====== Talents ======

Talents represent specialized training, natural gifts, or unique abilities.

They distinguish characters beyond Attributes and Skills.

Talents should feel impactful without adding excessive complexity.

Characters typically gain:

  * 1 Talent at character creation
  * 1 additional Talent at major milestones

The GM may adjust frequency based on campaign style.

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===== Talent Design Principles =====

Talents should:

  * Be easy to remember
  * Modify existing mechanics rather than create new subsystems
  * Reinforce character identity
  * Avoid stacking excessively

Unless stated otherwise:
  A Talent may only be selected once.

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===== Combat Talents =====

Power Attack  
  When you hit in melee, you may take -2 to your attack roll to add +5 to damage.

Sharpshooter  
  Ignore up to 2 points of cover penalty.

Duelist  
  Gain +1 Defense when fighting a single opponent in melee.

Tactician  
  Allies within Close range gain +1 Initiative.

Brutal Finisher  
  When you drop an enemy to 0 Health, you may immediately move.

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===== Skill Talents =====

Expert  
  Choose one Skill. Gain +2 when using it.

Jack of All Trades  
  Untrained Skills count as +1 instead of +0.

Quick Thinker  
  Gain Advantage on Initiative once per scene.

Careful Operator  
  When performing an Extended Task, your first failure does not trigger a complication.

Insightful  
  Gain +2 on rolls to detect deception or hidden motives.

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===== Defensive Talents =====

Iron Will  
  Gain +2 to resist Resolve damage effects.

Tough  
  Increase maximum Health by 5.

Evasive  
  Once per round, you may impose Disadvantage on one attack against you.

Second Wind  
  Once per scene, regain 5 Health as a Minor Action.

Unbreakable  
  When reduced to 0 Health, remain standing until end of your next turn.

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===== Utility Talents =====

Inspiring  
  Once per scene, grant an ally Advantage.

Resourceful  
  Once per session, declare you have a useful tool on hand.

Connected  
  Gain +2 when interacting with factions you have positive Reputation with.

Linguist  
  You can communicate in nearly any spoken language after brief exposure.

Lucky  
  Once per session, reroll any die (including damage).

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===== Creating New Talents =====

When designing new Talents:

  * Avoid flat bonuses above +2
  * Avoid stacking multiple damage boosts
  * Avoid abilities that negate core risks
  * Tie Talents to tone and genre

If uncertain, compare to existing Talents for balance.

Talents should feel meaningful but not mandatory.

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ODDS RPG Talents v1.0 Playtest