Divergent TLs: skill modifiers and High/Low TL traits

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

I have no skill with rifles at all, but being TL 8 means I have a default that some super intelligent/agile TL 4 warrior wouldn't. Of course once we got proper training, he'd quickly surpass me due to my mild intelligence and mediocre coordination.

I don't know. I have only shot once or twice(that tin can never did anything to me either)but I am probably to shaky to make a good shot. However I am not sure that knowing the scientific theories behind combustion-if he doesn't already-is such an advantage. Most of our machines we have work on the, "The company said it works this way, it seems to, and it is to much work to learn more" basis. It is not clear why someone on a lower TL cannot do that as well as a higher.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

I don't know. I have only shot once or twice(that tin can never did anything to me either)but I am probably to shaky to make a good shot. However I am not sure that knowing the scientific theories behind combustion-if he doesn't already-is such an advantage. Most of our machines we have work on the, "The company said it works this way, it seems to, and it is to much work to learn more" basis. It is not clear why someone on a lower TL cannot do that as well as a higher.

They can. DX based skill use has different rules than IQ-based skill use. Thus American Indians in the 19th century can easily learn to use rifles but not repair them.

[Say, it isn't that bad!]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

Probably not - that would imply that a TL8 machinist could learn to use their pre-existing skillset for flintknapping after a little familiarization, but the same wouldn't do anything for a TL8 non-machinist.

That would be the difference between using and understanding that I indicated, but wasn't able to make clear - Partly because the difference isn't clear to me.

A TL0 character could be quickly taught how to use specific items in a TL8 machine shop to do one thing; that would be a familiarity, or using. Actually /understanding it requires buying the Machinist (TL8) skill.

Does that make sense?

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Say, it isn't that bad!

Drop some laptops off with a random, nigh-uncontacted tribe in the middle of proverbial nowhere, and within a *few months, all of them will be proficient... And probably arguing things on the internet, to boot.

OTOH, given a few months, a random TL8 person from New York, New York can be taught how to flintknap a stone spear.

Realistically-speaking, using TLs should probably be handled something like familiarities. :)

Understanding TLs is a matter of considerably more study.

* I may exaggerate. But not by anything that impacts the point :)

The random person from New York would know how to flintknap a spear just by taking time to think about it. That does not mean he can make a GOOD spear.

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by Say, it isn't that bad!

That would be the difference between using and understanding that I indicated, but wasn't able to make clear - Partly because the difference isn't clear to me.

A TL0 character could be quickly taught how to use specific items in a TL8 machine shop to do one thing; that would be a familiarity, or using. Actually /understanding it requires buying the Machinist (TL8) skill.

Does that make sense?

No - Machinist is a skill for doing stuff with a machine shop. I'm not sure what distinction you're trying to make, but it doesn't stand up there. Understanding the machine shop on a deeper level than how to use it isn't Machinist - Engineering, most likely.

Doing one very specific task that falls within a skill is the One Task Wonder perk, though. That might be relevant to your interests.

Originally Posted by jason taylor

I don't know. I have only shot once or twice(that tin can never did anything to me either)but I am probably to shaky to make a good shot. However I am not sure that knowing the scientific theories behind combustion-if he doesn't already-is such an advantage. Most of our machines we have work on the, "The company said it works this way, it seems to, and it is to much work to learn more" basis. It is not clear why someone on a lower TL cannot do that as well as a higher.

Flyndaran was talking defaults, not skills actually learned.

Of course, at TL4 they probably do have defaults for using shoulder arms.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Ulzgoroth

No - Machinist is a skill for doing stuff with a machine shop. I'm not sure what distinction you're trying to make, but it doesn't stand up there. Understanding the machine shop on a deeper level than how to use it isn't Machinist - Engineering, most likely.

Doing one very specific task that falls within a skill is the One Task Wonder perk, though. That might be relevant to your interests.

Flyndaran was talking defaults, not skills actually learned.

Of course, at TL4 they probably do have defaults for using shoulder arms.

Except I don't have ANY default to speak of beyond, "put stock on shoulder, line up sights, boom. Sorry guy didn't see you..."

[Flyndaran]

You know how to use one regardless of your actual experience using them. That is what a default is.
I have never in my life touched SCUBA gear, but know the basics of operation such that I have a default.

[jason taylor]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

You know how to use one regardless of your actual experience using them. That is what a default is.
I have never in my life touched SCUBA gear, but know the basics of operation such that I have a default.

True but that is a description someone from a lower tech would understand. Just 600 years ago people would look at a rifle and think, "gun".

[Ulzgoroth]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

Except I don't have ANY default to speak of beyond, "put stock on shoulder, line up sights, boom. Sorry guy didn't see you..."

Defaults aren't supposed to be good, so I'm not sure what the problem is.

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

Except I don't have ANY default to speak of beyond, "put stock on shoulder, line up sights, boom. Sorry guy didn't see you..."

Which is exactly how defaults work.