Modifiers represent circumstances that make an action easier or harder. They adjust the Success Target before the roll.
Modifiers may come from difficulty, environment, positioning, equipment, conditions, preparation, or other circumstances affecting the action.
Difficulty
Difficulty represents how inherently challenging a task is.
| Difficulty | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Trivial | +40 |
| Very Easy | +30 |
| Easy | +20 |
| Simple | +10 |
| Average | +0 |
| Challenging | −10 |
| Hard | −20 |
| Very Hard | −30 |
| Extreme | −40 |
The GM chooses the difficulty based on what the character is attempting and the circumstances of the task.
For example, bypassing a basic consumer lock might be Simple (+10), while defeating a hardened corporate security system without appropriate credentials might be Hard (−20) or worse.
Situational Modifiers
Situational modifiers represent immediate advantages or disadvantages surrounding an action.
They are normally applied in increments of 5. Minor circumstances might apply ±5, significant circumstances ±10, and severe circumstances ±15 or more.
Examples include poor visibility, unstable footing, distracting noise, superior tools, detailed schematics, favorable positioning, or adequate preparation.
Multiple modifiers may apply to the same test when they represent separate circumstances.
A Success Target can never be reduced below 5. An action may still be impossible if the character lacks the required tools, access, knowledge, or opportunity to attempt it.