skill check clarification

[DevilJac]

Howdy folks. I've been playing with a small group of friends for a couple weeks now and we really enjoy the game. However, we're divided on the interpretation of certain skill checks. I've read through a few threads here that touch on similar (if not exact) issues and thought I'd just throw this out there for a final "ruling."

Hypothetically, let's say my character card says:
Wisdom (d6)
Perception: Wisdom+3

Now, if I pop a card during explore that says I need to make a Wisdom check of 5 to succeed, I would roll 1d6. This is how we've been playing. A few folks from the group argue that according to the FAQ, since Perception uses Wisdom, the Perception check could instead be used for the Wisdom check to gain the +3 to the total.

Which is the correct "legal" interpretation? We've been fairly good about sorting other things out but this one topic is driving us nuts.

Any clarification that you kind folks could throw my way will be most appreciated.

Cheers!

R

[csouth154]

If it just gives you wisdom as a choice, you can only check against your wisdom. If it said "wisdom" with "perception" underneath, or vice versa, you could use your wisdom OR your perception. When multiple skills are listed as options for a check, always read as if there was an "or" after each one.

Now, keep in mind that if one skill references another skill on your card, such as your example with "perception: wisdom +3", then any check made using that skill is also considered to be a check using the referenced skill. That doesn't mean, though, that you can use perception if only wisdom was given as an option. What it means is that you could use cards that affect wisdom checks to aid your perception checks with that character.

[Hawkmoon269]

The card you are encountering defines which skill you can use to defeat or acquire it.

Rulebook v3 p11 wrote:

Determine Which Die You’re Using. Cards that require a check specify the skill or skills you can use to attempt the check. Each check to defeat or acquire a card lists one or more skills; you may choose any of the listed skills for your check. For example, if a check lists Dexterity, Disable, Strength, and Melee, you may use any one of those skills to attempt your check.

So you must choose one of the listed skills to defeat or acquire a card. If Perception is not listed, then you can not choose Perception.

This is the FAQ entry you refer to.

FAQ wrote:

If I'm making a Perception check, and my Perception is based on my Wisdom, do cards that help Wisdom checks help my Perception?

Yes.

Resolution: On page 11, insert this paragraph at the end of "Play cards and use powers that affect the check":

"Some cards and powers affect only specific types of checks, such as Dexterity checks, Acrobatics checks, or noncombat checks. If, on your character card, the skill you're using refers to another skill, both skills count for the purpose of determining the type of check. For example, if you're using the Arcane skill on a combat check, and your character card says that your Arcane skill is Intelligence +2, the check counts as both an Arcane combat check and an Intelligence combat check. Traits also determine the type of check; for example, if you're making a combat check and you played a weapon that added the Ranged trait, it counts as a Ranged combat check."

It clarifies that, if your Perception skill is based on your Wisdom, then boosting your Wisdom also boosts your Perception. For example, you could play a Blessing of Sheyln to add 2 dice to a non-combat Wisdom check to help your Perception check, as long as your Perception said "Perception: Wisdom + 3".

But it does not flow the other way. Boosting your Perception does not boost your Wisdom. And likewise, if the skill called for is only Wisdom, you can't get your Perception bonus.

Look at Merisiel who has multiple skills that refer to her Dexterity with a + 2 bonus. If she could use any of those in place of Dexterity, she wouldn't need all 3. But since she can't use them in place of Dexterity, having 3 skills that all give a +2 to Dexterity is useful.

I hope that helps.

[DevilJac]

Yes, thank you both for clearing that up. I really appreciate the assistance.

Happy gaming!