CHANGES TO ABILITIES
• Strength and Dexterity: Strength and Dexterity in Mutants & Masterminds
do not directly influence a character’s chances to hit in combat, and
Dexterity doesn’t improve a character’s Defense score. These capabilities
are purchased separately with attack and defense bonus. This brings the
value of Strength and Dexterity in line with the other abilities and allows
players to fine-tune their characters’ combat abilities (so not all strong
heroes are good melee combatants, for example). If you want a character
whose great Strength or Dexterity provides combat ability, simply buy the
character’s attack and defense bonus in proportion to those ability scores.
On the other hand, you can also have a strong or dexterous character
who’s not especially good in a fight, if you prefer.
• Intelligence: Unlike other d20-based games, your Mutants & Masterminds
character’s Intelligence modifier does not alter the number of skill points
your hero gets. In Mutants & Masterminds, skill ranks are purchased with
power points, just like everything else.