I know the rules state that chain has 10 hit points. It can be burst with a successful DC 20 Strength check... but I assume that DC 20 is based on hitting the chain with something. That would be too low in my opinion for a character or creature trying to break a chain with their bare hands.
What would you set the DC at for such an attempted action?
If they're hitting it with something, they're probably attacking its HP. The DC 20 is to bust out of it like the Hulk ripping through his shirt.
If you want stronger chains, use a higher DC. The types of chains you're thinking of probably aren't the same types of chains the designers were thinking of when they wrote that.
However, consider: Would an ogre be able to do it? An ogre has STR 19. Player characters can have STR 19.
The DC to break out of them with sheer Strength is 20.
Per the Object rules (DMG 246), the chain has an AC of 19 and 10 hit points per the item description.
If a group of creatures is intent on restraining a strong creature, they would use two sets of manacles chained together. DC20 is pretty high for an ability check, to be honest. Even a level 20 barbarian with 24 strength while raging (with advantage) has only a 64% chance of breaking out of the chains outright.
If a character with str 20 (+5 on the check) has advantage... what are the odds? (DC 20) It's like 50% right? (how are the odds calculated?) If so that still seems too easy for even a very strong mortal to break a chain with their bare hands. 🤔
With a +5, you need to roll 15 or above to hit 20. So 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 -- that's 6 successful possibilities out of 20 -- 6/20, or 3/10. 30% without advantage.
With advantage it's a little weirder. I'm not really a math girl, so I'll leave that to somebody else.
This is 10ft of chain that weighs 10 pounds. A good place to start would be to get a look at what a chain with those specs would actually look like. I have no idea.
If a character with str 20 (+5 on the check) has advantage... what are the odds? (DC 20) It's like 50% right? (how are the odds calculated?) If so that still seems too easy for even a very strong mortal to break a chain with their bare hands. 🤔
With advantage you would have a 51% chance to roll a natural 15 or higher plus the str bonus. So yeah, basically exactly 50%
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I know the rules state that chain has 10 hit points. It can be burst with a successful DC 20 Strength check... but I assume that DC 20 is based on hitting the chain with something. That would be too low in my opinion for a character or creature trying to break a chain with their bare hands.
What would you set the DC at for such an attempted action?
The Art Wizard of Oaktown
If they're hitting it with something, they're probably attacking its HP. The DC 20 is to bust out of it like the Hulk ripping through his shirt.
If you want stronger chains, use a higher DC. The types of chains you're thinking of probably aren't the same types of chains the designers were thinking of when they wrote that.
However, consider: Would an ogre be able to do it? An ogre has STR 19. Player characters can have STR 19.
The DC to break out of them with sheer Strength is 20.
Per the Object rules (DMG 246), the chain has an AC of 19 and 10 hit points per the item description.
If a group of creatures is intent on restraining a strong creature, they would use two sets of manacles chained together. DC20 is pretty high for an ability check, to be honest. Even a level 20 barbarian with 24 strength while raging (with advantage) has only a 64% chance of breaking out of the chains outright.
Thinking in terms of odds is helpful, thanks!
If a character with str 20 (+5 on the check) has advantage... what are the odds? (DC 20) It's like 50% right? (how are the odds calculated?) If so that still seems too easy for even a very strong mortal to break a chain with their bare hands. 🤔
The Art Wizard of Oaktown
With a +5, you need to roll 15 or above to hit 20. So 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 -- that's 6 successful possibilities out of 20 -- 6/20, or 3/10. 30% without advantage.
With advantage it's a little weirder. I'm not really a math girl, so I'll leave that to somebody else.
This is 10ft of chain that weighs 10 pounds. A good place to start would be to get a look at what a chain with those specs would actually look like. I have no idea.
With advantage you would have a 51% chance to roll a natural 15 or higher plus the str bonus. So yeah, basically exactly 50%