D&D 4E Star Wars Saga Edition as preview of 4e?

[drothgery]

You're focusing too much on the total skill bonus as a measure of skillfulness. I'm betting talents will make a huge difference.

Moridin (aka Rodney Thompson, one of the authors of the game) has already posted that neither race abilities nor talents will give bonuses to skills, and the only feat that will is Skill Focus.

 

[Gentlegamer]

Moridin (aka Rodney Thompson, one of the authors of the game) has already posted that neither race abilities nor talents will give bonuses to skills, and the only feat that will is Skill Focus.

I didn't say they'd give bonuses in the sense of additions to the die roll. They will give abilities (skill stunts, rerolls, etc.).

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

I like it! I also seems like it would be a nice fit for D&D, since what you have in effect is an apprentice, journeyman, and master tier of skill competence.

 

[Thaniel]

I didn't say they'd give bonuses in the sense of additions to the die roll. They will give abilities (skill stunts, rerolls, etc.).

I have a sneaky suspicion it's going to take a lot of effort to get people away from the idea that the bonus is the be-all end-all of skill usage.

I, for one, welcome the change with open arms.

 

[Remathilis]

I like the concept a lot. I wish I could somehow integrate it with D&D 3.5 without re-writing everything...

 

[Kunimatyu]

Wow, this is a great idea. Stat + 1/2 level + 5(trained) +5 (Skill Focus) is simple to keep track of, and will help with NPC generation on the fly. I also like the idea of having feats and talents give rerolls and unlock additional uses of the skill.

If this system doesn't significantly alter DCs for most skills, I'm strongly considering it for my True20 game.

Let's see:

Level 1 guy with no stat bonus, and Skill Focus:

In D&D: 4+3 = +7

In SWSE: 0+5+5 = +10

Level 5 guy:

In D&D: 8 ranks + 3 Skill Focus = 11

In SWSE: 2(1/2 level rounded down) +5 trained + 5 Skill Focus = 12

Level 10 guy:

In D&D: 13 ranks + 3 Skill Focus = +16

In SWSE: 5+5+5 = +15

Level 20 guy:

In D&D: 23 ranks + 3 skill focus = +26

In SWSE: 10+5+5 = +20

Interesting. It starts out higher for the SW guy than in D&D, becomes very similar for the mid levels, and then D&D finally pulls away at Level 20.

I think this would be very easy to adapt to a standard system, provided one could figure out which skill uses were only for "trained" characters.

I can't wait to see what happens to attacks of opportunity...

 

[wingsandsword]

Major skills like Perception and Persuasion?

The skill system designed to make all characters, especially PC's and major NPC's able to use almost any skill halfway decently but specialists really powerful?

Sounds similar in theme and intent to the way skills were in the old d6 SWRPG.

I think it will work well for describing Star Wars and capturing the feel of the movies. For grittier/more "realistic" settings I wouldn't use this skill system.

I'd be interested to see how it would work in D&D though.

 

[Remathilis]

Interesting. It starts out higher for the SW guy than in D&D, becomes very similar for the mid levels, and then D&D finally pulls away at Level 20.

I think this would be very easy to adapt to a standard system, provided one could figure out which skill uses were only for "trained" characters.

Very Interesting.

So, (and a bit of assuming here) the Maximum skill modifier you can have is 20+ability mod. So the "highest" DC you can ever have is 40. (1d20+20+ab)

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

For those who like these new rule changes....
D&D Saga Edition??

 

[Greg K]

I love the new skill system! Please, please bring that to D&D!

I despise the new skill system! Please kill it and burn it!