D&D 5E Alternative for Elves' "Keen Senses"

[Xeviat]

Hi all. One of the houserules I have been playing with is that I give all characters and creatures proficiency in the Perception skill. This was done partially because everyone was already taking it if it was on their class list anyway, but also because I'm treating Perception more as a save and I give proficiency on all saves (along with changing the save DC formula to 10 + prof + mod to balance out the +2 to all saves everyone gets).

One thing that hadn't yet come up was the Elves' "Keen Senses" ability. We hadn't had an Elf in the game since instituting the rule, so I hadn't yet had to address it. Now, in my new game, we do have an elf. So, I'm searching for ideas on how to represent the ability now (I actually like the idea of changing it to something other than just proficiency in perception, so that elves can actually have a keen sense and not just be as good as anyone else who is proficient).

Now, the various "keen" senses abilities monsters get gives them advantage on certain kinds of perception checks. Advantage on Perception would be a big deal; +5 to passive perception and a big boost to active perception checks. But, there are ways of getting this already, and ways of countering it. Eyes of the Eagle are only an uncommon item. Cloak of Elvenkind and Boots of Elvenkind grant advantage on stealth checks, which in effect negates advantage on perception. But, it feels like it would be a bit big for a whole ability.

Any thoughts?

 

[DND_Reborn]

My first thoughts would be either something like Expertise or Reliable Talent, where they would have a minimum roll of 8-10 and then plus bonuses.

 

[DeviousQuail]

Perhaps their keen senses let them pick up on things outside of the normal senses. Maybe they can sense magic similar to Detect Magic but without knowing what type of magic.

 

[Xeviat]

My first thoughts would be either something like Expertise or Reliable Talent, where they would have a minimum roll of 8-10 and then plus bonuses.

Reliable Talent is a maybe.

We were talking about Expertise. I was considering not allowing Perception for Expertise since I'm treating it like a skill, but then there is an active use in searching for hiding targets (and I don't think I'm going to make people use the investigate skill for that).

I had also suggested stealing the old Ranger's "even when you are engaged in another activity while traveling (such as foraging, navigating, or tracking), you remain alert to danger) feature, but that's not a very "big" ability.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Reliable Talent is a maybe.

I think something more like Ear for Deceit (which makes 7 or lower into 8) would be better, that way Elf Rogues who eventually get Reliable Talent gain a bit of a benefit still.

It isn't quite as strong as Advantage, so it also makes getting advantage by other means a good thing.

 

[Minigiant]

In the next game I DM, I am turning elf darkvision and Keen Senses to Elfsense

Elfsense: Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light. Areas of rain, fog, mist, or light or heavy foilage do not count as dim light or darkness for you. You can see and hear details which require a Perception or Investigation check at twice the distance.

 

[DND_Reborn]

We got rid of darkvision for most playable races and added Shadowsight (dim light becomes bright, darkness remains darkness) 60-ft.

 

[Charlaquin]

You could give them the Eagle Barbarian’s 1-mile super-vision.

 

[Xeviat]

I do miss the distinction between low-light vision and darkvision.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I do miss the distinction between low-light vision and darkvision.

That's why we added shadowsight. Not quite the same, but it works for our group and the style of game we want.