The Core Mechanics

Mutants & Masterminds uses a standard, or “core,” game mechanic to resolve actions. Whenever a character attempts an action with a chance of failure, do the following:


 * Roll a twenty-sided die (or d20).


 * Add any relevant modifiers (for game traits like abilities, skills, powers, or circumstances) to the number rolled.


 * Compare the total to a number called a difficulty class (abbreviated DC).

If the result equals or exceeds the difficulty class (set by the GM based on the circumstances), the effort succeeds. If the result is lower than the difficulty class, it fails. This simple mechanic is used for nearly everything in Mutants & Masterminds, with variations based on what modifiers are made to the roll, what determines the difficulty class, and the exact degree of success and failure. Remember...

d20 + modifiers vs. difficulty class ... and you understand how to play most of the game!

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