Crippled

If one of a character's Ability Scores drops to 0 or below during gameplay for any reason, that score has a chance to become Crippled and the character suffers more serious effects. Whenever a character suffers an effect that actually reduces an ability score to 0 or less (such as the Drain FX; simply inflicting a Penalty on a character isn't enough), the character must immediately check a Resistance (DC 15) to see whether or not the Ability Score has been Crippled. For Physical Ability Scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution), make the check with Fortitude. For Mental Ability Scores (Intelligence, Awareness, and Charisma), make the check with Will.
Crippled Strength means the character collapses, Helpless and unable to move. Crippled Dexterity means the character is paralyzed and Helpless. Crippled Constitution means the character is Dying and must stabilize with a Recuperation check (DC 10). Crippled Intelligence, Awareness, or Charisma means the character is Unconscious and incapable of waking until the score is no longer Crippled.
Crippled ability scores usually result from an FX affecting your character. An ability score lowered below -5 during character creation is actually nonexistent; characters only suffer the effects of debilitated abilities if an ability score is lowered to 0 during play. Characters who have low ability scores to start (such as a scrawny young hero with a -1 Strength) are at risk of having their ability score crippled if even a single point of their ability score drained.
Ability damage is temporary; once the condition causing it is removed, the character recovers lost ability score points at a rate of 1 per day. The Healing FX can speed this recovery, as can ranks in Regeneration. If reduced below 0, an ability score might be Crippled. A character recovers from having an ability score Crippled after healing at least 1 lost ability point (even if the score is still negative, though note that this character will still be quite weak until more points are healed!).
See also:
* Ability Scores
* Chokehold
* Crippling Strike
* Drain
Category:Rulebook
Category:Glossary