The group check rules in the PHB seemed really straight forward until my players asked if they could use guidance or the help action to give a boost or advantage to the less skilled characters. I ruled no in the moment but agreed look into it in case it comes up again. My thought was that the PHB states "In such a situation, the characters who are skilled at a particular task help cover those who aren't." To my mind this was saying that the group check is already giving the less skilled players something equivalent to advantage and so using a roll booster was essentially double dipping. The players felt though that there wasn't anything in the guidance spell or help action that limited what they could be applied to.
The adventure we're running (Rime of the Frostmaiden) has group checks scattered through it so I'm sure this will come up again. Any input or thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks!
I dislike most group checks. Some I like and use, but a bit differently. Like a group stealth check but only the lowest score counts. I know they are used to wash out the good and bad skills in the party, but that is too homogenous for me. I would ask everyone what their character is doing. Then, as the DM, assign which character is making the ability check, which character is helping (either the help action if they are able or through magic),or something else (not everyone can make the same check if they are doing other things like navigating, scouting, foraging, tending wounds, mapping, operating a vehicle or dogsled, etc.). If it gets really strange or the players start complaining, allow them all to make a check but in different ways, areas, or directions. Like everyone can make a perception check, but each person perceives a different direction for the checks, straight ahead, left, right, up, etc.
Guidance is situational and up to the DM. For example, if you are making a stealth check then the verbal component to Guidance might end up giving you away or getting disadvantage on the stealth roll since you are making noise. Guidance only lasts up to 1 minute and requires concentration so you may also need to time the casting of it to help with a specific check.
So, yes you can use Guidance on one character making a group skill check but the casting may have an impact on the task you are trying to succeed at depending on what it is.
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The group check rules in the PHB seemed really straight forward until my players asked if they could use guidance or the help action to give a boost or advantage to the less skilled characters. I ruled no in the moment but agreed look into it in case it comes up again. My thought was that the PHB states "In such a situation, the characters who are skilled at a particular task help cover those who aren't." To my mind this was saying that the group check is already giving the less skilled players something equivalent to advantage and so using a roll booster was essentially double dipping. The players felt though that there wasn't anything in the guidance spell or help action that limited what they could be applied to.
The adventure we're running (Rime of the Frostmaiden) has group checks scattered through it so I'm sure this will come up again. Any input or thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks!
Guidance, yes. Help, no.
You can't help a check you are performing.
I dislike most group checks. Some I like and use, but a bit differently. Like a group stealth check but only the lowest score counts. I know they are used to wash out the good and bad skills in the party, but that is too homogenous for me. I would ask everyone what their character is doing. Then, as the DM, assign which character is making the ability check, which character is helping (either the help action if they are able or through magic),or something else (not everyone can make the same check if they are doing other things like navigating, scouting, foraging, tending wounds, mapping, operating a vehicle or dogsled, etc.). If it gets really strange or the players start complaining, allow them all to make a check but in different ways, areas, or directions. Like everyone can make a perception check, but each person perceives a different direction for the checks, straight ahead, left, right, up, etc.
Guidance is situational and up to the DM. For example, if you are making a stealth check then the verbal component to Guidance might end up giving you away or getting disadvantage on the stealth roll since you are making noise. Guidance only lasts up to 1 minute and requires concentration so you may also need to time the casting of it to help with a specific check.
So, yes you can use Guidance on one character making a group skill check but the casting may have an impact on the task you are trying to succeed at depending on what it is.