Tier 3 Abilities
Create a Tier 3 Ability
Like all Tier Abilities, Tier 3 (also known as T3) Abilities vary wildly. Your imagination is the limit. Follow these simple guidelines to build your own.
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Dealing Damage to a Single Target
​If you chose a single target T3 Ability, it will a strike one target within 70' if you are using a ranged weapon, or one target within 5' if you are using a melee weapon.
Single target abilities follow this damage formula: Weapon Damage + 2
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Dealing Damage in an Area
​If you chose an area T3 Ability, it will strike all of the targets in a 5' radius around your character if you are using a melee weapon. If you are using a ranged weapon, it can be centered on any point within 70' and have a 5' radius. Harmful abilities never strike friendly targets. For frontal cone abilities, work with your Storyteller to determine an appropriate size.
Area abilities follow this damage formula: ​Weapon Damage - 2
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Utilitarian Abilities
Some utilitarian abilities count as Minor Actions. These powers are strong. Effects that impact allies usually last two turns, and effects that impact enemies usually last one turn. You can choose any effect from this list (or create your own with Storyteller approval). If you want one of these effects to apply to multiple targets, consider toning the ability down; for example, all allies gain +2 to Attack rolls made for two turns instead of one ally receiving +5.
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Minor Actions
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The caster frees themselves from movement impairing effects, and sprints or leaps their Movement Speed + 10'.
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Afflict any Minor Status Effect on a target for one turn.
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Major Actions​​
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Afflict any Minor Status Effect on a target for two turns.
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Afflict any Major Status Effect on a target for one turn.
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Damage Over Time
Some characters like to inflict wounds that bleed each turn for extra damage. Generally, damage over time effects (if not simple secondary effects) follow one of the following formulas where each application of damage or healing takes place on a subsequent turn:
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.5x, .5x, 1x for T3 abilities
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.5x, 1x, 1x or .5x, .5x, 1.5x for T2 abilities
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In general, T3 abilities should deal double damage if they are spread over three turns, while T2 abilities deal a bit more than double.
Secondary Effects
Blending Utility and Damage
Tier 3 abilities cannot be too powerful, but you should use your imagination and find something flavorful and fun that suits your character. If you want a more complex Tier 3 ability, you can follow these guidelines to blend utility and output.
Adding Secondary Effects to Tier 3 Abilities
Once you’ve chosen an option for damage / healing output, you can (optionally) choose a secondary effect for your Martial Tier 3 ability.
If you choose a secondary effect, your damage / healing output is decreased by 1.
Secondary Effects for Damaging Abilities
Secondary effects that cause Attack bonuses or penalties for several targets affect an Area with a 30' radius.
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Enemy target(s) takes -2 to all Attack rolls for one turn
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Enemy target(s) takes -2 to their Defense for one turn
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Enemy target(s) takes 1 damage each turn, for 3 turns
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Your character deals an additional +1 damage when they hit with an ability, for 3 turns
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An enemy target within 70' takes 5 damage
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Your character gains +2 to all Attack rolls for one turn
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Your character gains +2 to Critical Strike Chance for one turn
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All nearby allies gain +1 to all Attack rolls for one turn
Sample Martial Tier 3 Abilities
Storytellers should note that martial abilities should be highly flexible to enable characters to feel effective as melee combatants. Because Ilisara does not require a grid, tracking movement and range, or tracking positional requirements (for backstabbing), abilities that explicitly state the relative positioning of themselves to enemies is encouraged when applicable.