Questions tagged [skills]
For questions about skills, abilities of characters that describe their capabilities in a range of areas.
0
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1answer
73 views
If a projectile attack at a monk misses, can the monk use Deflect Missiles to catch the projectiles and throw them back? [duplicate]
Say there are projectiles aimed at a monk that don’t quite beat the AC, leading to a missed attack, but the roll was close to hitting (only falling short by 3-5).
Can monk use Deflect Missiles to ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
If a dagger thrown at a monk splits into multiple daggers mid-air, each with their own attack and damage rolls, can Deflect Missiles deflect them all?
Situation:
A dagger is thrown at a monk. On that attack, the dagger multiplies into 2 or 3 daggers in mid-air, each dagger with its own rolls for attack and damage. The daggers move one after another ...
8
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6answers
396 views
How can I adjudicate one character attemping to jump off a party member's shield at the enemy?
Last session, two of the members from my table attempted to make a combo together! I love when people contribute to the story, especially if it's going to be something epic like this situation, but I ...
5
votes
1answer
108 views
How much do locked gauntlets impede a character?
All the following questions are about constrained hand[s] only (so no scenarios in which a free offhand would do the trick) and, in the event that it would change the outcome, with or without a weapon ...
4
votes
1answer
188 views
What passive scores exist?
Passive Wisdom (perception) is common and we use it often. But I read on this forum that there are other passive stats. My Question is now what other passive stats exist and when should you use them?
0
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1answer
242 views
How do I calculate my passive Wisdom (Perception) check? [duplicate]
My 1st level Wizard has a Wisdom of 13 (modifier +1) and proficiency in Wisdom saving throws, but not proficiency in Perception. Does that mean my passive Wisdom (Perception) score equals 10+1 or 10+1+...
3
votes
1answer
236 views
What is the highest total result one can get for a skill check?
I was bored, so I decided to try to calculate what could be the highest total result one could obtain for a skill check.
Answers can include officially published material, including magic items - but ...
7
votes
2answers
387 views
What are the balance implications of using passive Arcana to identify spells for counterspell?
Xanathar's Guide to Everything (p. 85) gives an optional rule if a character wants to identify a spell:
Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that someone else is casting or that was ...
11
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1answer
814 views
“and that skill is always a class skill for you” - does “always” have any meaning in Pathfinder?
Many traits and (some feats, if my memory is right) have this rule written in them. For example:
Trap Finder
Benefit(s): You gain a +1 trait bonus on Disable Device checks, and that skill is ...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
Use Magic Device and the Shield of the Mage [closed]
I am here for some clarification on what things I could do with Use Magic Device (through Emulate Class Feature) to get the spell I want to appear on the Shield of the Mage. I am fully aware that this ...
2
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2answers
72 views
Skills and ranks
I am sorry if this has been asked before, but I can not figure it out. I am playing D&D 3.5, and am attempting to make my character sheet.
I am a rogue halfling, so I have 40 skill points to ...
12
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1answer
2k views
If a character with the Alert feat rolls a crit fail on their Perception check, are they surprised?
A Druid in my campaign has the Alert feat, which stops her from being surprised.
If she rolls a critical failure on her Perception check, would:
She get surprised because she crit-failed?
The ...
10
votes
3answers
419 views
How does the math work for Perception checks?
Please forgive me, it's been over 40+ years since I've played D&D and just now trying to reboot the changes. Can someone briefly explain Perception check math?
Assume I'm a 5 year old or an idiot,...
4
votes
1answer
136 views
Would a trans revenant be able to go through with a medical transition?
As the title suggests, I'm wondering if a revenant who is transgender would be able to go through with a medical transition if they had the opportunity and wanted to?
I would have thought so, but I ...
21
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6answers
2k views
Are all passive ability checks floors for active ability checks?
It's relatively well established that passive Perception acts as a floor (effectively a minimum) to an active Perception check.
Does the same ruling apply to other skill/ability checks1 (i.e. not ...
1
vote
1answer
126 views
By working together can a party of X size perform 2X skill checks on the same task? [duplicate]
For example, my entire party is versed in Arcana and they attempted to recall lore on a spell.
Party member A made the skill check while being helped by B and failed with advantage.
B tried while ...
