Page 176 - Player's Handbook

For example, if a characler attempts lo climb up a characler who lacks lhat proficiency can't help anolher
dangerous cliff, lhe Dungeon Masler mighl ask for a characler in lhal task. Moreover, a character can help
Slrenglh (Alhlelics) check. lf lhe characler is proficienl only when two or more individuais working logelher
in Athletics, the characler's proficiency bonus is added would aclually be produclive. Some lasks, such as
to lhe Slrenglh check. lf lhe characler lacks that lbreading a needle. are no easier with help.
proficicncy, he or she JUSlmakes a Slrenglh check.
GROUP CHECKS
VARIANT: SKILLS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES When a number of individuais are lrying to accomplish
Normally, your proficiency in a skill applies only lo a somelhing as a group, lhe DM mighl ask for a group
specific kind of abilily check. Proficiency in Alhlelics, abilily check. In such a situalion, lhe characters who are
for example, usually applics lo Slrenglh checks. In some skilled ai a parlicular task help cover those who aren'l.
situations, lhough, your proficiency mighl reasonably To make a group ability check. everyone in lbe group
apply lo a differenl kind of check. In such cases, lhe DM makes lbe abilily check. lf alleasl half lhe group
mighl ask for a check using an unusual combinalion of sllcceeds, the wbole group succeeds. Otherwise,
abilily and skill, or you mighl ask your DM if you can lhe group fails.
applya proficiency to a differenl check. For example, Group checks don't come up very often. and lhey're
if you have lo swim from an offshore island to lhe most useful wben ali lhe characlers succeed or
mainland, your DM mighl call for a Conslilulion check fail as a group. For example, when advenlurcrs arc
lo see if you have the stamina lo make it that faroIn lhis navigating a swamp, lbe DM mighl call for a group
case, your DM mighl allow you to apply your proficiency Wisdom (Survival) check lo see if lhe characlers can
in Alhlelics and ask for a Constilulion (Alhlelics) check. avoid lhe quicksand, sinkholcs, and other natural
So ifyou're proficienl in Alhlelics, you apply your hazards of lhe environmenl. If at least half the group
proficiency honus to lhe Conslilulion checkjusl as you succeeds, lhe successful characlers are ablc to guide
would normally do for a Slrenglh (Alhlelics) check. lhcir companions oul of danger. Olherwise, lhe group
SimilarIy, when your half-orc barbarian uses a display slumbles inlo one of lhese hazards.
of raw slrenglh to inlimidale an enemy, your DM mighl
ask for a Strength (Inlimidalion) check, evenlhough USING EACH ABILITY
Intimidalion is normally associaled wilh Charisma.
Every lask lhal a characler or monsler mighl atlempt
PASSIVE CHECKS in the game is covered by one of lhe six abililies. This
seclion explains in more delail wbal lhose abilities
A passive check is a special kind of abilily check lhal mean and the ways lhey are used in lhe game.
doesn'l involve any die rolls. Such a check can represenl
lhe average resull for a task done repealedly, such as STRENGTH
searching for secrel doors over and over again. or can
be used when the DM wanls lo secretly determine Slrenglh measures bodily power, athlelic training, and
whelher lhe characters succeed at something wilholll the exlenllo which you can exert raw physical force.
rolling dice, such as nOlicing a hidden monsler. STRENGTH CHECKS
Here's how lo delermine a character's lolal for a A Slrenglh check can model any atlempllo lifl, p"sh,
passive check:
pull, or break something, lo force your body lhrougb a
10 + ali modifiers thal normally apply to the check space, or lo otherwise apply brute force lo a silualion.
The Alhlelics skill reflecls aptitude in cerlain kinds of
If the characler has advanlage on lhe check, add 5. For Slrength checks.
disadvanlage, suhlract 5. The game refers lo a passive
check lotai as a score. Athletics. Your Strenglh (Alhlelics) check covers
For example. if a 1st-levei character has a Wisdom of difficult situations YOllencollnler while c1imbing,
15 and proficiency in Perceplion. he or she has a passive jumping. or swimming. Examples include tbe
Wisdom (Perceplion) score of 14. following aclivilies:
The rules on hiding in lhe "Dexlerily" section below You attempt lo climh a sheer or slippery cliff, avoid
rely on passive cbecks, as do lhe exploralion rules hazards while scaling a wall, or cling lo a surface
in chapler 8. while something is lrying to knock you off.
You try lo jump an unuslIally long distance or pull
WORKING TOGETHER off a slunl midjump.
You slruggle lo swim or slay afloal in lreacherous cur-
Some times lwo or more characlers leam up to allempt a
lask. The characler who's leading lhe effort-or lhe one renls, slorm-lossed waves, or areas of lhick seaweed.
wilb lhe highesl abilily modifier-can make an ability Or anolher crealure lries lo push or pull you underwa-
cbeck wilh advanlage, reflecling the help provided by ler or olherwise interfere with your swimming.
the olher characlers. In combal, lhis requires lhe Help Other Strength Checks. The DM mighl also call for
aclion (see chapler 9). a Slrcngtb check when you lry to accomplish tasks like
A character can only provide help if lhe lask is one lhat lhe following:
he or she cOllld allempt alone. For example, trying lo
open a lock requires proficiency wilh lhieves' lools, so a

PART 2 LJSL G -\BILlIT S i)RE