Character Build Step One:
Choose Character Traits
Body, Mind, and Spirit are the core Character Traits for the Atomic RPG System. They make up the core of the mechanics behind the Atomic RPG System. All three are important and will be used for every Atomic RPG System character.
What will your character's Traits be?
They are intended to be simple. As with the other areas of the Atomic RPG System, they are generalized because the intention is to allow the player to imagine and invent what the individual Character Trait means to that character. A Body Trait can represent a strong, tough character or a lithe and nimble character who is able to dodge and avoid damage. The number that represents the Character Trait will affect the Atomic RPG System calculations, but how the Trait is represented within role-play and in game play is up to the player.
Body
The Body Character Trait is the representation of the character’s physical prowess.
- Most important for Combatants.
- Increases Attack and Damage rolls for Combatant Powers.
- Increases Combatant Power Point Pools.
- Increases Body Defense.
- Athletics skill is increased by the Body Trait.
Mind
The Mind Character Trait is the representation of the character's mental prowess.
- Most important for Mystics.
- Increases Attack and Damage or Healing rolls for Mystic Powers.
- Increases Mystic Power Point Pools.
- Increases Mind Defense.
- Scholar and Religious skills are increased by the Mind Trait.
Spirit
The Spirit Character Trait is the representation of the character's social prowess.
- Most important for Generalists.
- Increases Attack and Healing rolls for Generalist Powers.
- Increases Spirit Power Point Pools.
- Increases Spirit Defense.
- Nature, Perception, Social, and Subterfuge skills are increased by the Spirit trait.
How Many Character Traits Points to Assign
In the Atomic RPG System characters will split 12 points between these three Character Traits at first level. Another Trait Point will be assigned each time a character gains a new level. This represents the character’s growth throughout game play. No more than 80%, rounded down, of a character’s Trait Points can be used on a single Trait.
When distributing Trait Points, remember that all Traits have to have at least 1 point in them. However, a cautious player will want to have at least a 2 in every Trait. There are a few situations where Traits can be lowered, such as if a character misses a Full Rest or is “raised from the dead”. If a Trait reaches zero, the player character will be unconscious and incapacitated until they complete at least Full Rest. See Death and Dying and Rest and Recovering for more details.
A Few Notes About Character Traits
- Character Traits modify rolls at a 3 to 1 ratio. For example, if you have a 6 in a Trait, you will get a +2 to related rolls.
- Character Traits are generally static during game play and cannot be affected by Powers, Items, or Specialties.
- Character Traits can be increased when a character gains a level.
- Crafting skill is increased by your highest Character Trait.
The Effect of Traits on Atomic RPG System Characters
Character Traits affect many different things about your character. The Character Sheet is designed to calculate everything! Core stats such as Character Traits are not easily changed during the game. A character’s Body Trait won’t be damaged, and players will not have to recalculate the entire character sheet. In the Atomic RPG System, in-game effects affect the FINAL number of the character stat, not the beginning of the equation. This makes for much easier and faster gameplay because there is no need to go through cascading calculations.
Players simply apply the effect to the final numbers on their Character Sheet.
Attack
EX: Body Trait of 7 adds +7 to all Combatant Attacks.
Mind Trait increases your Mystic Attacks.
EX: Mind Trait of 14 adds +14 to all Mystic Attacks.
Spirit Trait increases your Generalist Attacks. EX:
Spirit Trait of 3 adds +3 to all Generalist Attacks.
Damage
EX: Body Trait of 7 adds +7 to all Combatant Damage Die rolls.
Mind Trait increases your Mystic Damage (If Offensive).
EX: Mind Trait of 14 adds +14 to all Mystic Damage Die rolls.
Generalist Powers cannot do Damage.
Defense
EX: Body Trait of 7 adds +7 to Body Defense.
Mind Trait increases a character's Mind Defense.
EX: Mind Trait of 14 adds +14 to Mind Defense.
Spirit Trait increases a character's Spirit Defense.
EX: Spirit Trait of 3 adds +3 to Spirit Defense.
More evenly distributed Traits increase Durability.
Durability affects all Defenses.
Healing
Mind Trait increases your Mystic Healing (if Defensive).
EX: Mind Trait of 14 adds +14 to all Mystic Healing Die rolls.
Spirit Trait increases your Generalist Healing.
EX: Mind Trait of 14 adds +14 to all Generalist Healing Die rolls.
Hit Points
Durability sets base Hit Points.
EX:The higher Durability the more Hit Points.
If Hit Points go below 0, the character will immediately become unconscious.
Characters below 0 make Revive Checks to see if they bleed more, are stable, or recover.
If a character drops below the Death Limit, they die.
Power Point Pools
Mind Trait increase a character's Mystic Power Pools.
Spirit Trait increase a character's Generalist Power Pools.
Reaction
EX: If the best Trait is a 12 Spirit and the Character Tier is 3, then the character's base Reaction is 15.
Skills
Crafting is increased by the highest Character Trait.
Language is not increased by any character Traits.
Nature is increased by a character's Spirit Trait.
Perception is increased by a character's Spirit Trait.
Scholar is increased by a character's Mind Trait.
Social is increased by a character's Spirit Trait.
Subterfuge is increased by a character's Spirit Trait.
Weight
These are the major things that are affected by a player’s Character Traits.