| Skill | Characteristic | Skill Type | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astrogation | Intellect | General | There are many billions of stars populating the galaxy, all of which are in motion relative to one another. Planets and smaller masses are in constant orbit around many of these stars. Vast numbers of nebulae and other astronomical anomalies are also present throughout the galaxy. Traveling between the worlds of the galaxy requires at least a rudimentary knowledge of the galaxy’s organization and composition. It also requires a navicomputer that is up to date on the current time and relative motion of all of these objects. The Astrogation skill represents a character’s ability to use his knowledge of the galaxy to most effectively program the hyperspace coordinates for any jump. It can also represent a character’s knowledge of stellar locations, astronomy, and the formation of the galaxy. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Athletics | Brawn | General | Player Characters lead dramatic lives filled with constant physical confrontation. Often, that confrontation comes from an enemy with a blaster, but sometimes it may be a mountain to be scaled, a river to be swum, or a chasm that must be leapt. The Athletics skill governs these actions. It serves as a measure of the character’s overall fitness and physical conditioning. Those who actively engage in a regimen of physical training, such as field infantry or scouts, are the most likely to have a high rank in Athletics. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Brawl | Brawn | Combat | During some physical confrontations, a character seeks to incapacitate a foe without causing serious injury. At other times, a fight erupts with little preparation, and a character may not have any weapon at hand. Some individuals are trained in unarmed combat, or have natural weapons that they prefer to use during altercations. In any of these situations, Brawl is the skill used to determine success or failure in the combat. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Charm | Presence | General | For a character with a kind smile and a silver tongue, it might be possible to travel the galaxy simply by depending on the kindness of others. An individual with this knack is capable of giving just the right compliment to his target—often by deciphering the subject’s social and cultural background. Note that the use of the Charm skill requires the acting character to maintain a degree of sincerity in his statements. A character who employs flagrant flattery with no basis in reality would be better suited to the Deception skill. See Social Skill Interactions, on the next page, for more information. Politicians, salespeople, and con artists are all renowned for their Charm. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Coercion | Willpower | General | Some people believe that the only way to maintain respect is to be feared. Others may only grant respect to those whom they fear. When characters attempt to instill obedience in a target through the use of threats or acts of physical intimidation, they use Coercion. A Sith Lord or an Imperial interrogator may use Coercion to frighten the weak or force innocents to do his bidding. Plowever, even decent individuals may use Coercion to intimidate opponents into surrendering rather than fighting and killing their enemies. See Social Skill Interactions sidebar, on the next page, for more information. Imperial Intelligence agents, dark side Force adepts, and organized crime leaders are all known for their ability to coerce their subjects. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Computers | Intellect | General | The galaxy could scarcely function without the constant assistance of computers. Devices everywhere are linked together and coordinated by computers and droid brains. Those talented in computing can sometimes exploit these resources, or they might know how best to avoid those systems under computer control. Many people are so unconsciously dependent upon computers that those who can cleverly manipulate them may commit crimes without their victims even becoming aware of the offenses. Even using the HoloNet for communications or entertainment requires the use of computers—particularly if there are forces interfering with the system. This skill also governs the repair of a damaged computer system, defensive actions against an intruding slicer, and routine maintenance necessary to keep the software on a computer or droid running effectively. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Cool | Presence | General | The life of a Force-sensitive within the Empire is never easy. The ability to stay calm and think while one’s life hangs in the balance can be essential for survival amid the constant stream of Imperial threats. By maintaining a calm and placid temperament, the character is much more likely to be able to effectively prioritize issues and solve the most critical problems first. These characters are also better able to remember and focus on achieving their goals, allowing outside influences to have much less effect. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Coordination | Agility | General | When a character needs to go somewhere without being seen, it often requires him to remain stable on unsteady surfaces, crawl through narrow openings, or even tumble down safely from a dangerous height. Overcoming these types of challenges requires a tremendous sense of balance and a heightened degree of flexibility. While both of those abilities depend heavily on a person*s natural characteristics, they can be further developed through regimens of practice and exercise. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Core Worlds | Intellect | Knowledge | Those worlds closest to the Galactic Core are generally considered to represent the pinnacle of galactic culture and civilization. A few notions are particularly common among the worlds of the Core, but even with those, there are distinct exceptions. Perfectly acceptable behavior on one planet may be considered grossly disruptive manners on another, even within this culturally distinct region of the galaxy. Many hyperlanes connect the Core Worlds with the other portions of the galaxy. The Core Worlds represent centers of trade and diplomacy that can connect planets in disparate portions of the galaxy. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Deception | Cunning | General | Sometimes a character needs to persuade someone to act a certain way but lacks any leverage for the discussion. In times like this, a certain degree of moral flexibility may be necessary. Whether it’s an effort to persuade someone to make a purchase, do a favor, or simply go somewhere else, a well-timed and convincing lie can make the difference between success and failure. When a falsehood plays the central role in a persuasive effort, the character making use of it is employing the Deception skill. Advisors, Shadows, and many less-than-reputable merchants are all masters of Deception. Many individuals outside of these fields make use of this skill, but it’s seldom a critical focus of their development. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Discipline | Willpower | General | The ability to focus one’s mind is vital to a Force user. Though one must be sensitive to the Force in order to use it, if a character has no Discipline, he can never hope to master his abilities. In addition, characters may confront countless horrors as they explore the galaxy. Some of these are natural, if terrifying: the rancor, the krayt dragon, and the wampa, to name a few. Others, such as the Death Star, may be constructions or artifacts, and still others—such as a vergence of the dark side of the Force—may be supernatural. The ability to maintain composure and react in an effective manner is also governed by Discipline. This skill represents a character’s ability to control his biological instincts so that he can overcome things that might induce abject panic in a person of lesser resolve. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Education | Intellect | Knowledge | Among most of the races and cultures of the galaxy, achieving literacy is a crucial first step toward adulthood. Once literacy is attained, an individual’s education generally expands to cover additional areas of expertise. Typically, such an education includes at least a basic grounding in mathematics, science, and engineering. Many also study philosophy, politics, and galactic history. Characters often rely on these essentials to appropriately interact with the broader galaxy. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Gunnery | Agility | Combat | Many weapons are simply too large for a person to carry. In order to bring such a weapon to bear against an opponent, it may be mounted aboard a vehicle, hastily assembled where needed, or even built into a defensive emplacement. Weapons of this sort might require a team to transport, assemble, and ultimately operate. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Leadership | Presence | General | Even great heroes sometimes need the assistance of others to complete their goals. Certainly the foulest villains consistently use legions of flunkies to assist them in their schemes. The ability to lead such companions and devotees can play a crucial part in the success or failure of any endeavor. While some may follow out of fear or the promise of tremendous riches, ultimately most individuals choose to work with a person in whom they have faith and trust. The Leadership skill represents a character’s ability to instill that belief in the people with whom he chooses to interact. Politicians, military officers, and crime bosses all determine their degree of success based upon their abilities to lead others. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Lightsaber | Brawn | Combat | Lightsabers (and their derivatives) are quite unlike any other weapons in the galaxy. While most close- combat weapons have some sort of blade or striking edge attached to a grip or handle, an inactive light- saber seems to be nothing more than a simple weapon hilt. However, when activated, the hilt projects a humming “blade” of intense energy. Such weapons are difficult for even an accomplished swordfighter to use and require a very unique set of skills. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Lore | Intellect | Knowledge | Parts of the galaxy have been inhabited for more than a million years. During that time, countless civilizations have arisen, and many have gone extinct. Over the millennia, some of these civilizations’ histories changed and grew into myths and legends. However, some of these stories still conceal a great deal of valuable information. Characters with a particular interest in lost cultures and ancient legends may decide to try to turn this interest into a profession. At other times, a character might stumble across an artifact whose utility could far exceed its initial appearance. Lore is also the skill often related to knowledge of the Force and ancient Jedi traditions. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Mechanics | Intellect | General | Space travel is fraught with dangers. A failed life-support system can leave a crew desperate to find any haven where they might safely land. A failed hyperspace engine might strand them hopelessly far from the nearest repair yard. Individuals who accept these dangers need to have tremendous faith in either the quality of their craft or the mechanical skills of its crew. Even in those cases where confidence is based upon a craft’s quality and maintenance regimen, the presence of a capable mechanic can still be crucial to the ship’s ultimate survival. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Medicine | Intellect | General | Through the course of their travels, characters are certain to suffer injuries. Minor injuries may not require medical intervention, but more serious ones may need the attentions of a trained professional. The Medicine skill constitutes that training and can be used to heal cuts and bruises as well as life threatening injuries. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Melee | Brawn | Combat | All ranged weapons require some sort of ammunition, and many are loud. They typically have fragile components or require regular maintenance, which may require its own set of tools. By contrast, most Melee weapons are inexpensive, virtually silent, and require little maintenance and no power beyond the strength of their wielder’s limbs. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Negotiation | Presence | General | Often, the easiest way to get someone’s cooperation is by giving him exactly what he wants. The art of Negotiation deals with determining exactly how much of what a subject wants must be surrendered in order to get a particular good or service in return. A master negotiator might need to make only the most minimal of sacrifices in exchange for a vital service, while a novice could be forced to dramatically overpay— particularly if he lets his desperation show. This skill is essential for anyone who regularly acquires new equipment, and it is vital to characters who must mediate between warring parties. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Outer Rim | Intellect | Knowledge | The systems of the Outer Rim are filled with independent worlds exhibiting an incredibly diverse mix of species, cultures, and political systems. Because the range of cultures is so great, anything learned about the culture of one world is not necessarily relevant to those of other systems in the Outer Rim. Learning about this scattered and often mysterious region of space can be a full-time job. However, this also makes mastery of this subject extremely valuable. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Perception | Cunning | General | Characters must often maintain a careful awareness of their environment. Subtle clues can hint at imminent danger or unexpected advantage. The Perception skill represents the character making an active attempt to study his surroundings. This is how a character notices concealed or inconspicuous signs of danger or other items of significance when actively seeking them out. The skill is critical for anyone who faces peril on a regular basis—whether they are in the wilds of a frontier world or among the urban jungle of a sprawling city. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Piloting (Planetary) | Agility | General | When characters travel across the surface of one of the galaxy’s numerous worlds, they often stray far from their spacecraft. Smaller craft, particularly ones best suited to a given planet’s habitats, are commonly used for surface transportation. These can include repulsorlift vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft. No matter how the vehicle moves—by rolling, gliding, walking, flying, or floating—the skill that governs its use is Piloting (Planetary). | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Piloting (Space) | Agility | General | Those involved in the conflict between the stars often find the ability to pilot a starship paramount. Some use starships to travel to distant planets and explore long- lost regions of space. Others fly in swift snubfighters or even heavily armed patrol boats, fighting with laser cannons and torpedoes in the cold void. Whether a crew is attempting to bring down enemy fighters or slip past a blockade undetected, its success or failure most often depends upon the person at the helm. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Ranged (Heavy) | Agility | Combat | When fired upon a target at range, weapons that are held with two hands offer a more stable firing platform than those that are held in a single hand. These also often have longer barrels, providing a consistent fire pattern out to a much longer range. In the larger space required for such armaments, designers can often include a significantly larger ammunition reserve and may also make the weapon far more potent than smaller weapons. This combination can yield weapons that are substantially more deadly and accurate. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Ranged (Light) | Agility | Combat | Many characters prefer to use a weapon that can be wielded effectively with one hand, rather than carrying something larger. This may be a preference based on the ease of concealment, or it could be simply a stylistic choice. Alternatively, some individuals feel that they must be able to keep a hand free, allowing them to, for example, pilot a speeder bike and fire a blaster pistol at the same time. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Resilience | Brawn | General | The galaxy doesn’t stop moving just because a character needs a break. To achieve their objectives, characters must have the perseverance to overcome the most challenging obstacles. These can include sleep deprivation, hideous climates, and malnutrition. Characters might also ingest toxins, either inadvertently when scavenging for food or due to the malicious actions of an infiltrator. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Skulduggery | Cunning | General | Skulduggery encompasses a broad range of skills that are used to engage in covert or criminal activity. These skills encompass both the physical abilities to perform such actions and the mental familiarity needed to execute various techniques. Activities covered by Skulduggery include picking locks, breaking into and out of secure facilities, covert operations, disguise, setting traps, and other underhanded actions. At the Game Master’s discretion, particular Skulduggery checks may use Agility instead of Cunning, to reflect a more physical approach. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Stealth | Agility | General | Often, a character may have business to conduct that is best completed with a certain degree of privacy. It might be that there are powerful individuals—perhaps Imperial agents or dangerous dark side adepts—who are directly opposed to his choice of actions. At other times, a character might be avoiding an Imperial bounty hunter. Under such conditions, a successful mission may depend entirely on how talented the character is at not being noticed. The Stealth skill reflects this ability in virtually all situations. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Streetwise | Cunning | General | The Streetwise skill represents the instinctive understanding that comes from many years of living in the less-than-savory parts of the galaxy. While a few manage to learn the signs and develop gut instincts through careful study and association with those who have lived this hard life, most come about this information through the school of hard knocks. If a character expects to use the complex network of the criminal underworld (and survive), he must learn to speak its language and recognize the roles of those involved. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Survival | Cunning | General | It’s not uncommon for characters to become isolated far from civilized worlds. Sometimes this is by choice; at other times, they could be stranded on a world, hoping for some sort of rescue. Learning to recognize the dangers of the natural environment, as well as determining how to exploit its resources, is dependent upon the Survival skill. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Underworld | Intellect | Knowledge | In some places, criminal elements control the government through less-than-legal machinations. In more traditionally governed areas, seedier elements depend on secrecy and deception to survive. The galactic underworld is as varied and scattered as the cultures of any collection of planets; learning the facts and history of criminal enterprise in the galaxy is a hard discipline to master. Knowledge (Underworld) covers this discipline. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Vigilance | Willpower | General | In uncertain times, individuals who are constantly prepared to face a variety of challenges are far more likely to succeed than those who simply react to the ever-changing circumstances. This sort of preparedness requires mental discipline, and it can facilitate the making of sound instantaneous decisions when disaster or unexpected events suddenly strike. Characters who must remain alert because of the nature of their lifestyles are often particularly vigilant. This includes those who live within hostile environments— either urban jungles or dangerous wildernesses—and those who live as professional soldiers. | Edit | Details | Delete |
| Xenology | Intellect | Knowledge | The motivations, biological origins, and philosophies of the galaxy’s varied species are highly divergent. An object that is desirable to members of one species could be repugnant to another. Those who have mentally cataloged the different species of the galaxy and learned their distinctive traits are skilled in Xenology. Anyone who regularly interacts with the inhabitants of the galaxy’s varied worlds must become adept at Xenology. This is particularly vital for anyone who might need to offer medical treatment to members of varied species, as basic anatomy and biochemistry can vary wildly. Knowledge of various cultural traits is also vital for a character who interacts in a social fashion. A bargaining tactic that is perfectly effective with a Twi’lek might be disastrous when used on a Wookiee. | Edit | Details | Delete |