dd.stevenson
Super KY
Just think about it: it is possible to run the whole exploration phase without rolling a dice, and base all the outcome simply on player's input. For example, instead of rolling dice to finding traps, you require the Rogue's player to tell the DM where is she looking for traps, how is she prodding the ground, what precautions is she taking while scouting... once a trap is found, you use descriptions to present the situation and you require descriptions from the player to decide if she handles the trap successfully. It is not easy (I wouldn't be able to do this entirely without rules) but it's not impossible either. Eventually, ability checks will still be there to help the DM.
You mean like this? Yeah, it's great--I would recommend this playstyle to anyone interested in moving away from skill check based exploration.
EDIT: The post you quoted was a reply to @JamesonCourage who seemed like he needed some honest-to-god rules to play with. And although I'm a big fan of the playstyle you describe, I figure that "what you want sucks; try this playstyle instead" would have just a little callus to work as a reply--and also well outside the spirit of what I think is intended for 5E.
("Although I 110% believe that this is the One True Way to play D&D," he added in a deadpan voice.)
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