Rules Index | GM Screen | Player's Guide


Chapter 1: Running the Game / Difficulty Classes

Level-Based DCs

Source GM Core pg. 52
When you're determining a skill DC based on something that has a level, use the table below to set the DC. Find the level of the subject, and assign the corresponding DC. Since spells use a 1–10 scale, use the Spell Rank column for them.

Use these DCs when a PC needs to Identify a Spell or Recall Knowledge about a creature, attempts to Earn Income by performing a task of a certain level, and so on. You can also use the level-based DCs for obstacles instead of assigning a simple DC. For example, you might determine that a wall in a high-level dungeon was constructed of smooth metal and is hard to climb. You could simply say only someone with master proficiency could climb it and use the simple DC of 30. Or you might decide that the 15th-level villain who created the dungeon crafted the wall and use the 15th-level DC of 34. Either approach is reasonable!

Note that PCs who invest in a skill become more likely to succeed at a DC of their level as they increase in level, and the listed DCs eventually pose very little challenge for them.

DCs by Level

LevelDC
014
115
216
318
419
520
622
723
824
926
1027
1128
1230
1331
1432
1534
1635
1736
1838
1939
2040
2142
2244
2346
2448
2550
Spell Rank*DC
1st15
2nd18
3rd20
4th23
5th26
6th28
7th31
8th34
9th36
10th39
*If the spell is uncommon or rare, its
difficulty should be adjusted accordingly