Reference Tables

Level Progression

Proficiency Bonus by Level

Gear Tier Availability by Level

Full Caster Spell Slot Progression (Mystic)

Maximum spell level: 7th. 8th-9th level spells are reserved for mythic tier (Level 21+, optional).

Notes:

• Full casters start with 3 cantrips at level 1
• Spell slots are very limited (gritty = scarce magic)
• Ritual casting is essential for utility spells
• Levels 16-20 continue this progression (see magic chapter for details)

Half Caster Spell Slot Progression (Channeler, Medic)

Note: Medics use the half-caster table but are restricted to healing and support spells only.

Encounter CR Quick Reference

Formula: Party Level Sum x Difficulty Multiplier = Monster CR Budget

Difficulty Multipliers:

Quick Examples:

Revised Power Progression Tiers

Tier 1: Survivors to Professionals (Levels 1-5)

Power Level:

• Local threats (bandits, mutant wildlife, malfunctioning robots)
• Can handle 5-10 normal humans
• Magic users have 1-2 useful spells per day
• Death is very real

Capabilities:

• Competent in chosen role
• Solve local problems
• Recognized in home settlement
• Dangerous to unprepared foes

Threats:

• Well-armed raider bands
• Mutant creatures (CR 1-3)
• Environmental hazards
• Starvation, disease, exposure

Tier 2: Specialists to Veterans (Levels 6-10)

Power Level:

• Regional threats (warlords, organized raiders, large mutant packs)
• Can handle 20-30 normal humans or 10-15 trained soldiers
• Magic users have reliable daily capabilities
• Still mortal, but experienced

Capabilities:

• Renowned in region
• Lead small groups
• Solve settlement-level problems
• Access to Tier 3-4 equipment

Threats:

• Military squads
• Large predators
• Corrupted tech/rogue AI
• Rival adventurer groups

Tier 3: Elite to Masters (Levels 11-15)

Power Level:

• Inter-regional threats (armies, mega-fauna, dangerous anomalies)
• Can handle 50-100 normal humans or 20-30 elite soldiers
• Magic users have powerful spells but still limited
• Elite professionals, not superhumans

Capabilities:

• Known across multiple settlements
• Lead armies or organizations
• Solve nation-level problems
• Access to Tier 5-6 equipment

Threats:

• Organized military forces
• High-tech defense systems
• Powerful mutants/monsters (CR 8-12)
• Environmental cataclysms

Tier 4: Legendary to Champions (Levels 16-20)

Power Level:

• Continental threats (warlord empires, planet-scale anomalies, ancient weapons)
• Can handle 100-200 normal humans or small army
• Magic users have devastating (but not reality-warping) spells
• Best of the best, still grounded

Capabilities:

• Legendary reputation
• Shape the future of civilization
• Access to Tier 7-8 equipment
• Can challenge small nations

Threats:

• Full military divisions
• Kaiju-class creatures (CR 13-17)
• Pre-war superweapons
• Other legendary characters

At Level 20, You Are:

• The best human fighter alive
• A master mage (but not a god)
• Incredibly dangerous BUT
• Still vulnerable to ambush, overwhelming force, or bad luck
• Cannot solo an entire army without planning/preparation
• Magic has limits (no time travel, no easy resurrection, no unlimited power)

Comparison to Others:

• To level 0 commoner, you're a demigod
• To other level 15-20 characters, you're a peer
• To mythic threats (21+), you're a strong mortal

What Changed from Original Design

Spell Slot Progression:

• Old: 9th-level spells at level 17
• New: 7th-level spells max at level 20 (core game cap)
• Reason: Keeps magic powerful but grounded, saves 8th-9th for mythic tier (21+, optional)

HP Progression:

• No change: bounded by Hit Dice and END
• But gritty rest rules make HP loss matter more

Attack/Defense Bonuses:

• Still capped at +18 total (attribute +5, proficiency +10, gear +3)
• Bounded accuracy keeps threats relevant

Encounter CR:

• Level 20 party (total 80 levels) faces:
  • Easy: CR 32
  • Deadly: CR 80
  • Lethal: CR 120-160
• CR 15-20 creatures are dangerous, not trivial

Equipment Tier:

• Tier 10 equipment extremely rare, near-mythical
• Level 20 typically has Tier 6-7 gear (great, not godlike)

Humanity/Essence Impact Table

Key Mechanics:

• Humanity starts at 10
• Augmentations reduce it permanently
• Low Humanity = reduced magic capacity but enhanced tech capacity
• At Humanity 1, no magic is possible but tech integration is at maximum

Quick Reference

Core Resolution

• Roll d20 + Modifiers vs DC or DV
• 10+ usually succeeds
• Natural 20 = critical success
• Natural 1 = critical failure

Difficulty Classes

Combat Turn

• 3 actions + 1 reaction
• Move, attack, cast, use skill, etc.
• Reactions trigger outside your turn

Damage and Healing

• 0 HP = unconscious, death saves
• 3 failed death saves = dead
• Long rest (1 week) = recover all HP
• Healing is SLOW (by design)

Exhaustion Levels

Glossary of Key Terms