Pathways Abstract
NEW = Write down a new Trait at d4. UP = Step up a Trait. NEW/UP = Choice between NEW and UP.
Origin
- Map: 1 NEW Resource + as many NEW Relationships as there are other players.
- 2 Value UPs — both constrained
- Rich, Strange, Ordinary: 1 NEW, 2 UPs
- Gifted: 2 NEWs, 1 UP
- Alien/Metahuman: 2 NEW, 1 NEW/UP
Total for this stage: 2 Value steps, 4 other steps. Min 2+P NEW, max 3+P NEW.
Youth
- Map: 1 NEW Resource
- Jock, Average, Geek, Outsider: 1 NEW/UP, 2 UPs
- Paragon: 2 NEW/UPs, 1 UP
Total for this stage: 4 steps. Min 1 NEW, max 3 NEW.
Focus
- Map: 1 NEW/UP
- Money: 1 NEW, 2 UPs
- Life, Status: 3 UPs
- Technology: 1 NEW, 1 NEW/UP, 1 UP
- Paranormal: 2 NEW/UPs, 1 UP
Total for this stage: 4 steps. Min 0 NEW, max 3 NEW.
Road
- 1 Value UP — constrained
- All options: 1 NEW/UP, 2 UPs
Total for this stage: 3 steps. Min 0 NEW, max 1 NEW.
Life-Chaning Event
- Map: 1 NEW/UP
- 3 Value UPs — 2 constrained, 1 free
- Advancement, Tragedy, First Contact, Destiny: 1 NEW/UP, 4 UPs
- Power Manifestation: 1 NEW, 1 NEW/UP, 3 UPs
Total for this stage: 3 Value steps, 6 other steps. Min 1 NEW, max 2 NEW.
Priority
- Map: 1 NEW/UP
- 1 Value UP — constrained
- All: 1 NEW/UP, 1 UP
Total for this stage: 1 Value step, 3 other steps. Min 1 NEW, max 2 NEW.
Modus Operandi
- 1 Value UP — constrained
- Reliability/Loyalty, Outside Normal Channels: 2 UPs
- Shady Business, Against the Grain, Special Gifts: 1 NEW/UP, 1 UP
Total for this stage: 1 Value step, 2 other steps. Min 0 NEW, max 1 NEW.
Motivation
- 1 Value UP — constrained
- All: 1 UP
Total for this stage: 1 Value step, 1 other step. No NEW.
Identity
- The Sidekick, The Foil, The Rebel: 3 UPs
- The Specialist, The Hero: 1 NEW/UP, 2 UPs
Total for this stage: 3 steps. Min 0 NEW, max 1 NEW.
Conclusions
Characters are designed with 9 Value steps (not including the initial establishment of all six Values at d4 levels). All Value steps but one are constrained, meaning the player is given a choice of two Values to step up.
Not including NEW Relationships established with other Leads: Full-fledged Leads receive 30 steps other than Values. 5 of these come from the map, and are therefore either Relationships or Resources; the others all come from taking options on the chart. At least 5, and at most 16 of these steps will establish NEW Traits of some kind (again, this is not including Relationships with other Leads).
