Questions tagged [difficulty-class]
Use this tag when asking about the target numbers rolls are trying to achieve, in systems which calls that the "difficulty class." (Questions about RPG systems that describe the target number of a roll as the "difficulty", such as Fate, should be tagged [difficulty] instead.)
94
questions
1
vote
2answers
282 views
What ability or skill check would cover surfing on a shield down stairs, and what would the DC be for such an action?
Based on existing DCs, what would a ballpark number be for a group of 4 7th-level individuals to surf a single shared tower shield down a series of flights of stairs (each turning at 90 degrees at ...
12
votes
2answers
971 views
How do I convert the DC of a check from AD&D 2E to 5E?
In the AD&D 2e supplement, In The Cage: A Guide to Sigil, there are rules given for the impacts of a noxious smog, as follows:
Any PC exposed to [the smog] must make a Constitution ability check, ...
6
votes
1answer
80 views
Do save penalties also apply to DCs?
If someone has a penalty to a save, does it automatically lower the matching DC?
Bon Mot for example gives a penalty to saves:
Critical Success: The target is distracted and takes a –3 status penalty ...
6
votes
1answer
190 views
What would be the DC to navigate through a heavy storm at sea?
I am working on Seafaring Navigation DC checks. I have found the following DCs based on the Wilderness Navigation table on page 112 of the DMG and the following quote on page 117:
As long as a ship ...
21
votes
1answer
773 views
Is Armor Class a difficulty class (DC)?
Frightened talks only about DCs:
[...] You take a status penalty equal to this value to all your checks and DCs [...]
Compare it to Clumsy:
[...] You take a status penalty equal to the condition ...
4
votes
2answers
216 views
DC of Knowledge arcana/religion for information about spell mechanics
What's the DC on knowledge arcana/religion checks to know the mechanics of a higher level spell?
In my current campaign, the players try to find a scroll of true resurrection to revive a dead party ...
5
votes
1answer
383 views
What is the spell save DC for the spells gains via the dark gifts in Curse of Strahd?
In Curse of Strahd, in Amber Temple,
The descriptions of these dark gifts do not make any mention of a spell save DC, should the dark gift allow the casting of a spell. For a player who has a ...
4
votes
1answer
221 views
How loud are guns in Pathfinder, really?
Related question here, similar question about casting volume here.
I'm playing in a game with a gunslinger ally, and while this hasn't come up just yet, I'm sure it will eventually. Are there any ...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
Converting difficulty class (DC) of checks from D&D 3E to 5E
I'm looking at converting the 5th-level D&D 3E adventure The Speaker in Dreams to the fifth edition and I'm noticing a lot of DCs from 20 to 30. Were difficulty classes higher in 3E or were ...
20
votes
2answers
2k views
Is there a name for a single saving throw with multiple DCs (i.e. whose effect is determined based on the highest DC met)?
Is there a name for a single saving throw with multiple DCs (i.e. whose effect is determined based on the highest DC met)?
For example, say a character is placed in a supernaturally hot environment, ...
3
votes
2answers
399 views
For Ring of Shooting Stars, can Ball Lightning affect a creature when you move it into their space?
The Ring of Shooting Stars has the following feature (emphasis mine):
Ball Lightning.
You can expend 2 charges as an action to create one to four 3-foot-diameter spheres of lightning. The more ...
7
votes
2answers
573 views
What is the DC to break a tree?
A high-strength character (D&D 3.5) attempts to snap a tree or thick branch in half across their knee, or kick a tree down in the forest. This is not dealing damage, this is clearly a Strength ...
12
votes
4answers
3k views
How do I adjudicate PCs attempting to tie up a significantly stronger enemy?
How do I adjudicate PCs attempting to tie up a significantly stronger enemy?
Situation: He tries to tie up a prone but otherwise perfectly healthy zombie. I thought a die roll isn't even worth it, ...
6
votes
1answer
421 views
Break DC too low?
I am making a Magic Rod out of Adamantine. The normal description of a rod is as such:
Physical Description: Rods weigh approximately 5 pounds. They range from 2 feet to 3 feet long and are usually ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Is the Undead Fortitude trait's DC based on damage dealt or damage taken?
I'm new to DMing and I'm looking through options to throw at my players. I see the Zombie creature has the following trait:
Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit points, it must ...
4
votes
1answer
478 views
How is CON save DC determined for the Behir?
I am homebrewing a monster that has incorporates the Swallow mechanic used by the Behir (MM, pg. 25). My monster is not at the same CR and I need to adjust its statistics accordingly, but there is one ...
6
votes
1answer
306 views
Does the grapple escape DC of a vampire change when it has disadvantage on Strength ability checks?
When a vampire hits a creature with its Unarmed Strike attack and chooses to grapple it instead of dealing damage, the creature has an escape DC of 18.
However, if I cast Hex on the vampire and ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
What are the examples of a successful DC 30 Ability Check that uses a Skill?
Simply put, are there official examples, such as a table, of DC 30 Ability Checks that use skills, for each skill?
I would like to see what the upper boundaries of a character's potential is for a ...
0
votes
0answers
98 views
Can a multiclassed Sorcerer/Tempest Cleric use Charisma instead of Wisdom to determine save DC for the Wrath of the Storm feature? [duplicate]
I have a question related to this one:
What is the DC of the Tempest Cleric's Wrath of the Storm feature?
Since the rules don't specify how you calculate your DC for this ability, could a ...
6
votes
1answer
646 views
Would it be game-breaking to allow casting spells at a higher level to increase the save DC for that spell instead of increasing damage?
There are a number of spells that include a section on "At Higher Levels." The actual effect varies from spell to spell; longer duration, more targets, summon better creatures, etc. I am specifically ...
11
votes
1answer
2k views
For the Ring of Shooting Stars, what is the spell save DC of Faerie Fire?
The Ring of Shooting Stars has the following feature:
Faerie Fire. You can expend 1 charge as an action to cast faerie fire from the ring.
Since it does not specifically state that you use your ...
3
votes
1answer
152 views
Do Spellcaster Class DCs not increase?
This feels like a stupid question, but I can't find any actual answers.
While building a higher-level character to play with the system a little, I noticed what appears to be an omission. At some ...
6
votes
2answers
257 views
To what extent is a lower DC skill check with disadvantage harder than a higher skill check without?
I'm wondering how mechanically I could calculate a lower DC challenge with disadvantage as a middle-ground between a higher skill DC and that same DC with disadvantage. I'd like to describe a ...
5
votes
4answers
886 views
Chances on ability checks don't seem to add up [duplicate]
I'm going through the Dungeon Master's Guide, and I see that DCs should be based on the "average person". What I'm having a hard time with is that if someone has a +5 modifier to their History checks ...
18
votes
1answer
3k views
What is the DC of the Tempest Cleric's Wrath of the Storm feature?
Tempest Domain clerics have the ability Wrath of the Storm (PHB, p. 62):
When a creature within 5 feet of you that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to cause the ...
4
votes
1answer
620 views
How do I determine Shadow Dragon's Breath Save DC?
From the Shadow Dragon template, it would appear that the Shadow Breath has the same damage and save as the original dragon's breath weapon, as no change is stated in the template:
New Action: ...
5
votes
2answers
279 views
How can I determine an appropriate DC for an Acrobatics check to “vault” over a barrel?
My PC is running down a hallway. She comes across a section that is blocked by beer barrels (3' tall, 2' round). She finds a place where the blockade is only one barrel deep.
She asks for an ...
10
votes
1answer
2k views
If the Dragon's Breath spell is cast on a familiar, does it use the wizard's DC or familiar's DC?
XGE has a spell that lets anything that breaths spew magical energy from its mouth for 10 rounds called Dragon's Breath (p. 154). Part of it reads:
Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity ...
31
votes
5answers
8k views
How does DC work with natural 20?
To keep it short, the D&D Dungeon Master's Screen has certain Difficulty Levels with the respective DC. The issue is that there are two Difficulty Levels namely Very Hard and Nearly Impossible ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I determine the DC for Dispel Magic?
I'm fairly new to the game and just ran a first session with my group.
I know that you typically have to match or beat a DC in order to "save" or "succeed."
When it comes to things like Dispel Magic,...
9
votes
3answers
6k views
How can I determine the spell save DC of a monster/NPC?
I am currently DMing a 5e homebrew campaign, and I was looking at the Drow monster stat block.
They have innate spellcasting abilities and one of those spells is Faerie Fire. In the description, it ...
2
votes
1answer
94 views
What would be the approximate price to modify the DC on “Goggles of the Golden Sun” from the Magic Item Compendium?
Goggles of the Golden Sun (MIC p. 205) allow a caster to use one of their spell slots to cast fireball. It provides a flat save DC of 14, which is kind of lame.
They normally cost 4000 gp. How much ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the DC of a Grease effect put in place by the Oil of Slipperiness?
The Oil of Slipperiness states:
Alternatively, the oil can be poured on the ground as an action, where it covers a 10-foot square, duplicating the effect of the grease spell in that area for 8 ...
