Iconic Frameworks - Rifts - The Savage Worlds Guide

What Makes You Iconic?

In the world of Rifts, you don't just pick a class - you embrace an entire identity. An Iconic Framework is like choosing to be a force of nature rather than just someone who studied nature. Each framework comes with incredible powers, unique gear, and often dramatic complications. Let's explore these paths to greatness.

A framework sits on top of a normal Savage Worlds character (built as in Character Creation): it grants abilities, gear and complications rather than replacing attributes, skills or Edges. Exact framework statistics are in Rifts: The Tomorrow Legion Player's Guide; this part focuses on what each one feels like to play.

graph TD A[Iconic Frameworks] --> B[Warriors of Steel] A --> C[Masters of Mind] A --> D[Wielders of Magic] A --> E[Enhanced Humans] B --> F[Glitter Boy Ultimate Armor] B --> G[Cyber-Knight Techno-Paladin] B --> H[Combat Cyborg Living Weapon] C --> I[Mind Melter Psionic Master] C --> J[Burster Pyrokinetic] C --> K[Crazy Unstable Genius] D --> L[Ley Line Walker Master Mage] D --> M[Mystic Spiritual Warrior] D --> N[Techno-Wizard Magic Engineer] E --> O[Juicer Chemical Warrior] E --> P[Dragon Hatchling Baby Dragon] E --> Q[MARS Experienced Veteran]

The Glitter Boy: Walking Tank Legend

Picture this: a 10-foot tall suit of chromium armor that gleams like liquid mercury, carrying a gun so powerful its recoil requires the suit to literally anchor itself to the ground. The Glitter Boy is more than power armor - it's a symbol of humanity's defiance against extinction.

Playing a Glitter Boy

Pros: You're nearly indestructible and carry the most feared personal weapon on the continent.

Cons: You're huge, loud, and when you fire that Boom Gun, everyone within a football field needs ear protection.

Best for: Players who want to be the tank, the heavy artillery, and the shining beacon of hope all in one.

The Burster: Living Flame

Imagine having such an intimate relationship with fire that you can create it from nothing, control it like a symphony conductor, and walk through an inferno unscathed. Bursters are psychic pyromancers who don't just manipulate fire - they ARE fire given human form.

Burster Abilities

Complete immunity to fire and heat
Create and control flames at will
Surround yourself with a fiery aura
Other psionic powers beyond pyrokinesis

The Juicer: Burning Bright

Here's the ultimate devil's bargain: incredible speed, strength, and reflexes in exchange for a guaranteed early death. Juicers have bio-computers pumping chemical cocktails through their systems, making them superhuman - for only a few short years. Then their overdriven bodies give out. But oh, what a few years!

The Cyber-Knight: Techno-Paladin

In a world where technology and magic clash, Cyber-Knights stand as noble warriors who've mastered both. They manifest psi-swords of pure will, wear cyber-armor implanted beneath their skin, and follow a code of chivalry in a world gone mad.

flowchart LR A[Cyber-Knight Training] --> B[Physical Mastery Combat Training] A --> C[Spiritual Development Code of Honor] A --> D[Psionic Awakening Mental Powers] A --> E[Implanted Cyber-Armor] B --> F[Master Swordsman] C --> F D --> F E --> F F --> G[Psi-Sword Manifestation Spirit + Will = Weapon]

The Ley Line Walker: Master of Magic

While others fear the ley lines, these mages dance along them like surfers riding waves of pure magical energy. They can travel along ley lines, sense what moves through them, and draw extra power from these rivers of magic.

The Dragon Hatchling: Baby Kaiju

Yes, you read that right. You can play a dragon. Not someone with dragon blood, not a dragon-themed warrior - an actual dragon. Sure, you're barely out of the egg and still learning about the world, but you have a dragon's breath, hide and magic, and you will eventually grow into a creature of legend.

Dragon Growth Stages

Hatchling
where you start

Young
growing power

Adult
a true power

Ancient
a living legend

The Mind Melter: Psionic Supremacy

If the human mind is a locked door, Mind Melters don't just have the key - they can reshape the door, walk through the walls, or convince you there was never a room there in the first place. They are the ultimate psychics, capable of feats that blur the line between science and magic.

Combat Cyborg: More Machine Than Man

When losing an arm means getting one that can punch through tank armor, some people see opportunity in tragedy. Combat Cyborgs have replaced most of their organic body with military-grade hardware. They're walking arsenals with a human brain.

The Crazy: Brilliant Madness

M.O.M. (Mind Over Matter) implants unlock incredible physical and mental potential at the cost of sanity. Crazies are super-soldiers who pay for their power with their stability, becoming more unstable - and more powerful - as time goes on.

MARS: The Experienced Veteran

MARS (Mercenaries, Adventurers, Rogues, and Scholars) represents those who've survived through skill, luck, and experience rather than overwhelming power. They're more flexible and often more skilled than their flashier counterparts.

graph TD A[MARS Concepts Examples] --> B[Body Fixer Combat Medic] A --> C[City Rat Urban Survivor] A --> D[Headhunter Cyborg Mercenary] A --> E[Operator Tech Expert] A --> F[Wilderness Scout Ranger] A --> G[Rogue Scholar Knowledge Seeker] A --> H[Personal Concept Your Own Path]

Choosing Your Framework

Each framework offers a completely different play experience:

For Raw Power: Glitter Boy, Burster, Dragon Hatchling
For Versatility: MARS, Techno-Wizard, Mystic
For Unique Mechanics: Juicer (a short, brilliant life), Crazy (power tied to instability), Ley Line Walker (ley line mastery)
For Roleplay: Cyber-Knight (Code of Honor), Dragon (Young and Learning), Crazy (Mental Instability)

Now that you know the main paths, meet some heroes built on them, solo and in groups...