Strain

About Strain

Any effect that impairs the character, but does not inflict physical harm or wounds, is considered Strain. Weapons with a stun setting or other effects that impair or hinder a character generate Strain. Additionally, effects that would cause stress, fear, anxiety, or emotional turmoil also generate Strain. Strain can accumulate slowly as environmental effects, or be gained in chunks when a PC is rattled by an effect that doesn't cause damage, but does impair them.

Characters can also voluntarily suffer Strain to trigger certain effects. The most common use is to voluntarily suffer two points of Strain to gain one additional Maneuver during a character's turn. Some special talents may require the character to suffer one or more points of Strain to activate.

Strain Threshold

When a character has suffered Strain greater than their Strain Threshold, they become Incapacitated until their Strain is reduced so that it no longer exceeds their Strain Threshold. They are likely unconscious, or may just be so dazed and staggered that they're completely unaware of their surroundings and unable to interact with them.

NPC Strain

When Non-Player Characters and creatures suffer Strain, they generally apply them directly to their Wound Threshold (unless they are a Nemesis and track Strain separately).