[All4BigGuns]

That's... a unique way of looking at knowledge skills. One that isn't really supported by any of the sample characters. Having a couple knowledge skills linked to your specialty(ies) is a good thing, yes, but having one linked to all your active skills is crazy talk. I know how to drive a car, but that doesn't mean I have any idea (besides defaulting) on what to do when the car breaks down. I can change a flat tire, but that's about it. Someone trained in parachuting doesn't need to know the concept behind parachute design. Rigging the chute is part of the active skill, so what knowledge skills are needed? It is the same with most active skills. Knowledge skills represent professional knowledge (the basics of your job, such as Corporate Security Tactics), street knowledge (Local Gangs), Interests (Urban Brawl odds), and Academic knowledge (History). It isn't intended to explain all your active skills. Knowledge skills should reflect your background, and active skills should reflect your background, but that doesn't mean that knowledge skills should reflect your active skills.

Pretty much how I look at it. The non-language Knowledge skills I have on the character I posted above (in a post edit, but that's because there wasn't another post after that one when I added the character) pretty well account for the skills despite not being 'one knowledge per skill', at least I think so.

[Sichr]

Since the game is called Heart of Sickness, I would love to give a try to my character Steam, who is actualy a little sick.

http://forums.shadowrun4.com/index.php?topic=6282.0

no problem with knowledges concept, well I have choosen those linked more to background than to active skills...

[RHat]

Additionally, RAW on Language skills, as I recall, holds that having a rank of 1 is sufficent to be able to use any Social skill up to an effective rank of 1.  Someone who knows what it is when they hear it seems far more in keeping with the general description of rank 0.

[Aryeonos]

The knowledge skill for each active skill is going to be a problem, I mean, most runners usually have a few knowledge skills pertaining to their active skills in some way. But that doesn't mean that the active skill means they're lacking in knowledge of what they're doing, they just don't know extensive background and design notes about everything they handle, or where they could buy replacement parts or something like that.

Like, for instance, my character's background was that he was raised in captivity by MCT to be part of an infiltration and investigation group, I'd be the guy who could speak most common languages to better interrogate people, and my active skills include compelling them to do what I want, and the ability to erase their memory, better than having to just kill the guy. In captivity I liked to listen to music, or try playing my own, so I have knowledge in NeoClassical music, and even a small skill in playing the synth link. But that doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing when comes to talking to people, or using "spells".

But for someone who has a high attribute, and can just pull something off, but is defaulting on the skill, that would be more in line for what you're talking about not having knowledge of what you're doing. They aren't trained or knowledgeable they just kinda figure it out.

[Mithlas]

Then take knowledge skills that otherwise define your character's background and hobbies. If you don't grab a bunch for different skills, then you can't use knowledge boost/buffer for a bunch of skills. I don't think that either you or I will lose much sleep over it, it just won't apply when it isn't there.

[Aryeonos]

Okay, I added in a couple group contacts and some basic gear.

I hope this is workable for your campaign, just let me know if you have any recommendations.

[mtfeeney = Baron]

No critique of my character? That's good, I guess.

For all skills, I guess I've seen it differently than you guys. For example, a guy with pistols 1 and reaction 9.you see a guy with 1 in pistols and think of him as a complete shooting noon. I see a guy with 1-on pistols, quick is higher than your average professional, so he's super pro in my eyes.

I've always liked at the reading instead of the points bought in the skill. I'll have to realign my thoughts, but I can't promise it'll be fast. In the meantime, that means I need to rewrite my skills section...

[All4BigGuns]

No critique of my character? That's good, I guess.

For all skills, I guess I've seen it differently than you guys. For example, a guy with pistols 1 and reaction 9.you see a guy with 1 in pistols and think of him as a complete shooting noon. I see a guy with 1-on pistols, quick is higher than your average professional, so he's super pro in my eyes.

I've always liked at the reading instead of the points bought in the skill. I'll have to realign my thoughts, but I can't promise it'll be fast. In the meantime, that means I need to rewrite my skills section...

You're obviously not talking about the one I posted. She is much better at Pistols than that (not to mention that Reaction isn't a 9).

[mtfeeney = Baron]

Absolutely correct. I was obviously not talking about your character. It was an example.

I just read through the skull ranking sexton in the book, but I'm still unsure where languages fit in. When is time for a language test to see if I can speak with someone in a language, do you only look at my points in the language? "well, you have 8 dice for the test, but only 1 rank of Spanish means all you can manage to say is 'where is the bathroom?'"

Similarly, of I only have 1 point of pistols and I roll a hit with my dice, will it somehow be considered less oran attack because I only have the gun training of a rent-a-cop? I really don't understand skill ranks as opposed to dice pools.

[All4BigGuns]

It is not necessary to roll dice for Language skills to communicate
on an everyday basis. Characters need not make tests to understand each
other every time they speak. If a character must interact with someone
in another language for an extended period of time, simply make one
test to see how well they understand each other during this period, or
just benchmark their level of communication based on the skill rating.

[mtfeeney = Baron]

I see...  So I would either roll once to see how I fair, or I'd just be perma-downgraded to 1.  I wonder, what would be a good rating for a language for a guy those past career was negotiator/linguist?  3 for Professional?

[All4BigGuns]

I see...  So I would either roll once to see how I fair, or I'd just be perma-downgraded to 1.  I wonder, what would be a good rating for a language for a guy those past career was negotiator/linguist?  3 for Professional?

I usually try to keep it to where the languages are at 4 with one of them being my one maxed out Knowledge skill (not counting the native language). I do that mainly so that I know I can communicate decently in the languages I've taken.

[Aryeonos]

If translation becomes an issue and my character can't help, there are always Linguisofts, and we can just find an open source version and keep it updated.

But my conundrum is, what're we doing in Illinois?

[mtfeeney = Baron]

Sure, I know we could use linguisofts and stuff.  I know it's stupid, but I would like to have knowledge skills that back the background and my view of the character.  He is a natural linguist and charmer, so he was hired to be an international corporate negotiator.  Originally, I had some biology, chemistry, arts, news, politics, and business.

Let me explain my view of skills.
A highly trained normal translator person: Japanese 4, Int 3 = 7 DP
A naturally gifted person requires less training: Japanese 1, Int 6 = 7 DP

They speak Japanese at the same level.  It just took the second person a lot less effort to get to that point, and he could easily become the superior if he applied himself to it.

[RHat]

See: the problem with trying to assign specific levels of ability to a given skill rating.