Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 McMechanism Mar 20, 2015 2:57:08	I sometimes find it hard to decide if a check is against a DC or an opposing skill (contest). I appreciate that ultimately it's up to me and won't make a massive difference but I like to know what other people do.   I understand from the RAW that a contest is when two creatures are trying to achieve the same thing (grabbing a ring off the floor) or directly opposing things (one trying to keep a door shut and the other trying to open it) and I also appreciate the use of a deception vs insight check. That all makes sense to me but I would like to know how you call it in your games?   1. For exampe - A PC tries to intimidate an NPC - do you pick a DC or roll a WIS chk for the NPC to facilitate a contest?   2. Do DMs generally use DCs as it's quicker, only using contests if it's an important NPC?   3. Would you ever use saving throws for the NPCs instead? So for example number one above - would you have the NPC roll a WIS saving throw?   At the moment I tend towards DCs just for speed. I think I try to go for contests when the task is more mental (bluffing, diplomacy etc) but then I often get stuck thinking 'right, what is the correct opposing skill?).
#2 CFK Mar 20, 2015 3:09:17	As the DMG says (somwehere) DC 10 = normal, DC 15 = moderate, DC 20 = hard...   I just think what kind of NPC is it. A commoner? DC10 (Normal). Is it a battle worn knight? DC 15(moderate) is it a crucial NPC for the advenure? DC20 or higher. DC's are faster than thinking of a score for the NPC, rolling the opposing skill and such.   For a saving throw I do the same, for a commoner without adjustment, for a knight (or the likes) a +2 and for the big NPC's a +5.
#3 McMechanism Mar 20, 2015 5:30:39	Thanks for the reply but my question wasn't 'how do I determine the DCs of checks?'. It was 'how do you decide when to use contests as opposed to DCs'.
#4 iserith Mar 20, 2015 5:36:23	McMechanism wrote:
#5 Ranthalan Mar 20, 2015 9:44:21	McMechanism wrote: