Editing Xia: Skill Tests (section)

=Complications=
==Specialised Skills==

When players spend their hard earned XP on specialist skills, they expect to get something for it! The GM can interpret the presence of these skills in two ways.

* '''"Only you can try this..."'''
With regards to specialised tasks that would need specialist training or knowledge, the GM can simply make it a normal skill check, but rule that you need the specialised skill to even attempt the task. The Xia who don't have the specialised skill automatically fail! An example of this might be attempting to play a stirring piece of music on a Guqin... If a Xia has no training in ''Musicianship'' it doesn't matter how passionate or precise he is, he can't play the instrument!

* '''"You're better at this..."'''
With regards to tasks that anyone can try but which specialist training helps, the GM can give a +3 modifier to the Xia's '''skill rating'''. For example, if the Xia are all trying to solve a maths-based logic puzzle then its reasonable to assume that they all know how to do a few sums and can give it a shot. On the other hand the specialist ''Mathematician'' is going to be a lot better than them, and will gain +3 to his skill rating at this task.

Its up to the GM ultimately to decide which rule to use and when, going by his feel for what should be attemptable by the unskilled, and what tasks fall under the aegis of "everyman skills" for people such as the Xia.
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==Other Kung Fu Secrets==

Likewise, the players may observe that certain kung fu secrets ought to make their life easier. The GM has two choices on what to do when the player declares he is using a kung fu secret.

* '''"Forget the dice, you succeed."'''
This is often the quickest and easiest method. If a player is activating ''Lightfoot Technique'', for example, then its no longer a skill check to run across a ladder as it is thrown through the air by his buddies - its just something his kung fu let's him do!

* '''"Your kung fu power makes this easier..."'''
If the GM thinks an automatic success is over the top, but wants to reward the use of the secret, the GM can give a +3 modifier to the Xia's '''skill rating'''. For example, if the Xia is trying to smash down a wall in a ''Physical + Fire'' test, then it makes sense that ''Furious Inner Power'' is going to make him stronger. A +3 modifier seems sensible!
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