Slush Fund is a concept from Action 4: Specialists and is a way to smooth out the building of a character using the method in that work. Starting out at 10 for the full Basic Action Template (BAT) or 4 points for the Half-cost BAT it addresses the following issues:
- Traits that cannot be combined (either because they don't have levels or are already maxed out)
- Duplicated traits and skills
- Skill points that don't reach the necessary amount to get to the next level
- Potential for "cookie-cutter" characters
Other aspects related to the Slush Fund (some are actually listed in the "By the Book" section) are
- "Every attribute and secondary characteristic boost, advantage, perk, and skill on the BAT is for sale"
- Making sure things are "By the Book"
- Allowing advantages that have different names for levels to be combined ie "Two instances of
Absolute Direction become 3D Spatial Sense"
- Irregular point totals: when combining two advantages doesn't quite reach the next level. For example, two instances of Fit
By the Book[]
Action heroes are at the end of the day still "human" (ie more Zorro then Batman) and so there are limits on on high things can go.
- Strength (and one would assume Lifting ST and Striking ST as well): No limit
- DX, IQ, HT, Will, and Per: 20
- HP and FP: +30% of their related attribute
- Basic Speed: +2.00; can only be improved if seeking out a round number
- Basic Move: Basic Speed+3