[Concept Art] Scarlett busts through into Kakashi + Attributes!

Introducing Scarlett!

Hey Everyone!

Above is a mock-up I've put together which Yuka will take and convert into a beautiful piece of high resolution artwork for you (probably tomorrow or the day after).

In it I use Conquest's patented 6 x 6 scaling system. A simple system devised early on while working on Xenotype: Dreamcatcher.

WHAT IS THE CONQUEST 6 x 6 POWER SCALE?

The 6x6 Scale rates the skills and abilities of individuals within six categories (called Ranks). With S rank being the highest and E rank being the lowest. The degree of power or mastery in a skill or attribute (called Grades) also scales from one to six.

Example: S-Rank strength with a grade of three 3 is three degrees stronger than someone with an A-Rank strength of 6.

For those interested in comparing the statistics of Conquest Heroes and Villains side by side, the rank listing are as follows:

THE RANKS

S-Class (Divine Level). Attribute, skills and abilities at this level rival (or perhaps surpass) those of deities and demi-powers. Skills, ranks and abilities at this rank supersede those of conventional science, common sense, and the natural laws of the universe. Individuals with S-Rank attributes, abilities or skills can, for better or worse, perform mind-bending feats of the impossible, surpassing those of even the most powerful cosmic-level entities.
 A-Class (Cosmic Level). Characters with A-Class abilities can perform superhuman feats of unimaginable scope, such as towing planets through space, moving at faster than light speed, surviving exposure to the heart of a star, or escaping the crushing gravity of a blackhole. While they cannot break the fundamental laws of the universe, they can often bend them, allowing them to perform feats or at such excellent levels of mastery that most mortals will believe they're magic.
 B-Class (Super Level, World-Class). This category is typically reserved for superhumans that have mastered their abilities and would be considered some of the most powerful or skilled creatures on their planet.  However, it is sometimes inclusive of those with incredible untapped potential. Abilities, attributes and skills at this level can be used to solve Global issues with a fair degree of confidence.
 C-Class (Super Level). While the superhuman scale is reserved for those who have surpassed the maximum possible potential inherent in the mortal condition many animals and monsters possess physical attributes within this range. However, this is typically the realm of mutants, bio-augmentation, cybernetic conversion, magic or superhuman transformation. Those with C-Class abilities, attributes, or skills can accomplish things that mortals cannot hope to achieve on their own. Including the manifestation of uncanny powers, strange otherworldly insights, and super science.
 D-Class (Mortal Level). This is the standard scale by which most individuals act and are scaled. While called the Mortal Level, it is not at all uncommon for the skills and attributes of deities, cosmic entities, and superhumans to rank in this scale, as base levels of human intelligence (Cunning: 3D) is exceedingly common.  Characters with 6D strength have achieved Peak Human are of skill, performing on par with the likes of Batman or Captain America.
 E-Class. (Beast Level). This is the subhuman scale, typically reserved for small animals, primitive alien races or humans with atrophied skills, mental or physical disability, or the victims of curses. Individuals operating with attributes or skills on this level tend to be weak (strength), clumsy (agility), puny or sickly (stamina), slow (speed), quiet or obnoxious (charisma),  slow-witted (cunning), anxious or cowardly (courage), or easily distracted, unmotivated, or uninspired (spirit).

THE GRADES

6.  Peak/Master. The highest achievement/rank possible. Individuals that operate on this level have achieved the highest rank possible, maximizing their potential and performance. They are the strongest, the smartest, or the most skilled, matched only by other masters or those who surpass them in a higher grade.
 5.  Expert/Adept. Those with talent who hone and practice their skills become adepts and masters, savants of skill and ability that allow them to perform at an exceptional or professional level.
 4.  High Average/Amateur. Individuals at this grade have some measure of competence, practice/study frequently, or inborn advantage. They are usually an amateur, a dabbler, currently in-training, or incredibly gifted.
 3. Average/Novice. This grade represents the common man or an attribute/area of expertise that an individual has little practical knowledge, skill or training in. While not underperforming, they show no exceptional promise, talent or aptitude. Just enough to get by, most of the time.
 2. Poor/Dabbler. This level of expertise or attribute represents a less than average performance. This could be because of inexperience, physical or mental limitations. It represents a dabbler just beginning their journey or someone unable to achieve their full potential.     
 1. Raw/Inexperienced. This is the first and lowest grade achievable. While easily able to outperform competitors in lower Ranks (should they exist), the individual has only just begun their journey into this tier of mastery. They may show incredible enthusiasm and drive, but compared to their rivals/contemporaries, they have a long way to go.

THE ATTRIBUTES

Vitality (VIT) is the attribute used to represent the amount of damage an individual can take before being killed, disabled or destroyed. It differs from Stamina in that it does not reflect physical endurance or the ability to resist or withstand damage, but rather how much punishment an individual can endure before meeting their end.

