WARNING: Wall of text.
Someone mentioned on discord about making a compilation of unanswered or questions needing clarified by Natfka.
So I decided to take some time and try to go through the discord and try to put them onto the forums where searching for an already answered question is a tad easier.
I made it all the way to the beginning of September before I went "you know, this is probably enough for now". So all following questions have been asked by various people on the discord that we would like clarified. If I have missed a question that was asked but no answer has been provided...well there is a lot of questions for this game. I also believe I avoided questions that have already been answered on the forums. If not, oops.
All questions are related SPECIFICALLY to the BIRTH OF GENESYS and the CORE RULEBOOK.
-If you take monster X as a class trait, can you then later add species traits to the new monster as its "new" Species traits via progression points?
-Advanced weapon creation. Do you only give it 1 weapon or apply it to all weapons available to be taken?
-Hero Creation after game. I pick my base faction, can I then make a level 0 into a level 4 hero after a game? Nothing says I cannot, only at the start when during faction creation am I limited to my base command.
-When you level up a Hero (from 1 to 2 for example) do you get all the class options available for that domain's? Extra traits, extra stats, ect.
-When I select a different biest kingdom as a class trait does it give any additional traits (like the 1-3 mandatory traits)? I choose vermin as my species but then I take Taurus as a class trait as an example.
-Humanoid Branches of Life. Are Humanoid Branches of Life are their individual Evolutionary Branches, something like Domestication, or is Genetic Mutation, Environmental Adaptations, and Knowledge and Science traits? IF it is each evolutionary branch = life branch then is that the same for insekts and biests (this is for traits that are not classifications or the biest kingdoms).
*****My friend is adamant that all the evolutionary branches are one single branch and will barely budge unless Gary clarifies this. If you think you know the answer to this and you are not the developer, I probably agree with you but my friend does not.*****
-The 1st age book does not specify but is Monsters of Myth and Legend a Domain? What about Monstrous Branches, are those Life Branches? If they are not Life Branches does that mean they stack?
-Corrosive Attacks (Extremis) and Piercing attacks. Corrosive Weapons (exotic Metals) says the reduction of armor/toughness happens at the end of the effects phase while the spell Caustic Breath says you resolve the attack with the reduced toughness, what about piercing and Extremis? When does it happen?
Also, do corrosive Weapons work on Rifles and ranged weapons (this was a question discussed in person because the fluff mentions only melee style weapons)?
-Page 99 on the 1st age book under the Insekt Domain there is a 1st tier trait called Insekt Cluster Launchers which gives Cluster Launchers 2. What does this mean exactly? Same the Launchers 1 trait? Since Ranged natural weapons do not have an X value assigned to them.
-What counts as melee combat for CRS enhancements like outnumber? Is it part of the squad that is engaged and the rest that can attack or is it the whole squad? What if I have a squad engaged and a second squad with a 3" threat range come up behind and attack over them? Is that second squad engaged?
-Infestation Branch Harvesters do not have a trait that gives access to psychic awareness, so they have no way to cast any powers then. Is this intended?
-The +X wounds and +X attacks that are given to classes or species count towards the maximum age limit? For example the Monster/Dinosaur/basilisk give +1 wound, does that count towards the maximum age bonus? What about when you take a level 3 humanoid (+2 wounds) into a level 5 (+3 wounds) does that basically give 5 wounds or is it still stuck at +4? What if I make giants, does that make it so my level 1's with 3 wounds mean my level 5 can only have 5 wounds total?
-Primordial Sphere says you can only access it through Forbidden lore and Knowledge of the Infinite. Is Fey Hybrid able to take a primordial sphere trait or no then?
-Sorcery under the abilities section says you MUST take a power from light or darkness paths. Sorcery under Humanoids and Reptilia say you MUST take a power from the path of twilight (but not primordial). Which is it?
-Giant Weapons. Can I still give them the 2h upgrade?
-Humanoid/Fey. If I take a extra trait and its a 1st tier trait, then through progression points I give it the second tier trait (example: Extra trait 1st tier Physical Strength, pick up 2nd tier incredible strength with progression points) and THEN I make the next level class based off that model but I want to drop the extra trait since its a class option, do I lose the second trait as well?
-Do the class options, Extra Trait, count towards your maximum class trait total?
-The Animate the Dead Power for death does not state that you need to use that on slain models. Can I just cast animate the dead and get X Recently Dead at the start of the game?
-Classes with the mount ability. If I have a level 2 class that I want to use as a mount for a level 1 class and the game I am playing is encounter, since mount says I use the rider's discipline (lets say 3 for example) do I get to bring three level 2 mounts then or is it still restricted by the maximum squad size for that class?
