The DC for escape artist to escape bonds is ridiculous.
10+CMB.
If you're not tied by a high level fighter, you will escape bonds very very easily even at level 1...
Am I just the one to think that the DC is really too low ?
Well take this example:
you're a 1st level rogue caught by the guards.
You have one rank in escape artist+3 for class skills=+4 before ability adjustment.
A level 1 guard, will have a +1 bab, so a cmb of +1 before ability modifier.
If both character have an equal ability score there, the DC will be 11+guard's str, versus an escape artist of +4+dex, for a 65% chance of success. Take 10, and he's free, with minimal investment in the skill.
The guard could take 20, but the rogue can take it too.
It seems that manacles are the only way to restrain a low level character where a high level fighter with lots of strength is the only way to restrain a high level escape artist...
In 3.5 it was opposed with use rope+10. On a average roll, DC was 20+skill modifier.
It feels strange, or is it just me ?
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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I'm actually okay with a take 20 on the escape check being an auto-escape, as long as taking 10 is not. If you have that much time unguarded to try to escape, you probably can. However, if someone's guarding you while you're tied up, good luck taking 20 - as soon as the guard sees you're trying to escape a swift kick to the head should interrupt your taking 20 attempt.
Binding with ropes can still safely deal with a prisoner for enough time to search the rest of a building, finish your assault or escape without the alarm being raised, etc.
If you want to bind someone longer term without having a guard watch them, go buy some manacles!