The GRE GUD WE=VE=17VI7 VOW skills are Ath= Melee, PilotingMany Hifed Guns are true mercenaries, either work- Ing for themselves or contracted to a guild or company cf some kind, Much like Bounty Hunters, the Hired Guns who are part ofa guild tend to enjoy a great deal of support. They do not, honever, Nave much in the way’ of freedom, More than a few Hired Guns have walked nay from contracts that either violated their personal ethics or left them feeling completely exploited with terrible terms of service. Unfortunately, such mercenar- ies are left watching their backs for years after. Independent Hired Guns enjoy the greatest freedom, yet they also spend a lot of tlme lust tying to find a good job, and preferably one that doesn’t give them a life expectancy measured in days. Reputation can mean everything for such professionals, yet a simple test of skills and competency may often result ina bet- ter arrangement ifthe right employer is impressed HIRED GUN SPECIALIZATIONS What follows is a brief summary of each specialization for this career, and how they apply to the career and to the player's decisions BODYGUARD—PERSONAL DEFENDER Hired Guns nto choose the Bodyguard specialization are excellent choices for defending both people and places. They tend to be highly capable with all kinds of weapon- sycextrerely tough and sawwy in combat, and exactly the fight people to get behind when blaster fie starts fying Their additional Career skill are indicative of their Job: Gunnery, Perception, Piloting (Planetary), and Ranged (Heavy) If hiss the characters starting Specialization, he may choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending starting experience. With this array of skil, a Bodyguard can ‘operate anything that shoots, Keep a good eye on his surroundings, and can handle any planet-bound craft with great aptitude. This, combined with his talent ‘options, makes him potentially perfect as an armed chauffeur or as a heavy weapons emplacement op: erator. He also makes a resilient soldier ‘A Bodyguard will have a rather easy time finding work in the Outer Rim, especially if ne doesn't mind looking after the backside of high-ranking criminal Scum OF Corporate operators who are trying to do: business without becoming victims. His facility with all kinds of weapons and vehicles make him useful to any umber of quasi-legal or criminal operations. As part of a group of Player Characters, a Body- guard is going to be considered more or less a heavy comibatant—the guy who stands up front with the biggest gun. However, the combination of skills and. talents can be angled towards some different ap- roaches. For example, if there's any kind of Politico or Trader in the group, a Bodyguard may well be there solely for the purpose of keeping that person alive. MARAUDER-UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Marauders don't necessarily mind shooting thelr op» ponents, but they would much rather get mixed up in a melee, weapons in hand, smashing and slashing their way through. Marauders are tough—probably the toughest comoatants in any conflict. They tend to take a great deal of punishment while dealing out far ‘more to any who dare go against them ‘A Marauder's list of adcitional Career skills Is not.at all surprising: Coercion, Melee, Resilience, and Sur- vival. IF this is the character's starting Specialization, he may choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending starting experience, Marauders make excellent “leg-breakers, among, ‘other things, and they usually know quite a bit about how to survive in most situations. in combat, they are masters of dishing out and taking lots of damage Marauders may come from low-tech worlds, where ‘advanced weaponry simply wasntan option for them, Alternately, they might come from a culture where melee combat is considered far more honorable and worthy, and they keep to their traditions. Moreover, many pirates and raiders of starships favor melee weapons in order to avoid damaging vital systems: aboard a ship they're in the middle of trying to take, AA character who chooses to be a Marauder might he an expirate, Alternatively, he could be in the adventure to make money in the only way he can—with his fists. It could be that he's simply along forthe ride, ready to bash his way through whatever adventure he encounters. MERCENARY SOLDIER—MASTER OF WAR If the Marauder is the melee master, and the Body- ‘guard isthe all-around weapons and gear trooper, the Mercenary Soldier is the warfare expert. An adept of both ranged combat and military tactics ne is a leader ‘of warriors in combat and a deadly combatant himself. Mercenary Soldiers add the career skills of Discix pline, Gunnery, Leadership and Ranged (Heavy). If this is the character’ starting Specialization, he may. choose tio of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending starting experience. A Merce nary Soldier can be a true mental rock in ertica situ= ations. He is a deadly foe all on his