When a player wants to interact with the world, its creatures or other humans there is often a skill check involved. Below we’ll take a deep dive into all the skills in the game with examples and difficulty ranks. In all cases, the player will roll a 1d20 and add their skill bonus to the result of that roll.
Skill Check Difficulty Chart
Check Required
Difficulty
5
Very Easy
10
Easy
15
Average
20
Challenging
25
Very Difficult
30
Nearly Impossible!
Determining Base Difficulty
As a GM you have a lot of flexibility so the exact difficulty you choose is up to you and how challenging an experience you want to have for your players. If you’re playing with younger players and want an easy experience then jumping over a 5′ ravine could require a check of 10, or for a more challenging experience this could require a check of 20.
You can also consider that the same type of check may increase or decrease in difficulty depending on the exact scenario. These modifiers keep the game more dynamic, especially with more experienced players. For example, the players have previously accessed a computer terminal to over-ride a security door. They know that they were able to succeed last time with a result of 12. Coming across another computer terminal later in the game, they expect they can do the same, only this time the computer terminal requires a password! In the first example, the required check was only 10, but since this terminal requires a password, the check now requires a result of 30 to succeed.
As a guide, below I have given example actions for each skill and recommended difficulties for distinct types of players. For both new or young players using the simple column is recommended. For experienced players using the advanced column will provide a more challenging environment. These are only examples, so keep in mind that you as a GM have the power of flexibility!
Specific Examples
Acrobatics
Example
Check (Simple)
Check (Advanced)
Jumping Over a Fallen Log
–
5
Climbing a Tree
–
10
Walk on a Ledge
5
15
Jumping Across a Small Ravine
10
15
Climbing up the Side of a Cliff
15
20
Modifiers
Value
Surface is Wet
+5
Surface is Narrow
+5
Lack of Handholds (Climbing)
+10
Surface is Icy
+10
Computers
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Access Stored Information
–
5
Control Building Security
5
10
Modifiers
Value
Computer Requires Password
+10
Computer Requires MFA
+20
Deception
Deception is rolled against the opposing player or creature who rolls an intuition skill check.
Driving
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Drive Automatic Vehicle
–
5
Drive Manual Vehicle
5
10
Modifiers
Value
Reduced Vision (Fog or Light Rain)
+5
Driving Off-Road
+10
Slick Driving Surface (Rain or Snow)
+10
Electronics
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Repairing Electronic Device
10
20
Overriding Electronic Control
15
25
Intuition
Intuition is used to sense acts of deception against your character. In addition, if your characters are feeling stuck you can roll an intuition check for a hint from the GM to help lead your character to that “aha” moment.
Investigation
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Determine Source of Tracks
5
15
Searching for a Hidden Item
10
20
Modifiers
Value
Rushed Investigation
+5
Old Tracks (>1 Day)
+5
Trying to Track During Rain or Snow
+5
Tracking on Fallen Snow, Sand or Mud
-10
Source of Tracks is a Vehicle or large Dinosaur
-10
Mechanics
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Replace Flat Tire
–
5
Repair Engine or Motor that Won’t Start
10
20
Modifiers
Value
Rusty Repair Parts
+10
Medicine
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Stabilize Player That is Dying
–
10
Apply First Aid
–
10
Poison Control
10
20
Apply First Aid: Consumes one first aid kit but heals 3d6 health.
Poison Control: Know what medicines to use to counter-act or lessen the effect of a poison or venom.
Navigation
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Determine Current Location Using Map
–
10
Poison Control
10
20
Observation
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Spot Opponent
–
10
Notice Small Object
15
25
Modifiers
Value
Opponent Hiding
+5
Opponent Camouflaged
+10
Opponent is Large
-10
Raining or Foggy
+5
Nighttime or Dark Interior
+10
Piloting
Example
Check (Newbies)
Check (Experienced)
Pilot Small Boat
–
10
Pilot Small Airplane
10
20
Pilot Helicopter
15
25
Modifiers
Value
Raining or Foggy
+5
Nighttime or Dark Interior
+10
Stealth
Stealth checks are opposed by your opponent’s observation or Investigation checks.
Jurassic Report 