This material is Open Game Content, and is licensed for public use under the terms of the Open Game License v1.0a.
SKILL DESCRIPTIONS
This section describes each skill, including common uses and typical modifiers.
Skill Description Format
Skill Name ([KEY ABILITY]; TRAINED ONLY; ARMOR CHECK PENALTY; [CLASS NAME] ONLY)
The skill name line includes the following information:
Key Ability: The abbreviation of the ability whose modifier applies to the skill check. Exception: Speak Language has "None" listed as its key ability because the use of this skill does not require a check.
Trained Only: If "Trained Only" is included in the skill name line, the character must have at least 1 rank in the skill to use it. If it is omitted, the skill can be used untrained (with a rank of 0). If any special notes apply to trained or untrained use, they are covered in the Special section (see below).
Armor Check Penalty: Apply any armor check penalty to skill checks for this skill.
[Class Name] Only: The skill is exclusive to a certain class or classes. No character not of these classes can take the skill. If omitted, the skill is not exclusive.
The skill name line is followed by a general description of what using the skill represents. After the description are three other types of information:
THE SKILLS
The DM may allow an alchemist to perform other tasks related to alchemy, such as identifying an unknown substance or a poison. Doing so takes 1 hour.
Task DC Notes
---- -- -----
Identify substance 25 Costs 1 gp per attempt (or 20 gp to take 20)
Identify potion 25 Costs 1 gp per attempt (or 20 gp to take 20)
Make acid 15 See Craft skill
Identify poison 20
Make alchemist's fire, 20 See Craft skill
smokestick, or
tindertwig
Make antitoxin, sunrod, 25 See Craft skill
tanglefoot bag, or
thunderstone
Retry: Yes, but in the case of making items, each failure ruins the half the raw materials needed, and the character has to pay half the raw material cost again. For identifying substances or potions, each failure consumes the cost per attempt.
Special: The character must have alchemical equipment to make an item or identify it. For identifying items, the cost represents additional supplies the character must buy. Purchasing and maintaining an alchemist's lab grants a +2 circumstance bonus to Alchemy checks (from the favorable condition of having the perfect tools for the job) but does not affect the cost of any items made using the skill.
Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute, but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time.
This skill works on animals. The character can use it with a –4 penalty on beasts and magical beasts.
Retry: As with attempts to influence people, retries on the same animal generally don't work (or don't work any better), whether the character has succeeded or not.
Rare or exotic items require a successful check against DC 15, 20, or higher. If successful, the character estimates the value at 70% to 130% of its actual value. The DM secretly rolls 2d4+5, multiplies by 10%, multiplies the actual value by that percentage, and tells the character that value for the item. Failure means the character cannot estimate the item's value.
A magnifying glass gives a +2 circumstance bonus to Appraise checks involving any item that is small or highly detailed, such as a gem. A merchant's scale gives a +2 circumstance bonus to Appraise checks involving any items that are valued by weight, including anything made of precious metals. These bonuses stack.
Appraising an item takes 1 minute.
Retry: Not on the same object, regardless of success.
Special: If the character is making the check untrained, for common items, failure means no estimate, and for rare items, success means an estimate of 50% to 150% (2d6+3 times 10%).
The difficulty varies with the surface:
Surface DC
------- --
7–12 inches wide 10
2–6 inches wide 15
Less than 2 inches wide 20
Uneven Floor 10
Surface Angled +5*
Surface Slippery +5*
*Cumulative; if both apply, use both.
Being Attacked while Balancing: Attacks against the character are made as if the character were off balance: They gain a +2 attack bonus, and the character loses any Dexterity bonus to AC. If the character has 5 or more ranks in Balance, then the character can retain the Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) in the face of attacks. If the character takes damage, the character must make a check again to stay balanced.
Accelerated Movement: The character can try to walk a precarious surface more quickly than normal. If the character accepts a –5 penalty, the character can move at normal speed as a move-equivalent action. (Moving twice the character's speed in a round requires two checks.)
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks in Tumble, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Balance checks.
A successful Bluff check indicates that the target reacts as the character wishes, at least for a short time (usually 1 round or less) or believes something that the character wants him to believe.
A bluff requires interaction between the character and the target. Creatures unaware of the character cannot be bluffed. A bluff always takes at least 1 round (and is at least a full-round action) but can take much longer if the character tries something elaborate.
Feinting in Combat: The character can also use Bluff to mislead an opponent in combat so that he can't dodge the character's attack effectively. Doing so is a miscellaneous standard action that does not draw an attack of opportunity. If the character is successful, the next attack the character makes against the target does not allow him to use his Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any). This attack must be made on or before your next turn. Feinting in this way against a nonhumanoid is difficult because it's harder to read a strange creature's body language; the character suffers a –4 penalty. Against a creature of animal Intelligence (1 or 2) it's even harder; the character suffers a –8 penalty. Against a nonintelligent creature, it's impossible.
Creating a Diversion to Hide: The character can use Bluff to help the character hide. A successful Bluff check can give the character the momentary diversion the character needs to attempt a Hide check while people are aware of the character.
Retry: Generally, a failed Bluff check makes the target too suspicious for a bluffer to try another one in the same circumstances. For feinting in combat, the character may retry freely.
Special: Having 5 or more ranks in Bluff gives the character a +2 synergy bonus on Intimidate and Pick Pocket checks and a +2 synergy bonus on an Innuendo check to transmit a message. Also, if the character has 5 or more ranks of Bluff, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Disguise checks when the character knows that the character is being observed and the character tries to act in character.
A failed Climb check means that the character makes no progress, and a check that fails by 5 or more means that the character falls from whatever height the character has already attained.
A climber's kit gives a +2 circumstance bonus to Climb checks.
The DC of the check depends on the conditions of the climb.
DC Example Wall or Surface
-- -----------------------
0 A slope too steep to walk up. A knotted rope with a wall to brace against.
5 A rope with a wall to brace against, or a knotted rope, or a rope affected
by the rope trick spell.
10 A surface with ledges to hold on to and stand on, such as a very rough wall
or a ship's rigging.
