Talents

Talents? Talents let you customize your character, granting special abilities or bonuses to existing
abilities or skills. Characters may spend IP on Talents to boost their combat abilities, in much
These talents were the same way as learning a spell provides a Magic User with additional abilities. Some Talents
designed to fill the IP gap provide access to new maneuvers or ways to use weapons, while others improve the damage or
that appears between
magic-users and non-casters hit chance with weapons.
when the casters are required Talents must be learned from someone who already knows them, and many may be found
to purchase spells and at military academies, guilds, or in small mercenary training grounds known as Kobars. Some
expensive skills while the of the more advanced techniques will not be easy to come by, as the individuals who know
melee combatants are static them are jealous of their knowledge and must be convinced that the character is worthy of it.
in their abilities outside the
skill tree and finding that
These Masters will take only the most deserving students (in their eyes) and will swear them
cool new sword. to secrecy once they have passed the knowledge on.
While intended for melee The process of learning a Talent is the same as a Mage learning a spell. Once the
and ranged focus characters, character has located a source of the Talent and has the required skill minimums and
the talents should be prerequisite Talents to learn it, he must spend time in training. While engaging in the
available to anyone who training, the character must make several skill checks (using the appropriate skill) per week,
wants to spend the time and
I.P. to purchase them, but with failure of any rolls requiring a re-roll the following day and adding an additional day to
they have been put together the training time. Since most teachers are paid by the day, this can add additional cost to
to limit their effect on learning the skill, however, the instructor is able to divide their Teaching skill among their
magical combat. students as a bonus to these learning rolls.
Effort was also made to Once the required skill rolls have been made and the student has spent the required time
ensure that the Talents do
not touch directly on the to learn it, the student spends their IP (based on the difficulty of the Talent, see the table) and
realms of Defining Skills or is able to use (and train others in) the Talent. Note that each rank of a Talent is considered a
Skill Trees, but there was separate Talent and must be trained and studied separately to learn.
some overlap (specifically in There are two types of Talents, Passive Talents and Maneuvers. If the Talent is a
the Stealth area). Maneuver (identified by an (M) after the name in the description), it will list the STA cost to
No warrantee is offered if
other homebrew professions
execute the maneuver. Unless otherwise noted, these maneuvers are considered Special
are used. These Talents may Actions and cannot be combined with Strong or Fast attacks. Maneuvers that case a special
be overpowered if your effect or condition (such as Bleed or Stun) cause these effects in addition to any weapon
group's Armsman isn't effects, and if the conditions have a % chance of applying, the checks are made separately. For
complaining about only example, a master of 2h hammer with the Warmaster Talent (Stun (-3)), using a Highland
doing 12d6 on a strong Mauler (Stun (-2)) would, on a successful hit with the Warmaster maneuver, cause her target
attack.
Anyone who's played to make two separate Stun saves, one at -3 and the other at -2. These would not combine for a
Skyrim should have a total of -5.
passing familiarity with the Passive Talents apply to all instances of the weapon’s use, including with Strong or Fast
Talents and their general attacks, Special Attacks and Maneuvers, unless otherwise noted in the Talent description.
effects. The names remain
the same but the specifics
may be different.
Talent I.P. Time to Learning Learning
Level Required Learn DC Checks per
Week
Basic 5 2 Days 10 1
Novice 10 4 Days 14 2
Journeyman 15 1 Week 18 4
Master 20 3 Weeks 22 6
Grandmaster 25 5 Weeks 26 8
Legendary 30 7 Weeks 30 10

This is a fan-made not for profit homebrew supplement to The Witcher TRPG. The document was authoried by Rick S. (Discord @Panzerkraken). The Witcher and
The Witcher TRPG are copyright R. Talsorian Games and CD Projekt Red. No intent to impringe on these copyrights was intended. The Eldar Scrolls: Skyrim is a
copyright of Bethesda Softworks. The excellent background of this document was created by Leon M. (Discord @Leothedino) and was used with permission.
Talent Descriptions
Each Talent has a general description
of an interpretation of the logic behind the
Talent, a notation of the number of ranks in
the Talent and the IP cost for each rank.