-The Amorphic ability. If I deploy a model with this ability in the center of my opponents deployment zone, according to page 38 of the core rule book (under deployment zones) it says: Models must be deployed at least 20" away from enemy models, unless they have a specific rules that state otherwise.
Amorphic does not have that stipulation, should it? Seems like it would be easy to just deny your opponent deployment by doing this or not even get a chance to deploy your own Amorphic models.
-Does Natural armor count as normal armor for wizardry?
-Infused Items X. If I apply this to a heavy military weapon and exceed the threshold, does the cannon blow up or the crew or all of them?
-Can I take more then 1 artillery piece if I don't have enough crew? For example could I take 2 cannons if I only have 3 crew.
-What is the reload rate of 1st age heavy military weapons? Only the Hwacha says 2 game rounds, so is it 1 game round or since nothing is declared it reloads every turn?
-What is the MTN/RTN of the 1st age heavy military weapons? Or do you go off the crew's MTN/RTN. What if the crew does not share the same MTN/RTN?
-Hunter (primitive) bows have no strength limit and no maximum number of attacks compared to the normal bow (max 2 attacks and max 6 strength). Slings and Ophidian Bows also have no strength limit. Are those 3 weapons intended to work as such?
-What is the range of a Bola? It has Accuracy range stat allocated to it.
-If you take Biestial Hybrid X does it basically become Biestial Kingdom X trait? If not, what is the Biestial Kingdom X trait and where does it come from?
-When it says I cannot have more the 25% of my force flying or underground, is that in model count or points? For example if I am playing at 1000 points, am I limited to 250 points in the air? What if my army is elite and each model is a whopping 255 points, can I no long have a single model flying (extreme example yes I agree)?
-Aberration traits tend to say Increase Characteristic 1, decrease opposite characteristic 1. What if I choose size or wounds or attacks? Those have no opposite.
-Shooting while riding a mount. Does the rule about movement x2 (or base for rifles) count still for the rider if the mount is moving? I've seen some people say they might as well step back from the game for a few months because questions like these keep popping up without a proper answer and we all really enjoy this game so it would be sad to never see this stuff clarified. I'm sure Gary is a busy man between real world responsibilities and working on the 2nd and 3rd age books right now but answering these questions would take a load off a lot of peoples confused frustrations about this part of the game. If I missed any questions please feel freed to add them via replies.
Howdy,
2 things. Another question from the discord, and a thank you.
Question from the discord: Do the component traits for Rare Traits stack with each other? Example: I use Rare Traits to grab +3 strength from 1 Evolutionary Branch, and +1 strength from a different evolutionary branch. Normally, they wouldn't stack. But Rare Traits specifies that this is a new trait, and even goes as far as to say you make a new name for it. This implies to me that they do stack. But, if not, no worries.
Thank you: Thank you, Natfka for this lovely game. In the past month or so, I've gotten an unreasonable amount of enjoyment out of this game. And I'm still learning and digging and plotting. And thank you Durnaze for compiling our discord questions. You went through a significant amount of time on our behalf.
Thank you Natfka, vary good information.
26-Hunter (primitive) bows have no strength limit and no maximum number of attacks compared to the normal bow (max 2 attacks and max 6 strength). Slings and Ophidian Bows also have no strength limit. Are those 3 weapons intended to work as such? -What is the range of a Bola? It has Accuracy range stat allocated to it.
Bola has a throwing range 12- Faq needed
27-If you take Biestial Hybrid X does it basically become Biestial Kingdom X trait? If not, what is the Biestial Kingdom X trait and where does it come from?
Biestial Hybrid is it's own ability, as is Biestial Kingdom. Biestial Kingdom was removed from its location. It will be back.
28-When it says I cannot have more the 25% of my force flying or underground, is that in model count or points? For example if I am playing at 1000 points, am I limited to 250 points in the air? What if my army is elite and each model is a whopping 255 points, can I no long have a single model flying (extreme example yes I agree)?
points. If above they cannot fly. Can still field them, just not in the air.
29-Aberration traits tend to say Increase Characteristic 1, decrease opposite characteristic 1. What if I choose size or wounds or attacks? Those have no opposite.
Unless it says you can select wounds or attacks you cannot.
30-Shooting while riding a mount. Does the rule about movement x2 (or base for rifles) count still for the rider if the mount is moving?
yes. The mount must move at a multiplier that allows for the rider to use their ranged weapon.
21-Does Natural armor count as normal armor for wizardry?
