I think this should be the place to discuss what changes you want made to the skill list:
Just Ideas and Explanations! No Bickering!
This is my idea for the skill list
Acrobatics: balance and tumble
Appraise
Athletics: jump, climb, and swim. I assume everyone knows how to swim!
Craft: architectture and engineering also profession
Concentration
Deception: Bluff and Sense Motive
Diplomacy
Disguise
Escape Artist: tieing ropes
Handle Animal: ride
Heal
Intimidate
Knowledge-
(Arcana): spellcraft
(Divine): Religion and spellcraft
(Dungeoneering): survival
(History)
(Local): gather information, geography, nobility and royalty, also urban survival
(Nature): survival
(Planes): survival
Linguistics: speak language, forge, and decifer
Operate Device: Disable Device, use magic device, and open lock
Perception: search, listen, spot, and smell
Perform: profession
Sleight of hand: draw weapon faster than usual
Stealth: move silently and hide
I think this should be the place to discuss what changes you want made to the skill list:
Just Ideas and Explanations! No Bickering!
This is my idea for the skill list
Acrobatics: balance and tumble
Appraise
Athletics: jump, climb, and swim. I assume everyone knows how to swim!
Craft: architectture and engineering also profession
Concentration
Deception: Bluff and Sense Motive
Diplomacy
Disguise
Escape Artist: tieing ropes
Handle Animal: ride
Heal
Intimidate
Knowledge-
(Arcana): spellcraft
(Divine): Religion and spellcraft
(Dungeoneering): survival
(History)
(Local): gather information, geography, nobility and royalty, also urban survival
(Nature): survival
(Planes): survival
Linguistics: speak language, forge, and decifer
Operate Device: Disable Device, use magic device, and open lock
Perception: search, listen, spot, and smell
Perform: profession
Sleight of hand: draw weapon faster than usual
Stealth: move silently and hide
I agree with everything here except Handle Animal and Ride should probably be different skills. On should have to do with how good you are with animals, and one is riding pre-trained creatures (or ones you just have trained with Handle Animal.) Anyways, you use Handle Animal on a Badger, ride on a Horse.
I've thought having Athletics and Acrobatics was a good idea for a long time, I made a post about it but the forums ate it, dunno where it went.
While your [THINK TANK] (mind the spelling!) is poorly launched ;)
I can't the resist the title of this thread.
I already posted my favorable skill list in other threads and I will do it here too:
.
ACROBATICS - Balance, Tumble and Escape Artist for squeezing through tight spaces and escaping grapples
ATHLETICS - Climb, Jump, Swim and Run/Endurance (see SWSAGA for ideas)
DECEPTION - Bluff, Disguise, Forgery, Haggle (for prices)
DIPLOMACY - Diplomacy, Gather Information, Sense Motiv, Negotiating a contract/arrangement
DISCIPLINE - Concentration, Autohypnosis and what else you might come up with...
DOMINANCE - Command, Interrogate, Intimidate
HANDLE ANIMAL - Guide, Ride and Calm domesticated Animals (actually training (wild) animals should be a feat or class feature)
INVESTIGATE - Find Traps or hidden items, research a library, investigate a crime scene
KNOWLEDGE - several, don't know yet
LANGUAGES - Decipher Script, Speak language (with new use similar to DS but for spoken words just heard/evesdropped)
LEGERDEMAIN - Escape Artist (for bindings), Sleight of Hand, Use Rope
MECHANICS - Use/Disable Device, Open locks
MEDICINE - Heal, Profession (Herbalist)
PERCEPTION - Listen, Spot, Smell/Taste, Touch
PERFORM - Specializations: Actor, Juggler/Jester, Music, Oratory, Dance
SPELLCRAFT - Spellcraft, Use Magic Device
STEALTH - Hide, Move Silently, Shadow
SURVIVAL - Two Subskills, similar mechanic: Urban, Wilderness
TRADE - Appraise, Craft/Profession (choose specialization)
WARFARE - Use Siege Engines, plan Strategies and War Campaigns, Small Unit Tactics (improves Initiative)
If you need it put fly somewhere too (either to Acrobatics, Athletics or separate).
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.
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SOME FEATS I WOULD ADD IN REGARD TO THIS LIST:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EMPATHY (WIS 13+): You may use your Perception skill to sense enchantments, moods, blabla in persons or larger groups.
TRAIN ANIMALS (Handle Animal 4(1+3) Ranks): You may use your Handle Animal skill to actually train animals (use normal rules).
I have a Knowledge (Warfare) skill as well, and it's turned out to be a big hit. So far all it does is subsume the old Profession (siege engineer), Profession (soldier), and Knowledge (ranks and insignia) skills, but other ideas are welcome. Certainly, if Pathfinder ever comes up with workable mass combat rules, this skill would be the key.
I've also rolled Urban Survival and Gather Information together into a Streetwise skill.
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I have a Knowledge (Warfare) skill ...
I've also rolled Urban Survival and Gather Information together into a Streetwise skill...
I like both of these a lot.
My list continues to evolve, but I think in the end I'll have two versions. A pretty simple, quite condensed list to use with new and younger players. And an insanely long list (not GURPS long, but maybe CoC long) that breaks a lot of skills down to sub-skills. I'll probably have to adjust skill points/level down for the kids and up for the long list.
Since I'm most likely going to house rule chunks of the skill list anyway, I guess I'd prefer Pathfinder stick pretty close to 3.5. Stealth, Perception good (except I want Search back). Spellcraft/Concentration not so good, if only because it seems to mess up 3.5 rules.
I'll try to post my lists later.
While your [THINK TANK] (mind the spelling!) is poorly launched ;)
I can't the resist the title of this thread.
I already posted my favorable skill list in other threads and I will do it here too:
.ACROBATICS - Balance, Tumble and Escape Artist for squeezing through tight spaces and escaping grapples
ATHLETICS - Climb, Jump, Swim and Run/Endurance (see SWSAGA for ideas)
DECEPTION - Bluff, Disguise, Forgery, Haggle (for prices)
DIPLOMACY - Diplomacy, Gather Information, Sense Motiv, Negotiating a contract/arrangement
DISCIPLINE - Concentration, Autohypnosis and what else you might come up with...
