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Attack
Attack is a mechanical term and type of roll. Attacks are the application of hostile intent to another [Entity], be it through physical violence or verbal assaults.
An Attack is rolled when a Character performs an action against another Character, [Vehicle] or specific Target. The GM will specify a Skill, while the Difficulty is determined by an Appropriate Rating or Save performed by the Target. To perform an Attack, roll a D20 and add the bonuses from the specified Skill. If the Total equals or exceeds the Difficulty, the Attack is Successful.
Once an Attack is Successful, you then resolve the Damage of the Item or Ability used as part of that Attack.
Example: Johnny Tutorial is performing an Attack against Phil Heel using an Athletics Weapon. The GM agrees and prompts that this is an Athletics Attack against Phil's Defence. Johnny then assembles his Dice Pool, adding his D4 Job Die and +9 from his Ranks in Athletics. Johnny rolls a Result of 17 on his D20 and 4 on his D4, added together with his Athletics, Johnny gets a Total of 30. Phil's Defence is only 21, even with a Dodge increasing it to 24, Johnny's Attack of 30 is greater and therefore a Success. Johnny can then resolve the Damage of his Weapon against Phil.
Ash's Aside
The Checks, Attacks and Saves trichotomy can be a bit challenging to wrap your mind around at first, so don't worry. The trickiest idea is when do you make a Roll a Check or an Attack. The answer is simply, is it against a Character, or group of Characters, or is it against the environment, a Situation or just plain ol' luck.
If your trying to sneak into a Corporate HQ, it could go either way, so there is no right answer. However, here is how I would break it down:
- If your trying to sneak past security cameras or random patrols, with a set DC, then it's a Check.
- If your trying to sneak past a specific security guard in a booth, and he gets to take a Save to notice you, then it's an Attack.
That's it.
The only other detail I want to mention is that, generally, it's easier to get bonuses to Checks than it is to Attacks. So, if the Cast is smashing all of your DC's, or unable to beat them, then rather than adjusting the DC's themselves, you can often mix things up by making them different Rolls. It takes some figuring out, and you don't have to get every Roll “correct.” You'll figure it out, as a group, the longer you keep playing.
Changelog
Version 0.5c - Jun 2026
- Page overhauled.