The most important point is that skills are no longer tied to specific abilities. Depending on the context, a single skill could be applied to different ability checks; for example, Disable Device could be applied to an Intelligence check or a Dexterity check. I think this is the right move, as it makes the skill system more flexible and gives players more room for creativity.
Some reactions to particular skills:
- The new Drive skill, as the name implies, is for driving wheeled vehicles. Timothy is going to love this one!
- Sciences and Warfare are now included among the Knowledge skills, and I highly approve.
- The general 4e Perception skill has been replaced by Spot, Listen, and Search, as in 3e. I preferred a single skill to cover these tasks, but I can't complain too much about this one.
- I'm pleased that Track is a skill again.
- Use Rope has been added to the skill list. Really? This one seems kind of pointless to me. I realize it existed prior to 4e, but there are probably a dozen other 3e skills or 2e non-weapon proficiencies that I would have picked over Use Rope for inclusion in the D&D Next core skill list.
- Backgrounds now grant four skills, not three. Sounds good to me.
- The housing crisis appears to have hit the D&D world: The poor Commoner has lost his house! In the previous version, this background granted the character a dwelling. Now...it's gone. Why?
- There's a new option to create your own background by choosing four skills and one of the traits from the sample backgrounds. I love it! I'm sure I'll build custom backgrounds for all my characters.
Tomorrow we'll take a look at specialties and feats.
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