No. Natural Armor grants an enhancement to toughness and does not negatively effect wizardry or Sorcery.
22-Infused Items X. If I apply this to a heavy military weapon and exceed the threshold, does the cannon blow up or the crew or all of them?
Remember on this that you wielder of the weapon can choose to use the infused power if the difficulty is passed. If you for some reason decided to use the weapon anyways, then the weapon and crew would be destroyed.
23-Can I take more then 1 artillery piece if I don't have enough crew? For example could I take 2 cannons if I only have 3 crew.
No reason why not.
24-What is the reload rate of 1st age heavy military weapons? Only the Hwacha says 2 game rounds, so is it 1 game round or since nothing is declared it reloads every turn?
Can fire their Rate of Fire each round.
25-What is the MTN/RTN of the 1st age heavy military weapons? Or do you go off the crew's MTN/RTN. What if the crew does not share the same MTN/RTN?
use the Crew's target numbers. Use the better of target number of the crew for the weapon.
16-Humanoid/Fey. If I take a extra trait and its a 1st tier trait, then through progression points I give it the second tier trait (example: Extra trait 1st tier Physical Strength, pick up 2nd tier incredible strength with progression points) and THEN I make the next level class based off that model but I want to drop the extra trait since its a class option, do I lose the second trait as well?
You must maintain prerequisite traits. Since the 2nd Tier trait requires a 1st Tier trait, then you no longer can use the 2nd Tier Trait.
17-Do the class options, Extra Trait, count towards your maximum class trait total?
Yes extra class traits count as class traits towards your maximum
18-The Animate the Dead Power for death does not state that you need to use that on slain models. Can I just cast animate the dead and get X Recently Dead at the start of the game?
You cannot cast the power before the game starts although there is a provision at the end of the description to start the game with some recently dead.
19-Classes with the mount ability. If I have a level 2 class that I want to use as a mount for a level 1 class and the game I am playing is encounter, since mount says I use the rider's discipline (lets say 3 for example) do I get to bring three level 2 mounts then or is it still restricted by the maximum squad size for that class?
With Mounts you may take a mount for each member of the squad (even if they are a class on their own). So a discipline of 3 would allow three riders and one mount for each rider.
20-The Amorphic ability. If I deploy a model with this ability in the center of my opponents deployment zone, according to page 38 of the core rule book (under deployment zones) it says: Models must be deployed at least 20" away from enemy models, unless they have a specific rules that state otherwise.
Amorphic does not have that stipulation, should it? Seems like it would be easy to just deny your opponent deployment by doing this or not even get a chance to deploy your own Amorphic models.
Amorphic models ignore the 20" apart rules since they can deploy into the midst of enemy deployments. Will add that to an FAQ.
11-Infestation Branch Harvesters do not have a trait that gives access to psychic awareness, so they have no way to cast any powers then. Is this intended?
They do not have it currently. Something to look into.
12-The +X wounds and +X attacks that are given to classes or species count towards the maximum age limit? For example the Monster/Dinosaur/basilisk give +1 wound, does that count towards the maximum age bonus? What about when you take a level 3 humanoid (+2 wounds) into a level 5 (+3 wounds) does that basically give 5 wounds or is it still stuck at +4? What if I make giants, does that make it so my level 1's with 3 wounds mean my level 5 can only have 5 wounds total?
Yes those all count towards the Maximum Age Limit
It should be noted that level 5 classes get +1 to the Maximum Age Limit
13-Primordial Sphere says you can only access it through Forbidden lore and Knowledge of the Infinite. Is Fey Hybrid able to take a primordial sphere trait or no then?
No.
14-Sorcery under the abilities section says you MUST take a power from light or darkness paths. Sorcery under Humanoids and Reptilia say you MUST take a power from the path of twilight (but not primordial). Which is it?
Sorcery needs to be from the path of twilight. This needs to be faqd
15-Giant Weapons. Can I still give them the 2h upgrade?
Yes. and they both stack due the upgrade being Giant Weapons being enhancements.
Answering them in segments of 5. For replies please refer to question number and reply the section you are discussing.
6--Humanoid Branches of Life. Are Humanoid Branches of Life are their individual Evolutionary Branches, something like Domestication, or is Genetic Mutation, Environmental Adaptations, and Knowledge and Science traits? IF it is each evolutionary branch = life branch then is that the same for insekts and biests (this is for traits that are not classifications or the biest kingdoms). *****My friend is adamant that all the evolutionary branches are one single branch and will barely budge unless Gary clarifies this. If you think you know the answer to this and you are not the developer, I probably agree with you but my friend does not.*****
Each Evolutionary Branch is a Branch of Life.
