A character’s core, base abilities are determined by six values known as Ability Scores. These values describe the character’s innate, natural aptitude at interacting with the world. The six Ability Scores are:

•   Strength (Str)
•   Dexterity (Dex)
•   Constitution (Con)
•   Intelligence (Int)
•   Wisdom (Wis)
•   Charisma (Cha)

The values of these abilities range from 0 to infinity, with a normal human range from 3 to 18. The normal human maximum is 20, but superhuman or supernatural characters may have higher ratings. A value of none for an Ability Score, which is different from 0, is a special case appropriate for specific character ideas.

Establishing Ability Scores

Determine your character’s Ability Scores by rolling dice; 2d10, 3d6, 4d6 (drop lowest), etc., or using the Character Points ‘buy’ system as follows.

Ability Score Cost

Abilities cost a number of Character Points equal to half the value of the Ability Score (round up), which are paid for by the character’s starting discretionary Character Points. Players may choose to modify the character’s generated Ability Scores up or down by increasing or decreasing the number of Character Points assigned to the Ability Score, on a 1 for 2 basis (1 Character Point equals 2 Ability Scores). If the power level of the campaign provides insufficient discretionary Character Points to pay for the Ability Scores generated by the players for their characters, players must reduce the Ability Scores to (or below) a value that they can afford with Character Points available.

  Zero Rating and “None” Ability Scores

It is possible for some constructs or alien creatures to have a score of “none.” None is not the same as a score of 0. A score of none means that the creature does not possess the Ability at all. The modifier for a score of none is +0.
A character’s Ability Score can never drop below 0.
Str 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He or she lies helpless on the ground.
Dex 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He or she is motionless and helpless.
Con 0 means that the character is dead.
Int 0 means that the character cannot think and is in a coma-like stupor, helpless.
Wis 0 means that the character is withdrawn in a deep sleep filled with nightmares, helpless.
Cha 0 means that the character is withdrawn into a catatonic, coma-like stupor, helpless.

Ability Modifiers

Each Ability has a modifier that is the number you add to or subtract from the die roll when your character tries to accomplish something related to that Ability. A positive modifier is called a bonus, and a negative modifier is called a penalty.

Definition of Ability Scores

  Strength
Strength is a measure of the character’s physical power. Strength provides a modifier to:
•    Damage rolls in melee or unarmed combat or when using weapons that are Muscle Powered.
•    Strength-based Skill checks.
•    Strength checks.
Any creature that can physically manipulate other objects has at least 1 Point of Strength. A character with no Strength score can’t exert force, usually because it has no physical body or because it doesn’t move. Such a creature automatically fails Strength checks. Note: since armour is handled differently in Anime d20 than in other d20 games, Strength always provides a +0 modifier to melee attack rolls (the “to hit” roll), regardless of the character’s Strength rating.

  Dexterity
Dexterity is a measure of the character’s hand-eye co-ordination, agility, reflexes, and balance. Dexterity provides modifiers to:
•    The character’s Armour Class.
•    Dexterity-based Skill checks.
•    Initiative rolls.
•    Reflex saving throws.
•    Dexterity checks.
Any creature that can move has at least 1 Point of Dexterity. A creature with no Dexterity score can’t move, but if it can act, it applies its Intelligence modifier to Initiative checks instead of a Dexterity modifier (for example, an artificially intelligent computer that has no moving body adds its Intelligence modifier to Initiative rolls). A creature with no Dexterity fails all Reflex saves and Dexterity checks. Dexterity always provides a +0 modifier to ranged attack rolls, regardless of the character’s Dexterity rating.

  Constitution
Constitution determines your character’s health and stamina. Constitution provides modifiers to:
•    Hit Points earned per Level (though the value can never be reduced below 1 — a character always gains at least one Hit Point per Level).
•    Fortitude saving throws.
•    Constitution-based Skill checks.
•    Constitution checks.
Any living creature has at least 1 Point of Constitution. A creature with no Constitution has no body or no metabolism. It is immune to any effect that requires a Fortitude save unless the effect works on objects. The creature is also immune to Ability damage, Ability drain, and energy drain, and always fails Constitution checks.

Intelligence
Intelligence is a measure of the character’s reason and ability to learn. Intelligence provides modifiers to:
•    The number of Skill Points gained at each Level (though the value can never be reduced below 1 — a character always gains at least one Skill Point per Level).
•    Intelligence-based Skill checks.
•    Intelligence checks.
Any creature that can think, learn, or remember has at least 1 Point of Intelligence. A creature with no Intelligence score is an automaton, operating on simple instincts or programmed instructions. It is immune to all mind-influencing effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects) and automatically fails Intelligence checks.

Wisdom
Wisdom is a reflection of the character’s willpower, common sense, intuition, perception, and life experience. Wisdom provides modifiers to:
•    Will saving throws.
•    Wisdom-based Skill checks.
•    Wisdom checks.
Any creature that can perceive its environment in any fashion has at least 1 Point of Wisdom. Anything without a Wisdom score is an object, not a creature. Additionally, anything without a Wisdom score also has no Charisma score, and vice versa.

  Charisma
Charisma describes the characters strength of persuasion, personality, and the character’s appearance. Charisma provides modifiers to:
•    Charisma-based Skill checks.
•    Charisma checks.
Any creature capable of telling the difference between itself and things that are not itself has at least 1 Point of Charisma.

Table 3-1: Ability Score Value Descriptions

Ability Score    Modifier    Description
1    -5    Inept
2-3    -4    Infant
4-5    -3    Child
6-7    -2    Significantly below adult human average; youth
8-9    -1    Below adult human average; teenager
10-11    0    Adult human average
12-13    +1    Above human average
14-15    +2    Significantly above human average
16-17    +3    Highly capable
18-19    +4    Extremely capable
20-21    +5    Best in the region