Skill - Speciality - Focus

[Wizard]

Sometimes I have a character concept that needs something less broad than what a specialty of a skill currently gives. For example, say I want a character that excels at slug throwing pistols. That's where Focus comes into play.

So my slug throwing pistol expert would have the skill: Gun Combat (slug > pistols) 4.

Since a Focus is so limiting, each skill point equals 2 focus points. So the Gun Combat (slug > pistols) 4 example would only cost 2 skill points.

Skills without specialties could also use a focus, for example Survival (> desert) 2 for that character that has spent her whole life living on a desert planet. Also at a cost of 1 skill point equals 2 focus points.

This concept is sort of happening already. On page 9 of the High and Dry adventure we have the Deep-Water Brakarr, it has skill of Melee (bite) 2, that could become Melee (natural > bite) 2.

This all came to me on my train ride home from work so I need to spend some more time thinking about it, but I thought I would throw it out there to see what everyone thinks.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Possibly something for the Companion...

 

[CosmicGamer]

Kind of like the idea but not sure I like the 2 points for every one and where this might lead. Definitely a case where the max skill level of 4 in chargen rule makes sense. Do you suggest specific focus skills or leaving it up to GM and players? Might need some testing with people generating characters and seeing how out of hand it gets.

Gain two levels in pilot and you are Pilot (Spacecraft Focus=100-500ton ships) 4
Gain two levels in guns and you are Gun Combat (Slug Focus=pistols) 4
Gain two levels in astrogation and you are astrogation (Focus=Jump 2 or less) 4
Gain two levels in gunner and you are gunner (Turret Focus=Lasers) 4
Gambler: Focus=card games, dice games, sports betting
Mechanic: Focus=vehicle, electronics
Melee(blade): Focus=cutlas, dagger

 

[Wizard]

Kind of like the idea but not sure I like the 2 points for every one and where this might lead.

This is the one bit that bothers me as well. Maybe each point in a focus could cost one skill point but you get some kind of game bonus. Possibly when you fail a task check, and you are using a focus, you receive a +1 to the effect. This could turn a Marginal Failure into a Marginal Success. Basically your detailed knowledge of the focus allows you to identify when things are going wrong and you can compensate.

Do you suggest specific focus skills or leaving it up to GM and players?

I would think a few examples for each skill/specialty would be enough to help illustrate how to create new focuses. An extensive list would be lengthy and I would think it would be influenced by the type of campaign you are in.