Master Skill List

This is a list of skills compiled from various games produced by Palladium Books®, including Rifts®, Phase World^(TM), Palladium Fantasy RPG^(TM), and Heroes Unlimited^(TM). A few skills are taken from Rifts® Manhunter.

I have made some modifications, like changing the skill percentages of First Aid and Paramedic so that Paramedic is better. In other cases, the various games assign different base values to the same skill, so I picked and choose between them. Weapon proficiencies are a good example of skills that had different bonuses in the various games. Finally, a few skills have just been changed or combined. For example, I didn't see the need for separate skills for demolitions and demolitions disposal.

Note: The setting column indicates where each skill is available, abbreviated with A for all, F for fantasy, M for modern, and S for science fiction.

COMMUNICATIONS

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Computer Operation	M,S	40+5	Literacy	+25% if using a neural interface
Cryptography	A	25+5	Literacy	-10 in Fantasy settings
Radio: Basic	M,S	45+5
Radio: Deep Space	S	45+5
Radio: Scramblers	M	35+5		in science fiction settings, this is included in Radio: Basic due to ease/sophistication of gear
Radio: Satellite	M	25+5		in science fiction settings, this is included in Radio: Basic due to ease/sophistication of gear
Telecommunications	M	30+5		fiber optics, digital switches, routing, etc. +5 to Computer Hacking
Video	M,S	25+4

DOMESTIC

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Cook	A	35+5
Dance	A	30+5
Fish	A	40+5
Play Instrument	A	35+5
Sew	A	40+5
Sing	A	35+5

ELECTRICAL

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Basic Electronics	M,S	30+5
Computer Repair	M,S	25+5
Electrical Engineer	M,S	30+5	Adv. Math	inc. Basic Electronics
Robot Electronics	S	30+5	Elect. Eng.

ESPIONAGE

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Black Market	A	26+4		+5 to streetwise
Camouflage	A	20+5
Criminal Science	M,S	40+5		basic law, fingerprinting, ballistics, general investigation
Detect Concealment	A	25+5		inc. Detect Ambush
Disguise	A	25+5
Escape Artist	A	30+5
Fieldcraft	A	40+4		tricks of the trade for spies, using passwords, dead drops, counter-tailing, etc.
Forgery	A	20+5
Impersonation	A	varies		imitate regional accent: 36+4/lvl, imitate a voice: 16+4/lvl, impersonate native of a region: 16+4/lvl, a specific occupation: 12+4/lvl, or a specific person: 10+4/lvl
Intelligence	A	32+4
Interrogation	A	40+5
Pick Locks	A	30+5
Pick Pockets	A	25+5
Sniper	A	n/a		+2 on aimed shots with an appropriate weapon
Streetwise	A	20+4		+5 to Black Market
Surveillance Systems	M,S	30+5		does NOT include Tailing, but does include designing and bypassing security
Tailing	A	30+5		use skill explanation under Surveillance Systems, includes counter-tailing
Traps and Mines	A	20+5		bonuses from special equip.
Wilderness Survival	A	30+5

MECHANICAL

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Aircraft Mechanics	M,S	25+5
Automotive Mechanics	M,S	25+5
Basic Mechanics	M,S	30+5
Locksmith	A	25+5	***	requires Basic Electronics in modern and science fiction settings
Mechanical Engineer	A	25+5	Advanced Math	+5 to locksmith & surveillance systems
Robot Mechanics	S	25+5	Mech. Eng.
Spacecraft Mechanics	S	20+5	Mech. Eng.
Weapons Engineer	M,S	25+5	Mech. Eng.

MEDICAL

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
First Aid	A	30+5
Forensic Medicine	M,S	35+5	Biology, Chemistry
Holistic Medicine	A	20+5		+10 in Fantasy setting, inc. Identify Plants at 20% or +10%
Medical Doctor	A	60/50 +5	Biology, Chemistry	-30 in Fantasy setting, 1st is diagnosis, 2nd is treatment
M.D., Cyber-Surgeon	S	40/60 +5	Biology, Chemistry	1st is diagnosis, 2nd is surgery. if taken twice and have elec eng then bionics
Paramedic	M,S	40+5
Pathology	M,S	40+5	Biology, Chemistry
Veterinarian	A	60/50 +5	Biology, Chemistry	-30 in Fantasy setting

MILITARY

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Armorer (field)	A	40+5		can be used in place of basic mechanics
Camouflage	A	20+5
Demolitions	M,S	60+3		inc. Demolition Disposal
Intelligence	A	32+4
Military Etiquette	A	35+5		soldiers get a flat 30% for free
Nuke, Bio, Chem Warfare	M,S	35+5
Parachuting	M,S	40+5
Recognize Weapon Quality	A	25+5
Sniper	A	n/a		+2 on aimed shots with an appropriate weapon
Strategy/Tactics	A	30+5
Traps and Mines	A	20+5		bonuses from special equip.

