Specialty Skill Focus (Skill)

This perk alters how rank benefits are earned for a specific specialty skill. A character with this perk is always one rank benefit ahead in their chosen skill. For example, if a skill provides benefits at ranks 2, 5, and 7, and the character has 3 ranks in that skill, they already enjoy the benefits for both rank 2 and rank 5. If they later increase the skill to rank 5, they instead gain the rank 7 benefit. If no further benefits can be earned, the character instead receives a permanent -1 step bonus to all checks with that skill. Not all rank benefits can be earned ahead of time; those that are restricted are typically marked with a hollow bullet convention ○ instead of the standard ⊗ or a specific rank-based header. This perk costs 5 points, requires 3 ranks in the chosen specialty skill, Seasoned rank, and is considered favored if the chosen specialty skill is favored by the character’s profession.