It ' s funny on paper , but Kevin MacDonald ' s incredulous mixed with nearpanic delivery bumps it up to hilarious . <| sep |> Skill cards are not played from a player ' s hand . In order to resolve their abilities , skill cards must be committed to a skill test . If a skill card is committed to a skill test , its ability may be usedduring the resolution of that skill test , as specified on the card . So yes , the only time you use skill cards is during a skill check . There is a table at the end of the Rules Reference Guide that walks you through the process of doing a skill check from start to finish page 26 . You absolutely can commit a skill card as the one card you get to help with your teammates . Remember you have to be at the same location to do this . As an aside the ability on a Skill card is triggered for the owner of the card . So if I commit Guts to your Willpower check , I will draw a card if you are successful . Fast means it costs no actions . Rules Reference Guide page 11 . A fast event card may be played from a player ' s hand anytime its play instructions specify . and A fast asset may be played by an investigatorduring any player window on his or her turn . and possibly most importantBecause fast cards do not cost actions to play , they do not provoke attacks of opportunity . The sideways lightning bolt is defined in the Rules Reference Guide as a Free triggered ability page 23 . They can typically be used during the player windows . Most cards will have instructions on when they can be used and additional costs in the ability text . Remember they are laid out like Symbol Costs Effect . Physical Training can be used as many times as you want . You can spend 3 resources to get 3 for one check , then 2 resources for 2 to another later on . Abilities with restrictions will say something like Limit once per phase . if they have any restrictions on how often they can be used . The skillbooster assets in the core set have no such restriction .