Secret Doors: Elves vs. Rogues

[Daalbar]

Why isn't this Elven Wizard just casting "Detect Secret Doors" rather than wasting rare Feats and Skill points on Search (or using it off of a prepared scroll)?

Just clear out several rooms & passages, fire up the spell and take a stroll.

(For that matter, Rogue with Use Magic Device & a wand of Detect Secret Doors is just as good -- and quicker than searching)

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Don't know where Versatile is from but Unearthed Arcana has the feat Skill Knowledge.

Skill Knowledge [General]
You gain access to new knowledge and abilities
Benefit: Choose any to skills from one of your current classes' skill lists. You now know these skills as class skills.
Special: Instead of choosing two class skills, you may choose one cross-class skill (whether you already know it or not) and learn it treating it as a class skill from that point forward.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I've never heard of this feat/ability. Anyone know where it is?

It's from Rokugan.

 

[Dog Moon]

Pass by Search for Rogue?

Originally from KaeYoss.
It's from Rokugan.

Never used Rokugan. That would explain why I haven't heard of it.

Originally from Daalbar
(For that matter, Rogue with Use Magic Device & a wand of Detect Secret Doors is just as good -- and quicker than searching)

Our group doesn't really like that skill. It seems too buff for a skill and we haven't bothered to modify it.

Anyway, though I wanted to know what people thought of the Elven ability to Search for doors as they passed, I was also wondering what people thought of giving the Rogue a similar ability (how to do it and whether it is too buff or not). No one has commented on that and I wonder if anyone has noticed that part of the thread, or if they don't know or don't care...

 

[Jhulae]

Anyway, though I wanted to know what people thought of the Elven ability to Search for doors as they passed, I was also wondering what people thought of giving the Rogue a similar ability (how to do it and whether it is too buff or not). No one has commented on that and I wonder if anyone has noticed that part of the thread, or if they don't know or don't care...

The rogue doesn't need it. They get more than enough. After all, they're really the only class than can ever find a trap with a DC over 20 (unless new classes are added with the ability to find traps as rogues). That in and of itself is much better than noticing secret doors. If you really wanted to add it, then make it one of their '10th level' special abilities.

Although I'll say, even if my DM gave me the option of taking it as one of those, I wouldn't.

 

[Li Shenron]

I forgot to mention earlier that we were thinking of having a lesser version of the elven ability for the rogue. Basically, the rogue is always taking 'x', where x is equal to 1/2 the rogue level [prolly max of 10 at 20th level]. This would be due to his training, rather like the whole trap sense ability. Or if there is some other way to do it, assuming it doesn't unbalance the rogue.

I don't think it would unbalance the Rogue. I think you could even give the Rogue the same ability as elves, but not for free: instead, make it a Rogue special ability (can be chosen at level 10th and every 3rd level after).

IMXP the automatic search hasn't given any problems, mostly because:

- our advebtures are not full of secret doors, so the ability only helps here and there

- the majority of secret doors actually SHOULD be found by the party

- the players have not been so lamely metagaming by stepping into each square of each room just to eventually trigger this ability