DOMINANCE - Command, Interrogate, Intimidate
HANDLE ANIMAL - Guide, Ride and Calm domesticated Animals (actually training (wild) animals should be a feat or class feature)
INVESTIGATE - Find Traps or hidden items, research a library, investigate a crime scene
KNOWLEDGE - several, don't know yet
LANGUAGES - Decipher Script, Speak language (with new use similar to DS but for spoken words just heard/evesdropped)
LEGERDEMAIN - Escape Artist (for bindings), Sleight of Hand, Use Rope
MECHANICS - Use/Disable Device, Open locks
MEDICINE - Heal, Profession (Herbalist)
PERCEPTION - Listen, Spot, Smell/Taste, Touch
PERFORM - Specializations: Actor, Juggler/Jester, Music, Oratory, Dance
SPELLCRAFT - Spellcraft, Use Magic Device
STEALTH - Hide, Move Silently, Shadow
SURVIVAL - Two Subskills, similar mechanic: Urban, Wilderness
TRADE - Appraise, Craft/Profession (choose specialization)
WARFARE - Use Siege Engines, plan Strategies and War Campaigns, Small Unit Tactics (improves Initiative)If you need it put fly somewhere too (either to Acrobatics, Athletics or separate).
.
.
.
SOME FEATS I WOULD ADD IN REGARD TO THIS LIST:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EMPATHY (WIS 13+): You may use your Perception skill to sense enchantments, moods, blabla in persons or larger groups.
TRAIN ANIMALS (Handle Animal 4(1+3) Ranks): You may use your Handle Animal skill to actually train animals (use normal...
This list, I love even more. Loooove.
Also, check out this thread.
While your [THINK TANK] (mind the spelling!) is poorly launched ;)
ACROBATICS - Balance, Tumble and Escape Artist for squeezing through tight spaces and escaping grapples
ATHLETICS - Climb, Jump, Swim and Run/Endurance (see SWSAGA for ideas)
DECEPTION - Bluff, Disguise, Forgery, Haggle (for prices)
DIPLOMACY - Diplomacy, Gather Information, Sense Motiv, Negotiating a contract/arrangement
DISCIPLINE - Concentration, Autohypnosis and what else you might come up with...
DOMINANCE - Command, Interrogate, Intimidate
HANDLE ANIMAL - Guide, Ride and Calm domesticated Animals (actually training (wild) animals should be a feat or class feature)
INVESTIGATE - Find Traps or hidden items, research a library, investigate a crime scene
KNOWLEDGE - several, don't know yet
LANGUAGES - Decipher Script, Speak language (with new use similar to DS but for spoken words just heard/evesdropped)
LEGERDEMAIN - Escape Artist (for bindings), Sleight of Hand, Use Rope
MECHANICS - Use/Disable Device, Open locks
MEDICINE - Heal, Profession (Herbalist)
PERCEPTION - Listen, Spot, Smell/Taste, Touch
PERFORM - Specializations: Actor, Juggler/Jester, Music, Oratory, Dance
SPELLCRAFT - Spellcraft, Use Magic Device
STEALTH - Hide, Move Silently, Shadow
SURVIVAL - Two Subskills, similar mechanic: Urban, Wilderness
TRADE - Appraise, Craft/Profession (choose specialization)
WARFARE - Use Siege Engines, plan Strategies and War Campaigns, Small Unit Tactics (improves Initiative)
Thank you for the input:
I would like to see sense motive in deception. Also tie investigate into
perception. Warfare is interesting can you give a few examples of the skill uses. Also maybe tie the survival skills into knowledge of certain areas like dungeoneering, nature, urban, and planes.
But I like it thanks
Also maybe tie the survival skills into knowledge of certain areas like dungeoneering, nature, urban, and planes.
Yes -- I can't speak for DracoDruid, but in my game we've rolled
Knowledge (arcana) into Spellcraft (Concentration is still separate).Knowledge (dungeoneering) in our campaign is included in Profession (mining), and the latter also subsumes some of the Stonecunning abilities -- dwarves just get a racial bonus.
Knowledge (local) is included in Streetwise.
Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (nature) fall under Survival.
Knowledge (the planes) and Knowledge (religion) will probably get combined, and allow some sort of minor planar acclimatization bonus at higher DCs, to keep it viable as a skill.
Knowledge (arcana) into Spellcraft (Concentration is still separate).
Knowledge (dungeoneering) in our campaign is included in Profession (mining), and the latter also subsumes some of the Stonecunning abilities -- dwarves just get a racial bonus.Knowledge (local) is included in Streetwise.
Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (nature) fall under Survival.
I like these ideas. They would probably work well!
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Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (nature) fall under Survival.
I was noodling this one myself. Here's my issue. Survival is good for everyone who spends time outdoors - hunting, fishing, camping, etc. But Knowledge (nature) is to Druids as Knowledge (arcana) is to Wizards and Knowledge (religion) is to Clerics. Wouldn't rolling "their" skill into a skill everyone uses be unfair?
Ok some adds to your input:
- Deception/Bluff can always be "countered" with Deception/Bluff (YK, the "lie to a lier" stuff), so sense motivs "main use" would be to have a FEELING about people. Their moods (fear, anger, etc.) or if someone is under an enchantment (actually I don't like this one that much).
Therefore it fits MUCH better to DIPLOMACY than to DECEPTION.
I thought long about INVESTIGATE/PERCEPTION. I had them combined first, but I think they should remain departed.
Reason: Think about the "book-worm wizard" being the master of his/any library but outside the tower he is just as perceptive as a rock.
Or the quick realizing rogue to impulsiv and unpatient to search a crime scene or a room.
I think it's good to have them separated. Otherwise PERCEPTION IS to much/powerful.
OK, the KNOWLEDGE skills. I find these ones quite hard.
My first impulse would not be to merge those into other skills but to RETHINK the entire KNOWLEDGE skills
1) What is a knowledge skill?
- A knowledge skill measures the size of informations about a specific topic.
2) What should a knowledge skill do?
- A knowledge skill is to REMEMBER specific informations AND NOT to be able to do specific actions or tasks. Therefore the main use of knowledge skills is of assistance nature.
3) Who can learn knowledge skills?
- Anybody should be able to learn ANY knowledge skill, as long as they can access the basic informations (no knowledge engineering for wild ones f.e.)
To take some of your examples:
Knowledge (Arcana) and Spellcraft would render every character with decent knowledge of magical history and abilities ALSO a good in countering spells and similar stuff EVEN when he isn't a CASTER!
OR the other way round, you might be very good in dealing with active magic and you AUTOMATICALLY get more and more knowledge about magical history.
Ok, I am loosing my point right now so I stop here.
