FFRPG Advantages

Advantages and Disadvantages

Characters differ in more than just profession and personality.
Physical edges and ailments, unconventional training and innate
resistance to attacks can all enhance a character’s combat ability;
conversely, physical ailments and other difficulties diminish it. In
game terms, these are expressed through Advantages and
Disadvantages. Though only available at the GM's discretion, they
offer a number of ways to further personalize a character.
Each of the Advantages and Disadvantages presented over the
next few pages has a specific point cost assigned to it; Advantages
have a positive cost, while Disadvantages have a negative one. If a
GM allows a player to buy Advantages and Disadvantages during
character creation, their combined cost of must be less than or
equal to 0. No more than 10 Points of Advantages may be taken,
and no Advantage or Disadvantage may be taken more than once
unless this is explicitly permitted in its description. Even if an
Advantage or Disadvantage has multiple effects with separate point
costs, only one of these effects may be taken by default.

ADVANTAGES
The following Advantages are available to FFRPG characters. Note
that some Advantages have a varying effect depending on how many
points they are bought for – these are listed below the general
effect.

ADROIT
2 to 5 Points
Effect: Not every character fights using force. Sometimes, where and
how the weapon hits is more important than the raw power behind
it. This Advantage may be taken multiple times.
2 Points: Select one Weapon category that uses a d6 Damage Die,
such as Rods. When wielding a Weapon of the chosen category, all
damage is calculated using AGI, rather than STR.
3 Points: Select one Weapon category that uses a d8 Damage Die,
such as Staves. When wielding a Weapon of the chosen category, all
damage is calculated using AGI, rather than STR.
4 Points: Select one Weapon category that uses a d10 Damage Die,
such as Swords. When wielding a Weapon of the chosen category, all
damage is calculated using AGI, rather than STR.
5 Points: Select one Weapon category that uses a d12 Damage Die,
such as Greatswords. When wielding a Weapon of the chosen
category, all damage is calculated using AGI, rather than STR.

Ambidextrous
1 Point
Effect: The character is equally skilled with both hands, favoring
neither left nor right. Characters with this Advantage do not suffer
penalties for Off-Handed attacks as described in Chapter 7. In
addition, they may purchase the Skill Two Weapons at the normal
rate of one Skill Point per one point of Skill Rating.

Animal Companion
1 to 5 Points
Effect: The character is accompanied in his journeys by a faithful
animal, such as a trained dog or a mount. The Animal Companion is
small – or agile – enough to avoid damage in combat; if the
character controlling the Animal Companion is reduced to 0 HP or
otherwise incapacitated, it will not act until its owner has been
revived.
The exact powers of an Animal Companion are determined by
selecting a combination of talents from the list below. Each Point
spent on this Advantage allows the player to select up to 10 points'
worth of talents from this list. This Advantage may be taken multiple
times to create more than one Companion.
Sentient (2): The Animal Companion has intelligence comparable to
a human's, and is capable of speaking and understanding Common
Tongue.
Summoned (2): The Animal Companion is of magical or supernatural
origins, and is summoned up with a simple ritual. In combat, this can
be accomplished through a Zero Action.
Packrat (3): The Animal Companion can carry a few of the
character's odds and ends, and acts as an emergency reserve. In
game terms, this means that the character will always have access
to their Inventory if the Companion is present. If the Carrying
Alternative rules from Chapter 6 are used, the Companion can carry
up to 5 Items.
Senses (3): The Animal Companion has senses good enough to
assist the party in times of need. In game terms, the companion is
treated as having Awareness at a Skill Rating of 50.
Attribute (5): The Animal Companion is strong, fast, or smart enough
to help the party out when needed. In game terms, this gives the
Companion an Attribute Rating of 50 in one Attribute of the creator's
choice, and allows it to make Task Checks against that Attribute if it
ever is in a position to do so.
Flying (5): The Animal Companion has wings strong enough to fly
with, giving it greater range and reach. In practical terms, this allows
the Companion to enter the Status Condition Flight at will. If
combined with the Mount attribute, the Companion is treated as a
flying mount for purposes of travel times – see Chapter 9 for more
details.
Keen Senses (5): The Animal Companion has a keen set of senses,
allowing it to sniff out danger, discover otherwise-hidden objects, or
track others over long distances. In game terms, the Companion is
treated as having the Awareness and Tracking Skills at a Skill Rating
of 60.
Large (5): The Companion is larger than normal. If used in
conjunction with Mount, up to two characters may ride it. Item
capacity for Mount and Packrat is increased to 60.
Mount (5): The Animal Companion can be ridden with a successful
Riding Skill Test, reducing travel times accordingly – see Chapter 9
for more details. If using the Carrying Alternative rule from Chapter
6, the Mount can carry an additional 30 Items.
Search (5): The Animal Companion is constantly sniffing around and
digging in the search for usable items. Once per session, a character
whose Animal Companion has the Search talent gains one free Item
– Battle, Support, or Recovery – of the GM’s choice, with a Tier
appropriate to the character's current Level. This does not reduce
any other item rewards the character obtains.
Skilled (5): The Animal Companion has a certain talent that comes in
handy for its owner – a monkey trained in Pickpocketing, for
instance, makes an ideal accomplice with a budding Thief. Split 50
Skill Points between any combination of Skills to represent the
companion’s talents; Skills must be bought at a minimum rating of
20 as normal. Technical Skills cannot be taken in conjunction with
Skilled.
Highly Skilled (10): As with Skilled, above. However, the Animal
Companion is clever enough to continue learning, and gains 1
additional Skill Point for every Level gained by its owner. It can learn
new Skills at 50% the Gil cost it would take a character to learn a
comparative Skill; in addition, a character with Animal Training may
attempt to teach it new Skills in the same manner as the Teaching
Skill. Technical Skills cannot be taken in conjunction with Highly
Skilled.
Outstanding Attribute (10): As Attribute, above. The Animal
Companion gains an Attribute Rating of 80 rather than 50.
Very Large (10): The Companion is unusually large. If used in
conjunction with Mount, up to six characters may ride it. Item
capacity for Mount and Packrat is increased to 99.
Counter Fang (20): Whenever the character is struck by a successful
Attack Action, the animal companion has a CoS of 30% of launching
an immediate counter-attack at the opponent who struck the
character. This is treated as an Attack Action using the character’s
own ACC; damage is ((Character’s Level / 4) x Character’s STR) +
(Level / 10)d6. Damage can be based on AGI or MAG instead; if so,
this must be declared when taking the Advantage and applied
consistently for the remainder of the character’s adventuring career.
If the Companion has Guardian as well, the two have a combined flat
CoS of 30%; roll once to determine if both effects trigger. Counter
Fang is considered a Reaction Ability, and thus can be disabled by
the Status Condition Immobilize.
Guardian (30): Whenever the character is struck by a successful
Attack Action, the Animal Companion has a flat CoS of 30% of
intercepting the blow. If successful, the character only takes 50%
damage from the attack before modifying for ARM or M. ARM. If the
Companion has Counter Fang as well, the two have a combined flat
CoS of 30%; roll once to determine if both effects trigger. Guardian
is considered a Reaction Ability, and thus can be disabled by the
Status Condition Immobilize.
Additional Options: Pending GM approval, the player can use the
Animal Companion Advantage to make other allies such as hirelings,
robots, or vehicles.


