Attribute Checks vs. Special Abilities

[Name Level]

I'm just learning the C&C system after a life of D&D, and I am very impressed. This system trims the fat of the d20 system and leaves only the tastiest parts, which actually ends up feeling more like the D&D I remember than actual D&D.

However...

I'm confused about special abilities. Rogues, for example, get the "Hide" and "Move Silently" abilities. No extra mods, just the right to perform the check. Couldn't that be an untrained check? Why couldn't any character try to Hide? What truly separates these abilities from simple attribute checks?

Perhaps I'm reading the text wrong, but I'd love some direction on this.

[gideon_thorne]

Name Level wrote:
I'm just learning the C&C system after a life of D&D, and I am very impressed. This system trims the fat of the d20 system and leaves only the tastiest parts, which actually ends up feeling more like the D&D I remember than actual D&D.

However...

I'm confused about special abilities. Rogues, for example, get the "Hide" and "Move Silently" abilities. No extra mods, just the right to perform the check. Couldn't that be an untrained check? Why couldn't any character try to Hide? What truly separates these abilities from simple attribute checks?

Perhaps I'm reading the text wrong, but I'd love some direction on this.

Classes add their level to the checks they have for their abilities, others dont.

See page 112 "Adding character level to checks"
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley

[Name Level]

Ah, thank you. I need to re-read key parts of the PHB.

[Relaxo]

Welcome aboard, name level!

That's a fine point I missed at first also.

Another guide is that while any class can attempt something, if it's a class ability in another class, only that class can do it best.

So... a wizard can attempt to track (like a ranger), but won't add level and even when succeeding, will not do it as well as a ranger. (to my understanding).

[Name Level]

This reminds me of another question:

Do racial bonuses and class bonuses stack?

[gideon_thorne]

Name Level wrote:
This reminds me of another question:

Do racial bonuses and class bonuses stack?

Yes. Page 31. Class Modifiers.
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven

Peter Bradley

[Morgrus]

Name Level wrote:
This reminds me of another question:

Do racial bonuses and class bonuses stack?

You also add lev to racial abilities.
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Awww Craap.

[Lord Dynel]

Welcome to the Crusade, Name Level!

Others have already answered the questions, so I can only echo what they've said. As long as you remember to add class level on just about everything, except other classes abilities, you should be good. And it is quite acceptable to not even allow a member of one class to attempt a class ability of another, but if you do I'd definitely not allow adding class levels (As suggested on page 112 of the PHB).

[Breakdaddy]

Welcome to the game, namelevel. I hope that your ADnD2e additions work out nicely as I suspect they will.