Overview
Earned & Trained Perks
AX.C.08.02 (Profession-based)
CORE PERK QUICK REFERENCE
| Name | Category | Stage | Action | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploit Opening | Tactical | 1 | Passive | Always |
| Precision Strike | Tactical | 1 | Free | Short Rest |
| Combat Rhythm | Tactical | 2 | Passive | Scene |
| Suppressing Fire | Tactical | 2 | Primary | Long Rest |
| Signature Move | Tactical | 3 | Primary | Full Rest |
| Hardened | Defensive | 1 | Passive | Always |
| Steady Under Fire | Defensive | 1 | Passive | Scene |
| Absorb Impact | Defensive | 2 | Reaction | Long Rest |
| Last Stand | Defensive | 3 | Passive | Full Rest |
| Specialist | Expertise | 1 | Passive | Always |
| Deep Knowledge | Expertise | 2 | Free | Scene |
| Mastery | Expertise | 3 | Free | Full Rest |
| Professional Standing | Organizational | 1 | Free | Session |
| Network Contact | Organizational | 1 | Free | Session |
| Organizational Authority | Organizational | 2 | Primary | Long Rest |
| Faction Pull | Organizational | 3 | Primary | Full Rest |
| Field Patch | Recovery | 1 | Minor | Short Rest |
| Second Wind | Recovery | 2 | Minor | Long Rest |
| Rally | Recovery | 3 | Primary | Full Rest |
| Cover | Team | 1 | Passive | Always |
| Coordinate | Team | 2 | Free | Scene |
| Command | Team | 3 | Free | Full Rest |
The Two-Layer System
Profession-based Perks operate as a two-layer system to maintain universal compatibility while supporting setting-specific depth:
Layer 1, Core Perks (this section): genre-agnostic perks that any Profession in any Genre Catalog can assign to Progression Track Stages. Fully defined and table-ready. Neutrally named so they function identically in a dungeon, a server room or a space station.
Layer 2, Setting Perks (Genre Catalog): Each Genre Catalog can add setting-specific perks that reference setting systems, factions, or technology. These follow the same format as Core Perks but carry setting flavor. They exist in the Genre Catalog, not here.
The Qualifier: If a perk requires setting-specific fiction to make sense, it belongs in the Genre Catalog. If it would function identically across all genres, it belongs here.
Stage Guidance
Earned Perks map directly to the Progression Track Stage structure from AX.C.08:
| Stage | Action Economy | Target Scope | Recovery | Power Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free Action | Self or single adjacent/nearby target | Short Rest | Small, reliable, always useful |
| 2 | Primary Action | Nearby allies or enemies | Long Rest | Moderate, tactically significant |
| 3 | Primary Action | Area, group, or unusual effect | Full Rest | Major, encounter-shaping |
A Profession assigns one perk to each Stage when its Progression Track is built. Perks may be drawn from the Core library, from the Genre Catalog's Setting Perk list, or authored as a custom perk following the format below.
Profession Perk Template:
### Name
Stage | Action | Scope | Recovery
Mechanical effect: [precise, table-ready description]
Limit: [usage frequency]
Genre Note: [optional cross-genre note]
Design Notes
Stage assignment guidance: Each Progression Track Stage receives exactly one perk. Stage 1 is always either the first Combat/Support ability (for action-oriented Professions) or a passive expertise marker (for skill-focused Professions). Stages 2 and 3 escalate scope and recovery cost. A Track should not assign two perks from the same category, variety across the three Stages is a design goal.
Stacking: Perks from the same category do not stack their effects unless explicitly stated. A character with both Exploit Opening and Combat Rhythm would apply whichever gives the larger bonus on a given roll, not both.
Odd Talents and Perks: Odd Talent access (granted by 08.3) is a Progression Track option separate from Earned Perks. A Track Stage can grant limited Odd Talent access instead of a perk.
Genre Catalog Setting Perks follow the same format as Core Perks. They are authored in the relevant Genre Catalog section and reference setting-specific mechanics (Harmonic Traditions, faction standing, environmental systems). They may be assigned to any Track Stage appropriate to their power level. See Iron Lattice AX.GIL.08 for IL Setting Perks.