In the eight ability system:
Dexterity = manual dexterity, cautious precision.
Athletics = body agility, balance, mobility.
There is no overlap. Athletics gains the "dodge" bonus to AC.
The eight abilities are not abstract. They emerge from the bottom up, from each of the eight containing important combat mechanics, that tend to happen during most combat encounters.
Isn't this quite punitive on fighters and barbarians?to start with i'd probably try to even out the number of skills per stat, i'd move intimidation to STR, and split athletics into might and stamina (and emphasize some of the things that acrobatics can't actually do), then i'd add three skills to CON: vitality(required to gain +con HP on level up), endurance(half proficiency to saving throws) and concentration(required to get +con on concentration saving throws), and the ever classic, INT gives an equal bonus of extra skills/proficiencies.
true perhaps, but i think martials should be getting more skills than they currently do anyway and if four extra skills got added the amount of skills everyone gets would probably need to be adjusted so i'd compensate them for that in those changes.Isn't this quite punitive on fighters and barbarians?
They gain from the Intimidation thing but they have to spend two extra skill slots to stay where they are, and other characters can buy a skill that gives them half proficiency in one of their main saves.
This would need to be paired with at least a couple more skills for these classes I think.
DEXTERITY Reflex Save AC Dodge Bonus Athletics (Climb-Balance, Jump-Fall, Speed, Maneuver) Unarmed Combat Stealth Checks Missile Attack Missile Damage Finesse Attack Finesse Damage | STRENGTH Melee Attack Melee Damage Heavy Armor Strength Check (Break/Block Doors) (No Saves) | CONSTITUTION Hit Points Fortitude Save (No Actions) |
INTELLIGENCE Perception Save (Hidden, Illusion, Fake) Find = Intelligence (Stealth) Initiative All Knowledge Checks Medicine (Healing, Poisoning) Deception Skill | CHARISMA Persuasion (prevent combat) Intimidation (end combat) (inflict dis?) Insight (morale?) (No Saves) | WISDOM Concentration, Focus Sanity Save (Charm, Fear, Domination) (No Actions) |