Monster Knowledge Checks Grant Bonuses

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

dieffenbachj

Mar 30, 2010 1:04:13		What if rolling a monster knowledge check as a standard action, studying a particular monster to find it's unique weaknesses, granted a combat bonus? Something like this:

Analyze Weaknesses: Standard action in combat.
  • DC: DC 15 + two-thirds the monster's level

  • Success: You gain information regarding the creature's particular vulnerabilities. This might include vulnerability 5 per tier to a particular damage type or weapon group, a +2 bonus to certain special attacks like grab or bull rush, or a -2 penalty to hit a target ally. The exact results are up to the GM.

  • Failure: You do not gain any pertinent information, and cannot try again on that target.

I think this is fair, considering the Intimidate rules allow for much more battle-ending results at a similar DC. It would just add a bit of flavor, like a wizard examining a dragon and deciding this particular dragon has a patch of weak scales near its stomach, allowing 10 extra damage to arrow shots fired from beneath the dragon.
Anyone like? Dislike? And any extra ideas on what sort of vulnerabilities could surface/better wording to express the house rule?