---
title: "3 | Reference: Ratings and Scales"
description: "The following section summarizes and compiles various ratings and scales commonly used in this game. #### Approach Scores Higher is better; determines TN. - +0 means no aptitude - +1 is average - +2 is gifted - +3 is expert…"
url: "https://momatoes.com/arcanum/ratings-scales/"
updated: "2022-01-16"
category: D. Guide Toolkit
---

# 3 | Reference: Ratings and Scales

The following section summarizes and compiles various ratings and scales commonly used in this game.

#### Approach Scores

Higher is better; determines TN.

- +0 means no aptitude
- +1 is average
- +2 is gifted
- +3 is expert

#### Skill Ranks

Higher is better; determines TN.

- +0 means no skill literacy
- +1 is average
- +2 is gifted
- +3 is expert

#### Skill Check Difficulty Modifier

Determines how challenging a Skill Check is. Difficulty modifiers can be applied based on the overall situation and the following criteria.

- +1 to TN [Easy] Hero has good tools or ample preparations; the target has poor resistance; or the circumstances favor the action. *Picking a lock with no time pressure.*
- +0 to TN [Difficult] The large majority of tasks—the default difficulty. *Foraging for berries in the woods.*
- -1 to TN [Very difficult] Hero has inadequate or incorrect tools, or poor preparation; target has effective defenses; or action is high-risk in an unforgiving environment. *Reverse-engineering a complex trap under intense time pressure.*
- -2 to TN [Staggeringly difficult] The situation is even worse: current conditions actively hinder the task; the target has resistances specifically against this type of action; or it's completely mismatched against the circumstances. *Sneaking unprepared through the heavily-fortified guard’s barracks.*
- -3 to TN [Impossibly difficult] As difficult as asking a dragon out on a date.

**When in doubt, you may also opt to just reduce TN by 1 for each of the conditions below:**

- the **hero**has insufficient tools, incorrect assumptions, or a relevant impairment.
- the **target**of the action has resistances or defenses against this type of action.
- the **action or conditions**are perilous, haphazard, or woefully inadequate.

#### Damage and Defense items

**Directly increases damage (for Damage items) or reduces TN of an attack (for Defense).**

- +1 is average
- +2 is quite good
- +3 is tremendously helpful
- +0 is still useful as the item still counts for Weaponry Skill Checks; otherwise not having a weapon incurs Difficulty.

#### Spell & Technique Complexity

Indicates power level and successful Skill Checks (TN = pure Arcana or focus) needed to learn new instance or custom Spell or Technique; one Skill Check per 15 REM.

- 1 — lowly but useful.
- 2 — highly useful in day-to-day situations and conflict.
- 3 — critical and can turn the tide in situations and conflict.
- 4 — affect the entire world.