The personal attack bonus is a combined measure of your own dexterity, strength, skill, luck and intuition. It is applicable in any situation where the captain is fighting as an individual. It may be used irregardless of weapon involved - musket, pike, fists, chair, sword etc.
The bonus is determined on a random basis by rolling a d10 dice.
All people start with skill rank 0 except bosuns, leiutenants and captains who start with skill rank 1.