So I am learning about haunts and whatnot. Searching the forums has been helpful in answering most of my questions. However one is still outstanding.
What really does the notice roll have on a haunt encounter.
I mean once a haunt manifests then everyone would notice it, whether you are under it's effects or not.
Is the only benefit in noticing a haunt the ability to act in the surprise round before the haunt "grabs hold of you"?
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Is the only benefit in noticing a haunt the ability to act in the surprise round before the haunt "grabs hold of you"?
Yes; then you can apply positive energy/unique weaknesses to it. Since haunts go on AC 10, the right people being able to act in a surprise round can nullify it before it activates (like any other encounter).
Ok that makes sense. Thanks for the response.
I have taken to adding a "creep factor" to the haunt description when the player notices it. "You see the knife move" doesn't convey any concept that this is a haunt. "The hair on the back of your neck stands up, and you see the knife move" is much more useful.
On top of that, if you haven't yet experienced the haunt, you may not know enough about it to know how to defeat it--barring haunt traps or positive energy, anyway.