Merit of low-skill v's default?

[jacobmuller]

For a skill with no listed Techniques but multiple specialties, eg Electronics Repair, what is the merit of 1cp in twelve specialties, giving low skills, as opposed to 12cp in one specialty, giving one professional level skill and several defaults of the same skill value as 1cp?

Is its merit only that, should a Technique be proposed, you want to be assured of access?

It was the Engineering Branch in Icelanders FLat Black Naval Officers that brought this to mind.

[Lord Carnifex]

If you have a GM like me, there are some rolls that he says simply cannot be rolled at default. For instance, if your ship has had a direct hit scored on your life support system, I may decide that no amount of Mechanic (Power Plant) is going to help you, and that you need at least one point in Mechanic (Life Support) in order to begin fixing it.

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by Lord Carnifex

If you have a GM like me, there are some rolls that he says simply cannot be rolled at default. For instance, if your ship has had a direct hit scored on your life support system, I may decide that no amount of Mechanic (Power Plant) is going to help you, and that you need at least one point in Mechanic (Life Support) in order to begin fixing it.

Interesting. I personally never do that with intra-skill defaults, though I frequently rule no-skill default attempts impossible.

[Lord Carnifex]

Originally Posted by Figleaf23

Interesting. I personally never do that with intra-skill defaults, though I frequently rule no-skill default attempts impossible.

A slightly less severe approach is to have the repair take two or three times longer than normal, as characters pour over circuit diagrams and technical specifications for components that they don't really understand the inner functioning of.

[Figleaf23]

Originally Posted by Lord Carnifex

A slightly less severe approach is to have the repair take two or three times longer than normal, as characters pour over circuit diagrams and technical specifications for components that they don't really understand the inner functioning of.

Now this I like. It's a way to be generous to players who might otherwise be plot-stuck, while retaining unique value of specific skills.

[roguebfl]

Originally Posted by Lord Carnifex

A slightly less severe approach is to have the repair take two or three times longer than normal, as characters pour over circuit diagrams and technical specifications for components that they don't really understand the inner functioning of.

That's the bonus for taking extra time 8)

[jacobmuller]

So, access to Techniques would be the only benefit?

[Lord Carnifex]

Originally Posted by roguebfl

That's the bonus for taking extra time 8)

By Rules-as-written, yes. Offsets the unfamiliarity penalty. Typically, if you're working with equipment you know nothing about, I might judge that the extra time is mandatory to roll default at all, essentially.

The example I'm thinking of is someone with Electronics Repair (Computer) asked to repair an aircraft search radar that lost more than half of it's HP. By RAW, there's nothing wrong with defaulting Electronics Repair (Sensors) to Electronics Repair (Computer) -3 (IDHMBWM, but I think that's right). Add Extra Time and Unfamiliarity. But I figure if the radar is half destroyed, and the repair tech has never seen the internals of a radar before, let alone the radar he's looking at, then there's no way he can roll.

[Agramer]

Originally Posted by jacobmuller

For a skill with no listed Techniques but multiple specialties, eg Electronics Repair, what is the merit of 1cp in twelve specialties, giving low skills, as opposed to 12cp in one specialty, giving one professional level skill and several defaults of the same skill value as 1cp?

Is its merit only that, should a Technique be proposed, you want to be assured of access?

It was the Engineering Branch in Icelanders FLat Black Naval Officers that brought this to mind.

You cant get situational bonuses on skills that are defaults.

DX 10 Pilot with 8 pts in Piloting = skill 12

DX 20 Super with default DX -6

Both landing on Airfield in normal conditions:

Pilot gets +4 to skill for everyday action bringing skill to 16 and lands safely

Super Rolls vs 14 and even if succeeds have bumpy landing.

[Dinadon]

Those skills often have familiarities, which need points. As such the actual difference tends to be greater than -4, therefore more than simply putting 12 points into one skill.