Other Actions
While straightforward combat and negotiation form the core of most action in Blood Secrets, there are other actions and tactics that character may or, in some circumstances, must make use of.
A stealthy approach is generally a necessity for Assassinate, Steal, Kidnap or Extract missions, and can be a powerful strategy in any combat mission. Characters must have at least one Sneak skill level to attempt this tactic. If they do have the Sneak, they can make an attempt to Hide at any time by clicking on the "Hide" button underneath the map. If they try to hide when in sight of an enemy, this attempt will fail; otherwise they will enter stealth mode.While sneaking, the characters movement will be reduced (initially to one square per turn, though this will increase as Sneak skill is advanced). When passing within a certain range of an enemy (initially 4 squares; check you Competencies for sneak(range)), the enemy has a chance to detect the character, based on the enemy Perception and the character's Obfuscation score. If the enemy fails, they will not spot the character, who may then continue without fear of attack. Sneaking by an enemy makes the character more visible to others, but the character will regain their previous level of concealment over time (provided they are not spotted). Thus, if you need to take several turns to get past an enemy, try waiting for a couple of turns to let your position improve before moving again.
Performing certain actions will cause stealth mode to be broken, and the character to become visible. The range of actions that can be performed undetected will improve as Sneak skill increases. As a guideline, however, try to think ahead and place the character in a position where they will not be spotted if they perform an action which renders them visible.
Remember that, if an enemy spots you, they will attack. If you are attempting a stealth mission, killing bystanders will compromise the mission. You best chance is to run back to somewhere you can hide again; you may need to facilitate this with a non-lethal incapacitation.
As well as avoiding detection, sneaking can be used to deal a surprise attack. To perform a backstab, first sneak into a square adjacent to the target. Then click on the target, as if launching a normal attack. If all this has been performed without the character being detected, a devastating blow will be delivered, with damage determined by the level of Backstab skill and the character's Obfuscation. Note that the damage level of the weapon used is not a factor; consequently it may be prudent to use a small, quick weapon, as the speed advantage prove useful in the aftermath of an attack.
Backstabs may also be performed by ranged weapons. Here, it is not necessary to move within one square; the weapon's usual range will apply. Damage from such a sniping attack will be less than from a close-range backstabe, however.
Bashing and lockpicking doors:
Some doors will identify themselves as being unlocked; these can be opened simply by clicking on them, as any other functional level feature. Locked doors are a different proposition, however.If you equip lockpicks before clicking on the door, you can attempt to pick the lock. To even equip the lockpicks, you must have the necessary level in Pick Lock. If you do, then you can make the attempt; if it fails, you can keep trying (at least until someone arrives to interrupt). Your chances of succeeding are based on the difficulty level of the lock and your Dexterity.
Bashing works very differently. If you click on a locked door without equipping picks, you will automatically make a bash attempt. Your chances are based on the resilience of the door, your Strength score and the damage rating of your weapon (doubled if it is a Bashing weapon), and again, you can repeat until the door is broken down. The downside to bashing rather than picking is that bashing makes a lot of noise, and will attract enemies from a considerable range (although this itself can be put to tactical advantage).
Setting traps and laying explosives:
Some characters take a more strategic approach to combat. For these, the tactical possibilities of traps and explosives may prove very tempting. Both of these work in similar ways. To lay a trap, you must have the necessary level of Set Trap. If the character fulfils this prerequisite, they can set the trap by clicking on it in their inventory. The trap will be deployed on the square the character is occupying, and will be active when they leave the square. Should an enemy subsequently move through that square, the trap will spring and take effect unless the enemy spots it in time (based on their Perception and the trap layer's Obfuscation).Explosives are a little more complex. To lay them, the character must first select the charge to lay it on the current square, and then select a fuse to attach. The character's Demolition skill must equal the combined level of charge and fuse. The charge will then be set off depending on the nature of the fuse. If a Contact Fuse, the explosive will act as a trap and activate when an enemy enters the square. Proximity triggers will set off the charge if an enemy moves within the indicated range, and timed fuses will set off the charge after a certain number of turns. On activation, the explosive will harm all within a wide range (including the character if they are still too close), and also destroy doors in adjacent squares.
Useful strategies with bombs include sneaking, locating the enemy, and laying a bomb nearby (but out of sight), or laying a bomb before attracting the enemy (by bashing or using a loud weapon such as a firearm). Lycanthropes and Vampires have the innate ability to change to their supernatural form. This can be done by clicking the Transform button underneath the map. Vampire forms have enhanced abilities, as well as the ability to regenerate. The same is true of Lycanthrope forms (in which case the abilities boosted will depend on the Were-type); an important difference here is that Lycanthropes lose access to their equipment, and instead take on the natural armour and weapons of their Form.
Changing Form also allows characters to use their Powers. Characters may change back by clicking on the button below the map. Lycanthopes should be aware, however, that this may leave them vulnerable as they will not have any items equipped when returning to human form. Vampires and Were-creatures who have trained in supernatural Powers can use them to gain an extra advantage. Using a Power is as simple as selecting it from the drop-down menu that appears underneath the map. Some Powers are attacks, dealing a single powerful supernatural attack based on the related ability (frequently Intelligence, sometimes Charisma where the attack is based on overwhelming force of personality). Other Powers provide a temporary boost to an ability; this boost will last for a random time based on the Power's base ability. Transform powers change the character's Form for a similar time period, obtaining the physical abilities and attacks of the new Form.
There are also Summon and Familiar Powers, but these have not yet been implemented.
Use of a Power decreases the character's Essence by an amount equal to the level of the Power used. Essence can be replaced by resting (which can return up to half the character's Essence), or by draining a target, either by defeating them in combat or by successfully persuading a civilian in a public area.