Skill base chances. What do you prefer ?

[drohem]

Well, I think that the skill cap of characteristic x 5% is reasonable only at character creation.

However, I disagree with the skill cap after character creation. This is severely limiting on character development; especially for average or slightly below average characters.

[Kloster]

I think my choice goes to the RQ method, with categories, and bonus depending upon characteristics.
But having some starting values based on one or several characteristics, instead of a flat value can be fine, as long as the categories are still present.

Runequestement votre,

Kloster

[Atgxtg]

Originally Posted by Kloster

I think my choice goes to the RQ method, with categories, and bonus depending upon characteristics.
But having some starting values based on one or several characteristics, instead of a flat value can be fine, as long as the categories are still present.

Runequestement votre,

Kloster

That's the way I did it in my previous posted variant. I kept the skill categories, but used them for the base chances. So Manipulation would be INT+DEX+(STR/2), Knowledge would be INTx2, and so on.

It simiplied skills greatly, since you only had to track those skills that were higher than the starting percentage (the skill category).

THen I used 1/5th of that for improvement rolls.

[Trifletraxor]

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

THen I used 1/5th of that for improvement rolls.

Could you elaborate on that last sentence?

SGL.

[Atgxtg]

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

Could you elaborate on that last sentence?

SGL.

Sure. Let's say you wrote up a character with a 13INT, 15 DEX, and 12 STR.

Using my formula for Manipulation skills as INT+DEX+(STR/2), he would start with a Manipulation Skill Category of 34% (13INT+15DEX+12/2STR).

So any manipulation skills, such as Slight or Conceal, as well as Weapon attack skills would start off at 34%.

When rolling to see if such skills improve at one-fifth of the skill category to the improvement chance. So a 34% Manipulation Skill Category is worth 34/5= +7% to the improvement chance. Note that this isn't too much different from the RQ3 method, but simplifies a lot of the base chances.

[Trifletraxor]

It simplifies the base chances, and I like that. The improvement rolls get more complicated though.

SGL.

[Atgxtg]

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

It simplifies the base chances, and I like that. The improvement rolls get more complicated though.

SGL.

You could just add the entire skill category (34%) to the roll but then change the improvement roll from 1D6 to 1D4. You get the same rate of advancement because while you make more rolls, you get less per roll.

[badcat]

I like the Stormbringer 1 way, warts and all. The only modification is to remove POW from the physical bonus formulae to prevent 'super-mages'. It remains in COM and PER bonuses, and I use the Luck roll quite a bit.

[Trifletraxor]

Originally Posted by Atgxtg

You could just add the entire skill category (34%) to the roll but then change the improvement roll from 1D6 to 1D4. You get the same rate of advancement because while you make more rolls, you get less per roll.

Hmm... Not bad. That's an idea I have to consider.

SGL.

[Kloster]

Originally Posted by Trifletraxor

It simplifies the base chances, and I like that. The improvement rolls get more complicated though.

SGL.

Not by much, RQ rule was that you add your category mod to the roll before comparing to the value.

Runequestement votre,

Kloster