Can a High Skill Check Mimic Effects of Spells?

[dreaded_beast]

Do you think that a high enough skill check has the ability to duplicate the effects of spells?

For example:

Diplomacy - Charm
Bluff - Suggestion
Spellcraft - Identify or Detect Magic

These are just a few examples.

Sometimes when I roll a fairly high number on a skill check, it seems as if there is no difference in result, regardless if I roll a 20 or a 50, assuming that both of these rolls succeed.

We have the Epic level handbook, which my DM goes by at times. If it is not covered in the Epic level handbook, then it is not possible.

Depending on the skill and the situation, it seems as if skills can only go so far. In my opinion, my DM seems to believe that skills can not produce effects that are above and beyond the ordinary, unless it is specifically stated in the rules or as a class feature. Effects that are above and beyond the ordinary are the providence of spells, at least according to my DM.

If that is case, then it seems that the logical thing would be to put only the necessary amount of points in a skill, where you feel confident that the skill would succeed nearly all the time. Putting in any more points would be pointless.

 

[Bauglir]

I believe there were some numbers in the Epic Level Handbook for just that sort of thing. They were astronomical of course. (There was all kinds of fun stuff in there like stepping through a wall of force with a high enough Escape Artist check )

As for how high to take a skill, the DCs you face can go up with your level (depending on your DM's style). The bluffers might have higher sense motives to deal with (not all the time of course) or the situation might call for more outrageous bluffs (resulting in a higher circumstance modifier) and so on.

 

[Henry]

If your DM goes by the ELH, then some of these are already covered. You CAN get high enough to create fanatically loyal followers through diplomacy, or walk on clouds with balance, or swim UP a waterfall with swimming. In fact, Spellcraft does cover ID'ing magic items through high enough ranks - they just don't work exactly like the spells, and check results in the 50's won't help - you need check results in the 80's.

 

[Voadam]

Some skills are based on opposed rolls such as hide and spot so there is built in incentive on some of them to continue to max them out. Others it does make sense to get a solid base then move on to other skills.

 

[Urbannen]

You might say that the spells duplicate the effects of a successful skill roll.