Attainments are magical effects, similar to spells but not subject to the same rules. They allow a mage to employ meta-magical effects in order to improve the efficacy of her Arcana and change the world around her in lasting ways. Attainments are available to all mages as their understanding of magic (as measured by the Arcana) increases.
As a mage’s rating in an Arcanum increases, she gains access to new Attainments. The Orders instruct their members on how to use these abilities, but the instruction bears more resemblance to conditioning in athletics or fundamental principles in mathematics.
In game terms, Attainments use a variety of mechanics. Some are instant actions, some extended, and some don’t require dice at all. Many of them require the expenditure of Mana, or allow the mage to u se Mana to boost their power and effectiveness. Attainments do not require Imagos and as such cannot be countered by Counterspell, Universal Counterspell, or any other Attainments that affect spells. Adding an Attainment to a spell, however, does not prevent it from being Countered.