Physical Science

This broad skill represents a character’s training in the physical sciences, which include astronomy, chemistry, physics, and planetology. Skill checks involving this skill and its associated specialties are made in the same way as Knowledge skill checks; see the description of that skill for details.

These specialty skills must be purchased separately, but in general they work the same. With these skills, a character can improve these aspects of the Physical Science broad skill. These skills are useful to characters who are explorers, scientists, scouts, or pilots.

Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside of a planet’s atmosphere. It allows a character to identify stars, planets, and other celestial bodies, and to calculate orbits and trajectories.

Rank Benefits

⊗ Increased Effect: A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3, -2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on certain other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty (e.g., Navigation—system, Navigation—space, Demolition—Set Explosives, etc.).

Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, and how and why substances combine or separate to form other substances.

Rank Benefits

⊗ Increased Effect: A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3, -2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on certain other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty (e.g., Forensic Science, Medical Science—treatment to treat toxic agents, Demolitions-Scratch Built, etc.)

Physics

Physics is the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature.

Rank Benefits

⊗ Ranks 3, 6, 9, 12 [Increased Effect] A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3, -2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on certain other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty (e.g., Technical Science—sensors to interpret readings, Demolitions—Set Explosives to destroy structures, etc.).

Planetology

Planetology is the study of celestial bodies, specifically when attempting to classify, log, and scan for useful information.

Rank Benefits

⊗ Ranks 3, 6, 9, 12 [Increased Effect] A character receives a -1 bonus at rank 3, -2 at rank 6, -3 at rank 9, and -4 at rank 12 on certain other skill checks that can be assisted by this specialty (e.g., Navigation—system, Survival-Adaptability, etc.).