"Background" skill points at Level 1

[DWARF]

Anyone else run a game with extra skill points at level 1?
I have several times, usually 4 to 8 points, limited to Craft, Profession, Knowledge and Perform skills. My players usually like that they get to represent their characters backgrounds without having to dip into their precious little skill points by class.

Any thoughts on this, other experiences?

 

[Tabarnak Smokeblower]

That can be a good idea. Of course, the skills in which you have invested skill points aren't the actual representation of the totality of what your character can do. Those extra skill points will indeed reflect your capabilities in a certain field, but if one of my players wrote in his background story that he grew up on a farm, I'll assume that he knows how to do basic farm stuff, regardless of the fact that he has invested skill points in Profession (Farmer) or not.

How do you deal with characters that had "jobs" before adventuring, vs. characters that didn't?

How do you deal with "munchkins" that invest these skill points in a "useful" manner?

TS

 

[DWARF]

Well, for someone who had a job beforehand, I'd expect them to represent that by spending most of those points in the relevant Craft, Profession or Knowledge skills. See, my problem is that they say that skill points don't represent all a character knows, such as farming or metalworking, etc. but then they also throw in those skills into that skill point system. I mean, if farmers need skill points to farm, since that's the mechanic in the rules to allow and govern farming, then why not include that with the character. Then from the other side, if a character can do mundane tasks like farming and such but don't need skill points in them, then why put those tasks into the skills system?

And Munchkins? Well... I don't really play with any. We've got a group big enough that we could run 2 full tables at a time, so we've mostly edited out the munchkins that exploit stuff like that. So I guess me answer to that is that I don't have a problem, since munchkins get kicked to the curb before then...

 

[Malin Genie]

If they have 'precious little' skill points by class, then they haven't invested in (or been blessed with) intelligence. So they aren't good at as many skills. So what?

If a dumb fighter comes from a farming background he can put two of his four points into farming, and the others into Ride/Handle Animal. Knows the basics, but he's not smart enough to know avanced techniques.

The one House Rule is that I do give all classes other than Barbarian Profession (it's silly to say that a Fighter can't come from a background with a profession....especially given that Profession(Soldier) is the appropriate skill for a professional soldier.....!)

 

[Nifft]

I grant an extra 2 "Education Skill Points" (ESPs) at each level, and an extra 8 ESPs at 1st level.

ESPs can only be spent on Knowleges, Professions or Crafts.

-- Nifft

 

[FungiMuncher]

Yeah, DWARF, I have the same issue with you about what the rules say concerning a PC's background, and the given mechanics.

In my campaign, I give +8 skill points at first level, +2 per level after that. I used to require that these bonus points be spent in roleplaying skills, like you mentioned, but have since relaxed on that. Now, the players can select 4 skills at character creation, which will always be considered class skills.

It's sort of like giving them a partial level in the expert class. I have not seen any real balance problems with this. My players have generally used the bonus points in the spirit in which they're intended (pehaps I'm lucky in that regard). I see a lot more background development, which I like.

On the other hand, the only "balance problems" I consider genuine are issues between the players' characters. I'll make the NPCs as tough as I need 'em.

If a DM thinks it's an issue, another possible solution would be to make the bonus skill points miscellaneous modifiers, and not full blown "skill ranks." That way, a PC couldn't qualify for any prestige classes any sooner than usual.

FM

 

[Tonguez]

I don't give skill points instead I have the PCs create their background and then apply bonus skills accordingly - eg if Bob the Barbarian is the son of a Fisherman he will get Prof Fisherman +2.
If in addition the background explains the he however disliked fishing and was drawn more towards the art of bowmaking and spent three years courting the Bowyers daughter than he will also get Prof Bowyer +2, and maybe Diplomacy +2
ie an elaborate background detailing his life from birth in a manner that entertains (rather than bores) me might get a few more bonuses - basically a system to reward creative backgrounds

 

[Grayhawk]

In my upcomming campaign I gave all characters a free Skill Focus feat to be used with a Craft, Profession or Knowledge skill (appropriate to the character's background).

 

[candidus_cogitens]

I didn't realize anyone else did this, other than me. But maybe I got the idea from someone else and forgot that it wasnt mine originally.

Anyway, I tried the idea for a while (4 points for a craft or profession), but eventually i decided it didn't really add anything. I stopped using it because i don't want the players to feel like the things they get aren't legitimately earned.

The reason I wanted to try it in the first place was that I thought those skills were under-utilized. But free skill points doesnt really solve that problem.

But I like Tonguez' approach: just give them a circumstance bonus if they have a relevant background.

 

[Obryn]

I do use background skills and I love 'em.

I give each character 2x their INT or WIS modifier, whichever is higher, for Craft, Profession, Knowledge, or Perform skills. Characters can't select a skill that's 'class-important' (e.g. no Perform for bards, no Knowledge (Arcana) for wizards and so on. No more than 3 ranks per skill; everyone has at least 1 point. I let people convince me to let them pick other skills - Rope Use springs to mind, for instance.

It worked well, but I kinda want to give them even more. I really think it helped flesh out their backgrounds. Next time around, I think I'll give 4+INT bonus for knowledges and 4+WIS bonus for the rest.

-O