For the most part, i more or less know when to ask for a check, and what check to ask for.
But say... one of my players is a theify type, and the other is .. a mage. And the theif tries to pickpocket the parties mage (I know its not cool to do that to the party but yeah) what how do I handle this one? Do I just pit the theifs modifiers/skills vs a general DC check, or do i compare thier skills/modifiers to say... a perception check or something of the like?
Speaking of which... one extra question. In what situations should i use a perception check, OR an investigation check since they're... very similar in overall definition.
I would say a contest between Sleight of Hand and Perception is appropriate for the situation you described.
Investigation and Perception are quite different, truth be told. Perception is needed when something has to be noticed, whereas Investigation is needed to deduce clues not evident at first glance.
Perception makes you notice the piece of the puzzle, Investigation makes you put the puzzle together.
Often a sleight of hand and stealth check runs against a creature's passive perception. A perception check is usually done only when a creature/player is actively making an attempt to do something.
In that example, I'd go Dex (Sleight of Hand) vs Perception (Wisdom), both rolled by the respective players. If you have it as just a general DC then the Mage player might feel they have no input over whether their stuff gets nicked. By letting them roll, you make it seem fairer and the outcome is clear. There are other ways to do it (Thief and Mage both roll vs DCs, one to see if the theft was successful and another to see if it was noticed) but this is the neatest.
As for Investigation vs Perception, I tend to use the former when there is actually something to be learned, and the latter when it's just a case of noticing something. For instance, if the characters are walking down a street and glance into a side alley, it's Perception to see if they notice the dead body lying there. If they choose to check it out, maybe determine the cause of death or search the body for clues, that's Investigation. Similarly, I'd call for Perception to see if they notice the aftermath of a battle, and Investigation if any of them wanted to try and work out who won or how many people were involved ect.
For the most part, i more or less know when to ask for a check, and what check to ask for.
But say... one of my players is a theify type, and the other is .. a mage. And the theif tries to pickpocket the parties mage (I know its not cool to do that to the party but yeah) what how do I handle this one? Do I just pit the theifs modifiers/skills vs a general DC check, or do i compare thier skills/modifiers to say... a perception check or something of the like?
Speaking of which... one extra question. In what situations should i use a perception check, OR an investigation check since they're... very similar in overall definition.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
I would say a contest between Sleight of Hand and Perception is appropriate for the situation you described.
Investigation and Perception are quite different, truth be told. Perception is needed when something has to be noticed, whereas Investigation is needed to deduce clues not evident at first glance.
Perception makes you notice the piece of the puzzle, Investigation makes you put the puzzle together.
Thank you.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Often a sleight of hand and stealth check runs against a creature's passive perception. A perception check is usually done only when a creature/player is actively making an attempt to do something.
As for perception vs investigation, I agree with Filcat. investigation is an Intelligence skill - it's to do with using the mind.
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In that example, I'd go Dex (Sleight of Hand) vs Perception (Wisdom), both rolled by the respective players. If you have it as just a general DC then the Mage player might feel they have no input over whether their stuff gets nicked. By letting them roll, you make it seem fairer and the outcome is clear. There are other ways to do it (Thief and Mage both roll vs DCs, one to see if the theft was successful and another to see if it was noticed) but this is the neatest.
As for Investigation vs Perception, I tend to use the former when there is actually something to be learned, and the latter when it's just a case of noticing something. For instance, if the characters are walking down a street and glance into a side alley, it's Perception to see if they notice the dead body lying there. If they choose to check it out, maybe determine the cause of death or search the body for clues, that's Investigation. Similarly, I'd call for Perception to see if they notice the aftermath of a battle, and Investigation if any of them wanted to try and work out who won or how many people were involved ect.
Edit: Or in other words, what filcat said!