Difference between revisions of "Ability Stats"

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[[File:Ability-stats.jpg|thumb|440px|]]
 
[[File:Ability-stats.jpg|thumb|440px|]]
  
Also known as ''ability scores'', ''abilities'', ''attributes'', ''[[Primary Attributes|primary characteristics]]'' or simply "stats.' Ability stats describe the limitations of a character’s prowess in mind and body. The stats possessed by everyone include the following:
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Also known as ''ability scores'', ''abilities'', ''attributes'', ''[[Primary Attributes|primary characteristics]]'' or simply "stats.Ability stats describe the limitations of a character's prowess in mind and body. The stats possessed by everyone include the following:
  
:::'''[[Strength (ability stat)|Strength]]:''' physical brawn and force<br>
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: '''[[Strength (ability stat)|Strength]]:''' physical brawn and force
:::'''[[Intelligence (ability stat)|Intelligence]]:''' problem-solving ability and alertness<br>
 
:::'''[[Wisdom (ability stat)|Wisdom]]:''' education and willingness to learn from mistakes<br>
 
:::'''[[Constitution (ability stat)|Constitution]]:''' sturdiness and overall health<br>
 
:::'''[[Dexterity (ability stat)|Dexterity]]:''' agility and reflex<br>
 
:::'''[[Charisma (ability stat)|Charisma]]:''' physical attractiveness, persuasiveness and personal magnetism<br>
 
<br>
 
  
Both creatures and characters possess these ability stats in some variation, ranging from 0 to 25. Humanoid characters possess a range from 3 to 18 — which is generated by rolling 3 six-sided dice (3d6).
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: '''[[Intelligence (ability stat)|Intelligence]]:''' problem-solving ability and alertness
  
It's helpful to the character’s survival for stats to be exceptional (with a rating of 15 or 16) in at least two ability stats or gifted (17 or 18) in at least one. When [[Character Creation|creating a player character]], the players increase their odds of obtaining higher ability scores by throwing 4d6 and counting the highest three dice.
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: '''[[Wisdom (ability stat)|Wisdom]]:''' education and willingness to learn from mistakes
  
Because player characters can gain stats higher than 18 only through adjustments due to [[Aging|age]] or [[Character Race Options|race]], it's generally viewed that stats between 19 and 25 are those reserved for enormously powerful creatures like giants or for the gods. Only weak and helpless creatures have stats that are less than 3.
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: '''[[Constitution (ability stat)|Constitution]]:''' sturdiness and overall health
  
Ability stats come into play when characters must test their ability stats against tasks they wish to accomplish. This is called an “[[Ability Checks|ability check]].”  Ability stats also determine which character classes that characters can become, which is detailed under [[Player Characters]].
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: '''[[Dexterity (ability stat)|Dexterity]]:''' agility and reflex
  
Ability stats can be drained or augmented by [[Spellcasting|spells]], magic items and creatures possessed of natural powers. In all circumstances, the character’s PRESENT stat is always counted towards ability checks and other game elements. For example, a [[Mage (class)|mage]] whose intelligence is reduced below 9, either temporarily or permanently would lose the ability to cast spells and skills associated with that class. In such cases, the game presumes that the character’s knowledge is restored with the restoration of the ability stat.
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: '''[[Charisma (ability stat)|Charisma]]:''' physical attractiveness, persuasiveness and personal magnetism
  
  
See [[Player Characters]]
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Both creatures and characters possess these ability stats in some variation, ranging from 0 to 25.  Humanoid characters possess a range from 3 to 18, a number generated by rolling 3 six-sided dice (3d6).  Players roll '''4d6''', ignoring the lowest die, when [[Character Creation|creating their character's]] ability stats.
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Ability stats help the character's survive.  For player characters, an exceptional total must exist for at least two stats, with one being at least 15 and the other being at least 16.  It's enough if a player has one gifted stat, a minimum of 17, instead.  Because a player character's stats are adjusted due to [[Aging|age]] or [[Character Race Options|race]], it's possible to achieve a number higher than 18.  This is acceptable in such cases.  Only weak and helpless creatures have stats that are less than 3.
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Abilities are important in determining which [[Character Class|character class]] a given character can be — they must have the minimum scores necessary to meet the class requisites.
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When characters are tested by events in the game that apply to their ability stats, such as being intelligent enough, wise enough, charismatic enough and so on, they sometimes need to make an [[Ability Checks|ability check]].
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Ability stats can be drained or augmented by [[Spellcasting|spells]], [[Magic Items|magic items]], bonuses due to a [[Character Background Generator|character's background]] and [[Progenitors|training]], and creatures possessed of [[Natural Abilities|natural abilities]].  Whenever a check is made, or a determination of what the ability allows, the present status of that ability always applies.
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: '''For example''', Nebban, a [[Mage (class)|mage]] whose strength is ordinarily 9, loses a point of strength due to an encounter with a [[Troglodyte|troglodyte]], whose odour drains strength.  Nebban is also presently at [[Negative Hit Points|-2 hit points]], which means his base total for all abilities is lowered by 20%.  Nebban has a strength of only 6.4 (9 minus 1 minus 1.6) when he needs to make a strength check.  If he rolls higher than 6 on the die, he fails the check.
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In such cases, the character's ability stats are healed as the character returns to normal [[Hit Points|hit points]] and escapes the effects caused by noxious odours or other ability draining effects.
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See also,<br>
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[[Player Characters]]<br>
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[[Primary Attributes]]
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[[Category: Don't Review until 2024]]

Latest revision as of 05:42, 19 January 2023

Ability-stats.jpg

Also known as ability scores, abilities, attributes, primary characteristics or simply "stats." Ability stats describe the limitations of a character's prowess in mind and body. The stats possessed by everyone include the following:

Strength: physical brawn and force
Intelligence: problem-solving ability and alertness
Wisdom: education and willingness to learn from mistakes
Constitution: sturdiness and overall health
Dexterity: agility and reflex
Charisma: physical attractiveness, persuasiveness and personal magnetism


Both creatures and characters possess these ability stats in some variation, ranging from 0 to 25. Humanoid characters possess a range from 3 to 18, a number generated by rolling 3 six-sided dice (3d6). Players roll 4d6, ignoring the lowest die, when creating their character's ability stats.

Ability stats help the character's survive. For player characters, an exceptional total must exist for at least two stats, with one being at least 15 and the other being at least 16. It's enough if a player has one gifted stat, a minimum of 17, instead. Because a player character's stats are adjusted due to age or race, it's possible to achieve a number higher than 18. This is acceptable in such cases. Only weak and helpless creatures have stats that are less than 3.

Abilities are important in determining which character class a given character can be — they must have the minimum scores necessary to meet the class requisites.

When characters are tested by events in the game that apply to their ability stats, such as being intelligent enough, wise enough, charismatic enough and so on, they sometimes need to make an ability check.

Ability stats can be drained or augmented by spells, magic items, bonuses due to a character's background and training, and creatures possessed of natural abilities. Whenever a check is made, or a determination of what the ability allows, the present status of that ability always applies.

For example, Nebban, a mage whose strength is ordinarily 9, loses a point of strength due to an encounter with a troglodyte, whose odour drains strength. Nebban is also presently at -2 hit points, which means his base total for all abilities is lowered by 20%. Nebban has a strength of only 6.4 (9 minus 1 minus 1.6) when he needs to make a strength check. If he rolls higher than 6 on the die, he fails the check.

In such cases, the character's ability stats are healed as the character returns to normal hit points and escapes the effects caused by noxious odours or other ability draining effects.


See also,
Player Characters
Primary Attributes