An Approach to Character Ability
The "roll 3d6 down the line" method of character creation, and its many variations, have been around for decades. Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Constitution, Dexterity, and Charisma. These Attributes, or Abilities or however they're referred in game, quantify a character's physical and mental skills. Game mechanics usually tell you which skill applies to which action.
- Punch somebody? Roll Strength... But what if I'm really quick with my fists?
- Climb a rock wall? Roll Dexterity... Or, maybe Strength since I'm, y'know, climbing?
- Determine whether the baddie is lying or not? Roll Wisdom... Or, maybe Intelligence because I can recognize body cues?
I've always felt constrained by Attributes for the above reasons - the way they're prescribed to be used or interpreted doesn't always fit the narrative.
So, let's take a descriptive approach to attributes rather than a prescriptive one. Describe what and how your character is performing the action, and if a roll is needed you choose how your character approaches scene.
We can likely distill the 6 attributes into 3 or 4 approaches while we're at it. Maybe Force (Strength and Constitution), Flow (Dexterity), Focus (Wisdom, Intelligence, Charisma).
Moving through an angry mob, a large linebacker-like character may take a Forceful approach while the nimble parkour-leaping character approach the scene with Flow.
I like the idea of exploring how a character prefers to engage with the world, their Approach, as opposed to measuring their physical and mental traits.