Questions tagged [skills]
For questions about skills, abilities of characters that describe their capabilities in a range of areas.
995
questions
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2answers
241 views
Invisible structures and floors
I’m preparing a puzzle tower for my players, with a twist. It’s one empty room that goes up four or five stories, but one wall is entirely a mirror that shows stairs, walkways, doors, etc that are ...
6
votes
1answer
73 views
What sort of questions can I ask/answer with an Underworld Lore roll?
been a while since I've been here last, but this question is a tad important.
I started playing in a Pathfinder 2e campaign a couple months ago with my character having the Criminal background. As ...
11
votes
1answer
113 views
Can you increase the DC and healing of Treat Wounds with Natural Medicine?
I noticed a strange skill interaction while trying to make a build for a Primal witch. The Treat Wounds skill action specifies that the DC and amount healed by the skill check can be increased based ...
5
votes
3answers
755 views
Is the DC table applied to characters with or without proficiency?
In the PHB there is a section on typical difficulty classes:
Difficulty
DC
Very easy
5
Easy
10
Medium
15
Hard
20
Very hard
25
Almost impossible
30
Just looking at the numbers, I would say that ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
What check determines if a whip successfully latches onto a tree branch?
If a PC wants to use his whip to wrap around a tree branch and then swing on it, like Indiana Jones, what check would that require? Would it require an attack roll?
1
vote
1answer
52 views
How does the 5th (and higher) level Unchained Rogue Skill unlock for the Intimidate skill would interact with the Taunt feat?
How does the 5th (and higher) level Unchained Rogue Skill unlock for the Intimidate skill would interact with the Taunt feat?
All of the likely interpretations lead to weird results,
a) If you rule ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
Are there rules for "doubletalk" (i.e. a character conveying a message to allies while hiding that message from enemies)?
Do the rules specify how an action like doubletalk (or something like it) works?
By "doubletalk", I am referring to a character conveying a message to allies while hiding that message from ...
12
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1answer
1k views
Can a 6th level rogue select Investigation for their Expertise feature even if their Intelligence modifier is +0?
So I started playing d&d a while ago, but when I was building my first character ever I didn’t completely know what I was doing so I assigned my rolls to abilities I didn’t totally need to have ...
19
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1answer
2k views
If an ability says characters can tell that something is not real with a successful ability check, do characters automatically attempt the check?
If an ability says a character (or creature) can tell that something is real with a successful ability check, does the character automatically attempt the check? Or does it require an active choice on ...
9
votes
3answers
391 views
Is the Help action an example of, or an exception to, Working Together?
The Help action is described in Chapter 9 of the PHB (emphasis mine):
You can lend your aid to another creature in the completion of a task. When you take the Help action, the creature you aid gains ...
1
vote
0answers
95 views
Homebrew: Divorcing Skills from Attributes in 5e [duplicate]
I was reading this article/post, and wondered about changing the standard 5e attributes to something that makes more sense.
Some hours later, I dug my way out of that rabbit hole with the realization ...
2
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0answers
110 views
Rules for learning new skills in D&D [duplicate]
Are there any rlues for learning new skills and abilities?
I wonder if a character can teach his skills other party members.
Let me present some examples:
Let's say I am playing as wizard and I want ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
Can a Rogue find an undetectable Trap?
While the title seems to already anwser the question on it's own (there's no way you can detect something undetectable), should that really be the case?
Let's check three examples:
Collapsing Floor ...
13
votes
5answers
2k views
When performing a group check, is it better to have an even number of creatures?
The rules for group checks say:
To make a group ability check, everyone in the group makes the ability check. If at least half the group succeeds, the whole group succeeds.
So, for groups of 1 and 2,...
31
votes
6answers
3k views
Should a sneaking group use group checks?
I always considered sneaking to be a per character check, because I have a hard time imagining a paladin in shiny, heavy and loud armor sneaking silently, just because a rogue with stealth expertise ...
1
vote
2answers
311 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 ...
14
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5answers
2k views
Should forcing open doors be Strength or Strength (Athletics)
According to RAW, should forcing stuck/locked/barred doors open be a Strength check, or a Strength (Athletics) check?
As I read the description of the Strength ability and the Athletics skill in the ...
2
votes
1answer
381 views
When replacing the Variant Human race with a lineage, do you keep the skill proficiency gained through the Prodigy feat?
Each of the lineages from Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft has a feature called Ancestral Legacy, which states:
If you replace a race with this lineage, you can keep the following elements of that ...
5
votes
1answer
121 views
Are you able to apply your tool proficiency bonus when there is an overlap with a skill but you are not proficient in that skill?
So for DnD 5e, XGtE expanded/clarified the use of Tool Proficiencies and very specifically talks about when skill and tool proficiencies overlap and what to do in those situations (advantage or added ...
17
votes
1answer
405 views
When do individual ability checks become group ability checks?
In the section Working Together, the basic rules state:
Sometimes two or more characters team up to attempt a task. The character who's leading the effort — or the one with the highest ability ...
36
votes
13answers
6k views
How to DM unlikely strength checks
A question for all DMs out there. So, part of the fun of D&D derives from the randomness of the dice, and to interpret their results in a sensible way -even within the broad boundaries of a make-...
8
votes
2answers
110 views
Determining creature rarity in Starfinder
I have a player at my Starfinder table who is really keen to use her bonuses for identifying rare creatures, but has never gotten a chance to.
I'd assumed none of the encountered creatures were ever ...
5
votes
1answer
313 views
What happens when a race skill and a class skill is the same?
In D&D 4th edition, the PC of
class Assassin gets training in Stealth,
race Shade gets training in Stealth (Heroes of Shadow, page 121, "Practiced Sneak: You have training in Stealth.")....
6
votes
2answers
209 views
Can intelligent items be intimidated?
I know these are technically immune to mind effecting spells and effects, but can they still be intimidated? I feel like intelligent weapons or items would be capable of fearing their destruction. ...
6
votes
2answers
668 views
Can a druid in Wild Shape use the Medicine skill to stabilize a dying creature?
The PHB description of the Medicine skill is paltry. Wild Shape doesn't seem to cover skills like Medicine, though it does say you retain skill proficiencies.
Can a druid in Wild Shape use the ...
15
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the most number of skills a character can gain Expertise in?
I was reading through the Scout's Survivalist feature and noted that it is a manner by which a character can both gain skill proficiency plus Expertise in one shot. This got me wondering how many ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Does the "Changing a Skill" optional rule from Tasha's allow me to change a skill proficiency from the background for one offered by the class?
Does the "Changing a Skill" optional rule from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (p. 8) allow me to replace a skill proficiency from my background with a skill proficiency offered by my class?
...
9
votes
1answer
471 views
Can I add my skills before checking for feat requirement?
So, when I level up my character in PF1, I choose a new class, add its feature, then skills and feats. But what if I want to add Signature Skill Feat as my level 5 feat. It requires 5 skill ranks in ...
39
votes
4answers
5k 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
145 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
207 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
507 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
855 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
46 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 ...
17
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
99 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
107 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
97 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
643 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
237 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
36 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
431 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
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2answers
969 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)?
7
votes
1answer
309 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
142 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
128 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 ...
