In this article I will discuss how to make Combatant characters for the Atomic RPG System. A combatant might seem to be the easiest character to make and play, but not all warriors are the same. This article will help you to make the kind of combatant character you can’t wait to play in the Atomic RPG System. This guide can honestly be used as a foundation for any RPG, but will be specifically worded to help players of the Atomic RPG System make combatant characters.
First, what is a Combatant Character?
Combatant characters are those that tend to have a focus on their Body Trait. This focus provides abilities with character effects related to the Body Trait. These characters tend to prefer weapons, being able to defend themselves and others, and attack if necessary. They may initially feel like the melee characters of the Atomic RPG System, but that’s not necessarily true. Any character could be a Combatant, from a warrior to a wizard. Combatants aren’t so much about WHO they are. Instead think of Combatants as what they are able to do.
A player might choose to create a Combatant in order to do Hit Point Damage as well as to enhance or reduce combat-oriented buffs such as Attack or Defense. Combatants cannot heal Hit Points, though they do have the ability to increase a character’s base Hit Points.
This description encompasses a wide range of characters, especially in the Atomic RPG System. The examples below are by no means the only way to make these characters. In fact, in the Atomic RPG System character creation is nearly infinite due to the role-play/mechanics separation of the system.
Combatant Characters
We’ll use some examples of well-known combatant character types in order to explore the subject. These are “typical” characters, used to explain why they were created the way they were. There are no rules in the Atomic RPG System that a warrior who uses two swords has to be a Combatant.
- Barbarian– Likes to fight lots of creatures at close range with weapons. Speed and multiple target damage are the focus of this character.
- Fighter– Likes to fight single targets with up close weapons. The fighter focuses on tackling the most challenging of foes with high Defenses and Hit Points.
- Paladin– Likes to fight single targets at close range while enhancing and supporting allies.
- Rogue– Likes to fight a single target while focusing on stealth and skills.
As I talk about these characters it would be a good idea to open them in another window to see the specifics of what I will be discussing. Just click the names to open their character sheets.
Barbarian Combatant
This barbarian Combatant is going to be a single minded, weapon wielding, traditional battle raging warrior. This character might not be much help outside of Battle Time, but will be very good when Battle Time arrives.The barbarian focuses on mowing through as many smaller enemies as possible. By using low damage, but larger area Powers, the barbarian is able to kill minions and grunts with ease.
- Style: Aggressor – This gives the barbarian a bonus to attacking. I want this character to hit its target.
- Focus: Devoted – This barbarian has a few very powerful abilities to use in Battle Time but will give up the Tertiary Discipline Powers completely.
- Specialty: Minor Speed – Increases base speed so the barbarian can quickly get around the battle field from group to group.
- At Will Power: 2×2 Space area attack to maximize damage to an area. This attack will have to be used with care so an ally isn’t hit with it.
- Primary Discipline: Offensive Combatant – 2×2 Space Powers to Move the enemy around and penalize them. Primarily will use At Will to damage. One Power reserved to attack a 3×3 Space area when there are lots of enemies that need to be hit at once.
- Secondary Discipline: Offensive Combatant – Individual enemy attacks to penalize foes. Uses Speed reducing power if enemy leaders try to escape.
- Tertiary Discipline: NA
- This character will also utilize Combat Maneuvers frequently since they will be very good at Combatant-based ones.
Barbarian Combatant’s Role
The barbarian shines in combat, taking out lesser enemies quickly and efficiently so the group can focus on the more powerful enemy leaders. With such a high Body Trait, this character will be able to do a lot of Damage even with Basic Attacks and At Will Attacks.
Outside of its main role in Battle Time, this character will excel at Athletics-based Skill checks as well as Crafting. However, it will not do well in any other Skill.
Fighter Combatant
This fighter Combatant is a much more well-rounded character than the barbarian. A fighter would be a traditionally raised and trained warrior who has learned many different techniques in battle.This fighter focuses his attention on a single enemy at a time with many different Powers to aid in defeating a wide range of enemies.
- Style: Aggressor – This gives the fighter a bonus to Attack. I want this character to hit whatever it is swinging at.
- Focus: Focus – This fighter will have weaker Powers than the barbarian, but will have many more Powers. While strong in the Primary Discipline, the fighter will have Secondary and Tertiary Power Pools, giving many more Powers as well as more versatility.
- Specialty: Minor Recovery – This grants the fighter a slow Hit Point regeneration effect. If this character will likely be leading the combat, it’s important to have some kind of Healing available.
- At Will Power: A strong, damaging, single target attack.
- Primary Discipline: Offensive Combatant – Single target attacks to harm and penalize the target.
- Secondary Discipline: Offensive Combatant – More Powers to hurt and hinder a single target. It’s helpful to choose some Powers to help rearrange the battlefield in the fighter’s favor.
- Tertiary Discipline: Defensive Generalist – This fighter knows some Generalist Powers to further assist themselves and allies in battle.
- This character will also utilize Combat Maneuvers frequently since they will be very good at Combatant based ones.
