Can you use skills you are not trained in?

[pollochicken]

There was some confusion over this in my group. We've probably just gone dumb and blind and can't find out, but a concrete answer from someone here would really be appreciated.

 

[Cadfan]

Yes. You can.

 

[webrunner]

The rule you're looking for is on the first page of the skill chapter, during the introductory section. Much like 3.5's wealth-by-class table, being in the introductory page means it's often missed, but it's there.

It says something like "All adventurers have basic competence in all skills"

 

[MightyTev]

I was also wondering this. So all adventurers can now use First Aid?

 

[Palladion]

Some skills have uses that are unavailable if you are not trained (i.e. Detect Magic under Arcana [DMG 181]), but otherwise, you can use any skill.

 

[damiangerous]

Yes. Aside from the quote above about basic competency, why else would some uses of skills be listed as "Trained Only"?

 

[vagabundo]

Yes, adventurers pick up bits and pieces of this and that as they level, as they accumulate experience. Makes sense really, although you can do extra stuff if you Train in a skill.

 

[kclark]

Yes, you can use any skill. But the are some uses of certain skills that require you to be trained to attempt.
Such as Arcana's Detect Magic use. Only works for those trained in Arcana.

 

[Scribble]

You can also technically use skills that aren't even listed on the character sheet.