FIRST QUESTION:

What bonus apply to a character's ability when determining if that character has Mastery in the field?

Example: Block

Do I count Dexterity/Class bonus to the Block rating to determine if my character has achieved Mastery? If my character blocks with a Shield, do I count the Shield bonus to determine if my character has achieved Mastery? If the Shield is +5, does the +5Block bonus count?

SECOND QUESTION:

This question is about DP allocation limits in fighting abilities. Lets say a character has 55 points in Attack and Block. Is the character also obliged to allocate 5 points to Dodge, or since the character already has Attack and Defense it's ok? What I mean is: in order to rise Attack, is the rising of a single defensive ability (either Block or Dodge) mandatory OR is the rising of both defensive abilities (Block and Dodge) mandatory?

Thanks in advance for any answer!

Here's my answer's as I understand them;

Regarding your second question, It seems as if you pick one. Dodge or Block to be your defensive ability. Typically the choice is whichever one you would be better at regarding your Agi or Dex (kinda munchkin, but oh well). the Rules say you can't be more than 50 apart I think? so as long as your attack and say...block are within 50 base points you can increase either just the same.

For the first question, I believe mastery is when the base of an ability reaches 200.

Thanks midnightprince, I also intended Mastery that way and not having to raise both Block and Dodge is of great relief to me (as will be for my players, I guess).

Just to make sure, is there anyone else willing to give some answer?

It is also my understanding that only one defense needs to be within 50 points base of attack though you could raise both there is not much need.

He's right. Your attack and you best defense have to be within 50 of each other. Your Defense can block or dodge, you can completely ignore the other one if you want.

As for master. An ability or skill has to 200, that includes all class and level bonuses, pretty much all the bonuses you get for being who you are. It does not include situational or equipment bonuses.

Thanks guys, you helped me a lot!

To clarify one thing, you CAN get away with neglecting your Attack in favor of your Defence (and vice-versa), and go beyond the 50 point difference-limit, but that involves: a) putting nothing into the stat you want to neglect and b) You can only put up to 1/4 of your total DP in the stat you want to keep. (in other words, you can only put half of the amount alotted to Attack and Defense for a ''normal'' character into that one stat).

Can u reference the page with that info for me? I'm not questioning your observations, but I'd like to share that with my players. Good tip!

It's on page 13, under Limits on Offensive and Defensive Abilities, same as the normal rule. It's the 3rd paragraph in that section, so 2nd after the example.