Improvising Ability Checks

Some adventures includes encounters that require the Game Master to improvise an ability check. This should be a helpful reminder.

All ability checks should be phrased like this:

DEXTERITY (Stealth) of [NUMBER TO BEAT] or higher. You, the Game Master, get to pick the [NUMBER TO BEAT] depending on how difficult you want to make it. Or, use the number from a DnD Adventure Club adventure.

• 10 or higher is average

• 15 or higher is hard

• 20 or higher is nearly impossible

Step 01: Have the player roll a d20

Step 02: Add their ability bonus. If they have the appropriate skill, add that bonus instead. 

Step 03: Compare the total of the player roll to your NUMBER TO BEAT. If the player matches your number or higher, they succeed.