Why are Merc Special Forces...not so special?

[SirLitimus]

Designing an OCC for a merc spec ops trooper either for hire, or already employed by a faction (Triax, NG, etc). In reading the merc handbook, they don't seem to be very good. I mean, they are lacking military etiquette, climbing and swimming, very little to no bonuses to attributes, demolitions, and a primary MOS specialty. I mean, gosh, they can't even SWIM?!?!?

Now, in Rifter #25, there is a wonderfully written section on how to create a realistic spec ops OCC. The problem with that is it really does not apply to a Rifts Chaos or post-apocalypse world setting; only for modern operations.

So, what's the best build y'all had done for a top-of-the-line? Or, do I just ask the GM and talk about what goes and what makes sense to add?

Or, do I get creative for a Rifter creation?

[Curbludgeon]

If one looks past a few things the Paratrooper is usually the way to go. The actual parachute use is incidental, and some object to the class granting a blanket immunity to fear, so maybe change the name if desired. The advantage of the class is that outside a couple of Heroes Unlimited Supersoldier abilities, the Paratrooper is the only way to make Aimed\Called shots while moving without penalty which doesn't place further limitations on types of movement, available weapons, or species of character.

The book which contains the Paratrooper also details a boot camp, which grants some bonuses upon completion. I'd consider adopting a houserule which maybe shaves a little off the top, and grants Military Etiquette. Lots of military-themed classes similarly lack the skill, so perhaps instead it can just be granted as a freebie.

As an alternative to Paratrooper, the Advanced Training Modules found in Coalition Heroes of Humanity incentivize taking multiple specializations in exchange for future skill advancement. They're best used as either a single Module, or multiple in conjunction with eligible classes which gain as few skills in future levels as possible. I have yet to look and see which OCCs that turns out to be. The MOS options of the Coalition Commando, Special Forces, and RCSG might not be subject to the exchange in skills Advanced Training otherwise requires, and so the Chinese Geo-Front takes on them seem noteworthy.

[Nekira Sudacne]

If you are referring to Rifts Mercenaries, the answer is age. The book is over 20 years old and has not been updated for power creep or changes in design standards. Back when it was written OOC bonus to attributes were exceptionally rare and the vast majority of OCC's had none, also military etiquette as a skill didn't exist yet.

As for lacking swimming and climbing, yea that is just a design oversight.

[Orin J.]

the special forces get a LOT of related skill slots to fill for a combat class, and it's pretty easy to slot climbing and swimming in there, but the best advantage it gets is that it's allowed to pick hand to hand commando as listed in CWC, which is a GREAT advantage to have.

that aside, yes it's from an older book and can look less flashy.

[Dustin Fireblade]

The Paratrooper is your answer.

You get 10 related skills to select/build out what you want to do starting at 1st level, followed by 8 more in the future. Select your 10 at 1st level, then look at the Advanced Training options from Heroes of Humanity (they are available to non-CS nations)

[Blue_Lion]

The occ is in a book that was published 30 years ago. (1994) The way occs are written has changed, many old occs need to be updated to RUE format. I would look at the updated Triax occs in rifter 55 (PA commando, or intellegence agent.) or CS commando/SF classes.

Me personally I despise the paratrooper occ. It just reeks of the airborne(non combat MOS) feel about being airborne makes you SF without actually being so. Claims to be Navy seal, airborne, ranger and marries all rolled into one but the occ skills do not match that.

Navy seals and rangers are stealth classes and the occ lacks occ prowl skill(the occ skills need to cover the primary job/rolls of the occ without occ related choices.). airborne is any soldier trained to jump out of an aircraft.(airborn as a whole can cook, medics, drive armored vehicles, photographers, mechanics, signal operators.) The airborne corps includes so much that while it sounds cool just means they can jump out of airplanes. -Marines are similar they include allot of different roles from pilots to infantry, just to vague of a title.

They paratrooper occ do make good airborne infantry but other than CS most nations in NA do not do large scale long range operations that is the bread and butter of airborne so I do not see anyone that would be training specialist for airborne opps. For small scale elite forces jet packs(or flying PA) would be more likely for use than parachutes.

They also have the I jump out of a plane so I am fearless thing, that airborne believe about themselves.