The book gives you examples of how DCs should translates to the world. Is this vaulting a head high wall, climbing a crumbling 2-story building, or scaling the outside of a tower in a storm? That need to know the number is only a problem when the table lets numbers replace story.
“You back up to get a running start and trip on a misplaced cobblestone just before you reach the wall.” = you rolled a 2 and failed
“You latch into the crevices between bricks and skillfully clamber up until the window is within sight. There is only a one, last leap to make, when the brick beneath your anchor leg crumbles and gives way. You landed winded, but someone else might now chart a better route.” = you rolled an 18 and only just failed
“You built as much speed as you could and manage to launch up against the rain-slick tower but your fingers fail to find any purchase, and you scrabble helplessly back to the ground.” = You rolled a 19 and weren’t even close to a success
I like that, great way to hint at the roll without revealing it. I would like if my DMs did this, but I’ve only played in very combat-focused campaigns so rolls outside of fights were rare and narrative was scant.
The book gives you examples of how DCs should translates to the world. Is this vaulting a head high wall, climbing a crumbling 2-story building, or scaling the outside of a tower in a storm? That need to know the number is only a problem when the table lets numbers replace story.
“You back up to get a running start and trip on a misplaced cobblestone just before you reach the wall.” = you rolled a 2 and failed
“You latch into the crevices between bricks and skillfully clamber up until the window is within sight. There is only a one, last leap to make, when the brick beneath your anchor leg crumbles and gives way. You landed winded, but someone else might now chart a better route.” = you rolled an 18 and only just failed
“You built as much speed as you could and manage to launch up against the rain-slick tower but your fingers fail to find any purchase, and you scrabble helplessly back to the ground.” = You rolled a 19 and weren’t even close to a success
I like that, great way to hint at the roll without revealing it. I would like if my DMs did this, but I’ve only played in very combat-focused campaigns so rolls outside of fights were rare and narrative was scant.