[starsiege] Adding Skill Bundles

Gallowglacht · Post by **Gallowglacht** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 9:31 am

Can anyone see any unforseen effects of adding skill bundles? I don't mean just for the hell of it, or to overcomplicate stuff, but support diversity of concept. In other worlds, Lore is very broad, which is fine in space opera. However in a game heavier on scientific investigation or medical specialisations you might like it divided up.

I'd like a medical bundle with specialisations in medicine, surgery, first aid, cybernetics and genetics without my doctor being an expert in every science related topic.

One extra skill bundle isn't going to have too much effect is it?

cheeplives · Post by **cheeplives** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:04 pm

I can't think of a problem with it... I wouldn't add a whole bunch more, but an extra few wouldn't hurt...

I would stray away from something as specific as "Medical" though... Skill Bundles are broad because I tired to make sure they'd get used enough... Combat is pretty specific because it gets used a lot... meanwhile, Lore was broader because you make fewer of Science, Medical, and such checks so I made it more "powerful" by grouping them together.

But if you don't mind "depowering" some of the bundles by breaking them apart, I don't see a mechanical problem with it. Unless you add like 10 more Skill Bundles.. then you might want to consider giving out an additional Skill Bundle to all characters to balance it.

But I really suggest using Specialties for what you're looking for rather than adding new Skill Bundles... that's what they were put into the game for, after all...
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cheeplives · Post by **cheeplives** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:13 pm

Hrrm.. now I'm formulating an optional rule:
Dammit Jim! I'm a doctor, not a bard!

A player character may choose to create a Forte in their Primary Fields. A Forte is a very focused training in a small aspect of the Skill Bundle, but is done by sacrificing knowledge in other areas of the bundle. Choosing a Forte is a double edged sword for a character. The player can choose a narrow application of a Skill Bundle and declare it to be their character's Forte. Doing so, the Challenge Base for all rolls that fall under their Forte becomes 10 rather than 12. Unfortunately, this focus comes at a detriment to other training in that field. All other checks under that Skill Bundle are done witha Challenge Base of 16.

For example, Jim wants to play a highly skilled doctor but doesn't want to be an all around great scientist. He decides to take the Lore Skill Bundle with the Medical Forte. Now all Medical checks by Jim's character have a Challenge Base of 10. Any other checks under the Lore Skill Bundle, however, are made with a Challenge Base of 16.

A charater can only choose to have a single Forte, regardless of the number of Skill Bundles they have access to. Optionally, a SIEGE Engineer may allow for additional Fortes in different Skill Bundles for 12 XP. A Skill Bundle may only have one Forte.
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Gallowglacht · Post by **Gallowglacht** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:59 pm

hmm, I think I'd prefer a new bundle to a new rule, but apreciate the feedback aswell as the rapid response.

It only came up because I was thinking about the characters in my current game in starsiege terms. The doctor didn't quite feel right as the general scientist type. The Pilot, Engineer, Psychic Noble, Engineer, Marine, Trader and Soldier all worked out fine.

Subjectively Doctor "feels" distinct enough from scientist as an archetype for me.

Thanks.

Sundog · Post by **Sundog** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:19 pm

I think it'd depend strongly on the style of the game. If the game has a Scientist as a 50s genius who can grow genecunched self-harvesting tomatoes in the basement of his nuclear accelerator in order to fund his FTL research project (which will stop the alien invaders Just In Time!), then one bundle is enough. If, however, you have a different style of game, where scientific specialisations are going to be important (astrophysics from planetary ecology, for a broad example), then I think that splitting the bundles up some will help to add rather than subtract flavour.

Just don't get carried away or you'll end up in Skillsville before you know it!

At the end of the day, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Suck it and see.

Gallowglacht · Post by **Gallowglacht** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:50 am

I agree, Medical is the only one that I'm tempted to add to be honest.

And that mainly as it supports an archetype and I could see in regular use.

I'm not a fan of skills that don't see use in games. (eg I like the reduced skill list in d&d4)