Characteristics
The eight Characteristics define the broad physical and mental capabilities of every character - PC and NPC alike. They are the foundation from which 1.3.0.0 Attributes, skills, and Talents all derive. Nearly every test you make in the game traces back to one of these eight values.
Score and bonus
Every characteristic has two associated values:
- The Score is the raw numerical value, with a minimum of 0 and no upper limit. Most characters’ scores hover in the 35–45 range. Higher is better.
- The Bonus is equal to the tens digit of the score and is used in calculations where the full score would be unwieldy - most commonly in attribute formulas and damage rolls.
Example
A character with Strength 43 has a Strength Bonus (SB) of 4.
| Characteristic | Abbr. | Bonus | Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Str | SB | Physical prowess and ability to push physical limits |
| Endurance | End | EB | Physical health, stamina, toughness, resistance to damage |
| Agility | Ag | AB | Speed, reflexes, coordination, grace |
| Intelligence | Int | IB | Mental prowess, reasoning, recall, understanding of magicka |
| Willpower | Wp | WB | Mental resilience, control, shaping of magicka |
| Perception | Prc | PcB | Physical awareness, instinct, intuition |
| Personality | Prs | PsB | Charisma, presence, expressiveness, social aptitude |
| Luck | Lck | LB | Good fortune and how often events tend to go your way |
Favored Characteristics
Each PC designates two Favored Characteristics at character creation. These are the areas in which your character is naturally gifted - progress in those areas comes more easily.
Advancing a Favored Characteristic, or purchasing skills, specializations, or talents governed by one, costs 75% of the normal XP cost (round down to the nearest multiple of 5).
Example
A Novice talent normally costs 100 XP. If its governing characteristic is one of your Favored Characteristics, it costs 75 XP.
Some talents have multiple governing characteristics - only one of them needs to be Favored to unlock the discount, and there is no additional benefit for having more than one governing characteristic Favored.
How characteristics are used
- Characteristic tests use the score directly as the Target Number
- Skill tests add a skill bonus (+10 × rank) on top of the score
- 2.2.0 Attributes are derived from characteristic bonuses via fixed formulas (HP, Speed, Initiative, etc.)
- Talents require minimum characteristic scores to purchase, scaled by talent tier
- Spellcasting typically draws on Intelligence (for Magicka Points) and Willpower (for casting skill)
See 1.0.0.0 Fundamentals for how these values are applied during play.