Background Skills and Skill Levels

[Lord Liaden]

Steve, if a character purchases a Background Skill based on a Characteristic, would that allow any Skill Levels that apply to all Skills that are based on that Characterisitic as a default, to also apply to the Background Skill?

 

For example, if one purchased a Knowledge Skill based on Intelligence, would a Skill Level that adds to all Intellect Skill rolls also add to that KS?

 

Gracias.

[Steve Long]

Re: Background Skills and Skill Levels

 

Generally speaking, no. As indicated in the Rules FAQ and TUS 301, a character has to buy 5-point Skill Levels with a specific type of Background Skill (e.g., all KSs, all SSs); he can’t buy one for “all Background Skills.” Since a Background Skill that’s based on INT is not an Intellect Skill, a 5-point SL for “all Intellect Skills” wouldn’t apply to it anyway. But ultimately what the GM’s willing to allow is up to him. If a character only has one or two KSs, it might not matter to let Intellect SLs apply to them.