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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shadowdweller00" data-source="post: 9506657" data-attributes="member: 6778479">It is an unfortunate pathology that many DMs default to "roll for it" when a PC attempts any task.  In my experience, this results in a host of inappropriate outcomes, such as the skilled mountain climber randomly falling off a normal cliff face; or the brain damaged troll knowing more about the intricacies of undead than the well-educated cleric.While I am glad that skill progression is no longer linear, like it was in 3e (as that resulted in a lot of silliness), I have zero desire to see bounded accuracy be followed to anywhere near the same strictness as with AC or saving throws.  The fact of the matter is that even in a semi-realistic versimilitudinous world, some tasks SHOULD be beyond the scope of any but actual experts and specialists.  Whereas many others should be essentially impossible to fail for those with a minimum of training.I have no problem whatsoever with Expertise.  And I personally don't really want to game with those who insist that every single possible skill challenge / range needs to be truncated to the point of significant randomness.There IS a lot of variation in how skills are handled between tables.  And it's worth discussing them.  Speaking for myself as DM:* Very high DCs can offer extra rewards.  But the plot is NEVER gated by them.  And there are always alternative ways to beat any particular obstacle.* Sometimes I base the degree of success on how high a skill roll is.  That is, a skill check that beats an adjudicated DC by 5 or less might succeed as normal but also incur some sort of complication.  Very high knowledge checks might give more information.* I generally set DCs higher for tasks that can be retried without consequence.  For example: If the PCs are trying to follow tracks that lead off from a location, and time isn't much of an issue, then I'm likely to set the DC a few points higher than if they're trying to swiftly chase a fugitive before that individual can get away.* I don't always allow retries if I feel that it's inappropriate.  Maybe the PCs get only ONE attempt to find the almost entirely degraded trail leading from the bandit camp to where the leader stashed some jewels.* I try to create situations where multiple PCs can or need to use their skills; not just the one who possesses the highest numbers.  Maybe the vault door has three different locks that need to be disabled simultaneously in order to open it.  And if desirable, one of those locks could be much more intricate / difficult to pick than the others.Sometimes this can be accomplished by simply offering PCs non-combat turns; preferably with some sort of opportunity cost.  For example: I describe an area; a couple PCs want to search or otherwise interact with it.  I ask the others what they are doing - each rolls any appropriate skills if necessary.  But those who choose to focus on something (other than standing watch or scrutinizing potential hiding places) get disadvantage on perception checks or on initiative checks when the goblin ambush strikes due to being distracted.</blockquote>

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