15 Any surface with adequate handholds and footholds (natural or artificial),
such as a very rough natural rock surface or a tree. An unknotted rope.
20 An uneven surface with some narrow handholds and footholds, such as a
typical wall in a dungeon or ruins.
25 A rough surface, such as a natural rock wall or a brick wall.
25 Overhang or ceiling with handholds but no footholds.
— A perfectly smooth, flat, vertical surface cannot be climbed.
–10* Climbing a chimney (artificial or natural) or other location where one
can brace against two opposite walls (reduces DC by 10).
–5* Climbing a corner where the character can brace against perpendicular walls (reduces
DC by 5).
+5* Surface is slippery (increases DC by 5).
*These modifiers are cumulative; use any that apply.
Since the character can't move to avoid a blow while climbing, enemies can attack the character as if the character were stunned: An attacker gets a +2 bonus, and the character loses any Dexterity bonus to Armor Class.
The character cannot use a shield while climbing.
Any time the character takes damage while climbing, make a Climb check against the DC of the slope or wall. Failure means the character falls from the character's current height and sustains the appropriate falling damage.
Accelerated Climbing: The character tries to climb more quickly than normal. As a miscellaneous full-round action, the character can attempt to cover the character's full speed in climbing distance, but the character suffers a –5 penalty on Climb checks and the character must make two checks each round. Each successful check allows the character to climb a distance equal to one-half the character's speed. By accepting the –5 penalty, the character can move this far as a move-equivalent action rather than as a full-round action.
Making the character's Own Handholds and Footholds: The character can make his or her own handholds and footholds by pounding pitons into a wall. Doing so takes 1 minute per piton, and one piton is needed per 3 feet. As with any surface with handholds and footholds, a wall with pitons in it has a DC of 15. In the same way, a climber with a handaxe or similar implement can cut holds in an ice wall.
Catching the One's Self When Falling: It's practically impossible to catch the one's self on a wall while falling. Make a Climb check (DC = wall's DC + 20) to do so. A slope is a lot easier to catch the one's self on (DC = slope's DC + 10).
Special: A character with 5 or more ranks in Use Rope gets a +2 synergy bonus on checks to climb a rope, a knotted rope, or a rope and wall combination.
The table below summarizes various types of distractions that cause the character to make a Concentration check while casting a spell. "Spell level" refers to the level of the spell the character is trying to cast.
DC Distraction
-- -----------
10 + damage dealt Injury or failed saving throw during the
+ spell level casting of a spell (for spells with a casting time of 1
full round or more) or injury by an attack of opportunity
or readied attack made in response to the spell being
cast (for spells with a casting time of 1 action).
10 + half of Suffering automatic continuous damage
continuous damage
+ spell level
10 + damage dealt Damaged by spell.
+ spell level
Distracting spell's Distracted by nondamaging spell. (If the
save DC + spell level spell allows no save, use the save DC it would have
if it did allow a save.)
20 + spell level Grappling or pinned. (Can only cast spells without
somatic components and whose material component is
in hand.)
10 + spell level Vigorous motion (on a moving mount, bouncy wagon ride,
small boat in rough water, belowdecks in a storm-tossed
ship).
15 + spell level Violent motion (galloping horse, very rough wagon ride,
small boat in rapids, on deck of storm-tossed ship).
20 + spell level Affected by earthquake spell.
5 + spell level Weather is a high wind carrying blinding rain or sleet.
10 + spell level Weather is wind-driven hail, dust, or debris.
Distracting spell's Weather caused by spell, such as storm of
save DC + spell level vengeance (same as distracted by nondamaging spell).
15 + spell level Casting defensively (so as not to provoke attacks of
opportunity).
15 Caster entangled.
Special: A character with the Combat Casting feat gets a +4 bonus to Concentration checks made to cast a spell while on the defensive.
Retry: Yes, though a success doesn't cancel the effects of a previous failure.
A Craft skill is specifically focused on creating something; if it is not, it is a Profession.
Check: The character can practice a trade and make a decent living, earning about half the check result in gold pieces per week of dedicated work. The character knows how to use the tools of the trade, how to perform the craft's daily tasks, how to supervise untrained helpers, and how to handle common problems. (Untrained laborers and assistants earn an average of 1 silver piece per day.)
However, the basic function of the Craft skill is to allow the character to make an item of the appropriate type. The DC depends on the difficulty of the item created. The DC, the character's check results, and the price of the item determine how long it takes to make the item. The item's finished price also determines the cost of raw materials. (In the game world, it is the skill level required, the time required, and the raw materials required that determine an item's price. That's why the item's price and DC determine how long it takes to make the item and the cost of the raw materials.)
All crafts require artisan's tools to give the best chance of success; if improvised tools are used instead, the check is made with a –2 circumstance penalty. On the other hand, masterwork artisan's tools provide a +2 circumstance bonus.
To determine how much time and money it takes to make an item:
1. Find the DC listed here or have the DM set one.
2. Pay one-third the item's price in raw materials.
3. Make a skill check representing one week's work.
If the check succeeds, multiply the check result by the DC. If the result times the DC equals the price of the item multiplied by 10, then the character has completed the item. (If the result times the DC equals double or triple the price of the item (multiplied by 10), then the character has completed the task in one-half or one-third the time, and so on.) If the result times the DC doesn't equal the price multiplied by 10, then it represents progress the character has made this week. Record the result and make a check for the next week. Each week the character makes more progress until the character's total reaches the price of the item multiplied by 10.
If the character fails the check, the character makes no progress this week. If the character fails by 5 or more, the character ruins half the raw materials and have to pay half the original raw material cost again.
Progress by the Day: The character can make checks by the day instead of by the week, in which case the character's progress (result times DC) is at one tenth the weekly rate.
Creating Masterwork Items: The character can make a masterwork item (an item that conveys a bonus to its use through its exceptional craftsmanship, not through being magical).
To create a masterwork version of an item on the table below, the character creates the masterwork component as if it were a separate item in addition to the standard item.
