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 Was in The War, of course I can: speak military slang, source a live grenade if I’m willing to risk a lot of trouble, make an educated guess about an explosion, get my health care paid for eventually.
Substitutes for: Dodge.
Feature: Provides Firearm Attacks.
Feature: Unique (can construct home-made explosives, but hasn’t yet).
I Came Out of Foster Care, of course I can yell, nitpick the legality of certain tense social
interactions, instinctively hide of everything of value.
Substitutes for: Notice.
Feature: Substitutes for Dodge.
Feature: Coerces Violence.
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 Can’t Resist a Mystery, of course I can bond with you over your favorite crime show, figure out ciphers and notice acrostics, spot inconsistencies.
Substitutes for: Knowledge.
Feature: Substitutes for Notice.
Feature: Substitutes for Connect.
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 Fuckin’ Rock, Of Course I Can: operate a soundboard, get backstage, get onstage, find a fan in a likely place.
Substitutes for: Status.
Feature: Substitutes for Connect.
Feature: Unique (makes kickass rock music).
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 Burnt Out, of course I can find a meth dealer, sleep rough, tell you which dumpster has the freshest baked goods.
Substitutes for: Notice.
Feature: Protects Isolation.
Feature: Coerces Isolation.
I’m an Alderwoman, of course I can get a ticket fixed, make a local business be nicer to you, get that pothole repaired, get
you a temporary job for a couple weeks.
Substitutes for: Status.
Feature: Protects Helplessness.
Feature: Protects Isolation.
