Yoriko Obato, a Fast hero, can quietly slip past a security guard and disappear into the shadows. If Russell Whitfield, a Strong hero. tries to do the same thing, he probably makes just enough noise to alert the guard to his presence. He could, however, climb over the tall fence to avoid the guard, or perhaps even jump across the rooftops of nearby buildings to get into the compound unseen. These actions and many more are determined by the skills that characters have (in this case, Move Silently, Hide, Climb, and Jump).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your character’s skills represent a variety of abilities, and you get better at them as you advance in level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At each level, you get skill points that you use to buy skills. Your class and Intelligence modifier determine the number of points you receive.
If you buy a class skill, you get 1 rank in the skill for each skill point you spend. If you buy a cross-class skill, you get \u00bd rank per skill point. Your maximum rank in a class skill is your character level + 3. Your maximum
rank in a cross-class skill is one-half of this number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make a skill check, roll:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The higher the roll, the better. You’re either trying to get a result that equals or exceeds a certain Difficulty Class (DC), or you’re trying to beat another character’s check result. For instance, to climb a fence, Russell might have to make a Climb check against DC 15, representing the difficulty of the obstacle the fence presents. To sneak quietly past a guard, Yoriko needs to beat the guard’s Listen check with her Move Silently check. Ranks indicate how much training or experience your character has with a given skill. Each of your skills has a number of ranks. from 0 (for a skill in which your character has no training at all) to 23 (for a 20th-level character who has increased a class skill to its maximum rank). When making a skill check, you add your skill ranks to the roll as part of the skill modifier, so the more ranks you have, the higher your skill check result will be. Use the following steps when picking skills for your 1st-level character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you create your character, you will probably only be able to purchase ranks in a handful of skills. It may not seem like you have as many skills as real-life people do – but the skills on your character sheet don’t actually define everything your character can do. When you attain a new experience level, follow these steps to gain new skills and improve those you already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you use a skill, you make a skill check to see how well you do. The higher the result, the better you do. Based on the circumstances, your result must equal or exceed a certain number (a DC or the result of an opposed skill check) for you to use the skill successfully. The harder the task, the A skill check takes into account your training (skill ranks), natural talent (ability modifier), and luck (the die roll), among other things. To make a skill check, roll ld20 and add your skill modifier for that skill. The skill modifier incorporates the ranks you purchased in that skill, your ability modifier for that skill’s key ability, and any other miscellaneous modifiers you have. The higher the result, the better. Some checks are made against a Difficulty Class (DC). The DC is a number set by the GM (using the skill rules as a guideline) that you must attain to succeed. For example, climbing the side of an old warehouse may have a DC of 15. To climb the wall, you must get a result of 15 or better on a Climb check. A Climb check is 1d20 + Climb ranks (if any) + Strength modifier + any other modifiers. The table below shows example DCs for skill checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some skill checks are opposed checks. They are made against a randomized number, usually another character’s skill check result. For example, to sneak up on a guard, you need to beat the guard’s Listen check result with your Move Silently check result. You make a Move Silently check, and If you fall on a skill check, you can sometimes try again. Check the skill description to find out if, and under what circumstances, you can try again. Many skills, however, have natural consequences for failing that must be accounted for. Some skills can’t be tried again once a check has failed for a particular task. Generally, if you attempt to use a skill you don’t have any ranks in, you make a skill check as described. Your skill modifier doesn’t include skill ranks because you don’t have any. You do get other modifiers, though, such as the ability modifier for the skill’s key ability. Some situations may make a skill easier or harder to use, resulting in a bonus or penalty to the skill modifier or a change to the skill check’s DC. It’s one thing for Yoriko, a Fast hero with the Balance skill, to cross from one rooftop to another by striding confidently on a 1-foot-wide plank. Making the same crossing in high winds on a 2-inch-wide beam is an entirely different matter. Conditions that affect your ability to perform the skill change your skill modifier. Conditions that modify how well you must perform the skill to succeed change the DC. A bonus on your skill modifier or a reduction in the DC of the check have the same result-they create a better chance for success. But they represent different circumstances, and sometimes that difference is important. Using a skill might take