Brett's Blog Stat+Skill Mar 08, 2009 | 12:12 am I saw an interesting thread on a forum the other day. I can't remember which one it was, but someone basically asked how the stat and skill system originated. Now, of course, stats were pretty much always around, since D&D first used them. Skills were obviously added later. I have no idea what game used them first, but one of the earliest that I can think of is RuneQuest. That was a great game, although I never cared for the Glorantha setting. I don't really like the system anymore though, so it's no longer on my favorites list. If you can think of a game older than RuneQuest that adds skills to the mix, let us know. It seems that skills are pretty important these days. Sure, there are a few games that leave them out, but those are fairly abstractive games. Even miniatures games use skills these days, probably because the two have mingled so much and the early RPGs were born of miniatures and wargames. Personally, I like skills in miniatures games, because it means I can simplify the game by using fewer abilities and then enhancing detail by adding skills only when necessary. For example, Tombstones n' Tumbleweeds 2E (in development) began with about 7-10 abilities when being developed by Game Werks. Using skills, I was able to cut it down to 5. This is because a fighting ability and shooting ability are mostly the same. Most characters would have differences of only 1 or 2 in these abilities, so it's better to just modify one ability for one or the other, since it also manages other unrelated activities. Perhaps I'll touch on the trinity of stats and why I prefer five next time ;) 7 Comments | Add Comment | Permanent Link | Return to Overview cjfodel Commented: Mar 08, 2009 | 7:57 pm I think Aftermath was one of the first to use Skills. Charles paraplegic racehorse Commented: Mar 09, 2009 | 10:51 am Probably the first RPG to include a skills list in the basic rules is Traveller in 1975 (still one of my favorites). Brett Commented: Mar 09, 2009 | 11:17 am Seems to me that it's either Traveller or RuneQuest, with the former being more likely. djlittle Commented: Mar 09, 2009 | 8:07 pm Definitely Traveller was the first. Runequest came out several years after Traveller. Brett Commented: Mar 09, 2009 | 8:28 pm I like Traveller myself, but only the original. I really don't like the setting beyond the implied stuff. djlittle Commented: Mar 10, 2009 | 6:50 pm Same here. I have all of the versions. I really like MegaTraveller, but play it in the original Imperium. The Emperor was never assassinated. cknason Commented: Mar 12, 2009 | 11:41 am Perhaps I'll touch on the trinity of stats and why I prefer five next time I'm interested. Fill me in. Add Comment