Ability Modifiers: Athletics
In the Ability Modifiers feature, we will be exploring Ability checks: mostly Skills, and how to modify, or enhance, their usage in gameplay. This time, we will take a look at how following someone using Athletics can use an ability other than Strength.
Athletics falls under Strength in the list of skills, since most of the activities require, well, strength or physical fitness to perform them. But some of the activities could use other physical abilities: namely Dexterity or Constitution. But, wait, you say - isn’t there already Acrobatics for Dexterity-based checks? Indeed there is, but something might not be acrobatic and still make sense that it requires more agility than might. In addition, lots of athletic activities could require endurance to keep doing, and Constitution - the least used ability score - could come to play in succeeding.
A player being creative should be able to ask the DM, or the DM should make the call, to use a different Ability to perform Sleight of Hand, namely Wisdom or Charisma in these types of scenarios. But, wouldn’t these be cases to use other skills like Insight, Investigation, Perception or Performance? Certainly these could be used, but, this is also an opportunity to utilize a different Ability modifier for the same skill. If the character is trying to “conceal yourself from enemies, slink past guards, slip away without being noticed, or sneak up on someone without being seen or heard” just with a different strategy than using their agility, reflexes and balance; then the DM can allow them to use an Ability that makes sense.
Another tool the DM could use is multiple checks, each with a different Ability score. For example, trying to climb a cliff could require checks against Strength (to pull themselves up), Dexterity (to grasp a handhold or avoid slipping), and Constitution (to have the endurance to go all the way) to make it to the top. The Dexterity Athletics check could be reserved and used as a back-up of one of the others fails, such as missing a Strength check and before they fall they get an Dexterity check to catch themselves.
Simply use the Dexterity or Constitution modifier and add Proficiency or Expertise the character has in the skill.
An orc climbing a cliff.
Orcs are known to perform many athletic feats of prowess in their travels. Their physical fitness is not only displayed in their power, but also in their endurance. They are able to walk or run great distances, climb mountains, and endure extremes of hot and cold.
