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I don't use Passive Perception
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<blockquote data-quote="Ilbranteloth" data-source="post: 7254434" data-attributes="member: 6778044"><p>I only allow an active roll if somebody explains to me what actions they are taking. That is, you can't just ask "can I make a Perception check?" But if you decide to climb a tree to get a better vantage point, then I'll either simply give you a bonus on your passive Perception, or you can make a roll.</p><p></p><p>To clarify, an active roll is an Action. That is, if you're in combat, then it consumes your Action, like the Hide or Search actions. It doesn't have to be an outwardly visible action. Doing long division in your head is still an action, for me it's just a question of whether you are focused on performing that skill instead of anything else.</p><p></p><p>Another step along the continuum is your capability. I consider that your capability is 20 + your skill modifier. Note that while advantage does give you a +5 on passive use of a skill, I don't consider advantage to increase your actual capability. So if you have a +6 to Stealth, your capability is 26. Advantage doesn't raise this to 31.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, when determining a passive check, such as passive Perception, if there is nothing preventing you from taking the time to succeed, then I use your capability instead of your passive score. This applies to all passive scores. </p><p></p><p>In addition, I don't care for active rolls that fail when you pass with a passive Score. So any roll that fails and is 5 or more lower than your passive score is a failure. Otherwise it's a complication of some sort, most commonly a measure of time. </p><p></p><p>In your trap example, I might provide one of those clues, such as some of the stones look darker than the others. But then I might also have a different DC for noticing the stones vs the small holes in the wall.</p><p></p><p>To expand the example, the PC might choose to focus on the stones, rather than search the rest of the room more carefully for signs of a trap. So he says he'll go take a closer look at the stones, without pressing them down. Rather than a Perception check I might call for an Investigation check based on his actions. I'll describe that the darker stones appear to be moveable, like a pressure plate. He decides to use his thieves' tools to try to disarm it.</p><p></p><p>On the other hand, while he's examining the stones, another character decides to more carefully examine the west wall and notices the holes. Now they probably know that the two are related. And the fighter stands with his shield blocking the holes. The rogue may still set off the trap by accident, but they are prepared. Or perhaps they just choose to press themselves against the wall on either side of the holes, and use a spear to push the stones and set it off on purpose.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ilbranteloth, post: 7254434, member: 6778044"] I only allow an active roll if somebody explains to me what actions they are taking. That is, you can't just ask "can I make a Perception check?" But if you decide to climb a tree to get a better vantage point, then I'll either simply give you a bonus on your passive Perception, or you can make a roll. To clarify, an active roll is an Action. That is, if you're in combat, then it consumes your Action, like the Hide or Search actions. It doesn't have to be an outwardly visible action. Doing long division in your head is still an action, for me it's just a question of whether you are focused on performing that skill instead of anything else. Another step along the continuum is your capability. I consider that your capability is 20 + your skill modifier. Note that while advantage does give you a +5 on passive use of a skill, I don't consider advantage to increase your actual capability. So if you have a +6 to Stealth, your capability is 26. Advantage doesn't raise this to 31. Anyway, when determining a passive check, such as passive Perception, if there is nothing preventing you from taking the time to succeed, then I use your capability instead of your passive score. This applies to all passive scores. In addition, I don't care for active rolls that fail when you pass with a passive Score. So any roll that fails and is 5 or more lower than your passive score is a failure. Otherwise it's a complication of some sort, most commonly a measure of time. In your trap example, I might provide one of those clues, such as some of the stones look darker than the others. But then I might also have a different DC for noticing the stones vs the small holes in the wall. To expand the example, the PC might choose to focus on the stones, rather than search the rest of the room more carefully for signs of a trap. So he says he'll go take a closer look at the stones, without pressing them down. Rather than a Perception check I might call for an Investigation check based on his actions. I'll describe that the darker stones appear to be moveable, like a pressure plate. He decides to use his thieves' tools to try to disarm it. On the other hand, while he's examining the stones, another character decides to more carefully examine the west wall and notices the holes. Now they probably know that the two are related. And the fighter stands with his shield blocking the holes. The rogue may still set off the trap by accident, but they are prepared. Or perhaps they just choose to press themselves against the wall on either side of the holes, and use a spear to push the stones and set it off on purpose. [/QUOTE]
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