I have a problem with Athletics (strength based skill) and Coordination (Agility based). Athletics covers activities such as climbing, jumping and running, and I have hard time believing a sturdy Trollslayer outperforms an agile scout.

Climbing over a 3m wall, running to catch up an escaping thug in a bar etc should be handled with Agility based characteristic. Running and climbing as an extended straining effort could be covered by Strength (Athletics).

This is a rule I follow: I choose between Athletics and Coordination based on the situation.

What are your experiences with this?

1. There is no reason you can't rule to change the characteristic to skill relationship to any test. Though as someone who has done a fair amount of climbing and repelling in the military, to do either with any amount of equipment does take some good strength, and that's even with ascenders, which I don't think they would have in WFRP.

2. Give your thief lots of training in climbing, and use Agility to check for recoveries (the quick reflexes used to keep him from falling).

I'd say climbing requires more strength than it does agility, but climbing muscles (e.g. grip-strength, toes etc.) are rarely used for other activities, so just because you're strong doesn't mean you'll also be a good climber. The best climbers are strong and wiry, so their bodyweight is low.

Yeah,

I have to say I'm suprised they even tied them to attributes. I remember legend of the five rings had a similar system and said it was GM descision what skill tests were tied to traits. That way you could change them at will.