Hey,
I disagree with my DM on how to read the Diplomacy skill.
He says that a Diplomacy check is always due to a negotiation and thus calls for an opposed check. As he understands the system, a character using Diplomacy has always to roll against the opposed Diplomacy check of the NPC + a DC given by the table on p. 72 in the NPC + circumstance modifiers.
My understanding is that there are (at least) two uses of the Diplomacy skill. One is to change the attitude of an NPC towards the character using the Diplomacy. This is not an opposed check and the DCs given on the table mentioned apply (i.e. 40 to turn one from unfriendly to helpful).
Then there are negotiations. In these, one calls for an opposed check and the table with the flat DCs does not apply.
What is correct? I think that the ruling of my DM yields DCs much higher than intended. With his ruling, trying to turn even a person unskilled in Diplomacy from unfriendly to helpful has an average DC of 50 instead of 40 (40 + average result on d20 due to opposed roll).
Do you have some persuading arguments for one of the points of view?
Best,
Marc
P.S.: I am interested in the rules as written (and meant ), not in one of the many house rules regarding this skill.
I disagree with my DM on how to read the Diplomacy skill.
He says that a Diplomacy check is always due to a negotiation and thus calls for an opposed check. As he understands the system, a character using Diplomacy has always to roll against the opposed Diplomacy check of the NPC + a DC given by the table on p. 72 in the NPC + circumstance modifiers.
My understanding is that there are (at least) two uses of the Diplomacy skill. One is to change the attitude of an NPC towards the character using the Diplomacy. This is not an opposed check and the DCs given on the table mentioned apply (i.e. 40 to turn one from unfriendly to helpful).
Then there are negotiations. In these, one calls for an opposed check and the table with the flat DCs does not apply.
What is correct? I think that the ruling of my DM yields DCs much higher than intended. With his ruling, trying to turn even a person unskilled in Diplomacy from unfriendly to helpful has an average DC of 50 instead of 40 (40 + average result on d20 due to opposed roll).
Do you have some persuading arguments for one of the points of view?
Best,
Marc
P.S.: I am interested in the rules as written (and meant ), not in one of the many house rules regarding this skill.