The Talent also lists the skill requirement Power Shot (M)
to learn it, and its game effects.
Archery and Crossbow Talents off-balance or out of position.
These Talents are restricted to Archery
and Crossbow weapons. They are not
exclusive, however, and once purchased,
may be used with either weapon type if the
character has the required minimum skill
rank in the weapon skill.
Overdraw
Those who learn this Talent can get the
most out of their weapons, drawing bows
back further than normal or using blocks or
pullies to increase the strength of their
crossbows.
Rank 1: Basic (5 IP)
Rank 2: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 3: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 4: Master (20 IP)
Rank 5: Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Archery or Crossbow
Skill Rank 2 (4/6/8/10 for higher
ranks)
This Talent adds +1d6 damage to
attacks with Archery or Crossbows
weapons. This damage applies with Strong
or Fast attacks as normal, but the additional making fine adjustments to her aim and can
damage is not modified, i.e. only the
weapon’s damage is doubled for a Strong
attack from a bow.
Eagle Eye
Those who learn this Talent are
experienced in shooting further than others
and are better able to judge the ballistics of
their weapons.
Novice (10 IP)
Prerequisites: Overdraw (Rank 1),
Archery or Crossbow Skill Rank 3
This Talent adds +25% to the Long
Range of the weapon and recalculates all
other range categories based on the
modified number.
Once a character has learned to focus
out further, he can also focus on hitting
where it counts, including knocking a target
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Eagle Eye, Archery or
Crossbow Skill Rank 5
This shot adds Stagger (50%) to the
damage applied if it hits. (5 STA)
Quick Draw
Archers with this Talent are more
proficient at readying their weapons.
Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Power Shot, Archery or
Crossbow Skill Rank 7
An archer may draw and string a bow
or ready a crossbow in a single action. This
is identical to the Elf racial ability, and
Elves are considered to have this Talent
(with Bows only) for the purposes of
prerequisites.
Steady Hand
An Archer with this Talent is used to
shoot the wings off a mosquito.
Rank 1: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 2: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Eagle Eye, Archery or
Crossbow Skill Rank 4 (6 for Rank 2)
Called shot to-hit modifiers are reduced
by 2 points per rank. This cannot exceed -0.
Critical Shot (M)
Archers with this Talent are trained to
aim for vulnerable areas and are more likely
to cause grievous injury with their attacks.
 Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Overdraw (Rank 1),
Archery or Crossbow Skill Rank 3 (6/9
for higher ranks)
A shot with a bow that, if a hit occurs,
will cause Critical Hits at a -1 (per rank) to
the threshold numbers. This means that
with Rank 1, a Simple Critical will occur if
the target is hit by 6 instead of 7, a
Complex Critical on a 9 instead of 10, etc. (5
STA)
Hunter’s Discipline
Those with this Talent are more
proficient at safely removing their arrows
from targets.
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Critical Shot (Rank 1),
Archery or Crossbows Skill Rank 5
Arrows may be recovered 75% of the
time.
Ranger(M)
Archers with this Talent have learned
the lesson that mobility is key in a battle.
Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Hunter’s Discipline,
Archery or Crossbows Skill Rank 6
The archer may use this maneuver
following a movement action to move up to
his SPD again and fire his bow or crossbow.
(6 STA)
Bullseye (M)
The archer’s shot placement and force
are crippling to targets.
Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Quick Draw, Ranger,
Archery or Crossbows Skill Rank 10
A shot which adds Stun (-0) to the
arrow’s damage (5 STA).
One-handed Weapon Talents
These Talents apply only to one-
handed weapons using the Melee or
Swordsmanship skills. They are not
exclusive, however, and once purchased,
may be used with any weapon type if the
character has the required minimum skill
rank in the weapon skill.
Armsman
Those who learn this Talent can get the
most out of their weapons, hitting harder or
twisting blades and hafts to open more
damaging wounds.
