Where does it say what dc is?

[Mooglir]

DC is difficulty of a monster or saving throw correct? I've heard people say that 30 is impossible, but with paladin auras and resilient you could get to at least 35 on a saving throw. Now this would be for only higher level, but the party could be better than impossible on saving throws right? IE: my paladin has 20 cha and gives an aura of +5 to saving throws. Lets assume that any other character has maxed their 1 or 2 stats to 20 for a +5 to save as well. So far that is +10 to a saving throws for any proficient maxed stat. I think you also add your proficiency to the throw correct? if you are +5 or +6 to proficiency then with everything added up you get +15 or +16 to a specific saving throw. If a monster did a dc dex save of even 35 then with a level 19 character you could get => 35 with a 19 or 20. The paladin aura just seems so amazing.

Shouldn't impossible be closer to 40?

[obeseboywonder]

To answer the thread title, the list of DC equivalencies is on p.175 of the PH. As far as the rating of "nearly impossible" goes, it means that at 30, with a maxed stat and proficiency, with a high level paladin with a maxed stat (you are basically a demigod at this point), you succeed roughly 25-30% of the time. Something so difficult that people this crazy powerful succeed on such a small percentage of the time is impossible in the general sense of what the average layman presumes to be possible.

But yes the paladin aura is amazing.

Edit: DC is also explained on page 7, as a target number, but you seem to already understand what it is.

[Ninja_Prawn]

Easy, tiger.

The book says "almost impossible" and it means that in a poetic sense. Those words describe the task in a vacuum, not taking into account the superhuman abilities of high-level PCs.

Imagine a lock. It's really strong. People call it "unpickable". As the DM, you'd set its difficulty class as 30. It's not literally impossible (and what's the point of an impossible challenge anyway?), but a lot has to go right for someone to open it.

And monsters don't have DCs. They have CRs: challenge ratings. That's an abstract concept that you shouldn't put to much stock in. Especially in today's market. :smalltongue:

[joaber]

lvl 6 fieldlock you can add a d10 to your ST, bard lvl 17 a d12, to another person ST, a wild sorcerer a d4, a bladesinger can add his Int modifier in concentration ST, bless add d4 and many ways to get advantage in ST.
And there is the magic itens, of course.

with the right party, will be easy to success in a 40 DC ST, or ability check.

[bardo]

(and what's the point of an impossible challenge anyway?)

See the Kobayashi Maru.

Back on topic, around level 10 ability check with expertise, good stats, guidance, bardic inspiration, and the occasional advantage can beat "nearly impossible" DC 30 surprisingly often. PCs aren't commoners, after all.

Bardo.

[coredump]

Legendary heroes are usually legendary because the *did* the impossible......

[CantigThimble]

Legendary heroes are usually legendary because the *did* the impossible......

Even mid level heroes do the impossible. A single swordsman fighting 10 at once is impossible by any reasonable standard but fighters can manage it.

[ZenBear]

DC is when you hit your friends in the groin and shout "d**k check!"

[SpawnOfMorbo]

Even mid level heroes do the impossible. A single swordsman fighting 10 at once is impossible by any reasonable standard but fighters can manage it.

Hell, first level characters can do the impossible.

Never heard of a fighter with broken ribs you know, they work via movie rules after all.

[coredump]

We are using DnD terms based on the DnD world. There it isn't 'impossible' to fight and never break a bone, happens often.
If you are going to use 'real world' as a basis, just about any cantrip is 'impossible'....but that isn' the point of the DC chart.

[mephnick]

We are using DnD terms based on the DnD world. There it isn't 'impossible' to fight and never break a bone, happens often.
If you are going to use 'real world' as a basis, just about any cantrip is 'impossible'....but that isn' the point of the DC chart.

I think it's still based on the average person in the D&D universe.

Hitting a DC 30 is pretty much impossible for the 1/2 CR bro just wandering around town.

Edit: (if your setting is saturated with high level characters for some reason this obviously changes)

[SpawnOfMorbo]

I think it's still based on the average person in the D&D universe.

Hitting a DC 30 is pretty much impossible for the 1/2 CR bro just wandering around town.

Edit: (if your setting is saturated with high level characters for some reason this obviously changes)

I've always liked the idea that each PC were the only ones to ever get past level 1 outside special cases.