D&D 5E Investigation vs Perception

[David Alonso]

Wondering if anyone uses Investigation over Perception to find things in rooms etc etc. It seems Perception is used so often, yet I am wondering if it should be used as more of an initial look over a room and if someone goes to really search they could use Investigation.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

David

 

[iserith]

No. I call for an Intelligence (Investigation) check only when the player declares that the character is trying to make a deduction based on evidence AND that attempt at deduction has an uncertain outcome AND there's a meaningful consequence of failure. This is often when the player is trying to confirm an assumption he or she already has.

This skill comes up mostly when a character is trying to figure out how to operate a secret door or avoid a trap, but it can come up anytime a player makes the action declaration as above.

Remember also that players don't "use" skill checks. They declare something fictionally and the DM decides if there's an ability check to resolve the action into a result.

 

[Bawylie]

For me the use depends on the intent of the player declaring the action.

Saturday night, I pointed out tracks around a particular area. The party Fighter wanted to see if he could find a specific set of tracks from the set. That's a wisdom (perception) test, in my game. Then he wanted to know if he could determine the condition of the creature leaving the tracks, by examining gait and any potential "leavings" (he wanted to know whether or not it was undead). That's an Intelligence (investigation), in my game.

So I draw a division between what can be seen and what can be deduced or concluded from the evidence seen.


-Brad

 

[jaelis]

I use investigation when there is something that is easy to see, but hard to realize the significance of. Perception to notice things that are hard to see.

In many cases either will work. If you're looking for a secret door, its pretty easy to see where dust has been disturbed, investigation lets you deduce something from that. Perception might let you actually notice the hidden construction.

 

[MonkeyWrench]

I use them in a way similar to how 3e split Search and Spot checks. Investigation is for noticing fine details, finding a specific item/object in a room, or determing the significance of something. I also use it as a catch-all "detective" skills.

Perception is for noticing threats, catching a glimpse of something, or as a gauge for how generally a PC is aware of their environment.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I use Perception to find any animated, living creatures that are Hiding. If they leave tracks, have a scent, can disrupt air currents, make noise etc... they are found using Perception.

I use Investigation to find any inanimate objects that someone has camouflaged from view and doesn't move. Basically, traps and secret doors. You are trying to find the details in the job the person did to hide these inanimate and secret things.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I main use Investigation for secret passage, traps etc... and Perception to notice the rest

 

[Derren]

Imo Perception would used for things you would know what they are (or that they are not normal) the instant you see them. Investigation would be for things you could see but not realize their significance.

 

[robus]

Perception to notice stuff: tracks, mismatched wall, papers on a desk.

Investigation to figure the meaning of stuff that was noticed: are the tracks fresh, how to open a secret door, do the papers have useful info...

Not all things that are perceived need to be investigated of course. And sometimes the perception comes as part of the description leading to a player declaring the PC investigates something they found interesting.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

What iserith and robus said, basically.

But with the added, and very occasional, use of investigation that if there is a strict time constraint to find something and the player wants to rely on their character's talents to overcome the player's moment of deficiency. Specifically I mean the following sort of situation:

(after ample description of the room, including furnishings and decor)
DM: "You've only got a few moments to search the room for the hidden item you came here to find before you will have to choose between leaving without being noticed and getting caught trespassing. What do you do?"
Player: "There are so many places it could be... I don't know which are more likely. My character takes a moment to consider the hiding places available, rank them in order of likeliness, and then search them in order of most to least."
DM: "Good. Make an Intelligence (Investigation) check against a DC of [insert what I feel is appropriate based on the actual conditions of the room]. If you pass, the ranked list is appropriately ordered so that you reach the right hiding place with time to spare. Failure means you'll be noticed while exiting and will have to deal with evading pursuit. Cool?"
Player: "Cool... and I rolled a..."