johnbragg
2015-02-13, 01:02 PM
Should there be more skill synergies? As in a lot more?
I'm thinking that the typical NPC that the PCs interact with--elite craftsman or library-wizards or town mayors or friendly-neighborhood-priests that the PCs interact (not counting hired-spellcasters, obviously) should be 2nd or 3rd level, with max ranks in the relevant skill, +2 for ability, Skill Focus, plus masterwork tools and an apprentice, which totals up to a +14 on the check. I think that's solid for a decent-sized town's master craftsman or sage or whatever; or in a big city a senior-journeyman that handles walk-in clients with big sacks of spendable cash. I think that a professional in favorable conditions (his expensive, well-supplied workshop and well-trained apprentice or two, not under ticking-bomb time pressure) should be able to meet "Formidable" (DC 25) challenges in their field. (That matches a murderhobo-PC at 7th level, figuring 10 ranks and +4 for ability, without the time to arrange masterwork equipment or apprentices etc)
Should the "typical" elite NPC Expert be able to specialize by maxxing two skills, and get a synergy bonus? My gut says yes--this guy is the top horse-breeder or weaponsmith or fine-tailor or arcana-sage or whatever in the local area. Or at least a recognized guild-member in a big city. The books say that Profession/Craft is either-or, but I could see letting characters "double-down" and take both, effectively spending 5 skill points to bump their main check by 2.
I know that a lot of people feel that NPCs should have a check of "Yes" or "No" because of Plot-Over-Dice, but I like to have their capability statted out for my own reference. I can always go with taking 10 over rolling if I want DM fiat, or just override the numbers if I don't like them. (But I like this sort of thing for worldbuilding.)
How much could PCs abuse this? My gut says "not much"--there are plenty of ways for a PC to boost a skill check, with varying levels of cheese, and optimizing skill checks is not terribly OP anyway.
I'm thinking that the typical NPC that the PCs interact with--elite craftsman or library-wizards or town mayors or friendly-neighborhood-priests that the PCs interact (not counting hired-spellcasters, obviously) should be 2nd or 3rd level, with max ranks in the relevant skill, +2 for ability, Skill Focus, plus masterwork tools and an apprentice, which totals up to a +14 on the check. I think that's solid for a decent-sized town's master craftsman or sage or whatever; or in a big city a senior-journeyman that handles walk-in clients with big sacks of spendable cash. I think that a professional in favorable conditions (his expensive, well-supplied workshop and well-trained apprentice or two, not under ticking-bomb time pressure) should be able to meet "Formidable" (DC 25) challenges in their field. (That matches a murderhobo-PC at 7th level, figuring 10 ranks and +4 for ability, without the time to arrange masterwork equipment or apprentices etc)
Should the "typical" elite NPC Expert be able to specialize by maxxing two skills, and get a synergy bonus? My gut says yes--this guy is the top horse-breeder or weaponsmith or fine-tailor or arcana-sage or whatever in the local area. Or at least a recognized guild-member in a big city. The books say that Profession/Craft is either-or, but I could see letting characters "double-down" and take both, effectively spending 5 skill points to bump their main check by 2.
I know that a lot of people feel that NPCs should have a check of "Yes" or "No" because of Plot-Over-Dice, but I like to have their capability statted out for my own reference. I can always go with taking 10 over rolling if I want DM fiat, or just override the numbers if I don't like them. (But I like this sort of thing for worldbuilding.)
How much could PCs abuse this? My gut says "not much"--there are plenty of ways for a PC to boost a skill check, with varying levels of cheese, and optimizing skill checks is not terribly OP anyway.