Fighter Combatant’s Role
This fighter is built to take on the enemy leaders, with many different Powers to use, depending on the situation.
Outside of Battle Time, this fighter will be good at Athletics and Crafting. They will also be a little better in the Spirit based Skills due to having a little more in Spirit than the barbarian above.
Paladin Combatant
This paladin Combatant is a holy warrior devoted to their god and willing to prove this devotion in battle. This character is specifically designed to uphold righteousness and glory in battle. This paladin looks to protect the weak and be the center of attention in combat.
- Style: Protector – This gives the paladin a bonus to Defenses in order to survive being the focus of attacks in combat.
- Focus: Focus – This paladin has weaker Powers than the barbarian, but will have many more Powers. While strong in their Primary Discipline, they will also have Secondary and Tertiary Power Pools, providing for many more Powers and versatility.
- Specialty: Minor Defenses – This grants the paladin a bonus to Defenses. Adding this to being a Protector makes this character difficult to hit.
- At Will Power: Single target strike with a bonus to Attack to help the paladin hit the enemy most of the time and keep the enemy’s attention on the paladin.
- Primary Discipline: Offensive Combatant – Single target attacks to help move the enemy near the paladin and keep them there.
- Secondary Discipline: Defensive Combatant – These Powers are meant to help and aid both the paladin and their allies in the center of combat.
- Tertiary Discipline: Defensive Mystic – The paladin has a few “magic like” Powers to help them get out of a bind.
- Why is Spirit higher than Mind? Good catch! Mind does not need to be increased because all the paladin’s Mystic Powers will be defensive, meaning there will be no need to hit. Yes, they will be slightly weaker but this extra point can go into Spirit instead to bolster the Social skill which represents the paladin’s “presence”. This also will aid with the paladin’s Defenses against Generalist penalties as well the Combat Maneuver Head Games.
- This character will also utilize Combat Maneuvers frequently since they will be very good at Combatant based ones.
Paladin Combatant’s Role
As you can see this paladin Combatant has abilities like the “traditional” paladin. However, they can easily be tuned to fit exactly how this paladin will be the focus of battle. With a wide range of Powers, this paladin should be able to handle just about any situation.
Rogue Combatant …er… Mystic
Hey wait! This rogue is not a Combatant, it is a Mystic. You’re right! I have included this character to show how a “melee” character does not have to be a Combatant. Remember, with the Atomic RPG System the Archetype is not WHO the character is, it is WHAT that character can do.In this case the rogue wants to be able to Damage, be good at Skills, and have some tricks up their sleeves like disappearing into one shadow and coming out of another. Since this character wants to be strong in combat, and have Skills secondary but still important, this rogue was built as a Mystic instead of a Generalist.
- Style: Neutral – This gives the rogue a bonus to Skills, in order to offset the fact that the rogue is a Mystic versus a Generalist. Generalists inherently have the best Skills.
- Focus: Focus – This rogue is going to focus on combat abilities and tricks but wants to have as many tools at their disposal as possible.
- Specialty: Minor Tactical Combat – This grants the rogue a bonus of 1 to their Attack when they are flanking or have Tactical Advantage. This is what this rogue is considering their “Backstab” bonus. It also offsets their middle-of-the-road Trait scores.
- At Will Power: This rogue has an attack that can move the enemy. This will help to keep from being cornered.
- Primary Discipline: Offensive Mystic – Single target attacks to harm and penalize the target.
- Secondary Discipline: Defensive Mystic – Powers to aid the rogue to help get them out of trouble. Sneaking around means they are often away from immediate aid from an ally.
- Tertiary Discipline: Defensive Generalist – Powers to help the rogue have bonuses to tackle difficult challenges.
- This character will also utilize Subterfuge to sneak around and move without notice in the game. The rogue will want to move into optimal position before attacking when possible.
Rogue Mystics’s Role
This rogue has a whole tool box of tricks they can use. Even though they are a Mystic they have lots of combat-oriented abilities. However, this rogue is a Mystic for the ability to heal and Teleport allowing them to get in and out of dangerous situations quickly.
Along with all of the tricks for Battle Time, this rogue also has good Skills and should excel at Turn Time Skill challenges as well.
Make Combatant Characters
Hopefully this guide helps players understand the role Archetypes play in the Atomic RPG System are and how they are applied. Almost any character can be any Archetype, dependent upon what the player wants that character to be able to do. Players of the Atomic RPG System can even make Combatant wizards or sorcerers. The player can describe their Powers as magic versus weapons.
Don’t worry about learning about all of the things they can or cannot do. Check out the Archetype comparison and find the two or three things that the character really wants to do and go from there. In the Atomic RPG System, players are not locked into their decisions on their characters and can easily change any part of their character, including their Archetype.
Feel free to jump in and start making your own character with the Atomic RPG System Character Generator. If you don’t already have an account sign up here, it’s easy and it’s free! Now that you have an idea of how to make Combatant characters, try to make one of your own!