a round, several rounds, or even longer. It might take no time at all. Types of actions define how long activities take to perform within the framework of a combat round (6 seconds) and how movement is treated with respect to the activity (see Action Types). The Action Type column on the table below indicates whether the use of a skill is a move action, an attack action, a full-round action, or a reaction. In some cases (for skills marked with **), the skill description specifies how long a Some skill applications require the use of tools. You need a medical kit for some uses of the Treat Injury skill, for example, and you need a tool kit to use Repair. A skill check represents an attempt to accomplish some goal, usually in the face of time pressure or distraction. Sometimes, though, you can use a skill under more favorable conditions and eliminate the luck factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you’re not being threatened or distracted, you may choose to take 10. Instead of rolling 1d20 for the skill check, calculate your result as if you had rolled a 10 (an average roll on a d20). For many relatively routine tasks, taking 10 results in a success. When you have plenty of time, you are faced with no threats or distractions, and the skill being attempted carries no penalty for failure, you can take 20. Instead of rolling 1d20 for the skill check, calculate the result as if you had In some situations, characters can cooperate to accomplish a given task. One character is designated as the leader in the effort, while the others try to aid him in his efforts. You aid another by making a skill check (DC 10). This is an attack action (see Action Types), and you can’t take 10 on this check. If your check succeeds, your ally gains a +2 circumstance bonus to apply to his skill check to complete the task. Sometimes, the GM may decide that having one skill provides a bonus when a character uses another skill in certain situations. The character must have at least 5 ranks in the related skill to gain this synergy bonus, and the GM must agree that the two skills can complement each other in the given situation. In such cases, the character receives a +2 synergy bonus on the skill check. Sometimes you try to do something to which no specific skill applies. In these cases, you make an ability check: Roll ld20 and apply the appropriate ability modifier. The GM assigns a DC, or sets up an opposed check when two characters are engaged in a contest using one ability against another. The initiative check in combat, for example, is essentially a Dexterity check. The character who rolls highest acts first. A modifier provides a bonus (a positive modifier) or a penalty (a negative modifier) to a die roll. The remainder of this chapter describes each skill, including common uses and typical modifiers. Characters can sometimes use skills for other purposes than those discussed here. For example, when infiltrating a biker gang, you might be able to impress them with a showy stunt – using the Drive skill – instead of attempting a Diplomacy check. Trained Only; Armor Penalty<\/em> Yoriko Obato, a Fast hero, can quietly slip past a security guard and disappear into the shadows. If Russell Whitfield, a Strong hero. tries to do the same thing, he probably makes just enough noise to alert the guard to his presence. He could, however, climb over the tall fence…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":329,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-full.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-45","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45"}],"version-history":[{"count":86,"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":913,"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/45\/revisions\/913"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/d20modern.gpconsult.dk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Skill Ranks:<\/strong> A character’s ranks in a skill is based on the number of skill points the character has invested in the skill. Some skills can be used even if the character has no ranks in the skill; doing this is known as making an untrained skill check.
Ability Modifier:<\/strong> The ability modifier used in the skill check is the modifier for the skill’s key ability (the ability associated with the skill’s use). The key ability of a skill is noted in its description and on the Skills table below.
Miscellaneous Modifiers:<\/strong> Miscellaneous modifiers include bonuses provided by feats and class features, and penalties such as the ones associated with the non-proficient use of armor, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAcquiring Skill Ranks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ranks tell you how proficient you are and reflect your training in a given skill. In general, while anyone can get a lucky roll, the character with, say, 10 ranks in a given skill has a higher degree of training and expertise in that skill than a character with 9 ranks or less.
The rules assume that a character can always find a way to learn any skill. However, the GM can impose limits depending on circumstances and a given situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAcquiring Skills at 1st Level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Each skill point you spend on a cross-class skill gets your character \u00bd rank in that skill. Cross-class skills are skills not found on your character’s class skill list. (A single \u00bd rank does not improve your skill modifier, but two \u00bd ranks make 1 rank, so it’s important to keep track of 1\/2 ranks.)
