D&D 5E Abilities and their modes of use

[robus]

Ability scores provide a summary of a creature's physical and mental characteristics. For example Strength relates to physical exertion, while Charisma relates to how a character is able to influence others through force of personality.


Each of these ability scores can be applied in three different modes: Active, Passive and Group


Active Mode is used when a PC is attempting a singular task. For example breaking through a door (for a strength check) or determining whether a creature is hostile (for a wisdom check)


Passive Mode is used when a PC is attempting a repetitive task. For example running a long distance (for a constitution check) or researching in a library (for an intelligence check).


Group Mode is used when the PCs collaborate to accomplish an objective. For example tying a rope to a door and all pulling on it to drag it open (for a strength check), or when the more stealthy members help the less stealthy (for a dexterity check).


The following table provides examples for each ability being used in each mode:


[TABLE="width: 800, align: left"]
[TR]
[TD]

Ability​

[/TD]
[TD]

Active Examples​

[/TD]
[TD]

Passive Examples​

[/TD]
[TD]

Group Examples​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Strength​

[/TD]
[TD]Forcing a door, lifting a weight
[/TD]
[TD]Carrying a heavy load or rowing a boat a long distance
[/TD]
[TD]Tug of war
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Constitution​

[/TD]
[TD]Consuming something poisonous (or disgusting)
[/TD]
[TD]Running a long distance, going without food for a long time.
[/TD]
[TD]??
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Wisdom​

[/TD]
[TD]Identifying an edible plant, determining whether a creature is dangerous
[/TD]
[TD]Noticing something out of place, navigating a route through unfamiliar territory
[/TD]
[TD]??[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Intelligence​

[/TD]
[TD]Determining the mechanism of a trap or a secret door
[/TD]
[TD]Researching a topic in a library, searching the records in an office
[/TD]
[TD]Pool their talents (language, deduction, etc) to comprehend something mysterious: a treasure map, hieroglyphs, etc
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Charisma​

[/TD]
[TD]Persuading a reluctant ally, intimidating a hostile foe
[/TD]
[TD]Mingling at a fancy party
[/TD]
[TD]Put on a "show"
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Dexterity​

[/TD]
[TD]Picking a lock or a pocket, squeezing through a tight space
[/TD]
[TD]Traversing treacherous terrain, moving through a dungeon
[/TD]
[TD]Attempt to hide from enemies
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

There are some obvious gaps (and debatable points) so I thought it would be interesting to explore them further...


Are the gaps impossible to fill? Are there better suggestions for the passive examples?

 

[Tony Vargas]

That is a nice formalization/generalization.

Are the gaps impossible to fill? Are there better suggestions for the passive examples?[/FONT]

I think you focused on the wrong thing for 'passive,' at least, if it was inspired by passive perception and the like.

Active = singular task and Group = working together, are solid, I think.

Passive, though, could be when you are performing a routine task, and there is a singular challenge within it, or there is a third party making a singular attempt that's at odds with it. IMHO, the best way to handle passive tests is always by having someone/thing else make a check against a DC based on the passive score, rather than checking passive vs a DC (which'll give too predictable a result).

That definition moves some of the CON and WIS examples to Group. A group CON check to force-march a long distance for instance, would represent the PCs who succeed helping those who fail at some point.

 

[robus]

That definition moves some of the CON and WIS examples to Group. A group CON check to force-march a long distance for instance, would represent the PCs who succeed helping those who fail at some point.

That's a great idea for a group CON check and it can really apply to both passive and group checks. I.e. is one PC try to run a marathon for help - or is the party being force-marched as prisoners to some hellish dungeon? However if all the PCs are trying to run the marathon then there's really no group help available. You can either run it or you can't

 

[Tony Vargas]

By the same token, a Group Wisdom check could be something like the 'mingling at the party' CHA check, but with the intent to get a 'feel for the mood of the crowd,' and then meet back up and compare observations and reach a conclusion - or some such. Hmmm... it could also be 'getting through' a difficult task where the difficulty is primarily mental focus or resisting contrary impulses rather than physical demands.

 

[robus]

By the same token, a Group Wisdom check could be something like the 'mingling at the party' CHA check, but with the intent to get a 'feel for the mood of the crowd,' and then meet back up and compare observations and reach a conclusion - or some such. Hmmm... it could also be 'getting through' a difficult task where the difficulty is primarily mental focus or resisting contrary impulses rather than physical demands.

At my table I do feel like a group check must have some kind of "Working together" component. Just all doing the same thing is not enough to earn the advantage (lower case a )

 

[Tony Vargas]

At my table I do feel like a group check must have some kind of "Working together" component. Just all doing the same thing is not enough to earn the advantage (lower case a )

You can help eachother resist temptation...

"Well... can't I just pick off one of the little sick ones? "
"NO! Wait for the signal from Scar."