Professions

The twelve (fourteen in Shadowlands) different professions in the game will all help influence the final performance of the character. Each profession has an affinity for specialisation, but there are several ways of playing each profession successfully.

Adventurer

Difficulty to play: Low / Medium
"Greetings fellow traveller! What brings you out into these horrid wastelands today of all days? The sand worms are hungry this time of year, you know. Ah, so you want to be an Adventurer, eh? Well, I can assure you there's no better life than the one you'll find out here. The cities? Nothing but twisted titanium and twisted people. Give me the desert, the scorching sun and the violent rain, and I'll show you REAL power. Out here is where I belong and you won't find a better survivor. Come along, and learn to become one with nature and transform into a leet or even a pit lizard? Ahaha! The faces I have seen when I talk to those mindless city folk through the form of a leet. So, grab your backpack, get your legs moving and get started on the adventure of a lifetime."

An Adventurer's soul is at home in the wild. Adventurers study the animals, learn their ways and gain some of their abilities along the way. Their weapon skills are well balanced with equal advancement opportunities in melee and ranged combat. They also become skilled at using nanotechnology to withstand damage or to create metaphysical cloaks that damage their aggressors. An Adventurer is an excellent healer, only truly rivaled by the Doctor.

Agent

Difficulty to play: High
"Uh? Where did...who are...how on Rubi-Ka did you find me?!! Bah, it doesn't matter. I can see you already show the promise of a first-rate Agent. Concealment and surprise! That is what we're about. With a rifle in our hands and a poison nano up our sleeves we can strike with the venom of an asphalt adder, just to fade into darkness. Heh, and don't get me started on our ability to assume any profession we like! Oooh boy, if it wasn't for that I'm sure I would have visited the reclaim booth a few more times than I actually have. When the going gets tough and there's nowhere to hide, it's always a blessing in disguise, heh, to assume the garment of another profession and either smash or blast your way out. Don't get me wrong though, nothing beats sneaking unnoticed across the planet, picking off the enemy left, right and centre. Heh heh. Now get down or you'll blow my cover!"

An Agent’s life is spent in the shadows. Agents focus on concealment and subterfuge skills and one of their special abilities is going undercover. Doing so enables them to use nanotechnology normally only available to other professions. When it comes to combat, the Agent’s speciality is sniping opponents with high velocity rifles using unique nanotechnology to further increase the damage.

Bureaucrat

Difficulty to play: High
"The mind. That's what it's all about. As a weapon, nothing will ever beat my nano-augmented, nano-enhanced mind. Sure dual-wielding Freedom Arms, packing a Vektor ND shotgun or lugging around a Nova Flow helps, but when you can manipulate your enemies, why, I could just push 'em over! When it comes to controlling a fight when your group is outnumbered by great odds, you can bet there is no one more qualified than us. I even have an official certificate to prove it. There is no better feeling than rooting an enemy to a spot, giving another a taste of my energy blaster, slowing a third to a crawl, and placing a fourth under your whim; all through thought and the slight assistance of nano-bots. The Bureaucracy even sends a robot worker to help us out with our daily duties. You can't beat that! Sign up to be a Bureaucrat today and I'll cut straight through th red-tape, waivering the usual 137 page contract and Application of Profession forms."

The Bureaucrat brings order to chaos. Bureaucrats have very limited weapon skills but their vast knowledge of nanotechnology makes up for that. They use it to directly damage opponents and create robots that will fight for them. But most importantly, a Bureaucrat uses nanotechnology to boost his leadership skills and to control hostile beings, bending their minds and blurring their aims. In a team situation, a Bureaucrat is therefore a natural leader.

Doctor

Difficulty to play: Medium
"So, you come to me with a wish to practice the medcal profession? Well, you're about to make a lot of close friends! You see, when it comes to teams, we are in high demand. The Enforcers, Soldiers and Martial Artists can't dish the harm unless we're right there, keeping them alive through all the means at our disposal. Want a little bit of quality time, hunting by yourself? Well, fine, because of our ability to stay alive you'll have a blast. But, as I said, teams are where we really shine, healing those bruises. When it comes to dealing out the damage, we aren't any slackers either. With an injection of poison into our enemies the casualty numbers can stack up quite high; with no waiting list required."

A Doctor is really a biotechnology specialist. The Doctors' prime skills focus mainly on healing and protecting but they also learn how to produce and administer powerful biotoxins that slow, weaken and wear down their opponents. Limited weapon skills can lead to a bumpy ride when going solo, but in a team the Doctor really shines. When chaos descends on the team in combat, its survival usually lies squarely on the Doctor's shoulders, so this profession is not for the faint-hearted.

Enforcer

Difficulty to play: Low
"Bash and smash is the name of me game, and bash and smash is, er, kinda like me name. You come wit me and I'll show yer the quickest way to bash sumthin, and the best way to smash sumthin. Wit me strong muscles, good health and damaging weapons, me always thumping enemies and taking most of the damage. That way, everyone stays alive and me good at it. Me able to use the tek...techo...technology so me can go like a berserker and make me damage much, much higher. Me also able to make a shield which protects me and hurts the enemies back. If me deal the damage wit me weapons or if they hit me, me always giving damage to the enemies. The result always the same; dead enemy pulp. Me is also able to shout loudly and scare the enemies away. Very handy when lots of enemies come running. Hur Hur. Well, me show you how to be the best and smashing and you be famous on Rubi-Ka. Enough talk. Me head hurt."

