One of the things that always seems to vary in the groups where I play is how obvious things like conditions and amount of damage taken are. Now I normally inform my players when a monster appears to be resisting energy damage, or if an unconscious character is still alive or not, however I have seen it done differently, and have even done it differently myself in the past. For example, I used to abstain from differentiating between and unconscious or dead character. I made my players of fallen characters remain mum about their condition forcing other players to guess at their condition. I also played with a group that required a DC 15 Heal check to see if someone was still alive (a pointless rule IMHO, as such a check could simply accomplish stabilizing the character). I, for one, would like these things spelled out for Pathfinder, if for nothing else than the sake of uniformity. Then groups using differing interpretations would simply need to use house rules. I believe it would prevent a lot of variance at games since these kinds of things are clearly open to DM interpretation.
1) We need a rule regarding whether a character who can clearly see a fallen character can determine if that character is alive or merely unconscious. Perhaps a DC 10 Perception check as a move action with modifiers to the DC if the character is obscured by cover, concealment or the like.
2) There should also be a rule regarding whether a character striking a creature with damage reduction recognizes that his weapon is dealing less damage than it should. Similarly, we need a rule for energy resistance. A DC 10 Perception check as a free action each time damage is dealt might be a sufficient way to deal with this, though the Perception check should probably be made in secret so as not to tip off the player.
3) Rules regarding other conditions would be helpful as well, such as determining whether a character is paralyzed as opposed to stunned, dazed, or held (as the hold person spell). Again, I think a DC 10 Perception check as a move action would be a good way for this to work.
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1) We need a rule regarding whether a character who can clearly see a fallen character can determine if that character is alive or merely unconscious. Perhaps a DC 10 Perception check as a move action with modifiers to the DC if the character is obscured by cover, concealment or the like.
I'd make it a DC 5 Heal check for people with Heal as a class skill checking comrades in arms and other humanoids. Free action if done in conjunction with Heal (first aid), otherwise a move action.
For the other humanoids who want to look and touch rapidly cooling bodies to get bragging points for that coup de grace action, I'd make it a straight DC 10 Wisdom check (standard action) with the following modifiers:
+0 if the body/corpse belongs to the same species/race as the wannabe forensic scientist
+2 if the body/corpse belongs to a common humanoid race
+4 if the body/corpse belongs to an uncommon humanoid race
+6 if the body/corpse is not a humanoid but has a discernible anatomy
+12 and more if the body/corpse has a completely alien anatomy
-2 to -8 in case of increasingly significant trauma
Synergy bonuses from monster lore i.e Knowledge arcana, nature, Favored enemy, etc.
2) There should also be a rule regarding whether a character striking a creature with damage reduction recognizes that his weapon is dealing less damage than it should.
I'd make it:
1. piercing/slashing/bludgeoning/silver/cold iron/adamantine/alignment based when using inappropriate weapons
- automatic for melee attacks
- ranged attacks: Perception DC 10 + Sight Modifiers (Alpha 3 p. 62)
2. energy resistance
- automatic for melee attacks
- ranged attacks: Perception DC 10 + Sight Modifiers (Alpha 3 p. 62)
The checks above just give a hint that something is wrong. Determining what makes the big werepixie tick is a Knowledge check.
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3) Rules regarding other conditions would be helpful as well, such as determining whether a character is paralyzed as opposed to stunned, dazed, or held (as the hold person spell). Again, I think a DC 10 Perception check as a move action would be a good way for this to work.
My take:
Dazed: moves out of harm's way, but stays in its square and doesn't attack, speaks slowly.
Stunned: doesn't move out of harm's way, stays in its square, drops everything, speaks very slowly and with visible effort.
Paralyzed/held: immobile except for breathing, tips over when pushed, doesn't speak.
If the check is done in combat, a DC 5 Perception + Sight/sound Modifiers, otherwise it's automatic.