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Enhanced Skills for 4e Dungeons & Dragons®

By: R.M. Walker

Introduction Having gained familiarity with 4

th Edition Dungeons and Dragons® over the last couple of years, it’s clear

that the various powers and skills outlined in the rules were meant to be utilized in a combat situation. Further, it’s that emphasis on combat that guided the “paring down” of the various skills available to players. This is not really a bad thing; as there are creative and role-playing opportunities to be had in trying to fit a skill to an important task. Need to lasso a torch sconce in order to swing across the room? Well, in previous additions, your character would utilize a “Use Rope” skill. Today, the DM might ask you to use an Acrobatic or even Dungeoneering skill to perform that task. The task can still be done, you now have to use a different skill to accomplish it. Unfortunately, there were two groups of skills that got left behind in this re-imaging: Crafting and Performing. Both of these skills were really only useful in a role-playing situations. Crafting allowed players to create items they might use later; or provided an ad-hoc solution to a problem during the adventure by creating an item to overcome the problem. In addition, Crafting could provide a character with a little coin in the form of goods they could make and then sell. Even more than Crafting, Performing was a pure role-playing skill. Although frequently used only by Bards, Performing could also be used by anyone that wanted to excel at a specific talent like singing or playing a musical instrument. Performing enabled a character to “show off” in a non-violent matter and win hearts and minds. Performing could also “woo the ladies” and get you a couple of free drinks at the tavern. Despite the “re-imaging” of such abilities in 4e, these skills still have a place. The latest edition of That Grand Game still utilizes role-playing; and Crafting and Performing can be retooled to fit into the spirit of the 4

th Edition.

How you ask? Well, that’s the trick, isn’t it. When considering these two skills, it’s important to arrive at some basic rules that don’t impact the balance of the existing game. The key is adding to the player’s role-playing potential, not adding to the character’s power. At the same time, the skills need to be attractive, so that pure power gamers would have some interest in them. This document hopefully expresses those rules in an easy to understand fashion.

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Adding Craft and Perform Skills To Your Game

� Any character can choose either one free Craft skill or one free Perform skill and add that skill to

their list of trained skills. Remember that a trained skill grants that character a +5 bonus rolls

using that skill.

� Each skill comes with a single enhancement bonus to another existing skill or feat. The specific

enhancement bonus (which is always +1) is specified under the description of each skill. � Craft skills are based on Wisdom and receive the applicable ability score bonus.

� Perform skills are based on Charisma and receive the applicable ability score bonus.

� Craft skills take time. While the specifics can be left to each individual DM, I recommend a simple

1 day per 1 pound of item ratio. For example, a 6 lb shield would take 6 days to complete. This

time can be adjusted by the DM based on conditions and the amount of help the character

receives.

� Perform skills always provide a small boon. Again, the specifics can be left to each individual

DM. If the boon is to be cash, I recommend 10 GP per hour plus 1 GP for each 5 minutes of

successful performance. This is not a lot, but should be more than sufficient for the average

character to “sing for his supper” as it were. If the boon is something other than cash, I

recommend incorporating the Perform skill check within a Skills Challenge. Note that regardless

of the type of boon, it does not appear if the Perform skill fails; but can increase based on the DC

required and the success of the skill roll.

Craft Skills

Craft: Armor

A character with the “Craft: Armor” skill has been trained in the art of fashioning metallic armor and

shields. To successfully create a suit of armor or a shield, roll a skill check against the level of the armor

or shield you wish to create. The DM should adjudicate the difficulty of the task based on the availability

of equipment and available materials. A character can only create an item of his tier or lower. If the skill

check for creating the item fails, the DM can choose to declare that the item has a serious flaw; or the DM

can determine that the creation time for the object takes twice as long as normal.

Crafting Armor is a skill that requires a fair amount of strength. Any character with the Craft: Armor skill

gains a +1 untyped bonus to Athletics skill checks.

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Craft Skills, Cont.

Craft: Cooking

A character with the Craft: Cooking skill has been trained in the art of preparing food. The character is

qualified as a chef, and can earn income preparing meals for a tavern or similar establishment. The DM

should adjudicate the difficulty of the cooking task based on available ingredients and the number of

mouths to feed. A character that beats the established Craft: Cooking skill DC, can feed an additional

person for each point that exceeds the skill roll. For example: Widget is cooking for 4 people, and the

DM has established a DC of 17 for a successful meal. Widget rolls a 15, and with her bonuses, scores a

21. With this result, Widget has managed to prepare a meal for 4 more (21 minus 17) people. Extra food

prepared by a character with the Craft: Cooking skill can be saved and eaten on the next day. Cooking a

meal requires anywhere from 2 to 8 hours based on the conditions set by the DM. If the skill check for

cooking fails, the DM can determine the food to be inedible; or the DM can determine that the meal takes

twice as much time to prepare.

