[P9] Skills


[P9.1] Skill Rules

Number of skill points [3rd edition classes only] = (ClassBase + Int Modifier) * (3 + Level)
Where "ClassBase" is the base number of skill points the 3rd edition class gives. It's usually 4. You get skill points once, for one of your 3rd edition classes only (presumably the highest level one).
If you have no skill points (due to having no 3rd edition classes), you may buy them. 1 Nonweapon proficiency = 2 skill points.
 
If you buy a class skill, your character gets 1 rank (equal to a +1 bonus on checks with that skill) for each skill point. If you buy other classes' skills (cross-class skills), you get 1/2 rank per skill point.
Your maximum rank in a class skill is your character level + 3.
Your maximum rank in a cross-class skill is one-half of this number (do not round up or down).
 
Unopposed skill checks are made by rolling against a Difficulty Class (DC). Some Difficulty Class (DC) scores are defined on the right, but DCs might be much higher in high level games.
You roll 1d20 + (skill rank) + (ability score mod.)
For opposed skill checks, each interested party rolls their skill check, and the highest total wins, unless everyone is below the target DC, in which case no one wins.
 
Situation DC
Very Easy (just about anyone could succeed) 5
Easy (even untrained people succeed half of the time) 10
Difficult 15
Very Difficult (you need to be trained to even have a chance) 20
Extremely Difficult 25
Trap/Trick on DL N dungeon 10*(N+1)

