Does posing as a guard use Deception or Stealth?
A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
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A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
New contributor
2
I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
4 hours ago
add a comment |
A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
New contributor
A PC in my campaign that is tailing an NPC. She is basically posing as one of his body guards.
At some point I want him to suspect that maybe something is up, and I'm thinking she would either roll a deception check or a stealth check. I just don't know which.
dnd-5e skills
dnd-5e skills
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New contributor
edited 3 hours ago
SevenSidedDie♦
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asked 5 hours ago
Elliot
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I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
4 hours ago
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I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
4 hours ago
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2
I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
4 hours ago
I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
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3 Answers
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Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
1
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
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Why don't you make a roll for both then take the average of them?
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We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
While an interesting approach, no such precedent is ever supported or even hinted by the official D&D 5e ruleset.
– Eldebryn
4 hours ago
Well, I once participated in a session where the DM had such strategy for cases like this
– Educorreia
4 hours ago
5
“Why not” is the job of the answer-writer to provide. If you think this is the right answer, you should explain why. You can edit your post at any time to improve it.
– SevenSidedDie♦
3 hours ago
1
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour and get a nifty badge. This will help you to help us to maintain the quality of questions and answers around this SE.
– Aguinaldo Silvestre
2 hours ago
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
1
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
1
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
Posing as someone else typically uses Deception checks.
In the situation you describe, the PC is posing as a bodyguard and doesn't want to be exposed. Whether this means maintaining a disguise, or hiding her motives, or keeping up a convincing guard persona, the Charisma (Deception) skill is probably most appropriate.
Deception. Your Charisma (Deception) check determines whether you can convincingly hide the truth, either verbally or through your actions. This Deception can encompass everything from misleading others through ambiguity to telling outright lies. Typical situations include trying to fast- talk a guard, con a merchant, earn money through gambling, pass yourself off in a disguise, dull someone’s suspicions with false assurances, or maintain a straight face while telling a blatant lie.
To determine the PC's success at posing as a guard while the NPC is observing her, you would probably have the PC and NPC roll contested skill checks. Typically the NPC would roll a Wisdom (Insight) check versus the PC's Charisma (Deception) check, although as the DM you have the liberty to choose which skill the NPC rolls, depending on the circumstances.
answered 3 hours ago
MikeQ
12k42472
12k42472
1
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
1
1
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
Yep, I agree with this. Stealth might make sense for not being noticed, but if he knows you're there and you're just trying to act like a normal guard, then Deception probably makes the most sense.
– V2Blast
2 hours ago
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
New contributor
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
New contributor
add a comment |
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
New contributor
It's a fine line, but it comes down to "Is the player trying to be unseen right now?" or "Is the player trying to fool someone into thinking they're a guard right now?"
If the player's trying to sneak into the guard detail unseen, it's a stealth check against perception. If she is showing up and saluting and pretending to be a guard, it's a deception check against insight. If the NPC suspects something, the player can attempt to hide (stealth), or convince the NPC she's really a guard (deception)
Also keep in mind the difference between passive stats and checks.
-The guards will be actively looking for trouble, but the NPC will probably be distracted with business or his own thoughts and only passively paying attention.
-A guard who is keeping file and chatting with his neighbor may not actively pay attention to how she's marching or who she claims to be, but guard captain who's suspicious of her will be actively looking for incorrect information when she talks and studying her appearance.
New contributor
edited 2 mins ago
New contributor
answered 15 mins ago
Miles Bedinger
1555
1555
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
Why don't you make a roll for both then take the average of them?
New contributor
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
While an interesting approach, no such precedent is ever supported or even hinted by the official D&D 5e ruleset.
– Eldebryn
4 hours ago
Well, I once participated in a session where the DM had such strategy for cases like this
– Educorreia
4 hours ago
5
“Why not” is the job of the answer-writer to provide. If you think this is the right answer, you should explain why. You can edit your post at any time to improve it.
– SevenSidedDie♦
3 hours ago
1
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour and get a nifty badge. This will help you to help us to maintain the quality of questions and answers around this SE.
– Aguinaldo Silvestre
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Why don't you make a roll for both then take the average of them?
New contributor
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
While an interesting approach, no such precedent is ever supported or even hinted by the official D&D 5e ruleset.
– Eldebryn
4 hours ago
Well, I once participated in a session where the DM had such strategy for cases like this
– Educorreia
4 hours ago
5
“Why not” is the job of the answer-writer to provide. If you think this is the right answer, you should explain why. You can edit your post at any time to improve it.
– SevenSidedDie♦
3 hours ago
1
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour and get a nifty badge. This will help you to help us to maintain the quality of questions and answers around this SE.
– Aguinaldo Silvestre
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Why don't you make a roll for both then take the average of them?
New contributor
Why don't you make a roll for both then take the average of them?
New contributor
New contributor
answered 4 hours ago
Educorreia
11
11
New contributor
New contributor
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
While an interesting approach, no such precedent is ever supported or even hinted by the official D&D 5e ruleset.
– Eldebryn
4 hours ago
Well, I once participated in a session where the DM had such strategy for cases like this
– Educorreia
4 hours ago
5
“Why not” is the job of the answer-writer to provide. If you think this is the right answer, you should explain why. You can edit your post at any time to improve it.
– SevenSidedDie♦
3 hours ago
1
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour and get a nifty badge. This will help you to help us to maintain the quality of questions and answers around this SE.
– Aguinaldo Silvestre
2 hours ago
add a comment |
While an interesting approach, no such precedent is ever supported or even hinted by the official D&D 5e ruleset.
– Eldebryn
4 hours ago
Well, I once participated in a session where the DM had such strategy for cases like this
– Educorreia
4 hours ago
5
“Why not” is the job of the answer-writer to provide. If you think this is the right answer, you should explain why. You can edit your post at any time to improve it.
– SevenSidedDie♦
3 hours ago
1
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour and get a nifty badge. This will help you to help us to maintain the quality of questions and answers around this SE.
– Aguinaldo Silvestre
2 hours ago
While an interesting approach, no such precedent is ever supported or even hinted by the official D&D 5e ruleset.
– Eldebryn
4 hours ago
While an interesting approach, no such precedent is ever supported or even hinted by the official D&D 5e ruleset.
– Eldebryn
4 hours ago
Well, I once participated in a session where the DM had such strategy for cases like this
– Educorreia
4 hours ago
Well, I once participated in a session where the DM had such strategy for cases like this
– Educorreia
4 hours ago
5
5
“Why not” is the job of the answer-writer to provide. If you think this is the right answer, you should explain why. You can edit your post at any time to improve it.
– SevenSidedDie♦
3 hours ago
“Why not” is the job of the answer-writer to provide. If you think this is the right answer, you should explain why. You can edit your post at any time to improve it.
– SevenSidedDie♦
3 hours ago
1
1
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour and get a nifty badge. This will help you to help us to maintain the quality of questions and answers around this SE.
– Aguinaldo Silvestre
2 hours ago
Welcome to RPG.SE! Take the tour and get a nifty badge. This will help you to help us to maintain the quality of questions and answers around this SE.
– Aguinaldo Silvestre
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Elliot is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Elliot is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Elliot is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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I see that you used a new account to post your edit. Give the system a bit of time to work through that, and we'll see if we can get an answer up shortly! You could expedite this by logging into the original account ("Elliot" not "Elliot Wren") to bypass the approval process (you can always edit your own posts)
– Ifusaso
4 hours ago