Gurps Basic Set: Characters

by Steve Jackson, David L. Pulver (Revised by), Andrew Hackard (Editor)

Overview

With GURPS, you can be anyone you want an elf hero fighting for the forces of good, a shadowy femme fatale on a deep-cover mission, a futuristic swashbuckler carving up foes with a force sword in his hand and a beautiful woman by his side . . . or literally anything else! GURPS has been the premiere universal roleplaying game for almost two decades. The new Fourth Edition makes it even better! GURPS Basic Set: Characters combines information from the Third Edition GURPS Basic Set and GURPS Compendium I, plus hundreds of new and updated rules! This 336-page, full-color hardcover contains everything you need to create and play a GURPS Fourth Edition character.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781556347290
Publisher:	Jackson, Steve Games, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/28/2004
Series:	GURPS: Generic Universal Role Playing System
Edition description:	4TH
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

	Introduction	5
	About the Authors	6
	What Is Roleplaying?	7
	Mini-Glossary	7
	Materials Needed for Play	8
	Quick Start	8
	Metric Conversions	9
1	Creating a Character	10
	Character Points	10
	Character Concept	11
	How GURPS Works: Realism and Game Balance	11
	Character Types	12
	Example of Character Creation: Dai Blackthorn	12
	Character Creation Checklist	13
	Sample Character Sheet	13
	Things Not Shown on the Character Sheets	13
	Basic Attributes	14
	How to Select Basic Attributes	14
	Handedness	14
	How GURPS Works: IQ, Sentience, and Sapience	15
	Secondary Characteristics	15
	Damage Table	16
	Machines and Fatigue	16
	Basic Lift and Encumbrance Table	17
	Example of Character Creation (cont'd)	18
	Build	18
	Size Modifier (SM)	19
	How GURPS Works: ST, Mass, and Move	19
	Shopping for the Big, Tall, Thin, and Small	20
	Age and Beauty	20
	Age	20
	Physical Appearance	21
	Other Physical Features	21
	Example of Character Creation (cont'd)	22
	Social Background	22
	Technology Level (TL)	22
	Culture	23
	Language	23
	Sapience and Language	23
	Accents	24
	Broken to Broken	24
	Example of Character Creation (cont'd)	25
	Wealth and Influence	25
	Wealth	25
	Starting Wealth	26
	Reputation	26
	Tech Level and Starting Wealth	27
	Importance	28
	Classless Meritocracies	28
	Special Rules for Rank	29
	Example of Character Creation (cont'd)	30
	Privilege	30
	Social Restraints	30
	Friends and Foes	31
	Associated NPCs	31
	Contacts	31
	Identities	31
	Alternate Identity vs. Secret Identity	31
2	Advantages	32
	Types of Advantages	32
	Advantage Origins	33
	Potential Advantages	33
	What's Allowed	34
	Turning Advantages Off and On	34
	Advantage List	34
	Frequency of Appearance	36
	Limited Defenses	46
	Alternative Attacks	61
	Perks	100
	Modifiers	101
	Enhancements	102
	Attack Enhancements and Limitations	102
	Turning Enhancements Off and On	102
	Limitations	110
	Optional Rule: Limited Enhancements	111
	Examples of Modified Attacks	114
	Gadget Limitations	116
	Example of Character Creation (cont'd)	116
	New Advantages	117
	Modifying Existing Advantages	117
	Designing Entirely New Advantages	118
3	Disadvantages	119
	Disadvantages for Heroes	119
	Restrictions on Disadvantages	120
	Types of Disadvantages	120
	Secret Disadvantages	120
	Self-Control for Mental Disadvantages	120
	Self-Imposed Mental Disadvantages	121
	"Buying Off" Disadvantages	121
	Disadvantage List	122
	Example of Character Creation (cont'd)	162
	Quirks	162
	Mental Quirks	162
	Example of Character Creation (cont'd)	164
	Physical Quirks	165
	New Disadvantages	165
	Modifying Existing Disadvantages	165
	Brand-New Problems	166
4	Skills	167
	Controlling Attribute	167
	Choosing Your Beginning Skills	167
	Difficulty Level	168
	Technological Skills	168
	Tech-Level Modifiers	168
