I've struggled with this question when trying to design other games or 5e variants. I can't think of many! The only one I can sometimes justify is Strength (Athletics) checks that use pure power and no or very little technique.
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) March 16, 2019
Dex based checks work as well, sure you may not be dancing around or back flipping off of roof tops, but you can be agile enough to dodge a proverbial bullet. So this sounds like saving throws versus ability checks that invoke skill proficiencies. Which begs the question: when you are proficient in a saving throw, what does that mean?
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) March 16, 2019
As someone who power-lifted in high school, technique makes a world of difference.And this really answers your question: I don't think we could name an activity – including walking, running, talking, breathing, or just being – that wouldn't prompt someone to say, "No, I have trained myself in that, and it makes a huge difference." And who am I to argue? 🙂
— Shawn Merwin (or a poor clone) (@shawnmerwin) March 16, 2019
Feats of Strengths that would use Athletics proficiency come to mind.
Technique and posture only get you so far. Your muscles have what it takes to move that damn rock, or they don't.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 16, 2019
Perception. Someone with sharp eyesight has an edge noticing the cutpurse hidden in the alley over someone who… uh… practices seeing stuff… I guess…
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 16, 2019
The problem with the reality of trained perception is that it’s much closer to investigation than would seem helpful for the artificial break between skills That’s the issue I run into trying to describe Perception training, yeah. 🙂
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 17, 2019
I think this makes sense when you consider the scale and what proficiency means. A D&D ogre has 19 Strength. Most humans are nowhere close to that. Makes sense that an ogre (or someone as strong) can stand toe-to-toe with someone with more training but less Strength. (1/2) Prof isn’t just formal training, it includes people who are self-taught and have learned by experience. It scales with experience and eventually surpasses what can be achieved by raw ability bonus at level 17. (2/2)
— James Introcaso (@JamesIntrocaso) March 16, 2019
Charisma checks (Persuasion, Deception, Intimidation) against people you're close to. Your natural draw and relationship can have more sway over them than saying the right thing. Familiarity lets us get away with gaffs and word choice much of the time.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 16, 2019
Yeah, can definitely see that. Advantage in those situations seems appropriate as well Instead of advantage I'd probably leverage the Social Interaction rules in the DMG (pg 244) and set the attitude more to the positive, which means even lower DCs net stronger results.
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) March 16, 2019