ability checks [Archive] - Wizards Community

ability checks [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ablon
08-01-05, 01:50 PM i wonder if anyone could give me some examples of when to use ability checks ?

if i am going to lift a stone that weighs 200lb and i have str:18 do i need to make a str check or can i just lift it ?

just an examples
Centauri
08-01-05, 02:07 PM There's a table for how much you can lift given your strength, so you don't need to roll for that.

The classic example of an ability check is a Strength check to open a door.

See the "Breaking and Entering" section of:
http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/carryingAndExploration.html
q'afuu
08-01-05, 02:32 PM Any skill check without ranks is effectively an ability check. Opposed ability checks shouldn't normally be rolled (when two characters are involved in a tug-of-war, the strongest one simply wins), but in the case of a tie a roll might decide. Other ability checks involve adjudicating attempts to do something that isn't really part of any skill: a DM might call for an Int check when the character is trying to solve a puzzle but the player can't make heads nor tails of it, for instance. If succesful he'll get a hint, if not he's on his own. IIRC, the rules use Con checks for suffocation situations. I've used Wis checks for gut feelings, Cha checks for first impressions (for when there's not enough time to use Diplomacy), Dex checks for deft handling of items, Str checks to see how solidly a character could jam things together to build an obstacle, etc.
weasel fierce
08-01-05, 03:11 PM Up to the DM. Some will assume that tasks that arent terribly important can be done automatically. Some will assume that everything has to be diced for. Most fall in either group depending.

As a rule of thumb, if something has a significant chance of failure, or the success/failure of an attempt will impact the game in some important way, you should roll.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ablon 08-01-05, 01:50 PM	i wonder if anyone could give me some examples of when to use ability checks ? if i am going to lift a stone that weighs 200lb and i have str:18 do i need to make a str check or can i just lift it ? just an examples
Centauri 08-01-05, 02:07 PM	There's a table for how much you can lift given your strength, so you don't need to roll for that. The classic example of an ability check is a Strength check to open a door. See the "Breaking and Entering" section of: http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/carryingAndExploration.html
q'afuu 08-01-05, 02:32 PM	Any skill check without ranks is effectively an ability check. Opposed ability checks shouldn't normally be rolled (when two characters are involved in a tug-of-war, the strongest one simply wins), but in the case of a tie a roll might decide. Other ability checks involve adjudicating attempts to do something that isn't really part of any skill: a DM might call for an Int check when the character is trying to solve a puzzle but the player can't make heads nor tails of it, for instance. If succesful he'll get a hint, if not he's on his own. IIRC, the rules use Con checks for suffocation situations. I've used Wis checks for gut feelings, Cha checks for first impressions (for when there's not enough time to use Diplomacy), Dex checks for deft handling of items, Str checks to see how solidly a character could jam things together to build an obstacle, etc.
weasel fierce 08-01-05, 03:11 PM	Up to the DM. Some will assume that tasks that arent terribly important can be done automatically. Some will assume that everything has to be diced for. Most fall in either group depending. As a rule of thumb, if something has a significant chance of failure, or the success/failure of an attempt will impact the game in some important way, you should roll.