D&D 3E/3.5 Skill changes in 3.5

[The Spectrum Rider]

So what have we figured out? Or think we've figured out?

(1) Wilderness Lore and Intuit Direction have been combined into a skill called Survival.

Well, I can't say I'll miss Intuit Direction. A highly limited skill, not the most useful place to spend your points.

(2) Animal Empathy is gone. Rangers get the class ability Wild Empathy instead.

What about barbarians and druids? Do they lose access to this skill/ability altogether?

(3) Scry is gone? Is it replaced with anything?

Any other info or rumors? I'm curious if there are going to be any changes to Perform. The current system, where you have n performance types that you're equally good at, and all the other performance types you have 0 ranks in (and where, the instant you pick up a new performance type, it becomes one of your "best" ones), strikes me as unconvincing and not particuarly conducive to good roleplaying. (Hey, my bard, one of the best mandolin players in the world, would like to learn a little about mime. Hey, guess what?!? He's now one of the best mimes in the world!) I'd love to see a subskill concept used here, or an incremental improvement method like the one used for Favored Enemy.

The Spectrum Rider

 

[fba827]

That is a pretty good summary of everything (related to skills) that has been determined thus far.

As for anything else? I haven't heard of anything.

I really would be in favor of changing the way the perform skill is done -- as you've pointed out, it doesn't seem to follow the basics of all the others. Same with Speak language... sure, the way this second one is done cuts back on a lot of paperwork, etc... just seems way too contrived when trying to explain it in game ("I just learned how to speak elvish -- and, yup, I know everything there is to know about the language" )

 

[shilsen]

(4) Alchemy is now part of the Craft skill, i.e. Craft (alchemy).

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

(5) Pick pocket is Sleight of Hand (and lets you do more tricks than just picking pockets).

On Wild Empathy -- it looks like (Extrapolating from Urban Arcana and elsewhere) that thw classes previously with Animal Empathy as class skills will get this ability, which then allows them to use ranks in Handle Animal to do things that the old Animal Empathy feat did (so in a way, Animal Empathy and Handle Animal have been combined).

 

[Erila of Sune]

Just my thing for dealing with languages.

1) To speak a given language requires enough skill points for one rank (only Wizards get this as a class-skill.) With that, you can speak any language well enough to get things done (Buy goods, find the outhouse, learn that the local dragon's scheduled the virgin sacrifice for tonight.) Also, you can hold a basic conversation about complex topics related to anything you already know (Skills, class-abilities, and such.) Most adventurers will only need this much.


2) Beyond the first rank in the language, you gain the ability to discuss esoteric topics, barter, etc. This would also include such things as the fighter attempting to learn about magical theory (he just doesn't have the vocabulary in this area.) Whenever attempting to communicate highly advanced concepts, roll the Speak Language skill against an appropriate DC. Note that in your native tongues you automatically succeed at any such check.

 

[candidus_cogitens]

I really like these changes, especially the slight of hand idea, the elimination of animal empathy, and the new approach to languages.

The only thing that completely puzzles me is what they are going to do without Scry. Anybody know more about that?

 

[Number47]

I really like these changes, especially the slight of hand idea, the elimination of animal empathy, and the new approach to languages.

The only thing that completely puzzles me is what they are going to do without Scry. Anybody know more about that?

There is no new way of dealing with languages, not that I've heard. Above is just somebody's house rule.

 

[Caliber]

only Wizards

Where's the Bard-love?

 

[Murrdox]

Weren't you listening? The Sage said in his latest chat,

In 3.5 Bards will be the best at everything

 

[melkoriii]

Anyone know what will happen with Track?

Will it be linked to Servival?

Will they add Profession(Hunter) or the likes?