Skill Question

[richardleitch5]

resently one of my PCs got some skill in "Architecture and engineering (buildings, aqueducts, bridges, fortifications)" iv now been asked to use it and try desinging some defenses or wamachiens but persinaly dont know just how complext a skill level of 5 can do. Iv said i should be able to come up with some small catapilt or simple and crude two man balista but before i start RPing anything would like to know the limits to what i can come up with in charicter.

[Cornuto]

For making both a catapult and ballista you'd likely need someone with skills in craft:wood making, you character's skill in Architecture and Engineering might aid you in drafting plans for their creation, but you'd need someone with the skills to actually make it.

This would require a skill check to see if you've learned how these machines work that you'd only get one chance at.

Try Again

No. The check represents what you know, and thinking about a topic a second time doesn’t let you know something that you never learned in the first place.

The DC for this I would place at the higher end, somewhere between around 20+, ballista and catapults aren't simple or crude machines.

Answering a question within your field of study has a DC of 10 (for really easy questions), 15 (for basic questions), or 20 to 30 (for really tough questions).

[richardleitch5]

so it is posable but would take some time for the draft to be compleated, thanks.

[Sir Kharn]

A 2 man balista is a simple thing to make and doesnt take a whole lot of skill to make considering its is little more than a scaled up crossbow, i made one in high school for a history project and it was shooting projectiles across the length of our footy field. I'd say for a balista a DC of 15 is fair IMO.
Catapults are a different matter as you can have a few types such as ones that use counter weights or the crank and pulley style, measurements of beams for catapults must be precise as it affects accuracy and range and thus have a much higher DC, IMO of course.

*as a side not my balista was seized by the local police because an elderly resident who lived nearby complained about me launching 6 foot long wooden steaks across the oval and thought i was shooting at her house, turns out i violated the firearms act (a law in Australia) and could have been charged for discharging a weapon in a public place....thank god the principal of the school told the police it was for a school project.....

[GodBeastX]

Check
Answering a question within your field of study has a DC of 10 (for really easy questions), 15 (for basic questions), or 20 to 30 (for really tough questions).

In many cases, you can use this skill to identify monsters and their special powers or vulnerabilities. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the monster’s HD. A successful check allows you to remember a bit of useful information about that monster.

And as always, you can ask the DM if you can do research or what not to get a take 20. I doubt a catapult is a DC30 though That's just me.