My group and I don't want a "Sub-System" for dealing with out of combat scenarios.

[ForeverSlayer]

My group and I discussed that fact that we did not like "Skill Challenges" at all because we felt that a "sub-system" for out of combat situations was unnecessary.

Having a "mini-game" taking place is not our idea of an out of combat experience. We actually like the 3rd edition/Pathfinder method where it's usually up to the players and the DM's to find out of combat uses with the rules at present.

Abilities such as Turn Undead, Charm Person etc can be used in combat or it can just as easily be used out of combat. I like the fact that I can create a combat sorcerer or I can create a purely non combat one without the book needing to build it for me and calling it a "non combat" build.

I want D&D Next to present the rules without any mini-games going on and let us decide how we will use the abilities that we are given. I don't like the three successes vs three failures rule, nor has anyone in my group.

This method would have been okay if it has been presented as just one way that a skill challenge could be handled.

 

[Fanaelialae]

I'm not seeing the problem. If you don't like Skill Challenges, don't use them. There are probably only a half dozen or so abilities in the entirety of 4e (AFAIK) that interact with them, so they're really easy to rule out.

Even if they are kept for 5e, they're certain to be only one of several options, as 5e is meant to cater to many styles.

 

[JasonZZ]

My group and I discussed that fact that we did not like "Skill Challenges" at all because we felt that a "sub-system" for out of combat situations was unnecessary.

I want D&D Next to present the rules without any mini-games going on and let us decide how we will use the abilities that we are given. I don't like the three successes vs three failures rule, nor has anyone in my group.

This method would have been okay if it has been presented as just one way that a skill challenge could be handled.

I'm a little confused here--are you asking that skill challenges (or other mechanics like them) be clearly marked as just one of may options for the DM? Or do you want them denied to those of us who like them, or use them as a starting point to do things our own way?

 

[ForeverSlayer]

I'm a little confused here--are you asking that skill challenges (or other mechanics like them) be clearly marked as just one of may options for the DM? Or do you want them denied to those of us who like them, or use them as a starting point to do things our own way?

I'm worried about what my group wants and we don't want them. Now if they want to present them as an option then that's fine but I don't want this built into the default system.

There is only going to be so much room to add things. There will have to be limits because I know they won't be printing a 1,500 page rule book.

 

[Feeroper]

Although I have no concrete information, I think it is very likely that skill challenges will not be baked into the core rules. Something like that would be a module, but who knows if that will even happen? Skill challenges had a rocky start in 4e and never really recovered in the grand scheme of things. I think you will find the core rules will be more like the old school D&D style. However, there is lots of time of before we see any final products for D&D Next, so as the playtest continues remember to leave your feedback if you are interested in playing D&D and seeing it presented the way you like.

At the very least if you are unhappy with the direction that is taken or the final product of DDN, at least you'll know ahead of time and since you've already stated you prefer Pathfinder anyways (currently), that'll be around a good long time so your set either way. Its a win-win situation!

 

[n00bdragon]

This topic has a very "Stop liking what I don't like" feel to it. If you don't like Skill Challenges... then don't use them. Why would you demand that they not be included even if other people DO like them?

Seriously. If every single thing in 5e caters to your tastes in particular then it has failed in its stated goal to appeal to everyone.

 

[DEFCON 1]

You may want ro wait until skill challenges show up in the playtest and make your feelings about it known in the WotC survey then. It might actually get some traction there.

 

[Raith5]

Agree with Feeroper. SCs will not be baked in - they were not really baked in with 4th as you did not have to use them to adjudicate situations, even though they were in the core rules.

SCs are just a more structured use of the skill system (which is baked in) where PCs have to think about the overarching context of the situation and use different skills creatively to get what they want. SC are certainly not useful in every situation or mandatory. They are just another tool to assist DMs flesh out social situations and useful contribution to D&D.

 

[nomotog]

I like the idea behind skill challenges and I like the idea of minigames, but I do agree with the sentiment expressed by the OP. Skill challenges shouldn't be a sub system. You can fit skill challenges inside the core rule of ability checks.

 

[rkwoodard]

skill challenges

Hello,

Weren't Skill Challenges just using skill checks with a X number of successes needed by X attempts? That does not strike me as a real sub-system.

Turning Undead in 1/2 edition....that was a sub-system.



RK.