Using the Knowledge Check in game

Here is how I do Knowledge checks,

5E Knowledge Checks


Lets apply this to a Quasit, page 63 of the 5e Monster Manual.

Challenge of 1

DC 11Arcana or Religion check (I don't mind let players roll a higher skill for the check as both apply)

If the total is between 11 and 14, they know the basics, it is a demon, shapechanger, like most demons resistant to a bunch of effects.
If the total 15 to 19, I would allow more specific questions, one at total of 15, two questions at 19.
"What kind of resistances?" I would give 2 if the roll was a 15, 3 at 17, all at 18+
as the roll goes high the more questions get answered.

I count each section that is separated by red lines in the Quasits stat block in the monster manual as a four point knowledge check. With 5 sections, that is 4x5 plus the original DC of 11=31.

If the player rolled a 31+ on the knowledge check I would just hand over the MM tot he player to read.

Adding Knowledge checks in 5e

I added this into the game as a throw back to Pathfinder as 3 of my 5 players are Pathfinder and 3.5 era gamers.
Here is how it is done in Pathfinder,
Knowledge

Quick Dirty Rules,

The DC is 10 + the Challenge rating of the monster.

If you match or beat it you get basic information, For every 4 points you beat the DC by you can choose to learn other interesting things about it.

5e chart below,

• Arcana (ancient mysteries, magic traditions, arcane symbols, constructs, dragons, magical beasts)
• Dungeoneering (aberrations, caverns, oozes, spelunking)
• Investigation (buildings, aqueducts, bridges, fortifications)
• Survival (lands, terrain, climate, people)
• History (wars, colonies, migrations, founding of cities)
• Local (legends, personalities, inhabitants, laws, customs, traditions, humanoids)
• Nature (animals, fey, monstrous humanoids, plants, seasons and cycles, weather, vermin)
• Investigation(lineages, heraldry, personalities, royalty)
• Arcana or Religion (the Inner Planes, the Outer Planes, the Astral Plane, the Ethereal Plane, outsiders, planar magic)
• Religion (gods and goddesses, mythic history, ecclesiastic tradition, holy symbols, undead)

 

Random Stone Giant items

This is taken from Giantslayer Advanture Path, the hill giants pledge & The forge of the giant god by paizo.

I will be using these for random Stone giants in my Rise of the Runelords 5e game.
When I need random stuff on the giants they will have something different.