Swim

Swim
Skill Ability
Standard Action [REC as Skirmish Speed (or Swim Speed)]
Effect: You attempt to move through water or a similar liquid substance of significant depth. While Swimming, you may move up to ½ your skirmish speed (or Swim Speed). If you have at least Rank 1 Swim, no check is required in calm waters. If you have no ranks in Swim or more difficult conditions exist, make a swim check [DC dependent on the water conditions]. If you succeed the check, you make progress forward as normal. If you fail, you make no progress. If you Critically Fail (i.e. fail the check by 6 or more), you are pulled off course with the current or pulled under water (GM discretion).
Special: If you are Swimming beneath the surface of the liquid, you are effectively Drowning (unless otherwise granted the ability to breath).
Swim – Strength & Constitution
Active Skill [Check Penalty]
"The secret isn't strength! Do you ever see a fish slapping it's fins on top of the water, wasting all its energy?! Of course not, it glides through. Even a fish knows you can't fight the ocean, boy!"
——--Bargus Bluebeard, Famous Dwarven Swimmer

The Swim Skill encompasses a character’s ability to stay afloat and propel themselves through water and other liquid or fluid materials, such as rivers, quicksand, and acid (though these materials are likely harmful for other reasons).

Common Uses of the Swim Skill
  • Use Swim to traverse rivers, lakes, or similar liquid obstacles.
  • Dive beneath the surface of the water for items and other objects.
Examples Difficulties for Swim Skill
Calm WatersDF 1DC 5
Mild CurrentDF 2DC 10
Choppy WaterDF 3DC 15
Strong CurrentDF 4DC 20
MudDF 5DC 25
Strong UndertowDF 5DC 25
Stormy WaterDF 7DC 35

While swimming your character may additionally utilize any Physical Maneuvers in which his Swim skill rank equals the Physical Rank prerequisite for the maneuver.

Powers that Use Swim
Feats that Use Swim