The Cortex system uses a method of numerous dice for ... file · Web viewRules. Rolling Dice: Players Roll a dice from: Affiliation. Reputation. Distinction (D8 or D4) Race Power

MassEffect RPG Cortex+ Conversion

Rules

Rolling Dice:Players Roll a dice from:

Affiliation Reputation Distinction (D8 or D4) Race Power Set Class Power set Gear Power Set Skill or Specialities Assets/resources Opponent Stress Complications on opponent

Before you roll, Plot Points may be spent to… Push your dice pool with a d6. Add in an extra trait from a trait group (i.e., two powers from a Power Set, or two

Distinctions). Add a stunt die for your Power Set or Specialty. Activate certain special effects (SFX) in a Power Set.

After You Roll, Plot Points may be spent to… Add an extra die from your roll to your total. Keep an extra effect die. Activate an opportunity rolled by the Watcher. Activate certain special effects (SFX) in a Power Set. Use an effect die from a reaction roll. Change stress you’ve taken to another type.

During a Transition Scene, Plot Points may be spent to… Add a resource die linked to a Specialty.

Plot Points may be earned when You sse a Distinction negatively. You activate a Limit on a Power Set. You have an opportunity on your dice activated by the Watcher or another player to add to

the doom pool. The watcher gives you one.

ME1 Chris Challacombe


Character Creation

AffiliationsChoose 1 at d10, 1 at d8 and 1 and d6.

Assault Support SpecialistThe Direct Approach Helping the team, hindering

the enemy The other stuff

Physical and Mental Attacks Complications and Team Assets

Personal Assets and Skill use

Distinctions Choose a race and class Distinction.

Create a character concept. This must include the race and possibly the character’s class

Examples: Noble Turian Warrior, Curious Human Explorer, Devious Salarian Smuggler, Asari Huntress in pursuit of Justice

Choose three further distinctions from these possible:

Trouble. Pick a distinction that represents a recurring problem. This could be a character flaw, a nemesis or a person that complicates things.

Background. Choose a distinction that represents the childhood, upbringing and training of the character.

Turning Point/ first adventure. Choose a distinction to define the moment the character became a hero. This could be an adventure, mission or some other event.

Personality. Choose a distinction that represents how the character acts or looks.

Catch-phrase/Saying. Choose something that the character likes to say. Values. Choose something based on one of the following:

o Dutyo Faitho Funo Glory

o Guilto Justiceo Loyaltyo Love

o Powero Revengeo Trutho Wealth

How are these used?

1. If used for something relevant, roll a d8.2. If used as a potential problem, gain a PP and toll a d4.3. These can be used against you; either the opponent gains a d8,

something bad happens or you have act a particular way: you gain a PP. This is caused a compel.



Power Sets – Races, classes and gear Characters have three powers sets

One based on their race, one for class, and one based on gearEach provides powers, sfx and limits.

If a racial power lists one die value that power is optional and the value is the maximum, if it lists two those are the max and the min.

All races have a racial limit. They gain a PP if affected by a a special racial event or play their racial animosities.

If characters would have repeated powers (Biotics) split them up so they vary between the sets.

Gear depends on class. Spending.

Balanced

Write down all powers and SFX. maximum spend of 30 dice between Powers sets, SFX and Skills

Narrative

Set character as whatever is needed.Check dice ranksd6 - Average - has the ability, but nothing speciald8 - Enhanced - Near Peakd10 - High - Peak for most abilitiesd12 - Ultra - Beyond the norms! Must be a special reason for this.

New Powers

IntellectWillpowerCharismaAppearanceDexterityAim



Skills There are 13 Skills

Acrobatics BioticBusinessCombatCosmicCovertCrimeEmpathyMedicalMenacePilotingScience Tech

Each can be taken at Trained (d6), Expert (d8 or 2d6) and Master (d10 or 2d8 or 3d6).These can be used to create resources at one die less than their main level.

Characters start with 5-20 die steps of skills (d6 costs 1 etc) Including skills gained from class.

You can then choose 3 specialities at d12, d10, d8, which must be higher than the relevant skill. Note some specialities come up twice.

Acrobatics - (Dodge, Jumping, climbing, freerunning) Biotic- (Telekinesis, Barrier, Warp, Slam, Charge, Mental)Business – (Trade, valuing, contacts)Combat - (Pistol, SMG, Shotgun, sniper, Assault rifle, Melee, Tactics)Cosmic – (Specfic Race or Planet, History,)Covert - (Stealth, Hacking, Theft, sniper, disguise)Crime – (contacts, Legal system, cons, Deceit)Empathy – (Persuade, Bluff, Read people, charm, Seduce)Medical – (First Aid, Diseases, poisons)Menace - (Taunt, intimidate, Psych-out)Piloting - (Fighter, Freighter, Cruiser, Ships systems, Ground craft)Science - (Specfic area of Knowledge, Genetics)Tech - (Hacking, Computers, Omni-Tool, Repair, Modify).



Races

ASARISuggested Distinctions Courtesan, Politican, Justicar, Polite, RestrainedSuggested skills Science, Biotic, EmpathyPowers Biotics d6-d10

Intellect d10, Charisma d10, Appearance d10 Sfx Longevity Asari typically live up to 1,000 years old.Limits Asari – disliked by Krogans and suffer penalties on

contact with.

BATARIANSuggested Distinctions

Violent, Terrorist, Aggresive, Pirate, Slaver, Criminal

Suggested skills CombatPowers Strength d8.Willpower d8, Stamina d6Sfx None.Limits Batarian. Humans and batarians have a great dislike

for each other. Many races distrust Batarians and view them as mercenaries and criminals.

DRELLSuggested Distinctions

Loner, Wanderer, Silent, Observant, Watcher

Suggested skills Combat, covertPowers Senses d6-d10, Reflexes d8.Sfx Drell have excellent memories. Can remember

events for a PP.Limits Drell. Drell cannot be cured of diseases once

infected.

HUMANSuggested DistinctionsSuggested skills AnyPowers Intellect, Charisma, willpower d8

Strength, Stamina, reflexes d6Sfx Limits Human. Viewed as impetuous and nieve by most

races and hated by batarians.

KroganSuggested Distinctions Mighty, Berserk, Angry, Hothead, DourSuggested skills Combat, MenacePowers Strength d6-d10, Stamina d6-d10, Durability d6-d10.



Resistance (Poison and disease)d6-d10Sfx Natural Armour

Krogans reduce physical stress by one die step.Limits Krogan. Most races fear and distrust Krogans. QUARIANSuggested Distinctions

Explorer, Pilgrim, Mr Fix-it, Nervous, Migrant

Suggested skills Tech, PilotingPowers Tech power d6-d10

Reflexes d8, Intellect d8Sfx When Quarians make assets from tech parts there are

worth a die step more than normalLimits Quarian

Complex NeedsQuarian biology prevents them from eating any food made by other species with the exception of turians. Also, Quarians have no immune systems. They must wear special environment suits when out in the open on other planets or on space stations, with the exception of specialized rooms with volus life support systems.

Eerie Presence/ReputationMost people regard the quarians with mistrust because of the creation of the geth and the subsequent self-imposed isolation of the quarian people. First impressions are almost always negative.

SalarianSuggested Distinctions

Distracted, hyperactive, observer

Suggested skills Empathy, covert, Piloting, SciencePowers Senses d8, Reflexes d6-d8, speed d6, intellect d8,

charisma d8Sfx None.Limits Salarian. Hated by the krogan.

Short-Lived A typical salarian lifespan is roughly 40 years.

TURIANSuggested Distinctions

Cop, Determined, Disciplined, Honorable

Suggested skills Covert, CombatPowers Senses d8, willpower d8, intellect d6Sfx Limits Turian

Complex Needs Turian biology prevents them from eating any food



made by other species with the exception of quarians.

VOLUSSuggested Distinctions

Money grabbing, Rich, Banker, Merchant

Suggested skills BusinessPowers Intellect d6-d8, charisma d6Sfx /Limits Volus

Complex NeedsThe high-pressure, ammonia-based atmosphere of their home planet makes the volus incapable of breathing the air that other species do or enjoying their food. They must wear special environment suits when out in the open on other planets or on space stations, with the exception of specialized rooms with volus life support systems.Coward Though not exactly cowardly, their frail and undexterous physique lends to them getting away from violence more than other species.Little PersonThe volus are shorter than other species, at about two-thirds their height or shorter.

VORCHASuggested Distinctions

Vicious, Scavenger, Refugee, Outcast

Suggested skills Combat, menacePowers Stamina d6-d10, Durability d6, Speed d8, Strength

d6, Reflexes d8Weapon d6 (claws)

Sfx RegenerationRecover 1step of stress every beat, and all stress outside of a scene for cost of a PP.Environmental AdaptionImmunity to one environmental condition, limited.The immunity changes after a week in a hostile environment. A player may pick a specific type of environment that the character is already resistant to before the game begins.

Limits VorchaShort-Lived A typical vorcha lifespan is roughly 20 years.



Out for BloodVorcha communicate primarily through violence. As such, if words just aren't cutting it, teeth, guns, clubs, and whatever else is handy will.

Classes Each class provides a number of D6 skills and a choice of powers.Spend 5 points on class powers

SOLDIERPower Options Carnage, Overkill, Concussive shot, Adrenaline rush,

FortificationSkills at D6 Combat, MenaceGear 3 weapons of any type.

Heavy ArmourBasic Omni-tool (d6)

ADEPTPower Options Biotic Control, Throw, Shockwave, singularity, WarpSkills at D6 BioticGear 1 Light weapon, 1 heavy weapon

Light ArmourBasic Omni-tool (d6)

ENGINEERPower Options AI Hacking, Damping, Overload, Incinerate, Cryo-

blast, Combat Drone, Energy DrainSkills at D6 TechGear 2 weapons of any type.

Medium ArmourMil-spec Omni-tool (d8)



INFILTRATORPower Options Overload, Cryo-blast, Sabotage, Marksman, Stealth

FieldSkills at D6 Tech, Covert, CombatGear Assault rifle, Sniper-rifle and one light gun

Light ArmourMil-spec Omni-tool (d8)

VANGUARDPower Options Concussive Shot, Shockwave, Telekinesis, Charge, Skills at D6 Biotic, CombatGear 2 weapons of any type

Medium ArmourBasic Omni-tool (d6)

SENTINELPower Options Overload, Cryo-blast, Tech Field, Warp, ThrowSkills at D6 Tech, bioticGear 2 weapons of any type.

Light ArmourMil-spec Omni-tool (d8)



Biotic Powers

All biotic Powers have the following limits and SFX: No Biotic Power can be used in 2 consecutive turns. Biotic powers do not work on shielded targets.

(unless stated) SFX – shutdown. Shutdown a power for 1PP.

Regain on an opportunity or at a transistion scene.

Biotic abilities

Base POWERS

Biotic Control = Kinetic Control Dominate = Mind controlMind Reading = TelepathyBarrier = DurabilityLevitate = Movement (levitate)

SFX Lift / Pull – Afflict bonus on “floating” complications Singularity - Area Attack. Stasis - Afflict bonus on “In Stasis” complications, but that can

also be used as a defense by the target.

Attack Powers

Each of the following is a variation on Biotic Attack. Anyone who can has one can take Biotic attack and then the relevant SFX.

Throw SFX – Afflict bonus on “floating/thrown” complications.

Slam Crush

SFX = If target has Armour durability, step down their die by two steps.

Warp Shockwave:

SFX =Area affect. Does work against shielded targets. Charge (Melee Attack)



TechTech abilities have the following SFX and Limits:

No Tech Power can be used in 2 consecutive turns. Tech powers do not work on shielded targets. (unless stated) SFX – shutdown. Shutdown a power for 1PP. Regain on an opportunity

or at a transistion scene.

Tech Powers

Base POWERS

Damping = Energy ControlAI Hacking = Tech controlTech Shield = DurabilityStealth Field = InvisibilityCombat Drone = Sorcery!

SFX – Create a “combat drone asset” and step up by one die.

Attack PowersEach of the following is a variation on Tech Attack. Anyone who can has one can take Tech attack and then the relevant SFX.

Overload SFX – Step up effect die by one against synthetics or two if causing shield stress.Limit – Step down effect die by one against non-synthetics.

Energy Drain SFX – any stress done can be used to remove user’s shield stress, or to create a “boosted shields” asset.Limit – only effective against shielded targets.

Sabotage SFX – Afflict - step up Effect die to place “weapon malfunction” complication OR pay 1PP to remove weapons with the gear limit.Limit – cannot work against targets without modern weaponry, or synthetics.

Neural Shock (does mental damage)

Incinerate SFX – Step up damage against targets with armor durability.

Cryo BlastSFX – Step up complication of “frozen” placed on target.



Combat Powers All combat powers have limit:

recharge time of one round in between uses. Some Only work with specific weapon. If that dice is not rolled in

the power cannot be used.

Carnage – Attack -Shotgun

Overkill – attack - Assault rifle / SMG

Immunity / Fortification = Durability

Adrenaline Rush = Reflexes

Marksman – attack, Pistol/Heavy Pistol/Sniper-Rifle

Assassination – Attack, Sniper rifle

Concussive Shot – Attack, Shotgun/AssaultRifle



Weapons and ArmorAll weapons and Armor have the gear limit.

All weapons have limit:Mutually Exclusive Shutdown weapon to switch to another Firearm.

All Guns have limit:Out of Ammo Shutdown Gun and gain 1 PP. Take an action against the Doom pool to recover

Guns

Basic Versions

Pistol d6Heavy Pistol d8SMG d6 SFX-Area AttackAssault Rifle d6 SFX-Area AttackHeavy Assault Rifle d10Shotgun 2d8Sniper Rifle d10

Named Versions

M-3 Predator d6 pistolM-6 Carnifex d8 pistolM-5 Phalanx d8 pistolM-23 Katana d8 ShotgunM-27 Scimitar d10 ShotgunM-300 Claymore d10 ShotgunM-29 Incisor d10 Sniper RifleM-92 Mantis d12 Sniper RifleM-97 Viper d12 Sniper RifleM-8 Avenger d6 Assault RifleM-15 Vindicator d10 Assault RifleM-76 Revenant d8 Assault RifleM-4 Shuriken d6 SMGM-9 Tempest d8 SMGM-12 Locust d6 SMG

Melee



Fists - no diceBiotics - see TalentsForce weapons - d6.Omni-Blade – d6

Armor

All armor provides shields stress. All damage is applied to shields. Once the shields are stressed out then damage is applied as normal.

Basic Armour

Light Armour d6 DurabilityMedium Armour d8 DurabilityHeavy Armour d10 Durability. Strength d8.


Documents

The Cortex system uses a method of numerous dice for ... file · Web viewRules. Rolling Dice: Players Roll a dice from: Affiliation. Reputation. Distinction (D8 or D4) Race Power