Day-Job and Professions

[Vertasi]

For SFS, it looks like we can define any type of Profession for the skill and use it for the "day job" at the end of a scenario. Is this correct? For instance, could I have a Profession of Security Officer and use it for my "day job" as well as for any knowledge checks regarding security systems, operation protocols, etc?? Or is this too close to Computers or Engineering?

[Alanya]

That sounds right to me. The GM always has the right to rule that in the case of a particular check your profession wouldn't apply (unless the scenario calls out otherwise), and you would have to roll the associated skill instead. In PFS, most GMs are willing to allow a creative use of a profession skill if you can give a good reason why it should apply, and I don't see any reason for that to change in SFS.

[Wolfspirit]

1. You can use any "profession" for the dayjob. The specifics of what your profession entails largely is a RP enhancer, with a minor mechanical benefit of extra Credits.

2. I tend to frown on Profession being a substitute for other skills unless it's a fairly niche case or specifically called out by the scenario. What immediately comes to mind is "Profession: Sailor." In PFS, Profession: Sailor was fairly niche, but was relevant as a replacement for acrobatics in a few scenarios. For Starfinder, however, being on a spaceship is a much more frequent occurrence, and I wouldn't let you use "Profession: Space-Sailor" in place of a Piloting check.

For your specific example: Security Officer, I might give you, "you can use your Profession in place of a Culture check for a specific type of security. However, it would be very rare for it to be a substitute for anything that usually had a specifically listed Computer or Engineering DC. Expect table variance.

[Freedom Snake]

You can put profession (anything) on your character sheet and then earn day job bonuses based on that. The one caveat is to make sure you pick the "right" ability score for your profession. There are many suggestions listed in the CRB, but for those not listed you can choose the ability score, subject to GM ruling. For example Profession (Underwater Basket Weaving) would likely not be a CHA based ability and attempting to use it as such could warrant questions and a GM ruling. Talk to your GM and just pick something that makes the most sense for whatever profession you choose.

Sources:

RPGG Pg 45, Sec "STEP 3: DOWNTIME" subsection "Day Job" wrote:

During Downtime, you can attempt one trained Profession check to earn extra money: this is called a Day Job check. Permanent bonuses from class, equipment, feats, race, and theme apply to your Day Job check as they would any check for the relevant skill. Temporary bonuses do not apply to Day Job checks, no matter the source. You can take 10 on a Day Job check, but you can’t take 20 or use the aid another action. You gain a number of credits equal to twice your Profession skill check result, as per the “Earn a Living” entry in the Profession skill (Starfinder Core Rulebook 146). You cannot use other skills to make a Day Job check. Add this amount to the Day Job box on your Chronicle sheet.

CRB pg 146, Profession wrote:

A Profession skill should not overlap with existing skills. For example, if you want to play a scientist, you should put ranks into Life Science or Physical Science rather than create a Profession (scientist) skill. The GM is the final arbiter of what is a good choice for a Profession skill and what ability score a given Profession skill is keyed to.

[BigNorseWolf]

Profession security officer might give you an idea of when the guards would take a break, where they would go for lunch, who does their uniforms etc, but would not let you hack into the console.

[Farrindor]

Random things that reading threads cause you to think while your first cup of coffee is still being consumed...

If you were doing an homage to Wash, would he need Profession: Puppeteer?

"Curse you and your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"

(Making money for playing with your toy dinosaurs sounds /hilarious/.)

/endtangent

[Vertasi]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Profession security officer might give you an idea of when the guards would take a break, where they would go for lunch, who does their uniforms etc, but would not let you hack into the console.

Yep, along those lines...but I was also thinking things like:

"as a security officer, I would have cameras there and there, a heat sensor there. I see that they've installed the Tru-Scan biometric scanner on that door - it needs a flake of skin to check the DNA of the user. It's going to be a tough lock to hack..."

All knowledge based activities - actually spotting the cameras would still require Perception, but maybe receive a bonus based on awareness of the best places to put them. Cracking the lock would still require Computers, but may receive a bonus based on knowledge of the type and brand of lock.