[SR3] Build/Repair Skills: Theory or practice?

ak404 · Post by **ak404** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 6:08 am

Here's a question I'm sure must've been asked before: Can a character have a higher B/R skill than the actual corresponding skill, and if so, why? For example, can a character have a higher Electronics B/R skill than Electronics?

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 7:06 am

Sure. Consider: does knowing how to use a computer automatically allow one to build or fix one? Yes, you can puzzle out the wiring to your house, but could you install it properly, or fix your CD player?

ak404 · Post by **ak404** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 8:15 am

Perhaps, AH, but this is the question in reverse.

Cash · Post by **Cash** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 8:25 am

Ok, try it this way. I can build a high end computer from a calculator, gum, tin foil, and a phone. However, does this allow me to program with the same degree of skill?

As to why...the rules say so.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 9:45 am

Let's get clear:

Computer active skill allows you to operate and program computers and cyberdecks.

Computers (B/R) active skill allows you to build and fix computers and cyberdecks.

Computer Background knowledge skill allows you to design computers and cyberdecks, as well as give a general idea of why they work.

And so on and so forth.

Sock_Monkey · Post by **Sock_Monkey** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:30 am

Just because you can fix a car doesn't mean you know how to drive it. The same applies elsewhere, though usually a B/R skill goes hand in hand with the cooresponding active skill because a person has interest in one because of the other.

Wildfire · Post by **Wildfire** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:34 am

The classic example is the SR2 skill Magical Theory. In SR3 you can take it as a background skill or a B/R in the sense of talismongering, but if you can't use magic, you can't use magic.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:41 am

Magic's halfway nuts these days. I mean, between Conjuring Background, Magic Background, Sorcery background, Spell Design, Talismongering and any other number of Knowledge Skills, there's still strange little twists in the rules. Like Aura reading, f'r'instance.

ak404 · Post by **ak404** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:45 am

Point taken guys. Thanks. I think I was confusing the B/R skill + using a Background skill with just the B/R skill on its own. For example, a decker building a cyberdeck knows exactly why he's making the tweaks and mods he wants (using his Computer and/or Electronics Skill as a background skill), whereas a factory worker might be able to build an Excalibur with her eyes closed, though this doesn't ensure that she'll be an excellent decker.

Wildfire · Post by **Wildfire** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 7:37 am

That's axtually a very good example of knowing how but not neccessarily why other than the manual/boss said so

Serious Paul · Post by **Serious Paul** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 12:07 pm

A great example in fact.

Ancient History I am failing to see what you don't like in the magic system. Could you elaborate? I am just curious.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Sun Sep 21, 2003 12:55 pm

Oh, I'm just bitching a little about the breakup of Magic Theory and complimentary skills.

I mean, theoretically, if you wanted to design a spell, you could use your Spell Design skill, with any number of complimentary knowledge skills, or possibly default back to Sorcery. Same damn thing with foci design: start with Talismongering and see how many complimnnetary skills you can add, or just default to a really high Enchanting skill.

Me? I though Magic Theory covered it all well enough...

That, and I still wish mundanes could have the ability to learn Conjuring(Free Spirits) and Sorcery(Astral COmbat), like you used to and still can with Aura Reading. Bitchy little me.

Toon · Post by **Toon** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 5:10 am

As a GM, I'd tend to rule that the player would be able to use 1 and only 1 Complementary Skill Test for any given Skill Test. And it reads that way as well. On page 43 of the BABY, and probably subsequent editions as well, it says specifically, "... allows a second skill to enhance a test made with another skill." Not a second, third, fourth, etc. Just a second.

CykoSpin · Post by **CykoSpin** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 1:15 pm

Actually, something ak404 originally said makes a lot of sense:

ak404 wrote:... can a character have a higher Electronics B/R skill than Electronics?

I understand the separation of B/R from all other skills except electronics. Ever since I've taken electronics classes, I have found it difficult to see how you can have knowledge of one without the other.

[SR3] Build/Repair Skills: Theory or practice?

[SR3] Build/Repair Skills: Theory or practice?

Re: [SR3] Build/Repair Skills: Theory or practice?