Ability Anthology

There are over 200 Abilities in Pathways to Adventure, sectioned into 20 Abilities per Category. An Ability can be categorized as an Attack, Skill, or Tactical Effect in the Maneuver, Spell, or Chant Activation Methods. Additionally, there are Free Action and Reaction Abilities in addition to the above.

For example, using one of the 20 Martial Attack Maneuvers would use a Melee Weapon to Execute a specific Attack against a foe's Defense, Inflicting Weapon Damage on Success.

Proficiency and Learning Abilities

Proficiency in a Skill is required to be able to Know its associated Abilities. You may Know a number of abilities limited by your Technique for Maneuvers, Acuity for Spells, and Attunement for Chants.

All Free Actions and Reactions are always Known if you have the required Skill Proficiency and do not take up Known ability limits.

Power Tiers and Ability Cost

The Power Tier of an Ability is equal to its resource Cost. Your Physique, Intellect, or Willpower must equal Twice the Cost of the Ability to be able to Use the Ability. As such, investing in Physique, Intellect, and Willpower enables a creature to learn increasingly powerful and costly Abilities:

For example, a Creature with 3 Physique would only be able to Execute Tier 1 Power Maneuvers that Cost 1 Endurance.

Alternatively, a Creature with 4 Physique could Execute Tier 2 Power Maneuvers that Cost 2 Endurance.

Attacks and Accuracy

Attack abilities have a base Accuracy modifier of either +0, +5, or +10, with the majority of Attacks having +5 as the standard Accuracy value.

Ranged Attacks

The GM may adjudicate that a creature is hidden behind Cover. A creature in Full Cover cannot be hit by most Ranged Attacks, while a creature in Partial Cover gains +5 Defense against most Ranged Attacks.

Tactics and Potency

Potency is the difficulty of Preventing your Tactical Abilities. Enemies make a specific Prevention Roll and must meet or exceed your Potency value to successfully Prevent the negative Tactical Ability.

Potency equals a base of 3 + Technique for Maneuvers, Acuity for Spells, or Attunement for Chants.

Ability Tables

The following tables provide detailed information about each type of ability:

Example Free Action Abilities