Purest Essence Question

[Pelendor]

Relatively new to Microlite20, and am currently working from the Purest Essence publication (I don't know if that has any relevance or not!); but with character progression, beyond a +1 increase for the step up in level do Skills gain extra ranks?
As example, a Halfling Thieve begins at Level 1 with 4 ranks in subterfuge vs. 1 rank for other characters. At Level 10, the thief would have 13 ranks in subterfuge, while other characters have 10 - always a 3 point variance. What are your thoughts on how t interpret this??

Thanks.

[superdude097]

According to the Purest Essence rules, yes, there is always only a 3 point difference. There is an alternate skill system that uses skill points:

Every level, a character gains 1 rank in his "primary" skill (the skill that receives the +3 bonus) plus an additional 2 ranks to spend as he pleases (including on his primary skill). A skill can only advance by 2 ranks at any given level. If a character has 10 ranks in a skill (either from automatic ranks or spent ranks), the skill can only increase by 1 rank each level (this reflects the increased difficulty in training).

This is the system I used for my own variation of the M20 rules.

EDIT: If you do some digging around in the original microlite files, you should be able to find where it describes this system.

[dominowriting]

I have another skill points option (in my Fantasy Expansion: Character Creation Options): start with one point per skill per level (at first level with Physical, Subterfuge, Knowledge and Communication, you'd have four skill points). You can assign those points any way you wish - all four to one skill and a +0 to the other skills, +1 to each, or whatever. In addition, you also have the standard +3 class skill bonus. That gives you more variety in skill levels, too.

I think the idea in the original Purest Essence rules was to emphasize how each class brings something aside from combat abilities to the table, as there's no rules for feats or anything like that. Is it a stereotype to make all fighters big muscle-men (as opposed to sly swordsmen, where their class skill might be Subterfuge, or masterful tacticians, where their class skill might be Knowledge)? Sure. It's also a simple way to get an RPG up and running.

[weeot]

What are your thoughts on how t interpret this??

You are right on the money. The M20 skill system represents that max skill ranks in a class skill = level+3. There is a LOT of talk about skills though. most everyone has their own house rule on it. most of them revolve around increasing some number of skills (rather than all of them) by one point.

[Pelendor]

Response is appreciated.

I'm going with you Superdude097 - but also adding in the Survival skill.
So 5 skill points; mandatory that one goes on your class focus, but the rest go where you want them, but no score can pick up more than 1 extra rank beyond 10.

I'll see how this plays out over our next campaign.

[SethDrebitko]

Good luck! Superdude097 uses my preceded method too. Keep us posted on your Progress and let us know how it works. One of the nice things with m20 is that there are so few moving parts that it really only takes minutes to re work characters and try a new method.

[The Scarecrow]

Hi guys, one doubt on Level Advancement...
Since the system works around the concept of Encounter Levels, fighting monsters is the only way to advance with Microlite20 Purest Essence? Ok, I know, also deactivating traps (because of the difficulty set by several ELs) but, thinking in roleplaying terms, if a player does a good scene of roleplay, might he earns "experience points" or the only chance to advance in levels is to kill and destroy? 

[Crose87420]

Purest Essence does only show advancement for killing monsters and disarming traps, however, you can assign EL's to good role-playing, a some skill checks (example - a character uses Mind+Com against a Difficulty 15 to deduce the towns mayor is behind the robberies, now award the player a couple EL's for success), etc..

There's a section on awarding EL's for skill checks in the M20 Worlds of Fantasy DMG, it's in the downloads section under Essentials DMG.

[dymond]

Purest Essence does only show advancement for killing monsters and disarming traps, however, you can assign EL's to good role-playing, a some skill checks (example - a character uses Mind+Com against a Difficulty 15 to deduce the towns mayor is behind the robberies, now award the player a couple EL's for success), etc..

There's a section on awarding EL's for skill checks in the M20 Worlds of Fantasy DMG, it's in the downloads section under Essentials DMG.

*cough* self-promotion *cough*

J/K Chad! Both his guides are a great addition to the Purest Essence.. In fact I would call them Purest Essence Part 2: The Explaining!

[Crose87420]

*cough* self-promotion *cough*

Hah ha, I know. I didn't want to but I didn't want to copy and paste everything either, plus there's a table for adjusting DC Difficulties by level which helps if you use a Skill Check as a potential way for characters to gain EL's.

::end self-promotion::

[weeot]

Welcome The Scarecrow!

i dont know what crose's document would tell you, but i would steer clear of awarding exp for one skill roll. i  award EXP for completing scenes with multiple turns, rolls and party involvement (just like a non-violent combat scene). i award exp as if it was a typical battle (1/4 party's levels combined) with adjustment as needed. 

[The Scarecrow]

There's a section on awarding EL's for skill checks in the M20 Worlds of Fantasy DMG, it's in the downloads section under Essentials DMG.

I've downloaded the Deluxe DM Guide, Crose, but there's no reference to awarding EL's for skill checks: only several (and useful) examples of DC values

[The Scarecrow]

J/K Chad! Both his guides are a great addition to the Purest Essence.. In fact I would call them Purest Essence Part 2: The Explaining!

The Deluxe DM's guide is very useful but the Deluxe PHB is corrupted: I've downloaded it but it's impossible to open the pdf. Have you the same problem too?

[Crose87420]

I've downloaded the Deluxe DM Guide, Crose, but there's no reference to awarding EL's for skill checks: only several (and useful) examples of DC values Smiley

It starts half-way through page 17 and continues on page 18.

The Deluxe DM's guide is very useful but the Deluxe PHB is corrupted: I've downloaded it but it's impossible to open the pdf. Have you the same problem too?

I did a test run this morning and it downloaded fine. I was using the new version of Mozilla/Firefox for my browser (if that makes the difference).


Chad

[The Scarecrow]

It starts half-way through page 17 and continues on page 18.

I've found it, thanks 

I did a test run this morning and it downloaded fine. I was using the new version of Mozilla/Firefox for my browser (if that makes the difference).

You're right: with Firefox I've downloaded also the Deluxe PHB. Thanks again Crose