PHYSICAL

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Acrobatics	A	varies		Balance 60+2, Tightrope 60+3, Rope 70+2, Flip 50+5, Climb 40% or +15, Prowl 30% or +5, +2 roll, +1 PS/PP/PE, +1d6 SDC
Athletics	A	n/a		+1 parry and dodge, +1 roll, +1 PS, +1d6 Spd, +2d4 SDC
Body Building	A	n/a		+2 PS, +10 SDC, can be taken multiple times
Boxing	A	n/a		+1 attack, +2 parry/dodge, +1 roll, +2 PS, +3d6 SDC
Climbing	A	40+5
Gymnastics	A	varies		Balance 50+3, Rings/Bars 60+3, Rope 60+2, Flip 70+2, Climb 25% or +5, Prowl 30% or +5, +2 roll, +2 PS and PE, +1 PP, +2d6 SDC
Juggling	A	35+5		+1 initiative
Prowl	A	25+5
Running	A	n/a		+1 PE, +4d4 Spd, +1d6 SDC
Swimming	A	50+5
SCUBA	M,S	50+5
Wrestling	A	n/a		+1 roll, +2 PS, +1 PE, +4d6 SDC
Zero-Gravity Movement	S	PPx5 +4		no penalty except -20% spd. Without it, -15% skills, -1 action, x1/2 bonuses & spd

PILOT

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Airplane	M,S	40+4		any plane, large or small, prop or jet, but no combat training
Airplane (small)	M,S	50+4		only small planes, prop or jet, but no combat training
Airplane, Combat	M,S	40+4		basic combat training, plus can fly any small plane, prop or jet
Automobile	M,S	60+4		pickup trucks, vans, hovercraft, etc, at speeds under 125 mph, but no combat training
Automobile, Racing	M,S	45+4		driving at high speeds, routinely at speeds over 125 mph, effectively combat training
Boat, Combat	M,S	40+4		any size of motor boat, includes basic combat training
Boat, Motorized	M,S	40+4		any size of motor boat, but no combat training
Boat, Motorized (small)	M,S	60+4		small motor boats, jet skis, etc., but no combat training
Boat, Sailing	M,S	35+4		any size of sail boat, but no combat training
Boat, Sailing (small)	M,S	45+4		small sailing boats and yachts, but no combat training
Helicopter	M,S	35+5		includes basic combat training
Horsemanship	A	50+4		includes basic combat training
Jet Pack	M,S	40+4		includes basic combat training
Mecha	S	55+4		any vehicles larger than standard power armor, includes basic combat training
Motorcycle	M,S	55+4		at speeds under 125 mph, and no combat training
Motorcycle, Racing	M,S	45+4		driving at high speeds, effectively combat training
Power Armor	S	60+4		any humanoid suit that relies on pilot movement, includes basic combat training
Spacecraft	S	40+4		any spacecraft from shuttles to cruisers, but no combat training
Spacecraft (small)	S	50+4		only small spacecraft, including shuttles, fighters, scouts, but no combat training
Spacecraft, Combat	S	40+4		basic combat training, plus can fly any small spacecraft
Submersibles	M,S	40+4		includes basic combat training
Tanks and APCs	M,S	40+4		includes basic combat training
Trucks, Large	M,S	40+4		no combat training

PILOT RELATED

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Advanced Combat Piloting	M,S	n/a	basic combat training	Adds +25% to the combat piloting skill in ONE specific make and model of vehicle
Navigation: Stellar	S	40+5	Navigation	includes instellar and in-system
Navigation: Terrestrial	A	50+5	Basic Math	includes air, sea and land
Parachuting	M,S	40+5
Read Sensory Equipment	M,S	30+5	Literacy
Weapon Systems	M,S	40+5		skill is chance to learn new weapon quickly, but having the skill provides +1 to strike in addition to PP bonuses with hand-maneuvered weapons. For computer targeted weapons, it gives +1 to strike at levels 1, 3, 6, 10 and 15.

ROGUE

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Black Market	A	26+4		+5 streetwise
Cardsharp	A	24+4		+5 gambling
Computer Hacking	M,S	20+5	Computer Prog.	+10% if using a neural interface, gives +5 to cryptography, surveillance, locksmith.
Concealment	A	20+4
Gambling	A	20+5	Basic Math	helps win by strategy, can also be used to cheat or spot a cheater
Locate Secret Compartment	A	40+5
Palming	A	20+5		+5 pick pockets, cardsharp
Pick Locks	A	30+5
Pick Pockets	A	25+5
Prowl	A	25+5
Safecracking	M,S	20+4		+5 pick locks, lock smith, demolitions
Seduction	A	20+3		+1 / M.A over 15 and +2 / PB over 15
Streetwise	A	20+4		+5 to Black Market
Surveillance Systems	M,S	30+5		does NOT include Tailing, but does include designing and bypassing security
Tailing	A	30+5		use skill explanation under Surveillance Systems, includes counter-tailing
Use & Recognize Poisons	A	24/16 +4		1st is to use, 2nd is to recognize, add +4 to both if you have Holistic Medicine
Ventriloquism	A	16+4

