Brainstorm: Advanced Tricks

[Frostmarrow]

I've got this idea for a special breed of cards for use with role-playing games. I call them Advanced Tricks and I need some help with coming up with instances. Let me explain; In a world without magic, people can still do things that appear impossible to the uninitiated. Such tricks should require preparations (performed off play, much like spells) and can then be used in play (again much like spells). The difference between an advanced trick and a spell is that an advanced trick is not magical and could feasibly be pulled off by anyone with the right skill-set.

Example:

Disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Preparation requires alchemy +5 and 5 gp worth of silver and chalk. Once activated the character can hide in plain sight as a standard action.
(The character concocts a smoke bomb and hides himself while out of sight)

or

Feign Death
Preparation requires Heal +12, Constitution 15+ and tranquilizer drug 50 gp. The character enters a state of deep relaxation commonly mistaken for death.
(The character administers himself enough anaestethic to teeter exactly on the brink of death.)

See what I'm after? If you have an idea please help me out: What advanced tricks do we use in a world without magic. -Saw a lady in half, read minds or anything else quite fantastic (for those without a clue ).

Advanced tricks aren't Feats as you can't use them over and over again. Once you have prepared it you can use it once. This opens up possibilities for effects, such as called shots, that would otherwise best be avoided.

 

[Awakened]

I'm confused when you say "cards". Do you mean you plan on printing these abilities on cards and giving them to players, or actual in-game characters will expend cards to use the abilities?
Also, instead of Heal +12, Heal 8 ranks or some rank amount.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I'm confused when you say "cards". Do you mean you plan on printing these abilities on cards and giving them to players, or actual in-game characters will expend cards to use the abilities?
Also, instead of Heal +12, Heal 8 ranks or some rank amount.

Just like spells, possibly printed on cards. -Whatever you like. The idea is to give a non-fighting, non-skill using dude something to excel at. The mage of a non-magic world. Like MacGuyver or Batman (when he feels like not fighting or use skills). The feign death trick was used by James Bond in Die Another Day and the whole vanish act is from the first Batman.

A character who meets the requirements can prepare advanced tricks and those are expended when used. Tricks baffle others as they cannot see how on earth the trick is pulled off. It's like when David Copperfield soars over the stage and people go 'awww'. (I guess its a safe bet Mr Copperfield uses wires, so its not magic but some people still believe it is.)

Yeah, it should be Heal 8 ranks. I'm not interested in the mechanics at this point. I just need ideas on tricks (along the same lines as my examples).

 

[Frostmarrow]

Ace in the Hole

The character can pull out an ace/knife from his sleeve without it being noticed.
Requires pick pockets 4 and craft device 10.
(The character carries a spring loaded ace in his sleeve that can be activated with a twist.)

The epitome of a trick. Yet I'm really after ideas a bit more advanced.