Cross-Genre Profession Example
The following example Professions use the concept of ranged combat applied across three genre settings. The core Profession identity — a Speed-dominant fighter who controls distance and supports allies through precision fire — remains consistent. What changes is the fictional framing the Genre Catalog provides.
This example demonstrates how a single Profession concept produces identical mechanical structures across genres, validating the core rules' genre-neutral design.
Fantasy — Archer / War Bow
- Concept: Warrior, Archer
- Favored Save: Speed Save (Speed + Acrobatics)
- Primary Attack: Speed + Precision
- Power Access: No
Progression Track
- Stage 1 (10 XP) — Agile Strike: Once per Short Rest, gain Advantage on one Precision attack roll. Represents perfect timing and instinctive aim.
- Stage 2 (25 XP) — Covering Fire: Once per Long Rest, force all enemies targeting one ally within Near range to make attacks at Disadvantage until the start of your next Turn as you suppress their position.
- Stage 3 (50 XP) — Volley Command: Once per Full Rest, all allies within Near range gain Advantage on Precision attacks until the start of your next Turn as you coordinate a simultaneous strike against a single target.
Modern — Designated Marksman
- Concept: Soldier, Designated Sharp Shooter
- Favored Save: Speed Save (Speed + Acrobatics)
- Primary Attack: Speed + Precision
- Power Access: No
Progression Track
- Stage 1 (10 XP) — Agile Strike: Once per Short Rest, gain Advantage on one Precision attack roll. Represents trained sight picture acquisition and controlled breathing under pressure.
- Stage 2 (25 XP) — Covering Fire: Once per Long Rest, force all enemies targeting one ally within Near range to make attacks at Disadvantage until the start of your next Turn as you suppress their avenue of fire.
- Stage 3 (50 XP) — Volley Command: Once per Full Rest, all allies within Near range gain Advantage on Precision attacks until the start of your next Turn as you call a coordinated volley on a designated target.
Sci-Fi — Stellar Legionnaire
- Concept: Elite ranged combatant, long-range fire support
- Favored Save: Speed Save (Speed + Acrobatics)
- Primary Attack: Speed + Precision
- Power Access: No
Progression Track
- Stage 1 (10 XP) — Agile Strike: Once per Short Rest, gain Advantage on one Precision attack roll. Represents targeting system lock-on and optimized firing position.
- Stage 2 (25 XP) — Covering Fire: Once per Long Rest, force all enemies targeting one ally within Near range to make attacks at Disadvantage until the start of your next Turn as you lay down suppressive energy fire.
- Stage 3 (50 XP) — Volley Command: Once per Full Rest, all allies within Near range gain Advantage on Precision attacks until the start of your next Turn as you broadcast targeting telemetry and coordinate a simultaneous strike.
Note: The three entries above are mechanically identical. The fiction — bow, rifle, energy weapon — is the only difference. This is the correct behavior for a genre-neutral core Profession. Genre Catalogs may substitute Stage abilities from their Layer 2 Setting Perk list to create mechanical differentiation between genres when desired.