own, and deadlier | stillifhe has a force to lead in battle Mercenary Soldiers are the most likely to have ™ come from prior service with a larger organization, | and they almost certainly had at least a non-cOr sioned officer role with that force. They rasp of both tactics and strategy, thougefo fobs more on the forme + “Purposes“Somé people grow up with a natural icality 3hd'Survval. Even in less gift for eombat, or thelr lives require them to de Mercenary Soldier wil tend to sho lop such skils for survival, and they becom personal discipline and o good at it. Such a Hired Gun may never h Player Character group, it wll not be out ofthe meant to pursue a violent career, yet that’s th Rete iora Mercenary Soldier to take clase nat vas dealt him, and he's going to pla Baronvations With nothing better to do, he mak least in situations wher is likely. Though his ; rs of the galaxy and looks for a way to use wh leader are not @s comprehensive as othe specializations, they are uniquely focused for combat 5 Bayan rea HIRED GUN STORIES + Respect: He may y smart. He may loo ike » meteor sh nmeled his face. He may There are many places Hired Gun might come trom, _FiOW very little beyond how to use and main i Tectors he tana ore more nis neapons, but he knows those skls ve ing. and they need not be simplistic affairs 5 throueh suc + Worthiness: Many who walk the warrior path fa ee nt Og ind them. Such a Hired Gu from i n aly Vat culture, oF one when Trot * Escape: Krowing how to fight can come from fittest is ereetly admired. Hired uns aining, but it can also come fro Inthe time ofthe Empire, many sol moarenpine es ae fey can no longer serve a regime SAUER Sher tcc te coca given to such ruthless tactics ida Re etal lean an be ee policies Such a Hired Gun may not ee eee ticularly extensive s¢ thics, b 7 _ pe nae or ethic hat plac kiling the dete g enti popula the entire Ne nimself he simply grabs hat 3 heads out into the far reaches, eee it nce A en eer) But youre here, and you need my help. And | wll. help you crit a) Peo a cret: | don't even like what | do. | dont ike eee ees Cee Ce aL as ee a a a Ste se wea crBrisrcers aw tat achieving rests does nt al ways requireviolence—sometimes the threat of itis enough. Unlike other Hired Guns, Enforcers focus on social inte actions as. much as comba They can handle themselves ina fight, to be sure, but prefer to accomplish their objectives through savvy, ntimidation, blackmail, and straightforward threats. If they need to fight however they can brawl wi the best. ENEORGER! VMALO7V7 RUTHLESS THUGS derworld), and Streetwise as additional career skills, If this is the character's starting specialization, he may choose two of these skills and gain one free rank in each, without spending experience, While most Hired Guns focus almost exclusively on combat, Enforcers: have a focus in intimidation and both learned and instinctual criminal knowledge. Although they have ac cess to Brawl and other combat skills, for the most part Enforcers are not mindless thugs, but canny operators cll versed in the ins and outs of the criminal under cord, When it comes to navigating this world, few are as knowledgeable or adept as Enforcers, Even when visiting a new planet, Enforcers adapt quickly, picking, up instinctively on subtle cues and local slang in most criminal organizations, Enforcers fil the dual ‘ole of hired muscle and the “face” of a criminal or ganization, The Enforcer brings a criminal syndi message to the streets, then ensures that message is followed (and punishes those who stray). Enforcers should have no trouble fi whether on the uncivilized worlds of the Outer Rim or in the shady un: derworids of the Core planets, Enforcers are a natural fit for organized crime syndicates, where they col debts and ensure everyone shows the proper respect and deference to bosses and leaders. Many Enforcers ety, avoiding police forces while ules of gangs and criminal organizations practice a certain sub enforcing the While most Enforcers have a fondness for violence, they also display a degree of self-control. Violence is. a tool in the Enforcer’s arsenal, and not an end in it self. Unlike some Hired Gun characters, an Enforcer is more likely to try words before violence, though these words may be laced with venom and the threat of im rminent violence. However, an Enforcer must always be ready to fight. Ina group, Enforcers can fulfill much the same combat role as other Hired Guns, but can also take he lead in negotiations and social interactions. With heir Knowledge (Underworld) and Stree Enforcers can act as guides when the group delves into the criminal underworld, a realm as dangerous for the unprepared as any natural environment. A sawy Enforcer can actually help the group to avoid unnecessary fights by knowing what to say during, fense negotiations with dangerous criminals, Enforc- rs are more likely to take on a social interaction than some other Hired Guns, since their skills an be pul to use