Each Ability governs a wide range of Force Powers, some being so easy as to be nearly mundane and others building off of each other and utilizing multiple Abilities to create more powerful effects. If a power requires other powers to be known before it can be learned, this is listed in its description.

Many powers require multiple Abilities. When these powers are used, it counts as only one action even though there may be two or three Ability checks associated with it. For example, lightsaber combat requires both Control and Sense, but raising it only counts as one action.

Some powers are useful round after round and instead of rolling a check each round. These powers can be kept "up," operating constantly. While they will count as an action and the character will suffer a -1D penalty for each power kept up in future rounds, only the first round needs to be rolled for instead of each round. If a power is to be kept up, then it must be declared before the first roll is made, otherwise the power will be dropped at the end of the round. A power may be shut off, or "dropped," as a free action at any point after it has been raised.