Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 El_Condoro Nov 07, 2014 16:15:59	The PHB p. 174 describes how contests work. My question relates to one of the examples given - the contest to open a door. How does the contest work in the initiative order?   For example, a PC tries to open a door on his/her turn. An NPC that has already had its turn in the initiative order wants to oppose the attempt. Does the NPC get to use its bonus action or reaction? What if they have already used their bonus or reaction - is the door opened unopposed?   Just wondering how it works in practice.
#2 Novacat Nov 07, 2014 17:00:56	It's DM's discretion, of course, but personally, I would say the opposing creature must spend either it's action or reaction to engage in the contest. If it didn't spend its action to hold the door, and it has already used its reaction for the round, it cannot make the opposed check; clearly, it's too busy doing other things.   There may be circumstances where a creature can make the opposed check without needing to spend an action/reaction, of course. Again, DM's discretion.
#3 OoftaMeg Nov 07, 2014 19:25:47	I would look at it more like a tug of war where person A tries to pull while person B resists.  If A succeeds he pulls the rope closer.  If B succeeds the rope doesn't move.   On B's turn he can try to pull the rope and A can only resist the pull.   The person resisting the pull doesn't have to spend an action or reaction any more than they would to resist being grappled.
#4 MechaPilot Nov 07, 2014 20:15:14	El_Condoro wrote:
#5 El_Condoro Nov 07, 2014 20:31:57	MechaPilot wrote: