Abilities of characters that typically, but not always, apply to a wider setting than simply combat.
6
votes
1answer
294 views
“If I have 3 or more ranks…” What does that mean?
In some skills, it is written that if you have three or more ranks in the skill, something will happen, such as the Acrobatics skill:
If you have 3 or more ranks in Acrobatics, you gain a +3 dodge ...
6
votes
1answer
343 views
Pathfinder: Craft as class skill
Suppose I'm playing a character with Craft as a class skill. I put 1 rank in it, select Weaponsmith to fit my background and end up with Craft (Weapons) +4. Now, if I later decide I want to be able to ...
6
votes
3answers
604 views
Does a monster knowledge check allow the character to learn everything about a monster's powers?
A monster knowledge check, if successful grants:
The character identifies the monster and knows its origin, type, typical temperament, and keywords.
If the character meets of exceeds the hard ...
6
votes
2answers
78 views
Is making a skill check in place of another check still considered the original skill?
I have an ability that allows me to make a "Use the Force" check in place of a "Stealth" check for the purposes of avoiding detection.
Is it still considered a "stealth check" and i am just using my ...
6
votes
4answers
365 views
What is an appropriate list of Medical Investigation Skills for GUMSHOE?
I’m currently working on a one-shot for Gumsheos that will be very medically focused where the characters are quarantined in a medical facility and trying to identify a “super plague” of occult ...
5
votes
3answers
888 views
How to roll perception checks for characters who aren't actively looking?
This applies to all d20 systems, but with an example from the from the Pathfinder PRD (emphasis mine):
Stonecunning: Dwarves receive a +2 bonus on Perception checks to potentially notice unusual ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How can you create a well-rounded four character party that is trained in most skills?
Any D&D 4th Ed. player knows that a well-rounded party needs a controller, a striker, a defender, and a leader.
Most often, I think a character's function and contribution to the party is ...
5
votes
2answers
143 views
Is there a distinction between skill and knowledge checks?
On page 26 of the DMG it describes knowledge checks as giving the players particular information, such as a history check to identify a region. But wouldn't a skill check be the same? Or does the ...
5
votes
1answer
167 views
Can you redo a failed skill check?
If I were to fail a dexterity roll to unlock a chest, could I redo it next time? I know that if you fail a skill challenge it is permanent, but are skill checks the same, or can you redo them? If you ...
5
votes
1answer
111 views
Can Bluff be used to emulate an alignment?
If a character has something like the Touch of Golden Ice feat (Book of Exalted Deeds, pg41) could an evil character use bluff to avoid the ill effects, or is there an item that already does this?
5
votes
3answers
124 views
Can I Rope Check After Tripping?
I can't find anywhere stating when I can use my rope skill to tie someone up.
I know it's obvious that if they're incapacitated I should question this but I'm wondering if, after I trip them and ...
5
votes
1answer
226 views
'From the class skills list below, choose four more trained skills at'
Example (Rogue):
Trained Skills: Stealth and Thievery. From the class skills list below, choose four more trained skills at 1st level.
Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex), Athletics (Str), Bluff ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Build advice for Heavens Oracle (Pathfinder)
I'm building a 1st level half-elf oracle, lame curse, heavens mystery for an upcoming game. She will be living in a world where mixed-bloods are subject to negative discrimination. My goal is to use ...
5
votes
1answer
226 views
If I train a skill via a feat, do I get to retrain that skill?
If I have previously trained Perception in Star wars Saga Edition, and I later buy Force Perception (Train Perception, and roll UtF for it instead) can I retrain the skill training lost? The ...
4
votes
8answers
387 views
What non-RPG hobbies are complementary to the RPG addiction?
We want to recruit players for our regular table-top group, and have been debating where to look, to find non-players who would most likely be interested in playing and enjoy the experience.
Going ...
4
votes
6answers
216 views
What skill should PCs use to find information in books in D&D 3.5e?
The PCs don't have much time: they have to find certain mission critical bits of knowledge in a few ancient tomes on magic. It's not a matter of minutes, but they definitely can't read all the books ...
4
votes
1answer
301 views
How does the +3 for class skills work when multiclassing a new class?
Inspired by this question:
Class skill +3, when you have 1 rank in that skill
OK, I have a fighter with a ranks in (for example) Acrobatics. Then I gain a level and add a Rogue. Now, if I started ...
4
votes
3answers
254 views
What use is Skill Beyond Your Years?
In low-level D&D variant E6, you max out at level 6 and only gain feats every 5,000XP thereafter. There is a feat as follows:
Skill Beyond Your Years
Prerequisite: Level 6
Pick a skill. ...
4
votes
3answers
155 views
Retrying a failed skill challenge
On page 74 of the
DMG (Step 5: Consequences), it says that if you fail a skill challenge, it can become more difficult, such as detouring you in a different direction. Could you attempt the same ...
4
votes
3answers
428 views
How much should I reveal on a successful creature Knowledge check?
I am a very new GM, with new players as well, and I am wondering how much information on a creature I should reveal if they make a successful nature/arcana/religion/whatever check. My players want to ...
4
votes
2answers
217 views
What is the penalty for stealthing at normal speed?
In both Pathfinder and D&D 3.5e, the rules for stealthing (Stealth, Hide and Move Silently) state:
When moving at a speed greater than half but less than your normal
speed, you take a –5 ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the DC for Crafting an arrow?
