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<blockquote data-quote="Insight" data-source="post: 2569602" data-attributes="member: 11437">On a related note, I'd like to start a petition for the reduction of Listen and Spot checks in games.&nbsp; It seems that every time there is ANYTHING to be seen or heard, the DM calls for a Listen/Spot check (sometimes both).&nbsp; Why?&nbsp; If it's there to be seen/heard, tell the players.&nbsp; Also, if it's critical to the plot that something be seen or heard, JUST TELL THE PLAYERS ABOUT IT.&nbsp; Don't have the Players rolls dice just for the sake of rolling dice!&nbsp; You know you're just going to tell the Players about it anyway - cut to the chase already!I have been in situations where the DM called for Listen and Spot checks, we all rolled in the 10s and 15 at the most, and he gives us all the information anyway.&nbsp; If it's something anyone would see or hear in that situation, just tell us.&nbsp; It's a waste of time to go through all that die rolling and results announcements.Here's a simple litmus test when thinking about calling for die rolls:Is the result of the die roll(s) going to change something in the game?If the answer is no, then don't call for a roll.&nbsp; Just tell what happens and move the game along.&nbsp; You don't need to roll Listen checks for every songbird that happens to chirp when the PCs walk by, you don't need Appraise checks to determine the market value of a simple dagger, and you don't need a Spot check to see whether a door is open or not.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Insight, post: 2569602, member: 11437"] On a related note, I'd like to start a petition for the reduction of Listen and Spot checks in games. It seems that every time there is ANYTHING to be seen or heard, the DM calls for a Listen/Spot check (sometimes both). Why? If it's there to be seen/heard, tell the players. Also, if it's critical to the plot that something be seen or heard, JUST TELL THE PLAYERS ABOUT IT. Don't have the Players rolls dice just for the sake of rolling dice! You know you're just going to tell the Players about it anyway - cut to the chase already! I have been in situations where the DM called for Listen and Spot checks, we all rolled in the 10s and 15 at the most, and he gives us all the information anyway. If it's something anyone would see or hear in that situation, just tell us. It's a waste of time to go through all that die rolling and results announcements. Here's a simple litmus test when thinking about calling for die rolls: [b]Is the result of the die roll(s) going to change something in the game?[/b] If the answer is no, then don't call for a roll. Just tell what happens and move the game along. You don't need to roll Listen checks for every songbird that happens to chirp when the PCs walk by, you don't need Appraise checks to determine the market value of a simple dagger, and you don't need a Spot check to see whether a door is open or not. [/QUOTE]

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