SCIENCE

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Anthropology	A	20+5
Archaeology	A	20+5		inc. a base of 20% or gives +5 to anthropology
Astronomy	A	30+5	Basic Math	knowledge of constellations, planetary movements, etc.
Astrophysics	M,S	25+5	Physics	inc. Astronomy
Biology	A	30+5	Basic Math
Botany	A	25+5	Basic Math	inc. a base of 20% or +5 to Identify Plants and Fruits
Chemistry	A	30+5	Basic Math
Chemistry, Analytical	M,S	25+5	Basic Math
Geology	A	30+5	Basic Math
Mathematics, Basic	A	45+5
Mathematics, Advanced	A	45+5		inc. Basic Math
Physics	A	30+5	Advanced Math
Psychology	A	30+5

TECHNICAL

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Animal Husbandry	A	35+5
Art	A	35+5
Brewing	A	30+5
Business and Finance	A	35+5	Basic Math
Carpentry	A	25+5		+5 boat building, locate secret compartments
Computer Operation	M,S	40+5	Literacy	+25% if using a neural interface
Computer Programming	M,S	30+5	Computer Operation	+10% if using a neural interface
Divination	A	24+3	M.E. of 13	use 1 method (palm, tea leaves, runes, etc) to gain insight into past, present and future. Type of info depends on type of divination, so palm reading, tarot and astrology are about a person, weather-watching, pyromancy, and runes are about general events in the vicinity, etc.
Falconry	A	30+5
Gemology	A	25+5		used for both precious metals and gems
General Repair	A	35+5
Heraldry	A	20/15 +5		first is knowledge of proper design, second is to recognize/interpret identity & political significance, +5 to second number if you have Intelligence skill
History	A	30+5
Journalism	M,S	40+5
Law	A	25+5	Literacy	+15% if a concentration is taken
Language	A	50+5
Literacy	A	n/a	Language	Take once, can read any known language at that language's rating
Lore: Astral	A	25+5
Lore: Demons & Monsters	A	25+5
Lore: Dreamstream	A	25+5
Lore: Faerie Folk	A	30+5
Lore: Geomancy	A	30+5
Lore: Magic	A	30/10 +5		1st is layman's Principles of Magic, 2nd is layman's Recognize Enchantment
Lore: Psychic	A	30+5
Lore: Religion	A	30+5
Masonry	A	30+5		+5 to Locate Secret Compartments
Philosophy	A	30+5
Photography	M,S	35+5		+5 to Video
Public Speaking	A	30+5
Research	A	50+5	Literacy
Sculpting & Whittling	A	30+5
Sign Language	A	25+5
Writing	A	25+5	Literacy

WEAPONS

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Archery	A	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 1, 3, 6, 8, 11, 14.
Battle Axe	A	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 1, 4, 6, 9, 12. Parry +1 at 2, 5, 9, 13.
Blunt	A	n/a		Strike and Parry +1 at levels 1, 3, 6, 9, 12.
Chain	A	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 1, 3, 7, 10, 13. Parry +1 at 4, 8, 12.
Knife	A	n/a		Strike +1 at 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 13. Parry +1 at 2, 4, 8, 11, 15. Throw +1 at 1, 6, 11, 15.
Paired Weapons	A	n/a		Learn to use two specific weapons at the same time
Shield	A	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 4, 8, 12. Parry +2 at 1 and +1 at 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13.
Spear	A	n/a		Strike and Parry +1 at 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 13. Throw +1 at 3, 6, 10,14
Staff	A	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 1, 3, 7, 10, 13. Parry +1 at 1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 14.
Sword	A	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15. Parry +1 at 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 13.
Throwing	A	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 13. Replaces the thrown knife & spear bonus.
Whip	A	n/a		Strike and Entangle +1 at levels 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 13. Damage +1 at 2, 4,8,12.
Modern Pistol	M,S	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 4, 7, 10, 13. Includes revolver, semi-auto pistol, energy pistol.
Modern Rifle	M,S	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 4, 7, 10, 13. Includes rifles, sub-machineguns.
Modern Heavy	M,S	n/a		Strike +1 at levels 4, 7, 10, 13. Includes machineguns, bazookas, rail guns.

WILDERNESS

Skill	Setting	Rating	Requirements	Notes
Boat Building	A	25+5
Hunting	A	n/a		+5 prowl, tracking, skin animals, wilderness survival and cook
Identify Plants & Fruits	A	25+5
Land Navigation	A	36+4		just being able to find your way on the ground
Preserve Food	A	25+5		+5 in Fantasy setting
Skin & Prepare Hides	A	30+5		+5 sewing
Tracking	A	25+5		use skill description from Espionage, not the Track Animals skill
Wilderness Survival	A	30+5

Magical Skills

In general, all practitioners of magic who develop their powers through study and knowledge will have the following skills. Mystics and other classes who gain their magic through meditation, insight or natural ability do not gain these skills, though they can learn a layman's equivalent by taking Lore: Magic (see above).

Principles of Magic

Recognize Enchantments

Recognize Magic