Cooking a fine meal requires a careful knowledge of what comprises healthy and tasty food. Any

character with the Craft: Cooking skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to Heal skill checks.

Craft: Leatherworking

A character with the Craft: Leatherworking skill has been trained in the practice of handling animal hides

and turning those hides into a number of useful items, including leather and hide armors. If a character

wishes to create a suit of leather or hide armor, follow the rules as stated for Craft: Armor. If the character

wishes to make an ordinary object like leather boots or a saddle; the DM should adjudicate a skill check

based on the equipment and materials on hand. If the skill check is 5 or more over the required DC for

success, the item is considered finely crafted and worth double the normal amount given for such an item.

Leatherworking is a skill that is often utilized by varying members of the community. Any character with

the Craft: Leatherworking skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to Streetwise skill checks.

Craft: Masonry

A character with the Craft: Masonry skill has been trained in the art of working with stone and similar

building materials. While dwarves are known to excel at this trade, nearly every civilized race has a few

individuals who are adept at building with rock. A character with this skill is considered a mason, and can

be hired to supervise the construction of nearly any earthen or stone construction. A character that

makes a successful skill check (on a DC determined by the DM), can reduce the time of construction by

half, and increase the quality of the construction by the same amount. If the skill check fails, the DM can

determine that the construction has a fatal flaw (possibly causing a dangerous collapse); or that the

construction time simply takes twice as long.

Masonry is a skill that often figures significantly in the construction of underground habitations. Any

character with the Craft: Masonry skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to Dungeoneering skill checks.

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Craft Skills, Cont.

Craft: Metalworking

A character with Craft: Metalworking is skilled in the science of metallurgy and blacksmithing. Metal

smiths can mint coinage, forge horseshoes, craft fittings, and create any number of other metallic items

provided they are not specific to armor or weaponry. If a character wishes to construct a metallic item,

the DM will determine the appropriate DC for success. If the skill check is 5 or more over the required DC

for success, the item is considered finely crafted and worth double the normal amount given for such an

item. If the skill check fails, the item is flawed and does not function as intended.

The metallurgy component of Metalworking is closely associated with the science of alchemy. Any

character with Craft: Metalworking skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to skill checks involved in completing

Alchemy recipes.

Craft: Tailoring/Weaving

A character with Craft: Tailoring/Weaving skill has talent in the construction and sewing of clothing and

other cloth materials; including clothing intended for cloth armor. If the character wishes to use this skill in

order to create cloth armor, use the rule listed under the Craft: Armor skill. If the character wishes to

make an ordinary object like cloth sails or a fashionable dress; then the DM should adjudicate a skill

check based on the equipment and materials on hand. If the skill check is 5 or more over the required

DC for success, the item is considered finely crafted and worth double the normal amount given for such

an item. If the skill check fails, the item is considered flawed in some fashion, or perhaps doesn’t fit

properly (in the case of clothing).

Tailoring and weaving are often utilized by the clergy in order to make vestments, religious tapestries, and

similar items made from cloth. Any character with the Craft: Tailoring/Weaving skill gains a +1 untyped

bonus to Religion skill checks.

Craft: Weaponry

A character with the Craft: Weaponry skill has been trained in the art and science of crafting all types of

weaponry. This is a general crafting skill, encompassing all types of weapon craft; for example: bowyer,

fletcher, swordsmith, or even pole-arm manufacture. Much like the crafting of armor, the crafting of a

weapon requires that the creator be at least the same tier of the intended weapon or higher. For

example: a Paragon level crafter can create Paragon or Heroic level weapons, but not Epic weapons. As

with other crafting skills, the DM should determine the appropriate DC of the skill check based on the

equipment at hand and the availability of materials. A failed Craft: Weaponry skill indicates that the

weapon is flawed. The DM can determine the meaning of this flaw. Flaws such as the weapon not

granting a proficiency bonus to a proficient user, or breaking on a roll of 1 for an attack roll are possible

suggestions.

Creating a useful weapon requires a fine eye for detail. Any character with the Craft: Weaponry skill

gains a +1 untyped bonus to Perception skill checks.

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Craft Skills, Cont.

