Boat Checks
Sailing, Navigating, and Maneuvering a Galleon
Here’s a simple rule for any action maneuvering a ship on the open seas. Any time the players want to achieve something with the boat - turn, stop, outrun, navigate, or deal with a hazard - roll a Boat Check. A Boat Check consists of two separate Skill Checks. A Crew Check and a Captain’s Check.
Here’s how:
CREW CHECK
Always roll the Crew Check first. Pick an appropriate maneuver from the sidebar and note the difficulty number and any applicable Ability or Skill bonuses. Select one player in any position on the crew and have them roll a d20 and add their Ability or Skill bonus (whichever is higher). A successful Crew Check means the ship is well-maintained and able to make the maneuver, and the Captain’s Check is made with Advantage. A failed Crew Check means the ship is in sorry shape, and the Captain’s Check is made with Disadvantage.
CAPTAIN’S CHECK
The Captain’s Check determines the overall success or failure of the attempted maneuver. It’s up to the Game Master to determine the actual results of a success or failure. Have the Captain roll a d20 and add the appropriate Ability or Skill bonus (whichever is higher). The Captain rolls with either Advantage or Disadvantage depending on the success of the Crew Check.
The Captain can sometimes have a member of the crew make the Captain’s Check instead - most commonly the Navigator, the First Mate, or the Gunner.
The Difficulty Number for a Boat Check will always be outlined in the text, but here are some sample Difficulty Numbers just in case:
Bringing the ship into port without incident:
Crew Check CONSTITUTION 12 or higher
Captain’s Check CHARISMA (Persuasion) 12 or higher
Navigating rough waters:
Crew Check DEXTERITY (Acrobatics) 13 or higher
Captain’s Check INTELLIGENCE (Navigation) 13 or higher
Dropping anchor or turning:
Crew Check STRENGTH (Athletics) 10 or higher
Captain’s Check WISDOM (Survival) 10 or higher.
Outrunning or any combat manuver against another vessel:
Crew Check Opposed STRENGTH (Athletics) with the other ship’s crew.
Captain’s Check Opposed INTELLIGENCE (Navigation) check with the other ship’s Captain.
