So just so I understand when Passive Perception should be used, if a module states a hidden door needs a perception check of 19, and a player has a passive perception of 22. Do they automatically see the door, or do they need to state they are looking for hidden things or anything of note, but not need to roll due to passive perception having the score needed? In which case, what would a scenario be where the characters passive perception of 22 would need to roll for perception?
In a completely technical sense, if there is no obstruction blocking view of the secret door, then the passive Perception would allow the character to "see" the secret door. By this I mean, there is a secret door on the East wall of a room, you look in through the door of the room and can clearly see the East wall, you see the door. If, however, between the door you're looking through and the East wall is a divider of some sort that blocks view of the wall, you would not see the secret door.
Though, as is found in the post I linked, a few people feel that you must, at the very least, declare that you are entering the room before the passive Perception is taken into account. To have a person with a passive 22 Perception need to make a roll would be when/if they state they are looking for something and any hidden items have a DC higher than 22 to be found.
The DM decides if you're in a position to notice something based on your place in the marching order and whether you're distracted doing something else like foraging or drawing a map. Assuming those conditions are met, then yeah, if your passive Perception is high enough, you notice the thing. Don't forget that dim light and traveling at a fast pace also affect your ability to notice things.
In a completely technical sense, if there is no obstruction blocking view of the secret door, then the passive Perception would allow the character to "see" the secret door. By this I mean, there is a secret door on the East wall of a room, you look in through the door of the room and can clearly see the East wall, you see the door. If, however, between the door you're looking through and the East wall is a divider of some sort that blocks view of the wall, you would not see the secret door.
Though, as is found in the post I linked, a few people feel that you must, at the very least, declare that you are entering the room before the passive Perception is taken into account. To have a person with a passive 22 Perception need to make a roll would be when/if they state they are looking for something and any hidden items have a DC higher than 22 to be found.
I see. So it seems to be that if you're in the room and the object doesn't have "total cover" or maybe even "3/4 cover" that a passive perception notices all things that have a DC equal to or below the score?
The DM decides if you're in a position to notice something based on your place in the marching order and whether you're distracted doing something else like foraging or drawing a map. Assuming those conditions are met, then yeah, if your passive Perception is high enough, you notice the thing. Don't forget that dim light and traveling at a fast pace also affect your ability to notice things.
I am the DM at the table and was trying to get a sense of when to use which. I appreciate the reminder of travel also! I had forgotten that.
So just so I understand when Passive Perception should be used, if a module states a hidden door needs a perception check of 19, and a player has a passive perception of 22. Do they automatically see the door, or do they need to state they are looking for hidden things or anything of note, but not need to roll due to passive perception having the score needed? In which case, what would a scenario be where the characters passive perception of 22 would need to roll for perception?
Published Subclasses
First, this thread was recently started and has some interesting discussion: Passive Perception and Passive Investigation
In a completely technical sense, if there is no obstruction blocking view of the secret door, then the passive Perception would allow the character to "see" the secret door.
By this I mean, there is a secret door on the East wall of a room, you look in through the door of the room and can clearly see the East wall, you see the door. If, however, between the door you're looking through and the East wall is a divider of some sort that blocks view of the wall, you would not see the secret door.
Though, as is found in the post I linked, a few people feel that you must, at the very least, declare that you are entering the room before the passive Perception is taken into account. To have a person with a passive 22 Perception need to make a roll would be when/if they state they are looking for something and any hidden items have a DC higher than 22 to be found.
The DM decides if you're in a position to notice something based on your place in the marching order and whether you're distracted doing something else like foraging or drawing a map. Assuming those conditions are met, then yeah, if your passive Perception is high enough, you notice the thing. Don't forget that dim light and traveling at a fast pace also affect your ability to notice things.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
I see. So it seems to be that if you're in the room and the object doesn't have "total cover" or maybe even "3/4 cover" that a passive perception notices all things that have a DC equal to or below the score?
I am the DM at the table and was trying to get a sense of when to use which. I appreciate the reminder of travel also! I had forgotten that.
Published Subclasses