Advancement Options

[p_Clapham]

I have been thinking about a few optional rules for skill advancement. Today I saw a thread on RPG.net which mentioned how Magic World gave faster advancement when the skill in question fell under the character's profession. I thought that was a pretty neat tweak. Combat and stressful use of skills aside, I don't like to punish players for bad rolls. The random nature of advancement irked me a bit, so I included a couple more optional rules.

Skills derived from Profession and Personality Types
The advancement for these skills is 1D6+1 rather than 1D4+1. If the improvement roll is failed the character gains 2 points in the skill rather than 1 point.

Taking the Average
Rather than rolling for skill points after a successful advancement roll the player can choose to take the average. If the roll is 1D6+1 the player adds 4 points to their skill, if the roll is 1D4+1 the player adds 3 points to their skill.

Automatic Advancement
There is no need for the player to make a advancement roll for their character. It is assumed they automatically succeed.

 

[superc0ntra]

In order to keep the sliding scale of development even if you assume rolls automatically succeed, I'd make the improvement greater when your skill is less and diminishing as you get better.

For example and straight out of my head w.o any testing what so ever.
Skill 01-40 +1d8+1
Skill 41-65 +1d6+1
Skill 66-80 +1d4+1
Skill 81-90 +1d3+1
Skill 91+ +1d3

 

[p_Clapham]

Here is a alternate/ supplemental rule for training up attributes.

Skill linked Attribute Advancement
When a character reaches a certain % in a skill one of their attributes associated with the skill goes up as well. When you reach 75% in a skill choose one associated attribute and increase it by one point. When you reach 150% in a skill choose one associated attribute and increase it by two, or chose two associated attributes and increase them by one. For example a character increases their Sword and Shield weapon style up to 77%, they can either add a point to STR or DEX.

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

I think it all depends on the type of game being played, it likely wouldn't suit all games.

Super-heroic characters in a High-Fantasy setting, it would be pretty good. In a Lo-magic "down-n-dirty S&S setting it might not be appropriate. It's horses-for-courses.

Of course what's "sauce for the goose" is "sauce for the gander" so NPCs should have these options too.