Is every instance of a d20 roll + an Ability modifier, with no additional bonuses, an Ability Check? My search-fu yields much discussion on the subject, but no conclusive answers.
(Specifically, I wonder if a character can take 10 on a Coven Caster check.)
While technically aid another only says that you can't take 10 on a skill check used to aid another, I'd assume that the same applies to ability checks used to aid another.
I won't expound on the original question, as you've already found "much discussion" "but no conclusive answers", and I doubt I can offer anything more conclusive than that.
It would require some particularly single-minded interpretations of the rules, I must admit.
But if Coven Caster can be made to work reliably it'd be a great boon to low-level NPC crafters. And that means "stuff" can be available to the PCs without them being outshined by higher level NPCs; without requiring handwaving of the GM.
Don't think so, due to the bolded sections below.
Quote: Coven Caster
Source Agents of Evil pg. 24
You share your mother’s gift for working in groups.
Prerequisites: Changeling.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can attempt a special aid another action (1d20 + your choice of your Intelligence or Charisma modifier; DC 10). If you succeed, you can increase an adjacent spellcaster’s caster level by 1 until the beginning of your next turn. If you also have the covenAPG witch hex, you can apply this bonus to all members of your coven within 30 feet
Quote: Aid Another
Source PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 86
You can help someone achieve success on a skill check by making the same kind of skill check in a cooperative effort. If you roll a 10 or higher on your check, the character you’re helping gets a +2 bonus on his or her check. (You can’t take 10 on a skill check to aid another.) In many cases, a character’s help won’t be beneficial, or only a limited number of characters can help at once.
In cases where the skill restricts who can achieve certain results, such as trying to open a lock using Disable Device, you can’t aid another to grant a bonus to a task that your character couldn’t achieve alone. The GM might impose further restrictions to aiding another on a case-by-case basis as well.
The rule doesn't seem to allow automatically succeeding in aiding someone, you either gamble for that help, or you don't.
Andre Roy wrote: Quote: Aid Another
(You can’t take 10 on a skill check to aid another.)]
The rule doesn't seem to allow automatically succeeding in aiding someone, you either gamble for that help, or you don't.
Quite so. Though it does say "can't take 10 on a skill check", which this isn't. But this cheese is getting altogether too odorous for both strict RAW and unclear rule interpretations.
Pity.
VRMH wrote: Andre Roy wrote: Quote: Aid Another
(You can’t take 10 on a skill check to aid another.)]
The rule doesn't seem to allow automatically succeeding in aiding someone, you either gamble for that help, or you don't.
Quite so. Though it does say "can't take 10 on a skill check", which this isn't. But this cheese is getting altogether too odorous for both strict RAW and unclear rule interpretations.
Pity. Considering Skill checks are the only thing you can take 10 and 20 on, it could have nothing to do with the situation, but you still wouldn't be able to take 10.
@willuwontu: You can take 10/20 on ability checks as well.
Using Skills -> Taking 10 and Taking 20 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.
Related question, is any of this relevant to an Initiative check under PF rules?
Assuming no.
Initiative is a dex check. But combat is the flagship example of when you cannot take 10.
blahpers wrote: @willuwontu: You can take 10/20 on ability checks as well.
Using Skills -> Taking 10 and Taking 20 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.
Welp, I know what I'm taking for initiative checks now.
Edit: They still wouldn't be able to take 10 as it's a caster level check.
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