MGT Only: Handling Knowledge?

[Spinward Scout]

How do you handle Knowledge in Mongoose v2?

Is it just EDU?

Am I missing a specific skill?

 

[MongooseMatt]

Depends on the field. For example, if you want to see if a Traveller knows something about, say, the way a certain laser carbine is manufactured or what its default settings may be, then Gun Combat (EDU) would be appropriate. Where the jump governor on a Serpent-class Scout is likely to be, an Engineer (j-drive) (EDU) check, and so on.

Of course, if learned knowledge is not appropriate and the Traveller is trying to figure the above out, swap EDU for INT.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ulsyus]

Depends on the field. For example, if you want to see if a Traveller knows something about, say, the way a certain laser carbine is manufactured or what its default settings may be, then Gun Combat (EDU) would be appropriate. Where the jump governor on a Serpent-class Scout is likely to be, an Engineer (j-drive) (EDU) check, and so on.

Of course, if learned knowledge is not appropriate and the Traveller is trying to figure the above out, swap EDU for INT.

Hope that helps!

Solid stuff, and consistent with all the other editions.

This is also where JoAT could come in particularly useful.

 

[Spinward Scout]

Hope that helps!

Thanks! It does.

 

[Enoki]

While no expert on the Mongoose version, I'd think you might add in a factor for time. That is someone with gun combat skill(s) would also be more or less knowledgeable depending on how long they've had and used that skill. Someone with years of gun combat even if never particularly rising to higher skill levels for whatever reason would likely be more knowledgeable than someone who just acquired the skill.

 

[Ulsyus]

While no expert on the Mongoose version, I'd think you might add in a factor for time. That is someone with gun combat skill(s) would also be more or less knowledgeable depending on how long they've had and used that skill. Someone with years of gun combat even if never particularly rising to higher skill levels for whatever reason would likely be more knowledgeable than someone who just acquired the skill.

Isn’t that the difference, though, of a physical skill vs a knowledge skill? While there’s knowledge elements in the physical skill (aiming off for distance), knowing a body of stuff shouldn’t be a prerequisite to simple skills

 

[Grav_Moped]

Isn’t that the difference, though, of a physical skill vs a knowledge skill? While there’s knowledge elements in the physical skill (aiming off for distance), knowing a body of stuff shouldn’t be a prerequisite to simple skills

There's a lot more to even just a gun skill than just pointing it in the right direction and pulling the trigger.

Unskilled:
- Can't read the sights
- Unprepared for recoil, like as not to try some gangster stance like holding a pistol with the magazine horizontal so the gun flings back and breaks their nose....
- Stands a fair chance of getting pinched by the slide (auto) or hammer (revolver)

Skill 0:
- Can establish a decent sight picture
- Knows about breath control but doesn't use it consistently
- Has to remind self to not flinch while pulling trigger, usually succeeds
- Cannot consistently correct aim point on subsequent shots
- Could field-strip the gun using the manual

Skill-1:
- Can read sights and dial them in with some rangetime.
- Consistent breath control
- Doesn't flinch before firing
....and so on.


And so on.

Higher skill includes understanding windage, gravity (eventually variaritions of gravity and atmosphere), using different ammo to its best effect, using different models of the same basic weapon for best effect, and ability to diagnose and repair malfunctions. I've probably overlooked other important aspects of shooting, too.

 

[Enoki]

Isn’t that the difference, though, of a physical skill vs a knowledge skill? While there’s knowledge elements in the physical skill (aiming off for distance), knowing a body of stuff shouldn’t be a prerequisite to simple skills

No, it works for both. In a physical skill continued practice makes you better at it. In a knowledge skill, continued interest in it broadens and deepens your understanding of it.

For example, you have the ship engineering skill. You regularly work on ship's engines and systems. Simply doing this over time will increase your skill level. It won't increase as fast as if you got training along with that, but it will increase.

Same with a physical skill. You have basic sword fighting skills. Practice will make you better at it, but not nearly as fast as training with someone who can show you the correct techniques to use.

 

[Condottiere]

You could sub specialize in a specific martial art school.

 

[Ulsyus]

No, it works for both. In a physical skill continued practice makes you better at it. In a knowledge skill, continued interest in it broadens and deepens your understanding of it.

That’s not what I was getting at (forgive my explanations: three weeks in the field & now 11 hours into travelling (!) home).

Some skills require a greater somatic than cognitive component, and others vice versa.

 

[McPerth]

How do you handle Knowledge in Mongoose v2?

Is it just EDU?

My take is that knowledge should be based (in prioty order) on:

1. skills
2. EDU
3. Background (carrers, etc). Used mostly as difficulty modifiers

Examples:

Can you give the list of barrack emperors? A historician (science:history skill) probably will. Any other Imperial citizen should roll a difficult EDU task. Anyone having been in the IN and average EDU task (as he has turided more IN history, and they were all aldimarls). A Solomani or Zhodani should roll a very difficult EDU roll (they were less interested in Imperial history, but as their own histories were affected, only 1 difficulty raise). An Aslan or varg a Formidable EDU roll (who cares about it, after all?)

Is this cargo legal in the Solomani Sphere? An advocate would probably know, others should roll an average-dificult (depending on how common is) EDU task. Any character having been in the merchants lowers one difficulty level. Any Imperial or Aslan (bordering with the Solomani Sphere) character raises one. Any Zhodani/Vargr character rasises two.

And so on

 

[mike wightman]

Edu roll, Edu + terms served if the knowledge is linked to area of career

 

[Enoki]

That’s not what I was getting at (forgive my explanations: three weeks in the field & now 11 hours into travelling (!) home).

Some skills require a greater somatic than cognitive component, and others vice versa.

But they all require practice and continued use. If you aren't using the skill, whatever it is, you lose ability to do it just as you gain ability through continued practice.