Distinctions

Distinctions are what set your character apart from everyone else. There are two that every character starts with: The High Concept, and the trouble. Through the Priority System, the character has a chance to get up to 3 extra Distinctions.

The High Concept can always be used to add a d8 to the dice pool. In situations where the high concept would not do well, no dice is added. Only one Distinction can be chosen for building the dice pool for a test. If there is another distinction that would help the character out, then that distinction can be chosen to add to the dice pool instead.

In other situations, if the Gamemaster thinks that the character would have difficulty with it based on their trouble, they can try to compel the trouble. This would instead add a d8 to the gamemaster dice pool to roll against the character (who then gets a plot point to use later). The character can attempt to ignore or conquer the trouble in that situation only by instead using a plot point. If the character has no plot points, they cannot resist the trouble and no other Distinction can be chosen for that dice test.

High Concept

The High Concept can be seen as a job title. In a short phrase, you need to be able to describe what it is this character does, how they do it, or possibly even how good they are at it. Because this is a distinction, it needs to set them apart from other people who might also do a similar job or role.

Instead of going with a generic description like Ace Attacker, try to add some special-ness to it. Try something like “Dual Scorpion Whirlwind of Doom”. That phrase describes not just a general idea of what job or role they perform, it goes above and beyond. It describes using two scorpions and implies that the character is a fast moving force of nature destroying everything in it’s path.

It helps to visualize what sorts of actions this character is good at. If they are running headlong at their opposition with both blades out, weaving and dodging and spinning with their attacks, they will get to add dice to their dice pool for their actions. However, if they are hidden on a rooftop with an Egret, waiting out the timer on a battle, they most definitely will have more difficulty if they are attacked.

Trouble

The trouble distinction is the only distinction that doesn’t add dice to the character’s dice pool for actions. Instead, it adds to the Gamemaster’s dice pool, but gives your character a plot point to use later. Generally, Troubles take the form of either Internal or External conflicts (personal struggles or problematic relationships).

When it comes to your character and the High Concept, what makes your character’s life complicated? What or who makes it difficult for them to do the job of the High Concept, or even drives the character to take action of some sort? That is what the Trouble Distinction is. Examples of a Trouble aspect in the World Trigger universe include Chika’s inability to shoot people complicating her job as a Sniper, or Osamu’s Low Trion as a shooter and trapper.

Other Distinctions

The other distinctions work slightly differently. If the distinction would be beneficial to the test at hand, a d8 can be added to the dice pool. If the distinction would complicate the test at hand, a d4 would instead be added to the dice pool and a plot point is earned by the character.

Creating other Distinctions

Four things determine a well defined Distinction:

• Type of Test it influences
• Special Effect
• Drawback
• Name of the Distinction

Sources of inspiration for a character’s distinction can come from the following areas:

1. A personal Belief or Code that the character follows
2. A strong personality trait that really really stands out
3. A significant event or part of the character’s background
4. An important possession, object or piece of knowledge
5. A feature or non-personality trait that stands out
6. A relationship of significance to a person or organization
7. Any issue or Goal the character is attempting to resolve or deal with
8. An obligation that the character has to take care of
9. A reputation, deserved or not, that the character has

Type of Test

A distinction stands out because it gives the character an edge in a specific area. The type of test the Distinction will aid must be narrowed down. First decide what category it falls under: Support Function, Role, Parameters, or Trigger Skills. Within the category itself, pick out an individual trait.

• Support Function: Team, Buddy, or Solo
• Role: Attacker, Gunner, Shooter, Trapper, Sniper, All-rounder
• Parameter: Command, Defense, Mobility, Skill
• Trigger Skills: Kogetsu, Scorpion, Raygust, Asteroid, Hound, Viper, Meteora, Egret, Ibis, Lightning, Spider, Switchbox, Grasshopper, Teleporter, Shield, Escudo. 

Special Effect

Every distinction has a special effect. This is the very reason why it can used to add dice to the dice pool. This usually comes in the form of increasing the effect of whatever action or type of test they are undertaking, or increasing the area of effect that it would encompass. That is not all though so feel free to use some creativity.

Some examples include Nasu’s ability to change the trajectory of Viper on the fly, Ninomiya’s unusually long range and speed of Hound, and Katori’s unusual instincts giving her an edge in skill based tests.

Drawback

Every distinction also has a drawback. What is the weakness of this distinction? When making a test that would instead be dealing with the drawback, only a d4 is added to the test. The character also gets a plot point. Distinction drawbacks are the only way a character can build up plot points that can be used later in the game, so don’t ignore this part. Think of situations that having or using this distinction would put the character at a disadvantage.

In the case of Katori’s instincts, situations that require thinking out a strategy to overcome a difficulty would put her at a disadvantage. Nasu’s changes in trajectory require focus and if there is too much going on to distract her, using this distinction could put her at a disadvantage, causing her to miss entirely or even clipping an ally.

Naming

Similar to the High Concept, you want a name full of connotation. Think of everything defined so far and try to think of a catchphrase that accurately describes the distinction with some “oomph” behind it.

In review, a Distinction is defined by:

“Name of Distinction” | Type of test | Special Effect | Drawback