Long story short: While ANY skill gives a character specific knowledges about this specific skill (the "How-to"-theory), a knowledge skill is ONLY about remembering and recalling informations (pure theory, no actuall skill/profession included).
Combining both will drop the scholar character type mostly I guess and fear.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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ooh ooh, me me!
Acrobatics: Balance and Tumble
Appraise
Athletics: Jump and Climb
Bluff
Craft: Includes Caligraphy, forgery attempts (art, documents, fake Muramasa Katana, etc.) go under this.
Concentration: Concentration and Autohypnosis, both go off Constitution
Diplomacy
Disable Device: Includes Open Lock
Disguise
Escape Artist: Escape Artist and Rope Use.
Fly
Handle Animal
Heal
Intimidate
Knowledge-
(Arcana) spellcraft and allowing apprasal of magic items.
(Architecture and engineering) Also allows for supervision of building and determining weaknesses in structures
(Binding)Replaces any arcana and spellcraft checks for binders.
(Divine) Religion and spellcraft
(History)
(Local)
(Nature)
(Nobility and Royalty)
(Planes)
(Psionics) Psicraft
(Underdark) Replaces Dungeoneering
Linguistics: speak language, Decipher script
Perception: Wisdom based senses
Perform (Making new music would be a craft:Composition check)
Profession (Generates income, can serve as a proxy for other skills in very limited situations)
Ride
Search
Sleight of hand (maybe fold into bluff, but I think Bluff is
Stealth: move silently and hide
Streetwise (good idea!) Urban survival and gather information
Survival
Swim
Use Device: Use Magic Device, Use Psionic Device, Use binding device.
I'd allow Knowlege: Arcana, Religion, and Psionic to substitute for each other in a pinch, say a -5 circumstance penalty.
Rogue: What's he casting?
Cleric: Well I think I recognize a draconic term in there, means *fwoom*
Rogue: Means fireball?
Cleric: *Cough* Yes.
Athletics: Jump and Climb
Concentration: Concentration and Autohypnosis, both go off Constitution
Escape Artist: Escape Artist and Rope Use.
Fly
Knowledge-
(Arcana) spellcraft and allowing apprasal of magic items.
(Architecture and engineering) Also allows for supervision of building and determining weaknesses in structures
(Binding)Replaces any arcana and spellcraft checks for binders.
(Divine) Religion and spellcraft
(Nature)
(Planes)
(Psionics) Psicraft
(Underdark) Replaces Dungeoneering
Linguistics: speak language, Decipher script
Profession (Generates income, can serve as a proxy for other skills in very limited situations)
Streetwise (good idea!) Urban survival and gather information
Use Device: Use Magic Device, Use Psionic Device, Use binding device.
I'm working on a skill list right know. I love some of these ideas.
ACROBATICS (Dex)
- Balance
- Escape Artist
- Tumble
ATHLETICS (Str)
- Climb
- Fly (Note: just like Climb, many small creatures could use Dex instead of Strength for Fly checks)
- Jump
- Run
- Swim
CRAFT (Int)
- Various subskills
DECEPTION (Cha)
- Bluff
- Disguise
DISABLE DEVICE (Int)
- Disarm
- Open Locks
HANDLE ANIMAL (Wis)
- Animal Handling
- Ride
KNOWLEDGE (Int)
- Arcana
- Architecture & Engineering
- Appraise
- Dungeoneering
- History
- Local
- Religion
- Strategy & Tactics
LINGUISTICS (Int)
- Decipher Script
- Forgery
- Read Language
- Write Language
PERCEPTION (Wis)
- Listen
- Sense Motive
- Smell
- Spot
- Taste
- Touch
PERFORM (Cha)
- Various subskills
PERSUASION (Cha)
- Diplomacy
- Intimidate
- Seduce
- Torture
PROFESSION (Wis)
- Various subskills
STEALTH (Dex)
- Hide
- Move Silently
- Sleight of Hand
SPELLCRAFT (Varies)
- Arcane (Int)
- Concentration/Spell Failure (Con)
- Divine (Wis)
- Psionic (Int)
- Use Magic Device (Cha)
SURVIVAL (Wis)
- Heal
- Streetwise
- Wilderness Lore
Personally, I'm for keeping the subskills, but treating folks as if they had 1/2 ranks in other subskills in the same uberskill, except for those subskills that are "trained only", such as the Knowledge skills. Or something like that.
I'm adding a few skills and changing others based on comments. Some of the skills I added aren't for every game but must be for certain classes .
Acrobatics: balance, tumble, fly, and escape artist(squeeze through areas)
Athletics: jump, climb, and swim. I assume every hero knows how to swim!
Deception: Bluff and Disguise
Discipline: concentration, endurance, and autohypnosis
Handle Animal: ride
Heal
Knowledge-
(Arcana): spellcraft
(Engineering): looking for weakness
(Binding): spellcraft and devices
(Divine): Religion and spellcraft
(Dungeoneering): survival
(Nature): survival
(Region): geography, nobility and royalty, and local, history
(Pcionics):spellcraft and devices
(Planes): survival
Legerdemain: sleight of hand, escape artist(bindings), and tying ropes
Linguistics: speak language, forge, and decipher
Operate Device: Disable Device, use magic device, and open lock, siege devices, and etc.
Perception: search, sense motive, listen, spot, and smell
Persuasion: diplomacy and intimidate
Stealth: move silently and hide
Streetwise:gather information and urban survival
Trade: appraise, craft(sub trade), profession, perform
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Here is my working list so far...
Acrobatics (DEX) Balance, Tumble
Animal Training (WIS) Formerly Handle Animal
Appraise(WIS)
Athletics (STR) Climb, Jump
Craft (WIS) A chosen Craft skill is considered one skill – other applications are considered separate
Concentration (CON)
Deception (CHA) Bluff, Disguise
Disable Device (INT) Disable Device, Open Lock
Endurance (CON) Run, Swim and resist fatigue effects
Escape Artist (DEX)
Heal (WIS)
Initiative (DEX) New Skill givne to al martial classes plus the Bard, Rogue and Cleric
Knowledge (Arcana) (INT) Know (arcana), Spellcraft (arcane)
Knowledge (Architecture) Acts as Know (Architecture) and Know (Engineering)
Knowledge (*Area*) Acts as Know (Local) and Know (Geography) for a specific region or area
Knowledge (Cosmology) Astrology, Astronomy, and Planar knowledge
Knowledge (Dungeoneering)
Knowledge (Lore) Combines Know (History), and Know (Nobility)
Knowledge (Nature)
Knowledge (Religion) (INT) Know (religion), Spellcraft (divine)
Language (INT) Read & Speak, Decipher Script, Forery
Perception (WIS) Listen, Spot, Sense Motive
Perform (CHA) A chosen Perform skill is considered one skill – other applications are considered separate
Persuasion (CHA) Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate
Profession (WIS) A chosen Profession is considered one skill – other applications are considered separate
Ride (WIS)
Search (INT)
Sleight of Hand (DEX)
Stealth (DEX) Hide, Move Silently
Survival (WIS)
Use Magic Device (CHA)
To be considered "trained" in a skill a charcter must have 5 ranks in a skill; being "trained" in a skill allows certain aspects of those skills to be used. An example is below...