5
votes
2answers
514 views
What is the minimum amount of skill points per HD?
I've been playing D&D 5e for about 1,5 year now (as DM and PC), and sometimes play D&D 3.5e as a half-orc ranger (level 3 currently). I don't own any 3.5 books, and only use the online SRD.
...
2
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2answers
123 views
Viability of False Priest Sorcerer for solo / one on one play — skill points
I'm looking forward to be a player in one on one adventure. Character concept I've been toying with is False Priest (Sorcerer archetype) Kitsune. Deceitful nature of the race and class seems to work ...
2
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0answers
97 views
Taking out levelling and classes - Replacements [closed]
So, my RPG isn't going to use levels or classes to determine advancement. I'm trying to keep it open as possible, and also I realize that if a character levels up, and then they fight slightly tougher ...
7
votes
1answer
82 views
On a Tumble Check to avoid Attacks of Opportunity, do you move at half speed for your whole movement?
Tumble DC 15
Tumble at one-half speed as part of normal movement, provoking no attacks of opportunity while doing so. Failure means you provoke attacks of opportunity normally. Check separately for ...
4
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2answers
458 views
How many proficiencies and languages does a noble half-elf Knowledge Domain cleric start with?
I'm starting a new character sheet for a noble half-elf cleric (Knowledge Domain), and I'm just wondering about proficiencies and languages.
How many things would I be proficient in, and how many ...
17
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5answers
2k views
Players preemptively rolling, even though their rolls are useless or are checking the wrong skills
Part of this answer made me think about my own situation:
It's entirely possible that the ranger is the only one that has a chance at succeeding at the check and thus it would be inappropriate to ...
9
votes
1answer
165 views
Is there a complete list of unusual skills?
The SRD lists the core skills, as well as the skills added by Expanded Psionics Handbook (Autohypnosis, Knowledge (psionics), Psicraft, Use Psionic Device). There is also, in the SRD but hidden, the ...
3
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2answers
172 views
How should I adjudicate a player character's Wisdom (Perception) check against monsters lying in ambush?
Example: A fighter is concerned by the potential of ambush and scans the suspected area. For certain, there are goblins hiding in the thicket he suspects.
Should the DM have the fighter roll a ...
2
votes
2answers
131 views
What are the class skills for animals?
I'm working on an anthropomorphic giant octopus character (yes that's a real race, you can find it in Savage Species and it's awesome). From the two racial hit dice I get skill points equal to (2+Int)...
42
votes
5answers
6k views
Skills the player has, but the character doesn’t vs. skills the character has, but the player doesn’t
This question results from a small debate I had last weekend with our gamemaster during a session on Call of Cthulhu.
A player wanted to check if an NPC is alive or not. The players had put zero ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
When a creature's proficiency bonus is doubled for a skill, is it marked as such in its statblock?
I'm very new to the books of D&D 5e.
I see in the introduction of the MM that they specify the proficiency bonus for CR, and that at times it will be doubled to account for the creature's "...
4
votes
1answer
267 views
How to handle weapons having been hidden with sleight of hand?
In the 5e Player's Handbook, rules are given on hidden weapons with sleight of hand. However, it doesn't say if there is any benefit to the hidden weapons or what it should be like.
Can a hidden ...
8
votes
1answer
113 views
Is there a penalty to ride checks on invisible mounts?
Assuming I'm correct to say that if I'm invisible and my mount is also invisible (separate spells in this case) then I can't see my mount, do I get a penalty to ride checks for that mount?
4
votes
1answer
2k views
Does the Resilient feat give you proficiency in the skills associated with the chosen ability?
If you take the Resilient feat, do you become proficient in the associated skills?
For example, if you were not proficient in Dex saving throws and choose Dex when you take the Resilient feat, are ...
0
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1answer
193 views
Can I use Acrobatics to jump over an enemy that missed me?
Whether or not a character hits is determined by a roll of a die. Say that they roll low so they failed to hit me, and I want to flip over top of the enemy to get behind them.
Is this legal, and what ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
The Ankheg's skills aren't matching up, what am I missing?
I'm having some fun playing around with the GM stuff for Pathfinder for the first time, mostly I've only run other systems and been a player for Pathfinder, so I was wanting to take a crack at running ...
