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<blockquote data-quote="Water Bob" data-source="post: 5614678" data-attributes="member: 92305">Simple situation:&nbsp; You're the GM, prepping for your next game.&nbsp; You're setting up an ambush for the PCs to kick the next session off with a POW!&nbsp;It's a simple trail that you know the PCs will be traveling (because you left off last session with the PCs following that trail).&nbsp; You grab some enemies--maybe some goblins--and&nbsp; you hide them in the bushes that flank the trail.&nbsp;Next game session, you'll pick up where you left off.&nbsp; Describe a bright, beautiful morning.&nbsp; As the PCs walk, the shadows from the trees play on their faces.&nbsp;And then....&nbsp;POW!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What I'm wondering here is how do you handle passive checks?&nbsp; Shouldn't you roll the gobbies' Hide vs. the PC's Spot?&nbsp; Or a Listen vs. Move Silent (big bonus because the goblins aren't moving?)&nbsp; Or, do you only do that when a player specifically asks for a check?&nbsp;If you do roll a passive roll, giving the PCs a chance to spot a buckle reflecting in the sun, or some such give-away, then how do you manage it.&nbsp; Do you just ask the player to throw (this seems like it would make even the dumbest player alert to possible combat ahead), not telling him what it's for?&nbsp;Do you make the players roll early, maybe at the start of each game session, or keeping a list of previously thrown roll totals?&nbsp; &nbsp;Do you just roll for the PCs yourself (I know that most players love to roll their own dice and dislike it when the GM does it for them).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How do you take care of this situation in a game?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Water Bob, post: 5614678, member: 92305"] Simple situation: You're the GM, prepping for your next game. You're setting up an ambush for the PCs to kick the next session off with a POW! It's a simple trail that you know the PCs will be traveling (because you left off last session with the PCs following that trail). You grab some enemies--maybe some goblins--and you hide them in the bushes that flank the trail. Next game session, you'll pick up where you left off. Describe a bright, beautiful morning. As the PCs walk, the shadows from the trees play on their faces. And then.... POW! What I'm wondering here is how do you handle passive checks? Shouldn't you roll the gobbies' Hide vs. the PC's Spot? Or a Listen vs. Move Silent (big bonus because the goblins aren't moving?) Or, do you only do that when a player specifically asks for a check? If you do roll a passive roll, giving the PCs a chance to spot a buckle reflecting in the sun, or some such give-away, then how do you manage it. Do you just ask the player to throw (this seems like it would make even the dumbest player alert to possible combat ahead), not telling him what it's for? Do you make the players roll early, maybe at the start of each game session, or keeping a list of previously thrown roll totals? Do you just roll for the PCs yourself (I know that most players love to roll their own dice and dislike it when the GM does it for them). How do you take care of this situation in a game? [/QUOTE]

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