The EotE Core Book mentions 2 ways to assist a PC:
1) Give ally a boost dice.
2) Or take the better of the 2 skills involved in the roll from those 2 PCs.
My question is about #1. If not in combat, and you have a party of 5 PCs, can each of the 4 other PCs give the 1 PC a boost dice on checks?
Also, is the giving of 1 boost dice ONLY in combat?
I mean, can someone in your party give you a boost dice while searching for a specific vendor to buy from?
nevermind people already ignored the point of my comment.
Edited by GM Knowledge RhinoWell, you know what they say about too many cooks 
I'd say it's ok for one character to "help", but any more than that and it'll be more of a hinderance.
For example, if you are doing a computers check at a computer terminal, unless you are on a weird episode of NCIS, you can't realistically have 2 people on that one computer. So I rule in that case it can't be assisted.
As a fan of pair-programming, I'll quibble over this example. The boost would be the other person, who doesn't have to think about typing, helping to keep the code clean, syntactically correct, etc. But more than two is probably a detriment.
As a fan of pair-programming, I'll quibble over this example. The boost would be the other person, who doesn't have to think about typing, helping to keep the code clean, syntactically correct, etc. But more than two is probably a detriment.
Based on this, I will exit this thread
The irony of people commenting on my exit and thus ignoring the OP is precisely the point I was trying to avoid.
Edited by GM Knowledge RhinoWell, you know what they say about too many cooks
I'd say it's ok for one character to "help", but any more than that and it'll be more of a hinderance.
I agree with that thinking.
What about assists when finding a vendor to buy/sell an item? Won't they always get a boost die from another PC assisting them? Why wouldn't they assist with that?
For example, if you are doing a computers check at a computer terminal, unless you are on a weird episode of NCIS, you can't realistically have 2 people on that one computer. So I rule in that case it can't be assisted.
As a fan of pair-programming, I'll quibble over this example. The boost would be the other person, who doesn't have to think about typing, helping to keep the code clean, syntactically correct, etc. But more than two is probably a detriment.
Based on this, I will exit this thread as obviously derailing and comments that misread my whole post will abound. Knowing this forum, it will end up with much rudeness and nothing productive, but thank you for the brilliant derailing.
That seems like quite an overreaction, with a fair bit of assuming the worst throw in for good (bad) measure. Can you show us where on the forum the bad posters have touched you?
Edited by HappyDazeWell, you know what they say about too many cooks
The EotE Core Book mentions 2 ways to assist a PC:
1) Give ally a boost dice.
2) Or take the better of the 2 skills involved in the roll from those 2 PCs.
My question is about #1. If not in combat, and you have a party of 5 PCs, can each of the 4 other PCs give the 1 PC a boost dice on checks?
Also, is the giving of 1 boost dice ONLY in combat?
I mean, can someone in your party give you a boost dice while searching for a specific vendor to buy from?
The boost dice works in and out of combat. I generally only let 1 character assist at a time- not because it's unrealistic or anything, but if you allow it you're liable to end up with the party just dogpiling assists on whoever has the single best and most immediately useful skill for the given situation, when you really want them all to try and contribute.
Well, you know what they say about too many cooks
I'd say it's ok for one character to "help", but any more than that and it'll be more of a hinderance.
I agree with that thinking.
What about assists when finding a vendor to buy/sell an item? Won't they always get a boost die from another PC assisting them? Why wouldn't they assist with that?
'
It's easiest to just try and get the player to describe exactly how they want to try and help the acting PC. Sensibility should rule when it comes to assistance.
For example, if you are doing a computers check at a computer terminal, unless you are on a weird episode of NCIS, you can't realistically have 2 people on that one computer. So I rule in that case it can't be assisted.
As a fan of pair-programming, I'll quibble over this example. The boost would be the other person, who doesn't have to think about typing, helping to keep the code clean, syntactically correct, etc. But more than two is probably a detriment.
Based on this, I will exit this thread as obviously derailing and comments that misread my whole post will abound. Knowing this forum, it will end up with much rudeness and nothing productive, but thank you for the brilliant derailing.
I'm sorry, but how the heck is this thread being derailed?
It is discussing the exact subject you brought up...
Well, you know what they say about too many cooks
(see... THIS is derailing)
Edited by OddballE8
The EotE Core Book mentions 2 ways to assist a PC:
1) Give ally a boost dice.
2) Or take the better of the 2 skills involved in the roll from those 2 PCs.
My question is about #1. If not in combat, and you have a party of 5 PCs, can each of the 4 other PCs give the 1 PC a boost dice on checks?
Also, is the giving of 1 boost dice ONLY in combat?
I mean, can someone in your party give you a boost dice while searching for a specific vendor to buy from?
Okay, so here’s my 2 cents…
During combat
There’s an “assist” maneuver, (EotE CR:201)
Performing the assist maneuver allows an engaged ally to add Boost to his next check. Several characters can use the assist maneuver to add more bonus Boost to the engaged ally's next check. All awarded bonus dice must be used on the assisted character's next turn, otherwise they are discarded.
In this example, PC4 has suffered a serious beating in the previous and PC3 has said he’s going to perform a Medical on PC4 during his turn…so…start of round:
The Game Master should use his own discretion when allowing Players to assist one another. Some actions simply do not benefit from assistance.
For this part, I agree with some of the others. If a PC is going to assist, with a computers check for instance, they need to narrate it a bit. Helping them type is not going to get a boost, however, providing a glow rod to help see or reading the manual, etc. could gain a boost.
Out of combat would be skilled/unskilled assistance and the CR is pretty clear (I thought) on this. (EotE CR:25-26)
Maybe I'm off. But that's what these forums are for right?
Common sense rule. Are there tasks where more than one person can help? Of course. Are there some where more than one is not possible? Sure. Are there some where it's just backseat driving and not helpful at all? Yup.
Common sense rule. Are there tasks where more than one person can help? Of course. Are there some where more than one is not possible? Sure. Are there some where it's just backseat driving and not helpful at all? Yup.
But again, I would encourage the GMs to listen to their players and get input on how the see themselves assisting. It can be frustrating for a player to really want to help out and have a great idea for how their PC can get involved, and have the the GM veto it without any consideration or input from the player.
It's only a Boost die 
And if it helps keep the story moving, all the better!
Yeah... I always have them tell me how they would be performing / assisting. If it makes sense, roll it. If it doesn't and I can see a way they might could do it, I might have them spend a destiny point. If not, well, no bonus dice... no problemo...
What 2P51 said. I allow multiple assists if the situation allows it. Someone "assisting" the driver of a landspeeder? Nope, backseat drivers are annoying, not helpful. Picking a lock on a door? Nope, not enough room. Searching a room? Sure, as many people as can fit inside can assist. Keeping an eye out for someone trying to sneak up on the camp? Absolutely, more watchers means a greater chance of spotting intruders.