SW Saga, Trained Skills, and Multiclassing?

psionotic · Feb 28, 2008

Anyone know how Star Wars Saga edition handles trained and untrained skills and multiclassing? Do skills that were once trained become not so when you MC, and vice versa? Is multiclassing an easy way to get more permanently trained skills? Or is it some kind of hybrid system where players are counting ranks of skills differently based on how many levels of each class their character has taken?

I really like how 4e seems to have two values for all skill ranks, based on whether you are trained or not (and of course, adjusted by modifiers). But I'm wondering whether multiclassing will muddy the waters somewhat. Any thoughts on the SW saga system of handling this, and whether or not 4e is likely to use the same system for it?

Klaus · Feb 28, 2008

Your list of class skills include the class skills from all your classes.

The only ways to get more trained skills after 1st level are to increase your Intelligence modifier, or to take the Skill Training feat (note that all classes get bonus feats at even-numbered levels, and Skill Training is always listed as a bonus feat). You can choose the new feat from the class skill lists of all your classes.

Campbell · Feb 28, 2008

psionotic said:
Anyone know how Star Wars Saga edition handles trained and untrained skills and multiclassing? Do skills that were once trained become not so when you MC, and vice versa? Is multiclassing an easy way to get more permanently trained skills? Or is it some kind of hybrid system where players are counting ranks of skills differently based on how many levels of each class their character has taken?

I really like how 4e seems to have two values for all skill ranks, based on whether you are trained or not (and of course, adjusted by modifiers). But I'm wondering whether multiclassing will muddy the waters somewhat. Any thoughts on the SW saga system of handling this, and whether or not 4e is likely to use the same system for it?

Here's the way Saga skills work.

At first level you pick a number of trained skills from your class skill list.
Training grants a +5 bonus to use of the skill and allows a character to perform trained only skill uses.
You can pick up the Skill Training feat to gain additional trained skills. Trained skills must still come from your class skill list.
You can also specialize further by taking Skill Focus on an already trained skill.
When you multiclass add your new class' skills to your class skill list. You do not gain any additional trained skills.
Skill Training and Skill Focus are bonus feats for all classes.
Skill Check Formula = 1d20+ 1/2 heroic class levels + 5 if trained + 5 if focused + Ability Modifier

drothgery · Feb 28, 2008

Also, when your intelligence modifier increases permenantly, you do gain new skills.

Some extremely common house rules for SWSE skills are
- instead of gaining a class bonus feat when multiclassing, you can take skill training in one of the class skills of your new class
- the bonus skills from high int (or being human) can be used on any skills, not just class skills

arscott · Feb 28, 2008

It's also worth noting that:

-Class skills are only granted by base classes, not Prestige Classes

-Taking the Force Sensitivity Feat allows you to add Use the Force to your list of class skills without taking levels in Jedi (In addition to granting access to the untrained uses of the skill).

-A number of Talents allow characters to use One skill in place of another. For example, a Jedi talent allows you to substitute a Use the Force check for a persuasion check, while a Scoundrel talent allows you to substitute a Use Computer check for a Gather Information check.

Klaus · Feb 28, 2008

arscott said:
It's also worth noting that:

-Class skills are only granted by base classes, not Prestige Classes

-Taking the Force Sensitivity Feat allows you to add Use the Force to your list of class skills without taking levels in Jedi (In addition to granting access to the untrained uses of the skill).

-A number of Talents allow characters to use One skill in place of another. For example, a Jedi talent allows you to substitute a Use the Force check for a persuasion check, while a Scoundrel talent allows you to substitute a Use Computer check for a Gather Information check.

To expand on Use The Force and Jedi: a character focused on Use The Force can theoretically Use The Force to replace Initiative, Persuasion, Treat Injury, Pilot and Perception (maybe more, I can't remember all talents right now).