Skill descriptions adhere to the following guidelines.
- Skill Name: The skill name line includes (in addition to the name of the skill) the following information.
- Key Ability: The abbreviation of the ability whose modifier applies to the skill check.
- Description: The skill name line is followed by a general description of what using the skill represents.
- Typical Check Modifiers: What a character (“you” in the skill description) can do with a successful skill check and the check’s typical Difficulty Class (DC). What conditional penalties or bonuses may exist.
- Action: The type of action using the skill requires, or the amount of time required for a check.
- Common uses: An alternative list of applied activities typically based on the prime skill.
Skill Condition Notation:
- Trained Only: If this notation is included in the skill name line, you must have at least 1 rank in the skill to use it. If this notation is omitted, the skill can be used untrained (with a rank of 0). If any special notes apply to trained or untrained use, they are covered in the Untrained section (see below).
- Try Again: Any conditions that apply to successive attempts to use the skill successfully. If the skill doesn’t allow you to attempt the same task more than once, or if failure carries an inherent penalty (such as with the Climb skill), you can’t take 20. If this paragraph is omitted, the skill can be retried without any inherent penalty other than the additional time required.
- Special: Any extra facts that apply to the skill, such as special effects deriving from its use or bonuses that certain characters receive because of class, feat choices, or race.
- Armor Check Penalty: If this notation (ACP) is included in the skill name line, an armor check penalty applies to checks using this skill. If this entry is absent, an armor check penalty does not apply. Note: Armor check penalties apply to all Strength– and Dexterity-based Skills. Any armor heavier than leather, as well as any shield, hurts a character’s ability to use Dex– and Str-based skills. An armor check penalty applies to all Dex– and Strength-based skill checks. A character’s encumbrance may also incur an armor check penalty.
New Skill Arrangements
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