I'm new to the forum, so please excuse this message if it is in the wrong section.

As a new player of Deathwatch, I find myself constantly going through certain sections of the main rule book and building character ideas. The errata has answered most of my questions about some inconsistencies, but one of them keeps popping up: the Jaded talent.

I can not find any class, chapter, general, or Deathwatch rank in which a character can learn this talent. Is there any way to gain this talent short of the GM allowing it to be taken?

As a space marine, you never take fear tests (and I'd go so far as to say) never gain insanity from mundane things anyway.

BrotherHostower said:

That's unfortunately completely untrue. You do not get insanity points from "supernatural" fear sources. You are however affected by mundane sources of fear, including atrocities of war. I will for example give out a potentially heavy dose of insanity for the mission on the hiveship in OE. If that experience doesn't cause some insanity, nothing will.

And we want insanity as GMs because the Primarch's Curse rules are so neat.

For further reference: page 278. Now I would assume that Marines have nearly seen it all so I wouldn't be heavy-handed about this. Just an insanity point here or there. Don't forget that Marines get more XP than in DH/RT. Which means buying back Insanity Points won't cut too deep into their pockets at a rate of 100xp for each.

And Marines with Jaded Talent would be pretty much immune to insanity. I have given my BA player this talent for free because of his past history. So that and Elite Advances are one option. And don't forget that the talents and skills are not just PCs, they are building blocks so that GMs can custom-tailor their NPCs.

Alex

For clarification to the OP, many of the talents listed are not specifically for marine usage, as per the sidebar on p.112. It looks likes jaded is one of them. Certainly, if some event in your character's background, or during the course of the game means that he is particularly jaded in personality, then the gm should allow it as an elite advance.

Personally, I am of the thinking that it is not particularly important, as I would very rarely use the mundane horrors stuff against a space marine (at most, it would be like, fear test, then suffer 1dX IP on failure, where X = degree of fear from mundane horror, and we're talking crazy stuff here too). So just say your demeanor is jaded, go with that I guess (and no, I would not allow that to automatically count as the talent, but if played properly, would allow an elite advance, probably for 750xp)

And at above, fear tests do still matter, its just now a negative to WP (and not even effecting focus power tests, as per errata), so its still something.

I have to caution the OP with being too interested in the talent though, it is good, but its not that good. Its more for DH/RT than deathwatch, as it is assumed most marines have fought in at least a dozen campaigns, so "mundane horrors" have to be particularly crazy. Perhaps dealing with more mental stuff would be good (reminded of the food stores in that shelter in that one free intro module for dark heresy), perhaps even tailoring them to specific chapters... (The lack of proper protocol or respect for the codex astartes drives the Ultramarine insane , although that is kind of pushing it)

KommissarK said:

Perhaps another scaling problem. So tell me, K, how does a Space Marine in DW ever get to Level 1/2/3 of his Primarch's Curse? Me, as I have said, I am going to award somewhere between 1 to 10 Insanity points for the experience of boarding a Hiveship. Can be bought back with experience if necessary.

Alex

ak-73 said:

That's what I'm doing- I've been handing out a little here and a little there- not very much mind you, but enough to shake them a little bit. Through XP, representing meditation, prayer, or chats with a Chaplain, it can be reduced as per the rules.

I use insanity as a way to show that not even marines are unbreakable, and piety and/or introspection will keep you sane, and in the Emperor's good graces.

But, since the insanity in this game is harder to get (as opposed to DH where you see a body you gain insanity), none of my troupe has voiced a desire to pick this up.

Interesting. Thanks for helping to put that into to perspective.

Hey Shrey. You find Chem Geld yet? I want to recall there being a similar situation with that Talent.

Baron Throatpunch said:

Yes, you have to take it as an elite advance as it's not in any of the current character advancment tables (or through other GM trickery).

AK I think the awarding of insanity points should be the other way around....I very much doubt a Space Marine of any Chapter, even the Dark Angels, would become more insane by seeing a large amount of blood or whatnot. Supernatural means to cause insanity might grant a small amount such as a pack of Khorne Hounds or Genestealers tearing apart the planet's leadership in front of them.

muzzyman1981 said:

That makes more sense, I agree. Overall I go by gut feeling, once more. Boarding a Hiveship should be a harrowing experience, especially seeing an Imperial Frigate getting consumed and all this I award Insanity Points after the mission based on a WP roll for the entire trip. Other than that only very horrifying or faith-testing sights should award any WP tests for IPs at all.

Alex