Rank 1: Basic (5 IP)
Rank 2: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 3: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 4: Master (20 IP)
Rank 5: Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Weapon Skill 2
(4/6/8/10 for higher ranks)
Each rank of this Talent adds +1d6 to
damage with one-handed weapons. This
damage applies with Strong or Fast attacks
as normal, but the additional damage is not
modified, i.e. only the weapon’s damage is
doubled.
Hack and Slash (M)
The combatant with this Talent can
cause deep, bleeding wounds with his Axe.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Armsman Rank 1, Melee
Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for higher ranks)
A strike which can only be made with
an axe, causes Bleed 2 (4/6 for higher
ranks) if the attack’s damage penetrates the
target’s SP. (5 STA)
Bone Breaker (M)
A combatant with this Talent and
armed with a Mace or Hammer is a threat
to even the most heavily-armored
opponents.

Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Armsman Rank 1, Melee
Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for higher ranks)
Strike with a Mace or Hammer that
ignores 25% (50%/75% for higher ranks) of
the target’s SP if it hits. (5 STA)
Bladesman (M)
Those with this Talent are masters of
the blade, slicing deep into their opponents
for crippling injuries.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Armsman Rank 1,
Swordsmanship Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for
higher ranks)
Strike with a Sword that, if a hit
occurs, will cause Critical Hits at a -1 (per
rank) to the threshold numbers. This means Talent can leave an opponent senseless.
that with Rank 1, a Simple Critical will
occur if the target is hit by 6 instead of 7, a
Complex Critical on a 9 instead of 10, etc. (5
STA)
Fighting Stance
Combatants with this Talent
understand that conservation of motion
makes it easier to stay the course of the
battle.
Novice (10 IP)
Prerequisites: Armsman Rank 1,
Swordsmanship Skill Rank 4
Reduces the STA cost of additional
attack actions and Maneuvers by 1.
Savage Strike
When a combatant with this Talent
hits hard, they really hit hard.
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Fighting Stance, Weapon
Skill Rank 5
Increases the damage of Strong Attacks
by +2d6
Critical Charge (M)
Charges from characters with this
Talent are like a locomotive. It’s best to
avoid them.
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Fighting Stance, Weapon
Skill Rank 5
When a character with this Talent
executes a Charge Special Attack, he may
choose (before rolling to hit) to spend 5
STA and, if the Charge is successful, may
add his SPD to is to-hit margin for
determining if the wound is a critical hit.
This Maneuver must be declared, and the
STA spent before rolling to hit. (5 STA)
Paralyzing Strike (M)
Blows from a character with this
Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Savage Strike, Critical
Charge, Weapon Skill Rank 10
A strike with a weapon that, if the
damage penetrates, causes Stun(-2). 7 STA.
Dual Flurry
To characters with this Talent, two
weapons are like one, and they wield them
with equal ease.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Melee Skill 3 (6 for Rank
2)
Reduces the penalty for joint attacks
(dual wielding two weapons) by -1 per rank.
Dual Savagery (M)
Combatants with this Talent strike
with vicious ferocity, even with two
weapons.
Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Dual Flurry (Rank 1)
Joint attacks may be Strong attacks
(per the normal rules for such, but
applicable to both weapons). (5 STA)
Two-Handed Weapon Talents
These Talents apply only to two-
handed weapons using the Melee,
Swordsmanship, or Staff/Spear skills.
They are not exclusive, however, and once
purchased, may be used with any weapon
type if the character has the required
minimum skill rank in the weapon skill.
Barbarian
Those who learn this Talent can get the rank) to the threshold numbers. This means
most out of their weapons, hitting harder or that with Rank 1, a Simple Critical will
twisting blades and hafts to open more
damaging wounds.
Rank 1: Basic (5 IP)
Rank 2: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 3: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 4: Master (20 IP)
Rank 5: Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Weapon Skill 2
(4/6/8/10 for higher ranks)
Each rank of this Talent adds +1d6 to
damage with two-handed weapons. This
damage applies with Strong or Fast attacks
as normal, but the additional damage is not
modified, i.e. only the weapon’s damage is
doubled.
Limbsplitter (M)
The combatant with this Talent can
cause deep, bleeding wounds with his Axe.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Barbarian Rank 1, Melee
or Staff/Spear Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for
higher ranks)
A strike which can only be made with
an axe, causes Bleed 2 (4/6 for higher
ranks) if the attack’s damage penetrates the
target’s SP. (7 STA)
Deep Wounds (M)
Those with this Talent are masters of
the blade, slicing deep into their opponents
for crippling injuries.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Barbarian Rank 1,
Swordsmanship Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for
higher ranks)
Strike with a Sword that, if a hit
occurs, will cause Critical Hits at a -1 (per
occur if the target is hit by 6 instead of 7, a
Complex Critical on a 9 instead of 10, etc. (7
STA)
Skull Crusher (M)
A combatant with this Talent and
armed with a Mace or Hammer is a threat
to even the most heavily armored
opponents.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Barbarian Rank 1, Melee
or Staff/Spear Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for
higher ranks)
Strike with a Mace or Hammer that
ignores 25% (50%/75% for higher ranks) of
the target’s SP if it hits. (7 STA)
Champion’s Stance
Warriors with this Talent are centers
of the storm, lashing out with their
weapons efficiently.
Novice (10 IP)
Dual Savagery (M)
Combatants with this Talent strike
with vicious ferocity, even with two
weapons.
Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Dual Flurry (Rank 1)
Joint attacks may be Strong attacks
(per the normal rules for such, but
applicable to both weapons). (5 STA)
Two-Handed Weapon Talents
These Talents apply only to two-
handed weapons using the Melee,
Swordsmanship, or Staff/Spear skills.
They are not exclusive, however, and once
purchased, may be used with any weapon
type if the character has the required
minimum skill rank in the weapon skill.
Barbarian
Those who learn this Talent can get the rank) to the threshold numbers. This means
most out of their weapons, hitting harder or that with Rank 1, a Simple Critical will
twisting blades and hafts to open more
damaging wounds.
Rank 1: Basic (5 IP)
Rank 2: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 3: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 4: Master (20 IP)
Rank 5: Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Weapon Skill 2
(4/6/8/10 for higher ranks)
Each rank of this Talent adds +1d6 to
damage with two-handed weapons. This
damage applies with Strong or Fast attacks
as normal, but the additional damage is not
modified, i.e. only the weapon’s damage is
doubled.
Limbsplitter (M)
The combatant with this Talent can
cause deep, bleeding wounds with his Axe.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Barbarian Rank 1, Melee
or Staff/Spear Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for
higher ranks)
A strike which can only be made with
an axe, causes Bleed 2 (4/6 for higher
ranks) if the attack’s damage penetrates the
target’s SP. (7 STA)
Deep Wounds (M)
Those with this Talent are masters of
the blade, slicing deep into their opponents
for crippling injuries.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Barbarian Rank 1,
Swordsmanship Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for
higher ranks)
Strike with a Sword that, if a hit
occurs, will cause Critical Hits at a -1 (per
occur if the target is hit by 6 instead of 7, a
Complex Critical on a 9 instead of 10, etc. (7
STA)
Skull Crusher (M)
A combatant with this Talent and
armed with a Mace or Hammer is a threat
to even the most heavily armored
opponents.
Rank 1: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 2: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 3: Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Barbarian Rank 1, Melee
or Staff/Spear Skill Rank 3 (6/9 for
higher ranks)
Strike with a Mace or Hammer that
ignores 25% (50%/75% for higher ranks) of
the target’s SP if it hits. (7 STA)
Champion’s Stance
Warriors with this Talent are centers
of the storm, lashing out with their
weapons efficiently.
Novice (10 IP)

Prerequisites: Barbarian Rank 1,
Weapon Skill Rank 4
Reduces the STA cost of additional
attack actions and Maneuvers by 1.
Great Critical Charge (M)
Charges from characters with this
Talent are like a locomotive. It’s best to
avoid them.
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Fighting Stance, Weapon
Skill Rank 5
When a character with this Talent
executes a Charge Special Attack, he may
choose (before rolling to hit) to spend 7
STA and, if the Charge is successful, may
add his SPD to is to-hit margin for
determining if the wound is a critical hit.