Craft: Woodworking

A character with the Craft: Woodworking skill has spent long hours learning to shape wood into useful

implements. Wood is a common material, and the list of such objects is endless. A skilled woodworker

can create not only wooden non-weapon objects; but can also create wooden shields. If a character with

the Craft: Woodworking skill wishes to create a shield, follow the rules established by the Craft: Armor

skill. If the character wishes to make an ordinary object like a boat or a wagon; then the DM should

adjudicate a skill check based on the equipment and materials on hand. If the skill check is 5 or more

over the required DC for success, the item is considered finely crafted and worth double the normal

amount given for such an item. If the skill check fails, the item is considered flawed in some fashion, or

perhaps doesn’t function properly when placed under stress.

Utilizing wood requires the woodworker to be in tune with his raw material, a natural substance. Any

character with the Craft: Woodworking skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to Nature skill checks.

Craft: Writing

A character with the Craft: Writing skill is a talented writer of stories and documents. Not everyone has

the ability to do more than simply “make their mark” on a document; and writers of all kinds are in demand

in towns and cities where transactions are recorded. A character that wishes to create a document must

roll a successful skill check based on a DC set by the DM. The DC can be set against a specific target (in

the case of writing a story, for example); or the DC can be an opposed roll based on an NPC’s Insight skill

check roll (in the case of a forged document, for example). A successful skill check indicates that the

document gets its meaning across; or (in the case of a forged document) fools the NPC into thinking the

document is legitimate. A failed skilled check indicates that a document fails to convey a clear meaning;

or (again, in the case of a forged document) that the document is discovered to be a forgery.

Writing often requires a considerable knowledge of previous lore. Any character with Craft: Writing skill

gains a +1 untyped bonus to History skill checks.

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Perform Skills

Perform: Ceremony

A character with the Perform: Ceremony skill has training in the various ceremonies surrounding royal,

military, religious, or social occasions. A character with this skill almost never finds herself in an awkward

social situation and knows the exact words or gestures to use when confronted by the demands of a

ceremony. The DC set by the DM for this skill may often rely on a History check if the ceremony is rare or

unusual. Failing a Perform: Ceremony skill check means that the character has committed a horrible faux

pas to whatever penalty the DM indicates.

Those skilled in ceremony are almost always welcomed into a strange society first, paving the way for

others. Any character with the Perform: Ceremony skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to either Diplomacy or

Religion checks (when the character chooses this skill, he can choose which skill his +1 untyped bonus is

assigned to based on his character background).

Perform: Dance

A character with the Perform: Dance skill has been trained in the art of movement and dance. A skilled

dancer can distract and mesmerize an audience, perhaps causing a well timed distraction. A character

that makes a successful skill check against the DC set by the DM, can gain a small boon from the

audience or establishment where the performance occurred.

Dancing is a skill that requires a subtle grasp of bodily movement. Any character with the Perform: Dance

skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to Acrobatics skill checks.

Perform: Instrument

A character with the Perform: Instrument skill has been trained in using a specific musical instrument.

When a character takes this skill, the character must choose the type of instrument the character is

trained in. After that, the character is considered trained in the use of that instrument (+5 to skill check

rolls). In addition, the character gains a +2 bonus to skill checks with any related instrument. For

example: A character gains the Perform: Instrument skill and chooses the lute as her instrument. She

gains a +5 bonus when using the lute. However, if that character picks up a mandolin (a related string

instrument), she gets a +2 bonus when using that instrument. Like singing, a successful roll against a DC

set by the DM can grant the character a small boon.

Like singing, playing a musical instrument often strikes the listener with heartfelt emotion. Any character

with the Perform: Instrument skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to Insight skill checks.

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Perform Skills, Cont.

Perform: Oratory

A character with the Perform: Oratory skill has been trained at giving powerful and inspiring speeches.

The character excels at gathering a crowd around himself and causing even the lazy to pay attention. A

character that makes a successful skill check against the DC set by the DM, can gain a small boon from

the audience. Unfortunately, if the skill check fails, the audience can turn against the speaker, as the DM

determines.

Oratory skills can often cowl an audience into inciting a mob reaction to the powerful words of the

speaker. Any character with the Perform: Oratory skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to Intimidate skill

checks.

Perform: Singing

A character with the “Perform: Singing” skill has been vocally trained for singing music. A character that

exceeds the DC set by the DM to perform a specific song, can earn a small boon in the form of payment

from the crowd or local establishment where the performance took place.

Singing often strikes the listener with heartfelt emotion. Any character with the Perform: Singing skill

gains a +1 untyped bonus to Insight skill checks.

