This section describes the most common types of bonuses, penalties, and other roll modifiers used in the game. Where applicable, the standard notation for the modifier is provided in parenthesis after the modifier name.
Standard Bonus (+xd)
The most common type of bonus allow you to increase your dice pool by a number of d6s equal to x. Bonuses typically represent something that gives the character an advantage: high quality equipment, spell effects, advantageous positioning, etc.
Standard Penalty (+xCD)
This most common penalty requires you to roll an additional x Challenge Dice for the roll. Penalties are used when something--sucking chest wounds, inferior or inadequate equipment, bad weather--makes the task more difficult for the PC or when an NPC opponent has an advantage.
Trait Bonus (+xdTrait)
For a trait bonuses, the character adds x dice equal to the named trait die to their dice pool. For example, if the character has a Combat die of d8, +2dCOMBAT allows them to add 2 eight-sided dice to their pool. Trait bonuses are used when the character's abilities in the applicable trope or trademark are temporarily heightened or enhanced, usually by magic, technology, or some other x factor.
Trait Penalty (-xdTrait)
A trait penalty works a little differently than the other modifiers. Instead of adding dice, a trait penalty reduces the character's trope or trademark die by x steps. For example, if you've got a Heroics die of d10 and suffer a -2dHeroics penalty, you use a d6 for heroics rolls. A trait penalty of -1 reduces a d4 trait die to 0. If the character's trait is already 0, trait penalties have no effect. Trait penalties are used when there is something that specifically diminishes the character's abilities in a certain area. For example, a leg injury may give the character a Heroics penalty, while a concussion might reduce their Brains die.
Fleeting Bonus or Penalty (standard notation/f-interval)
A fleeting bonus or penalty is on that decreases by one die for each interval given. For example, +3d/f-round means that you add 3 d6s to your hero pool on the first round the modifier is in effect, 2, the second round, and 1 the third round. On the 4th round, the modifier goes away. An interval of "roll" means that the modifier decreases each time you make a roll where the modifier applies.
Other Modifiers
Most other modifiers are specific to a particular game or subsystem or apply to a mechanic other than a roll. For example, you might have a Damage Bonus (DB) based on one of your hooks or the weapon your character is using. Damage Bonus doesn't affect the roll itself, but increases the amount of damage that the character does if the roll is successful.
NPC Bonuses & Penalties (+xd or -xd)
Since NPCs typically don't make their own rolls (instead the PC rolls to react to the NPC), their bonuses and penalties nearly always increase or decrease the Challenge Pool that the player must roll against when interacting with the NPC by x 1d6s.
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