The Hive Custodian
17th of March, 2006, 14:54
Skill Synergy
One difference between Dungeons and Dragons and d20 Modern is how skill synergy works.
In Dungeons and Dragons, skill synergy works as follows:
Skill Synergy
It’s possible for a character to have two skills that work well together. In general, having 5 or more ranks in one skill gives the character a +2 bonus on skill checks with each of its synergistic skills, as noted in the skill description. In some cases, this bonus applies only to specific uses of the skill in question, and not to all checks. Some skills provide benefits on other checks made by a character, such as those checks required to use certain class features.
Meanwhile, d20 Modern handles skill synergy as follows:
Skill Synergy
Sometimes, the GM may decide that having one skill provides a bonus when a character uses another skill in certain situations. The character must have at least 5 ranks in the related skill to gain this synergy bonus, and the GM must agree that the two skills can complement each other in the given situation. In such cases, the character receives a +2 synergy bonus on the skill check.
In Dungeons and Dragons, skill synergy is automatic. In d20 Modern, skill synergy is up to the GM.
I must say I prefer the automatic system. There is a time and place for GM judgment, but given the plethora of skills that a given character might have, a GM cannot reasonably be expected to look over the character's skill list every time a skill is used to determine whether one or more skills might give a synergy bonus.
Anyhow, here's my proposal:
Balance
If you have 5 or more ranks in Tumble, you get a +2 bonus on Balance checks.
Bluff
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sleight of Hand checks, and Disguise checks made to act in character.
Computer Use
If you have 5 or more ranks in Computer Use, you get a +2 bonus on Navigate and Research checks made using a computer.
Craft
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (electrical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device and Repair checks made on electronic devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (mechanical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device and Repair checks made on mechanical devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (structural), you get a +2 bonus on Demolitions checks made to place explosive devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (art), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (visual art) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (pharmaceutical) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (physical sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (chemical), Craft (electrical), Craft (mechanical), and Craft (structural) checks.
Decipher Script
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (history), you get a +2 bonus on Decipher Script checks made on ancient writing.
Demolitions
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (structural), you get a +2 bonus on Demolitions checks made to place explosive devices.
Diplomacy
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, Knowledge (behavoral sciences) or Sense Motive, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (civics), you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks when pleading a case.
Disable Device
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (electrical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device checks made on electronic devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (mechanical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device checks made on mechanical devices.
Disguise
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Disguise checks to act in character.
Forgery
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (civics), you get a +2 bonus on Forgery checks made to forge official documents.
Gather Information
If you have 5 or more ranks in Gather Information, you get a +2 bonus on Knowledge (current events) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (streetwise), you get a +2 bonus on Gather Information checks.
Handle Animal
If you have 5 or more ranks in Handle Animal, you get a +2 bonus on Ride checks.
Intimidate
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks.
Investigate
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Investigate checks.
Jump
If you have 5 or more ranks in Jump, you get a +2 bonus on Tumble checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Tumble, you get a +2 bonus on Jump checks.
Knowledge
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (art), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (visual art) and Perform checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (behavoral sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (business), you get a +2 bonus on Profession checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (civics), you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks when pleading a case and Forgery checks made to forge official documents.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (history), you get a +2 bonus on Decipher Script checks made on ancient writing.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (pharmaceutical), Investigate, and Treat Injury checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (physical sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (chemical), Craft (electrical), Craft (mechanical), and Craft (structural) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (streetwise), you get a +2 bonus on Gather Information checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Gather Information, you get a +2 bonus on Knowledge (current events) checks.
Navigate
If you have 5 or more ranks in Computer Use, you get a +2 bonus on Navigate checks made using a computer.
Perform
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (art), you get a +2 bonus on Perform checks.
Profession
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (business), you get a +2 bonus on Profession checks.
Repair
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (electrical), you get a +2 bonus on Repair checks made on electronic devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (mechanical), you get a +2 bonus on Repair checks made on mechanical devices.
Research
If you have 5 or more ranks in Computer Use, you get a +2 bonus on Research checks made using a computer.
Ride
If you have 5 or more ranks in Handle Animal, you get a +2 bonus on Ride checks.
Search
If you have 5 or more ranks in Search, you get a +2 bonus on Survival checks made to find or follow tracks.
Sense Motive
If you have 5 or more ranks in Sense Motive, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
Sleight of Hand
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks.
Survival
If you have 5 or more ranks in Search, you get a +2 bonus on Survival checks made to find or follow tracks.
Treat Injury
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Treat Injury checks.
Tumble
If you have 5 or more ranks in Tumble, you get a +2 bonus on Balance and Jump checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Jump, you get a +2 bonus on Tumble checks.
One difference between Dungeons and Dragons and d20 Modern is how skill synergy works.