Language (INT)
Common Languages: You start play knowing Common and your native language plus an additional number of known languages equal to your starting Intelligence bonus. For every 5 ranks in this skill, a character can add an additional known language. A character is not required to make skill checks with a known language. A character is considered literate in any known language (with the exception of the Barbarian class; they must spend an additional 2 ranks in this skill to be considered literate).
Decipher Language (Trained Only): You can attempt to communicate with a target whose language is not known by you. The difficulty varies depending on the complexity of the idea or concept you are trying to communicate. The base DC is 15 for simple messages, while a more complex idea may be DC 30. If the check succeeds, you are able to briefly communicate with the target.
Decipher Script (Trained Only): You can decipher writing in an unfamiliar language or a message written in an incomplete or archaic form. The base DC is 20 for the simplest messages, 25 for standard texts, and 30 or higher for intricate, exotic, or very old writing.
If the check succeeds, you understand the general content of a piece of writing about one page long (or the equivalent). If the check fails, make a DC 5 Wisdom check to see if you avoid drawing a false conclusion about the text. (Success means that you do not draw a false conclusion; failure means that you do.) Both the Decipher Script check and (if necessary) the Wisdom check are made secretly, so that you can’t tell whether the conclusion you draw is true or false. Deciphering the equivalent of a single page of script takes 1 minute (ten consecutive full-round actions).
or...
Knowledge (INT)
Common Knowledge (All): You can answer a basic question about a subject related to your field of study with a DC 10 Knowledge check.
Expert Knowledge (All) (Trained Only): You can make a Knowledge check as a swift action to answer a question within your field of study that requires some expertise. The DC of the check ranges from 15 (for a simple question) to 25 (for tough questions). The DM may adjust the DC depending on a character’s personal experience.
Detect Vulnerabilities (Arcana, Cosmology, Dungeoneering, Nature, or Religion) (Trained Only): In many cases, you can use this skill to identify monsters and their special powers or vulnerabilities. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the monster’s HD. A successful check allows you to remember a bit of useful information about that monster. For every 5 points by which your check result exceeds the DC, you recall another piece of useful information.
As for the new skills...
Endurance (CON)
Armor Check Penalty
You can push yourself beyond your normal physical limits.
Force March: Each hour of walking after 8 hours requires you to attempt a DC 10 Endurance check (+2 per hour after the first). If you fail, you move –1 persistent step along the condition track (see Conditions). You can only remove this persistent condition with 8 hours of rest.
Hold Breath: You can hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution score. After this period of time, you must succeed a DC 10 Endurance check to continue holding your breath. The DC increases by +2 per additional round. If you fail, you must breathe or you move –1 step on the condition track. If you reach the bottom of the condition track, you fall unconscious. If you are still unable to breathe on your next turn after falling unconscious, you die.
Ignore Hunger: You can go without food for a number of days equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum 1 day). After this time, you must succeed on a DC 10 Endurance check each day or move –1 persistent step along the condition track. You can only remove this persistent condition by eating a nutritious meal. The DC increases by +2 each day after.
Ignore Thirst: You can go without water for a number of hours equal to three times your Constitution modifier. After this time, you must succeed on a DC 10 Endurance check each day or move –1 persistent step along the condition track. You can only remove this persistent condition by drinking at least a gallon of water; for creatures that are not Medium size, multiply the water required by 10 for every size category above Medium or divide it by 10 for every size category below Medium. The DC increases by +2 each day after.
Run: You can run as a full-round action. When you run, you can move up to four times your normal speed in a straight line (or three times your speed if you are wearing heavy armor or carrying a heavy load).
Sleep in Armor: You can sleep while wearing armor by succeeding at an Endurance check (DC 10 for light armor, DC 15 for medium armor, and DC 20 for heavy armor). If you fail, you don’t sleep and move –1 persistent step along the condition track. You can only remove this persistent condition by sleeping 8 hours.
Swim: A successful Endurance check allows you to swim one-quarter of your speed as a move action or one-half your speed as a full-round action.
Make an Endurance check once per round while you are in the water. Success means you may swim at up to one-half your speed (as a full-round action) or at one-quarter your speed (as a move action). If you fail by 4 or less, you make no progress through the water. If you fail by 5 or more, you go underwater.
If you are underwater, either because you failed an Endurance check or because you are swimming underwater intentionally, you must hold your breath. You can hold your breath for a number of rounds equal to your Constitution score, but only if you do nothing other than take move actions or free actions. If you take a standard action or a full-round action (such as making an attack), the remainder of the duration for which you can hold your breath is reduced by 1 round. (Effectively, a character in combat can hold his or her breath only half as long as normal.) After that period of time, you must make a DC 10 Constitution check every round to continue holding your breath. Each round, the DC for that check increases by 1. If you fail the Constitution check, you begin to drown. The DC for the skill check depends on the water.
Water Swim DC
Calm water 10
Rough water 15
Stormy water 201
Each hour that you swim, you must make a DC 20 Endurance check or take 1d6 points of non-lethal damage from fatigue.
A successful Endurance check allows you to swim one-quarter of your speed as a move action or one-half your speed as a full-round action.
Special: Endurance swim checks are subject to double the normal armor check penalty and encumbrance penalty.
A creature with a swim speed can move through water at its indicated speed without making Endurance checks. It gains a +8 racial bonus on any Endurance check to perform a special action or avoid a hazard while swimming. The creature always can choose to take 10 on a Endurance check to swim, even if distracted or endangered when swimming. Such a creature can use the run action while swimming, provided that it swims in a straight line.
Tread Water: Each hour that you swim, you must succeed on a DC 15 Endurance check or move –1 persistent step along the condition track. You can only remove this persistent condition by resting for the same length of time spent swimming. Each consecutive hour of swimming increases to DC by +2. If you are only treading water, reduce the DC by 5.
