Bluffing ure players [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bluffing ure players [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
necrom99
11-27-07, 11:05 AM I wanna know how other DM's use skills like Bluff and Diplomacy with regards to there NPC's interacting with the players.

I never make Bluff checks I usually randomly assign DC's for Sense Motive checks depending on NPC's lying ability. But i'm thinking about changing it up.

Ideas?
Bluto
11-27-07, 11:19 AM In truth, a rolled check vs the PCs is only half the solution - you have to be able to play out the rest.

Roll a bluff check, then talk it out - if it's poor, then drop in subtle hints they are lying - have them stammer, get details wrong etc.

If it is high, then speak smoothy, turn aside obvious concerns with quick answers.

No amount of rolling the dice is going to make the PCs believe someone, if the players are sure they are being lied to.

It is a rare player who says "I know that the easy quest I'm being offered is a set-up for an ambush, but since my sense motive check was junk, my character is going to go anyway."

This is one of those times that your skill as a DM gets put to the test. Can you make someone lying to the players believeable, and convincing, even likeable?

The only time I would change this up, if the players should have seen through a poor bluff check but didn't, I'd secretly roll a sense motive for them, and drop a "You know, though he seemed truthful, something about his story gives you an uneasy feeling."

Or vice versa - if the NPC is in earnest, and the PCs don't believe the NPC at all, roll their sense motive - any sucess should give them a hint that it is on the level.. though they still may choose not to believe it.
Vathelokai
11-28-07, 01:48 AM I like to roll (and ask for a sense motive or something) every time the players meet someone new. Half the time the roll has no meaning other than to put them on edge. Then I give them a description of the npc and get the RP on. If it was a 'real' sense motive check, then I drop hints and tell the PCs they get the impression of ________ . If they get a very low role, I give them incorrect information. All of my players know my system, but they never now the DC or the npcs modifier or when it's a 'real' roll. Works for me, but I can see how it's not for everyone.
Meles_Meles
11-28-07, 06:21 AM I like to roll (and ask for a sense motive or something) every time the players meet someone new.

Exactly my system. Although during one session, I forgot to ask for the rolls when they met a new NPC (because unbeknownst to them he was going to get eaten within a minute). They all knew something was up, and the climactic moment where the fallen angel revealed itself and bit the guy in half was somewhat ruined by several players saying "So that's why we didn't need to roll"

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
necrom99 11-27-07, 11:05 AM	I wanna know how other DM's use skills like Bluff and Diplomacy with regards to there NPC's interacting with the players. I never make Bluff checks I usually randomly assign DC's for Sense Motive checks depending on NPC's lying ability. But i'm thinking about changing it up. Ideas?
Bluto 11-27-07, 11:19 AM	In truth, a rolled check vs the PCs is only half the solution - you have to be able to play out the rest. Roll a bluff check, then talk it out - if it's poor, then drop in subtle hints they are lying - have them stammer, get details wrong etc. If it is high, then speak smoothy, turn aside obvious concerns with quick answers. No amount of rolling the dice is going to make the PCs believe someone, if the players are sure they are being lied to. It is a rare player who says "I know that the easy quest I'm being offered is a set-up for an ambush, but since my sense motive check was junk, my character is going to go anyway." This is one of those times that your skill as a DM gets put to the test. Can you make someone lying to the players believeable, and convincing, even likeable? The only time I would change this up, if the players should have seen through a poor bluff check but didn't, I'd secretly roll a sense motive for them, and drop a "You know, though he seemed truthful, something about his story gives you an uneasy feeling." Or vice versa - if the NPC is in earnest, and the PCs don't believe the NPC at all, roll their sense motive - any sucess should give them a hint that it is on the level.. though they still may choose not to believe it.
Vathelokai 11-28-07, 01:48 AM	I like to roll (and ask for a sense motive or something) every time the players meet someone new. Half the time the roll has no meaning other than to put them on edge. Then I give them a description of the npc and get the RP on. If it was a 'real' sense motive check, then I drop hints and tell the PCs they get the impression of ________ . If they get a very low role, I give them incorrect information. All of my players know my system, but they never now the DC or the npcs modifier or when it's a 'real' roll. Works for me, but I can see how it's not for everyone.
Meles_Meles 11-28-07, 06:21 AM	I like to roll (and ask for a sense motive or something) every time the players meet someone new. Exactly my system. Although during one session, I forgot to ask for the rolls when they met a new NPC (because unbeknownst to them he was going to get eaten within a minute). They all knew something was up, and the climactic moment where the fallen angel revealed itself and bit the guy in half was somewhat ruined by several players saying "So that's why we didn't need to roll"