DC...how many different meanings?

Gwenhyvar · Post by **Gwenhyvar** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:33 am

Hi, I'm new to DnD and I was reading through the DM guide but I'm really confused about DC. I thought at first DC mean dexterity check, and then I read later and it is referred to as a difficulty check. I've yahooed (i dont use google much) DC and now I'm getting difficulty class.

Now, I know DC has several of those meanings and some of them are used interchangeably but when do I refer to the correct one?

All I know is you use Dexterity check for abilities like Swimming and climbing right?

What about the difficulty check/class? Search and spot checks?

Ripe · Post by **Ripe** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:39 am

[QUOTE=Gwenhyvar]Hi, I'm new to DnD and I was reading through the DM guide but I'm really confused about DC. I thought at first DC mean dexterity check, and then I read later and it is referred to as a difficulty check. I've yahooed (i dont use google much) DC and now I'm getting difficulty class.

Now, I know DC has several of those meanings and some of them are used interchangeably but when do I refer to the correct one?

All I know is you use Dexterity check for abilities like Swimming and climbing right?

What about the difficulty check/class? Search and spot checks?[/QUOTE]
In DnD 3E/3.5 DC stands exclusively for Difficulty Check.
Swiming and climbing are skills so they use Skill Check.

Odhanan · Post by **Odhanan** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:57 pm

DC in D&D 3.0 and 3.5 means Difficulty Class. This is the number you have to beat with a roll of a [d20+modifiers] in the system, the modifiers varying whether you make a skill roll, saving throw, ability check, attack roll etc.

anthyo · Post by **anthyo** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 11:46 pm

DC=DIfficult Class.It refers to a number set by the DM(Dungeon Master) in order to accomplish a task. In some situations swimming might require a DC but normally it wouldn't. Swimming in calm water when untrained might require a check(1dice that is 20 sided + yoyur ranks in swim+your dex. modifier) but if your trained in swimming you would only need a check when swimming in rough water such as when swimmign upstream. A check is only required in certain situations. Knowing a few chords on a lute , for example, doesn't require a perform check.