Gunner

Of the 8 Career Skills, choose 4 to get a free rank. Of the 4 Specialization Skills, choose 2 to get a free rank.

Ace Career Skills: Astrogation, Cool, Gunnery, Mechanics, Perception, Piloting (Planetary), Piloting (Space) and Ranged (Light)

Gunner Specialization Skills: Discipline, Gunnery, Ranged (Heavy) and Resilience

For the Gunner, the output of a vehicle or ship weapon is the ultimate expression of projected power. He sees mastery of such weapons as a way for a single person to show the Empire what it means to fight for freedom and justice, and to do so to great effectiveness. He also sees his role as the defender of all who ride with him in whatever vehicle he's crewing.

Gunners are often faced with terrifying odds or unknown threats requiring nerves of steel. When their positions are overrun, hand-to-hand fighting is often the only choice they have. Larger blasters and similar ranged weapons are also often of interest to the Gunner.

Whether the Gunner is laying down a field of fire from the door of a transport ship in a hot landing zone or firing pinpoint volleys at a star cruiser's shield generators, he is more than comfortable with the idea of possessing large amounts of firepower. He knows the value of what he does, and the sheer thrill of unleashing so much devastation with each pull of the trigger is very satisfying. The resultant explosion of an enemy target is a payoff worth far more than any moment of glory.

Proficient Gunners are a true asset in the Alliance, and the best ones are usually assigned to the most important defensive posts, assault vehicles, and ships. In most battles with the Empire, every single shot counts. It's the Gunner's job to make sure it counts heavily and with great purpose.

Potential Backgrounds

  • Entertainer: Gunners coming from an entertainment background are often trick shots, able to hit the smallest targets at range, even mid-barrel-roll. Gunners used to working the racing and rodeo circuits are valued additions to the Rebellion. While their flying may only be average, their uncanny accuracy makes them at home in a dogfight. Their kill counts are among the highest, and there are no better Aces for disabling enemy vehicles, though their focus on attacking means they aren't as practiced at evasive maneuvers.
  • Prototype Tester: Test Gunners might have worked for a corporation with military contracts test-firing new weapon systems. These Gunners have an unerring ability to skirt the very edge of a weapon's heat tolerances, and often know the exact limitations on enemy laser cohesion, enabling them to find a sweet spot where they have a distinct armament advantage over their opponents. They are aware of proton torpedo and concussion missile velocities, and their blast and turning radii, which helps them mitigate any damage.
  • Bush Pilot: Gunners from a bush pilot background often spent the majority of their time on pest control. Most backwater worlds have a number of critters and even primitive natives who encroach on crops and herds. It is common for farms to mount stun blasters on a vehicle and send out a Gunner to scare off any grazing wildlife or natives.
  • Clone Wars Veteran: Gunners from the Clone Wars were once part of defensive or turbolaser gunnery crews on capital ships or ground installations. Alternately, they could have been a backseat gunner on a local defense force gunship, converted transport, or armored vehicle.
  • Imperial Defector: Gunners from an Imperial academy use their training to work as a unit, calling out a variety of offensive and defensive fire patterns depending on the tactical situation. Gunners who move to the Alliance struggle with the lack of discipline, and often prefer to work with other ex-Imperials. The Empire equips Imperial Gunners with a clamshell-shaped helmet that provides a variety of targeting data, the loss of which is constantly lamented by defectors.
  • Criminal: Gunners from a life of crime were most likely pirates, many of whom began life as captured merchants forced into a life of piracy under threat of enslavement. Pirate gunners are excellent sharpshooters, and are among the most experienced at disabling enemy vessels by targeting specific systems. In the Rebellion, gunners often receive assignments in the fleet, though a number of them act as bomber pilots, or operate the gunnery stations in converted freighters and Y-wing starfighters.