Initiative (DEX)
Armor Check Penalty
Use this skill to gain advantage in combat.
Start Battle: An Initiative check sets the order of combat when a fight starts. Each character that is aware of the fight (not surprised) makes an Initiative check and goes in order from the highest to the lowest.
Avoid Feint: When an opponent attempts to feint in combat, you oppose his Deception check with an Initiative check. If you meet or beat his result, his feint fails.
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My current skill list, with ideas mentioned here and elsewhere.
Acrobatics [Balance, Escape Artist, Tumble] (Dex)
Athletics [Climb, Jump, Run, Swim] For every 5 ranks add 10 feet to your run speed. (Str)
Appraise (Int)
Concentration [Autohypnosis, Control Shape] (Con)
Craft [Forgery] (Int)
Deception [Bluff, Disguise] (Cha)
Diplomacy [Diplomacy, Gather Information] (Cha)
Fly (Dex)
Handle Animal (Cha)
Heal (Wis)
Intimidate [Intimidate, Gather Information] (Str)
Knowledge (Anthropology) (Int) [Renamed Knowledge (Local)]
Knowledge (Arcana) [Arcana, Spellcraft] (Int)
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) (Int)
Knowledge (Engineering) (Int)
Knowledge (Geography) (Int)
Knowledge (History) (Int)
Knowledge (Nature) [Nature, Spellcraft] (Int)
Knowledge (Nobility) (Int)
Knowledge (Planes) (Int)
Knowledge (Religion) [Religion, Spellcraft] (Int)
Knowledge (Warfare) [Profession (siege engineer), Profession (soldier), Knowledge (heraldry)]
Linguistics [Decipher Script, Speak Language] For every 2 ranks you learn an additional language. (Int)
Perception [Listen, Spot, Touch, Taste, Smell] (Wis)
Perform (Cha)
Profession (Wis)
Ride (Dex)
Search (Int)
Sense Motive (Wis)
Stealth [Hide, Move Silently] (Dex)
Streetwise [Gather Information, Urban Survival]
Survival (Wis)
Theft [Open Lock, Sleight of Hand] (Dex)
Use/Disable Device [Craft (trap making)] (Int)
Use Magic Device (Cha)
I'm sorry I forgot to add the ability modifers to go with the skills. I also had an idea since synergy points wouldn't work with the new skills.
Skill specialization- Benefit: +2 to skill when using it for the specific purpose.
Prequisite: 5 Ranks in any skill.
You may only have one specialization per skill.
This specialization is chosen when you put your fifth rank in the skill.
Acrobatics(DEX): balance, tumble, fly, and escape artist(squeeze through areas)
Athletics(STR): jump, climb, and swim. I assume every hero knows how to swim!
Deception(CHA): Bluff and Disguise
Discipline(CON): concentration, endurance, and autohypnosis
Handle Animal(CHA): ride
Heal(WIS):
Knowledge-(INT)
(Arcana): spellcraft
(Engineering): looking for weakness
(Binding): spellcraft and devices
(Divine): Religion and spellcraft
(Dungeoneering): survival
(Nature): survival
(Region): geography, nobility and royalty, and local, history
(Pcionics):spellcraft and devices
(Planes): survival
Legerdemain(DEX): sleight of hand, escape artist(bindings), and tying ropes
Linguistics(INT): speak language, forge, and decipher script
Mechanics(INT): Disable Device, use magic device, and open lock, siege devices, and etc.
Perception(WIS): search, sense motive, listen, spot, and smell
Persuasion(CHA): diplomacy and intimidate
Stealth(DEX): move silently and hide
Streetwise(CHA):gather information and urban survival
Trade(INT): appraise, craft(sub trade), profession, perform
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My list is somewhat similar to Diodric's...
Mosaic's Short List
Acrobatics (Dex) = Balance, Tumble, some Escape Artist (squeezing into tight spaces), some Ride (when the rider is trying to do something)
Appraise (Int)
Arcana (Int) = arcane Spellcraft, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (planes), Detect Magic
Athletics (Str) = Run, Jump, Climb
Bluff (Cha) = Bluff, Gather Information, haggle, flirt/seduce
Craft (Wis) = Craft/Repair, works like a narrow version of Profession
Deception (Cha) = Disguise, Forgery, imitate, hide large object
Diplomacy (Cha) = Gather Information, haggle, flirt/seduce, savior-faire,
Discipline (Wis) = Concentration, Autohypnosis, morale bonus to Will saves
Dungeoneering (Wis) = Knowledge (dungeoneering), dungeon survival, Use Rope
Endurance (Con) = hold breath, forced march, drug and alcohol tolerance
Fly (Dex)
Handle Animal (Cha) = Handle Animal, some Ride (control animal aspects)
Heal (Int)
Intimidate (Cha) = Gather Information, haggle, flirt/seduce
Knowledge (architecture and construction) (Int)
Knowledge (history) (Int) = plus some Knowledge (geography)
Knowledge (linguistics) (Int) = Decipher Script, gist spoken language, create and decipher codes
Knowledge (local) (Int) = plus some Knowledge (geography)
Knowledge (nobility) (Int)
Mechanics (Int) = Use/Disable clockwork and mechanical Device, Open Locks, disable traps
Nature (Int) = druidic Spellcraft, Knowledge (nature)
Perception (Wis) = Perception, 6th sense: Empathy (Sense Motive, detect ruse)
Perform (Cha)
Profession (Wis)
Religion (Int) = divine Spellcraft, Knowledge (religion), Knowledge (planes)
Search (Int) = Search, Research
Stealth (Dex)
Streetwise (Wis) = knowing who to use Bluff/Diplomacy/Intimidate on, urban survival, urban track, elude pursuit
Swim (Str)
Thievery (Dex) = Sleight of Hand, pick pockets, some Escape Artist (slipping bonds), hide small object
Warfare (Int) = some Knowledge (engineering), tactics, leadership
Wilderness Survival (Wis) = Use Rope, track, conceal tracks, find food and water, protection against weather
Non-Skills
Languages = 1 + Int bonus + more as feats
Use/Disable Magical Device = rogue ability: rogues can substitute Cha for Int in Arcana checks, can disable magical traps
I believe the skills are just too spread out! A little consolidation is a good thing or all classes need just a few more skill points.I also came up with an idea to replace skill synergy since paizo has taken them out. Tell me what you think.......
Skill specialization- Benefit: +2 to skill when using it for the specific purpose.
