Ability checks and skill bonuses [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ability checks and skill bonuses [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Centauri
05-17-07, 09:34 PM Do bonuses to skill check, such as from the heroism spell, apply to ability checks, such as Strength checks to break a door down, or any check for a skill in which you have no ranks?

If so, what about Strength or Dexterity checks made for things like trip and bullrush attempts?

What about caster level checks?
Nathreet
05-17-07, 09:48 PM Other things that give bonuses to ability checks say so. But since an ability check is essentially an untrained skill check, I find it odd that it isn't included in the spell description. So:

ability check: maybe
trip / bullrush: These are also described as ability checks, so yes if ability checks apply.
untrained skill check: yes
caster level checks: definately not. This is something else entirely.
tarkin
05-17-07, 09:55 PM Neither Ability Checks nor caster level checks count as "Skill Checks".

So the answer is no, to all of the things you asked about.
Nathreet
05-17-07, 11:09 PM Ability Checks
Sometimes a character tries to do something to which no specific skill really applies. In these cases, you make an ability check. An ability check is a roll of 1d20 plus the appropriate ability modifier. Essentially, you’re making an untrained skill check.

In some cases, an action is a straight test of one’s ability with no luck involved. Just as you wouldn’t make a height check to see who is taller, you don’t make a Strength check to see who is stronger.

Ability checks are essentially untrained skill checks. Hence the confusion.
Neutronium_Dragon
05-17-07, 11:52 PM It would be more accurate to say that a skill check is an ability check with a skill modifier.

Some ability checks don't have skill parallels. This is especially true of Strength, where there are quite a few things you might want to do and which have no skill equivalency. Say, toppling over a statue. There's no statue-toppling skill and it would be a bit of a stretch to create one since it's not really something that skill would help with.

If the description specifically says "ability checks" or "skill checks" then it applies to that specifically. If it just says "checks" then it applies to both.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Centauri 05-17-07, 09:34 PM	Do bonuses to skill check, such as from the heroism spell, apply to ability checks, such as Strength checks to break a door down, or any check for a skill in which you have no ranks? If so, what about Strength or Dexterity checks made for things like trip and bullrush attempts? What about caster level checks?
Nathreet 05-17-07, 09:48 PM	Other things that give bonuses to ability checks say so. But since an ability check is essentially an untrained skill check, I find it odd that it isn't included in the spell description. So: ability check: maybe trip / bullrush: These are also described as ability checks, so yes if ability checks apply. untrained skill check: yes caster level checks: definately not. This is something else entirely.
tarkin 05-17-07, 09:55 PM	Neither Ability Checks nor caster level checks count as "Skill Checks". So the answer is no, to all of the things you asked about.
Nathreet 05-17-07, 11:09 PM	Ability Checks Sometimes a character tries to do something to which no specific skill really applies. In these cases, you make an ability check. An ability check is a roll of 1d20 plus the appropriate ability modifier. Essentially, you’re making an untrained skill check. In some cases, an action is a straight test of one’s ability with no luck involved. Just as you wouldn’t make a height check to see who is taller, you don’t make a Strength check to see who is stronger. Ability checks are essentially untrained skill checks. Hence the confusion.
Neutronium_Dragon 05-17-07, 11:52 PM	It would be more accurate to say that a skill check is an ability check with a skill modifier. Some ability checks don't have skill parallels. This is especially true of Strength, where there are quite a few things you might want to do and which have no skill equivalency. Say, toppling over a statue. There's no statue-toppling skill and it would be a bit of a stretch to create one since it's not really something that skill would help with. If the description specifically says "ability checks" or "skill checks" then it applies to that specifically. If it just says "checks" then it applies to both.