The Fluency Rule

[CRMcNeill]

For the Language skill, the Fluency rule allows characters who beat 10 Difficult rolls for a specific language to forego future skill rolls for that same language, as they are considered fluent in that language.

I recently proposed using the same rule for Wookiees to reload a pump or lever action bowcaster, and I could see it as a solution to at least one other weapon I'm working on.

I'd like to hear your opinions as to other skills where this would be appropriate. Obviously, there have to be limits, or else characters will become fluent in Blaster and never have to roll to hit again, but I could easily see this rule supplementing mundane rolls, such as reloading weapons and such.

Thoughts?
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"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Kytross]

I use a house rule that common skill checks are just a wild die roll. If you don't botch then you're fine. Flying a speeder out of combat, cleaning a weapon, using a comlink, etc. Generally these skills checks are out of combat.

Someone with a 4D skill has a minimum roll of 4. A very easy task is 1-5. Most very easy tasks are a guaranteed success for a person of 4D skill, unless they botch.

The thing to remember is that the less rolls you take, the faster the game goes, generally. I try to strike a balance between bogging the game down with rolls and letting the players succeed or fail on the fall of the dice.

[garhkal]

For me, i don't really see that many other skills that the 'fluency; like rule would be appropriate for..
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[CRMcNeill]

[MrNexx]

[garhkal]

[MrNexx]

Combat related would mostly be out, though there's already examples of things you might make a tyro make a skill check for that are already automatic (for example, reloading a blaster... I can see making an Ewok character roll to reload a blaster, even if you'd never think of it for the farmboy who used to shoot womprats). Reloading a bowcaster would fall into the same category... something you've done so often you need a really good reason to make it something that can be failed.

Other skills you might apply it to:
Alien Species (on a per-species basis)
Bureaucracy (for specific forms... Han Solo can probably fill out a customs form in his sleep)
Cultures (most people probably have a degree of this already... Luke doesn't need to roll to know about Tattooine Moisture Farmers, and probably has a lot of assumable knowledge about Jawas).
Planetary Systems (per planet)

I don't feel like going through all of them... but a lot of different skills where displaying a certain level of expertise means you can do things automatically without needing a roll every time. Languages represents this through two separate mechanics, resulting in "Fluency"... one is "10 difficult checks), the other is "5D or more in the specialization". Both represent not needing to roll if circumstances aren't terribly opposed or obscure... someone fluent in Wookie still has to roll when facing a dialect or purposefully obscured language, but not when chatting with Chewie, or even understanding Chewie while under fire.
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[CaptainKorbak]

I think it could work well for Piloting skills to represent familiarity with a craft.

If you have never flown a ship of that type before, a 1 on the Wild Die indicates that your inexperience has gotten you into trouble. Roll your base Piloting skill against a difficulty of Easy + the Maneuverability of the ship. Treat a failure the same way as failing a movement check.

Once you have succeeded in 10 such checks you are considered "fluent" (maybe "familiar" works better) with the ship.

If you take a speciality for that ship type you are automatically considered "fluent".

[CRMcNeill]

I see it working for Lightsabers; make ten consecutive Difficult Lightsaber skill rolls and you are exempt from hitting yourself for damage on a failure by more than 10 points.
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[garhkal]

[CRMcNeill]

[garhkal]

Would that apply to just the LS, or all melee weapons of high diff, such as the Jengarddin double edge vibro blade..?
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Confucious sayeth, don't wash cat while drunk!

[CRMcNeill]

[Ninja-Bear]

[CRMcNeill]