Non-Weapon Proficiencies [Archive] - Wizards Community

Non-Weapon Proficiencies [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
InkBlot
05-15-07, 11:51 AM When I heard that StarWars: Saga Edition had done away with skillpoints, I thought to myself "what are they going to do, go back to non-weapon proficiencies?" I haven't even read the preview for Saga Edition, nor have I been playing D&D long enough to know how non-weapon proficiencies work, but that thought sparked an idea in my head.

Here is my idea for an alternative skill system. It makes skills more reliable, it makes the numbers smaller, and it incorporates skill tricks.

- Instead of using skill points to buy ranks in a skill, you use skill points to buy proficiency with a skill. You still have skill points equal to your int + class bonus, but you don't get quadruple points at 1st level.

- Once you have proficiency in a skill, each additional point buys you a skill trick from that skill. Tricks encompass what would normaly require a high-DC check, such as tumbling through an enemy's space. This also includes the tricks from Complete Scoundrel.

- Cross-class skills cost the same, but give you a static penalty to your skill check. This penalty goes away if you ever take a class with the skill as a class skill.

-Synergies kick in as soon as you are proficient in the two synergistic skills.

So the penalty for using a skill you aren't proficient with is -4. The penalty for using a cross-class skill is -2. Synergies still give a +2. DC's are lowered to account for the lower modifiers.

So for example, let's say Kordette the 1st level female human fighter has an int of 13. She can choose any 4 skills to become proficient in. She chooses tumble, jump, ride, and climb. Since tumble isn't a class skill, she takes a -2 to tumble checks. Since tumble and jump have synergy with each other, she gets a +2 to tumble and jump checks. These modifiers essentialy cancle out, and her tumble checks are simply 1d20 + dex.

At level 5, Kordette again puts a skill point into tumble. Her tumble checks are still 1d20 + dex, but now she can learn a tumble trick. She chooses accelerated tumble. She can now tumble at full speed instead of 1/2 speed.
Ranger REG
05-16-07, 02:18 AM When I heard that StarWars: Saga Edition had done away with skillpoints, I thought to myself "what are they going to do, go back to non-weapon proficiencies?" I haven't even read the preview for Saga Edition, nor have I been playing D&D long enough to know how non-weapon proficiencies work, but that thought sparked an idea in my head.
You should read them. At least when your Intelligent score increases, you don't need to worry about retroactive skill point loss.
InkBlot
05-16-07, 04:29 PM Why would you have to worry about losing skill points from an Intelligence increase? Skills have never been retroactive like that. Just to be clear, skills aren't retroactive in my variant either.

And I have read some of the Saga Edition previews now. It's somewhat similar to my variant, but there are a couple things I don't like about it. There isn't enough difference between a skilled and unskilled person, and I don't like the convoluted way they handle multiclassing and class/crossclass-skills.
Ranger REG
05-16-07, 09:30 PM Why would you have to worry about losing skill points from an Intelligence increase? Skills have never been retroactive like that. Just to be clear, skills aren't retroactive in my variant either.
Because many gamers have asked that many times, to which I respond (albeit rudely) "You don't get retroactive skill points. Deal with it."

Under the new skill system in SECR, you don't deal with retroactive skill points (because there is none to deal). Instead, when your Int score increase, you simply gained a new trained skill.

To determine your skill bonus:

1/2 character level + relevant ability modifier + 5 (if Trained) + 5 (if Skill Focus).

Like I said, you should read the preview articles.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
InkBlot 05-15-07, 11:51 AM	When I heard that StarWars: Saga Edition had done away with skillpoints, I thought to myself "what are they going to do, go back to non-weapon proficiencies?" I haven't even read the preview for Saga Edition, nor have I been playing D&D long enough to know how non-weapon proficiencies work, but that thought sparked an idea in my head. Here is my idea for an alternative skill system. It makes skills more reliable, it makes the numbers smaller, and it incorporates skill tricks. - Instead of using skill points to buy ranks in a skill, you use skill points to buy proficiency with a skill. You still have skill points equal to your int + class bonus, but you don't get quadruple points at 1st level. - Once you have proficiency in a skill, each additional point buys you a skill trick from that skill. Tricks encompass what would normaly require a high-DC check, such as tumbling through an enemy's space. This also includes the tricks from Complete Scoundrel. - Cross-class skills cost the same, but give you a static penalty to your skill check. This penalty goes away if you ever take a class with the skill as a class skill. -Synergies kick in as soon as you are proficient in the two synergistic skills. So the penalty for using a skill you aren't proficient with is -4. The penalty for using a cross-class skill is -2. Synergies still give a +2. DC's are lowered to account for the lower modifiers. So for example, let's say Kordette the 1st level female human fighter has an int of 13. She can choose any 4 skills to become proficient in. She chooses tumble, jump, ride, and climb. Since tumble isn't a class skill, she takes a -2 to tumble checks. Since tumble and jump have synergy with each other, she gets a +2 to tumble and jump checks. These modifiers essentialy cancle out, and her tumble checks are simply 1d20 + dex. At level 5, Kordette again puts a skill point into tumble. Her tumble checks are still 1d20 + dex, but now she can learn a tumble trick. She chooses accelerated tumble. She can now tumble at full speed instead of 1/2 speed.
Ranger REG 05-16-07, 02:18 AM	When I heard that StarWars: Saga Edition had done away with skillpoints, I thought to myself "what are they going to do, go back to non-weapon proficiencies?" I haven't even read the preview for Saga Edition, nor have I been playing D&D long enough to know how non-weapon proficiencies work, but that thought sparked an idea in my head. You should read them. At least when your Intelligent score increases, you don't need to worry about retroactive skill point loss.
InkBlot 05-16-07, 04:29 PM	Why would you have to worry about losing skill points from an Intelligence increase? Skills have never been retroactive like that. Just to be clear, skills aren't retroactive in my variant either. And I have read some of the Saga Edition previews now. It's somewhat similar to my variant, but there are a couple things I don't like about it. There isn't enough difference between a skilled and unskilled person, and I don't like the convoluted way they handle multiclassing and class/crossclass-skills.
Ranger REG 05-16-07, 09:30 PM	Why would you have to worry about losing skill points from an Intelligence increase? Skills have never been retroactive like that. Just to be clear, skills aren't retroactive in my variant either. Because many gamers have asked that many times, to which I respond (albeit rudely) "You don't get retroactive skill points. Deal with it." Under the new skill system in SECR, you don't deal with retroactive skill points (because there is none to deal). Instead, when your Int score increase, you simply gained a new trained skill. To determine your skill bonus: 1/2 character level + relevant ability modifier + 5 (if Trained) + 5 (if Skill Focus). Like I said, you should read the preview articles.