Questions tagged [skills]
For questions about skills, abilities of characters that describe their capabilities in a range of areas.
897
questions
-1
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180 views
What is the point of tool proficiencies [closed]
I play an artificer who has a bunch of tool proficiency's, but it seems that every one can do the same things with normal skills. So is there a point to even having these tools?
3
votes
1answer
532 views
Where has my History proficiency come from?
I'm new to DnD. I was typing up my character sheet (I've decided to do this every now and then as my annotations become more messy), and in the process I didn't spot any reason for me to have the ...
2
votes
2answers
64 views
Applications of Will in Condensed vs. in Core
Some months ago, I noticed a difference between the Core and Condensed editions in the way the Will skill is described. I would like to know whether this is an intentional change between editions (or '...
asked May 23 at 14:57
vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica
9,5913 gold badges23 silver badges62 bronze badges
5
votes
1answer
82 views
How do short-duration buffs work when used to buff rolls for longer-duration actions?
How do buffs with short durations (let's say guidance, which has a duration of up to 1 minute) work when used to buff rolls for longer-duration actions (such as a heal check to treat disease, which ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
Does a vivisectionist benefit from a healer's kit bonus?
The vivisectionist's cruel anatomist ability allows him to "use his Knowledge (nature) skill bonus in place of his Heal skill bonus". Does this mean that using this ability while making a check ...
4
votes
2answers
792 views
Is it possible to use Athletics (or other skills) for/with attack or damage rolls?
I just started a game in 5e with a new human greatsword-wielding fighter, and rolled stats pretty well (I have a Strength score of 17). I chose the Brawny feat (from UA: Feats for Skills) and ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
Does polymorph replace my class-skills while polymorphed?
Polymorph (Player's Handbook v.3.5, p. 263) is based on Alter Self (Player's Handbook v.3.5, p. 197) that reads, in part:
Alter Self
[...]
You acquire the physical qualities of the new ...
5
votes
2answers
611 views
What is my rogue's Stealth modifier?
What is my rogue's Stealth modifier?
Here's my attempt to calculate it:
My Dexterity modifier is +4.
I have proficiency in Stealth and Dex saving throws, so I think
that’s another +4 (+2 and +2).
...
1
vote
2answers
89 views
How does a “passive wisdom” check work? [duplicate]
I'm a Dungeon Master, and I can't figure out how passive wisdom works.
In the Player's Handbook it says:
A passive check is a special type of check that dose not use any dice rolls.
That is good ...
6
votes
1answer
380 views
How can my heroic tier PC contribute more during skill challenges?
My character isn't much use during skill challenges, and the campaign has seen, like, 25% of encounters be skill challenges. I'd like my character to contribute more during skill challenges, whether ...
5
votes
2answers
249 views
Opening a skill with B1 stat as root
Suppose a character has perception B1 (maybe they are a young troll or something). If they open their observation skill, either in character burning or through play (testing, practice, instruction), ...
3
votes
1answer
90 views
Combining Flash of Genius and Psi Bolstered Knack?
Long story short I am rolling up a level 13 Soul Knife UA Rogue / Armorer Artificer.
Can I use Soul Knifes Psi Bolstered Knack with the Artificers Flash of Genius add both my Intelligence modifier ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Are there any PL2 options that are viable in a PL20 setting?
I’ve been doing a thought experiment involving Inventing in Mutants and Masterminds 3e. The way Inventing works is a DC 10+pp Technology check to design something at the rate of 1hrs/pp followed by a ...
3
votes
0answers
84 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 ...
19
votes
6answers
2k views
Is it reasonable to let Inquisitive Rogues get advantage on Perception and Investigation outside combat?
I am DM in a campaign and recently my players reached level 3. The Rogue chose to take the Inquisitive archetype.
I am looking at the Eye for Detail feature, which allows the rogue to make a ...
4
votes
1answer
113 views
What does it cost to craft a Hell-knight plate with “Easily Worked” steel?
I have problems calculating the costs for a Hell-knight plate which is crafted based upon the Pathfinder Unchained Rules and using a special raw material (Easily Worked steel).
A Hell-knight plate ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Is there a way to add both Knowledge (religion) and Knowledge (the planes) to the Spellthief skill list?
