Babylon 5: The Palladium Project - Skills


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        Conversion : B5 Palladium

        The skill systems for B5 and palladium are entirely different, and converting skills is the most difficult chore. The skill list that follows is a list as it would be presented in a palladium book. Skills are divided into subheadings, and then listed by alphabetical order as they appear in B5. Indented skills are skills which would be specializations in B5, and are individual skills in Palladium. I have tried to adjust skill percentages as they would be in the future. The basis for these skills are gained from Robotech, Robotech II: Sentinels, Rifts, TMNT, and Ninjas & Superspies. Skill percentages are listed as the base skill percentage, plus an additional modifier per level of experience beyond one that the character gains.

        Communications

        Investigation
        Surveillance Systems 40% + 5%, Req. electronics skill
        T.V./Video 25% + 4%

        Domestic

        Acting 40% + 5% Professional +20%
        Cooking
        Cook 50% + 8% Professional +10%.
        Dancing
        Dance 40% + 5% Professional +15%.
        Gambling 45% +5%
        Music
        Sing 40% + 5% Professional +20%.
        Play Instrument 40% + 5% Professional +10%
        Composition

        Electrical

        Engineering, Electrical
        Electrical Engineer 45% + 5%
        Computer Repair 40% + 5%
        Basic Electronics 40% + 5%
        Robot Electronics 30% + 5%

        Espionage / Military

        Engineering, Chemical
        Demolition 50% + 5%
        Demolition Disposal 40% + 5%
        Investigation
        Interrogation 40% + 5%
        Survival
        Wilderness Survival 40% + 5%
        Tactics, Troop
        Intelligence 45% + 5%
        Tactics, Space Combat
        Intelligence 45% + 5%
        Tracking
        Tracking 35% + 5%

        Mechanical

        Engineering, Aerospace
        Aircraft Mechanics 45% + 5%
        Spacecraft Mechanics 40% + 5%
        Hyperspace Mechanics 30% + 5%
        Drive Repair: Jump Drive 30% + 5%
        Drive Repair: Gravimetric Drive 30% + 5%
        Oxygen Systems 58% + 4%
        Engineering, Mechanical
        Mechanical Engineer 45% + 5%
        Automotive Mechanics 50% + 5%
        Robotics 30% + 5%
        Basic Mechanics 50% + 5%

        Medical

        Investigation
        Criminal Sciences and Forensics 35% + 5%
        Medical, Biotech
        Cybernetics Medical Doctor 40/60% + 5%
        Bionics Note
        Medical, Diagnostic
        Pathology 40% + 5%
        Medical, EMT
        Paramedic 40% + 5%
        Medical, Pharmaceutical
        Medical Pharacologist 40/50% + 5%
        Medical, Psychiatry
        Medical Pschiatrist 60/50% + 5%
        Medical, Surgery
        Medical Doctor 60/50% + 5%

        Psionic

        Telepathy
        Scanning
        Broadcasting
        Blocking

        Physical

        Acrobatics
        Acrobatics
        Climbing 40/30% + 5%
        Escape Artist 30% + 5%
        Gymnastics
        Zero-G Maneuvering (PP X 5)% + 4%
        Vacuum Survival (Special)
        Athletics
        Athletics
        Running
        Swimming 50% + 5%
        Combat, Martial Arts
        Hand to Hand: Akido
        Hand to Hand: Karate
        Hand to Hand: Kenjitsu
        Hand to Hand: Then'sha'tur (Narn)
        Hand to Hand: Katak'eth (Narn)
        Hand to Hand: Kalan'tha (Minbari)
        Hand to Hand: Pike Fighting (Minbari) (WP?)
        Hand to Hand: Tronno (Centauri)
        Hand to Hand: Coutari (Centauri)
        Combat, Unarmed
        Hand to Hand: Basic
        Hand to Hand: Expert
        Hiding
        Prowl 30% + 5%

