Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gwenhyvar 09-10-05, 02:44 PM	Hi, I'm new to DnD and I was reading through the DM guide but I'm really confused about DC. I thought at first DC meant dexterity check, and then I read later and it is referred to as a difficulty check. I've yahooed (i dont use google much) DC and now I'm getting difficulty class. Now, I know DC has several of those meanings and some of them are used interchangeably but when do I refer to the correct one? All I know is you use Dexterity check for abilities like Swimming and climbing right? What about the difficulty check/class? Search and spot checks?
Bardicstorm 09-10-05, 02:57 PM	Hi, I'm new to DnD and I was reading through the DM guide but I'm really confused about DC. I thought at first DC meant dexterity check, and then I read later and it is referred to as a difficulty check. I've yahooed (i dont use google much) DC and now I'm getting difficulty class. Now, I know DC has several of those meanings and some of them are used interchangeably but when do I refer to the correct one? All I know is you use Dexterity check for abilities like Swimming and climbing right? What about the difficulty check/class? Search and spot checks? As far as I know, in the current versions of D&D, DC always refers to the Difficulty Class. The difficulty class represents the numeric score for which any roll must pass in order to be successful. For instance: If a character is poisoned they usually must roll a fortitude save. This means the character rolls a d20, adds their modifiers (con and fort save bonus), and if the roll is higher than the DC, the character makes their save. If it is lower, they're in trouble. In order to perform a skill, they must roll a d20, add their ranks and modifiers, and attempt to beat the DC. If they do they're successful, if not, they fail. Even Dexterity Checks are usually set against a DC in order to judge failure or success. There is more information on DC's in the DMG pg 30 & 31.
Gwenhyvar 09-10-05, 03:00 PM	So what are Dexterity checks then?
jukar 09-10-05, 03:01 PM	As far as I know, in the current versions of D&D, DC always refers to the Difficulty Class. The difficulty class represents the numeric score for which any roll must pass in order to be successful. For instance: If a character is poisoned they usually must roll a fortitude save. This means the character rolls a d20, adds their modifiers (con and fort save bonus), and if the roll is higher than the DC, the character makes their save. If it is lower, they're in trouble. In order to perform a skill, they must roll a d20, add their ranks and modifiers, and attempt to beat the DC. If they do they're successful, if not, they fail. Even Dexterity Checks are usually set against a DC in order to judge failure or success. There is more information on DC's in the DMG pg 30 & 31. Bardicstorm sums it up, but I just want to add (and this is just me, splitting hairs), but- Swimming isn't a Dexterity check. It's a Swim check, meaning you add your ranks in Swim to your Strength bonus, and then apply any armor check penalties (after rolling the d20, naturally). But don't feel bad, D&D is so full of numerous confusing abbreviations and terms, many of which are so very close to each other it's very difficult not to get them confused from time to time.
jukar 09-10-05, 03:03 PM	So what are Dexterity checks then? A Dexterity check is a check made to determine the success or failure of one's use of their dexterity. I can't think of one offhand, but I can give you something similar. For example, if a character were tied up, and would try to break free from the ropes, they would need to make a Strength check. Likewise, a Dexterity check would be a situation where a character would need to rely on his raw Dexterity to succeed (instead of just using a skill).
Bardicstorm 09-10-05, 03:11 PM	A Dexterity check is a check made to determine the success or failure of one's use of their dexterity. I can't think of one offhand, but I can give you something similar. For example, if a character were tied up, and would try to break free from the ropes, they would need to make a Strength check. Likewise, a Dexterity check would be a situation where a character would need to rely on his raw Dexterity to succeed (instead of just using a skill). Well, escaping the bonds could be a strength check or an Escape Artist check. Most of the things one would use a Dexterity check are actual skill checks these days. Regaining one's balance? Balance check. rolling? Tumbling Check. Dancing? Perform (Dancing) Check. Generally you only use straight ability checks when no skill covers the action. One example for Dexterity may be... If a character critically fumbles, the DM may require a Dexterity check with a DC of say 15, in order to keep from dropping the weapon. EDIT: I had just read over the part about Swimming and Climbing. Both are actually Strength based skills in the latest versions, but more importantly they are skills of their own. The reason it is better to have say climbing as a skill is that if it were just an ability score check, you would only add your strength modifier to the roll. But as a skill, a thing that can be learned and practiced, a character adds their Str modifier, their skill ranks, as well as any other climbing bonuses they may have. Thus, someone who's skilled in climbing has a mechanic to show that rather than just requiring such characters to be strong.
jukar 09-10-05, 03:16 PM	Well, escaping the bonds could be a strength check or an Escape Artist check. Most of the things one would use a Dexterity check are actual skill checks these days. Regaining one's balance? Balance check. rolling? Tumbling Check. Dancing? Perform (Dancing) Check. Generally you only use straight ability checks when no skill covers the action. One example for Dexterity may be... If a character critically fumbles, the DM may require a Dexterity check with a DC of say 15, in order to keep from dropping the weapon. Right you are. However, if you just wanted to be all hulkish and burst out of the bonds, it would be a Strength Check. Yeah, I can't think of a single reason to make a Dexterity check, come to think of it.
Gwenhyvar 09-10-05, 04:20 PM	Thanks for all the replies everybody!
q'afuu 09-10-05, 04:44 PM	Yeah, I can't think of a single reason to make a Dexterity check, come to think of it. Every skill check for an untrained Dex-based skill is essentially a Dexterity check. Other things you could call a Dexterity check for: building a house of cards, guiding a rolling ball through a tilting maze, participating in a waiter's race (where you have to complete a circuit as quickly as possible while not spilling anything from the drinks you have to carry with you one a tray), catching a thrown egg without breaking it, squirming through a narrow and crooked passage, ...