Revision as of 23:04, 20 February 2011

Some people are simply better at some things than other people. Many of them have clear leanings towards a certain talent above all else. As is the case in many games, Persona MUSH rates a character's combat prowess across several different statistics that one should consider.

Stats Overview

You can see your stats at any time with +stats. The following is a sample statblock:
Example Stats

So, what does this all mean? The next few files will help you through that.

Shared Stats

These stats are used not only by a character, but also by a Persona, and range from 1 to 99. Extremes on either end are rare, and most characters and Personae alike will have between 40 to 70 in a given stat.

When a Persona is active, a character's attributes are averaged with the Persona's. For example, if a character's "self" rating for Luck is 50 and the Persona's Luck rating is 60, their effective Luck will be 55. Odd numbers are rounded down.

In general, Personae have a higher overall stat total than a person's own self, but it is possible to have a stat that is lower through averaging, in which the bar will usually display a red portion along with a red number (as opposed to positive averages, which have yellow portions with green numbers, or rare instances where a "Self" and "Persona" have the exact same rating in a stat, which results in a white number and no specially colored bar portions). Characters with extreme high and low ends on "Self" stats are more prone to this.

The Five Stats

• Strength (STR): Dictates how powerful the character is when using their own might, and thus their damage output with physical attacks (and some resistance against the same).

• Magic (MAG): Quantifies how skilled the character is in matters of magic and mysticism, thus translating to greater damage with magical attacks (and some resistance against the same). A large pool of SP does not require you to have high Magic.

• Agility (AGI): This determines how quick a character is when it comes to avoiding danger headed their way.

• Vitality (VIT): Measures a character's all-around toughness, their ability to take damage. Having a higher than average HP count does not necessitate high Vitality!

• Luck (LUK): How lucky a character is, governing general success in battles. This world is a world of fates and interventions, after all.

Other Stats

These stats do not follow the rules of the five of the previous file, but are nonetheless highly important to observe.

HP: Your hit points, the total of which is dependent on the character ("self"). As is the case with most games, this represents your character's remaining health. You lose this as you are struck by attacks, but can be recovered with the use of healing abilities (Dia, etc.). If it drops to zero or lower, your character is knocked out - or at least unable to fight any further. The "average" HP count is 300. Typically, the more HP you have, the lower your SP pool will be.

SP: Your spirit points, the total of which is dependent on the character ("self"). This represents your mental fortitude in which to summon Personae with - a draining activity in itself. Each skill in your ability costs a certain amount of SP. Usually, the higher the level or the more potent the effects, the more expensive. Some characters' special attacks also cost SP to use, though at a far greater discount than they would be if they were normal abilities. The "average" SP count is 125. Having a higher SP count often means having a lower HP count in turn.

Resistances: This list indicates whether an element will do more or less damage to the character if they are struck by it, and is determined by the currently equipped Persona. (Non-Persona users have a blank one called "None," which has no resistances or vulnerabilities.) See elements for more.

Abilities: This list shows you what abilities are available to your character, with their basic attack on the upper left and their unique special attack on the upper right. Everything below them are abilities granted by the currently Persona. Aside from the basic attack, nearly all abilities use up SP. See abilities for more.

Personae: Shows you the Personae that are available to you. Their native Persona rests in the 'M' (Main) slot, while their remaining slots are numbered (1, 2, etc). The name of the currently active one is in green, but is also listed at the top of the stat readout. Inactive ones are colored white in the list of currently held Personae. Unused slots are blank. You can type +pstats (slot) in order to see how they would affect your character. See Persona for more info.

Stats in Depth

Detailing the five stats and their ranges.

Agility

Agility is a measurement of a person's skill at avoiding attacks. It has to do with speed, hand-eye coordination and any other number of physical factors, along with a good reaction time, so it's hard to generalize what sort of traits might give a high Agility. Agility is used primarily to help dodge attacks, naturally. Most humans have an Agility between 40 and 70, while most Personas have an Agility between 35 and 85. A high Agility might represent great speed or a talent for predicting where enemies will attack.

Magic

Magic is a measurement of a person's ability to do magic, naturally. While it might seem strange for some people, like those without Personas, to have a Magic score, even those without the capability to use magic still have some sort of innate skill with it. It just never gets used. Magic is used primarily to determine damage from magical attacks, but is also has some effect on defense against magical damage. Most humans have a Magic between 40 and 70, while most Personas have a Magic between 35 and 85. A high Magic might represent a great depth of arcane knowledge or a knack for using the mind's power to greatest effect in battle.

Strength

Strength is, in fact, a character's physical strength. It is primarily used to deal physical damage, but has some effect on defense against physical damage as well. Most humans have a Strength between 40 and 70, while most Personas have a strength between 35 and 85. A high Strength might represent colossal brute strength, or the ability to use normal strength extremely effectively.

Vitality

Vitality is a measurement of a person's ability to withstand punishment. It has to do with toughness, determination and grit. Vitality is used primarily to help reduce incoming damage. Most humans have a Vitality between 40 and 70, while most Personas have a Vitality between 35 and 85. A high Vitality might represent being really tough, or being able to fight even on one's last legs.

Luck

Luck is a measurement of just that: luck. It has to do with being lucky, naturally. Luck is used for many things, including attack accuracy and critical chance. Most humans have a Luck between 40 and 70, while most Personas have a Luck between 35 and 85. A high Luck means being lucky. It's pretty much the only way to explain it.