Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zymurgy65 May 01, 2015 4:03:33	The description of the Observant feat in the PHB includes the following statement:   “You have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores.”   Passive Wisdom (Perception) I understand, but passive Intelligence (Investigation) makes no sense. Firstly, it's a contradiction in terms, since investigation is by its very nature active, not passive. Secondly, I can't find any other references to it. Could someone please offer an explanation?
#2 jaelis May 01, 2015 6:30:58	Any ability can be used passively if the DM decides it is appropriate. The Rules wrote:
#3 zymurgy65 May 01, 2015 6:39:35	OK, that makes sense.
#4 Coredump00 May 01, 2015 19:21:22	Passive (insert skill) is used when you are using the same skill over and over.
#5 mrpopstar May 02, 2015 15:02:11	Coredump00 wrote:
#6 brettlangbdl May 02, 2015 18:42:45	I am used to using passive Perception (spotting monsters/ambushes etc) ... But what type of Action is using a Skill in combat ? Athletics, Acrobatics for jumping about etc we've been assuming are effectively free actions applied in conjunction with the activity. But if someone wants to actively Use a skill during combat .. eg., Perception (looking about for the invisible rogue) is that a free action, bonus, Action ... ?
#7 BRJN May 02, 2015 18:44:08	I have an AL Monk with Perception(the max).  I point out to DMs my high Passive Perception score, and offer to "take 10" on a Perception check - mechanically the same result - when I want to look over an area but not keep making rolls over and over.  The idea is that I "know what to look for" whereas a low-Perception character just barges in.  I'm supposed to be a Scout.   Passive Investigation can be portrayed as putting clues together in the back of your head.  Sherlock Holmes often does this while smoking a pipe.  Eureka !