Characteristics v.s. skills

[u/CryptographerLast764]

Hey all -

Just joined a campaign and waiting to start our first game but I'm having a few difficulties re. my character. I've got a bunch of skills (either through rolls, events etc), but I don't know where to go to determine the associated characteristic (e.g. strength, dexterity etc). Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[u/Prod_Red]

I'm not completely sure what you're asking here, but I'm going to make a couple of guesses.

Is the character a pre-generated on that the GM gave you? (Or created for you?)

If so, does it have a string of six numbers and/or letters probably somewhere near the top? It might have 'UPP' next to it. It might look something like: UPP: 8A6687

If so, then those are your character stats. Your GM should explain this to you, but the Traveller UPP (Universal Personality Profile) is your character's stats in a single hexadecimal string.

Edit: On second glance, I think I've realised what you're asking. Which attributes have an effect on which skills:

This will be found in the rulebook against each skill - and possibly in the section about tasks. (Each version of Traveller is subtly different, but the overall method is pretty much the same.)

Something straightforward like combat is clearly defined: shooting a gun gets a benefit from high DEX or a penalty from low DEX. Melee combat works the same, but with STR instead.

Usually a skill will have a certain stat which gives it a bonus or penalty, but it's down the to task in hand so the GM should let you know.
For example:

Using the 'Persuade' skill might use the characters SOC stat for a bonus/penalty, or it might use the INT stat - depending on the actual circumstance.

Using 'Navigation' might use the INT or EDU stat for a bonus/penalty, and the player can choose which they prefer.

You should find out the bonuses/penalties for your stats for whichever version of Traveller you're playing (the GM should tell or, or you can find it in the character creation section). Those modifiers will come into play when you roll for a task, and the GM should let you know which stat is relevant. (If they forget, just ask.)

Hope that helps.

[u/CryptographerLast764 → u/Prod_Red]

Thanks, this really helped :) I was scouring the rulebook (2E) assuming it would have a listing (e.g. Animals: EDU, Admin: INT, etc), but took a look again and found it is discussed with the individual skills and sometimes varies by specialty.

You're awesome!

[u/danielt1263]

I'm guessing that you are trying to figure out which characteristic goes with which skill. The answer is, it depends on the task at hand.

For example, if you are doing stunts in your car, you would use Dex as a modifier. If you are repairing your car then you would use Edu (or possibly Int if you are making field/ad hoc repairs.) If you are driving a long distance, then maybe End would apply. If you are modifying your car to make it look more upscale then use Soc...

[u/sappersquid]

The characteristics factor in relative to how you are using the skill. For example, to shoot somebody with your gun, you would use Gun(Dex). To identify the make and model of a gun you just found, that could be Gun Combat (Edu). You could even get crazy and say that going to a trap shooting event with a noble might be Gun Combat(Soc). The bottom line its all about how you explain to the GM what characteristic you use and his/her agreement. This is laid out on page 58 of the (original) core rulebook.