Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Atirakis 05-21-06, 11:28 PM	I was looking at all the things that synergize eachother and thought, "Why doesnt spot synergize search?" I mean really wouldnt the ability to SPOT things make searching a little easier? Considering that its only a +2 for synergy I dont see this as being broken in any way, and it appeals to my sense of realism. So the question is what do you guys think?
Aurotuli 05-22-06, 12:54 AM	Its the difference between being near sighted (+ search / - spot) and far sighted (+spot / - search). Also, Search often presumes looking through a group or pile of things, noticing the object that stands out or that you are looking for. Spot is more for distant things (even if a short distance). You can synergize the two. I don't think it will make much difference, but the concepts behind the two are a bit different. Suppose there is a statue of some deity in a forgotten temple. You use Spot and give it a good look over. Afterwards you might be able to make another knowledge check verse its style of construction (Arch / Engin), clothing / ornamentation (races / culture / local / geography - or whichever you may use in your game for such), perhaps - based on its appearance - similar works in other places or times (history / geography, etc). All this is due to the greater attention to detail you gain via a good Spot check. I would likely grant the Knowledge check a synergy of +1 for every five ranks after tenth of the Spot check (15 +1, 20 +2, 25 +3, etc). Now you use Search upon the statue. You don't pay much attention to minute details of the statue, but instead you look closely on how it is put together. You notice creases in the stone work that could suggest it was made from several blocks later stacked together - or might reveal a stone doorway not yet opened. The Search check would not grant a bonus to knowledge checks (a houserule of my own) as it merely glosses over the details, looking instead for things that stand out from the norm rather than details of the overall structure. Creases in the stone work, drilled holes where arrows may launch or eyes may glance from within, the fact that an arm can be moved in a direction, that a piece of 'stone' clothing or ornamentation can be shifted to the side - perhaps revealing a switch or hollow - these are the types of things Search reveals.
Atirakis 05-22-06, 10:51 PM	From what I understand of the skills, Spot is your ability to notice something, a crack in a window, a book out of place, an enemy approaching through the fog, things like that. Search is your ability to look over an enitre thing or area and find everything you can, like all the easter eggs in a room, or the hidden lever on a statue. So if you are really good at Spoting something, either out of place or just different from everything else around it, then why wouldnt that synergize your Search efforts?
AT-AT Assault 05-22-06, 11:43 PM	Spot is your ability to notice things that stick out(like sore thumbs). For example, you use spot to notice an explosion. Search is your ability to pore over something to notice details you wouldnt get just by looking at it or noticing it(ie Spot). So for example you could Spot a statue and notice it has red gems for eyes. If you Searched the statue you could notice that the eyes are blood rubies with the most intricate style of cut known to man. IMO, no synergy since Spot deals with noticing things(usually at distance) and Search deals with examining things(usually up close).