Search Checks and Secret Doors [Archive] - Wizards Community

Search Checks and Secret Doors [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Vanulf
06-25-07, 10:46 AM How do you handle Search checks?
Assume a party of 5 PC's enter a 50'x50' cellar and begin to search of secret doors. There are two secret doors in this cellar. Do you

a) Allow one Search check to cover finding both doors

b) Have the PC"s make one Search attempt per door (thereby alerting them that there maybe more than one).

or

c) Make the PC's roll seperately for each 5 foot square (neccesitating 40 seperate Search rolls per PC).
Nom
06-25-07, 11:17 AM (d) Roll the relevant search checks in secret. Actually, roll 5, but only the first two count.

(e) Let the PCs take 20 (though this will require 80 minutes of game time).
Leilond
06-25-07, 11:23 AM I usually come to the session with 50-100 prerolled search cheks (created with excel). When they ask for a search i look at my paper and mark the needed (2 in your case). This happens behind the screen, so the players don't know if I'm marking somegthing or not...

Remember
- They can repeat the search how many times they want.
- Each square requires 6 seconds to be searched by a single character
- They can "take 20" on search checks, but it will require 2 minutes for each square to be searched from a single character. 4 character can take 20 on 4 squares each 2 minutes, but usually there is only one or two that are very good at search and it is better to let him search for all the party, or they'll lose a DC 25 thing
- They can "take 10" on search checks, unless threatened or pressed by something
Chris_Moore
06-25-07, 12:23 PM DM: You enter a 50x50 foot room from the south, there is an alter (10x5) on the north wall, a chest (5x5) in the south-east corner, and a stone statue (5x5) on the west wall. A 10 foot wide stone door is next to the statue on the west wall.

Rogue: I'll take 10 on the room then take 20 on the alter, chest, statue, and door. (12 minutes)

DM: You find whatever

Rogue: I'll take another 20 looking for secret compartments inside the chest. (2 minutes)

Elf Ranger: While the rogue searches that stuff I'll search for secret doors.

DM: Rolls (find nothing)

Elf Ranger: Starting at the south-east corner and moving north, I'll take 20 on a section of wall until the rogue finishes. (14 minutes)

Fighter Leader: We're ready to go now.

The rogue got a free search of the room (take 10). The elf takes another search and rolls (since one take 10 didn't find anyting the first time a second probably won't either. Better to take your chances with the dice). The time the rogue spent searching can be used productivly by other members, either guarding or searching.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Vanulf 06-25-07, 10:46 AM	How do you handle Search checks? Assume a party of 5 PC's enter a 50'x50' cellar and begin to search of secret doors. There are two secret doors in this cellar. Do you a) Allow one Search check to cover finding both doors b) Have the PC"s make one Search attempt per door (thereby alerting them that there maybe more than one). or c) Make the PC's roll seperately for each 5 foot square (neccesitating 40 seperate Search rolls per PC).
Nom 06-25-07, 11:17 AM	(d) Roll the relevant search checks in secret. Actually, roll 5, but only the first two count. (e) Let the PCs take 20 (though this will require 80 minutes of game time).
Leilond 06-25-07, 11:23 AM	I usually come to the session with 50-100 prerolled search cheks (created with excel). When they ask for a search i look at my paper and mark the needed (2 in your case). This happens behind the screen, so the players don't know if I'm marking somegthing or not... Remember - They can repeat the search how many times they want. - Each square requires 6 seconds to be searched by a single character - They can "take 20" on search checks, but it will require 2 minutes for each square to be searched from a single character. 4 character can take 20 on 4 squares each 2 minutes, but usually there is only one or two that are very good at search and it is better to let him search for all the party, or they'll lose a DC 25 thing - They can "take 10" on search checks, unless threatened or pressed by something
Chris_Moore 06-25-07, 12:23 PM	DM: You enter a 50x50 foot room from the south, there is an alter (10x5) on the north wall, a chest (5x5) in the south-east corner, and a stone statue (5x5) on the west wall. A 10 foot wide stone door is next to the statue on the west wall. Rogue: I'll take 10 on the room then take 20 on the alter, chest, statue, and door. (12 minutes) DM: You find whatever Rogue: I'll take another 20 looking for secret compartments inside the chest. (2 minutes) Elf Ranger: While the rogue searches that stuff I'll search for secret doors. DM: Rolls (find nothing) Elf Ranger: Starting at the south-east corner and moving north, I'll take 20 on a section of wall until the rogue finishes. (14 minutes) Fighter Leader: We're ready to go now. The rogue got a free search of the room (take 10). The elf takes another search and rolls (since one take 10 didn't find anyting the first time a second probably won't either. Better to take your chances with the dice). The time the rogue spent searching can be used productivly by other members, either guarding or searching.