History Main / ThreeStatSystem

* The ''Franchise/{{Ultima}}'' series put an unusual spin on this trope from [[VideoGame/UltimaIV part four]] onwards: not only are the core character stats the classic Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, but their initial values and the [[PlayerCharacter Avatar]]'s class are tied to the biggest {{Virtue|ViceCodification}} they express. All Eight Virtues are [[http://ultima.wikia.com/wiki/The_Eight_Virtues based on combinations]] of the Three Principles (Courage, Love, and Truth)--itself a Three-Stat System--and each is mapped to a class that predominantly expresses it. The series also put an interesting spin on the formula by adding the eighth class archetype to the mix: the Shepherds have [[MasterOfNone low scores in all three stats]] because they represent the [[HumbleHero Virtue of Humility]].

* ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' is not the straightest example, since it uses the [[FighterMageThief Strength/Dexterity/Intelligence]] variation ''plus'' Vitality that governs max HitPoints and regeneration and is of equal importance to all. Still, Strength governs damage output for the [[BarbarianHero Barbarian]] and the [[ThePaladin Crusader]] and grants damage reduction; Dexterity governs the damage output of the [[TheHunter Demon Hunter]] and the [[BareFistedMonk Monk]] and gives a chance to dodge attacks; while Intelligence governs the damage output of the WitchDoctor and the [[TheArchmage Wizard]] and gives a bonus to elemental resistance.

** ''TabletopGame/NewWorldOfDarkness'': Physical stats include Strength, Dexterity, and Stamina. Mental Intelligence, Wits, and Resolve. Social Presence, Manipulation, and Composure.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' 4 has Offense, Defense, and Speed as its core stats. Stat-boosting equipment in comes in three flavors, buffing one stat nerfs the next in the cycle to ensure balance.

* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' has Offense, Defense, and Speed as its core stats. Stat-boosting equipment in comes in three flavors, buffing one stat nerfs the next in the cycle to ensure balance.

From the gameplay design standpoint, three core stats are a very efficient arrangement. On the one hand, it is a manageable number that is unlikely to overwhelm players new to the particular GameSystem and it is easy to find balance where no stat is [[OneStatToRuleThemAll particularly broken]] or [[DumpStat universally useless]]. On the other, it creates at least seven possible PlayerCharacter [[CharacterClassSystem archetypes]] (one specializing in each of three stats, three hybrids, and a JackOfAllStats) in a way that is easy to grasp. This usually takes the form of BalancePowerSkillGimmick. Lastly, it does not detract the player from SkillScoresAndPerks, which are the main means of in-depth character customization in most modern [=RPGs=].

Subtrope of GameSystem and RuleOfThree. See also TheSixStats.

From the gameplay design standpoint, three core stats are a very efficient arrangement. On the one hand, it is a manageable number that is unlikely to overwhelm players new to the particular GameSystem and it is easy to find balance where no stat is [[OneStatToRuleThemAll particularly broken]] or [[DumpStat universally useless]]. On the other, it creates at least seven possible PlayerCharacter [[CharacterClassSystem archetypes]] (one specializing in each of three stats, three hybrids, and a JackOfAllStats) in a way that is easy to grasp. Lastly, it does not detract the player from SkillScoresAndPerks, which are the main means of in-depth character customization in most modern [=RPGs=].

* ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'' is not the straightest example, since it uses the Strength/Dexterity/Intelligence variation, with each of the three underlying one of the FighterMageThief archetypes, ''plus'' Vitality that governs max HitPoints and regeneration and is of equal importance to all. Still, Strength governs damage output for the [[BarbarianHero Barbarian]] and the [[ThePaladin Crusader]] and grants damage reduction; Dexterity governs the damage output of the [[TheHunter Demon Hunter]] and the [[BareFistedMonk Monk]] and gives a chance to dodge attacks; while Intelligence governs the damage output of the WitchDoctor and the [[TheArchmage Wizard]] and gives a bonus to elemental resistance.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' has the Strength/Magic/Health variation, although its JobSystem is skewed towards needing high Magic: Ravager, Medic, Synergist, and Saboteur roles all profit from it, while only Commando and Sentinel need Strength.

* ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'' has Body, Spirit, and Mind, which respectively affect HP, Chi ({{Mana}}), and Focus (used for weapons and to activate BulletTime).

* Body/Physical, Mind/Intellectual, and Soul/Spiritual. This setup is based on the AnatomyOfTheSoul and is popular in {{Eastern RPG}}s and related genres.

* ''JadeEmpire'' has Body, Spirit, and Mind, which respectively affect HP, Chi ({{Mana}}), and Focus (used for weapons and to activate BulletTime).

* The original ''VideoGame/{{Mass Effect|1}}'' had something like this, although only symbolically: each class and companion had a Weapons, Tech, and [[PsychicPowers Biotics]] rating, although it wasn't so much a stat as a general indicator of their skills that appeared on the party selection screen. There were three "pure" classes and three hybrids: Soldier/Ashley (pure Weapons), Engineer/Tali (pure Tech), Adept/Liara (pure Biotics), Infiltrator/Garrus (Weapons+Tech), Vanguard/Wrex (Weapons+Biotics), and Sentinel/Kaidan (Tech+Biotics). This aspect was downplayed in the sequels, where each class was given a unique special power to distinguish it from the others, while the companions gradually became less defined by their classes and more by their unique skill sets.

* The original ''VideoGame/{{Mass Effect|1}}'' had something like this, although only symbolically: each class and companion had a Weapons, Tech, and [[PsychicPowers Biotics]] rating, although it wasn't so much a stat as a general indicator of their skills that appeared on the party selection screen. There were three "pure" classes and three hybrids: Soldier/Ashley (pure Weapons), Engineer/Tali (pure Tech), Adept/Liara (pure Biotics), Infiltrator/Garrus (Weapons+Tech), Vanguard/Wrex (Weapons+Biotics), and Sentinel/Kaidan (Tech+Biotics). This aspect was downplayed in the sequels, where each class was given a unique special move to distinguish it from the others, while the companions gradually became less defined by their classes and more by their unique sets of skills.

The stats are often ColorCodedForYourConvenience: Strength and Health are usually red (unless they're separate stats, then Health will be green), Intelligence and Mana are blue, and Dexterity and Stamina are green, producing a ChromaticArrangement of character archetypes.

As [[RolePlayingGame role-playing video games]] (and games with RPGElements) evolve further and further away from their TabletopRPG ancestors, their {{Game System}}s likewise move away from TheSixStats known from ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' and towards a more straightforward and manageable number of core {{stats}} -- usually [[RuleOfThree three]].

* Body/Physical, Mind/Intellectual, and Soul/Spiritual]]. This setup is based on the AnatomyOfTheSoul and is popular in {{Eastern RPG}}s and related genres.

* [[AnatomyOfTheSoul Body/Physical, Mind/Intellectual, and Soul/Spiritual]]. This setup is more popular in {{Eastern RPG}}s and related genres.

* Body/Physical, Mind/Intellectual, and Soul/Spiritual. This setup is more popular in {{Eastern RPG}}s and related genres.

* Body/Physical, Mind/Intellectual, and Soul/Spiritual.

* The {{Hero Unit}}s of ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' use either Strength, Agility, or Intellect as their core stats.