Jack of All trades: what does it apply to?

[Ancalagon]

Hello

So the bard has this nifty "jack of all trades" that gives "half proficiency" bonus to untrained skills...

... or so I thought. But apparently it's all ability checks. So... does that apply to initiative? What about shaving throws?

 

[mach1.9pants]

Saving Throws are Saving Throws, not Ability Checks so NO
Initiative is YES however: "Initiative determines the order of turns during combat. When combat starts, every participant makes a Dexterity check to determine their place in the initiative order. "

 

[jaelis]

Indeed it does apply to initiative. For twitter confirmation see
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2014/08/23/jack-of-all-trades-bard/

Edit-
Oh yes also in the SA compendium

Does the bard’s Jack of All Trades feature apply to attack rolls and saving throws that don’t use the bard’s proficiency bonus?

No. The feature benefits only ability checks. Don’t forget that initiative rolls are Dexterity checks, so Jack of All Trades can benefit a bard’s initiative, assuming the bard isn’t already adding his or her proficiency bonus to it.

 

[Caliban]

Hello

So the bard has this nifty "jack of all trades" that gives "half proficiency" bonus to untrained skills...

... or so I thought. But apparently it's all ability checks. So... does that apply to initiative? What about shaving throws?

5e has three main types of D20 rolls: Attack Rolls, Ability Checks, and Saving Throws.

Initiative is a Dexterity Ability check, all skill checks are Ability checks, all tools are ability checks.

Even though Saving Throws and Attack Rolls usually use an ability modifier for part of their bonus, they aren't ability checks.

 

[Oofta]

Hello

So the bard has this nifty "jack of all trades" that gives "half proficiency" bonus to untrained skills...

... or so I thought. But apparently it's all ability checks. So... does that apply to initiative? What about shaving throws?

I would say it definitely applies to shaving throws, shaving is a skill like any other especially considering that most D&D campaigns won't have modern conveniences like safety razors. Using a straight edge correctly is an underrated skill, the blade has to be extremely sharp and think of the nicks! What self respecting bard would have a bloody face?

As far as the rest, there's the sage advice someone mentioned.

 

[Eltab]

What about shaving throws?

I think you should check out the book "The Signs By The Side Of The Road" if you are having so much trouble with making shaves that you want to throw things.

Though tough the beard
That Nature gave
It's soft like down
With
Burma-Shave

 

[Harzel]

What about shaving throws?

If you really need a shave, find a barbarian, not a bard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLOKEuNx4SI

Shaving starts at about 2:40, although the first couple minutes do provide some context.

 

[Ancalagon]

If you really need a shave, find a barbarian, not a bard.

Have faith in Conan the Librarian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZHoHaAYHq8

 

[mrpopstar]

Have faith in Conan the Librarian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZHoHaAYHq8

Bwahaha! Never saw Weird Al's movie. Love this! Definitely sharing with my lib sci 101 students.