spot check with int mod for noticing something linked to memory?

[fba827]

Does this seem reasonable?

According to the DMG, there is reference to using a skill check with a different ability score modifier if appropriate (or some wording like that).

I have an instance in an upcoming game...

the pcs will be in a house.. in the house there will be a painting. the painint contains a picture of someone they have seen in another painting before. however, when they saw the previous painting, it was nothing special so it did not receive any special attention beyond "there's a painting on the wall, etc. etc." while describing the room. anyway, when this second painting is in the room they enter, I want to give them a chance to make the mental connection.

I was thinking Spot check but using Int modifier instead of wis modifier.

why? spot check to represent the ability to even notice the painting (rather than just running by it and ignoring it). then the Int modifier to represent the mental "recollection" aspect of making the connection to something from before.

This would be a roll that I/DM did myself (like most spot checks) to keep from tipping off the players that something is up...


anyway, enough rambling (just wanted to set it up to give a clear idea). does that all sound reasonable? using a spot check with int mod instead of wisdom in this case?

Edit: My other considered option is to use a spot check and an Int check (i.e. two separate rolls) but that seems to put too much focus on the spot check for just paying attention to the picture...

 

[DreamChaser]

If you want them to see it, fake the check and have them see it.

 

[CombatWombat51]

I'm in the minority that uses Wisdom for memory, so I would just use a normal Spot check

Of course, there's nothing wrong with using Int for it... especially since it's a hidden role, and the players will have no idea. Hell, you could use Str instead of Wis, if it tickled your fancy.

But like DreamChaser said, you could always just fake it if it's important/cool enough that you want someone in the party to notice.

 

[andargor]

Check out T&B, p.20. It has DCs listed for recalling information, but it uses Knowledge (Arcana). The same method could be applied for straight Int checks to recall normal information. I believe some splatbooks have specific rules for this.

This is the way I would play it:

- If the PCs are searching the room where the painting is, they are looking at everything. So I would allow a straight DC15 Int check to recall that they have seen the person before.

- If the PCs are not searching the room, I would ask for a DC10 (+ distance) Spot check for them to notice that there is something familiar about the picture, and then a DC15 Int check to recall.

Andargor

 

[Nareau]

That all sounds perfectly reasonable to me. If I were you, I'd mention that you'll be doing stuff like this to your players (not this specifically...just say, "Hey, I'm going to be using this DMG variant from time to time.") It likely won't even be an issue, but it's never a good idea to spring rules changes on your players in the middle of a session.

Spider

 

[fba827]

That all sounds perfectly reasonable to me. If I were you, I'd mention that you'll be doing stuff like this to your players (not this specifically...just say, "Hey, I'm going to be using this DMG variant from time to time.") It likely won't even be an issue, but it's never a good idea to spring rules changes on your players in the middle of a session.

Spider

Yeah - they already know I do this (I've done it once or twice before in some odd situations). Normally it isn't something "hidden" so I get to ask the players at the time ("you think your ranks + ability modifier for this other ability would be fair in this instance?" okay, everyone involved, make a check)...

Just, this time, it's a hidden roll so I don't have the luxury of asking the players if they think it's a fair combination ....

hence, I thought I'd gather some opinions from here.

Thanks for the opinions though, it is giving me more to think about in regards to other ways I could be handling it.

I wouldn't normally think so critically over one possible roll here but given that it could link some things in the players' minds, I wanted it to be something fair... (and, even if they miss it they won't lose anything from the particular adventure.. just won't catch the fact that it is somehow connected to something else..)