Getting rid of Perception


Homebrew and House Rules

The Exchange

Today's post on the Howling Tower blog suggests a great idea. Get rid of the Perception skill. It outlines 4 different replacements, but the best is the fourth. This particular post uses 4th edition skills as examples, but there are parallels in Pathfinder.

Steve wrote:

Option 4 is to eliminate Perception as a skill. Drive an ice pick into it. When some sort of perception is called for, use the skill that most closely relates to the situation. Here are some examples, in 4th Edition wrapping.

-Finding a secret door? Thievery or Dungeoneering.
-Tracking a monster to its lair? Nature.
-Spotting the lich's phylactery? Arcana.
-Picking out your contact among all the bar's patrons? Streetwise.
-Noticing the fang marks on the corpse's wrist? Heal.
-Hearing someone sneaking up on you? Stealth.
-Spotting the demonic cult tattoo on an assailant's arm? Religion.

This is my top contender. Not only does it a) work and b) make sense, it also c) steers some attention back onto skills that are all too often overlooked. When was the last time your DM called for a Streetwise check? How do you suppose that makes the bard feel? This approach works so well with the skills in 4th Edition D&D that I wish it had been the official choice.

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