7-The 1st age book does not specify but is Monsters of Myth and Legend a Domain? What about Monstrous Branches, are those Life Branches? If they are not Life Branches does that mean they stack?
There are 5 Domains defined on page 10 of the Birth of Genesys. The Monsters of Myth and Legend are not a Domain. Monstrous Branches are Branches of Life and only stack within their own branch.
8-Corrosive Attacks (Extremis) and Piercing attacks. Corrosive Weapons (exotic Metals) says the reduction of armor/toughness happens at the end of the effects phase while the spell Caustic Breath says you resolve the attack with the reduced toughness, what about piercing and Extremis? When does it happen? Also, do corrosive Weapons work on Rifles and ranged weapons (this was a question discussed in person because the fluff mentions only melee style weapons)?
Piercing occurs when the person must save against a hit. Note that Piercing does nothing on attacks that target other characteristics. Piercing only applies to the hit and is not permanent.
Corrosive Attacks (Extremis) reduce for the rest of the game and applies when a target is hit.
Exotic Metal Alloys (corrosive) take place in the effects phase.
9-Page 99 on the 1st age book under the Insekt Domain there is a 1st tier trait called Insekt Cluster Launchers which gives Cluster Launchers 2. What does this mean exactly? Same the Launchers 1 trait? Since Ranged natural weapons do not have an X value assigned to them.
X would be in error.
10-What counts as melee combat for CRS enhancements like outnumber? Is it part of the squad that is engaged and the rest that can attack or is it the whole squad? What if I have a squad engaged and a second squad with a 3" threat range come up behind and attack over them? Is that second squad engaged?
Only the squads currently being attacked or attacking are counted.
For example:
Squad 1 of 3 models charges a squad of 5 enemy models and resolves combat with no casualties (for the sake of the example.) -The enemy squad currently gains an outnumbering enhancement 1 to their combat situation as they have 5 models compared to the 3 charging.
Squad 2 then activates with 3 models and charges the same enemy squad. -Squad two has 3 models and the squad being charged has 5 giving the enemy squad an enhancement 1 to their combat situation. Squad #1 is not counted. Also realize that if the enemy squad fought back against squad 1 then they will not get to attack back against squad 2 and can only take defensive enhancements.
In the following Game Round when the combat is initiated- no matter who activates it- all three squads will be a part of the same activation using up only 1 Combat Value for both players.
-Squad 1 and 2 have a total of 6 models while the enemy squad has 5. This grants an outnumbering enhancement to the player of squads 1 and 2.
Answering them in segments of 5. For replies please refer to question number and reply the section you are discussing.
1-If you take monster X as a class trait, can you then later add species traits to the new monster as its "new" Species traits via progression points?
yes
2-Advanced weapon creation. Do you only give it 1 weapon or apply it to all weapons available to be taken?
Single Weapon
3-Hero Creation after game. I pick my base faction, can I then make a level 0 into a level 4 hero after a game? Nothing says I cannot, only at the start when during faction creation am I limited to my base command.
A Hero is created at the level they are. Only future advancements level Heroes up.
4-When you level up a Hero (from 1 to 2 for example) do you get all the class options available for that domain's? Extra traits, extra stats, ect.
When you create the Hero they are the same as their class they are made from and then you add either a Characteristic Increase, a Trait, or a Talent. When you make them they are the same level as the class until you level them up further.
5-When I select a different biest kingdom as a class trait does it give any additional traits (like the 1-3 mandatory traits)? I choose vermin as my species but then I take Taurus as a class trait as an example.
No additional traits.
Except they are under the overall section of "Characteristics". Also under the Reptilia Class creation for their level 3's it has this "You may take 3 increase CHARACTERSTIC 1 of your choice. These stack with other increases and can be distributed as you choose. If these are applied to wounds or attacks they cost an additional 4pts. so under class creation logic of that, the other stats would be characteristics. Also, in this response to my question Gary himself called wounds characteristics: https://www.genesysgames.com/forum/creating-factions/class-bonuses-question
For abberration you can't Increase wounds or attacks because they arnt part of the 9 characteristics.
Stat increases when creating your Classes may include any of the nine Characteristics, as well as Wounds or Attacks
With traits like forbidden lore
Are you able to take traits from different ages or is there a restriction to traits for only being g able to take from the same age unless noted like timeless
Another question that's pretty important imo: Do the optional 'extra' traits for some higher lv classes take up a trait slot for the class, or are they considered bonus traits?