Topic: Maximum skill ranks

[brole]

Hi all,
I'm currently designing a level 50 NPC.
I am wondering does anyone set a maximum level that skills can be developed to?
Or do you keep developing core skills no matter how high the NPC/PC level?

[Hurin]

I just keep developing ranks. I don't think the Rules As Written (RAW) set any maximum.

[Spectre771]

Depending on which scaling method you use, there is a point of diminishing returns where it's just not worth the cost or purchasing.  The one we use is 5-2-1-1/2-1/4.  For every 10 ranks, the value decreases but the cost stays the same.  Is it really worth buying 4 ranks of a skill just to get +1?  There are other optional scaling costs offered too.  As for a maximum, we never implemented one.  None of our players actually buy past 20 ranks and very few make it that far anyway.  There are some players, and I believe there is a thread in the forum regarding extremely high level players  (Lord Level PCs)

[rdanhenry]

You might keep developing one or two skills in which the character is extremely invested, but for most things once you hit a certain point, it makes more sense to broaden your skill set rather than invest in marginal improvements. There's no limit on most skills, though there was a cap on Concussion Hits in RM2, and under purchase options for Power Points, they could also have limits. I don't recall any others though.

[Majyk]

As mentioned by Spectre, different scales for RM2 were a thing in one of the RoCos.
I opted for 5,4,3,2,1 as I liked keeping Dev Pts. worth something past 20 ranks.

Always had to remember that NPCs deserved some love also with that tweak, though!

[brole]

Thought I would share what I come up with.
I ended up opting for the default skill rank bonuses set out in ChL.

I use a bunch of home brew rules that adds more stats and DPs.

Here's the skill ranks developed, some have much lower ranks due to getting high bonuses earlier due to level bonus.
Some of the languages and regions mentioned are from the home brew world that uses elements from ICE Shadow World.
Attached is a section at the complete character sheet.

SKILL   TOTAL RANKS
Research   57
Power Point Development   51
Directed Spell - Glass Bolt   44
General Perception   37
Magic Ritual   35
Runes       32
Attunement - Staves & Wands   32
Riding   30
Stone Evaluation   28
Stone Crafts, Stone Carving   25
Climb   23
Gem Evaluation   21
Woodcrafts, Wood Turner   20
Linguistics- Yursec   20
Body Development   20
Symbol Lore   19
Smithing   18
Gem Cutting (Crafting)   18
Herb Lore   17
Rope Mastery   16
Net Maker (Crafting)   16
Metal Evaluation   16
Glass Blower (Crafting)   15
Alchemy         15
Tailoring (Crafting)   14
Swimming   13
Scribe (Crafting)   13
Dragon Lore   13
Demon/Devil Lore   13
Tale Telling   12
Region Lore - Yursec - Mountains   12
Stone Crafts, Stone Cutter   11
Spell Mastery - Charge Staff (Essence Imbedding)   11
Hostile Environments - Alpine   11
Metal Lore   10
Linguistics- Runic (M)   10
Linguistics - Mechtal (M)   10
Linguistics - Duranik   10
Heraldry Lore   10
Animal Handling   10
Stone Lore   9
Spell Mastery - Charge Wand (Essence Imbedding)   9
Mathematics, Basic   9
Cookery   9
Spell Mastery - Charge Rod (Essence Imbedding)   8
Philosophy/Religion   8
Mnemonics   8
Administration   8
Racial History - Yursec   6
Racial History - Duranaki   6
Skiing      5
Region Lore - Rolzar   5
Meditation, General   5
Brewing (Crafting)   5
Sense Reality Warp   4
Region Lore - Yursec - Plains   4
Hide       4
Endurance   4
Paper Maker (Crafting)   3
Star-Gazing   2
Spell Expertise - Charge Staff   2
Public Speaking   2
Navigation   2
Linguistics- Tolgarian   2
Hide Item   2
Woodcrafts, Wood Carver   1
Time Sense   1
Taxidermist (Crafting)   1
Seduction   1
Region Lore - Tolgar - Forest   1
Racial History - Peltani   1
Power Projection   1
Brawling (light item)   1

[KPadish]

I use 5/2/1/0.5 progression and do not put a cap on it.  While I agree with others that at some point, it no longer makes sense from a game point of view (especially if using Level bonuses that stop at level 20), it still makes sense to the characters themselves.  I've seen thieves who insist in putting 2 levels into lock picking every level or houris that put into seduction well past the 0.5 levels.  It's a matter of professional pride (and the desire to be the best in the world at something).  I wouldn't take that away from them. 

[Ginger McMurray]

I use 5/2/1/0.5 progression and do not put a cap on it.  While I agree with others that at some point, it no longer makes sense from a game point of view (especially if using Level bonuses that stop at level 20), it still makes sense to the characters themselves.  I've seen thieves who insist in putting 2 levels into lock picking every level or houris that put into seduction well past the 0.5 levels.  It's a matter of professional pride (and the desire to be the best in the world at something).  I wouldn't take that away from them.

Well said. Soft limits are more than enough IMO. If a player gets their fun anyway, it's all good.

I'd never have tried buying ranks for a 50th level NPC. I'd have given them the skills they needed and added others on the fly as needed.

[arakish]

OK.  Let's see...

Hi all,
I'm currently designing a level 50 NPC.
I am wondering does anyone set a maximum level that skills can be developed to?

No.  Returns for DPs spent will cause you to more round the character with an even greater skill set.

Or do you keep developing core skills no matter how high the NPC/PC level?

No.  See above.

Now to read what others said...

rmfr