Building Characters (SHOTS)

Character creation in SHOTS is relatively simple. First, the Rulemaster decides if the game is going to be frightful (F), low (L), medium (M), high (H), or super (S) power level, or a mixture. All Attributes start at 0, have a maximum of 5 and a minimum of -5. They are purchased at a 1:1 ratio using a point-buy system. You may lower one score to gain additional points. In a S campaign, you get 16 points. In a H campaign, you get 12 points. In a M campaign, you get 8. In a L campaign, you get 4. In a F campaign, you do not get points and must reduce scores to increase others. You gain an equal amount that you may apply to specific skills. Your skills are not limited by the +5 and -5 caps, but instead are limited to +10 and -10.

Next, every character gets one or more Archetypes which modifies their Attributes and grants them special abilities. In a F setting you may only have one archetype. In a L setting, you may have 2 partial archetypes. In a M setting, you may have 2 full archetypes. In a H setting, you may have 3 partial archetypes. In a S setting, you may have 3 full archetypes. You gain the attribute changes, skill bonuses, and special abilities of all your Full archetypes. If you have 2 partial, you gain a total bonus to skills and attributes equal to the highest of your archetypes but may interchange the bonuses, the higher of the two for money, and the special ability of either one (or, if one of your archetypes has 2 special abilities, you may select from either). If you have 3 partial, you gain the full effects of one of the Archetypes and the partial effects of the other 2. If you gain additional archetypes from something, they are always a full archetype. You use the highest Wealth bonus available to you from any of your archetypes.

Additionally, in a F setting, you gain 1 boon, in a L setting you gain 2, in a M setting you gain 3, in a H setting you gain 4, and in a S setting you gain 5. You may take Flaws in order to gain additional boons, up to 1 flaw per boon you gain based on power level (effectively allowing you to double the number of boons you may have).

Finally, every character gets a Secret that they carry with them at all times.

**Advancing Characters:** Whenever the RM feels it necessary, typically at the end of an Adventure, the players gain an additional 1 (in Low settings), 2 (in Medium settings), 3 (in High settings), or 4 (in Super settings) attribute points. These represent growth the characters have undergone, and may be given by the RM to a specific attribute or for the Player to decide. Alternatively, the RM may give the player or allow a player to take a new Boon instead. For example, The RM may give all players 2 Attribute increases they can use however they wish, or they may give an attribute point to STR for one character and to SPD for another and so on, based on events in the adventure, or they may allow the player to decide between a few Attributes, whichever the RM feels best fits the situation. Additionally, Every character gains a +1 bonus to two Skills of their choice at each advancement.

**Starting Equipment:** All characters begin play with a Backpack and 2 additional mundane items. You gain an additional mundane item per power level above Frightful you are. You may "spend" 2 mundane items to instead get a knife, a bat, a skateboard, or any 1 special item. You may spend 3 to start with a bike.