57
votes
6answers
8k views
I deciphered the meaning of a cryptic language out-of-game: should my character know what the meaning is?
I have just started my first D&D 5e campaign, and have encountered a seemingly mind-controlled bandit who keeps writing the same thing over and over on the wall. Our DM wrote out what it looks ...
2
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0answers
55 views
How can I get a player to remember his character's bonuses? [duplicate]
In my Dungeons & Dragons group(s), we have a player who can never remember ability scores, spells, bonuses, etc. We currently have two groups, and he is in both. We enjoy playing with him, but it ...
3
votes
1answer
103 views
How does Detect Magic interact with Spellcraft?
One of my players has a constant detect magic and is claiming that being able to literally see magic should give a bonus to Spellcraft to determine what spells are being cast. Is this reasonable and ...
13
votes
2answers
717 views
Does posing as a guard use Deception or Stealth?
A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a ...
13
votes
1answer
797 views
What skill is used when a PC creates a map in game?
I am creating a cartographer character, in my group's upcoming Out of the Abyss game, who was hired to create a map of the Underdark. I imagine that would involve a skill check each time he adds to ...
19
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6answers
2k views
Does a player know if their Intimidation attempt worked?
I am going to be a first-time DM for my group. While I was planning the first session, I just thought about my players interrogating (torturing) a creature.
If a character tries an Intimidation (or ...
7
votes
4answers
3k views
Where did the concept of Passive Insight come from?
Recently-ish, Critical Role has introduced a concept that I had never heard of before: passive Insight. Now, it makes sense to me conceptually, as well as being useful for that table and their trigger-...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
What skills are Drow proficient in?
I've been trying to find out what skills Drow have options to be proficient in, typically a race offers a few choices but only allows you to pick two, and your class gives you two more, followed by ...
8
votes
3answers
378 views
How long should a Performance last to earn a living?
If a bard (or anyone skilled in Performance) wants to earn a living during downtime without paying for any lifestyle expenses, how long should the performance last?
Chapter 8 in the PHB states the ...
19
votes
1answer
2k views
Are there mistakes on the pregenerated Starter Set wizard and ranger character sheets?
I am returning to D&D having not played since first edition and am trying to get my head around the character building process before I try and explain it to some new players.
I have been ...
1
vote
6answers
205 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 ...
6
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1answer
119 views
What's a reasonable way to make the DC 15 Athletics check for running balanced?
M&M 3E allows an Athletics check as a Free action to add one rank to your speed that round, effectively doubling your speed.
You can make a DC 15 Athletics check as a free action to run faster: ...
10
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3answers
268 views
How often can one do a Knowledge check to identify a creature?
The SRD section on Knowledge says:
Try Again
No. The check represents what you know, and thinking about a topic a
second time doesn’t let you know something that you never learned in
the ...
6
votes
1answer
348 views
Do Sleight of Hand checks cover stealthiness?
The PHB and basic rules describe Sleight of Hand checks as follows:
Whenever you attempt an act of legerdemain or manual trickery, such as planting something on someone else or concealing an object ...
18
votes
2answers
796 views
What values do I recalculate when I Wild Shape?
When I Wild Shape, I take a beast's STR, DEX, and CON scores. I keep my proficiency bonus and my INT, WIS, and CHA scores. I will focus this question on the assumption I'm proficient in Athletics, and ...
5
votes
2answers
230 views
How quiet is a creature that's not moving?
A typical adventurer in a breastplate and employing a heavy wooden shield suffers a −6 armor check penalty on appropriate skills, including the Move Silently skill.
But, with that in mind, what's the ...
1
vote
2answers
98 views
How does the Skillful Moment spell interact with skills taking time to use?
The Skillful Moment spell (Dragon #350, p. 78) has the following effect on the caster:
Upon casting this spell, you channel a future result of one designated course of action into an act you're ...
4
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1answer
71 views
Do alternate class skills granted by racial substitution levels stay class skills for later (non-substitution) levels?
I'm trying to make an NPC that's a Fighter(5)/Knight Protector (6). According to the Complete Warrior sourcebook, the requirements for the Knight Protector prestige class are:
Base Attack Bonus: +5
...
