So, I'm a new player and I picked Observant as a feat, I tried to add the bonus to Investigation under 'skills', but my table as well as the internet says that this is wrong. For those that don't know the relevant portion of observant reads as: "you have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores." I've scoured the Player's Handbook for passive Intelligence (Investigation) and no dice, however passive Wisdom (Perception) is mentioned numerous times on pgs 175, 182, and 183 and it exists on the character sheet. The character sheet has Investigation under your skills, but they are saying it is two different things. So, I'm asking if there is a single mention in 5e anywhere that references this passive ability check and I'm also curious if this is mentioned in a previous edition.
I ask this because from a logical point of view you can't passively investigate in the way they are saying, if you look at the definition from Merriem-Webster it says: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry, to make a systematic examination (other sources say something similar as well). This isn't something you passively do, you have to actively investigate something in order to investigate it. I can understand why the character sheet refers to Investigation as passive Intelligence, because you're not actively searching for the answer, it's not a math problem or recalling a specific fact, you are looking at an environment or 'something' to try and ping off it to get a clue that you can follow. So, to me it just seems like there has been this misunderstanding among the players because how they format and word it that they think it is something different from the Investigation skill, like how Perception is different from passive Wisdom (Perception), when I'm of the mind that they are the same. So, if anyone knows anywhere that "passive Intelligence (Investigation)" is explicitly mentioned and explained or at least has an example, I would appreciate it if you could respond with the reference book and page number. Otherwise, it's going to bug the crap out of me that I have to follow this rule when it's only mentioned as assumptions on forums and isn't based on the official materials of the game.
So, I'm a new player and I picked Observant as a feat, I tried to add the bonus to Investigation under 'skills', but my table as well as the internet says that this is wrong. For those that don't know the relevant portion of observant reads as: "you have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores." I've scoured the Player's Handbook for passive Intelligence (Investigation) and no dice, however passive Wisdom (Perception) is mentioned numerous times on pgs 175, 182, and 183 and it exists on the character sheet. The character sheet has Investigation under your skills, but they are saying it is two different things. So, I'm asking if there is a single mention in 5e anywhere that references this passive ability check and I'm also curious if this is mentioned in a previous edition.
I ask this because from a logical point of view you can't passively investigate in the way they are saying, if you look at the definition from Merriem-Webster it says: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry, to make a systematic examination (other sources say something similar as well). This isn't something you passively do, you have to actively investigate something in order to investigate it. I can understand why the character sheet refers to Investigation as passive Intelligence, because you're not actively searching for the answer, it's not a math problem or recalling a specific fact, you are looking at an environment or 'something' to try and ping off it to get a clue that you can follow. So, to me it just seems like there has been this misunderstanding among the players because how they format and word it that they think it is something different from the Investigation skill, like how Perception is different from passive Wisdom (Perception), when I'm of the mind that they are the same. So, if anyone knows anywhere that "passive Intelligence (Investigation)" is explicitly mentioned and explained or at least has an example, I would appreciate it if you could respond with the reference book and page number. Otherwise, it's going to bug the crap out of me that I have to follow this rule when it's only mentioned as assumptions on forums and isn't based on the official materials of the game.
If you want a specific example of Passive Investigation, the rules text I provided above includes an explicit example, it just doesn't also tell you that the example is one that would use the Investigation skill: "searching for secret doors over and over again". Your DM isn't supposed to have you roll 300 times as you search 300 5-foot sections of wall, you're supposed to just use your Passive score.
As quindraco said any ability check can be passive, its just that the character sheet only feature Passive Perception score. Passive score is basically 10 + modifier + any applicable bonus or penalty.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
So, I'm a new player and I picked Observant as a feat, I tried to add the bonus to Investigation under 'skills', but my table as well as the internet says that this is wrong. For those that don't know the relevant portion of observant reads as: "you have a +5 bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) and passive Intelligence (Investigation) scores." I've scoured the Player's Handbook for passive Intelligence (Investigation) and no dice, however passive Wisdom (Perception) is mentioned numerous times on pgs 175, 182, and 183 and it exists on the character sheet. The character sheet has Investigation under your skills, but they are saying it is two different things. So, I'm asking if there is a single mention in 5e anywhere that references this passive ability check and I'm also curious if this is mentioned in a previous edition.
I ask this because from a logical point of view you can't passively investigate in the way they are saying, if you look at the definition from Merriem-Webster it says: to observe or study by close examination and systematic inquiry, to make a systematic examination (other sources say something similar as well). This isn't something you passively do, you have to actively investigate something in order to investigate it. I can understand why the character sheet refers to Investigation as passive Intelligence, because you're not actively searching for the answer, it's not a math problem or recalling a specific fact, you are looking at an environment or 'something' to try and ping off it to get a clue that you can follow. So, to me it just seems like there has been this misunderstanding among the players because how they format and word it that they think it is something different from the Investigation skill, like how Perception is different from passive Wisdom (Perception), when I'm of the mind that they are the same. So, if anyone knows anywhere that "passive Intelligence (Investigation)" is explicitly mentioned and explained or at least has an example, I would appreciate it if you could respond with the reference book and page number. Otherwise, it's going to bug the crap out of me that I have to follow this rule when it's only mentioned as assumptions on forums and isn't based on the official materials of the game.
All ability checks have a passive value, including Perception, Investigation, every other skill, every tool, and "raw" ability checks (like Initiative is a raw Dexterity check). Click the link for the relevant rules text.
If you want a specific example of Passive Investigation, the rules text I provided above includes an explicit example, it just doesn't also tell you that the example is one that would use the Investigation skill: "searching for secret doors over and over again". Your DM isn't supposed to have you roll 300 times as you search 300 5-foot sections of wall, you're supposed to just use your Passive score.
I see, that makes sense. Thanks for the help.
As quindraco said any ability check can be passive, its just that the character sheet only feature Passive Perception score. Passive score is basically 10 + modifier + any applicable bonus or penalty.