# A non-spend resolution procedure for "general skills" in GUMSHOE

**URL:** <https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/a-non-spend-resolution-procedure-for-general-skills-in-gumshoe/2507>\
**Category:** Role-playing games\
**Created:** [3 April 2021 02:37 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/a-non-spend-resolution-procedure-for-general-skills-in-gumshoe/2507 "2021-04-03T02:37:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/agemegos/32/15077_2.png) [@Agemegos](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/Agemegos)\
**Post date:** [3 April 2021 02:37 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/a-non-spend-resolution-procedure-for-general-skills-in-gumshoe/2507/1 "2021-04-03T02:37:42Z")

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There are some things I find attractive about the GUMSHOE family of games (which I know best from _Night’s Black Agents_). In particular, the character representation system is at about the level of detail and complexity that I like. Character generation gives the character-player enough freedom and control without taking too long and exciting choice paralysis. The system resolution procedure for “investigative” abilities formalises what I used to achieve with _ForeSight_’s “fields of knowledge”, and focusses it where it is systematically useful. But the resolution procedure for “general skills” does not please me in any way. I don’t like the goal it is designed to achieve, I don’t think it goes about it in the right way, I don’t like the behaviour it forces upon players, and I don’t like the fact that it makes player characters utterly feeble at general skills, except for the ones that work like magic tricks.

Has anybody hacked together an alternative resolution procedure for GUMSHOE that does not depend on spending points from a pool to buy one-use improvements to skill?

What would happen if I used the FUDGE resolution system for general skills in GUMSHOE, adding character’s ratings in general skills to a 4dF roll?

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**Author:** ![RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/user_avatar/discussion.tekeli.li/rogerbw/32/3_2.png) [@RogerBW](https://discussion.tekeli.li/u/RogerBW)\
**Post date:** [3 April 2021 08:24 UTC](https://discussion.tekeli.li/t/a-non-spend-resolution-procedure-for-general-skills-in-gumshoe/2507/2 "2021-04-03T08:24:59Z")

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Add to that “it reduces the distinctiveness of player characters” – once you’ve shot your bolt you’re no different from the person next to you who doesn’t have the skill at all. I can’t think of any sort of exhaustion which would leave me no longer a competent martial artist but would see my climbing ability unimpaired.

I’ve seen Gumshoe characters with a rating of 10 in general abilities so I’m not sure 4dF would be enough.