Kizara
2008-04-18, 06:55 PM
From my Tome of House Rules v1.5; Skill section.
Feedback appreciated.
Skills:
Skill sets: Certain skills are combined together to form a ‘skill set’, these skill sets are levelled up (ranked up) as normal, and checks are made to them as normal. However, one generally only has specific bonuses to a particular skill in the set. For instance, in the Perception skill set, elves have +2 to Perception, but an eagle only has +8 to spot.
You may not take Skill Focus in a skill set, only in a subskill of that set. You may however take a feat such as Acrobatic and have it grant you +2 to skills of a skill set. You must have all applicable class skills in the skill set in order to take a skill set as a class skill.
Also, at the DM’s option, skills gained through a skill set do not count towards qualifying for things like feats or prestige classes.
Scribing: Forgery and Decipher Script
Perception: Spot, Listen, Smell
Stealth: Hide, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand
Tinkering: Disable Device, Open Lock
Acrobatics: Tumble, Balance, Escape Artist
Athleticism: Climb, Swim, Jump
Survival: Survival, Use Rope
Innuendo: Bluff, Seduction
Concentration:
-If you attempt to Cast Defensively and fail, you lose the spell, but still provoke.
-Double the spell level (instead of merely the spell level) is added to any DCs that involve the spell level.
-Any Concentration check made to cast a spell, whether from damage, motion or distraction, adds the spell level of the spell being attempted to the DC. Thus, it adds twice the spell level.
For example: If you were hit for 8 points of damage while attempting to cast fly, you would have to make a DC 24 Concentration check or lose the spell.
Intimidate:
-If you display your Strength in some way (such as by attacking with a non-finessed melee weapon) towards your target, you may use it in lieu of Charisma in your Intimidate check.
-When you are attempting to Intimidate someone, your check is opposed by a Will save, adding in any bonus against fear and a +4 circumstance bonus if they are not already shaken or worse.
Diplomacy:
Is not used as-written. I will determine appropriate responses to your requests and objectives depending on your result.
Note: This does not mean the skill is not used, and in fact it is one of the most often used.
-Diplomacy gives a synergy bonus to Gather Information.
Speak Language:
It now requires 3 ‘class ranks’ in Speak Language to gain complete fluency with a given language. Partial fluency is also possible, as shown below:
1 Rank: Rudimentary conversation with a limited vocabulary. Able to convey basic intentions, or obtain very common and straightforward information. Make a DC 14 intelligence check to understand general meaning of another conversation. Incur a -6 competence penalty to skills regarding the use of that language.
2 Ranks: Casual conversation with an average vocabulary. Able to communicate effectively regarding common matters, generally understandable and able to understand conversation. Incur a -2 competence penalty to attempting to pass as a native speaker or debate or understand things of an unusual or obscure nature (such as matters requiring a Knowledge (the planes) skill).
3 Ranks: Completely fluent. With some immersion and further practice, able to speak as well as a native speaker. Complete vocabulary.
5 Ranks: Mastery. You have Mastered this language, including obscure or ancient forms of it. Your vocabulary is impressively extensive, and your understanding and command of the language enables you to flawlessly communicate with others. Gain a +4 competence bonus on language-based skill checks while using a language you have Mastered.
-Spells such as Comprehend Languages and Tongues grant the equivalent of 2 ranks in all languages to their recipients.
-Characters start the game with a number of class ranks in Speak Language equal to 1 + Int modifier in addition to their automatic languages.
-People are considered to have rank 3 in their native language (such as Elven for elves), and 2 ranks in any other automatic language (such as Common for elves).
Tumble:
When you attempt to Tumble in combat to avoid an Attack of Opportunity, your tumble check is opposed by your opponent’s attack roll. Essentially, you still provoke but your tumble check serves as your AC. Your opponent must still hit your normal AC to hit you.
Use Magic Device:
-Increase base DCs by 5.
-Add the spell level of any device that mimics a spell (such as a wand) to the DC.
