His knuckles have become hardened, and his biceps and triceps have doubled in size.
He isn't the most skilled. He isn't the most combat-saavy.
His durability is what enables him to survive his strength. Though his skin is truly tougher than a humans, not impossibly durable- But deeper down, the muscle and bone constrict reflexively, growing denser and resistant to damage in anticipation even as the blow itself collides.
Weapons ricochet off his body unpredictably, swatted away almost absent mindedly or playfully caught between two fingers and flicked away.
Mark's unique genetics kicked in at a young age, though it was nearly his late teenage years before he actually started practicing combat and fighting, visiting a community boxing club.
First thing he learned was how to not break the gloves and bags.
Turns out people were *much* softer.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in unarmed combat.
+2 dice to rolls for Attacking, Defending, and Clashing without a weapon. Unarmed attacks do +0 Weapon Damage (instead of -1). The target's Armor is fully effective against this Damage.
You also gain the following effects:
No less than the bite of the Sea Witch's breath shall bring you low.
The long dark brings friends in its shade - famine, icy winds that burn your throat, stalking threat in the night.
You greet these friends warmly.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
You no longer require any food, water, sleep, or air in order to survive.
The user's body is filled with power as long as they're not weighed down by their human form.
Entering combat requires self restrain to not run away.
Getting mind-controlled by an insect god drastically changes the way you look at the world, but also leaves traces of power ingrained in your soul.
You gain the following benefits as long as you're transformed.
Whenever you use your Movement, after all other calculations, the distance you may travel is tripled.
If you go a round without using your Movement, you immediately collapse and must remain immobile and resting for the same duration of time you previously spent moving.
Liam hears the voices of the dead, who guide him to do better. A side effect is the world is populated by Ghosts to Liam's eyes. He sees them everywhere, & may interact with dead people, graves, or similar in hallucinatory episodes.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your Intellect rating is increased by 0. You may Exert your Mind to automatically gain an Outcome of 5 on any roll that uses Intellect (Cannot be used on combat rolls or Power activations).
You also gain the following effects:
Mark's heartbeat races as addrenaline surges through his body, affecting not only his muscles but his nervous system.
With focus, his perception cracks open like a whip, colors vibrant and sharp. His durability extends to every cell, every rod and cone, every hair cell in his cochlea, every neuron surging information into his brain, operating at full capacity without aging or wear and tear. Operating at 110% capacity without tiring, and processing the smallest scrap of information effectively.
The only problem is.. There's so much to see and hear. It takes real concentration to stay present.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
Your senses are enhanced in the following way.
Any heightened senses require you to maintain Concentration to use, and do not apply to any passive Perception checks.
Vampires are tough
You gain the following benefits at all times.
You have 2 Armor, which reduces incoming Damage. Armor from multiple sources does not stack.
Your Armor cannot be destroyed or shredded, and it always provides a minimum of 2 Armor regardless of any Armor penetration.
This is a doctor who exists on the front lines. They're most at home working under stressful conditions when the stakes couldn't be higher.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
All Stabilizations you attempt are considered Proper Stabilizations.
You also gain the following effects:
The mad scientist can craft steel helmets that protect their wearers from mental influence and attack.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are wearing this Artifact.
You get +1 dice to any Mind resistance rolls you make. You also gain the following effects:
The ninja is a master of a wide variety of martial weapons. They kill quickly and quietly.
You gain the following benefits as long as you are engaged in combat with melee ninja weapons.
+2 dice to all rolls with melee ninja weapons. You may Defend against firearm attacks from any range using melee ninja weapons.
You also gain the following effects:
Nature is the beastmaster's domain. While in the wilds, they can climb trees and cliffs with ease and dash through dense underbrush that anyone else would need a machete to navigate.
You gain the following benefits at all times.
You may move easily and without a roll in any of the following situations.
You only gain the benefits of this effect if you are in an area without a human building within 300 feet.
As long as the ninja is carrying a weapon, their self-defense is almost subconscious. Subtle twitches and lighting-fast feints and parries using sword and scabbard can buy the ninja precious seconds to enact an escape plan or make the kill.
You gain the following benefits at all times. You must actively and obviously be using a sword to gain the benefits of this Effect.
You have 4 Armor, which reduces incoming Damage. Armor from multiple sources does not stack. This Armor cannot be circumvented with Called Shots.
Whenever your Armor reduces incoming Damage, you are immediately made aware of the source of the Damage. You may pinpoint their location for 30 seconds.
Any time your Armor prevents damage, your total Armor rating is temporarily decreased by 1. Whenever you go two Rounds without preventing any damage, it is restored back to its full value.