D&D 5E ,Q&A: New Skill system, Skill dice, and profiencies (May 2)

[VinylTap]

My only problem with this Q&A is the implication that we'll either get no skills or a 3e/4e style skill system that replaces the ability check resolution system. I love the use of skills as a support to the ability based resolution system. It's by far one of my favorite things about the playtest. I would be very much disappointed to see that option go away in favor of 'no skills' or 'skills replace ability resolution'.

My ideal rules-light system is having the skills as used in previous packets-- The skills are basically an 'area of expertise' and you apply your skill bonus or die to any ability check which relates to it. It's easy. It's flexible. It's extremely easy to customize. Please, please, please keep it as an explicit option.

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I would be careful making that conclusion. The modularity of the basic system will allow for a lot of flexibility. The robust one is the just the one they're working on, because they get the most requests for it, and will take the most refinement, it makes sense for that option to be available. I'm looking for a really simple system too, one tied to ability scores, I believe we'll see it.

A loose system might be very easy to design yourself as a DM as well. Want to do something? What skills do you have? ok, roll with advantage. No applicable skill? Ok, roll a regular ability check (or something like that). I don't think making skills more complicated really brings out any 'depth' to the game, and will happily keep things as simple, yet believable, as possible.

 

[EvilDwarf]

We already have skills bonuses--they're called ability modifiers.

And if in the basic game you choose to increase ability scores instead of gaining feats, your skill bonuses are going up, too.

 

[VinylTap]

We already have skills bonuses--they're called ability modifiers.

And if in the basic game you choose to increase ability scores instead of gaining feats, your skill bonuses are going up, too.

With balancing the ability option with feats, as well as some people just preferring a separation between the two pillars (exploration and combat), its not a completely surprising direction.

 

[JamesonCourage]

Ok... I thought you wanted to have static bonuses for everybody's skills instead of the current skill dice, that's why I pointed out that this is what in fact we'll get. But you meant you dislike the skill dice so much you don't want it even as an addition to some classes only.

If I had my way, yes, you're correct.

Well, there are other many ways of course to give Rogues an edge in skills... they've already tried many different concepts for "skill mastery" so far, but apparently the negative feedback for all of them must have been high enough to make them withdraw their implementation each time. Eventually they must settle for something...

Yeah. And they could very well settle on skill dice. I'd use the mechanic, theoretically, but I really don't like it. I like static bonuses, tricks nobody else gets, more skill proficiencies, etc., but I'm just not a fan of skill dice. As always, play what you like

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

Yeah. And they could very well settle on skill dice. I'd use the mechanic, theoretically, but I really don't like it. I like static bonuses, tricks nobody else gets, more skill proficiencies, etc., but I'm just not a fan of skill dice. As always, play what you like

I wouldn't mind skill dice if the attack bonus became an attack die. Just so long as the game is consistent in how it gives out bonuses.

 

[JamesonCourage]

I wouldn't mind skill dice if the attack bonus became an attack die. Just so long as the game is consistent in how it gives out bonuses.

I wouldn't like that at all, but I understand where you're coming from. I just don't like the secondary die mechanic. As always, play what you like

 

[lkj]

I would be careful making that conclusion. The modularity of the basic system will allow for a lot of flexibility. The robust one is the just the one they're working on, because they get the most requests for it, and will take the most refinement, it makes sense for that option to be available. I'm looking for a really simple system too, one tied to ability scores, I believe we'll see it.

A loose system might be very easy to design yourself as a DM as well. Want to do something? What skills do you have? ok, roll with advantage. No applicable skill? Ok, roll a regular ability check (or something like that). I don't think making skills more complicated really brings out any 'depth' to the game, and will happily keep things as simple, yet believable, as possible.

It may well be that they will keep a version of the system I mention as an option. I just note that the phrasing of the answer suggests they might not:

"Feedback from the playtest has clearly indicated that the players and DMs who want a skill system want one that is robust and one that replaces ability checks as the core resolution method,"

I post here, and in the comments at WotC just to make sure they hear the voice of those of us that feel differently. I also put it in survey comments. Now is the time to have your voice heard.

Of course if I am a tiny minority it won't matter. But I'm hoping I'm not.

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[Plaguescarred]

While i am fine with the optional skills system being a table-wide decision rather than character one, i feel like people that wanted a skill bonus system to support ability score based task resolution are left in the cold. It was one of the innovations i thought that married well with the concept of how D&D Next work in general, being ability score driven. Such optional Skills system was the perfect approach for modularity in that it wasn't changing how task resolution was handled, only the application of the bonus granted

I am okay with Skill Die being preserved inside of some of the classes more often associated with skills.

I think its important that proficiencies comes from multiple sources like race, class, background, or feats, especially if some of those elements are optional modules. We need to be able to get armor, weapon or tools proficiencies wether feats or backgrounds are in use or not for exemple..

 

[lkj]

While i am fine with the optional skills system being a table-wide decision rather than character one, i feel like people that wanted a skill bonus system to support ability score based task resolution are left in the cold. It was one of the innovations i thought that married well with the concept of how D&D Next work in general, being ability score driven. Such optional Skills system was the perfect approach for modularity in that it wasn't changing how task resolution was handled, only the application of the bonus granted

I am okay with Skill Die being preserved inside of some of the classes more often associated with skills.

I think its important that proficiencies comes from multiple sources like race, class, background, or feats, especially if some of those elements are optional modules. We need to be able to get armor, weapon or tools proficiencies wether feats or backgrounds are in use or not for exemple..

Hey look! The post I agreed with on the WotC site. I continue to agree.

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[Weather Report]

As long as Skills (and Feats) are strictly optional, I'm happy.

I still can't get comfortable with Skills such as Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Gather Information, Persuade, Sense Motive (that one I despise).