Aether Energy (PWR) is unique to Scarecrows, representing the Promethean Flame that burns within their right eye and serves as the source of their death-defying immortality. Little is known of Aether Energy and the origins of the Scarecrow Surgery are a closely guarded secret, so I won't reveal more at this time.  PWR is an interchangeable power pool stat that varies from individual to individual and setting to setting. Essentially representative of a power source used to fuel special abilities or superhuman powers (such as spells, magic or psionics). While these power sources all differ wildly in function, philosophy and manifestation, mechanically, they are essentially the same. For those who do not possess any superhuman gifts, it represents the sheer power and quantity of their Life Force.  MANA (PWR) is the magical energy that flows through all things. Magic breaks the laws of the possible and makes the impossible real, and mana is its lifeblood It is the fuel that flows through the blueprint of life. It can be harnessed by spellcasters to cast spells, create dweomers, place enchantments or conjure miracles. Mana is predominantly used by spellcasters in the Wonder Island franchise. PSI-POWER (PWR) is the power of the mind and the will to survive that burns deep in the core of all living things. Psi power is a limited wellspring of power, drawn from the infinite well of life, through the self to fuel the phenomenal powers of Psychics. These powers are more limited than magic, working within the real of possible but bending them in unnatural ways. Psi-Power is predominantly used by Psychics and the monstrous Aulnaga in the Xenotype franchise.

Strength (STR) is representative of an individual's strike force and lifting capacities. Strong characters tend to possess greater muscle mass. While individuals with low strength often appear scrawny, skinny, or puny.

Agility (AGI) represents an individual's accuracy, flexibility, evasion, and overall dexterity. However, while AGI represents a character's skill and precision in their reactions, it is their SPD that determines how quickly they can react. Individuals with a high AGI attribute tend to be small or lean with slender or ropy physiques. While individuals with low AGI are clumsy, graceless, and tend to fumble their way through life.

Stamina (STA) embodies an individual's physical endurance and durability. Individuals with high STA are able to run longer, resist fatigue and physical injury longer, and recover from damage, disease, or poison more quickly. Individuals with a high STA attribute tend to have sturdy frames and hardy constitutions. They are tough and can shrug off blows that might floor a normal person. Those with low STA are sickly, fragile, and often look malnourished or otherwise unhealthy.

Speed (SPD) determines how quickly someone can walk, one and react to any given situation. Individuals with high SPD attributes are quick thinkers and initiative-takers with explosive reaction times. Those with a high SPD attribute typically have long legs and slender but strong physiques, like gazelles. While those with a low SPD attribute are likely lethargic, overweight, or disabled.

Charisma (CHA) is the measure of charm, personality and leadership. While not always a measure of physical beauty, it often is. Charismatic individuals have a talent for manipulating the hearts and minds of others, excelling in the fields of entertainment and sales. Individuals with high CHA attributes are often attractive, well-kempt and personable. Those with low CHA are usually loud, obnoxious, aggressive, and have poor hygiene.

Cunning (CUN) represents an individual's raw intelligence and memory. It does not represent their knowledge or training, but rather their problem solving power, their ability to recall, and see patterns. Individuals with a high cunning are skilled at developing tricks and traps (intellectual and otherwise). They learn quickly, and easily adapt to new situations. When this is coupled with the proper education or training, it becomes academic intelligence. If uneducated, it represents street smarts.

Courage (CGE) is representative of an individual's sheer willpower and conviction. Individuals with high courage are not only brave, they are highly resistant to manipulation, coercion, and mind control or other emotion influencing powers. They are stoic, stalwart or otherwise unflappable. Those possessing high CGE are often confident in their manner. While those with low CGE are typically craven, cowardly, or sycophants.

Spirit (SPT) is the attribute that represents an individual's muse, their passion, inspiration, and the burning power of their soul. While CGE is defensive, representing someone's capacity to go on in the face of adversity, and CHA represents your ability to influence others, SPT is active. Representing one's creative vision, the power of their dreams (and dreaming), and the raw potential as an artist, psychic, or magic user.

THE ORIGINS OF SIX BY SIX:

It has been my personal belief (for many years) that franchises ultimately die because of power-scaling and the ever escalating scale of catastrophe that eventually bloats into ridiculousness and countless continuity errors. I feel these errors draw the readers out of the story and are a disastrous disservice that begins the slow decline towards brand death.

Likewise, the rabid power-scaling in stories often leads to continuity problems. So, before I published anything, I constructed a simple but effective universal means of calculating and comparing powers.

In the beginning I simply placed everything on a scale between 1 and 36, with 1 being absolutely dismal and 36 being the uppermost zenith. However, by the time I was going to print with Xenotype I was unhappy in how this looked as the huge gulf in numbers made it difficult to represent on graphs or charts in a satisfying way.

For example: If an individual with superhuman agility (agility 30) happened to have an average level intelligence (cunning 9), the visual range of the bar between those two numbers would be so high that they'd come off looking like a simpleton.

Since the purpose of the graphs is to make data easier to comprehend at a glance, not more complicated, I was dissatisfied, and went back to the drawing board. Instead, I created the system we have now.

Inspiration for naming the Ranks after Letters came from the Megaman Zero series, a line of games from Capcom that filled countless hours of my life while on the road during my time as a roadie in the punk scene.