In 3.5e D&D, what is the DC for Crafting an arrow or quiver of arrows? The table on p71 of the PHB gives DCs of 5, 10, 15 and 20 for a Very Simple, Typical, High Quality and Complex/Superior Item, ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
How do raising skills work in The One Ring?
When the adventuring phase ends, PCs can use their advancement points to raise common skills and experience to raise other stats. I hav several doubts about that:
Is advancement points the only way ...
3
votes
3answers
334 views
Is there a way to use Charisma in an intimidate check?
I understand Intimidate using Strength as its skill when done in a manner of just looking scary enough to demoralize your opponent, but is there a way to use Charisma to intimidate with words? Aside ...
3
votes
1answer
144 views
Are class skill bonuses per rank or only once?
A skill gets a +3 bonus if it's a class skill. Do you only get the bonus once, or do you get the bonus for every rank put into the skill?
3
votes
1answer
152 views
What is the difference between Skill Challenges and Skill Checks?
I was reading the DMG (p 72 to be specific), and I noticed that "haggling with a merchant" is just a simple Diplomacy check and not a complete skill challenge. How does a "skill check" differ from a ...
3
votes
1answer
99 views
Is automatic success guaranteed when Aiding Another with a high skill?
In my campaign, we've used the old mechanics for Aid Another up until now: roll 10 or more to assist with a +2, if you roll under you simple fail to assist.
I recently became aware of the errataed Aid ...
3
votes
1answer
72 views
Is gaining Fly as a class skill with the Feather Subdomain supposed to replace gaining Knowledge (Nature) with the Animal Domain?
I'm creating a cleric of Erastil and I'm thinking about choosing the Good domain and Feather subdomain. Should the Fly skill be the only class skill gained or is it supposed to supplement the ...
3
votes
1answer
135 views
Can a spellcraft check reveal the target of a spell?
You can use spellcraft to identify a spell as it is being cast. But does this check let you know the target of the spell? As an example of when this could matter quite a lot, Dominate allows you to ...
3
votes
2answers
164 views
Can I default to Swimming?
I've been told that in Shadowrun 2e, there was a tree of skills that connected to every other skill (with varying degrees of distance), and in order to default you would take a die penalty to move ...
3
votes
1answer
68 views
Converting Command skill from Rogue Trader to Fate Core
My group worked hard to get through the first two ranks in our Rogue Trader campaign, but we keep finding new flaws in the d100 system used by FFG. Finally we've decided to try out more likeable (and ...
3
votes
2answers
143 views
Combat - What is the chance of hitting someone on Range? [closed]
I'm designing a game system, and am working on the combat system. I have several questions, and I'm trying to create a system that is as realistic as possible. Sadly I have no experience with guns or ...
3
votes
1answer
140 views
Pickpocketing through powers in GURPS
One of my players was thinking of creating "the best pickpocket evar" in GURPS 4e. Naturally, there will be some skills involved, but he's envisioning crazy stuff, like he's standing 5 feet away and ...
3
votes
1answer
127 views
Helping and FoRKs on a beginner's luck test
Which of the following scenarios are possible (under suitable fictional circumstances, of course)?
Rolling a skill with beginner's luck, helping with a skill
Rolling a skill with beginner's luck, ...
3
votes
3answers
188 views
How to represent Tradecraft in GUMSHOE?
How can you represent good tradecraft in GUMSHOE-based games, such as Esoterrorists? That is, the techniques used in espionage, the topics or techniques (dead drops, for example).
3
votes
1answer
143 views
What Investigative Skills for Trail of Cthulhu at time of Sun King?
For a Trail of Cthulhu scenario set during the reign of the Sun King in France (1643 to 1715) what Investigative skills would I keep, remove and add?
2
votes
2answers
166 views
Healing Kits in combat
2 players are in combat, with no healing abilities except for 1 player has the Healing skill and also has a Healing Kit +1.
Can he use that kit in combat to heal his friend that is low on health or ...
2
votes
3answers
549 views
Class skill +3, when you have 1 rank in that skill
"If you select a level in a new class, all of its class skills are automatically added to your list of class skills, and you gain a +3 bonus on these skills if you have ranks in them."
I'm confused ...
2
votes
5answers
338 views
What 3–4 social skills would cover every need?
I'm building a role-playing system and am just thinking about the social skills.
In D20, you have like appraise, barter, intimidate, gather information, and then the really useful diplomacy, bluff ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
Pathfinder: Does the +3 Bonus count as ranks in itself, or just a bonus? [duplicate]
I have a simple, yet complicated question regarding skill ranks and the initial trained bonus of +3. My question arose when one of my players stated that he was a Pale Master at level 5 because he had ...
2
votes
1answer
249 views
Dreyfus model of skill acquisition for skill advencements
Does anyone know of either any systems or have house rules that model skill advancement via the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition?
1
vote
1answer
120 views
How does the Ambitious Schemer racial trait for Drow work?
I'm confused here. It is written "You may choose either Bluff or Diplomacy as a class skill, and gain a +2 bonus on such skill checks." So, how it works with regular class skills?
0
votes
1answer
67 views
How do passive skills work? [duplicate]
How does passive insight/perception skills work? I've read about it and asked people but I keep getting different answers. Any help?
