Cogs

A Cog represents one of the objects or creatures that gets in the PCs' way and creates or represents the challenge or obstacle they are currently trying to overcome.

A Cog has a **Level** which represents its difficulty. The number of Cogs allowed in the Scene and their Level is dependent on the Encounter Difficulty.

Cogs are built using fixed stats and **Ability Points (AP)** to purchase abilities, similar to how PCs use XP to purchase abilities. a Cog can purchase **twice its Level in AP**. Each ability can be purchased only once unless otherwise noted.

### Level: the L stat

A Cog's stats revolve around their Level (**L**). Always round **up** (as the ceiling function) when using L (such as L/2).

## Cog Creation

To create a Cog:

1. Choose its Level and Type
2. Determine its Attributes
3. Allocate 2L AP

## Cog Types

There are 6 Types of Cogs, each Cog has exactly one Type:

* **Arcanae**: a magical being, creature, or creation
* **Automata**: a robotic or technological construction; automata don't need to eat, breathe, or sleep
* **Beast / Flora**: an animal or plant of bestial instinct
* **Humanoid**: a sentient, human or human-like creature such as elves and orcs; humanoids tend to be tactically unpredictable and use clever strategies against their opponents
* **Monster**: a chaotic and exotic beast, including most creatures of the Tributaries
* **Undead**: creatures raised from the dead, often by dark magicks or curses; undead don't need to eat, breathe, or sleep

## Attributes

A Cog's Attributes are based on its Level and Type. For each Attribute, a Cog may be **weak**, **moderate**, **strong**, or **exceptional**:

* **Weak** = L/5 - 3
* **Moderate** = L/3
* **Strong** = L/2
* **Exceptional** = 3L/4

For example, for a Level 8 Cog, these values are: weak = -1, moderate = 3, strong = 4, exceptional = 6. Remember that the L stat rounds **up**.

### Attributes by Type

Some Cogs may have exceptions to this formula, but in general, Cogs have these attributes:

* **Arcanae**: moderate on all Attributes
* **Automata**: weak CHA, WIS, and SPI; strong TEK; moderate on other Attributes
* **Beast / Flora**: weak WIS, TEK, and INT; strong STR, DEX, PER, and AGI; moderate on other Attributes, though some may be exceptional in one Attribute they are normally strong with
* **Humanoid**: moderate on all Attributes, though some may be weak or strong according to their profession
* **Monster**: strong STR, DEX, PER, and AGI; moderate on other Attributes, though some may be exceptional in one Attribute they are normally strong with
* **Undead**: weak CHA, TEK, SPI, and INT; moderate on other attributes

## Stats

A Cog's stats are not based on its Attributes, but by its Level. Cogs have the following combat stats:

# Spending Ability Points (AP)

Cogs can spend their AP to purchase abilities below. A Cog may purchase **up to one ability per section**, unless otherwise specified by another rule. For example, a Cog can have only one Template. Abilities are organized by Courses; a Cog can use only abilities in Courses you have unlocked.

## Course of Tactics

### Templates

**Agile (L/2 AP)**

This Cog’s Level is treated as L/4 higher for the purpose of Vim, Speed, and Initiative.

**Bruiser (L/2 AP)**

This Cog deals +L damage with impact on all abilities.

**Fighter (L/2 AP)**

This Cog gains 5L Accuracy and half as much Vim (rounded up to the next multiple of 5).

**Mooks (L AP)**

This Cog has -L Initiative and only one fifth of its normal HP, but there are L of them. Mooks have halved values for all of their effects, such as damage, healing, DLs, and the number of times they can use abilities. The group of Mooks is considered one Cog for calculating Encounter difficulty.

**Tank (L/2 AP)**

This Cog gains L Armor and 5L Vim.

### Major Abilities

**Powerful Melee (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to make a melee basic attack that deals Ld6 damage.

**Fast Melee (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to make L/4 melee basic attacks that each deal 1d6+L damage.

**Full Melee (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 3 Actions to make three melee basic attacks that deals Ld6 damage.

**Powerful Ranged (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to make a ranged basic attack anywhere within line of sight that deals Ld6 - L damage.

**Fast Ranged (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to make L/3 ranged basic attacks anywhere within line of sight that each deal 1d6 damage.

**Thousand Cuts (X AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to make X/2 melee basic attacks (up to L) that each deal L/5 damage.

