The Limit Break Mechanic- Explained

Limit Break is a powerful, and highly forbidden, ability. It allows the practitioner to go beyond the powers of their Race or Species, attaining unparalleled power. However, that power often has a severe drawback, frequently dealing permanent damage to the practitioner. Examples of this art are the Horn Breaking of the Oni Species, or the Ritual of Heart for the Werewolves.

But what does this mean mechanically?

Essentially, your character can, via buffs, special abilities, or various Rituals, can sometimes exceed Grandmaster in one or more Skills. When this happens, your character takes damage equal to how far they exceeded Grandmaster plus one when they use the effected Skill. If a character with Grandmaster Unarmed had used an ability that temporarily raises their Unarmed Combat by two Ranks, they would effectively have Grandmaster+2 Unarmed Combat, but would take Major Injuries every time they used that Skill. While this means they'll overcome other Grandmasters in terms of raw physical strength, their body cannot handle this power and will literally rip itself apart.

Except... for when it doesn't.


Damnation is home to a host of Gods, each the pinnacle of the respective Species and Race. Gods on Damnation exceed the Grandmaster Rank in all their Racial Skills. They are leagues above the average man or woman. However, when a character reaches the Ascended Tier, they have essentially reached godhood themselves. This allows Ascended Characters to attain up to 3 Divine Skills for themselves, alongside their 3 Grandmaster Skills. But, once a character reaches Ascended Tier, they have maximized their growth potential; further training does nothing and they cannot progress further.

At Ascended, it is strongly encouraged characters use an Ascended Technique to reset their level, and they may choose a new race or species when they do so.

The exception to this is the Dragons. Dragons, beings who simply are Spiritual Energy, were crafted in the very image of the True Soul Queen. They are as close to Divinity as the Gods themselves. Dragons may have up to 4 Divine Skills, as their characters cannot be reset using Ascended Techniques.