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Traps: What Should Become of the Spike-Filled Pit?
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<blockquote data-quote="Felon" data-source="post: 5784188" data-attributes="member: 8158"><p>Let me say something that goes entirely against the direction to which RPG's have evolved:</p><p></p><p>I'm not crazy about havin a dedicated attribute that's used to make all checks for detecting things (i.e. Perception skill). </p><p></p><p>Why? Having perception function as a skill unto itself has the de facto consequence of it inevitably become a "power skill". Indeed, it will soar up to the top ranks of power skills. If a character ever gets a free skill proficiency of his choice (like certain 4e races), Perception is the go-to skill of choice if it's not already on the character's class list.</p><p></p><p>With all surprise avoidance wrapped up into a single skill--be they traps or ambushes--surprises can be largely mitigated, even if passive checks are taken out of the equation. </p><p></p><p>If you enjoy fiction, you can probably conjure up any number of heroes who possess amazing levels of alertness, but they all get blindsided sometimes--heck, even a lot of the time. Even superheroes like Superman, Daredevil, Wolverine, and Spider-Man get waylaid despite their amazing senses.</p><p></p><p>And there's also a converse issue, where not having someone good at Perception present also yields unfavorable results. As a DM, I'm rather disappointed to see players not find secret doors or hidden compartments or clues. What's that some of you say? Just use DM fiat to decide what characters find? Well, you read my mind. A lot of spotting and noticing is simply part of storytelling. The simple of looking can result in finding. </p><p></p><p>If skill checks are to be used for perception, I'd just as soon the check be part of another skill. Streetwise, Survival, some Knowledge Skills, and Thievery are all potential candidates.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Felon, post: 5784188, member: 8158"] Let me say something that goes entirely against the direction to which RPG's have evolved: I'm not crazy about havin a dedicated attribute that's used to make all checks for detecting things (i.e. Perception skill). Why? Having perception function as a skill unto itself has the de facto consequence of it inevitably become a "power skill". Indeed, it will soar up to the top ranks of power skills. If a character ever gets a free skill proficiency of his choice (like certain 4e races), Perception is the go-to skill of choice if it's not already on the character's class list. With all surprise avoidance wrapped up into a single skill--be they traps or ambushes--surprises can be largely mitigated, even if passive checks are taken out of the equation. If you enjoy fiction, you can probably conjure up any number of heroes who possess amazing levels of alertness, but they all get blindsided sometimes--heck, even a lot of the time. Even superheroes like Superman, Daredevil, Wolverine, and Spider-Man get waylaid despite their amazing senses. And there's also a converse issue, where not having someone good at Perception present also yields unfavorable results. As a DM, I'm rather disappointed to see players not find secret doors or hidden compartments or clues. What's that some of you say? Just use DM fiat to decide what characters find? Well, you read my mind. A lot of spotting and noticing is simply part of storytelling. The simple of looking can result in finding. If skill checks are to be used for perception, I'd just as soon the check be part of another skill. Streetwise, Survival, some Knowledge Skills, and Thievery are all potential candidates. [/QUOTE]
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Traps: What Should Become of the Spike-Filled Pit?
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