Skill Challenge

What Is This?
A system to resolve an encounter in so many dramatic rounds, focusing on storytelling, creativity, and tension.

Core Structure

1. The Goal

• Each player rolls once; success is judged by collective points.

1. Setup

• Describe → DM sets scene, enemies, terrain, stakes.
• Set DC → 10 + party’s average primary ability modifier.
• Success Points → # of players +1 (adjust for difficulty).

1. Player Actions

• No initiative.
• Each describes one meaningful action:
  • Skill check (Athletics, Stealth, Arcana)
  • Attack roll
  • Spellcasting check
• Help Action → instead of rolling, grant another player advantage.
• Repetition → unoriginal repeats (e.g., “I attack again”) roll at disadvantage.

1. Resolving Rolls

• Meets DC = +1 success point
• Every 5 over DC = +1 additional point
• Nat 20 = +1 additional point
• Fails DC = take damage (1d6–1d8)
• Every 5 under DC = extra damage die/point
• Nat 1 = extra damage on top

1. Resolving the Challenge

• Group Success → victory; failed rolls still take damage.
• Group Failure → narrative failure, enemy escape, or escalation to full combat.

Roll Results Summary