Pilot skill and characteristic DM mods

[GalagaGalaxian]

I've got a simple question, does the Pilot skill gain a characteristic DM modifier from Dex or Int/Edu?

I've only checked the core book, but every time the pilot skill is mentioned, no characteristic modifier is included, which leads me to assume you don't benefit (or suffer) from having a good (or poor) characteristic of some kind.

Just thought I'd check here to be sure though.

 

[F33D]

Hmm, I had assumed that it was Dex. But, I use Int for my game. For Flyer (stick & rudder TL 7 & lower) I use Dex.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I've got a simple question, does the Pilot skill gain a characteristic DM modifier from Dex or Int/Edu?

Depends on what controls (dashboard layout) the craft has, and if the pilot has flown that exact model before. I use INT to figure things out if it is an auto-pilot type of craft. Adds to the drama.

I've only checked the core book, but every time the pilot skill is mentioned, no characteristic modifier is included, which leads me to assume you don't benefit (or suffer) from having a good (or poor) characteristic of some kind.

Just thought I'd check here to be sure though.

The rules assume that ships are intelligent and don't need much piloting. I use older ships with control sticks, so players can use their charactertics mods to make things better or worse.

 

[DickTurpin]

Interesting observation, I could not believe that Pilot was not linked to Dex until I checked the book myself. Finding the answer takes quite a bit of reading between the lines. I would use Dex for Pilot checks unless there is a good reason to use another characteristic.

Reasoning:
1) Under Skills and Tasks "Skill Check: For a skill check, the character adds both his skill level and an appropriate characteristic DM" CRB p. 48 - Skills are always linked to a characteristic DM.

2) The closest analog skill is Flyer which is used to operate "different types of flying vehicles" of which vehicles that leave the atmosphere are a specific subset that use the Pilot skill instead. Both examples of using the flyer skill use the Dex DM. CRB p.55

3) The Flight assignment on the Navy career uses a Dex check for the Survival roll so it must be considered the most critical characteristic for pilots. CRB p.24

 

[Infojunky]

I've got a simple question, does the Pilot skill gain a characteristic DM modifier from Dex or Int/Edu?

Yes.

or

Which ever is appropriate at the time.

 

[GalagaGalaxian]

I would use Dex for Pilot checks unless there is a good reason to use another characteristic.

Well, traditional traveller space combat/maneuvering is more about plotting vectors as opposed to twitch reflex controls, so I'd think INT or EDU applies more. For small craft I could see an argument for DEX or for trying to do "barnstorming" in a space craft or anything requiring fine maneuvering, such as flying through/down a canyon on a planetoid, avoiding large debris up close, gas giant skimming, or attempting to dock with something.

Thanks for pointing out the Page 48 reference though.

 

[F33D]

I would use Dex for Pilot checks unless there is a good reason to use another characteristic.

Well, traditional traveller space combat/maneuvering is more about plotting vectors as opposed to twitch reflex controls, so I'd think INT or EDU applies more.

Yes, 100+ dTon starships in Trav are NEVER handled "stick & rudder". Pretty funny to envision it though. :lol: A pilot can't even "stick & rudder" an old F-117. It would fall out of the sky immediately.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

I've got a simple question, does the Pilot skill gain a characteristic DM modifier from Dex or Int/Edu?

Yes.

or

Which ever is appropriate at the time.

Which Traveller rules are you using?

 

[Infojunky]

I've got a simple question, does the Pilot skill gain a characteristic DM modifier from Dex or Int/Edu?

Yes.

or

Which ever is appropriate at the time.

Which Traveller rules are you using?

Mongoose mostly.

But, specifically from Mongoose,

"Skill Check: For a skill check, the character adds both his skill level and an appropriate characteristic DM"

And

"In general, skills can be matched to any appropriate characteristic
depending on the situation at hand. Certainly you will roll Dexterity
and Gun Combat more often than Social Standing and Gun Combat
but you never know what might come up."

