#specialization

[3liza]

since we're on that autism tip again today I also want to add something I don't see brought up either in the literature or in civilian conversation about autism much which is this: both autistic and non-autistic people benefit very much from knowing and interacting with each other. each group (and all other neurotypes) have strengths that the other does not and cannot even conceive of learning. this is the narrative basis for so many fictional stories about buddies or groups of people achieving things and we see the principle repeated over and over in media of all types but it's hard for us to apply those principles to our IRL experiences for some reason. if you don't have people around who can perceive things you can't, you're going to miss out on so much. I'm proud of my friends' various specialties and I brag about them. whatever it is, we have a guy for that.

[huldrabitch]

It's so funny how drastically the specializations of the main characters drop from the first to most recent dragon age games.

Like what do you mean Warden Surana, (silly maxed bitch) has the shapeshifter, spirit healer, and keeper specializations. Whilst also being an all around powerful mage. Did at least two of those in the span of very little time. She survived killing the arch demon with a friendly blood ritual. Good for her. She's still looking for a cure for the calling how many fucking years later or whatever.

Number one team leader of THE Veilguard "Rook" De Riva happenes to have a magic knife (spellblade) and a bald man's voice in her head... she defeated three gods, him included.

[daitranscripts]

Skyhold Ambient Dialogue

Mage Specialist Banter

Skhyold Masterpost

—

Necromancer PC

Viuus: I think we can agree this was for the best.

Helaine: I will not, and she cannot. She is quiet as the grave.

Viuus: You, my friend, are mistaken.

Helaine: I am not your friend.

Viuus: Ooh, I've been "knight-enchanted"!

—

Rift-mage PC

Your Trainer: I am [Their] Trainer.

Helaine: It is a mistake. Power so new and unproven is no boon to the field.

Viuus: Lighten up, Helaine. She knows her business. And little else.

Your Trainer: I am [Their] Trainer. And you're an ass.

Viuus: (Laughs.) You see!

—

Knight-enchanter PC

Helaine: A choice well made, I should think.

Viuus: If you like that sort of thing.

Helaine: You’re one to talk.

Viuus: Someone has to make up for glassy-eyes here.

—

Helaine: The last battle, the grand melee, you couldn't see the ground to walk on it. Ten thousand dead or more.

Viuus: And then?

Helaine: There is no "and then." Ten thousand dead.

Viuus: Right, right, early night for you lot.

Rift-mage PC Your Trainer: A bad time for the ground to open up and heave the bodies skyward like so many playthings. (Nervous laugh.) Viuus: The lady knows how to throw a party.

Non-rift mage PC Helaine: Go play with your skulls.

—

Viuus: We dress them sometimes. Anoint them with the finest scents.

Helaine: You are not seeming any more acceptable.

Viuus: Right, right. Because it's far more reasonable that the Orlesian nobility do the same to their pet nugs.

Helaine: You will speak no ill of Mister Snuffles.

Rift-mage PC Your Trainer: The energy stored in a Fade shard can compress seventeen nugs to the size of a man's head. They fit right in. Viuus: Well… I do love a parlor trick.

Non-rift mage PC Viuus: Why not Lord Snuffles? Dare to dream!

—

Viuus: Who’s buying?

Helaine: She’s buying.

Rift-mage PC Your Trainer: I am buying!

Non-rift mage PC Viuus: Leave her be.

—

Viuus: It’ll be soon.

Helaine: I expect so.

Your Trainer: I am agreeing.

—

Helaine: An epic effort.

Viuus: Never seen the like.

Your Trainer: I can’t remember better.

[dailycharacteroption]

Class Feature Friday: Hacker Specialization (Operative Specialization)

(art by gtasoul on DeviantArt)

If there’s anything unique to science fiction, it’s hacking. After all, traditional fantasy rarely has computers (and when they do, they’re usually the ancient, barely understood kind), leading to an entirely different avenue of heroic action as the characters crack open cybersecurity measures, often stylized with virtual avatars and the like.

Now, with their tech savvy, you probably expect the average hacker to be a mechanic or technomancer, and that’s fair, they certainly have the specialization. However, brilliant engineers and techno-mages are hardly the only archetypical hacker characters. Sometimes someone is only focused on computers and not engineering. Others might be agents with a variety of skills that just happens to include cybersecurity as a specialization.

