D&D 5E How do you handle a skill check if needed.

[Oofta]

I don't find it particularly offensive, but where is the option "Players must state what they are trying to accomplish and how they are trying to accomplish it (either in character or in game terms, doesn't matter), after which they may suggest a specific skill (ability) check / proficiency might apply "?

Unless I'm misunderstanding the listed options, I don't see it up there.

To be clear I wouldn't include the phrase "magic words" but I would say it falls under They must use the "magic words" for me to allow a skill check

Basically, the player must say something so that the DM calls for a skill ...umm ..if I can't say skill check what word can I use?

 

[coolAlias]

To be clear I wouldn't include the phrase "magic words" but I would say it falls under They must use the "magic words" for me to allow a skill check

Basically, the player must say something so that the DM calls for a skill ...umm ..if I can't say skill check what word can I use?

I guess we just have different approaches to play, then.

DM: The goblin captive seems unwilling to give you any information
PC: I roll Persuasion, 17
DM: Okay, he changes his mind and tells you some things

I mean, sure, we can infer that the player wants information and that they have chosen to try to get that by being the "nice" cop, and there is always a bit of this in my games, but if that was the typical way players described their actions to me I'd quickly stop DMing for them and find something more fun for me to do.

Not knocking the style, it just isn't for me.

Edit to add: what I would expect is something like "I tell the goblin that if he tells us what we want to know, we'll let him go." I don't consider describing what the character is doing to be "magic words," and I feel like that term has negative implications that I don't care for.

 

[Hriston]

if I can't say skill check what word can I use?

The rule books call it an ability check.

 

[Umbran]

Nah, we’re cool. It seems to always be the crowd that allows players to declare their own skill checks who do this kind of validation seeking. The rest of us are secure enough in our own play styles already.

How about you stop insulting people? Like, now. Thanks

 

[BookBarbarian]

Skill check is an valid term. Looking at my pc sheet I have 'Acrobatics, animal handling, arcana, athletics, deception, history, insight, intimidation, investigation, medicine, nature, perception, performance, persuasion, religion, sleight of hand, stealth, Survival, and tool for thieves tools. Page 77 to page 78 breaks the skills down by what ability score modifies the check.

It's cool if you think this way, but those pages call out ability checks and which skill proficiencies can modify those ability checks. but really it doesn't matter if you call the cart the horse and the horse the cart in your game if all you care about is the goods being delivered.

This thread could use a lot less of:

 

[Guest 6801328]

What version are we talking about? 5e doesn't have "skill checks", it has ability checks, some of which might be modified by skill proficiencies. (EDIT: Looks like half the population of Enworld beat me to that one.)

Is that what you are talking about? If so, I don't "allow" them, I call for them. As in:

Player: I'm going to try to jump over the pit with the unconscious princess.
DM: That's going to take a strength check, using athletics if you have it, with a DC of 15. If you fail you might get washed away, and the princess definitely can't swim while unconscious. You still want to do it?
Player: Yeah, I'll go for it.....

 

[Oofta]

Nah, we’re cool. It seems to always be the crowd that allows players to declare their own skill checks who do this kind of validation seeking. The rest of us are secure enough in our own play styles already.

I'm plenty secure in my play style, thanks.

I guess we just have different approaches to play, then.

DM: The goblin captive seems unwilling to give you any information
PC: I roll Persuasion, 17
DM: Okay, he changes his mind and tells you some things

I mean, sure, we can infer that the player wants information and that they have chosen to try to get that by being the "nice" cop, and there is always a bit of this in my games, but if that was the typical way players described their actions to me I'd quickly stop DMing for them and find something more fun for me to do.

Not knocking the style, it just isn't for me.

Edit to add: what I would expect is something like "I tell the goblin that if he tells us what we want to know, we'll let him go." I don't consider describing what the character is doing to be "magic words," and I feel like that term has negative implications that I don't care for.

I get that different people have different approaches. But several people seem to be insulted or at least unwilling to answer the poll. I kind of get it, so the question is how to phrase the poll.

In part I'm asking because in the thread I started I considered including a poll but couldn't think of how to word things without some people getting their grundies in a bundle. Because I am honestly curious - I have never had a DM in any private or AL game that has an issue with either the DM or player calling for a skill check. Is it a regional thing? A board thing? Is it because a lot of AL judges started DMing in previous editions?

As far as your example, that probably wouldn't fly in my campaign either. I will be a little lenient with some people that are uncomfortable with this kind of stuff but at the very least they have to tell me how they are trying to persuade the goblin. I prefer that they just play it out - it's half the fun of the game - but some people just don't play for the same reasons I do.

 

[robus]

Edit to add: what I would expect is something like "I tell the goblin that if he tells us what we want to know, we'll let him go." I don't consider describing what the character is doing to be "magic words," and I feel like that term has negative implications that I don't care for.

What some call magic words, I instead call engaging with the game world by describing your character's action and objective. I think back in the mists of time there were DMs that insisted that players jump through their hoops or played "gotcha" at every opportunity, rather than trying to produce a fun and challenging adventure for everyone to enjoy. Directly opposing players rather than engaging with them.

It's unfortunate because I don't think that style of DMing is the norm anymore, but I think there's a fear that if any quarter is given it will return and we'll all be subject to "pixel bitching" and "magic words" once more.

 

[BookBarbarian]

In part I'm asking because in the thread I started I considered including a poll but couldn't think of how to word things without some people getting their grundies in a bundle. Because I am honestly curious - I have never had a DM in any private or AL game that has an issue with either the DM or player calling for a skill check. Is it a regional thing? A board thing? Is it because a lot of AL judges started DMing in previous editions?

I had this happen with my DM (who had a background in Pathfinder) a few sessions ago. A newish player asked to make a perception check in the middle of a conversation.

Th DM got a little confused look on his face and said "What are you looking for?" The player wanted to find out if the NPC was lying, the DM then said "Ah, roll a wisdom Insight check".

Now I wouldn't consider those magic words, just data the DM wanted to make a judgment call rather than just letting the player roll perception in the middle of the conversation and detecting no abushes or whatever.

This is why I find "magic words" problematic to the discussion.

I do understand that probably doesn't help you phrase a poll and I'm sorry.

 

[Guest 6801328]

DM: The goblin captive seems unwilling to give you any information
PC: I roll Persuasion, 17
DM: Okay, he changes his mind and tells you some things

Oh that's hilarious. Except that I don't really want to be a dick to players, I'd be really tempted to actually do that.

Or:
PC: I roll Perception, 21
DM: You notice stuff.