Dwarf Stonecunning and the Perception Skill

[harpy]

I'm trying to understand the real mechanical difference between the Dwarf's stonecunning trait and the normal perception skill.

PFSRD details for Stonecunning:

Dwarves receive a +2 bonus on Perception checks to potentially notice unusual stonework, such as traps and hidden doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check to notice such features whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not they are actively looking.

PFSRD for Perception:

Perception is also used to notice fine details in the environment. The DC to notice such details varies depending upon distance, the environment, and how noticeable the detail is.

Action: Most Perception checks are reactive, made in response to observable stimulus. Intentionally searching for stimulus is a move action.

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Now, when you compare both of them it sounds like the Stonecunning "auto-check" with perception isn't significantly different from any character simply using Perception to be reactive to stone features in the environment.

It comes across as more of a thematic interpretive element for the GM. A dwarf will absolutely get a perception check under the right conditions, whereas a non-dwarf might get a perception check, or they might need to take a move action to get a perception check. It just comes down to how the GM is looking at the situation.

 

[ancientvaults]

I read/use this as a Dwarf gets +2 on their Perception roll to notice unusual stonework of any kind, but this bonus would not apply on a trap or other device cleverly made of wood (or anything not stone or rock), as dwarfs do not have the same level of familiarity with substances other than stone and things made of stone.

A dwarf and a human are looking around for anything out of the ordinary in a rocky dungeon, when the dwarf rolls perception, that character gets a +2, which can make all the difference in the world.

 

[Salthorae]

On top of that...

the human would have to walk up right next to the stone work he wanted to examine and search it if there was nothing "unusual" about it, whereas the dwarf simply has to pass within 10' of even base stone to get his perception checks.

basically a dwarf in a dungeon gets a perception check on every 5' square he gets w/n 10' of in order to find something strange, whereas the human has to actually search if there is nothing noticibly unusual.