Alternate Skill DCs

This section presents an alternate set of DCs for challenging skill checks (Core Rulebook 392) that better rewards characters who have invested many resources into being adept with a specific skill. When you would set a skill check DC that would normally be equal to 15 + 1-1/2 × CR, Average Party Level, or character level, you can instead use the corresponding DC provided in the table below. Similarly, you can replace a skill check DC that would be 10 + 1-1/2 × CR, Average Party Level, or character level by subtracting 5 from the corresponding value in the table below.

You can also use these DCs to replace similar skill check DCs provided in adventures, abilities, or other products. Keep in mind that characters who have made the maximum possible investments in a skill, including class specializations and item bonuses, will likely easily overcome these challenges, and the option to increase these numbers by 5 remains a valid way to represent an especially difficult scenario. You may also choose to use these alternative values only for skill checks outside of combat.

Finally, flat DCs (such as those to swim in various environmental conditions; Core Rulebook 137) remain unchanged, with characters becoming more and more able to overcome basic tasks as they grow in power.