After all, it’s one thing to remotely hack someone from across the cybercafe using the unsecured wifi, and an entirely different beast to sneak into a secure facility and crack open a server with no wireless connection.

And so we have the hacker specialization for operatives. Bank details, classified documents, incriminating messenger logs, the targeting software for the rocket turrets shelling the party… If its on a computer, it isn’t safe from them. What’s more, as operatives, they have the skills to get in close enough to do their hacking without being detected (hopefully). So let’s see what makes them special!

Naturally, these operatives are very familiar with computers and engineering, and they can use their computer skills as part of their trick attacks, sending distracting alerts to enemy headsets, causing malfunctions in nearby devices, or even simply projecting a distracting hologram from their own device. Obviously, however, they have to actually have a computer device on hand to do so. One of the rare occasions where an operative may be forced to use a different skill with their trick attacks.

As expert hackers, these operatives learn how to be especially cautious in their approach, reducing the chance of triggering countermeasures if they accidentally push to hard.

More skilled hackers can take control of devices they have hacked, potentially using their functions for their own benefit a few times before they return to normal or are deactivated.

While not as adept at hacking as other classes, hacker operatives can do a lot of fun things with it, particularly once they gain control of a system with their mid-level ability. Imagine activating the security systems to target the guards, or starting up machinery that proves distracting or hazardous, and so on. I recommend pairing your hacking skills with stealth or another sneaky skillset to make the most of it.

There are a lot of ways to play a hacker. They might be terminally online, or they might tap into vibes of the 80’s idea of a hacker as a cool trendy figure with fancy computer knowhow. Or they may be more professional about it. Certainly hacking has a long association with disrespecting authority, with all the character traits associated with that.

The hacker known only by the username LuckySTR!KE is a notorious thorn in the side of may corporations, earning them a bounty for their capture or death. However, the crafty worlanisi tends to stay a step ahead. However, the contents of their latest datamining has them nervous, and they’re willing to pay for bodyguards.

A passionate hacktivist and self-proclaimed protector of the ecosystems of the galaxy. Beshara has developed a knack for sneaking into corporate facilities and sabotaging their efforts to study and exploit wildlife. However, when one such outing ends up with several researchers being scarred and killed by the acidic saliva of flying kriegakos, she begins to wonder if she has become too extreme.

An expedition to alien ruins may not seem like it needs a computer expert, but when it is discovered the stone buildings are interlaced with intricate technomagical circuitry, one is called in. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t realize this hacker is a corporate spy feeding information back to a rival conglomerate and seeking to steal the most precious treasures in the name of their employer. Unfortunately, her acts of espionage and greed end up awakening the mummified guardians of the ruin.

[philosophybitmaps]

[thewitheredking]

I've M3'd Goldenglow

[gohashisenju]

Even though Hisoka is a creeper at times he's definitely one of my favorite characters in HXH.

What do you guys think?

[captaingimpy]

The Generalist Mindset: Why It’s Better to Be “Good Enough” at Everything

In a world that constantly pushes for specialization, being a generalist—a “jack of all trades”—can sometimes feel like swimming against the current. That old saying, “jack of all trades, master of none,” often gets thrown around as a warning against spreading yourself too thin. But people forget the full expression: “jack of all trades, master of none, but better than a master of one.” And that…

[findmeinshattrath]

All new Hero Specializations from BlizzCon

[roadandruingame]

RaR Musings #6: Specialists

I was playing Baldur's Gate 3, as a rogue. I dabble in rogues in DND, PF, and mmos, and they range from satisfyingly versatile to being boringly one-dimensional. DND's structure for sneak attacks is one of the few things I'm really impressed with though, because despite all characters being able to receive Advantage for attacking from stealth, flanking an outnumbered opponent, or hitting an incapacitated enemy, only rogues transform that mechanic into bonus Sneak Attack damage, and before it was patched out (for shame), the Arcane Trickster could inflict bonus sneak attack damage on spell attacks. In BG3, multiple magic items could grant advantage in different scenarios, which the rogue could use as a "magic wand of Backstab".

