1D or 2D only to starting skill dice or can allocate pips?

[Bren]

The questions on Specializations made me wonder how people interpret and use the rules for normal skills.

When answering the poll, ignore skill Specializations.

From Pick a Skill on page 28 of the 2E R&E rules:

[Crimson_red]

I'm certainly number two on the list, it may say "1D or 2D," but I can only see that as a meaningful restriction if you wanted to keep character creation extra easy and simple. I rarely break those dice into pips, but I see little logical reason to prevent your players from doing so if they are so inclined.

I suppose if you want to be a real stickler for the rules, it would make sense. Do none of the examples show the use of pips at this point in the process?

Note, I don't usually allow players from having more than 2D applies to a single skill, but I imagine, I could be persuaded if the player offered a good enough justification, by my standards; it wouldn't be easy.

[Orion]

[Naaman]

I said it in the other thread, and I'll say it again here:

Isn't the appeal of D6 the LACK of restrictions on interpretations of RAW? I mean, do we really want to turn this into d20?

BTW, I vote number 2. It's definitely in the spirit of the rule to allow pip by pip distribution.

And, for what it's worth, our group disallows any starting skill over 5D, with one exception: you may place no more than 1D in a skill if doing so raises the skill above 5D (a wookiee adding 1D to brawling, for example).

[Bren]

[Orion]

[garhkal]

I can't vote, as i use both 1 and 2..

For flat out newbies to the game, i run their first full adventure (or until they die and need to make new pcs if it lasts longer than the first campaign/adventure) where its Option 1. Keep it simple, use full dice.

When they are experienced, or if the group as a whole i am starting off with is experienced, you can use whole dice, pips or any mix thereof.
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[schnarre]

...I myself use number two, going for jack-of-all-trades characters (I've been playing since 1st Ed., so I can squeeze pips where I think they'll do some good, regardless of what Template is used). Placing a straight 1D or 2D into skills is easier for those just learning the game system though, so it's ultimately a matter of preference.
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The man who thinks he knows everything is most annoying for those of us that do.

[Bren]

I find it curious that so many people are flexible on this issue when far fewer people are flexible on the specialization issue.

Those of you that are, why do you see spending less than 1D on a skill as OK but spending less than 1D on specializations as problematic?

[jmanski]

I don't have any problems with player's spending any amount on specializations. I see it as an easy adventure hook...

"Oh, so you have a specialization in X-Wing, huh? The Rebel Alliance has an idea about how you can fly one..."
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Blasted rules. Why can't they just be perfect?

[Raven Redstar]

I'm flexible on both issues. I allow for pips to be used, and often encourage players to allocate their pips into many skills, because I tend to not make single minded campaigns.

As for specializations, I allow for a single pip to grant a single specialization D, and though I've never had a player want to dump all 3 of his spec dice into a single skill, I would possibly allow it, depending on the backstory and theme of the campaign. 3D above attribute in any skill, even a specialization is usually where I draw the line for characters.

Specialization dice don't really seem to break the game to badly, with the minor exceptions of these specialty skills that have optional rules attached to them (i.e. Martial Arts).
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RR
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[garhkal]

[Bren]

[Raven Redstar]

Do you see multiple spec dice as being a quick and easy way to high skill levels because of the half cost for advancing them in game?
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RR
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[Orion]