CT Only: Training time and how long for new skill level

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Folks,
It has been sometime since I last posted, and I am currently away from my books. Due to the latter, what is the standard training time for a new level? Does it depend on what the previous level is?

For example: how many weeks or hour would it take to go from unskilled to level 0. I think Level 0 was a level, which no penalty was applied - it has been sometime since I played, and I am away from my books.

Thank you

 

[McPerth]

It depends. If you use LBB 1-3, the only way to so raise a skill is by training or sabatical. The first case will take 4 years (but it's effective before), the sabatical 2 years to achieve skill 2.

If you use the instruction skill given in latter books, it takes (once you have found the instructor, of course) 6 weeks to take the course if it's intensive (full time) or 6 months if it's more leisurely (free time devoted to it), regardless the level (but you can fail it too, losing the time if so).

As I undertand it, 0 is not considered a level in CT.

This is not clear in the definition of the skill, but when the training courses are told about in the recruiting section of LBB4:Mercenary, it says each studen recieves level 1 skill in the subject taught, and no zero level is told about.

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

It depends. If you use LBB 1-3, the only way to so raise a skill is by training or sabatical. The first case will take 4 years (but it's effective before), the sabatical 2 years to achieve skill 2.

If you use the instruction skill given in latter books, it takes (once you have found the instructor, of course) 6 weeks to take the course if it's intensive (full time) or 6 months if it's more leisurely (free time devoted to it), regardless the level (but you can fail it too, losing the time if so).

As I undertand it, 0 is not considered a level in CT.

This is not clear in the definition of the skill, but when the training courses are told about in the recruiting section of LBB4:Mercenary, it says each studen recieves level 1 skill in the subject taught, and no zero level is told about.

Ok thank... I think I was confusing the Level-0 with another system. I can't remember. Much appreciated - I was hoping to give some of my players like a crash course in SUBA for 1 month, but I didn't know if that would give them Level 1 so they could use some items without having to take too much of a penalty on the dice rolls.

 

[McPerth]

Again in the training section of the LBB4:Mercenary, the basic training is told to be 6 weeks and while not giving any skill, gives weapons and small tactis familiarization, specifying that this weapons familiarization means they avoid the negative DMs for untrained use.

You could rule out something similar for the SUBA matter, making them a course of 4-6 weeks (after all, its less broad than military training, if I read you right) to give them the same familiarization told in LBB4 (so, avoiding negative DMs for untrained use)

 

[kilemall]

Keep in mind the Instruction mechanic has something like a 50% success rate, one should plan on two run-throughs.


Also, since a Skill-2 requires an instructor that is Instruction-3 and Skill-3, it should be very rare to get access to such a resource. Think elite technical school, a polity's Command College or a consenting sensei.

 

[BlackBat242]

CT does have a "level 0" - it simply indicates familiarization with the skill, and therefore removes any negative DMs associated with "no skill", but does not add any positive DMs the way "skill 1, etc" does, nor is it considered a "stepping stone" or "prerequisite" for achieving "skill level 1" in that skill.

In fact, a PC receiving instruction in a skill goes from "no skill" directly to "skill level 1".

"Skill 0" is normally found in the context of either "weapons expertise", whereby all PCs have an "innate weapon expertise, granting a skill level of Zero in all weapons" (LBB-1 Characters & Combat [1981], page 16) or "related skill", where having a skill level(s) in one skill confers an automatic "skill one level lower" in a close-related skill (such as similar vehicle types, etc as noted on LBB-1 Characters & Combat [1981] page 22).

It also appears with such skills as "vacc suit" (see LBB-1 Characters & Combat [1981], page 23, "default skills"), where the referee "may indicate that all individuals not otherwise skilled have vacc suit-0", thus removing the penalties for "no skill".

 

[mike wightman]

It depends. If you use LBB 1-3, the only way to so raise a skill is by training or sabatical. The first case will take 4 years (but it's effective before), the sabatical 2 years to achieve skill 2.

The sabbatical takes four years, all of the training programs in LBB:2 do:

In addition, any character may, once during his or her life, take a sabbatical (for
4 years) for the purpose of specifically gaining a skill through education. Such activity
is the equivalent of a technical school or college education, and allows the
acquisition of one specific non-weapon skill with a level of 2. Cost of this education
is CR 70,000.

