Bonuses for skill checks

[Alexander M]

Hi,
I have a simple question that I cannot seem to find the answer to.

Do I add the bonuses of the main skill when I attempt a skill check using a sub-skill of that main skill, or do I just apply the bonus of the sub-skill?

Example: Let's assume I have ticked the +2 box on Valeros's strength skill. I now want to attempt a melee skill check, which says I should roll "strength +3"

What do I roll now?

1) d10 + 2 +3 = d10 +5 (i.e. applying the strength and the melee bonus)
2) d10 +3 only (i.e. applying the melee bonus only)

Sorry if this has been already asked in a previous thread or if the answer is obvious.

Many thanks,

A

[Hawkmoon269]

You add the skill bonus for any skill you are using. And Valeros is using both Melee and (by the fact his Melee references his Strength) Valeros is using Strength. So its 1d10 + 5 in your example.

See this FAQ (which is about cards, but the same principle applies).

Here is why. When attempting a check, it says this:

Rulebook v3 p11 wrote:

Attempt the Roll. Roll the dice and add up their value, adding or subtracting any modifiers that apply to the check.

So, what modifiers apply to the check? Well...

Rulebook v3 p7 wrote:

Skill Feats: When you gain a skill feat, check one new box in the Skills section of your character card. Skill feats add a bonus to a skill of your choice: you’ll add the number next to the box you selected to any check attempted with that skill. So if your Charisma die is d10, and you’ve checked the “+2” box for your Charisma skill, you’ll roll 1d10 and add 2 when you attempt a check that uses Charisma.

So, in your example, Valeros is attempting a check with his Melee skill, which for him means he is also attempting a check with his Strength skill. So he gets to add any Strength and Melee modifiers to the result.