| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 25 Mar 2007 : 10:53:56
Just a query to those rules-inclined types. If I'm making up a stat block for an elf who has a +2 racial bonus to listen, search and spot checks, but they don't actually have any ranks in search, do I write it up as Search +0 (+2 to detect secret or concealed doors within 5 feet)? If I do, do I add their INT bonus? If their INT bonus is +5, do I change the statblock to say Search +5 (+7 etc.)? On untrained skills, do I list them all in a stat block (even though the character hasn't put ranks in them) where the character has an attribute bonus like DEX for ride etc.?
-- George Krashos
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| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 29 Mar 2007 : 03:22:37
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Eytan, Garen Thal, expect an e-mail in the next day or so.:)
Hide the children. And the pizza! Everyone knows the Aussies are after our pizza...
Um, nevermind. |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 29 Mar 2007 : 00:40:11
Eytan, Garen Thal, expect an e-mail in the next day or so.:)
-- George Krashos |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 29 Mar 2007 : 00:22:32
The answer to your question depends on which sort of statblock you're writing up. If you're using the current delve/encounter-style statblock, then all three skills wind up in the statblock.
Listen and Spot are automatically included in the "Senses" section, and include all relevant ability and racial modifiers, but not situational modifiers like distance, or conditional synergy bonuses. Bonuses from a familiar should be considered permanent modifiers for purposes of these caluclations.
Search goes in the standard "Skills" section, which includes all skills, not just those relevant to a combat encounter, which the character might conceivably use. Trained only skills don't go in at all unless the character has ranks, but any skill that either has ranks, or that the character has some racial or class modifier in (and can be used untrained), or is vital to character survival (like Spot and Listen) always do.
The "able to notice secret or concealed doors" thing goes in the SQ (special qualities) entry.
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| EytanBernstein |
Posted - 28 Mar 2007 : 20:08:17
As a rule, it's assumed that all relevant *permanent* modifiers are added in. There'd be no reason to leave a racial bonus out of a skill. Of course, if you've got a racial bonus to a skill like Knowledge (nature), but have a 10 Intelligence and no ranks, there's really no point to mentioning it. |
| ShadezofDis |
Posted - 28 Mar 2007 : 15:55:28
Whatever way you go about it you should make a note saying "includes racial, ability and synergy modifiers" or whatever, just so's it's all clear like :) |
| Kaladorm |
Posted - 27 Mar 2007 : 21:58:16
Synergy bonuses. The most tedious thing in the world when creating a rogue  |
| TomCosta |
Posted - 27 Mar 2007 : 21:48:32
I generally include any skill that gets modified beyond the base stat bonus, and I think that's born out by things like seeing skills with no ranks but synergy bonuses in stat blocks. |
| Purple Dragon Knight |
Posted - 25 Mar 2007 : 18:41:53
From a DM's perspective (a DM who has seen hundreds of stat blocks since Feb 2000 and who also had a hand in RPGA-format adventure writing, although I never finished/submitted due to political reasons and the impromptu termination of all that was Living City / Raven's Bluff...), I would highly recommend you always put: Spot, Listen, Hide and Move Silently in all stat blocks, whether you have ranks in it or not. Those four skills are always used by the DM to determine the order of a confrontation/encounter, even before any initiative is rolled. |
| Sanishiver |
Posted - 25 Mar 2007 : 18:36:43
As a DM running NPCs and creatures I think it's important that products list such skills as those a creature/NPC would use them in combat. Basically anything that might affect that aspect of play should (genearlly) be included.
:D |
| EytanBernstein |
Posted - 25 Mar 2007 : 15:22:14
If the skill can be used untrained and the characters attributes and modifiers make it of note, put it in the stat block - A 1st level sun elf wizard with an Int of 20 has a Search of +7. It's significant because he can find secret doors. Don't, however, put skills he has no ranks in or skills that aren't important to what he's doing (such as appraise +5 or Spot +2). Never put skills that can only be used trained, such as Knowledge skills or Use Magic Device. It really depends on the purpose of the character. I would include the Search bonus, but not the Spot or Listen. Mail me me if you want to talk it over more. Besides, I'm still anxious to hear your take on that thing I sent you a few weeks ago.
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| Kaladorm |
Posted - 25 Mar 2007 : 12:19:26
I believe you only put those they have ranks in (but put the total modifier), or sometimes only the relevant ones.
I don't have any sourcebooks to hand but going on the monster tables in the SRD it seems to be this way.
Anything with no ranks in can be worked out by the reader from the given stat modifiers.
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