Dibbzz wrote:Hello. I'm new to this site so I apologize if this is placed in the wrong thread. My question pertains to playing a gaming session with a few buddies of mine who are rolling up characters from Heroes Unlimited First Edition and I've rolled up an Operative Agent from the 7th reprinting of Ninjas and Superspies. However, my buddy who's going to be the GM/DM is wondering how Educational Skills bonuses are applied since they are a part of character building in Heroes Unlimited but not in Ninjas and Superspies (as educational "levels" in that book are preset by your O.C.C.). My question then becomes is it really all that relevant to HAVE them since I rolled up from a different book entirely? Should I just roll them up from Heroes Unlimited, or is there an "official" way to integrate these two books in some way since the character building process is a little different?
Thanks
Educational bonuses are added to the skills of N&S characters on a per OCC basis. That meaning each OCC has a particular 'Education level bonus' listed. You Operative agent, for example, has an education level of Special Training, but gets no particular bonus to any skills. On the other hand, a Cyber Agent (N&S pg49) has an education level "Equal to about 2 years of college; +10% Education bonus". These bonuses are, as always, in addition to any IQ bonuses your character may have.
One other thing that should be noted on skills for your character... there is a strong possibility of having some crossover skills between the many skill programs you'll be selecting (6 in all with an Operative Agent) It should be noted that the bonuses listed with the skills in the programs DO NOT STACK... instead take the highest bonus and apply it to the skill. For example, you give your Operative the Security Specialist program (N&S pg 33) and the Electronic Communication program (N&S pg 26) A couple of the skills in each of these programs repeat or cross over, particularly electronic counter-Measures, Surveillance Systems and TV/Video. The Electronic Communication program had Surveillance Systems at a +15%, but the Security Specialist has the same skill at +20%. Your total bonus is NOT +35%, it is the +20% from the Security Specialist program, the better of the two.