An Enforcer specializes in close combat using raw power and naked rage to subdue opponents. Enforcers are physically better suited than all others to sustain damage and can learn some protective nanotechnology to further increase their chances of survival. Their brutality and in-your-face combat attitude normally make them the prime targets for any opponent. Enforcers utilize this for the good of the team and rely largely on others to heal them.

Engineer

Difficulty to play: Medium / High
"Technology and machines are a citizens best friend and there are no two ways about it. Why, with only a few basic parts and a twist of the wrist, you'll be the proud owner of a brand new custom-made weapon. Learn from me and I won't only show you how to equip your friends and customers with A-grade guns, swords and blunt objects, but I will also show you how to use your skills in the battlefield. The armour your friend, or even you, is wearing is too old and doesn't work effectively anymore? Not to worry! With technology you can increase the statistics of that armour and you'll be grinning from ear to ear. Hey, why not add a shield that damages an enemy hitting it? Sure, there you go. You just keep smiling my friend! That weapon is a little slow? Not to worry! Let's increase its damage output a bit shall we? And let's not forget the embodiment of your friend technology; the droid. Let me tell you, be an Engineer and you'll be the happiest grease monkey there ever was. Say, does that armour need fixing?"

An Engineer is a specialist in creating all sorts of machinery. Engineers really excel in constructing powerful battledroids and have access to unique nanotechnology to enhance and repair them. The Engineer's weapon skills are not that great, but the Engineer/robot-pet duo is quite formidable. All Engineers learn to create powerful protective shields and the best Engineers can hack into satellites, and use them to teleport any member of the team to the Engineer's location.

Fixer

Difficulty to play: Medium
"Pssst! Hey! Yeah, you...is there anything I can do for you? Need a weapon? Need an illegal stim to get through the day? Need to be on the other side of Rubi-Ka? Look no further, I'm the person you're looking for. You name it, I'll find it. I'll get you from Meetmedere to Mort in a jiffy. I'll disarm that lethal trap in a second, and open that locked chest so you can, eh, "liberate" its content. Point me to an enemy and I'll fix him too. I'll stop him in his tracks and heal you back to strength. Someone right on your tail? I'll just make sure you run a little faster. Being a Fixer you'll be fixed for life. So, ahem, need anything off the black market?"

Fixer specializes in getting people what they need when they need it. By hacking into what is known as The Grid from anywhere in the world, Fixers can use it to transport themselves or their entire team in digital form around Rubi-Ka. The Fixers move fastest of all and special armors make them the hardest to hit as well. A Fixer's main combat strategy lies in limiting the maneuverability of opponents and they favour weapons from the sub-machinegun category.

Keeper (Shadowlands only)

Difficulty to play: Medium

The Keeper is a fighter that radiates valour and heroism - a beacon of light and hope to the team. A formidable opponent who specialises in close combat, the Keeper is especially proficient wielding two-handed edged weapons. This profession's uniqueness lies in the ability to share life and diverse powers with nearby allies. As a genetically engineered profession dependent on an abundance of notum, the Keeper must begin life in the Jobe research facilities in the Shadowlands.

Martial Artist

Difficulty to play: Low
"Ahh, young one. I see your thirst for knowledge is large, and you are prepared to follow the path of the enlightened ones. That is a good quality for a Martial Artist as true enlightenment can only come through knowledge, respect and discipline. Train with me and your body will become a weapon; quick, silent and mortal. Your punches will sting, your attack consistently drain your enemy of life, and your soul attack, well, if done with conviction, it will terminate even the strongest of adversaries. This does not however, exclude the knowledge of armed combat. Many of my students are well versed in the knowledge of the bow, thrown objects and the art of melee weapons. As your mind and soul becomes one with your body your nano programs grow stronger and may aid both yourself and your allies in combat through healing, the strengthening of bodies, increased attack speeds and even, if the situation so demands, turning yourself into a veritable force of destruction. Learn the ways of the Martial Artist and you shall never want for more."

When it comes to dishing out raw combat damage a Martial Artist outshines all other professions. Fighting unarmed, the Martial Artist's main strength lies in special attacks, knowing how to cripple opponents by attacking their weak spots. The Martial Artist is also a very proficient healer, truly surpassed by only the Doctor and the Adventurer.

