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Message: <blockquote data-quote="iserith" data-source="post: 8059115" data-attributes="member: 97077">Passive checks apply to tasks performed repeatedly over time, when those tasks have an uncertain outcome and a meaningful consequence for failure.As to "not paying attention," I think that's a turn of phrase in the example rather than an accurate statement of the situation in alignment with the rules. The character in the example is running away from the beholder and into some ogres lying in wait. It is not 100% clear if the character is in a formal combat or chase scene (for which there are structured rules), but it does refer to the ogres as "readying" which - if this is referring to the rules - may only happen in combat. If that's the case, then the character is alert to signs of danger all around which means passive Perception applies as needed. A fast pace, due to the PC running, means that the score is at disadvantage, which is a -5 penalty to the passive Perception score. Why this is even relevant, however, is unclear because if we're already in a combat, then there's no need to worry about passive Perception because the character can't be surprised at this point, since combat is already underway, and the ogres aren't taking any steps to try to Hide in favor of Readying. This means you don't need to compare their Dexterity (Stealth) checks against the PC's passive Perception score.So, I wouldn't put much stock on this example as being relevant to understanding ability checks or passive checks and more appropriate to understanding what considerations might go into determining whether a character has advantage or disadvantage on a check and how the presence of both cancels each other out.An ability check is called for when a player describes what he or she wants the character to do and the DM determines that the outcome of that task is uncertain and there's a meaningful consequence for failure. If that task is performed repeatedly, then it can be a passive check.</blockquote>

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