The usual OOC field. Also where to vote on starting at Rank 1, or at Rank 2, with military training.

OK, folks, we have 4 players, now. It is time to discuss and decide whether you want the first batch of characters to be experienced military and having a rank of training to start, or whether you ant 6 ranks of powers.

I say 'first batch" because death will be possible, but new rank 1 characters are always an option when it happens.

If we start at rank 2 with training do all our powers, abilities, traits, etc have to be exactly the same as what the rank 1 grunt gets or can we build the character how we want just with the restrictions of the special training origin at rank 1?

At Rank 1 you would have what I posted for a Grunt. Military combat training. Trust me, you don't pick what they teach you, they do. Ask any vet. :-)

And then your first batch of powers is on top of that at rank 2.

Now, keep in mind that the Grunt training has 3 power sets already, so you won't get bonus powers for quite a while if you opt for that.

I'm not recommending it, merely making it available. Note that it comes with some predetermined attributes, as well.

Actually, on consideration, I'll make it an individual choice. Don't worry about voting. If you want to be a lifer that's undergone the process, take the Rank 1 grunt template and add Rank 2 and powers. If you want to be new and untrained, with a full set of chosen powers, be a Rank 1 with the basic Occupation training and not much else.

If you absolutely have to be an officer or senior noncom, take your free Trait for your new rank as Extra Occupation: Leader

And, with that, you folks can start working on characters.

I THINK I have unlocked the character sheets, but this is my first time under the new format. Let me know if you're having problems posting a sheet and I'll play around until I figure it out.

I've just got blank text boxes for a character sheet.  I do have two of them.  Was this intended?

No, and I only see one when I look. It may be a computer glitch of some sort. Try Reloading the page.

Ok, I only see one blank text box now.

I am still debating between the fresh-face recruit and grunt, probably opting towards the former, but that depends on what people are thinking generally for the squad. Definitely not Team Leader.

My idea would be something like the Templar from X-Com, using a psi-blade ala Psylocke to close in Melee. From what I've seen, this is just "fluff" to explain Melee Weapons powers, so it's perfectly doable in the system.

I have a suggestion. A redemption story in the same frame of mind as clasdic movies such as:
The Dirty Dozen
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dirty_Dozen
Where Eagles Dare
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Eagles_Dare
Cast a Giant Shadow
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cast_a_Giant_Shadow
The Devil's Brigade
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...il%27s_Brigade_(film)
Saving Privte Ryan

I could go on but those are my top picks. They don't have to be hardened criminals, they can be more like the RL 101st Airborn's "Filthy 13," a bunch of guys willing to do what it takes to end the war and get redemption when/if they come home. This game seems to land itself perfectly to such a premise.

Thoughts?

Except that Melee Weapon is Special Training (and mentioned as unavailable already in the Premise/Read First post). This game is supposed to be about growing powers, not full time training with weapons that have been out of fashion for a couple of centuries.

Mind you, that doesn't mean it can't be done, just that you should be aware of what it means going in: There are only 9 Melee weapon powers in the first place, so you'll need others at some point. Obvious choices are things like Mighty and Sturdy, and maybe Brawling, but there are others.

At Rank 1 (or 2, if you opt for more military experience) you won't be able to start with any MW powers (other than what a Grunt has already, of course) other than the bare minimum of 1 to activate the sword. Vicious Attack is the best choice, as it's a basic attack, really, just with a change for the weapon's special effect.

After the first Rank of experience and growth is earned, the military would have had time to find you a fencing master that actually knows combat maneuvers with a sword (as opposed to just the sporting maneuvers) and passed a vetting process for a TS clearance.

The you can learn as many Melee powers per rank as you wish, but the trainer (ie: me) chooses them. It will be a conservative, well rounded, growth pattern. Although I will work with you some what, of course.

This seems draconian, but it's the nature of the military that they decide for you on training. And you're wanting for a barred power set.

Now, the big question is, over 6 ranks, can you find 15 (or more, depending on number of bonus powers and/or if you cut short your weapon training early) powers for the character.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:19, Sun 21 Apr.

I'm not sure if you're asking if you can be a problem character or if I'll retool the game a bit to make you all problem characters.

I was thinking neither, but something more like Strike Force: Morituri. A bunch of folks that were willing to die to protect their planet from invading aliens. Redemption hardly matters in a case like that. And The comics tried out the criminal volunteers, as I recall. It didn't go well giving criminal and less than trustworthy sorts super powers.

Thanks for clarifying that! I got confused with the fact that in the book, Melee Weapons are not Special Training, Special Training is an origin that simply allows those Powers.

I'm fine with starting as newbie as possible and being "trained" as per the trainer's wishes, as long as the concept is the same; I don't mind that at all. After all, I was going for more for the Templar vibe, therefore TK/TP powers later if it's possible (so technically the sword is a psychic blade).

Yes and no. Special Training allows the use of any power set that is, essentially, Training. So I used the power sets allowed by Special Training to bar anything that was Training, rather than actual Power.

The super soldier formula makes you strong, but you need to practice to learn the shield. The problem here is that you folks are just getting the powers. training has to  come in game. I'll make it available where I can, but it will have to come in game, and with the usual limits of the Military running it. The nature of this sort of campaign.

And while we are on the topic, anyone that wants to do the same with ranged weapons will need to spend a slot on Elemental to get the "gun" to use. Mixing Elemental and Ranged might not be that useful, as I think Ranged powers have their own Fantastic results, so the Elemental specials wouldn't apply. Still, if you think one or more of the powers would be useful, we can discuss a little training. sharpshooters and snipers are easy to find. Trick Shot specialists will take a bit of time.

I believe I've got my character done properly.  I'll say more about it after the GM has had a chance to double check that I did it properly.

Give me a minute. I'm going to reorganize it a bit so I can count power sets more easily.