Meta Physicist

Difficulty to play: Medium / High
"Forget all that you have learned. Forget all that you have seen. As a Meta-Physicist you will know all there really is. You will learn how to harness your rage and your anger so you may use it against others or for the benefit of yourself. Through your growing cosmic knowledge of the universe and nano technology, you will be able to summon a manifestation to fight for you and a manifestation to heal your body. Technology has given us the weapon in our hands with which we can fight, but true power and knowledge lies in the form of our manifestations. Control your anger so you may further increase the abilities of your manifestations, thereby increasing its anger. All the non-believers shall taste that anger! Those that face you shall be stripped of their nano-based abilities, be frozen where they stand, and be bombarded with your energy. The fate of all those that face you is written in time. As a Meta-Physicist you will show them their maker. You are at once, both the beginning and the end."

The Meta-Physicists get their strength from the "other side". They can manifest their emotions in the material world and eventually control multiple materialized entities and use them in combat. The uniqueness of a Meta-Physicist lies in manipulating the underlying fabric of the world where nanotechnology operates, adjusting the nanotechnology skills of friends and foes alike. Their weapon skills are poor but they can use their powers to damage their opponents directly.

Nano Technician

Difficulty to play: Medium
"The power to turn something into a smoldering pile of ashes is a great power indeed. It's even better when that power is at the tips of your fingertips. Add to that a ranged weapon of choice, and you'll soon familiarise people with the functions of the reclaim terminal. Either that or sending people running like crazy to escape your wrath. All this and more is the destiny of the Nano-Technician. Our nano programs are able to cover the full range of damage types; from chemical to melee, cold to fire. We will always find a way to damage to our prey, no matter their armor or level of skill. Some people say mind over matter. Well I say mind creates matter. As well as hurling any conceivable type of damage towards an opponent, as a Nano-Technician you will be able blind, root an opponent on the spot, and even prevent them from attacking. By executing programs on youself, your ability in the uses of nano technology will be increased. Matter creates, matter destroys and it is at our disposal as a Nano-Technician."

A Nano Technician is an expert user of aggressive nanotechnology. Nano Technicians are experts at using nanotechnology to deal explosive area-of-effect damage and the types of damage they can manage is incomparable. They are also capable of using other kinds of nanotechnology and can for example warp themselves between locations. Nano-Technicians must be devoted to nanotechnology skills and as a result, physical and weapon skills will suffer.

Shade (Shadowlands only)

Difficulty to play: High

The Shade is a mix between a predator and a parasite. Dark and aggressive, the Shade sucks the life and energy out of opponents, robbing them of the basic elements they need to subsist. The Shade stays out of harm's way by relying on concealment and good combat mobility. Shades can't wear any armour, but have nanotechnologiacally enhanced tattoos grafted into their skin to give them some protection. As a genetically engineered profession dependent on an abundance of notum, a Shade must begin life in the Jobe research facilities in the Shadowlands.

Soldier

Difficulty to play: Low / Medium
"So you want to be a REAL fighter, huh? Good, good! Well, don't just stand there looking like a wet noodle, let me tell you all about the good life of a Soldier! First thing you will do is train. We are mean, lean fighting machines and we must always be in ready, alert and in prime condition. We are able to train in just about every weapon type we choose...well, the ones that matter anyway! Hur, hur, hur. Are you listening to me, cadet? Good, good. Ranged weapons are the way to go and we do not hesitate showing off our expertise on the battlefield. Give me a target, and I'll obliterate it! You will be trained in the art of nano technology to further boost your body to the ultimate level. You will use this technology to boost your health, increase your damage output, improve your armor, taunt enemies to attack you and even deflect damage back onto your attackers through the use of a shield. Use it all! In my book, the only good enemy is a dead enemy. Don't just stand there catching flies in your open mouth, get moving! Be useful. Be strong. Be a Soldier! Hut, hut hut."

Soldier strives for excellence in armed combat. The skill advancement of Soldiers focuses entirely on assault and survival. They use unique nanotechnology to protect their bodies, enhance reflexes, weapon skills and their armor. Perhaps most importantly, Soldiers are able to create strong damage absorbtion shields around themselves which make them partly invulunerable and even reflect some of the damage back to the attacker.

Trader

Difficulty to play: High
"Roll up, roll up! You won't find a better profession than the Trader! Discounts, wares and credits galore. I tell no lie! I will even give you my no questions asked, 100 percent, money-back guarantee, and you can't beat that. Are you considering joining the trading business? Great choice. As a Trader you'll have access to materials and wares all across Rubi-Ka at the very best prices. The market is your oyster. But say, you look like you have an itchy trigger finger. No problem. Give us a gun and we'll use it alright, but let us use our nano programs and I'll take some of an enemy's skills and give them back to me. And I won't even charge them for it! He-he. Hey, I'll even swap minds with an enemy and control them that way. For no added cost, I'll increase the armor and skills of a friend through the sacrifice of my own skills. Hey, that's what we do; make transactions. So, how about it then? Become a Trader and be your own one-person shopping complex. Become one in 5 minutes and I'll even include this set of nano-sharpened Bronto Burger knives!"

Trader is the ultimate entrepreneur, getting more for less in every single transaction. Like others, they create and trade material goods. But in combat situations, they use unique nanotechnology which enables them to drain opponents of skills, energy and health, transfering those benefits to themselves or their allies. This frequently causes the most formidable opponents to wither to a cracked shell of their former self.