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<blockquote data-quote="KidSnide" data-source="post: 5712467" data-attributes="member: 54710">On the one hand, I think a short skill list filled with skills of vaguely equal importance is of high value to the game.&nbsp; A smaller number of skills limits the amount of rules necessary to explain the skills and it prevents optimization traps where someone needs to sacrifice their perception or mobility to adequately fill out their character background.On the other hand, I appreciate the value of having mechanics to help realize the non-adventuring parts of the character.&nbsp; In my games, I apply an ad hoc +5 skilled modifier to checks where the character's background would give them proficiency, but I understand how many folks want something more concrete than a DM's ad hoc adjustments.It seems to me that a two-tiered skill system is the right solution here.&nbsp; I'd keep the core list as it is, and change the optional background feature to allow players to use 2-3 background &quot;slots&quot; to either add a relevant core-skill to their class list or to pick from a large (and expandable) list of skills relating to craft, profession or non-adventuring areas of knowledge.&nbsp; If 5e feats are appropriate for non-combat enhancements, it would be reasonable to allow a feat that gives a substantial bonus to a single non-combat skill so you could play &quot;one of the world's great blacksmiths&quot; or something to that effect.-KS</blockquote>

[QUOTE="KidSnide, post: 5712467, member: 54710"] On the one hand, I think a short skill list filled with skills of vaguely equal importance is of high value to the game. A smaller number of skills limits the amount of rules necessary to explain the skills and it prevents optimization traps where someone needs to sacrifice their perception or mobility to adequately fill out their character background. On the other hand, I appreciate the value of having mechanics to help realize the non-adventuring parts of the character. In my games, I apply an ad hoc +5 skilled modifier to checks where the character's background would give them proficiency, but I understand how many folks want something more concrete than a DM's ad hoc adjustments. It seems to me that a two-tiered skill system is the right solution here. I'd keep the core list as it is, and change the optional background feature to allow players to use 2-3 background "slots" to either add a relevant core-skill to their class list or to pick from a large (and expandable) list of skills relating to craft, profession or non-adventuring areas of knowledge. If 5e feats are appropriate for non-combat enhancements, it would be reasonable to allow a feat that gives a substantial bonus to a single non-combat skill so you could play "one of the world's great blacksmiths" or something to that effect. -KS [/QUOTE]

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