Can someone explain skills to me?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Lashan

Oct 10, 2014 16:36:00

I'm trying to get into 3rd Ed and I read the free PDF once through.  I'm still a bit confused.  I'm not sure how skills work.

 

OK....I get DC's.   Let me set up an example:

 

Someone wants to use Athletics to do something.  There is one way to use Strength (I want to life that big thing) and another that's with Dexterity (I want to do a hand stand).  Let's give both of those a DC of 10.  

 

Let's also say that my Str bonus is +2 and my Dex is +1.  That means I need an 8 for the lifting and a 9 for the handstand.  I get that.

 

What do skills do?  There aren't ranks.  What bonus do they give?  I know it's something.

#2

AaronOfBarbaria

Oct 10, 2014 16:40:48

Assuming that you are meaning 5th edition, rather than 3rd:

 

No, there aren't skill ranks - if you are proficient in a skill you add your proficiency bonus, which ranges from +2 to +6 depending on your level, to any checks using that skill.

#3

Lashan

Oct 10, 2014 16:42:35

Ooooohhhh.....so that level bonus?   It's for skills?   Gotcha!!!!    Very simplified.

 

Doesn't that bonus also work for attacking, too?

#4

AaronOfBarbaria

Oct 10, 2014 16:47:29

Proficiency bonus applies to any d20 roll made for things which you are proficient in, whether that is an ability check, a saving throw, or an attack.

#5

Saelorn

Oct 10, 2014 16:51:12

Lashan wrote:
#6

Lashan

Oct 10, 2014 17:53:54

Thanks guys...

#7

Grazel

Oct 11, 2014 0:50:16

So an athletics skill check (assuming you're proficient) is a Strength skill (never a Dex, a handstand would be considered Acrobatics).

 

So Str of 12 (+1), level 1 character (proficiency bonus +2).

 

DC of your athletics check: 10.

 

You'd roll 1d20 and add 1 for Strength, and 2 for proficiency. That total needs to beat the DC of 10 (so you have to roll a 7 or better).

 

Now if you're not proficient with the Athletics skill you'd roll 1d20 and add 1 for Strength. This means you have to roll a 9 or better to succeed on the same DC.

 

A melee attack with a weapon you are proficient with  would be 1d20 +1 for Strength +2 for proficiency, agains the target's AC.

A melee attack with a weapon you aren't proficent with (say a wizard using a greatsword) would be 1d20 + 1 for Strength, against the target's AC.

#8

paulstrait

Oct 11, 2014 15:22:32

Grazel wrote: