It has always surprised me that skill improvement is not treated as a task in Traveller. Training is either via career development, old style Mercenary six week/six month bootcamps or the arbitrary .. the more skills you have the longer it takes to learn .. anything at all.
In addition, while the lack of characteristic improvement is understandable in short term adventuring. It is a gap in the rules that make sense in longer term campaigns. Training scenarios can create character arcs, jobs, contacts, allies, rivals etc rather than just saying “sorry the rules don’t allow it”.
Here are some home rules for skill and characteristic improvement that are available for comment or trolling. Just add some substance to your feedback to make it useful.
Time frame options:
1-6 years +1 (Hobby); 1-6 months -1 (Training Course); 1-6 weeks -2 (Bootcamp);
Task Chaining:
Effect (-6 or less) -3, Effect (-2 to -5) -2, Effect (-1) -1, Effect (0) 0, Effect (+1 to +5) +1, Effect (6+) +2
Mentored by individual of higher than target skill/chr: Skill, Chr DM, time taken, Routine (6+)
Mentored by individual of same as target skill: Skill, Chr DM, time taken, Average (8+)
Mentored by individual of lower than target skill: Skill, Chr DM, time taken, Difficult (10+)
Instructor skill: Instruction, Chr DM, sets time taken, Average (8+)
(1 Student +1;2-4 Students 0; 5-10 Students -1; 11-30 Students -2; 30+ Students -4 to Roll/Effect)
Knowledge/Implementation of appropriate Science: Life (genetics, psionics, sports, psychology, etc)
Example 1
New green crewmember Dex 8 trains in Gunnery skill with the Ship’s Gunnery AI in the VR suite
Basic: Learn Gunnery 0 (-3 to 0): Skill -3, Dex 0DM, 4-24 months, Easy (4+)=7+
a chance of Gunnery 0 in about 12 months at 10hrs per week approx 500 part time hours.
Fairly consistent with Core character development tables.
Advanced: Intensive training (50 hours per wk); AI mentor with Gunnery 2.
Mentor higher skill than target: Routine (6+)= +2 skill -2 time frame =6+ (-2 to +2 bonus avg +1)
Learn Gunnery 0 (-3 to 0): Skill -3, Dex 0DM, 1-6 weeks, Easy (4+)=7+ -2 time frame +1 bonus = 8+
a chance of Gunnery 0 in about 3.5 weeks at 50hrs per week. (Total of 175 intensive hours)
Fairly consistent with classic Mercenary Instructor training (can be fixed to six weeks as that is the length of the online training course).
Example 2:
The crew’s topgun pilot Clara Haagii with Dex 12 +2DM seeks to increase Pilot 4 to 5.
Options available:
Increase Pilot 4 to 5: Skill 4, Dex +2DM, 4-24 months, Formidable (14+)=8+
a chance of Pilot 5 in about 12 months with 10hrs per week approx 500 part time hours. Will likely take about 2 years. Fairly consistent with Core character development tables.
Increase Pilot 4 to 5: Skill 4, Dex +2DM, 1-6 months (-1 Time Frame), Formidable (14+)=9+.
Clara tracks down a mentor who is a retired instructor from academy days who runs a six month advanced pilot course (Pilot 6 Instructor 2 Int 7). The course has 15 students (-1 to Instruction).
Mentor higher skill (Routine 6+) +6 skill = 0+ = Effect 2 to 12 (+1 to +2 bonus)
Instructor (Average 8+) +2 skill -1 student numbers = 7+ = Effect -5 to +5 (-2 to +1 bonus)
Total chance of Pilot 5 between 6+ and 10+ (depending on rolls – probably 8+) with 25hrs per week approx 600 full time hours.
Alternately upgrade the computer AI skill package on the ship to get +1 Piloting.