This Maneuver must be declared, and the
STA spent before rolling to hit. (7 STA)
Devastating Blow
When a combatant with this Talent
hits hard, they really hit hard.
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Champion’s Stance,
Weapon Skill Rank 5
Increases the damage of Strong Attacks
by +3d6
Sweep (M)
Combatants with this Talent can make
great sweeping attacks against their foes,
cleaving them in twain and continuing to
their allies.
Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Great Critical Charge,
Devastating Blow, Weapon Skill Rank
7 Novice (10 IP)
Attacks all enemies within the
character’s vision arc and weapon range
with a single roll to hit. Resolve the attacks
from one side to the other; if any opponents
Block or Parry the attack, it ends with
them, otherwise continue to the next target,
rolling damage (for a Fast Attack) as
normal.
Warmaster (M)
Characters with this Talent are in
complete control of their weapons, using
the head or haft to strike their foes
senseless.
Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Sweep, Weapon Skill
Rank 10
A strike with a 2h weapon which
causes Stun (-3) in addition to normal
damage. (10 STA)
Shield Talents
These Talents may only be used while
a shield is equipped, using the Melee skill.
Shield Wall
Combatants with this Talent are better
able to protect themselves with their
shields.
Rank 1: Basic (5 IP)
Rank 2: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 3: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 4: Master (20 IP)
Rank 5: Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Melee Skill Rank 2
(4/6/8/10 for higher ranks)
The character gains a +1 to block with
shields per rank.
Deflect Arrows
A character with this Talent has
experience defending himself from arrows
and is better at angling his shield to glance
them away.
Prerequisites: Shield Wall Rank 1,
Melee Skill Rank 3
Sneak
Characters with this Talent are always
extremely silent, gaining a natural
advantage when actively avoiding
detection.
Rank 1: Basic (5 IP)
Rank 2: Novice (10 IP)
Rank 3: Journeyman (15 IP)
Rank 4: Master (20 IP)
Rank 5: Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Stealth Skill Rank 2
(4/6/8/10 for higher ranks)
The character gains +2 to Stealth rolls
per rank.
Muffled Movement
The character is familiar with both
how to wear armor in such a way as to
mute the sound of it, as well as how to
move in it more quietly than most.
Novice (10 IP)
Prerequisites: Sneak (Rank 1), Stealth
Skill Rank 3
Eliminates EV modifiers for leg armor
when rolling Stealth skill rolls.
Light Foot
Characters with this Talent step lightly
and cautiously, to avoid traps and alarms.
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Muffled Movement,
Stealth Skill Rank 4
Characters may add ½ their Stealth
Skill Rank to Athletics rolls to avoid traps.
Silent Roll (M)
These nimble athletes can flip forward
or sideways along the ground without
making a sound.
Master (20 IP)
Prerequisites: Light Foot, Stealth Skill
Rank 5
Characters with this Talent may move
up to (Leap) meters as a movement action
(2 STA).
Silence
Some sneaks can wear armor but seem
to make no noise at all.
Grandmaster (25 IP)
Prerequisites: Silent Roll, Stealth Skill
Rank 7
Eliminates all EV penalties for the
purposes of making Stealth Skill rolls.
Shadow Warrior
These characters attack like the wind,
ambushing then disappearing.
Legendary (30 IP)
Prerequisites: Silence, Stealth Skill
Rank 10
Backstab (M)
Nothing like a knife in the back for
resolving disputes to one party’s
satisfaction.
Novice (10 IP)
Prerequisites: Sneak (Rank 1), Stealth
Skill Rank 3, Small Blades Skill Rank 3
Ambush attack with a Small Blades
weapon which deals +3d6 damage. (3 STA)
Deadly Aim
Journeyman (15 IP)
Prerequisites: Backstab, Stealth Skill
Rank 4, Archery or Crossbow Skill Rank
4
Backstab may be used at up to Close
range with ranged attacks. Does not stack
with Overdraw.
Assassin’s Blade (M)
Master (20 IP)

Prerequisites: Backstab, Stealth Skill

Rank 5, Small Blades Skill Rank 5

Backstab damage is increased by +6d6

damage (+9d6 total) (+2 STA)