Attributes
The project now documents all 13 character “attributes” defined in System Book.
What is an Attribute?
Attributes represent general, very broadly-defined skills such as “physical strength” and “logical reasoning”.
Core Attributes
System Book claims four attributes are “core” to the rules and required. You’re encouraged to include all four of them at minimum and add any others as needed. The reason these attributes are essential is due to the combat system.
- Coordination determines a character’s accuracy of aim with missile weapons and dexterity when manipulating objects.
- Endurance is rolled when a character needs to resist damage from an attack or other problems.
- Reflexes determine a character’s ability to dodge attacks and land a hit with a hand-to-hand weapon, as well as athletic and acrobatic abilities.
- Strength is a character’s physical power to lift objects and deal damage.
The genre books combine Endurance and Strength, essentially reducing the number of essential attributes to three. D6 Space further consolidates Reflexes and Coordination in an ability called Agility.
Optional Attributes
The rest of the attributes defined in System Book can be included in a system as needed. Since the core attributes are all physically-based, in my opinion the only optional attribute that is needed is Perception. Perception covers a character’s ability to notice things, but can also apply to figuring things out, remembering, knowing how to do something, etc..
| Attributes | |
|---|---|
| Core Attributes | Coordination • Endurance • Reflexes • Strength |
| Optional Attributes | Confidence • Intellect • Knowledge • Magic • Mechanical • Perception • Psionic Power • Technical • Willpower |