Some random questions from first time Traveller GM

[Vargr]

So, everyone has said that Intelligence is used for "pure perception." I suppose I can buy that, but what about the not particularly bright but highly astute woodsman-type on a low PL world? Would this person best be represented by a high Int, but a low EDU? That seemingly works very well, but a high Int might give that character more credit than he's due.

That type of character might have a high INT and a low EDU. Another way to represent it could the Jack-of-All-Trades skill.

But then again, what would you do with a "Perception" characteristic besides roll the occasional Recon check and resist non-existant vampires?

I wouldn't..."perception" is too much of an ambiguous term. What is being percieved? How? Does the information gained need any partocilar abilities to be understood (just because you hear or see something doesn't mean you can discern what it is). I would take each situation into account and decide which skill is appropriate (if any) then select the adequate stat. This is just my way of doing things, but I think it makes good use of MGT system versatility.

Here's an example of rolls that involve "perception" of varying natures:

Detect an ambush: Recon(INT), maybe Streetwise(INT) for an urban street gang attack

Noticing that a sheaf of legal documents has something fishy about them: Admin (EDU)

Notice you are being followe in the forest: Recon(INT) or Survival(INT)

Identifying the Footprints of an animal: Animals(EDU) or Survival(EDU)

Noticing the temperature is dropping slowly: straight END

Noticing that the artificial gravity aboard a ship is very slowly coming back online: Zero-g(DEX)

Identifying a pistol model: Slug Pistol(EDU)

Noticing a rifle's spring is affected by metal fatigue while you are field-stripping it: Slug Rifle(INT)

Bind a wound in total darkness: Medic(DEX)

 

[apoc527]

Thanks everyone, this has been really helpful. I have a few questions about combat, but I think I'll start a new thread because they are rather specific.

 

[apoc527]

What about resisting torture? Without a willpower stat, how would you work that? I wouldn't necessarily want to rely on Int for everything, so that seems like not the best solution.

Maybe a skill called Willpower? You could use to resist pain penalties too.

Speaking of pain penalties, if I'm seriously wounded, why don't i take any penalties on mental skill checks? For example, I've taken 12 damage and am close to unconsciousness. Can i still hack a computer as well? Can i still repair the jump drive as easily?

What do you guys think?

 

[rust]

What do you guys think?

In the absence of a Willpower stat I would use Endurance, especially since
the core rules mention that Endurance includes willpower and the ability
to resist damage.

Whether a Willpower skill would make sense would depend a lot on the
setting and campaign. If it is likely that it is used frequently, I would in-
troduce it, but if it would be needed only once in a while I would not bo-
ther to introduce it.

 

[The Chef]

p.s i've known plenty of Dm's/Gm's whose sole purpose is the death (or multiple death) of Pc's

Chef

 

[rinku]

A dim-witted woodsman *would* get a penalty for his negative intelligence DM - it's just likely to be offset by his skill and positive DMs for being on his home turf.

The sharp-witted woodsman who lives down the valley, however, will do even better...