D&D 5E How do you handle secret doors?

[abirdcall]

Incredible to see WotC also trip over the word passive and assume that the opposite is “active”. The characters are always actively doing stuff, just one is over time and the other is instant. What an unhelpful word choice for such a fundamental aspect of the game.

It refers to the player being passive not the character.

I agree that it is confusing and they should have clarified that.

 

[Hriston]

Incredible to see WotC also trip over the word passive and assume that the opposite is “active”. The characters are always actively doing stuff, just one is over time and the other is instant. What an unhelpful word choice for such a fundamental aspect of the game.

Passive refers to the check, as in one or more participants do not roll dice. Active is the opposite of passive, and in an active check, dice are rolled.

 

[Demetrios1453]

I don't. All doors in my dungeons are OSHA compliant. In fact, I make sure they are clearly labelled "Door", with clear instructions on whether to push or pull, or if they are emergency use only. Any potential hazards are clearly labelled to ensure the dungeon owners are protected from liability. Periodic maps are posted in helpful locations to ensure ease of access...

 

[iserith]

I don't. All doors in my dungeons are OSHA compliant. In fact, I make sure they are clearly labelled "Door", with clear instructions on whether to push or pull, or if they are emergency use only. Any potential hazards are clearly labelled to ensure the dungeon owners are protected from liability. Periodic maps are posted in helpful locations to ensure ease of access...

At least this helps mitigate the classic D&D intraparty door debates.

 

[Bill Zebub]

I don't. All doors in my dungeons are OSHA compliant. In fact, I make sure they are clearly labelled "Door", with clear instructions on whether to push or pull, or if they are emergency use only. Any potential hazards are clearly labelled to ensure the dungeon owners are protected from liability. Periodic maps are posted in helpful locations to ensure ease of access...

Mimics are intelligent enough to notice this.

 

[Demetrios1453]

Mimics are intelligent enough to notice this.

But as a potential hazard, they are clearly marked "MIMIC" with unremovable, magic-proof signage that isn't affected by the the mimic shapeshifting.

 

[Bill Zebub]

But as a potential hazard, they are clearly marked "MIMIC" with unremovable, magic-proof signage that isn't affected by the the mimic shapeshifting.

So…a good way to protect your treasure room is to put a sign like that on the door.

 

[Demetrios1453]

So…a good way to protect your treasure room is to put a sign like that on the door.

The signage designs and fonts are proprietary, so any attempts to fraudulently alter, remove, or counterfeit them are magically detected by the authorities, and the offender is subject to an ever-increasing table of fines and penalties if said erroneous signage is not removed or corrected. It's probably better not to ask what the higher level penalties are...

 

[robus]

Passive refers to the check, as in one or more participants do not roll dice. Active is the opposite of passive, and in an active check, dice are rolled.

For passive check to be applicable the player should have declared the ongoing action of their character. “searching for secret doors“, “looking for traps” etc.

If your character has no declared action there is nothing to resolve.

 

[Hriston]

For passive check to be applicable the player should have declared the ongoing action of their character. “searching for secret doors“, “looking for traps” etc.

If your character has no declared action there is nothing to resolve.

I agree, 100%, with the caveat that, in combat, the players are assumed to have declared that they are keeping watch for hidden threats without actually having to do so. There is also an expectation while traveling that if no other action has been declared, then the default is that they are keeping watch.

ETA: Of course, none of this has to do with looking for secret doors. If you haven't declared an action to look for secret doors, then you ain't going to find one no matter what your passive Perception is.