VanGaurd - FAQ's Skills, Spells, & Abilities

8.1 What are skills? How does the skill system work?

A skill rating may be increased via use of Abilities that are associated with that skill.
Each class gets many skills pools and a large amount of points to invest in those pools. As you level, skill caps raise and you are given more points to invest, but not enough to max everything. So, for example. choose the type of Ranger you want to be by allocating skill points into the pools that will make you the class you want to be.

8.1.1 Will there be caps on skills?

Yes, skills are typically limited by the level and class of your character.

8.2 What do you mean by 'abilities'?

In Vanguard, an "Ability" is a special action or feat that a character may activate or use. Some will be usable throughout combat, some will have to be prepared and are usable only a finite number of times per combat, etc. Certain advanced abilities may only be taught by trainers in certain areas, even in exotic far off areas for special abilities.

8.2.1 Can players improve the effectiveness of abilities?

Yes, by using an ability, the skill or set of skills associated with the ability will increase. Abilities may become more effective with higher skill ratings.

8.2.2 Will skills be limited by class?

There will be class-specific abilities as well as more general abilities that a number of classes may have access to.

All of our classes fill a role in the Job system. Each member of a job (e.g., Rogue and Ranger are both offensive Fighters) fulfills their primary job with the same proficiency as any other member of the same job.

However, there will also be a subset of abilities that are granted by a character’s race. While each class must perform their primary job with the same skill as any other member of their job, the secondary roles of the class can and will vary wildly, bringing their own unique factor to the group's synergistic combat dynamic.

8.2.3 Will there be both individual and group abilities?

Yes, there will standard abilities that may be executed by an individual and abilities that groups of characters may execute.

8.3 Will there be spells?

Yes. The spell system will be very elaborate. It uses the skills and ability system. You will be able to cast some spells repeatedly. Others will be more limited. Your spells will grow with you in both power and appearance, tut it's not going to be just a rank on an existing spell. You’ll get new spells with new functions, new forms, and many times, new appearances.

8.3.1 Will there be both individual and group spells?

Yes.

8.3.2 Will classes have different but equivalent spells?

Yes and no. Some will be equivalent, but with a different flavor. Other spells will be unique to the class and even the environment or situation. As mentioned above with skills, different classes will bring their unique factor into play.

8.4 Will there be pets in the game?

Yes.