Using Thresholds

Thresholds are important, but pretty simple. A character's Max threshold is the maximum possible rating of the threshold, while a character's Current threshold is the threshold's total rating at any given time. When the Max threshold equals the Current threshold, the threshold is full. When the Current threshold drops below zero, the character suffers a penalty to certain actions equal to the amount by which it falls below zero (so a threshold of -1 imparts a penalty of -1, a threshold of -3 imparts a penalty of -3, and so on). When the Current threshold becomes as negative as the Max threshold is positive (for example, if character's Max threshold is 4 and her Current threshold falls to -4), something significant (and unpleasant) generally happens — the character dies, or drops unconscious, for instance.

For what happens when a character's Wound Threshold drops to this level, see "Death & Defeat," below; for what happens when spellcasting and extraordinary ability Thresholds do, see "Extraordinary Abilities," also below.

Previous: Involuntary Actions Next: Attacking Someone