Attributes are the fundamental measurements that define a character's inherent abilities, in contrast with Skills, which generally indicate how well a character performs specific actions. There are eight primary Attributes in the game, several Attributes derived from those, and several Other Attributes that reflect actions taken in the game world. The starting value of each primary Attribute is based upon your character's race and gender. In addition, two Attributes will be "favored" by your character's class with ten extra points.
With the exception of Luck, each primary Attribute governs three to five Skills. Three Attributes of your choice can increase each time you gain a level, with the amount of increase depending on how much you increased the Attributes' governed skills since the last level. The base value of a primary Attribute can't be increased above 100 by leveling, but it can from various effects (e.g., spells, enchantments, and potions) without this restriction.
Primary AttributesEdit
- Strength
- Affects physical damage dealt with weapons, carrying capacity and starting Health. Also determines maximum Fatigue.
- Intelligence
- Affects maximum Magicka. Also influences the success rate and potency when making potions and the success rate when enchanting items.
- Agility
- Affects hit chance and dodge chance for physical attacks and resistance to knock down. Influences the success rate of sneaking, lockpicking and blocking. Also determines maximum Fatigue.
- Speed
- Affects movement speed (i.e. walking, running, swimming, and levitating).
- Personality
- Affects initial Disposition with NPCs. Also influences the success rate of persuasion and haggling.
- Luck
- Affects the success rate of most "dice rolls" in the game in a small way.
Derived AttributesEdit
- Health
- Affects the amount of damage that you can take before you die.
- Magicka
- Affects the amount of energy available for spellcasting.
- Fatigue
- Affects all actions performed by a character (melee, spells, lockpicking, speech, etc).
- Encumbrance
- Affects carrying capacity, movement speed, jumping distance & height, and the rate at which Fatigue drains while running.
Other AttributesEdit
- Reputation
- Your renown in the world. The more quests you complete, the higher this will be.
- Bounty
- The amount of money you will have to pay for your crimes if you are caught by guards. If you have not committed any crimes, this will be 0.
- Slaves
- The number of slaves you have freed. Freeing slaves opens up a few quests with the Twin Lamps faction.