Tinkering with Raggi's Specialist

The more I read the LotFP rules, the more I like them.

So many make sense.

The specialist is a case in point. All characters can attempt certain actions - the specialist is just, as the name suggests, better at them.

It started me thinking, what about bards?

Aren't they just characters who have specialised in entertainment and legend lore.

Or the mixed up 'Eastern' AD&D monk, specialists in unarmed combat.

Why can't Raggi's specialist rules be used for all these character types?

Then I started to wonder, why can't a fighter get better at opening locks? Raggi only allows specialists to improve and have skill points to spend on specialties.

But if everyone has skill points to spend per level... Oh NO! Non-weapon proficiencies - cue scream!!!!

Deep breath, maybe it doesn't have to be so bad.

What about...

Fighters, clerics and magic users get 2 skill points to spend on skills at 1st level and then 1 skill point per level thereafter. Additionally fighters in Raggi's system get an automatic +1 attack per level up to name level. Clerics and magic-users get access to their spells.

The specialist however gets 4 skill points to spend on skills at 1st level and then 2 skill points per level thereafter (that's why they are specialists).

Here's my modified Raggi table allowing bards, barbarians and monks, plus thieves of course - all depends on how you wish to specialise.

Specialty	Starting Value	Ability Score Modifier	Notes
Architecture	1 in 6 (Dwarves 2 in 6)	Intelligence	Ability to notice important features in construction. 1 turn duration per attempt.
Attack Bonus	+1	Strength	Not allowed for fighters (they gain an automatic +1 attack bonus per level). Can never have more skill points in this specialty then level.
Bushcraft	1 in 6 (Barbarians start 2 in 6)	Wisdom	Used for Foraging & Hunting
Climb	1 in 6	Dexterity	1 in 6 chance to climb surfaces without obvious handholds.
Entertainer	0 in 6	Charisma	Ability to entertain an audience (juggling, singing, story telling - player chooses) and get money or positive reaction. A 6 equals a possibility for a negative reaction. Roll per turn.
Evade	+ 0	Dexterity	+1 to base unarmored AC. Can never have more skill points in this specialty then level.
Initiative Bonus	+ 0	Dexterity	Personal Initiative bonus. Can never have more skill points in this specialty then level.
Jump (running) in feet	Strength score	Roll against dexterity (if fail fall short 1d6 feet)	+ 1’ per skill point. If fail to land smoothly (lose next initiative AND Dexterity AND shield bonuses).
Jump (standing) in feet	(Strength score / 3)	Roll against dexterity (if fail fall short 1d2 feet)	+ 0.5’ per skill point. If fail to land smoothly (lose next initiative AND Dexterity AND shield bonuses).
Language	0 in 6	Intelligence	Chance to understand and be understood in a language. 6 in 6 means fully fluent. DM modifiers may apply (exotic language, simple statement). When communicating with others can be re-rolled multiple times, until the concept is understood or the reactions turn negative.
Legend Lore	0 in 6	Intelligence	Chance to know facts about a culture, legend or historic person.
Open Doors	1 in 6	Strength	Not able to specialise in.
Unarmed Damage	1 - 2	Strength	Every skill point increases damage by 1 maximum eg 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 etc. Can never have more skill points in this specialty then level.
Search	1 in 6	Intelligence	One turn per 10’ searched.
Sleight of Hand	1 in 6	Dexterity	Picking pockets, hiding small objects.
Sneak Attack	x 1	Dexterity	When attacking with surprise or from an unseen position. +1 multiplier to damage per skill point.
Stealth	1 in 6	Dexterity	Ability to hide and sneak around unseen.
Tinker	1 in 6	Dexterity	Open locks / small devices (without releasing trap)