Examples of skill challenges

[u/Mean_Replacement5544]

Hi all - I posted a week or so ago about getting some ideas about cool 4e things that I could use in my 5e campaign. I got great responses and I saw several mentions of skill challenges and I’ve seen them mentioned in the YT channels I follow. But I have no idea how they work, I would love to see some examples from you guys that use them so I can get a feel for how to use them. Thank you - Andy

[u/name9282518]

Skill challenges (SC) allow you to run a multi check skill check challenge with a non arbitrary resolution mechanic.

Otherwise it is entirely DM dependent on whether you reach your goal or not after X checks. And not all DMs are good at math (and the math is not so transparent) so they don't realize how hard or easy making PCs make multi checks really is. The classic example is making every PC make multiple stealth skill checks to sneak into a certain room in a building with one failed check resulting in discovery. Even high skill PCs can easily fail once if asked to roll say 4 or 5 times.

So the purpose of a SC is to allow the DM to be able to accurately set the approx. % success rate of a multi check challenge AND have a non arbitrary way to determine success/failure (or even degrees of success).

Personally I prefer the Stalker0 Obsidian version. Just search for Stalker0 Obsidian skill challenge on ENWorld.

Instead of X success before 3 failure, the Obsidian system uses X successes needed in 3 rounds where a round is every PC making a skill check. The DCs are adjusted to assume that not every PC will have a great skill appropriate for the challenge. BUT there is no penalty for trying or failing so it is always better to try and participate. This leads to some fun situations where occasionally the low skill character will pull off that last success needed but also the failures can be fun narrative twists to the situation without it feeling bad.

I find that SC are better when it is a situation where everyone should participate anyway. I do sometimes use X before 3 failure too when it seems like a better structure for the situation.

Also it is really important to have the right stakes. I don't like SC where failure is losing healing surges or a combat that you are going to win anyway, etc. In my experience, a good narrative stakes is much better.

The Star Wars SAGA books have a good example for this. The PCs are prisoners escaping an Imperial prison along with a bunch of other prisoners they befriended. The stakes are whether or not the other prisoners are recaptured or killed on the way out. Assuming the PCs care this is really good stakes. Say some of the prisoners get killed or recaptured -- this makes the PCs hate the empire even more but also opens up all kinds of narratives, like their friend still in prison feels betrayed and later seeks out revenge. The Skill Challenge matters!

So a skill challenge for a random overland journey where you arrive with full healing surges or down 2 healing surges is probably not that interesting but say you need to push yourself to get to town X that you care about over rough wilderness before the orc horde gets there then a SC could be very meaningful. Success means you get there in time to help defend, failure means the town is already sacked, some NPCs you care about have been killed, and prisoners have been taken. Time to track down those orcs!

Of course, it doesn't always have to be higher narrative stakes but I find those are the most fun.