The basis for Force of Arms role-playing framework is the HERO System. The HERO System is Hero Games's award-winning roleplaying game system. Voted the Best Roleplaying Game of All Time by InQuest Magazine, it offers [players] more freedom to create exactly the character [they] want than any other system available.	Downloads: HERO Introduction PDF Sample HERO Character Sheet
For those not familiar with the HERO System, and introduction file can be downloaded here (from the Hero Games website) for review. Furthermore, the HERO System is not a Level Based System, it is a Point Based System, or essentially Skill Based.

We are aiming in providing an experience in character creation that is unlike the main stream gaming industry. The trend appears to be of how customizable are the graphics for characters rather than what makes up a character’s set of attributes, skills, talents, abilities, and powers. With the HERO System, it is possible that players can spend hours in designing characters, but also allow for a quick pick of a character template for those players who prefer to keep it simple and just get into the game quickly.

Starting characters are considered as Standard Heroes, meaning that all characters will know how to use skills competently and depending how a character was created, could be an expert in some fields and weak in others. This would provide a competence similar to characters seen in TV and the movies or read in novels.

Even though characters start out at a decent stage, there is still room to grow and expand. Characters are only restricted by the number of character points they begin with and the experience earned. There are no hard classes or professions, just only the skills players decide to spend points on. Any new skill can be learned later on. Thus is it possible for characters to begin as a Mech Engineer, but learn the skills of a Medical Doctor and Mech Pilot with no ill-effect (not even the worry about loosing skills to make room for others).

Some skills, talents, abilities and powers are not available during the character creation process or even by the normal means of learning. These special traits are called Innovations and they can only be acquired by conducting special actions, solving quests or experimentation. What these are and how they are mastered will only be made known by other players who discover them.

Character Guidelines Base Character Points: 75 Maximum Points from Disadvantages: 75 Maximum Points from any one Disadvantage: 25 Maximum Total Points Possible: 150 Note: Normal Characteristic Maxima is in effect. This means that the maximum attributes are set to 20. There are methods to exceed the maximums, which will be provided later; such as the use of Genetic Engineering and Bionics.