I've been reading a lot lately about how to quickly run social interaction in a D&D 5e game. Obviously, when it's called for, a DM can simply roleplay a social encounter and deal with the consequences in conversation. But if pressed for time or otherwise preferable, it's possible to quickly determine how an NPC would react to a character's request by consulting the chart and rolling some dice. Here's a reference table I found on this Reddit post refactored from the correct tables.
Based on the Social Interaction rules in the D&D 5e DMG, I drafted a small cheat sheet for attitudes and conversation reactions. It simplifies the charts and lists and summarizes the mechanic for a quick view during prep. Hopefully some folks find it useful. Suggestions for improvements are welcome!
Here is the link: Social Interaction Cheat Sheet - Google Docs.
I couldn't embed it so I share a copy here.
Social Interaction Cheat Sheet
Choose the starting attitude of a creature the adventurers are interacting with. The attitude of a creature might change over the course of a conversation.
- Friendly: wants to help the adventurers and wishes for them to succeed.
- Indifferent: might help or hinder the party, depending on what the creature sees as most beneficial.
- Hostile: opposes the adventurers and their goals but doesn’t necessarily attack them on sight.
When the adventurers make a request, demand, or suggestion, or when the DM decides the creature is making a decision, call for a Charisma check by any character who has actively participated in the conversation. This can use Persuasion, Deception, or Intimidation as appropriate. The creature’s reaction depends on the roll and the extent of the request.
Hostile | Indifferent | Friendly
| Conversation Reaction | DC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Opposes the adventurers’ actions and might take risks to do so. | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Offers no help but does no harm. | 10 | 0 | n/a |
| Does as asked as long as no risks or sacrifices are involved. | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| Accepts a minor risk or sacrifice to do as asked. | n/a | 20 | 10 |
| Accepts a significant risk or sacrifice to do as asked. | n/a | n/a | 20 |
Text and mechanics based on Dungeon Master’s Guide chapter 8.
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