Combined Strength Check


Advice


Searched all over for an example or discussion and I'm still wondering what effects are there for say 3 characters with 18 STR making a combined check to all push on a larger door to open it? Assuming the door is big enough for all three to lean into/bash it, do 2 of them add +2 each as a standard Aid does for skill checks?

This seems common enough that I must be missing something. Current party has a very large door that needs a 35DC STR check to open. Given a +4 for one character, this will never happen. Others are less STR of course, but I would think they could add.. something. Even those with no STR bonus provide extra force against the door.

Thoughts?

Liberty's Edge

Why are you posting the same question twice?

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2s43e?Combined-Strength-Check#1


prd wrote:
Ability Checks and Caster Level Checks: The normal take 10 and take 20 rules apply for ability checks. Neither rule applies to concentration checks or caster level checks.

So you're starting off with a 24, only 11 to go.

prd wrote:

Rams: The most basic close assault weapons are iron-shod logs carried by one or more creatures to combine their strength. A ram can be used to deal damage or to make a Strength check against the target's break DC.

Ramming Charge: Rams require momentum to be effective. All creatures using the ram must use the charge action to gain its full effect. Creatures not wishing to charge may make a ram attack as a full-round action, taking a –4 penalty on attack and damage rolls and Strength checks with the ram.

Breaking: The crew leader makes a Strength check with a +2 bonus, adding +2 for each member of the crew (or equivalent number of larger creatures) assisting. The ram also provides a +4 bonus per size category above Medium.

Improvised Ram: Any tree, log, or timber can be used as a ram with a –4 penalty on attack and damage rolls and Strength checks.

So with enough people and a log, almost any door is going to open, but your example stated there were only 3...

You can add +2 with a crowbar and +2 with each of the two helpers using Aid Another for a total of 30...

Without more people, you may have to just try to hack the door apart. Hope you brought your adamantine dagger.


Is the door locked or just large and heavy? If it's locked/barred then yes, you should use the ramming rules, but if it's just heavy and you're trying to push it open, I would allow the players to simply add up their maximum pushing amounts. CRB page 169 says characters can generally push or drag objects along the ground as much as 5 times their maximum load, with circumstances potentially doubling or halving the amount. If the door is on good hinges, I would count it as favorable conditions, but if the hinges are rusty or you're scraping along the ground then it would be unfavorable. This means that the character with 18 Str can push a regular object that weighs 1500lbs, or 3000lbs if it's favorable. Someone with 15 Str would add 1000lbs or 2000lbs on top of that, and a char with 10 Str would add 500lbs or 1000lbs.

Relatedly, if it is barred, but not locked, the bar gets its own break check instead of the door itself. You may also use Disable Device on hinges, which can be easier but more time-consuming than picking a lock.

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