Does anyone like class skills?

[Dannyalcatraz]

Put me down in the "I like class skills but don't like cross-class skills" category.

It makes sense to me that a particular class might do a better job than another one at teaching someone a particular skill...but it doesn't follow that it also makes someone worse at learning a skill not related to the base skill-set of the class.

 

[drothgery]

Static Defenses might actually be part Unearthed Arcana, and I think that's open.

It's in the 'players roll all dice' variant.

SWSE/4e-style skills is a close cousin to the 'maximum ranks' skill variant with a consolidated skill list.

 

[Vigilance]

I think part of the problem here, from my perspective, is the kind of classes Modern20 has, which aren't archetypes so much as the dreaded party roles.

Im a big fan of class skills normally, because of the games I've done have had actual archetypes. Id never want to get rid of class skills in Legends of the Samurai, for example.

But in Modern20, I kept running into areas where I felt more flexibility was needed. Its classes are closer to True 20 classes than standard d20 classes.

 

[Nyeshet]

I like the idea of class skills, but I do not like how cross-class skills are implemented. What I would prefer to see is something akin to the following:

A feat that makes a skill a class skill for all classes the PC has or will gain in the future - a sort of 'signature skill' trait. Perhaps this could replace 'skill focus', in that they gain the skill as a class skill for all classes while also gaining a +2 benefit.

Another idea is to broaden class skills a bit; allow a class gained to remain a class skill hence forth:

A feat that allows a class skill from one class to be treated as class skills in another class - and vice versa. Thus a cleric / fighter would treat all class skills from both classes as class skills when they increased a level. After all, if they are multi-classing they likely are using class skills from both classes.

The former may seem like too little (only one skill is affected), while the latter may seem as too much.

Another idea I've thought on is allowing a cross-class skill to become a class skill once 4 skill pts have been put into it (granting it +2 skill ranks, the same bonus given by some feats to skills). The four points put into it show that the PC is taking the skill seriously, putting effort and skill points into it, even for only half price.

Another idea, perhaps to be used in tandem with the prior, is to remove the skill cap on cross-class skills. Since the cost is already twice that of normal skills, one can put as many points into it as they like - to the same limit as class skills (level in Pathfinder, level +3 in 3.5e). After putting in enough points for 2, 3 or perhaps 4 skill ranks, the class becomes a class skill.



It really depends on how important skills are in your campaign as to which method is better for you. If they are not too important, then perhaps allowing a class skill gained to count as a class skill henceforth (regardless from which class future levels are taken) will work. If they are too important to treat so lightly, then perhaps just removing the cap of half class skill ranks allowable is enough - perhaps even granting class level status if Skill Focus or 4+ (or 6+, or even 8+) skill points are placed into the cross-class skill.

 

[Armadillo]

A feat that makes a skill a class skill for all classes the PC has or will gain in the future - a sort of 'signature skill' trait. Perhaps this could replace 'skill focus', in that they gain the skill as a class skill for all classes while also gaining a +2 benefit.

I've always treated the feats with the +2 skill benefit as also making those skills class skills.

I like the idea of giving characters a +2 benefit in all class skills and getting rid of cross-class skills. This would also lessen the difficulty of having to pick certain core classes for the skills required to qualify for an advanced class.

 

[Nyeshet]

I've always treated the feats with the +2 skill benefit as also making those skills class skills.

I've not heard of this before, but I know a lot of people that do it with the Skill Focus feat - the PC gains the bonus and the skill is a permanent class skill for the PC.

I like the idea of giving characters a +2 benefit in all class skills and getting rid of cross-class skills. This would also lessen the difficulty of having to pick certain core classes for the skills required to qualify for an advanced class.

You know, you could get the same effect by removing the cost but keeping the cap, right?

So, at all levels all skill ranks only cost 1 skill point. However, cross-class skills are capped at half level (or half level +1), while class skills are limited to level +2 (or +3, or even just level - as Pathfinder does it).

So putting a few points in a skill is easy no matter the class, but really pushing up the skill ranks in a skill requires it be a class skill.

This is yet another possible way of deal with cross-class skills.

 

[The Black Kestrel]

I'm with Mustrum Ridcully on this one. I'm a fan of class skill, but not cross class skills. I think that class skills help a player focus on the skills that are relevant to their class. This ensures that a player's character can actually perform their classes role. This is even more important in d20 Modern where skills come into play more often that D&D (well in my games anyway).

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I'm with Mustrum Ridcully on this one. I'm a fan of class skill, but not cross class skills. I think that class skills help a player focus on the skills that are relevant to their class. This ensures that a player's character can actually perform their classes role. This is even more important in d20 Modern where skills come into play more often that D&D (well in my games anyway).

QFT. Mine too.

 

[Malacoda]

It's in the 'players roll all dice' variant.

SWSE/4e-style skills is a close cousin to the 'maximum ranks' skill variant with a consolidated skill list.

Both these concepts are also covered in The Mastermind Manual for Mutants & Masterminds, which is primarily open content (and uses material from Unearthed Arcana).

When it comes to general mechanics, a lot of 4e can be "emulated" via 3e-era open content such as the two books mentioned, plus a bevy of others.

Also, put me down as someone who doesn't like class skills in a general modern game. I think a small listing of "signature skills" that a given class can get bonues on is a better idea.

 

[Armadillo]

You know, you could get the same effect by removing the cost but keeping the cap, right?

So, at all levels all skill ranks only cost 1 skill point. However, cross-class skills are capped at half level (or half level +1), while class skills are limited to level +2 (or +3, or even just level - as Pathfinder does it).

This is much easier and elegant to implement.