Rope and Use Rope skill?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Refer to the latest FAQ, p. 18, first entry in the Equipment section, last paragraph.

I don't get it. Why would anyone ever try to burst free of their bonds, since the rope modifier of +23 replaces the Use Rope modifier of +10 (for the person who tied the ropes)? It's still an Escape Artist check, so why take a bigger penalty to break free?

I must be missing something. How can a "truly inept captor" make the check easier for the bound character?

 

[Silveras]

I must be missing something. How can a "truly inept captor" make the check easier for the bound character?

If the person doing the tying had 0 ranks in Use Rope and a Dex of less than 9, his/her overall Use Rope modifier would be negative, a penalty rather than a bonus. Dex 8 is -1, 0 ranks is +0, so a Take 10 in that case is a +9, or overall a DC of 19 to use Escape Artist (Take 10 + -1 modifier +10 bonus) to get out.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

But it's still an opposed roll, is it not?

 

[thalmin]

Refer to the latest FAQ, p. 17, first entry in the Equipment section, last paragraph.

I don't get it. Why would anyone ever try to burst free of their bonds, since the rope modifier of +23 replaces the Use Rope modifier of +10 (for the person who tied the ropes)? It's still an Escape Artist check, so why take a bigger penalty to break free?

It is then a strength check, not an Escape Artist (DEX) check.