D&D 5E Does anyone play 5e Perception rules as written?

[FitzTheRuke]

You know what annoys me on the subject of vision? It's not Darkvision or how Perception works. It's how often players don't remember that they're carrying a torch (or lantern, or the object that has light cast on it) and use both hands for things during underground exploration.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I don't know. It depends on the circumstance, I think. Being a kid and holding the flashlight for your dad while he fixed the engine definitely helped.

I do think there should be potential for helping to go awry and make things harder, tho.

I usually narrate that when the "help" d20 rolls low. If both dice roll low, then you might have gotten in the way - if just the extra die rolls low (assuming you can track which die it is - I often like to get the helper to roll their own die for the advantage) but the check still succeeds, the helped person succeeded in spite of the help, not because of it.

It's a bit mean, but it's funny!

 

[ezo]

Yes; I also think you shouldn't be able to help in a skill check if you are untrained.

This is a whole other can of worms...

I don't know. It depends on the circumstance, I think. Being a kid and holding the flashlight for your dad while he fixed the engine definitely helped.

I do think there should be potential for helping to go awry and make things harder, tho.

I agree, but I think you example isn't quite appropriate. Sure, you "helped", but nothing you did as a kid offered assistance on the check to actually "fix the engine". At best, he had disadvantage (perhaps) due to lack of light, and you removed that hinderance.

You know what annoys me on the subject of vision? It's not Darkvision or how Perception works. It's how often players don't remember that they're carrying a torch (or lantern, or the object that has light cast on it) and use both hands for things during underground exploration.

OMG yes! And players want to try all sorts of things to "free up" the other hand...

 

[Quickleaf]

You know what annoys me on the subject of vision? It's not Darkvision or how Perception works. It's how often players don't remember that they're carrying a torch (or lantern, or the object that has light cast on it) and use both hands for things during underground exploration.

Well, there IS a solution. "You examine the tapestry closely. It appears to be burning!"

 

[Quickleaf]

Yes; I also think you shouldn't be able to help in a skill check if you are untrained.

That's only what a skillful person would say.

 

[Charlaquin]

I get a weird joy from the fact that even 10 years later, on the verge of an edition update, we are STILL arguing about such a simple and fundamental rule.

Also, "passive" doesn't mean passive,it means "repeated." Passive perception is you actively searching as you go. The rule is there to keep rolling to a minimum.

It’s a shame it’s named so terribly for how it’s actually meant to function.

 

[Hriston]

My hypothesis is no, they don’t. Certainly, I have not played in a game (or run one, tbh) in which the rules for perception have been followed as written. (I cannot think of a single time I have rolled Perception with disadvantage due to light levels alone.)

The rules I am thinking about involve the interaction of Darkvision, environmental lighting, and the Perception skill:

• Areas of dim light are lightly obscured, and give disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks. [PHB 183]
• Darkvision lets you see in dim light as in bright light, and in darkness as if you were in dim light. [PHB 184-85, and relevant race entries]
• Therefore, anyone using Darkvision to see in the dark should make their Perception rolls with disadvantage (or have -5 to their passive perception).

...

What are your thoughts? Do you play RAW? How does it work out?

Yes, I use the above rules when characters with darkvision are trying to see something in the dark. It works out fine.

 

[Deset Gled]

You know what annoys me on the subject of vision? It's not Darkvision or how Perception works. It's how often players don't remember that they're carrying a torch (or lantern, or the object that has light cast on it) and use both hands for things during underground exploration.

Only one character needs to invest in the Light cantrip for this problem to be largely ignored. Any convenient item is now your torch: shield, arrow, doohickey hanging on your belt, random pebble that you can casually drop or throw whenever you feel like it. Even before everyone in my gaming group had Darkvision, the Warlock basically made sure "torch" was just a line that was ignored on everyone's character sheet.

 

[Blue]

My hypothesis is no, they don’t. Certainly, I have not played in a game (or run one, tbh) in which the rules for perception have been followed as written. (I cannot think of a single time I have rolled Perception with disadvantage due to light levels alone.)

Are you saying that DMs forget these or intentionally don't use them? Because I don't know a single DM who intentionally removes them, so they all attempt to play by RAW.

So yes, every single DM I have played under plays Perception rules as written - or tries to, but we all can make mistakes - and not a single one house rules to remove those.

Unless you are talking about accidents where someone forgets a rule, I can't picture a single case where your hypothesis is true, much less every DM.

Oh, and noticing most things that aren't hidden doesn't nearly average to a Medium (DC 15) check - most there's no uncertainty and doesn't even require a roll. If you want to talk about how many DMs can miss-categorize difficulty checks, there I think you'd have a stronger case. Or a case in the first place.

 

[Seramus]

You know what annoys me on the subject of vision? It's not Darkvision or how Perception works. It's how often players don't remember that they're carrying a torch (or lantern, or the object that has light cast on it) and use both hands for things during underground exploration.

That's honestly why my party doesn't bother with torches. The bullseye lanterns are on belts, the continual flames are on mining helmets, and the rocks with light spells are often being hauled around by mage hands ahead of the party, etc.

It's like torches are lava, unless they are being put into wall sconces or something.

Literally had someone put continual flames on an immovable rod, then cover it in a cloth. They would click it and hang it in the air when they were sure the rod wouldn't be stolen.