My thoughts on task and skills

[Old timer]

Overall I find I like most of this chapter. The task system is not exactly radically different from 1st ed and I like the set difficulty numbers idea. The boon and bane system is interesting and I think I understand how it works, though yet to use it in a game.
The skill section is okay as well, and though I like changes like giving gun combat only three specialities and am in two minds whether any skill specialities are even needed for any skill as it does start to look like skill bloat. I would personally be just as happy with skills like gun combat, athletics, engineering and so on and not worry about specialities.
I just think some clarification is needed through this section and boon and bane need more examples or better explanation. This chapter is so far the one I have seen very few problems with.





Noel

 

[Rikki Tikki Traveller]

I think having no specialties may be a common house rule.

 

[grauenwolf]

Skill specialties are working out well for my group.

We've had a few cases where a character said something to the effect, "I don't know anything about jump drives, but I can work on power plants so maybe I can get it working." and then rolls at level 0.

I found that it added a lot of dramatic tension and gave otherwise useless characters an important role to play.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

My group doesn't use generic skills like Gun Combat or Electronics. Every skill is a specific one.

 

[-Daniel-]

My group doesn't use generic skills like Gun Combat or Electronics. Every skill is a specific one.

How far down do you take it? Gun Combat Pistols) or Gun Combat (Semi-auto Pistols) or Gun Combat (Colt 1911)?

I will say if there is no generic skills does the 3(INT+EDU) all you enough room.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

How far down do you take it? Gun Combat Pistols) or Gun Combat (Semi-auto Pistols) or Gun Combat (Colt 1911)?

Slug Pistol, Laser Rifle, Flintlock, Machinegun. Similar tech items will fit in better with what a traveller know of.

I will say if there is no generic skills does the 3(INT+EDU) all you enough room.

I don't do long campaigns. So my players would never come close to that limit, even if I did use Gun Combat 1 and Science 1 with cascading 0 skills. 0 doesn't get added to the skill cap, if I remember.