### Minor Abilities

**Heal (X AP)**

This Cog can spend 1 Action to heal itself or an adjacent ally for X HP, up to L.

**Alert (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 1 Action to gain L/5 Alerts.

**Breach (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 1 Action to make a melee basic attack that removes L Armor on a direct hit.

**Secondary Melee (L/2 AP)**

Once per turn, this Cog can spend 1 Action to make a melee basic attack that deals 1d6+L damage.

**Secondary Ranged (L/2 AP)**

Once per turn, this Cog can spend 1 Action to make a ranged basic attack anywhere within line of sight that deals 1d6 + L/2 damage.

### Traits

**Tiny (L AP)**

This Cog is considered L/2 Levels lower for STR, HP, damage, and Speed but L/2 levels higher for Vim, DEX, and AGI. Their hex is not considered occupied and they gain L/3 Alerts at the start of each turn.

**Small (L/2 AP)**

This Cog is considered L/4 Levels lower for STR, HP, damage, and Speed but L/4 levels higher for Vim, DEX, and AGI. They can move through hexes with hostile creatures and they gain L/5 Alerts at the start of each turn.

**Large (L/2 AP)**

This Cog is considered L/4 Levels higher for STR, HP, damage, and Speed but L/4 levels lower for Vim, DEX, and AGI. They take up 7 hexes (a 1-meter radius) and have a Reach of L/5 meters.

**Huge (L AP)**

This Cog is considered L/2 Levels higher for STR, HP, damage, and Speed but L/2 levels lower for Vim, DEX, and AGI. They take up a radius of 2 meters and have a Reach of L/3 meters.

**Fast (X AP)**

This Cog gains X Speed, up to L.

**Aggressive (3X AP)**

This Cog gains Xd6 damage to the first attack they make each Round. X cannot be more than L/3.

**Blocker (L/2 AP)**

This Cog always Blocks (as Block (Beginner)) all attacks as a Free Reaction.

**Dodger (L/2 AP)**

This Cog gains L/4 Dodges per Encounter. When attacked, if it has any Dodges remaining, it Dodges the attack (as Dodge (Beginner)) as a Free Reaction.

**Perfect Shielding (L/2 AP)**

When this Cog loses a quarter of its HP in a single Round, it becomes immune to further HP loss until the start of its next turn (after resolving any current actions).

### Bonuses

**Harsh Opener (3X AP)**

For the first X Rounds of an Encounter (up to 6), this Cog gains 1 extra Action on each of its turns.

**Ruthless Opener (6X AP)**

For the first X Rounds of an Encounter (up to 3), this Cog gains 2 extra Actions on each of its turns.

**Frenzy (X AP)**

When this Cog is below half HP, the first attack it deals each turn deals an additional +X damage, up to +L.

**Armor Protection (X AP)**

This Cog's Armor cannot be reduced below X or L (whichever is lower), although this ability does not itself grant any Armor.

**Great Initiative (X AP)**

This Cog gains +X Initiative, up to +L.

**Volatile (L/2 AP)**

When this Cog dies, they explode dealing L damage (with their base Accuracy) to all creatures in a radius of L/2 (or smaller, set during Cog creation).

### Attack Modifiers

**Push (X AP)**

When this Cog directly hits, it also moves the target X meters away (up to L meters).

**Exhaust (X AP)**

When this Cog directly hits, the target also loses X Vim, up to L.

**Drain (2X AP)**

When this Cog directly hits, the target also loses X MP, up to L/2.

**Homing (L AP)**

This Cog's attacks cannot be Evaded.

**Piercing (X AP)**

All damage from this Cog ignores 2X Armor.

**Radial (L/2 AP)**

This Cog's ranged attacks target a radius of L/4 meters, or smaller if the Cog chooses.

**Line (L/2 AP)**

This Cog's melee attacks target a line of L meters, or shorter if the Cog chooses.

## Course of Combat

### Combat Defenses

**Perceptive (2 AP)**

This Cog is never considered flanked.

**Cover Expert (3 AP)**

This Cog applies 1 Alert against ranged attacks that hit this Cog through Cover.

**Patient (4 AP)**

This Cog cannot be threatened.

**Perfect Senses (2 AP)**

This Cog is immune to Accuracy debuffs.

**Shield (X AP)**

This Cog has a Shield Bonus of 3X (up to L) and can Shield Block (Fighter).

