DM Q&A: Skill Rolls and Ability Checks

[FlyingMidget]

What is the DM ruling regarding the use of skill rolls and ability checks? 

Are we suppose to be using the default 3.5 rules regarding natural 1's / 20's not being an auto success or failure with regards to such ? I see many folks rolling both skill checks and ability checks (charisma being the most common one) where 1 is failure automatically and 20 is "I'm beautiful even with my negative modifier and not having done anything different"

Personally I've always been in favour of ignoring such or playing by the rules as I know them rather then the player bases reliance on natural 20's and 1s.

This would also be good to know in regards to the disguise rules as some players might be under the impression a natural 1 on a bluff check means they automatically know it's a disguise.

FM.

[Munroe]

I do not treat natural 1s and natural 20s on skill checks as auto-failure and auto-success. That's not how they're treated in the D&D 3.x rules so that's not how I treat them.

Though if it's strictly an abstract issue with no actual DC (as is often the case on Performance rolls, or other showing off), I'll often treat a low roll as not being as good as a high roll, and will sometimes, as I see fit, treat a 1 as a flub on my own characters. Strictly speaking, since there is no DC on those rolls, it's all up to interpretation.

As for Charisma rolls for appearance, I actually just look at the modifier, not the roll result. I only request rolls to keep people honest. If they have a negative modifier and a high roll, I'll treat it as an unattractive person who has really nice make-up that day, or something, or had clean teeth. You know, over all, they're not suddenly a super-model, but they've done well that day with what they had to work with, they don't have make-up on their teeth or they managed a nice curl to their hair. A natural 20 on a Charisma check is a one-time accomplishment, not a long-term measure. The actual ability scores are a better reflection of a long-term measure. Some people prefer to play that Charisma doesn't affect appearance. While the Player's Handbook mentioned that Charisma does include appearance, we haven't enforced that one way or the other on a server-wide scale. If someone tells me their character is beautiful and I see that -1 modifier, I chalk it up to a positive self image. Just because they see themselves as beautiful doesn't mean everyone will.

And I say "I do this, and I do that" because we don't have hard-and-fast rule on these things that don't have DCs. They're all open to interpretation.

There are other things, like using STR to grapple, or to slug someone in RP, that would be improved by having a Grapple wand that could calculate for BAB+STR+size mod, but we don't have that kind of item presently, and it might be more difficult to make (considering feats and other bonuses) than I imagine. A lot of the time, opposed STR vs STR isn't taking into consideration that one person is significantly more skilled than another. Or STR vs. DEX to punch someone, that's another one that should be BAB+STR(or DEX with Weapon Finesse) plus all other relevant feats, but figuring out what feats would even be relevant for such a widget is kind of a daunting task. Such a widget should also be able to echo AC, Touch AC, and Flat-footed AC for a comparison, rather than an opposed DEX roll. Heh. I'm not saying this to make more work for the scripters--because I think that would be a lot of work--but to say that basic opposed ability score rolls in RP are imperfect, and we don't have a rule that strictly governs them.

Does this help at all?

[Munroe]

Concerning the Bluff rules, the check is an opposed check as specified in the FRC rules. Since no mention is given of Natural 1 being an auto-failure on the Bluff or Detection, or a Natural 20 being an auto-success on either side of the check, the only thing that matters is the check result. This is in keeping with the D&D 3.5e rules on Natural 1 and Natural 20 in skill checks.

Dec 4, 2016 13:23:05 GMT -5 DM Hawk said:

Hail Cormyrians!

The DM Team is posting this update about Character Disguises to coincide with the roll out of the Outlaw Status Policy.

For a character to be disguised the following must be done at a minimum:
-Cover one's head and face with a hood, helmet, mask, or utilize an Illusion Ring
-Wear clothing or armor not commonly worn when the character is not disguised
-Avoid speaking or behaving with the character's natural mannerisms
-Avoid brandishing signature weapon or item by the character

If the above criteria are met, the character is considered in disguise. A disguise is considered to be successful unless there is a reason for skepticism.

A character who has cause to suspect a disguise is in place may ask for a Disguise Check Roll. Please ask for this roll in private Tells whenever possible but make the rolls public to be seen. Examples where a disguised character may cause others to doubt the disguise include but aren't limited to:
-Speaking
-Behaving as they would when not in disguise, including standing in the same place, having the same posture, etc.
-Behaving abnormally, calling attention to oneself
-Associating with or aiding characters known to associate with the Disguised Character when not in disguise
-Verbally or physically acting against those who would be an enemy of the character in the open
-Casting Spells, Using Magic Items, Using Special abilities or feats known to be used by the disguised character

Examples where a disguise is automatically busted include but are not limited to:
-Head covering or illusion ring is removed
-Clothing or Armor distinctive to the character is put on
-Speaking in normal voice, accent, or mannerisms
-Disguised Character admits his identity
-Disguised Character exhibits knowledge having limited in circulation but which the character would know
-Brandishing a signature weapon or item

Disguise Check Rolls:

Disguised Characters normally roll Bluff. Those having Perform may substitute this skill. Clerics with the Trickery Domain may use the Persuade Skill (as they don't have access to Bluff in NWN).

Skeptical Characters challenging the disguise may roll Spot if they are seeing something to give doubt or Listen if they are hearing something to give doubt. If there are causes for skepticism that may be both seen and heard, both a Spot and Listen roll may be made to challenge the disguise.

If the disguise roll is higher or ties the challenging roll, the Disguise is upheld. If the challenging roll is higher than the disguise roll, the disguise is busted.

The above must be followed by those playing or encountering a disguised character. As always folks breaking the rules will be subject to discipline by the FRC DM Team.

This update of Disguise Rules & Guideliens may be further updated at any time as needed by the DM Team.

If there are any questions or concerns about the above, please raise them in DM Q&A.

Remember to use common sense and keep the spirit of FRC in mind when interacting with fellow players. The Golden Rule of FRC is to have fun but not at the expense of others.


See you in game!

[FlyingMidget]

Thanks Munroe, I'm much the same mostly looking at the modifier and basing my reaction from such, I'd never thought to consider their emotes as simply being how they see themselves and will keep that in mind for the future !

I think you've answered such rather well considering there's no real rules regarding it.

I do like the sound of a grapple tool, but yes there's already so much work.

FM.