Operative Agent OCC question

[jedi078]

I don’t have N&SS but does this OCC start out with 6 skill programs at 1st level?

I’m starting to play in an online Rifts game and one of the other players (GM really) has an Operative agent from N&SS.

The reason I am asking is because the character in question has 75 skills at 1st level, more then twice the number of skills a standard Rifts character has at 1st level.

[Yendor]

Yep, that's right. N&SS style characters get quite a few programs. Operative Agent gets 6 programs.

"Character can select any two (2) Espionage Skill Programs, any two (2) from among the Military Programs, and two (2) additional skill programs from among the categories of gizmoteer, medical and/or basic. Note: That's a total of six skill programs."

And considering that some programs give 15-25 skills each, 75 is actually about right.

[Guest]

I don’t have N&SS but does this OCC start out with 6 skill programs at 1st level?

Yes, with the potential for having up to 10 skill programs.

I’m starting to play in an online Rifts game and one of the other players (GM really) has an Operative agent from N&SS.

The reason I am asking is because the character in question has 75 skills at 1st level, more then twice the number of skills a standard Rifts character has at 1st level.

That sounds about right if the character selected a martial art with sufficient martial art powers to trade in for basic skill programs, plus secondary skills, PLUS the basic skills of the martial art (and various combinations thereof).

[Guest]

Yep, that's right. N&SS style characters get quite a few programs. Operative Agent gets 6 programs.

"Character can select any two (2) Espionage Skill Programs, any two (2) from among the Military Programs, and two (2) additional skill programs from among the categories of gizmoteer, medical and/or basic. Note: That's a total of six skill programs."

And considering that some programs give 15-25 skills each, 75 is actually about right.

That's too high end for skills per skill program, since the average Military skill program (those having the highest average) only provide 10.5 skills on average. The skill programs providing the most skills are Helicopter Aviation and Armor & Artillery, at 12 skills each.

[Nekira Sudacne]

Yup... I'm running an Operative Agent myself at the moment with shedloads of skills, having taken:

Deep Cover Skill Program [11]
Bodyguard / Assassin Skill Program [10]
Basic Military Skill Program [8]
Helicopter Aviation Skill Program [12]
Medical Doctor Skill Program [5]
Language Skill Program [5]

plus 6 secondaries

plus 12 from Ch'a Ch'uan Kung Fu

When you factor in the rule for 'you get prerequisites of an assigned skill' (which we use, whether it's part of NS&S or not) that's not a bad start, and two of the skill programs are low-payback.

Kind of defeats the point of a prerequisit skill doesn't it?

but then how else do some programs give you a skill without giving you the prerequisits?

[Yendor]

Kuseru Satsujin, Mr. Know It All You're right though (chuckles)

Nekira Sudacne. "but then how else do some programs give you a skill without giving you the prerequisits?"

I agree on this point Nekira. There are many times (*cough* RUE *cough*) where a character is given a skill that has pre-requisites, but not the pre-reqs themselves (and, in some cases, no access to them).

[demos606]

Kuseru Satsujin, Mr. Know It All You're right though (chuckles)

Nekira Sudacne. "but then how else do some programs give you a skill without giving you the prerequisits?"

I agree on this point Nekira. There are many times (*cough* RUE *cough*) where a character is given a skill that has pre-requisites, but not the pre-reqs themselves (and, in some cases, no access to them).

Yes but RUE also finally came out and said you get prereqs for those skills.

[Guest]

Kuseru Satsujin, Mr. Know It All You're right though (chuckles)

Nekira Sudacne. "but then how else do some programs give you a skill without giving you the prerequisits?"

I agree on this point Nekira. There are many times (*cough* RUE *cough*) where a character is given a skill that has pre-requisites, but not the pre-reqs themselves (and, in some cases, no access to them).

Yes but RUE also finally came out and said you get prereqs for those skills.

Sure, but that doesn't mean it holds true for Ninjas & Superspies. Different game, different mechanics.

[Nekira Sudacne]

Kuseru Satsujin, Mr. Know It All You're right though (chuckles)

Nekira Sudacne. "but then how else do some programs give you a skill without giving you the prerequisits?"

I agree on this point Nekira. There are many times (*cough* RUE *cough*) where a character is given a skill that has pre-requisites, but not the pre-reqs themselves (and, in some cases, no access to them).

Yes but RUE also finally came out and said you get prereqs for those skills.

Sure, but that doesn't mean it holds true for Ninjas & Superspies. Different game, different mechanics.

Yes, but that still dosn't answer the question of "how can a program teach a skill without the prerequisets"?

[Guest]

Kuseru Satsujin, Mr. Know It All You're right though (chuckles)

Nekira Sudacne. "but then how else do some programs give you a skill without giving you the prerequisits?"

I agree on this point Nekira. There are many times (*cough* RUE *cough*) where a character is given a skill that has pre-requisites, but not the pre-reqs themselves (and, in some cases, no access to them).

Yes but RUE also finally came out and said you get prereqs for those skills.

Sure, but that doesn't mean it holds true for Ninjas & Superspies. Different game, different mechanics.

Yes, but that still dosn't answer the question of "how can a program teach a skill without the prerequisets"?

You really have to ask? Given all the other missing information, vague material, and contradictory rules, the answer is obvious. Lack of editing.