---
key: lens/schell-034
type: lens
id: schell-034
lang: en
title: Skill
summary: 'Identify the physical, mental and social skills used in play.'
updatedAt: '2026-10-10'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-034/'
jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/lens/schell-034.json'
markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/lens/schell-034.md'
aliases:
  - Skill
  - '34'
tags:
  - Rules and systems
sourceIds:
  - source-a5287443699910bb
  - source-f546a7168effffbb
sources:
  - id: source-a5287443699910bb
    title: 'Schell: 113 second-edition lenses'
    url: 'https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design'
    verifiedAt: null
  - id: source-f546a7168effffbb
    title: Skill
    url: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations:
  - type: reviews
    direction: incoming
    label: Apply this lens
    key: lesson/teaching-a-mechanic
    title: Teaching one mechanic through a level
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lessons/teaching-a-mechanic/'
    jsonUrl: >-
      https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/lesson/teaching-a-mechanic.json
    markdownUrl: >-
      https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/lesson/teaching-a-mechanic.md
  - type: reviews
    direction: incoming
    label: Apply this lens
    key: path/level-design
    title: Level design
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/learn/level-design/'
    jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/path/level-design.json'
    markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/path/level-design.md'
placements:
  - title: In the original collection
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lenses/#schell-034'
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  number: '34'
  theme: rules
  author: Jesse Schell
  originalTitle: Skill
  referenceUrl: 'https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the
  user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External
  concepts and source material retain their rights.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
---
# Skill

id: schell-034
type: lens
key: lens/schell-034
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/lens/schell-034/

Identify the physical, mental and social skills used in play.

## Principle

Identify the physical, mental and social skills used in play.

## Review questions

- Which skill explains the difference between a beginner and an expert?
- Does the game provide a safe way to practice that skill?

## Attribution and limits

Jesse Schell · Schell: 113 second-edition lenses

The concise explanations and review questions are original gamemechanics.pro wording. This is an independent reference, not a translation of the cards or a substitute for the book. Names, concepts and external material remain their authors’ work.

## Connected materials

- Apply this lens: [Teaching one mechanic through a level](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/lessons/teaching-a-mechanic/) (key: lesson/teaching-a-mechanic)
- Apply this lens: [Level design](https://gamemechanics.pro/en/learn/level-design/) (key: path/level-design)

## Sources and provenance

Original editorial explanations and review questions based on the user-selected Schell notes and attributed primary references. External concepts and source material retain their rights.

- [Schell: 113 second-edition lenses](https://schellgames.com/art-of-game-design) (id: source-a5287443699910bb)
- [Skill](https://deck.artofgamedesign.com/) (id: source-f546a7168effffbb)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors