From:	Kelly Martin <kelly@*******.BLOOMINGTON.IN.US>
Subject:	Re: improving skills
Date:	Mon, 11 Sep 1995 14:41:17 EST5

"Allen" == Allen Versfeld <aversfel@****.CS.UNP.AC.ZA> writes:

Allen> Now, what happens when you spend your karma on a general skill?
Allen> say you have firearms/HP/predator 4/6/8 you spend 10 karma on
Allen> firearms. do you now have 5/6/8 or does the bonus benefit
Allen> everything? (ie 5/7/9)

spending karma to advance a skill only affects _that_ skill, not any
related concentrations or specializations. this is offset by the fact
that it's cheaper to advance concentrations and especially
specialization.

Allen> I have always played the first way, but it doesn't seem
Allen> realistic. surely, if you train with firearms in general, that
Allen> means that you are better at *all* firearms, including your
Allen> predator?

no, the general training isn't going to make a difference because you
already have superior specific training. a survey course in physical
sciences won't increase your knowledge of astrophysics if you've
already had three years of astrophysics, but will probably improve
your overall knowledge of other physical sciences.

the skill system does sometimes seem counterintuitive; if that bothers
you, make house rules. :)

k.
--
kelly martin <kelly@*******.bloomington.in.us>

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed
ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet
be determined to make them otherwise. -- F. Scott Fitzgerald