Attribute (role play)

An attribute is a value that describes the extent to which a fictional character in a role-playing game has a specific natural, innate characteristic that is common to all characters in the game. This value is usually represented by an abstract number. Some games use different terms to refer to an attribute, such as character trait , (primary) trait, or ability . Some role-playing games like Fate don't use any attributes at all.

Common attribute names

Attributes are often abbreviated with two letters (St, In, Ge, etc.).

Strength or also: body, power, strength, ...: A measure of how physically strong a character is. Strength often controls the maximum weight the character can carry, melee attack and / or damage, and sometimes hit points . Armor and weapons can also have a strength requirement.
Constitution or also: perseverance, steadfastness, vitality, ...: A measure of how robust a character is. The constitution often affects hit points, resistance to special types of damage (poisons, disease, heat, etc.) and fatigue.
Defense or also: resistance, defense, ...: A measure of how resilient a character is. Defense usually reduces damage taken by a percentage or a fixed amount per hit. Occasionally associated with the constitution.
Skill or also: agility, reflexes, speed, ...: A measure of how agile a character is. Dexterity controls attack and movement speed and accuracy, as well as evasive maneuvers before an opponent's attack.
Intelligence or also: intellect, understanding, knowledge, ...: A measure of a character's problem-solving ability. Intelligence often controls a character's ability to learn foreign languages and their magic skills. In some cases, intelligence controls how many skill points the character gains as they level up. In some games, it controls the speed at which experience points are earned, or the amount needed to go up a level. Under certain circumstances, the intelligence can also prevent combat between players and hostile non-player characters . This is sometimes combined with wisdom and / or willpower.
Charisma or also: appearance, charm, sociality, ...: A measure of a character's social skills and sometimes how they look. Charisma generally affects prices during trading and NPC reactions. Under certain circumstances, this ability can prevent combat between players and enemy NPCs.
Wisdom or also: spirit, understanding, psyche, senses, ...: A measure of a character's common sense and / or spirituality. Wisdom often controls a character's ability to cast certain spells, communicate with mystical beings, or recognize the motives or feelings of other characters.
Willpower or also: reason, personality, ego, determination, ...: A measure of the character's mental resistance (to pain, fear, etc.) when a victim of mind altering magic, torture, or insanity. Many games combine willpower and wisdom.
Perception or also: vigilance, awareness, caution, ...: A measure of a character's openness to their surroundings. Perception controls the chance of discovering important clues, traps or hidden enemies and can influence the combat sequence or the accuracy of ranged attacks.
Luck or also: fate, chance, ...: A measure of a character's happiness. Luck can affect everything, but mostly random items, encounters, and outstanding successes / failures (like critical hits ).