Qualifying for Elite Professions

[Kronok]

When qualifying for the Elite Professions’ prerequisites, does the skill requirement include your bonus from the character’s stats or is it just the base skill rank?

Example- Skill prerequisite of Ranged Combat 4+. Character has 3 skill ranks + 1 from his Agility for a total of 4.

Does he qualify?

(Yes, I realize there are other requirements, just wondering about the skill requirements)

[JonA]

It isn't made clear although personally I go by the player's total value in a particular skill.

So in answer to question: yes.

But others may not.

[Kronok]

That was my thought as well.

However, D20 does it differently. You must meet the Prestige Class requirements using your base skill.

I only bring this up because of the similarity between the two systems. Star Trek Communicator interviewed the CODA designers. They said they wanted to make a game which was somewhere between CODA and D20.

Just wondering which way they were headed with the requirements for Elite Professions.

[Ergi]

If you adhere to the words in the books then the prerequisite is probably met if the sum of skill level and attribute modifier is high enough. However, in my game, the characters have to meet the prerequisites with their skill level, alone, since only that way they will have the necessary backround knowledge in the area to qualifie for the job. Imagine two people, one has studied geometry for years, the other one is just extremely bright. While both might perform equally well on a given task, only the educated one will know the name of the person whose work he used to solve the problem. And it is the same with just about any skill.

[Capt. K. Vaughn]

Because of its similarity to d20, I interpret it to mean actual skill ranks as they do it in DnD rather then a combined total. It represents the education and knowledge one has about the particular subject rather then a combination of raw talent and some skill.

But I might also make an exception if it fit the story arc.

Regards,
CKV.

[Doug Burke]

Originally posted by Kronok
When qualifying for the Elite Professions’ prerequisites, does the skill requirement include your bonus from the character’s stats or is it just the base skill rank?

Example- Skill prerequisite of Ranged Combat 4+. Character has 3 skill ranks + 1 from his Agility for a total of 4.

Does he qualify?

(Yes, I realize there are other requirements, just wondering about the skill requirements)

All prerequisites are ranks/levels only, not counting any other modifiers.

[Lancer]

And if you don't trust Doug (shame on you!) here's the ruling from the PG (page 155):

Prerequisites include things such as minimum levels in certain attributes and skills. (My emphasis)

And skill levels don't include the attribute modifier...

Sorry if I am sounding like a total smart-aleck, but I am having a rather bad day. OTOH I feel much better now.

[Sabrina]

Originally posted by Ergi
(snip)Imagine two people, one has studied geometry for years, the other one is just extremely bright. While both might perform equally well on a given task, only the educated one will know the name of the person whose work he used to solve the problem. And it is the same with just about any skill.

This is an excellent, and well-written, explanation! Put this way, it makes perfect sense!