This section describes each skill, including common uses and typical modifiers. Characters can sometimes use skills for purposes other than those noted here. For example, you might be able to impress a bunch of riders by making a Ride check. Here is the format for skill descriptions.
Sections
Acrobatics (DEX; Armor Check Penalty)
Check: You can attempt to stay on your feet in a tricky situation, such as when you’re trying to run across a sheet of ice, balance on a tightrope, or stay upright on a rocking ship’s deck. The Acrobatics check is also used when you try to perform acrobatic stunts, including dives, rolls, somersaults, and … Continue reading “Acrobatics (DEX; Armor Check Penalty)”
Athletics (STR; Armor Check Penalty)
Check: You can handle difficult situations you encounter while climbing, jumping, or swimming. Climb a Surface: You can advance up, down, or across a slope, a wall, or some other steep incline (or even a ceiling with handholds) at one-quarter your normal speed. A slope is considered to be any incline at an angle measuring … Continue reading “Athletics (STR; Armor Check Penalty)”
Bluff (CHA)
Check: A Bluff check is opposed by the target’s Sense Motive check. See the accompanying table for examples of different kinds of bluffs and the modifier to the target’s Sense Motive check for each one. Favorable and unfavorable circumstances weigh heavily on the outcome of a bluff. Two circumstances can weigh against you: The bluff … Continue reading “Bluff (CHA)”
Concentration (CON)
Check: You must make a Concentration check whenever you might potentially be distracted (by taking damage, by harsh weather, and so on) while engaged in some action that requires your full attention. Such actions include casting a spell, concentrating on an active spell, directing a spell, using a spell-like ability, or using a skill that … Continue reading “Concentration (CON)”
Craft (INT)
Like Knowledge, Perform, and Profession, Craft is actually a number of separate skills. You could have several Craft skills, each with its own ranks, each purchased as a separate skill. A Craft skill is specifically focused on creating something. If nothing is created by the endeavor, it probably falls under the heading of a Profession … Continue reading “Craft (INT)”
Decipher Script (INT; Trained only)
Check: You can decipher writing in an unfamiliar language or a message written in an incomplete or archaic form. The base DC is 20 for the simplest messages, 25 for standard texts, and 30 or higher for intricate, exotic, or very old writing. If the check succeeds, you understand the general content of a piece … Continue reading “Decipher Script (INT; Trained only)”
Diplomacy (CHA)
Check: You can change the attitudes of others (nonplayer characters) with a successful Diplomacy check; see the Influencing NPC Attitudes sidebar, below, for basic DCs. In negotiations, participants roll opposed Diplomacy checks, and the winner gains the advantage. Opposed checks also resolve situations when two advocates or diplomats plead opposite cases in a hearing before … Continue reading “Diplomacy (CHA)”
Disable Device (INT; Trained only)
Check: The Disable Device check is made secretly, so that you don’t necessarily know whether you’ve succeeded. The DC depends on how tricky the device is. Disabling (or rigging or jamming) a fairly simple device has a DC of 10; more intricate and complex devices have higher DCs. If the check succeeds, you disable the … Continue reading “Disable Device (INT; Trained only)”
Disguise (CHA)
Check: Your Disguise check result determines how good the disguise is, and it is opposed by others’ Spot check results. If you don’t draw any attention to yourself, others do not get to make Spot checks. If you come to the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard who is watching commoners … Continue reading “Disguise (CHA)”
Forgery (INT)
Check: Forgery requires writing materials appropriate to the document being forged, enough light or sufficient visual acuity to see the details of what you’re writing, wax for seals (if appropriate), and some time. To forge a document on which the handwriting is not specific to a person (military orders, a government decree, a business ledger, … Continue reading “Forgery (INT)”
Handle Animal (CHA; Trained only)
Check:The DC depends on what you are trying to do. Task Handle Animal DC Handle an animal 10 “Push” an animal 25 Teach an animal a trick 15 or 201 Train an animal for a general purpose 15 or 201 Rear a wild animal 115 + HD of animal 1See the specific trick or purpose … Continue reading “Handle Animal (CHA; Trained only)”
Heal (WIS)
Check: The DC and effect depend on the task you attempt. Task Heal DC First aid 15 Long-term care 15 Treat wound from caltrop, spike growth, or spike stones 15 Treat poison Poison’s save DC Treat disease Disease’s save DC First Aid: You usually use first aid to save a dying character. If a character … Continue reading “Heal (WIS)”
Intimidate (CHA)
Check: You can change another’s behavior with a successful check. Your Intimidate check is opposed by the target’s modified level check (1d20 + character level or Hit Dice + target’s Wisdom bonus [if any] + target’s modifiers on saves against fear). If you beat your target’s check result, you may treat the target as friendly, … Continue reading “Intimidate (CHA)”
Knowledge (INT; Trained only)
Like the Craft and Profession skills, Knowledge actually encompasses a number of unrelated skills. Knowledge represents a study of some body of lore, possibly an academic or even scientific discipline. Below are listed typical fields of study. Arcana (ancient mysteries, magic traditions, arcane symbols, cryptic phrases, constructs, dragons, magical beasts) Culture (architecture, legends, personalities, laws, … Continue reading “Knowledge (INT; Trained only)”
Skill Name
The skill name line includes (in addition to the name of the skill) the following information. Key Ability: The abbreviation of the ability whose modifier applies to the skill check. Exception: Speak Language has “None” as its key ability because the use of this skill does not require a check. Trained Only: If this notation … Continue reading “Skill Name”