Ratings
Dice Tiers help us identify the relevant die associated to a character's Core Stats and Skills during a Challenge Roll. Ratings are the totals of the Tier roll plus all applicable bonuses, modifiers, and/or situational considerations. When calculating the outcome of a Challenge, the highest Rating determines the winner. The net score between the challenger's and target's Rating is the result of the Challenge.
Ratings often reference modifiers that are applied to the result of a Challenge Roll. Some Ratings also have additional use, for example ATK/DEF Ratings and some are temporary bonuses. Below is a list of the different types of Ratings in Echelon.
Attribute Ratings: These usually represent the basic characteristics of a character, such as Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, etc. They often dictate the character's natural abilities and potential. Attribute Ratings are typically gained from equipment, items or spell buffs but may also be determined by the Game Master. Attribute Rating bonuses modify the result of Challenge rolls of their involved Attribute.
Skill Ratings: Reflect a character's proficiency in specific skills, like stealth, persuasion, or swordsmanship. Higher skill ratings indicate greater expertise. Skill Ratings are typically gained from equipment, items or spell buffs but may also be determined by the Game Master. Skill Rating bonuses modify the result of Challenge rolls of their involved Skills.
Combat Ratings: These include Attack (ATK), Defense (DEF). They are crucial during combat scenarios. Combat Ratings are typically gained from equipment or otherwise determined by the Game Master. Attack Ratings (ATK Rating) increase the result of a Challenge issued using the Attack Action or Cast Action on a target(s) and may also increase the damage that a target receives. Defense Ratings (DEF Rating) increase the result of a Challenge issued where you are the target of an Attack Action or Cast Action and may also decrease the damage that a target receives.
Health and Resolve Ratings: Typically represented as Hit Points(HP) for physical health and Resolve Points (RP) for magical energy. They indicate how much damage a character can take and how much magical power they have. Health Rating represents the max HP a character has. If a character’s HP is reduced to zero they become unconscious. Resolve Rating represents the max RP a character has. If a character’s HP is reduced to zero they become unconscious
Speed Ratings: Determine the order of actions in combat, reflecting how quickly a character can react. Speed Ratings (SPD Rating) determines which turn a character acts in a Combat Sequence. Speed Ratings also indicates the amount of movement allowed to a character.
Equipment Ratings: These could include armor class, damage output of weapons, and other stats that reflect the effectiveness of the equipment a character uses. Equipment may increase the Rating of aspects that are determined by each individual piece of Equipment.
Social Ratings: In some games, there are ratings for social interactions, like Charisma, Reputation, or Influence, which affect interactions with NPCs. Social Ratings are often determined by the environment of the current situation and/or determined by the Game Master. Social Ratings provide modifiers to the result of Social Challenges.
Special Ability Ratings: Unique powers, abilities or items may confer increases to specific ratings based on the type. Special Ratings are often temporary affects that may be gained through the use of consumable items,the use of spells or awarded by the Game Master to name a few examples.
