In newer versions of D&D and Pathfinder they each have a skill list. Contrary to popular belief this is not a new idea. Skills go all the way back to the original D&D in the form of Thief skills. I propose that skills are integrated into Simple DnD in a more uniform manner. Skill based characters (Assassin, Grifter, Ranger and Thief) would be completely replaced with the new class, just called Rogue, and allowing the players to customize their characters as they see fit.
Each rogue would choose 6 of the following skills and distribute 24 points between them:
Skill List:
- Animal Handling
- Climbing
- Contacts
- Crafting: Disguise, Poison, Tinker, Traps (choose) one slot per
- Deceive
- Disable Devices
- Intimidate
- Investigate
- Linguistics
- Lore
- Sleight of Hand
- Stealth
- Tracking
- Use Magic Devices
- Will Power
At each level up the player would gain 3 additional points to distribute. New skills can be acquired at the cost of 6 skill points and would start at 1. With one additional skill added at each 5 levels.
Class Build Outs
A thief would know: Climbing, Crafting: Traps, Disable Devices, Investigate, Stealth and Use Magic Devices
An assassin would know: Climbing, Contacts, Crafting: Poison, Intimidate, Tracking and Stealth
A grifter would know: Contacts, Deceive, Intimidate, Lore, Stealth and Will Power
A ranger would know: Animal Handling, Climbing, Investigate, Lore, Stealth and Tracking
Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!
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I love the idea of free form characters. I have a different system called spring that I like for that
I love the idea of free form characters. I have a different system called spring that I like for that
I’ve always been intrigued with how the elder scrolls does skills… Is completely up to the player with what the character is skilled at, thus freeform classes.
I’m also not a big fan of the way skills work, but changing them isn’t something I’m looking to tackle.
I am intrigued by this idea of additional character customization through skill selection (versus preset skills granted to a thief or a ranger).
I’d be interested in more details about how you will operationallze some of the skills (like crafting).
We haven’t added it into our game. I’ll keep you posted.
It’s worked for Tunnels and Trolls for quite a few years. (1978, IIRC. Distribution was worse then than now.) Ought to work with SDnD, especially since a good rolegame is a THERE’S NO RULE FOR THAT! GUESS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND THROW DICE AT IT kind of rolegame.