Duck & Cover

Cost: 4
Ability Type: Defensive Enhancement
Related Skill: Athletics
Prerequisites: Athletics 2

Sometimes it just isn't possible to avoid explosions or other Area Effect attacks, so you've learnt to keep low and tuck in tight to try and minimise damage as you dodge. After making an Athletic Dodge or Dodge Roll, you can fall back on Duck & Cover if you were unable to clear the area – although this worsens the default Recovery Penalty by 2 (abilities that reduce Recovery Penalties apply as normal).

Duck & Cover applies a -1 DC to any area-effect damage you suffer while using it, unless the damage was of Quake type. If the area-effect causes Burning, then this damage is also reduced (since burning damage is proportional to the initial damage that set you on fire) and the duration of the burning damage is reduced by one turn (skip the first turn of burning). Since Duck & Cover relies on you throwing yourself to the ground, it cannot be combined with an Acrobatic Dodge.