... Other than taking Skill Knowledge twice? (or Skill Knowledge + Apprentice)
I'd like this character to enter Ur Priest at level 6, so he needs max ranks in Knowledge (religion) and 5 in Knowledge (...
9
votes
5answers
999 views
Should I use characters' passive Perception scores or ask for an active Perception check to detect hiding enemies?
I'm DMing for a party that constantly says stuff like "We'll walk slowly and carefully," or "We'll look around as we walk, to make sure there's nothing threatening or out of the ordinary."
Say there'...
15
votes
7answers
2k views
What happens if a player asks to roll an Ability Check?
New DM here, playing casually with my friends for fun during Quarantine. An interesting series of events conspired last night.
Udaron the Monk says: “looks around and notices the goliath.” (he then ...
3
votes
2answers
59 views
Lingering Composition: Does a Performance critical failure cost the Focus point?
TL;DR: The bard player is arguing that lingering composition is a Performance check, and another player is stating it's Casting a Spell (Focus spell).
I have a player playing a polymath bard with ...
6
votes
3answers
273 views
Do characters ever gain new skills/proficiencies?
Do player characters ever freely learn new skills/proficiencies? From what I can see, most classes get two or four proficiency skills to start, and backgrounds provide two more. Some class ...
9
votes
3answers
242 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 ...
11
votes
1answer
469 views
What does the “combination” part of the Skilled feat mean?
The Skilled feat says (Player's Handbook, p. 170; emphasis mine):
You gain proficiency in any combination of three skills or tools of your choice.
Does it mean I have to choose either three skills ...
2
votes
1answer
101 views
How does the skill trick Extreme Leap work?
The skill trick "Extreme Leap" reads:
Extreme Leap [Movement] Your extraordinary leaping ability carries you over great distances. Prerequisite: Jump 5 ranks. Benefit: If you
make a horizontal ...
5
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1answer
91 views
Does exhaustion affect passive perception in 5e? [duplicate]
1 level of exhaustion affected ability checks, but does it have any implications for passive checks?
4
votes
1answer
224 views
Passive check and Gelatinous Cube Transparent traits
Since Gelatinous Cubes have the transparent trait, do you need to do an action perception check to spot it or you could use your passive perception?
Transparent trait: Even when the cube is in ...
6
votes
3answers
73 views
When to use deceive vs rapport in Fate Core
I'm running a game in fate core, using the default skill list. My players want to know which situations and types of actions will call for a deceive check as opposed to a rapport check. How can I ...
3
votes
3answers
143 views
Skill for Card Games
While the Condensed skill list seems to me to be (and its Core predecessor to have been) comprehensive enough to cover nearly all 'adventuring' activities with little to no alterations required, I ...
asked Mar 23 at 12:36
vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica
9,5913 gold badges23 silver badges62 bronze badges
2
votes
1answer
118 views
Is there anyway to make Stealth an int based skill?
In pathfinder, there are many ways to substitute skills to use other ability modifiers. Is there a way to use intelligence in place of dex for stealth checks?
1
vote
1answer
63 views
When using the Optional Luck Point rules, how does Skill Improvement work during the Investigator Development phase?
I just got introduced to this game and I'd like to understand some more of the how EXP and PC improvement is done.
So far I get that the more you use a skill the more you have a chance to improve ...
13
votes
5answers
2k views
At what point is someone, who has attempted to hide, considered to be hidden, when resolving tied contests?
Inspired by discussion in the comments on this question.
Successfully hiding is normally the result of a 'contest' sometimes known as an 'opposed check'. The person attempting to hide makes a ...
9
votes
1answer
101 views
Can the Coerce action be used on a PC?
While this is a way to take away player agency, the second part of the Haughty Obstinacy feat says: "If a creature rolls a failure on a check to Coerce you using Intimidation, it gets a critical ...
18
votes
3answers
995 views
When hiding, what value is the Stealth check compared against?
I've just bought a starter set, and I'm struggling a little to understand the concept of hiding.
Do I roll 1d20 + Dexterity (Stealth) when I first want to hide, and note down the number - then, for ...
2
votes
0answers
105 views
Adding up a skill [duplicate]
I think I might know the answer to this, but I am not totally sure.
