2.2.4 Situational Modifiers

The specific circumstances in effect when a character makes a check confer modifiers on that check. Situational modifiers include a number of possibilities. These might be temporary conditions affecting the character or his opponent directly, environmental conditions or conditions related to when the check occurs, the quality of an implement being used, assistance from an ally or hindrance from any enemy, or anything unique to when and where the check occurs. Whether the modifier is a bonus or a penalty and the magnitude of the modifier is determined by the GM based on the nature and severity of the situation.

Proficiency: Some checks involve the use of tools, weapons, or special equipment. If the item in question requires some knowledge or training to use properly, a character using it without such proficiency suffers a penalty to the check. A proficiency penalty might arise if the character has no qualities suggesting that he has experience with the item in question.

Equipment: Using an item of average quality for its ordinary purpose confers no modifier. Equipment confers a bonus if it is of high quality and a penalty if it is of low quality. This modifier may also reflect special qualities, e.g., the item is magical, computer-guided, cursed, possessed by a demon, etc.

Assistance: In some instances, other characters can actively assist a character attempting to do something. The ability to assist, the number of assistants, and the level of assistance vary according to the circumstances. The magnitude of the modifier is determined by the assisting character’s own effort and, generally, after that character makes his own check.

Examples: The character’s commander gives a rousing oration before battle; the character is suffering from the flu; the character is under the effect of a spell that makes him lucky; it's snowing; it’s dark; it’s noisy; the character uses a rope to climb a wall; the character uses a ladder to climb the wall; the character’s bodyguard gives him a boost over the wall; the laser gun is a top-of-the-line model; the laser gun is damaged; the character’s archenemy taunts him from afar; etc.

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