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Using Abilities

The main function of each ability score is to determine how many skill ranks a character gets every level. You use the base ability (the number between 2 and 4 that you chose) for determining how many skills you learn, but for everything else you use the total ability.

Strength:

Your character's strength is, well, how strong he is. It's exactly what it says on the tin. Strength is used to determine carrying capacity, damage dealt in melee, the size of weapon you can wield, etc.. Strength is your muscles, plain and simple. Players who anticipate a lot of melee combat and heavy lifting should take a high strength score. The strength ability is independent of size, so a giant human that is only proportionally as strong as an average human has strength 3, despite the fact that he could easily lift cars. See Scale in Chapter 3: Combat for more information on size.

Strength Score

Description

Example

0

Paralyzed*

A jam sandwich

1

Feeble

A very unhealthy human

2

Weak

A notably scrawny human

3

Average

The vast majority of humanity

4

Strong

A professional athlete

5

Mighty

The upper echelon of human weightlifters, a Vampire

6+

Superhuman

A super-powered robot

*See Nonabilities, later in this chapter

Dexterity:

Your character's dexterity is a the control he has over his movement. It's his nimbleness and reflexes. A character with a high dexterity may be sneaky, good at dodging, be built like a dancer, etc.. Dexterity is also used in determining who acts first in combat. Players who anticipate a lot of ranged combat and stealth should take a high dexterity score. Wearing heavy armour or carrying heavy loads can impose penalties to dexterity skills.

Dexterity Score

Description

Example

0

Paralyzed*

A jam sandwich

1

Sluggish

A very unhealthy human

2

Slow

A notably slow human

3

Average

The vast majority of humanity

4

Quick

A professional gymnast

5

Lightning

The quickest of humanity

6+

Superhuman

A supernaturally fast being such as a Vampire

* see Nonabilities, later in this chapter

Endurance:

Your character's endurance is how much of a beating he can take before he goes down, how well he can survive in adverse environments, and how much it takes before he collapses from exhaustion. Endurance is added to every character's Toughness score and is used to determine how much armour he can wear. Players who want to be able to take a lot of damage before going down should take a high endurance score.

Endurance Score

Description

Example

0

Dead*

A jam sandwich, a zombie

1

Sickly

A very unhealthy human

2

Frail

A notably flimsy human

3

Average

The vast majority of humanity

4

Tough

A professional distance runner

5

Invincible

Olympic distance runners

6+

Superhuman

* see Nonabilities, later in this chapter

Intelligence:

Your character's intelligence score represents his rational thinking and cognitive abilities. It also reflects his ability to learn new things and react to new surroundings. Intelligence determines how perceptive a character can be, how much and how quickly he can learn, and generally how 'smart' he is.

Intelligence Score

Description

Example

0

Comatose*

A jam sandwich

1

Handicapped

A very unintelligent human,  most animals

2

Dim

A notably slow human

3

Average

The vast majority of humanity

4

Clever

A highly talented scientist, writer, lawyer, etc.

5

Genius

The very best and brightest

6+

Superhuman

* see Nonabilities, later in this chapter


Spirit:

Your character's spirit score is your sheer strength of will. If Intelligence is how quick your mind is, Spirit is how powerful your personality is. Spirit is the attribute for charisma, magic power, faith, and other skills.

Spirit Score

Description

Example

0

Comatose*

A jam sandwich

1

Sheeple

2

Dull

3

Average

The vast majority of humanity

4

Vibrant

5

Heroic

6+

Superhuman

* see Nonabilities, later in this chapter


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