My character has a strength of 7 (-2) and a current proficiency bonus of (+2). I have a proficiency in Athletics.
Adding all this ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
How many skill proficiencies do I choose as a Triton Bard?
I'm extremely new to D&D, and have little understanding on the game so far.
Right now, I'm creating my character, a Triton bard with a folk hero background, and I'm having trouble selecting ...
4
votes
1answer
454 views
Cleric build to maximize melee damage and spell healing
I am making a Dwarf Warpriest Cleric of Shelyn wielding a Glaive. I expect to use Medium armor. I am planning this character out through level 20.
I'm looking for a build of feats, skills (if ...
1
vote
0answers
124 views
I am working on making an RPG Game with an end of the world storyline [closed]
I am working on making an RPG Game with an end of the world storyline, I want it to be like a huge asteroid is coming to hit earth. I got inspiration from an asteroid map damage simulator website, you ...
7
votes
2answers
291 views
Is there a missing skill in the PHB?
In the player's Handbook version 3.5 the only Engineering type skill listed is attached to Architecture, which implies that it's the form of engineering used to design things such as suspension ...
11
votes
4answers
526 views
Is the Inquisitive rogue's Ear for Deceit feature made useless by a character's Passive Insight score?
The Inquisitive rogue's Ear for Deceit feature (XGtE, p. 45) says:
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you develop a talent for picking out lies. Whenever you make a Wisdom (Insight) check ...
12
votes
4answers
294 views
How do I keep lie-detection skills from ruining my game?
I play a smoothtalking scoundrel in a GURPS 4e game. In it, I have the Detect Lies skill. Because of the nature of our campaign, which is a murder mystery, I always suspect whoever I'm talking to is ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
What kind of Close Combat skill do I need for grab-like moves?
The description of the Close Combat skill says, in part:
Close Combat: Unarmed is an option, meaning skill with unarmed strikes
like punches and kicks. However, this bonus does not apply to other
...
3
votes
0answers
68 views
non-combat role-playing skills in ICE Rolemaster [closed]
My group plays ICE exclusively and has for the past 15 years or so.
Recently, a friend of the DM's joined with no RPG experience. A problem has arisen regarding the role playing skills such as "...
10
votes
1answer
361 views
When substituting one ability for another on a skill check which kind of check does it qualify as?
The Unearthed Arcana Monk tradition Way of the Astral Self has the following ability (page 2 of the PDF):
Arms of the Astral Self
You can use your Wisdom modifier in place of your Strength ...
10
votes
1answer
206 views
Spotting monsters in caves/corners/passage/etc
My group likes to stop and peek inside caves to look for monsters before proceeding through. They like to surprise all the time.
I already know how to spot something inside closed doors using ...
25
votes
10answers
7k views
Can you Investigate the same room twice?
I have not seen this question when searching, although someone here might be able to point me to it. I found a related one here
Situation: PC walks into a room and wants to investigate to find any ...
4
votes
2answers
559 views
Can an Arcana Check be used to modify or affect a spell being cast?
Is the Arcana Skill capable of influencing or affecting actual spells being cast or other spell-centred details? For example, are you able to influence the effect or characteristics of a spell by ...
12
votes
3answers
13k views
How to calculate passive perception?
For Christmas my kiddo got the D&D Starter Set and we've been going though it and the full rules we downloaded online. I'm having a hard time figuring out how the example listed in the rules gets ...
5
votes
2answers
210 views
Why stand on a mount?
Epic Ride checks confer the ability to stand on a mount. What mechanical benefit does this confer? The only description given in the SRD is:
This allows the character to stand on his or her mount’s ...
5
votes
1answer
810 views
What is dysfunctional, controversial, or negative about Epic skill checks?
I often see it said that the entire Epic Level Handbook should be dismissed as broken and frequently dysfunctional. However, outside of claims that the entire book is bad, I never see Epic skill ...
5
votes
1answer
224 views
What creatures give bonuses to Medicine rolls/checks?
I am currently using a Druid in a campaign. I want to know what creatures, if any, there are that I can Polymorph or Wild Shape (5e Druid ability allowing druids to transform temporarily into Beasts) ...
