Wits (Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary)
Definition
Wits measures a mage's quick thinking, mental agility, and ability to react under pressure. While Intelligence handles deliberate reasoning, Wits governs snap decisions, improvisation, and thinking on your feet. For Awakened characters, Wits is the Attribute that keeps them alive when plans collapse and they must improvise magick on the fly. The Ascension War rarely goes according to plan. When a Technocracy strike team kicks in the Chantry door, when a Paradox Spirit manifests unexpectedly, or when a Marauder's reality zone warps the world around you, Wits determines whether a mage freezes or acts. Quick-witted mages find solutions others miss and react before threats materialize.
How it works
Tips
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Wits and Intelligence?
Intelligence is deliberate thought, analysis, and stored knowledge. Wits is speed of thought, improvisation, and reactive thinking. A puzzle requires Intelligence; dodging an unexpected attack requires Wits. Both are valuable but serve different situations.
Does Wits help with improvised magick?
While Arete governs all magick rolls, some Storytellers call for Wits checks when a mage needs to quickly adapt a magical effect to unexpected circumstances. High Wits means your mage can think fast enough to modify plans on the fly.