With the playtest changes to the Help Action where it know requires proficiency to help another person with an ability check (this is how I run my games as DM anyhow), I was wondering how to handle the Bard ability Jack of All Trades. My thought is to have this be like the exception to the general rule. That half proficiency allows the bards to help with any check. I think it is very fitting to the theme of bards and would bolster this ability to be very helpful for groups.
I know I can run my games as I choose but I am wondering what others thoughts on this are. Too powerful? Reinforces the support position of bards further?
I'm not familiar with the new rule you are talking about (I assume One D&D or UA?) but I don't see a problem with allowing a bard with JOAT to help. In general, the only real problem I've seen with the help in general is when people try to "help" without explaining how they are actually helping. And that problem was around even before this new rule.
I was wondering how to handle the Bard ability Jack of All Trades. My thought is to have this be like the exception to the general rule. That half proficiency allows the bards to help with any check. I think it is very fitting to the theme of bards and would bolster this ability to be very helpful for groups.
As a DM, I would certainly allow it as well. The general concept is that the character have proficiency in the ability check in order to be competent enough to actually be helpful. I'm not sure yet if the RAW would prohibit "half" proficiency from being eligible (because it isn't proficient enough?). With bards being at least being somewhat knowledgeable and/or skilled in everything, it would certainly make sense and seem reasonable to allow the bard with Jack of All Trades to help somebody else out.
With the playtest changes to the Help Action where it know requires proficiency to help another person with an ability check (this is how I run my games as DM anyhow)
Coincidentally, I've also used this proficiency bonus requirement method for my regular gaming group for the past few years. With usually having 5-6 players sitting at the table, it helped limit the dog pile of "I'm helping!" comments. And, like Lostwhilefishing mentioned, this method made it easier to explain how and why character X could actually help character Y with a certain skill.
It depends on the wording of the feature and if it actually uses proficiency bonus. Regardless of if the proficiency bonus is halved, doubled, or added without change it is counted as proficiency.
there are features that say something along the lines of “…bonus equal to your proficiency.” Equal to it is. It the same as actually adding it.
PHB pg 173. “Occasionally, your proficiency bonus might be multiplied or divided (doubled or halved, for example) before you apply it. For example, the rogue's Expertise feature doubles the proficiency bonus for certain ability checks. If a circumstance suggests that your proficiency bonus applies more than once to the same roll, you still add it only once and multiply or divide it only once.“
“JACK OF ALL TRADES Starting at 2nd level, you can add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any ability check you make that doesn't already include your proficiency bonus.”
it’s directly adding the proficiency bonus so it seems to work to me.
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With the playtest changes to the Help Action where it know requires proficiency to help another person with an ability check (this is how I run my games as DM anyhow), I was wondering how to handle the Bard ability Jack of All Trades. My thought is to have this be like the exception to the general rule. That half proficiency allows the bards to help with any check. I think it is very fitting to the theme of bards and would bolster this ability to be very helpful for groups.
I know I can run my games as I choose but I am wondering what others thoughts on this are. Too powerful? Reinforces the support position of bards further?
I'm not familiar with the new rule you are talking about (I assume One D&D or UA?) but I don't see a problem with allowing a bard with JOAT to help. In general, the only real problem I've seen with the help in general is when people try to "help" without explaining how they are actually helping. And that problem was around even before this new rule.
As a DM, I would certainly allow it as well. The general concept is that the character have proficiency in the ability check in order to be competent enough to actually be helpful. I'm not sure yet if the RAW would prohibit "half" proficiency from being eligible (because it isn't proficient enough?). With bards being at least being somewhat knowledgeable and/or skilled in everything, it would certainly make sense and seem reasonable to allow the bard with Jack of All Trades to help somebody else out.
Coincidentally, I've also used this proficiency bonus requirement method for my regular gaming group for the past few years. With usually having 5-6 players sitting at the table, it helped limit the dog pile of "I'm helping!" comments. And, like Lostwhilefishing mentioned, this method made it easier to explain how and why character X could actually help character Y with a certain skill.
It depends on the wording of the feature and if it actually uses proficiency bonus. Regardless of if the proficiency bonus is halved, doubled, or added without change it is counted as proficiency.
there are features that say something along the lines of “…bonus equal to your proficiency.” Equal to it is. It the same as actually adding it.
PHB pg 173.
“Occasionally, your proficiency bonus might be multiplied or divided (doubled or halved, for example) before you apply it. For example, the rogue's Expertise feature doubles the proficiency bonus for certain ability checks. If a circumstance suggests that your proficiency bonus applies more than once to the same roll, you still add it only once and multiply or divide it only once.“
“JACK OF ALL TRADES
Starting at 2nd level, you can add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any ability check you make that doesn't already include your proficiency bonus.”
it’s directly adding the proficiency bonus so it seems to work to me.