That kind of semi-detached crossclassing bait was a lot of what I wanted in Road and Ruin, and over the years, I developed a few abilities that either granted, or demanded, specialization to work, but it never really got to where I wanted it to be.

______________________________

'Specialists' in Road and Ruin are a necessity for a storytelling game; whether they're controlled by a player or brought in as NPC help, they represent broad spectrums of skill and knowledge that might be unreasonable for the player party to be assumed to have. The existence of specialists should lean storytelling in the direction of seeking them out, to get their insights, or pay for their services.

The simplest way to determine a specialist is specialization as a mechanic. As mentioned in Musings #5, specialization works as a x(2-5) multiplier for proficiencies when applied to a specific, niche topic. Specialization in horses might give Husbandry, Medicine, Binding, Command, or Ride multipliers, for example.

Secondarily, Disciplines act as specializations that are required. Crafts (Blacksmithing) or Research (Town History) are skills that require training; nobody is born knowing history, and nobody should be expected to accidentally replicate hundreds of years of advancements in crafting techniques. While an adventurer might pick up some basics in armor repair, they should in no way expect to be able to craft armor themselves without the associated discipline.

While specialization could extend to equipment, all it would be is simply being proficient in a device, I think, and preventing full control unless specialized, possibly incurring a breakage risk if someone isn't trained. Airplanes, for example, or other heavy machinery. An exception to this is combat:

______________________________

A fighter can specialize in both skill with a weapon, as well as fighting against particular weapon styles. I'd thought specialization might only apply in duelling, where both fighters roll a skill check and add their successes to the results of a d4/d8/d12 To Hit die, and that, turn by turn, the higher-skilled of the two would naturally gain an edge, but that ends up being too slow. Paired with the initiative changes from Musings #3, where fighters act each round simultaneously, and that health totals are so low in order to facilitate more lethal combat, and this blow-by-blow calculation ends up not feeling very good.

A simple solution would be to adopt DND's Advantage, and have specialization in a weapon allow you to roll one additional die per specialization level, and take the higher value. Since weapons only miss on a roll of a 1, and deal half damage or full damage otherwise, specialization effectively eliminates the risk of missing with a weapon. In the case of ranged weapons, like a bow or rifle, that use a kind of exploding-dice system of d4s, specialization would simply allow rerolls of a non-4 result, greatly increasing their accuracy, and thus, damage.

Specialization at fighting against a style could mean Taking the Edge, also mentioned in Musings #3. If you know your opponent, you'd be able to anticipate their moves much better, adding to their Preemptive/Presumptive speed.

______________________________

Beyond this, tool specialization effectively manifests as spellswords.

Squad Tactics can declare a Specialist unit type, who generates Tactic Points for use by other unit tactics. This lets multiple actors set up strategies like dominos, and if applying a specialization sets up more dominos, it results in greater conclusion power/success rating.

Celestial Trajectories, Martial Weaponry, and Fortress Guard all have customizable weapons, that specializing in would be a plus, but not a mechanically unique application. Instead, 'favoring' a specific weapon, not specializing in a weapon type, determines your attunement to the customizable weapon.

Mutations grant you specialization sometimes, such as darkvision, or telescopic vision granting advantages for Perception checks. Shapeshifters are able to grant themselves a variety of senses, and animal companions give you a second chance to detect things, if they're trained for that and have the senses, whereas sense-sharing would allow you to temporarily don a sense as a mutation.

Concealed Weaponry gives bonus damage and special effect application for rolling maximum on an attack roll against an unaware or distracted target, which would be made easier with stealth, but also with specialization in the weapon. It can also disguise said weapon, and has a special attack for a flurry with your specialized weapon.

Nimble Fingers' Maestro's Direction and Floral Flourish's Bud-bloom Brownies let you give commands to others, like conjured spirits, to do actions that you specialize in.

Cloaked in Shadow and Floral Flourish has material micromanagement, using mats like shadows and plants to grant specialization in a skill check.

So, after all this, I feel like I DO have some decent options for specialists, but as always, it depends what the specialist aims to achieve. Simply specializing in something doesn't have any kind of diverse spectrum of outcomes, so it'd have to be designed on an individual basis, but what I've got already is probably a good start.