The masterwork component has its own price and DC. Once both the standard component and the masterwork component are completed, the masterwork item is finished. (Note: The price the character pays for the masterwork component is one-third of the given amount, just as it is for the price in raw materials.)
Repairing Items: Generally, the character can repair an item at the same DC that it takes to make it in the first place. The cost of repairing an item is one-fifth the item's price.
Item Craft DC
---- ----- --
Armor, shield Armorsmith 10 + AC bonus
Longbow, shortbow Bowmaking 12
Composite longbow, Composite shortbow Bowmaking 15
Mighty bow Bowmaking 15 +2/Str bonus
Crossbow Weaponsmith 15
Simple melee or thrown weapon Weaponsmith 12
Martial melee or thrown weapon Weaponsmith 15
Exotic melee or thrown weapon Weaponsmith 18
Very simple item Varies 5
Typical item Varies 10
High-quality item Varies 15
Complex or superior item Varies 20
In some cases, the "fabricate" spell can be used to achieve the results of a Craft check without the character's needing to make the check. However, the character must make an appropriate Craft check when using the spell to make articles requiring a high degree of craftsmanship (jewelry, swords, glass, crystal, etc.).
A Craft check related to woodworking in conjunction with the casting of the "ironwood" spell enables the character to make wooden items that have the strength of steel.
When casting the spell "minor creation", the character must succeed at an appropriate Craft check to make a complex item, such as a Craft (bowmaking) check to make straight arrow shafts.
Retry: Yes, but each time the character misses by 5 or more, the character ruins half the raw materials and have to pay half the original raw material cost again.
If the check succeeds, the character understands the general content of a piece of writing, reading about one single page of text (or its equivalent) in 1 minute. If the check fails, the DM makes a Wisdom check (DC 5) for the character to see if he or she avoids drawing a false conclusion about the text. (Success means that the character does not draw a false conclusion; failure means that the character does.)
The DM secretly makes both the skill check and (if necessary) the Wisdom check so the character can't tell whether the conclusion the character draws is true or false.
Retry: No.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks in Decipher Script, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Use Magic Device checks related to scrolls.
Retry: Generally, retries do not work. Even if the initial check succeeds, the other character can only be persuaded so far, and a retry may do more harm than good. If the initial check fails, the other character has probably become more firmly committed to his position, and a retry is futile.
Special: Charisma checks to influence NPCs are generally untrained Diplomacy checks.
If the character has 5 or more ranks in Bluff or Sense Motive, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Diplomacy checks. These bonuses stack.
| Initial Attitude | New Attitude (DC to achieve) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostile | Unfriendly | Indifferent | Friendly | Helpful | |
| Hostile | Less than 20 | 20 | 25 | 35 | 50 |
| Unfriendly | Less than 5 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 40 |
| Indifferent | — | Less than 1 | 1 | 15 | 30 |
| Friendly | — | — | Less than 1 | 1 | 20 |
| Helpful | — | — | — | Less than 1 | 1 |
| Attitude | Means | Possible Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Hostile | Will take risks to hurt you | Attack, interfere, berate, flee |
| Unfriendly | Wishes you ill | Mislead, gossip, avoid, watch suspiciously, insult |
| Indifferent | Doesn’t much care | Socially expected interaction |
| Friendly | Wishes you well | Chat, advise, offer limited help, advocate |
| Helpful | Will take risks to help you | Protect, back up, heal, aid |
Check: The DM makes the Disable Device check so that the character doesn't necessarily know whether the character has succeeded. The amount of time needed to make a check and the DC for the check depend on how tricky the device is. Disabling a simple device takes 1 round (and is at least a full-round action). Intricate or complex devices require 2d4 rounds. The character also can rig simple devices such as saddles or wagon wheels to work normally for a while and then fail or fall off some time later (usually after 1d4 rounds or minutes of use).
Disabling (or rigging or jamming) a fairly simple device has a DC of 10. More intricate and complex devices have a higher DC. The DM rolls the check. If the check succeeds, the character disables the device. If the check fails by up to 4, the character has failed but can try again. If the character fails by 5 or more, something goes wrong. If it's a trap, the character springs it. If it's some sort of sabotage, the character thinks the device is disabled, but it still works normally.
Device Time DC* Example
------ ---- --- -------
Simple 1 round 10 Jam a lock
Tricky 1d4 rounds 15 Sabotage a wagon wheel
Difficult 2d4 rounds 20 Disarm a trap, reset a trap
Wicked 2d4 rounds 25 Disarm a complex trap, cleverly
sabotage a clockwork device
*If the character attempts to leave behind no trace of the tampering, add 5 to the DC.
Retry: Yes, though the character must be aware that the character has failed in order to try again.
A rogue who beats a trap's DC by 10 or more can generally study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (along with his companions) without disarming it.
Special: Rogues (and only rogues) can disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the magic used to create it.
The character can also impersonate people, either individuals or types, so that, for example, the character might, with little or no actual disguise, make the character seem like a traveler even if the character is a local.
Check: The character's Disguise check result determines how good the disguise is, and it is opposed by others' Spot check results. Make one Disguise check even if several people make Spot checks. The DM makes the character's Disguise check secretly so that the character is not sure how good it is.
If the character doesn't draw any attention to him or herself, however, others do not get to make Spot checks. If the character comes to the attention of people who are suspicious (such as a guard who is watching commoners walking through a city gate), the DM can assume that such observers are taking 10 on their Spot checks.
The effectiveness of the character's disguise depends in part on how much the character is attempting to change his or her appearance:
Disguise Modifier
-------- --------
Minor details only +5
Disguised as different sex -2
Disguised as different race -2
Disguised as different age category -2*
Disguised as specific class -2
*Per step of difference between character's actual age category and disguised age category (young [younger than adulthood], adulthood, middle age, old, venerable).
If the character is impersonating a particular individual, those who know what that person looks like get a bonus on their Spot checks (and are automatically considered to be suspicious of the character, so opposed checks are always invoked).
