"Skills for Everyone" with a single skill?

Proteus · 09-30-2011, 01:30 PM

GURPS Powers p. 162 discusses the zero-point feature "Skills for Everyone," under which activating a power requires a roll versus a Hard skill unique to each advantage.

But what if one skill governs multiple advantages? Suppose a system with magic-as-powers assumes a Sorcery skill which casters must roll against, whether they're flinging an attack spell or performing healing?

That seems like a relative advantage: skills are cheaper (at 4 points per level) than attributes (even Will is 5 points per level). At the same time, skills are vulnerable not just to attacks that lower the governing attribute, but also other occasional effects (clouding memories, etc.).

Would it be fair to assess the same +20% as called for in "Based on (Different Attribute)", since that enhancement allows for basing the power on Will?

Goober4473 · 09-30-2011, 02:59 PM

If it's more than two or three powers, I'd go with a Wildcard! skill.

roguebfl · 09-30-2011, 03:13 PM

Consider this, it doesn't matter how many different Innate Attacks you have, you only have to buy the relevant Innate Attack skill specialty once.

vierasmarius · 09-30-2011, 07:24 PM

We have a RAW example of this being done in Psionic Powers. "Unified TK" (pg.54) is basically a combination of all the TK powers, and governed by a single IQ/VH skill instead of several IQ/H ones. I think it wouldn't be unbalanced to treat one Power Modifier as having a single VH governing skill, or maybe just a few if it's a highly variable power like Magic. Individual power skills would then become specializations of the core skill.

09-30-2011, 01:30 PM	#1
Proteus Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX	"Skills for Everyone" with a single skill? *GURPS Powers* p. 162 discusses the zero-point feature "Skills for Everyone," under which activating a power requires a roll versus a Hard skill unique to each advantage. But what if one skill governs multiple advantages? Suppose a system with magic-as-powers assumes a Sorcery skill which casters must roll against, whether they're flinging an attack spell or performing healing? That seems like a relative advantage: skills are cheaper (at 4 points per level) than attributes (even Will is 5 points per level). At the same time, skills are vulnerable not just to attacks that lower the governing attribute, but also other occasional effects (clouding memories, etc.). Would it be fair to assess the same +20% as called for in "Based on (Different Attribute)", since that enhancement allows for basing the power on Will?

09-30-2011, 02:59 PM	#2
Goober4473 Join Date: May 2008	Re: "Skills for Everyone" with a single skill? If it's more than two or three powers, I'd go with a Wildcard! skill.

09-30-2011, 03:13 PM	#3
roguebfl Dog of Lysdexics Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne FL, Formerly Wellington NZ	Re: "Skills for Everyone" with a single skill? Consider this, it doesn't matter how many different Innate Attacks you have, you only have to buy the relevant Innate Attack skill specialty once. __________________ Rogue the Bronze Firelizard Gerald Grenier, Jr. Hail Eris! Rogue's Weyr

09-30-2011, 07:24 PM	#4
vierasmarius Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oregon	Re: "Skills for Everyone" with a single skill? We have a RAW example of this being done in Psionic Powers. "Unified TK" (pg.54) is basically a combination of all the TK powers, and governed by a single IQ/VH skill instead of several IQ/H ones. I think it wouldn't be unbalanced to treat one Power Modifier as having a single VH governing skill, or maybe just a few if it's a highly variable power like Magic. Individual power skills would then become specializations of the core skill.