specialization and Familia
Page 125 and 126: Vehicle Skill Specializations (Cont
Page 127 and 128: + 1 to +5 if the item is a variant
Page 129 and 130: NEW SKILLS The following list inclu
Page 131 and 132: The composer must have a skill in e
Page 133 and 134: Lifting (Physical/Hard) No default
Page 135 and 136: Fire-Siphon (Physical/Average) Defa
Page 137 and 138: Modifiers: All Vision modifiers app
Page 139 and 140: Blind Fighting (Mental/Very Hard) N
Page 141 and 142: Time and fatigue requirements: It t
Page 143 and 144: Light Walk (Mental/Hard) No default
Page 145 and 146: Pressure Points (Mental/Hard) Defau
Page 147 and 148: Darts (Physical/Easy) Defaults to D
Page 149 and 150: MAGICAL SKILLS Alchemy/TL (Mental/V
Page 151 and 152: MEDICAL SKILLS Chi Treatment (Menta
Page 153 and 154: OUTDOOR SKILLS Animal Guise (Mental
Page 155: A critical success automatically ba
Page 159 and 160: Planetology can be used in place of
Page 161 and 162: The GM may give a further +1 bonus
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Page 165 and 166: Note that some maneuvers are listed
Page 167 and 168: Just Watch This One! Expanding the
Page 169 and 170: Just Watch This One! (Continued) Te
Page 171 and 172: Just Watch This One! (Continued) Mu
Page 173 and 174: The Spin Kick allows a simultaneous
Page 175 and 176: The Rule of 12 If evolution or the
Page 177 and 178: Countervailing Attribute Modifiers:
Page 179 and 180: Player-Created Races Although the c
Page 181 and 182: PERSONALITY TRAITS Stefan Jones ori
Page 183 and 184: APPENDIX 2 — ADVANTAGE LISTINGS T
Page 185 and 186: Name Cost Page Reference Peripheral
Page 187 and 188: Name Cost Page Reference Hidebound
Page 189 and 190: Name Type Default Page Reference Na
Page 191 and 192: Name Type Default age Reference Nam
Page 193: - K - Kicking maneuver, 170. Knacks
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GURPS - Compendium 1..

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