Last 3 Edits
Aug 19th, 2016. Added a couple of new abilities about sharing PPs that I made up.
Aug 17th, 2016. Finished page.
Aug 16th, 2016. Page created.
References
- CSRB = Cypher System Rulebook, Monte Cook.
WEIRD SCIENTIST
Weird or mad scientists spend most of their time designing gadgets and gizmos fueled by the super-fuel, ghost rock. Many of their abilities are actually dangerous contraptions that can be very deadly, including to their user, if they happen to blow up. Even a mad scientist's cyphers are likely ghost rock-infused concoctions or contraptions, such as energy boosters and concussive explosives just to name a couple.
You probably prefer to call yourself a 'new' scientist, but there is no doubt the general population see you as weird and mad. Indeed, descriptors such as Mad and Weird are common choices.
If you are going to play a weird scientist, you should read pages 88-90 of the Deadlands Player's Guide.
WEIRD SCIENTIST STAT POOLS
| Stat | Pool Starting Value |
|---|---|
| Might | 7 |
| Speed | 8 |
| Intellect | 13 |
You get 6 additional points to divide among your stat Pools however you wish.
BUILDING YOUR WEIRD SCIENTIST
Weird scientists begin with the starting abilities of Adepts. Most abilities below are drawn from that type and the technology flavor in the CSRB.
Just like other types, a weird scientist 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. You still cannot have more type gizmo abilities than you have tiers.
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. The tables also note whether or not the ability is represented as a gizmo and contain some sample gizmo ideas, though you are encouraged to come up with elaborate names of your own for each of your gizmos.
Gizmos
Abilities with overt, physical characteristics are considered gizmo abilities. You can only take a maximum of 1 gizmo type ability per tier, even if you get to choose more. This does not include your focus abilities. If your focus abilities have obvious physical or supernatural elements they are also treated as gizmos.
Gizmo Characteristics
- Is considered an object of the same level as the tier of the ability it possesses.
- Have their own Power Point Pool. This pool is equal to half of your Intellect pool (rounded up). This pool increases along with your Intellect pool, representing constant tinkering and improvements.
- Can only use their assigned Power Points, not the user's (though a user can expend Effort).
- Recover points only following a 10 hour recovery period and only if you have ghost rock to fuel them. You make a roll for each gizmo and the points recovered use the same dice and adjustments as their creator.
- User can expend Effort from their own relevant stat pool (including reducing the cost by Edges). A creator's Edge can be applied to the Power Point cost of using the gizmo.
- If it makes more sense for a gizmo to use another stat than the one listed for the ability it emulates, change it. For example, if the Onslaught ability is a gun-like gizmo, Speed is more representative of shooting this device.
- You are considered practiced in the use of all gizmos you create.
- Others are NOT practised in your gizmos. They can attempt to use them, but the difficulty is increased by 1 per 2 levels of the gizmo (rounded up).
- If a 1 is rolled when making use of the gizmo's ability, the GM Intrusion is usually a malfunction requiring several hours to fix or an explosion affecting all within an immediate radius. Use the gizmo's level for the difficulty level to avoid and twice its level for damage. Speed defense rolls can be made to avoid damage as normal, though the user does not get to make this roll. (There are other ideas for this GM Intrusion in the Savage Worlds Deluxe book p105).
- If a 2 is rolled when making use of the gizmo's ability, the gizmo's ghost rock supply is depleted.
- A lost or destroyed gizmo can be rebuilt using the craft rules, but you must have access to a workshop.
