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

[cmad1977]

Player says
‘I try a thing’
If that thing requires a skill check I say
‘To do that thing will require a (insert skill)check’
The player then rolls a die
‘13! Plus my skill... that’s 18!’
To which I reply
‘You have done the thing!’

 

[Maxperson]

@iserith .. I'm basically looking for a fictional justification for recalling a specific thing…Are you trying to recall strengths and weaknesses? Something about troll culture? What this particular troll's history is in the region, or perhaps its goals? What trolls generally eat? This is the player stating a goal…..
DING DING. Yes here is an example of the “Magic Words” Or 20 questions. This great for role players, and people who remember your campaign setting. But for my dice throwers/roll players this does not work. This does not work for some of my autistic players. And sure as hell does not work with my new players and very casual players.

This is not an example of "magic words." It is an example of simple, yes SIMPLE communication. If someone is incapable of even basic communication, they shouldn't be playing an RPG.

What do trolls generally eat?
Do I remember what trolls generally eat?
I think back to my tutoring on trolls and look for what trolls eat?
What are a few things trolls like to munch on?
What are a few favorite troll snacks?
I look at the cooking area to see what I can discover about troll diet.
I feed him the party wizard and see if he will eat that.
Many more ways to find out what trolls like to eat.

We are not looking for these mythical "magic words" you keep going on about. We're simply saying that some rudimentary communication about what you are trying to accomplish is required. So come up with one of the dozens and dozens of ways to communicate it. It's really easy and not at all magical.

 

[Hussar]

Umm, why on earth would I be asking what a troll eats?

And, why is "I got a 17 on my check, what do I recall about trolls" completely unacceptable and apparently not simple communication?

 

[jasper]

You just gave me 8 questions the player had to ask about the dietary requirements of a troll.
Now as DM looking for a fictional justification recalling a specific thing. I need 8 questions for the strengths and weakness of a troll. I need 8 questions about troll culture. I also need 8 questions to determine the type of troll. Aka Forgotten Realms troll, ice troll, Grayhawk troll etc. etc.
SIMPLE Communication. "DM Can I roll a knowledge check to know more about trolls". That is a SIMPLE and clear question.
And I guess I am a myth because I came across over a hand full of DM's who made me play 20 questions, or change my wording until I near the specific wording they wanted.

 

[Maxperson]

You just gave me 8 questions the player had to ask about the dietary requirements of a troll.
Now as DM looking for a fictional justification recalling a specific thing. I need 8 questions for the strengths and weakness of a troll. I need 8 questions about troll culture. I also need 8 questions to determine the type of troll. Aka Forgotten Realms troll, ice troll, Grayhawk troll etc. etc.
SIMPLE Communication. "DM Can I roll a knowledge check to know more about trolls". That is a SIMPLE and clear question.
And I guess I am a myth because I came across over a hand full of DM's who made me play 20 questions, or change my wording until I near the specific wording they wanted.

Uh, no. I gave you 8 different ways you could say it and there are dozens more ways. You know very well that I wasn't saying that you needed to say all 8. Stop the sophistry and just admit that you're wrong on this. There are no need for "magic words." Just basic communication skills that you shouldn't be are incapable of playing the game if you don't have..

 

[Hussar]

Umm, @Maxperson, you realize that you have focused on a detail (what do trolls eat) that no one actually wanted to ask? This was an example of the DM forcing the player to be more specific about what the player wanted to know, rather than simply asking for general knowledge about trolls.

To put it another way, we NEVER want to ask "what do trolls eat". We want to ask, "What do I know about trolls?" Is that an acceptable question at your table?

 

[jasper]

No my basic communication is 1."@Maxperson can I roll an knowledge check about trolls". It can be shorten to 2. "Knowledge check?" or length to 3." I want to roll knowledge check for general troll info." Which one is acceptable to you?

 

[5ekyu]

Umm, why on earth would I be asking what a troll eats?

And, why is "I got a 17 on my check, what do I recall about trolls" completely unacceptable and apparently not simple communication?

While I would never require the player to ho all Wheel of Jeopardy or ask specifically "what a troll eats" specifically, I can see reasons they might ask.

In lore, and in my gsames, sometimes the best way to get by is to "feed the troll" and so if you know they like horse flesh, carrying along a pony or two extra let's you cut them loose to draw off the troll for an easy lunch and evade them. Some with hippogriffs and griffons - or so it is believed.

But, really, in my games, that would be more like "common belief" and "common sense solutions" most folks involved in such areas would know. It's actually wouldn't be a knowledge check as much as it's a willpower save to resist snacking the annoying hawkers warning you of trolls as you leave town as they try to sell you their broke down nags for inflated prices.

But again, if the party is discussing "distract the troll" and someone asks "what do I know about trolls" that question at that moment gives mtpe a lot of context to answer- leading with things that would apply there to that topic - hates fire, loves horses, fond of x terrain, etc.

 

[Hussar]

@5eky, yeah, that's pretty much how I would handle it. I'd say that "What do I know about trolls" is a perfectly acceptable thing to ask the DM. Frankly, I'd take it a step further. "Int Check 17, what do I know about trolls?" would be fine at my table. And I would trust the DM to give information that would be relevant to the context of whatever it is we are doing on a successful check.

 

[5ekyu]

@5eky, yeah, that's pretty much how I would handle it. I'd say that "What do I know about trolls" is a perfectly acceptable thing to ask the DM. Frankly, I'd take it a step further. "Int Check 17, what do I know about trolls?" would be fine at my table. And I would trust the DM to give information that would be relevant to the context of whatever it is we are doing on a successful check.

Yeah my gang doesnt need to wait gor me to tell them to roll either.