Ok p307 Thaumtech Omenbringer, the pilot under crew has a piloting of +32. I cant figure out the math
+2 from ship
+14 from ranks
+3 from class skill bonus
+3 from skill focus feat
+1 from level 1 ace pilot theme
+8 from dex ability score (start 18, +1 at level 5 & 10, personal upgrade Mk 3 giving +6. total equals dex=26)
+32 for skill check so what did I miss? Any thoughts?
In general, the skill ranks of an NPC crew member are equal to the CR of the NPC or the tier of the enemy ship. To determine the skill modifiers of an NPC crew member, first decide whether the NPC has mastered the skill or is simply good at the skill... the skill modifier for a master skill is equal to 9+1.5*the NPC's ranks in the skill. The skill modifier for a good skill is equal to 4+1.5*the NPC's ranks in the skill.
NPCs use their own math, and here it breaks down as follows. The Omenbringer is a tier 14 ship, and as you noted, its pilot crew has 14 ranks. Half that is seven, boosting it to 21. 9 for a master skill bumps that up to 30. The Omenbringer itself grants +2 piloting in exchange for its terribly slow speed of 4, which brings the total up to 32.
That aside, a PC can get roughly that number - your math is short 1 for the Operative, who has had +4 from Operative's Edge since level 11, which is now high enough to surpass Skill Focus and leaves them only 1 short on their own. A Star Shaman Mystic will have +5 at level 14, applied to Piloting and Perception, and focusing on Dex over Wis would let them hit 32. And finally, a Lashunta can get that +2 to Piloting from their racial trait if they so choose at character generation. Combine it with either of the two above and you pass the Omenbringer's modifier.
Thanks that's a big help it was driving me nuts!
There may also be a hidden group/aid another bonus in the big ship skills to account for the teams supporting the officers who make the checks.
the npc calculation totally accounts for the Thaumtech Omenbringer pilot, so there is not hidden aid another for a big ship evident, where are you seeing this hidden bonus appear?