Tiers of Play

There are three tiers of play in this game, as shown in the table below. This table is meant to help the GM understand how effective a character's bonus will be in overcoming a given [Difficulty Level]. Savvy players will find ways to lower the DL, which can allow them to punch above their weight, so to speak.

Character Tier	Bonus Range	Their "Standard" Challenge	Their "Hard" Challenge
Rookie	+1 to +6	Moderate (14)	Hard (20)
Expert	+7 to +12	Hard (20)	Severe (26)
Veteran	+13 to +17	Severe (26)	Extreme (32)

For example, a character with a bonus of +5 (including ability score, gear bonus, and aug bonus) is considered a Rookie. When making rolls with that bonus, the player will regularly overcome a [Difficulty Level] of Moderate (14), but their results against a Hard (20) will be hit and miss. A [Difficulty Level] of Severe (26) or higher will be nigh impossible, unless the crew has a way to lower the DL.

As characters gain XP, upgrade their gear, and install new augments, their bonuses can be increased. As a character progresses into the Expert and Veteran tiers, they will be capable of handling higher DLs.