Familiarity Bonus
----------- -----
Recognizes on sight +4
Friends or associates +6
Close friends +8
Intimate +10
Usually, an individual makes a check for detection immediately upon meeting the character and each hour thereafter. If the character casually meet many different creatures, each for a short time, check once per day or hour, using an average Spot bonus for the group. For example, if a character is trying to pass for a merchant at a bazaar, the DM can make one Spot check per hour for the people she encounters using a +1 bonus on the check to represent the average of the crowd (most people with no Spot ranks and a few with good Spot skills).
Retry: A character may try to redo a failed disguise, but once others know that a disguise was attempted they'll be more suspicious.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks of Bluff, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Disguise checks when the character knows that the character is being observed and the character tries to act in character.
Restraint DC
--------- --
Ropes Binder's Use Rope check at +10
Net 20
Manacles 30
Tight space 30
Masterwork manacles 35
Grappler Grappler's grapple check
Animate rope spell, 20
command plants spell,
control plants spell,
or entangle spell
Snare spell 23
Ropes: The character's Escape Artist check is opposed by the binder's Use Rope check. Since it's easier to tie someone up than to escape from being tied up, the binder gets a special +10 bonus on her check.
Manacles and Masterwork Manacles: Manacles have a DC set by their construction.
Net: Escaping from a net is a full-round action.
Tight Space: This is the DC for getting through a space where one's head fits but one's shoulders don't. If the space is long, such as in a chimney, the DM may call for multiple checks. The character can't fit through a space that the character's head does not fit through.
Grappler: The character can make an Escape Artist check opposed by the enemy's grapple check to get out of a grapple or out of a pinned condition (so that the character is just being grappled). Doing so is a standard action, so if the character escapes the grapple the character can move in the same round. See "Wriggle Free" under Other Grappling Options.
Spell: Escaping from an animate rope, command plants, control plants, or entangle spell is a full-round action.
Retry: The character can make another check after a failed check if the character is squeezing through a tight space, making multiple checks. If the situation permits, the character can make additional checks or even take 20 as long as the character is not being actively opposed.
Special: A character with 5 or more ranks of Use Rope gets a +2 synergy bonus on Escape Artist checks when escaping from rope bonds.
The DM makes the check secretly so the character is not sure how good the forgery is. As with Disguise, the character doesn't need to make a check until someone examines the work. This Forgery check is opposed by the person who examines the document to check its authenticity. That person makes a Forgery check opposed to the forger's. The reader gains bonuses or penalties to his or her check as described in the table below.
Reader's
Condition Check Modifier
--------- --------------
Type of document unknown to reader –2
Type of document somewhat known to reader +0
Type of document well known to reader +2
Handwriting not known to reader –2
Handwriting somewhat known to reader +0
Handwriting intimately known to reader +2
Reader only casually reviews the document –2
As with Bluff, a document that contradicts procedure, orders, or previous knowledge or one that requires sacrifice on the part of the person checking the document can increase that character's suspicion (and thus create favorable circumstances for the checker's opposing Forgery check).
Retry: Usually, no. A retry is never possible after a particular reader detects a particular forgery. But the document created by the forger might still fool someone else. The result of a Forgery check for a particular document must be used for every instance of a different reader examining the document. No reader can attempt to detect a particular forgery more than once; if that one opposed check goes in favor of the forger, then the reader can't try using his own skill again, even if he's suspicious about the document.
Special: To forge documents and detect forgeries, one must be able to read and write the language in question. (The skill is language-dependent.) Barbarians can't learn the Forgery skill unless they have learned to read and write.
If the character wants to find out about a specific rumor, specific item, obtain a map, or do something else along those lines, the DC is 15 to 25 or higher.
Retry: Yes, but it takes an evening or so for each check, and characters may draw attention to themselves if they repeatedly pursue a certain type of information.
Task Time DC
---- ---- --
Handle a domestic animal Varies 10
"Push" a domestic animal Varies 15
Teach an animal tasks 2 months 15
Teach an animal unusual tasks 2 months 20
Rear a wild animal 1 year 15 + HD of animal
Rear a beast 1 year 20 + HD of beast
Train a wild animal 2 months 20 + HD of animal
Train a beast 2 months 25 + HD of beast
Time: For a task with a specific time frame, the character must spend half this time (at the rate of 3 hours per day per animal being handled) working toward completion of the task before the character makes the skill check. If the check fails, the character can't teach, rear, or train that animal. If the check succeeds, the character must invest the remainder of the time before the teaching, rearing, or training is complete. If the time is interrupted or the task is not followed through to completion, any further attempts to teach, rear, or train the same animal automatically fail.
Handle a Domestic Animal: This means to command a trained dog, to drive beasts of labor, to tend to tired horses, and so forth.
"Push" a Domestic Animal: To push a domestic animal means to get more out of it than it usually gives, such as commanding a poorly trained dog or driving draft animals for extra effort.
Teach an Animal Tasks: This means to teach a domestic animal some tricks. The character can train one type of animal per rank (chosen when the ranks are purchased) to obey commands and perform simple tricks. The character can work with up to three animals at one time, and the character can teach them general tasks. An animal can be trained for one general purpose only.
Teach an Animal Unusual Tasks: This is similar to teaching an animal tasks, except that the tasks can be something unusual for that breed of animal, such as training a dog to be a riding animal. Alternatively, the character can use this aspect of Handle Animal to train an animal to perform specialized tricks, such as teaching a horse to rear on command or come when whistled for or teaching a falcon to pluck objects from someone's grasp.
Rear a Wild Animal or a Beast: To rear an animal or beast means to raise a wild creature from infancy so that it is domesticated. A handler can rear up to three creatures of the same type at once. A successfully domesticated animal or beast can be taught tricks at the same time that it's being raised, or can be taught as a domesticated animal later.
Train a Wild Animal and Train a Beast mean train a wild creature to do certain tricks, but only at the character's command. The creature is still wild, though usually controllable.
Retry: For handling and pushing domestic animals, yes. For training and rearing, no.
Special: A character with 5 or more ranks of Animal Empathy gets a +2 synergy bonus on Handle Animal checks with animals. A character must have 9 or more ranks of Animal Empathy to get the same +2 synergy bonus on Handle Animal checks with beasts.
