Stats in a Mind's Eye Theatre game are adjectives that describe a character and are referred to as traits. There are three different kinds of traits: physical, mental, and social.
Physical traits are used for things like jumping, running, or fighting.
Mental traits are used for things like thinking, reacting quickly, or outwitting a character.
Social traits are used for things like lying, seduction, and giving a good impression.
When a character engages in conflict with another, both players bid a trait against one another.
Example:
Jane: (in character) Don't push your luck, buddy, or you'll walk away with a black eye.
John: (in character) As if a woman could hit that hard!
Jane: (out of character) Okay, my character is, um, “brutal” enough to shove you against the wall.
John: (out of character) My character is “stalwart” enough to resist.
Once these traits are bid, the players play “rock, paper, scissors” (aka Jan-Ken-Pon, or “janken") to determine the outcome. Whichever character wins gains the favorable outcome: the attacking character lands a blow, the defending character steps aside, etc.
The losing character then loses whatever trait he bid, reducing his total number of that kind of trait.
Example:
(the two characters play rock-paper-scissors. Jane throws scissors, John throws paper)
Jane: I win.
John: Okay. I lose my “stalwart” trait. (marks this on his sheet, then goes in character and mimes being shoved against the wall) Oof!
Jane: (puts her hand out, pretending to hold John against the wall) Do you want to repeat that?
If the characters tie in the game of janken, they compare how many traits they have of that category (Physical, Mental or Social). If one character's traits are higher, he effectively wins the bid. If both players have the same number of traits, the bid is considered a tie and both players lose the traits they bid.
Example:
John: (OOC) my character is “Wiry” enough to struggle free of your hand.
Jane: (OOC) I am still “brutal” enough to hold you there.
(they throw and both choose rock.)
John: I've got 6 physical traits.
Jane: Well I have 7! Too bad you lost a trait last challenge, or we would have tied.
John: Damn. Okay, I guess I struggle futilely.
Even if you lose a bid, however, the jig is not necessarily up. You may, once per bid, retest a challenge that you have lost if you do one of the following:
Spending an Ability
This is what those abilities on your character sheet are for-- they're a simple retest. They allow you to try a challenge again without having to bid another trait. Whether you win or lose, though, that ability is gone for the session: you've spent it.
Beware, though: another character with a relevant Ability can cancel your retest by spending one of theirs. Theirs is gone too, but you lose the retest.
Example:
John: I am “brawny” enough to hit you, Jane.
Jane: Well I'm “quick” enough to move aside before your punch connects.
(they test. Jane wins the throw.)
John: Dang. Retest on “Brawl.” (he marks off 'brawl' from his character sheet) Let's test again.
Jane: Actually, let's not. Cancel on “dodge". (she marks 'dodge' off of her sheet) You miss.
John: Shoot!
Spending a Willpower
Willpower is a very important stat, which is why most characters have precious little of it. Spending a willpower can be used to refresh your physical, mental or social traits. If you spend it Before a challenge you can win it automatically (unless your opponent spends it himself). It can also be used to retest a challenge just like an ability. The difference is that it cannot be cancelled as an Ability can.
Demanding an overbid
This risky but powerful move is an instant and easy retest that you may make if you believe you have at least twice the traits that your opponent has. If you are correct, though you lose the trait you bid, but you may retest the bid without spending anything else!
Be careful, though: if you demand an overbid and don't have at least twice the traits your opponent does, you lose an extra trait for your hubris! Ouch.
Example:
Bob: Hey! You leave my friend alone! (OOC) I am “ferocious” enough to pull you off of John's character.
Jane: (OOC) Whatever, I'm “tenacious” enough to keep my hold.
(they play janken. Bob throws paper, Jane throws rock.)
Bob: I win!
Jane: Not so fast, runt, I want an overbid. I have 6 traits now.
Bob: Um, I have 3, so I guess you win. I'm still “ferocious enough"
Jane: I'm “enduring” enough to keep my hold. Let's go.
(they play janken. Bob throws scissors, Jane throws paper.)
Jane: Aw man!
Bob: I win! I pull your arm off of John's character.
Jane: Yeah, but now you're down to a trait, and in trouble next round.
John: We'll see about that!
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