Thorns

Each thorn has a level. Once a thorn gains enough experience, it will level up and receive a skill point which can be spent to unlock skills. Each thorn has three skill trees. The final skill of each tree, called the Premium Skill, can be unlocked at any point after unlocking three other skills.

Vivian Toussaint

Vivian's parents were both career military officers for the Acacian army. Years ago, however, when Vivian was growing up, her father self-inflicted an injury to get out of combat. Her mother, Gloria, never forgave his weakness - they split up. Gloria also never thought Vivian was "enough." She always saw the father's weakness in Vivian and discouraged her from going into the military. She grew up doubting herself, until she became a scientist working for Dr. Selena Faber.

Vivian's self-esteem came from working at Faber Labs. As her mentor, Selena became a kind of mother figure to her. Just before the Rifters arrived, the lab facility, at the old abandoned island prison, was blown up by artillery strikes. She assumed that the Terragonian army was responsible.

Injured in the attack, Vivian awoke in a local field hospital after the Rifter Dome went up. She still feels the pain from her wounds from time to time. After discovering that a new war was underway, Vivian quickly banded together with some Thorns and joined the fight against the Rifters.

Kill Assist

Kill Assist When Vivian witnesses another Thorn bring an enemy to near-death, she can finish them off with her Kill Assist Reflex. Trigger the action to switch to Vivian's view, so she can do the rest.
Shocking Demise When Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, any Rifters within 4m of the enemy are inflicted with the Electrified status effect.		Burning Witness When Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, the closest Rifter within line of sight is inflicted with the Ignited status effect.
Assistant Manager When Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, she is awarded an additional 5 AP on her next turn.		Life is Life When Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, her health is restored by 50 HP.
Shockwave When Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, a 5m radius of the ground beneath its feet is covered with an Electrified surface.		Oil Spillage When Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, a 4m radius of the ground beneath its feet is covered with an Ignitable oil surface.
Assisted Boost When Vivian kills an enemy with Kill Assist, the damage output of her weapons increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Weapon Damage status effect can stack it until +150%. Every time a stack is applied (or reapplied at max stacks), this effect's duration resets to 2 more turns.	Refiller Killer When Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, she immediately reloads her equipped weapon at no AP cost.		Trigger Happy Vivian's awareness of an enemy's health intensifies, stimulating her Kill Assist Reflex when an ally brings a Rifter within 50% of its max health.
Return on Investment After Vivian kills a Rifter with Kill Assist, she retains the ability to trigger another Reflex Action within the same turn cycle.

Hologram

Hologram Vivian tosses a Hologram to distract enemies for as long as it lasts.
Sparks Between When Vivian kills an enemy that has the Electrified status effect, the closest Rifter within line of sight is inflicted with the same status effect.		Decoys A-Plenty The cooldown period for Vivian's Hologram ability is reduced by 1 turn.
Retaliation Shock Then a deployed Hologram takes damage, the attacking enemy is inflicted with the Electrified status effect.		Combustive Decoy When a Hologram is deployed, it generates an Ignitable oil surface around it that is set on fire when the Hologram is destroyed.
Shocking Embrace When Vivian damages an enemy that has the Electrified status effect, her shield strength is replenished by 25 HP.		Soothing Warmth When Vivian generates an Ignited surface, the health of her allies is restored by 25 HP.
Virtual Motivation For every Rifter that attacks one of Vivian's Holograms, she is awarded an additional 3 AP on her next turn.	Delusional Fear When a Hologram is deployed, in inflicts Rifters within a 4m radius with the Suppressed status effect.		Virtual Benefits When Vivian's Hologram inflicts the Suppressed status effect on a Rifter, the damage output of her weapons increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Weapon Damage status effect can stack it until +150%. Every time a stack is applied (or reapplied at max stacks), this effect's duration resets to 2 more turns.
Sympathy Pain When a Rifter attacks Vivian's Holograms, it reflects 25% of the damage received back at them.

Utility

Health Insurance Vivian's max health is increased by 50 HP.
Shocking Propagation When Vivian Punches an enemy that has the Electrified status effect, the closest Rifter within line of sight is inflicted with the same status effect.		Switcheroo When throwing the Teleporter device at the feet of an enemy or an ally, Vivian swaps places with them.
Sparked Impact When Vivian performs a Punch, the targeted Rifter is inflicted with the Electrified status effect.		Early Departure Vivian's technical knowledge reduces her Teleporter's cooldown period by 1 turn.
Shocking Benefits When Vivian Punches an enemy that has the Electrified status effect, the damage output of her weapons increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Weapon Damage status effect can stack it until +150%. Every time a stack is applied (or reapplied at max stacks), this effect's duration resets to 2 more turns.		Shock Drop When Vivial uses the Teleport device, she leaves an Electrified surface where she used to be.
Re-Coverage The regeneration cooldown period for Vivian's shields is reduced by 1 turn, resulting in her shield gaining some strength on every turn, regardless of it taking damage.	Protective Layer Vivian's technical knowledge enables her to be protected by a personal Rifter shield generator with a strength of 100 HP. Her shields regenerate after 2 turns if they do not take any damage during that time, even if they've been destroyed.		Shattered Benefits When Vivian's shields are broken through, the damage output from her weapons increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Weapon Damage status effect can stack it until +150% weapon damage. Every time a stack is applied/reapplied at max stacks, the effect duration resets for 2 new turns.
Back in no time The waiting period for all of Vivian's abilities that have a cooldown is reduced by 1 turn.

