I would rule that Insects don't use any skill checks to climb unless like someone blows on them or something. They stick to things, mechanically the have a listed climb speed and/or permanent "spider-walk" ability.
"Epic" is just a word I use to introduce the concept of allowing players of non-magical characters can do psuedonatural super human things. No reason at all you couldn't have an "Epic Climber" ability available at say 6th level that grants permanent climb-speed and the ability to climb sheer surfaces. It depends on what makes sense mechanically.
I remember one time in 4e, level 24 or so my character was proficient in athletics and made a check. Compared to real world athletes, he was middling at best. Dude was literally a demigod and could only jump like Mike.
What I may do as a house rule is, as characters gain levels/ proficiency mulitply the math a bit. So a level 1 character making a jump check and getting a 20 looks like it does now, but a proficient level 8-12 character hitting that same number goes further or can break the movement speed caps or something, and then a level 12-20 character be able to jump over the moon or something nutso.
"Epic" is just a word I use to introduce the concept of allowing players of non-magical characters can do psuedonatural super human things. No reason at all you couldn't have an "Epic Climber" ability available at say 6th level that grants permanent climb-speed and the ability to climb sheer surfaces. It depends on what makes sense mechanically.
I remember one time in 4e, level 24 or so my character was proficient in athletics and made a check. Compared to real world athletes, he was middling at best. Dude was literally a demigod and could only jump like Mike.
What I may do as a house rule is, as characters gain levels/ proficiency mulitply the math a bit. So a level 1 character making a jump check and getting a 20 looks like it does now, but a proficient level 8-12 character hitting that same number goes further or can break the movement speed caps or something, and then a level 12-20 character be able to jump over the moon or something nutso.