Rogue's detecting traps

[Vocenoctum]

Does anyone think it'd be unbalancing to change the Rogue's "Trap" ability to be more like the Epic feat that allows you to detect traps when passing within 5'?

We figured it'd make a rogue more likely, and also encourage them to take more ranks of search skill, as opposed to simply taking 20 all the time.

It'd also minimize constant searching, but not replace it.

 

[Thanee]

I'd allow searching for traps while moving at half-speed or something with a penalty (i.e. -5 or even -10) to the roll.

Otherwise you will only search at places, where you suspect a trap, and would rather max your spot skill, since it might allow you to spot a trap before triggering it!

Bye
Thanee

 

[melonneko]

i thought you couldn't take 20 on search, because it says you may only take 20 if there is no consequence for failure. and the consequence for not detecting a trap while searching is triggering it....

 

[Thanee]

And because this is just wrong, you can take 20 with search!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Taloras]

you can always take 20 on search. you -cant- take 20 on disable device. at least thats what i thought it said in the PHB

 

[Zarthon]

Does anyone think it'd be unbalancing to change the Rogue's "Trap" ability to be more like the Epic feat that allows you to detect traps when passing within 5'?

We figured it'd make a rogue more likely, and also encourage them to take more ranks of search skill, as opposed to simply taking 20 all the time.

It'd also minimize constant searching, but not replace it.

I let my players take 20 on their search checks, however any traps that they may find automatically trigger. This generally stops the players from searching every room in the dungeon (or wherever) by just saying we take 20 and search!

 

[Nish]

Re: Re: Rogue's detecting traps

I let my players take 20 on their search checks, however any traps that they may find automatically trigger. This generally stops the players from searching every room in the dungeon (or wherever) by just saying we take 20 and search!

From the SRD (emphasis mine):


Search (INT)

Check: The character generally must be within 10 feet of the object or surface to be searched.

Apparently traps in your game take offense to people staring at them.

 

[Zarthon]

Apparently traps in your game take offense to people staring at them.

LOL, what I meant to say was that if the characters take 20 on a search check and they happen to find a trap, the trap automatically triggers.


Edit: My spelling sucks

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

Does anyone think it'd be unbalancing to change the Rogue's "Trap" ability to be more like the Epic feat that allows you to detect traps when passing within 5'?

We figured it'd make a rogue more likely, and also encourage them to take more ranks of search skill, as opposed to simply taking 20 all the time.

It'd also minimize constant searching, but not replace it.

No, I do not think that this is unbalancing... because that's how we already play anyway. Having the Rogue or the DM constantly make search checks was a tad absurd.

 

[Thanee]

LOL, what I meant to say was that if the characters take 20 on a search check and they happen to find a trap, the trap automatically triggers.

And what he means is, that you do not have to touch anything to search, it can be done at a distance of up to 10'.

Bye
Thanee