Illustration of a cyborg being worked on by a mechanical arm in a cybernetics laboratory.

Character Advancement

Advancement occurs by levels and is based on milestones determined by the GM. A good maximum level for a campaign is 10, however, there is nothing to stop a playgroup from aiming for a higher max level or for no max at all if they so choose. It is entirely up to the playgroup.

Characters advance in several ways when they attain a new level.

Life Point Increase

When a new level is attained, a character’s life point maximum is increased by 5 plus half the highest value of their PS die. Their current life point value is also increased by this amount. So, for example a character with a 20 life point max who has taken damage and currently has 13 life points and has a d8 PS die would add 9 to both their maximum number of life points and their current points (5 + 4). This would give them 22 points with a a maximum of 29 at their new level.

Skill Bonus Increase

On every new even numbered level attained, a character’s skill bonus is increased by one. This means a level two character has a skill bonus of four, a level four character has a bonus of five and so on.

Power Pool Increase

On every new odd numbered level attained, a character’s power pool is increased by 2. A level three character would have 8 power points in their pool, a level five character would have 10 and so on.

Attribute Additions

A new level is an opportunity to gain new attributes. Players should be considering possible new attributes as they play through their current level and present their ideas to the GM when it is time to level up. The GM may also have suggestions for new attributes. Players are encouraged to engage in haggling with the GM to attain these new attributes with the GM having final say on the number and specifics of any new attributes.

Attribute Adjustments

In addition to gaining new attributes, existing attributes may also be adjusted to make them stronger. An existing power may require fewer points from a player’s power pool to utilize. An ability may be used more times between rest periods than previously allowed. The mechanics of an exiting attribute may be adjusted, such as things like range, area of effect, duration, number of targets or anything else specific to the attribute.

Maintaining Balance

It is important during a level up for balance to be maintained amongst players. The GM is responsible for ensuring that level advancement is balanced to ensure that no one player becomes too overpowered compared to the other players in the game.

It is also important to leave room for improvement. There will be other level ups in the future. Some cool ideas for new attributes may have to wait until next time to ensure there is room for continued advancement. 

With that said, the pace of advancement is entirely up to the playgroup. Some groups may aim for small, incremental advancement in a more realistic setting, while others may choose to shoot for godlike status in later levels, taking big leaps at each new level up. As long the advancement remains balanced and there is room to grow, the pace can be whatever the playgroup agrees upon.