6
votes
2answers
659 views
How can I increase the DCs of alchemical items?
I've been looking into playing someone that makes a lot of alchemy items for a current game, and started wondering.
What are all the ways I can increase the DCs of Alchemical items in D&D 3.X ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
How do spells that require an ability check vs. the caster's spell save DC work?
Some spells for a wizard state that they need an ability check vs. spell save DC (SSDC). I'm not understanding how this is supposed to work.
If the spell says a creature can see through the effect if ...
6
votes
3answers
4k views
Establishing DCs for intimidation checks against NPC's other than using the existing Conversation Reaction Table
Question Backstory
In the DMG for 5th ed there is established DC levels for how NPC's will respond to you in social interactions based on whether they are friendly, indifferent, or hostile to you as ...
1
vote
0answers
67 views
Is there a specified length of time that a pc must wait before trying to perform the same action (due to a previously failed ability check) [duplicate]
For example, a rogue fails a roll attempting to unlock a prison cell. All other pc party members fail on their respective rolls. At that point, may the initial rogue try again or are the prisoners ...
11
votes
2answers
3k views
Does the DC for the effect of a Beast Master ranger's animal companion's attack ever increase?
A similar question has been asked for Pathfinder, but I could not find any specific rules for 5e.
As an example, we have a Beast Master ranger with a wolf companion. The wolf has an added effect on ...
2
votes
1answer
10k views
How and when do I use my spell save DC and spell attack modifier?
I'm struggling to understand when and how I would use my spell save DC and my spell attack modifier.
Would I use my spell save DC as the DC that enemies need to beat when a spell calls for them to ...
2
votes
1answer
321 views
How is the ankylosaurus animal companion's stun DC calculated?
So in my last question, Dinosaur Damage Dilemma, I was talking about damage for an Ankylosaurus and I realised that while the dinosaur can stun, the DC would be different for an animal companion. It ...
1
vote
6answers
478 views
Developing skillcheck DCs for an adventure
I'm looking something alongside the lines of:
Calculating and balancing challenge ratings
...but for DCs for skillchecks in an adventure. Traps, chests, climbing, swimming, etc. how hard those ...
5
votes
0answers
99 views
How do you use DC when you cast a spell [duplicate]
Say I use a spell that requires target to make a DEX save or take 2d6 fire dmg. What would I compare that creatures DEX save to?
Example: I cast a spell that says, "Target creature makes a DEX ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
Should the DCs for skill checks be higher or lower than saves?
I'm homebrewing a rotten, collapsible staircase. I want there to be a Dex check to climb it, but if they fail the check, they can make a save to avoid falling.
Should the check or the save be of a ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I appropriately scale the DC for the Madness Effect from the Sunken Asylum adventure for Pathfinder when converting it to D&D 5e?
I'm a D&D 5e system GM who runs a West Marches style campaign where I run a session a week with all sorts of adventures. This means I borrow a lot from the internet and quite often take monsters ...
34
votes
7answers
5k views
What is the difference between giving advantage on a roll and reducing the DC?
I run a 5e campaign, and I like rewarding my players for thinking outside the box, roleplaying well, etc. Suppose we have the following scenario:
Violet is a bard, and is attempting to intimidate a ...
5
votes
2answers
4k views
What's the difficulty class for the paladin's Channel Divinity: Nature's Wrath?
The Oath of the Ancients paladin has the Channel Divinity option Nature's Wrath.
What's the difficulty class for the Channel Divinity ability?
All that I've been able to find is that the target ...
1
vote
1answer
968 views
Why is the base DC for a spell saving throw 8? [closed]
In DnD 5e - Does anyone know what the rationale behind making the base DC of a spell saving throw 8 instead of 10? Most attacks, passive attributes, spell attacks use 10 as the base. The average of a ...
3
votes
2answers
315 views
How do I calculate the DC for a spell cast by my familiar via the familiar spell feat?
Familiar Spell
How do I calculate the DC for a spell cast by my familiar via the familiar spell feat? (i.e. Do I use my ability score modifier, or the familiar's?)
5
votes
2answers
678 views
DC Roll For Starting a Fire?
A character wants to start a campfire in the woods. I assume this would be a Survival check, right?
But what would the DC check be? I've checked the entire Core Rulebook and can't find anything.
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Determine spell save DC for an Illusory Wall based on caster level
There is this illusory wall in a published adventure I'm running, cast by an arcane caster with CL 20. We don't have more information about the caster (e.g. their stats) or the wall (e.g. its save DC)....
