D&D 5E (2024) There is sauerkraut in my lederhosen: Snarf's Guide to Using (and adjudicating) Skills in 5e

[TiQuinn]

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.

 

[overgeeked]

One thing that I changed for skills in my game, which came from WW2: Operation Whitebox and Mothership as an inspriation was not rolling for skills unless they were being applied under stress. If a character has time and the right skill, I reward roleplay by just having the skill work.

Fewer pointless rolls is always good.

Another way to got is treat the roll as a save, effectively. You automatically succeed, now roll to see if there are complications or consequences.

 

[Tonguez]

The lore and empathy skills should be downgraded to the level of tools: regulated to optional side games.

That's what I did on my paper games.

1. Arcana-> Arcane Books
2. Survival--> Survival manuals
3. Medicine--> Medicine books
4. Nature-> nature journals
5. Religion-> Religious tomes
6. History->✓History books
7. Animal Handling-> Veterinary books< training manuals
8. Performance- dancing shoes, acting books, music books

Not even that. I think they should broaden Backgrounds and have all Backgrounds grant a Lore Skill and a Professional (Technique) Skill.

So if someone has Horse Breeder Background that automatically get the Lore (Nature) and Profession (Animal Handling)
if they're a Healer they get Healing Lore (Herbs/Medicine) and Healing Techniques
id they want to be a Hunter they get Lore (Tracking) and Hunting Techniques (Survival)
if they want an Archaeologist Background that get Lore (History) and Archaeology Techniques
if they want to be a Lawyer or a Basket Weaver or a Gongfarmer they can do that too and all it takes is 2 ribbon skills and fun background feat.