Every standard identity substitutes for at least one ability, by default, or more if taken as an additional feature. It’s only for taking actions that the ability it subs for ordinarily covers.
An identity does not sub for that ability for the purposes of coercing a shock meter or making a stress check, unless it has the Resists Shock or Coerces feature respectively.
I’m a Crooked Cop, of course I can pull strings, check you records, call in favours, legally intimidate, protect and serve, get cover, be official and officious, reasonably request access, know my way around town.
Substitutes for: Lie or Status.
Feature: Coerce Helplessness or Coerces Violence.
Feature: Provides Firearms Attacks.
Feature: Substitutes for Dodge or Tactical.
I’m A Scary Problem, of course I can pull serious handcuffs out of my purse, explain why duct tape isn’t really that great for restraining someone’s hands, act harmless, maintain a stakeout.
Substitutes for: Struggle
Feature: Provides Wound Threshold.
Feature: Substitutes for Lie.
I’m in A Cult, of course I can feign normalcy, ignore injury and deprivation in service of holy things, fall into ecstatic glossolalia.
Substitutes for: Lie.
Feature: Protects Unnatural.
Feature: Coerces Isolation.
This guy has his cult, or its leader, as his Guru relationship. He’s got five Fails in Isolation, thanks to those mind-control vacations. His permanent madness is unthinking loyalty to the guru, as was intended.
I’m Sexually Nonconforming, of course I can get into the gay bar even when there’s a long line, flirt outrageously without being stalker-y, hold a poker face while talking with cultural conservatives.
Substitutes for: Lie.
Feature: Substitutes for Secrecy.
Feature: Substitutes for Connect.
I Steal, of course I can tell if that purse is a knockoff, clock an armored car, spot a pickpocket in a crowd.
Substitutes for: Secrecy.
Feature: Substitutes for Lie.
Feature: Substitutes for Pursuit.
The Insomniac has, in fact, taken five Fails in Helplessness and is now subject to hallucinations. Usually, there’s no bonus Identity for this poor bastard. He’s just screwed.
On the other hand …
I Perform Illusions, Of Course I can escape from handcuffs, shoplift, misdirect attention, source you a well-behaved dove.
Substitutes for: Secrecy.
Feature: Substitutes for Lie.
Feature: Unique (can win a lot of money cheating at cards).
I’m Working Homeless, of course I can know which creepy places even the violent and crazy are scared to go, haggle
tenaciously, repair just about anything with just about anything as long as it only has to work one
time more.
Substitutes for: Secrecy.
Feature: Protects Self.
Feature: Substitutes for Lie.
I’m Mobbed Up, of course I can skip the line at any place that serves food or drink, get you some fun young people to party with, source a safecracker.
Substitutes for: Lie.
Feature: Substitutes for Status.
Feature: Coerces Violence.
I’m an Addict, of course I can find a source, communicate in slang, exert myself in brief and intense ways if there’s drugs at the end of it.
Substitutes for :Lie.
Feature: Substitutes for Secrecy.
Feature: Protects Self.
