Why is Search only for Scoundrels?
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:45 am
The unavailability of Search as a class skill except for whatever Fast analog exists in a given d20 system has been a pet peeve of mine. It seems to me that a case can be made for it being class skill for the Pursuer (Dedicated) class, given some of the character concepts that fit the class.
In Etherscope, for example, a detective-type character logically fits into the Pursuer class, especially given that Investigate is a class skill. If you read the Investigate skill description, it says "you generally use Search to discover clues and Investigate to analyze them." How many clues is a Pursuer likely to find if they have to spend 2 for 1 and are limited to half the max ranks of a class skill? (That's not meant as a snide rhetorical question, I actually mean it as a literal mechanics question, since I'm not certain what general clue-finding DCs are)
In D&D, rangers gets a break of sorts, since they are usually searching for a trail while tracking and Track allows the use of Survival instead of Search. In Etherscope, this also applies to those pursuers who are meant to be hunters, etc. Perhaps there should be a Cluehound feat that allows a PC to use Investigate instead of Search when looking for clues?
House rules can accomodate anything, of course, but I thought I'd put it out there to see if the designers or community have thoughts on the matter.
In Etherscope, for example, a detective-type character logically fits into the Pursuer class, especially given that Investigate is a class skill. If you read the Investigate skill description, it says "you generally use Search to discover clues and Investigate to analyze them." How many clues is a Pursuer likely to find if they have to spend 2 for 1 and are limited to half the max ranks of a class skill? (That's not meant as a snide rhetorical question, I actually mean it as a literal mechanics question, since I'm not certain what general clue-finding DCs are)
In D&D, rangers gets a break of sorts, since they are usually searching for a trail while tracking and Track allows the use of Survival instead of Search. In Etherscope, this also applies to those pursuers who are meant to be hunters, etc. Perhaps there should be a Cluehound feat that allows a PC to use Investigate instead of Search when looking for clues?
House rules can accomodate anything, of course, but I thought I'd put it out there to see if the designers or community have thoughts on the matter.