I cannot imagine this is a unique post but I'm just banging my head getting the fundamentals correct for when to make the players roll for Perception or Investigation checks. 

I've read Players and DMG multiple times on Wisdom vs. Intelligence.  I've checked out videos on this topic but what I've seen pretty much regurgitate Players or DMG.  It's just not clear to me what the trigger would be either from a player's standpoint to a situation I can deduce which proper ability check to make.

I'm just not consistent and as the DM I want to be consistent on what check, the proper check, I'm asking my players to do and not have them confused asking "But last time with situation X you had us roll Perception but new in a similar Situation Y you want Investigation???"   

So I'm looking for some help or feedback on to you make the determination of Perception vs Investigation checks.  Again, I've read Players and DMG and it's not getting through to me, by no fault of the books, it just me who trying to get more concrete examples or understanding how to properly identify and request the proper skill check.  

Yes, DM Experience is key and I'm sure it will all come to me during game session 42 but my compulsion to get the rules right is compelling me that I'm not getting it and I need some DM assistance. 

Maybe a more clear concrete examples of when to use one over the other or more detail how to approach the two.

ALSO

I've been reading up on Passive rules and I was wondering if Passive Perception is only for noticing creatures or can a person notice traps and other items as well?  I'm looking at some published adventure for lower lever players and that 10 DC traps seem awful easy to notice without much effort of concern when the average passive perception of the party is 12.  

Also how to DM situations like these when something like a trap or secret door is found, is there more than "You found a trap."

I'm curious to know: What can I do if I feel a player (or players) are disinterested in the current session? Usually it's during combat, say the wizard is taking his time with his spells, so the cleric is getting bored, looking at their phone or just not paying attention. What can I do to try and discourage this, or reel the player(s) back in?

Quote from A_Haphazard_DM >>

I'm curious to know: What can I do if I feel a player (or players) are disinterested in the current session? Usually it's during combat, say the wizard is taking his time with his spells, so the cleric is getting bored, looking at their phone or just not paying attention. What can I do to try and discourage this, or reel the player(s) back in?

 Good question but you could always throw a D20 at them. 

Quote from BKThomson >>

I cannot imagine this is a unique post but I'm just banging my head getting the fundamentals correct for when to make the players roll for Perception or Investigation checks. 

I've read Players and DMG multiple times on Wisdom vs. Intelligence.  I've checked out videos on this topic but what I've seen pretty much regurgitate Players or DMG.  It's just not clear to me what the trigger would be either from a player's standpoint to a situation I can deduce which proper ability check to make.

I'm just not consistent and as the DM I want to be consistent on what check, the proper check, I'm asking my players to do and not have them confused asking "But last time with situation X you had us roll Perception but new in a similar Situation Y you want Investigation???"   

So I'm looking for some help or feedback on to you make the determination of Perception vs Investigation checks.  Again, I've read Players and DMG and it's not getting through to me, by no fault of the books, it just me who trying to get more concrete examples or understanding how to properly identify and request the proper skill check.  

Yes, DM Experience is key and I'm sure it will all come to me during game session 42 but my compulsion to get the rules right is compelling me that I'm not getting it and I need some DM assistance. 

Maybe a more clear concrete examples of when to use one over the other or more detail how to approach the two.

ALSO

I've been reading up on Passive rules and I was wondering if Passive Perception is only for noticing creatures or can a person notice traps and other items as well?  I'm looking at some published adventure for lower lever players and that 10 DC traps seem awful easy to notice without much effort of concern when the average passive perception of the party is 12.  

Also how to DM situations like these when something like a trap or secret door is found, is there more than "You found a trap."

 

 

 Maybe describe the trap in more detail, or have them narrowly miss the trigger for the traps thing. Perception vs Investigation is definitely tough, but I play Perception as more of a reactive or 'do you notice the big red button' thing, and Investigation is when the player asks 'is there a secret door in this room'.

I'm interested in how to build characters like they do in Critical Role

how do i calculate spell slots for a multiclass of eldritch knight and arcane trickster?

something i'd like to know more about is: how to make gods more relevant for characters and classes that don't rely on their religious affiliation for their spell casting power.

Tips on weapon forgoing. Why does the Players Handbook allow 5 gp of value per day while the Dungeon Master’s Guid allows 25 gp? Should there be a value determined by level, skill, or proficiency?

How do you learn to play greyhawk

I would like more official guidance on specific templates to use for cone areas of effect when playing on square grids. I've found the existing information confusing and sometimes contradictory, depending on specific tweets from rule designers,  addendums, options in XgtE, etc. This often leads to confusion at play time, or even confusing inconsistency with movement and range measurements rules depending on whether diagonal movement is free or counted. The DM can/should always rule something but more clear and consistent guidance would be nice. What I'd really like is for a few clear, visual examples of which squares are intended affected by cone areas of effect for common cone lengths --- 15', 30'.. with all math, if needed, fully resolved into 'this square is affected' or 'this square is unaffected' status.. A few official pictures would go a long way towards demonstrating the intent.

Quote from Unicornelius >>

how do i calculate spell slots for a multiclass of eldritch knight and arcane trickster?

 

 There is a chapter in the PHB, which has the rules for multiclassing, feats and calculating spells slots for multiclassing Spellcasters. 

Were to find a online D&D game.

My suggestion is can you do one on how to do a campaign where it is an 'Agents of X', like in the DMG. That would be very helpful, because I don't get that.

Quote from zmurdercat >>

Were to find a online D&D game.

 

 You can go onto the forums, then onto looking for players and groups. Then ask for players or a group.

I’d love advice on how to run a published adventure while still giving your players the freedom to make their own choices. What do you do if they completely miss something they’re supposed to do and get off-track? As a new DM, I wasn’t very comfortable improvising, so I tried to force them to follow the exact outline of the book, and it totally didn’t work out. 

Does Adventure League exist in Germany and is there a way to find DnD groups otherwise in Germany(Hannover)

Hit the Forums under the Looking for Players & Groups (https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/looking-for-players-groups) and post both of your questions you may find what you are looking.  Good luck!

How can I level up? I bet it's so simple but I overthink things.

Quote from ResearcherMajira >>

How can I level up? I bet it's so simple but I overthink things.

 

 In the character editor.  Go to the Class section.  You'll see a drop-down box labeled LEVEL.  Change the value.

Thank you.