Focusing and/or Concentrating for a Skill Bonus

[The Jack]

It sounds like a reasonable house rule. Keep in mind, however, that there are already rules in RUE for attempting to use skills under pressure, such as in the heat of battle per your example. The utility of such a rule would also depend very much on when the GM has characters roll for the successful use of skills. You may also consider that a number of skills are not suited to use on the fly, and would be unlikely to benefit from this rule.

[ZorValachan]

shameless plug- Rifter #51 article Mundane Doesn't Mean Boring expanded on RUE for taking longer time, no stress, superior tools, etc. as well as other things that could affect skills.

[dragonfett]

Also, not all skills can be completed as a melee action. I would say that the skill would take as from 50% to 100% more time.

[Goliath Strongarm]

honestly, with how quickly and high skill percentages go up inPB, I don't see it as needed. But, if you feel it is, I agree with the poster who said 50-100% additional time. Myself, I would lean towards 100% extra time, and give 2 levels of bonus (most skills that would be 10%, but some would be different). I also would limit it to only the 1 bonus (can't take an hour and automatically succeed). And, not all skills are applicable.

But, I have gone with superior tools that add bonuses, and I've always allowed situational modifiers. Ie, books of languages that would help with translation (give bonus on read/write). Etc.