🎯 Skills

Half-Stat Skill Cost Table

Source: Pyramid #3/65, p.30 — Douglas Cole. See the Skill System page for full explanation.

Skills are purchased by level above the half-stat default. The default = (Controlling Attribute ÷ 2) − (Original Penalty − 5).

Final Skill Level Easy, Average, and Hard Very Hard
Default+3 — 1
Default+4 1 2
Default+5 2 4
Default+6 4 8
Default+7 8 12
Default+8 12 16
Default+9 16 20
Default+10 20 24
Extra +1 +4 +4

Taking Extra Time & Rushing

Source: GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns, p.346

Taking Extra Time

For most non-combat tasks, you can improve your chance of success by working more carefully. For every doubling of the normal time, you receive +1 to your skill roll.

Time Taken Modifier
Normal time+0
2× normal time+1
4× normal time+2
8× normal time+3
16× normal time+4

Cannot be used in combat. The GM determines normal time for any task.

Rushing

For every halving of the normal time, you suffer a -1 penalty.

Time Taken Modifier
Normal time+0
½ normal time-1
¼ normal time-2
⅛ normal time-3

Common Skill Modifiers Reference

Sources: GURPS Basic Set: Campaigns, pp. 344-346; Characters, pp. 168-169, 173

These modifiers stack. The GM has final say on what applies.

Equipment Quality

Equipment Modifier Ref
No equipment (improvised)-5B345
Cheap/improvised tools-2 to -4B345
Standard equipment+0B345
Good quality tools+1B345
Fine quality tools+2B345

Tech Level

Situation Modifier Ref
Equipment 1 TL below task's native TL-5B168
Equipment 2+ TL below task's native TLMay be impossibleB168
Unfamiliar equipment/method-2 to -4B169

Situational / Environmental

Situation Modifier Ref
Dim light / torch-3B394
Very dim / candlelight-5B394
Near darkness-7B394
Total darkness (vision-dependent skills)-10B394
Kneeling or sitting (physical skills)-2B368
Crawling or prone (physical skills)-4B368
Wound shock (per HP lost this turn)-1 per HPB419
Fatigue (below 1/3 FP remaining)-1 all skillsB426

Cooperation & Assistance

Situation Modifier Ref
Helper succeeds at complementary skill+1 to primary rollerB344
Helper fails complementary skill-1 to primary rollerB344
Primary roller uses supporting complementary skill+1 on successB344

Quick Reference

All PCs: 150 pts base
+ Blocks: up to 250 pts
Disadvantages: 0 points
All Attributes: 10 pts/level
Basic Speed: (DX+PER)/4
Dodge: Speed + 3
Melee Base: (DX+HT)/2
Ranged Base: (DX+PER)/2
Character Creation
The 10 Attributes
World History