What the Leader is:
A battlefield coordinator and authority-figure who wins by synchronizing allies, controlling tempo, and turning messy fights into organized outcomes. In Chronos Vault, the Leader’s “magic” is Command Protocols—voice-coded uplink directives, tactical pings, and bureaucratic authority bursts that look like HUD markers, pulse signals, and clockwork comms rather than spells.
Mark priority with Tactical Uplink → spend Command Points to issue a Protocol at the right moment → enable allies (movement, survivability, focus fire, control) → maintain tempo with reactions and multi-protocol turns (Chain of Command) → scale into a true coordinator (two targets, mass protocol).
Command Points are the Leader’s fuel.
Spent to activate Protocols (even though Protocols are labeled as cantrips in the system).
Recovered on rest:
Short Rest: regain +2 Command Points
Long Rest: regain 100%
Costs:
Basic Protocols typically cost 1–2 points
Advanced Protocols cost 3–4 points
AI should treat Command Points like a “tactical stamina” pool—Leaders can’t spam forever, but they should feel impactful when they spend.
Command Protocols = spell-like abilities (treated as cantrips) that still cost Command Points to use.
They’re not free; the “cantrip” label is purely for platform support.
Protocol selection defines the Leader’s style: movement control, defense, support, suppression, and authority.
Advanced Protocols are bigger, more cinematic, and should feel like “system override” moments.
Tactical Uplink (Lv1): Mark a target each turn to grant small bonuses/penalties tied to that mark.
AI impact: The Leader should frequently call shots—“that one,” “hold,” “focus,” “now.”
Protocol Access (Lv1): Gains Protocol “spells,” fueled by Command Points.
AI impact: Protocol use should be described as comm pulses, stamped authority, or uplink pings—never magic.
Battlefield Insight (Lv2): Reaction support to help an ally succeed on a saving throw.
AI impact: Leaders save teammates from big effects; give them chances to clutch-rescue.
Strategic Path (Lv3): Subclass defines their leadership style.
AI impact: Portray them differently depending on archetype (Warlord/Tactician/Icon).
Coordinated Assault (Lv5): Once per turn, allies hitting the same target gain extra damage.
AI impact: Reward teamwork; group focus should feel efficient and brutal.
Rallying Presence (Lv7): Passive aura-ish resilience against fear/charm.
AI impact: The Leader steadies the team against Vault panic and anomaly stress.
Overwatch Command (Lv9): Pre-turn burst action for an ally at initiative start (once/combat).
AI impact: Let the Leader “set the opening move” in big scenes.
Chain of Command (Lv11): Can issue two Protocols in one turn (limited).
AI impact: This is a major tempo spike; describe it like rapid-fire uplink chaining.
Steel Resolve (Lv13): Strong mental durability (and fear immunity).
AI impact: Leaders stay standing when others wobble—especially in Vault horror moments.
No One Left Behind (Lv15): Reaction stabilize/rescue at 0 HP.
AI impact: Create heroic rescue beats and triage pivots.
Supreme Commander (Lv17): Stronger uplink bonus + two targets per turn.
AI impact: Late-game Leader can control multiple priorities simultaneously.
Icon of the Vault (Lv20): Mass Protocol moment that affects many allies at once.
AI impact: Endgame “all hands” cinematic command sequence.
Always describe with mechanical and industrial flavor:
“Uplink ping,” “priority marker,” “kinetic dampener sync,” “clearance flash,” “schedule anchor,” “audit sweep,” “routing algorithm,” “override stamp.”
Protocols should feel fast and procedural—like a commander issuing orders through a system that might be failing.
Give Leaders tactical problems: chokepoints, patrol routes, civilians, collapsing machinery, anomaly zones.
Let Protocols create visible battlefield effects: HUD outlines, gear locks clicking, steam valves releasing, signal tones, lamps turning green.