Character Creation Step 6: Determine Skill Percentages and Attribute Bonuses

1. Determine Skill Percentages:
   Add the bonus percent to the base skill percent.
2. Determine Attribute Bonuses:
   Refer to the appropriate attribute bonus chart.
3. Determine the Initiative Modifier:
   Add (IQ+PP)/2 to initiative rolls.

• calculate skill %, if you haven't already done so.
• Ignore ALL bonuses that are granted by skills to combat, stats, and SDC, except for number of attacks, range, and Hand to Hand combat increases other than combat bonuses. Ignore skill bonuses granted by other skills. (Or ignore entirely, for über-über-simple character creation).
• Do not determine the initiative modifier.
• Determine attribute bonuses using the following:
  Stat Bonuses/Penalties = (STAT-10)/2, round down.
  • IQ: no bonus.
  • ME: Add to Mind Saves.
  • MA: Add to all social skills. Bonus*10 = chance to invoke trust or intimidate. Success means a temporary 25% reduction to all of the subject’s abilities (when in the invoker’s favor) for one scene, 15 minutes, or 1 round of combat (cumulative with MA’s skill bonuses).
  • PS: Add to damage in unarmed and melee combat. The damage bonus also applies to thrown weapons and bows.
  • PP: Add to combat rolls other then initiative, saving throws, and damage.
  • PE: Add to Body saves.
  • PB: Add to all social skills. Bonus*10 = chance to charm or impress. Success means a temporary 25% reduction to all of the subject’s abilities (when in the invoker’s favor) for one scene, 15 minutes, or 1 round of combat (cumulative with MA’s skill bonuses).
  • Spd: Add to initiative.

link to Step 7

Table of contents

A: Determining Skill Percentages

For games using Attribute-based skills:

• All skill percentage increases acquired during character creation are applied as-is, without using the skill experience points system up to 100%.* Experience acquired during gameplay in a PBP (play by post) game is applied as is up to 100%, too. Thereafter, the skill experience points system is applied.
• Base Skills: attribute % x3, except when a specific percent (eg: 98%) is given + education table skill bonus.
• skill programs: attribute % + education table skill bonus x2.
• MOS skills: attribute % + 30% + education table skill bonus.
• Secondary skills: attribute % x3.
• For Skills Starting at the Attribute level that have been selected twice or more: add 1D12% to the skill for every additional appearance or selection after the first time; with results of 11 and 12 being +0%.

A note on learning new skills:

• +1 attribute percentage per week for the first two weeks. Thereafter, +1D10% per week. (Eg: PC with IQ 9. First week of training, the skill is 18%. Second week of training, it's 27%. Third week, it's 35% (rolled an 8 on a D10.) Etc..)
• If the training is particularly intensive, double the rate of progression. (Eg: End of first week is 27%. The second week it's 45%. The third week it's 54% (rolled 9 on a D20.)

B: Determining Attribute Bonuses

Attribute-based skills: refer to the appropriate bonus chart, but ignore the skill bonuses from IQ.

Use of an online attribute bonus chart is acceptable, but ignore any bonuses (or penalties) for attributes under 16.

C: Determining Initiative Modifier

Link to Step 7.

Optional Rules

Ignore the attribute bonus chart. Instead, for each and every roll of the dice, add an attribute. For example, characters with high intelligence would have a higher chance to complete most skills. Characters with high PP would have a greater chance to strike, parry and dodge.

Example character:

REFERENCES USED

Palladium Books Game Engine

Numerous players of the MRG and MRC over the years who have play-tested these.