SAB (Global: OTHER) - PCGen Documentation

# SAB (Global: OTHER)

## Status

Updated 5.13.6

## Syntax

`SAB:x`

## Parameters

- x: Text (Special Ability Name)
- x: .CLEAR
- x: .CLEAR.Text (Special Ability Name)

### SAB - ‘special ability’

Displays a text string in the ‘special abilities’ section of the character sheet.

#### What it does

- This grants the character a Special Ability that will get listed together with all other special abilities the character has.
- The `%` tag will fill in a number from a variable listed after a pipe `|` .
- This can be done numerous times, with each successive percent sign `%` relating to the next variable listed after another pipe `|` .
- This can be specified via number of `%#` , with each successive numbered `%` relating to the next variable listed after another pipe `|` . The count starts at zero and counts up.
- Each variable needs to be defined (via the global `DEFINE` tag.)
- The Special Ability will not be displayed if the last variable or formula equals zero.
- `SAB:.CLEAR` can be used in conjunction with the `.MOD` but does not support cross-level interactions.
- `SAB:.CLEAR` will only clear a previous `SAB` in the same object (class, template, etc.). It will not clear them across objects.
- `SAB:.CLEAR.Text` must include the exact text of the Special Ability to be removed but only the exact text up to the first open-parentheses. The `CLEAR` and Replace tags should be at the end of the line, so the new and old tags are not.
- SAB tags can be qualified with `[PRExxx](globalfilesprexxx.html)` tags.
- SAB tags can be used with `%CHOICE` tags to display the result of a `CHOOSE` result.

#### Examples

1. `SAB:Fire in the Hole`

   Grants the special ability “Fire in the Hole”.

2. `SAB:Sneak Attack +%d%|Sneak Attack|Sneak Attack Die`

   If the PC’s `Sneak Attack` variable had value `2` , and the PC’s `Sneak Attack Die` variable had value `6` , this would grant the special ability `Sneak Attack +2d6` .

3. `SAB:.CLEAR.+1d6 to natural weapons → SAB:+1d8 to natural weapons`

   Clears the “Natural Weapons” value and makes it +1d8 instead.

4. `SAB:Banana toss|PRERACE:monkey`

   Grants the special ability “Banana toss” if the character’s race is “monkey”.

5. `SAB:Banana toss via elemental power of (%CHOICE) → STACK:NO → MULT:YES → CHOOSE:Air|Earth|Fire|Water`

   Offers a Choice between the elemental powers of `Air` , `Earth` , `Fire` and `Water` for banana tossing. The same ability may be taken multiple times, but a different element must be chosen each time.

6. `SAB:.CLEAR.Poison`

   Clears the `Poison` value and replaces it with nothing.

7. Within a class definition in a Class file :

       CLASS:Basketweaver
        1  →  SAB:Basket Toss
        5  →  SAB:.CLEAR.Basket Toss  →  SAB:Greater Basket Toss

   Replaces the `Basket Toss` ability with the `Greater Basket Toss` ability at `Basketweaver` class level 5.

8. Within a class definition in a Class file :

       CLASS:Basketweaver
       1  →  SAB:Basket Toss|PREVARLT:CL,5
       5  →  SAB:Greater Basket Toss

   Another way of replacing the `Basket Toss` ability with the `Greater Basket Toss` ability at `Basketweaver` class level 5.

#### Remarks

The `SAB` tag has no effect on calculations. Its sole purpose is to display a short ability description under the Special Abilities section of the character sheet. An example for `SAB:Plays nice with others.` is shown below.

The `ASPECT` tag can be used to display similar pieces of text in the other boxes, Conditional Save Modifiers , Conditional Combat Modifiers , and Conditional Skill Modifiers .

- Conditional combat bonus: `ASPECT:CombatBonus|+2 to attack and damage vs. elves.`
- Conditional saving throw bonus: `ASPECT:SaveBonus|-2 penalty on saving throws vs. fear effects.`
- Conditional skill bonus: `ASPECT:SkillBonus|+2 Competence bonus on Climb checks when climbing trees.`

Example code for an Ability list file:

    My Ability Name
      →  CATEGORY:Special Ability
      →  ASPECT:CombatBonus|+2 to attack and damage vs. elves.
      →  ASPECT:SaveBonus|-2 penalty on saving throws vs. fear effects.
      →  ASPECT:SkillBonus|+2 Competence bonus on Climb checks when climbing trees.

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