I'm not sure how to add the base attack bonuses each time a character gains a level. For example, my main character, Vinnie Fontana is a Level 2 Strong Mook/Level 4 Wiseguy/Level 1 American Mafia (Enforcer). So I add the +2 (lvl2 Strong Mook) to the +3 (lvl4 Wiseguy) to the +1 (lvl1 American Mafia), coming up with +6, right? The +# shown for attack bonus at each level is cumulative, not added at each level, correct?

Another question, this one about balance: Why is it that some advanced classes (Sicilian Vespers, Mob Family Template, Stidda) gain an ungodly high base attack bonus as they progress in levels, while other classes (American Mafia, Sicilian Mafia, Neapolitan Camorra, etc.) only end up with +5 at level 10? Is this an error, or are the differences really that big? Because it seems that a 10th Level Stidda would kick ass on a 10th Level American Mafia any day.

Finally, is it possible to advance a character beyond Level 10 in a "made" Advanced Class? Is 10 the cap?

Base Attack is cumulative.

Some advanced classes have better combat abilities because that's essentially all they have. At high levels, combat doesn't really help you. Even if you can shoot your way out of a police station, once your Suspicion goes through the roof, it's just a matter of time before your character dies or gets arrested. Mafia guys tend to be physicially powerful early in their careers, but once they get money and connections, they have to develop other skills. Mafia families are organized and work together, many of the template families only hold power because of combat abilities. They tend to be more violent because they have to be. They have to keep their combat abilities up, because they are challenged within their family and without. American Mafia Families tend to have more money, they are more comfortable, so they can afford to be more generous. Therefore, it's more rare to say, kill you're own boss. That safety translates into more specialization. So you have guys with combat abilities, guys with lawyer abilities, etc. Whereas, in template famlies, most guys are thugs. (That is, of course, until the expansions come out next year.)

As far as caps go, there are no caps. You have to do the math to increase saves, Defense, Basic Attack, etc. I might created some high level talents down the road, but it should be very tough to reach 10th level made guy.

Mr. D.

Naturally, being a Babe, I already have other skills that aren't even listed on my sheet...

Running in High Heels
Opening Any Door (provided there's a Y chromosome on the other side)

You get the idea!

base attack bonuses stack between classes, but say a strong mook gets +1 for first and +2 for second lvl, that means for strong mook he has a +2 attack bonus only otherwise everyone insta dies to anyone higher lvl with a gun. though most do anyways but that is besides the point.

You've forgotten Tony's quote:



Laying on a table naked with no gun... gives new meaning to the "flatfooted" condition!