This page documents the reasoning behind replacing traditional **skills** and **saving throws** with a system of **Aspects**, derived from attribute pairings.

## The Problem with Skills

The D&D skill list:

- Is rigid and sometimes arbitrary
- Often results in overlapping or unclear domains (e.g., Nature vs. Survival)
- Doesn't scale well when trying to build flexible or modular systems

### Saving Throws also suffer from:

- Inconsistent application (e.g., why is WIS used for charm, but CHA is not?)
- Low clarity outside experienced player groups
- Too much tied to class identity

## Why Attribute Pairings?

By pairing each attribute with every other we get **15 Aspects** that:

- Cover all major action categories
- Encourage creative problem-solving
- Avoid siloed thinking

Each Aspect has a **clear theme**:

- STR + DEX = **Agility**
- INT + CHA = **Tact**
- WIS + CHA = **Willpower**
- etc.

This creates a **web** of character capabilities—tightly integrated and reusable across systems.

## Replacing Skills and Saves

Every challenge—whether resisting poison, picking a lock, or persuading a merchant—can be resolved with an **Aspect check**.

Advantages:

- Uniform resolution system
- Reduces mental load for new players
- Easy to expand with setting-specific Aspects (e.g., STR+WIS for “Beast Control”)

## Discouraging Min-Maxing

Because almost every roll uses an Aspect—a **pair** of attributes—rather than a single attribute, there is far less payoff in pouring everything into one stat (or two) and dumping the rest. A character with one huge attribute only boosts the five Aspects that include it, and each of those is still pulled down by whatever it is paired with. Even pumping two attributes gives just one Aspect where both halves are strong. Rounded characters stay competent across many more situations, and a dumped attribute shows up as a weak spot in several Aspects at once, so single- and dual-attribute optimizing becomes a real trade-off instead of an obvious choice.

## Mapping to 5e Skills

We created conversion tables to help understand where old skills fit:

- Example: *Insight* is primarily mapped to **Insight**, **Willpower**, and **Tact**
- *Stealth* → **Reflex** or **Finesse**
- *Medicine* → **Resilience** or **Discipline**

This not only retains compatibility—it **improves logic and flexibility**.

## Resisting Effects with Aspect Checks

Replacing saves means spells like *Hold Person* or *Fear* must call for Aspect checks.

Common checks include:

- **Discipline** (for mental focus)
- **Willpower** (for emotional resistance)
- **Resilience** (for physical stress or fear)

This provides flavorful variation depending on the source of the threat.

## Summary

The Aspect Web:

- Replaces fragmented systems with a **unified core mechanic**
- Scales with complexity without introducing clutter
- Makes character creation and progression feel **organic and open**

It’s not just a replacement for skills/saves—it’s a **lens through which the whole game world is understood**.