Making Skill Challenges Fun

Fun Skill Challenges

   One thing I have observed from playing LFR modules, is that skill challenges, if you’re not role playing can suck.

   Most players just try to breeze through it by going around and letting the guy with the high diplomacy, arcana, athletics, etc... handle it all.

   I strongly believe that full party participation on a skill check can make for a fun skill challenge.   Just because you don’t have a +11 to diplomacy does not mean you can’t use another skill to persuade an NPC.
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Check these examples out:
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Bluff- if your character is a bard or a rogue, bluffing is a great alternative to diplomacy.
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Arcana-you can assist by pulling off a little charm effect, kind of like a Jedi mind trick.
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Thievery- if it’s an item you need to get from an NPC, a slight of hand may do the trick. Just make sure you don’t get caught ;)
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   How you go about skill challenges is limited only by your imagination and what your DM deems to be acceptable. As long as the skill you are using and how you are using it seems plausible.

You really have to use your imagination, but the payoff is a fun and exciting skill challenge.