Besm

Edit Skill Group

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Description

Skill Groups represents training or natural talent in a particular broad field. There are several different Skill Groups and each of them is considered its own Attribute.

Assigning multiple Skill Group Attributes at different Levels, therefore, is an ideal method for creating a versatile character. For combat-related capabilities, see the following Attributes instead: Attack Mastery, Defence Mastery, Melee Attack, Melee Defence, Ranged Attack, and Ranged Defence. In appropriate circumstances, the Level of a character’s suitable Skills Group is added to their related Stat when making a Skill roll to determine the success or failure of a task. See Roll Types (page 179) for more information on Skill rolls. Skill Groups are divided into three categories with differing Character Point costs (from 1 to 3 Points per Level) to reflect their typical utility in most BESM games. The GM may reallocate some of these Skill Groups to different categories – thus changing their Point cost – to more accurately reflect frequency and value in their specific game setting.

For example, in a high school game of romance and student council political drama, the Domestic Skill Group might be better categorised under a Field Skill or Action Skill instead of a Background Skill. Including Skill Groups in BESM Fourth Edition is a shift from previous editions that used detailed, specific skill lists instead of groups. There are numerous advantages to these collections of related skills, though several problems may arise as well that require GM and player consideration, including skill overlap and interpretation.

**OVERLAP AND BROAD APPLICATIONS**
The open-ended nature of the Skill Groups could encourage justifying that a specific activity falls under the realm of nearly any group.

For example, extracting information from a street thug could be rationalised under: Occupation – “I’m a bounty hunter, and deal with such things regularly.” Business – “I’ll make a deal with him, selling him on the virtues of working with us.” Social – “I’m good at talking with people and will convince him through rhetoric.” Street – “I’ll speak his gang language and ensure he understands the consequences of silence.” Detective – “After all my years on the beat, I’m highly adept at extracting information.” This diverse application of Skill Groups is an intentional feature, though it may cause some consternation with some players and GMs who desire a more rigid structure.

**PRIMARY USAGE**
It’s equally important not to make one or two Skill Groups essential for survival and enjoyment in a game, which discourages from players creating diverse characters.

For example, if the characters with the Adventuring and Street Skill Groups are always having the opportunity to use their talents in the game, while other characters are merely sitting back and observing, there may be too much emphasis placed on those groups.

**GAMING WITH**

**SKILL GROUPS**

**BACKGROUND SKILL ACKGROUND SKILL**

**GROUPS (1 POINT/LEVEL)GROUPS (1 POINT/LEVEL)**
ACADEMIC Skills that are rooted in language, research, communications, and critical thinking. ARTISTIC Skills that are tied to formal and informal expression, and related to imagination, creativity, and aesthetics. DOMESTIC Skills that are often obtained without formal education and that have applications in daily life. OCCUPATION (SELECT ONE) Skills that are tied to the activities of one specific career that are often learned “on the job”.

**FIELD SKILL GROUPS IELD SKILL GROUPS**

**(2 POINT/LEVEL)(2 POINT/LEVEL)**
BUSINESS Skills that cover a wide variety of administration applications, such as management, sales, policy, and savvy. SOCIAL Skills related to community interactions, interpersonal dynamics, and political manoeuvring. STREET Skills that reflect familiarity with underworld elements as well as urban culture and survival. TECHNICAL Skills related to gadgets and their functions, including aspects of mechanics, electronics, and programming.

**ACTION SKILL GROUPS CTION SKILL GROUPS**

**(3 POINT/LEVEL)(3 POINT/LEVEL)**
ADVENTURING Skills that apply to a broad spectrum of exploration in wilderness environments. DETECTIVE Skills relating to police sciences, investigations, urban immersion, and subterfuge. MILITARY Skills connected to organised troop efforts, formalised hierarchies, espionage, and combat support. SCIENTIFIC Skills appropriate to quantitative fields – biological, physical, medical, mathematical, and natural sciences.Level 1 Developing – The character is gaining proficiency with the Skill Group through regular application

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