Both from page 48 of the CRB

 

[GypsyComet]

Most editions of Traveller (T20 and T:H excepted) do not tie skills to specific characteristics. It is one reason why the skills list doesn't need to continually expand.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

The beauty of Mongoose Traveller is that game rules are not contained in its skill descriptions. While in RPGs like GURPS, players need to read the rulebook every time they want to see how one of their skills works that they want to use in play.

 

[locarno24]

Yes.

or

Which ever is appropriate at the time.

This.

If you're flying an atmospheric starship in atmosphere on manual close to the ground (trying to do a Firefly/Starwars-style canyon run or something), it's definitely Pilot+DEX.

If you're plotting vectors on a desktop, even in space combat, Pilot+INT.

If you're re-plotting vectors on the same desktop very very fast to avoid an unexpected collision in a matter of seconds (a ship at ajacent range blowing up?), probably Pilot+DEX.

If you're trying to figure out a safe route through a gas giant storm system before you fly it, probably Pilot+EDU.

If you're trying to pull off a ridiculously high-G manouvre that's going to overstrain the ability of the artificial gravity to compensate (or you're in a military smallcraft which may sacrifice 'perfect' inertial shielding for more engine power), possibly even Pilot+END.

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

If you're flying an atmospheric starship in atmosphere on manual close to the ground (trying to do a Firefly/Starwars-style canyon run or something), it's definitely Pilot+DEX.

If you're plotting vectors on a desktop, even in space combat, Pilot+INT.

If you're re-plotting vectors on the same desktop very very fast to avoid an unexpected collision in a matter of seconds (a ship at ajacent range blowing up?), probably Pilot+DEX.

If you're trying to figure out a safe route through a gas giant storm system before you fly it, probably Pilot+EDU.

If you're trying to pull off a ridiculously high-G manouvre that's going to overstrain the ability of the artificial gravity to compensate (or you're in a military smallcraft which may sacrifice 'perfect' inertial shielding for more engine power), possibly even Pilot+END.

Very appropriate.

 

[locarno24]

As far as I'm concerned, the combinations in the rulebook are just guides, but the pairing of skill and characteristic are infinitely flexible - the skill defining the domain and the characteristic the type of challenge (or at least the type of solution attempted). Think of it as aztec/industrial/space/medieval and skill/physical/mental/mystery - add the two together and you describe the type of problem.

It's the same with gun combat.

+DEX is the standard aimed shot, but I can see a player using +STR for something suitably hefty and unsophisticated (big rotary cannon or something) or +INT for 'plotted' fire from a howitzer or mortar. +EDU means the general knowledge about guns - if you want to identify or maintain them.

I can't think of a Gun Combat+SOC or Pilot+SOC example, but I'm sure someone more creative will offer one. Something to do with license applications, maybe?

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

Gun Combat + SOC = Dueling skill.

Pilot + SOC = Everyone wishes you were the captain of the ship they're on.

 

[locarno24]

Gun Combat + SOC = Dueling skill.

Good call. Reputation as a duellist, certainly. People are certainly more likely to be aware of Duke Von Stabby than Mr Stabby - although proven/known experience counterbalances that.

Just as an aside, that's part of the reason I'm not wild on SOC as a stat on those occasions I play rather than GM. A high SOC strikes me as a downside as often as it's an upside...

 

[ShawnDriscoll]

For Mongoose Traveller's advanced rules, SOC is treated different for nearly each career. I think I have just about every book for each career. There's no scholar book is there?

 

[F33D]

Gun Combat + SOC = Dueling skill.

Good call. Reputation as a duellist, certainly. People are certainly more likely to be aware of Duke Von Stabby than Mr Stabby - although proven/known experience counterbalances that.

Quite. Since if Mr. Stabby is knocking off the Duke Von Stabby's of the world he'll soon be as well known... :shock:

 

[locarno24]

Quite. Since if Mr. Stabby is knocking off the Duke Von Stabby's of the world he'll soon be as well known... :shock:

Well, there can only be so many people above you in the line of succession...