The following are considered combat stats: Archery, Artillery, Brawl, Do, Dodge, Fast-Draw, Fencing, Firearms, Heavy-Weapons, Kalindo, and Melee.

The following IC reasons are acceptable reasons to raise most of these stats:

1. PC INSTRUCTION. Before the student requests the stat increase, the student should get a staffer to note which PC is teaching him/her which stat. Alternatively, the teacher can roll instruction (see Study Points for details).
2. IC PRACTICE. IC practice means just that… going to a place suitable for practice (a dojo, gym, gun club, etc.), spending some time there (5-15 minutes is usually a good time) and getting a staffer to note that you spent time practicing a particular stat. One judgenote saying that you regularly practice X is no longer acceptable. Once the judgenote is used to buy a stat, it will be marked as used.
3. SUCCESSFUL USE. Successful use of the stat, in or out of a timestop, is a good reason to raise a stat. When using this justification, refer to particular events or timestops in which you used the stat successfully. Once a judgenote is used to buy a stat, it will be marked as used.
4. NPC INSTRUCTION. Some stats, such as Brawl, Dodge, and Melee, can be purchased at 1 or 2 simply by ICly practicing (#2 above) with generic NPC instructors. (i.e.; taking martial arts classes, kickboxing classes, etc.) In order to use NPC instructors to raise these stats to 3+, you will need to purchase a contact or mentor at an appropriate level. 

The following stats require a PC instructor or an NPC Mentor (the background must be purchased at whatever level your Sphere wiz deems necessary): Do & Kalindo.

The following stats require additional explanation:

Artillery: This represents the ability to use military artillery. In order to purchase/raise this stat, you will need to learn from another PC, ICly practice once you’ve got the stat at 1, or get with your sphere staff for a specific TP in which this stat may be learned.

Fast-Draw: Fast-Draw is what the Old West gunslingers had… the ability to draw and shoot before most people can even blink. This is not a simple ability and cannot be learned by everyone. Dex 4+, Alertness 3+, and Firearms 3+ are requirements for purchasing and raising this stat. In addition, SUCCESSFUL USE and/or IC PRACTICE will be required in order to raise it. Roll it and get it witnessed by staff.

Heavy Weapons: This represents the ability to use military weapons such as miniguns, grenade launchers, shoulder-mounted missiles, etc. In order to purchase/raise this stat, you will need to learn from another PC, ICly practice once you’ve got the stat at 1, or get with your sphere staff for a specific TP in which this stat may be learned.

TIMING: Please use common sense. Don’t go to the range 1 time after buying Firearms at 2 and then think you’re going to get it at 3. Go several times. Go with other PCs and get some RP out of it. Also, while there is no official waiting period, please do not request continual increases in the same combat stat every 7 days. You’re not going to go from a novice to a black belt in 5 weeks.