Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 18:56:19 -0500 (EST)
From: fcain@st6000.sct.edu (Franklin W. Cain)
Subject: [T4] Substitute Skills

In T4, there are certain skills that can be thought of as "substitute"
skills.  

The cascade skills (Aircraft, Blade Combat, and Gun Combat) can be thought
of as "two-way" substitution.  If a character has Rifle-3 and Pistol-1, he
can use his Rifle-3 (at a -1 DM) as "Pistol-2".  If he ever progresses to
Pistol-5, he could now use his Pistol-5 as "Rifle-4".  

Medical can be substituted for First Aid, but you cannot substitute First
Aid for Medical.  Pilot can be used (at a -1 DM) for Ship's Boat, but you
cannot use Ship's Boat for Pilot.  These can be thought of as "one-way"
substitutions.  

I bring this up because I see another pair of skills that should be
"substitute" skills (whether "one-way" or "two-way"): Battle Dress and Vac 
Suit.  An Imperial Marine with extensive familiarity in using Battle Dress
should have a reasonable familiarity with Vac Suit.  Likewise, a Belter
with a lifetime of experience with Vac Suit should have some skill
(however slight) if he ever uses Battle Dress.  

This is what I would recommend:  Battle Dress could be substituted (with 
a -2 DM) for Vac Suit.  Vac Suit could be used as Battle Dress-0.  

The afore-mentioned Marine could use Vac Suit, but would be a bit clumsy,
as he is used to the enhanced strength and the hardened toughness of the
suit itself.  The Belter, on the other hand, might be able to use Battle
Dress as a virtually-indestructable Vac Suit, but he would be extremely
unused to the enhanced strength.  

What are your thoughts on this idea?  

Also, do any of you see any other skills that could be thought of as
"substitute"?  

Thank you.

Franklin

------------------------------