From the introduction: Equipment comes in two categories: a) can’t do something without the equipment (like scuba diving) or b) the equipment makes life easier (like using rope to climb a tree). Items in the first category give a value indicating either the maximum bonus attainable using a character’s current attributes or a flat bonus when using the item (no additional attribute bonuses allowed). Items in the second category provide a bonus to a character’s Success Role and so are identified by the value of the bonus they give and the attribute it influences.