Time frame options: 1-6 years +1 (Casual); 1-6 months -1 (Intensive)
Possible bonuses: Drugs (steroid, learning, focus), Technology, Aging term negatives
Task Chaining:
Effect (-6 or less) -3, Effect (-2 to -5) -2, Effect (-1) -1, Effect (0) 0, Effect (+1 to +5) +1, Effect (6+) +2
Mentored by individual of higher than target characteristic: Chr DM, time taken, Routine (6+)
Mentored by individual of same as target characteristic: Chr DM, time taken, Average (8+)
Mentoring by individual of lower than target characteristic: Chr DM, time taken, Difficult (10+)
Instructor skill: Instruction, Chr DM, sets time taken, Average (8+)
(1 Student +1;2-4 Students 0; 5-10 Students -1; 11-30 Students -2; 30+ Students -4 to Roll/Effect)
Knowledge/Implementation of appropriate Science: Life (genetics, psionics, sports, psychology, etc)
Example 1:
Suugii Inari seeks to upgrade his Psi strength from 8 to 9 to get a +1 bonus.
It will take Suugii 10 hours a week training (4 to 24 months – average 12 months) to have a 8+ chance of increase. Having a mentor could increase the chance to 6+ or better.
If Suugii wants to dedicate 25 hours a week to training then (1-6 months – average 3.5) months later chance of improvement is 9+. Perhaps a Psi Institute would have a mentor and training program. Alternatively they may have the quicker option of surgically implanting a psi booster to increase Psi without the effort. The nice fellow with an unusual accent at the Institute was very helpful last visit.
Example 2:
Cleon Johnson seeks to increase strength from 14 to 15 gaining an extra +1 bonus during a sabbatical.
Attending an Olympic powerlifter training facility on Rhylanor is available at an exorbitant cost. The facility has specialist facilities +2 to strength training (Science bonus), mentors who are Str 15 and Cleon pays for a dedicated elite instructor Instructor 3 Int 9 and also undertakes a steroid of +1 which only has a few minor side affects.
Normally it would take Cleon 4 to 24 (12 average) months to roll 12+ (3% chance) to increase strength or 1-6 (3.5 average) months for an 13+ (0% chance)
At the facility the training course the price is for a fixed 6 month term, there is +3 to the roll for the facility and for the drug.
The mentor has 15 strength so is at the target level (Average 8+) +3 DM = 5+ -1 time frame = 6+ average roll is 7 which is +1 bonus. Effectiveness could have been between -1 and +2.
Dedicated Instructor with Instruction 3 and Int 9 +1. Average task 8+ -1 time frame +1 student number +3 skill +1 Int = 4+ average roll is 7 which is +1 bonus. Effectiveness could have been between -1 and +2.
Total bonus is +5 (facility, drug, mentor, instruction) to Cleon’s 1-6 month skill check = 8+ (42% chance). Using the average roll of 7 means Cleon fails to reach Str 15 after 3.5 months (1-6 month average). Another 3.5 months puts him into the next 6 month cost cycle. Cleon needs higher than average rolls to succeed. Or he could try their new experimental drug with minimal side affects .. probably.
The total bonus could have been +1 to +7 depending on rolls. Time frame could have been 1 month to twelve or more months depending on rolls. Also why did the mentor/instructor have a -1 bonus .. home life problems, addiction issues, personality conflict, trying an experimental program that just didn’t work .. any interaction can lead into a scenario.
Generally
Training periods and bonuses can always be fixed rather than random and available bonuses can be limited to prevent skill stacking. If the training period is forced to the maximum (6 weeks, six months or 24 months) then a +1 training bonus could be applied. In most instances wafers, tech and pharmaceuticals will provide greater increases quicker.
In addition, while the lack of characteristic improvement is understandable in short term adventuring. It is a gap in the rules that make sense in longer term campaigns. Training scenarios can create character arcs, jobs, contacts, allies, rivals etc rather than just saying “sorry the rules don’t allow it”.
Here are some home rules for skill and characteristic improvement that are available for comment or trolling. Just add some substance to your feedback to make it useful.
