How does monster knowledge actually work?

[Colette Brunel]

How does monster knowledge actually work?

Knowledge is generally split between Arcana (Intelligence), Nature (Wisdom), Occultism (Intelligence), Religion (Wisdom), Society (Intelligence), and, as an elaborate series of ribbons based on background benefits, Lore (Intelligence). However, I can find very little on how monster knowledge actually works.

Arcana (Intelligence): "creatures of alchemical or arcane significance"

Nature (Wisdom): "creatures of natural significance"

Occultism (Intelligence): "supernatural creatures"

Religion (Wisdom): "creatures with divine significance"

Society (Intelligence): "creatures with complex societies"

This could use some actual guidelines, since it all seems a little fuzzy.

Just what is "alchemical or arcane significance" for a creature? Are dragons of "arcane significance"? What of fey or outsiders?

What counts as a "creature of natural significance"? Do fey count, or are they too associated with the natural world? What of kami?

What of "creatures with complex societies"? Outsiders all over the planes have complex societies and hierarchies; can Society recall lore on them?

How about "creatures with divine significance"? Pathfinder 2e seems to be going with a broader definition of "divine," seeing how a demonic bloodline sorcerer is considered divine. Is anything even remotely associated with the Outer Planes considered to have "divine significance"? Do humanoid races have "divine significance" if they have patron gods, be they living (e.g. Calistria and elves) or dead (e.g. Aroden and humans)?

What of the broadest category of them all, "supernatural creatures"? Is any creature with even the slightest shred of supernatural power, be it a paladin or a wizard or an aboleth or a dragon, fair game for identification via Occultism?

[magnuskn]

Thank you, this really got my goat when I was working today through the bestiary (to do some statistical work which all in all took six hours... oy vey. And that was only in preparation for my real project!). How the hell are GM's supposed to know which Recall Knowledge applies to which monster? Refer back to the first edition CRB and bestiaries, where which monster belonged to which knowledge skill was clearly laid out? And where do oozes and aberrations fit now? Gah!

[Jason S]

This is an excellent question. In PF1 this aspect of Monster Lore was much clearer.

Plus, I WANT this information (and how to adjudicate monster lore) in the skills section, not in the bestiary!

[Colette Brunel]

I would also like to add that not only is monster knowledge ambiguous; it is also very bad, since a regular success provides only the most dead-obvious traits of a monster. That is not very useful.