When the book says characters should make a skill test + different skill test, what does that mean? Is it shorthand for opposed? I can't find anything about it in the book. For example, in "Into the Maw" it says "manning the sensors to pass a Hard (-20) Scrutiny + Detection test". If this plus symbol shorthand IS explained in the book, I'd appreciate a page number. Thanks in advance.

You are using the augurs of your starship on that test, that's why you add the Detection of your ships to the roll.

When two names are combined like that in relation to a test, it's always skill name + supporting bonus/penalty. The skill name is obvious and what you're thinking of. The second part is a bonus or penalty related to what you're doing. Detection is a bonus, usually given by a ship. It's not a skill. Two skills are never combined like that, and it's not an opposed test.

This kind of thing is usually done to combine a character's skill with the strengths or weaknesses of the equipment he's performing the skill with, usually a vehicle or ship.

Alright, thanks. So if scrutiny is based off perception, your perception skill is 40, and your ship's detection is +12, you have to roll under 52 right?

Yup, that's exactly right.

Khalkus said:

That's right. Exactly the same happens when you have to roll Pilot + Maneuvrability while on a vehicle.