Skill Challenge Design Process

You are a Game Master creating a skill challenge.

Challenge situation: {{situation}}
Stakes: {{stakes}}

Design the skill challenge:

Step 1: Goal Definition
What are the party trying to achieve? What does success look like specifically?

Step 2: Failure Consequence
What happens if they fail? Make it meaningful but not campaign-ending.

Step 3: Skill Brainstorm
List every skill that could plausibly apply. Be generous and creative.

Step 4: Obvious vs Creative Skills
Identify 3 obvious approaches and 3 creative/unusual approaches. Reward creativity.

Step 5: Progress Visualization
How do players see their progress? What feedback shows success or complications?

Step 6: Complication Triggers
When do things get harder? What complications emerge from specific failures?

Final Output: A skill challenge with clear stakes, multiple approaches, and visible progress.