Research / Background Points
Research points, called Background Points in early editions, represent a research system in Collective for a character to learn or modify things they do not have normal access to.
Core Rule
Research Points are spent when a character wants to learn, alter, or gain access to something outside their normal progression or existing access. If the character already has normal access through a class, race, progression, or other standard rule, Research Points are generally not required unless a specific rule says otherwise.
Research Grants Access, Not Advancement
Research normally unlocks access to the researched object. It does not grant unrelated advancement. Researching a class makes that class available but does not grant levels in it. Researching a race makes that race available but does not itself advance the character beyond what selecting that race normally provides.
Base Research Costs
| Researchable Object | Base RP Cost |
|---|---|
| Skills | 1/2 |
| Weapon Proficiencies | 1/2 |
| Nonweapon Proficiencies | 1/2 |
| Feats | 1 |
| Kits | 1 |
| Familiars | 1 |
| GGL Picks | 1 |
| Spells | Spell Level (SL) |
| Psionic Powers | SL |
| Rogue Abilities | Level (LVL) |
| Mounts | 1 |
| Animal Companions | 1 |
| Race | 1 |
| Race Sheet | 2 |
| Class | 1 |
| Mini Class | 1/2 |
| Archetype Class | 2 |
CF Research Discount
An object at the current Complexity Factor costs its normal Base Research Cost. For each CF the researched object is below the current CF, reduce its Research Cost by 1 RP.
Research Cost can never be reduced below 1/2 RP.
CF Access Gate
Objects at or below the current CF may be researched. Objects above the current CF are not normally available for research. The CF used for the calculation is the CF of the specific researched object, not merely the CF of the book, class, race, sheet, or other source that contains it.
Prerequisites
Research does not normally bypass prerequisites. Stat requirements, prior feats, skills, proficiencies, class requirements, race requirements, or other prerequisites still apply unless a specific Research rule explicitly says otherwise.
Packages
When a researched object is itself a package, such as a Race Sheet, Kit, Archetype, Class, or similar package, the Research Point cost unlocks the package and everything intrinsic to that package. Intrinsic parts are not separately researched unless a rule specifically identifies them as separate additions.
Specific Learned Objects
Researching a specific Spell, Psionic Power, Rogue Ability, Skill, Feat, Proficiency, Familiar capability, Mount, Animal Companion, or similar individual object unlocks that specific object for the character, subject to its normal prerequisites and rules.
Modifying Existing Objects
Research may also be used to modify something the character already knows or possesses. Unless a more specific rule exists, use the Research cost of the thing being modified and the CF of the modification itself. Individual modification rates may be defined separately as the Research system expands.
Banking and Fractions
Research Points may be saved for later use. Research costs use increments of 1/2 RP. Nothing can ever be researched for free; after all CF discounts, the minimum Research Cost remains 1/2 RP.
Example
At CF 4, a CF 4 Feat costs its normal 1 RP. A CF 3 Feat is reduced by 1 RP, but the minimum applies, so it costs 1/2 RP. A CF 2 Race Sheet normally costs 2 RP and is two CF below the current CF, so it is reduced to the 1/2 RP minimum. A CF 2 SL 5 Spell costs 3 RP: 5 − (4 − 2) = 3.
Terminology
Research Points is the current term. Background Points is the term used in early editions of Collective.