THE SKILL WEB

The Skill Web is a means of defaulting from one skill to

between Quickness and Stealth, Mary-Anne must subanother in much the same way as outlined on pages 84
tract 6 from the result of her open test.
and 85 of Shadowrun, Third Edition, with one major difDICE POOLS
ference: the Skill Web allows defaulting from each skill to
The maximum number of pool dice that may be used
nearly any other skill, because the web represents how
when
defaulting is equal to one-half the skill actually being
the various skills are related to one another, but the more
used,
rounded
down. In case an attribute is used, no pool
the area of expertise covered
dice at all may be rolled. This is
by two skills differs, the higher
the same as the normal dice pool
the target number modifier that
rules on page 85 of SR3.
results.
Almost every skill is related to one or more
other skills by a network of relationships called
SPECIALIZATIONS AND
The text in the frame has the
the Skill Web. Using the skill web allows charDEFAULTING
rules needed to use the skill
acters with one skill to better perform funcA Specialization is considweb; these were taken straight
tions properly belonging to another skill. They
ered
to be half a dot away from
from Shadowrun, Second Ediwill, of course, not be as likely to succeed at
its
parent
skill; that is, to detion page 68, which is copytheir task as someone who has the proper skill.
fault
from
a
specialization
rather
right 1992 by FASA CorpoThere are two ways to use the Skill Web:
than
from
a
general
skill
adds
ration. The text is included here
by using a related skill or defaulting to an Atan
extra
+1
to
the
target
numonly to clarify the skill web for
tribute.
ber. For example, defaulting
players without access to SRII.
When using a related skill, trace a path from
from Pistols (Ares Predator) skill
the desired skill to the one in which the charto Assault Rifles would add a
The decker ASDF needs to
acter has a rating. It is not necessary to trace
+3 modifier to the target numfire an FN-HAR, but he does
the shortest path. Count the number of circles
ber: +2 for the single dot benot have Assault Rifles skill.
passed, with each circle increasing the target
tween the two skills, and anothr
He does have Pistols, hownumber by +2. (Include the starting and end+1 for using a Specialization of
ever, and looking at the Skill
ing circle in the total number.)
Pistols skill.
Web, there is one dot beWhen defaulting to an Attribute, go to the
You can get around this +1
tween Assault Rifles and Pisdesired Attribute's position on the web and
modifier
by using your base
tols. Thus, the normal target
trace a path from it to the listing for the deskill,
but
of
course this means
number of 4 is increased by
sired skill. Again, each circle passed in tracing
you
dont
get
the extra dice pro2 (one dot was passed), to
the path adds an additional +2 to the target
vided
by
the
Specialization.
become 6.
number. (No one ever said it would be easy.)
(Note that the modifier also
It is only possible to trace a path in the diapplies if you want to default to
In another example, Josh
rection of the arrows. If a player encounters an
a Specialization for some reawants to negotiate over his
arrow pointing in a direction opposite to the
son. Why youd want to do so
payment with Mr. Johnson.
path he or she is tracing when moving from
is open to question, but it is
Unfortunately, he doesnt
skill to skill, or Attribute to skill, that path is
possible.)
have Negotiation skill, so he
blocked. He must find another way. Some skills
defaults to his Charisma Atsimply do not connect to other skills or to some
PARTIAL DEFAULTING
tribute. There are 3 dots beAttributes.
Sometimes, you need to
tween Charisma and Negotiamake a test in a skill in which
tion, so he must add a +6 taryou have a very low rating. You
get number modifier to his
can partially default to get more
skill test.
dice, at the cost of having a higher target number. Partial
defaulting is only allowed if you already have the skill you
OPEN TESTS
must make a test with.
In an open test that defaults to another skill or an atChoose the skill (or Attribute) you want to default to,
tribute, subtract two times the number of dots passed on
and
average it with the skill you need to roll a test in. The
the Skill Web from the result of the test.
result, rounded down, is the number of dice you get to
roll. Then count the dots between the two skills, and add
Mary-Anne wants to sneak up on a security guard,
a +1 modifier (not a +2) to the target number per dot
but she does not have Stealth skill. She wants to subpassed.
stitute her Quickness attribute. As there are three dots
A Plastic Warriors pr oduction, copyright 1999. Original skill web copyright 1989-1996 FASA Corporation.
Shadowrun is a registered trademark of FASA Corporation. Distribute this Skill Web freely, but do not modify it or make a profit off of it.
Plastic Warriors: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors
FASA: http://www.fasa.com

QUICKNESS
Athletics
Diving
Stealth
Gunnery

Gunnery B/R

Launch Weapons

Launch Weapons B/R

Assault Rifles

Assault Rifles B/R

Heavy Weapons

Heavy Weapons B/R

Laser Weapons

Laser Weapons B/R

Pistols

Pistols B/R

Rifles

Rifles B/R

Shotguns

Shotguns B/R

Submachine Guns

Submachine Guns B/R

Projectile Weapons

Projectile Weapons B/R

Throwing Weapons

Throwing Weapons B/R

Clubs
Edged Weapons

Clubs B/R
Edged Weapons B/R

Pole Arms/Staffs

Pole Arms/Staffs B/R

Whips

Whips B/R

Cyber-Implant Weapons
Unarmed Combat
Underwater Combat

Demolitions
INTELLIGENCE

[Language Skills]
[Knowledge Skills]
Computer

Computer B/R

Electronics

Electronics B/R

Biotech

WILLPOWER

Cyber-Implant Weapons B/R

CHARISMA

BODY

Leadership

Instruction

STRENGTH

Interrogation

Intimidation

Negotiation
REACTION

Aura Reading

Etiquette

Bike

Bike B/R

Car

Car B/R

Hovercraft

Hovercraft B/R

Motorboat

Motorboat B/R

Sailboat

Sailboat B/R

Ship

Ship B/R

Submarine

Submarine B/R

Lighter-Than-Air Aircraft
Rotor Aircraft

Lighter-Than-Air Craft B/R

Rotor Aircraft B/R

Vector Thrust Aircraft

Vector Thrust Aircraft B/R

Winged Aircraft

Winged Aircraft B/R

Sorcery
Conjuring
Enchanting

A Plastic Warriors production, copyright 1999. Original skill web copyright 1989-1996 FASA Corporation.
Shadowrun is a registered trademark of FASA Corporation. Distribute this Skill Web freely, but do not modify it or make a profit off of it.
Plastic Warriors: http://shadowrun.html.com/plasticwarriors
FASA: http://www.fasa.com