Combat Reflexes
2 Points
Effect: Through intensive training – or a healthy dose of paranoia –
the character is adept at being able to react to danger at a
moment’s notice. As a result, a character with Combat Reflexes can
never be surprised in battle, and will always act in the Preemptive
Round if ambushed. In addition, she is immune to the Status
Condition Unaware.

Full Moon Heart
4 Points
Effect: The character has a greater sensitivity to the flow of mana,
and is able to replenish her spellcasting energies far quicker than
most. Items and other effects that increase a character’s MP restore
+25% of their usual Magic Points when used on a character with
Full Moon Heart.
Restrictions: Full Moon Heart does not affect Drain effects or HP
recovery.

Gillionaire
2 to 5 Points
Effect: The character has a knack for finding money in unexpected
places or a secondary source of income. As a result, he gains Gil at
a faster rate than his companions. The character's share of Gil for
each monster encounter and successfully completed quest is
adjusted by the listed percentage to reflect their additional income.
This does not increase or reduce the payout to other characters or
NPCs, or affect other sources of income. The character’s starting Gil
is also accordingly increased to match.
2 Points: The character’s share of Gil is adjusted by +5%. The
character’s starting Gil is accordingly increased to 525 G.
3 Points: The character’s share of Gil is adjusted by +10%. The
character’s starting Gil is accordingly increased to 550 G.
4 Points: The character’s share of Gil is adjusted by +15%. The
character’s starting Gil is accordingly increased to 575 G.
5 Points: The character’s share of Gil is adjusted by +20%. The
character’s starting Gil is accordingly increased to 600 G.
Restrictions: Gillionaire does not stack with the Equipment Ability
Headhunter. During character creation, this Advantage does not
affect the value of Heirlooms, starting Inventions, or other “extras”
not tied directly to starting Gil.

Goddess's Mark
3 Points
Effect: The character is attuned to the ebb and tide of Life Magic,
and benefits significantly from healing effects. Items, Spells and other
effects that increase a character’s HP restore +25% of their usual
Hit Points when used on a character with Goddess’s Mark.
Restrictions: Goddess’s Mark does not affect Drain effects or MP
recovery.

Good Fortune
1 to 3 Points
Effect: Some force from beyond looks out for the character, tweaking
fate to act in their favor.
1 Point: Once per session, the character can re-roll any one die roll
once. Unused rolls do not carry over to the next session.
2 Points: Twice per session, the character can re-roll any one die roll
once. Unused rolls do not carry over to the next session.
3 Points: Three times per session, the character can re-roll any one
die roll once. Unused rolls do not carry over to the next session.

Hardened
1 to 2 Points
Effect: The character is tougher and heartier than her fellows, and
can absorb far more damage in the long term.
1 Point: The character gains an additional 1 Hit Point per Level.
2 Points: The character gains an additional 2 Hit Points per Level.

