Advice on 'Escape Artist' skill

[trogers2]

Is it worth taking? I would like to know your thoughts on this because I am conflicted. On the one hand it seems very light on use, but I am guessing future content will put a bit more value into it?

And on the other hand, those hands are annoying and another free chance to break free is useful.

The problem I have though that there really isn't enough value here for me to take it, what do you guys think? Yey or Nay.

Sidenote: I have noticed a lot of people are ignoring the new lore checks, with all the new skills now on the menu I think it would be fair for every class to get +1 extra skill point at level up to compensate for the jump of new skills we now have; I would also like your thoughts on this idea too.

[Theodore01]

I don't like the idea to invest 33 skillpoints, for a slight chance to escape 3 or 4 four spells, at all.
Where does this lead to ? - Do we soon get another skill added - for countering another spell or two?

Same with the new lore splits - can't see any benefit of them at all, as the have no mechanical use. Its probably might get used in a DM event (if you're one of the 'lucky' ones to get in one) - but is that slight chance worth spending skill points on it - your choice.
For me its a waste of skill points.

[Silver_Lining]

I took just a few points for the sake of RP. Not mechanics. *Shrugs*

[Rhifox]

The problem I have though that there really isn't enough value here for me to take it, what do you guys think? Yey or Nay.

Is your character the kind of person who is good at slipping bonds and shackles? If yes, then it's worth it. If not, then it's not.

Just like there are RP-only spells, there are also RP-only skills. While Escape Artist does have some minor mechanical benefit, I consider it more of an RP skill personally.

Sidenote: I have noticed a lot of people are ignoring the new lore checks, with all the new skills now on the menu I think it would be fair for every class to get +1 extra skill point at level up to compensate for the jump of new skills we now have; I would also like your thoughts on this idea too.

No. The amount of skillpoints you get is unchanged from PnP, and in PnP you get all of these skills and more. The fact that BG goes up to level 30 (and that this is relatively easy to achieve compared to PnP) means that you're already getting vastly more skillpoints than standard DnD games already.

If you feel you really need an extra +1 point at each level up, then you can raise your Int score by two points.

[Tsidkenu]

Why do you keep posting these theads in the community forum when they should go into general discussion?

[DM Golem]

Tips and tricks, actually

[Theodore01]

Is it worth taking? I would like to know your thoughts on this because I am conflicted. On the one hand it seems very light on use, but I am guessing future content will put a bit more value into it?

And on the other hand, those hands are annoying and another free chance to break free is useful.

The problem I have though that there really isn't enough value here for me to take it, what do you guys think? Yey or Nay.

Has anyone any first hand experience with that skill ?
Is it useful overall?
Has it to be maxed to be usefull at all?

How does it work mechanically? A hand grabs you and do you have to activate it (each round) ?

[Tsidkenu]

I don't believe it currently has any mechanical function whatsoever, although I haven't mechanically tested that particular opinion of mine either. Like Disguise, Escape Artist hasn't yet been fully implemented & tuned to a place where QC is happy with its purpose. For the moment, it should be treated as an RP skill probably, which still makes it useful in my opinion.

[Akroma666]

Moved to character building.

[Calodan]

No. The amount of skillpoints you get is unchanged from PnP, and in PnP you get all of these skills and more. The fact that BG goes up to level 30 (and that this is relatively easy to achieve compared to PnP) means that you're already getting vastly more skillpoints than standard DnD games already.

If you feel you really need an extra +1 point at each level up, then you can raise your Int score by two points.

In PnP a skill check of 15 is considered a great check where on this VIDEO GAME the mechanics have been raised to need full 30 skills. You can quote PnP all you want it does not translate to a video game well. So yes it would be nice to get a few more skill points for lore and other RP only skills or at least start giving more classes lore bonuses in THEIR LORE area on level ups. Also isn't lore kind of like learning new languages? Couldn't a PC get higher lore skills through DM help? It is after all a knowledge thing and that doesn't just go away. What I am saying is that you do not generally UN-LEARN things you have learned.

[mrm3ntalist]

No. The amount of skillpoints you get is unchanged from PnP, and in PnP you get all of these skills and more. The fact that BG goes up to level 30 (and that this is relatively easy to achieve compared to PnP) means that you're already getting vastly more skillpoints than standard DnD games already.

If you feel you really need an extra +1 point at each level up, then you can raise your Int score by two points.

In PnP a skill check of 15 is considered a great check where on this VIDEO GAME the mechanics have been raised to need full 30 skills. You can quote PnP all you want it does not translate to a video game well. So yes it would be nice to get a few more skill points for lore and other RP only skills or at least start giving more classes lore bonuses in THEIR LORE area on level ups. Also isn't lore kind of like learning new languages? Couldn't a PC get higher lore skills through DM help? It is after all a knowledge thing and that doesn't just go away. What I am saying is that you do not generally UN-LEARN things you have learned.

A character should not be good at everything - It should not be a great fighter, soloing everything and a great scholar as well. If you build optimising the mechanics of your builds, then of course the skill points wont be enough.

[Calodan]

A character should not be good at everything - It should not be a great fighter, soloing everything and a great scholar as well. If you build optimising the mechanics of your builds, then of course the skill points wont be enough.

Indeed they do not need to be good at everything but there is very little balance to the need of mechanical skills and RP skills. The server is actually set up more on a mechanical basis. There are relatively little skill checks for anything in the world. I do take a few RP skills on Kory and I by no means ever RP he is great at everything but it would be nice if he had real knowledge for his points. I have roughly 10 points in every RP skill I take but when I roll them they are rarely effective in events or even for player driven RP as everyone works on the basis of 30 points possible rather than 15 checks which would be sufficient in PnP but here they are not. I think the balance of this is what throws it off really. IMO it is the having 30 levels but lets IMAGINE you are only level 20 but the problem is that people do not see that with the skills or checks.

It should not be a great fighter

SO.....KORY IS AN IT NOW? PFFT....I WORKED HARD TO FLESH OUT THAT TOON!

[mrm3ntalist]

A character should not be good at everything - It should not be a great fighter, soloing everything and a great scholar as well. If you build optimising the mechanics of your builds, then of course the skill points wont be enough.

Indeed they do not need to be good at everything but there is very little balance to the need of mechanical skills and RP skills. The server is actually set up more on a mechanical basis. There are relatively little skill checks for anything in the world. I do take a few RP skills on Kory and I by no means ever RP he is great at everything but it would be nice if he had real knowledge for his points. I have roughly 10 points in every RP skill I take but when I roll them they are rarely effective in events or even for player driven RP as everyone works on the basis of 30 points possible rather than 15 checks which would be sufficient in PnP but here they are not. I think the balance of this is what throws it off really. IMO it is the having 30 levels but lets IMAGINE you are only level 20 but the problem is that people do not see that with the skills or checks.

It should not be a great fighter

SO.....KORY IS AN IT NOW? PFFT....I WORKED HARD TO FLESH OUT THAT TOON!

What skills you think your character Kory should be good at and you cannot invest in, as a Favored soul an?

[Calodan]

You got me there........I guess LORE RELIGION would be my one thing. I feel like as a person I need more guidance to play RELIGIOUS stuff and using the lore checks on that would help but that may be my fault rather than lack of skill points. I just believe IMO that knowledge things do not just go away regardless of MARTIAL prowess. Take Bruce Lee for example. He was both. In fact Tai Chi/Kung Fu focuses on mastery of 5 elements in life which create balance. So it is possible for a person to be EVERYTHING. Then there are ENGINEERS who claim JACK OF ALL TRADES, MASTER OF NONE. Which means enough knowledge to get it all done. How do these fit in to a magical realm?