Wireless Hack in Ship Combat?

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Mechanic Exocortex, Wireless Hack wrote:

Instead of combat tracking, your exocortex can access another computer system within 20 feet, allowing it to attempt a Computers check against that computer each round, using your skill bonus. This counts as a standard action for the purpose of the Computers skill.

Can this be used during ship combat to make a Computers check to balance Shields or Scan?

Can it access the Science Officer console while you're on a nearby ship role (like Engineering)?

[baggageboy]

I don't think so. There's a line in the ship combat section that specifically rules out all class abilities unless the ability specifically says you can use it during ship combat.

[vashtheblackseed]

Unless it specifically says you can use it during starship combat, its a big no to both. Under Crew Actions - Actions(pg 322), "Class features and items affect crew actions only if specifically noted in the class feature or item."

[Markov Spiked Chain]

Well that's super broad.

So my Bypass or Operative's Edge Bonus, or Skill Focus from Exocortex/ Operative Specialization don't apply to Eningeering/Computer rolls for Science or Engineering? That's horrible.

[Gary Bush]

I don't think that is correct. Your skill bonus is your skill bonus.

[vashtheblackseed]

Agree with Gary about skill bonus still working, at least until they fix their crazy high endgame DCs.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

I totally agree that features giving skill bonuses should work, but that clause leaves even those up in the air.

Is a Drone a construct with a Skill bonus that cna make Computer/Engineering checks in Ship Combat, or is it a class feature that can't affect crew actions?

[Ventnor]

Gary Bush wrote:

I don't think that is correct. Your skill bonus is your skill bonus.

But at least some of that skill bonus is because of Class Features, and you can't apply class features to starship combat unless the feature specifically says it applies.

I agree that they should be, but strictly by the rules an Operative's Edge or a Mechanic's Bypass or Exocortex cannot be used during spaceship fights.

[Gary Bush]

Operative's Edge, Mechanic's Bypass and Exocortex class features are applying their bonus to a skill, not to something directly related to starship combat. Therefore the character is not trying to use a class feature (like a drone) during starship combat. The bonus is indirect.

[Gary Bush]

Markov Spiked Chain wrote:

Mechanic Exocortex, Wireless Hack wrote:

Instead of combat tracking, your exocortex can access another computer system within 20 feet, allowing it to attempt a Computers check against that computer each round, using your skill bonus. This counts as a standard action for the purpose of the Computers skill.

Can this be used during ship combat to make a Computers check to balance Shields or Scan?

Can it access the Science Officer console while you're on a nearby ship role (like Engineering)?

Since this is trying to use a Class Feature in a direct manner, I would say no it can not be done during starship combat.

[Ravingdork]

THE RULES wrote:

Class features and items affect crew actions only if specifically noted in the class feature or item.

Note that it is referencing only those class features and items that "affects crew actions." Skills do not in any way affect the actions you can or cannot take, or how you take them. Ergo, you can use your full normal skill modifiers (including those bonuses from class features and items unrelated to starship combat) during starship combat.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

@Ravingdork it sure seems like changing your bonus is affecting an action. That interpretation probably means no Neocortex or Drone in ship combat (probably.)

But a Soldier can use Gear Boost (Laser Accuracy) on a ship's laser, since it's not affecting the action, just the bonus for the action?

A Technomancer can hang out in the turret casting Supercharge weapon on the main gun, and that's ok because it's not affecting the action?

I mean, I agree that skills boosts from class feature should clearly be allowed. But the rules are still very unclear, and trying to parse them closely doesn't actually stop the things they were intended to stop.