Prequisite: 5 Ranks in any skill.
You may only have one specialization per skill.
This specialization is chosen when you put your fifth rank in the skill.
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My list is pretty similar:
Alchemy (Int) make & identify potions, special materials & alchemical substances, use certain alchemical items
Animal Handling (Cha) ride, train, & command animals
Arcane (Int) identify spells, magic items, effects, magical creatures (magical beasts, aberrations, magical constructs), etc. Use magic devices, read magic
Athletics (Con) run, jump, climb, endurance
Construction (Int) build, repair, identify & disable: buildings, tunnels, defensive works, ships, etc.; find secret passages, determine weaknesses
Craft (Dex) make, repair, identify & disable items: woodworking, tailoring, tanning weaving, artwork, ceramics, etc.
Diplomacy (Cha) persuasion, gather information, high society savoir-faire
Escape (Dex) squeeze through small space, slip bonds & shackles,
Gymnastics (Dex) tumble, balance, jump, reduce fall, regain footing, aerial maneuvers, etc.
Healing (Wis) medicine, heal wounds, cure sickness
Intimidation (Cha) scare people into cooperating, demoralize opponents
Language (Int) learn 1 language or alphabet per rank, decipher script, make & break codes.
Lore (Int) history, geography, local, nobility, humanoids, hidden secrets, riddles, misc. facts
Mechanic (Int) make, repair, disable & identify traps, locks, constructs, complicated devices
Merchant (Int) haggle price, appraise value, run a business, business contacts/knowledge
Metalsmith (Dex) make, repair, identify & disable: metal arms & armor, other metal items
Nature (Wis) survival, find food, avoid danger; identify animals, plants, & vermin; navigate on land, track
Notice (Wis) spot, search, listen, smell, taste, feel, use other available senses
Perform (Cha) music, display of skill, dancing, inspiring oration, bardic music effects
Religion (Wis) understanding of undead, gods, demons, outsiders, planes, rites, & beliefs; perform rituals
Sailing (Int) handle ships & boats, navigate at sea, water survival
Sense Motive (Wis) counteract subterfuge & misdirection, detect lies, read someone' motives
Stealth (Dex) hide, move silently
Streetwise (Cha) gather info, fence stolen goods, knowledge of low society & criminals
Swim (Con) swimming, holding breath
Trickery (Cha) bluff, disguise, forgery
Thievery (Dex) pick locks, breaking & entering, pick pockets, bypass traps
Warfare (Int) strategy & tactics, leading troops in battle, operating siege engines & defenses, knowledge of weapons & army procedures.
28 skills: Str 0, Dex 6, Con 2, Int 9, Wis 5, Cha 7.
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I'm a big fan of merging diplomacy/intimidate into a skill called persuasion. They have the same outcome, they are both CHA based skills.
I generally don't favor this merge because I see the result of failure being very different. Failed Diplomacy = no favors. Failed (or even successful) Intimidate = an new enemy.
But convince me; I'm open minded. Could Persuasion work like Perception, with sub-skills of Intimidate, Diplomacy, and maybe even Bluff?
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By definition, to persuade is to prevail on (a person) to do something, as by advising or urging. Suppose my warrior wants to get in to see the king. I could:
1) discuss with Joe Guard that, as a member of the extended royal family, I have the right to do so under the Magna Carta, subsection five, paragrah three (diplomacy)
2) stand really close to Joe Guard and say 'you WILL let me in to see the King - or there will be consequences' (intimidate)
3) The King is in danger - cast open the door! (which skill? assuming this is true)
Okay, I see the logic behind your argument. I'm not saying I agree but I'm willing to at least work through this idea.
Now, with Perception, it is possible to break out the different senses when appropriate. Different races get +2 to this sense or +2 to that sense. Certain spells or magic items could give bonuses to Perception when applied to vision, or hearing, or smell, etc.
How could you do the same with Persuasion? Half-orcs get +2 when it is used to intimidate? Half-elves when they are being diplomatic? Even though they would be rolled into one super-skill, there would still need to be some differentiation between the way the different sub-skills are used and the results of success or failure. Would certain conditions or feats make NPCs more resistant to certain approaches? Trained guards get +2 vs. intimidate? Gullible barmaids -2 vs. bluff? Confusion spells result in -4 vs. bluff?
Diplomacy, intimidation and deception are all different ways of changing someone's mind. I'd need to see that they still exist and retain some distinct flavor before I could see them all rolled into one Persuasion skill.
My turn. I've been thinking long and hard about this list and I'm still not satisfied...too many knowledges, for example. I've adapted ideas from some other posters over the entire Alpha postings and even looked at 4e's...overly short...list. Still, it's my best consolidation so far, so here goes:
[Please note this does include some non-fantasy skills, we like cross-genre characters...little lost jedi, ect]
Acrobatics [includes: Balance,Tumble]
Appraise
Athletics [includes: Climb, Jump, Swim]
Concentrate [includes: Autohypnosis, Control Shape, Endurance]
Craft: Armor
Craft: Chemical
Craft: Electronic
Craft: Fabric
Craft: Item
Craft: Mechanical
Craft: Melee Weapon
Craft: Pharmaceutical
Craft: Ranged Weapon
Craft: Structural
Craft: Visual Art
Craft: Writing
Deception [includes: Bluff, Disguise, Forgery]
Diplomacy
Drive
Fly [I'd still rather see this as part of Acrobatics]
Handle Animal
Heal
Initiative
Intimidate
Investigate [includes: Research, Search & Sense Motive]
Knowledge: Architecture & Engineering
Knowledge: Art
Knowledge: Behavioral Sciences
Knowledge: Bureaucracy
Knowledge: Business
Knowledge: Civics
Knowledge: Current Events
Knowledge: Dungeoneering
Knowledge: Earth Sciences
Knowledge: Engineering
Knowledge: Geography
Knowledge: History
Knowledge: Life Sciences
Knowledge: Nobility & Royalty
Knowledge: Physical Sciences
Knowledge: Planar
Knowledge: Popular Culture
Knowledge: Social Sciences
Knowledge: Streetwise
Knowledge: Technology
Legerdemain [includes: Escape Artist, Pick Pocket, Sleight of Hand]
Linguistics
Lore: Arcane
Lore: Divine
Lore: the Force
Lore: Nature
Lore: Martial
Lore: Psionic
Mechanics [includes: Demolitions, Repair]
Nature
Navigate
Perception [includes: Listen, Spot]
Perform: Act
Perform: Dance
Perform: Electronic Instruments
Perform: Keyboards
Perform: Percussion Instruments
Perform: Sing
Perform: Stand-Up Comedy
Perform: Stringed Instruments
Perform: Wind Instruments
Pilot
Profession
Ride
Stealth [includes: Hide, Move Silently]
Streetwise [includes: Knowledge Local]
Survival
Use Computer
Use Device: Alien
Use Device: Divine
Use Device: Mechanical
Use Device: Magic
Use Device: Psionic
Lore combines Knowledge & practical use (spellcraft, psicraft, use the Force, tactics in the case of Martial).
