I tend to think of skills differently than what I’ve seen others say they do at their tables. I see the skill system as somewhat secondary in D&D. Meaning, they have their place but they aren’t magic. They don’t replace combat. There are simply some things your skills just aren’t going to accomplish in my view.
Just as I don’t think you can charisma your way through a secret door, you are not going to persuade the evil emperor to abdicate his throne. You are not going to intimidate the red dragon into giving you the magic artifact that is the prize of its hoard. Sometimes the skill is just not possible or cannot provide the result you want. I also think that skill choice should be a bit fixed as to what that skill does or doesn’t do, and I admit I’m guilty of letting this slide. I think there should definitely be cases where if you dumped a stat or didn’t choose a skill, switching out of that skill for something you’re good at should be kind of rare. I know that’s probably “not fun” for some but I do think some character choices matter.
Just as I don’t think you can charisma your way through a secret door, you are not going to persuade the evil emperor to abdicate his throne. You are not going to intimidate the red dragon into giving you the magic artifact that is the prize of its hoard. Sometimes the skill is just not possible or cannot provide the result you want. I also think that skill choice should be a bit fixed as to what that skill does or doesn’t do, and I admit I’m guilty of letting this slide. I think there should definitely be cases where if you dumped a stat or didn’t choose a skill, switching out of that skill for something you’re good at should be kind of rare. I know that’s probably “not fun” for some but I do think some character choices matter.
