Search Skill Variations

[Cyri'kazzen]

In preparing for my campaign and playing in other campaigns, I have noticed differences in how DMs allow the Search skill to be used. According to the PHB, a Search skill check could occur for every 5-10 ft of exploration. (although I don't have the book in front of me). Well in a long passageway or big room, this would constitute into dozens of Search rolls by the rogue who is looking for traps. This would certainly slow down the game, but may give the rogue a better opportunity to find the trap or secret door.

So how does everyone use the Search skill in their campaigns? Perhaps this thread would be better placed in the Rules Area. If so, I apologize in advance.

 

[Crothian]

It really depends on how the flow of the game is going. If the room is large and has a few different features (statues, furtiture, odd walls) then I'd require more rolls. But most of the time to keep things moving I only require one or two rolls.

 

[Drawmack]

Well it depends on the situation.

For one I don't use dungeons often so when I do they are huge sprawling expanses. I usually have a maze or two in them and lots of logic puzzles and stuff like that. If I required a seach for every ten feet of hallway we would never complete a single dungeon that I designed. So in a dungeon hallway it is 30' per check or up to a corner.

Rooms, it depends. Average room is one check with an automatic take 10. Large rooms you have to specify the area you are searching (15x15 feet instead of 10x10).

Outdoors I run it as written.

 

[maddman75]

Here's my philosophy, especially when searching for traps. I allow the rogue to search 'on the move', meaning that if there is a trap, he gets a roll to spot it. If he fails, he walks into it.

I do occasionally call for him to roll even when there isn't a trap. Could be an alarm that goes off elsewhere. Or just to keep em on their toes.

I'm not real strict on the 10'x10' thing -- that only serves to slow the game down. Generally, a roll will let you search an area - the bookshelf, the doorway, the desk, or the south wall (no more than 10-20 feet long) are all accpetable uses of search in my book.

 

[Umbran]

Rules Forum, anyone?

 

[johnsemlak]

I would like to divide the seach skill into at least two skills--outdoor and indoor search.

Seems to me those skills ought to be distinct enough.

 

[Umbran]

Seems to me those skills ought to be distinct enough.

As if we didn't have enough skills to spend points on? As if we didn't already have problems covering all the bases?

Really, searching is searching. I'd think the difference between indoor and outdoor isn't the action, but how much territory one has to cover. Look under the couch, look under the log, same thing.