Player's Handbook · Chapter 2
Tiers and Scale
Your Tier describes the broad scale at which your power matters. It is not a damage bonus. The default ladder is Initiate, Adept, Ascendant, Paragon, and Mythic, but a World can replace those names and scopes entirely.
Before a roll where raw capability matters, compare your effective Tier for that action with the obstacle.
| Difference | What it means |
|---|---|
| You are 2+ Tiers higher | Ordinary domination is automatic unless another uncertainty matters. |
| You are 1 Tier higher | You are favored; consequences should respect that advantage. |
| Same Tier | The contest is even enough for normal resolution. |
| You are 1 Tier lower | You are outmatched. You can still survive, protect, escape, create an opening, exploit leverage, or pursue another credible limited objective. |
| You are 2+ Tiers lower | Direct overpowering is beyond reach. Change the Scale relationship before trying to win that way. |
A Tier increase changes the problem set. Obstacles that once required leverage can become routine, while stronger conflicts become playable.
Scale applies to the stated action. A character can be outmatched in raw combat and still deceive, escape, research, negotiate with, or sabotage the same opponent.
Manual updated Aug 14, 2026.