D&D 5E (2024) How can I do a Charisma-Investigation (or a Strength/Dexterity-Investigation if I can't use Charisma) to find a secret door?

[DrJawaPhD]

That's fine. You wouldn't be in my game then, because people aren't there have their characters played by another player at the table. Different strokes for different folks.

Fair enough, sounds like you play DnD entirely differently than any table I've ever been at or would ever want to play at. Not much more to say there I guess

 

[pukunui]

Oh I would never be on board with someone else playing my player character. Not to mention my characters are generally extremely complex and playing them is difficult if you don't understand how they are put together.

I've experienced this before, both as a player and as a DM. Sometimes it's OK, but at other times, it doesn't end well.

With my "home" group, my players currently consist of my teenage daughter, my wife, and another couple who are friends of ours. They've only ever played 5e (since 2014 for the adults), and we did briefly try playing with a missing player once or twice, but then the husband got his wife's PC killed once. She brought it up just last night, so I'm not sure she's forgiven him! These days, we cancel or reschedule if even one player can't make it.

With my other group, which is currently on hiatus, the players are all in their 50s+ and have been playing since the early days. They're much more stoic about things. "I can't make it, but the show must go on, so play without me and someone else can control my PC." I have instituted a rule whereby a PC can't actually die while being controlled by another player. If they get reduced to 0 hp, they automatically stabilize and the monsters just ignore them. If the whole party gets wiped, that PC might miraculously survive to escape and gather a new party to avenge the other party. I have occasionally run sessions with just two players, but my preference is to only run a game with a minimum of three players. (While I have had as many as six players at times in the past, my preference as a DM is for 3-4 players.)

 

[Mad_Jack]

I’m trying to imagine a situation where a player describes an action whose goal is to find a secret door, where their approach would lead to me asking for a Charisma check, and… I’m coming up pretty blank.

Actually, there's a perfect example...

 

[Maxperson]

Fair enough, sounds like you play DnD entirely differently than any table I've ever been at or would ever want to play at. Not much more to say there I guess

Absent PCs being played has been about 50/50 in my experience. It's a big deal in both directions for folks, so it's a good thing there are lots on both sides to make tables that work for them.

 

[ECMO3]

Can you provide an example of an explanation that is appropriate to the setting and doesn't create a host of other complications?

What is the complication? The Rogue was here a minute ago (when we fiinished the session IRL a week ago) and he isn't now (when we started IRL today). Maybe he wondered off, maybe his God teleported him up to heaven for a 1-on-1, maybe he is hiding from us (he has a great stealth). Who cares? Why does it matter?

No complications, no fuss.

The biggest issue we have run into is in XP games and what to do with XP while he is out. Some of my games they don't get XP, which gets difficult with having PCs leveling at different times. In others you get the XP regardless - usually discussed and agreed in session 0 if it is an XP game.

 

[ECMO3]

I don't think Charisma makes sense for Investigation. Besides Wisdom Perception is what is used to find Secret doors does everyone have terrible perception too?

For these particular secret doors it is Investigation because it is impossible to notice them. I don't know about the other PCs but I have a +2 Perception (+3 prof, -1 ability).

 

[ECMO3]

Clearly it works for you guys, but I need the game to make more sense to me than that.

Yeah, because Mind Flayers that can hurl psychic energy at you make so much more sense then an ally/friend just not being with you all the time.

Like I said when I first started playing a lot of 5E I worried about this like you do now. But once you try it, it doesn't even come close to the other things you need to do to bend reality into the story.

Anyway, you guys dumped your way into having trouble with investigation checks.

The three players that are there last week and next did yes. As a party we have it covered pretty well considering one PC has expertise.

Also in another level I will have Tactical Mind (Warlock 4/Fighter 2) at which point I will everything covered fairly well. It is just taking a long time to get there because of the multiclass and I chose some specific combat stuff and a feat over getting a second fighter level.

 

[Charlaquin]

Actually, there's a perfect example...

View attachment 418083

I don’t think that’s a Charisma check. That’s like… Gudidance, or Divine Intervention or something.

 

[Micah Sweet]

What is the complication? The Rogue was here a minute ago (when we fiinished the session IRL a week ago) and he isn't now (when we started IRL today). Maybe he wondered off, maybe his God teleported him up to heaven for a 1-on-1, maybe he is hiding from us (he has a great stealth). Who cares? Why does it matter?

No complications, no fuss.

The biggest issue we have run into is in XP games and what to do with XP while he is out. Some of my games they don't get XP, which gets difficult with having PCs leveling at different times. In others you get the XP regardless - usually discussed and agreed in session 0 if it is an XP game.

Where was the party when the last session ended? Was there a time skip or did you pick right up where you left off?

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yeah, because Mind Flayers that can hurl psychic energy at you make so much more sense then an ally/friend just not being with you all the time.

Like I said when I first started playing a lot of 5E I worried about this like you do now. But once you try it, it doesn't even come close to the other things you need to do to bend reality into the story.



The three players that are there last week and next did yes. As a party we have it covered pretty well considering one PC has expertise.

Also in another level I will have Tactical Mind (Warlock 4/Fighter 2) at which point I will everything covered fairly well. It is just taking a long time to get there because of the multiclass and I chose some specific combat stuff and a feat over getting another fighter level.

Are you really going to use the, "but magic, so nothing has to make logical sense ever" straw man? How tired and busted does that poor fella have to be by now?

And what exactly do you mean by, "bend reality to the story"? I find that phrase confusing.