reapersaurus
Explorer
Yes - 4 to 8 points at 1st level is popular in my experience.
2 more each level, also.
2 more each level, also.
"Background" skill points at Level 1
- Thread starter DWARF
- Start date
Knight-of-Roses
Historian of the Absurd
I use cultural/social backgrounds in my campaigns. You get 5 + Int Mod worth of skills that are appropriate (such as animal handling and profession for a farmer) as well as access to a block of cultural knowledges (usually religion, local area, politics and history).
It seems to work pretty well.
It seems to work pretty well.
Last edited:
I have a rule about background skill points at the player's option within certain guidelines.
Generally, it is limited to craft, profession, and knowledge skills (and even those are limited based on cultural background), together with some useful skills such as swim (if they lived in a fishing community, for example--although swimming was not a common skill until the late Renaissance, if my admittedly spotty memory is correct). I might allow some perform skills, depending on background. I also limited it to no more than 4 ranks (although that, perhaps, should be even lower--say 2 or 3).
However, these skills must be "paid for" by increasing the starting age of the character. I also ended up adjusting the skill-points per age based on life span, although I like the idea that most dwarves know a thing or two about mining and metalworking, or that elves just know a lot about various things.
I've found this to be more flexible--giving players choices without unbalancing things too much.
Generally, it is limited to craft, profession, and knowledge skills (and even those are limited based on cultural background), together with some useful skills such as swim (if they lived in a fishing community, for example--although swimming was not a common skill until the late Renaissance, if my admittedly spotty memory is correct). I might allow some perform skills, depending on background. I also limited it to no more than 4 ranks (although that, perhaps, should be even lower--say 2 or 3).
However, these skills must be "paid for" by increasing the starting age of the character. I also ended up adjusting the skill-points per age based on life span, although I like the idea that most dwarves know a thing or two about mining and metalworking, or that elves just know a lot about various things.
I've found this to be more flexible--giving players choices without unbalancing things too much.
candidus_cogitens
Explorer
Knight-of-Roses said:
Silly boy, no one uses odd numbers for skill points!!
AeroDm
First Post
For a while we used a similar system we called Mundane Skills (MunS for short... ). We dropped it when we realized that people still min/maxed these because when you boil it down I play with a group of power gamers. It was an awesome addition and one I'd likely bring back if I thought it was warranted.
Inez Hull
First Post
We've found that expanding Skill Focus into being a worthwhile feat helps give characters the option for starting with decent skills on 1st level. It gives either a +2 to two related skills or +5 to one skill, but most importantly makes the skills class skills. Given that it takes a feat to do so, any powergaming instincts to abuse it on skills like tumble are usually dropped in favour of other feats.
candidus_cogitens
Explorer
Inez Hull said:
Did you say PLUS FIVE?!? Wow. By the way, got any plus five longswords on your bargain rack?
Inez Hull
First Post
Even the 3.5E Skill Focus feat is pretty useless really. Sure +3 has some significance on lower levels, but not enough to my thinking for the spending of a feat. A +5 bonus may be abused by some players, but in our campaign it is considered far from being a must have feat, and thats not because the players are hack'n'slashers either - our other regular game is Rolemaster because we love the detailed skill development.
MarauderX
Explorer
I like to give out extra skill points in areas that PCs might not think about, but are good for their background or future development. Nothing that helps them with combat, but only with the social skills. Adding a rank or two of Bluff to a Barbarian, a rank of Intimidate for the Wizard, one or two of Diplomacy to the Cleric or Fighter. It always helps the players get more into their PCs instead of being the stereotypical 'grumpy dwarf' or 'misunderstood wizard' when they feel they are playing more social characters.
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