Craft: architectture and engineering also profession
Craft and Knowledge both use Int so that's largely a non-issue (except for engineering being a skill that not all classes get), however Profession has always been a Wis skill so I think that change would be hard to swallow for some classes.
Deception: Bluff and Sense Motive
I strongly disagree. Just because You know how to lie doesn't mean You are empathetic. /me has flashbacks to some ex-es... In addition, I'd say Disguise could be merged with Deception.
Handle Animal: ride
I like this suggestion a lot.
Operate Device: Disable Device, use magic device, and open lock
Just because I can hit my computer and get the platters on a stuck hard-drive spinning again doesn't mean I'd consider it a UMD check. ;) I'd keep UMD seperate and simply call the skill Disable Device.
DECEPTION - Bluff, Disguise, Forgery, Haggle (for prices)
DIPLOMACY - Diplomacy, Gather Information, Sense Motiv, Negotiating a contract/arrangement
DISCIPLINE - Concentration, Autohypnosis and what else you might come up with...
DOMINANCE - Command, Interrogate, Intimidate
HANDLE ANIMAL - Guide, Ride and Calm domesticated Animals (actually training (wild) animals should be a feat or class feature)
I like all of these a lot.
LEGERDEMAIN - Escape Artist (for bindings), Sleight of Hand, Use Rope
I almost wonder if Escape Artist should go under Acrobatics, but I actually kind of like this too.
SPELLCRAFT - Spellcraft, Use Magic Device
I do not like mixing these together at all. Allow an ad hoc Synergy if You actually know what You are doing, but otherwise UMD is more like Luck than know-how.
To be considered "trained" in a skill a charcter must have 5 ranks in a skill; being "trained" in a skill allows certain aspects of those skills to be used. An example is below...
I love this idea! Just for clarification, I take it that You use the word "ranks" to signify the +3 Class Skill bonus can be used to quality as "trained" i.e. trained = 2 skill points + class skill OR 5 skill points cross-class
As for some suggestions of my own...
PERFORM:
Instruments. Flavor can determine what the character is good at, for mechanics and treasue it's fairly irrelevant. Point is, they are using their bardic music in a way that occupies their body in various ways.
Vocals. The fact that it can be used even when there is a weapon (or an instrument) in-hand makes it quite valuable. Vocals would cover singing, oratory, ballads, etc.
That's All Folks! Pretty much everything else can be absorbed by other skills:
Dancing, Weapon Drills, Juggling and Choreographed performances could be handled by Acrobatics (using Charisma as the keyed ability for such uses of the skill).
Acting, Drama, etc. could be handled by Deception. My roommate is an actress and I have arrived at the understanding that "acting" requires the actor to be brutally honest with themselves from an emotional standpoint. i.e. If they are not drawing on their own real emotions then the act will be transparent. This would seem to fit with what makes an effective bluff or disguise.
KNOWLEDGE: (not an all-inclusive list, just changes)
Appraise. Appraise would no longer be a skill. Instead it would be a usage of the relevant Craft or Knowledge skill. History: "This urn dates from the ancient elven ruins of Myth Drannor" Streetwise: "This is the duke's signet ring, that's too hot for me to move... at least at that price!"
History. Includes the "peoples" aspect of the former Geography skill along with knowledge of warfare and tactics (since history is pretty much shaped by war). IMO Nobility and Royalty could be wrapped up in here too.
Religion. Includes Religion, Spirits (from Oriental Adventures) and The Planes.
Spellcraft. This would include Spellcraft and Arcana but NOT Concentration/Discipline.
Streetwise. Combines Urban Survival and the former Local skill.
PROFESSION:
There can be only one! This would be only a single skill and a character would not have multiple profession skills; the name of the profession is up to the player and can even be changed over time to suit flavor. Simply speaking, even in the RealWorld™, what matters most career-wise is the diversity and WHOLE of a person's skills and experience, not merely the sum of their individual talents. From a gameplay standpoint, this change most useful if someone should want to borrow elements from d20 Modern or user PFRPG to augment their Urban Arcana game.
I agree with everything here except Handle Animal and Ride should probably be different skills. On should have to do with how good you are with animals, and one is riding pre-trained creatures (or ones you just have trained with Handle Animal.) Anyways, you use Handle Animal on a Badger, ride on a Horse.I've thought having Athletics and Acrobatics was a good idea for a long time, I made a post about it but the forums ate it, dunno where it went.
I agree with Handle Animal; there are more than just mounts out there. What about all those NPC's herding animals? what about rangers and wildlife?. Just because you can deal with a cow well does not mean you can ride one. Heck what about bird handlers?
Honestly: I think that one think in D&D v3.5 that looked good (not perfect) was the skills list. I like, for the most part, the current combinations that have been made but at the same time you loose some flair and flexibility; for example what about all the STR based skills? Gone. DEX is almost a necessity now for everyone. The rules in the Compelte Scoundrel was a good way to overcome combined skill checks.
So things like Perception to cover Bluff and Sense motive make sense to me other things like Acrobatics covers to much in my book - things that require "actions"; physical actions should be more granular in the rules IMO. It combines to much into one. At the very least add in a second STR based Skill such as (mentioned before above) Athletics.
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Here's what I would change:
(NOTE: I used the Pathfinder Alpha list as my base)
Altered Skills
Old Skill ------------------------------->New Skill
Climb ----------------------------------> Athletics
Disguise ------------------------------> Bluff
Escape Artist ------------------------> Acrobatics
Know (Engineering) ---------------> Know (Military)
Know (Local)-------------------------> Know (Streets)
Know (Nature) -----------------------> Survival
Know (Planes) ----------------------> Know (Religion)
Profession ----------------------------> Carefully fed to a Sphere of Annihilation
Ride ------------------------------------> Handle Animal
Swim -----------------------------------> Athletics
I rolled Climb and Swim into Athletics to simplify.