	Prerequisites	169
	Specialties	169
	Grouped Skills	169
	Familiarity	169
	Buying Skills	170
	Skill Notation	170
	Improving Your Skills	170
	Skill Cost Table	170
	Meaning of Skill Levels	171
	Probability of Success	171
	Relative Skill Level	171
	Choosing Your Skill Levels	172
	Skill Defaults: Using Skills You Don't Know	173
	Skill List	174
	Optional Rule: Wildcard Skills	175
	Geographical and Temporal Scope	176
	Planet Types	180
	Physiology Modifiers	181
	Skills for Design, Repair, and Use	190
	Example of Character Creation (concluded)	227
	Techniques	229
	Creating Techniques	229
	Buying and Improving Techniques	230
	Technique Cost Table	230
	Using Techniques	230
	Sample Combat Techniques	230
	Double Defaults and Techniques	232
	Sample Noncombat Techniques	232
5	Magic	234
	Glossary of Magical Terms	234
	Learning Magic	235
	Prerequistes	235
	Mana	235
	Casting Spells	235
	Distraction and Injury	236
	Caster and Subject	236
	Time Required	236
	Energy Cost	236
	Critical Spell Failure Table	236
	Magic Rituals	237
	Limits on Effect	237
	Duration of Spells and Maintaining Spells	237
	Canceling Spells	237
	Casting Spells While Maintaining Other Spells	238
	Ceremonial Magic	238
	Different Kinds of Magic	239
	Colleges of Magic	239
	Spell Classes	239
	Area Spells on a Battle Map	239
	Magic Staffs	240
	Dissipating Held Melee and Missile Spells	241
	Long-Distance Modifiers	241
	Alternative Magic Systems	242
	Spell List	242
	Air Spells	242
	Body Control Spells	244
	Communication and Empathy Spells	245
	Earth Spells	245
	Enchantment Spells	246
	Fire Spells	246
	Gate Spells	247
	Healing Spells	248
	Knowledge Spells	249
	Light and Darkness Spells	249
	Meta-Spells	250
	Mind Control Spells	250
	Movement Spells	251
	Necromantic Spells	251
	Protection and Warning Spells	252
	Water Spells	253
6	Psionics	254
	Glossary of Psi Terminology	254
	Powers, Talents, and Abilities	254
	Pside Effects	255
	Gaining New Psi Abilities	255
	Using Psi Abilities	255
	Psionic Powers	255
	Antipsi	255
	ESP	255
	Psychic Healing	256
	Psychokinesis (PK)	256
	Psionics and Magic	256
	Telepathy	257
	Teleportation	257
	Examples of Psionic Powers	257
	Other Powers	257
7	Templates	258
	Character Templates	258
	How to Use Character Templates	258
	Are Character Templates "Character Classes"?	259
	Sample Character Templates	259
	Uniqueness	259
	Racial Templates	260
	How to Use Racial Templates	261
	Sample Racial Templates	261
	Omitting Racial Traits	262
	Meta-Traits	262
8	Equipment	264
	Money	264
	Cost of Living	265
	Cost of Living Table	265
	What Cost of Living Gets You: A Modern Example	266
	Buying Equipment	266
	Legality Class	267
	Weapons	267
	Choosing Your Weapons	267
	Weapon Statistics	268
	Glossary of Arms and Armor	268
	Optional Rule: Modifying Dice + Adds	269
	Melee Weapons	271
	Silver Weapons	275
	Muscle-Powered Ranged Weapons	275
	Bodkin Points	277
	Hand Grenades and Incendiaries	277
	Firearms	278
	"Smartgun" Electronics	278
	Optional Rule: Malfunction	279
	Heavy Weapons	281
	Armor	282
	Armor Tables	282
	Wearing Armor	286
	Shields	287
	Carrying Weapons and Other Gear	287
	Miscellaneous Equipment	288
9	Character Development	290
	Improvement Through Adventure	290
	Traits Gained in Play	291
	Money	291
	Quick Learning Under Pressure	292
	Improvement Through Study	292
	Jobs	292
	Finding a Teacher	293
	Optional Rule: Maintaining Skills	294
	Learnable Advantages	294
	Transformations	294
	Body Modification	294
	Mind Transfer	296
	Supernatural Afflictions	296
	Death	296
	Trait Lists	297
	Advantages	297
	Disadvantages	299
	Modifiers	300
	Skills	301
	Techniques	304
	Spells	304
	Iconic Characters	307
	Combat Lite	324
	Combat Turn Sequence	324
	Maneuvers	324
	Ranged Attacks	326
	Attacking	326
	Defending	326
	Damage and Injury	327
	Recovery	328
	Fatigue	328
	Index	329
	Character Sheet	335