D&D 5E Gaining Skills

[Psikerlord#]

I am looking forward to the skill points module, myself. I dont like the simpler version, it just means less customisation to me. I hope gaining new skills is in downtime, because they sure as hell aint worth a feat.

 

[GMMichael]

Would someone get me up to speed on this - as long as we're on the subject? Maybe I'm asking four days too early.

5e is eliminating the complexity of skill points and cross-class skills by saying you're either "proficient" or you're not? And the proficiency bonus changes, and SOME characters even have expertise, which doubles your proficiency bonus?

Are advantage/disadvantage included in this system, or was that just a suggestion?

I can see such a system being analogous to the 4e in which you increase in skills simply by gaining levels - but 5e is trying to keep the math down. So if you're not proficient in something, does that mean you only get your ability bonus? Regardless of level?

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Would someone get me up to speed on this - as long as we're on the subject? Maybe I'm asking four days too early.

5e is eliminating the complexity of skill points and cross-class skills by saying you're either "proficient" or you're not? And the proficiency bonus changes, and SOME characters even have expertise, which doubles your proficiency bonus?

Are advantage/disadvantage included in this system, or was that just a suggestion?

I can see such a system being analogous to the 4e in which you increase in skills simply by gaining levels - but 5e is trying to keep the math down. So if you're not proficient in something, does that mean you only get your ability bonus? Regardless of level?

Yes.

Advantage and disadvantage can apply to ability (and hence skill) checks, but that isn't a part of the skill system per se. Ie, there is nothing in the system for being proficient in skills that dictates you have advantage. In fact, the starter character sheets appear to indicate that they have changed the racial abilities that used to provide advantage with certain skills to instead grant you proficiency.

 

[jadrax]

5e is eliminating the complexity of skill points and cross-class skills by saying you're either "proficient" or you're not? And the proficiency bonus changes, and SOME characters even have expertise, which doubles your proficiency bonus?

Yes. The proficiency Bonus scales from +2 at level 1 to a cap of +6. Rogues have Expertise which doubles their bonus with 2 skills.

Are advantage/disadvantage included in this system, or was that just a suggestion?

Advantage/Disadvantage is pretty much the heart of the system. It is used a lot.

So if you're not proficient in something, does that mean you only get your ability bonus? Regardless of level?

Correct.

 

[PinkRose]

Downtime mechanic, I'm sure.
They've talked about it.
And, well, I'm sure.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Downtime mechanic, I'm sure.
They've talked about it.
And, well, I'm sure.

I certainly hope we won't be able to gain skills with downtime. If skills, then why not saves? If saves, why not bump your HD, learn to cast spells, and pick up Action Surge? It defeats the point of a class and level based system if you can gain too many features while bypassing that system. They have to pick a place to draw a line, and my personal feeling is that the best place by far for that line is to allow you to pick up languages, at least some tool proficiencies, and background traits (none of which have a significant effect on adventuring power level, with the exception of thieves' tools), and disallow gaining any other class features without spending character resources (ie, levels, feats).

 

[PinkRose]

No, not skills but downtime mechanic is the place where you should be able to learn how to use a ship.

Sword of Spirit, I should have just said I agreed with your guess.

 

[Grazzt]

I certainly hope we won't be able to gain skills with downtime. If skills, then why not saves? If saves, why not bump your HD, learn to cast spells, and pick up Action Surge? It defeats the point of a class and level based system if you can gain too many features while bypassing that system. They have to pick a place to draw a line, and my personal feeling is that the best place by far for that line is to allow you to pick up languages, at least some tool proficiencies, and background traits (none of which have a significant effect on adventuring power level, with the exception of thieves' tools), and disallow gaining any other class features without spending character resources (ie, levels, feats).

I think you should be able to learn skills during downtime personally. It makes sense. Take time off from adventuring and learn to pilot a boat. Or learn to weave a basket. Or whatever. However, me personally, if I implemented skill training during downtime, I would require a cost investment (time and money) per skill. (So no, "Ok, I'm taking 6 months off to learn how to craft armor, craft weapons, pilot a ship, and learn about the planes of existence.)

 

[Thaumaturge]

I think you should be able to learn skills during downtime personally. It makes sense. Take time off from adventuring and learn to pilot a boat. Or learn to weave a basket. Or whatever. However, me personally, if I implemented skill training during downtime, I would require a cost investment (time and money) per skill. (So no, "Ok, I'm taking 6 months off to learn how to craft armor, craft weapons, pilot a ship, and learn about the planes of existence.)

I agree.

For me it's also about a cohesive narrative. If players have been struggling because they lack a certain skill, and one PC in particular has been trying to accomplish that skill, then it makes sense to me to let that character learn the skill during down time with some costs.

If I got a sense the players were trying to power-game the system somehow, I'd just tell them "no".

Thaumaturge.

 

[SkidAce]

I agree.

For me it's also about a cohesive narrative. If players have been struggling because they lack a certain skill, and one PC in particular has been trying to accomplish that skill, then it makes sense to me to let that character learn the skill during down time with some costs.

If I got a sense the players were trying to power-game the system somehow, I'd just tell them "no".

Thaumaturge.

This is where I was leaning.