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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Balesir" data-source="post: 6062694" data-attributes="member: 27160">SCs take a bit of getting the hang of, IME, but they are well worth the effort, I think. There is, sadly, an awful lot that is hinted at in the 4e books but not really explored or explained. An example comes up below, in fact...I certainly allow Bluff to reduce Perception DCs - and also to flat-out by-pass the guard if used really well.Skill Challenge actions (i.e. skill rolls, power or ritual use, and improvised actions as part of a skill challenge) to reduce effective DCs or give bonuses to other rolls is a definite part of skill challenges that is spelled out in the DMG but, IMO, underused. All characters that don't have a clearly useful skill should certainly get the chance to perform at least the equivalent of an "aid another" with some reasonably well thought out action. In addition, perception/knowledge rolls should be bonus/DC reducing rather than actual success/failure in the challenge in most cases, I think. I have even let fighters, during a research task in a library, use Athletics/Endurance to help out with fetching and carrying heavy books - it gives even characters unsuited to the current task things to do that help out a little. Likewise, wizards can keep an eye out for trouble while the lead climbers ascend a cliff.Generally things progress thus:- When the surprise round starts most bonuses to skills from SC actions and rituals end (specifically, as initiative is rolled).- When the surprise round ends enemies can perform free actions. If a shout will raise the alarm, that happens now, but often a single shout can be nullified with a good Bluff...- On the guard's initiative/turn, any action may be taken.</blockquote>

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