How are the characteristics scaled?

Does a 1 mean normal, and a 5 superhuman?

Or is 1 weak and 5 is above average?

If PC's are playing as themselves, mostly there will be no need for either weaklings or Arnold types.

Did I just answer my own question there?

What does everyone else think?

I like to think that 2 is normal/slightly below average and 3 is normal/slightly above average with 4 being very above average and 5 being extremely above average.

You have to take into account how the dice rolls function. If you have a 1 in a given stat, you will be much less likely to have any successes vs a 2 or a 3, let alone a 4 or 5. So before dice start getting cancelled out, a 1 represents a 1/6th chance at success. Of course you have other modifiers that increase those odds through adding extra dice, but if your stat doesnt increase then on each dice you still only have 1/6.

So I think:

1 is incompetence : your skills in this area are very much lacking. a 30 yr old computer wiz that lives in his mother's basement might have high logic but a 1 in charisma or empathy.

2 below average : you know a few things here, but not enough. I would think your average teenage gal who isnt physically active would have a vitality of 2.

3 average : not horrible, but not excellent either. Having any stat of 3 would be well rounded. Me, Ive been in the military before, but Im out of shape now. I'd say my dexterity is 3, if I started working out and such more often it could definately be a 4....

4 above average : you have a lot of ability in this area, but it could still be improved. maybe some guy that plays intensive sports like Football, or Real American Football (no insult to you rugby guys) would have a vitality or dexterity of 4

5 excellent : this isnt super human, but something that has been honed to near perfection. Like my computer wiz example for logic, or a navy seal/british royal marine/your choice of top dog military personel for dex or vit and a social worker/phychiatrist for your social stats...