The best replacement for abilities is skills.

The best alternatives to abilities are rated as following:
★★★★★  skills
★★★★★  capabilities
★★  ability
★★  attributes nba 2k12
★★  momentum
★  talents
★  powers
★  their ability
★  spiritual gifts
★  abilities
  instants
  hexproof
  strengths
  triggered abilities
  crystallized abilities
  competencies
  attributes
  qualities

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Speaking about abilities, one probably shouldn't forget about pokemon.

Other search terms related to abilities and their ratings are:
★★★★★ pokemon
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abilities
skills
capabilities