Skills

Skills are learned abilities, a combination of training (the skill) and natural talent (an ability rank). Each skill has a rank, used as a bonus to the die roll when using the skill. To make a skill check, roll:

Skill Rank: Your rank in a skill, based on the points you have invested in that skill. If you have ranks in a skill, you’re considered trained in that skill. You can use some skills even if you don’t have any ranks in them, known as using a skill untrained. Some skills may not be used untrained.

Ability Modifier: Each skill has an ability modifier applied to the skill’s checks. Each skill’s ability modifier is noted in its description and on the Skills table. If you use a skill untrained, the ability modifier still applies to the skill check.

Miscellaneous Modifiers: Miscellaneous modifiers to skill checks include modifiers for circumstances, and bonuses from advantages or powers, among others.

The higher the total, the better the result. You’re usually looking for a total that equals or exceeds a particular difficulty class (DC), which may be based on another character’s traits.

UNTRAINED SKILL CHECKS

Generally, if you attempt a task requiring a skill you don’t have, you make a skill check as normal. Skill rank doesn’t apply because you don’t have any ranks in the skill. You do get other modifiers, however, such as the skill’s ability modifier.

Many skills can only be used if you are trained in them. Skills that cannot be used untrained are marked with a “No” in the “Untrained” column on the Skills table and listed as “Trained Only” in their descriptions. Attempts to use these skills untrained automatically fail. In some cases, a skill may have both trained and untrained aspects; if you do not have any ranks in that skill, you can only use the untrained ones.