[tenth-sentence]

Unlike most other nuclear physicists, who had returned to their specialized pursuits after the failure of their attempts to help to mould the ideas of their countrymen, Oppenheimer continued his efforts in that direction.

"Brighter than a Thousand Suns: A Personal History of the Atomic Scientists" - Robert Jungk, translated by James Cleugh

[daitranscripts]

Skyhold Conversation: Specialization

Knight-Enchanter - Helaine

Skhyold Masterpost

Helaine: Hold and declare, Inquisitor.

PC: What do you mean?

Helaine: I ask your intent. I was summoned to oversee training, and I would know my charge. I am your commander in this matter. Commander Helaine.

Dialogue options:

General: Welcome, Commander. [1]

General: Why so formal? [2]

General: I'm the leader here. [3]

1 - General: Welcome, Commander. PC: Thank you for coming, Commander Helaine. Helaine: "Commander" will suffice, recruit. [4]

2 - General: Why so formal? PC: This isn't a formal position. Why treat it so seriously? Helaine: Because that is what it requires and deserves, recruit. [4]

3 - General: I'm the leader here. PC: No one commands me. I’m the Inquisitor. Helaine: Then you will learn nothing, recruit. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Helaine: I teach the skills of the knight-enchanter. It is a rank, it is a life. Understanding its hierarchy is the first step. You already know this. You were not made Inquisitor, and then taught to lead. I will teach you how to rise to your place. How to join your warriors, spectral blade in hand. How to command the ranks while standing beside them. Are you ready?

5 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Where have you served? [6]

Investigate: An elf has a human rank? [7]

Investigate: Why is this a good discipline? [8]

General: Show me what's involved. [9]

6 - Investigate: Where have you served? PC: Who granted your rank? What forces have you served with? Helaine: I cannot say. PC: Then how do I know you're capable? Helaine: You know because I have told you. And I will teach you the same authority. [back to 5]

7 - Investigate: An elf has a human rank? PC: "Commander" is a title I associate with human forces. Helaine: Knight-enchanter has roots in elven tradition, but it has utility in every tradition. There are no borders for the mage who wields a spectral blade. There is respect, and there is fear. [back to 5]

8 - Investigate: Why is this a good discipline? PC: Tell me why this would best suit me. Helaine: I cannot. Only you know if you are fit to lead with more than maps. Do you have the mettle to raise a blade in grand melee? To have your presence make heroes of your charges? This is a path for leaders. You tell me if you are worthy. [back to 5]

9 - General: Show me what's involved. PC: I'm ready to learn what you know. Helaine: Then we will begin the simple steps, recruit. And we shall see what heights you reach. You have a task, a simple construction. Go, learn, and return. Soon you will lead from the front. Soon you will command. Scene ends.

—

If the PC speaks with them before gathering all the materials:

Helaine: Recruit. I await the completion of the first of your orders. Only then can you learn to command.

Helaine: You have your instruction, recruit. Return when you have completed your task.

—

When the PC has gathered the required materials:

Helaine: You have completed the order, learned something of my way. A small step.

If PC already has specialization Helaine: Unfortunately, you have dedicated yourself to another, more chaotic path. Perhaps you command, but not as knight-enchanter. You remain as you are. Recruit. Scene ends.

Helaine: Now you must choose to commit to the role. To the burden of command. Are you willing?

Dialogue options:

Not yet. (Do not commit to a class specialization.) [10]

I choose Knight-Enchanter. (Commit to the Knight-Enchanter class specialization.) [11]

10 - Not yet. PC: I can’t commit to this yet. Scene ends.

11 - I choose Knight-Enchanter. PC: I am ready to listen and learn, Commander. Helaine: Then you are a "recruit" no more. All will see your rightful place. Come, the battlefield awaits. Knight-Enchanter. Scene ends.

—

The PC speaks with them after taking the specialization:

Helaine: You are a quick study, Knight-Enchanter.

Helaine: Knight-Enchanter.

Helaine: We’ll continue your training in your off hours.

Helaine: Inquisitor.

