I'm reading through it now, so can't comment on the book as a whole, but so far it's a good read, very promising.

One thing I have noticed is an oddity in the skill list. The provided skills are generally fairly broad and the list quite streamlined, with the exception of Use and Disable device. I can understand the requirement to choose between Computer, Mechanical and Electrical, but separating Use and Disable seems odd. In the context of a game, does the distinction between being able to use something and disable it make sense? It strikes me as a bit peculiar and almost certain to lead to players arguing that they know how something works so they ought to be able to stop it from working. Likewise, Knowledge: Engineering covers repairs, but being able to fix something does not enable the PC to break it.

Obviously, individual GMs can choose to alter this, but I was wondering about the thinking behind it, since clearly it works for you and your playtesters.

Hey there thanks for the question! The reason for this oddity is to try to allow more choice for the GM to decide what they want to do with the certain skill sets. For example, Use Computer and Disable computer are different because knowing how to use something doesn't mean you know how to disable it.

Scientists know how to use their forensic equipment but that doesn't mean they know how to go in and disable the equipment in a way to get a certain result. Another is I know quite a lot about my car and how it works for everday use but that also doesn't mean i know how to fix what's broken in it.  This is the distinction that I wanted to create with these skills.

Does that make sense?

It does, but more on a "real world" rather than game level. Personal preference more than any real problem, I think; it simply seemed a level of detail and distinction slightly at odds with the generally broad nature of the other skills.

Hoping to get through the rest of the book over Christmas. Thanks for putting out something new and interesting in Fudge. It's been a bit quiet in recent years.

BigJackBrass,

You hit on the best thing about the Fudge system. You can easily use any skill the way you want as even the BiS: Core Rule book is only a guide. GMs are still free to use the character sheets and skills the way they choose.

I appreciate you bringing this up! I do appreciate it.