D&D 5E Passive Investigation?

[Rune]

It's a vestigial remnant of outmoded DM attitudes that game rules details need to be withheld and/or obscured from players because of having no trust that players can make appropriate choices of character actions even if they can see all of the mechanics in play, included as a comfort to those DMs that still believe some mechanical resolutions should be secret.

You say that as if using uncertainty of the outcome of an ability check to maintain an atmosphere of suspense for the players is a bad thing.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

You say that as if using uncertainty of the outcome of an ability check to maintain an atmosphere of suspense for the players is a bad thing.

You say that as if hiding that a roll has been made is the only way to have the outcome of that roll be uncertain.

 

[Rune]

You say that as if hiding that a roll has been made is the only way to have the outcome of that roll be uncertain.

Not the only way, no. It’s just another tool in the DM’s toolbox. And like any such tool, it can be used for douchery or it can be used to enhance the experience for the players.