Which skills are worh raising really high?

[awesomenessofme1]

I would say spells under normal Magic would also definitely qualify. There are a lot of spells that cost 3+ energy that would be incredibly powerful to have indefinitely.

[khorboth]

Originally Posted by awesomenessofme1

I would say spells under normal Magic would also definitely qualify. There are a lot of spells that cost 3+ energy that would be incredibly powerful to have indefinitely.

Excellent point. And don't forget the time reductions as well.

[WingedKagouti]

If it's not super expensive, Diplomacy is worth getting to 20 for the automatic +2 to any reaction roll.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by WingedKagouti

If it's not super expensive, Diplomacy is worth getting to 20 for the automatic +2 to any reaction roll.

But if that's all you want it for, +2 Charisma is likely to be much cheaper. However, Diplomacy is a hugely useful influence skill - you can use it in almost any situation where influence can be used at all, and it's rather safer than other influence skills. If you have the points to counter it being harder than the others it's absolutely worth the investment, even without that 'free' +2 to reactions.

[Donny Brook]

Originally Posted by WingedKagouti

If it's not super expensive, Diplomacy is worth getting to 20 for the automatic +2 to any reaction roll.

I have hated that ridiculous rule since forever. It's banned in my games and most of my group does as well.

[khorboth]

Yes, everything that's a contest can be valuable at high levels. This is adjacent to the combat skills. In a high point-value game, we can assume that opponents are also good, so rolling holdout vs search where both are in the mid-20s wouldn't be unreasonable.

Another broad category I missed was touched on with inventions. TL penalties. If there are TL disparities going on, then it can certainly be worth having high skill to overcome that. Computer Operations/TL7 at 25 would let you muddle through at TL10 with the -15 penalty.

What about taking less time? Lockpicking usually takes 1 minute. I don't remember where rules for taking less time are off the top of my head, but it seems like this is the sort of thing where deliberate penalties would come in to play. Same with computer hacking while the bad guys are approaching or tactics or... whatnot.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by khorboth

I don't remember where rules for taking less time are off the top of my head . . .

"Time Spent", p. B346. -9 for skipping 90% of the time.

[Rupert]

Originally Posted by khorboth

What about taking less time? Lockpicking usually takes 1 minute. I don't remember where rules for taking less time are off the top of my head, but it seems like this is the sort of thing where deliberate penalties would come in to play. Same with computer hacking while the bad guys are approaching or tactics or... whatnot.

Lockpicking is odd - it has its own time reduction rules - for every point of success it takes 5s off the base one minute time. As the general rule is -1 per 10% time reduction, Lockpicking gives slightly less effect but without the need to gamble your success chance.

[edk926]

If you are using the low-tech crafting perks, Armoury and Smith would be well worth boosting really high.

[Eric Funk]

Originally Posted by awesomenessofme1

I would say spells under normal Magic would also definitely qualify. There are a lot of spells that cost 3+ energy that would be incredibly powerful to have indefinitely.

Also most Regular and Area spells are at -1 to skill per yard distance from the caster. (-5 if not visible)... (p.M11) Re-reading the fine print I was reminded a caster can also name a target or declare a semi-random target and then have to accept the distance penalty not knowing the actual number until the DM sees the die roll... so having Regular spells 20+ can really help!