-Add half the caster level of any item that does not directly mimics a spell (such as pipes of sounding) to the DC.
Feedback appreciated.
Skills:
Skill sets: Certain skills are combined together to form a ‘skill set’, these skill sets are levelled up (ranked up) as normal, and checks are made to them as normal. However, one generally only has specific bonuses to a particular skill in the set. For instance, in the Perception skill set, elves have +2 to Perception, but an eagle only has +8 to spot.
You may not take Skill Focus in a skill set, only in a subskill of that set. You may however take a feat such as Acrobatic and have it grant you +2 to skills of a skill set. You must have all applicable class skills in the skill set in order to take a skill set as a class skill.
Also, at the DM’s option, skills gained through a skill set do not count towards qualifying for things like feats or prestige classes.
Scribing: Forgery and Decipher Script
Perception: Spot, Listen, Smell
Stealth: Hide, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand
Tinkering: Disable Device, Open Lock
Acrobatics: Tumble, Balance, Escape Artist
Athleticism: Climb, Swim, Jump
Survival: Survival, Use Rope
Innuendo: Bluff, Seduction
Concentration:
-If you attempt to Cast Defensively and fail, you lose the spell, but still provoke.
-Double the spell level (instead of merely the spell level) is added to any DCs that involve the spell level.
-Any Concentration check made to cast a spell, whether from damage, motion or distraction, adds the spell level of the spell being attempted to the DC. Thus, it adds twice the spell level.
For example: If you were hit for 8 points of damage while attempting to cast fly, you would have to make a DC 24 Concentration check or lose the spell.
Intimidate:
-If you display your Strength in some way (such as by attacking with a non-finessed melee weapon) towards your target, you may use it in lieu of Charisma in your Intimidate check.
-When you are attempting to Intimidate someone, your check is opposed by a Will save, adding in any bonus against fear and a +4 circumstance bonus if they are not already shaken or worse.
Diplomacy:
Is not used as-written. I will determine appropriate responses to your requests and objectives depending on your result.
Note: This does not mean the skill is not used, and in fact it is one of the most often used.
-Diplomacy gives a synergy bonus to Gather Information.
Speak Language:
It now requires 3 ‘class ranks’ in Speak Language to gain complete fluency with a given language. Partial fluency is also possible, as shown below:
1 Rank: Rudimentary conversation with a limited vocabulary. Able to convey basic intentions, or obtain very common and straightforward information. Make a DC 14 intelligence check to understand general meaning of another conversation. Incur a -6 competence penalty to skills regarding the use of that language.
2 Ranks: Casual conversation with an average vocabulary. Able to communicate effectively regarding common matters, generally understandable and able to understand conversation. Incur a -2 competence penalty to attempting to pass as a native speaker or debate or understand things of an unusual or obscure nature (such as matters requiring a Knowledge (the planes) skill).
3 Ranks: Completely fluent. With some immersion and further practice, able to speak as well as a native speaker. Complete vocabulary.
5 Ranks: Mastery. You have Mastered this language, including obscure or ancient forms of it. Your vocabulary is impressively extensive, and your understanding and command of the language enables you to flawlessly communicate with others. Gain a +4 competence bonus on language-based skill checks while using a language you have Mastered.
-Spells such as Comprehend Languages and Tongues grant the equivalent of 2 ranks in all languages to their recipients.
-Characters start the game with a number of class ranks in Speak Language equal to 1 + Int modifier in addition to their automatic languages.
-People are considered to have rank 3 in their native language (such as Elven for elves), and 2 ranks in any other automatic language (such as Common for elves).
Tumble:
When you attempt to Tumble in combat to avoid an Attack of Opportunity, your tumble check is opposed by your opponent’s attack roll. Essentially, you still provoke but your tumble check serves as your AC. Your opponent must still hit your normal AC to hit you.
Use Magic Device:
-Increase base DCs by 5.
-Add the spell level of any device that mimics a spell (such as a wand) to the DC.
-Add half the caster level of any item that does not directly mimics a spell (such as pipes of sounding) to the DC.