"Size up your opponent" ability... what skill check?

[Phaedrus]

The party enters a tavern. It is filled with adventurers and other PC-classed characters of varying levels. Some are lower level than the party, some are higher (much higher).

Short of DM hints ("This one looks way out of your league, better avoid him"), what skill would you use and what DC would you assign for a party member to guess the NPC's level?

In other words, how does the party's fighter know whether to back down from the guy that just poured ale all over him?

Appraise?
Spot?
Gather Info?
Sense Motive?
(Survival? )

 

[Darkness]

Oriental Adventures suggests Sense Motive.

DCs in an Iaijutsu (fast-draw) duel:

level: DC 15
ranks in Iaijutsu Focus skill: DC 20
total atk/dmg bonus with primary weapon: DC 25

(This is cumulative; if you roll 25+, you get the information of lower results as well.)


And I think Sword & Fist might have had some rules idea as well...

 

[Azazu]

Sense motive

 

[kreynolds]

I'd probably use Sense Motive (PC) vs. Bluff (NPC). If the NPC wins, then I'd let him exude whatever image he wanted, either weak, strong, or the PC can't tell, but the NPC may not even want to bluff (meaning automatic success for the PC, as far as they know, of course), so that's an option too.

 

[Camarath]

Sense Motive primarily. But, I might also allow an Appraise check to approximate the worth of targets equipment. That might give some idea of the targets power.

 

[Darklone]

Sense Motive primarily. But, I might also allow an Appraise check to approximate the worth of targets equipment. That might give some idea of the targets power.

I agree.... but IMC, a pretty powerful sword may look cheap

It may cost a lot to forge such a thing, but that does not mean it's covered with gems.

 

[Orm]

I agree.... but IMC, a pretty powerful sword may look cheap

It may cost a lot to forge such a thing, but that does not mean it's covered with gems.

Detect Magic could help. If possible, still and silent.

Gather Information would help in advance, maybe when you´re hanging around in a tavern for a couple of days. And you can expect to meet this guy sooner or later. But definitely not as an ad hoc skill check.

Orm

 

[Darkness]

Gather Information would help in advance, maybe when you´re hanging around in a tavern for a couple of days. And you can expect to meet this guy sooner or later. But definitely not as an ad hoc skill check.

"Hey, I'll be right back to continue our fight, promise. It will take 4-5 days, maximum."

- Almost as bad as waiting for a duel with Ryoga Hibiki Darkness

 

[GamerMan12]

As previously suggested in this this thread, the NPCs have an effect on this as well.

A tough powerful NPC, may try to appear non-threatening, or a weak character may behave with much bravado to make others think he is tougher.

The 'paladin' with the shiny sword may be a 1st level warrior with just a glowing sword!

To simplify play , you would need to assume that most adventurers look normal for adventurers of their level - quality of clothes, armour and weapons would only be noticeable at a range of levels, something like levels 1-3, 4-7, 8-12 and so on.

You cannot tell by just looking the difference between similarly equipped 5th level or 8th level fighters. And an 8th level fighter dressing like a 1st level fighter would be a spot DC of 30 or 40.

If the party was looking at a given adventurer who was trying to hide his experience, make it a spot DC 25 or so and with a hidden roll even if they succeed, I would say something like, the plainly dressed fighter in the corner looks like an fighter of limited experience (rp code for F1-F3), but there is something of a veiled threat about him. I would then go on to explain that the plain iron sword may be something more than it seems, or the steady confidence in his eyes, belies his apparent status.

If the party goes into an adventurer's tavern they should be wary of everyone, the 'commoner' drinking at the bar could be a dragon in disguise, or a high level assassin on the job.

GM12

 

[Sanackranib]

sence motive or detect magic. either way best to avoid those who seem to be beacons.