For knowledge skills, If a player is proficient in a skill and rolls below their passive score, the roll is treated as their Skilled Baseline instead:
10 + Ability Modifier + Proficiency Bonus
However, a natural 1 still triggers the Critical Failure rule. The player draws a Bad Luck card, but their total roll remains their Skilled Baseline.
These rules primarily apply to knowledge-based skills (Arcana, History, Religion, Nature, Investigation, etc.). For other skills, application is at the DM’s discretion.
These do not apply during Skill Challenges, where rolling remains the primary resolution method.
These usually do not apply to skill contests/opposed rolls (e.g., Stealth vs. Perception), ensuring fair competition between characters.
These do not apply during combat when using the study and search actions.
Example:
A Wizard with Arcana (+6) rolls a 5 on their knowledge check.
Their Skilled Baseline is 16 (10 + 6).
Instead of failing with a 5, their roll counts as 16—unless they rolled a natural 1, which triggers a Bad Luck card.