Your maximum number of ranks in a class skill at 1st level is 4. In a cross-class skill, it’s 2.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nClass<\/th> 1st-Level Skill Points<\/th> Higher-Level Skill Points<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Strong<\/td> (3 + Int modifier) X 4<\/td> 3 \u2022 Int modifier<\/td><\/tr> Fast<\/td> (5 + Int modifier) x 4<\/td> 5 + Int modifier<\/td><\/tr> Tough<\/td> (3 + Int modifier) x 4<\/td> 3 + Int modifier<\/td><\/tr> Smart<\/td> (9 + Int modifier] x 4<\/td> 9 \u00b7\u2022 Int modifier<\/td><\/tr> Dedicated<\/td> (5 + Int modifier) x 4<\/td> 5 + Int modifier<\/td><\/tr> Charismatic<\/td> (7 + Int modifier) x 4<\/td> 7 + Int modifier<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Character Shills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Your character may have solid familiarity with many skills, without having the actual training that grants skill ranks. Knowing how to drive a car or look up something on the Internet doesn’t really mean you have ranks in Drive or Research. Ranks in those skills represent training beyond everyday use – the ability to bring a car under control during a spin-out, or to discover hidden facts in archives most people don’t even realize exist.
So how do normal people get through life without ranks in a lot of skills? For starters, remember that not every use of a skill requires a skill check. Performing routine tasks in normal situations is generally so easy that no check is required. And when a check might be called for, the DC of most mundane tasks rarely exceeds 10, let alone 15. In day-to-day life, when you don’t have enemies breathing down your neck and your life depending on success, you can take your time and do things right-making it easy, even without any ranks in the requisite skill, to succeed (see Checks without Rolls).
You’re always welcome to assume that your character is familiar with – even good at, as far as everyday tasks go – many skills beyond those for which you actually gain ranks. The skills you buy ranks in, however, are those with which you have truly heroic potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSkills at Higher Levels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
classes.
A character gets at least 1 skill point even if he or she has an Intelligence penalty.<\/li>
You can increase the ranks of a skill that wasn’t at maximum ranks, raising the number of ranks to a maximum of your new character level + 3 for a class skill, or half that number (don’t round up or down) for a cross-class skill. You may spend as many skill points as it takes to max out the skill (provided you have that many skill points to spend).
For multiclass characters, a skill is considered a class skill only if it is a class skill for the class you’re adding a level in. For example, if you have two Fast levels, and are adding a level of Strong, you can spend points on Climb as a class skill (because it’s a class skill for Strong heroes). If you want to add ranks in Escape Artist (a Fast class skill, but a Strong cross-class skill), you purchase them as a cross-class skill. Even though you have levels in Fast, your new level is in Strong, so you purchase Escape Artist as a cross-class skill.
Regardless of whether a skill is purchased as a class skill or a cross-class skill, if it is a class skill for any of your classes, your maximum ranks equal your total character level + 3.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\nUsing Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
higher the number you need to roll.
Circumstances can affect your check. If you’re free to work without distractions, you can make a careful attempt and avoid simple mistakes. If you have lots of time, you can try over and over again, assuring that you eventually succeed. If others help you, you may succeed where otherwise you would fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSkill Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unlike with attack rolls and saving throws, a natural roll of 20 on the d20 is not an automatic success when making a skill check, and a natural roll of l is not an automatic failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDifficulty Class<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Difficulty (DC)<\/th> Example (Skill Used)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Very easy (0)<\/td> Notice something large in plain sight (Spot)<\/td><\/tr> Easy (5)<\/td> Climb a knotted rope (Climb)<\/td><\/tr> Average (10)<\/td> Hear an approaching security guard (Listen)<\/td><\/tr> Tough (15)<\/td> Disarm an explosive (Demolitions)<\/td><\/tr> Challenging (20)<\/td> Swim against a strong current (Swim)<\/td><\/tr> Formidable (25)<\/td> Break into a secure computer system (Computer Use)<\/td><\/tr> Heroic (30)<\/td> Leap across a 30-foot chasm (Jump)<\/td><\/tr> Superheroic (35)<\/td> Convince the guards that even though you’re not wearing an ID badge and aren’t on their list. they should let you into the building (Bluff)<\/td><\/tr> Nearly impossible (40)<\/td> Track a trained commando through the forests of Brazil on a moonless night after 12 days of rainfall (Survival)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Opposed Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
the GM makes a Listen check for the guard. Whoever scores the higher result wins the contest.
For ties on opposed checks, the character with the higher key ability score wins. For instance, when a Move Silently check against a Listen check results in a tie, the sneaker’s Dexterity would be compared to the listener’s Wisdom. If those scores are the same, roll again.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTask <\/th> Skill <\/th> Opposing Skill<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Sneak up on someone<\/td> Move Silently<\/td> Listen<\/td><\/tr> Con someone<\/td> Bluff<\/td> Sense Motive<\/td><\/tr> Hide from someone<\/td> Hide<\/td> 5pot<\/td><\/tr> Win a car race<\/td> Drive<\/td> Drive<\/td><\/tr> Pretend to be someone else<\/td> Disguise<\/td> Spot<\/td><\/tr> Steal a key chain<\/td> Sleight of Hand<\/td> Spot<\/td><\/tr> Create a fake ID<\/td> Forgery<\/td> Forgery<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Trying Again<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For example, if Brandon Cross (a Smart hero) misses a Disable Device check to open a locked door, he can try again and keep trying. If however, the consequence for failing the check by 5 or more is that Brandon trips an alarm, then failing has its own penalty.
Similarly, if Russell Whitfield (a Strong hero) misses a Climb check, he can keep trying, but if he misses by 5 or more, he falls (after which he can get up and try again if the fall wasn’t too far or too damaging).
If the use of a skill carries no penalty for failure, you can take 20 and assume that you keep trying until you eventually succeed (see Checks without Rolls).<\/p>\n\n\n\nUntrained Skill Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some skills can be used only if you are trained in the skill. If you don’t have ranks in Disable Device, for example, regardless of your class, ability scores, and character level, you Just don’t know enough about mechanical devices and their inner workings even to attempt to pick a lock or disarm a security device. Skills that can’t be used untrained are indicated by a “No” in the “Untrained?” column on the Skills table below.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFavorable and Unfavorable Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The GM can alter the odds of success in four ways to take into account exceptional circumstances:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, Troy Bellarosa, a Charismatic hero, wants to entertain a group of thugs drinking in the Black Katana Bar & Grill. Before beginning his performance, Tony listens to the thugs so that he can judge their mood. Doing so improves his performance, giving him a +2 circumstance bonus to the skill modifier for his Perform check. The GM sets the DC at 15. The thugs are in a good mood because they recently received a sizable payoff. so the GM reduces the DC to 13. (Troy’s performance isn’t better just because the thugs are in a good mood, so he doesn’t get a bonus to add to his skill modifier. Instead, the DC goes down.)
However, the leader of the gang hasn’t been able to locate the witness that can finger them for the murder of a federal agent, and he’s suspicious of Troy. (The Charismatic hero remlnds the thug of the agent they wiped out.) The DC to entertain him is higher than normal; 17 instead of 15.
Troy rolls a 6 and adds +8 for his skill modifier (4 ranks, +1 Charisma modifier, and +2 for his impromptu research). His result is 14.
Troy’s skill check result (14) is high enough to entertain the thugs (DC 13) but not their leader (DC 17). The thugs applaud Troy’s performance and offer to buy him drinks, but their leader eyes him suspiciously and begins to make plans for a second murder.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTime and Skill Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
skill takes to use.
In general, using a skill that requires concentration (and thus distracts you from being fully aware of what’s going on around you) while in close combat is dangerous. Nearby opponents can make attacks of opportunity against you when you let your guard down. See Attacks of Opportunity, for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If tools are needed, the specific items required are mentioned in the skill description. If you don’t have the appropriate tools, you can still attempt to use the skill, but you take a -4 penalty on your check.
