Covert Ops
The Covert Ops broad skill focuses on remaining undetected. It consolidates the arts of stealth with the practical skills needed to blend in, conceal items, or pick pockets.
Conceal
This specialty skill represents the ability to hide objects from view or sensors. While Stealth is used to hide oneself, Conceal is used to hide items, such as weapons on one’s person, contraband in a vehicle, or secret compartments.
Results
The degree of success on a Conceal check provides a penalty to an observer’s Awareness-Perception or Investigate-Search check:
- Ordinary: +1 penalty to observer
- Good: +2 penalty to observer
- Amazing: +3 penalty to observer
Hiding Weapons
A concealed weapon is worn where it is not subject to easy spotting (small of the back, inside the forearm, etc.). This is limited to small handguns or blades. Concealment provides a +2 penalty to all but the most intrusive physical searches.
Disguise
Disguise is the ability to change your appearance to look like someone else or blend into a crowd. This covers immediate, practical applications like changing clothes, wearing a wig, or using simple props. A character’s Disguise situation die is modified by the observer’s Awareness-Perception modifier.
▶ Rank 4, 8, 12 [Improved Disguise]: You gain a bonus to all disguise attempts: -1 step at Rank 4, -2 at Rank 8, and -3 at Rank 12.
Pickpocket
This skill allows a character to remove or plant objects on a person undetected. The base situation die is determined by the target’s Will resistance modifier.
Pickpocket Situation Modifiers
| Condition | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Object is in direct contact with target’s skin | +3 |
| Object is heavy | +2 |
| Object is kept in an inner pocket | +1 |
| Object is light in weight | -1 |
| Object is kept in an exposed pocket or pack | -1 |
| Victim is distracted | -1 to -3 |
Results
- Failure / Critical Failure: The attempt fails and the pickpocket is noticed.
- Ordinary: The attempt succeeds.
- Good / Amazing: The attempt succeeds and may offset penalties for repeated attempts against the same target.
Rank Benefits
⊗ Rank 3, 6, 9, 12 [It Takes One to Know One]: Your Will resistance modifier (specifically for spotting pickpocket attempts) improves: +1 penalty to the foe at Rank 3, +2 steps at Rank 6, +3 steps at Rank 9, and +4 steps at Rank 12.
Stealth
Stealth merges the techniques of hiding, sneaking, and shadowing. It is the art of remaining undetected while stationary or in motion.
▶ Rank 3 [Sneak Attack]: If you successfully move adjacent to an opponent undetected while sneaking, you receive a -2 step bonus to your next melee attack. Even if other enemies detect you, they cannot alert your target in time to avoid the sneak attack unless they have special means.
▶ Rank 4, 8, 12 [Improved Stealth]: You gain a bonus to all stealth attempts: -1 step at Rank 4, -2 at Rank 8, and -3 at Rank 12.
Hide (Stationary)
The ability to stay unnoticed by staying quiet and using cover or darkness.
Results
- Critical Failure: You make noise or otherwise call attention to yourself.
- Failure: Anyone in the area can make Awareness-Perception or Investigate-Search checks to see you.
- Ordinary or Better: Observers only get a check if they are actively searching or on guard duty. The penalty to their check is: Ordinary (+1), Good (+2), Amazing (+3).
Sneak (In Motion)
The ability to move undetected. Moving at more than half speed imposes a +2 penalty to the check.
Results
- Critical Failure: You make noise or call attention to yourself.
- Failure: Anyone in the area can make an Awareness-Perception check to detect you.
- Ordinary or Better: Observers may attempt an Awareness-Perception check with a penalty based on your success: Ordinary (+1), Good (+2), Amazing (+3).
Shadow (Tailing)
The ability to tail a target or group through crowds. You feign indifference and adjust your clothing without losing your mark.
Results
- Critical Failure: One or more targets notice you immediately; your cover is blown.
- Failure: The targets grow suspicious. Proceed to the Detection Protocol.
- Ordinary or Better: Targets may attempt Awareness-Intuition checks to sense they are being followed. The penalty to their check is: Ordinary (+1), Good (+2), Amazing (+3). If any target succeeds, proceed to the Detection Protocol.
Detection Protocol
Each member in a position to see you makes an Awareness-Perception check (applying penalties from the Shadow result).
- If spotted: Your cover is blown.
- If unspotted: You may attempt a new check to resume shadowing, but this recovery check incurs a +3 step penalty.