Mage M20 Character creation cheat sheet
A checklist you can run during creation. At-the-table reference for Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary.
Mage M20 character creation: choose a Tradition (or go Orphan), define your Avatar, and set your Spheres.
Creation steps
- 1. Concept and Nature/Demeanor.
- 2. Choose a Tradition (or Orphan/Hollow One).
- 3. Assign Attributes (7/5/3 across Physical, Social, Mental).
- 4. Assign Abilities (13/9/5 across Talents, Skills, Knowledges).
- 5. Set Arete (starts at 1; raise with freebie points).
- 6. Assign Sphere dots (6 dots; Tradition affinity Sphere gets 1 free).
- 7. Choose Backgrounds (7 dots: Avatar, Mentor, Resources, etc.).
- 8. Set Willpower (5), Quintessence (equal to Avatar), Paradox (0).
- 9. Spend 15 freebie points on anything.
Common mistakes
- Arete 1 limits you: raising it costs 4 freebie points per dot but unlocks everything.
- Sphere dots above your Arete do nothing: Arete is the ceiling.
- Avatar rating = starting Quintessence and resonance strength.