[P9.2] Skill List

 
Skill
 
Stat
Must be
Trained
Armor
Check
Groups
Classes
 
Sub-Ability
 
Action
 
Retry
Take
10
Take
20
 
Source
Appraise Int No No Rog Determine Value 1 Minute No Yes No PH3-67
Determine Value Quickly 1F No Yes No CAdv3-97
Identify Dwarven Crafted Objects 1 Minute No Yes No RoS3-130
Used to determine the value of objects.
Balance Dex No Yes Rog Moving on a Narrow Surface ½V No Yes No PH3-67
Charging or Running on a Difficult Surface ½V No Yes No PH3-67
Resist Trip n/a n/a No No CAdv3-97
Moving through Trees ½V No Yes No RotW3-145
Moving Along an Unstable Surface ½V No Yes No RotW3-145
This skill is used to keep your balance while moving on tightropes and ledges -or- when running or charging on an uneven floor.
Bluff Chr No No Rog Fast Talking or Misdirection 1F No No No PH3-67
Feinting in Combat 1S Yes No No PH3-68
Create a Diversion in Order to Hide 1S No No No PH3-68
Appear Innocuous 1bV No No No CAdv3-102
Delivering a Secret Message (talking) n/a No No PH3-68
Heckle 1 Minute No No No RoS3-130
This skill is used for fast talk, misdirection, conning, etc. Circumstances effect Bluff checks immensely and must be arbitrated by the DM.
Climb Str No Yes War, Rog Climb Wall or Cliff 1V No Yes No PH3-69
Create Handholds 1 Minute Yes Yes Yes PH3-69
Climb Tree 1V No Yes No RotW3-146
Catch Self When Falling 1bV No No No PH3-69
Repelling 1V No No No RoS3-130
This skill is used to climb a wall, rope, slope, etc.
Concentration Con No No Wiz, Pri Maintaining Concentration 1bV No No No PH3-69
Resist Heckling 1bV No No No RoS3-130
Avoid failing a will-intensive act (usually casting a spell) when distracted.
Control Shape Wis No No Mon Resist Involuntary Change 0 No No No MM3-303
Trigger Voluntary Change 1S Yes No No MM3-303
While Natural Lycanthropes have automatic control over their shape-changing, Afflicted Lycanthropes (i.e., those whose have become infected with Lycanthropy) must make Control Shape checks to maintain control.
Craft Int No No (any) Earn Money 1 Week Yes Yes No PH3-70
Make Item by the Week 1 Week Yes Yes No PH3-70
Make Item by the Day 1 Day Yes Yes No PH3-70
Repair an Item varies Yes Yes No PH3-70
Skill used to create a sellable object. Each Craft skill must be bought separately.
Craft (alchemy) Int No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (armorsmithing) Str No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (bookbinding) Int No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (bowmaking) Dex No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (composing) Int No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (playwright) Int No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (poisonmaking) Con No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (tattoo'ing) Dex No No (any) Tattoos / Scarification / Piercing Yes n/a Yes No DR3403-92
Craft (trapmaking) Dex No No (any) Booby Trap 1 minute n/a Yes No DMG23-41
Craft (weaponsmithing) Str No No (any) (n/a)
Craft (wordsmithing) Int No No (any) (n/a)
Decipher Script Int Yes No Wiz, Rog Decipher One Page of Text 1 Minute No Yes No PH3-71
Create a Cipher 1 Week No Yes No CAdv3-98
Break a Cipher 1 Day Yes Yes No CAdv3-98
Encode a Page 1 Hour No Yes No RoD3-147
Decode a Page 1 Hour No Yes No RoD3-147
This skill is used to work with runes, ciphers, and unknown written languages.
Diplomacy Chr Yes No Paladin, Pri, Rog Change Attitude 1 Minute No Yes No PH3-71
Mediate 1 Day Yes No No CAdv3-99
Haggle 1 Minute No Yes No CAdv3-98
Direct a Crowd 1F No No No DMG3-100
This skill is used to negotiate effectively and influence others with reason or charm. It includes persuasion, negation, etiquette, social grace, tact, and subtly. See Bluff for using fast talking and Intimidate for using threats.
Disable Device Int Yes No Rog Disarm Trap or Sabotage Device 1V Yes Yes Yes PH3-72
This skill is used to disarm a trap, jam a lock, or rig a wagon wheel to fall off. You can examine simple mechanical devices and disable them.
Disguise Chr No No Rog Alter Appearance 1-3 turns No Yes No PH3-72
Impersonate 1-3 turns No Yes No PH3-72
Disguise an Object's Function varies No No No RoD3-147
This skill is used to appear to be someone else, possibly someone specific.
Escape Artist Dex No Yes Rog Escape from Restraint 1F Yes Yes Yes PH3-73
This skill is used to escape from being bound, move through small spaces, etc.
Forgery Int No No Rog Make a Forgery 1+ Minute per Page No Yes No PH3-74
Detect Forgery 1+ Minute per Page No Yes No PH3-74
This skill is used to make or detect fake documents. A Forgery check is Opposed by the examiner's Forgery check.
Gather Information Chr No No Rog Learn Information 1 Evening Yes Yes Yes PH3-74
Learn Organization Structure 1 Evening Yes Yes Yes RoD3-148
Urban Tracking 3 turns Yes Yes No RoD3-154
This skill is used to learn information around town. By spending an evening (and a few coins for drinks and the like), you learn information around town.
Handle Animal Chr Yes No War, Druid Handle an Animal 1V Yes Yes No PH3-74
Push an Animal 1F Yes Yes No PH3-74
Teach an Animal a Trick 1 Week Yes Yes No PH3-74