You may be able to put together some impromptu tools to make the check. If your GM allows it, you may reduce the penalty to -2 (instead of -4) by using impromptu tools. It usually takes some time (several minutes to an hour or
more) to collect or create a set of impromptu tools, and it may require a skill check (such as Craft [mechanical] to make repair tools, or Knowledge [Life Sciences] to make an impromptu surgery kit) as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSkill<\/strong><\/th> Ability<\/strong><\/th> Untrained?<\/strong><\/th> Strong<\/strong><\/th> Fast<\/strong><\/th> Tough<\/strong><\/th> Smart<\/strong><\/th> Ded<\/strong><\/th> Char<\/strong><\/th> Action<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Balance<\/a>*<\/td> Dex<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Move<\/td><\/tr> Bluff<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Climb<\/a>*<\/td> Str<\/td> Yes<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full or move<\/td><\/tr> Computer Use<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full **<\/td><\/tr> Concentration<\/a><\/td> Con<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Craft<\/a><\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> – Chemical<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Electronic<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Mechanical<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Pharmaceutical<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Structural<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Visual Art<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Writing<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Decipher Script<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Demolitions<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full **<\/td><\/tr> Diplomacy<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> Full<\/td><\/tr> Disable Device<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full **<\/td><\/tr> Disguise<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Drive<\/a><\/td> Dex<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Move<\/td><\/tr> Escape Artist<\/a>*<\/td> Dex<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full **<\/td><\/tr> Forgery<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Gamble<\/a><\/td> Wis<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Gather Information<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Handle Animal<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Hide<\/a> *<\/td> Dex<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Attack<\/td><\/tr> Intimidate<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> Full<\/td><\/tr> Investigate<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> Full **<\/td><\/tr> Jump<\/a>*<\/td> Str<\/td> Yes<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Attack<\/td><\/tr> Knowledge<\/a><\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> – Arcane Lore<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Art<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Behavioral Sciences<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Business<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Civics<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Current Events<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Earth and Life Sciences<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – History<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Physical Sciences<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Popular Culture<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Streetwise<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Tactics<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Technology<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> – Theology and Philosophy<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> Listen<\/a><\/td> Wis<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> Move Silently<\/a> *<\/td> Dex<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Move<\/td><\/tr> Navigate<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full **<\/td><\/tr> Perform<\/a><\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr> – Act<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Dance<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Keyboards<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Percussion Instruments<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Sing<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Stand-up<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Stringed Instruments<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> – Wind Instruments<\/a><\/td> Cha<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Pilot<\/a><\/td> Dex<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Move<\/td><\/tr> Profession<\/a><\/td> Wis<\/td> Yes<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Read\/Write Language<\/a><\/td> None<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> –<\/td><\/tr> Repair<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full**<\/td><\/tr> Research<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Ride<\/a><\/td> Dex<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Move**<\/td><\/tr> Search<\/a><\/td> Int<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Full<\/td><\/tr> Sense Motive<\/a><\/td> Wis<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Sleight of Hand<\/a><\/td> Dex<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Attack<\/td><\/tr> Speak Language<\/a><\/td> None<\/td> No<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> C<\/td> –<\/td><\/tr> Spot<\/a><\/td> Wis<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> React or full<\/td><\/tr> Survival<\/a><\/td> Wis<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Swim<\/a><\/td> Str<\/td> Yes<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> Move or full<\/td><\/tr> Treat Injury<\/a><\/td> Wis<\/td> Yes<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> **<\/td><\/tr> Tumble<\/a>*<\/td> Dex<\/td> No<\/td> X<\/td> C<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> X<\/td> React or move<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
X:<\/strong> Cross-class skill.Armor penalty, if any , applies.
* Armor penalty, if any, applies.
**<\/strong> See skill description for details.
Untrained?<\/strong> Yes: The skill can be used untrained (with 0 ranks). No: The skill can not be used unless the character has at least 1 rank in it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nChecks without Rolls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Taking 10<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Distractions and threats make it impossible for a character to take 10. You also can’t take 10 when using a skill untrained, though the GM may allow exceptions for truly routine activities.
For example, Russell has a Climb skill modifier of +7 (4 ranks, +3 Strength modifier). The steep, rocky slope he’s climbing has a DC of 15. With a little care, he can take 10 and succeed automatically. But partway up the slope, an agent of Exile begins taking shots at him from up above. Russell needs to make a Climb check to reach the enemy agent, and this time he can’t take 10. He must make the skill check normally while under attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTaking 20<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
rolled a 20.
Taking 20 is the equivalent of attempting the check over and over again until you get it right. Taking 20 takes twenty times as long as making a single check (2 minutes for a skill that can normally be checked in 1 round).
For example, Russell comes to a cliff face. He takes 10 to make the climb, for a result of 17 (10 plus his +7 skill modifier). However, the DC is 20, and the GM tells him that he fails to make progress up the cliff. (His check result is at least high enough that he doesn’t fall.) Russell can’t take 20 because there’s a penalty associated with failure (falling, in this case).
Later, at the top of the cliff, Russell finds the small shack in which a wanted criminal has been hiding out. He searches it. The GM notes in the Search skill description that each 5-foot-square area takes a full-round action to search (and she secretly assigns a DC of 15 to the attempt). She estimates
that the floors, walls, and ceiling of the shack make up about thirty 5-foot squares, so she tells Russell’s player that it takes 3 minutes (30
rounds) to search the whole shack. Russell rolls 1d20, getting an 8, and adds his +3 skill modifier. The result of 11 fails. Now Russell declares that he
is going to search the shack high and low, for as long as it takes. The GM takes the original time of 3 minutes and multiplies it by 20, for 60 minutes. That’s how long it takes Russell to search the whole shack in exacting detail. Now Russell’s player treats his roll as if it were 20, for a result of 23. That’s more than enough to beat the DC of 15, and Russell finds a computer disk hidden beneath a loose section of the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAiding Another<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In many cases, a character’s help won’t be beneficial, or only a limited number of characters can help at the same time. The GM limits aid another attempts as she sees fit for the conditions.
