Elder-Basilisk
First Post
Considering the way assuming DCs scaling directly with character level affects characters who don't have max ranks (ie, if it's not a class skill and it's not maxed, there's no point in having anything in it unless your stat bonus is HUGE), I think it's a good thing that most non-opposed DCs are static.
Even so, most skills have side benefits that apply when they're well above the normal range of expertise. For instance, a really really skilled tracker can track a week-old trail at full speed over rocky terrain even though there were three days of rain last week. A good climber can climb a sheer rock with almost no hand or footholds. A really good climber can do that at full speed even when it's slick with rain or ice. An OK rider can fight with his warhorse and take cover behind it without rolling. A superb rider can leap onto the back of a summoned celestial griffon (penalties for an unusual mount that isn't trained to handle a rider and for riding bareback) while wearing fullplate and then spur it into a diving charge against a foe at the bottom of the cliff and still attack and probably only has to roll for the quick mount. Etc. A competent diplomat takes a minute and the guards who were ready to throw him to the lions are willing to cut him a break. A truly exceptional diplomat shows up in the middle of a battle between dwarves and goblins and, despite being an elf, manages to convince them all to stop fighting for a while and give him and his party safe passage in six seconds, all despite being an elf. Similarly, a competent rogue (+14 search) can take twenty and find nearly any trap. (Of course, that means that buff spells will start wearing out before he's done searching the 10x10 room). A few ranks in swim lets the wizard keep his head above water when the ship goes down. A lot of ranks in swim lets Beowulf swim across the English channel in full armor, and carrying a sword during a storm. A really good rogue (>+24 search can find any trap while taking ten without using an elixir of vision (they're expensive so you don't want to use one just in case there's a trap and they're limited duration so you can't afford to use them for routine searching of a large area). The competent sneak says "give me three rounds before starting the attack and I'll sneak up and gak the sentry." The really good sneak says "we're attacking? I charge and gak the sentry this round. At -20 (for charging), my hide check is a 35, what's his spot?"
The fact that a lot of DCs are static means that PCs with really good skills can attempt legendary stunts, absorb the circumstance penalties, and still succeed. If all of the DCs scaled well with level, then PCs would need to max their skills to accomplish even mundane tasks. I, for one, am glad that's not the case.
Even so, most skills have side benefits that apply when they're well above the normal range of expertise. For instance, a really really skilled tracker can track a week-old trail at full speed over rocky terrain even though there were three days of rain last week. A good climber can climb a sheer rock with almost no hand or footholds. A really good climber can do that at full speed even when it's slick with rain or ice. An OK rider can fight with his warhorse and take cover behind it without rolling. A superb rider can leap onto the back of a summoned celestial griffon (penalties for an unusual mount that isn't trained to handle a rider and for riding bareback) while wearing fullplate and then spur it into a diving charge against a foe at the bottom of the cliff and still attack and probably only has to roll for the quick mount. Etc. A competent diplomat takes a minute and the guards who were ready to throw him to the lions are willing to cut him a break. A truly exceptional diplomat shows up in the middle of a battle between dwarves and goblins and, despite being an elf, manages to convince them all to stop fighting for a while and give him and his party safe passage in six seconds, all despite being an elf. Similarly, a competent rogue (+14 search) can take twenty and find nearly any trap. (Of course, that means that buff spells will start wearing out before he's done searching the 10x10 room). A few ranks in swim lets the wizard keep his head above water when the ship goes down. A lot of ranks in swim lets Beowulf swim across the English channel in full armor, and carrying a sword during a storm. A really good rogue (>+24 search can find any trap while taking ten without using an elixir of vision (they're expensive so you don't want to use one just in case there's a trap and they're limited duration so you can't afford to use them for routine searching of a large area). The competent sneak says "give me three rounds before starting the attack and I'll sneak up and gak the sentry." The really good sneak says "we're attacking? I charge and gak the sentry this round. At -20 (for charging), my hide check is a 35, what's his spot?"
The fact that a lot of DCs are static means that PCs with really good skills can attempt legendary stunts, absorb the circumstance penalties, and still succeed. If all of the DCs scaled well with level, then PCs would need to max their skills to accomplish even mundane tasks. I, for one, am glad that's not the case.
argo said:
