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Optional Skill Lists

The following skill lists are provided as examples of how to customize the generic skill list in the Core Rules for a specific setting or genre.

In the following lists, you will notice that some skills have been renamed, replaced with others, moved to different skill groups or omitted entirely. In addition, in some cases a skill has had the "(Type)" or "(Spec)" element removed. This was done simply to de-emphasize certain skills which will tend to come into play less often in the particular genre.

GMs are free to make additional changes to these lists to further tailor them for his or her own game, or to make up new lists entirely.

 

Fantasy/Medieval Skill List

Italicized skill names indicate a Universal skill. All characters receive this skill at level 2 at no cost.

* Indicates a suggested Common skill for serfs in fantasy and medieval settings; † Indicates a suggested Common skill for male nobles in fantasy and medieval settings; ‡ Indicates a suggested Common skill for female nobles in fantasy and medieval settings.

 

Skill Group
Skill Tools Gov Attr Spec/Types
Arts & Crafts Skill Group
Art (Type) I Body/Mind Painting, Sculpting, Sketching
Cooking I Mind  
Craft (Type)* I Body Candle-making, Carpentry, Cobbling, Shipwright, et al.
Jeweler I Body  
Smith I Body Armorer, Blacksmith, Swordsmith
Athletics Skill Group
Brawling   Body (Replaces Unarmed Combat)
Climbing   Body  
Contortionist   Body  
Sports (Type) I Body/Mind  
Swimming   Body  
Throwing (Spec)   Body Darts, Knives, Stones, et al.
Communication Skill Group
Instruction   Mind  
Negotiation (Spec)   Mind Diplomacy, Political
Orate (Spec)   Mind Bard, Speeches
Persuasion (Spec)   Mind Bribery, Fast Talk, Flirting, Intimidation
Poetry   Mind  
Writing   Mind  
Covert Skill Group
Disguise   Body  
Forgery (Spec) I Body Crests & Seals, Handwriting
Lockpicking I Body  
Shadowing   Mind  
Sleight of Hand   Body  
Stealth   Body  
Education Skill Group
Alchemy I Body  
Chirurgery ‡ I Body  
Geography (Spec)   Mind Specific region or continent
Herbalism I Body (Replaces First Aid)
History (Spec)   Mind Locality, National, Organizational
Knowledge (Type)   Body/Mind Specific topic
Language (Spec)   Mind Specific language, Native Language
Religion (Type)   Mind Specific religion (e.g., Christianity, Paganism, Wotanism)
Enterprise Skill Group
Appraisal   Mind  
Industry I Mind (Replaces Engineering)
Professional (Type)   Body/Mind Specific career (knight, squire, steward, etc.)
Stewardship   Mind  
Trading   Mind  
Focus Skill Group
Area Knowledge (Type)   Mind Specific town or region
Awareness (Spec)   Mind Hearing, Vision, Taste/Smell, Touch
Concentration   Mind  
Deduction   Mind  
Intuition   Mind  
Lip Reading   Mind  
Melee Weapons Skill Group
Axes (Spec) I Body Battle Axes, Great Axes, Hand Axes
Flexible Weapons (Spec) I Body Flails, Chains, Nunchaku, Ropes, Three-section staves, Whips
Knives I Body  
Maces/Clubs (Spec) I Body Great Clubs, Maces, Tetsubô, Warhammers
Polearms (Spec) I Body Glaives/Halberds, Spears, Lance, Ôno, Pikes
Swords (Spec) † I Body Great Swords, Foils, Longswords, Kenjutsu, Machetes, Rapiers, Short Swords, 2-handed Swords
Military Science Skill Group
Battle (Spec)   Mind Field, Seiges
Drill/ March   Body (New skill)
Sailing (Spec) I Body/Mind Sailboats, Tall Ships
Seige Weapons (Spec) R Body Ballista, Catapult, Trebuchet (Replaces Artillery)
Skirmish   Mind (Replaces Tactics)
 
Missile Weapons Skill Group
Boomerangs R Body  
Bows (Spec) I Body Longbows, Short bows, Composite bows.
Crossbows (Spec) R Body Heavy Crossbows, Light Crossbows
Sling Weapons (Spec) I Body Atlatl, Bolas, Simple Slings
Slingshots I Body  
Nature/Outdoor Skill Group
Animal Handling (Spec) I   Mind By animal (e.g., birds)
Faerie Lore (Spec)*   Mind Elves, Faeries, Trolls, etc.
Fish and Game (Spec)* I Body/Mind Fishing, Hunting, Trapping
Navigation (Spec)   Mind Land, Sea
Riding (Spec) †‡ I Body By animal (e.g., horses)
Teamster (Spec) I Body  
Tracking   Mind  
Performance Skill Group
Acting   Mind  
Dancing (Spec)   Body By culture (Saxon, etc.)
Instrument (Type) I Body Specific instrument or family
Juggling   Body  
Mimicry   Mind  
Singing   Body/Mind  
Social Skill Group
Conversation   Mind  
Intrigue †   Mind  
Society (Type)   Mind Courtier†‡, Serfdom*
Style   Mind  
Symbols   Mind Arcane & Occult Symbols, Heraldry†‡, Runes

