Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Stoat" data-source="post: 4753232" data-attributes="member: 16786">Stalker0's Obsidian system, IMO, is superior to the WotC/DMG system, certainly for social/investigative style skill challenges.So far, I think the WotC system is a good idea poorly explained.  Mearls' articles have mostly focused on the mechanics of creating a skill challenge, and have not devoted enough space to the presentation of skill challenges in game.  His article last month focused more on presentation, which I see as a positive sign.Questions that I have about presenting a WotC/DMG skill challenge:1) Tell the players that this is a skill challenge or no?  Last month, IIRC, Mearls suggested no.2) Tell the players what skills are available or no?  3) If some skills have a lower DC than others, communicate that to the PC's or no?4)  If a successful use of one skill "opens up" another skill, when and how to communicate that to the PCs?5)  If successful use of a skill has a result other than a success for purposes of the challenge (ex. removes a failure, gives a bonus on another roll) when and how to communicate that?I doubt that hard and fast rules could exist, but I'd like to see more guidance about how Mearls et al. are doing it.In particular, I think a podcast or transcript of a more complex skill challenge in actual play would be a good idea.</blockquote>