I've been working on a system for Knowledge checks to identify monster abilities, because I've felt that the current system (one "bit of useful information" for every 5 you beat the DC) is a bit lacking.
My overall goals for this revamp are as follows:
- Reward players who invest heavily in Knowledge skills.
- Still be useful for players who do not invest heavily in Knowledge skills.
- Make Knowledge more of a team effort, where to get the full information about something multiple party members would need to band together.
- Similar to the above, make the logical progression of facts revealed make sense. If the hyper-intelligent wizard knows everything except this one very esoteric fact about something, it seems a bit nonsensical that the barbarian who dumped intelligence and has only one skill rank in Knowledge knows that one esoteric thing but absolutely nothing else.
- Overall reveal more information about a monster than would be possible by sticking to one bit of useful information per 5 over the DC.
- Be simple and fast to adjudicate during play.
This system is still a work in progress, and I'm playtesting it with my group, but am willing to listen to feedback/suggestions should anyone have it. I hope that at least one other person finds this system useful :)
I'll be using the statblocks for crag linnorms and barghests as examples.
Each character who succeeds at the relevant Knowledge check earns Knowledge Points (KP) equal to the result of the roll minus the DC of the check (recall that untrained characters cannot succeed if the DC is above 10). Characters can then spend KP to gain information; any KP not spent by the end of the encounter is lost. KP cannot be shared among characters. Indented options can only be taken if that same character takes the prerequisite (un-indented) option above it. Characters who succeed at their Knowledge check learn the creature's name, typical alignment, type, and subtypes automatically. Ex: "Crag linnorms are dragons and are typically chaotic evil."
Defense categories (1 KP): List whether the creature has defensive abilities, DR, SR, immunities, resistances, and weaknesses. Ex: "A crag linnorm has defensive abilities, DR, SR, and immunities, but does not have resistances or weaknesses."
-- Defense information (2 KP): List details about one defense category (player's choice). If defensive abilities are chosen, this lists the names but not the details about each special defense. Ex: "A crag linnorm's defensive ability is freedom of movement" or "A crag linnorm's DR is 15/cold iron" or "A crag linnorm is immune to curse effects, fire, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, and sleep."
---- Defensive ability information (2 KP): Learn details about one defensive ability (player's choice). Ex: "A crag linnorm is under the constant effect of freedom of movement, as per the spell of the same name. This effect is an extraordinary ability and cannot be dispelled."
Saves (3 KP): Learn which saves are Good and which are Poor. Magic which improves saving throws is not taken under consideration, but the creature’s typical ability scores and feats are. Ex: "A crag linnorm has good Fortitude and Reflex saves, and a poor Will save."
-- Save information (2 KP): Learn the amount of one saving throw (player's choice) as well as any situational bonuses a creature typically has to that saving throw. Ex: "A crag linnorm's Fortitude save is +16 and does not have any situational bonuses."
Senses (3 KP): List which senses this creature has. Ex: "A crag linnorm has darkvision, low-light vision, scent, and true seeing."
-- Sense information (2 KP): Learn the range and other pertinent details of one specific sense (player's choice). Ex: "A crag linnorm has darkvision 120 ft." or "A crag linnorm has constant true seeing, as per the spell of the same name. This is an extraordinary ability."
Speed (2 KP): List which movement types are available to the creature. Ex: "A crag linnorm has a land speed, fly speed, and swim speed."
-- Speed information (2 KP): Learn details for one movement type (player's choice). Ex: "A crag linnorm has a fly speed of 100 ft. with average maneuverability."
Attack categories (1 KP): List whether the creature has auras, natural attacks, or special attacks. Ex: "A crag linnorm has natural attacks and special attacks, but does not have an aura."
-- Attack information (2 KP): List details about one attack category (player's choice). This does not list details about auras or special attacks, nor specifics about riders on natural attacks (such as poison). Ex: "A crag linnorm's special attacks are breath weapon, constrict, and death curse" or "A crag linnorm has a bite attack, two claw attacks, and a tail attack."
---- Special attack information (2 KP): Learn details about one aura, special attack, or rider on natural attacks (player's choice). Ex: "When a creature slays a crag linnorm, the slayer is affected by the curse of fire, which gives them vulnerability to fire. A successful Will save negates the curse. This is a supernatural ability." or "A crag linnorm's bite attack is a primary attack which applies an injury poison upon a successful hit. The poison deals fire damage and causes Con drain each round for 10 rounds or until cured, and requires two consecutive Fortitude saves to cure. This is a supernatural ability."
Spellcasting categories (1 KP): List whether the creature has spell-like abilities or innate spellcasting prowess. Ex: "A barghest has spell-like abilities but no innate spellcasting."
-- Spell list (1 KP): Learn one spell the creature usually casts or one spell-like ability the creature has (player's choice), including how often it can be used. Spells are learned in order of lowest spell level to highest spell level. Spell-like abilities are listed in order of constant, at will, and limited use (most to least frequent). If multiple spells or spell-like abilities are in the same category, they are listed in alphabetical order. Each expenditure of 1 KP lets you learn about one spell or spell-like ability. Ex: (in order) "A barghest can cast blink at will as a spell-like ability.", "A barghest can cast levitate at will as a spell-like ability.", "A barghest can cast misdirection at will as a spell-like ability.", "A barghest can cast charm monster once per day as a spell-like ability.", etc.
Languages (2 KP): List the languages the creature typically knows. Ex: "A crag linnorm typically knows Aklo, Draconic, and Sylvan."
Special qualities (3 KP): List the special qualities for the creature. Ex: "A crag linnorm has no special qualities" or "A barghest has the change shape special quality."
-- Special quality information (2 KP): Learn details about one special quality (player's choice). Ex: "A barghest's change shape allows them to assume the form of a goblin or wolf as per polymorph. This is a supernatural ability."
Environment (1 KP): List the regions and climates in which the creature is typically encountered. Ex: "Crag linnorms are typically found in cold hills."
Organization (1 KP): List how the creature is organized. Ex: "Crag linnorms are solitary."
Other (Varies): Something not listed above. The GM will determine how much the information costs and what prerequisite knowledge it has, if it can even be obtained at all. Ex: Player asks "How much do crag linnorms weigh?" The GM determines the answer to that question will cost 1 KP, and should the player be willing to spend that, replies "crag linnorms weigh 12,000 pounds on average."
Thanks for reading this massive wall of text. Please let me know what you think or if you have any questions/comments/suggestions :)