 

Modern Military/Espionage Skill List

 

Italicized skill names indicate a Universal skill. All characters in all Action! System games receive this skill at level 2 at no cost.

* Indicates a suggested common skill in modern military and espionage/spy settings.

 

Skill Group
Skill Tools Gov Attr Spec/Types
Arts & Crafts
Art (Type) I Body/Mind Painting, Sculpting, Sketching.
Cooking (Spec) I Mind Cuisine, Ethnicity, Fast Food, Gourmet
Craft (Type) I Body Candle-making, Carpentry, Glazing (i.e., lacquering), Cobbling, Sandal-making, Shipwright, Tanning, et al.
Jeweler I Body  
Photography R Body  
Smith (Spec) I Body Armorer, Blacksmith, Swordsmith
Athletics
Acrobatics   Body  
Climbing   Body  
Contortionist   Body  
Para (Spec) R Body Hang-glider, Parachute, Paraglide, Parasail
Sports (Type) I Body/Mind Baseball, Basketball, etc.
Swimming   Body  
Throwing (Spec)   Body Darts, Football, Knives, Stones, et al.
Unarmed Combat (Type)   Body Brawling, Judo, Karate, Kung Fu, Wrestling, et al.
Communication
Instruction   Mind  
Orate (Spec)   Mind  
Negotiation (Spec)   Mind Diplomacy, Hostage, Political
Persuasion (Spec)   Mind Bribery, Fast Talk, Intimidation, Propaganda, Romance, Seduction
Poetry   Mind  
Writing (Spec)   Mind Journalist, Literature, Music, Playwright, Reports, Screenwriter, Speeches
Covert Skills
Disguise I Body  
Gambling   Body/Mind  
Lockpicking I Body  
Shadowing   Mind  
Sleight of Hand   Body  
Stealth   Body  
Education
Geography (Spec)   Mind Specific region or continent
History (Spec)   Mind Locality, National, Organizational, World
Knowledge (Type)   Body/Mind Specific topic
Language (Type)   Mind Specific language, Native Language
Religion (Type)   Mind Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Paganism, Wicca or any other religion allowed by the GM.
Research (Spec)   Mind Internet, Library, Medical, Publications, Records, Scientific
Enterprise
Accounting   Mind  
Appraisal (Spec)   Mind Specific class of items (e.g., antiques, paintings, swords, gemstones, etc.)
Bureaucracy   Mind  
Business   Mind  
Economics (Spec)   Mind  
Professional (Type)   Body/Mind Specific career (attorney, courier, fire-fighter, police officer, soldier, spy, etc.)
Trading   Mind  
Focus
Area Knowledge (Type)   Mind Specific town or region
Awareness (Spec)   Mind Hearing, Vision, Taste/Smell, Touch
Concentration   Mind  
Intuition   Mind  
Lip Reading   Mind  
Meditation   Mind  
Heavy Weapons
Artillery (Spec) R Body AAA, Cannon, Rockets, Ship Gun, Tank Gun
Machine Guns (Spec) R Body Anti-aircraft, Heavy, Medium
Missile Launchers (Spec)R   Mind Anti-aircraft, Cruise Missiles, ICBMs, Orbital Platforms.
Portable Launchers (Spec)R   Body Grenade Launchers, Anti-tank Weapons, Mortars.
Vehicle Weapons (Spec)   Body Bombs, Machine-guns, Missiles, Rockets
Investigation
Cryptography   Mind Ciphers, Digital/Computer
Deduction   Mind  
Forensics R Mind Fingerprints, Fibers, Imprints
Intel Analysis   Mind  
Interrogation   Mind  
