I had a hard time thinking of many ability checks that apply while in combat. The best one I could think of to sabotage would be Stealth, make it more difficult for a target to break line of sight and slip away.
In practice you'll probably hex the stronger of strength or dexterity if anyone in the party uses grapples or shoves, or dexterity when fighting enemies that hide. Strength scores tend to correlate well with creature size while dexterity scores are inversely correlated so it's not hard to guess which one's their better score.
No, the spell explicitly states "Ability Checks". Saving Throws and Attack Rolls are unaffected by it.
Although it opens some possibilities for grappling / shoving in combat.
After reading Coder's post, I think saving throws really could be affected. They are just pure stat ability checks without the benefit of a specific skill and proficiency bonus. I'm not insisting, just noting the possibility that it is an intended use of the ability.
No, the spell explicitly states "Ability Checks". Saving Throws and Attack Rolls are unaffected by it.
Although it opens some possibilities for grappling / shoving in combat.
After reading Coder's post, I think saving throws really could be affected. They are just pure stat ability checks without the benefit of a specific skill and proficiency bonus. I'm not insisting, just noting the possibility that it is an intended use of the ability.
Not actually a possibility at all. D&D makes very firm distinctions between Attack Rolls, Ability Checks and Saving Throws. Simply by specifying “Ability Checks” they are holding to that distinction.
You place a curse on a creature that you can see within range. Until the spell ends, you deal an extra 1d6 necrotic damage to the target whenever you hit it with an attack. Also, choose one ability when you cast the spell. The target has disadvantage on ability checks made with the chosen ability.
No, the spell explicitly states "Ability Checks". Saving Throws and Attack Rolls are unaffected by it.
Although it opens some possibilities for grappling / shoving in combat.
After reading Coder's post, I think saving throws really could be affected. They are just pure stat ability checks without the benefit of a specific skill and proficiency bonus. I'm not insisting, just noting the possibility that it is an intended use of the ability.
The three types of d20 rolls in 5e are ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls. They are all distinct from each other. All skill checks are ability checks, but not all ability checks are skill checks. Saving throws aren’t checks at all, because checks and saves are disjoint.
No, the spell explicitly states "Ability Checks". Saving Throws and Attack Rolls are unaffected by it.
Although it opens some possibilities for grappling / shoving in combat.
After reading Coder's post, I think saving throws really could be affected. They are just pure stat ability checks without the benefit of a specific skill and proficiency bonus. I'm not insisting, just noting the possibility that it is an intended use of the ability.
The three types of d20 rolls in 5e are ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls. They are all distinct from each other. All skill checks are ability checks, but not all ability checks are skill checks. Saving throws aren’t checks at all, because checks and saves are disjoint.
See this why I post the question. Treantmonk's Temple on You-Tube posted a build, that used Hex against saves. A debate started in the comment section, with no real resolution. If it was RAI, it would have been as powerful as Bestow Curse (one of my favorite spells). Your reasoning makes sense, I just wish Hex said skill checks to be more clear.
No, the spell explicitly states "Ability Checks". Saving Throws and Attack Rolls are unaffected by it.
Although it opens some possibilities for grappling / shoving in combat.
After reading Coder's post, I think saving throws really could be affected. They are just pure stat ability checks without the benefit of a specific skill and proficiency bonus. I'm not insisting, just noting the possibility that it is an intended use of the ability.
The three types of d20 rolls in 5e are ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls. They are all distinct from each other. All skill checks are ability checks, but not all ability checks are skill checks. Saving throws aren’t checks at all, because checks and saves are disjoint.
See this why I post the question. Treantmonk's Temple on You-Tube posted a build, that used Hex against saves. A debate started in the comment section, with no real resolution. If it was RAI, it would have been as powerful as Bestow Curse (one of my favorite spells). Your reasoning makes sense, I just wish Hex said skill checks to be more clear.
The problem with that is that not every ability check is a skill check, and Hex applies to all ability checks, not just skill checks. The basic rules are really clear about the distinction between ability checks and saving throws. Each is under its own section of the rules, and they're described completely differently.
No, the spell explicitly states "Ability Checks". Saving Throws and Attack Rolls are unaffected by it.
Although it opens some possibilities for grappling / shoving in combat.
After reading Coder's post, I think saving throws really could be affected. They are just pure stat ability checks without the benefit of a specific skill and proficiency bonus. I'm not insisting, just noting the possibility that it is an intended use of the ability.
The three types of d20 rolls in 5e are ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls. They are all distinct from each other. All skill checks are ability checks, but not all ability checks are skill checks. Saving throws aren’t checks at all, because checks and saves are disjoint.
See this why I post the question. Treantmonk's Temple on You-Tube posted a build, that used Hex against saves. A debate started in the comment section, with no real resolution. If it was RAI, it would have been as powerful as Bestow Curse (one of my favorite spells). Your reasoning makes sense, I just wish Hex said skill checks to be more clear.
The problem with that is that not every ability check is a skill check, and Hex applies to all ability checks, not just skill checks. The basic rules are really clear about the distinction between ability checks and saving throws. Each is under its own section of the rules, and they're described completely differently.
Technically there are no “skill checks,” there are only Ability Checks that allow you to apply a proficiency with a skill, and those that do not. A Strength check and a Strength (Athletics) check are both still Strength Checks, one allows you to add your proficiency bonus if proficient in the (Athletics) skill, the other does not. But there is no such thing as an “(Athletics) Skill Check.”
Does this include Saving Throws, as it doesn't specify just Skills?
No, the spell explicitly states "Ability Checks". Saving Throws and Attack Rolls are unaffected by it.
Although it opens some possibilities for grappling / shoving in combat.
I had a hard time thinking of many ability checks that apply while in combat. The best one I could think of to sabotage would be Stealth, make it more difficult for a target to break line of sight and slip away.
Strength:
Dexterity:
Wisdom:
Intelligence:
Charisma:
In practice you'll probably hex the stronger of strength or dexterity if anyone in the party uses grapples or shoves, or dexterity when fighting enemies that hide. Strength scores tend to correlate well with creature size while dexterity scores are inversely correlated so it's not hard to guess which one's their better score.
After reading Coder's post, I think saving throws really could be affected. They are just pure stat ability checks without the benefit of a specific skill and proficiency bonus. I'm not insisting, just noting the possibility that it is an intended use of the ability.
Not actually a possibility at all. D&D makes very firm distinctions between Attack Rolls, Ability Checks and Saving Throws. Simply by specifying “Ability Checks” they are holding to that distinction.
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The three types of d20 rolls in 5e are ability checks, saving throws, and attack rolls. They are all distinct from each other. All skill checks are ability checks, but not all ability checks are skill checks. Saving throws aren’t checks at all, because checks and saves are disjoint.
Thanks for replies. Sorry it took so long for me to reply, I just home from work.
See this why I post the question. Treantmonk's Temple on You-Tube posted a build, that used Hex against saves. A debate started in the comment section, with no real resolution. If it was RAI, it would have been as powerful as Bestow Curse (one of my favorite spells). Your reasoning makes sense, I just wish Hex said skill checks to be more clear.
The problem with that is that not every ability check is a skill check, and Hex applies to all ability checks, not just skill checks. The basic rules are really clear about the distinction between ability checks and saving throws. Each is under its own section of the rules, and they're described completely differently.
Technically there are no “skill checks,” there are only Ability Checks that allow you to apply a proficiency with a skill, and those that do not. A Strength check and a Strength (Athletics) check are both still Strength Checks, one allows you to add your proficiency bonus if proficient in the (Athletics) skill, the other does not. But there is no such thing as an “(Athletics) Skill Check.”
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB