Elves, Secret Doors & Taking 10 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Elves, Secret Doors & Taking 10 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Skirl
09-06-07, 02:56 PM OK, here's a question based on a player's interpretation of the rules for elves being entitled to a Search roll when passing w/in five feet of a secret door ...

In such a situation, can the elf Take 10 on the Search roll. The argument against this is that it would seem one could only Take 10 if actively, consciously searching. The argument for it is that the rules say the elf is entitled to make a check as if actively searching.

I am wondering what others think of this. Thanks!
BW0222
09-06-07, 03:05 PM Skirl,

Rules are simple.

1. Is the character threatened? Is someone attacking him or holding an axe to the elf while he is walking down the passage?

2. Does the skill specifically say that you can't take a 10?

If both answers are no, then the you can take a 10. There is no exclusion of taking a 10 for a 'passive' skill.
tarkin
09-06-07, 03:22 PM Also, in general this would be a bad idea.

Taking 10 is 5% less than average.

The only good reason to take 10 is that you already know that a 10 will win. Then you are in effect getting rid of the chance of rolling less than a 10.

If however you do NOT know the DC, you are better off not taking 10.

While typical secret doors are 20, well hidden ones are 30, and there is no reason not to have a better than average but not well hidden one. The DC could be anywhere from 21 to 29 in a pre-epic game. In an Epic game, it could easily be 31-60.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Skirl 09-06-07, 02:56 PM	OK, here's a question based on a player's interpretation of the rules for elves being entitled to a Search roll when passing w/in five feet of a secret door ... In such a situation, can the elf Take 10 on the Search roll. The argument against this is that it would seem one could only Take 10 if actively, consciously searching. The argument for it is that the rules say the elf is entitled to make a check as if actively searching. I am wondering what others think of this. Thanks!
BW0222 09-06-07, 03:05 PM	Skirl, Rules are simple. 1. Is the character threatened? Is someone attacking him or holding an axe to the elf while he is walking down the passage? 2. Does the skill specifically say that you can't take a 10? If both answers are no, then the you can take a 10. There is no exclusion of taking a 10 for a 'passive' skill.
tarkin 09-06-07, 03:22 PM	Also, in general this would be a bad idea. Taking 10 is 5% less than average. The only good reason to take 10 is that you already know that a 10 will win. Then you are in effect getting rid of the chance of rolling less than a 10. If however you do NOT know the DC, you are better off not taking 10. While typical secret doors are 20, well hidden ones are 30, and there is no reason not to have a better than average but not well hidden one. The DC could be anywhere from 21 to 29 in a pre-epic game. In an Epic game, it could easily be 31-60.