In Dungeons and Dragons, skill synergy works as follows:
Skill Synergy
It’s possible for a character to have two skills that work well together. In general, having 5 or more ranks in one skill gives the character a +2 bonus on skill checks with each of its synergistic skills, as noted in the skill description. In some cases, this bonus applies only to specific uses of the skill in question, and not to all checks. Some skills provide benefits on other checks made by a character, such as those checks required to use certain class features.
Meanwhile, d20 Modern handles skill synergy as follows:
Skill Synergy
Sometimes, the GM may decide that having one skill provides a bonus when a character uses another skill in certain situations. The character must have at least 5 ranks in the related skill to gain this synergy bonus, and the GM must agree that the two skills can complement each other in the given situation. In such cases, the character receives a +2 synergy bonus on the skill check.
In Dungeons and Dragons, skill synergy is automatic. In d20 Modern, skill synergy is up to the GM.
I must say I prefer the automatic system. There is a time and place for GM judgment, but given the plethora of skills that a given character might have, a GM cannot reasonably be expected to look over the character's skill list every time a skill is used to determine whether one or more skills might give a synergy bonus.
Anyhow, here's my proposal:
Balance
If you have 5 or more ranks in Tumble, you get a +2 bonus on Balance checks.
Bluff
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sleight of Hand checks, and Disguise checks made to act in character.
Computer Use
If you have 5 or more ranks in Computer Use, you get a +2 bonus on Navigate and Research checks made using a computer.
Craft
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (electrical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device and Repair checks made on electronic devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (mechanical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device and Repair checks made on mechanical devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (structural), you get a +2 bonus on Demolitions checks made to place explosive devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (art), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (visual art) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (pharmaceutical) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (physical sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (chemical), Craft (electrical), Craft (mechanical), and Craft (structural) checks.
Decipher Script
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (history), you get a +2 bonus on Decipher Script checks made on ancient writing.
Demolitions
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (structural), you get a +2 bonus on Demolitions checks made to place explosive devices.
Diplomacy
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, Knowledge (behavoral sciences) or Sense Motive, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (civics), you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks when pleading a case.
Disable Device
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (electrical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device checks made on electronic devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (mechanical), you get a +2 bonus on Disable Device checks made on mechanical devices.
Disguise
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Disguise checks to act in character.
Forgery
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (civics), you get a +2 bonus on Forgery checks made to forge official documents.
Gather Information
If you have 5 or more ranks in Gather Information, you get a +2 bonus on Knowledge (current events) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (streetwise), you get a +2 bonus on Gather Information checks.
Handle Animal
If you have 5 or more ranks in Handle Animal, you get a +2 bonus on Ride checks.
Intimidate
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks.
Investigate
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Investigate checks.
Jump
If you have 5 or more ranks in Jump, you get a +2 bonus on Tumble checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Tumble, you get a +2 bonus on Jump checks.
Knowledge
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (art), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (visual art) and Perform checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (behavoral sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (business), you get a +2 bonus on Profession checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (civics), you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks when pleading a case and Forgery checks made to forge official documents.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (history), you get a +2 bonus on Decipher Script checks made on ancient writing.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (pharmaceutical), Investigate, and Treat Injury checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (physical sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Craft (chemical), Craft (electrical), Craft (mechanical), and Craft (structural) checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (streetwise), you get a +2 bonus on Gather Information checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Gather Information, you get a +2 bonus on Knowledge (current events) checks.
Navigate
If you have 5 or more ranks in Computer Use, you get a +2 bonus on Navigate checks made using a computer.
Perform
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (art), you get a +2 bonus on Perform checks.
Profession
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (business), you get a +2 bonus on Profession checks.
Repair
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (electrical), you get a +2 bonus on Repair checks made on electronic devices.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Craft (mechanical), you get a +2 bonus on Repair checks made on mechanical devices.
Research
If you have 5 or more ranks in Computer Use, you get a +2 bonus on Research checks made using a computer.
Ride
If you have 5 or more ranks in Handle Animal, you get a +2 bonus on Ride checks.
Search
If you have 5 or more ranks in Search, you get a +2 bonus on Survival checks made to find or follow tracks.
Sense Motive
If you have 5 or more ranks in Sense Motive, you get a +2 bonus on Diplomacy checks.
Sleight of Hand
If you have 5 or more ranks in Bluff, you get a +2 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks.
Survival
If you have 5 or more ranks in Search, you get a +2 bonus on Survival checks made to find or follow tracks.
Treat Injury
If you have 5 or more ranks in Knowledge (natural sciences), you get a +2 bonus on Treat Injury checks.
Tumble
If you have 5 or more ranks in Tumble, you get a +2 bonus on Balance and Jump checks.
If you have 5 or more ranks in Jump, you get a +2 bonus on Tumble checks.