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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Squire James" data-source="post: 1462775" data-attributes="member: 548">Forgive me if I'm start with the blindingly obvious... the mathmatical part of my mind demands it!"Taking 10" represents the best someone can get without taking a risk.  Current events might alter the situation so that any use of a skill is a risk (representing the times when taking 10 is not possible).  Therefore, I consider any game mechanic where someone functions better under stress without risk is an unbalanced one.If you desire a "no risk stress" value for a skill check, and you decide character level should be the determining factor, you should determine what you expect to be the maximum level of the campaign to be.  If you expect the campaign to end shortly after someone reaches level 10, then "take character level" seems a reasonable mechanic.  If you expect "low-epic" characters (the game ends with characters in low-to-mid 20's), then "take half character level" seems reasonable.  If you expect "high epic" characters, consider capping the ability at level 20, or just shrug and figure everyone's unbalanced in the level 26-40 range anyway...In any case, make this mechanic clear before a rogue gets the chance to select Skill Mastery.  Of course, you can make it useful again by letting Skill Mastery add +2 to the "no risk stress" checks.  If the "no risk stress" value exceeds 10, allow normal "take 10" checks to use this threshold as well.</blockquote>