Most of a character's abilities, powers, and a lot of other stuff are represented by ranks. Ranks are levels of power in an ability or superhuman power. Each rank is represented by a special name that identifies its position in relation to others (greater than, less than, etc...), and a standard rank number (usually in the center of the rank's range). There are twenty ranks in all, listed by name, standard rank number, and rank range on table 1.

Table 1: Ranks and Rank Numbers

3000

Rank Name	Rank Number	Rank Range
Shift C	none	none
Shift B	none	none
Shift A	none	none
Shift 0	0	0
Feeble	2	1-2
Poor	4	3-4
Typical	6	5-7
Good	10	8-15
Excellent	20	16-25
Remarkable	30	26-35
Incredible	40	36-45
Amazing	50	46-62
Monstrous	75	63-87
Unearthly	100	88-125
Shift X	150	126-175
Shift Y	200	176-350
Shift Z	500	351-999
Class 1000	1000	1000-2999
Class 3000	3000-4999
Class 5000	5000	5000 +

As you can see, the Class 1000, 3000, and 5000 ranks are the most powerful; PCs (and most NPCs, one would hope) normally have no access power levels of this magnitude, since they represent cosmic level forces, and mere mortal N/PCs simply can't handle such power and responsibility. Also, I personally recommend that PCs, at least, almost never have access to the Shift X, Y, and Z ranks, as they have a tendency to disrupt play balance in general – in a standard hero campaign, at least.

Rank Conditionals

In addition to the twenty standard ranks, there's three rank conditionals. The availability of each to players is in the exclusive control of game judges, as they can be all kinds of devastating in the wrong hands, especially in the untrained player.

the Hyperexhaustive Rank: this is a special rank conditional that is applied to powers only (never to primary or secondary ability ranks). A power that is hyperexhaustive will physically drain the person that uses it, being incredibly hard to operate or control. When the hyperexhaustive rank first shows up in the character generation process, the player that rolled it must then roll up a functional rank for the hyperexhaustive power; this rank determines factors like range, damage, etc...

The result is the hyperexhaustive rank. This will read as Hypex-(power rank). For example, a player eventually rolls a hyperexhaustive rank for one of his powers. He immediately rolls again on the applicable chart; the result being Excellent (20). As such, his power is of Hypex-Ex (20) rank. The tricky part is actually using a hyperexhaustive power in combat.

When a character wishes to use the hyperexhaustive power, the necessary power FEAT roll is made on the Shift 0 column. As stated, this is physically tiring, and the power shouldn't be used for twenty four hours. However, if the power is used again within this period of time, the next power FEAT roll must be made on the Shift C column, and the power must then be rested for a week before it should be used again.

Of course, circumstances aren't always nice to us, and a character may have to use the exhausted ability yet again. If he does so within a week's time, the FEAT roll must be made on the Shift B column, and the power requires a month of rest before it can be used again. If this necessary period of rest is not observed, the character must make this next FEAT roll on the Shift A column, though this action isn't without dire consequences.

To start with, the power will be taxed beyond repair, and will be lost to the character forever. The power is now gone, and cannot be recovered without the use of extreme measures. Also, the poor character must pass a Red End. FEAT roll, or lose on End. rank permanently. This lost rank is only recoverable through later experience.

the Hyperkinetic Rank: this is a special rank conditional that is a favorite of all those power greedy PCs. If rolled, the lucky character needs to determine a functional rank, just like he would with a hyperexhaustive power rank. The ability or power will normally operate at the functional rank listed, it can be subordinated by the hyperkinetic effect when activated by any one stimulus determined by the player during the character's generation.

This stimulus cannot be something that is always present in the environment, such as water, but need not be a rare thing, either. When the hyperkinetic effect is activated, the power will begin to function at Unearthly rank. In each round afterward, the power will boost itself by +1 CS, until it hits an upper limit of Shift Z rank. This enhancement will last until the stimulus is all gone, at which point the power rank will revert to it's normal, functional state.

It is important to note, that, while an ability score can be bolstered by the hyperkinetic effect, a character's Health and Karma isn't. The hyperkinetic rank just doesn't work that way.

The Beyond Rank: though it actually has a column on the Universal Table, the Beyond rank isn't actually a rank, per se. Instead, it is a conditional that marks infinite power, gained only in the rarest of situations, or when two Class 5k powers are used in conjunction. The Beyond rank is highly dangerous, and should be dealt with in a very, very objective manner by the game Judge if such a situation even comes up during the course of 'normal' game play.

The reason for this is all to simple: the Beyond rank transcends mere game mechanics, for it is all powerful. No player will ever hit this mark, nor should he, for to attain this much power is to evolve a character out of the game's boundaries. As such, the character can no longer be used in normal game sessions, as there's really no point. An NPC may have this level of power in some form or another, but only in the case of vastly powerful cosmic beings, beings who use the power wisely.

Or so we hope...