For instance, if Russell has been badly wounded, Lily Parrish can try a Treat Injury check to keep him from dying. One other character can help Lily. If the other hero makes a Treat Injury check (DC 10), Lily gets +2 on the Treat Injury check she makes to help Russell. The GM rules that three characters can’t help Lily at the same time because a third person would just get in the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSkill Synergy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some examples of when skill synergy might come into play: a specific Knowledge skill could aid in the practical use of a related skill; Disable Device might help when disarming an explosive with the Demolitions skill; Bluff or Sense Motive could aid a Diplomacy check; Computer Use could
benefit a Disable Device check against an electronic security system; and Tumble could help a Jump check succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbility Checks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In some cases, a test of one’s ability doesn’t involve luck. Just as you wouldn’t make a height check to see who is taller, you don’t make a Strength check to see who is stronger. When two characters arm wrestle, for example, the stronger character simply wins. In the case of identical scores, make opposed Strength checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\nExample Ability Check<\/th> Key Ability<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Forcing open a jammed or locked door<\/td> Strength<\/td><\/tr> Tying a rope<\/td> Dexterlty<\/td><\/tr> Holding one’s breath<\/td> Constitution<\/td><\/tr> Navigating a maze<\/td> Intelligence<\/td><\/tr> Recognize a stranger you’ve seen before<\/td> Wisdom<\/td><\/tr> Getting yourself notlced in a crowd<\/td> Charisma<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Modifier Types and Stacking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bonuses with specific descriptors, such as “equipment bonus,” generally don’t stack (combine for cumulative effect) with others of the same type. In those cases, only the best bonus of that type applies. For example, if one object provides a +2 equipment bonus and another object provides a +l equipment bonus, the two bonuses can’t be combined together to accomplish the same task; only the best, the +2, applies.
The only specific bonuses that stack are dodge bonuses, synergy bonuses, and sometimes circumstance bonuses. Circumstance bonuses stack only if they’re provided by differing circumstances; if two circumstance bonuses caused by similar circumstances apply, they don’t stack.
Specific bonuses that don’t stack include competence, cover, equipment, morale, natural armor, and size.
If your game setting includes magic or other supernatural effects, you may also encounter deflection, enhancement, enlargement, haste, inherent, insight, luck, profane, resistance, and sacred bonus descriptors. None of these bonuses stack.
Any bonus without a descriptor (such as simply a “+l bonus”) stacks with other bonuses.
All penalties stack, regardless of their descriptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skill Descriptions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Skills are presented in alphabetical order, in the following format. Entries that do not apply to a particular skill are omitted in that skill’s description.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSkill name (Key Ability)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The skill name line and the line beneath it include the following information.
Key Ability:<\/strong> The abbreviation for the ability whose modifier applies to the skill check. Exceptions: Speak Language and Read\/Write Language have “None” given as their key ability because the use of these skills never requires a check.
Trained Only:<\/strong> If “Trained Only” appears on the line beneath the skill name, you must have at least 1 rank in the skill to use it. If “Trained Only” is omitted, the skill can be used untrained. If any particular notes apply to trained or untrained use, they are covered in the Special section (see below).
Armor Penalty:<\/strong> If “Armor Penalty” appears on the line beneath the skill name, apply the armor penalty for the armor you are wearing (see xxxx) to checks involving this skill.
Check:<\/strong> What you can do with a successful skill check, and the check’s DC.
Try Again?:<\/strong> Any conditions that apply to repeated attempts to use the skill for a particular purpose. If this entry is omitted, the skill check can be tried again without any inherent penalty other than taking additional time.
Special:<\/strong> Any particular notes that apply, such as whether you can take 10 or take 20 when using the skill.
Untrained:<\/strong> Any details about using a skill untrained. If this entry doesn’t appear, it means the skill works the same even when used untrained, or that an untrained character can’t make checks with this skill (true for skills that are designated ‘Trained Only”).
Time:<\/strong> How much time it takes to make a check with this skill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"