Train an Animal for a Purpose 2-6 Weeks Yes Yes No PH3-75
Rear a Wild Animal varies No Yes No PH3-75
Calm an Animal varies Yes No No RoS3-131
This skill is used to raise, train, and work animals.
Heal Wis No No War, Pri First Aid 1S Yes Yes No PH3-75
Long-Term Care 8 Hours Yes Yes No PH3-75
Treat Movement Injury 1 turn Yes Yes Yes PH3-76
Treat Disease 1S Yes Yes No PH3-76
Treat Poison 1S Yes Yes No PH3-76
Determine Cause of Death 1 turn Yes Yes No CAdv3-101
This skill is used to help with injuries.
Hide Dex No Yes Ranger, Rog Avoid Being Seen ½V n/a Yes No PH3-76
Sniping 1V n/a No No PH3-76
Blend into a Crowd ½V n/a No No CAdv3-101
Move between Cover ½V n/a No No CAdv3-101
Tailing Someone 1 turn n/a No No CAdv3-102
This skill is used to avoid being noticed. It is usually opposed by Spot checks.
Intimidate Chr No No War, Rog Change Attitude 1 Minute No No No PH3-76
Demoralize Opponent 1 Minute No No No PH3-76
Direct a Crowd 0 No No No DMG3-100
This skill is used to scare someone into changing their behavior.
Jump Str No Yes War, Rog Hop Up ½V No Yes No PH3-77
Jump Down ½V No Yes No PH3-77
Long Jump ½V No Yes No PH3-77
High Jump ½V No Yes No PH3-77
This skill is used to leap and bound.
Knowledge (arcana) Int Yes No Wiz, Pri, Bard Know about Arcana 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Constructs, Dragons, or Magical Beasts 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Deducing a Command Word 0 No Yes No DMG3-213
Know about Ancient Mysteries, Magical Traditions, Arcane Symbols, and Cryptic Phrases.
Knowledge (architecture & engineering) Int Yes No Wiz, Bard Know about Architecture and Engineering 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Find Weaknesses in a Stronghold unlisted No Yes No CWar3-122
Know about Buildings, Aqueducts, Bridges, and Fortifications.
Knowledge (dungeoneering) Int Yes No Wiz, Bard Know about Dungeoneering 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Aberrations or Oozes 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Caverns and Spelunking.
Knowledge (geography) Int Yes No Ranger, Wiz, Bard Know about Geography 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Lands, Terrain, Climate, and Peoples.
Knowledge (history) Int Yes No Wiz, Pri, Bard Know about History 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Deducing a Command Word 0 No Yes No DMG3-213
Know about Wars, Colonies, Migrations, Founding of Cities, etc.
Knowledge (local) Int Yes No Wiz, Rog Know about the Nearby Area 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Local Humanoids 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Interpret Tribal Tattoos 0 No Yes No DR3403-93
Find Your Way around the Underworld a few days Yes Yes No DR3363-106
Must be bought for each area, such as Knowledge (local – Waterdeep), Knowledge (local – Cormyr), etc.
Knowledge (nature) Int Yes No Ranger, Wiz, Pri Know about Nature 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Animals, Fey, Giants, Monstrous Humanoids, Plants, & Vermin 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Finding Resources 0 No Yes No DR3333-91
Know about Season and Cycles, Weather, etc.
Knowledge (nobility & royalty) Int Yes No Paladin, Wiz, Bard Know about Nobility and Royalty 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Find Your Way around Court 0 Yes Yes No RoD3-148
Know about Lineages, Heraldry, Family Trees, Mottoes, Personalities, etc.
Knowledge (religion) Int Yes No Paladin, Pri, Bard Know about Religion 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Undead 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Find Your Way around Church 0 Yes Yes No RoD3-149
Identifying Martial Arts Style 0 No Yes No DR3323-89
Know about Deities, Mythic History, Ecclesiast Tradition, Holy Symbols, etc.
Knowledge (the planes) Int Yes No Wiz, Pri, Bard Know about the Planes 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about Elementals & Outsiders 0 No Yes No PH3-78
Know about the Inner Planes, the Outer Planes, the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, Magic related to the Planes, etc.
Listen Wis No No War, Druid, Rog Hear a Sound 0 Yes Yes Yes PH3-78
Eavesdrop 1F Yes No No RoD3-149
Estimate Distance Underground 1F No No No RoS3-132
This skill is used to listen for sounds.
Move Silently Dex No Yes Ranger, Rog Move Silently ½V Yes Yes No PH3-79
This skill is used to make as little noise as possible.
Open Lock Dex Yes No Rog Open Lock 1F Yes Yes Yes PH3-77
This skill is used to open locks.
Perform (weapon drill) Chr No No War, Rog Put on a Gladiatorial Performance 1 day Yes No No CWar3-121
This skill is used to show off your fighting ability (with or without a weapon)
Perform (all others) Chr No No Rog Put on a Show 1 day Yes Yes No PH3-79
This skill is used to indicate proficiency in a form of artistic expression. When you take this skill, you must buy it with a specific form of expression from the following list: Acting, Comedy, Dancing, Keyboard Instruments, Oratory, Percussion Instruments, Singing, String Instruments, Wind Instruments