negotiating jobs, finding work, and. managing social encounters,AMOUMONIGT IM LONWABWINWY icated proximity and timed ex another Hired Gun right go after aightup fight, a Demolitionist m ventive route, such as when the target s ing of the physics, stion and explosi on an intuitive evel as well as an academic one. They detonator to explo, are not mindless destroyers, but artists. Demolit ist at wreaking ha viding being lured by their own handh ofthet ee t FORCE OF DESTRUCTION misstep can spell io , A Demnolitionist’s additional career skils are Comput (and nfortunate enough to be in the gener ics, and Skulduggery. | this is thc i ecializatic ase two skils, Demolitionists c ‘minded than rigst Hires Cu han st SsHIE AVIS =VIRYV OVERWHELMING FIREPOWER st of additional career ski srception, Ranged ne ch eptions, In s, stead a mercenary band, Having a He }oon, The mere sight c y can ensure that no one hassles them, and Jeavy—when properly equipped—is easily a ‘umbersome weapons, which helps t damage, and also allows them to wear heavy her charac rowly focused d combatHired Gun: Bodyguard Talent Tree lets, Brow, sce, Mee, Pots adyquard Bonus Career Skills: Gunner fe) CE ae con CE ne Body oo Cee rr [Ears (Planetary), Ranged (Light, Resiience, Vigilance Perception, Piloting (Planetary), Ranged (Hepey) Deed Cie ‘Add 1 damage per rank ay reduce any Cal tf Barage tol nt of y fered by 10 peta Passive i Haro Heaneo ea : erate: Ol Barrage to 1 Hitot sue esl attack whe us ro = | CREzes Beiensve Stance ma and sufer anumber ofan Incoming ranged attacks by sificuty. of all in move Bl added by em an east rumber for the melee stack by 2 ronmental cheumstances ken Sid Step. ‘asteed tis nay co CBsad Cs (Once per round, may per ‘Once per round ma When staggered or dor and salle anambe of sain newer ard suffer 9 num: ‘He to make a 0 upgade cfc of all ber of sain to upgrade Daunting 4 4) Dis reaming ranged 30 dafuty of all incoming ipine heck frre an equa mane fo tele attacks by an equal ous Diy red xd ound. Stan sured umber for te nex round per ark of Ha He fis ay cannot exceed Stan sufered this Way ranks in SideStep, armor exceed ranks n De on Fensie Stance Cin TT pe LE of Barrage to | hitof si Ranged (Heavy) or Gun- reny kil a tong or 2Hired Gun: Demolitionist Talent Tree Career Sis: Rbatics, raw, Dsiline, Melee, Piatig (Planetary), Ranged (igh, es eins Bonus Career Skil Computers, Col, Mechanics, Saluggey i stuecrve Pana vseerd O TOUGHENED O ieee oo co fa Maris) Ii Fapio Reaction 2 ae number | Baas - eae PTs) [ Pear Ecru Caran repoinnsans Saxtsanres ont croNATION Crea [nen aan Pau ql bend Seectve Dena 0 AverageHired Gun: Enforcer Talent Tree Career Sits: Abate, raw, Dsipne, Male, Pstig (Planetary), Ranged (igh, Resieacs,Vigince Underwari,Sretwise Cine a Ln May aver 9 number 0 sufered ies vay cannot ox number. | Be [ Bienes Laas ‘Once per encounter Remove Ml The character may spend tee Second Wind inci Suet Destiny Point to. 3d or comes engaged With culty L Baccus Cem Ls May suifer a number LT ‘iicuty enual othe chHired Gun: Heavy Talent Tree Caroor Sil: Athletics, Bra, Discipline, Mele, Piloting (Planetary), Ran LE La and Encumbrance rating essful attack sin in Bury t0'9 min. ils ot long of er Ii spare cu Perform the Brace ma ny Cit © temsvath Um WM roucHENeD CBr i upgrade coy of al ceedranisinSideSop. os Cg 7 j Jamage per rank Heavy) or Gun cr CE Crem Cin Reduce any wielded weap Sind Encumbrance ratingGig Uscipline, Mele, Pitng (Planetary), Ranged (Ugh), Resilience, Vigilance Coercion, Mele, Resilience, Survival Cis Ciera Caan Cems Bra chac sue num Feral Svengin to ene ht of thal Bors to any C FERAL STRENGTH Z CEs Ce Success atacks made U co Inte on Bran Inoekite rg or Malo ee Checks urtl he od ft Lars Ce Cin ean Cnn Cenes K pai Cain +2 wound tests 1 cage pr Aad 10 pe rank o Le ; ces ack mace rolany | Sraw or Ml iny rau ied fe Sr orl Check on oor ened CE 2 Melee o c ‘ ‘Once per round, may pl Gain + 1 toa seca rant check safer nu formeensie Stance Tersuc Tas canott per of san To upgrade suter 3 hacen above StnsHired Gun: Mercenary Soldier Talent Tree ence, Vigilance , Brawl, Discipline, Mi Pltig (Planetary), Rang (gin, ‘Mercenary Soldier Sonus Career Skil: Discipline, Gunnery, Leadership, Ranged (Heary) ‘COMMAND 4c per ark of Co ns Dec rH Een Second Wind inien Ed Tok the Feld Commande rose Average ($6) Leadership check Cnn) oni ster {star and ererm Les En Cle checks %0 CEI 6B rank of Com mond when rrakrg Lea | irre am ‘Once pr ound, may per and upgrade combat che co Cin ‘| damage per rark of Pome Blank to damage of Jone it of ful Ranged eay or Ranged Tg attacks made he Be Tea town weaponsas i rr Le ‘MARKSMAN Once pesto. may or Ranges (Heavy) check ra ioe) cn an equal number Sran 3 Pen Polak to damage of Ranged (Hea) or Ranged Before making anon perform a Sniper Shct ma weapons range by I ange Band per rank in. Sniper Shot Upgrade te aiicty I co eos Ak 10 per rank of Le Injury resus ced en forma fue Am mance hd upgrade coma check nce pe rank Te Am,