Specialist Cores: Define Your Role

Every operative in the galaxy has a specialty - a core discipline that defines how they approach missions, handle threats, and support their squad. Your Specialist Core determines your combat role and grants unique talents as you advance in rank.

Core	Focus	Specialists
Core Combat	Front-line warfare, weapons mastery	Commando, Merc, SAROS, Heavy, Enforcer
Core SysOps	System manipulation, infiltration	Sec-Ops, Medic, Sci-Ops
Core Overwatch	Strategic planning, intelligence	Commander, Silhouette, Envoy
Core Engineering	Technical operations, construction	Robonetic, Rigger, Breacher

How Cores Work

At character creation, you select one Core and one Specialist within that Core. Your specialist determines:

Core Skills: 2-3 skills you excel at from the start
Ability Tree: Purchasable abilities that define your specialist's capabilities
Signature Ability: A defining mechanic that sets you apart
Combat Telemetry: Your weapon accuracy progression by type and size
Title Progression: Rank titles that reflect your growing expertise

Cores vs Organizations

Your Specialist Core is separate from your Corporation or Syndicate affiliation.

Core = What you do (your class/role)
Organization = Who you work for (your employer/faction)

A Medic can work for CORSEC, CONFED, or even ICE. A Breacher might be CONFED military or a MERCS demolitions contractor. Your Core defines your skills; your organization defines your mission objectives and equipment access.

The Four Cores

Core Combat

Front-Line Weapons Direct Action

The Combat Core produces the galaxy's finest warriors. Whether dropping from orbit, hunting bounties, rescuing hostages, or holding the line with heavy ordnance, Combat specialists are the tip of the spear.

Specialist	Abbreviation	Role
Commando	Commando	Standard infantry, tactical combat, rapid deployment
Merc	Merc	Guns for hire, adaptable fighters, diverse weapon proficiency
SAROS	SAROS	Search & Rescue, recon, advanced mobility
Heavy	Heavy	Heavy weapons specialist - heavy weapons only
Enforcer	ShockJock	Melee combat, battlefield control, riot suppression

Core SysOps

Systems Infiltration Support

System Operatives manipulate the battlefield through technology, medicine, and covert action. They hack security systems, keep squadmates alive, and eliminate targets without ever being seen.

Specialist	Abbreviation	Role
Sec-Ops	Sec-Ops	Hacking, electronic warfare, system infiltration
Medic	Medic	Combat medicine, field surgery, pharmaceutical support
Sci-Ops	Sci-Ops	Research, analysis, xenobiology, tech identification

Core Overwatch

Strategy Intelligence Command

Overwatch operatives are the brains behind every successful mission. They plan operations, analyze threats, negotiate with hostiles, and coordinate squad actions from a position of knowledge.

Specialist	Abbreviation	Role
Commander	Cmd	Mission planning, tactical coordination, leadership
Silhouette	Silhouette	Black ops, assassination, stealth, black market access
Envoy	Envoy	Negotiation, social engineering, contact networks

Core Engineering

Technical Construction Destruction

Engineering specialists build, fix, and break things. From maintaining starship systems to programming combat drones to breaching fortified positions, they ensure the squad has the tools to succeed.

Specialist	Abbreviation	Role
Robonetic	Robonetic	Robotics, AI systems, drone control, programming
Rigger	Rigger	Vehicle repair, ship systems, jury-rigging solutions
Breacher	Breacher	Explosives, structural demolition, orbital strike access

Ability Progression

Each specialist has an Ability Tree; a set of purchasable abilities that define their combat role and signature capabilities. Unlike techglomerate talents (which are organization-specific), abilities are tied to your specialist core.

Ability Points (AP)

Characters earn Ability Points each time they rank up, following the same progression as Skill Points:

Rank	AP Earned	Cumulative AP
1	2	2
2	4	6
3	6	12
4	8	20
5	10	30
6	12	42
7	14	56
8	16	72
9	18	90
10	20	110

Spending AP

AP can only be spent during R&R (between missions); you train and develop new capabilities during downtime
AP can be saved; no obligation to spend when earned
AP cannot be refunded; choose carefully
Each ability has a Tier requirement; you must meet the minimum Tier before purchasing

Ability Pricing

Ability costs follow three tiers, mirroring the Skill Trick system:

Tier	Rank Required	AP Cost
Tier 1	Ranks 1–3	2 AP
Tier 2	Ranks 4–6	6 AP
Tier 3	Ranks 7–10	10 AP

With 110 total AP at Rank 10 and more abilities available than points to spend, every operative must make meaningful choices about their build. Two Medics can play very differently depending on which abilities they invest in.

Ability Fields

Each ability in a specialist's tree is described using the following format:

Cost: Ability Points required to purchase
Activation: Action economy; Passive, Extra Action, Extra Action (trigger), 1 Action, 2 Actions, 3 Actions, Extended Action
Requires: Minimum Tier to purchase the ability
Frequency: Usage limit; Once per encounter, Once per mission, Passive, etc.
Effect: What the ability does

Choosing Your Core

Consider these questions when selecting your specialist:

What's your preferred combat range? Close (Enforcer, Silhouette), Medium (Commando, Medic), Long (Heavy, Sec-Ops)
Do you want to lead or support? Lead (Commander), Support (Medic, Rigger)
Guns or gadgets? Guns (Heavy, Merc), Gadgets (Robonetic, Sec-Ops)
Loud or quiet? Loud (Breacher, Heavy), Quiet (Silhouette, SAROS)
Fix problems or cause them? Fix (Rigger, Medic), Cause (Breacher, Enforcer)

Your Legacy and Origin should complement your Core choice. A Soldier Legacy pairs naturally with Commando. A Hacker Legacy synergizes with Sec-Ops. But unexpected combinations can create unique characters - an Entertainer Legacy Enforcer uses charm and shock batons equally well.