The character who’s leading the effort–or the one with the highest ability modifier–can make an ability check with advantage, reflecting the help provided by the other characters. In combat, this requires the Help action. A character can only provide help if the task is one that he or she could attempt alone.
Does guidance apply to skill checks?
If the character is proficient in Athletics, the character’s proficiency in Athletics is added to the Strength check.” This wording tells me that skill checks in 5e are a subset of ability checks, which would mean that the Cleric cantrip Guidance, which adds a d4 to ability checks, applies to skills too.
How does assisting work DND?
You can lend your aid to another creature in the completion of a task. When you take the Help action, the creature you aid gains advantage on the next ability check it makes to perform the task you are helping with, provided that it makes the check before the start of your next turn.
Can Guidance affect initiative?
Yes guidance would apply to the initiative roll just like a bard’s jack of all trades. However, guidance is concentration and only last a minute. Timing it so that you have guidance active when you need to make an initiative roll is something most DMs will look closely at.
Do you always roll skill checks with advantage?
Given the ‘Working Together’ rules, I can’t see how any of these situations would be invalid. It seems like as long as there is at least one other person in the room, regardless of their skill level or knowledge or experience, you should always be rolling skill checks with advantage.
What are the rules for a skill check?
This is the entirety of the assistance/help rules for skill checks: Sometimes two or more characters team up to attempt a task. The character who’s leading the effort—or the one with the highest ability modifier—can make an ability check with advantage, reflecting the help provided by the other characters.
Can you have advantage / disadvantage on your Initiative checks?
From the rules, it seems that an initiative check is just an ability check. There are numerous effects that give Disadvantage on ability checks, and some that give Advantage. I don’t see it called out anywhere specifically, so should I assume that you can have advantage/disadvantage on these checks as normal?
Is it natural to give someone a skill check?
If you are in a situation where there is only one person doing something, and they are rolling a single skill check, then yes, this is how it’s supposed to work. Giving help is a natural thing and should be used in situations like this.