        Pilot

        Driving
        Pilot Automobile 80% + 4%
        Pilot Truck 66% + 4%
        Pilot Motorcycle 60% + 4%
        Piloting
        Pilot Jet 60% + 4%
        Pilot Space Fighter 60% + 4%
        Pilot Shuttle 60% + 4%
        Pilot Spaceship 50% + 5%
        EVA 40% + 5%
        Ship to Ship Combat 25% + 5%
        Shiphandling
        Pilot Large Spaceship 40% + 4%

        Pilot Related

        Navigation, Aerospatial
        Navigation - Space 60% + 5%
        Navigation - Hyperspace 30% + 5%
        Navigation, Planetary
        Navigation 60% + 5%
        Weapons Systems
        Weapon Systems 60% + 5%

        Rogue Skills

        Software Design
        Computer Hacking 20% + 5%
        Savvy
        Streetwise 25% + 4%
        Sleight of Hand
        Concealment 30% + 4%
        Palming 25% + 5%
        Pick Locks 30% + 5%
        Pick Pockets 25% + 5%
        Hiding
        Prowl 30% + 5%

        Science

        Anthropology 40% + 5%
        Archaeology 40% + 5%
        Biology
        Biology 40% + 5%
        Botany 40% + 5%
        Zoology 40% + 5%
        Engineering, Chemical
        Chemistry 60% + 5%
        Chemistry - Analytical 50% + 5%
        Geology 40% + 5%
        Mathematics
        Mathematics - Basic 80% + 4%
        Mathematics - Advanced 64% + 4%
        Physics
        Astrophysics 30% + 5%
        Hyperspatial Physics 15% + 5%

        Technical

        Acumen 30% + 5%
        Art 35% + 5%
        Photography 35% + 5%
        Business 40% + 5%
        Diplomacy 30% + 5%
        Engineering, Civil
        Carpentry 25%+ 5%
        Metalworking 25% + 5%
        Mining 35% + 5%
        Geography 40% + 5%
        History 40% + 5%
        Instruction 50% + 5%
        Investigation
        Research 35 + 5%
        Language 50% + 5%
        Literacy 40% +5%
        Law 40% + 5%
        Philosophy 40% + 5%
        Religion 50% + 5%
        Savvy
        Jury-Rig 25% + 5%
        Recycle 30% + 5%
        Salvage 35% + 5%
        Sculpture See Art
        Software Design
        Artificial Intelligence 30% + 5%
        Computer Operation 60% + 5%
        Computer Programming 40% + 5%
        Writing 25% + 5%
        Journalism 25% + 5%

        Weapon Proficiencies

        Combat, Armed
        W.P. Blunt
        W.P. Chain
        W.P. Knife
        W.P. Paired Weapons
        W.P. Sword
        W.P. Staff
        Combat, Ranged
        W.P. Revolver
        W.P. Automatic Pistol
        W.P. Bolt Action Rifle
        W.P. Automatic and Semi-automatic Rifles
        W.P. Sub-machinegun
        W.P. Heavy
        W.P. PPG Pistol
        W.P. PPG Rifle

        Alternate Skill Option

        Another option which allows the use of skills from the B5 book without modification is a variation on the Shadowrun skill system. A number of six-sided dice equal to the level of the skill is rolled against a target number. If the roll is greater than the target number, a success is achieved. Multiple successes means that whatever task was attempted is completed that much better. The starting target number should be 4, modified as the GM sees fit. If all ones are rolled, something disatorous to the character should occur. Likewise, sixes are re-rolled, and the new number added to the six to get a new number. This can create successes for numbers higher than 6, and can be done an unlimited number of times. (Johnny rolls a six, rolls again to get another six, rolls again and gets another six, and rolls a fourth time to get a four. His total number for that attempt on that one die is 22. Not bad Johnny...)

        This system can be difficult to integrate, and relies much more heavily on the judgement of the GM. However, in some campaigns, this may be all that is needed. It certainly makes skill selection a lot easier, and keeps the whole "history building" character creation idea intact from B5.