Surveillance (Spec)   Mind Bugging, Reconnaissance, Stakeouts
Medicine
Dentistry I Mind  
First Aid* I Mind  
Physician (Spec) I Mind General, Neurology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Podiatry, Psychiatry, et al.
Pharmacology   Mind  
Surgery (Spec) I Body/Mind Cosmetic, Emergency, Neuro/Brain, Oral, or any other specialty approved by the GM.
Melee Weapons
Axes I Body  
Bayonets I Body  
Flexible Weapons (Spec) I Body Flails, Chains, Nunchaku, Ropes, Three-section staves, Whips
Knives I Body  
Maces/Clubs I Body  
Polearms I Body  
Swords I Body  
Military Sciences
Combat Engineer (Spec) I   Mind Bridges, Defenses, Mines, Roads
Demolitions I Mind  
Gunsmith (Type) I Mind Heavy Weapons, Small Arms
Strategy (Spec)   Mind Land Battles, Logistics, Sea Battles, Seiges, Skirmishes
Tactics (Spec)   Mind Ambushes, CQB, Patrols, Reconnaissance
Nature/Outdoor
Animal Handling (Spec) I   Mind Birds, Dogs, Horses, et al.
Fish and Game (Spec) I Body/Mind Fishing, Hunting, Trapping
Navigation (Spec)   Mind Land, Sea
Riding (Spec) I Body Camels, Horses, et al.
Survival (Spec)*   Mind Arctic, Desert, Temperate, Tropical, Water (ocean).
Teamster I Body  
Tracking (Spec)   Mind Animals, Vehicles
Performance
Acting   Mind  
Dancing (Spec)   Body Ballet, Ballroom, Break, Disco, Tap, Tribal, et al.
Instrument (Type) I Body Specific instrument (or family, with GM's permission).
Juggling   Body  
Mimicry   Mind  
Singing   Body/Mind  
Ventriloquist   Body  
Sciences
Astronomy   Mind  
Biology   Mind  
Chemistry   Mind  
Mathematics   Mind  
Physics   Mind  
Simple Missile Weapons
Boomerangs R Body  
Bows I Body  
Crossbows R Body  
Sling Weapons I Body  
Spearguns I Body (New skill)
Small Arms
Black Powder Weapons I   Body  
Pistols R Body  
Rifles R Body  
Shotguns R Body  
Sub-machineguns R Body  
Social
Conversation*   Mind  
Intrigue   Mind  
Philosophy   Mind  
Society (Type)   Mind Corporate, High (Etiquette), Military, Streetwise
Style   Mind  
Symbols   Mind Arcane/Occult, Corporate Logos, Heraldry, Naval Flags
Social Sciences
Anthropology   Mind  
Archaeology   Mind  
Criminology (Spec)   Body/Mind Class of crime (e.g., homicide, kidnapping, burglary, etc.)
Politics   Mind  
Psychology (Spec)   Mind Animal, Behavioral, Criminal, Counseling, Profiling, or any specialty approved by the GM.
Technical
Computers (Spec)   Mind Hacking, Programming, Use
Electrician I Mind  
Electronics (Spec) I Mind Appliances, Comm, Security Systems
Engineering (Type)   Mind Architectural, Propulsion, Structural, Transportation
Mechanic (Spec) I Mind Specific part or system (e.g., brakes, jet engines)
Operate Electronics (Spec)   Mind Communication, Sensors
Transportation
Driving (Spec)* R Body Cars, Motorcycles, Tractors/Semis
Piloting (Spec) R Body Helicopters, Fixed Wing, Vectored Thrust
Sailing (Spec) I Body/Mind Sailboats, Tall Ships
Tracked Vehicles   Body (New skill)
Watercraft (Spec) R Body/Mind Hovercraft, Large Vessels, Motorboats, Submarines

