The general skills section described on RC/81 is a great addition for customising OD&D characters, though the mechanics used lack one significant component: an intuitive die-based arbitration method. Using our system of attribute checks, we've streamlined somewhat the use of general skills in the game.
General Skill Basics
Skills outlined in the RC (and elsewhere on this site) represent special, learned abilities outside those granted by class or race. General skills flesh out a character's knowledge base and provide some differentiation amongst PCs and NPCs.
Since each skill corresponds to a single ability score, their use is arbitrated via attribute checks.
Skill Level
Each slot spent on a general skill applies +1 to the user's attribute check when the skill is used. Multiple slots may be spent on the same skill.
Examples
- Mertrand is a 3rd-level magic-user who wants to use his Tracking skill (+2) to follow a 3HD orc chieftain foe through the woods in the dark. Tracking is a Wisdom-based skill (Mertrand's WIS is 12 and is a secondary attribute). Mertrand's target number is 23 (18, +3 for the orc's HD, +2 applied by the DM to account for darkness), and his check modifier is +5 (+3 for 3rd-level, +2 for Tracking skill slots, +0 for WIS 12 as secondary). Mertrand's tracking attempt succeeds on roll of 18 or more.
Related Articles
- Attribute Checks - A streamlined dice mechanic for doing resolving any game action.
- New General Skills - A roster of new General Skills from The Trid Campaign.
- Saving Throws - How the attribute check system applies to saves.