Skill picks

[SnowDog]

Hi,

I was yesterday reading the core book and found out an optional rule that instead of rolling for the skill you can choose it.

Have I understood it correctly that you can choose it from those listed in the career package and only from those? I suppose you can't use it to raise abilities? So if you want to raise an ability, you still have to roll what stat is affected?

Thanks!

 

[CosmicGamer]

Have I understood it correctly that you can choose it from those listed in the career package and only from those?

Not sure what is meant by 'career package'.

The book says

skills from the various Skills and Training tables instead of rolling randomly for them.

Each career has a set of tables clearly labeled Skills and Training. To me, since it indicates instead of rolling randomly, it would be on the tables that the character is eligible to roll on. So no picking from the Advanced Education table if the character doesn't meet the requirements. No picking skills from tables in careers the character is not in. You can not take skills from the specialist tables that the character is not in.

I suppose you can't use it to raise abilities?

abilities? I'm not sure what you mean by this.

So if you want to raise an ability, you still have to roll what stat is affected?

stat? perhaps you are referring to characteristics? Strength, Dex... If so, the Personal development table is one of the Skills and Training tables. I wouldn't worry that the Select Skills section says 'skills' and not 'skills and characteristics'. To me, it implies anything from the Skills and Training tables that the character would normally be eligible to roll for. So go ahead and train up that strength or whatever.

In general, I use these 'authorized' modifications listed in the rulebook as a green light for GM's to make their own modifications and alternate character generation rules.

Personally, I'm working out a combination of the books 'Alternate Characteristics and Events' rule combined with the books 'Connections Rule' and my own select event rule. Instead of the characters rolling an event on their last term, I create one that connects the characters and is a lead in to the adventure/campaign.

 

[SnowDog]

Have I understood it correctly that you can choose it from those listed in the career package and only from those?

Not sure what is meant by 'career package'.

With "career package" I mean just the career and a specialization in it. You managed to decipher it just fine, fortunately for me

I suppose you can't use it to raise abilities?

abilities? I'm not sure what you mean by this.

So if you want to raise an ability, you still have to roll what stat is affected?

stat? perhaps you are referring to characteristics? Strength, Dex... If so, the Personal development table is one of the Skills and Training tables. I wouldn't worry that the Select Skills section says 'skills' and not 'skills and characteristics'. To me, it implies anything from the Skills and Training tables that the character would normally be eligible to roll for. So go ahead and train up that strength or whatever.

Ah, yes characteristics. Sorry for using confusing terms but every game system seems to use different term for those and I didn't have the rulebook with me when I was writing this question. Good thing you guessed my meanings

But okay, I can use it for Personal Development table, too.

In general, I use these 'authorized' modifications listed in the rulebook as a green light for GM's to make their own modifications and alternate character generation rules.

Personally, I'm working out a combination of the books 'Alternate Characteristics and Events' rule combined with the books 'Connections Rule' and my own select event rule. Instead of the characters rolling an event on their last term, I create one that connects the characters and is a lead in to the adventure/campaign.

Your project sounds very interesting. Let us know how the project is going...

I think that (my) players like the option of choosing skills and characteristics they want to improve instead of rolling them.

Thanks for the answers!

 

[BP]

I was yesterday reading the core book and found out an optional rule that instead of rolling for the skill you can choose it. ...

Hmm.. what page is that? I don't recall this in my Pocket Rulebook (a footnote perhaps?).

My players and myself have found that playing characters 'as rolled' adds a nice challenge and opens up playing skills we never originally intended.

MGT Connection rule and Package skills allows for choice in order to get minimum skills, plus the background skills offer an opportunity to pick as well in some cases.

I find having players start off with multiple 'expendable' characters for a few sessions gets them to appreciate roleplay - instead of having the 'best' character.

 

[SnowDog]

It is on page 40 in the core rulebook just before Aliens section.

 

[BP]

Ha! - Thanks - somehow in all my reads I missed the second half of that page!