This brings up onetwo three questions that confuses me:
When one is doing a Skill Check based on a different Ability bonus and the character has proficiency in the Skill, does the proficiency apply to the Ability bonus? I'm thinking, yes.
When one is doing a Skill Check based on a different Ability bonus and fails, I would assume the Skill Check fails but does the entire attempt fail? For example, a person tries to intimidate by bending metal and fails the DC for Intimidate but would pass a DC for bending the metal if it were a Skill Check based on Strength. What about the inverse where a Strength-based skill would fail the DC for bending the metal but Intimidate would pass the DC?
I'm thinking passing the DC for bending metal but not Intimidate based on Strength would simply bend the metal without impressing the opponent enough to intimidate the character, but failing the DC to bend the metal would fail the Intimidate regardless.
Someone mentioned, but just for clarity’s sake, there is no such thing as a “Skill Check” in 5e. Creatures make Ability Checks, and if a (Skill) is listed following that required Ability, a creature proficient in that skill can add their PB to the total for the required Ability Check.
Regarding the conundrum you brought up, I do it the other way round. I don’t decide to use the variant and then attempt to figure out the result, I figure out what I need to figure out, and apply that variant rule as a possible resolution. I would considder the Strength Check to bend the bar and decide on a DC (23ish), and also asses the Charisma (Intimidation) check and determine a DC (CR@min:10),*•’and then reduce the whole situation to a single roll by one**• of the following methods:
Just use the one with the higher DC. I reason that if they can do the harder of the two (likely bending a metal bar), then that will also cover the easier.
Just use the one most situationally relevant. I reason that, since the Strength Check is merely a means to the desired end of intimidating a creature, the Charisma (Intimidation) check is the important part.
Let the player pick. I would offer them the option of either a Str Check (DC 23ish), or the Cha (Intimidation) check (DC=CR@min:10), and let them choose the form of the destructor compare their bonuses against the stated DCs and decide for themselves which of the two checks they make.
Combine them. Utilizing the variant rule and calling for a “Strength (Intimation) Check” would be an example of this method. For the DC I would either use the higher of the two as above, or possibly the average of the two, whichever seemed more situationally appropriate.
* I don’t call for checks with a DC lower than 10 if they are under no pressure during the attempt. If there is technically a possibility of failure then I basically call for an unmodified d20 roll (DC 2), just to see if the wind is gonna knock their horseshoe off course and spoil their ringer. (It would have to either be a paper horseshoe, or one of those “weather events” so powerful it compels people to create arbitrary numerical rating systems for as a means of reaffirming their own significance would have had to suddenly manifest out of nowhere and… then just as suddenly decide to stay in.)
** Personally, I go with what’s behind door #3 around 60ish% of the time in these types of situations anymore for a variety of reasons: • It’s one less thing on me. In corporation me and governments I believe they refer to it as “delegating.” • It gives the players controlled opportunities to actively shape some aspects of the multiverse beyond their individual PCs. I may be wrong, but I think I heard one time that players like that kinda stuff, I think maybe the word “agency” got used a couple of times…? Somethin’ or other like that. • If they fail, nobody can be hold me accountable for it since I wasn’t the one who decided what they rolled. If I choose the one they don’t like I risk being “unfair” or whatever, if I choose the other one then I risk being “too soft” on them or something. 🙄 Since I’d likely be dipped either way….*s
From the Vaults of the Golden Lion:
Potential Movie Reference #1:
Potential Movie Reference Option #2:
I leave it to each of you to choose your preferred movie reference. 😉
A DM is free to switch ability scores for checks when it makes sense. For example, when tying or untying a knot, a character has to make an INT based Sleight of Hand check. I’d allow STR based Intimidation check if it made sense for the character.
Someone mentioned, but just for clarity’s sake, there is no such thing as a “Skill Check” in 5e. Creatures make Ability Checks, and if a (Skill) is listed following that required Ability, a creature proficient in that skill can add their PB to the total for the required Ability Check.
Regarding the conundrum you brought up, I do it the other way round. I don’t decide to use the variant and then attempt to figure out the result, I figure out what I need to figure out, and apply that variant rule as a possible resolution. I would considder the Strength Check to bend the bar and decide on a DC (23ish), and also asses the Charisma (Intimidation) check and determine a DC (CR@min:10),*•’and then reduce the whole situation to a single roll by one**• of the following methods:
choose the form of the destructorcompare their bonuses against the stated DCs and decide for themselves which of the two checks they make.• It’s one less thing on me. In corporation me and governments I believe they refer to it as “delegating.”
• It gives the players controlled opportunities to actively shape some aspects of the multiverse beyond their individual PCs. I may be wrong, but I think I heard one time that players like that kinda stuff, I think maybe the word “agency” got used a couple of times…? Somethin’ or other like that.
• If they fail, nobody can be hold me accountable for it since I wasn’t the one who decided what they rolled. If I choose the one they don’t like I risk being “unfair” or whatever, if I choose the other one then I risk being “too soft” on them or something. 🙄 Since I’d likely be dipped either way….*s
From the Vaults of the Golden Lion:
Potential Movie Reference #1:
Potential Movie Reference Option #2:
I leave it to each of you to choose your preferred movie reference. 😉
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
A DM is free to switch ability scores for checks when it makes sense. For example, when tying or untying a knot, a character has to make an INT based Sleight of Hand check. I’d allow STR based Intimidation check if it made sense for the character.