A character with 5 or more ranks of Handle Animal gets a +2 synergy bonus on Ride checks.
An untrained character can use a Charisma check to handle and push animals.
Task DC
---- --
First aid 15
Long-term care 15
Treat caltrop wound 15
Treat poison PoisOn's DC
Treat disease Disease's DC
First Aid: First aid usually means saving a dying character. If a character has negative hit points and is losing hit points (at 1 per round, 1 per hour, or 1 per day), the healing character can make her stable. The injured character regains no hit points, but she does stop losing them. The check is a standard action.
Long-term Care: Providing long-term care means treating a wounded person for a day or more. If successful, the character lets the patient recover hit points or ability score points (lost to temporary damage) at twice the normal rate: 2 hit points per level for each day of light activity, 3 hit points per level for each day of complete rest, and 2 ability score points per day. The character can tend up to six patients at a time. The character needs a few items and supplies (bandages, salves, and so on) that are easy to come by in settled lands.
Giving long-term care counts as light activity for the healer. The character cannot give long-term care to him or herself.
A healer's kit gives a +2 circumstance bonus to Heal checks.
Treat Wound that Reduces Base Speed: A creature that has its speed reduced can be treated by the Heal skill. A successful Heal check removes this movement penalty. Treating such a wound is a standard action.
Treat Poison: To treat poison means to tend a single character who has been poisoned and who is going to take more damage from the poison (or suffer some other effect).
Every time the poisoned character makes a saving throw against the poison, the character makes a Heal check. The poisoned character uses the character's result in place of her saving throw if the character's Heal result is higher.
Treat Disease: To treat a disease means to tend a diseased character. Every time the diseased character makes a saving throw against disease effects, the character makes a Heal check. The diseased character uses the character's result in place of his or her saving throw if the character's Heal result is higher.
A creature wounded by a spike growth or spike stones spell must succeed at a Reflex save or take injuries that slow his speed by one-third. Another character can remove this penalty by taking 10 minutes to dress the victim's injuries and succeeding at a Heal check against the spell's save DC.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks in Profession (herbalist), the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Heal checks.
Larger and smaller creatures get size bonuses and size penalties on Hide checks: Fine +16, Diminutive +12, Tiny +8, Small +4, Large –4, Huge –8, Gargantuan –12, Colossal –16.
If people are observing the character, even casually, the character can't hide. The character can run around a corner or something so that the character is out of sight and then hide, but the others then know at least where the character went. If the character's observers are momentarily distracted (as by a Bluff check; see below), though, the character can attempt to hide. While the others turn their attention from the character, the character can attempt a Hide check if the character can get to a hiding place of some kind. (As a general guideline, the hiding place has to be within 1 foot per rank the character has in Hide.) This check, however, is at –10 because the character has to move fast.
Creating a Diversion to Hide: The character can use Bluff to help the character hide. A successful Bluff check can give the character the momentary diversion the character needs to attempt a Hide check while people are aware of the character.
The DC for a basic message is 10. The DC is 15 or 20 for complex messages, especially those that rely on getting across new information. Also, the character can try to discern the hidden message in a conversation between two other characters who are using this skill. The DC is the skill check of the character using Innuendo, and for each piece of information that the eavesdropper is missing, that character suffers a –2 penalty on the check. For example, if a character eavesdrops on people planning to assassinate a visiting diplomat, the eavesdropper suffers a –2 penalty if he doesn't know about the diplomat. Whether trying to send or intercept a message, a failure by 5 or more points means that some false information has been implied or inferred.
The DM makes the character's Innuendo check secretly so that the character doesn't necessarily know whether the character was successful.
Retry: Generally, retries are allowed when trying to send a message, but not when receiving or intercepting one. Each retry carries the chance of miscommunication.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks in Bluff, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on the check to transmit (but not receive) a message. If the character has 5 or more ranks in Sense Motive, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on the check to receive or intercept (but not transmit) a message.
Retry: Generally, retries do not work. Even if the initial check succeeds, the other character can only be intimidated so far, and a retry doesn't help. If the initial check fails, the other character has probably become more firmly resolved to resist the intimidator, and a retry is futile.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks in Bluff , the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Intimidate checks.
The DM makes the character's check secretly so that the character doesn't know whether the character rolled a successful result or a 1.
Retry: The character can use Intuit Direction more than once per day. The roll represents how sensitive to direction the character is at that point in the day. Use the most recently rolled number for all other checks in the same day
Special: Untrained characters can't use an innate sense of direction, but they could determine direction by finding clues.
Minimum Maximum
Type of Jump Distance Additional Distance Distance
------------ -------- ------------------- --------
Running jump* 5 ft. +1 ft./1 point above 10 Height X 6
Standing jump 3 ft. +1 ft./2 points above 10 Height X 2
Running high jump* 2 ft. +1 ft./4 points above 10 Height X 1 1/2
Standing high jump 2 ft. +1 ft./8 points above 10 Height
Jump back 1 ft. +1 ft./8 points above 10 Height
*The character must move 20 feet before jumping. A character can't take a running jump in heavy armor.
The distances listed are for characters with speeds of 30 feet. If the character has a lower speed (from armor, encumbrance, or weight carried, for instance), reduce the distance jumped proportionally. If the character has a higher speed (because the character is a barbarian or an experienced monk, for instance), increase the distance jumped proportionally.
Distance moved by jumping is counted against maximum movement in a round normally.
If the character intentionally jumps down from a height, the character might take less damage than if the character just fell. If the character succeeds at a Jump check (DC 15), the character takes damage as if the character had fallen 10 feet less than the character actually did.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks in Tumble, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Jump checks.
A character who has the Run feat and who makes a running jump increases the distance or height he clears by one-fourth, but not past the maximum.
Retry: No. The check represents what the character knows, and thinking about a topic a second time doesn't let the character know something the character never learned in the first place.
Special: An untrained Knowledge check is simply an Intelligence check. Without actual training, a character only knows common knowledge.
The DM may make the Listen check so that the character doesn't know whether not hearing anything means that nothing is there, or that the character rolled low.
