[[start|Dice Mob Home]] > [[dice_mob_rules|Dice Mob Rules]] > [[skills|Skills]] ===== Skill Degrees ===== A skill degree is a level of proficiency attained in Skill. With that level of proficiency generally come a set of additional abilities or increased potency. Skill degrees are calculated from the number of dice spent on a particular skill, but they do so in an incremental way, with each degree requiring a number of dice equal to that degree to attain that next degree, as shown in the following table: ^ Degree ^ Dice ^ Calculation ^ | First | 1 | 1 | | Second | 3 | 1 + 2 | | Third | 6 | 1 + 2 + 3 | | Fourth | 10 | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 | | Fifth (Master) | 15 | 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 | Unless otherwise stated on the skill itself, skill degrees come with the following standard effects: ==== First Degree ==== ^ Type ^ Mana to Initiate ^ Mana per Round of Duration ^ Range ^ Duration ^ | Contact | 1 | 1 | Self, Touch | Based on Level | The creature must use the skill on themselves or someone they touch or are touching them. The mana required per round of duration only requires additional mana if it's a skill that continues to do additional damage or something that reasonably might require it. Someone healed from this affect, for example, would stay healed but would not continue to heal additionally each round thereafter without additional mana. ==== Second Degree ==== ^ Type ^ Mana to Initiate ^ Mana per Round ^ Area of Effect ^ Duration ^ Range ^ | Point to Point | 2((Reduced to 1 at Fifth Degree or Higher)) | - | Object at a Distance | - | Based on Level | | Imbue Weapon | 2 | 1((No Cost at Fifth Degree)) | One Weapon | Until First Attack((Based on Level at Fifth Degree)) | Touch | | Point in the Distance | 2 | 2 | Point | Based on Level | Based on Level | At second degree, as user's skill can be extended to a distance. This could be created at a distance or fired from the caster in the direction of something at a distance. It can also imbue the skill upon a weapon for the duration of one attack (though its duration will require additional mana to maintain if the weapon is not used immediately). Skills created at a distance must be visible to the skill-user (though this could be augmented by other skills such as clairvoyance or x-ray vision) and remain so for the duration of the skill. This includes creating something INSIDE of another creature. If a skill-user is naturally blind, the GM should make special allowances, perhaps within hearing range or some range of sixth-sense. Creating objects within other creatures should still generally be discouraged. For more on what these "points" can be, see Area of Effect below. A second degree skill-user can also create 2 degrees worth of effects as one action. In the case of a second degree skill-user, this is limited to two first degree effects, e.g. affecting themselves and one party member touched, touching two party members, touching two enemies, etc. Later skill-users can use 3, 4, 5, or more degrees of effects as a single action. ==== Third Degree ==== ^ Type ^ Mana to Initiate ^ Mana per Round ^ Area of Effect ^ Duration ^ Range ^ | Fan | 3 | 1 | Hits multiple opponents within the width of fan | Based on Level | Based on Level | | Wall, Plane | 3 | 3 | Two-dimensional object at a distance | Based on Level | Based on Level | | Symbols, Glyphs, Sigils, Runes | 3 | 1((No cost at Fifth Degree)) | Two-dimensional symbol | Until Expended (Based on Level) | Touch | Third degree skill users can now extend their skills in two dimensions, e.g. a wall or plane. The plane or wall may be of any shape, not necessarily rectangular. Star-shapes, circular planes, triangular planes, etc, may be created. For more on what these "planes" can be, see Area of Effect below. Like second degree skill-users, these objects must be created within view of the skill-user and maintain visibility for the duration of the skill. For the purpose of this skill, weapons like dancing hammers or swords are considered two-dimensional. They can also use point to point attacks using two-dimensions. This is generally a fan, pushing out from the skill-user to a triangular shape no wider or longer than the dimensions allowed. The player is allowed to be inventive as to the formation of the "fan", as long as it remains within the confines of the fan shape, e.g. a fan of fiery throwing stars. Unlike second level point to point attacks, this can be maintained but requires mana to do so. They can also place their skill in touched locations, drawing them on walls, floors, or even the air. These are often used as traps, but they could take the form of a sound or illusion as well. These are triggered when something physical comes in contact with them. ==== Fourth Degree ==== ^ Type ^ Mana to Initiate ^ Mana per Round ^ Area of Effect ^ Duration ^ Range ^ | Cone | 4 | 1 | Hits multiple opponents within the width of cone | Based on Level | Based on Level | | Storm, Cloud, Cube, Sphere, Prism | 4 | 4 | Three-Dimensional object at a distance | Based on Level | Based on Level | Fourth degree skill users can now extend their skills in three dimensions, including storms, clouds, cubes, spheres, or prisms of any shape. Many dodging effects by opponents are nullified if they are within the area of effect. Like second degree skill-users, these objects must be created within view of the skill-user and the skill-user must maintain visibility for the duration of the skill. Like third degree skill-users, they can also do point-to-point attacks in more than one dimension, but now they can create their skill in three dimensions, fanning out from the skill-user in the shape of a cone. Like third-degree skill-users, the player can be inventive on the formation of the "cone". ==== Fifth Degree (Master) ==== Fifth Degree is where a skill-user is considered a master. They are no longer as limited as they have been in the past and their skills can sometimes even last without lasting mana drain. Any weapon can now be imbued with the skill for as long as the skill-user can maintain the skill, based on level. It does not become dispelled at its first use and they no longer require mana to maintain it. In addition, point to point attacks are now counted as a first degree skill when calculating how many can be performed in a single action, e.g. a fifth degree magician could shoot five fireballs, five sparks of lightning, five rays of cold, heal five characters at a distance, etc. They can create symbols, runes, glyphs, or sigils that will last until expended without the use of mana. ==== Sixth Degree and Higher ==== The master can continue to perform 6, 7, 8, etc degrees of the skill in one action, but gains no further advantages.