Last 3 Edits
Aug 9th, 2016. Added the Edges from Deadlands Player's Guide as abilities.
Aug 8th, 2016. Page created.
References
- CSRB = Cypher System Rulebook, Monte Cook.
HUCKSTER
Hucksters are those that have mastered magic and picture it as a type of game, usually poker. Hexslingers are hucksters that combine their magical abilities with gunfighting techniques.
If you are going to play a huckster, you should read pages 80-84 of the Deadlands Player's Guide. Your powers are magical and work as described in that book.
HUCKSTER STAT POOLS
| Stat | Pool Starting Value |
|---|---|
| Might | 8 |
| Speed | 9 |
| Intellect | 11 |
You get 6 additional points to divide among your stat Pools however you wish.
BUILDING YOUR HUCKSTER
Hucksters begin with the starting abilities of Speakers, but the abilities below are drawn from several types. In essence they are a combination of Speaker, Adept and Explorer.
Just like other types, a huckster at second and higher tiers, can always choose an ability from a lower tier. They can also replace one lower-tier ability with a different one from a lower tier.
See the relevant type for ability descriptions. At each tier, a chart is provided below that outlines what abilities are available, the type and source where you will find their description. For flavour purposes only, there are some alternate names for some of the abilities and suggested 'trappings'. (Trappings are how the spell is visualised in the world and is a term used in the Savage Worlds RPG by Shane Lacy Hensley, Pinnacle Entertainment Group. These are only listed when different to the normal ability.)
FIRST-TIER HUCKSTER ABILITIES
You gain the abilities noted for a first-tier speaker, except as follows:Choose 3 abilities + Deal with the Devil
| Ability | Type & (Source) | Alternate Name | Trappings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block | Explorer (CSRB) | Missed Me | - |
| Closed Mind | Magic flavor (CSRB) | Hard to Read | - |
| Deal with the Devil - Preselected | See below | - | - |
| Danger Sense | Explorer (CSRB) | - | - |
| Decipher | Explorer (CSRB) | - | Read a hand of cards |
| Encouragement | Speaker (CSRB) | Lucky Card | - |
| Enthrall | Speaker (CSRB) | Card/Gun Trick | Keep attention with card or gun tricks |
| Erase Memories | Speaker (CSRB) | Manitou Mind Wipe | - |
| Fast Talk | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Hedge Magic | Adept (CSRB) | - | Card tricks usually form the basis for this ability |
| Interaction Skills | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Magic Training | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Mental Link | Magic flavor (CSRB) | Spirit Bond | - |
| Practiced with Light and Medium Weapons | Speaker (CSRB) | - | (Especially for hexslingers) |
| Premonition | Magic flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Spin Identity | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Ward | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
Deal with the Devil
This ability works exactly as described in Deadlands Player's Guide page 83. Simply substitute the following terms: Intellect Pool point for Power Points; Intellect Edge for Grit; free level of Effort for every raise; XP point for Fate Chip; ability for any reference to spell or hex. If you use a Joker or fail to generate the required Intellect points the GM gets a free GM Intrusion. There is a Backfire Table in the Deadlands Marshal's Handbook for ideas for this intrusion. (Enabler - though part of another action).
SECOND-TIER HUCKSTER ABILITIES
Choose 2 abilities| Ability | Type & (Source) | Alternate Name | Trappings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting Light | Adept (CSRB) | Cutting Cards or 54 Pick-Up | Fling card or cards. Instead of one card, the huckster can fling 2 or 3 that deal 2 points of damage to different targets near each other (no allies in between) |
| Escape | Explorer (CSRB) | - | - |
| Find an Opening | Stealth flavor (CSRB) | Know Tells | - |
| Hand to Eye | Explorer (CSRB) | - | - |
| High Roller | See below | - | - |
| Mind Reading | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Skills | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Understanding | Skills and Knowledge flavor (CSRB) | Hunch | Interpret a hand of cards |
| Unexpected Betrayal | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
High Roller
This ability works exactly as described in Deadlands Player's Guide page 84. (Enabler).
THIRD-TIER HUCKSTER ABILITIES
Choose 2 abilities + Gambler| Ability | Type & (Source) | Alternate Name | Trappings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blend In | Speaker (CSRB) | One in the Pack | - |
| Countermeasures | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Discerning Mind | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Expert Cypher Use | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Gambler - Preselected | Stealth flavor (CSRB) | - | (Also choose 2 cards) |
| Grand Deception | Speaker (CSRB) | Grand Bluff | - |
| Inner Defense | Stealth flavor (CSRB) | No Tells | - |
| Run and Fight | Explorer (CSRB) | - | - |
| Seize Opportunity | Explorer (CSRB) | - | - |
| Targeting Eye | Adept (CSRB) | Dead-Eye | - |
| Telling | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Wrest from Chance | Explorer (CSRB) | Deny the Devil | - |
FOURTH-TIER HUCKSTER ABILITIES
Choose 2 abilities| Ability | Type & (Source) | Alternate Name | Trappings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anticipate Attack | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Feint | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Heightened Skills | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Improved High Roller | See below | - | - |
| Invisibility | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Preternatural Senses | Stealth flavor (CSRB) | Spirit Senses | - |
| Psychosis | Speaker (CSRB) | Manitou Mind Attack | - |
| Quick Wits | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Rapid Processing | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Suggestion | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
Improved High Roller
This ability works exactly as described in Deadlands Player's Guide page 84. (Enabler).
FIFTH-TIER HUCKSTER ABILITIES
Choose 2 abilities + Uncanny Luck| Ability | Type & (Source) | Alternate Name | Trappings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adroit Cypher Use | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Concussion | Adept (CSRB) | All-In | Hurl a card (or shoot at) the point of explosion |
| Create | Adept (CSRB) | Blind Draw | - |
| Font of Inspiration | Speaker (CSRB) | Com-padre | - |
| Knowing the Unknown | Adept (CSRB) | Spirit Gambit | - |
| Old Hand | See below | - | - |
| Skill with Attacks | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Uncanny Luck - Preselected | Stealth flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Vigilant | Explorer (CSRB) | - | - |
Old Hand
This ability works exactly as described in Deadlands Player's Guide page 84. (Enabler).
SIXTH-TIER HUCKSTER ABILITIES
Choose 2 abilities, 1 of which must be Thief's Luck OR Twist of Luck| Ability | Type & (Source) | Alternate Name | Trappings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Again and Again | Explorer (CSRB) | - | - |
| Shatter Mind | Speaker (CSRB) | - | - |
| Skill with Defense | Skills and Knowledge flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Thief's Luck - Possible preselection | Stealth flavor (CSRB) | Huckster's Luck | - |
| Traverse the Worlds | Adept (CSRB) | Enter the Happy Hunting Grounds | - |
| Twist of Luck - Possible preselection | Stealth flavor (CSRB) | Ride the River | - |