DC Sound
-- -----
0 People talking
5 A person in medium armor walking at a slow pace
(10 ft./round) trying not to make noise.
10 An unarmored person walking at a slow pace
(15 ft./round) trying not to make any noise
15 A 1st-level rogue using Move Silently within
10 ft. of the listener
19 A cat stalking
30 An owl gliding in for a kill
+1 Per 10 ft. from the listener
+5 Through a door
+15 Through a stone wall
In the case of people trying to be quiet, the listed DCs could be replaced by Move Silently checks, in which case the listed DC would be the average result (or close to it).
Retry: The character can make a Listen check every time the character has a chance to hear something in a reactive manner. As a full-round action, the character may try to hear something the character failed to hear previously.
Special: When several characters are listening to the same thing, the DM can make a single 1d20 roll and use it for all the listeners' skill checks.
Check: Opening a lock entails 1 round of work and a successful check. (It is a full-round action.)
Lock DC
---- --
Very simple lock 20
Average lock 25
Good lock 30
Amazing Lock 40
Check: The character can impress audiences with talent and skill.
DC Performance
-- -----------
10 Routine performance. Trying to earn money by playing in public is essentially begging.
The character earns 1d10 cp/day.
15 Enjoyable performance. In a prosperous city, the character can earn 1d10 sp/day.
20 Great performance. In a prosperous city, the character can earn 3d10 sp/day.
With time, the character may be invited to join a professional troupe and may develop a regional reputation.
25 Memorable performance. In a prosperous city, the character can earn 1d6 gp/day.
With time, the character may come to the attention of noble patrons and develop a national reputation.
30 Extraordinary performance. In a prosperous city, the character can earn 3d6 gp/day.
With time, the character may draw attention from distant potential patrons or even from extraplanar beings.
A masterwork musical instrument gives a +2 circumstance bonus to Perform checks that involve the use of the instrument.
Retry: Retries are allowed, but they don't negate previous failures, and an audience that has been unimpressed in the past is going to be prejudiced against future performances. (Increase the DC by 2 for each previous failure.)
In addition to using the Perform skill, a character could entertain people with tumbling, tightrope walking, and spells (especially illusions).
When performing this skill under close observation, the character's skill check is opposed by the observer's Spot check. The observer's check doesn't prevent the character from performing the action, just from doing it unnoticed.
If the character tries to take something from another creature, the character must make a skill check against DC 20. The opponent makes a Spot check to detect the attempt. The opponent detects the attempt if her check result beats the character's check result, regardless of whether the character got the item.
DC Task
-- ----
10 Palm a coin-sized object, make a coin disappear
20 Lift a small object from a person
Retry: A second Pick Pocket attempt against the same target, or when being watched by the same observer, has a DC +10 higher than the first skill check if the first check failed or if the attempt was noticed.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks in Bluff, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Pick Pocket checks.
Like Craft, Profession is actually a number of separate skills. The character could have several Profession skills, each with its own ranks, each purchased as a separate skill.
While a Craft skill represents skill in creating or making an item, a Profession skill represents an aptitude in a vocation requiring a broader range of less specific knowledge. To draw a modern analogy, if an occupation is a service industry, it's probably a Profession skill. If it's in the manufacturing sector, it's probably a Craft skill.
Check: The character can practice a trade and make a decent living, earning about half the check result in gold pieces per week of dedicated work. The character knows how to use the tools of the trade, how to perform the profession's daily tasks, how to supervise untrained helpers, and how to handle common problems. For example, a sailor knows how to tie several basic knots, how to tend and repair sails, and how to stand a deck watch at sea. The DM sets DCs for specialized tasks.
Retry: An attempt to use a Profession skill to earn an income cannot be retried. The character is stuck with whatever weekly wage the check result brought the character. (Another check may be made after a week to determine a new income for the next period of time.) An attempt to accomplish some specific task can usually be retried.
Special: Untrained laborers and assistants earn an average of 1 silver piece per day.
If the check fails, the character can't read the speaker's lips. If the check fails by 5 or more, the character draws some incorrect conclusion about the speech.
The DM rolls the character's check so the character don't know whether the character succeeded or missed by 5.
Retry: The skill can be used once per minute.
Check: Typical riding actions don't require checks. The character can saddle, mount, ride, and dismount from a mount without a problem. Mounting or dismounting is a move-equivalent action. Some tasks require checks:
Riding Task DC
----------- --
Guide with knees 5
Stay in saddle 5
Fight with warhorse 10
Leap 15
Control Mount in Battle 20
Fast mount or dismount 20*
Cover 15
Soft fall 15
*Armor check penalty applies.
Guide with Knees: the character can react instantly to guide the character's mount with the character's knees so that the character can use both hands in combat. Make the check at the start of the character's round. If the character fails, the character can only use one hand this round because the character needs to use the other to control the character's mount.
Stay in Saddle: The character can react instantly to try to avoid falling when the character's mount rears or bolts unexpectedly or when the character takes damage.
Fight with Warhorse: If the character directs a war-trained mount to attack in battle, the character can still make the character's own attack or attacks normally.
Cover: The character can react instantly to drop down and hang alongside the mount, using it as one-half cover. The character can't attack or cast spells while using the character's mount as cover. If the character fails, the character doesn't get the cover benefit.
Soft Fall: The character reacts instantly to try to take no damage when the character falls off a mount, such as when it is killed or when it falls. If the character fails, the character takes 1d6 points of falling damage.
Leap: The character can get a mount to leap obstacles as part of its movement. Use the character's Ride skill modifier or the mount's Jump skill modifier (whichever is lower) to see how far the mount can jump. The DC (15) is what the character needs to roll to stay on the mount when it leaps.
Control Mount in Battle: As a move-equivalent action, the character can attempt to control a light horse, pony, or heavy horse while in combat. If the character fails, the character can do nothing else that round. The character does not need to roll for warhorses or warponies.
Fast Mount or Dismount: The character can mount or dismount as a free action. If the character fails the check, mounting or dismounting is a move-equivalent action. (The character can't attempt a fast mount or dismount unless the character can perform the mount or dismount as a move-equivalent action this round.)
Special: If the character is riding bareback, the character suffers a –5 penalty on Ride checks.
If the character has 5 or more ranks in Handle Animal, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus to Ride checks.
If the character's mount has a military saddle, it gives a +2 circumstance bonus to Ride checks related to staying in the saddle.
Special: Although this skill is exclusive to certain classes, it can be used untrained. This means that a character with no ranks in Scry, and who is not allowed to buy ranks in this skill, can still make an Intelligence check to notice when he is being scried.
Task DC
---- --
Ransack a chest full of junk to find a certain item 10
Notice a typical secret door or a simple trap 20
Find a difficult nonmagical trap not of stone (rogue only)* 21+
Find a magic trap (rogue only)* 25+ spell level used to create
Notice a well-hidden secret door 30
*Dwarves who are not rogues can use Search to do this if the trap is built into or out of stone.
Active Abjuration spells within 10 feet of each other for 24 hours or more create barely visible energy fluctuations. These fluctuations give characters a +4 bonus to Search checks to locate such Abjuration spells.
While anyone can use Search to find a trap whose DC is 20 or less, only a rogue can use Search to locate traps with higher DCs. Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, and the DC is higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 plus the level of the spell used to create it. Identifying the location of a snare spell has a DC of 23.
Special: A character who does not have the Track feat can use the Search skill to find tracks, but can only follow tracks if the DC is 10 or less.
Sense Motive Task DC
----------------- --
Hunch 20
Sense enchantment 25
Hunch: This use of the skill essentially means making a gut assessment of the social situation. The character can get the feeling from another's behavior that something is wrong, such as when the character is talking to an impostor. Alternatively, the character can get the feeling that someone is trustworthy.
Sense Enchantment: The character can tell that someone's behavior is being influenced by an Enchantment effect (by definition, a mind-affecting effect), such as charm person, even if that person isn't aware of it herself.
Retry: No, though the character may make a Sense Motive check for each bluff made on the character.
Common languages and their alphabets are summarized in Table: Languages
Table: Languages
Language Alphabet
-------- --------
Abyssal Infernal
Aquan Elven
Auran Draconic
Celestial Celestial
Common Common
Draconic Draconic
Druidic Druidic
Dwarven Dwarven
Elven Elven
Gnome Dwarven
Goblin Dwarven
Giant Dwarven
Gnoll Common
Halfling Common
Ignan Draconic
Infernal Infernal
Orc Dwarven
Sylvan Elven
Terran Dwarven
Undercommon Elven
Retry: Not applicable. (There are no Speak Language checks to fail.)
DC Task
-- ----
13 When using read magic, identify a glyph of warding.
15 + spell level Identify a spell being cast. (The character must see or hear the spell's verbal
or somatic components.) No retry.
15 + spell level Learn a spell from a spellbook or scroll. (Wizard only.) No retry for that spell
until the character gain at least 1 rank in Spellcraft (even if the character
find another source to try to learn the spell from).
15 + spell level Prepare a spell from a borrowed spellbook. (Wizard only.) One try per day.
15 + spell level When casting detect magic, determine the school of magic involved in the aura
of a single item or creature the character can see. (If the aura is not a spell
effect, the DC is 15 + half caster level.)
19 When using read magic, identify a symbol.
20 + spell level Identify a spell that's already in place and in effect. (the character must be able
to see or detect the effects of the spell.) No retry.
20 + spell level Identify materials created or shaped by magic, such as noting that an iron wall
is the result of a wall of iron spell. No retry.
20 + spell level Decipher a written spell (such as a scroll) without using read magic. One try per day.
20 Draw a diagram to augment casting dimensional anchor on a summoned creature. Takes 10
minutes. No retry. The DM makes this check.
30 or higher Understand a strange or unique magical effect, such as the effects of a magic stream.
No retry.
Additionally, certain spells allow the character to gain information about magic provided that the character makes a Spellcraft check as detailed in the spell description.
Retry: See above.
If the character has 5 or more ranks of Use Magic Device, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus to Spellcraft checks to decipher spells on scrolls.
A Spot check result of greater than 20 can generally let the character become aware of an invisible creature near the character (though the character can't actually see it).
Spot is also used to detect someone in disguise.
Condition Penalty
--------- -------
Per 10 feet of distance -1
Spotter distracted -5
Retry: the character can make a Spot check every time the character has the opportunity to notice something in a reactive manner. As a full-round action, the character may attempt to spot something that the character failed to spot previously.
If the character is underwater (whether drowning or swimming underwater intentionally), the character suffers a cumulative –1 penalty to the character's Swim check for each consecutive round the character has been underwater.
The DC for the Swim check depends on the water:
Water Conditions DC
---------------- --
Calm water 10
Rough water 15
Stormy water 20
Each hour that the character swims, make a Swim check against DC 20 or take 1d6 points of subdual damage from fatigue.
Special: Instead of an armor check penalty, the character suffers a penalty of –1 for each 5 pounds of gear the character is carrying or wearing.
Check: The character can land softly when the character falls or tumbles past opponents. The character can also tumble to entertain an audience (as with the Perform skill).
DC Task
-- ----
15 Treat a fall as if it were 10 feet shorter when determining damage.
15 Tumble up to 20 feet (as part of normal movement), suffering no attacks of
opportunity while doing so. Failure means the character tumbles 20 feet but suffers
attacks of opportunity normally.
25 Tumble up to 20 feet (as part of normal movement), suffering no attacks of
opportunity while doing so and moving through areas occupied by enemies (over,
under, or around them). Failure means the character tumbles 20 feet and can move through
enemy-occupied areas but suffers attacks of opportunity normally.
Retry: An audience, once it has judged a tumbler as uninteresting, is not receptive to repeat performances. The character can try to reduce damage from a fall as an instant reaction once per fall. The character can attempt to tumble as part of movement once per round.
Special: A character with 5 or more ranks in Tumble gains a +3 dodge AC bonus when executing the fight defensively standard or full-round action instead of a +2 dodge AC bonus.
