Re: Clarification request for skills Close combat vs specialized combat skills

From: Roderick and Ellen Robertson <rjremr_at_...>
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 13:12:24 -0700

> If a character has at the campaign start close combat 17 and then the
> specialized skill of for example spear and shield fighting at 17 will they
> both improve always at the same time. Or will he have to improve them
> separately. So that for example later on the close combat can be 18 and
the
> spear and shield fighting 1w2 or vice versa.
>
> If he takes for example rapier fighting later on as an additional skill by
> writing it on his character story with a hero point will it start at 12 or
> will it start at whatever the close combat is at the time.

Under the current ruleset (yes, this *may* get changed in 2nd ed), there is *one* ability (Close combat) with different sub-divisions, just like having an Affinity and Feats. So knowing specific fighting techniques is really simply "flavor", unlike RQ where weapon skills are tracked separately. The ability is always rolled at the CC ability rating (minus IMprov mod, if applicable), and when CC is raised so are all the techniques.

Some people have house rules about raising sub-skills individually, but this is the way the rules are currently written.

Roderick