D&D 5E Optional Skills in the DMG

[Nebulous]

Do we have any idea how these will work yet? While I think the default skills are functional, I'm still not a huge fan of them. But, I don't like the meticulous rank system of 3.x either. Dungeon World, if I recall correctly, had a loose and easy system I really liked.

Are there any other good options for 5e?

 

[Paraxis]

Was it confirmed that there would be optional skill systems in the DMG?

Of the one I liked from the playtest that I think Mearls also enjoyed was skill dice.
Prof bonus +2 = +1d4 instead, +3 = +1d6, +4 = +1d8, +5 = +1d10, and +6 = +1d12.
I would assume expertise would allow you to roll two dice and maybe take the higher, or just add the normal static prof bonus, I can't see an expert adding 2d12 that is way to much.

I would like a more freeform option as well like what 13th Age does with backgrounds.

 

[Piratecat]

The 13th Age skill options would work beautifully for D&D. Basically, declare three things you've done in the past -- "penniless orphan in an Underdark trading post, blacksmith in the slave mines of the duergar, caravan guard to the Free Cities." Then you get your proficiency bonus on any skill check that would apply to your background.

 

[the Jester]

I suspect that we'll see a few options for skills in the DMG. Of course, this is all speculation- nothing I have read or heard has confirmed anything here, but still, these make sense and wouldn't take a lot of space to present.

• Skill dice in place of a flat proficiency bonus;
• Skill points a la 3e vs. a flat proficiency bonus;
• No skills, but add your proficiency bonus to any check that your background applies to; and
• Skills not explicitly tied to a given ability score.

There may be more, but I would be very surprised to not see at least these four options in the DMG. The first was popular in the playtest, the second helps emulate 2e or 3e style games, the third helps emulate pre-nonweapon proficiency style games and the fourth was another popular playtest thingie.

 

[lkj]

The 13th Age skill options would work beautifully for D&D. Basically, declare three things you've done in the past -- "penniless orphan in an Underdark trading post, blacksmith in the slave mines of the duergar, caravan guard to the Free Cities." Then you get your proficiency bonus on any skill check that would apply to your background.

This approach is my preferred, and I'm pretty sure it'll be in the DMG in some form. I'm basing my confidence on various tweets and comments from Mearls in the past. However-- my disclaimer-- this is based on my memory and I'm too lazy to go digging up the tweets. So take it for what it's worth.

AD

 

[Zaruthustran]

I really enjoy the 13th Age method. The beauty of it is that it's managed by the group. When you make your case for how your background applies, the other players (including DM) will either all nod their heads or roll their eyes. It's socially regulated.

And it's fun. I remember, in a 13th Age playtest, having my "Bandit chief" background applied to riding a horse, and sneaking up on some sentries. Pretty typical. But later, also applied to motivating some villagers to organize an effective defense--getting people to take orders and complete a task. The flexibility is fun, and even informs roleplaying: as you make your case, you usually end up telling a little story about a similar situation from your past.

 

[Nebulous]

The 13th Age skill options would work beautifully for D&D. Basically, declare three things you've done in the past -- "penniless orphan in an Underdark trading post, blacksmith in the slave mines of the duergar, caravan guard to the Free Cities." Then you get your proficiency bonus on any skill check that would apply to your background.

Yes, i might just adopt something like that. I think now it was 13th age i was remembering, not dungeon world.