A character with 5 or more ranks in Tumble gains a +6 dodge AC bonus when executing the total defense standard action instead of a +4 dodge AC bonus.
If the character has 5 or more ranks in Jump, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Tumble checks.
If the character has 5 or more ranks in Tumble, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Balance checks.
Use Magic Device Task DC
--------------------- --
Decipher a written spell 25 + Spell Level
Emulate spell ability 20
Emulate class feature 20
Emulate ability score See Text
Emulate race 25
Emulate alignment 30
Activate blindly 25
When the character is attempting to activate a magic item using this skill, the character does so as a standard action. However, the checks the character makes to determine whether the character is successful at emulating the desired factors to successfully perform the activation are instant. They take no time by themselves and are included in the activate magic item standard action.
The character make emulation checks each time the character activates a device such as a wand. If the character is using the check to emulate an alignment or some other quality in an ongoing manner, the character needs to make the relevant emulation checks once per hour.
The character must consciously choose what to emulate. That is, the character has to know what the character is trying to emulate when the character makes an emulation check.
Decipher a Written Spell: This works just like deciphering a written spell with the Spellcraft skill, except that the DC is 5 points higher.
Emulate Spell Ability: This use of the skill allows the character to use a magic item as if the character had a particular spell on the character's class spell list. To cast a spell from a scroll or use a wand, the character has to have a particular spell on the character's class spell list. By using the skill this way, the character can use such an item as if the character did have the spell on the character's class spell list. The character's effective caster level is the character's result minus 20. (It's okay to have a caster level of 0.) For wands, it doesn't matter what caster level the character is, but it does matter for scrolls. If the character's effective level is lower than the caster level, the character must roll to see if you use the scroll successfuly.
This skill does not let the character cast the spell. It only lets the character cast it from a scroll or wand as if the spell were on the character's class list. Note: If the character is casting it from a scroll, the character has to decipher it first.
Emulate Class Feature: Sometimes the character needs to use a class feature to activate a magic item. The character's effective level in the emulated class equals the character's result minus 20.
This skill does not let the character use the class feature of another class. It just lets the character activate magic items as if the character had the class feature.
If the class whose feature the character is emulating has an alignment requirement, the character must meet it, either honestly or by emulating an appropriate alignment as a separate check (see below).
Emulate Ability Score: To cast a spell from a scroll, the character needs a high ability score in the appropriate ability (Intelligence for wizard spells, Wisdom for divine spells, and Charisma for sorcerer or bard spells). The character's effective ability score (appropriate to the class the character is emulating when the character tries to cast the spell from the scroll) is the character's result minus 15. If the character already has a high enough score in the appropriate ability, the character doesn't need to make this check.
Emulate Race: Some magic items work only for certain races, or work better for those of certain races. The character can use such an item as if the character were a race of the character's choice. The character can emulate only one race at a time.
Emulate Alignment: Some magic items have positive or negative effects based on the character's alignment. The character can use these items as if the character was of an alignment of the character's choice.
The character can emulate only one alignment at a time.
Activate Blindly: Some magic items are activated by special words, thoughts, or actions. The character can activate such items as if the character were using the activation word, thought, or action even if the character is not and even if the character doesn't know it. The character does have to use something equivalent. The character has to speak, wave the item around, or otherwise attempt to get it to activate. The character gets a special +2 bonus if the character has activated the item at least once before.
If the character fails by 10 or more, the character suffers a mishap. A mishap means that magical energy gets released but it doesn't do what the character wanted it to do. The DM determines the result of a mishap, as with scroll mishaps. The default mishaps are that the item affects the wrong target or that uncontrolled magical energy gets released, dealing 2d6 points of damage to the character. Note: This mishap is in addition to the chance for a mishap that the character normally runs when the character casts a spell from a scroll and the spell's caster level is higher than the character's level.
Retry: Yes, but if the character ever rolls a natural 1 while attempting to activate an item and the character fails, then the character can't try to activate it again for a day.
Special: The character cannot take 10 with this skill. Magic is too unpredictable for the character to use this skill reliably.
If the character has 5 or more ranks in Spellcraft, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Use Magic Device checks related to scrolls. If the character has 5 or more ranks in Decipher Script, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Use Magic Device checks related to scrolls. These bonuses stack.
DC Task
-- ----
10 Tie a firm knot
15 Tie a special knot, such as one that slips, slides slowly, or loosens with a
tug
15 Tie a rope around oneself one-handed
15 Splice two ropes together (takes 5 minutes)
When the character binds another character with a rope, any Escape Artist check that the bound character makes is opposed by the character's Use Rope check. The character gets a special +10 bonus on the check because it is easier to bind someone than to escape from being tied up.
The character doesn't make the character's Use Rope check until someone tries to escape.
Special: A silk rope gives a +2 circumstance bonus on Use Rope checks. If the character casts an animate rope spell on a rope, the character gets a +2 circumstance bonus to any Use Rope checks the character makes when using the rope. These bonuses stack.
If the character has 5 or more ranks in Escape Artist, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on checks to bind someone.
DC Task
-- ----
10 Get along in the wild. Move up to one-half the character's overland
speed while hunting and foraging (no food or water supplies needed). The character can
provide food and water for one other person for every 2 points by which the character's
check result exceeds 10.
15 Gain +2 on all Fortitude saves against severe weather
while moving up to one-half the character's overland speed, or gain +4 if stationary. The character
may grant the same bonus to one other character for every 1 point by which the
check result exceeds 15.
15 Avoid getting lost or avoid natural hazards, such as quicksand.
Retry: For getting along in the wild or for gaining the Fortitude save bonus, the character makes a check once every 24 hours. The result of that check applies until the next check is made. To avoid getting lost or avoid natural hazards, the character makes a check whenever the situation calls for one. Retries to avoid getting lost in a specific situation or to avoid a specific natural hazard are not allowed.
Special: If the character has 5 or more ranks of Intuit Direction, the character gets a +2 synergy bonus on Wilderness Lore checks to avoid getting lost.