Questions tagged [skills]
For questions about skills, abilities of characters that describe their capabilities in a range of areas.
965
questions
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4answers
4k views
How to handle “I investigate for <this particular thing>” checks
The characters enter a room, and get the general "what do you see" spiel.
One player announces that he wants to "Investigate the room for ". (Let's say "investigate for odd ...
1
vote
2answers
121 views
If using spell Speak with Animals persuasion rather than animal handling for checks?
Wondering about a ruling if I am using the spell Speak with Animals rather than trying to communicate my intentions with the animal via Animal Handling skill for checks for communicating after casting ...
3
votes
2answers
155 views
Is there any precedent for doubling the proficiency bonus only if the character has a given skill proficiency?
A number of character classes features that allow them to double their proficiency bonus when using selected skill proficiencies. An example is the Bard's:
[C]hoose two of your skill proficiencies. ...
7
votes
1answer
473 views
Do skill bonuses in monster stat blocks include every modifier?
Let's take this stat block as an example. It says the creature has +2 DEX and +6 Stealth. Does the Stealth bonus already include the ability modifier, making a stealth check for this creature ...
4
votes
2answers
765 views
Is there any way to get proficiency (or expertise/doubled proficiency) in Constitution checks?
I was looking for any official way - class feature, magic item, anything - for a character to add their proficiency to any form of Constitution check, but I couldn't find anything. Is it possible to ...
0
votes
0answers
44 views
Do items which add to some ability affect your skill modifier? [duplicate]
I just received armor which adds +2 to my charisma. Does it also affect my skills like performance and persuasion?
If possible, could you link some source in your answer? I searched and didn't find ...
18
votes
2answers
1k views
Does making an ability check take an action?
The only ability checks that are listed as an action in the game are Dexterity (Stealth) when taking the Hide action, and Wisdom (Perception) or Intelligence (Investigation) for the Search action. Do ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Can I stabilize a character if I don't have proficiency in the Medicine skill or any healing equipment or abilities?
Can I stabilize someone by simply rolling a DC 10 Wisdom check if I don't have the Medicine Skill or any other healing-related equipment or abilities?
35
votes
3answers
3k views
What do you roll to sleep in a hidden spot?
Scenario: a character is alone in the forest, and needs to sleep. Of course, they don't want to get killed in their sleep, so they try to sleep in a hidden spot, like inside the treetops, heavily ...
5
votes
1answer
70 views
Do any Alchemist class features require Craft checks?
Advanced Alchemy and Quick Alchemy explicitly do not require Craft checks.
Chirurgeons could use Craft instead of Medicine, but they need to advance the latter for the many useful skill feats.
So it ...
4
votes
1answer
100 views
How do aliens without the Medicine Skill stop the bleeding condition?
According to Starfinder's bleeding condition rules:
You take the listed amount of damage at the beginning of your turn each round until this condition ends. Your bleeding can be stopped with a ...
0
votes
2answers
88 views
What are some ways one might implement a more story-driven spell/skill acquisition? [closed]
What are some ways one might implement a more story-driven spell/skill acquisition? Hopefully in a way that isn't a complete slog.
The idea of the players' handbook being used as a shopping catalogue ...
8
votes
2answers
574 views
How can, by Raw, Animal Handling be used with a mount?
My question is: How can you use the animal handling skill in a mount? does it help to controll it, to make it not be afraid of something, etc or is just DM-dependent?
2
votes
3answers
174 views
Can you stealth against tremorsense?
I am confused to the interaction between the monster special ability tremorsense and the skills of perception and stealth.
Specifically what my issue is that tremorsense gets to "automatically ...
4
votes
0answers
34 views
Interaction between Telemechanics and a Glitter Boy Power Armor, what would happen?
A Mind Melter finds a functioning and unattended suit of Glitter Boy Power Armor. The Mind Melter decides to use Telemechanics on it in order to pilot it.
The Glitter Boy OCC states that non GB pilots ...
7
votes
2answers
398 views
What happens if you cast Giant Insect on a Ranger's Companion?
In the Players Handbook I noticed Giant Insect spell. I was interested in Spider and Scorpion (I will further mention only the Scorpion), since they can be Beastmaster's pets. It looks like ...
