What is the Advocate?

[TheMadGent]

In Spycraft, I have a pretty good grasp of all the classes except for the Advocate.

Each other class either has a fairly obvious specialty (Wheelman, Hacker, etc.) or has some obvious parallels in fiction (Indiana Jones Explorers and Sherlock Holmes Sleuths).

At first, I thought the advocate's main skill was his networking capability and contacts, but the Fixer in WoF seems to have this covered better.

The book says that the Advocate's main "thing" is his devotion to his cause, but I don't see this translating into the class's mechanics. I also cannot think of a modern character who is so defined by his devotion to a cause that it overrules his other attributes (e.g. Fox Mulder is singularly devoted to uncovering the truth, but his detective skills make him more of a Sleuth than an Advocate in my book).

I think it would be most helpful if someone could give an example of an Advocate in fiction.

[aegis]

Most of John Grisham's main characters, I'd say.

[Sletchman]

Richard Castle.

Justification: He has guys everywhere (Behind the Scenes and Networks) and can get things that even a police chief can't.  He almost never freaks out under pressure (boosted stress thresholds).  All the Small Steps options fit amazingly well (cash, charm, favours, media options, professional recognition - like a glove).  Crusade's automatic success has been demonstrated with a variety of skills, too (Impress, Intimidate, Manipulate, and Networking for sure).  Finally we have True Believer - an ability about giving a speech to your team mates.  I think he's done that a few times too.

[Krensky]

I'd say a lot of TV detectives are more advocate then sleuth.

Jim Rockford and Thomas Magnum come to mind.

[Desertpuma]

Denzel Washington in the Pelican Brief is my favorite example. Grey Grantham is an excellent example of a crusading journalist. Another great example is Philip Seymour Hoffman in M:I 3 ...

[TheMadGent]

Thanks for the help with this. I reward you with more questions. I have both the mongoose second printing of Spycraft and the PDF. In the PDF, it lists the Tactical Vest with 2 explosive resistance, while in the book it has 4. Which value is correct?

[Desertpuma]

The pdf is most likely the updated version since it is easy to do so. My guess is the Resistance of 2 but really in all honesty use whichever version you think will work best for your game.

[tfwfh]

I'm having trouble finding it in any of the erratas, but I'm inclined to agree that the PDF is the most current.

[MilitiaJim]

The PDF is more current, but the 4 explosives resistance is more accurate.  They don't call 'em flak vests for nothing.

[Random221B]

When I first read the Advocate, the immediate obvious example that sprang to my mind was Arvin Sloan from Alias, with his fanatical devotion to and obsession with Milo Rambaldi.

Best,

~~~~Random