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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rhenny" data-source="post: 6829289" data-attributes="member: 18333">Generally, when I frame a scene, I just give a brief outline of what PCs can see or know.  If a player wants more information, he/she must have his or her character do something or think something to try to glean extra information.  As DM, I first decide if that PC would be able to see/do/know the information before I decide if they should make a roll.  Many times, I just give them the information they are looking for or I allow them to act without a roll, but sometimes, when the outcome is in doubt, I ask for a roll.  Most of the time, I use two questions to help me make decisions like this: 1) Does it seem logical that a PC would know the information?  Is it information that will help build the story and give players a chance to "play" off of the information?  This is the art of DMing, and nobody can really tell another DM when to call for a roll. [MENTION=97077]iserith[/MENTION] has written many wonderful things about how to adjudicate in this manner, and he has helped me hone my style even after DMing for over 30 years.Many times, if I know that my players like to roll for things, I call for rolls, but set the DC really low...5 or less because I realize that some players like to use their dice/decisions to influence the way the game plays.  I've found that even telling players that all they have to do is not roll a 1, is sufficient to raise tension and satisfy the player need to control.I rarely use passive checks.  If I do, it is usually just for perception of other creatures or special features, and then instead of setting a DC, I usually roll for the other creatures/items to see what the DC becomes.  This way, even PCs with higher passive perceptions will not always succeed, and PCs with lower passive perceptions still get a chance to shine once in a while.</blockquote>

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