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<blockquote data-quote="AbdulAlhazred" data-source="post: 6764573" data-attributes="member: 82106">The problem is that everyone can perceive things, and it doesn't take any special effort to do so at some level. Even unobservant people see what is around them and gain considerable information from their senses at some baseline level. That's all passive Perception simulates. Its necessary in order for the Stealth system to work and in general to decide things like surprise or who sees what when you aren't searching. Mechanically its necessary to prevent the old &quot;we look everywhere&quot; issue, which either required constant 'mock' rolls or gave out a lot of clues as the DM had to ask for a check when it mattered, provoking rerolls and lack of suspense. It also slowed the game a lot. The option of course always exists to have penalties when the PCs are pelting down a hallway at full speed, or in some other nasty situation where they just aren't going to be really looking around carefully. Checks are also appropriate in these situations, even Holmes can miss something in that case (such as combat). Another option here is structured search, where the player can get some general information passively but MUST actually engage with the environment to learn the special stuff. You can see there's an old desk in the corner, but unless you actually search the thing you can't find the false back on the drawer that conceals the deed to the Old Abbey.I agree though, an unlimited replacement seems odd. 4e feats are not always consistent this way however, and something like an Encounter utility power will have a 5 minute duration and can easily be recharged, so it may effectively be almost always-on.Right.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="AbdulAlhazred, post: 6764573, member: 82106"] The problem is that everyone can perceive things, and it doesn't take any special effort to do so at some level. Even unobservant people see what is around them and gain considerable information from their senses at some baseline level. That's all passive Perception simulates. Its necessary in order for the Stealth system to work and in general to decide things like surprise or who sees what when you aren't searching. Mechanically its necessary to prevent the old "we look everywhere" issue, which either required constant 'mock' rolls or gave out a lot of clues as the DM had to ask for a check when it mattered, provoking rerolls and lack of suspense. It also slowed the game a lot. The option of course always exists to have penalties when the PCs are pelting down a hallway at full speed, or in some other nasty situation where they just aren't going to be really looking around carefully. Checks are also appropriate in these situations, even Holmes can miss something in that case (such as combat). Another option here is structured search, where the player can get some general information passively but MUST actually engage with the environment to learn the special stuff. You can see there's an old desk in the corner, but unless you actually search the thing you can't find the false back on the drawer that conceals the deed to the Old Abbey. I agree though, an unlimited replacement seems odd. 4e feats are not always consistent this way however, and something like an Encounter utility power will have a 5 minute duration and can easily be recharged, so it may effectively be almost always-on. Right. [/QUOTE]

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