Heirloom
3 Points
Effect: A precious artifact has been passed down in the character's
family for generations; now the character is able to use this heirloom
for her own benefit. The character may take one Accessory worth up
to 2500 G at character creation in addition to any other equipment
purchased.
Restrictions: Heirlooms may not be sold or otherwise disposed of
under any circumstances, and must remain equipped until the
character reaches Level 11.

Monster Killer
1 or 3 Points
Effect: The character has dedicated a significant amount of training
to the eradication of a particular type of monster, and is far more
adept against it in battle. This Advantage may be taken multiple
times.
1 Point: The character has trained against a specific Monster Family
(Zuu, Goblin, Flan), and inflicts +100% damage with every Attack
Action made against monsters of this type. Declare which Family
Monster Killer is tied to when purchasing this Advantage.
3 Points: The character has trained against a specific Monster
Category, and inflicts +100% damage with every Attack Action made
against monsters of this type. Declare which Monster Category
Monster Killer is tied to when purchasing this Advantage.
Restrictions: Abnormal cannot be taken as a Monster Category.

Multitalented
1 to 2 Points
Effect: The character has a knack for quickly picking up additional
knowledge. This Advantage may be taken multiple times.
1 Point: Pick a Skill Category that the character’s Job does not grant
him an Affinity to, Weapon Skills excluded. The character gains an
additional Affinity for that Skill Category.
2 Points: The character gains an Affinity to Weapon Skills.

Personal Element
2 to 5 Points
Effects: The character has a deep, personal connection and
familiarity with one of the world's elements, and is capable of
wielding it with fierce power. This Advantage may be taken multiple
times.
2 Points: Select one of the Combat Elements – Fire, Ice, Lightning,
Water, Wind, Earth, Holy, Shadow, or Bio. The character inflicts
+10% damage with all attacks and effects that deal damage
associated with the chosen Element.
4 Points: Select one of the Combat Elements – Fire, Ice, Lightning,
Water, Wind, Earth, Holy, Shadow, or Bio. The character inflicts
+25% damage with all attacks and effects that deal damage
associated with the chosen Element.
Restrictions: Characters with the Paladin Job must pay 1 additional
Point to take the Holy Element. Characters with the Dark Knight Job
must pay 1 additional Point to take the Shadow Element. Personal
Element does not stack with the Equipment Ability [Element]
Enhancer – apply the best damage bonus out of the two.

Pure Soul 1 to 2 Points
Effect: The character harbors an unusual attunement towards the
flow of magic, accumulating mana at a far faster rate than normal.
1 Point: The character gains an additional 1 Magic Point per Level.
2 Points: The character gains an additional 2 Magic Points per Level.

Resistance
2 to 4 Points
Effect: The character has built up a resistance to a specific set of
Status Conditions, and is capable of weathering them better than
most. This Advantage may be taken multiple times.
2 Points: The character has a resistance to Toxin-type Status
Conditions. All Conditions of this type that target the character have
their CoS halved after modifying for Evasion or M. Evasion.
3 Points: The character may choose one of the following categories
of Status Condition to have a resistance to: Seal or Transform. All
Conditions of this type that target the character have their CoS
halved after modifying for Evasion or M. Evasion.
4 Points: The character may choose one of the following categories
of Status Condition to have a resistance to: Mystify, Time, or Weak.
All Conditions of this type that target the character have their CoS
halved after modifying for Evasion or M. Evasion.

Signature Weapon
3 or 5 Points
Effect: By specializing in one specific type of Weapon, the character
has honed her skills with it to a fine edge. This Advantage may be
taken multiple times.
3 Points: When performing an Attack Action with a Signature
Weapon, the character will strike a Critical Hit on a roll of 1 through
15.
5 Points: When performing an Attack Action with a Signature
Weapon, the character will strike a Critical Hit on a roll of 1 through
20.
Restriction: Signature Weapon does not stack with the Equipment
Abilities Critical+ and Critical++. Use the best Critical Hit range of
the two instead.

Special training
1, 2, 4, or 5 Points
Effect: Thanks to training outside the norm, the character is capable
of effectively wielding equipment not typically used by his job. This
Advantage may be taken multiple times.
1 Points: The character gains access to one additional Weapon type
his Job would normally not have access to, provided it can use STR
to calculate damage and does not have a Damage Die higher than
that of those the Weapon types the Job can freely access. If a
weapon has the Double Strike, Mana Channel, or Quicksilver ability,
then it will cost an additional point. Alternately, the character gains
access to one additional Armor type his Job would normally not have
access to, excluding Shields.
4 Points: The character gains access to Shields.
5 Points: The character gains access to one additional Weapon type
his Job would normally not have access to, regardless of Damage
Die the Attribute used to calculate damage, or weapon ability.

Tenacious
3 Points
Effect: The character clings to life with almost supernatural tenacity.
Should the character end a battle at 0 HP or below, she will revive
with 1 HP once the battle is over.
Restrictions: Tenacious has no effect on a battle in progress. Should
the character be felled during a fight, only a Phoenix Down, Raise
Spell, or similar effect will restore her. Furthermore, Tenacious has
no effect on other incapacitating effects such as Stone.