(in D&D at least)
this post was submitted on 06 Sep 2025
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But at the same time, if the DC is so high that no roll could succeed, then they shouldn’t be rolling for it in the first place
You're right, but I don't know most of my PCs stats. If the DC on a lock is 21, I'd expect a rogue might make it, but another PC who has never picked a lock wouldn't.
Worse! At just level 7, a rogue is likely to have +11 and Advantage to pick a lock, which combined with Reliable Talent means they can't fail a DC 21, and have a 1/2 chance of beating a DC 26.
So if you want there to be uncertainty and challenge, you have to make the DC more like 25-28. Making it all the more likely that the lock should be impossible to the rest of the party.
If I wanted to formally add ability check crits I would make them add/subtract something from your result. Not automatically pass/fail, because the consequences of that are bonkers.
Agreed
This. You only need dice if the odds are dicey.
I agree, and if I think an DC might be too high for a player, I just ask them first “Wait, what's your ?”