Every character, even the extras, have a Core Competency, which in the game is the minimum number of dice they roll to see if they succeed of fail. There will be more about this in Game Mechanics. This is often simply called a character’s “Dice” (when we capitalize Dice – this is what we are referring to).
Most characters, including all extras, start out at 3 Dice.
Regular Cast Members’s start at 4 Dice.
High or low Stats, Talents and Focus add or subtract their value to the roll when relevant.
Relevant Skills add their bonus to the roll.
Current Core Dice are reduced, at least temporarily by injury or other impairment.
A character’s overall vitality and effectiveness is reflected in their Dice. In general:
•1 dice = feeble
•2 dice = child or impaired adult
•3 dice = normal human
•4 dice = elite or heroic human, minor monsters (and Regular Cast Members)
•5 dice = super-heroic human or major monster
•6 dice = legendary human, Big Bad
•7 dice or above are typically Things Not of the Earth.
Core Dice can be improved through Plot Points, though it is the most expensive attribute to improve. The formula is (current value+1) x5. So to go from 4 Dice to 5 Dice would cost (4+1)x5 = 25 Plot Points - more than the normal limit.
It should be noted that Core Competency is never Unusual, Supernatural or Fantastic. It is always normal cost.
next: Stats