Perform: Painting/Drawing

A character with the Perform: Painting/Drawing skill has been trained or has a natural artistic ability for

painting or drawing images. In addition to being able to paint exactly what he sees, the skill also gives

the character the ability to render accurate maps; that is, as long as the artist has been there. The DC set

by the DM for this skill check should be based on available materials and the time the artist has to render

the image.

An artist's painting can go a long way to encourage relations between nations, when such works are

given as gifts. Any character with the Perform: Painting/Drawing skill gains a +1 untyped bonus to

Diplomacy skill checks.

Appendix I: Knowledge Skills.

I received several great comments and suggestions as a result of this series of posts about new Crafting

and Performing skills for 4e Dungeons & Dragons. My fellow blogger 'Wulf over at Greywulf's Lair left a

comment asking how I might handle or expand upon Knowledge skills for that game.

To answer that, let me provide you a small quote straight out of the Player's Handbook®:

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Appendix I, Cont.

Some skills deal with knowledge about a particular topic: Arcana, Dungeoneering, History, Nature, and

Religion. You can use such a skill to remember a useful bit of information in its field of knowledge or to

recognize a clue related to it. You can also use such a skill to identify certain kinds of monsters, as noted

in a skill’s description.

What that means, is that the skills listed above: Arcana, Dungeoneering, History, Nature, and Religion

can be classified as Knowledge skills when used in that fashion. They can do other things (Arcana can be

used to disarm a magical trap, for example); but they're basically Knowledge skills.

As I studied the skills list, I was surprised at just how encompassing those five skills are. It's a big wide

world, though; and there are a couple of subjects that could be added to the list. Here are three more I

came up with:

Civilization: This skill gives one knowledge of the fundamentals of civilization: farming, husbandry,

commerce, government, etc. A character with this skill has basic knowledge of all the features of a

civilized society.

Engineering: This skill gives one knowledge of machines and devices. A character with this skill can

figure out most machines and devices that do not rely on a magical component in order to function.

Warfare: This skill gives one knowledge of war, battle tactics, conducting sieges, etc. A character with

this skill is an able tactician and knowledgeable about conducting themselves and others on the field of

battle.

If your character would like to choose one of these skills, they should substitute one of their standard

knowledge skills with one of the three listed above.

Appendix II: Skill Refinement

It is always possible to find a character with an interest in having a skill that is more specific than the skills

already given. For example: Nature is a pretty broad skill. However, Joe the Ranger has a background

that indicates he knows a great deal about Forestry. In such cases, I present the following feat:

Skill Refinement

Prerequisite: Trained in one of the five "knowledge based" skills (Arcana, Dungeoneering, History, Nature, and Religion). Alternatively, you must be trained in a Craft or Perform skill.

Benefit: Choose your knowledge based, craft, or perform skill. You may now define a subset of that skill (for example: "Forestry" or "Cosmology" for "Nature") and gain a +2 bonus on skill checks in that subject area. This bonus stacks with the "trained" bonus for the broader skill.

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Appendix II, Cont.

Note that this feat works with Craft and Perform skills. A good use of this feat would be someone that

takes the Craft: Cooking skill and chooses this feat to use Craft: Cooking (Elven Cuisine). When the

character cooks Elven cuisine, the character gets the feat bonus to the skill.

Appendix III: Table of Skill Bonuses

Below is an easy to reference table of the skill bonuses that are applicable with the new Craft and

Perform skills listed above:

Perform or Craft Skill +1 Bonus to This Skill

Craft: Armor Athletics

Craft: Cooking Healing

Craft: Leatherworking Streetwise

Craft: Masonry Dungeoneering

Craft: Metalworking Alchemy Skill Checks

Craft: Tailoring/Weaving Religion

Craft: Weaponry Perception

Craft: Woodworking Nature

Craft: Writing History

Perform: Ceremony History or Religion

Perform: Dance Acrobatics

Perform: Instrument Insight

Perform: Oratory Intimidate

Perform: Painting/Drawing Diplomacy

Perform: Singing Insight

Thank you to all my readers who expressed interest in this topic and provided input and feedback. If you’ve liked my treatment of this subject and would like to suggest additional topics that I could explore, please find me at the information given below. R.M. Walker is a member of the Role-Playing Game Bloggers Network For further information, you can view my blog, "Initiative Or What?" at www.initorwhat.blogspot.com If you would like to leave me a comment, please do so at rwalker12@gmail.com Game excellently with one another…

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