12
votes
2answers
937 views
Is Initiative a check?
Inspired by debate on this question's answer, are the rolls made for Initiative considered checks (for purposes such as Conditions affecting them)?
8
votes
1answer
248 views
What rules have been written for 5e D&D on Failing Forward?
I am looking for the rules in various 5e D&D books for allowing characters to add 1 or 2 points to their die-roll when they roll slightly too low. Searching Stack Exchange i found this, quoted ...
3
votes
1answer
140 views
How can another character make an animal handling check to make a homunculus a companions for other party members?
I plan to give the party an opportunity to find a homonculus in a defeated necromancer lair and possibly make it their animal companion if they wish to.
The druid characters could probably make the ...
25
votes
5answers
3k views
How do I use Charisma, Persuasion, or other checks through a translator?
My hapless band of seven adventurers of eighth-level are about to encounter unfriendly Lizardfolk, who only speak Draconic.
The only character that speaks Draconic is the Wizard with bad breath (CHA 8,...
6
votes
1answer
62 views
Unified Theory + Trick Magic Item would they work together to use magic items?
If you got Unified Theory and Trick Magic Item (Arcana) could you use magic items (EX - Scrolls, Wands, and Staves) from other spell traditions?
indigochild said on this post that the requirements are
...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
What skill applies to a player handling a domesticated monstrosity?
This question is prompted by this answer, which argues that Animal Handling is a wrong skill for managing an INT 3 monstrosity, a Grick tamed by some goblins.
A more common example case of this might ...
5
votes
1answer
133 views
How might one permanently change the key ability for the Craft skill from INT to DEX?
How might one permanently change the key ability for a specific skill from a mental to a physical stat?
Specifically the Craft skill, and from INT to DEX, relating to a character that can carve ...
2
votes
1answer
118 views
If your class gives you a choice of skills to be trained in, can you choose a skill you're already trained in to gain a free skill choice?
I know that if a class would make you trained in a skill you're already trained in, you can select another skill to become trained in.
My question is about classes that let you pick between certain ...
32
votes
10answers
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Is it ok to lie to players rolling an insight?
I've just started DMing (D&D-5e).
I have a question about the Insight mechanic. I've formulated this problem using D&D but the system is otherwise irrelevant (I'm talking about every ...
6
votes
2answers
846 views
How does the Variant: Skills with Different Abilities rule affect the game?
The PHB mentions how it is possible to make ability checks based on different abilities, a variant "Skills with Different Abilities" rule.
In some situations, though, your proficiency might ...
3
votes
1answer
363 views
Is the Wisdom (Survival) skill used for both tracking and finding tracks?
The rules mention that to follow tracks, you need to find them. It is also mentioned that it can take up to an hour outdoors to find tracks you have lost - all under tracking, which is Wisdom (...
4
votes
1answer
497 views
using Guidance and Resistance for long term effects
The Guidance and Resistance cantrips both last for 1 minite, but a lot of saves and checks represent longer stretches of time, and I want to know if those cantrips can be applied in those situations.
...
5
votes
2answers
147 views
Does a player need to perform a successful tool check with their Mason's Tools proficiency to benefit from the Demolition feature?
The entry for Mason's Tools within XGE (p83) lists this as one of the proficiency's benefits:
Demolition. Your knowledge of masonry allows you to spot weak points in brick walls. You deal double ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
When does initiative happen after a failed sleight of hand check?
If someone uses sleight of hand and gets noticed, can they still take their movement or swift action before initiative is rolled? Or is initiative rolled as soon as they fail their check? (assuming ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
Variant: Skills with Different Abilities confuses me
In the 5e PHB, the Variant: Skills with Different Abilities topic confuses the hell out of me.
Your DM might call for a Constitution Check... Your DM might allow you to apply your proficiency in ...
4
votes
3answers
452 views
What is the highest average charisma skill check a solo character can get, without directly using magic?
I was building a character that had levels in Fey Wanderer Ranger, that gains Otherworldly Glamour which allows you to add wisdom to charisma checks, and then I noticed Samurai fighters get Elegant ...
5
votes
1answer
43 views
Is there any official (or semi-official) clarification on how often Psychic Virtuoso allows a character to use occult skill unlocks?
