Notice (Search, Expanded)

[Totally Not An ISB Agent]

[pakman]

Interesting thread - and interesting to see the thread (and my house rules) evolve over time.

Here is where I am at (currently) - based on ideas and interchanges here;

Passive detection....

I added a specialization to Search called notice - it is for passive situations to notice things, but is limited in details "there is a bulge in the pocket" or "there was a sound near the door".

I have an additional rule in my game that Specializations cannot be more than 2D above the base skill -so this does give some limit to it.

Advanced Skills
I have changed advanceds skills - as inspired by Martial Arts - I have overhauled mine into related abilities groupings, such that when a player first learns or improves an Advanced skill, they can learn a technique associated with it. This is an idea which has been kind of around for a while. Each advanced skill has prerequisites (in other skills, etc.) and about a dozen or more techniques under them, ranked into tiers, tied to the bonus of the parent Advanced Skill. (I found this simpler than creating a complex web of requirements and predecessors).

It also has the benefit of granting additional options for non-force users to invests in after a while, as opposed to "Oh, my blaster went from 8D+1 to 8D +2".

Anyway, more than one of my Advanced Skills has an "Awareness" ability under it which grants a passive bonus.

Passive Use: the effects of knowing this technique are:
• Advantage on checks to avoid Surprise.
• Advantage on first combat initiative checks.
Furthermore, in situations not covered by normal surprise
rules (sniper shot, timed trap, falling logs, etc.) a Search Skill
Check can be made to detect the hazard, although not the
exact nature of it, based on the situation.

Note: in my game, I use an "advantage" and "disadvantage" mechanic -
Advantage - roll twice, take the higher result.
Disadvantage - roll twice, take the lower result.

I find it is a great way to give a bonus, that overall does not skew results as much, as it does not alter the number of dice in a players dice pool when making a roll.

Summary:
Notice is a passive that anyone can try and learn, has limits and does not give specifics.

Awareness is only open by learning specific advanced skills, has requirements, and even that - has some limits.

Note 2: Folks who feel the Advantage/Disadvantage is too much dice rolling - all of my house rules are 100% designed to work with either normal (rolling dice, adding them up) or Success based (each die over a certain amount equates to difficulty level). There are pros and cons to each.

Note3: Most of the previous advanced skills I either converted to knowledge areas (knowing science or engineering etc.) or just ...flavor backgrounds - as being a rebel or smuggler is their job now.... if a PC wants to have previously been an engineer before - I work that into their background. I don't consider being a research scientist the full time job for a PC.

Anyway - some folks might find this interesting - some not - but I do want to say - that over the years the very informative and diverse views here on the pit have helped shape my house rules for my game.

Finally - finishing up my Advanced Skills (for non force users) is the last major part of my rules I want to finish before I open them up for general community feedback and help with proofing and testing...

may the wild die be with you...
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SW Fan, Gamer, Comic, Corporate nerd.
Working on massive House Rules document - pretty much a new book. Will post soon....