GD184 / Skill Levels

From: Paul2.Harmaty (Paul2.Harmaty@aig.com)
Date: Wed 11 Sep 1996 - 23:42:04 EEST


Saravan Peacock would like to see the concept of "skill levels" in the new
G:RPG. Thus allowing a master crafter the ability to create thing that a hack

could only dream of doing.

This is a lovely idea and one I believe can easily work with RQ or Pendragon
mechanics. I admit that I haven't thought this out, but I submit the following
idea anyway for people to shoot at.

The concept is to assign level descriptor to skills that correspond to the
number rank of the skill. I first saw this used in a little RPG called Malanda

back in 1981(?). The goal was to discourage players from using game terms to
describe their characters. It was well received by the players and worked
pretty well in practice.

 
Briefly, instead of the player having a number next to a skill, he'd have a
"level" descriptor. For example, in Pendragon it would work something like ...
any skill rated: 1-3 = Inept, 4-6 = Novice, 7-9 = Trained (Apprentice), 10-12
= Skilled (Journeyman), 13-15 = Experienced, 16-18 = Talented and 19+ = Master.
Of course, the GM must have a master character list with the actual skill
numbers for use in resolving any skill tests.

This allows the character to honestly state he is a talented swordsman rather
than saying he has a 16 sword skill. It's also a great way to describe an NPC's
abilities or reputation.

Under these rules when a Master successfully uses a skill the results can be
assumed to be better than the best efforts of an Apprentice. The skill level
descriptor helps qualify the expected results of the two craftsmen. The whole
concept just feels right to me.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Paul Harmaty

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