Jack-o-Trades (new/old method)

[Supplement Four]

By the way, I was reading an old Travellers' Digest, and I came across a neat method for handling JOT in the game.

I thought I'd share .

The thought is this: Use JOT skill level as a way to decrease negative DMs penalizing task rolls.

So, if a character has JOT-2, he can evaporate up to 2 points in penalty against the roll.

For example--

If a PC needs to make a Computer roll, digging through old archives, to find a specific piece of data, the roll may be 8+ on 2D. But, because the computer interface has taken some damage, the GM has imposed a -3DM on the roll (the PC still uses his Computer-1 skill as a positive DM).

A character with JOT-2 could reduce this penalty to only -1DM. (-3DM, reduced by the JOT skill level). With the JOT reduction, and the PC's Computer-1 skill, the roll will be a straight 8+ on 2D (the -3DM has been wiped out with the JOT and computer skill).

Note that a strong argument can be made that JOT can only be used this way on non-combat task rolls.

Also note that (in the article) it is stated that JOT can never be used to provide a postive DM to a roll--it only reduces penalties against a task roll.


I don't know about you, but I think this is a pretty slick way of making JOT a "neat" skill to have in a Traveller game.

Thoughts?

 

[Supplement Four]

By the way, I was reading an old Travellers' Digest, and I came across a neat method for handling JOT in the game.

I thought I'd share .

The thought is this: Use JOT skill level as a way to decrease negative DMs penalizing task rolls.

So, if a character has JOT-2, he can evaporate up to 2 points in penalty against the roll.

For example--

If a PC needs to make a Computer roll, digging through old archives, to find a specific piece of data, the roll may be 8+ on 2D. But, because the computer interface has taken some damage, the GM has imposed a -3DM on the roll (the PC still uses his Computer-1 skill as a positive DM).

A character with JOT-2 could reduce this penalty to only -1DM. (-3DM, reduced by the JOT skill level). With the JOT reduction, and the PC's Computer-1 skill, the roll will be a straight 8+ on 2D (the -3DM has been wiped out with the JOT and computer skill).

Note that a strong argument can be made that JOT can only be used this way on non-combat task rolls.

Also note that (in the article) it is stated that JOT can never be used to provide a postive DM to a roll--it only reduces penalties against a task roll.


I don't know about you, but I think this is a pretty slick way of making JOT a "neat" skill to have in a Traveller game.

Thoughts?

 

[Black Globe Generator]

I might consider allowing levels in JoT to reduce a penalty, but never to confer a bonus, as noted.

However, I would not allow it to modify a circumstance penalty, as described in the example.

 

[Black Globe Generator]

I might consider allowing levels in JoT to reduce a penalty, but never to confer a bonus, as noted.

However, I would not allow it to modify a circumstance penalty, as described in the example.

 

[aramis]

I've always used it as a chance for Level 0....

 

[aramis]

I've always used it as a chance for Level 0....

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:
However, I would not allow it to modify a circumstance penalty, as described in the example.

What penalty would you let JOT reduce then? Just curious.

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:
However, I would not allow it to modify a circumstance penalty, as described in the example.

What penalty would you let JOT reduce then? Just curious.

 

[Black Globe Generator]

Originally posted by Supplement Four:
What penalty would you let JOT reduce then? Just curious.

Say a skill description says that an untrained person gets a -4 - I would consider saying that each level of JoT reduces that by one. (Right now I use JoT as the "level 0" equivalent.)

A circumstance penalty on the other hand, such as the damaged computer? I think that extends JoT a bit too far.

 

[Black Globe Generator]

Originally posted by Supplement Four:
What penalty would you let JOT reduce then? Just curious.

Say a skill description says that an untrained person gets a -4 - I would consider saying that each level of JoT reduces that by one. (Right now I use JoT as the "level 0" equivalent.)

A circumstance penalty on the other hand, such as the damaged computer? I think that extends JoT a bit too far.

