For example: magic user creates with his spell visualization of the SUPER SCARY MONSTER. What test would you do to check if npc is afraid of it? What DC?
Fortunately I came across it as a player not a DM. My DM solved it imho very good but how would you resolve it?
(Do not worry i am not a rules lawyer type and will not use your opinions to argue with my DM. I am just collecting ideas for my future returning to DMing)
Setting the DC requires a few variables, but generally go with the guidelines -- 10 easy, 15 moderate, 20 hard etc. Start if you think it should be easy/moderate/hard then from there change it up or down based on the variables (or give advantage/disadvantage): who is the NPC (is it just a commoner/merchant (maybe a -1 to DC), is it a guard (+1), is it a seasoned adventurer (+2), is it someone who was recently a prisoner (-3), etc.), what was the context of your super scary monster -- is it something this NPC has encountered/has a history with (i.e. a soldier who fought off Bugbears in the past but was severely injured), did the PC just say "I make a scary monster" or did they actually detail it like "I create an illusion of a Chimera approaching, with drool falling from its mouth"; did the PC creating the illusion conceal it, or was it out in the open -- from there did the NPC notice the act of that PC doing this (i.e. do they have suspicion it isn't real)
Alternatively instead of setting a DC you can do a contested check. I do this after determining "Do we have/need a stat block for the NPC", if so, maybe a charisma save by the NPC vs your intimidation roll determines if they are frightened or not, again giving advantage/disadvantage based on variables/roleplay.
Have the spellcaster make a Charisma (Intimidation) check with the DC equal to the NPC's Passive Investigation check (10 + the NPC's Investigation skill):
On Failure: The NPC sees through the monster as an illusion.
On the NPC's turn, the NPC can use an Action to make an Intelligence (Investigation) check (at disadvantage since they are frightened) with the DC equal to the spellcaster's Spell save DC:
I think that you can pretty much view all DC targets as opposed skill rolls against something/someone/sometime. Traps pit your Perception against the trap makers Intelligence ( +proficiency? ), you can puzzle out ciphers pitting Investigation vs. the code makers intelligence, etc.
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I use a combination of both Grizzlebub and Mehetmet's approaches and make it a sliding scale.
How well did the player present what they were trying to accomplish based on their experience with the game and play style.
What relationship does the target of the spell have with the creature conjured?
What is the DC of the spell, or what would be an appropriate contested roll?
How far off from that DC/Save did the target roll?
Those are just a few points that go into the process, from there depending on how far from the DC/Save (above or below) the target rolled I narrate the situation.
DC 13, target rolled 15, I'd explain that there is a brief moment of panic in the target's eyes, a quick tensing of the shoulders and whitening of the knuckles on their weapon. Then the target realizes something is off, and it's not real, however he is in a state of alertness.
DC 13, target rolled 5, I'd explain that the target sees the illusion and in a fit of panic turns on their heels to run. Due to the severe panic, they forget to open the door behind them and smash into the door, breaking their nose in the process, the pain and fear cause the creature to curl into a fetal position waiting for the impending doom.
For example: magic user creates with his spell visualization of the SUPER SCARY MONSTER. What test would you do to check if npc is afraid of it? What DC?
Fortunately I came across it as a player not a DM. My DM solved it imho very good but how would you resolve it?
(Do not worry i am not a rules lawyer type and will not use your opinions to argue with my DM. I am just collecting ideas for my future returning to DMing)
I'd have the PC roll an intimidation check.
Setting the DC requires a few variables, but generally go with the guidelines -- 10 easy, 15 moderate, 20 hard etc. Start if you think it should be easy/moderate/hard then from there change it up or down based on the variables (or give advantage/disadvantage): who is the NPC (is it just a commoner/merchant (maybe a -1 to DC), is it a guard (+1), is it a seasoned adventurer (+2), is it someone who was recently a prisoner (-3), etc.), what was the context of your super scary monster -- is it something this NPC has encountered/has a history with (i.e. a soldier who fought off Bugbears in the past but was severely injured), did the PC just say "I make a scary monster" or did they actually detail it like "I create an illusion of a Chimera approaching, with drool falling from its mouth"; did the PC creating the illusion conceal it, or was it out in the open -- from there did the NPC notice the act of that PC doing this (i.e. do they have suspicion it isn't real)
Alternatively instead of setting a DC you can do a contested check. I do this after determining "Do we have/need a stat block for the NPC", if so, maybe a charisma save by the NPC vs your intimidation roll determines if they are frightened or not, again giving advantage/disadvantage based on variables/roleplay.
How do you get a one-armed goblin out of a tree?
Wave!
I mean this seems EXACTLY like the Frightened condition. Wisdom saves are used for checks against being frightened.
Published Subclasses
I'd probably have it be a two step process:
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I use a combination of both Grizzlebub and Mehetmet's approaches and make it a sliding scale.
Those are just a few points that go into the process, from there depending on how far from the DC/Save (above or below) the target rolled I narrate the situation.
DC 13, target rolled 15, I'd explain that there is a brief moment of panic in the target's eyes, a quick tensing of the shoulders and whitening of the knuckles on their weapon. Then the target realizes something is off, and it's not real, however he is in a state of alertness.
DC 13, target rolled 5, I'd explain that the target sees the illusion and in a fit of panic turns on their heels to run. Due to the severe panic, they forget to open the door behind them and smash into the door, breaking their nose in the process, the pain and fear cause the creature to curl into a fetal position waiting for the impending doom.