Knowledge Checks

[Bob_Loblaw]

So I'm thinking about changing how Knowledge checks work, slightly. I'm thinking that it might be interesting to have a table of random bits of information about each creature and the better you roll on your check, the more times you get to roll on the table to see what you know. This would take some work to set up, but it also might make it more interesting for the players. Even if more than one player has ranks in the skill, they might remember different things.

I'm just not sure how much I want to put into this. Do you think it might be worth it?

[pauljathome]

Quite frankly, no.

In the real world it is very rare that a novice in a subject knows something that an expert doesn't.

[SodiumTelluride]

I think that's a cool idea, actually. Although pauljathome has a point... But then again, how many ranks in a Knowledge skill does it take to qualify you as an 'expert'? And you never know what kind of Slumdog Millionaire bullcrap a character might've had in their past.

I say go for it!

[Chess Pwn]

The other issue is that the info you get from knowledge is useful for interacting with it/fighting it. So unless your random bits are all that, and you're okay giving more than just info for the highest check, it wont be worth implementing.

[Bob_Loblaw]

I was thinking about having all of the information be useful. The better someone gets on a check, the more they will know. I would change the way that checks work slightly. I'm not exactly sure how yet, but I think it might be interesting.

[rainzax]

Can you give an example?

Also, shouldn't this be in homebrew?

[Goblin_Priest]

pauljathome wrote:

Quite frankly, no.

In the real world it is very rare that a novice in a subject knows something that an expert doesn't.

Well... that depends. Knowledge skills represent vast domains of study. A novice botanist might very well know many things an expert zoologist wouldn't, yet both would use knowledge (nature).

[thorin001]

Way too cumbersome. Now you have a knowledge check and then potentially several more dice rolls. Not to mention making up charts for every creature in the game.

Any why would the fighter, who studied primarily the ways to bypass DR know about the SR and mating habits of the creature?

[Jason Wedel]

I think an easier, more accurate (and exciting way) is to allow Skill dice to "Explode" (that is on a max roll reroll and add the results).

This will allow the "novice" to every once in awhile have a amazing understanding on something, while normally the "Expert" will have far more knowledge

[Currahee Chris]

Bob_Loblaw wrote:

I was thinking about having all of the information be useful. The better someone gets on a check, the more they will know. I would change the way that checks work slightly. I'm not exactly sure how yet, but I think it might be interesting.

that's HOW I do it. I figure out what might be known and at what DC and how much more info they would have. For example: Knowledge REligion.

DC15- This is a temple to Asmodeus

DC18- This temple has three altars, all of which were used in the rites of purification.

DC20- The rites of purification are when followers of Asmodeus tie up paladins and tickle their feet with a feather till they laugh.

DC25- The laughs are then stored and shipped to asmodeus for use in his tweisted and nefarious plots.

Titus, the parties cleric, rolls a 21- he would get all the info for the DC 15, 18 and 20 rolls but not the 25. I have found it is pretty fun because generally two players try to make the same roll and one will roll a little higher and have extra knowledge. Sometimes I through false information in there for poor rolls. This would represent the character making an educated guess that is wrong.