Alternate Rules for Specialization

[CRMcNeill]

Coming back around to this...

I've never been hugely fond of how a Specialization is effectively cut off from its root skill. By its nature, a specialization is going to have some degree of overlap with the broader skill of which it is part, where an increase in the level of the skill is going to carry over into the specialization. Instead, the RAW method removes this and forcibly separates specialties and skills, forcing them to improve separately

I've proposed a few methods over the years in an attempt to fix this, with this topic containing the versions I prefer. However, both rule variants I've posted so far don't address a core issue, in that, if the Skill and the Specialization are interlinked, the cost (in CPs) to improve the Specialization should increase in direct proportion to the base Skill level. For example, if a character has 4D in Blaster, and (using the flat rate rule in the OP) wishes to improve a Specialization in Blaster: Heavy Blaster Pistols, it costs 10 CP to earn that +2D bonus. However, if the same character has 8D in Blaster, and decides they want to purchase the Heavy Blaster Pistol Specialization (again, per the OP), it costs the same 10 CP. The problem is that the +2D increase from 8D to 10D should require a lot more effort (represented by CP expenditure) than the +2D increase from 4D to 6D.

The alternate method I proposed here has similar issues, in that, while the CP cost does increase, it does so at a rate determined by the Specialization modifier, not the base skill.

After taking some time to mull it over, I believe I have a solution. Put simply, rather than base the CP cost on either a flat modifier or the Specialization dice level, link it to the base Skill level.

Here's what I'm thinking:

-Rather than having a separate Dice value, all Specializations are expressed as Modifiers to the Base Skill. For example, a character sheet would read as:
Blaster 4D
-Heavy Blaster Pistols +1D

-Specializations begin at +1D, and are purchased at 1.5 times the Dice # of the Base Skill (equal to purchasing 3 pips worth of skill at 1/2 the Base Skill), rounded down. For example:
Tirog has 4D in Blaster, and wishes to Specialize in Heavy Blaster Pistol. 4D = Base CP cost of 4, 4 x 1.5 is 6, so Tirog must spend 6 CP to earn a Heavy Blaster Pistol +1D.

-Specializations are subsequently improved at a rate per pip of 1/2 the Skill Dice of the Base Skill.
Tirog has 4D in Blaster and +1D in Heavy Blaster Pistols. To improve his Specialization to +1D+1, he must pay 2 CP (1/2 of 4).

-Specializations can be improved a maximum of 2 pips at a time, as opposed to the maximum of +1 for Skills. This represents the Specialization's narrower focus.

-However, the CP Cost to improve in the future is multiplied by the value of the Specialization. For example:
Much later, Tirog has improved his Blaster Skill to 6D, and his Heavy Blaster Pistol Specialization to +2D. The Base Cost to improve the Specialization is 6 CP per pip, which up to that point would've been divided in half to 3 CP/pip. However, because his Specialization is now at 2D, the base cost is then multiplied by 2, thus costing 6 CP to improve his Specialization to 2D+1.

-Per the standard set in 2R&E (pg. 34), any fractional values are rounded up to the nearest whole number.

Naturally, it behooves the PC to frame his specialization as broadly as possible, since there is no difference in CP cost to improve a specialization in Heavy Blaster Pistols or in DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistols. However, GMs may, at their discretion, award a Familiarity Bonus for a specific piece of equipment that the character uses on a regular basis, which is then stacked with the Skill and any Specializations. For example, Tirog may have Blaster at 5D, with a Specialization in Heavy Blaster Pistols at +1D+1. However, because his pistol of choice is a DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol, the GM awards him a +1 familiarity bonus, so his effective skill level when firing his DL-44 is 6D+2 (5D Base Skill, plus +1D+1 Specialization Modifier, plus +1 Familiarity Bonus).

There's also room to incorporate the Talents rule at GM discretion.

I haven't put a whole lot of thought into how GMs could award Familiarity Bonuses, so if you have any suggestions, let me know.

Thoughts?
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"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[pakman]

Very Interesting

It is all detailed and well thought out - but honestly, feels like it is getting complicated enough that it would need to be looked up often...

(call it lazy or efficient - but I am on a ruthless quest to normalize and simplify the rules).

The stuff in this thread is good info, and helps with with additional perspective.


WHAT I DID FOR MY GAME

CONCEPTS
In my game, I have segregated the values for the Attribute, Skill and Specialization. When figuring out the bonus - add up the die codes.

Example:
Perception: 2D+1
Forgery: 1D
Forgery(Starship Permits): +1

Skill Bonus when using Forgery: [2D+1] + [1D] = 3D+1.
Skill Bonus when forging starship permits: [2d+1] + [1D] + [+1] = 4D


COSTS:
Improve and existing Skill or Specialization
To raise a skill - it the D in the bonus.
To raise a specialization, it is 1/2 the D in the bonus.

LEARNING NEW SKILLS
These are the same - they are just based on the total bonus.

Differences
Tracking the skill and stat and specialization as their individual die codes is slightly different, honestly easy.

Also, obviously, as they are additive, the specialization goes up as the skill does.

However, I do add in this balance (I have found that specializations can get carried away). A specialization cannot be greater than the parent skill.

All the costs are the same, etc. The idea that adding things up is the same, etc. So it is fairly easy to remember.

(oh, and in character creation, my specializations are 2 for 1, not 3 for 1, so the 2 for 1 mechanic is consistent there = but I give a few more skills in the beginning - it helps keep characters diverse).

Anyway, if someone is already considering being ADDIATIVE for Skill and Specializations - this is just a very simple one more step.

Also, it supports consistency and simplicity in what to remember.

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SIDE NOTE:
Why the skills are separated: it helps with a few other house rules I have (like this one) but one big reason, is that occasionally, I find a different stat might be useful for a skill.

Say, Intimidation, which is knowledge.
Here are some examples:

Intimidating someone by mentally messing with them, using logic, etc.
Use with the Knowledge Stat + Intimidation skill.

Intimidating someone by threatening to rip their arms off.
Use with the Strength Stat + Intimidation skill.

Intimidating someone by bluffing or fast talking or trying to confuse them.
Use the Perception Stat. + Intimidation skill.

There are not a ton of examples here - but it works well for those times that another attribute would make sense.
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SW Fan, Gamer, Comic, Corporate nerd.
Working on massive House Rules document - pretty much a new book. Will post soon....

[CRMcNeill]

[pakman]