Keeping watch: Passive and active perception

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Ipecac

Jan 12, 2015 9:02:51

Hi noob DM here,

 

So, when a character is keeping watch at a camp, do I use active or passive perception vs. the stealth of approaching brigands?

 

Also, with passive perception in general, how do we rectify the roll for active perception falling below the passive score?

 

I mean if I've got a guy with 16 passive perception, he's got eyes like a hawk if he doesn't search, but when he does, he has the chance to miss something he would see without trying, right?

 

Any thoughts on this?


thanks!

#2

bawylie

Jan 12, 2015 9:19:44

I use passive perception when I have baddies roll stealth against the players. 

 

I use active perception like I use every other ability check: when a player acts and the outcome of that action is in doubt.

 

If the outcome were certain, I wouldn't need the roll. By asking for the roll, I'm saying "you might not make it." So I don't need to reconcile a roll that's lower than the PP. Players don't USE the passive perception - I do. Players only say what they're doing. Like "I look around and keep an eye out for intruders." 

 

Great - so now I ask myself "Are there any intruders?" "Are the intruders sneaking up on the players?" "Who has the momentum here: players or intruders?" 

 

If they're just keeping watch, the action is with the intruders so I roll stealth vs PP. But above, my player is actively looking for intruders, so I'll make it a contest - player's wisdom (perception) check vs intruder's dexterity (stealth) check. Winner determines what happens. Tie, in this instance will go to the intruders (because that's what I've decided makes sense here). And so what if the player rolls a check of 12 and his PP is 15? All that matters is whether or not he beats the intruder. 

 

In other words, the circumstances, action, and outcome are more important than the absolute values of the math. 

#3

iserith

Jan 12, 2015 9:27:10

Ipecac wrote:
#4

AaronOfBarbaria

Jan 12, 2015 13:10:32

What iserith said.

#5

Devils-Advocate

Jan 12, 2015 15:36:40

Ipecac wrote:
#6

Beldak_Serpenthelm

Jan 15, 2015 12:34:57

Ipecac wrote:
#7

Archon007

Jan 15, 2015 13:43:51

Beldak_Serpenthelm wrote:
#8

CatLance

Jan 22, 2015 10:46:23

Devils-Advocate wrote: