Skills are things anyone can learn to a lesser or greater extent if they study or train hard, especially if they train under a tutor or master. In game terms, skills are measured by ranks. Skill ranks run from 0 (unskilled) to 5 (world class). A player has 10 skill points to spend on his character’s skill ranks during character creation at first level.
A skill roll is d20 + Ability Modifier + Skill Rank. Skill ranks can not be higher than your current player level plus one (to a max of 5). You receive one skill point per level after first level.
The skill names in the following chart cover a broad range of actions a character can do. This is, of course, an incomplete list, and it is between the player and Game Master (GM) to decide what skill an action would fall under.
Skill Name | Ability | Actions |
Acrobatics | DEX | Balance ,Escape Artist, Juggle, Tumble |
Athletics | STR | Climb, Jump, Swim |
Awareness | WIS | Investigate, Listen, Search, Spot, Sense Motive, etc. |
Endurance | CON | Run, Swim, Hold Breath, Row, Endure Pain/Torture, Endure Heat or Cold Better, etc. |
Knowledge | INT | Appraise, Knowledge (history, legends, herbology, monster lore, etc.), Detect Poison, etc. |
Persuasion | CHA | Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, etc. |
Spellcraft | Spellcaster Primary Ability* | Spell Sight, Focusing, Ravaging, etc. |
Survival | WIS | Track, Forage, Hunt, Start Fire, Fletch, Skin, Set Snares, Fish, Identify Edible Foods & Herbs, Locate Potable Water, Detect Poison, etc. |
Thievery | DEX | Sneak, Hide, Pick Locks, Find/Set/Disarm Traps, etc. |
*The Spellcaster Primary Ability Bonus is the ability bonus listed in Ability Bonus chart. The Spellcaster chooses their primary Spellcaster Ability (INT,WIS, or CHA) when they choose a spellcaster class.
Standard Skill Check
1d20 + Skill Points + Ability Modifier > DC15
Determine Derived Stats
- Armor Class (AC) = DEX modifier + Armor bonus
- Hit Points = Max + CON modifier at 1st level. Roll hit die + CON modifier thereafter.
Savings Throws
According to Class Chart
Difficulty Class
Some checks are made against a Difficulty Class (DC). The DC is a number (set using the skill rules as a guideline) that you must score as a result on your skill check in order to succeed.
Difficulty Class (DC)Examples
Easy | 0 | Climb a knotted rope (Athletics) |
Average | 5 | Hear an approaching creature (Awareness) |
Tough | 10 | Set up a snare trap (Thievery or Survival) |
Challenging | 15 | Swim through stormy water (Endurance) |
Formidable | 20 | Open an average lock (Thievery) |
Heroic | 25 | Leap across a 30’ chasm (Athletics) |
Nearly Impossible | 30 | Track creatures across hard ground after a rain. (Survival) |