| Time Frame | Increment | Action |
| 1-6 weeks | One Week | Learn a skill (intensive) 50hrs a wk (8-10 hrs/day) (DM-2) |
| 1-6 months | One Month | Learn a skill (full time) 100hrs a month (25 hrs/wk)(DM -1) Improve a Characteristic intensively (25 hrs/wk) (DM -1) |
| 4-24 months | Four Months | Learn a skill (part time) 40hrs a month (10 hrs/wk) (DM0) Improve a Characteristic normally (DM 0) |
| 1-6 years | One Year | Learn a skill (casually) 20hrs a month (5 hrs/wk) (DM+1) Improve a Characteristic casually (DM +1) |
SKILL IMPROVEMENT | |||
| Learning | DM | Task to improve characteristic | Roll Needed |
| Unskilled to 0 | -3 | 4-24 Months, Easy (4+) | 7+ |
| 0 to 1 | 0 | 4-24 Months, Routine (6+) | 6+ |
| 1 to 2 | +1 | 4-24 Months, Average (8+) | 7+ |
| 2 to 3 | +2 | 4-24 Months, Difficult (10+) | 8+ |
| 3 to 4 | +3 | 4-24 Months, Very Difficult (12+) | 9+ |
| 4 to 5 | +4 | 4-24 Months, Formidable (14+) | 10+ |
| 5 to 6 | +5 | 4-24 Months, Hopeless (16+) | 11+ |
| 6 to 7 | +6 | 4-24 Months, Impossible (18+) | 12+ |
Time frame options:
1-6 years +1 (Hobby); 1-6 months -1 (Training Course); 1-6 weeks -2 (Bootcamp);
Task Chaining:
Effect (-6 or less) -3, Effect (-2 to -5) -2, Effect (-1) -1, Effect (0) 0, Effect (+1 to +5) +1, Effect (6+) +2
Mentored by individual of higher than target skill/chr: Skill, Chr DM, time taken, Routine (6+)
Mentored by individual of same as target skill: Skill, Chr DM, time taken, Average (8+)
Mentored by individual of lower than target skill: Skill, Chr DM, time taken, Difficult (10+)
Instructor skill: Instruction, Chr DM, sets time taken, Average (8+)
(1 Student +1;2-4 Students 0; 5-10 Students -1; 11-30 Students -2; 30+ Students -4 to Roll/Effect)
Knowledge/Implementation of appropriate Science: Life (genetics, psionics, sports, psychology, etc)
Example 1
New green crewmember Dex 8 trains in Gunnery skill with the Ship’s Gunnery AI in the VR suite
Basic: Learn Gunnery 0 (-3 to 0): Skill -3, Dex 0DM, 4-24 months, Easy (4+)=7+
a chance of Gunnery 0 in about 12 months at 10hrs per week approx 500 part time hours.
Fairly consistent with Core character development tables.
Advanced: Intensive training (50 hours per wk); AI mentor with Gunnery 2.
Mentor higher skill than target: Routine (6+)= +2 skill -2 time frame =6+ (-2 to +2 bonus avg +1)
Learn Gunnery 0 (-3 to 0): Skill -3, Dex 0DM, 1-6 weeks, Easy (4+)=7+ -2 time frame +1 bonus = 8+
a chance of Gunnery 0 in about 3.5 weeks at 50hrs per week. (Total of 175 intensive hours)
Fairly consistent with classic Mercenary Instructor training (can be fixed to six weeks as that is the length of the online training course).
Example 2:
The crew’s topgun pilot Clara Haagii with Dex 12 +2DM seeks to increase Pilot 4 to 5.
Options available:
Increase Pilot 4 to 5: Skill 4, Dex +2DM, 4-24 months, Formidable (14+)=8+
a chance of Pilot 5 in about 12 months with 10hrs per week approx 500 part time hours. Will likely take about 2 years. Fairly consistent with Core character development tables.
Increase Pilot 4 to 5: Skill 4, Dex +2DM, 1-6 months (-1 Time Frame), Formidable (14+)=9+.
Clara tracks down a mentor who is a retired instructor from academy days who runs a six month advanced pilot course (Pilot 6 Instructor 2 Int 7). The course has 15 students (-1 to Instruction).
Mentor higher skill (Routine 6+) +6 skill = 0+ = Effect 2 to 12 (+1 to +2 bonus)
Instructor (Average 8+) +2 skill -1 student numbers = 7+ = Effect -5 to +5 (-2 to +1 bonus)
Total chance of Pilot 5 between 6+ and 10+ (depending on rolls – probably 8+) with 25hrs per week approx 600 full time hours.
Alternately upgrade the computer AI skill package on the ship to get +1 Piloting.