Leopold Hader

Leopold (Leo) is an ex-school teacher and hardcore conspiracy theorist whose wife found him unreliable and flaky. She left him, taking their son and daughter with her, cutting off all contact. Leo entertained conspiracy theories to account for why they weren't able to contact him. For a long time, he couldn't let himself believe that his wife just didn't want to ever speak to him again. He is slowly coming around to this reality, but won't admit it to the others.

The arrival of the Rifters only fueled Leo's conspiracy theories, proving that he was right all along. He often wonders what else he could be right about. Whenever possible, he spouts out his latest and greatest thoughts on why things are the way they are, taking pride in his creative deductions.

After witnessing countless innocent civilians being gunned down by the invading Rifters, Leo wondered why he was spared. Spared from the effects of the Dome and spared from the relentless attacks of the Rifters. It didn't take long for Leo to join the Thorns, so he can deliver the enemy some payback.

Covering Fire

Covering Fire When Leo witnesses his allies become Suppressed by enemy attacks, he can retaliate with his Covering Fire Reflex. Trigger the action to switch to Leo's view, so he can protect his ally.
No One Moves When Leo inflicts the Paralyzed Legs status effect on a target using Covering Fire, all Rifters within a 4m radius are inflicted with the same status effect.		Spontaneous Combustion When Leo kills an enemy with Covering Fire, the closest Rifter within line of sight is inflicted with the Ignited status effect.
Stay Put When Leo shoots with Covering Fire, the targeted Rifter is inflicted with the Paralyzed Legs status effect.		Feel the Burn When Leo shoots with Covering Fire, the closest Rifter within line of sight is inflicted with the Ignited status effect.
More to Come When Leo inflicts the Paralyzed Legs status effect on a target using Covering Fire, his remaining Action Points are replenished by 5 AP.		Ready to Burn When Leo shoots an enemy with Covering Fire, a 4m radius of the ground beneath its feet is covered with an Ignitable oil surface.
Return to Sender After killing an enemy with Covering Fire, Leo retains the ability to trigger another Reflex Action within the same turn cycle.	Dead Arm When Leo shoots with Covering Fire, the targeted Rifter is inflicted with the Paralyzed Arms status effect.		Hand Cramper When Leo kills an enemy with Covering Fire, the closest Rifter within line of sight is inflicted with the Paralyzed Arms status effect.
Keeps on Givin' During a Covering Fire opportunity, Leo is capable of firing twice as many shots at the enemy.

Donate

Donate Leo transfers 10 of his AP to another Thorn for them to use.
Two For One Special The cost for Let to Donate Action Points is increased by 3 AP, but both of his allies are awarded with 10 AP each.		Positive Thoughts When Leo Donates AP, any negative status effects that he or any of the Thorns have at the time are removed.
Enabling Healer When Leo Donates AP, 50 HP of the targeted Thorn’s health is restored.		Cleansing Effect When Leo Donates AP, any negative status effects that the targeted Thorn has at the time are removed.
Reap the Benefits When Leo Donates AP, he is also awarded 10 AP - essentially costing him nothing.		Immune System When Leo Donates AP, the Thorn becomes immune to any negative status effects for 2 turns.
Giving Nature When Leo Donates AP, the Thorn is awarded with an additional 5 AP at no extra cost.	Damage Control When Leo Donates AP, the targeted Thorn's weapon damage output increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Weapon Damage status effect can stack it until +150%. Every time a stack is applied (or reapplied at max stacks), this effect's duration resets to 2 more turns.		Painfully Altruistic When Leo Donates AP to an ally, he loses 25 HP, but the damage output of his weapons increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Weapon Damage status effect can stack it until +150%. Every time a stack is applied (or reapplied at max stacks), this effect's duration resets to 2 more turns.
Frequent Provides The cooldown period for Leo's Donate ability is reduced by 1 turn.

Utility

Health Insurance Leo's max health is increased by 50 HP.
Back to Square One When Leo Punches a Rifter, the turn-count duration of any negative status effect they have at the time is reset back to their initial value.		Time is Precious The waiting period for all of Leo's abilities that have a cooldown is reduced by 1 turn.
Razor Fist When Leo performs a Punch, the targeted Rifter is inflicted with the Bleeding status effect.		Encruster The cost for Leo shooting a Resonator Dart is reduced by 4 AP.
Negative Impact When Leo Punches a Rifter, an extra 15 HP of damage is inflicted on them for every negative status effect they have at the time.		Lasting Durability The lifespan of Elixium encrustations generated by a Resonator Dart is increased by 1 turn.
Stay on Target Leo becomes more efficient at firing his weapon during Overwatch, allowing him to get off a few additional shots.	Eagle-Eyed The cost for Leo laying down an overwatch is reduced by 3 AP, making him more efficient at watching for enemy movement in combat.		Keep Perception Leo becomes more efficient at covering an area, increasing the width and length of his Overwatch cones by 50%.
More Than Capable Leo's max Action Points count is increased by 10 AP, making him more capable during his turn.

Dylan Fortis

Before the Rifters came, Dylan was a soldier in the Terragonian army. But his heart wasn't in it - he'd been drafted before he could take his first sip of a cold drink at his favorite bar. Sometimes, he wonders if that very drink is still waiting for him back in his home country.

Dylan didn't want to be involved in the conflict, but despite being a pacifist, he was forced into committing an act he's deeply ashamed of. And now, it's clear to him that the story he sold the other Thorns of him being a refugee is not holding as strong as he would like.

Vivian and Leo are beginning to suspect that Dylan was a Terragonian soldier. Leo strongly believes that he had something to do with a massacre that happened before the Dome went up. Dylan may have to find the courage to tell them the truth, if he hopes to regain their trust.

Proximity Punch

Proximity Punch When an enemy gets too close to Dylan on their turn, he can knock them out with his Proximity Punch Reflex. Trigger the action and select the target for Dylan move to and strike.
Bloodbath When Dylan kills a Bleeding Rifter with Proximity Punch, any Rifters within 4m of the enemy are inflicted with the Bleeding status effect.		Up In Smoke When Dylan kills an enemy with Proximity Punch, the closest Rifter within line of sight becomes Blinded by smoke.
Internal Hemorrhage When Dylan performs a Proximity Punch, the targeted Rifter is inflicted with the Bleeding status effect.		Dust in the Wind When Dylan performs a Proximity Punch, Blinding smoke is deployed around him and his target.
Blood Wrath When Dylan's Proximity Punch inflicts the Bleeding status effect on a target, the damage output of his allies and his weapons increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Weapon Damage status effect can stack it until +150%. Every time a stack is applied (or reapplied at max stacks), this effect's duration resets to 2 more turns.		Secondhand Smoke When Dylan causes his allies to be Blinded by smoke, his health is increased by 25 HP.
Heavy Hitter After performing a Proximity Punch, Dylan's melee damage increases by 25% for 2 turns. Anything that inflicts the Melee Damage status effect can stack it until +150%. Every time a stack is applied (or reapplied at max stacks), this effect's duration resets to 2 more turns.	Feels Good When Dylan performs a Proximity Punch, his health is increased by 50 HP.		Health Impact Dylan striking enemies with his Proximity Punch inspires confidence in his allies, restoring their health by 25 HP.
Second Chance After performing a Proximity Punch, Dylan retains the ability to trigger another Reflex Action within the same turn cycle.

Taunt

Taunt Dylan calls out to an enemy to get them to focus their attention on him and the targeted enemy's reflex action is also consumed.
Blood Transfusion When Dylan kills a Bleeding Rifter, the closest enemy to it is inflicted with the Bleeding status effect.		Perfect Vision Dylan's resilience causes him to be immune to the negative impacts of of the Blinded status effect.
Hurtful Words When Dylan performs a Taunt, the targeted Rifter is inflicted with the Bleeding status effect.		Disappearing Act When Dylan performs a Taunt, he deploys smoke at his feet to conceal his position.
Self-Sacrifice While Dylan has an Injured status effect, performing a Taunt restores his health by 50 HP.		Deep Breaths Dylan's health is replenished by 5 HP for every AP spent while moving through a cloud of smoke.
Right back at 'em Enemies that are taunted by Dylan lose 25% of their max health when they attack him, for as long as they have the Taunted status effect.	Fearmonger When Dylan performs a Taunt, the targeted Rifter is inflicted with the Suppressed status effect.		Simply Irresistible When Dylan performs a Taunt, the Taunted status effect inflicted lasts for 1 additional turn.
Mass Influencer When Dylan performs a Taunt, the Taunted status effect is also applied to any Rifters within a 4m radius of the target.

Utility

Health Insurance Dylan's max health is increased by 50 HP.
Haymaker Dylan's punches deal 50 HP more damage.		Big Badda Boom Dylan becomes more effective when using explosives, allowing him to generate blasts that are 50% larger in radius.
Smokescreen After Dylan punches a Rifter, he deploys smoke at his feet to conceal his position.		Maximum Impact When Dylan causes an explosion, the damage inflicted on anyone within the blast radius increases by 25%.
Clean Hit After Dylan's kills a Rifter with a Punch, any negative status effects he may have at the time are removed.		Equipment Manager Dylan becomes more efficient at using bandages, med kits, and throwable items - costing him 3 AP less to use.
Tax Evader After performing a Scramble, Dylan retains the ability to trigger another Reflex Action within the same turn cycle.	Moving Target When Dylan Scrambles from danger, he can more 3m farther, greatly improving his ability to get to safety.