Rules

Characters have seven (7) points to spend on careers and optionally a metahuman power.

Careers

Careers encompass skills, education, and talent. You may have multiple careers. It's suggested that students who want to excel in school take a point or two in "Student" as a career. If you do not have a relevant career, you can still perform some tasks (e.g., driving) at a basic level, but nobody would consider you other than ordinary at them.

Skill Cost
Amateur 1 Dabbles a little, or is just starting out. May show promise.
Skilled 2 Either has training but little real experience, or some practical knowledge without the theory to back it up.
Expert 3 Solid training backed up by a few years' experience, or a natural ability. Has no trouble with any of the basics.
Veteran 4 Equivalent to a decade's experience or more. Can handle complex problems as if they were routine.
Master 5 May be world-renowned. As a veteran, but with the addition of superior talent.

Powers

If you are under the age of 22, you may choose a single, thematic power. The cost of a power is equal to its rank. Roughly speaking, ranks increase exponentially in effect.

Rank
1 Minimal expression. Statistically significant, and measurable in the laboratory. e.g.: creating a barely-felt breeze, tending to throw a lucky number on dice
2 A single reliable ability that has an instantaneous effect. e.g.: telekinetic pull, telekinetic push, light something on fire
3 Limited, local application. Has to be invoked consciously, that is, is not on at all times. e.g.: X-ray vision, control of asphalt, summon a sword made out of energy
4 A power that follows a single theme. Over a short time, with effort, can affect approximately a small building. Capable of power-stunting (creating related effects). e.g.: near range teleportation, high speed flight, flame projection
5 Flexible power providing a broad array of effects, possibly usable simultaneously as attack, defense, and mobility. Possesses signature abilities. Has seemingly bottomless energy, and tends to manifest spontaneously with high emotion. Can affect several city blocks. e.g.: see known rank 5 talents

Attractiveness and Popularity

In the grand tradition of prime-time television, no character in Academy City Countdown! is actually unattractive, but you need to decide how other characters will react to you. Attractiveness tends to affect first impressions, while Popularity reflects the opinion of your peers. In terms of the first couple of seasons of Buffy:

  • Attractive, Popular - Cordelia
  • Attractive, Unpopular - Buffy
  • Ordinary, Popular - Oz
  • Ordinary, Unpopular - Willow

It costs no points to choose any combination of attractiveness and popularity. Life is sometimes unfair like that.

Secret

You may opt to spend a single point to have a secret integral to the campaign, worked out with the GM.

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