Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Herremann the Wise" data-source="post: 5970132" data-attributes="member: 11300">I'd be really cautious with absolutes in design because there are going to be times where they do not logically make sense. You need a DM lever so that such illogical situations can be easily avoided.I mentioned on a skill thread a while ago that one option you could go with is breaking tasks into three typical categories of difficulty:* Basic* Standard* AdvancedThe greater the training or capacity of the performer, the more tasks they can perform automatically. For example a "Proficient" performer can successfully perform Basic tasks without a check. A "Master" can  perform Basic as well as Standard tasks without a check.Now to avoid the absolutism I mention earlier, you allow a degree of interpretation as to what category a task falls in. To use Stormonu's example, climbing a tree is in the "Basic" task guidelines. However when chased by nasties, the DM is free to now interpret it as a Standard task and thus requiring a check for all but a Master climber.However, while I like this for small or secondary tasks that the PCs are doing, I'm not a fan of this for primary tasks that the PCs are attempting (such as attacking a target that is actively defending itself). One's mileage is free to vary here so whichever way you go with this should be up to the group I suppose. Why do you think it sad? I think the automatic casting of spells is one of the primary reasons why the 3.x Wizard was so powerful. If the wizard had to be more careful of when and where they cast their spells, and work around that certain spells were more difficult to cast than others (thus being able to choose level of risk for requisite reward), I think you would go a long way to bringing the wizard power level more in line with their mundane colleagues. And then you can still have cantrips typically being considered a basic task (and thus automatic for a proficient wizard).In my mind, I'd prefer to see most spellcasting an Advanced task.Food for thought anyway.Best RegardsHerremann the Wise</blockquote>

Verification