---
title: "Chapter 2: Character Sheet"
description: "When you create a character for an *Open Adventure* game, you record all the important information about that character on a character sheet. The character sheet lists scores used during [Action](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/action/) Checks, equipment the character is carrying, special abilities, notes…"
url: "https://openadventurerpg.com/coc/character-sheet/"
updated: "2025-12-14"
category: Core Rules
---

# Chapter 2: Character Sheet

When you create a character for an *Open Adventure* game, you record all the important information about that character on a character sheet. The character sheet lists scores used during [Action](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/action/) Checks, equipment the character is carrying, special abilities, notes about their [Background](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/background/), and indicators of the character’s current health. Included here is an example of a character sheet. Everything you see on this sheet is described in detail later in the book.

## **Front**

![](https://openadventurerpg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image.png)

**1. Basic Information**: This is basic information about the character, including their name, [Lineage](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/lineage/), and experience.

**2. Primary Attributes:** These are the character’s nine Primary Attributes and their scores. All the information in this section is grouped by type: Body, Mind, or Spirit.

**3. Defense and Armor**: The character’s Defense scores represent their ability to avoid attacks. The character has a different Defense score depending on whether the NPC is attacking their Body, Mind, or Spirit. Armor reduces the [Effect](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/effect/) of a successful [Attack](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/attack/).

**4. [Body Points](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/body-points/)/[Mind Points](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/mind-points/)/Spirit Points**: Body, Mind, and Spirit Points are the equivalent of [Challenge Points](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/challenge-points/) ([CP](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/cp/)) for Player Characters. If any of these are reduced to 0, the character is [Incapacitated](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/incapacitated/) and suffers a [Wound](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/wound/). Body, Mind, and Spirit Points are easy to recover, but healing Wounds takes significant time and effort. 

**5. [MO](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/mo/) ([Modus Operandi](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/modus-operandi/))**: This is the character’s [MO](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/mo/) and its score.

**6. Specializations**: These are areas in which the character has extra training and experience. If a [Specialization](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/specialization/) applies to an [Action Check](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/action-check/), add a [Benefit](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/benefit/) to the [Action](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/action/) Score. The Source column indicates how the character acquired the [Specialization](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/specialization/): from their [MO](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/mo/), [Background](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/background/), or [Culture](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/culture/).

**7. Powers & Abilities**: These are the character’s special powers, unique abilities, and talents you want to keep handy during the game. These are copied from the details on the back of the character sheet.

**8. [Reaction](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/reaction/)**: The character’s [Reaction](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/reaction/) score determines their likelihood to unconsciously notice danger and spot when things that are out of place. It is also used to avoid unexpected attacks that target an area, like a fireball spell, and determines when they take Actions during an [Encounter](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/encounter/).

**9. Favorite Actions**: Save time by pre-calculating the [Action](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/action/) Scores for the character’s most common Actions.

## **Back**

![](https://openadventurerpg.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-3.png)

**10. Appearance and Deity**: The character’s general appearance and their chosen deity.

**11. [MO](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/mo/)**: Detailed information about the character’s [MO](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/mo/).

**12. Equipment**: A list of the equipment the character is carrying.

**13. [Lineage](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/lineage/)**: Detailed information about the character’s [Lineage](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/lineage/).

**14. [Culture](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/culture/)**: Detailed information about the [Culture](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/culture/) in which the character was raised.

**15. [Background](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/background/)**: Detailed information about the character’s [Background](https://openadventurerpg.com/glossary/background/) and training before they became an adventurer.

**16. Backstory**: Key elements of the character’s history, personality, values, and beliefs.**17. Exceptional Abilities**: The character’s Primary and Secondary Exceptional Abilities and their benefits.

**17. Exceptional Abilities**: The character’s Primary and Secondary Exceptional Abilities and their benefits.