Talent: Maker of things that go boom

[robkelk]

Originally Posted by lexington

Chemistry, Explosives (All Specializations), Engineer (Combat), Electrician . . . Running?

I think that, if you have to run, it's too late.

So, who would the reaction bonus apply to? Besides other bomb-makers, that is...

[Langy]

Originally Posted by robkelk

I think that, if you have to run, it's too late.

So, who would the reaction bonus apply to? Besides other bomb-makers, that is...

Anyone and everyone around you when you make a Leadership roll while running.

[lexington]

Originally Posted by robkelk

I think that, if you have to run, it's too late.

If there's an timer counting down every yard you travel divides the damage you're going to take by three. Effective fleeing is the hallmark of a living, er, good demolition man.

Originally Posted by robkelk

So, who would the reaction bonus apply to? Besides other bomb-makers, that is...

People you've blown things up for before. People that think explosions are awesome.

[sir_pudding]

It should include Traps, and possibly Forced Entry (can you use Forced Entry with explosives)?

[lexington]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

It should include Traps, and possibly Forced Entry (can you use Forced Entry with explosives)?

Nope. It's for "kicking in doors" or "demolishing them with [weapons]".

And I'll second (third? fourth?) Traps as a skill to put on that list, gotta get those targets.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by lexington

Nope. It's for "kicking in doors" or "demolishing them with [weapons]"

What skill do you use to blow a door with most effect, least explosive, and lowest collateral damage?

[Michele]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

What skill do you use to blow a door with most effect, least explosive, and lowest collateral damage?

Explosives (Demolitions). You are demolishing the door. Any standard demolition is done with a view to maximum effect at minimum cost. The situations where the demolition man does not care about excess damage are the exception.

[Michele]

OK, first of all, thank you all.

I think I'd propose the following, for a TL6+ Bomb Maker Talent:

Explosives (Demolitions): clearly the main skill.

Engineer (Electronics): this is for designing the triggering device or fuse, when it's a timer, a remote control of any sort, an electronic fail-safe trigger etc.

Engineer (Combat): this is for making the best use of the device. If so desired, it can be replaced with Engineer (Civil) when the targets are mostly buildings, rather than fortifications or tactical situations.

Chemistry: this is a Bomb Maker who can start from scratch, not a demolitions engineer of a legitimate army or demolition company.

Scrounging: ditto.

Set Trap: this technique is used instead of Traps, when the trap involves explosives. So this is what the Bomb Maker studies.

6 skills, 5 points/level.

At lower TLs, Engineer (Electronics) is replaced first with Electrician, then with Machinist or Mechanic. In the right gameworld, Chemistry can be replaced with Alchemy.

[Christopher R. Rice]

I don't know about including a technique in a Talent, that seems a bit like double-dipping to me. For my games I use the following:

Mad Bomber: Architecture, Chemistry, Engineer (Combat), Explosives, Forced Entry, Scourging. Reaction bonus: other bombers, arsonists, etc. 5 points/level.

I've used it for 3+ years now and it works out very well.

Ghostdancer

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

I don't know about including a technique in a Talent, that seems a bit like double-dipping to me.

Yes, you are probably right. It was just too suitable...

For my games I use the following:

Mad Bomber: Architecture, Chemistry, Engineer (Combat), Explosives, Forced Entry, Scourging. Reaction bonus: other bombers, arsonists, etc. 5 points/level.

I've used it for 3+ years now and it works out very well.

Ghostdancer

Architecture or Engineer (Civil) would seem more or less equally appropriate for knowing the targets.

What is the TL of your campaign? From TL7 onwards, I really think electronics play a role. Of course Explosives (Demolitions), one way or another, includes detonators, fuses, triggering devices etc.; but somebody with that skill might only be able to _use_ ready-made devices of that sort. A bomb maker can design his own, or at least adapt alarm clocks, cell phones, assorted circuitry etc.