5th Edition Rules Supplement - Characteristics

Primary Characteristics

All characters start with values of 10 in their Primary Characteristics. A value of 20 in any Primary Characteristic is considered the maximum an ordinary person can obtain, while 25 is considered the peak of human potential. All Primary Characteristics double in power for every 5 points. The Base Value of all Primary Characteristics costs 0 character points.

Char
Base Value
Normal Maximum
Peak of Potential
STR
10
20
25
DEX
10
20
25
CON
10
20
25
BODY
10
20
25
INT
10
20
25
EGO
10
20
25
PRE
10
20
25

Characteristic Rolls

Characters receive a bonus or penalty to any 3d6 rolls based on using a Primary Characteristic if their characteristic value is above or below average. To calculate the bonus or penalty, subtract 10 from the value of the Primary Characteristic, then divide by 5 and round to the nearest whole number.

Value
Modifier
-2 to 2
-2
3 to 7
-1
8 to 12
0
13 to 17
+1
18 to 22
+2
23 to 27
+3
28 to 32
+4

Strength

The table below offers rough guidelines to what Strength value a "normal" character should have, based on three determining factors: height and build, exercise, and gender.

An "average" woman (height 5'6") has a base Strength of 8, while an "average" man (height 5'11") has a base Strength of 10.

There are four categories of strength-gaining exercise: none, light, moderate, and heavy. Most active people are light exercisers; serious swimmers and athletes engage in moderate exercise; and only serious weightlifters are doing heavy exercise.

Large, bulky people may be one step to the right on the table, while thin, weedy people may be one step to the left.

Suggested Strength Values by Height and Intensity of Exercise

Height Range
None
Light
Moderate
Heavy
5'0" to 5'6"
5/8
8/10
10/13
13/15
5'6" to 6'0"
8/10
10/13
13/15
15/18
6'0" to 6'6"
10/13
13/15
15/18
18/20
6'6" to 7'0"
13/15
15/18
18/20
20/23
7'0" to 7'6"
15/18
18/20
20/23
23/25

Intelligence

Intelligence costs 2 Character Points per point, not 1 per point.

Presence

Presence is not used to resist Presence Attacks.

Comeliness

Comeliness is not a Primary Characteristic. Instead, the Attractive/Unattractive Talent measures physical beauty.

Figured Characteristics

The starting values for Figured Characteristics are derived from the appropriate Primary Characteristic(s). The Base Value of all Figured Characteristics costs 0 character points.

Char
Base Value
Normal Maximum
Peak of Potential
PD
2
8
10
ED
2
8
10
MD
2
8
10
REC
4
10
12
END
20
50
60
STUN
20
50
60

Mental Defence (MD)

Mental Defence is a Figured Characteristic that represents how tough a character is against mental attacks like telepathy or intimidation. A character's MD is subtracted from the amount of STUN done by Ego Blasts and from the total Effect of other Mental Powers or Presence Attacks. Mental Defence has a base value of EGO/5, and may be increased by 1 point for 1 Character Point.

Speed

Speed is not a Figured Characteristic.

Movement

Every character can run and swim, and the Base Value of both movement types costs 0 character points.

Type
Base Value
Normal Maximum
Peak of Potential

Running

4"/8"

8"/16"

10"/20"

Swimming

1"/2"

2"/4"

2.5"/5"


maintained by Gary Johnson (gwzjohnson at optusnet.com.au)
last updated 27 December 2005