CHARACTERISTIC IMPROVEMENT | |||
| Characteristic Change | Current DM | Task to improve characteristic | Roll Needed |
| 0 to 1; | -3 | 4-24 Months, Simple (2+) | 5+ |
| 1 to 2; 2 to 3; | -2 | 4-24 Months, Easy (4+) | 6+ |
| 3 to 4; 4 to 5; 5 to 6; | -1 | 4-24 Months, Routine (6+) | 7+ |
| 6 to 7; 7 to 8; 8 to 9; | -0 | 4-24 Months, Average (8+) | 8+ |
| 9 to 10; 10 to 11; 11 to 12; | +1 | 4-24 Months, Difficult (10+) | 9+ |
| 12 to 13; 13 to 14 | +2 | 4-24 Months, Very Difficult (12+) | 10+ |
| 14 to 15 (Human max) | +2 | 4-24 Months, Formidable (14+) | 12+ |
| |
Possible bonuses: Drugs (steroid, learning, focus), Technology, Aging term negatives
Task Chaining:
Effect (-6 or less) -3, Effect (-2 to -5) -2, Effect (-1) -1, Effect (0) 0, Effect (+1 to +5) +1, Effect (6+) +2
Mentored by individual of higher than target characteristic: Chr DM, time taken, Routine (6+)
Mentored by individual of same as target characteristic: Chr DM, time taken, Average (8+)
Mentoring by individual of lower than target characteristic: Chr DM, time taken, Difficult (10+)
Instructor skill: Instruction, Chr DM, sets time taken, Average (8+)
(1 Student +1;2-4 Students 0; 5-10 Students -1; 11-30 Students -2; 30+ Students -4 to Roll/Effect)
Knowledge/Implementation of appropriate Science: Life (genetics, psionics, sports, psychology, etc)
Example 1:
Suugii Inari seeks to upgrade his Psi strength from 8 to 9 to get a +1 bonus.
It will take Suugii 10 hours a week training (4 to 24 months – average 12 months) to have a 8+ chance of increase. Having a mentor could increase the chance to 6+ or better.
If Suugii wants to dedicate 25 hours a week to training then (1-6 months – average 3.5) months later chance of improvement is 9+. Perhaps a Psi Institute would have a mentor and training program. Alternatively they may have the quicker option of surgically implanting a psi booster to increase Psi without the effort. The nice fellow with an unusual accent at the Institute was very helpful last visit.
Example 2:
Cleon Johnson seeks to increase strength from 14 to 15 gaining an extra +1 bonus during a sabbatical.
Attending an Olympic powerlifter training facility on Rhylanor is available at an exorbitant cost. The facility has specialist facilities +2 to strength training (Science bonus), mentors who are Str 15 and Cleon pays for a dedicated elite instructor Instructor 3 Int 9 and also undertakes a steroid of +1 which only has a few minor side affects.
Normally it would take Cleon 4 to 24 (12 average) months to roll 12+ (3% chance) to increase strength or 1-6 (3.5 average) months for an 13+ (0% chance)
At the facility the training course the price is for a fixed 6 month term, there is +3 to the roll for the facility and for the drug.
The mentor has 15 strength so is at the target level (Average 8+) +3 DM = 5+ -1 time frame = 6+ average roll is 7 which is +1 bonus. Effectiveness could have been between -1 and +2.
Dedicated Instructor with Instruction 3 and Int 9 +1. Average task 8+ -1 time frame +1 student number +3 skill +1 Int = 4+ average roll is 7 which is +1 bonus. Effectiveness could have been between -1 and +2.
Total bonus is +5 (facility, drug, mentor, instruction) to Cleon’s 1-6 month skill check = 8+ (42% chance). Using the average roll of 7 means Cleon fails to reach Str 15 after 3.5 months (1-6 month average). Another 3.5 months puts him into the next 6 month cost cycle. Cleon needs higher than average rolls to succeed. Or he could try their new experimental drug with minimal side affects .. probably.
The total bonus could have been +1 to +7 depending on rolls. Time frame could have been 1 month to twelve or more months depending on rolls. Also why did the mentor/instructor have a -1 bonus .. home life problems, addiction issues, personality conflict, trying an experimental program that just didn’t work .. any interaction can lead into a scenario.
Generally
Training periods and bonuses can always be fixed rather than random and available bonuses can be limited to prevent skill stacking. If the training period is forced to the maximum (6 weeks, six months or 24 months) then a +1 training bonus could be applied. In most instances wafers, tech and pharmaceuticals will provide greater increases quicker.
