2) No for ability modifiers. Re: proficiency bonus, the language of the book is inconsistent; it says you "can" add your proficiency bonus to ability checks when you're proficient in the skill the DM calls for, which suggests some degree of choice, but later it says the bonus "is" added. Easy answer is "no." The rules absolutely assume that you will be adding your proficiency bonus.
RAW: No. in older editions you could, but not this edition for whatever reason. However, many DMs houserule that you can hold your initiative if you want to, but it is entirely a houserule not supported by the actual game itself.
RAW: No. and No? Like SagaTympana wrote, the rules are inconsistent regarding Proficiency. However, the game was written under the assumption that you are always trying to succeed at whatever you do. As a DM, if you want to not give something your all I would allow you to hold back and not add PB as it’s only realistic. But if your actual Ability is high enough it can be hard to fail sometimes. However, I have let a PC withhold their Dex mod from AC if they were actively willing to get hit and only used their armor to calculate AC. But again, that was a houserule.
TL/DR: No, but if you’re the DM you can decide whatever you feel is appropriate.
Thanks all. I assumed the initiative was no but wasnt sure about the modifiers. I found several things that were game breaking for both ideas so I figured as much. As a dm, it would be a real "wtf u up to moment" if someone asked to do it.
Thanks all. I assumed the initiative was no but wasnt sure about the modifiers. I found several things that were game breaking for both ideas so I figured as much. As a dm, it would be a real "wtf u up to moment" if someone asked to do it.
For initiative, RAW you can use the ready action to do stuff after your turn. Beyond that is house rule territory.
As for using your modifiers, you could always just not attempt to do whatever you would normally apply those modifiers to. For example, if you are only pretending to fight, that would be a performance check instead of an attack roll. There should never be a situation where you roll a check you want to fail.
Regarding the "withholding DEX from AC" example, another way of dealing with the situation is for the willing target to take the help action on themselves to give advantage on the attack roll. We did that in our campaign for my artificer to shoot the heavily-armored paladin at a distance to test a reaction; even with advantage I missed the first try :D
Per RAW, can:
1) I choose to go last in a combat round, such as forging my initiative?
2) can I choose not to include my ability or proficiency modifier in a roll?
Thanks all
1) No.
2) No for ability modifiers. Re: proficiency bonus, the language of the book is inconsistent; it says you "can" add your proficiency bonus to ability checks when you're proficient in the skill the DM calls for, which suggests some degree of choice, but later it says the bonus "is" added. Easy answer is "no." The rules absolutely assume that you will be adding your proficiency bonus.
TL/DR: No, but if you’re the DM you can decide whatever you feel is appropriate.
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Thanks all. I assumed the initiative was no but wasnt sure about the modifiers. I found several things that were game breaking for both ideas so I figured as much. As a dm, it would be a real "wtf u up to moment" if someone asked to do it.
For initiative, RAW you can use the ready action to do stuff after your turn. Beyond that is house rule territory.
As for using your modifiers, you could always just not attempt to do whatever you would normally apply those modifiers to. For example, if you are only pretending to fight, that would be a performance check instead of an attack roll. There should never be a situation where you roll a check you want to fail.
Regarding the "withholding DEX from AC" example, another way of dealing with the situation is for the willing target to take the help action on themselves to give advantage on the attack roll. We did that in our campaign for my artificer to shoot the heavily-armored paladin at a distance to test a reaction; even with advantage I missed the first try :D
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