**Shell (4 AP)**

Attacks which target this Cog are completely negated unless either (a) the damage roll shows doubles or (b) the attack ignores any amount of Armor.

**Tenacious (2 AP)**

This Cog cannot be knocked prone. When this Cog is forcibly moved, halve the distance of the effect (this ability stacks with similar effects).

**Thorns (X AP)**

Whenever this Cog is targeted by a melee attack from an adjacent attacker, the attacker takes an unavoidable X damage (up to L) before resolving the attack.

### Combat Offenses

**Predator (3 AP)**

This Cog always targets characters who are not Supported if one exists, and deals an additional 2d6 damage with damage-dealing abilities against targets who are not Supported.

**Reach (L/4 AP)**

This Cog gains +L/4 meters of Reach.

**Surrounding (L/2 AP)**

This Cog gains +5L Accuracy and +L damage on all attacks against targets they are flanking.

**Cuffer (3 AP)**

On a direct hit that results in HP loss, this Cog's attacks also knock the target prone.

**Obscuring (3 AP)**

On a direct hit, this Cog's attacks also apply the stacking debuff *Obscured*: -10 Accuracy.

**Merciless (3 AP)**

This Cog deals double damage against prone targets.

**Intimidating (2 AP)**

This Cog's attacks threaten the target.

**Threatening Aura (X AP)**

When an enemy to this Cog moves within X meters of this Cog, they become threatened. This Cog has 2X Armor against threatened enemies.

### Buffs and Debuffs

**Empower (L/2 AP)**

Once per turn, this Cog can spend 1 Action to give a stacking *Empowered* buff to its allies within 12 meters (including itself): gain +L/4 damage on all attacks.

**Haste (4 AP)**

Once per turn, this Cog can spend 1 Action to grant an allied target within 12 meters +2 Actions on their next turn.

**Slow (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to give a stacking *Slowed* debuff of -L/4 Speed to a hostile target within 12 meters if they fail a DL 7+L Attribute check chosen by the Cog during creation.

**Charge (3 AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to grant a *Charged* buff on themself: their next attack deals double damage (then remove this buff).

**Weaken (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 2 Actions to give a stacking *Weakened* debuff of -L/4 damage on all attacks to a hostile target within 12 meters if they fail a DL 7+L Attribute check chosen by the Cog during creation.

**Aim (L/2 AP)**

This Cog can spend 1 Action to gain a stacking *Aimed* buff: their next attack has +5L Accuracy (then remove this buff).

## Course of Conditions

### Type Upgrades

**Inherent Benefits (1 AP)**

Based on their Type, this Cog gains the following passive bonus:

* **Arcanae**: cannot become stiff
* **Automata**: cannot become sick
* **Beast / Flora**: considered +1 Level for Vim
* **Humanoid**: considered +1 Level for MP
* **Monster**: considered +1 Level for HP
* **Undead**: cannot become sick

**Power Shift (L/4 AP)**

Based on their Type, this Cog gains the following stat modifiers:

* **Arcanae**: +L MP, -5L Vim
* **Automata**: +2L Initiative, -L/2 Speed
* **Beast / Flora**: +5L Vim, -L MP
* **Humanoid**: +5L Accuracy, -2L HP
* **Monster**: +L Speed, -2L Initiative
* **Undead**: +L/2 damage on all attacks, halved Accuracy

### Condition Defenses

**Startled Prey (L/2 AP)**

When this Cog rolls Initiative, it loses half of its HP and Vim and gains twice as much as temporary HP and Vim.

**Enduring (2 AP)**

This Cog cannot be fatigued.

**Sturdy (2 AP)**

This Cog cannot be staggered. When this Cog is forcibly moved, halve the distance of the effect (this ability stacks with similar effects).

### Condition Offenses

**Staggering (4 AP)**

On a direct hit that results in HP loss, this Cog's attacks also stagger the target.

**Sickening (4 AP)**

On a direct hit, this Cog's attacks also cause a sick debuff.

**Stiffening (4 AP)**

On a direct hit, this Cog's attacks also cause a stiff debuff.

**Tiring (4 AP)**

Once per Round, when this Cog directly hits a target, the target must succeed a Strength check DL 3+L or become fatigued.

### Conditional Stats

**Modified HP (X AP)**

This Cog gains +5X max HP. X may be between -L/2 and L/4.

**Modified Accuracy (X AP)**

This Cog gains +5X Accuracy. X may be between -L/4 and L/2.

**Modified Vim (X AP)**

This Cog gains +5X Vim. X may be between -L/4 and L/2.

**Modified Speed (X AP)**

This Cog gains +X Speed. X may be between -L/4 and L/4.

## Course of Damages

### Damage Offenses

**Bleeding (L/2 AP)**

This Cog's attacks also deal L/2 bleed damage with impact.

**Burning (L/2 AP)**

This Cog's attacks also deal L/2 burn damage with impact.

**Stunning (4 AP)**

This Cog's attacks also deal 2 stun damage with impact.

**Paralyzing (4 AP)**

This Cog's attacks also deal 2 paralysis damage with impact.

**Taxing (L/2 AP)**

This Cog's attacks also deal L Vim damage with impact.

**Attribute Drain (L/2 AP)**

When this Cog directly hits a target, the target must succeed an Attribute check chosen during Cog creation of DL 7+L or take 1 Attribute damage of an Attribute chosen during Cog creation. The Attributes for the check and damage may be the same or different Attributes.

### Resistances

**Fatigue Resistance (3 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to Vim damage and cannot become fatigued.

**Burn Resistance (4 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to burn damage and normal damage from fire-based attacks.

**Burn Immunity (6 AP)**

This Cog is immune to burn damage and normal damage from fire-based attacks.

**Stun** **Resistance (3 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to stun and paralysis damage.

**Stun** **Immunity (5 AP)**

This Cog is immune to stun and paralysis damage.

**Transmutation** **Resistance (3 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to Attribute damage.

**Transmutation** **Immunity (5 AP)**

This Cog is immune to Attribute damage.

**Galvanic** **Resistance (3 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to all damage from galvanic attacks.

**Galvanic** **Immunity** **(5 AP)**

This Cog is immune to all damage from galvanic attacks.

**Magical** **Resistance (L/2 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to all damage from magical attacks and gains +L/2 to checks made to resist spell effects.

**Magical** **Immunity (L AP)**

This Cog is immune to all damage from magical attacks and gains +L to checks made to resist spell effects.

**Piercing** **Resistance (5 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to piercing attacks and bleed damage.

**Piercing** **Immunity (8 AP)**

This Cog is immune to piercing attacks and bleed damage.

**Slashing** **Resistance (5 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to slashing attacks and bleed damage.

**Slashing** **Immunity (8 AP)**

This Cog is immune to slashing attacks and bleed damage.

**Bludgeoning** **Resistance (4 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to bludgeoning attacks.

**Bludgeoning** **Immunity (6 AP)**

This Cog is immune to bludgeoning attacks.

**Physical** **Resistance (10 AP)**

This Cog is resistant to all physical normal damage.

**Physical** **Immunity (15 AP)**

This Cog is immune to all physical normal damage.

**Incredible** **Resistance (20** **AP)**

This Cog is resistant to all special damage types and one type of normal damage (galvanic, magical, or physical).

**Incredible** **Immunity** **(40** **AP)**

This Cog is immune to all special damage types and one type of normal damage (galvanic, magical, or physical).

### Vulnerabilities

**Fatigue Vulnerability (-3 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to Vim damage and becomes fatigued whenever they take any Vim damage. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Burn Vulnerability (-4 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to burn damage and normal damage from fire-based attacks. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Stun** **Vulnerability (-3 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to stun and paralysis damage. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Transmutation** **Vulnerability (-3 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to Attribute damage. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Galvanic** **Vulnerability (-3 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to all damage from galvanic attacks. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Magical** **Vulnerability (-L/2 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to all damage from magical attacks and takes a -L/2 penalty to checks made to resist spell effects. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Piercing** **Vulnerability (-5 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to piercing attacks and bleed damage. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Slashing** **Vulnerability (-5 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to slashing attacks and bleed damage. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Bludgeoning** **Vulnerability (-4 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to bludgeoning attacks. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

**Physical** **Vulnerability (-10 AP)**

This Cog is vulnerable to all physical normal damage. This cannot be taken with the respective resistance or immunity.

## Course of Surroundings

### Advanced Movement

**Flyer (X AP)**

This Cog has a Flight Speed of X.

**Swimmer (X AP)**

This Cog has a Swim Speed of 2X.

**Anchored (4 AP)**

This Cog is immune to being forcibly moved.