The description of the Psychic Virtuoso feat from Occult Adventures states "You can use all of your occult skill unlocks more often and you are more talented at using them." However, the ...
4
votes
1answer
158 views
Is there a roll to determine if a character knows of a spell's existence?
Spellcraft can be used to identify a spell as it is being cast. Is there a roll to know of the existence of a spell? It seems like if you can identify a spell as it is being cast, you probably already ...
0
votes
0answers
52 views
Passive Perception and Traps [duplicate]
My question is this: should passive or active perception be used for spotting traps? If you use passive, then the DM knows ahead of time whether or not a PC will spot a trap as no die roll is involved ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
Does Quickness work in the midst of battle without Skill Mastery?
The description of Quickness indicates that it only works with Routine actions.
You can perform routine tasks—anything that can be done as a routine check (see Routine Checks in The Basics)—fast, ...
8
votes
1answer
926 views
What skill is used to recognise someone?
Consider for example a character hears a voice recording of someone, such as a recording that a journalist made of an interview. Later the character coincidentally meets someone who spoke in that ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
D&D 5e Variant Human +1 Skill [duplicate]
In D&D 5e, variant humans receive an additional skill upon creation. Does this skill have to belong to the same class as the character or can it be from any class? For example, if I made a ...
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votes
2answers
1k views
What skill proficiencies can a Variant Human choose from at character creation?
When creating a variant human you get an extra skill to be proficient in. Does that skill have to be from your class skill list, or can it be any skill available to any class? For instance, if I'm ...
7
votes
1answer
147 views
What is the point of knacks like animal-lore or dodge at level 1?
In the Warrior Adventure Game, animal lore (at level 1) gives +1 per intelligence chip on intelligence or ponder for animal-related checks.
First, ponder is an intelligence skill, so why is it ...
10
votes
2answers
353 views
Nonviolent “social conflict” in Fate - which skills opposes rapport?
I'm running a campaign with a few nonviolent characters. I understand how to handle physical fights, but am a bit at a loss how to deal with "social conflict", where characters need to ...
1
vote
0answers
98 views
Discover a Monsters Weakness? [duplicate]
As a D&D5e newbie player, I'm getting to grips with all my skills and abilities and when to use them.
One thing that's come up is when we encounter monsters ... what do you roll against when ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I demoralize more often?
So I recently picked up the PF-2e core book, and I noticed that Intimidate as a skill has a lot more built-in support than it had in PF-1e, having both rogue and fighter feats dedicated to it in the ...
29
votes
8answers
4k views
Can a persuasion roll avoid battling the BBEG?
So yesterday I was DM’ing our weekly D&D 5e session. For practical reasons it was a one-shot. At some point, one of my players, a Lvl 10 Bard, ends up in the BBEG’s lair alone (an adult red dragon,...
6
votes
2answers
628 views
Should a dragonborn Draconic Bloodline sorceror have only 4 starting skill proficiencies?
One of my party rolled up a dragonborn (race) Draconic Bloodline sorcerer in a session and after going through the race, class, and background (outlander), she ended up with just 4 skill proficiencies:...
3
votes
1answer
213 views
Can you use sleight of hand to hide a larger weapon?
Can you use the sleight of hand skill to hide a larger weapon, such as a longsword, dragoon pistol, or light crossbow? Or is it only usable for lighter weapons?
11
votes
3answers
895 views
When do you use ability checks without a specific skill?
When, if ever, as a DM would you ask players to make an ability check without allowing them to apply a skill proficiency?
The Player's Handbook (p. 174) says:
The DM calls for an ability check when a ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
What are the dots in the skills section of the standard character sheet for? [closed]
I'm filling out a pdf character sheet for my character who is a high elf wizard and I'm not sure how the skill box works. I've got all my saving throws done but I'm really just confused with the dots ...
14
votes
5answers
3k views
GMing with an overtuned skill monkey
I have a player in one of my games, who has managed to create a build that can roll a minimum of 41 by level 7 across a large plethora of skills (mostly excluding dex/str based skills). They use these ...
16
votes
8answers
4k views
What should players roll to “deduce” a solution?
Say my players are in a dungeon of many keys and many doors, where if a wrong key is used in the wrong door, they will be electrocuted, ambushed, etc. This makes the players wary to just try every ...
