Using Various Knowledge Skills [Archive] - Wizards Community

Using Various Knowledge Skills [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mieva
09-27-07, 04:19 PM Two requests:

Does anyone have some examples of the different uses for the more obscure Knowledge checks? Like geography, dungeoneering, arctecture, etc.

I had a player who asked if they could use Knowledge (geography) to locate an ideal spot for setting up camp, that would be easy to defend and fairly easy to conceal (using conventional methods, not magic). They also asked if they could locate a good spot to set up an ambush. Could Knowledge (geography) do this?

~Mieva
Vharuck
09-27-07, 04:29 PM Two requests:

Does anyone have some examples of the different uses for the more obscure Knowledge checks? Like geography, dungeoneering, arctecture, etc.

First off, Knowledge (dungeoneering) is great for information about oozes and aberrations. Knowledge (geography) could be useful if you need to know where someplace is and you don't have a map. Knowledge (architecture and engineering) could be useful in determining a fort's weak points during a siege or using a siege engine without training.

I had a player who asked if they could use Knowledge (geography) to locate an ideal spot for setting up camp, that would be easy to defend and fairly easy to conceal (using conventional methods, not magic). They also asked if they could locate a good spot to set up an ambush. Could Knowledge (geography) do this?

The first one is definitely Survival, as it deals with how to best set up camp. The second one could either be Survival or Knowledge (geography).
Sunblast
09-27-07, 05:06 PM Yeah, I'm not too sure about using knowledge (geography) for setting up a camp site. I think it might be referring to geography on a larger scale. Have a look at what the SRD says.

KNOWLEDGE (INT; TRAINED ONLY)
• Geography (lands, terrain, climate, people)

I think that trying to select a campsite with knowledge (geography) might be like trying to pick your campsite from a state/country/world map. What he's asking for is more of a survival thing.
1 ton ghost
09-28-07, 11:53 AM i like where your head's at for the camp aspect.

Knowledges are namely acadamia and not necessarilly for immediate/tactical purposes apart from that initial, "ok, you spot monster 'x', roll relevant knowledge to see if you know anything about it."

for camping, i would employ Survival, but it's main purpose is for sustaining life in the wilds given water, weather, etc. not necessarilly for tactical purposes, though this has come up in game quite a bit. that is, PCs want to "camp in secret" (lowers wandering monster %'s) or circumnavigate an unusal problem, get cover, etc.

some examples being:

-need a safe/dry spot so mage can prep book for 15-60min (camp where spellbook won't get wet or ruined)
-camp in low contour area so firelight isn't easilly seen horizontally; incredibly important at times
-find nearest natural shelter; a rockhouse, copse of trees, tench, etc. this makes mapping it out incredibly easier too

etc. etc.

namely, my gamers want the enhanced camping via Survival though i might have them Search/Spot in addition to Survival or do the rarely used mix/match. that is, apply ranks or ability mods to different skill roll, ie)Use Int for Survial, not Wis, or Spot ranks on a Heal check to determine enemy's measure of damage/HP.

typically, apart from the free food/water or weather FX Fort save bonus, for camping's sake if they roll good i'll grant:
-natural shelter; limits access/attack points like a cave, etc.
-better Hide/cover/conceal points near immediate camp ground for overwatch/guard duty
-immediate natual resources (extra firewood, etc.) this is particularly important as you usually have to leave camp to take a **** or get more wood and intelligent monsters like to strike then normally.
KrisTheGreat
10-01-07, 10:54 PM Knowledge geography covers terrian so it is a very good way to make that skill matter by making it realevent to ambushing and finding a good camp.
foxtail
10-02-07, 12:45 PM Knowledge (geography) could tell a player the location of known geographical features that might contain suitable campsites. Actually staking out a specific location once you've hiked there would be more in the realm of Survival.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mieva 09-27-07, 04:19 PM	Two requests: Does anyone have some examples of the different uses for the more obscure Knowledge checks? Like geography, dungeoneering, arctecture, etc. I had a player who asked if they could use Knowledge (geography) to locate an ideal spot for setting up camp, that would be easy to defend and fairly easy to conceal (using conventional methods, not magic). They also asked if they could locate a good spot to set up an ambush. Could Knowledge (geography) do this? ~Mieva
Vharuck 09-27-07, 04:29 PM	Two requests: Does anyone have some examples of the different uses for the more obscure Knowledge checks? Like geography, dungeoneering, arctecture, etc. First off, Knowledge (dungeoneering) is great for information about oozes and aberrations. Knowledge (geography) could be useful if you need to know where someplace is and you don't have a map. Knowledge (architecture and engineering) could be useful in determining a fort's weak points during a siege or using a siege engine without training. I had a player who asked if they could use Knowledge (geography) to locate an ideal spot for setting up camp, that would be easy to defend and fairly easy to conceal (using conventional methods, not magic). They also asked if they could locate a good spot to set up an ambush. Could Knowledge (geography) do this? The first one is definitely Survival, as it deals with how to best set up camp. The second one could either be Survival or Knowledge (geography).
Sunblast 09-27-07, 05:06 PM	Yeah, I'm not too sure about using knowledge (geography) for setting up a camp site. I think it might be referring to geography on a larger scale. Have a look at what the SRD says. KNOWLEDGE (INT; TRAINED ONLY) • Geography (lands, terrain, climate, people) I think that trying to select a campsite with knowledge (geography) might be like trying to pick your campsite from a state/country/world map. What he's asking for is more of a survival thing.
1 ton ghost 09-28-07, 11:53 AM	i like where your head's at for the camp aspect. Knowledges are namely acadamia and not necessarilly for immediate/tactical purposes apart from that initial, "ok, you spot monster 'x', roll relevant knowledge to see if you know anything about it." for camping, i would employ Survival, but it's main purpose is for sustaining life in the wilds given water, weather, etc. not necessarilly for tactical purposes, though this has come up in game quite a bit. that is, PCs want to "camp in secret" (lowers wandering monster %'s) or circumnavigate an unusal problem, get cover, etc. some examples being: -need a safe/dry spot so mage can prep book for 15-60min (camp where spellbook won't get wet or ruined) -camp in low contour area so firelight isn't easilly seen horizontally; incredibly important at times -find nearest natural shelter; a rockhouse, copse of trees, tench, etc. this makes mapping it out incredibly easier too etc. etc. namely, my gamers want the enhanced camping via Survival though i might have them Search/Spot in addition to Survival or do the rarely used mix/match. that is, apply ranks or ability mods to different skill roll, ie)Use Int for Survial, not Wis, or Spot ranks on a Heal check to determine enemy's measure of damage/HP. typically, apart from the free food/water or weather FX Fort save bonus, for camping's sake if they roll good i'll grant: -natural shelter; limits access/attack points like a cave, etc. -better Hide/cover/conceal points near immediate camp ground for overwatch/guard duty -immediate natual resources (extra firewood, etc.) this is particularly important as you usually have to leave camp to take a **** or get more wood and intelligent monsters like to strike then normally.
KrisTheGreat 10-01-07, 10:54 PM	Knowledge geography covers terrian so it is a very good way to make that skill matter by making it realevent to ambushing and finding a good camp.
foxtail 10-02-07, 12:45 PM	Knowledge (geography) could tell a player the location of known geographical features that might contain suitable campsites. Actually staking out a specific location once you've hiked there would be more in the realm of Survival.