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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Charlaquin" data-source="post: 8178424" data-attributes="member: 6779196">The DM in the example is going about the process backwards. They should first determine the appropriate ability, and then determine the appropriate skill. And the appropriate ability is informed by the action the character described. Sure, combining skill at Sleight of Hand with Charisma might make sense for an attempt to acquire something from an NPC’s purse by slipping your hand in while they’re distracted by dancing. But only if both Charisma and Sleight of hand are involved. Charisma by itself doesn’t seem appropriate for the task, and so I don’t believe it would be the most appropriate ability for the DM to call for a check with.The Using Ability Scores section says that “Charisma measures your ability to interact effectively with others. It includes such factors as confidence and eloquence, and it can represent a charming or commanding personality.” To me, that doesn’t sound like it’s the most fitting ability with which to determine whether a character succeeds in the goal of getting an object from another character’s purse by the approach of slipping their hand in while they’re dancing. Like, maybe the confidence part might be helpful? But really the primary thing being tested is how quickly and subtly they can get their hand in and back out. Since “a Dexterity check can model any attempt to move nimbly, quickly, or quietly, or to keep from falling on tricky footing,” it seems like the most appropriate ability to check.In my view, only after the appropriate ability has been determined should it be considered if a proficiency is applicable. So, would Sleight of Hand be appropriate to add to a Dexterity check to steal something from your dance partner’s purse? Absolutely! Might Performance also be applicable? Performance “...determines how well you can delight an audience with music, dance, acting, storytelling, or some other form of entertainment,” so it seems reasonable to me that the character might be able to distract the mark with their dancing.If you do it this way, it actually gives the players more opportunities to apply proficiencies they’ve spent character building resources on, because you’re not limited to certain proficiencies only applying to checks with certain abilities.</blockquote>

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