Binary1's page

I would always relate my DC descriptions to what an average characters abilities were...
10's in stats, no special racial abilities or skill points. Just a plain old schmuk.

Then, because the players KNOW their skill value in the skill, if you say its HARD then it is always compared to an average type character.

Trivial = DC 0-5
Easy = DC 5-10
Normal = DC 10-15
Hard = DC 15-20
Etc

This works brilliantly if done that way! I think I will use this scale.

So, next to impossible skill checks by a character with a +30 in Acrobatics means they can do the almost impossible very confidently! :D

I like it.
Thanks!

Ok great advice guys! I appreciate the input. I still don't see where it specifically states in the Core or APG or even the GM guide if there is a typical rule for allowing players to know the DC on specific skill checks.
I guess its up to GM interpretation (which can lead to arguments on what is/is not applicable.

The argument I get mostly is "why wont I know the DC? I am an experienced Acrobat/Climber/Rider?"

Sigh, wish there was a book of DC checks which specifically stated:
DC 0 walking across a floor
DC 5 walking across a wet floor
DC 10 running across a floor
DC 15 running across a wet/icy floor
DC 20 running across a floor carrying a plate of food
DC 25 running across a wet floor carrying a plate of food
DC 30 running across a floor carrying several plates of food
DC 35 running across a wet floor carrying several plates of food
DC 40 running across a wet floor, doing a cartwheel whilst carrying several plates of food

Something like this for all the skills...so everyone at LEAST has a ballpark of what can be expected. Like a book of skills.
Rolemaster has this in "School of hard knocks" and I need it for Pathfinder! :)

Thanks again for all the input!

I don't mind looking up the DC's from the CRB and I agree that having the players know somewhat about what their characters can possibly do makes for a much easier time on the GM to do other more important things however my concern is there is no specific rule which states, "Players can lookup a DC for acrobatics" vs "GM assigns willy-nilly numbers to just make the game go faster". This makes playing very difficult when a player does not know where he (or a GM) stands on a particular maneuver. This is the dilemma. As a GM I want a solid foundation of what can/cant be done and since I am so new, letting the players have some confidence that I know what I am doing and rule justly.
Its very inappropriate and unfair for me to say to a player with minimal skill, "That DC to jump on the horses back is 15" and on the person who has acrobatics to a +13 tell them, "Um that DC is 28".
Where is the structure? This is what I want to know.
Thanks!

Hello all!

I have a dilemma. I want to provide my players with a certain amount of confidence with their DC checks for their skills. After all, they have trained in them so they would generally know the type of difficulty associated with a DC check. Lets say for Acrobatics.
Now, I have a player want to jump on the back of a beast... a horse. I noticed in the Core book that if they are simply jumping up its a specific DC check. I also noticed that if they "Long Jump" say 10' its only a DC 10.

The player asks how difficult this is to them...

Option 1:
State that it is only a DC 10

Option 2:
Not state anything and have them guess all the time where they stand.

How do you all handle this situation? When it is appropriate to tell a player a DC # and when is it not?

I would assume on skills like perception that they should NOT know the DC check as it would indicate immediately that there is something to "perceive" therefore ruining the surprise! :)

Also, is there any wording in the Core or APG that states anything? I couldn't find anything.

Thanks for any advice!

Love Rolemaster!!! I have two groups in Nashville TN at the moment. I also have checked out the new version. I hope it does streamline everything!

On of my all time favorite games is ROLEMASTER! I know, its table heavy. Luckily, I have spent the last 20 years in it and have most everything memorized... my players still find it the most detailed game they play. :D The critical charts are top notch, the detail is above most other game systems and the open-endednesss of the game mechanics lends itself to fantastical circumstances when that "Natural 100" is rolled!!! I just don't see that in D20 style games. I have always heard, "you want speed, D02. You want detail, Rolemaster."
I have really come to love Pathfinder for its speed in both character generation and speed of combat... I just never get that fantastic, "OMG!!! I killed a 10th level fighter with my 1st level Sorcerer" feeling. Please don't flame however, I love BOTH systems!

I would like to ask if Paizo if you would put in Rolemaster stats on your adventures? I would LOVE to see this and would purchase more of your adventures if they had them in there.

I play with several different groups at the moment and have about 20+ Rolemaster converts around me here in Nashville TN. I would really like to see adventures where those stats were present. Would make my life as a GM much more fun!!! :)

Thanks!!!
Dreven