D&D 5E Impossible Ability Test

[SidSad]

We are having a problem with our DM. He suddenly stated that a scholar elf could not even roll a test to try and recognize a creature from the desert because he had never been in the desert. What do you think about that? The discussion exists because we have a policy of house rules: they have to be agreed upon by everyone. But he's saying this is not a house rule. It's his interpretation of the book. So: Should someone who studied Religion and is proficient in Religion be able to roll a Religion test to try and identify something related to religion? Or does it depend on his background (the descriptive part, as in "I lived near a forest")?

 

[SidSad]

Denying Ability Test

We are having a problem with our DM. He suddenly stated that a scholar elf could not even roll a test to try and recognize a creature from the desert because he had never been in the desert. What do you think about that? The discussion exists because we have a policy of house rules: they have to be agreed upon by everyone. But he's saying this is not a house rule. It's his interpretation of the book. So: Should someone who studied Religion and is proficient in Religion be able to roll a Religion test to try and identify something related to Religion? Or does it depend on his background (the descriptive part, as in "I lived near a forest")?

 

[The Myopic Sniper]

"We are having a problem with our DM."

I think we probably need to start there. Are you having problems with your DM outside the way he defines the way knowledge is distributed in his world? Is he having issues with the players outside of lore based skill rolls?

 

[Authweight]

I feel like the best way forward would be to have a conversation about it. The player in question could come up with a good reason he would know about the creature. If he was a scholar, presumably he would say that although he's never seen one in person, he read a book once that mentioned the creature and it told him certain things. Ultimately, though, what sorts of things are open to skill checks and which things aren't is the DM's prerogative.

Also, I feel like it's not a winning move to go to the internet to try and change your DM's mind on something that is frankly trivial. Fighting over little things like this isn't worth it, and I think you'd be better off talking about it with your DM than trying to get a bunch of people on the internet to agree with you and convince him to change his ruling.

 

[thalmin]

Bad approach to start 2 threads asking the same question about your DM.

 

[Evenglare]

DM's call. I personally would probably never allow it either unless the character specifically stated in his background that he studied different types of animals in text books. Or rather, I might allow it once, but if it became a consistent thing (oh i know about this tundra monster, oh I know about this desert monster, oh I know about this jungle monster, oh I know about this swamp monster etc etc) then I would shut that down pretty quick. Also I would take into account how rare the creature is in the world and all.

 

[seebs]

The word "scholar" would incline me to say, sure, you've probably read up on Monsters Of The World. I mean, that's the point of background.

 

[was]

Please stick to one thread per issue. TY

 

[was]

...As others have said, the group should sit down and discuss this with the DM. Complaining to the boards is only going to put him/her on the defensive and make him/her less likely to change the decision.
...That being said, I'd allow the check. Being that it's from a hostile and remote area in which the player has never been, however, it should be a difficult check to make.

 

[gribble]

...That being said, I'd allow the check. Being that it's from a hostile and remote area in which the player has never been, however, it should be a difficult check to make.

Seems to me this is exactly the sort of thing disadvantage was invented for - so make the check, but with disadvantage as you've likely never encountered it "in the flesh" before.