Power of the Unseen

Usually, GMs capitalize on the hidden. Their monsters lurk in the shadows, their traps hide in plain sight and their goals are as oblique as a rock wall. Players, however, usually have the stereotype of tromping around generally clueless to all that is afoot and without too great a regard for the subtleties and covert avenues offered to them. It is to this general oversight which my suggestions address.

Four alternatives (and example powers) to the open field campaign style:

Camouflage (Wilderness Lore/Stealthy/Agile) Perhaps the most inherently obvious and easily the most desired by players. The ranger and rogue types select things like Invisible Hunter and Chameleon Cloak (seen on the Mountain Scout minion), looking to sneak around in the open. However, other players can benefit from becoming less noticeable to hostiles. Warriors can don the stealthy tactics of many military branches, which capitalize on killing quietly and only when necessary. These emphasize stealth, shadow movements, and blending into environments either mundanely or arcanely, which segues into my next option.

Subterfuge (Master of Disguise/Silver-Tongue/Actor)A cloak may conceal from sight, but a disguise can be just as effective. A motto from a TV conman rings true, "A real con man doesn't have to run, but can leave a city when he wants to." Good use of aliases and costumes can work in urban areas and within badlands. The versatility of Master of Disguise can be seen as the ability to build a ghille suit out of the local fauna or a finely woven robe of a local cult, to even impersonating flux creatures and military personnel.

The Unseen Hand (Mind Probe, Telepathy, Soul Storm) Powers in Untold can often be interpretive acts--there isn't a widespread system of how a spell or skill goes off, and don't necessarily require verbal or hand gestures. That rings especially true for the more spiritual and mental powers. Confuse, charm or knockout an opponent without being in sight. Use of mind read and even combatant powers, such as mind lash and soul rend, can be the invisible assaults that make your enemies tremble in horror at their unknown foe.

Conversation (Beguiling Speech/Charm/Diplomatic)Finally, turning a person's perspective to your ends can be just as powerful as a sword thrust through a soul. Capture the assassin or tyrannical sheriff in the web of your words, creating a powerful ally where you had a frustrating nuisance. They can become your tools of information and indirect destruction--right back upon the sources of your trouble. Sometimes the best victories are those couriers have to bring you or you read in the newspaper after a successful dialogue made an ally out of an enemy who paid you the favor for his or her enlightenment.