Profession Wis Yes No (any) Earn Money 1 Week Yes Yes No PH3-70
Skill used to represent a job that does not create anything (Guide, Sailor), leverages natural resources (Farmer, Lumberjack, Miner), produces lots of things of small individual value (Cook), or creates over a very long period of time (Brewer). Each Profession skill must be bought separately. Examples of Professions: Apothecary, Astrologist, Barrister, Boater, Bookkeeper, Brewer, Cook, Driver, Executioner, Farmer, Fisher, Guide, Herbalist, Herdsman, Innkeeper, Lumberjack, Miller, Miner, Rancher, Sailor, Scribe, Siege Engineer, Stablehand, Teamster, Woodcutter
Profession (astrologist) Wis Yes No (any) Horoscope 1d4 Hours No No No DR3403-33
Used to determine clues to a person's future.
Profession (barrister) Int Yes No (any) Arguing a Case hours No No No Sharn3-132
Used to argue cases before a judge and jury.
Profession (executioner) Str Yes No (any) Execution 1P Yes No No BoVD3-39
Used to kill helpless people efficiently.
Profession (miner) Str Yes No (any) Dig a Mine 8 hours No Yes No RotD3-98
Includes digging, removing dir, & building supports.
Profession (siege engineer) Dex Yes No (any) Latch a Catapult 1F Yes Yes Yes DMG3-100
Load a Catapult 1F Yes Yes Yes DMG3-100
Used to load and fire catapults, etc.
Ride Dex No Yes War, Druid Guide with Knees 0 Yes Yes No PH3-80
Stay in Saddle 1bV n/a No No PH3-80
Fight with Warhorse 0 Yes No No PH3-80
Use Mount as Cover 0 Yes No No PH3-80
Soft Fall 1bV n/a No No PH3-80
Leap mount's V Yes No No PH3-80
Spur Mount 1V Yes No No PH3-80
Control Mount in Battle 1V Yes No No PH3-80
Fast Mount or Dismount 1V Yes Yes No PH3-80
Calm an Animal 1M Yes No No RoS3-131
This skill is used to ride a horse, mule, etc.
Search Int No No Ranger, Rog Search an Area 1F Yes Yes Yes PH3-81
Frisk a Person 1F Yes Yes Yes PH3-82
Determine an Object's Function 1F Yes Yes Yes RoD3-147
Finding a Trail Sign 1F Yes Yes Yes RotW3-147
This skill is used to find traps, secret doors, hidden marks, etc.
Sense Motive Wis No No Paladin, Rog Avoid being Bluffed 1bV No No No PH3-81
Hunch 1 Minute+ No No No PH3-81
Sense Enchantment 1 Minute+ No No No PH3-81
Discern Secret Message 1 Minute No No No PH3-81
Assess Opponent 1S No No No CAdv3-102
This skill is used to figure out if a target is lying to you, etc.
Sleight of Hand Dex Yes Yes Rog Palm Object 1S Yes No No PH3-81
Conceal Object 1S No No No PH3-82
Steal Object 1S Yes No No PH3-82
Put on a Show 1 Day Yes No No PH3-79
Conceal Spellcasting 1V Yes No No RoS3-133
Surprise Off-Hand Attack 0 No No No CWar3-122
This skill is used to move around small objects, pick-pockets, conceal items on your person, etc.
Spellcraft Int Yes No Wiz, Pri, Bard Identify Spell 0 Yes No No PH3-82
Identify Magic Effect 0 Yes No No PH3-82
Learn, Prepare, or Enhance a Spell varies Yes No No PH3-82
Casting a Fire Spell Underwater 1V n/a No No DMG3-93
Casting Impeded Magics 1V n/a No No DMG3-150
This skill is used to identify and learn spells.
Spot Wis No No Ranger, Druid, Rog Observe Creature 0 Yes Yes No PH3-83
Penetrate Disguise 0 Yes Yes No PH3-83
Read Lips 1 Minute n/a No No PH3-83
Spotting Favored Enemies 0 Yes Yes No DR3343-91
Finding a Trail Sign 1bV No Yes No RotW3-147
This skill is used to see things.
Survival Wis No No War, Druid Surviving in the Wild 1 Day Yes Yes No PH3-83
Making Camp 1 turn Yes Yes No DU1243-119
Trailblazing 1 Day Yes Yes No CAdv3-103
Tracking 1F Yes Yes Yes PH3-101
Locate North 0 n/a n/a n/a PH3-84
Surviving Underground 1 Day Yes Yes No RoS3-133
Surviving in a City 1 Day Yes Yes No RoD3-149
Creating a Trail Sign 1 round No Yes No RotW3-147
Finding a Trail Sign 1bV No Yes No RotW3-147
Reading a Trail Sign 1S No Yes No RotW3-147
Finding Parts for a Booby Trap 1 turn Yes Yes Yes DMG23-41
This skill is used to keep yourself safe and fed in the out-of-doors.
Swim Str No Yes (all) Swim 1V Yes Yes No PH3-84
This skill is used to swim
Tumble Dex Yes Yes Rog Avoid Attacks of Opportunity by Moving ½V No No No PH3-84
Put on a Show 1 Day Yes Yes No PH3-79
Defensive Fighting n/a n/a n/a n/a PH3-85
Free Stand 0 n/a No No CAdv3-103
Reduce Damage from a Fall 1bV n/a No No PH3-84
This skill is used to move with grace and unpredictability.
Use Magic Device Chr Yes No Wiz, Pri, Rog Decipher a Written Spell 1 Minute Yes No No PH3-85
Use a Spell Completion Item 1V Yes No No PH3-85
Use a Spell Trigger Item 1V Yes No No PH3-85
Emulate a Class Feature 1V Yes No No PH3-86
Emulate an Ability Score 1V Yes No No PH3-85
Emulate a Race 1V Yes No No PH3-86
Emulate an Alignment 1V Yes No No PH3-86
Activate Magic Item Blindly 1V Yes No No PH3-85
This skill is used to activate magic items that you should not be able to use. Magic items with complex requirements (such being only usable by an Lawful-Good Elf Ranger) may require multiple skill checks.
Use Rope Dex No No Ranger, Rog Tie a Knot 1F Yes Yes Yes PH3-86
Secure a Grappling Hook 1S Yes Yes No PH3-86
Bind an Opponent 1 Minute Yes Yes Yes PH3-86
Splice Two Ropes Together 5 Minutes Yes Yes Yes PH3-86
Repelling 1V No No No RoS3-130
This skill is used to work with rope, tie people up, etc.,.