Continuing coverage of Danger Close, today we start looking at character creation. Starting with the Areas, the basic statistic that governs how your character (Agent) does what he (or she) does. Enjoy.
“I wanna be Jason Bourne.”
“I wanna be James Bond.”
“I wanna be Jack Bauer.”
Areas
In a normal roleplaying game, James Bond would have to roll his stats or spend points in an effort to make him “balanced” with the other characters. This could be argued as sensible but we feel that in a spy game such a requirement is counter-intuitive to the goal of making characters that emulate spies from our favorite movies and books. Guys like James Bond and Jason Bourne have top scores in every stat. Jack Bauer can do anything, but he’s not the best at everything. If you’re Bauer, you may have to work a little harder in areas that aren’t your area of expertise.
| Rank | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | Free |
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 2 |
| 5 | 1 |
Instead of stats, we have Areas. Each and every agent can operate inside any of these Areas, but each agent is the best at one of them. In this game, there are five Areas, not based on physical or mental abilities, but on the method an agent uses to get the job done.
Your agent has a 1 (one) in each Area for free. Next, you get 30 (thirty) points to put toward making those Areas better. The first rank is free, but the second is really expensive. Getting more ranks is cheaper which means it is easy to specialize in one Area, but it’s really hard to be good at everything. The cost break down is listed on the right.
There is a TV series that makes for a great parallel of the Areas. On TNT around December 2008 they started airing a heist show called “Leverage” that featured a team of crooks that come together to pull capers in the name of good. It’s a great show and well worth watching. It’ll also help you better understand the Areas of the game. When something comes up in the game you can ask your self, “Would this be something for Parker or Hardison?”
To make things easier, here is a chart that will tell you the total cost of going from one Area Rank to another.
| – | To 1 | To 2 | To 3 | To 4 | To 5 |
| From 1 | – | -4 | -7 | -9 | -10 |
| From 2 | +4 | – | -3 | -5 | -6 |
| From 3 | +7 | +3 | – | -2 | -3 |
| From 4 | +9 | +5 | +2 | – | -1 |
| From 5 | +10 | +6 | +3 | +1 | – |
Capricorn
Capricorn is the Leader of the team. On Leverage this is Nathan Ford. Capricorns organize other people to get what they need. Capricorn is the guy in charge. The one who calls the shots. The guy who gets to tell everyone else on the team what to do. Capricorn also gets a few special rules through out the game too, keep an eye out for that.
• Once per game, the team leader can spend an Agent Point and force any other Agent a re-roll and take the new result. Force. That’s important, remember it.
Note: When all else fails and you can’t figure out which Area to roll… Use Capricorn.
Aries
Aries is the hitman of the team. On Leverage this is Eliot Spencer . Aries kills to get what they need. Aries is the sniper, the gunslinger, the boxer, the martial artist, the weapons expert of the team. The guy who gets to kill everyone the team needs killed. The guy with blood on his hands.
• Once per game, the hitman can spend an Agent Point and can kill anyone without rolling any dice. Anyone. That’s important, remember it.
Gemini
Gemini is the face of the team. On Leverage this is Sophie Devereaux. Gemini lies to get what they need. Gemini is the suave, friendly grifter. He’s the guy that always gets the girl. The guy who can convince the terrorist to just put down the gun. When the team needs someone convinced, it becomes Gemini’s job.
• Once per game, the faceman can spend an Agent Point and make anyone believe anything he wants. Anyone. That’s important, remember it.
Virgo
Virgo is the fixer of the team. On Leverage this is Alec Hardison. Virgo uses technology to get what they need. Virgo is the computer hacker, the mechanic, the driver, gunsmith or engineer. When the team needs a machine for anything or a computer stands in their way it’s Virgo they turn to.
• Once per game, the fixer can spend an Agent Point and either gain a free Rank 5 piece of Equipment for the duration of the mission or reduce any other piece of Equipment Five Ranks. Any piece. That’s important, remember it.
Scorpio
Scorpio is the stealth of the team. On Leverage this is Parker. Scorpion stays in the dark and steals what they need. Scorpio is the thief, the infiltrator, the surveillance expert, the recon scout, the cat-burglar, and the pickpocket. When the team needs someone to get in and out unseen, its Scorpio they ask.
• Once per game, the shade can spend an Agent Point to move without anyone detecting him. Anyone. That’s important, remember it.