 

Science Fiction Skill List

 

Italicized skill names indicate a Universal skill. All characters in all Action! System games receive this skill at level 2 at no cost.

* Indicates a suggested common skill in science fiction settings.

 

Skill Group
Skill Tools Gov Attr Spec/Types
Arts & Crafts
Art (Type) I Body/Mind Painting, Sculpting, Sketching.
Cooking (Spec) I Mind Ethnicity, race or species
Craft (Type) I Body Specific craft
Jeweler I Body  
Smith (Spec) I Body Armorer, Weapon
Athletics
Acrobatics   Body  
Climbing   Body  
Contortionist   Body  
Sports (Type) I Body/Mind By sport (Grav-ball, etc.)
Swimming   Body  
Throwing   Body  
Unarmed Combat (Type)   Body Brawling, Judo, Karate, et al.
Zero-G   Body  
Communication
Instruction   Mind  
Negotiation (Spec)   Mind Diplomacy, Hostage, Political
Orate (Spec)   Mind Commmand, Speeches, Storytelling
Persuasion (Spec)   Mind Bribery, Fast Talk, Intimidation, Seduction
Poetry   Mind  
Writing   Mind  
Covert Skills
Disguise I Body  
Gambling   Body/Mind  
Lockpicking I Body  
Shadowing   Mind  
Sleight of Hand   Body  
Stealth   Body  
Education
Geography (Spec)   Mind By continent, planet or star system
History (Spec)   Mind Culture, Organization, Star System
Knowledge (Type)   Body/Mind Specific topic
Language (Type)   Mind Specific language, Native
Religion (Type)   Mind Specific religion
Research   Mind  
Enterprise
Accounting   Mind  
Appraisal   Mind  
Bureaucracy   Mind  
Business   Mind  
Economics   Mind  
Professional (Type)   Mind By career (Diplomat, Fleet officer, Surveyor, etc.)
Trading   Mind  
Focus
Area Knowledge (Type)   Mind By city, region, planet or star system
Awareness (Spec)   Mind Hearing, Vision, Taste/Smell, Touch
Concentration   Mind  
Intuition   Mind  
Lip Reading   Mind  
Meditation   Mind  
Heavy Weapons
Artillery R Body  
Missile Launchers R Body  
Portable Launchers R Body  
Starship Weapons R Body  
Vehicle Weapons R Body  
Investigation
Cryptography   Mind  
Deduction   Mind  
Forensics (Spec) R Mind Energy, Physical
Intel Analysis   Mind  
Interrogation   Mind  
Surveillance   Mind  
Medicine
Dentistry I Mind  
First Aid I Mind  
Physician I Mind  
Pharmacology   Mind  
Surgery (Spec) I Body/Mind Cosmetic, Cybernetic, Emergency, Neuro/Brain, Oral, or any approved by the GM
Melee Weapons
Axes (Spec) I Body Primitive, Vibro
Flexible Weapons (Spec)I   Body Primitive, Vibro
Knives I Body Primitive, Vibro
Maces/Clubs (Spec) I Body Primitive, Stun
Polearms (Spec) I Body Primitive, Vibro
Swords (Spec) I Body Primitive, Vibro
Military Sciences
Combat Engineer I Mind  
Demolitions (Spec) I Mind Energy, Traditional
Gunsmith (Type) I Mind Hvy Weapons, Small Arms
Strategy (Spec)   Mind Surface, Space
Tactics   Mind  
Nature
Animal Handling (Spec) I   Mind Dogs, Albian Beetles, etc.
Fish and Game I Body/Mind  
Riding (Spec) I Body Albian Beetles, Horses, etc.
Surface Navigation   Mind  
Survival (Spec)   Mind Arctic, Desert, Tropical, Vacuum, Water (ocean).
Teamster (Spec) I Body Horses, Oxen, or any beasts allowed by the GM
Tracking   Mind  
Performance
Acting   Mind  
Dancing (Spec)   Body By type (Ballet, Ballroom, Popular, Tap, Tribal, et al.)
Instrument (Type) I Body Specific instrument or family
Juggling   Body  
Mimicry   Mind  
Singing   Body/Mind  
Ventriloquist   Body  
Sciences
Astronomy   Mind  
Biology   Mind  
Chemistry   Mind  
Mathematics   Mind  
Physics (Spec)   Mind Astrophysics, General, Nuclear, Quantum
Simple Missile Weapons
Boomerangs R Body  
Bows I Body  
Crossbows R Body  
Sling Weapons I Body  
Slingshots I Body  
Small Arms
Black Powder Weapons I   Body  
Energy Pistols R Body  
Energy Rifles R Body  
Slug-thrower Pistols R Body  
Slug-thrower Rifles R Body  
Social
Conversation*   Mind  
Intrigue   Mind  
Philosophy   Mind  
Society (Type)   Mind Corporate, High (Etiquette), Military, Streetwise
Style   Mind  
Symbols (Spec)   Mind Arcane Symbols, Corporate Logos, Starship Insignia
Social Sciences
Anthropology (Spec)   Mind Specific race or culture
Archaeology   Mind  
Criminology   Body/Mind  
Politics   Mind  
Psychology (Spec)   Mind Alien (species), Animal, Behavioral, Criminal, Counseling, or any approved by the GM.
Technical
Astrogation   Mind  
Computers (Spec)   Mind Hacking, Programming, Use
Electrician I Mind  
Electronics (Spec) I Mind Appliances, Comm, Security Systems, Weapons
Engineering (Type)   Mind Architectural, Propulsion, Structural, Transportation
Mechanic I Mind  
Operate Electronics (Spec)*   Mind Communication, Sensors, Ships Weapons
Transportation
Ground Vehicles* R Body (Replaces Driving)
Piloting* R Body  
Sailing I Body/Mind  
Starships (Spec) R Body Capital Ships, Cargo Ships, Starfighters, System Boats
Watercraft R Body/Mind