how to search better...

[evilbob]

I'm currently playing in a ~8th level party that consists of a cleric, paladin, monk, and sorc. We're a beautiful group (well, monk aside), but our highest Int score is 11. Also, you'll notice none of these classes has search as a class feature.

This hasn't been too much of a problem, but we're really starting to get to the point where having a maximum search of 20 is really restricting, and we're probably missing out on some good hidden stuff (secret doors, stashes of loot, etc.). Not to mention that traps are really, really starting to get tricky. Typically our trap disarmament method is "send the meat shield first," but as traps get worse, so do our results.

How best can these classes overcome the general lack of a rogue / search skill? Are there good ways to boost search through divine magic that are less than obvious? Are there any arcane spells that would actually be worth taking for the sorc? I know the find traps spell is available, but it quite frankly sucks. ~8 minutes is not enough to search more than a room or two, and even then the cleric can't do much better than a 24 for the result. Not to mention that this spell doesn't indicate that the enhanced search will do much for non-trap-related goodies. Fox's cunning is pretty similar - you get a max of 22 for ~8 minutes as well.

Or is the final answer: that's just not something your group will ever do well, so suck it up? Any advice appreciated.

 

[Nifft]

You know what Charisma is good for? Leadership! Next level someone's buying a Rogue.

Cheers, -- N

 

[James McMurray]

Also, a dip into rogue for one person would give 8 skill points and the trapfinding class feature. The paladin probably has the least to lose from it, with the monk second.

Leadership is definitely a good way to go though. I'd suggest an elf for the added secret door finding benefits. If you can get a 7th level rogue with a 14 int and dex he'll have +12 before feats and magic items.

Goggles of Minute Seeing give +5 for finding traps and secret doors for the low cost of 1,250gp. Lens of Detection give +5 on all search checks and also tracking, for 3,500gp. They'll stack if you can figure out a way for him to have an extra pair of eyes to put items on, or your DM will let you change slots for one of them (an unslotted Lens of Detection would makes sense for a Sherlock Holmes style magnifying glass).

I know there's at least one item in MIC that is cheap and adds to Disable Device, but can't remember how much it gives or how much it costs.

There's also very cheap items that add to search. Without Trapfinding as a class feature though, it's not going to help much with finding traps.

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

I would second the Leadership option. Have one of the group members take the Leadership and pick up a Rogue cohort. If the DM lets the player have some creative control over the cohort's stats, all the better. Don't get fancy, just optimize him for trapfinding (and maybe lock picking) and let him sit out most combat encounters. I'd go dwarf if you're doing a lot of dungeon crawling, or elf if you think you're missing a lot of secret doors. Give him feats that most players don't consider for their PCs, like Skill Focus (Search), Investigator and Nimble Fingers. Put his highest score into intelligence.

Quentin

 

[Slaved]

Have one guy take 20 while everyone else aids him?

An adamantine weapon makes for a great searching tool in a good number of situations as well.

 

[evilbob]

Have one guy take 20 while everyone else aids him?

Good thought, but I don't think this would actually work. I mean, the rules are not particularly clear on when "aid another" applies, but here's a quote that seems to point specifically to this cercumstance not working:

In cases where the skill restricts who can achieve certain results you can’t aid another to grant a bonus to a task that your character couldn’t achieve alone.

 

[Darklone]

And it doesn't help you if your search check hits a DC of 66 when noone has the Trapfinding ability... since only rogues or similar dudes can find traps with a DC higher than 20.

 

[evilbob]

Thank you to those who've given suggestions. Level 9 feels rather far away, so taking the leadership feat (or even a feat that gives someone search as a class skill, if such a thing exists) may not be the best option for us right now, although it does seem like it would solve things in the very long term. (Also, as you can tell from the classes, it would be very hard for any of us to sink any skill points into even a class skill, since we all get so few.)

A level-dip into rogue is a really good idea, although the BAB hit would hurt (but sneak attack might make up for it). However, the biggest problem is that technically, both non-casters would forfeit any advancement in their classes for a single level dip (and the casters ain't gonna go for it, no matter what).

Goggles of Minute Seeing is the best idea so far, I'm thinking. If only we could find a shop... (Another issue with our party: no crafting whatsoever! Otherwise we could just make a ___ of +X to search!)

What are other items or equipment that add to search (especially ones that might be readily available)? I can't think of any tools that would relate...

 

[Darklone]

30ft poles are great. Especially since you're usually outside of a fireball burst then.

 

[evilbob]

I'm not really sure that poles or swords would add to your ability to search. They might cause some traps to go off (maybe - DM's call), but overall they wouldn't help much in finding things.