Ability Checks, Failing Forward, and Succeeding with a Cost

Mike gives a short talk about ability checks, failing forward, and succeeding with a cost.

• Show notes
• Original Youtube Video
• Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
• Join Sly Flourish's Patreon
• Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Podcast Contents:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:38 The core mechanic of D&D
• 01:35 You don't need an ability check for easy stuff
• 02:02 Easy steps to choose a DC
• 03:04 DCs don't change based on the character's abilities
• 03:52 The power of improvising ability checks
• 04:32 Ability checks in complicated situations
• 07:08 Understand the in-world situation instead of focusing on mechanics
• 09:09 Asking for a check without a DC to see if they succeed at a cost
• 10:45 The improvisational power of ability checks, succeeding at a cost, and failing forward