Skill Ratings

This is a list of what the skill Ratings mean, so that you can get beyond the numbers and see where your character falls in the general scheme of metahumanity.

NO RATING: UNAWARE

This is something other than having no ranks in a skill—this is a special level of ignorance. You haven’t the first clue about this skill. This level can only be achieved through a quality (like the Incompetent negative quality, p. 81, CRB), or maybe a character history explaining the deficiency. You can’t default the skill, and it never really occurs to you to even use it to solve your problems.

0 RATING: UNTRAINED

The default level of knowledge obtained through interaction with society and the Matrix. Though untrained, you have a general awareness of the skill, and occasionally may even be able to fake it.

1 RATING: BEGINNER

You have a little training about how it works, but not always why it works.

2 RATING: NOVICE

You’re a hobbyist, but not an enthusiast.

3 RATING: COMPETENT

You’re skilled at basic operations but struggle with complex operations and “tricks.”

4 RATING: PROFICIENT

You’re comfortable with what you do and perform well under normal pressures. Professional level for most jobs.

5 RATING: SKILLED

You know how to handle yourself in unfamiliar situations, and can get creative when solving problems.

6 RATING: PROFESSIONAL

You could easily sell your skills on the open market. This is the maximum skill level for starting player characters.

7 RATING: VETERAN

You’ve seen a lot of what the skill can do, and what it can’t. Other people ask you how to do it.

8 RATING: EXPERT

You are a highly sought-after talent. Corporations seek you out (or extract you from other corporations).

9 RATING: EXCEPTIONAL

Your name is synonymous with the skill. If you have multiple skills at this level, you’re lauded as exceptionally gifted.

10 RATING: ELITE

You are famous, even among the very best in your field.

11 RATING: LEGENDARY

You are a paragon to those trying to excel at your skill. Techniques are named after you.

12-13 RATING: APEX

You have reached the pinnacle of mortal achievement. This expertise represents the top 0.00001% of all practitioners in known history. The very highest rating, 13, can only be reached with the Aptitude quality (p. 72, CRB).

(CRB 131)