The footnote to the experience chapter is where the real fun is:

The above is the only ordinary method of self-improvement available to characters.
Highly scientific or esoteric methods of improving personal skills and characteristics
are logically available, provided the individuals search hard enough for
them. Such methods could include RNA intelligence or education implants, surgical
alteration, military or mercenary training, and other systems. Alternatives to the
above methods must be administered by the referee.

Esoteric training methods are a great way to separate player characters from their wealth, or alternative rewards for completing adventure objectives.

 

[mike wightman]

CT does have a "level 0" - it simply indicates familiarization with the skill, and therefore removes any negative DMs associated with "no skill", but does not add any positive DMs the way "skill 1, etc" does, nor is it considered a "stepping stone" or "prerequisite" for achieving "skill level 1" in that skill.

Yup, level 0 is definitely a thing in CT (although in 77 edition it was level 1/2).
Player characters can be awarded level 0 in certain skills by referee fiat, usually based on the prior career - but how does a player character pick up level 0 familiarity during play?

 

[kilemall]

I guess I would use the Instruction mechanic as an Instruction-1/Skill-1 instructor can impart a Skill-0, I-2/S-2 can get a Skill-1, etc. and that it requires a Skill-0 familiarization success to allow for Skill-1, then Skill-2, etc.


Not in the rules writeup, but makes sense to me and incurs time and costs to gain skills, always a gameplay consideration.


Skill-0 Instruction feels right too, kind of like various modern day computer courses that churn out people that are familiar with a technology and can pass a test and do better then the untrained, but aren't really people you would trust until they get more training or experience.



Nowadays I go with 2 skills per term as the normal baseline, and the commission/promotion rank skills or service skills as a special Instruction session the character went through.



Getting skills the exotic way is a big setting change step, think ramifications through and always have negatives or prices to pay for chipped/drugged/implanted fast skills.

 

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Skill 0 is what I want then, so the players do not get the penalties. I just want to give them the familiars.

Thank you all.

 

[McPerth]

The sabbatical takes four years, all of the training programs in LBB:2 do:

You're right, sorry. I was speaking from memory.

BTW, has anyone ever used this (except maybe as after CharGen and before starting the game)?

Skill 0 is what I want then, so the players do not get the penalties. I just want to give them the familiars.

Thank you all.

Then I keep suggesting you to treat it as a training camp (basic training) as described in LBB4.

 

[Timerover51]

Skill 0 is what I want then, so the players do not get the penalties. I just want to give them the familiars.

Thank you all.

Here are some Skill-0 abilities that I have for the various careers in Classic.

Merchant: Vacc Suit-0, one member of every crew is Air Raft-0 if no one has Air Raft skill. I also assume that one member of every crew will be Steward-0, if no crew member has Steward skill. I assume that part of the basic training of a Merchant crewman would include training in Vacc Suit, Air Raft, and Steward skills.

Scout: Vacc Suit-0, Blade-0. I am not sure why the Scout has no Blade Combat skills available, but as a minimum, the character should be able to use a machete without chopping himself.

Social Attribute B or higher: Foil-0, assuming that the individual would be trained on this as a youth. If female, then Dagger-0 if desired.

Marine: Vacc Suit-0, as this would be needed for boarding actions in vacuum.

Army: Bayonet-0, so that the character can put the bayonet on the rifle or carbine without skewering himself. They would get training in bayonet use in Basic Training.

Navy: Vacc Suit-0, needed for operations in vacuum and for abandoning ship. I assume refresher training for both Navy and Marine characters in Vacc Suit operation of once a year.

Other: Streetwise-0, or maybe Streetwise-1, as they have managed to survive to the age of 18. Probably Brawling-0 as well, as again they have managed to survive.

Although Supplement 4: Citizens of the Imperium was released in 1979, the Survival Skill did not get added to the 1981 edition of the LBB. As I use that supplement, I also award a Survival Skill Level of 1 to every Scout who survives the first term. I do not count this against the characters skill level total.