Trackless Step and Scent

[DerianCypher]

Hey there,

the druid ability trackless step states that it makes it so that you can't be tracked. What I was wondering if this includes tracking by scent?

thanks!

DC

 

[Stalker0]

That's how I've always played it, druids don't smell

 

[Slapzilla]

Tracking by scent, by reading a trail by following blood drops, footprints in snow or mud or by crushed leaves, etc. 'Can't be tracked' is quite the ability.

 

[phindar]

I've always gone the other way. Trackless Step means you don't leave tracks, not having a scent is a different ability. (IMHO, natch.)

 

[DerianCypher]

anyone else care to weigh in?

 

[frankthedm]

the druid ability trackless step states that it makes it so that you can't be tracked. What I was wondering if this includes tracking by scent?

What is one's scent but the tracks one leaves on the air? I say whatever force that prevents the druid from leaving track on the ground, takes his scent off the air once he leaves the immediate area.

Rules wise, tracking by scent follows the rules for the Track feat so it is RAW.

Trackless Step (Ex)
Starting at 3rd level, a druid leaves no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked. She may choose to leave a trail if so desired.

Scent...

A creature with the Track feat and the scent ability can follow tracks by smell, making a Wisdom check to find or follow a track. The typical DC for a fresh trail is 10. The DC increases or decreases depending on how strong the quarry’s odor is, the number of creatures, and the age of the trail. For each hour that the trail is cold, the DC increases by 2. The ability otherwise follows the rules for the Track feat. Creatures tracking by scent ignore the effects of surface conditions and poor visibility.

 

[wedgeski]

Hell yeah. I'm all for anything which sticks the boot to Scent.

Seriously, though, I would give the druid the benefit of the ruling here, else Trackless Step just seems to be a very good version of "I brush my footsteps away with a wet branch as I go".

 

[Plane Sailing]

I think that as written you can't be tracked by scent.

However, as written I think the trackless step class ability is far too uber - so in my campaign I changed it so that the druids class level is added to the tracking DC (which makes it good without eliminating the rangers schtick completely)

 

[green slime]

Nice house rule there Plane Sailing.

I stick with Druids smelling like nature itself, therefore do not provide any scent for the tracker to persue.

 

[Milagroso]

I would agree that Trackless Step is impervious to Scent.

I like that house rule though.