Support

Everybody needs some help sometimes. Among the archetypes, nobody helps better than the support. Offensively, support is almost always lacking, with absolutely minimal attack options. However, the support more than makes up for it with the wide variety of options to buff up allies and to really extend their lifespan on the battlefield.
The support has options seen with other archetypes (like the Boss and the enchanter), but the support uses feats like inspire somewhat differently. They more represent propping up the weary and the wounded than improving the healthy and fighting-fit. Coupled with healing, the support can make even fragile archetypes last much longer than would otherwise be possible.
Support are also fairly tough, with few real weaknesses (other than a poor fortitude resistance), meaning that they aren't easy targets at all. However, considering just how much support does and thus how big of a target it might become, protecting support from the sheer volume of hits they might otherwise draw is important to ensuring their long-term survival in a fight, and thus the long-term survival of all the other NPCs present.
The most important thing with support is to make the descriptors for their feats and FX fitting with their theme. For example, an army medic is unlikely to be using magic healing touches, but bandages represented by the Healing FX and using doses of morphine to treat allies stunned by blows as the description for his Leadership feat are quite appropriate. On the other hand, a fantasy priest might use healing prayers while uplifting his allies' hearts with inspiring prayers. You can use support to represent many, many different types of NPCs, and all of them will be quite effective at aiding their allies on the battlefield.
Like the hoser, support can be frustrating for players. The healing ability in particular can really annoy them when they watch the injury they finally dealt the big bad villain after several very hard-fought rounds just disappear when the support walks over. Be careful in not overusing support like this. Used sparingly, support makes for a great addition to fights.
==Support Progression==
==Common FX/Gear==
Healing (PL/2) (PL/2 cp)
==Sample Support==
* A fantasy priest who calls upon the gods for healing magic
* The crooked crime doctor whose treatments include questionable drugs
* Small helper-drones which can repair damage to a larger warrior robot
* A mystic who can manipulate life energy itself
* The combat medic for a unit of soldiers.
Category:Rulebook
Category:GMing
Category:NPCs
Category:NPC Archetypes