I rolled Disguise into Bluff because, essentially, that's what a disguise is; an attempt to bluff someone into believing you're someone else. I think that having an actual Disguise Kit should give a character a bonus to Bluff. I think lacking the proper tools should impose a penalty.
Escape Artist could be placed under both Athletics (break free) and Acrobatics (slip free), which is apparently what another game company did with their new edition ...cough cough. Personally, I think it should fall under Acrobatics solely, as their is generally a burst DC listed besides things like ropes, chains, and the like anyway. I don't think training in a skill would make you stronger (breaking or bursting ropes and chains is STR based), and is misplaced. That's just me.
Knowledge (Engineering) is one of those skills used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and inner workings of things like castles, walls, bridges, and the occasional siege engine. For the most part, military targets. I've toyed with the idea of calling it Knowledge (Military), as it would cover those things, as well as rank structures, army tactics, unit identification, customs, and so forth. I think it would broaden the scope of the skill. In addition, I think it would give the Fighter class a Knowledge Skill to showcase. I don't think great generals are made by swinging a sword alone.
All that said, I'm still tossed up. I might keep Knowledge (Engineering) and just add Knowledge (Military). It's a hard call.
Knowledge (Local) became Knowledge (Street) because, frankly, that's really what the aim of the skill has always been, in my humble opinion. I think it's a nice reflection to Knowledge (Nobility), which deals with the upper crust, etiquette, ect. It's now called Streetwise in 4E.
Knowledge (Nature) became Survival because the two already overlap, mostly. I can't think of too many things (besides identifying monsters associated with Nature) that Survival can't cover.
I rolled Knowledge (Planes) into Knowledge (Religion) because, for the most part, the Planes are where the Gods and their servants live. I can't think of too many cases where you might need to know something about a particular plane (Heaven, Hel, Dis, the Summerlands, whatever) that you haven't learned from myth and religion.
Profession - Yeah, regardless of other threads, I think it's useless. Creative role playing, a back story, and a rank or two in craft is all someone really needs to generate an occupation. I fail to see why we need a mechanic to assist in creative role playing. What does Profession really do, mechanically, in D&D besides generate income for the character during downtime....
And Lastly, Ride. Here's the thing. I have never met, heard of, or read about someone that rode an animal in any skilled capacity that did not also know how to handle it on the ground? You can own and ride a horse, but you don't know how to feed it or lead it? I think Handle Animal should cover Leading, Training, and Riding Animals.
So, what do you think?
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ACROBATICS (Dex)
- Balance
- Escape Artist
- Tumble
ATHLETICS (Str)
- Climb
- Fly (Note: just like Climb, many small creatures could use Dex instead of Strength for Fly checks)
- Jump
- Run
- Swim
CRAFT (Int)
- Various subskills
DECEPTION (Cha)
- Bluff
- Disguise
DISABLE DEVICE (Int)
- Disarm
- Open Locks
HANDLE ANIMAL (Wis)
- Animal Handling
- Ride
KNOWLEDGE (Int)
- Arcana
- Architecture & Engineering
- Appraise
- Dungeoneering
- History
- Local
- Religion
- Strategy & Tactics
LINGUISTICS (Int)
- Decipher Script
- Forgery
- Read Language
- Write Language
PERCEPTION (Wis)
- Listen
- Sense Motive
- Smell
- Spot
- Taste
- Touch
PERFORM (Cha)
- Various subskills
PERSUASION (Cha)
- Diplomacy
- Intimidate
- Seduce
- Torture
PROFESSION (Wis)
- Various subskills
STEALTH (Dex)
- Hide
- Move Silently
- Sleight of Hand
SPELLCRAFT (Varies)
- Arcane (Int)
- Concentration/Spell Failure (Con)
- Divine (Wis)
- Psionic (Int)
- Use Magic Device (Cha)
SURVIVAL (Wis)
- Heal
- Streetwise
- Wilderness LorePersonally, I'm for keeping the subskills, but treating folks as if they had 1/2 ranks in other subskills in the same uberskill, except for those subskills that are "trained only", such as the Knowledge skills. Or something like that.
I like your list, and it mirrors very closely my own ideas. I have also thought about using "uberskills" and "subskills" in a similar fashion, but I thought of giving just +1 for having ranks in another "subskills".
Some observations, feeback and suggestions on your list:
- Athletics: I think it is more logical to put Fly under Acrobatics, since it is about maneuverability in flight, and "aerial acrobatics". Also, I put run under a new skill, Endurance, which governs physical stamina and ability to withstand pain. On the other hand... now that I'm thinking about, it might work better if Endurance was just a subskill under Athletics?
- Perception: Like you, I included Sense Motive under this skill, but as Perception (Insight), which I think describes it better than just 'Sense Motive'.
- Persuasion: I also decided to use this "superskill" and put Diplomacy and Intimidate (I'm still uncertain whether to put Bluff under this skill or Deception). However, I'd probably keep seduce and torture as uses for Intimidate, Bluff and Diplomacy, rather than their own subskills.
- Spellcraft: I also use different subskills for Arcane, Divine and Nature spells. However, I've thought about a new skill called 'Discipline', which would have Concentration and Autohypnosis as subskills. Maybe it should be WIS-based, but it could work with CON, too. Just like you, I also put Use Magic Device works best under this skill.
- Stealth: I can understand why you put Sleight of Hand here, but I think it deserves to be a skill of its own.
- Survival: I don't think Heal is a good choice to put under this skill. I'd personally rather keep it as a "superskill", because it has a very prominent role in the game. The same with Streetwise, too, but mechanically it doesn't make such a big difference either way.
I think I'm going to merge Profession (Herbalist) and Heal. I've also thought about getting rid of Alchemy as a Craft skill, and make it a Feat instead... and then there's Astrology, which is not governed by any skill (to my knowledge) at the moment -- I'll put under Knowledge (The Planes).
Here's my list of knowledge skills. As you can tell, I like ampersands.
Architecture & Engineering (constructs, technology, secret passages)
History & Geography (ancient knowledge, places)
Culture & Law (myths, personalities, laws, customs, local organizations)
Healing & Anatomy (recover health, cure poison, cure disease)
Linguistics & Script (understanding foreign or dead languages, deciphering script and code)
Arcana & The Planes (runes, magic items, elementals, various monsters)
Nature & Survival (tracking, avoiding dangers of the wilderness)
Nobility & Religion (nobility, royalty, deities)
Tactics & Warfare (strategy, terrain, issue orders)
Underworld & Esoteric (black markets, cults, thieves guilds)