D&D 5E (2024) Rank 5e skills from most useful (1) to least useful (18)

[Distracted DM]

Thieves Tools were always used for opening locks or disabling traps.

I go so far as to make thieves tools able to disarm magical traps, using intelligence. Ofc the disarmer doesn't know what they're actually disarming, they're just breaking the runes/inscriptions/wards without setting them off.. knowing what they do is for Arcane (or possibly religion for divine spells).

 

[CreamCloud0]

The problem with the 4E approach is it led to exploits and moreover if there is a hard mechanical number which overrides free will and common sense, why can't NPCs do it to PCs and get them to automatically surrender?

ah yes, the age old double standard of players thinking their own PC's minds are immalleable steel fortresses that can never be swayed while NPC minds should be putty in their hands to the very same techniques.

 

[TiQuinn]

Even when you try to do Intimidate right, it can still cause issues down the road. People remember your bullying and ominousness.

I also had a player do an Intimidation specialist at one point. She avoided many fights, scared off mooks, interrogated for information. But even that bit her in the ass because those monsters didnt just vanish. They were part of a tribe, and many of them were present during the big attack instead of their numbers being whittled down.

You can make the argument that even Persuasion can make someone feel bad later on if there were negative repercussions for them, and they realize that the PC manipulated them into doing what they wanted.

 

[Seramus]

You can make the argument that even Persuasion can make someone feel bad later on if there were negative repercussions for them, and they realize that the PC manipulated them into doing what they wanted.

Yeah, consequences are a lot easier to dodge if the party is nomadic, but I've run several location based campaigns, and "the consequences of your behavior" can become a BIG deal in those situations.

Thankfully, my players are very chill and go along with NPCs rolling social skills against them fairly often. Sometimes even voluntarily rolling "decision dice" to see how they react, like:

1d4
Goes Along / Reluctantly Goes Along / Demands More Reward / No.

Decision dice are not even a house rule. Just something they saw me do for my own NPCs and started doing on themselves for fun.

 

[Minigiant]

Since people don't actually for the Skill with alternative abilities... An Endurance skill would be appreciated and high ranking.