D&D 5E Understanding Passive Checks

[robus]

Why do you consider it absurd that the pp is the floor?

I would say because PP is the average score for the character continuously performing the action over time. An average is not a floor by its very nature.

 

[Charlaquin]

Why do you consider it absurd that the pp is the floor?

It’s completely inconsistent with the way the rules on passive checks are actually written, in my evaluation. Moreover, there’s nothing in the rules that call out passive perception specifically as special relative to other kinds of passive checks, so if this ruling were to be applied consistently it would lead to free Reliable Talent with all skills for everyone.

 

[CapnZapp]

Rogue sitting there at the table, with a sad face, after rolling a Nat 20 on the stealth check.

Confusing argument aside, points for a poetic thread necromancy

 

[Crimson Longinus]

It’s completely inconsistent with the way the rules on passive checks are actually written, in my evaluation. Moreover, there’s nothing in the rules that call out passive perception specifically as special relative to other kinds of passive checks, so if this ruling were to be applied consistently it would lead to free Reliable Talent with all skills for everyone.

Yep, fully agreed.

I am not a huge fan of the passive checks in general. I would mostly use them in situations where otherwise two things would be rolling against each other. Making one of them passive reduces die rolling and swingyness. Usually it makes sense for let the player to roll against the NPCs passive score (players like rolling dice), though sometimes when you don't want the player to even know that something is being tested the opposite makes sense.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Yeah, in the case of stealth vs. passive perception, passive perception functions more like a non-AC-defense. I’ll also use NPCs’ passive Wisdom (Insight) as DCs for social actions against them.

I really like this framing of passive scores as non-AC-defense. Passive Wisdom (Perception) serves as the PC's/NPC's defense against being surprised. Passive Wisdom (Insight) serves as the NPC's defense against being persuaded, deceived, or intimidated. Thank you!

 

[Charlaquin]

Yep, fully agreed.

I am not a huge fan of the passive checks in general. I would mostly use them in situations where otherwise two things would be rolling against each other. Making one of them passive reduces die rolling and swingyness. Usually it makes sense for let the player to roll against the NPCs passive score (players like rolling dice), though sometimes when you don't want the player to even know that something is being tested the opposite makes sense.

Yeah, I like passive scores as NADs, but I also think they work pretty well for the “average result of an action performed repeatedly over time” purpose, as long as repeating an action over time is something the players actively do instead of being always on.

 

[Charlaquin]

I really like this framing of passive scores as non-AC-defense. Passive Wisdom (Perception) serves as the PC's/NPC's defense against being surprised. Passive Wisdom (Insight) serves as the NPC's defense against being persuaded, deceived, or intimidated. Thank you!

No problem!

 

[robus]

Yeah, I like passive scores as NADs, but I also think they work pretty well for the “average result of an action performed repeatedly over time” purpose, as long as repeating an action over time is something the players actively do instead of being always on.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “passive“ is the worst word to describe it. The player is passive, the character is active as heck.

Should be renamed “constant” or something. Anything other than passive.

 

[Charlaquin]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “passive“ is the worst word to describe it. The player is passive, the character is active as heck.

Should be renamed “constant” or something. Anything other than passive.

I mean, it’s basically Take 10 by another name.

 

[robus]

I mean, it’s basically Take 10 by another name.

Sure, for you grognards New players must scratch their heads about it. I know I did/do.