 

[JAFARR]

I also allow using JOT with a related skill to avoid the no skill penalty. For example required skill is ENG and PC has JOT & MECH or JOT & ELEC then treat as ENG 0. I once played a character with ENG & JOT, but no MECH. The party had no one with MECH, so ref ruled that I was closest qualified to make a mechanical repair to a vehicle. After I kept it operating for 6 months he informed me that I now had MECH 1 from on-the-job training.

 

[JAFARR]

I also allow using JOT with a related skill to avoid the no skill penalty. For example required skill is ENG and PC has JOT & MECH or JOT & ELEC then treat as ENG 0. I once played a character with ENG & JOT, but no MECH. The party had no one with MECH, so ref ruled that I was closest qualified to make a mechanical repair to a vehicle. After I kept it operating for 6 months he informed me that I now had MECH 1 from on-the-job training.

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:
(Right now I use JoT as the "level 0" equivalent.)

BGG,

What's the difference in a dude that has JOT-1 and JOT-4, in your game?

A circumstance penalty on the other hand, such as the damaged computer? I think that extends JoT a bit too far.

Maybe. I haven't put a whole lot of thought into this yet--it was just an idea I read and liked.

I can see an argument either way, both for using JOT to decrease penalties on the damaged computer and against using the skill that way.


===================

I still like my "JOT Point Pool" idea, borrowed from some other DGP ideas (like the Tactical Pool that was also adopted in T4).

A character, each game session, can use his JOT skill as a "point pool" where those points can be used as a modifier on any non-combat task roll. Once the points are used, they're gone for the night's gaming, but the pool "refills" next game.

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by Black Globe Generator:
(Right now I use JoT as the "level 0" equivalent.)

BGG,

What's the difference in a dude that has JOT-1 and JOT-4, in your game?

A circumstance penalty on the other hand, such as the damaged computer? I think that extends JoT a bit too far.

Maybe. I haven't put a whole lot of thought into this yet--it was just an idea I read and liked.

I can see an argument either way, both for using JOT to decrease penalties on the damaged computer and against using the skill that way.


===================

I still like my "JOT Point Pool" idea, borrowed from some other DGP ideas (like the Tactical Pool that was also adopted in T4).

A character, each game session, can use his JOT skill as a "point pool" where those points can be used as a modifier on any non-combat task roll. Once the points are used, they're gone for the night's gaming, but the pool "refills" next game.

 

[weasel fierce]

I still like my "JOT Point Pool" idea, borrowed from some other DGP ideas (like the Tactical Pool that was also adopted in T4).

A character, each game session, can use his JOT skill as a "point pool" where those points can be used as a modifier on any non-combat task roll. Once the points are used, they're gone for the night's gaming, but the pool "refills" next game.

I really like this idea too, and it does make for a very cool skill.
I'd propably restrict it only to standing in for a non-possessed skill, rather than adding to existing skills.

 

[weasel fierce]

I still like my "JOT Point Pool" idea, borrowed from some other DGP ideas (like the Tactical Pool that was also adopted in T4).

A character, each game session, can use his JOT skill as a "point pool" where those points can be used as a modifier on any non-combat task roll. Once the points are used, they're gone for the night's gaming, but the pool "refills" next game.

I really like this idea too, and it does make for a very cool skill.
I'd propably restrict it only to standing in for a non-possessed skill, rather than adding to existing skills.

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by weasel fierce:
I'd propably restrict it only to standing in for a non-possessed skill, rather than adding to existing skills.

I play it this way now in my game, and i don't restrict it that way. We're typically talking about JOT-1 or JOT-2 with CT characters. That's just an extra +1DM or a +2DM one one or two rolls for the entire game session.

I can hang with that--not unbalancing, imo.

 

[Supplement Four]

Originally posted by weasel fierce:
I'd propably restrict it only to standing in for a non-possessed skill, rather than adding to existing skills.

I play it this way now in my game, and i don't restrict it that way. We're typically talking about JOT-1 or JOT-2 with CT characters. That's just an extra +1DM or a +2DM one one or two rolls for the entire game session.

I can hang with that--not unbalancing, imo.

 

[weasel fierce]

well, thats true really.

 

[weasel fierce]

well, thats true really.