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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 5805842" data-attributes="member: 177">Whatever for?  So, one small piece of data you thought was right, wasn't.  No big deal.An excellent question.  The PHB entry looks just about the same as the SRD description of the skill.  It is mostly about searching broad areas, but they do mention ransacking a chest in the table, implying that focused searches are possible.The 3e DMG does have a couple of relevant paragraphs (pg 91, "The General vs the Specific") which say that if the player's got knowledge of the situation, and uses it, the GM should give a bonus on the check for favorable conditions.  It gives the example of a kobold having just run into a room, and a PC follows.  If the player says, "I look around the room" they get a Spot check.  If the player says, "I know the little bugger just came in here, I look behind the chairs and tables, do I see him?" they get a Spot check with a +2.Mind you, if the kobold is no longer in the room, that specific information does *not* gain them a bonus to spot the Cloaker on the ceiling.  But, neither do they have a penalty.  Which seems to me a good compromise.  The player doesn't have to think of every little place a thing might be hidden, and go through the entire list of possibilities in excruciating detail. But, if they know a bit, and use their heads, they can make it go more easily.</blockquote>