—

Ambient dialogue:

Vivienne:

Helaine: If you require any assistance… Vivienne: I will not, thank you. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Helaine: Far be it for me to suggest a training adjustment. Vivienne: Extremely far, dear. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Vivienne: Calm yourself. I have made but minor adjustments. Helaine: Of course.

Cullen:

Helaine: Your charges have what you need? Cullen: Many know the field. The rest soon will. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Cullen: You served with…? Helaine: Yes. Cullen: Of Course ㅤㅤ ㅤ

Helaine: You are well regarded. Cullen: I'm sure I'd be more appreciative if I knew your history. Helaine: Perhaps. Perhaps not.

In the undercroft:

Helaine: Well stocked. This will do nicely.

Helaine: A warrior’s dream, and now a mage’s

Helaine: Designed with my skills in mind. And more.

In the training area:

Helaine: I will prepare some flanking exercises.

Helaine: Drills upon drills. Familiarity.

Helaine: How many have trained here, I wonder?

[dailycharacteroption]

Class Feature Friday: Ghost Specialization (Operative Specialization)

(art by James Zapata on Artstation)

  Stealth is the best friend of any operative worth their price tag, but few are more skilled in stealth than those that are called “ghosts” by those they leave unaware of their presence until much, much later.

If a ghost does their job well, nobody will be the wiser to their presence during a job, whether they are a thief, an assassin, a spy, or some other form of especially stealthy operative. And if someone somehow catches wise to their presence, they are adept at taking down such witnesses and regaining control of the mission.

Now, obviously all ghost operatives are skilled at remaining unseen, but many also master the art of hiding in plain sight as well. After all, darkness, concealment, and a cloaking device are not always viable options. Heck, any and every tool that could help in their work is worth considering as long as it doesn’t slow them down

With that in mind, the ghost is perhaps one of the more straightforward types of operatives, but they are good at what they do.

 Agility and stealth are what these operatives specialize in, and they find attacks from stealth to be all the easier.

Naturally, ghosts eventually get their own cloaking field. Which not true invisibility, they become extremely hard to spot while using it as light bends around them by magical or technological methods. However, without any upgrades it only lasts about a minute, forcing them to rely on traditional stealth most of the time.

More powerful agents can live up to their name and activate a phase shifter to pass through solid matter for a brief moment, which can be used for infiltration or escape, though doing so requires some resolve and can only be done once a day.

As a primarily stealth-based class, this option seems like the most “vanilla” option, but it’s a good one. Getting cloaking field early means you don’t have to set aside an exploit to get it if you want the superior upgraded version later on. No matter your build, you’ll probably want to line up a perfect first shot in combat and duck and weave out of a foe’s sensory range to keep them swiping at shadows. Outside of combat, I recommend focusing on buffing your skills up in a variety of categories so that you can back up your stealth with other ways to sneak in and out without anyone ever noticing, such as athletics, acrobatics, computers, and even engineering.

 It might be easy to assume these operatives are loners that rarely interact with others, and while that may be true for some, consider that who they are while on the job may be very different than who they are off the job. That being said, they are very unlikely to crack jokes or be very talkative while working, as a breach of professionalism in this line of work can be deadly.

  Grim as graveyard and cold as ice, the bleachling gnome Viccus is one of the greatest assassins you’ve never heard of, his skills as a silent assassin leaving behind nothing but bodies and rumors. However, one has to assume that he might have once had a happier life somewhere, far away.

 Strangely untalented at magic for a hanakan, Ashuu managed to perfect one mystical trick, the art of concealing his presence, and so he put that to good use as an agent, slipping in and out of locations, particularly the holdings of corporations that have gotten a bit too eager to exploit what they consider a low-tech backwater world.

 Hired as bodyguards for a high-profile diplomatic meeting, the party stumbles upon a shadowy figure attempting to break into the suite of the ambassador their client was meeting with. However, bringing him in must be done carefully to prevent an intergalactic incident.

[daringdoombringer]

hi here’s a cool bird I betcha didn’t know existed, ✨the wallcreeper✨

it literally looks like a monarch butterfly it’s so cute

[thewitheredking]

I've M6'd Ebenholz. In part because I wanted him to be good at killing elites and also because I don't like hording resources.