Each character is defined by six abilities: Melee, Agility, Resilience, Vigilance, Ego and Logic. By no coincidence, the initials of these spell MARVEL.

The average score for any ability is 0. Standard human-level abilities range from –3 (in the case of an extremely ill person) to +3 (the limit of human ability). Super-powered characters can push the numbers far beyond that, though.

Melee

Melee measures a character’s Brawling ability in close combat. Shang-Chi, Thor and the Hulk are Famous for their high Melee. It’s an important score for characters who like to fight with their fists. Melee affects:

• Melee action checks for things like punching or throwing.
• Melee defense, which helps against being Grabbed, punched, thrown or otherwise knocked around.

Agility

Agility represents the ability to Attack at a distance. Spider-Man, Hawkeye and Cyclops are renowned for their high Agility. It’s an important score for those who shoot at things or dodge attacks. Agility affects:

• Agility action checks for things like acrobatics, driving and blasting enemies at range.
• Agility defense, which helps with dodging or avoiding ranged attacks.
• A character’s Run Speed

Resilience

Resilience measures a character’s stamina, tenacity and pain tolerance. The Thing has an exceptional Resilience. It’s an important score for those who regularly wind up in the thick of fights. Resilience affects:

• Resilience action checks for things like withstanding extreme conditions.
• Resilience defense, which helps against being poisoned or infected.
• A character’s Health.

Vigilance

Vigilance represents Situational Awareness, mindfulness and discipline. Shang-Chi and Professor X score high in Vigilance. It’s an important score for people who wind up in dangerous spots. Vigilance affects:

• Vigilance action checks for things like investigating crime scenes and searching for hidden Objects.
• Vigilance defense, which helps against being Surprised or ambushed.
• A character’s Focus.
• A character's Initiative Modifier.

Ego

Ego measures a character’s energy, self-confidence, personal magnetism and force of personality. Doctor Strange has a high Ego. This ability score is vital for leaders of all kinds. Ego affects:

• Ego action checks for things like intimidating or persuading people and using psychic Powers.
• Ego defense, which protects against psychological trauma and mind control.
• The use of magical and elemental Powers.

Logic

Logic represents a character’s Powers of reason and insight. Mister Fantastic and Professor X have high Logic scores. It’s an important score for the smartest people around. Logic affects:

• Logic action checks for things like inventing gadgets, solving puzzles and using complex Weapons.
• Logic defense, which helps against being confused, befuddled or tricked.
• The use of telepathic Powers.

Ability Checks

A character’s ability score is added to any action check made using that ability.

Example: Spider-Man (all examples will use the Peter Parker version of Spider-Man, unless otherwise noted) has an Agility of 7. Whenever he makes an Agility action check, he adds +7 to his roll to get his final total.

Example: Spider-Man wants to shoot webs at the Kingpin. Since this is a ranged Attack, he makes an Agility action check. He rolls 4 2 5, for a result of 11. To that, he adds his Agility score of +7 for a total of 18.

Ability Defenses

Ability Defenses define the target number that someone attacking the character with that ability must meet or beat. To calculate a character’s defense for any particular ability, just add 10 to their ability score.

Example: Spider-Man’s Agility score modifier is +7. Add 10 to that to determine his Agility defense, which is 17. However, his Spider-Sense power gives him a permanent +2 bonus to his Agility defense, making it 19. If the Kingpin wants to throw something back at Spider-Man, he needs to make an Agility check and get a total of at least 19 to hit him.