D&D 5E 5e "Skill" Checks

[Raunalyn]

Ok, reading over the rules, I noticed that all of the "skills" are flat bonuses that are applied to a check whenever a character performs a relevant action. For example, if a rogue tries to sneak past the guard, he would roll his Dex check and add a flat +3 bonus to the roll. Good so far.

However, I noticed that none of the "skills" are actually tied to a relevant ability. Maybe I'm behind the curve on this, but it makes a lot of sense to me.

Let's go back to the rogue and give him a hypothetical bonus to Intimidate checks. In previous editions, Intimidation was always tied to Charisma...I never liked that. Sure, I can see a rogue interrogating a goblin, using his guile and sharp wit to scare the goblin into submission. That would use Charisma. But what if the burly fighter with a low charisma where to do it? Wouldn't be very effective.

In the new rules, the fighter could use his Strength to intimidate. Maybe he uses his strength to show the goblin what he can do to its spine with just his hands.

The skill system allows for players to think creatively, using their strengths to more effectively utilize their abilities. A player doesn't have a high Wisdom, so he's less perceptive? I disagree...a highly Intelligent character would know what to look for.

I like this...a lot. What are your opinions?

 

[77IM]

+1. I love this.

I could see this being difficult to adjudicate at first ("What? Why should you be allowed to use Int+Perception when searching? Just because 3e does it?") but I think that will sort itself out over time. Other game systems use a mix-n-match attribute+skill system and it works OK for them.

-- 77IM

 

[darjr]

Yes, I remember when GURPS started to recommend it. It's a great idea to use that skill bonus with the appropriate stat bonus. Though as always you have to watch out for players saying they can use dex to diplomacy their way through a winter storm.

 

[Fifth Element]

Yeah, I'd say it's a good thing. Some of the ability score associations 3E/4E had were tenuous at best. Wisdom applying to all perception checks, for instance. There's more than one way to accomplish a task, and you shouldn't have to burn a feat to be able to do it.

 

[Greg K]

Did people not read the Dungeon Master's Guide for 3.0? The author discussed allowing players to use alternate ability scores with skills.

 

[slobo777]

Reminds me of White Wolf if it's allowed in general.

Like that game system, it should be the DM asking for the check, based on description, and not the player asking to use a specific mechanical combination of skill + stat (which by the way happens to be the character's best combination).

A "wise" search in my book would be an intuitive and general look around, based on general experience or "if I were X, where would I have gone?" style of thinking. Good for following tracks, split-second noticing someone in combat, or figuring out the secret door by just noticing the faint breeze without explicitly asking about it.

An "intelligent" search might be more of a specific check, perhaps something relevant to character's background or class, or applied when the player has already provided the intuitive bit and wants to check something simply and directly ("I run my hand around the walls slowly, in that area, feeling for a breeze"). Good for a thief finding a secret treasure compartment, identifying the trigger mechanism for a trap that's already been found, or smelling the evidence of poison in the wine of the deceased king.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Did people not read the Dungeon Master's Guide for 3.0? The author discussed allowing players to use alternate ability scores with skills.

I remember reading it, but I only actually do it on rare occasions.

It's different assuming a particular ability score and giving the option to change it versus assuming nothing and requiring an affirmative decision to be made on which ability is appropriate. I definitely think the latter approach in 5e is an improvement.

 

[KesselZero]

Yup, I think this is exactly what they're going for with 5e, and I quite like it too.

 

[Minigiant]

I like it.

Only fear is that it would make certain type of players try to use their highest ability for everything.

"I use Intimidate the goblin. I'll bore him to death with science talk."

 

[Blackbrrd]

I like it.

Only fear is that it would make certain type of players try to use their highest ability for everything.

"I use Intimidate the goblin. I'll bore him to death with science talk."

That's easy to fix, just have the goblin stab him with advantage because the character is obviously way into some deep thinking.