FIRST-TIER WEIRD SCIENTIST ABILITIES
You gain the abilities noted for a first-tier adept, except as follows:Choose 3 abilities (with a maximum of 1 gizmo ability) + Tech Skills (but can be chosen again)
| Ability | Type & (Source) | Gizmo | Trappings/Device Ideas or other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed Mind | Magic flavor (CSRB) | - | This is likely a measure of your madness |
| Distortion | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Distortion field device; spray |
| Erase Memories | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Brain wave device, ray, pulse |
| Far Step | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Powered boots |
| Investigative Skills | Skills and Knowledge flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Knowledge Skills | Skills and Knowledge flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Onslaught | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | High-pitched brain disrupter; magnetic propulsion device; lightning gun; heat ray |
| Practiced with Light Weapons | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Push | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Force pulse cannon |
| Resonance Field | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Belt or harness |
| Shatter | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Energy disruption ray; Sonic projector |
| Ward | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Deflection vest |
| Tech Skills - Preselected | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Replace references to computers to gizmos. |
| Tinker | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | This applies to gizmos, most cyphers or other gadgets. |
SECOND-TIER WEIRD SCIENTIST ABILITIES
Choose 1 ability + Tool Mastery| Ability | Type & (Source) | Gizmo | Trappings/Device Ideas or other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptation | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Suit; Breather mask and canister |
| Concussive Blast | Magic flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Neutron projector; Pulse cannon |
| Cutting Light | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Energon gun |
| Flash | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Fusion projector; ghost rock spitter |
| Gizmo Connection | See below | - | - |
| Hover | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Jet pack; Mini gyrocopter |
| Machine Efficiency | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Applies to gizmos |
| Repair Flesh | Magic flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Case of infusions, salves |
| Serv-o | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Clockwork creation or miniature automaton |
| Serv-o Defender | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Must have a clockwork creation or miniature automaton |
| Serv-o Repair | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Must have a clockwork creation or miniature automaton |
| Tool Mastery - Preselected | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Stasis | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Stasis field generator |
Gizmo Connection
If any of your gizmos are being held by you (it's creator) when you make any recovery roll, the points can be distributed among those gizmos as well as your stat pools. (All normal rules apply for distributing these points, such as not being allowed to go over maximum). (Enabler)
THIRD-TIER WEIRD SCIENTIST ABILITIES
Choose 2 abilities (with a maximum of 1 gizmo ability)| Ability | Type & (Source) | Gizmo | Trappings/Device Ideas or other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adroit Cypher Use | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Advanced Gizmo | See below | - | - |
| Energy Protection | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Special suit; anti-energy resonator |
| Fling | Magic flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Force pulse projector |
| Improvise | Skills and Knowledge flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Practiced with Light and Medium Weapons | Explorer starting ability (CSRB) | - | - |
| Skill with Defense | Combat flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Device varies according to stat chosen; Brain-protecting helm; Infusions; Nerve stimulator; Suit |
| Targeting Eye | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
Advanced Gizmo
Choose one of your gizmos. Its Power Points are increased to the same as your Intellect Pool maximum. However, this gizmo depletes its ghost rock fuel on a roll of 2 OR 3 when used. (Enabler)
FOURTH-TIER WEIRD SCIENTIST ABILITIES
Choose 1 ability + Robot Fighter| Ability | Type & (Source) | Gizmo | Trappings/Device Ideas or other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadly Aim | Combat flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Enhanced sights |
| Ignition | Magic flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Flame thrower |
| Invisibility | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Light bending suit; Phase belt |
| Power Boost | See below | - | - |
| Robot Fighter - Pre-selected | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Applies to automatons |
| Serv-o Aim | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Must have a clockwork creation or miniature automaton |
| Serv-o Brawler | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | Must have a clockwork creation or miniature automaton |
| Specialisation | Skills and Knowledge flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
Power Boost
By spending an action to tinker with one of your gizmos, you can transfer some of your own Intellect points to your gizmo's Power Point pool. To do so make an Intellect roll where the difficulty level is the amount of points you wish to transfer. If successful, remove the amount of points from your Intellect pool and add them to the gizmo's Power Point pool. The gizmo cannot go over its Power Point pool maximum this way. (Action)
FIFTH-TIER WEIRD SCIENTIST ABILITIES
Choose 2 abilities (with a maximum of 1 gizmo ability)| Ability | Type & (Source) | Gizmo | Trappings/Device Ideas or other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concussion | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Force pulse cannon |
| Dust to Dust | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Atom disintergrator glove, rod |
| Jury-Rig | Technology flavor (CSRB) | - | - |
| Machine Companion | Technology flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Automaton |
| Master Cypher Use | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
| Teleportation | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Teleportation machine |
| True Sense | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Ghost rock goggles |
SIXTH-TIER WEIRD SCIENTIST ABILITIES
Choose 1 ability| Ability | Type & (Source) | Gizmo | Trappings/Device Ideas or other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastery with Defense | Combat flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Device varies according to stat chosen; Brain-protecting helm; Infusions; Nerve stimulator; Suit |
| Move Mountains | Adept (CSRB) | Gizmo | Pulse cannon |
| Relocate | Magic flavor (CSRB) | Gizmo | Time-phase device |
| Supreme Gizmo | See below | - | - |
| Usurp Cypher | Adept (CSRB) | - | - |
Supreme Gizmo
Choose one of your gismos. Its Power Points are increased to the same as your Intellect Pool maximum. (Enabler)
