CHALLENGES
The first challenge – starts when the challenger declares what category the challenge will fall into, any special ability* used and what traits they will be risking**. Then the defender declares likewise.
Win / Lose = the action is either successful or the defense has worked.
Tie = are resolved by bidding your traits to a maximum of 10, all levels of an appropriate ability, applicable merits, traits gained from Items and other effects.
The traits bid up to this point are lost by the loser of the first challenge, and any retests are solely to determine whose action is successful. Note: in any bidding situation, you may declare less then you have.
Retest = to declare a retest. The loser of the first challenge may attempt to call on an appropriate ability to your action, a discipline, merit or other effect; such as willpower*** In the case of an ability retest, if you succeed in your action, you keep your ability, if you lose the challenge; you still get to use the ability for the sake of bidding. However, the ability trait is lost and may not be used for another retest.
Blocking = When a person goes to make a retest, you may cancel their retest by stating that you are blocking with your own appropriate retest. You may block ability with ability and a discipline with a disciple. However, you lose your ability as well. Merits may not be blocked.
Overbid = Declare that you wish to attempt the overbid and bid an additional trait. If you have at least double the traits in the category if the challenge, you begin again at the first challenge. If you don’t you do not get a retest and you lose the trait. Note: The traits, abilities and other effects lost in challenges up to this point are considered spent. Once all of these options are resolved, the final outcome is the initial action or defense. Overbid does not initiate a new action.
STATIC vs. CONTESTED
Static challenges are only done against a storyteller or narrator, the challenge is meant to determine if you have the ability to succeed in something, rather then trying to affect someone. A storyteller or narrator must decide the difficulty of the task, such as breaking down a door (physical), or determining if you can understand what John Doe’s aura is telling you (mental).
* Special abilities can be gained from items, situation, disciplines or other sources. A.K.A. Tommy declares that he is pulling out his gun and attempting to “Spray” the crowd. Billy is attempting to dodge and declaring that he has the bomb and that Tommy’s gun is loud enough to give him ample warning on which way to dodge. Since Billy called on the gun’s Negative trait, Billy must bid an additional trait.
** First off, your trait must come from the category you are using for the challenge. In the previous example, the challenger is using a mental action to fire his gun since he has the Firearms ability,
*** Willpower may be used only once within a 10 min period of time and only by the defender. When Willpower must be spent to make the challenge, such as with Majesty, it cannot be used to retest.