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As much as I hate take 20 mechanics, I'd have to allow that with no drawbacks because it makes perfect sense. It literally COULD search to the best of its mechanical ability, given enough time. Any character immune to fatigue effects would be similarly affected.

With the advent of computer rollers, I'm tempted to outlaw taking 20 in favour of having a computer spit out a list of 20 (or more) d20 rolls, and asking them how long they search. If they look for 10 time intervals, I'll look and see if any of the first 10 rolls are a success. If they want to...

Bingo. This hits EXACTLY my issue. I mean, it's the d20 system, not the Take 20 system. The entire thing revolves around the chance of failure that the d20 provides, the randomness. If you try and walk across a tightrope, unless you're epic level, you've got that random chance of failure. Each...

What about attacking a Telekinetically Levitated character, then? I thought a levitated character was also considered flat-footed, but couldn't find rules to back that up.

If a PC wants to try and sleep 8 hours after every check, feel free. I don't care if you DID kill everything in the dungeon; spend that much time there, and something new will wander in and coup de grace you eventually. The DM can basically "take 20" on killing you if you push it THAT far.

On a Disable Device check, I know that applies. But Search is probably the most outright in saying you CAN take 20 on looking for.. well, anything. Also, note that while you can't take 20 when there is a penalty for failure, there is also no implication that taking 20 results in having rolled...

In our campaign, it came up because taking 20 removed the possibility of most traps. A rogue with a moderate Int score (let's say 10, even though in practice that's usually low for a rogue) can find magic traps (DC 25+spell level) high above their level EVERY TIME with taking 20, at no cost...

In my group, it's thankfully not a situation that would come up. But it a more lawyerly group, I'd have defined the exhaustion rules more rigourously (and punitively) where if you wanted to do that, you flat-out took a -1 penalty on check for every 10th roll of the same square. Either admit...

The problem lies in the fact that it means hiding things is impossible. No matter what, a system where "it is only a matter of time" is somehow broken.

Would it have any effects on them for defense or attack purposes? Any penalties/flat-footed, etc? Even Levitate imposes penalties after attacks, etc. It just feels like there should be SOME penalty for being held in place, even if you can't hold them helplessly.

The problem lies in a player saying "I search EVERY 5'x5' space in the room, taking 20 on each." It takes a metric forever, but without a looming issue (and it's contrived to always have the house on fire, etc) there is no in-game penalty to taking 2 hours to check a room. That was the idea...

I have a psionic character with Telekinetic Force, with the intent to use it to hold creatures in place. However, there are no useful rules listed anywhere I can find as to the implications of that. They get a will save against a 3rd level power, and then... what? I know I can move them 20 feet...

I was having an issue with this in the game I DM, so I came up with a "mental exhaustion" houserule that the PCs liked. Every time they took 20 on a Search check, I rolled a secret Will save. The first one was only against DC 2... with a +2 modifier cumulative for every "take 20" after that...