Help me think up new Str & Con based skills

[Terath Ninir]

One thing that bugs me in d20 is that there aren't many skills for the Strength and Constitution. Strength is easy to explain -- most of its skills are combat skills. And those are all absorbed into BAB and weapon proficiency feats.

Constitution, though, is a lot more difficult. There just aren't many skills one can apply to the stat.

In my campaign, I'm adding a skill I'm calling Stamina for Constitution. It's basically for resisting any condition that causes fatigue -- forced marches, long-distance running, long-distance swimming, whatever. Basically, turning the Endurance feat into a skill, which suits my purposes better. I'm also sure the players would rather spend some skill points on this instead of a precious, precious feat.

But there I'm stuck. I've got one skill, but not really any ideas for others. Can anyone out there help a brother out?

 

[DanMcS]

Why more for constitution?

Constitution is a passive thing. It's how tough you are. Health and stamina. Hit points. No skills needed there. Resisting hardship is hit points and your fortitude save.

Actually, concentration should be a mental thing, probably wisdom- perception, and the ability to be aware of your surroundings and filter out distractions.

 

[Terath Ninir]

That is somewhat less than helpful, you know. :\ If you don't have any useful ideas, why bother posting?

 

[Aaron2]

In my campaign, I'm adding a skill I'm calling Stamina for Constitution. It's basically for resisting any condition that causes fatigue -- forced marches, long-distance running, long-distance swimming, whatever. Basically, turning the Endurance feat into a skill, which suits my purposes better. I'm also sure the players would rather spend some skill points on this instead of a precious, precious feat.

I'd like to see this skill since it is definately something that can be trained. However, I don't see much in game use for it.

One other thing would be some skill like Carousing. For impressing the peeps in fantastic drinking contests. It could work similarly to Diplomacy but only against normal tough types. I think if there were a skill with that name, players would put skill points into it just because. Also, if you were playing with some sort of wounds/critical hit system you might need a skill for enduring pain.

As for strength, I can see it being used for various Perform or Profession skills for sports and such.


Aaron

 

[Terath Ninir]

Well, Stamina drops off in value at higher levels, 'cause you can often just teleport where you need to go. But I still find it more appealing than using up a feat for that effect.

As for uses at low level, it's not hard to make travel times actually matter. If the players really do need to get across a kingdom in a week, after their horses have been eaten, fatigue really starts to matter.

I love the Carousing idea. One of my some-times-players would probably max that skill out just for character reasons. Thank you!!!!!

I hadn't thought of Profession or Perfom. Maybe a Sports skill; I'd need to work on the name, though. It sounds way too modern. But that does have me thinking. Thank you again!

 

[Tonguez]

Other than gewneral stamina (and carousing - klewl idea) the only skills I can think of atm are 'Free Diving' type skills ie a skill to allow a pc to swim under water for longer than usual and at depths that would usually cause damage

The psionic stablize self could be made a general Con based skill (representing the ability to stay concious dispite being at HP<0)

Strength Skills might include Bend Bars, Push and Lift skills

 

[Kemrain]

Someone in another thread suggested a Maneuver skill, used for running and chasing and the like. Good for arial maneuvers, too. It could easily be a Con skill, but Dex makes as much sense.

- Kemrain the Weak.

 

[Terath Ninir]

Free Diving sounds like a possibility, but I don't know if anyone would ever actually take it. Hmm...

Stabilize self sounds good. As does a skill for feats of strength (bend bars, push, lift).

Maneuver would be a decent skill, but it's definitely Dex...

 

[GreatLemur]

That is somewhat less than helpful, you know. :\ If you don't have any useful ideas, why bother posting?

I dunno, I'd say that was a valid opinion to post. I don't agree that skill and training can't influence one's success at Constitution-related tasks, but he's dead right in saying that Concentration always should have been Wisdom-based.

Other than gewneral stamina (and carousing - klewl idea) the only skills I can think of atm are 'Free Diving' type skills ie a skill to allow a pc to swim under water for longer than usual and at depths that would usually cause damage

The psionic stablize self could be made a general Con based skill (representing the ability to stay concious dispite being at HP<0)

Strength Skills might include Bend Bars, Push and Lift skills

I think the effects you suggest for Free Diving could probably be rolled into Stamina. Stabilize Self sounds like a good idea, though, as long as it's not unbalancing. I'm no good at judging what's balanced.

I don't think I buy the idea of any skill influencing one's ability to bend bars and lift loads. That seems like an area where only raw power really matters.

 

[Terath Ninir]

I dunno, I'd say that was a valid opinion to post. I don't agree that skill and training can't influence one's success at Constitution-related tasks, but he's dead right in saying that Concentration always should have been Wisdom-based.

That was my polite version. On other boards I would have been considerably more rude for his totally unhelpful post.

I think the effects you suggest for Free Diving could probably be rolled into Stamina. Stabilize Self sounds like a good idea, though, as long as it's not unbalancing. I'm no good at judging what's balanced.

I don't think I buy the idea of any skill influencing one's ability to bend bars and lift loads. That seems like an area where only raw power really matters.

I see your point on Free Diving, especially given how rarely that would come up. Stabilize Self could be good, especially since I run high fantasy games. As for bending bars/lifting -- it's quite possible to train for that IRL, so why not in D&D? I wouldn't have it be 1 rank = +1 Str for lifting, though; that would get ridiculous even at 1st level.