Ranks: 2
XP Cost: 10; 15
Learn Time: 24
Skill Point Cost: 5
Self-Teach :+25%
Pre-Requisite: Observation R1
Debarment: –
Limitation: Target within 15 feet; Cannot use offensive attacks
Rarity: Uncommon
Description:
A character who takes the Tactics skill gains a +3 bonus to damage on all attacks in any given combat by taking thirty seconds to study his opponent’s movements. After announcing “Tactics!” and counting thirty seconds (“Studying 30, Studying 29, Studying 28” etc.) the character has some idea of what his opponent’s plans in combat. The character must remain within 15 feet of the combatants during his time of study to ensure this ability works. When combat ends or all combatants of the original combat are eliminated (subdued, unconscious, or dead combatants are considered eliminated from combat, as well as any combatant that have fled the combat), the character must again step back a moment to analyze the situation and spend a new set of SP to keep the bonus he has gained. He may physically parry attacks directed at him during studying, as well as use any non-offensive combat abilities to avoid harm, but may not initiate any attacks himself. This includes uses of his innate spell strikes, wild talents, or other combat abilities no matter what it may be. Nearly all his attention is focused on divining the intent of his enemies.
Furthermore, if the character wishes to devote another rank to this ability (at the cost of 15XP), he may choose to study one particular race in order to better understand its tendencies. In this case, the character gains a +6 bonus to damage when using this ability. Once again, after announcing “Racial Tactics: ____” and counting thirty seconds (“Studying 30, Studying 29, Studying 28” etc.) the character has a very good idea of what his opponent’s plans in combat. The character may specialize in as many races as he likes, but can gain only a maximum bonus of +6 to any particular race’s tendencies. Undead, shape-shifters, and the like are exempt from the specialized form of this ability. If multiple races are involved in combat the specialized +6 is gained towards the combatants of that race while the normal +3 is gained towards all others. As before, the character must remain within 15 feet of the combatants during his time of study to ensure this ability works and when combat ends or all combatants of the original combat are eliminated the effect ends. This ability costs 5 sp per use.
